Hodgepodge Friday with an A-E - W8.D6

Air Conditioning
I'm so going to miss this this weekend! But I'm keeping in mind that sweating is a good thing...I'm flushing my body, and as long as I stay fueled and hydrated, I'll be losing weight too.

Avocados
I have been trying to use these in my meals, but I think I finally decided that I don't much care for them. Sucks because they're so good for me, but why eat something I don't like when there are so many other healthy things that I do? Do you like avocados? How do you eat them?

AB
There are going to be several 'weekend challenges' filtered throughout here, so keep an eye out. BTW - Anyone can challenge themselves with these, not just the AB team.

Blood Tests
This morning they took my blood to check my sugar and cholesterol levels. A couple years ago they did this and I came back fine with the exception of high triglycerides. I'm hoping for a clean report this time. BTW - I *hate* giving blood. The girl looked at me and said, "Uhm, are you okay?" I hadn't even looked in that direction the entire time and I probably had a major scowl on my face...I do better with it when I don't look. When I was a tiny kid my mom took me to a lab for blood work - I screamed and cried bloody murder. When Logan was 3 they did blood work to check for a bacterial infection - he screamed and cried bloody murder and they forced me to hold him down. Never again. I *hate* giving blood. And they always take multiple vials too! Greedy bastards!

Body
Here's your challenge for this weekend. You have one part of your body that you just aren't proud of or pleased with...everyone does. For me? Right now it's my stomach...too big and not shrinking fast enough. When Native Americans killed an animal they used every part of the animal...there was no 'bad' part. So your challenge is to find that 'bad' part and see what's good about it. Thank it for what good it is to you. I'm going to work on thanking my stomach for not getting in my way and helping me bust stereotypes people put on me when they see my stomach. I'm also thanking it for processing my food and letting me know when a certain food is not good for me. I also thank that section for housing my two beautiful children.

Blood Pressure
Yesterday I got really sick at work. I was sitting there talking to hubs on the phone and I could feel my blood pressure shooting up. Like, my face was on fire! I thought I was dehydrated or hungry so I drank a couple glasses of water and ate my lunch. Later it dropped so that my face was really pale and my skin was cold. I was freaking out! I called the doc and she didn't seem to think it was even really my blood pressure because I had no chest pains, no shortness of breath, and no racing heart. She seems to think my hormones were adjusting to the depo shot...maybe. Either way, I came home and went to bed for 4.5 hours and felt much better. I think it was exhaustion.

Companionship
Another challenge for you...share the anti-blah with someone. Whether it's complimenting someone you don't know very well and giving them an anti-blah moment they can carry with them, or taking an anti-blah walk or workout with a close friend - spread the anti-blah lifestyle. Helps you and the other person.

Camping
Like I said, I'm going camping. We're heading to Hocking Hills/Old Man's Cave, which I've never been to...which hubs says is just plain wrong because I'm actually from Ohio. There's a huge fishing lake for the boys. A swimming pool, if we decide to pay the small fee for it. And TONS of hiking trails with waterfalls and rock caves. I'm jazzed. Hubby thinks I'm crazy. I bought stuff for smores and banana boats, and I might indulge a tiny bit, but I got a ton of good stuff for us too including nuts, cracker jacks, and bagel thins for breakfast. I'll let you know how it goes, and will take plenty of pics...hopefully my laptop plug is here when I return so I can share them.

Dance!
Another challenge! Pick one song and dance like a fool through the whole thing. Everyone has their own song preferences, but I've currently got "Just Dance" from the great Lady that is Gaga in my head.

Dehydration
A lot of you may be living in places like me where the sun will be shining and humidity will be high. Please try to drink at least 8-16 ounces of water each day this weekend to keep yourself well hydrated!

Eggplant
I fear all my eggplant plants are dying or dead. *sigh* I'm sad. Also lost one bell pepper plant, but the others are doing pretty well...especially after I finally got it fully weeded yesterday. We named the plants too. Mr. Big, Harold, and Oscar are my tomato plants. Logan named a bell pepper plant Spicy, and the one next to it is Brown...sadly, we lost Mustard. *lol* We're crazy.

Enjoy
Have fun this weekend!! See you Sunday!