Diva Thielvoldt

There has been a delay in my posting this past week because a major tragedy hit our family last Friday, January, 20, 2012. My mother in law, Diva Thielvoldt, passed away in her sleep last Friday. She was very young, only 54, and it was completely unexpected. She was an amazing woman, who not only brought her children up to be amazing men, but also dedicated her life to helping cancer patients/survivors as an RN. She was always an inspiration to me, one I looked to for career advice, relationship advice, and to always be there to provide a positive spin on everything. She was always straight forward and direct, and lived true to her name.

Michael and I have been struggling with this, but we keep reminding each other, that we can at least be happy that we have no regrets. We both had a great relationship with her, talked with her on the phone, in email and in person often. She was proud of us and was able to tell us this often. We told her we loved he often and were even able to see her a few days before she died at a brunch at what we think was her favorite brunch spot in Austin.

Right now we are focusing our time on being with our family, and spending as much quality time with them as we can.

The viewing was last night, and although sad because it reminded us of the reality that she isn't just on vacation, that she is truly gone, it was also uplifting. Everyone that knew her had amazing stories to tell about her, and made us happy knowing how much she touched everyone's lives. The funeral is today, and I expect it to be similar. Cathartic, but in a positive way.

It will be a long struggle, but if we keep the positive stories at the forefront of our minds I think we will make it through. 

January 6, 2012 - Tinker Tailor Snore

Breakfast

I started off my friday with some lucky charms.

Lunch with the Team
My boss intended to take us all out for a Christmas lunch but because everyone's plans were crazy it got delayed until January 6th. It was a beautiful day out so we decided to go to a place with outdoor seating that also allowed for a quick lunch. We ended up at Tinos at Arbor Walk. I got the falafel wrap with some fries. But please note I only ate about 5 or 6 fries. Who knew I had that restraint in me?

Dinner at the Drafthouse

After work Michael and I went to the movies together to watch Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. I was not a fan of the movie. I was really tired already, and that movie was really tiring. I ended up falling asleep during it and didnt particularly mind. I thought it was going to be an action movie, but it was a spy movie, but not as fun as a James Bond spy movie. While there I got the asian chicken wrap, but with tofu instead of chicken. It was pretty awesome and has become one of my favorites.

January 5, 2012 - Quarterly Meeting

Workout

I started the morning with another workout. I did a 2.63 mile interval run, then did some upper body weights. It felt lovely. I was a little more worn out during the run than usualy, but it still was awesome to get it done. 

Quarterly Meeting Breakfast

It was another quarterly meeting. I started with a blueberry muffin.

Then later had a bit of this yogurt parfait. My tummy wasn't that happy though, so I only ate part of it.

Snack
I ended up getting hungry and my snack options were scones. So I had a bit of this, but only part of it.

Lunch
It was catered by CPK. I got a veggie sandwich and ate some chips.

Dinner
After a crazy day I ended up eating some cereal for dinner. That is always I could handle.

January 4, 2012 - Rosemary Potato Soup

Workout

I woke up early and did a 2.6 mile interval run, then did some lower body weights. 

Breakfast

Death cereal again.

Lunch
At lunch I had some leftover chana masala.

Dinner
I was so happy that by the time I got home from work, Mike had made me soup. It was a potato soup with veggies and rosemary. It was quite tasty. Although next time he is going to cut up the rosemary very fine.

January 3, 2012 - Death Cereal

Workout

I started out the morning with a 30 minute Nike Training Club workout. These always provide a great workout.

Breakfast

Death cereal. Swear. I don't get why I didn't get it, after several days.

Snack
PB Pretzels.

Lunch
I ended up meeting a friend for lunch and got a lovely blt sandwich. You will be proud to know I never ate more than 3 chips.

Dinner
After work I went home and made a big salad with some ham and some peanut sauce and a side of cornbread.

January 2, 2012 - Add a Little Extra

Breakfast

I started my last day of vacation off with a bowl of cereal. Remind me to never eat this cereal again. It makes me sick. Every single time. Argh.

Workout
I ended up going to the gym and doing a 2 mile interval run while watching some horrible vin diesel movie. Then I did a Nike Training Club workout that focused on abs. It was insane. I was sweating everywhere. It was gross, and awesome.

Lunch
For lunch I had a ham and cheese sandwich with a huge salad on the side. Mmm.

Dinner
One of my co-workers gave me this pack of chana masala seasoning.

I used it, and it was great, except I did have to add a bit more to it, because I always do things like that. It turned out very tasty. Then I also made a side of broccoli. mmm.

January 1, 2012 - Super Girl

Breakfast

I started out the new year with a hashbrown, an egg and a bacon. What lovely breakfast.

Of course I also had to have a cappuccino.

Mike surprised me with another paper doll outfit for me. He made me as Super Girl, which is perfect because apparently her name was Cara, well with a K.

Lunch
For lunch I had some leftover butternut squash ravioli.

Then later some cornbread.

Dinner
By the time dinner rolled around the only thing Mike and I wanted for dinner was veggies. We made roasted parsnips and roasted carrots.

Then I ended up getting hungry later on and made myself a veggie corndog.

December 31, 2011 - NYE Celebration

Breakfast

I started our New Year's eve with a lovely bowl of cereal.

NYE Workout
I was able to head out to the gym and felt really great about it. I did a quick interval run, and then some free body weights focusing on the lower body. I was super excited that I used the men's side of the gym and didn't feel too weird about it. Yay!


Lunch
Next was a simple grilled cheese on jalapeno bread with a bowl of tomato soup.

And then a side salad to get in some veggies.

Dinner & NYE Celebrations
Lindsay &  Luke were amazing and invited Mike, Teddy and I over to their place for a nice sit down dinner before heading out for a night of celebration. We started with some awesome appeitizers, including stuffed mushrooms (squeal!)

For our entree we had home made butternut squash ravioli with a butter sauce, with sage and toasted hazelnuts. This was absolutely amazing!

December 30, 2011 - Taco Deli Celebration

Breakfast

I started the day off with some oatmeal squares. I don't know why I keep trying these, they always make me sick but are so so tasty. Argh. 

Lunch at Taco Deli
One of our interns officially turned into a full time employee so we went out to celebrate at Taco Deli. I got the al pastor taco and the papa dulce taco. The al pastor was not my fave, but definitely not bad, and the papa dulce was amazing as per usual.

Leftover Dinner
After work I went home and had some leftovers. Below you can see some leftover sweet potatoes, some ham and some corn casserole. Mike and I spent the night just watching television and hanging out.

December 29, 2011 - Free Weights at the Gym

Breakfast

For breakfast I started the day with some peanut butter and honey on toast.

Lunch

I packed my lunch and ate it at my desk. I packed a ham and cheese sandwich with some sun chips. Yes, I drink a diet soda once a day at work. They provide free soda, and soda makes me happy. It is my one vice. I tried to quit before, but it never works, and I have given up wanting to make it work.

Evening Workout
After work I went to the gym. I did a quick interval run, going for 2.11 miles. Then I did a weight workout that included flys, biceps, raises, triceps, and push ups. It was pretty hard but pretty great. It was a big deal for me to do free weights at the gym. For some reason it just makes me uncomfortable without having a personal trainer leading me.  I was also proud that I fit in a workout before a night with friends.

Book Club Dinner
That's right I showed up to a night with friends post workout, and slightly sweaty.  Not a big deal.  At least not for my friends. I ended up bringing some food. I made some grilled cheese on a jalapeno cheese bread, and a tomato soup with garlic and fresh tomatoes (provided by the host). It worked out pretty well. We also shared some delicious bean dip, hot coco, some wine, and some hummus.

This is the beautiful hot coco that the host made us. Mmm.