Busyness of Life

When did life get so busy?
I guess a better question is: When wasn't it busy? When you were dating that special someone there is never enough time between work/school and your one true love. When you have little ones you think life can not get any busier with all the feedings, diapers, laundry, housework, meals and maybe a little spare time for your spouse and a nap, forget about it. Maybe if you have one child but if you have two it is next to impossible (unless you watch a movie with them and doze off). When the kids get a little bigger you are chasing them around the house, yard and park. When they are even bigger you are driving them everywhere. Not an overstatement. It's a fact. A friend of mine does not have children but there was a stretch (like years not days or months) of time she was driving her niece and nephew everywhere. And don't even get me started on the homework. I was fortunate to be very hands off when it comes to homework but I know many parents who are up to their eyeballs in homework.

When they say time does not stand still they hit the nail on the head. It does not stand still. We chase after it with the same zeal as chasing a firefly when we were still single digits. I remember waiting for dusk so that I could chase the fireflies. I am not sure why I thought it was fun. I didn't want to touch them. I am not a very 'naturey' person but I loved it. When they were to high to reach or when they landed on the grass- that was the best. Getting the glass jar and putting holes in the lid so they could breathe. Good times. Good times.

It may not stand still but we all (from the President to your boss to you) have the same 24 hours in the day. How will you spend yours? Take a nap once in a while, chase some fireflies or simply give your friends and family a hug. I promise (pinky promise) you will be glad you did.

-18 pounds since starting
+88 days

49 days to Graduation, 139 days to 21st birthday and 277 to Leah's birthday

Good Weekend

I had a good weekend. Got some cleaning done. Got some shopping done. Went to a baby shower. Took a nap. Folded some laundry. Watched a movie (Sideways-that is the name not how I watched it). Crocheted a bit.
Did you notice that work out was not on the list? Yeah, I did too. I made good food choices but did not make it to the gym. I have some stressful situations going on so I have not been in the mood to work out. This week I am telling myself to take my stress out on the treadmill, bike and elliptical. I know it will help me feel better. I am going to use my stress in a productive way.
PS My baby girl (Leah) got her drivers license today and my oldest (KellyAnn) felt the baby kick for the first time last week. Maybe things are turning around? Maybe.

-18 pounds since starting
+84 days

53 days to Graduation, 143 days to 21st birthday and 281 to Leah's birthday

Feeling UGLY

Feeling big, ugly and stupid. Maybe it is the weather. It has been gray and overcast with rain.
We had a dinner auction to go to and I was wondering what to wear. I thought it would be a good chance to wear my 'mother of the bride' dress again. I was a bit nervous to try it on since I had not worn it in 16 months. I know I have lost 18 pounds but I don't know what I weighed when I wore it. Well... I tried it on and it fit comfortably.
We went to the dinner auction and I was dressed nicely (even shaved my legs). Hair and nails were looking good (even though I did them myself) and I had a crocheted wrap that I made myself (it just happen to match the dress and I could use it to cover any cleavage that tried to pop out. We had a good time but when I looked in the mirror I just kept seeing this stuffed whale. My face felt fat. My arms felt fat. My tummy for sure felt fat.
I don't know why. I had not over eaten. Slowly chewing and enjoying the meal. I had 3 glasses of water and 3 glasses of wine.
Maybe it was the wine. Maybe that is where the Negative Nelly was coming from. I am not usually a wine drinker. If I have a glass a month that is a lot. I don't like these feelings of ugliness. I wish they would go away.
PS: The feeling stupid part is because hubby and I fought on the way home about really really stupid stuff (like me putting his empty glass in the dishwasher because I thought it was helpful and he was mad because he was going to use it again) and when we fight I feel like a complete idiot.

-18 pounds since starting
+78 days

59 days to Graduation, 149 days to 21st birthday and 287 to Leah's birthday

Inspiration

When I began this journey I knew I wanted to do write about it. I thought back to the movie Julie and Julia and the thought of an interactive blog appealed to me. I am thoroughly enjoying the process but would love for it to be more interactive.

• What are you thinking?
• What are you struggling with?
• What topics would you like to explore? 
• What questions do you have?

Come on baby, hit me with your best shot.

-17 pounds since starting
+71 days

66 days to Graduation, 156 days to 21st birthday and 294 to Leah's birthday

Falling Off the Wagon

Tom and I had dinner at his parents house this weekend. His brother and his family were there as well and a good time was had by all. We had a pork roast, mashed potatoes (small portion), asparagus and applesauce (small portion). The we had dessert. German chocolate cake. Oh oh. My downfall. Do I have a small piece? No. Do I have just one piece? No. I had one and a half pieces. And it was only ok. Not the best. A little dry and the frosting was lacking. Did that stop me? No. I still ate it.
When we got home, my sweet tooth was not satisfied so I went to the freezer and got 2 dove chocolates with peanut butter (one inch square each) and a tootsie roll sized chocolate, carmel, crunch kind of thing. I was really looking for ice cream. Thank heavens we didn't have any. I would have eaten a BIG bowl. I am surprised my stomach isn't doing flips. I have not had this much sugar in a long time. I am not even sure why I wanted them. I think I wanted sugar free pudding but didn't have any made. And let's face it. It would have taken 5 whole minutes to make some and I was just to lazy. How sad is that? On the agenda for tonight. Workout at 5:15pm with my buddy and make some pudding when I get home. I usually make three different flavors so I am set for the week and will have something ready to eat when I am craving something sweet. Hey that rhymes.

-17 pounds since starting
+70 days

67 days to Graduation, 157 days to 21st birthday and 295 to Leah's birthday

Time Change Weekend

I have been thinking, a stretch for those who know me. For most of the country, this weekend is the time change. So if I work out on Sunday morning at 2:04am for 30 minutes then it counts as 1 hour and 30 minutes. I like this way of thinking. Of course if I take it one step further and walk for a mile or 2 in those 30 minutes it will sound pretty pathetic that it took me 90 minutes to walk 2 miles.
Hmmm. Not to mention that I would have to be up, awake and moving at 2:00am. Can't over sleep or I will miss the whole thing.
OR I could wake my husband at 2:00am and kiss him on the lips and see where it leads. Then he can brag to all of his friends what a man he is and say things like "an hour and 10 minutes baby". OK, he would never say that but it is funny.
I better think long and hard about this. (Play Jeopardy theme song in your head). Yup. Pretty sure it is not going to happen. Let me know what you will be doing for one less hour.

-17 pounds since starting
+67 days

70 days to Graduation, 160 days to 21st birthday and 298 to Leah's birthday

Time With the Kids

 I drove to Missouri on Friday to visit the kids for the weekend. It was the Spring play and Joshua had the male lead. It was good. 'Cocktails with Mimi' was the title for those interested. It was a good visit. I got to school in time to take Leah for her driving test, which she was not able to get (long story) but did have a nice time with her in the car.
After the play Leah was busy helping with a junior high lock in so I had some time with Joshua in the evening. He left around 10pm to spend some time with friends who were town for a wedding. I read some magazines and a book, watched a little tv and went to bed. Slept like a rock until 10:00am the next morning which I never do but it felt so good. Joshua, his buddy and I went to lunch and to the store to get a few things. I went back to my room and Joshua drove his buddy back to their hotel for the wedding. By then Leah was up (she stayed up all night and then slept from 8am-2pm) so I took her to get some lunch (no I didn't eat again) and to the store to get a few things (yes the same store). Back to my room where we were going to watch a movie but fell asleep for a nice afternoon nap. Woke up in time for the play.
Afterwards, Leah went back to her room and I watched a movie until Joshua came back after the cast party. Joshua and I started to watch 'Finding Nemo', which I have never seen, but we fell asleep. Took the kids out for breakfast on Sunday morning and then headed home. I did stop at a fabulous yarn shop in Columbia, MO on my way home and had a blast. Got home about 7pm, read the mail and the ads and back to work today.
Tonight I am working out after 4 days off. It seems like a whole lot more than just 4 days. I wonder if legs will remember how to move?

-16 pounds since starting
+63 days

74 days to Graduation, 164 days to 21st birthday and 302 to Leah's birthday

Feeling Good About Myself

I cleaned out my closet the other day. I had some jeans that I knew were to big and some tops that either were to big or I don't like. Why should I keep something that doesn't make me smile when I put it on? I looked at ever piece of clothing and made the conscious decision to keep or give away. I kept the clothes I like. I put the seasonal items in the back of the closet and the ones for now, towards the front. I had 3 or 4 pairs of capris that were to big last summer so I put those in the give away bag. I did find several pairs of capris and shorts in several sizes (all to small) so I placed those in a clear container that fits under my bed along with about 5 shirts that will be good for this summer. When summer rolls around I will try them on. They may fit and they may not fit and maybe I won't like them at all. I will decide then what to do with them.
I had 2 big bags of giveaways and remembered that our church and school is having a resale on March 18-19 so I brought them to church with me on Sunday. What is it about looking through all your clothes and making a choice of what to keep and what to give away is so empowering. It was sort of like shopping for a new wardrobe in my own house (and economically friendly). They say you wear 20% of your wardrobe 80% of the time so why should I have a stuffed closet of things that I don't like? I challenge you to go shopping in your closet and see what treasures you find. Let me know if you find something fabulous or something that makes you feel like a million bucks.
By the way. It only took an hour. I turned up the music, got busy and was done before I knew it.

+58 days since starting
-16 pounds since starting

79 days to Graduation, 169 days to 21st birthday and 307 to Leah's birthday