So Thankful For...Days 12-18

Looks like this is going to end up being a weekly post.  Here is my thankful list for days 12 through 18.

 

So thankful for :

 

Day 12:  Nacho Tuesdays: When I worked in the doctor office, we often did nachos on Tuesdays from Oleson's deli. Yummy and cheap. $5 gets you a huge container of either beef or chicken nachos with tons of toppings and is enough to feed 2+ people. I haven't been able to do this as often because I'm working at home and it's hard to get there with 2 kids in tow, but I did get the chance recently to have nachos with the girls at work and did a little catch up. And it was still as delicious as I remembered.

Day 13: Ballet/Tap: Every Wednesday afternoon Ella goes to a ballet/tap class at Dance Arts Academy. She loves it! I love watching her and so does Madeline. She did a Creative Movement class last winter/spring and had her first recital in May. I strongly believe that extracurricular activities are a must, but I'm not one to force it upon my kids. I want them to enjoy it. Plain and simple. I don't want it to be stressful or overwhelming. For now, Ella really enjoys the classes. She's also tried gymnastics and soccer, which she also enjoyed, but she has chosen to stick with dance class for now. I'm thankful that she has found an extracurricular activity that is affordable and that is offered at a time that I can take her.

 

Day 14: Pay Day: We get paid every other Thursday at the office. They're not huge, but I'm thankful to still be getting a paycheck. Hoping next summer works out where I can return to the office plus do work at home.

 

Day 15: Weekends: I'm thankful when Friday finally arrives, but I'm especially thankful this Friday since Jim made it home from work early and I'm still not feeling well. Fridays mean restful evenings since we typically don't have big plans for Saturday.

 

Day 16: No Plans: It's not very often that I have a day with nothing planned, but it is a nice treat when it does happen. I did nothing today. Too achy and sick. I would rather feel better for this kind of occasion, but I'll take it as they come. I'm especially thankful for my husband hanging all of the outdoor Christmas lights today solo. It's not an easy task, as the trees have grown considerably since we planted them 3 years ago. He was able to do all 6 trees.

 

Day 17: Warm November Days: Today it was unusually warm for this time of year, maybe 60 degrees. We went to early mass and after getting the kids settled at home, I was able to go outside and do the last 2 items that I absolutely wanted done: Power wash the mildew off the siding between the front porch and front windows and vacuum out/clean my car before the cold weather and snow arrives. I could no longer stand to see the house with this big green mildew section as I drive up the driveway. Such an eyesore. It especially stood out with snow on the ground. Must just be my OCD. A dirty car is also another thing I can't stand. I'll admit my vehicle isn't as clean as I used to keep it since that's nearly impossible with 2 kids, but I try to keep it as clean as possible. This time it was full of glitter off Ella's Halloween costume. I got most of it up, but there's still some stuck on the floor mats. Guess those will have to wait until I hit the car wash since the vacuum didn't pick it up, but it's out of the carpet at least. Again, OCD thing.

 

Day 18: Pre-Prepped Dinners: Today I was able to get dinner prepped before even leaving to pick Ella up from school. When we got home all I had to do is assemble and throw it in the oven. The bonus was that both girls kept themselves occupied while I assembled and put it in the oven. Can't remember the last time I made a meal without kids right under my nose. It was a nice break and now I can work on the last "100" things I need to complete before the evening is through.

 

 

 

So Thankful For...Days 1-11

Early on in the start of this 'lil 'ole blog I created a category of listography: random lists of random things. It's now November and it's the month to be thankful. I'm thankful for many things every month of the year, but November is the month for the Thanksgiving holiday, and well, you know where I'm going with this. And with that, I thought why not join many of my Facebook friends in listing what I am thankful for each day of November. I have a little catching up to do since I'm starting this late and we're already into the 11th day. So here goes...

So thankful for:

Day 1: My husband and daughters: My husband is hardworking, a great father and my best friend. My daughter were the biggest gift from God that I am forever thankful for.

Day 2: Weekends. It's the time we are all able to spend time together as a whole. With Ella V. in school and Jim at work all week, we usually only get a couple hours each night with each other, which is usually spent preparing for the next day.

Day 3: Faith: I am thankful for my faith in God and for support of my family that helped shape my faith. Since having Madeline baptized, I have only missed 2 Sundays of going to church and it's been over a year and a half. I have a lot to be thankful for only made possible by Him.

Day 4: Stuffed mozzarella bread sticks: One of only 2 hot lunches that Ella V. will eat at school. Sometimes, this mama just needs that little break from one little chore. 

Day 5: CBS: Community Bible Study. The women's bible study group that I go to every Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:30. It give both Madeline and me time to ourselves to learn the Bible. I have made many friends, met many awesome women, found a couple childhood friends and have learned so much from the Bible that I wouldn't have been able to interpret on my own. Madeline is in her own group (purple sheep) and absolutely loves her time with other toddlers her age.

Day 6: My job: Despite the decline in demand for my profession, I am still employed as a transcriptionist/editor and still get to work at home. This allows me to care for my girls and eliminates the need for daycare. Not many mamas get that opportunity. And I've been with the same doc now for almost 8 years. 

Day 7: Family: My family blood/extended has grown over the past 11-1/2+ years and continues to grow. I had a great visit at home today with my sis-in-law, Renee, and her 2 boys, Leland, and our newest family member, our nephew, Alden. Madeline and Leland had a great play date and Renee, Alden and I had a nice relaxing visit/lunch. It's not as easy to get together with family since all of us have started our own families, so I cherish every moment I get to spend with them.

Day 8: Fridays: My errand day. Thankful that I get the chance to do all of the errands with only one kid in tow. It's not that I don't love taking my kids out, but grocery shopping, banking and fueling the car is not exactly the most exciting way to spend half a day. So one less child chanting "are we done yet?!?!" just makes the daunting task less daunting.

Day 9: 40: I am thankful for being able to have made it this far...40 years. Can't believe I've already entered a new decade, but it is what it is and I'm alive. I've lost many friends before they even had the chance to make it to their 40th. It just puts everything in perspective.

Day 10: Cold Medicine: I've been achy and had a sore throat all day. I hate to take medications, but I could hardly function today. Just 1 DayQuil, some Motrin and a good nap, really helped me get the rest I needed overnight. I don't have time to be sick. I have two young girls to tend to 24/7. I can't just curl up in bed or on the couch and be sick. I need fast relief. I haven't taken any cold meds since prior to being pregnant with Madeline. I just couldn't deal without it this time around.

Day 11: Veterans: For my grandfather, father, youngest brother and sister-in-law and for all the men and women who have served and are serving our country to protect our freedoms. God bless them all.

Always Something

Ever feel like you have everything planned just right in life only to have something mess up that plan? That's what just happened in my lovely life. My life really is lovely. No joke there and I'm really not saying otherwise, I just get annoyed when things mess up my plan. This week's thing: Washing machine cooking a load of darks consisting of new once-dark wash AE jeans that I loved. Yes, I am talking about the washer and not the dryer, and yes, it "cooked" the load of laundry I had attempted to wash.

 

I had done one load earlier on Friday afternoon trying to get a jump start on the weekend. I started the machine, dumped the soap, loaded the laundry after it filled, closed the lid and shut the closet. This was around 1:30 p.m. I went about cleaning the house, getting chores done, ate a late lunch with Madeline and did some more cleaning. We then went to pick Ella V. up from school. When we got back home and I got the girls settled in, I ran downstairs to take that load out and start a new load. I entered the room and thought, "weird, the washer is still on the spin cycle?" Opened the closet and then opened the washer and thought, "Whoa! It is still on the spin cycle! For like the last 3 hours! Great! The washer is about to dump on us." The clothes had spun for so long that they were nearly dry. The washer was a little warm and smelled a little hot, but I wasn't too concerned, Just thought maybe the knob/timer dial was acting up and got stuck. So, I threw that load in the dryer and waited for the washer to cool down. Once it had, I started another load with the darks and went back upstairs to finish making dinner. I finished the dinner, ate the dinner, got the kids ready for bed and got everything ready for the next morning's school push-off. After that, we all headed downstairs to wind down. As we entered the room, I thought, "It's still agitating? For like the last 2.5 hours! Terrific! It's broke and I have a full washer drum of darks swimming in hot dark blue water." I took each article of clothing out, rinsed it out in the utility sink and emptied out the water one pitcher full at a time. And now I'm grumpy. I have a ton of laundry and one pile is soaking wet, but not clean, so it can't be dried in the dryer. 

 

After getting that taken care of, I get online to check out new washers and concluded that this is not going to be a cheap replacement. And Jim had to chime in with an annoying laugh and commented, "Poor Melinda, just can't ever catch a break and now has to wait even longer to get her camera." Now I'm even grumpier. I was about 2 weeks away from getting my dream camera. But that's a want, not a need. We can't live without a washer and dryer. If we're going to do this, actually, not if, but when we're going to do this, I want to replace both our washer and dryer. The washer is 12 years old and the dryer is just over 17 years old. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before the dryer craps out and I'm tired of our mismatched set. After this discouraging online shopping experience, I came to the realization that I have to go to a Laundromat and it's going to have to be with 2 little kids in tow on a Saturday. No way around it. Too much to wash and Ella not feeling well the past 2 weeks do not go well with visiting family volunteers for letting us use their washer and dryer, although the offers are greatly appreciated.

 

Fast forward to Saturday morning. I load the car up with 2 overflowing baskets of laundry, soap, bleach and fabric sheets and bag of activities/snacks that will hopefully keep the girls occupied on our journey. We stop at the bank for 2 rolls of quarters ($20) thinking that this will be more than enough, and then continue on to the Eastfield Laundromat on 8th Street, by recommendations from friends. I'm still grumpy. I get everything unloaded including the girls and scope out the options available. I find a block of 6 available washers and get to work occupying 5. Then I look at the digital display for a few minutes. $3.25 per load. Just to wash! I still need quarters to dry and only have about $21 in quarters total. Dryers were a quarter for every 10 minutes. As I'm calculating this in my head and working on starting the loads before the place got too busy, I have Ella V. begging for quarters to gets some goodies out of the gumball/candy machines. Took a while, but I finally got through to her that I needed the quarter to get everything washed and dried. How do people do this every week? It's super expensive. After loading all the washers I needed, we got to sit for 35 minutes. Not hard for me. Not easy for a 5-year-old and 18-month-old. 35 minutes passes and I get the girls occupied by having them help me wheel the laundry carts of clothes to the dryers. Dryers ran really hot and it only took the clothes about 20 minutes to finish, but I had set each for 30 after asking someone how long they typically ran their loads. Thank goodness I asked too, because I was ready to run them an hour. That probably would have really cooked the clothes. After all that, I spent another 20 minutes folding them all into the baskets, loaded up the kids in the car and made multiple trips to load up the laundry and supplies into the car.

 

Before leaving, one of the Laundromat staff members approached me and thanked me for my girls being so well behaved and that she and her boss were so impressed. While she was talking, I looked over and both girls were just sitting on the bench watching everyone running around. And then I thought to myself, "My girls are great and well behaved." I don't always think this. In fact, I rarely think this. But, they're just kids. And I have too high expectations for them. I sometimes forget that kids like to play. Not sit in a crappy Laundromat for 2 hours on a beautiful Saturday morning. But what do I do after all of that, I get them lunch and drag them to 2 stores to look at washers and dryers with Jim and still expect them to be perfect little humans and not run around or scream or touch the appliances that cost an arm and a leg.  I couldn't handle it any longer. 4 hours of kids going beyond antsy is too much for me. Too much for them. I was ready to have a stress attack.

 

We got home and they were happy and just played with their toys and I had time to calm myself down. Now again, I'm not complaining. My life is truly lovely. It was just an annoying day. And I then put everything in perspective: Laundromats are not at all convenient and are far from cheap, but thank goodness they're available; I love my kids and am so thankful that they are well behaved (I did thank Ella V. for her patience and helping with her sister and acknowledged that I know that it was not easy for her to do in such a boring place. She agreed); it's just appliances and they're not meant to last forever; and it's just a camera, it's not like I'm without. These are things that, in the end, really are not all that important. Life isn't perfect. And plans don't always go as, well, planned, because there's always something.

 

**Note: Ella V. was happy that I had 4 quarters left at the end and was able to get the candy and gum she'd been eyeing the entire time.

Routine and To-Do's

Routine and To-Do's. I'm lacking the perfect routine (perfect for me anyways) and have way too many to-do's (who doesn't). I was just getting an awesome daily routine and then baby no. 2 came along throwing that out the window. A new daily routine then had to be developed, but that is not a constant with one daughter in school and the other daughter in the baby stages of constant development, growing and learning with little independence. If that isn't enough in itself, the 3 of us girls have been sick since the weekend, which I never desire to be a constant in any of my routines. I think I can get the routine down once school starts up again. Ella is starting kindergarten. That's what I'm striving for, but I can already see some obstacles that may slow it down. Kindergarten = all day, every day with no naps. She hasn't been to school 5 days in a row yet. She's done 4, but not 5, and last year she only did 3 days a week and not in a row. Now throw in no naps. Ella loves her naps. Still. At age 5. She's a crab without one. She's always loved her naps since birth. Now getting to bed at a decent hour at night, not so much. That has been an issue since the first night we brought her home. She's a night owl (Dr. N. warned me she would be in one of my regular OB exams). I'm a night owl. Two night owls in one house doesn't work too well. I look at it as my "downtime," which is non-existent at the present time. A time I can get work done for the dr. uninterrupted (part of my routine) and tackle items on the big long list of to-do's.

 

Now the to-do's. Oh the list goes on and on and on. It's never ending. And it goes hand-in-hand with routine. That's why I can't either part done. They're not in sync. The to-do's range from everyday chores to larger household tasks. The biggest one I'm trying to tackle is having a garage sale to get rid of clutter and get this house organized. It's driving me crazy. I've been doing a little bit each day to prepare for it, but can't help but ask myself is it all worth all of the work and effort. We've lived in our house for almost 13 years come November 7 and have never had a garage sale of any sort. That means a LOT of stuff. I've done a lot of donating and throwing out, but it's hardly made a dent. It just can't be put off any longer. With 2 kids and all of the clothes and toys and then 2 adults with all of the clothes, household items, etc., 2300 sq. feet seems like 23 sq. feet. There's so many other to-do's I would like to get done too: get caught up on the girls' and my blogs, get caught up on scrapbook projects, especially for the girls, finish the quilt I started for Madeline a month before she was born (all it needs is the back and edging sewn on), update pics of us and family members throughout our house before all of the kids start graduating high school, tackling the flower beds around our house that have been neglected for the past 2 summers, read a huge pile of books I've been wanting to read so that they can be put in storage or donated/sold, and not to mention an entire list of things I would like to do/try on my many, many Pinterest pins. Oh, the list goes on and on and on. I could blog about it all year long and then some. It's overwhelming for me. It's constantly on my mind and I get frustrated when something hampers my efforts, like being sick. I just have to keep telling myself to do a little here and there and it will eventually get done; otherwise, I will go bonkers.

 

Well, here's to school starting in 3 weeks so I can get a routine down and my to-do's done. It's gonna be a busy 2nd half to 2013.

Back From Blogcation

It's been well over a year since I've blogged. There's been so much going on too since I last visited my page. I survived the job change working in the doctor's office and had to change again after finding out that we were having our second child 2 weeks after my work start date. Now I'm back to working at home with 2 beautiful girls to love up, although working at home was much easier when there was only one constantly grabbing my attention. It's just an adjustment curve, which seems to happen every couple of months in our house. I'm currently proofing dictations for the same doctor I've worked for the last 7 years. It's great working at home, but I miss my co-workers quite a bit. Hoping for another work change in the next 3 years when our 2nd child starts school. That's a future blog post all on it's own. 

So, about that 2nd child? That would be our daughter, Madeline Evelyn. Born Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 8:36 a.m. weighing in at 7 lbs. 14 oz. She couldn't be more opposite personality wise compared to our oldest daughter, Ella. Not surprising, as they are 2 separate beings I suppose. Just thought they would be a little more similar in nature. That being said, we couldn't love them more and consider ourselves so blessed.

With all that has been going on, it has been nearly impossible to do any extracurricular activities when chasing a 5-year-old and 15-month-old; but, I'm back from my "blogcation" and hope to be able to write more. It's my journaling outlet to keep track of my life's happenings. I'm hoping to be able to post some of my other creative outlets like scrapbooking and photography to see how I improve/grow/change in these areas. And now that daughter no. 2 is here, I hope to start a blog like I did for her big sis to record their milestones. I have a lot to catch up on. I better get to it.

Changing Times

Originally Written July 13, 2011

These are changing times. Not only for me, but also for Ella V. and my husband. It was almost inevitable. I just did not know exactly when or even how the changes would occur. For the last 4 years, I have worked at home as a medical transcriptionist. It was intentionally planned when my husband and I were trying to have a family  We just did not want our child to spend their first years in daycare and miss out on the many milestones he or she would be making. I have nothing against childcare. I know it is necessary for the majority of the working class people in this country in particular. We just did not see any reasoning to place our child in daycare if I was working at home.  We have been so blessed that I have had a job that has allowed us to do this. 

Unfortunately, these are changing times. Computers are inevitably taking over jobs that many people hold in the medical field.  My profession just happens to be one of them. Approximately 2 months ago, I was informed that the position I've held for the last 4 years would no longer be needed since the doctor's office I work for would be switching to the new EMR (electronic medical records) program that all the doctors in the area are switching to.

Not all news is bad news though. I've been offered a new position in office checking the patients out. It entails working Monday through Thursday full days, but is considered part time. It's a hard decision that we will have to make, but I know in the end it will all work out for the best. Ella will be starting school in the fall and I will need to be doing something during that time. A new doctor will be joining the practice, so I know it will definitely keep me busy. I've also known everyone who works there for the last 4 years, so that will make a little easier. The hardest part is just going to be apart from my little peanut-nut so much. It is quite draining to even think about. I would start the new position near the end of July, so I would have to find someone to watch Ella during that time until school starts. That's even more draining to think about. Big decisions are ahead of us and I'm just hoping we make the right ones. It's the inevitable. After all, these are changing times.

Listography: My Can't Stands

Can't Stands

There are a lot of things I can't stand. Some things I can brush off, but this is a list of the ones I can't:

• Dirty dishes in the sink, especially when preparing a meal. I have to put them in the dishwasher as I work along.
• Being woken up just as I fall asleep. I can't get back to sleep for hours.
• Dirty laundry on the floor. Just does not need to happen, but there are times where I just can't keep up.
• Constant pessimism. Someone close to me is constantly in a pessimistic mood and, frankly, it gets to be a downer. Don't mind the occasional complaining/venting, but not all the time.
• People who call for "fun" at 2 a.m. Hasn't happened in 2 years, because I ripped them a new you-know-what. Not funny. Grow up!
• Wrinkles. On my cloths and my face. I'm tempted to Botox the "scowl" crease between my eyes. It's so ugly.
• Boom-boom music. My term for the base speakers people put in their cars and blare 'em full blast. We always know when our neighbor's son comes home because he has one.
• Rising gas prices. No explanation needed.
• Mobile texting addicts. I use texting when necessary, but could live without it.
• Aisle hogs at the grocery store.  As if they're the only ones shopping.

Hot Mess

Hot mess. I'm borrowing that terminology from my sis-in-law because it seems to perfectly describe exactly how I've been feeling lately (like the last 4-1/2 months).  Losing weight has been, well, a losing battle. I'm really not trying to lose a lot of weight, but I know I would feel better if I could lose anywhere between 15 and 20 pounds.  The problem is the scale keeps going up instead of down.  I know I've cheated and had an occasional soda here and there, and yes I've had a few pieces of Easter candy out of Ella's basket and could probably stand to change my diet a little more drastically, but I have been exercising and I have changed my diet to where I am eating better without starving myself. I like to eat 3 meals per day. I feel worse if I skip a meal or eat hardly anything at all.  I've tried more smaller meals throughout the day, but struggle even more with that.  As far as exercising goes, the only thing I enjoy doing is walking, which really worked well for me last time I wanted to lose weight, the body ball and my free weights. I use the elliptical we have, but that is rather boring to be honest, and we only spent $50 on it, so you really do get what you pay for. I still try to use it when I can't get around to doing something other form of exercise, but would prefer not to.

I had an appointment for a small run-in with a wine bottle to the eye and for my lateral epicondylitis last week.  During that appointment the doctor asked how my thyroid was doing. I explained to him how my back and face have been breaking out really bad and how my menses are really off schedule. I told him I thought it was hormones and he seemed to agree that it was hormones and not my thyroid levels. But now it has me wondering. The thyroid does control certain hormones and with knowing that, it had me wondering how my thyroid was really doing; so I hopped onto Mayo Clinic to read up on hypothyroidism once again. I filled out a profiler to evaluate the symptoms I am experiencing and how it may be related to my thyroid problems. After doing this, it tells me that it sounds like my dosage is too low. So now I feel like I should have maybe discussed more of the symptoms with my doctor to see if I needed to have my blood tested again. I do have an appointment with my other doctor next week and may bring it up to him.

I just can't help but feeling blah, which in turn makes me grouchy, which in turn makes me feel guilty when I get short with my husband and my daughter. I'm really just tired of having to take the thyroid medication on top of 3 others I have to take, which can get complicated because you can only take them within a certain time frame of each other or they don't work properly. I'm always fatigued/tired, anxious, can't get to sleep no matter how tired I am, keep gaining weight instead of losing, no longer have a regular cycle,  have a hard time remembering things unless I write them down, always cold, have joint pains and aches and can't concentrate. I'm back to square one prior to my diagnosis. I'm a hot mess.

Listography: My Elementary School Teachers

Cannot believe I still remember my elementary school teachers. Can't remember any of my college professor's names, but I can remember elementary. Go figure. If you took me to each school, I could even point out the classrooms, that is, if they even exist anymore.

 

My Elementary School Teachers

• Preschool: Ms. Goose
• Preschool: Mrs. Travis (yes, I repeated preschool. Parents started me too early).
• Kindergarten: Mrs. Nickerson
• First Grade: Mrs. Travis
• Second Grade: Mrs. Stenman
• Third Grade: Ms. Lewis
• Fourth Grade: Mr. Rothwell
• Fifth Grade: Mrs. Fisher
• Six Grade: Mrs. Jefferson

 Wonder what they're all doing now...

My Listography

It has been quite a while since I've posted anything. Not much has been going on really other than work, work and more work. So with that, I really have not had anything too exciting to post. I am starting another little scrapbook project...Listography. Another approach to a biography utilizing short lists of random things to tell others a little bit about yourself. There's actually a website, and books/journals, that give ideas on different topics for creating these lists (www.listography.com) So on top of doing Project Life, I am going to add this to the list.

Here's the start to my listography:

Memories from Childhood

• Living on a farm the first 7 years of my life with cattle, chickens and pigs (Can you say: pee-you?)
• Using the corn crib topper as a fort (until it was installed).
• Collecting eggs and having my legs pecked to death in the process by the crazy chickens.
• Going to Logan's Landing to feed the swans and ducks with my grandma and mom.
• My Raggedy Ann and Andy swimming pool.
• Being chased through the cornfield by the 2 neighbor dogs all the way from great grandma's and grandpa's and emerging covered head-to-toe with sand burrs.
• Having huge veggie gardens (something I miss a lot).
• Building forts with my brother and making "mushroom stew." (and no, we never ate it).
• Spending many summer days/nights at my aunt's and uncle's on Spider Lake.
• Being hit by a fire rescue truck after being dropped off for school. A bus driver waved an okay for me cross the street in front of the school and Whack!. Smacked by a fire rescue truck driven by Mr. Pickard. All for the entire school population to see. If my mom hadn't yelled at me to stop, he would have literally run me over. Instead, just the corner and driver's side panel hit me.

So that is the start to my listography. Just odds and ends about me.

Feeding the swans at Logan's Landing.

Not sure I would ever get that close to one now.

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

Discipline

Discipline. That's exactly what I need (in more ways than one). That's exactly what was in my horoscope today, not that I believe in them, but it kinda fits my situation. My big situation. The Last 15 has been bumped up to the Last 20. That's right.  I need to lose an extra 5 pounds now. I give up drinking pop (except for the one (or two) glasses I "accidentally" drank at my niece's b-day party two weeks ago) and gained 5 pounds. Whoa! Go back! Wrong Direction!  I don't really get why I couldn't have at least lost 1 pound, but I guess a big part of it would be no discipline.  No official plan. Not stickin to it. Well, better late than never. I will be doing something today whether it's walking, the elliptical or one of the many fitness DVDs I own. I will start making that meal plan to get rid of the Last 20.  I've set a goal. I've made a plan. I'm stickin to it. It's all discipline.

Horoscope

Scorpio (10/24 - 11/22)

Make a plan and stick to it -- the day does not reward flexibility. You can discipline yourself better than most, though, so don't worry if your people start to flake out or drift away.

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Project Life: Week 8

Week 8

My trusty "administrative assistant."

Trouble since day one.

Innocent until proven guilty.

Was once the "baby" of the family.

Sheds an entire coat every day (just look at my Dyson).

Ella's best friend. 

Misses her best friend (but not as much as I do).

Determined. Persistent.

Loving. Loyal. Family.

Phoebe Shirley Riley-Johnson

(yes, this is her real name: there's a story behind it).