I ran tonight and had an awesome run. I've been working on my mental thoughts while running because since I've moved here I've had a hard time running. Before we moved I did 9 miles and never once walked. I don't know if I've done a run without walking since we've moved which is pathetic. but I decided it has to be mental there's no other reason for it. ANYWAY....
My run was good, the best part didn't last long enough. When I do my long runs I have to drive down to the town and run the path, so my longer runs (Wednesday and Saturday) are ran down there. Today I ran after supper so it was starting to get dark by the time I finished my run, while stretching I got to lay down on the grass a bit and look at the sky. It was amazing, there were a few stars scattered across the sky, and the moon, although only half full was bright and lit up the night. I wanted to lay there for hours like I did when I was little, but I felt a little weird since I was alone and there were a bunch of men and teenage boys around. So I got up.
When I was young I used to take a sleeping bag out into the front yard and look at the stars for hours, there's something about nature that i just love, and nature at night is wonderfully amazing. For a minute laying there tonight I slipped back in time to when there were no cares in the world, no worry of being attacked by people walking by, no worry of getting home to see the kids before they went to bed, no worry of needing to look up skin id reviews because I stayed in my sweaty clothes too long . Just soft grass and a starry sky. I think we all need to take more time to do that. (don't go thinking I don't love my family and my life now, because I DO with all my heart i love them).
Words from my Lunch break
Almost every day my wonderful husband gives me a 30 minute lunch break (one of the BIG bonuses of having him work from home). Now that I watch my niece and nephew I don't get any time during the day to just sit and not think about dirty diapers or feeding kids, so this little lunch break is great! Some days I run, some days I blog (not very often obviously), some days I read my Bible, and once I've napped. I figured it was time to blog since it's been a while!
My weight loss is going good, I'm right around 30lbs gone since January 14th. I hit that 30lb mark, then hit this horrible plateau where I've gained a few pounds, then lost them then gained them then lost some. It's been going on for over a week and I am getting frustrated. My wonderful husband decided to help me yesterday by hiding the scale so I can't think about it. This means I have no clue how I'm doing, which has had a positive effect on me today. I woke up feeling thin, which made me feel great about myself and my ongoing lifestyle change (not diet!!) A few things I've noticed and tried to change are the fact that at night I'll check my calories and realize I still need more food, so I load in a bunch of calories right before going to bed instead of snacking during the day. So yesterday and today I've entered in breakfast and dinner in the morning, then I know the rest of the calories have to be eaten BEFORE dinner. it's helped a ton to me. I had also been subconsciously avoiding breads, which meant I wasn't getting in much fiber which well, you know what happens when you don't get enough fiber. :) So yesterday and Today I've made sure to get some fiber! I'm hoping all this will help me break through the plateau and lose these last 10lbs. I've been considering taking a daily multivitamin to help me get everything I need because I'm sure I'm lacking some good stuff in my diet, I just have no clue how to find a good one!
My running is going good, I ran 11 miles on Friday with my sister, I got my first blister from running! I consider myself a real runner now (because of the blister not the 11 miles). I did learn though that I don't like running with people. I had a HARD time running, partially because she is used to running a little faster than I have been which meant I got tired faster, also because I am used to running to music to help me keep a steady pace. My race is just three and a half weeks away now! amazing how fast it's coming I'm starting to get nervous. I reserved a cabin at a hotel in Virginia Beach (cheaper than a hotel, plus I like camping, I get to bring my own sheets and stuff and don't have to worry about how nasty the hotel room might be). The campground is pretty big, has 4 playgrounds, 4 pools, mini golf, basketball courts, an arcade... and the usual campground stuff.
Life with the kids is going good, I'm starting to get the hang of homeschooling, although I'd love to get more creative with my niece. She's in 4th grade and right now school seems a little boring! I will say I am learning a bunch of grammar though, maybe one day my writing will be pleasing to an English major. probably not though.
Lexi hasn't been doing school because she is just frustrating me when we tried, hopefully that will change by next fall when we actually start kindergarten. Caylee and my nephew are about 7 months apart in age and they make for an interesting combination. They are both the youngest and take turns being the spoiled one. Hitting is a daily event around here and I've pretty much stopped yelling at them when they do. Only because one will hit the other, then visa versa, I figure one day they will realize it hurts and just stop hitting!
I've been going to the local gym to Zumba classes every once and a while with my sister in law. They are fun! It's not a hard work out so it's great for beginners but it's also REALLY fun! It's nice to switch up my cardio and so something other than running!
Right now we are dog sitting for my sister while her and her husband are on a cruise. I'm kinda jealous, floating around the Caribbean on a big boat kinda sounds like fun right now!
My weight loss is going good, I'm right around 30lbs gone since January 14th. I hit that 30lb mark, then hit this horrible plateau where I've gained a few pounds, then lost them then gained them then lost some. It's been going on for over a week and I am getting frustrated. My wonderful husband decided to help me yesterday by hiding the scale so I can't think about it. This means I have no clue how I'm doing, which has had a positive effect on me today. I woke up feeling thin, which made me feel great about myself and my ongoing lifestyle change (not diet!!) A few things I've noticed and tried to change are the fact that at night I'll check my calories and realize I still need more food, so I load in a bunch of calories right before going to bed instead of snacking during the day. So yesterday and today I've entered in breakfast and dinner in the morning, then I know the rest of the calories have to be eaten BEFORE dinner. it's helped a ton to me. I had also been subconsciously avoiding breads, which meant I wasn't getting in much fiber which well, you know what happens when you don't get enough fiber. :) So yesterday and Today I've made sure to get some fiber! I'm hoping all this will help me break through the plateau and lose these last 10lbs. I've been considering taking a daily multivitamin to help me get everything I need because I'm sure I'm lacking some good stuff in my diet, I just have no clue how to find a good one!
My running is going good, I ran 11 miles on Friday with my sister, I got my first blister from running! I consider myself a real runner now (because of the blister not the 11 miles). I did learn though that I don't like running with people. I had a HARD time running, partially because she is used to running a little faster than I have been which meant I got tired faster, also because I am used to running to music to help me keep a steady pace. My race is just three and a half weeks away now! amazing how fast it's coming I'm starting to get nervous. I reserved a cabin at a hotel in Virginia Beach (cheaper than a hotel, plus I like camping, I get to bring my own sheets and stuff and don't have to worry about how nasty the hotel room might be). The campground is pretty big, has 4 playgrounds, 4 pools, mini golf, basketball courts, an arcade... and the usual campground stuff.
Life with the kids is going good, I'm starting to get the hang of homeschooling, although I'd love to get more creative with my niece. She's in 4th grade and right now school seems a little boring! I will say I am learning a bunch of grammar though, maybe one day my writing will be pleasing to an English major. probably not though.
Lexi hasn't been doing school because she is just frustrating me when we tried, hopefully that will change by next fall when we actually start kindergarten. Caylee and my nephew are about 7 months apart in age and they make for an interesting combination. They are both the youngest and take turns being the spoiled one. Hitting is a daily event around here and I've pretty much stopped yelling at them when they do. Only because one will hit the other, then visa versa, I figure one day they will realize it hurts and just stop hitting!
I've been going to the local gym to Zumba classes every once and a while with my sister in law. They are fun! It's not a hard work out so it's great for beginners but it's also REALLY fun! It's nice to switch up my cardio and so something other than running!
Right now we are dog sitting for my sister while her and her husband are on a cruise. I'm kinda jealous, floating around the Caribbean on a big boat kinda sounds like fun right now!
YAWN
Monday's don't normally bother me, they tend to be like every other day, but Today.... today was a day. That's about all I can say about it.
It was CRAZY here. I'm not sure if it had to do with the time change or not, but 3 of the 4 kids were cranky off and on, meaning at least one was fussing at all times. Top it off I was still trying to recover from whatever was wrong with me yesterday (body aches, fever, FREEZING, a bit of a sore throat) so I didn't have all my energy.
I managed to get up enough energy by this afternoon to get in a short run. There's not too many places to run around here that aren't completely mountainous, There is my road (a whopping .35 miles long) and the road next to mine (a whole .7 miles long) that together with the road that connects them makes for a decent 2.25 mile run. It has a few small hills but nothing I can't handle (now that I'm used to the thinner air). The .7 mile long road ends at a junk yard type thing, I doubt you'll find Ferrari parts there, but there are a lot of old police cars and some beat up vans. It's a quiet little road, when I run in the morning I normally see a few kids waiting for their bus, but other than that there's nothing and no one! My road is the same way, aside from the German Sheppard who acts like it's going to attack me every time I run by it (lucky for me it never even comes to the edge of the yard, it has scared me a few times though).
Now that I'm watching two extra kids I don't get much computer time in, so blogging is getting even harder to do. I just spent a few hours here getting some important things done that should have been done weeks ago. In front of me is a list a dozen items long of stuff that needs done. Time is so hard to come by, especially when I have days like today!
So how was your Monday?!
It was CRAZY here. I'm not sure if it had to do with the time change or not, but 3 of the 4 kids were cranky off and on, meaning at least one was fussing at all times. Top it off I was still trying to recover from whatever was wrong with me yesterday (body aches, fever, FREEZING, a bit of a sore throat) so I didn't have all my energy.
I managed to get up enough energy by this afternoon to get in a short run. There's not too many places to run around here that aren't completely mountainous, There is my road (a whopping .35 miles long) and the road next to mine (a whole .7 miles long) that together with the road that connects them makes for a decent 2.25 mile run. It has a few small hills but nothing I can't handle (now that I'm used to the thinner air). The .7 mile long road ends at a junk yard type thing, I doubt you'll find Ferrari parts there, but there are a lot of old police cars and some beat up vans. It's a quiet little road, when I run in the morning I normally see a few kids waiting for their bus, but other than that there's nothing and no one! My road is the same way, aside from the German Sheppard who acts like it's going to attack me every time I run by it (lucky for me it never even comes to the edge of the yard, it has scared me a few times though).
Now that I'm watching two extra kids I don't get much computer time in, so blogging is getting even harder to do. I just spent a few hours here getting some important things done that should have been done weeks ago. In front of me is a list a dozen items long of stuff that needs done. Time is so hard to come by, especially when I have days like today!
So how was your Monday?!
to cut or not to cut
that is the question.
I am so torn between whether or not I should cut my hair again. I got it cut in November and it looked really cute, I got a ton of compliments. I had never had a hair cut like that, so the different style was nice. The thing I loved about having short hair is that I had to style it every day. It made me feel like I was taking care of myself better and I always felt more put together when i went out into public. However, that had it's cons too... It meant always having to take the time to style it. No more just pulling it up and running out of the house. If I was running late it was obvious because my hair was a mess!
Well now it's at the point where I can just barely pull it up again and I'm debating between cutting it or not cutting it. Sometimes it's nice to pull up, especially when I'm running and it's flopping in my face. But once my hair is long enough to pull up I RARELY style it.
But do I want to HAVE to style it every day or do I want the option to pull it up knowing that I'll probably pull it up 99% of the time? UGH it's such a hard decision. My short hair made it easy for special occasions, there was no guessing what I'd do with my hair, it was just one thing and one thing only. It was fun wondering what the wedding favors would look like instead of what my hair would look like.
I had scheduled an appointment for yesterday then decided to cancel it until I fully make up my mind. I asked for opinions on facebook and the consensus was it's a hard decision. Thanks for the help. he he he.
So for now it's here... but will I change my mind tomorrow?!
I am so torn between whether or not I should cut my hair again. I got it cut in November and it looked really cute, I got a ton of compliments. I had never had a hair cut like that, so the different style was nice. The thing I loved about having short hair is that I had to style it every day. It made me feel like I was taking care of myself better and I always felt more put together when i went out into public. However, that had it's cons too... It meant always having to take the time to style it. No more just pulling it up and running out of the house. If I was running late it was obvious because my hair was a mess!
Well now it's at the point where I can just barely pull it up again and I'm debating between cutting it or not cutting it. Sometimes it's nice to pull up, especially when I'm running and it's flopping in my face. But once my hair is long enough to pull up I RARELY style it.
But do I want to HAVE to style it every day or do I want the option to pull it up knowing that I'll probably pull it up 99% of the time? UGH it's such a hard decision. My short hair made it easy for special occasions, there was no guessing what I'd do with my hair, it was just one thing and one thing only. It was fun wondering what the wedding favors would look like instead of what my hair would look like.
I had scheduled an appointment for yesterday then decided to cancel it until I fully make up my mind. I asked for opinions on facebook and the consensus was it's a hard decision. Thanks for the help. he he he.
So for now it's here... but will I change my mind tomorrow?!
Zumba!
Last night I tried out my first Zumba class. I had a ton of fun, it wasn't as much of a work out as I expected, but it still definitely made me burn calories! There is a small gym here that allows non members to participate in the classes they offer for $5 each class, or you can buy a day pass for $7 i think. Not too bad if you just want to do something every now and then.
The Zumba class was so packed we could barely move which I think prohibited me being able to fully work out, it's a very popular class! We were squished in there so tight we couldn't see the instructor so I was watching some of the people who you could tell knew what they were doing. It was fun dancing around to different music. I am not very talented when it comes to dancing so I'm sure I looked like a fool. One girl in there was rocking out her skechers shape ups, she was awesome and hyper! She knew what she was doing so I watched her whenever I couldn't see the instructor.
I'd love to take the class again, we might even pursue a membership we'll see. There is talk of them moving the class to the big gym which would be nice AND helpful! I think my sister in law and I are going back on Saturday for more! Bring it on!!
The Zumba class was so packed we could barely move which I think prohibited me being able to fully work out, it's a very popular class! We were squished in there so tight we couldn't see the instructor so I was watching some of the people who you could tell knew what they were doing. It was fun dancing around to different music. I am not very talented when it comes to dancing so I'm sure I looked like a fool. One girl in there was rocking out her skechers shape ups, she was awesome and hyper! She knew what she was doing so I watched her whenever I couldn't see the instructor.
I'd love to take the class again, we might even pursue a membership we'll see. There is talk of them moving the class to the big gym which would be nice AND helpful! I think my sister in law and I are going back on Saturday for more! Bring it on!!
Our New place
Well, we're settled. I guess you could call it that anyway. We moved 9 days ago, I spent the entire day after we moved unpacking. My wonderful sisters in law watched the girls, my husband and my brothers in law went and painted our old place, leaving me to myself to get everything here done.
I was going good and strong until about 4 hours into it when I started to get a little lonely and realized I really haven't been alone in YEARS and YEARS. so I started texting in between emptying boxes.
I love our new place, except we are trying to get the smell of the last tenants out (they smoked). We have an entire room just for toys, which is great, except that there's no heat in that room so it's pretty chilly in the mornings and afternoons. We're consider an Amish fireplace, nice little electric fake fireplace I have no clue if they are safe around kids or not though. We got a little "room heater" it stinks, it does nothing to heat that room even though it was suppose to be able to handle a room that sized.
Anyone have any ideas for heating a room?
I was going good and strong until about 4 hours into it when I started to get a little lonely and realized I really haven't been alone in YEARS and YEARS. so I started texting in between emptying boxes.
I love our new place, except we are trying to get the smell of the last tenants out (they smoked). We have an entire room just for toys, which is great, except that there's no heat in that room so it's pretty chilly in the mornings and afternoons. We're consider an Amish fireplace, nice little electric fake fireplace I have no clue if they are safe around kids or not though. We got a little "room heater" it stinks, it does nothing to heat that room even though it was suppose to be able to handle a room that sized.
Anyone have any ideas for heating a room?
Baby it's cold inside...
There is one thing I am not going to miss about this apartment. The heat. Seriously, whoever thought of this is just a moron. First, the heat vents for downstairs are in the ceiling. Have people never heard that HEAT RISES?! See, upstairs stays nice and toasty, downstairs however... is very COLD.
Also, we have some weird form of heat where the hot water is how the place is heated. Something about air blowing across the pipes that the hot water is running through... yah it isn't very effective. Maybe it's just because of the whole ceiling vents... but also- we don't have much hot water in the winter. In order to even get a slightly warm shower in the mornings we have to turn the heat way down and wait about 20 minutes. Then the first person gets a lukewarm shower and the 2nd person gets a warm shower. Sometimes it's so cold I wish I could just give my hair a quick trim (ok, chop it all off) so I didn't have to worry about washing it. BRRR.
Seriously though, who thought of these brilliant heating ideas?! Tonight I was watching a movie all curled up on the couch under a blanket and my nose started to freeze. I checked the thermostat and it said 62. Some mornings we forget to turn the heat back up after our showers... seems like we must have forgotten for about 3 days now. Think I'll go curl up in my bed now.
Also, we have some weird form of heat where the hot water is how the place is heated. Something about air blowing across the pipes that the hot water is running through... yah it isn't very effective. Maybe it's just because of the whole ceiling vents... but also- we don't have much hot water in the winter. In order to even get a slightly warm shower in the mornings we have to turn the heat way down and wait about 20 minutes. Then the first person gets a lukewarm shower and the 2nd person gets a warm shower. Sometimes it's so cold I wish I could just give my hair a quick trim (ok, chop it all off) so I didn't have to worry about washing it. BRRR.
Seriously though, who thought of these brilliant heating ideas?! Tonight I was watching a movie all curled up on the couch under a blanket and my nose started to freeze. I checked the thermostat and it said 62. Some mornings we forget to turn the heat back up after our showers... seems like we must have forgotten for about 3 days now. Think I'll go curl up in my bed now.
Thoughts on the internet...
We are moving on the 26th. I am excited but at the same time a little overwhelmed with what needs done around here! Packing seriously takes forever. Seems like I've run out of things that can be packed up this early too. When I think of something I'll pack one box and then lose my ambition. I am easily distracted, especially by the computer. This little box of technology that makes everyone's lives "easier". I'm starting to wonder if they make life more complicated. There's just too much you can do on the computer, especially if you have the internet. There's facebook, myspace, twitter, all sorts of social sites where you can find out what every single person you ever knew is doing at every single second of the day. Or there's Google, you can research ANYTHING you want, Do you need fast weight loss tips? no problem, just google it! How to cut a fresh pineapple? Oh that's on there too, but not just one site with answers, no 45,642,154,654 sites!
It's not that I am anti internet- obviously, I love me some facebook, but I just wonder if having all this information at the tip of our fingers is honestly making life easier, or just keeping us busy. I mean, if I lived 10 years without knowing what someone I went to high school with is doing, why do I feel the need to look at every single picture of their children?
It's not that I am anti internet- obviously, I love me some facebook, but I just wonder if having all this information at the tip of our fingers is honestly making life easier, or just keeping us busy. I mean, if I lived 10 years without knowing what someone I went to high school with is doing, why do I feel the need to look at every single picture of their children?
I'm 28 can it stop now?
Seriously, I've had acne since I was like 5 I think. All the hormones are balanced, no puberty, no pregnancy, no pms. I thought maybe it was related to my sugar intake, but I haven't had soda or candy or junk food other than once or twice in about 6 weeks. I've tried acne washes, acne systems, and even RX acne cream. Nothing is working. Can I blame it on genetics now? I die when I hear/see people complaining about a zit on their chin/nose/forehead... I'd love to have just one zit to worry about. I haven't had a day w/no zits since I started puberty. A day with only one zit? I don't recall one, if I did it was probably a pimple the size of a quarter. Anyone else love oily skin as much as I do?
Ok, I'll stop ranting and raving now...
Ok, I'll stop ranting and raving now...
Half marathon
I've found the half marathon I want to run, it's called the Dismal Swamp Stomp half marathon. Doesn't that sound fun? It's in Chesapeake, VA, it's flat and on a paved trail that runs right next to a swamp through the "wilderness". It looks like fun. Plus, I can turn the trip into a mini vacation. There are a few state parks around Virginia beach, I'm hoping to hear a big YES from my husband that we will commit to this! a nice camping trip at the beach with my family sounds like a ton of fun, add to it running my first half marathon and it will be a perfect trip. Now to get my knees to cooperate.
This lifestyle change has been great for me, it's my own little quick weight loss plan. I'm at 16lbs and hope to lose another 14. I don't want to call it a diet, yes I'm watching what I'm eating, but I've still allowed myself a cookie or two here, a piece of pizza there, even a donut the other day. One thing I've learned is that I need to eat enough! When I first signed up with sparkpeople (about 3 weeks into my progress) I had hit a plateau, it was on accident one day I ate more calories than normal and started losing weight again. Some days it is hard for me to even get in 1200 calories, on those days I like to splurge with a cookie, or a couple glasses of milk. At least with the milk it's good for me! he he.
Anyway, I'm really excited to run my first half marathon, I have to rest tomorrow even though it's a running day though. I hurt my knee doing Jillian's 30 day shred Friday night. Stupid butt kicks. I kicked my knee up too high towards my butt and it hurt SO BAD. Then I tried to do my 4 mile run yesterday and only made it two. Normally any aches and pains I have go away by the time I hit mile 1, but when my knee was still screaming out to me I decided to just turn around. Did I mention I was walking on it pretty much all day Saturday? Today it's pretty big and kinda sore. Hopefully by Wednesday it will be ready to resume all running!
This lifestyle change has been great for me, it's my own little quick weight loss plan. I'm at 16lbs and hope to lose another 14. I don't want to call it a diet, yes I'm watching what I'm eating, but I've still allowed myself a cookie or two here, a piece of pizza there, even a donut the other day. One thing I've learned is that I need to eat enough! When I first signed up with sparkpeople (about 3 weeks into my progress) I had hit a plateau, it was on accident one day I ate more calories than normal and started losing weight again. Some days it is hard for me to even get in 1200 calories, on those days I like to splurge with a cookie, or a couple glasses of milk. At least with the milk it's good for me! he he.
Anyway, I'm really excited to run my first half marathon, I have to rest tomorrow even though it's a running day though. I hurt my knee doing Jillian's 30 day shred Friday night. Stupid butt kicks. I kicked my knee up too high towards my butt and it hurt SO BAD. Then I tried to do my 4 mile run yesterday and only made it two. Normally any aches and pains I have go away by the time I hit mile 1, but when my knee was still screaming out to me I decided to just turn around. Did I mention I was walking on it pretty much all day Saturday? Today it's pretty big and kinda sore. Hopefully by Wednesday it will be ready to resume all running!
One of those days
So last night both of our computers started acting up. I ran a virus scan over night, woke up to see I had a Trojan virus. My husband couldn't even run a virus scan because his computer was that messed up. He got the blue screen of death. He did manage to get all his files off, but is still working on fixing it, if he can't get it fixed we're going to have to get him a new one, unfortunately my old dinosaur of a computer can't run the programs he needs to work. I'd love a lap top, even a Acer Aspire would be nice, But right now his computer is the only thing bringing in any money so it's kinda important.
Anyway, so then My husband went to heat up a waffle and our toaster wouldn't work. to top it all off, he went to the store and when he left the car wouldn't start. He did figure out it's the starter, which luckily we have a warranty on it so it wont cost anything to fix, but before he can get the new one he has to bring them the old one. To top it all off they are calling for freezing rain tonight. I hope our car isn't stuck at the store for too long...
When it rains it pours!
Anyway, so then My husband went to heat up a waffle and our toaster wouldn't work. to top it all off, he went to the store and when he left the car wouldn't start. He did figure out it's the starter, which luckily we have a warranty on it so it wont cost anything to fix, but before he can get the new one he has to bring them the old one. To top it all off they are calling for freezing rain tonight. I hope our car isn't stuck at the store for too long...
When it rains it pours!
YAY for weight loss!
I've lost 11lbs. I'm so excited. I still have about 20 more to lose until I'm at a good weight for me, but 11lbs is exciting! I'm sure some people would think I'm obsessed about eating, because I've been counting calories, fat, carbs and protein. using sparkpeople.com it's a great site to help track nutrition.
I've pretty much mastered the not caring about what others around me are eating. I've sat back and fed my kids ice cream without eating any, right now the girls are eating Oreos, I'm proud to say the package is almost empty and I've had NONE. The best thing about what I'm doing is that I am able to eat some sweets, the other day I did have some ice cream, but it fit into my calories and fat for the day.
Only problem is, we're going to visit my husband's family for a few days and I'm scared they will think I'm obsessed or crazy, really I'm just trying to eat healthier. The reason I think they'll think that is because I thought that about my sister before I started trying to eat healthy. But I'm not healthy and I need to be, so I'll do what it takes. Even if it means looking crazy.
I used to get scared when we'd leave home, thinking I'd come home and the house would be burnt down or something, i rest a little easier now that we have renters insurance, when we got our home insurance quote I was so shocked at how cheap it is! Everyone renting should get insurance, especially if you live in an apartment where other people's mistakes could cost you everything.
I've pretty much mastered the not caring about what others around me are eating. I've sat back and fed my kids ice cream without eating any, right now the girls are eating Oreos, I'm proud to say the package is almost empty and I've had NONE. The best thing about what I'm doing is that I am able to eat some sweets, the other day I did have some ice cream, but it fit into my calories and fat for the day.
Only problem is, we're going to visit my husband's family for a few days and I'm scared they will think I'm obsessed or crazy, really I'm just trying to eat healthier. The reason I think they'll think that is because I thought that about my sister before I started trying to eat healthy. But I'm not healthy and I need to be, so I'll do what it takes. Even if it means looking crazy.
I used to get scared when we'd leave home, thinking I'd come home and the house would be burnt down or something, i rest a little easier now that we have renters insurance, when we got our home insurance quote I was so shocked at how cheap it is! Everyone renting should get insurance, especially if you live in an apartment where other people's mistakes could cost you everything.
School
Lately my husband has been looking into going back to school, he's looking at taking online classes in graphic design. I'm not 100% sure how I feel about this, because I know it will be more time that I don't get to see him. It's kinda funny because he's been home for over a year, so we really are around each other a lot, but the problem is it's not normal time around each other. It's more like "here, watch the kids while I do something" "ok, your turn" type thing. really 'family time' doesn't normally start until super time, and then he normally has stuff he has to go do. It's quite odd. I'd like nothing more than for him to get a normal 8-5 Monday-Friday job. Maybe then we could get the kids normal again? oh and us too?
I know a lot of people who have been going back to school lately, my sister being one, it's kinda fun because she lets me sell textbooks when she's done with them. It's a great way to make a few bucks. Man, if you're in college I hope you're buying used books, you save a TON of money! I did that through my 2 years of college, I did buy a few books new, normally only when I couldn't find them used though. Another thing I did was share books with other people who were taking the class, especially if they were taking it at a different time than me, it worked out great. Anything to save a few bucks when you're in college!
I know a lot of people who have been going back to school lately, my sister being one, it's kinda fun because she lets me sell textbooks when she's done with them. It's a great way to make a few bucks. Man, if you're in college I hope you're buying used books, you save a TON of money! I did that through my 2 years of college, I did buy a few books new, normally only when I couldn't find them used though. Another thing I did was share books with other people who were taking the class, especially if they were taking it at a different time than me, it worked out great. Anything to save a few bucks when you're in college!
TV
I've been watching a lot of tv lately. probably too much. Seems like our tv is on ALL DAY LONG. normally it's PBS, but from like 7 till we go to bed it's real shows. I am so happy Chuck is back on, it's one of my favs. I do get a kick out of all the commercials though, especially the ones for drugs and weight loss diet supplements. They always have a list of warnings, or statements about the FDA.
I'd really like to get the TV usage under control, especially Lexi's. She just loves that tv on. Of course this week she's been sick and hasn't been as active as she normally is so it's seemed like it's been on a lot more. The thing that cracks me up about PBS is that they show the same show like 3 times a day. Especially if we flip from one PBS channel to another, then we can see the show more than 3 times! That makes it fun.
I'd really like to get the TV usage under control, especially Lexi's. She just loves that tv on. Of course this week she's been sick and hasn't been as active as she normally is so it's seemed like it's been on a lot more. The thing that cracks me up about PBS is that they show the same show like 3 times a day. Especially if we flip from one PBS channel to another, then we can see the show more than 3 times! That makes it fun.
Working out..
I have found that I miss the short month that we had at the YMCA. It was nice to be able to run inside, and even have a "sitter" for the time that my husband and I were there...We got access to everything, even tried out a spinning class. Ouch is all I'm going to say on that one. We would get to run on the treadmill, or elliptical, and then we would usually go over to the weight training circuit. We would take the wipes and start working, switching out back and forth as much as we could to try to avoid wiping down every single machine in there twice. It just really felt good to keep building muscle. My husband kept saying that he was going to get some of those protein shakes or something like that. He was reading what he called a muscle milk review, he said it had a bunch of different options to help him get bigger..too bad we aren't going to the gym any more :) Maybe with tax time coming, we'll get something to put in our house, like a treadmill or something, to help us get into shape, instead of just having one. We'll see..
Girls!
I can't believe how big the girls are getting, The other day Lexi started writing her name on things. Seriously, she's almost 3.5, how did that happen? Caylee is 16 months old too. Crazy. Caylee is still a mega cutie and gets into everything. Lately we've been battling eczema with Caylee. I was putting the eczema cream we got on her, then I read all the warnings and decided I'll stick with lotion. seems to be working.
I've been enjoying the girls though, even though they give me trouble sometimes. I was reminded today at Bible study that God has put me here in this place, and has given me everything I need to do my job. It's so easy to get overwhelmed with the feeling of just being a slave, or a maid. I spend most of my day cooking, cleaning, folding clothes, cleaning up kids etc. Truth be told, we're supposed to be servants. We are supposed to be like Christ, and he spent his entire time on earth being a servant.
So now it's going to be my aim to have a positive attitude each time I fold the clothes, or wipe Lexi's tushy. :) After all, being a mom is all about taking care of my blessings.
losing weight
So lately I've been focusing on losing weight. I lost 7lbs in 14 days. just by cutting out snacks, soda and coffee, no diet pills here! Only thing is I still have about 20lbs that I want to lose and I seem to have hit a wall. it's kinda discouraging when you've done so well and then suddenly the weight stops coming off.
So what are some things that work for you guys when you're trying to lose weight? Some of the things I do aside from cutting out snacks and bad stuff like soda, is drinking a glass of water before meals. Also I've been running 3 days a week as exercise. I need to start doing some other stuff on the days I don't run but i haven't found the right thing yet.
Back to CVSing
I've finally gotten back into the CVS deals, after about 16 months of being out of the game. I've used all my shampoo and conditioner I had in the closet, and even had to buy some. That's when I decided I needed to get back to CVS. I started off with what would have been a really awesome deal, had one CVS had everything I needed to complete my deal, but they didn't.
I went to CVS in hopes of getting 6 12 packs of Mt Dew, and a box of soy joys. The soda was 6 for $20, and you get $10 in ECB's back. The soy joys were $6 and you get all $6 back in ECBs. I also had a $5 off a purchase of $25 coupon. So I would have spent $21, and gotten $16 in ECB's back. However, the store that had soyjoys didn't have soda, and visa versa. So I got the soda, and bought some lotion, spent $21 and got $10 back. I also have a rain check for the soyjoys.
With my $16 ECB's hopefully I'll be able to keep them rolling over and stock up on all the toiletries we need! It was nice to go a year without having to buy shampoo and conditioner and toothpaste. I'll probably end up with more random things I won't use like age spot creams and heartburn meds, but oh well. If it's free- why not? Surely someone can use it.
on the road again
Well, I've started running again. It's been 10 months since I ran the 8k, and 10 months since I've ran regularly. I got this crazy idea to run a half marathon. That's 13.1 miles. I'm ok as long as I don't think about where I'd be if I got in the car and drove 13.1 miles. :)
So I started training last Monday. Keep in mind, I haven't run more than 3 miles since last March, and the last time I even did that much was in July. Monday I ran two. Wednesday my schedule said 5. I did a total of 5, but walked about one of the miles. Saturday was 6 miles. and to my amazement I ran all six of them. I've never ran more than the 5.1 miles of the race. It felt good to know I set my mind to something and did it. Today I ran five more miles.
I fell good, aside from my knee pain. A runner friend at church suggested some exercises to do and some vitamins to take to help with getting my knee better. Hopefully they help. My knee really only hurts the day I run so it's not like constant pain.
I have about 11 more weeks of training before race day. I'm still in shock that I decided to run a half marathon!
quiet
I haven't been blogging much on either of my blogs lately, my computer has been majorly slow, I think it needs a vacation, or maybe it's on vacation and that's the problem, I did notice a search for montego bay vacation packages open on the screen the other day. Maybe I should look there.
Right now I can't even get on my other blog because my husband is trying to update it but ran into some sort of problems. But when I want to blog here I have to come upstairs and use my husband's computer, which he's been using almost all day every day. I requested some computer usage from him today, and he went down stairs to play with the girls. I love to seem him interact with them. I went down a minute ago to start supper and he was sitting on the floor, Lexi beside him and Caylee snuggled up on him. They love their daddy so much and it's so cute!
Right now I can't even get on my other blog because my husband is trying to update it but ran into some sort of problems. But when I want to blog here I have to come upstairs and use my husband's computer, which he's been using almost all day every day. I requested some computer usage from him today, and he went down stairs to play with the girls. I love to seem him interact with them. I went down a minute ago to start supper and he was sitting on the floor, Lexi beside him and Caylee snuggled up on him. They love their daddy so much and it's so cute!
