Early to bed, Early to Rise

Gone are the nights where I closed down the bars with friends and watched the sunrise from a taxi.  Now, I am lucky if I make it to 9pm (on the couch).  Given, I have many more responsibilities now a days, which does not leave much time to suck beer down until the cows come home.  And although I miss those carefree days of partying to the wee hours of the morning- there is something rewarding going to bed before The Tonight Show comes on TV.

Instead of waking up with a headache and wasting my day puking and groaning in pain, I am usually up between 530-630am, courtesy of Grace.  Grace and I hit the road and take a 3 mile walk around the neighborhood before the sun scorches us here in Central Texas.  Laundry and grocery shopping are all done before 11am- I know a very exciting life :) My days are much more productive and I am grateful for that.

Even though I miss those nights of too many to count tequila shots, coming home flopping on the bed while the world is spinning around me, hearing a faint buzzing in my ear from the music blaring at the bar - but knowing I get to see this face in morning makes that 9pm all that much more welcoming. 

Don't get me wrong, a girl still needs a night out....

How many points?!

I am so tired of asking myself, "If I eat this sandwich for lunch, I can have a salad for dinner and I would make my Weight Watchers points for the day?"  I HATE counting points, but I also HATE feeling badly about my body. 

I know to some this may sound ridiculous.  I am not an overweight person, but after having a baby in January, I was ready to shed my baby weight and then some.  I guess I wanted to turn myself into a MILF :)  I have found that between work, taking care of Grace and being utterly exhausted, I am not in the mood to hit the gym at the end of the day- so how would I try get a svelte figure?  I turned to Weight Watchers.  I really like this program because allows you to eat what you normally would while making you aware of the amount you are ingesting.  However the constant point counting is bit obnoxious.

I know by heart the steel cut oats I have ever morning are 3 points, the honey I add to that is 1 point and carrots are ZERO!  My eyesight better be perfect.

So, everyday while I am calculating my meals and the points add up, I ask myself how much longer can I do this? And then I remember I only paid for three months. 

But in all seriousness, if anybody is looking for a program to help them lose weight, I highly recommend Weight Watchers. I've lost 7lbs in the past two months.  Move over Jennifer Hudson, there is a new spokeswoman in town

 

Happier Times

The Jump Picture

My friend Jen recently said "I always see you jumping in pictures."  That is true my good friend.  However, I  do have more pictures with my feet on the ground than not.  But the jump picture is something I cannot resist.  What started as a fun thing Matt and I did while visiting Chicago two summers ago has turned into a must have picture  We (and when I say we, I mean me jumping and Matt capturing that perfect moment where my butt has gotten off the ground), have taken jump pictures in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Aruba and around Austin.  I can't wait to take more.

The childish joy I get when my feet leave the ground as Matt snaps a picture is incredible.  Much too enjoyable for a 30yr old.  Matt has mastered the art of timing the picture, I on the other hand, have mastered the art of making it look like I am jumping MUCH higher than I actually am.  Combine these two efforts and it makes for a stellar jump picture. 

You still might be wondering what exactly is a jump picture....

exhibit A

(Me in Chicago)

This was the first jump picture ever taken by Matt and I.  As you can see, I am not that far off the ground.  However, over the past two years, we have fine tuned the jump picture to.....

(Fordham University, Bronx, NY with Peitz)

 

Jazz up your next picture and go ahead and jump!

Send what you take my way.





What am I doing?

I can't say why I am inspired to create a blog almost 20 years after they have become popular, but I am.  I do not know if it is because at the beginning of 2013, my husband Matt and I welcomed our baby girl, Grace, into the world.  Maybe I am hoping that this stream of consciousness that I write down will serve as a diary for our family one day?  Maybe my perspective on the world will inspire, enrage, or amuse others?  Either way, here goes nothing...

I live in the progressive, artsy city of Austin, Texas.  I have been an "Austinite" since September 2006.  I moved here from the quaint town of Islip, Long Island, New York.  I will spare all details of my life at the moment, as I might draw on these experiences in future articles.

Today's post is just to quickly introduce myself, Allie Pepe, and this random little blog that I like to call "Like you cared." 

When I told Matt about naming the blog this snarky title he told me that the title was self- deprecating.  My answer - "I am self- deprecating."

So, welcome  to my self- deprecating view of the world.  I hope you enjoy future stories I have to tell and hope you share some of your stories with me.