Tuesday, June 30, 2009

I'm Bored!!!

You know when it's summer because the kids all sit around and complain that they are bored if they aren't at the swimming pool, right??

Well that's how I feel right now....I'm bored!! I'm bored of my routine, boring life. I need to add some spice to my life, but I don't really know how or what to do about it.

I need to clean the house, from top to bottom, but the idea of doing it makes my skin crawl! I'm tired of doing the same things everyday, but don't really have any ideas on what to do differently. I have so many things to clean and organize that I don't really know where to start. I have records to organize and some to shred, but I need to buy a shredder to do it right, so there they sit in the living room, making me feel like a lazy bum for not getting it done.

I'm tired of sitting around and reading about other people taking great vacations with their families and doing cool things, and all I'm doing is sitting here doing nothing....I want to do something fun!! But...I'm the only one in the family that seems to want to do anything. That Kid is busy with his part time job and hanging out with friends, That Other Kid just wants to swim, play with Legos, or play hockey (destroying my home in the process). I want to go somewhere and do something EXCITING!! But what?? I don't know!!

All this and I'm tired of spending every evening exercising. I would like to sit back and watch a movie, or go have an appetizer with a friend or go to bed early for a change. But I can't quit now....I'm finally seeing some progress and I really don't want to be FAT ANYMORE!! So I spend my days being bored with so many things to do that I don't want to do, and I spend my evening exercising! Maybe when I'm not FAT I'll have more motivation to do something else with my day!!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Workout Update

Thought I would give ya'll a workout update since I haven't posted in a couple of days. Not that it will be too exciting for you, but it's something, right??

Last night I did my "normal" workout -- 30 minutes of working out with 10 Minute Session DVD and then I did my WiiFit Hula and set a new record that was pretty fun...both sides were the same number -- my grand total was 3350 spins, with equal spins on the right and left side of 1675! I've never seen that before and thought it was pretty funny! Then tonight I did the same routine again, and set another new record with the WiiFit with 3365 spins! I can hardly believe I am doing so many spins on this thing -- when I started this 3 months ago I couldn't even do 100 spins!! Wow!! What a difference 3 months make -- 20 pounds lost, many inches lost and I have some real aerobic stamina!

I'm thinking of purchasing a different Wii Game -- Active. I've heard good things about it, but don't really want to drop $50 for a new game, till I've heard some more about it. So if you have it or have something to say about it, please share with me!

On a side note -- my best friend from high school found me on FaceBook. She was also my brides maid from my wedding (almost 25 years ago), and I've been trying to find her for a number of years! I can't wait to catch up with her and find out what she's been doing with her life the past 20 years!! Gotta love FaceBook for the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make some new ones!! On that note, if you are on Facebook and are looking for more friends feel free to send me a friend request (just tell me a little about you or your blog) and we'll become even better friends!

Hope ya'll are having a wonderful summer night -- keep in mind this week that Saturday is the 4th of July and the day to celebrate the wonderful country of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA -- still the greatest country in the world!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

You Capture -- Summer

It's summer in Texas -- and there really is one activity to participate in that makes any sense and that is SWIMMING! Last week we went swimming 3 out of the 5 days, but this week we have been busy and haven't had a chance to get over to the pool so this afternoon That Kid announced he was going to the pool...guess what That Other Kid decided we "just have" to do...you got it go swimming. So I figured sure why not, maybe I could get some pictures to submit to Beth's You Capture photo meme. That Other Kid did not disappoint!! They are a little fuzzy since I took them with my Blackberry Phone (of course, I forgot to bring my camera!) but overall not bad pictures for a pool! He's always a ham when I get the camera out...no matter where we are!




Wednesday, June 24, 2009

20 Pounds and Counting!!

Today is Weigh-in Wednesday with the Sisters and I think (from the email conversations we've been having this week) the whole Blue Team were holding our collective breath's to see how we did. I know I was! The weekend was kind of stressful and I didn't make the best choices...I didn't totally blow it because I didn't eat EVERYTHING I wanted and I did exercise every night (I'm really looking forward to exercising now, weird huh??), but I didn't have a lot of confidence in the numbers on the scales this morning. But guess what??? I was PLEASANTLY surprised!!

Last week my weigh in was: 208.2
Today's weigh-in: are you ready??
Hold on to your skinny jeans!! Cuz I'm looking to buy some in a few months!!

My weigh-in was: 205.8!! I could hardly believe my eyes!! I lost OVER 2 pounds this week! That's technically 2.10 pounds, cuz ya know those ounces definitely add up!! How did that happen?? I have no idea!! but I am thrilled!!

My goal for this 7 week challenge was to be at or below 200 pounds!! It looks like this is actually feasible!! This is week 4, so I still have 3 more weeks to go.

I told dh that I had lost 20 pounds since March 25, which if you count them that's basically 3 months -- he broke it down and figured that I am losing .22 pounds per day! Over 1 1/2 pounds per week, over 6 pounds per month! I can hardly believe it myself!!

Well I think that's all the shameless bragging I can take for today...but omg 20 pounds is awesome in my book!! Hope ya'll are having a great day!!

GO BLUE TEAM!! We can do it!!


Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans


Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day....

Just in case dh figures out the name of my blog and decides he wants to go to the trouble of reading it, I thought I should write a little bit about the man I call dh and my children call "dad".

Dh and I married young, both barely 19...which really scares me, cuz ugh! That Kid, guess what? He's about to turn 19!! I can't imagine him being ready to be married. Maybe we weren't either, we were just too stupid to know that we weren't...who knows??!!

Anywhoo, when we first married he was adamant...he didn't want to be a dad. He didn't want to deal with the responsibility. Ya know...kids are a lot of work! He didn't have a very good childhood and he felt that he wouldn't be properly equipped to be a dad. But you know, things change and life happens. I talked him into agreeing to at least 1 child and hopefully 2! Guess what?? I got 2, which is what I wanted!! Right before we turned 25 years old, nearly 6 years after we got married That Kid was born. I had always thought we would have a girl, and that's what he thought he wanted too, but ya know God has other plans most times!

That Kid was born and dh cried, "oh no, we have a boy. How am I supposed to treat him? What if I end up treating him like I was treated as a boy?" Well God knew what he was doing and helped him to become a better man and a good dad to his little boy! it helped that That Kid thought dad hung the moon and proclaimed that he was "daddy's little man" from a very early age. When That Kid was about 2 1/2 years old they sat on the couch together and watched Star Wars and that was the beginning of a Star Wars and movie watching bond that still exists. When That Kid was about 3 or 4 years old he decided he was "big man self" and was no longer "daddy's little man" but by that time they had a special bond. This bond has changed over the years but they are still into the same kinds of "manly movies".

Before That Other Kid was born, we found out he was a boy and DH's response was, "well I guess I'm not good a making girls!" So the adventure began with That Other Kid. Now, That Other Kid has always been a "momma's boy", but sometimes he gets a little put out by all my "unmanly ways" and wants to hang with dad. These are the times that dh really love, and I think he lives for these times when he can develop this relationship with That Other Kid. TOK already loves Star Wars, Batman and all those other manly guy types of movies and shows. This is wonderful for the 3 of them to have this bond and it gives me a break from all the testosterone in the room!

Dh was afraid of becoming a father, because he didn't want to be a "terrible dad"! I didn't worry about him being a terrible dad because he has enough "sweetness" to knock out the bad from his terrible example growing up. I knew that he would be the best dad that he could and he has been....

So Happy Fathers Day, DH!!

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Today ...

I learned something about myself! Thought I would share it with ya'll....maybe it will help us all!

Today was a very low key day around here. We didn't have anything planned, except to go to the grocery store. I also wanted to try to rent a couple of Wii games that I had heard of. So That Other Kid and I went to the grocery store and then went over to the Blockbuster Video that is next door. They didn't have either Wii game that I wanted so I was frustrated and left kind of bummed out. We went down to the other Blockbuster that is only a couple of miles away and they didn't have either game either. Double frustration!!

That Kid started a new job at a sandwich place and I was planning to go in and bug him like a good mom should:)) So I called Dh and he said he didn't want anything, he had just finished eating a sandwich from home. I didn't feel like I should go buy a sandwich when I could just go home and eat one and save the money, ya know??!! So again, my plans were nixed.

I came home fixed some lunch and ate...that's when my struggles started... I was bored, I didn't have anything else to "do" today except the boring stuff, laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc.

So what did I want to do?? I'm sure you all know...I wanted to EAT!! Nothing in particular, just EAT...so I looked for things to keep myself busy and occupied. It worked to some degree but then I had to go back to the grocery store for some things I forgot...I hate that, don't you? So of course, I decided I NEEDED some snacks. I walked aound the store and finally decided on a couple of semi-wise choices. Skinny Cow Fudge Bars and WeightWatchers Chocolate Chip cookies....both items only 100 calories each. And I only ate 1 each!! so ...although I did kind of blow it, it could have been SO MUCH WORSE!! and I did exercise tonight and I ate a healthy dinner, so maybe it's ok!!

So the moral to my little novel here...Don't let yourself get bored at home!! Find things that will occupy yourself so that you don't think about all the food that looks and sounds so good! Don't watch TV with a bunch of food commericals!! Figure out what triggers you wanting to eat and avoid it or do something to curb those eating triggers!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Weigh In Wednesday

This morning I was a bit nervous to step on those scales but knew I had to do it anyway. It is Weigh In Wednesday, ya know?? That means step up on the scale and look at the numbers and either moan and groan or jump up and down! I was prepared to moan and groan, cuz yesterday I was VERY WEAK and ate half a ANGEL FOOD CAKE!! Not half a piece, HALF A CAKE!! I really have no excuse...other than it was sitting there on the counter all day and I was here all day, too! But don't worry I paid for that indulgence dearly by having severe stomach ache and a need to stay in the bathroom a good part of the evening, if you understand what I mean..

Anyway here are my numbers:

Last week: 210 even
This week: 208.2

Weight loss this week -- 1 pound 14 ounces!!

That's almost 2 whole pounds -- even though I had a major blow it day yesterday! I have to say I was a bit shocked and EXTREMELY happy!!

Today we were planning to go swimming with some friends and I desperately needed to purchase a new swim suit, so against my better judgement I went shopping for a new swim suit after I got That Other Kid to bed last night. I actually walked into JC Penney at 9:30 p.m. and walked out with a new SMALLER swim suit at 10 p.m. It didn't even have a W behind the number this time!! That's the first time I have bought something without that W behind the number in A LONG TIME!! It felt great!!

We spent the day at the pool with our friends and I felt great wearing my new, smaller swimsuit and only weighing 208.2 pounds!!

I know I still have a long ways to go to get to my goal weight of 150 pounds but I am getting there faster than I thought I really could! Obviously, my new workout DVD is working to some degree...and of course the WiiFit!!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Tiny Talk Tuesday -- (Only He's Not So Tiny, Anymore)!!




Tiny Talk Tuesday celebrates our children and their view of the world. They continually make us laugh and by recording their Tiny Talk we can focus on one of the many JOYS of parenting! If your kiddos made you laugh this week (don't they always), then feel free to share the humor! Check out more Tiny Talks with Mary.


This past week I got to spend a considerable amount of time with That Kid -- he's almost 19 years old and extremely busy these days...what with all the socializing the summer months bring about!! ya know?? I just graduated him from our homeschooling experience and he's preparing to attend Dallas Baptist University in just 9 short weeks....not that I'm counting or anything.

Anywhoooo, I attended Orientation and Registration with him as was requested for preparing your student to attend college.

I was happy to spend this time with him...driving, walking around campus, checking out some of the buildings, going through some of the registration process with him, and even eating a couple of meals with him. These are rare moments in my life these days and I treasured every minute of it.

However, the most special moment of these 2 days came on Thursday morning after we dropped That Other Kid off at the babysitter's house. He's planning to live on campus in the dorms for convenience and to qualify for the scholarship he was awarded.

He turned to me and said, "Do you think it would be ok if I came home on some of the weekends to sleep? It will be easier to stay at home and be able to work all those hockey games if I don't have to drive all the way down to DBU."

I responded with "Yes, I think that would be a good idea. We can just set up a mattress in the bedroom for you to sleep, since dad is planning to take over your room when you move down to DBU."


Inside I was screaming and jumping up and down and crying for joy and every other happy emotion I could imagine! He's not even gone from home and he already wants to come home!! I could not have been happier!!

My baby still wants to be "home"...even if it is just to sleep here! I'll still get to see him and give him a hug and love on him -- on the weekends, at least!! Maybe I will make it through this first year of college!

Monday, June 15, 2009

New Exercise Plan

I finished the 30 Day Shred with Jillian Micheals last Wednesday and I decided I wanted a change of pace. I have done a great job with this workout but felt I needed a change. Due to my schedule Thursday and Friday I knew that I really wouldn't have time to workout so I wanted to get back to it Saturday, so I went looking for a new DVD Saturday morning. I went to Target and Walmart to try to find the "perfect" DVD. I didn't really find the perfect DVD but I did find one that will work at least for a while. Saturday and Sunday I wasn't really sure if it would but I changed the way I did the DVD tonight and I'm feeling it.

What did I buy, you may be asking?? Well I tried to find it online and it's not out there anywhere...but I did find it at Walmart so if you go to your local Wally-world you may be able to find it or something similar. It is called "10 Minute Solution: Sculpt, Tone & Reshape with the Figure 8". This DVD comes with 2 different resistance bands and is designed to work different areas for just 10 minute segments. Saturday and Sunday I worked out with the easier band...tonight I used the harder one and TRUST ME I can feel it!! I did 3 different 10 minute sessions each of the 3 nights and this is the way I plan to continue doing it, working the ABs every night since that is the area I need help with the most.

I'm not sure how long I will stick with this DVD but I'm going to try to stick with it 30 days and see how I look after working out with it for a month! I have my measurements and my pictures for before and after shots....can't wait to see how much my body changes!!

I'm still working out with my WiiFit Hula and tonight I hit a new 10 minute record of 3308! I also worked out on the elliptical machine at the gym today for 30 minutes, then spent about 1 1/2 hours in the pool with That Other Kid! I think I exercised enough today...what do you think??!!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

8 Things About Me!

Heather (and fellow BLUE Team member) tagged me for a meme last Friday and my week has been so crazy that I am just getting around to doing anything except the bare minimums. This meme is called 8 Things About Me and then I'm supposed to tag 8 other people. Let's see if I can find 8 people to tag!!

8 Things I am looking forward to:

1. Sending my oldest son off to college in just 2 months 1 week! Fortunately, he'll only be 45 minutes away (cuz I am also dreading it)!
2. Teaching my youngest son to read, write, and do 'rithmetic! I'll be homeschooling him this fall for kindergarten!
3. LOSING 60 more pounds by Christmas time!
4. Finally being able to go into a "regular" store and buy clothes! It's been way too long since I have been able to shop in a "normal" store!
5. Spending some time playing with my new phone dh bought me Wednesday afternoon!
6. Exercising with my new DVD (10 Minute Solution - Sculpt, Tone & Shape with the Figure-8) that I bought this afternoon. (I'll let you know how it is after I am done tonight)!
7. Going to bed before 1 a.m. tonight! It has been after 1 a.m. all week when I finally have got to bed.
8. Getting organized in my home! This is something that needs to be done desperately!


8 Things I did yesterday:

1. Got up at 6:30 a.m. (for the 2nd day in a row)! I'm not a morning person! 8 a.m. is REALLY early to me!!
2. Spent a lot of time with That Kid without That Other Kid any where around! We had College Registration and Orientation and a 5 year old is not a welcome participant!
3. Bought Dallas Baptist University apparel!
4. Walked around A LOT in Texas heat and humidity!!
5. Sweated (see #4)
6. Met a lot of very helpful and wonderful Christian people who will be a GREAT influence on That Kid EVERY.SINGLE.DAY for the next 4 years (I hope)!!
7. Relaxed and watched The Stanley Cup Finals with That Other Kid!
8. Folded laundry that had been sitting for at least 1 week!!


8 Things I wish I could do:

1. Be "skinny" overnight!!
2. Travel!! EVERYWHERE!! Problem is I HATE to fly!! So this may be difficult to accomplish!
3. Keep my house clean!
4. Make my children do the things they know they are supposed to do without constant nagging or prompting from me!
5. Go shopping and not worry about the price of the things I see that I want!
6. Be organized!
7. Scrapbook and cross-stitch and quilt, and other crafty "mom" things. I have grand plans but don't seem to have to the time or motivation to actually 'get 'er done'!
8. Get all my curriculum planned and purchased for the new school year before August!


8 Shows I watch:

1. The 10 p.m. News (usually at 11 p.m. or later) Thanks to the DVR feature!!
2. Dora the Explorer
3. Turbo Dogs
4. Sid the Science Kid
5. Backyardigans
6. Dragon Tales
7. Little Bill
8. During the hockey season I try to watch EVERY Dallas Stars Hockey game that is broadcast on tv!

As you can see TV is not exactly one of my hangups....but it is obviously one of That Other Kid's hangups!! We'll have to change that over the summer so that he can get his school work done!


8 Peeps Tagged:
1. Bev
2. Her Sister Barb
3. Sarah (the first blog I read faithfully!)
4. DeeDee
5. Heather She's so stinkin' funny! and very real...that's why I love her so much!
6. Antique Mommy She is a wonderul lady with a son about That Other Kid's age! That makes her even more cool in my eyes!
7. Alyson Another favorite of mine who lives on a farm in Canada.
8. Anita (a Blue Team member!!) Go Blue!

Well there you go!! More than you ever wanted to know!! Hope you are having a great weekend!!

Friday, June 12, 2009

Some Gross Pictures....

If ya'll have a weak stomach you may want to skip this post...I'm going to show you some pretty gross pictures....ME!! But the good news is the second set are better!!






These pictures were taken on May 11 after my first session of the 30 Day Shred. They were taken right before I started Round 2 of the 30 Day Shred.
NO, I AM NOT PREGNANT!! I JUST LOOK LIKE IT IN THIS PICTURE...which explains why I am working my tail off to lose this weight.















After the second 30 Day Shred session -- taken on June 11. Although I am noticeably still FAT I am looking better now that I have completed the second round of the 30 Day Shred. After taking my measurements I found I have lost a total of 8 inches total from my waist, hips, thighs, upper arms, and chest in this 1 month time period. I have to say that is exciting to me! I also lost about 2 1/2 pounds during this time period, not great but not too shabby either considering all those inches that aren't there anymore!

I am looking for other options to continue working out...something different but just as effective or maybe even more effective. I'll be looking at Target and Walmart this weekend for options. I have many more inches and pounds to go, but I am progressing and that is the point, right??

Oh and over the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans I won this cool journaling book to help in my continued weight loss! It is amazing what can happen to you when you use willpower and talk about your struggles and your successes with your friends. I can not tell you how grateful I am to these ladies. Every week I get continual support and praise from my new friends.

Thanks everyone....and let's hope my next month's pictures make me look like I am no longer pregnant since my baby is 5 1/2 years old!!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Weigh In Time!! Go Team BLUE!!

I have to say I was excited to go weigh myself this morning for 2 reasons. My team is counting on me to lose weight and I had taken a sneak peek on Monday to see how I was doing and I had already lost 1 pound so I wanted to see what I done in the past 2 days! I was pleased!!

Last week's weigh in -- 211.3
Today's weigh in -- 210 EVEN!! Yeah!!

Only 10 more pounds to go till I get to my short term goal of 200 EVEN on July 27 (my b-day)!! I haven't seen that weight in about 4 or 5 years so I'm looking forward to it again.

Tonight is also my last day of the 30 Day Shred -- round 2! I have actually done EVERY DAY of the 30 Day program this time around (I got 28 of the 30 days last time). I will take my measurements in the morning to see how much I have lost in inches. I'm not too sure about the progress I made this time around, but I have to remind myself that I didn't get overweight overnight and I won't get "skinny" overnight either! Have you guys been Shredding with me?? No one is really talking about it, so I'm beginning to think that I'm the only one actually doing it this time around! That's ok if I am, cuz the point of it is to shred me! I think I'm going to take a couple of days off (Thursday and Friday are going to be crazy with college registration for That Kid) and then start on something different next week. Not sure what yet...I have had a number of good suggestions, so I'm going to look at Target and see what they have or maybe I'll just use the gym membership that I have and kick some butt there!!

So how are ya'll doing?? I know the Blue Team all lost a pound or even two this week!! Go Blue Team!!

Monday, June 8, 2009

Today Is A Good Day!!

Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans




See this button??? I get to put it on my site now, cuz I weighed myself "just cuz" today and I have lost another pound which puts me at losing a total of 15 pounds since March 25!! I don't know how that makes you feel, but it makes me feel like shouting from the roof tops!!

I went out with some friends tonight and one of the ladies commented about me losing weight and I got to announce to everyone that I have lost 15 pounds! They asked how?? of course so I told them about the Sisterhood and the "no coke" ban that I took! It felt so good to talk about losing weight since I have needed to for what seems like forever!!

Just wanted to brag a little bit....hope you don't mind!

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Wii Fit Rocks!!

March 30th the Sister of Shrinking Jeans challenged me to work out on my Wii Fit and do the Hula. The challenge was for 1 week and we were supposed to log our "spins" to see who could do the most in 10 minutes! My thoughts when I heard the challenge, "You've got to be kidding me 10 minutes on that thing is just NUTS!" That night I started off with the 70 second session and I tried over and over again. I finally managed to get up to 21 spins! I felt like I was gonna die after doing that thing, but I kept at it....

And I have kept at it over the past 10 weeks and have continually improved. After the first week I finally managed to finish the whole 70 seconds. After that I progressed to the 3 minutes and kept at it. I have been doing the 6 minute session now for a while and have continually set record after record. I have accomplished more than I ever thought I could with it....but tonight....I decided I wanted to "kick it up a notch" in the words of Jillian Michaels on her 30 Day Shred DVD (oh and btw, I have continued working out with Jillian every night). Tonight after my 70 second warmup on the Hula, I decided, "what the heck, let's see how I can do on the 10 minute session!!" The worst that could happen is that I don't finish it, right?!

Guess what?? come on guess!! I did it -- all 10 minutes!! I could hardly believe it myself!! I even had the breath and energy left to call dh in to witness my score!!
What was my score, you ask?? Thanks for asking! My score for 10 minutes was 3204!! Thankyouverymuch!!

Man it felt good to accomplish something so good for myself. That bumped my workout time to nearly 50 minutes tonight....yeah for me!!

That Kid, being a teenage boy discovered something this past week that he told me about last night. If you have a I-Pod touch, or an I-phone you can download this cool application called "Lose-It". It helps track your calories, and exercises. It also helps you set goals for losing weight. I have been been thinking about getting a new cell phone and thought maybe this would be a good excuse to buy a I-Phone, but then dh said "hey, you can use my IPod touch, since I don't use it anymore...." He got an I-phone for Christmas and has barely touched his "touch" since then. So he erased it and then I loaded it and immediately put the "Lose-It" application on there. It's going to be fun to use and will be a big help in my weight-loss journey. I'm excited about this new application. It told me that it would take till January 6 to lose the weight I am trying to lose....Let's see if I can beat the I-Pod's goal!

I Got Some Perspective Tonight....

Let me explain....this morning about 9 a.m. our electricity went out. Our electricity NEVER goes out, so it was something really strange. About 9:45 it was still out so I looked up our electricity bill to make sure that it wasn't out cuz I forgot to pay the bill, ya know??!! How embarrassing that would have been to call the electric company whining that our electricity was out and then it was cuz of non-payment, but IT WASN'T!! The bill isn't due for a couple of weeks, so ok...I made a call to the automated phone announcement...you know the one, right? Push 1 for this feature, push 2 for this feature....and so on. I said we have no electricity and moved on.

Let me explain how our life goes in the morning...That Other Kid and I get up about 8 and immediately go watch tv...hey that works on electricity! We usually lay there till 9:30 at which time I go fix breakfast for That Other Kid...a bagel, toasted in the toaster and an english muffin for myself, toasted in the toaster...hey that runs on electricity, too! Between 9:30 and 10:00 DH gets up and takes a shower! Hey the bathroom lights, they run on electricity, too. Then I fix him breakfast; bacon in the microwave and eggs on the stove, with a bagel -- wow those appliances run with ELECTRICITY, too! I usually get online and check emails and stuff, but guess what?? Internet access runs on ELECTRICITY, too!! So instead I filled out college financial aid application stuff...that was something that had to be done today, so at least the time wasn't totally wasted!

It's amazing how many things we take for granted that run on electricity, ya know? Finally we were still without power about 10:30 so I decided to talk to a real person...who basically told me they were working on it. Thanks for calling. Should be back on within the hour.

Electricity came back on about 10:45 and our world started realigning to it's proper place...We went about our business without another thought.

Tonight I caught a few minutes of the 9 p.m. news broadcast. I was shocked when they mentioned my 'burb and the lack of electricity. So I backed it up and called dh in to listen with me. What we heard made us rethink our priorities a bit...I'm sure it will you, too. Here's what happened. It seems that a construction worker was working on the electric wires and it caught fire, burning the man. The electricity went off because the man was burning!! He had to be CareFlighted to our local "burn unit" hospital. The man is STILL in critical condition. Wow!! and my family and I had to deal with a couple of hours of no electricity this morning....while this man and his family has had to deal with a life changing experience.

I am thankful that I ONLY lost electricity today and didn't come close to loosing my life. How's that for perspective??

Friday, June 5, 2009

Accomplishments!!

Yesterday was a day full of accomplishments for me....

First of all, I finally got our 2008 taxes complete so that I could fill out the financial aid papers for That Kid's college this coming fall. Then early (for me) this morning I filled out the financial aid information for the college he is attending. Next on the list is filling out all the supplemental forms for even more financial aid. We are seeking everything we can since business has been so slow for dh the past 6 months and we are wondering how we will be able to pay for this extra expense.

Secondly, I finished filling out the high school transcript for That Kid and got it printed, signed and in an envelope with postage to mail. I didn't get it in the mail before they came at 9:30 a.m. this morning so I will need to run it by the post office later today. I also got the information compiled for the Residence Life and got that ready to mail, too. It looks like everything is coming together. Registration and Orientation for DBU is next Thursday and Friday so it's all working out! I'm kind of nervous and kind of excited!! How can my baby be ready for college already??

Next on my list of accomplishments -- I decided that I really need to watch my food intake and to increase the fruits and veggies. I managed to eat 4 servings of fruit yesterday! I am really bad about "good intentions", but never following through with the fruits and veggies. It seems there are always other things that I want to eat, ya know?? We are out of veggies, so that will have to wait till I get to the grocery store.

Finally, I did Day 5 of Level 3 on my 30 Day Shred DVD! That means that I only have 5 more days till I am done with the 30 Day Shred AGAIN!! I feel like I am doing really well with it, and I have managed to do some of the reps with Natalie although I am still struggling with some of the moves, even following Anita. I still can't do a full on sit-up!!! So I am just doing crunches....maybe some day I'll get there!

I am ready to find another DVD to do...I'm getting a bit bored with this and feel like I am ready for another challenge...I hope the Sisters has an idea of something different to do....It is so much easier to do if I know other ladies are going through the same pain as I am!! I'm sure you know what I mean!!

I am ready to start writing my post for That Kid's graduation tribute, but every time I start thinking about it I get all weepy, so I'm just going to have to suck it up and cry and write at the same time!! That will truly be a major accomplishment!! Look for it over the weekend...maybe I'll be able to get it done since I have lots of time while waiting for That Other Kid during hockey practice.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

New Weigh-In, New Challenge

Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans





Today starts a new challenge with the Sisterhood of Shrinking Jeans. They are changing it up a bit and putting everyone in teams to help motivate and challenge us...I am on the Blue Team with 5 other great ladies working on the same thing I am...losing weight and being in great shape for our families!!

Today's weigh-in -- 211.3!! I know that sounds like a lot of poundage, but it is 14.5 pounds LESS than I was on March 25!!

March 25 my weigh-in was 225.8....the weight is coming off!! YEAH!!

Being a part of the sisterhood has helped me tremendously. Exercising nearly every night has helped me tremendously. NOT DRINKING COKES has been the biggest thing that has helped me.....I don't even crave it anymore -- most days!! So if you are trying to lose weight and need extra motivation....join the Sisterhood!! You'll get it!!

Monday, June 1, 2009

New Hula Record!!

1885 spins in 6 minutes on the WiiFit Hula!! That's a new record for me, and just think I wasn't going to do it tonight, since "my visitor" came today and I thought "ah, I'll just skip it tonight". I was just going to do the Body Test portion of the WiiFit. Once I did the Body Test portion I decided to just go ahead and do the warmup of the Hula -- the 70 second section. Once I did that I just went on ahead and started the 6 minute... It's kind of addicting!! You don't want to stop till you are po*ped out!!

Before I did the WiiFit Hula I did Day 2 of the Level 3 on the Shred DVD! I managed to follow through with a couple of Natalie's moves, too! Yeah for me!! The last ab set I did with Natalie and didn't DIE!! I'm feeling good about this exercise program.

DH told me he was impressed with my dedication and that made me feel really good since he is not usually so easy to hand out praise. I have noticed that when I don't feel good or am tired, he is pretty fast to say, "maybe you should skip exercising tonight". My response has been "skipping out on exercise is how I got in this predicament, I'm not skipping unless I am physically unable to do it!!!"

In other news, but related -- I'm on the Blue team for the next challenge with the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans! We are going to be a great team!! and a wonderful support system....Go Team!