A Long-Delayed Update.

So, what's taken so fucking long, you ask? Life.

The current score: Life 11; P 3. (I quantified this in feels, if you want to know.)

But, stuff has been going on.
My hands are still fucked up. Not as bad, but it's quite annoying. I can now tell when the weather changes; a shift in barometric pressure causes my hands and wrists to ache for no apparent reason. That's just super, she sarcasmed.*

I -did- go to see the doctor, though. I managed to get in at a clinic that offers healthcare to people with low/no income or insurance, and the whole visit only cost me $20, which is amazing. I wanted to hug the receptionist when she told me that. Medicine for my various crap did cost me a bit more, though. For the cough (which still lingers) and for my hands. So, there IS relief, but I haven't taken any of those pills yet because they purportedly cause drowsiness, which I have quite enough of, thank you.

Let's see... Oh, I had a hideous date with a creepy dude (more on this later), and stopped seeing that other guy (more on this too). Thus, the dating front is pretty grim, but I don't really have time for boys and their bullshit right now.**

I've been trying harder to find a job, and last week actually got a call from a temp agency, who has since taken me on as talent! So, I'm a step closer to gainful employment, and after a frantic couple of hours, I now have a very nice outfit to wear to other interviews, should there BE other interviews ever.

In spite of numerous setbacks (read: pints of Ben and Jerry's), I've done well on the diet front and managed to break the 170 lb mark, which had been a depressing plateau. Now, I'm only about 9 lbs away from having what is considered within the range of a healthy body weight. WOO!

So, there have been some good things... But in and around these good points has been a vast sea of soul-crushing depression. Part of why I didn't update for awhile has to do with the depression. I wasn't sure if I wanted to share my bad experiences here, but... As a friend told me, this blog is called P vs. Life, so any part of my life is fair game. Ergo, I will endeavor to fill you in on that stuff soon.

For now, it's time for walkies, and then bed... But only because I promised the dog that we would go to bed earlier tonight than last night and I feel guilty. >__>



Notes:
* I am aware that sarcasm cannot be used as a verb. There is a story behind this, though, about some people who aren't aware....

**I don't only date boys, but haven't heard much lately from the ladies, and regardless, don't have much time for them either. And if truth be told, I already have my eye on someone for when I -do- have the time.

Cooking Experiments #1: Iced Coffee

As my weight and consequently my Weight Watcher's points for the day decrease, I've begun trying to find ways to make and enjoy tasty foods and beverages without wrecking my diet with a bunch of unnecessary fats and carbs. This... has been a process... and not always a successful one.

My latest experiment is pretty simple: iced coffee. Now, I like regular hot coffee just fine, but it's getting warmer outside and I still need caffeine. In fact, I need it more than ever since I'm trying to kick my Excedrin habit. I usually take one every day, instead of just when I have a migraine, because they're full of caffeine; I would just drink regular coffee instead, buuuut it makes me super sweaty. And you all know how much I hate to be sweaty. Well, if you didn't before, you do now. 

I didn't think it would be that tough to find a good recipe for homemade iced coffee, but there are a billion different recipes all over the Internetz. I've looked at some before that said you need to make ice cubes out of coffee. (Tried this once; super fail.) Or recipes calling for condensed milk, which sounds delicious, but zomg sugar.  

I like my coffee with milk and sugar, and a hint of flavor if I can get it. If you prefer your coffee plain, it's a simple matter for you. 

Plain Iced Coffee Recipe*

Make a double-strength pot of coffee (or however much desired). 

Chill or refrigerate, overnight if possible. 

Pour over ice when ready to drink. 

*If you want to add sugar, artificial sweetener, or powdered creamer, you need to add these things while the coffee is HOT. If you don't, the sugar/sweetener/powder will NOT dissolve. If you are using liquid sweetener, flavoring syrup, milk or liquid creamer, these can be added AFTER the coffee is cool. 

Anyway. This is how I made my personal blend.

P Dragon's Iced Coffee Recipe**

3 Tbsp of coffee, or 4 cups, i.e. the amount a lil Mr. Coffee will brew. (Yes, that's double-strength; I'm a lightweight.) 

8 tsp of fat-free/sugar-free powdered creamer, plain flavor. (total: 2 WW pts) 

2 tsp of Coffee Mate fat-free Chocolate creamer (total: 1 WW pts)

Brew coffee, add powdered creamer, refrigerate overnight. 

In the morning, add: 

ice and

4-5 tsp of sugar-free Torani syrup. This morning, Hazelnut.

Total WW points for this beast: 3 pts.

**I'm not entirely sure on these numbers, because maths was involved, but I'll be testing it again tomorrow. 

Annnnd there you have it. 

Seems simple, and yet.... I have completely fucked this up before, so here you are, to benefit from my previous failure. 

If you're interested in reading more about my previous cooking experiments, leave a comment and I'll do a post on those. Previous cooking experiments include: 

-Spaghetti squash

-Kale chips or How to Make Kale Not Taste Like Ass

-Lower fat muffins/cupcakes/cookies using applesauce instead of oil.

-Shirataki Noodles

-and probably others I've forgotten.