KGC?

Love free food? Me too! It's no secret that getting healthy food at a low price can be difficult (in fact, I've blogged about it before). But this Monday (April 27th), you can stop by any KFC and pick up a FREE piece of their new grilled chicken! A breast piece clocks in at 180 calories and 4 grams of fat, and it packs a whopping 35 grams of protein. You can also do what I do, and double your offer by hitting the lobby, then the drive thru. Sometimes, if you are suuuuuper nice and polite, and the person at the window isn't in too terrible of a mood, you can even claim that you are picking up the free offer for your boss at work, who simply cannot make it out of the office today. Early reviews online claim that the Colonel has not quite perfected this recipe, and most people said it was dry, bland, and even rubbery (ew!). But at least you can check it out for yourself without parting with any cash.

Normally I would suggest a side item to pair with your free chunk of poultry, but until I see a vegetable offering at KFC not smothered in cheese or butter, I'm not sure what to recommend. Personally, I don't even know if I can partake in this offer, because I cannot stay away from the coleslaw OR the dreaded biscuit. KFC's website claims that they offer green salads, but I have never seen that option on my local menu board. My advice? Pick up the free chick and pair it with a fast food side salad or leafy greens from your local grocer. Or, scarf it up all on its own!

Is this post finally enough to get me a job offer from Hungry Girl? Enjoy your free food!

Hope Springs Eternal.

I don't know if showing up to Kate Hudson's birthday party sans your significant other qualifies as a breakup, but for the sake of having a good day during which I believe all things are possible, I'm choosing to believe this juicy nug of gossip.

If history has taught me anything, it's that a story on USWeekly.com confirming that "things are fine" actually means that said couple is dunzo. In this case, it's Timber and Jessica Biel. And this blogger couldn't be happier.

Call me, Justin!

Dog Years.

I cannot believe how old my babies are today! Happy 5th (35th) birthday to Roach Dude and 4th (28th) birthday to Lilly!

They are both handling their midlife crises by having a small outburst of carpet destruction yesterday afternoon. I can't say I blame them. I myself am not ready for 28 this year, and I am sure that when I hit 3-5, I will most certainly want to destroy something. Plus, they have been so good for so long, I can overlook a minor misstep in behavior. Besides, I think it's time for new carpet, too.

Last night we celebrated with the pups by letting them enjoy my doggie bag of beef tips and egg noddles (yummmmm). Tonight they will get to open presents and eat lots of MilkBones.

Theses dogs are the loves of my life, and they improve my mood tenfold every single day. I can't believe how big they have gotten (in comparison to their baby pictures shown here!) and I hate every day that they get older -- but love every day I get to hang out with them.

Happy Birthday, kids!

Worst Day.

It is 79 degrees, every single one of them gorgeous. The sun is blazingly beautiful. A slight breeze ensures there is great little surf.

I am at work. Officially in the worst mood imagineable. In addition to being banished from enjoying the ideal spring day, I am acutely aware of the rumbling undercurrent that is characteristic of a soon-to-come domestic dispute. Per usual, I have no idea what it may be about.

I just ate a personal pan pizza and breadsticks, otherwise known as enough fat and calories to sustain a small family for three days. My hope for the big 20 pound weight loss number at tomorrow morning's weigh-in was obliterated in a single lunch hour. I only feel worse.

Despite my attempts to combat said mood with a dress, cowboy boots, and my favoritey fave accessory (stretchy belt), I still feel as though I will most likely commit homicide before end of day. Watch out, customer who returns $800 of ugly shit you bought online... you could be the victim of my next rage-aholic outburst.

Make it Work!

I think it was nearly 2 months ago when a customer in my store was shopping for an outfit to wear to the season finale of Project Runway Season 6 (at New York Fashion Week). I obviously helped her select something fabulous before pumping her for all deets on Runway (her brother was a camera guy or something). Since I had not been following the entire legal debacle that has kept this top 5 all-time favorite show off the air, I was thrilled to hear that the entire season had already been filmed. A quick trip to wiki tells me that this season will air this summer on Lifetime (not a minute too soon, TG!).

In the meantime, how am I to get my Tim Gunn fix? Lucky for me, this week is one of the greatest weeks of Biggest Loser -- MAKEOVER WEEK! Last season, Christian Siriano helped the new skinnies go from drab to fab. This time around, Tim Gunn is showing up! I love, love, love him and am so excited to see him on this week's Loser.

Writing this post reminds me of a question that crossed my mind a few weeks ago when the black team won a trip of 24 hour luxury. The contestants show up on campus with not much luggage, presumably only including various size tees in their team colors, Hanes hoodies, and Bondi Bands. When they win a trip home or a dinner away from campus, where do they procure the new clothes to fit their forever-changing body shapes? Is there a personal stylist for the show? Or do they work a quick Macy*s stop into the trip to the airport? I expect to see someone who lost 100 pounds on campus headed home in oversized sweatpants and a huge t-shirt. Who magically hooks them up with fitted button-downs and perfect makeup?

In other guest appearance news this week, Miley performs on Idol! Let's hope Billy Ray doesn't show up.

Easter Eater.

As much as I was looking forward to weighing less this morning, and subsequently publishing a New York Times Bestseller on the "All Easter Candy Diet", I am here to tell you that a week-long steady consumption of Whoppers Robin Eggs and Reese's Eggs will not help your extra pounds sitch. In addition to the innumerable sugar highs and subsequent crashes I experienced over the past week, I also managed to gain a pound and basically set myself back 14 days.

I thought I was doing right by avoiding the Cadbury bunny and all-sugar Peeps (both battles were exhausting strains on my willpower), but I couldn't resist the (free 2 pound bag, thanks Wendy) candy coated Whoppers or the occasional pb and chocolate delight. No more! I have had my Easter fill, and am declaring this sugar-laden holiday over.


Until next Monday's half-off Easter candy sales...

Knitting Knews.

My brother Michael sent me a link to a nationwide call for knitters this past week, and my interest was piqued. Although I had heard of CodePink, I wasn't really sure what they were about, other than being a group of women united against war. A quick trip to their website explained...

"CODEPINK emerged out of a desperate desire by a group of American women to stop the Bush administration from invading Iraq. The name CODEPINK plays on the Bush Administration's color-coded homeland security alerts — yellow, orange, red — that signal terrorist threats. While Bush's color-coded alerts are based on fear and are used to justify violence, the CODEPINK alert is a feisty call for women and men to "wage peace."

CODEPINK is a women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, stop new wars, and redirect our resources into healthcare, education, green jobs and other life-affirming activities. CODEPINK rejects foreign policies based on domination and aggression, and instead calls for policies based on diplomacy, compassion and a commitment to international law. With an emphasis on joy and humor, CODEPINK women and men seek to activate, amplify and inspire a community of peacemakers through creative campaigns and a commitment to non-violence.

'We call on women around the world to rise up and oppose the war in Iraq. We call on mothers, grandmothers, sisters and daughters, on workers, students, teachers, healers, artists, writers, singers, poets, and every ordinary outraged woman willing to be outrageous for peace. Women have been the guardians of life-not because we are better or purer or more innately nurturing than men, but because the men have busied themselves making war. Because of our responsibility to the next generation, because of our own love for our families and communities and this country that we are a part of, we understand the love of a mother in Iraq for her children, and the driving desire of that child for life.'"

Although I try to keep my political activism to a minimum, I think CodePink is a great cause, and I support their message. Mostly, though, I just think that this project they are planning for Mother's Day is 100% awesome. A giant cozy on anything is the love, and this message is an important one to be heard on Mother's Day. I've been trying to figure out what to do with my fabulous pink Malabrigo, and this is the answer.

"Calling all CODEPINK knitters! We are creating a beautiful, quilted cozy to cover the fence in front of the White House to honor Mother's Day. The message will be “We will not raise our children to kill another mother’s child”-inspired by Julia Ward Howe’s Mother’s Day Proclamation. We’ll be piecing it together from individual squares knitted by YOU as part of the 24 hour Mother’s Day vigil for Women who live in War Zones. The best part is you don’t have to be an experienced knitter to help! This is perfect for knitters of all skill levels—and a great opportunity for those who want to learn! Celebrate the time honored tradition of the radical act of knitting."

Click here to learn more about CodePink's "Radical Act of Knitting in Honor of Mother's Day". Even if you are a super-beginner, you can be a part of this ground-breaking project.

On a personal level, my big accomplishment last week was mastering the picot hem. Although I cannot divulge photos of my super-secret project, I included this picture so you can see what I'm talking about. If you follow the link provided (Knit wiki, anyone? Who even knew this existed?) you will read about how involved this process really is. It takes two sets of circular needles, a lot of un-twisting, and a ridiculous amount of concentration. I am very proud of my first picot hem, and I am sure I will use the knowledge I gained on projects in the future. Meanwhile, I am knitting along furiously on my picot-edged masterpiece. I can't wait to get it off the needles and post pictures!