Project Life: Weeks 11 and 12

Week 11

A few of my favorite jeans.

Too small for me to wear at the present time.

Shooting for the end of April/mid-May to be able to wear them again.

I guess I better step it up.

There's a lot more waiting to be worn.

Week 12

Oh, look...more snow.

Lots of it.

It's officially spring.

But only on paper.

View out front door. 

What are we looking at?

Snow.

What did we see in the same spot the day before?

Our sidewalk with very little snow.

The hubby is actually at the end of the driveway snowblowing when I took this.

Hopefully, for the last time this winter.

Umm...yeah, right.

Update

Here's an update. I have been walking at least 3 times per week for 30 to 40 minutes at a time, doing the elliptical 1 to 2 times per week for 30 minutes at a time and trying to do some weight training and the body ball each night.  I have only lost 4 pounds, but I'm getting there.  I originally wanted to lose 15, but later changed it to 20.

Today I noticed that my jeans are fitting a little loose and my gut's not hanging over like a muffin.  I do notice a change in the appearance of my stomach, although it is far from what it used to look like.  I wonder now if it will ever look like it did.  I guess we will just have to see over the next 30 to 60 days.

I expected to be at square one when I started working out again: only able to do cardio for 15 minutes before wanting to totally quit and not being able to lift more than 2.5 pounds when doing arm exercises.  I basically was able to start where I had left off 4 years ago.  That helps to motivate and push me to do more, although it is not always possible with a near-three-year-old always at your feet.

I have given up pop pretty much all together. The last one I drank was at our niece's b-day party.  I pretty much drink water now. Occasionally, I put in a splash of lemonade to give it some flavor, but it still tastes pretty much like boring 'ole water.  Tried to drink iced tea more, but I can't handle the caffeine that often.

So here's to the rest of the 16 pounds. Hoping to lose at least 10 in the next 6 weeks.

Project Life: Week 10

Week 10

Violets.

Used as center pieces in our wedding.

One of the best days of my life.

That was nearly 9 years ago.

This plant is one of the center pieces.

It has grown quite a bit since the tiny planter it came in.

Just like us.

My Little Friend

Say hello to my little friend. My new weapon. It was recently added to my aides in losing the last 15 (or 20...it varies week to week).  I finally replaced my balance ball. Can't do sit-ups or crunches without it. It saves me from getting the low back pain I get when working out on the floor.  I did my first sets yesterday and am feeling it today. It's a good pain though. It tells me something is working. No pain, no gain. Right? Right! Now my legs are going to be feeling the pain later after my 35-minute power walk I did earlier today. Actually, my knee joints are going to be feeling the pain.  They already feel it.

I'm now down 2 pounds since I last blogged this topic.  May not sound like a lot, but it's a start and I'm happy it's going down and not up. Now only if it would continue to go that direction until my goal is reached. Can't wait to get there.

Clean-up Time

I still have cabin fever, but I can feel spring fever preparing to take over. And with spring fever I always want to clean up. Isn't that was spring's about, new beginnings? Well, a new beginning is about to occur in this household. I have devised my spring cleaning plan and it is a little more in depth than the usual window- washing, super-dusting, yardwork type of plan. I am going to take on each and every room, and closet, in this house one by one and clean up. Purge. Get rid of anything and everything we don't need and don't use. Some of it will get thrown out. Some of it will get donated. Some of it will be sold in one type of yard sale or another. No matter what. I'm not waiting for spring to officially arrive. Spring does not last long enough to tackle this task. I want it done by the time spring gets here. I want to enjoy spring and summer. They're two of my favorite seasons (winter is the only one I don't like). I want to clean up. Wish me luck.

Project Life: Week 9

Week 9

Jewelry.

Don't wear it very often.

Would almost prefer "costume" jewelry over the real thing.

Primarily favor sterling silver, but not with this set.

This is the real thing.

This is what I wear often. Every day for that matter.

Cabin Fever

Cabin fever. I've caught it. So tired of cold bitter air every time I leave the house. Tired of having to warm up the car. Tired of high home-heating bills. Tired of having to wear layers of clothing. Tired of bundling up Ella V every time we have to go somewhere.  Tired of being nervous that someone is going to hit us because they don't know how to drive in winter weather. Tired of all the nasty sickness bugs that have been going around for the last 4 months. Tired of constantly having to clean up the mud tracks in the entry left behind by our shoes. Tired of my car constantly being covered in salt. Tired of not being able to enjoy being outdoors.

I'm ready for warmer weather. I'm ready for the sun.  I'm ready for longer days. I'm ready to finish the landscaping project we started last summer; to see the new trees and plantings bloom; to see our yard coverd in grass and not snow. I'm ready to take Ella V to the park every day. I'm ready for all the summer festivities that go on in our home town. I'm ready to be able to just walk out the door and go without having to do all the winter prep. I'm ready for lower home-heating bills. I'm ready to get rid of this cabin fever that I've had for the last couple of months. 

Friends of ours had recently mentioned going on a cruise next spring. I was thinking how much I could use one right now. I know it would only provide a temporary cure to my cabin fever, but the warm weather, palm trees, white sandy beaches and good company would be perfect.  Oh, bother...all I can do is reminisce of the last trip we took and patiently wait  for warmer weather to arrive here. Maybe next winter won't be so bad. (um...sure it won't).

Princess Star Cruise 2005

Saphire Bay Resort

St. Thomas

My Sweet Lady

My sweet Lady. I think about you every day. I cry for you often. I'm crying for you now. I see how much your four-legged feline friend misses you. I remember the day I picked you up like it was yesterday. I would give anything to hear your whine, feel your cold wet nose, pet your soft, long, floppy ears, hear you constantly licking the floor (even though it drove me crazy), hear your snore throughout the house at night, hear your toenails clicking on the kitchen floor while looking for scraps, hug your short, stocky little body, take long walks with you and just love you up again. I miss constantly having you by my side. I miss those big brown eyes watching me. I miss all the noises and sounds you made. It's just not the same without you. I miss you so much.  You were my first "kid." My girl. My baby. My friend. My sweet Lady.

Love and miss you,

Mama