Of all weeks to be TV-Turnoff Week??!!! That's right someone out there decided this week, when all the good shows return after the writer's strike, would be the best week for a TV strike. Actually, I get this. We all spend too much time in front of the tube. Reality TV, watercooler shows, etc. are still must-have's to be in the know. I am a fellow addict. I am so there on Tues and Wed's for American Idol. Rock on Jason Castro! Anyway, so it's officially "turn off your TV week" and I am in the throws of major diet/eating lifestyle overhaul, so I really want to participate in this corny spin off of all the other "just give something up for a _________ ". So, I will compromise with my inner nagger, and I will turn off the TV on Mon, Fri, Sat, and Sun. I will partially compromise my Tues, Wed, Thurs. After all, Grey's is back on Thurs!!
As I type the last sentence I realize how pathetic to get so excited over, yep, the TV. The rectangle box that causes me to be sedentary and go against what I have trying to undo - lack of activity. But, baby steps right? Gotta love tivo!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Riding the high
Ok, so leaving off with the last post where the SS tried to destroy the supermodel inside me.....
I was told about this website called sparkpeople. For those of you who see a diet as what you eat everyday, not what you do to loose weight, this is the place for you. It offers lots of recipes that are for normal everyday people, cause let me tell you I ain't fixin' seabass rubbed with herbs with a spring mix of greens and lentils for dinner. For one, no thanks, and two, try to get 2 toddlers to eat that. It may suggest something along the lines of oriental rice, which it gives the recipe for, and 99% of the time I have all the stuff in my cupboard. No buying special items like flax seed oil. It has tons of recipes so you can make substitutions where you need to. For instance you have a banana and they are suggesting grapes. I love how it gives you a target range and not a target. So I can have a little flexibility if I want to go out to eat. It has taught me alot since I am on the stupid side of counting calories. Maybe not so much stupid, but more like ignorant. I am learning alot. Also, it suggests a fitness plan. Which oddly enough is coinciding quite nicely with the one I have. It just ramped it up a notch. And since I have a target date, which is way way away, I am seeing the results on paper which is helpful since I am not seeing them on my body, yet. So, if a SS has put a fire under your butt, please check this place out. Added bonus is, it is FREE! Oh and I went back to the Y today. No sign of the specific SS, so I worked out happily wrapped up in the workout version of Umbrella by Rhianna.
I wake up this morning to beautiful sunshine streaming through the windows. It was beautiful. I roll over and the clock said 5:38AM! Yes, AM. Seriously. Do you feel me, Seriously!
Also, as previously mentioned, I strongly dislike light blocking roller shades. We bought them, broke them, took them back. So I have looked at everything and nothing is strong enough to be light blocking and affordable. I do not want to sink a ton of money into this cause this is a base house. We have to take them with us when we go, and seriously, I don't think I will be using them when we move to wherever else besides Alaska. So, as my friend Margaret said, I went and got the ghetto shades. Fed up with the light and the lack of an affordable solution, my light bulb went off. I head on down to the local JoAnns. If you don't know what JoAnns is, it is like Hobby Lobby, Michael's, AC Moore, craft store on crack. I go to the back where the 4.5ft bolts of fabric are located. I peruse and find exactly what will work. A blend of pleather, not plastic, not leather, soft and flexible, BLACK fabric. 6yds went home with me that day. I have pinned it to the inside of Caleb's window, and yes, it works nicely. Doesn't trap heat and keeps sun out. High-five to myself. Cover it with some cute curtains and no one is the wiser. Total cost $48, versus the cost of $240 for the cheapest light blocking shades that do not hinge on a roller. And before you go there, yes I found some cheaper on the internet, however, I live in Alaska where they charge you your first born child in shipping. So, I am happy with my ghetto shades, they work.
Noah and I have had some really mature conversations here lately. He is wanting new toys. I do not want MORE toys. So, we have thus began the compromise and the money plan. For every new toy he saves his money to buy, he has to donate/get rid of 2 toys at the house. To earn his money he has to do chores. We all have done them. He has chosen some that I would not suspect a 3.5yr old to do. Like, swiffer the kitchen and bathrooms, vacuum (with the hand held vacuum) while I sweep, and unload groceries. I am very proud of his attitude about this. One afternoon it took lots of coaxing to get him to pick up a zillion books he pulled out of his bookshelf. The next day Caleb decided they looked better in the floor. I hear Noah scolding Caleb, telling him that was not nice and he doesn't need to keep making messes. Hmmmm, wonder where he heard that? Anyway, Noah came back dwnstairs and tells me that he is angry with Caleb b/c he worked so hard putting those books away. So, I tell him I will pick them up since Caleb is not into picking up as a 15mo. old. Noah looks at me and says, "No mom, you will not pick them up cause I already did it". WOW! Hold the phone! You just did that all on your own??!! Well, ok. And yesterday after a visit to the grocery store I bring in the bags and Noah comes in the kitchen and asks, "Mom do you need some help?" The look on my face was enough cause he then asks, "Mom, why are you looking like that?" I don't get these days often, so to be blessed with 2 in one week! Should I prepare for toilets exploding next week?
Ok, as if this post isn't long enough.
Miss you hubby, love love love you.
Oh, and check this out when you get a chance.
http://whatiwore2day.blogspot.com/2008/04/wardrobe-swap-shop.html
I started lurking this site from Becky's blog. The gal is kinda cool.
I was told about this website called sparkpeople. For those of you who see a diet as what you eat everyday, not what you do to loose weight, this is the place for you. It offers lots of recipes that are for normal everyday people, cause let me tell you I ain't fixin' seabass rubbed with herbs with a spring mix of greens and lentils for dinner. For one, no thanks, and two, try to get 2 toddlers to eat that. It may suggest something along the lines of oriental rice, which it gives the recipe for, and 99% of the time I have all the stuff in my cupboard. No buying special items like flax seed oil. It has tons of recipes so you can make substitutions where you need to. For instance you have a banana and they are suggesting grapes. I love how it gives you a target range and not a target. So I can have a little flexibility if I want to go out to eat. It has taught me alot since I am on the stupid side of counting calories. Maybe not so much stupid, but more like ignorant. I am learning alot. Also, it suggests a fitness plan. Which oddly enough is coinciding quite nicely with the one I have. It just ramped it up a notch. And since I have a target date, which is way way away, I am seeing the results on paper which is helpful since I am not seeing them on my body, yet. So, if a SS has put a fire under your butt, please check this place out. Added bonus is, it is FREE! Oh and I went back to the Y today. No sign of the specific SS, so I worked out happily wrapped up in the workout version of Umbrella by Rhianna.
I wake up this morning to beautiful sunshine streaming through the windows. It was beautiful. I roll over and the clock said 5:38AM! Yes, AM. Seriously. Do you feel me, Seriously!
Also, as previously mentioned, I strongly dislike light blocking roller shades. We bought them, broke them, took them back. So I have looked at everything and nothing is strong enough to be light blocking and affordable. I do not want to sink a ton of money into this cause this is a base house. We have to take them with us when we go, and seriously, I don't think I will be using them when we move to wherever else besides Alaska. So, as my friend Margaret said, I went and got the ghetto shades. Fed up with the light and the lack of an affordable solution, my light bulb went off. I head on down to the local JoAnns. If you don't know what JoAnns is, it is like Hobby Lobby, Michael's, AC Moore, craft store on crack. I go to the back where the 4.5ft bolts of fabric are located. I peruse and find exactly what will work. A blend of pleather, not plastic, not leather, soft and flexible, BLACK fabric. 6yds went home with me that day. I have pinned it to the inside of Caleb's window, and yes, it works nicely. Doesn't trap heat and keeps sun out. High-five to myself. Cover it with some cute curtains and no one is the wiser. Total cost $48, versus the cost of $240 for the cheapest light blocking shades that do not hinge on a roller. And before you go there, yes I found some cheaper on the internet, however, I live in Alaska where they charge you your first born child in shipping. So, I am happy with my ghetto shades, they work.
Noah and I have had some really mature conversations here lately. He is wanting new toys. I do not want MORE toys. So, we have thus began the compromise and the money plan. For every new toy he saves his money to buy, he has to donate/get rid of 2 toys at the house. To earn his money he has to do chores. We all have done them. He has chosen some that I would not suspect a 3.5yr old to do. Like, swiffer the kitchen and bathrooms, vacuum (with the hand held vacuum) while I sweep, and unload groceries. I am very proud of his attitude about this. One afternoon it took lots of coaxing to get him to pick up a zillion books he pulled out of his bookshelf. The next day Caleb decided they looked better in the floor. I hear Noah scolding Caleb, telling him that was not nice and he doesn't need to keep making messes. Hmmmm, wonder where he heard that? Anyway, Noah came back dwnstairs and tells me that he is angry with Caleb b/c he worked so hard putting those books away. So, I tell him I will pick them up since Caleb is not into picking up as a 15mo. old. Noah looks at me and says, "No mom, you will not pick them up cause I already did it". WOW! Hold the phone! You just did that all on your own??!! Well, ok. And yesterday after a visit to the grocery store I bring in the bags and Noah comes in the kitchen and asks, "Mom do you need some help?" The look on my face was enough cause he then asks, "Mom, why are you looking like that?" I don't get these days often, so to be blessed with 2 in one week! Should I prepare for toilets exploding next week?
Ok, as if this post isn't long enough.
Miss you hubby, love love love you.
Oh, and check this out when you get a chance.
http://whatiwore2day.blogspot.com/2008/04/wardrobe-swap-shop.html
I started lurking this site from Becky's blog. The gal is kinda cool.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Well, isn't that just great
So I finally make my way back to the gym today. The YMCA is very limited here, however, it is MY only choice for a gym. There is another option, The Alaska Club. But the Alaska Club runs $80/month, AND you have to pay for childcare ($30 for 10 visits). So the monthly bill is WAY more than I am willing to pay, making the Y the only choice. So I look at the schedule find a circuit class and get us all ready and make it to the gym on time. I put the kids in childwatch (the name of the provided childcare) and make my way to the locker room. I am really excited about getting in some weights and cardio, my body is in desperate need. I ask the guy at the front desk, "Where is the class?" He then directs me and I bee bop in. WOW! There are chairs, yes chairs, everywhere. I am a little confused until I see what, or I should say who, is sitting in the chairs. A whole class of senior citizens. So I think to myself, the name of the class is Silver Sneakers, and never once did it occur to me that the "silver" meant maybe for silver years, silver hair, silver etc. Please forgive me if I am offending any of my silver family reading this. I was a little bummed, but no I did not leave. I grabbed a chair in the back and spent the next 45min working out with the silver sneakers. Some of them were very excited that I even came in the class. Might as well check out all the facets of the gym right? So after my 45min warm up I take off and run 1.5 miles on the tread mill, sufficiently burn my triceps and biceps, and finish it off with a good ab burn. I then return to the locker room to get my things. I am feeling really good. I finally got to the gym, which always puts me in a good mood. The kids got some social time with other little tykes. I am finally starting my challenge of burning off this baby weight. I have 20-25lbs that I am tired of having. I am satisfied wearing my size 12 jeans, but it has been nagging me to get back to a 8 or 10. So, anyway, bee bopping back into the locker room I see a fellow silver sneaker and she asks if I liked the class, and I tell her yes, I had never been in a class like that before and I found it interesting. She invited me to swim with her and another fellow SS (silver sneaker). I tell her I just ran, yada yada yada, and I will see her next time. Then the bomb drops. This fellow SS asks, "Are you having a baby?" All of my "gym high" immediately left me. Talk about at that moment I did not feel satisfied with my size 12 jeans. After I scoop up what is left of my self esteem, joy, gym high insanity, I politely and quietly reply that no, this is what is left after 2 babies. I then sulk off to my locker where I almost shed a tear. However I did not. Crying over something like that is SOOO WAY OUT of character for me. Usually I find it a little funny and very ego manageable. So on the way home I start putting things in perspective and really what that SS did was put a fire in me that is unbelievably HOT! If she thinks I am prego, which I am not!!, then how are others seeing me and am I so comfortable that I am actually lettings things go? So I am going to start being dissatisfied with my size 12. I am not going to consider getting to a 10, I am going to be an 8. Seriously!
Oh and a tinge of this may have started yesterday when I was doing some volunteer work. They had a canoe in the bldg where I was working. Noah was quite content playing in the canoe, he was a pirate on the high seas. He asks me in his very loud and echoing voice, "MOM!! This boat is so BIG!! It is not little, so you can fit in here with me!" I just smile, sweet sweet Boys.
In all seriousness, I am happy with my workout today. I love the little things that have been presented before me giving me a choice to choose high road or low road. And most of you know that I always try to go the high road. Gotta love those SS's. They ain't gonna let ya get away with nutin'. Now if someone could deflate this tire I have around my waist............
Oh and a tinge of this may have started yesterday when I was doing some volunteer work. They had a canoe in the bldg where I was working. Noah was quite content playing in the canoe, he was a pirate on the high seas. He asks me in his very loud and echoing voice, "MOM!! This boat is so BIG!! It is not little, so you can fit in here with me!" I just smile, sweet sweet Boys.
In all seriousness, I am happy with my workout today. I love the little things that have been presented before me giving me a choice to choose high road or low road. And most of you know that I always try to go the high road. Gotta love those SS's. They ain't gonna let ya get away with nutin'. Now if someone could deflate this tire I have around my waist............
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Thank You
I got this email and laughed out loud in a room by myself. Seriously, we have all gotten these emails a ba-zillion times. Hope you get a good laugh too!
***I just want to thank all of you for your educational emails over the past year.
-Thanks to you, I no longer open a public bathroom door without using a paper towel.
-I can't use the remote in a hotel room because I don't know what the last person was doing while flipping through the adult movie channels.
-I can't sit down on the hotel bedspread because I can only imagine what has happened on it since it was last washed.
-I have trouble shaking hands with someone who has been driving because the number one pass-time while driving alone is picking your nose. (Although cell phone usage may be taking the number one spot)
-Eating a Little Debbie sends me on a guilt trip because I can only imagine how many gallons of trans fats I have consumed over the years.
-I can't touch any woman's purse for fear she has placed it on the floor of a public bathroom. Yuck!
-I must send my special thanks to whoever sent me the one about poop in the glue on envelopes because I now have to use a wet sponge with every envelope that needs sealing.
-Also, now I have to scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason.
-I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl (Penny Brown) who is about to die in the hospital for the 1,387,258th time.
-I no longer have any money at all, but that will change once I receive the $15,000 that Bill Gates/Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special e-mail program.
-I no longer worry about my soul because I have 363,214 angels looking out for me, and St. Theresa's novena has granted my every wish.
-I no longer eat KFC because their chickens are actually horrible mutant freaks with no eyes or feathers.
-I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day.
-Thanks to you, I have learned that my prayers only get answered if I forward an email to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.
-Because of your concern I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can remove toilet stains.
-I no longer can buy gasoline without taking someone along to watch the car so a serial killer won't crawl in my back seat when I'm pumping gas.
-I no longer drink Pepsi or Dr. Pepper since the people who make these products are atheists who refuse to put 'Under God' on their cans.
-I no longer use Saran wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer.
-And thanks for letting me know I can't boil a cup of water in the microwave anymore because it will blow up in my face...disfiguring me for life.
-I no longer check the coin return on pay phones because I could be pricked with a needle infected with AIDS.
-I no longer go to shopping malls because someone will drug me with a perfume sample and rob me.
-I no longer receive packages from UPS or FedEx since they are actually
Al Qaeda in disguise.
-I no longer shop at Target since they are French and don't support our American troops or the Salvation Army.
-I no longer answer the phone because someone will ask me to dial a number for which I will get a phone bill with calls to Jamaica , Uganda , Singapore and Uzbekistan .
-I no longer buy expensive cookies from Neiman Marcus since I now have their recipe.
-Thanks to you, I can't use anyone's toilet but mine because a big brown African spider is lurking under the seat to cause me instant death when it bites my butt.
-And thanks to your great advice, I can't ever pick up $5.00 dropped in the parking lot because it probably was placed there by a sex molester waiting underneath my car to grab my leg.
-I can no longer drive my car because I can't buy gas from certain gas companies!
-If you don't send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 70 minutes, a large dove with diarrhea will land on your head at 5:00 PM this afternoon and the fleas from 12 camels will infest your back, causing you to grow a hairy hump.
I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of my next door neighbor's ex-mother-in-law's second husband's cousin's beautician...
Have a wonderful day...
Oh, by the way.....
A German scientist from Argentina , after a lengthy study, has discovered that people with insufficient brain activity read their e-mail with their hand on the mouse.
Don't bother taking it off now, it's too late.
***I just want to thank all of you for your educational emails over the past year.
-Thanks to you, I no longer open a public bathroom door without using a paper towel.
-I can't use the remote in a hotel room because I don't know what the last person was doing while flipping through the adult movie channels.
-I can't sit down on the hotel bedspread because I can only imagine what has happened on it since it was last washed.
-I have trouble shaking hands with someone who has been driving because the number one pass-time while driving alone is picking your nose. (Although cell phone usage may be taking the number one spot)
-Eating a Little Debbie sends me on a guilt trip because I can only imagine how many gallons of trans fats I have consumed over the years.
-I can't touch any woman's purse for fear she has placed it on the floor of a public bathroom. Yuck!
-I must send my special thanks to whoever sent me the one about poop in the glue on envelopes because I now have to use a wet sponge with every envelope that needs sealing.
-Also, now I have to scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason.
-I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl (Penny Brown) who is about to die in the hospital for the 1,387,258th time.
-I no longer have any money at all, but that will change once I receive the $15,000 that Bill Gates/Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special e-mail program.
-I no longer worry about my soul because I have 363,214 angels looking out for me, and St. Theresa's novena has granted my every wish.
-I no longer eat KFC because their chickens are actually horrible mutant freaks with no eyes or feathers.
-I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day.
-Thanks to you, I have learned that my prayers only get answered if I forward an email to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.
-Because of your concern I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can remove toilet stains.
-I no longer can buy gasoline without taking someone along to watch the car so a serial killer won't crawl in my back seat when I'm pumping gas.
-I no longer drink Pepsi or Dr. Pepper since the people who make these products are atheists who refuse to put 'Under God' on their cans.
-I no longer use Saran wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer.
-And thanks for letting me know I can't boil a cup of water in the microwave anymore because it will blow up in my face...disfiguring me for life.
-I no longer check the coin return on pay phones because I could be pricked with a needle infected with AIDS.
-I no longer go to shopping malls because someone will drug me with a perfume sample and rob me.
-I no longer receive packages from UPS or FedEx since they are actually
Al Qaeda in disguise.
-I no longer shop at Target since they are French and don't support our American troops or the Salvation Army.
-I no longer answer the phone because someone will ask me to dial a number for which I will get a phone bill with calls to Jamaica , Uganda , Singapore and Uzbekistan .
-I no longer buy expensive cookies from Neiman Marcus since I now have their recipe.
-Thanks to you, I can't use anyone's toilet but mine because a big brown African spider is lurking under the seat to cause me instant death when it bites my butt.
-And thanks to your great advice, I can't ever pick up $5.00 dropped in the parking lot because it probably was placed there by a sex molester waiting underneath my car to grab my leg.
-I can no longer drive my car because I can't buy gas from certain gas companies!
-If you don't send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 70 minutes, a large dove with diarrhea will land on your head at 5:00 PM this afternoon and the fleas from 12 camels will infest your back, causing you to grow a hairy hump.
I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of my next door neighbor's ex-mother-in-law's second husband's cousin's beautician...
Have a wonderful day...
Oh, by the way.....
A German scientist from Argentina , after a lengthy study, has discovered that people with insufficient brain activity read their e-mail with their hand on the mouse.
Don't bother taking it off now, it's too late.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Coincidence?
Most of you know Krista. She has a link on my blog roll. If you don't, she is a good friend we met in Charleston that has decided to follow us to Alaska. Just kidding. She got a job flying airplanes for Alaska Airlines so she is moving here in a few weeks. She came into town on Sat night gave me a ring and we meet up to go to church together today. She dropped by the house this morning to ride in with us. When she walked in the door I about died. I quickly got past the "Hi how was your flight in" to "You are wearing the same pants I am!!" We could not have planned this if we had wanted to. Obviously she has good taste! HA! Even funnier is that we both said the place we bought them at the same time and yep, it was the same place. Luckily all my clothes are here AND unpacked so I could make the quick change and we didn't look totally goofy. Especially since this was her first time going to our church! HA! Oh, and for those of you who know her, ask her about Russ. Let's see if she remembers.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
1825 days
"I found him whom my soul loves;I held on to him and would not let him go"
Song 3:4
One thousand eight hundred and twenty five days ago God put together you and me. It seems like it has only been a blink of an eye that all these days have past.
I could fill this whole blog with how much I love you.
Happy Anniversary Babe!
You are my beloved and you are my friend - Song 5:16
I hope we have many many more awesome years together.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Hawaii
Here is the last installment on the travel blog. Thank you for watching and reading.
I don't have a lot of time to type. So one thing I must say is
GO, JUST GO TO HAWAII! I could write a thousand words and never get it all out about this place. SO GO!!!
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