The Graduation announements are in the mail, 18 days and counting until Lonia graduates from C.H.S. Now all that's left to do is clean, clean, clean and cook of course for the 50 odd people that will be coming to the open house. We started Friday with the carpets, Saturday I decided that I needed to freshen up the house so I took everything off of the walls, shelves, etc. and had a garage sale in my living room, it was like getting all new stuff. The wreath from the girls bathroom is now in the living room, the family picture from the front room is now above the mantle...you know how it goes. Sunday I tackled the kitchen cleaning all of the cupboards, drawers, and the dreaded pantry. Today I will start on the 4 closets that house everything (meaning all my JUNK) that you need once maybe twice a year. I need to be on one of those "organize my junk" shows...Oprah save me. Tomorrow the new furniture is being delivered. Leather couches, tables and lamps for the living room and a new dining room table, for those of you who know me you know the new dining room table is long over due. Eric planted flowers yesterday and filled the 8 empty pots they are now brimming with red petunia's and yellow pansy's. Now I just need to clean the cobweb's from my head and get mentally organized. Why is it so much easier to clean your house than it is to Clean Your House?
Monday, May 4, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
TIME LOST
So the big 40 has come and gone; and so has winter At Last. Nothing traumatic in turning 40 in fact it was my best birthday yet. Since my b-day, on Dec 30, 2008, I have had what I feel is a reawakening, or a rebirth...yeah rebirth is a better word. There is a lot of dead stuff that I am learning to let go of, and I am looking for the tender shoots of the positive things I have planted in myself to take root and start to grow and flourish. I am hoping that this year will be a year for me to grow as a woman, wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend.
As I get older, my kids get older and more independant. This use to terrify me, but I am learning to accept their choices as part of their own experience and focus more on how I can be a better role model than a dictator. In doing this I have found room to breath and a peace in knowing that they will be ok...maybe not every day...but most days and that is fine with me.
My husband is getting older also, and men age so much better than women. I love my husbands grey hair, the way he still looks at me like he did 20 years ago, the way he kisses me and knows just where to touch me...you get the picture. There is such comfort in being with the same man after all that I have been through and knowing that he loves me despite my mistakes, short comings, temper, mood swings and that time I burnt corn on the cob! What could be more comforting that falling into the same arms each and every night?
If I have learned anything in my 40 years it is that time lost can never be regained. We can waste our time being mad, jealous, frustrated, or sad or we can spend our time loving ourselves, our families and our friends and letting go of the ugly.
Christmas this year was hard for me for a number of reasons; 40 was looming, one of my best girlfriends had recently moved away, my father was sick, and my oldest daughter was struggling with personal issues. This was a really turning point for me in my life. For the first time I let go of a lot of things that I normally would try to control.
I let go of my fear of getting older, and I started working out every day instead of just 3 or 4 times a week. I have to get older but I don't have to be unhealthy.
I call Shannon when I can, drop a note in the mail when the whim hits me. I am not the perfect friend always doing the perfect thing and that is ok. I am busy, my friends are busy and I am ok with doing what I can when I can. nO rEGreTs!
You don't choose your family, but you can choose to let go of the things in your life that cause you stress and are unhealthy for you emotionally. I can choose with whom I spend my time...I can say when and how. And that's enough on that subject.
With Kels I don't make demands. Rules, yes. Demands, no. Give her a safe, healthy home to rest her head at the end of the day, if she decides to come home at the end of the day. If she doesn't come home that's ok too. OK it's not OK but I've become really good at pretending that it is. And I thought I was stubborn and pig headed, well I met my match in Kelsi. She's come a long way since she showed up on the door step in January, and so have I.
So, there it is. In a nut shell turning 40 has been a real adventure one that has me looking forward to the next 40 years with a big grin on my face. I think the first 40 years has just been practice for what is yet to come.
As I get older, my kids get older and more independant. This use to terrify me, but I am learning to accept their choices as part of their own experience and focus more on how I can be a better role model than a dictator. In doing this I have found room to breath and a peace in knowing that they will be ok...maybe not every day...but most days and that is fine with me.
My husband is getting older also, and men age so much better than women. I love my husbands grey hair, the way he still looks at me like he did 20 years ago, the way he kisses me and knows just where to touch me...you get the picture. There is such comfort in being with the same man after all that I have been through and knowing that he loves me despite my mistakes, short comings, temper, mood swings and that time I burnt corn on the cob! What could be more comforting that falling into the same arms each and every night?
If I have learned anything in my 40 years it is that time lost can never be regained. We can waste our time being mad, jealous, frustrated, or sad or we can spend our time loving ourselves, our families and our friends and letting go of the ugly.
Christmas this year was hard for me for a number of reasons; 40 was looming, one of my best girlfriends had recently moved away, my father was sick, and my oldest daughter was struggling with personal issues. This was a really turning point for me in my life. For the first time I let go of a lot of things that I normally would try to control.
I let go of my fear of getting older, and I started working out every day instead of just 3 or 4 times a week. I have to get older but I don't have to be unhealthy.
I call Shannon when I can, drop a note in the mail when the whim hits me. I am not the perfect friend always doing the perfect thing and that is ok. I am busy, my friends are busy and I am ok with doing what I can when I can. nO rEGreTs!
You don't choose your family, but you can choose to let go of the things in your life that cause you stress and are unhealthy for you emotionally. I can choose with whom I spend my time...I can say when and how. And that's enough on that subject.
With Kels I don't make demands. Rules, yes. Demands, no. Give her a safe, healthy home to rest her head at the end of the day, if she decides to come home at the end of the day. If she doesn't come home that's ok too. OK it's not OK but I've become really good at pretending that it is. And I thought I was stubborn and pig headed, well I met my match in Kelsi. She's come a long way since she showed up on the door step in January, and so have I.
So, there it is. In a nut shell turning 40 has been a real adventure one that has me looking forward to the next 40 years with a big grin on my face. I think the first 40 years has just been practice for what is yet to come.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The gym fiasco
My delima of the week is to join the gym or to not join the gym, what do I do?
Our gym memberships at work were expired and we renegotiated new memberships two weeks ago with Golds Gym, no problem there. Until Friday when I got a call from our corporate office saying they are no longer going to be dealing with Golds Gym, they will not sign new contracts. And, because the company would like to go to reimbursements verses payroll deductions for all of their gym members they will not let us negotiate with a new gym at a corporate rate (which is 1/2 of the regular rate). I have weights & bands and a great program that I can do at home, but my delima lies in how to get my cardio in Cedar City in the winter months??? It is so easy to go to the gym and jump on the treadmill for an hour. If anyone has any ideas of some good cardio that can be done at home please let me know.
The Hardy family (my Brother , Sister and Nieces) all got together for a family photo shoot with Andrea Watkins, photographer extraordinaire. It was the circus I knew it would be with 7 teenage girls and Cassiday June. My husband, being the smart guy he is, insisted our family photos and our individual photos be first so we met Andi an hour early. Then when we met up with the family; he orchestrated our whole fan damily picture too, even told us where we should stand and the whole nine yards. Then he says... well I guess my family is done see ya later!!! I am telling you I think he sat up the night before and planned the whole thing out to see if he could get in and out in less than an hour. You can see the blessed event on Andi's Blog at www.andiwatkins.com or click on the link to your right. Emma and I stayed in St. George after pictures and hung out with Andi, Remy & Gabby. Em took the kids to see Madagascar, while Andi took me to Crumpets. I fell in love!! I didn't see anything there that I didn't love. Then as we are leaving she tells me I should go to Thia Pan, its just like Crumpets but the size of Costco, THE SIZE OF COSTCO??? You must be kidding me. No wonder homes all over southern Utah are foreclosing, women are spending all of there pay checks at Thia Pan! I can't even bring myself to go, or I too would be spending my whole pay check at Thia Pan, a wondrous warehouse full of household decor that I can't live without. Thank goodness I live in Cedar where there is no "warehouse of wonders" or I would be there daily with my 40% coupon buying Christmas decor galor!
After the movie and Crumpets Gabby and I made a pumpkin roll. It was a little crispy, but still delish. If I have it my way The Thomson's and the Watkin's will be having a Christmas baking day very, very soon. We will be sure to take some good photos, because that is sure to be a memorable day; memorable enough for the coffee table book? We'll see...
Andi you better get over to Crumpets and buy that apron you were eyeing and while your there get one for me!
Our gym memberships at work were expired and we renegotiated new memberships two weeks ago with Golds Gym, no problem there. Until Friday when I got a call from our corporate office saying they are no longer going to be dealing with Golds Gym, they will not sign new contracts. And, because the company would like to go to reimbursements verses payroll deductions for all of their gym members they will not let us negotiate with a new gym at a corporate rate (which is 1/2 of the regular rate). I have weights & bands and a great program that I can do at home, but my delima lies in how to get my cardio in Cedar City in the winter months??? It is so easy to go to the gym and jump on the treadmill for an hour. If anyone has any ideas of some good cardio that can be done at home please let me know.
The Hardy family (my Brother , Sister and Nieces) all got together for a family photo shoot with Andrea Watkins, photographer extraordinaire. It was the circus I knew it would be with 7 teenage girls and Cassiday June. My husband, being the smart guy he is, insisted our family photos and our individual photos be first so we met Andi an hour early. Then when we met up with the family; he orchestrated our whole fan damily picture too, even told us where we should stand and the whole nine yards. Then he says... well I guess my family is done see ya later!!! I am telling you I think he sat up the night before and planned the whole thing out to see if he could get in and out in less than an hour. You can see the blessed event on Andi's Blog at www.andiwatkins.com or click on the link to your right. Emma and I stayed in St. George after pictures and hung out with Andi, Remy & Gabby. Em took the kids to see Madagascar, while Andi took me to Crumpets. I fell in love!! I didn't see anything there that I didn't love. Then as we are leaving she tells me I should go to Thia Pan, its just like Crumpets but the size of Costco, THE SIZE OF COSTCO??? You must be kidding me. No wonder homes all over southern Utah are foreclosing, women are spending all of there pay checks at Thia Pan! I can't even bring myself to go, or I too would be spending my whole pay check at Thia Pan, a wondrous warehouse full of household decor that I can't live without. Thank goodness I live in Cedar where there is no "warehouse of wonders" or I would be there daily with my 40% coupon buying Christmas decor galor!
After the movie and Crumpets Gabby and I made a pumpkin roll. It was a little crispy, but still delish. If I have it my way The Thomson's and the Watkin's will be having a Christmas baking day very, very soon. We will be sure to take some good photos, because that is sure to be a memorable day; memorable enough for the coffee table book? We'll see...
Andi you better get over to Crumpets and buy that apron you were eyeing and while your there get one for me!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Figuring things out
I have to tell you, formating this blog is a pain my @#%!! I finally had to schedule an appointment with my daughters Kelsi 19 an Lonia 17 to help me figure out how to undo the damage that I had done trying to change my background. Needless to say I may never make layout changes again as this is way to confusing for someone who is turning 40 in 48 days.
While I am on the topic of turning 4-0 I have to give a big shout out to my favorite cousin and one of my best friends, Lonia Pulsipher. Lonia's b-day is tomorrow and she looks fabulous!! Lonia has lost (I am guessing here) about 50 lbs and still has the same cup size...Kudos Lonia. She has actually been my biggest motivator in my journey to losing weight and becoming more healthy.
I am still going to the gym 5 nights a week, still eating healthy, and still losing weight. I got on the scale yesterday and had lost another 2 lbs. Yippee
I never thought I would actually look forward to weighing myself, but I am at that point right now.
I am starting a weight loss challenge on Monday with some (about 500) fellow co-workers. The challenge lasts 10 weeks and there are different challenges each week. For the first week we are working on the following:
1- dont eat fast foods 2- do 20 crunches per day 3- eat 2 servings of fruit each day 4- drink 64 oz of water each day 5-do 20 minutes of aerobic activity each day 6- walk or bike ride for 15 minutes each day 7-do 5 push ups each day 8- do not drink soda or sugary fruit juice drinks
Wish me luck, I am in it to win it!! If any of you would like to join in the fitness challenge, just to see if you can, shoot me an e-mail and I will send you the forms.
Until Sunday...
While I am on the topic of turning 4-0 I have to give a big shout out to my favorite cousin and one of my best friends, Lonia Pulsipher. Lonia's b-day is tomorrow and she looks fabulous!! Lonia has lost (I am guessing here) about 50 lbs and still has the same cup size...Kudos Lonia. She has actually been my biggest motivator in my journey to losing weight and becoming more healthy.
I am still going to the gym 5 nights a week, still eating healthy, and still losing weight. I got on the scale yesterday and had lost another 2 lbs. Yippee
I never thought I would actually look forward to weighing myself, but I am at that point right now.
I am starting a weight loss challenge on Monday with some (about 500) fellow co-workers. The challenge lasts 10 weeks and there are different challenges each week. For the first week we are working on the following:
1- dont eat fast foods 2- do 20 crunches per day 3- eat 2 servings of fruit each day 4- drink 64 oz of water each day 5-do 20 minutes of aerobic activity each day 6- walk or bike ride for 15 minutes each day 7-do 5 push ups each day 8- do not drink soda or sugary fruit juice drinks
Wish me luck, I am in it to win it!! If any of you would like to join in the fitness challenge, just to see if you can, shoot me an e-mail and I will send you the forms.
Until Sunday...
Sunday, October 26, 2008
A walk in the park
Emma and I skipped the gym on Saturday and went on a little outing with Eric and the dogs; our 9 yr old basset Zoe and our baby Daxie. We drove up the canyon a ways and parked by a bridge that crosses over the run off stream and connects to the walking path. We normally start our walk down at the park and only make it as far as the bridge (1-1/2 miles) before we turn around and start back. I am so glad we decided to go to the trails end, it was sure worth the hike. As you can see there is a beautiful waterfall and the trail ends just beyond this point. From there we hiked down to the stream and followed it up as far as we could without getting wet. The dogs of course were wet head to toe! The water was cold and crystal clear and the whole stream bed is covered in riverrock vibrant with color, almost as if they are competing with the trees that are changing color this time of year. I feel so blessed to live in this bountiful place, we are surrounded by mountains, rivers and forests. Some of Gods most glorious art work is right here in our backyard.
I have to mention this awesome "Spooktacular" birthday party that Emma and I went to on Friday. Our good friend Gabby turned 10 and we were lucky enough to be there to help her celebrate. Gabby's party was at this awesome park in Green Valley. This park is like nothing I have ever been to before with skate board ramps and climbing walls; this is not your run of the mill swingset and slide park. It's like something from an amusement park. There was costume judging (and I have to tell you I think Daxie's bumblebee costume should have received some kind of an award :( ) and a pinata, chili with all the fixins plus 3 cakes, yes I said 3! 1 for the guests and 1 for each of the birthday girls; Gabby and her cousin Penelope had a combined party. The cakes, which Heather made, were so adorable. It was a good time for all, so many people I haven't seen for some time were there...it was like old home week.
If you want to check out party pictures I am sure there are some posted at "andreawatkinsphotography.blogspot.com"
Side note: my company is starting a 10-week fitness challenge begining on November 17th, which I will, of course, be taking part in. So I am kicking the workouts up a notch. This will be really good with the holidays right around the corner. In fact I wonder if that is why they are doing the challenge now....hmmm! Very smart move. Any way if any of you would like to take part (on your own of course) I would be happy to get the information to you. You do not have to belong to a gym to participate and it would be a fun challenge to do as a family with some prizes involved....of course.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Week End Get Away
It' is 5:30 Sunday morning and despite the fact that I am the only one awake at a hotel in Mesquite I am blogging as promised.
I got some slack about not posting a photo with my "bangs", but as most of you know I am the least photogenic person on this planet so it may take a couple million photos taken before I get one I like, so maybe next year sometime. I do have to say though that I have had a lot of good feedback on the bangs. My girlfriend Andi liked them and my Mom and Sister Shelby loved them! So I must be doing something right.
Like I said the Family and I are in Mesquite for a little together time which we desperately need. The kids are out of school Thursday thru Monday for UEA (deer hunt) so we scuttled down here yesterday and are staying until Monday. The girls and their cousins went cosmic bowling last night, then went pool hopping. They had a great time.
I didn't do so good at the gym this week. On Friday I had a lot of cooking to do for this trip and I was freaking out a little wondering how I was going to get it all done so I skipped the gym to bake 3 loaves of banana bread and put my roast in for shredded beef sandwiches that we will be having today and I made a macaroni salad. But on the flip side I promised myself a work out today and I usually take Sundays off. But, then Saturday rolled around and I had intended to leave the house at 2:30 work out with Kelsi and Emma until 4:00, pick Lonia up from work and head out of town. I got home from work around 1:00 and started packing, I had to shower and wash my hair, and I will admit I was running a little late but I was still on schedule for a work out when Em said, "Mom we cant leave early...it's suppose to be a surprise but Dad is coming home early so he can go with us." My house was a mess and I was backed up in the laundry department so once again I skipped the gym and did a quick once over with the vacuum (does that count as exercise?) and cleaned the kitchen, folded a couple of loads of laundry and put them away and cleaned my bathroom. Needless to say some days I feel like it just doesn't all come together the way I would like it to.
My good friend Shannon gave me some much needed advice though about skipping my work out and off setting it with the things and amounts that I consume. Great advice and I do think I followed that yesterday, so no beating myself up. Since I didn't go to the gym yesterday I have no weigh in. I will have to skip that this week and post it along with my measurements next week.
Daxie couldn't come on the trip so she is at the Watkins' being babysat by Gabby. Thanks so much Gabby I know she is in good hands. Andi is one girl who I know loves dogs as much as I do, and she has the sweetest family in the world.
Well ya all on a final note, wait just a moment I have to get on my soap box....this election is one that we all should take an active part in. If you haven't registered to vote or don't know if you are registered please do so. If you haven't chosen a candidate, there are lots of web sites that post their views on the subjects that are important to all of us and our nation as a whole. take an evening to discuss the issues with you family and find the candidate that is right for you. I spent 4 years as Legislative V.P. for Washington Cnty School District PTA and along with a Sarah Urqhuart initiated the "Kids Vote USA" Program in our district 8 years ago. I can tell you from experience Kids are very interested in their country, after all it is their future we are trying to secure. You may be surprised at how much your kids know about what is happening in the world today even if you don't discuss it with them at home current events are likely a daily subject of study at their schools. Having an input helps to reinforce that our kids feelings are valuable and important to us as parents. O.K. I am getting down now.
Until next week...
I got some slack about not posting a photo with my "bangs", but as most of you know I am the least photogenic person on this planet so it may take a couple million photos taken before I get one I like, so maybe next year sometime. I do have to say though that I have had a lot of good feedback on the bangs. My girlfriend Andi liked them and my Mom and Sister Shelby loved them! So I must be doing something right.
Like I said the Family and I are in Mesquite for a little together time which we desperately need. The kids are out of school Thursday thru Monday for UEA (deer hunt) so we scuttled down here yesterday and are staying until Monday. The girls and their cousins went cosmic bowling last night, then went pool hopping. They had a great time.
I didn't do so good at the gym this week. On Friday I had a lot of cooking to do for this trip and I was freaking out a little wondering how I was going to get it all done so I skipped the gym to bake 3 loaves of banana bread and put my roast in for shredded beef sandwiches that we will be having today and I made a macaroni salad. But on the flip side I promised myself a work out today and I usually take Sundays off. But, then Saturday rolled around and I had intended to leave the house at 2:30 work out with Kelsi and Emma until 4:00, pick Lonia up from work and head out of town. I got home from work around 1:00 and started packing, I had to shower and wash my hair, and I will admit I was running a little late but I was still on schedule for a work out when Em said, "Mom we cant leave early...it's suppose to be a surprise but Dad is coming home early so he can go with us." My house was a mess and I was backed up in the laundry department so once again I skipped the gym and did a quick once over with the vacuum (does that count as exercise?) and cleaned the kitchen, folded a couple of loads of laundry and put them away and cleaned my bathroom. Needless to say some days I feel like it just doesn't all come together the way I would like it to.
My good friend Shannon gave me some much needed advice though about skipping my work out and off setting it with the things and amounts that I consume. Great advice and I do think I followed that yesterday, so no beating myself up. Since I didn't go to the gym yesterday I have no weigh in. I will have to skip that this week and post it along with my measurements next week.
Daxie couldn't come on the trip so she is at the Watkins' being babysat by Gabby. Thanks so much Gabby I know she is in good hands. Andi is one girl who I know loves dogs as much as I do, and she has the sweetest family in the world.
Well ya all on a final note, wait just a moment I have to get on my soap box....this election is one that we all should take an active part in. If you haven't registered to vote or don't know if you are registered please do so. If you haven't chosen a candidate, there are lots of web sites that post their views on the subjects that are important to all of us and our nation as a whole. take an evening to discuss the issues with you family and find the candidate that is right for you. I spent 4 years as Legislative V.P. for Washington Cnty School District PTA and along with a Sarah Urqhuart initiated the "Kids Vote USA" Program in our district 8 years ago. I can tell you from experience Kids are very interested in their country, after all it is their future we are trying to secure. You may be surprised at how much your kids know about what is happening in the world today even if you don't discuss it with them at home current events are likely a daily subject of study at their schools. Having an input helps to reinforce that our kids feelings are valuable and important to us as parents. O.K. I am getting down now.
Until next week...
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Bangs or no bangs???
I went in for a trim last Saturday and ended up with bangs! The whole bang/no bang issue has been haunting for quite some time. I have this huge head and I have always used my hair as a shield . Like, look at my hair not my body!!! Every time I see some big headed woman who has bangs I again teeter on the bang/no bang issue. This has been going on for way too long; like 3 years. It was Khloe Kardashian who finally gave me the final shove to go for bangs. Khloe is one big headed woman and she looks fabulous with bangs. I didn't do the straight across bangs like her (I am way too old for that) but I did get a sweeping bang. My girls say it is cute; so I guess it must be true.
One of the guys that I do a lot of business with keeps commenting that I look a lot different. This is because I started wearing my hair straight. I told him I have gotten younger, and thanked him for noticing. After seeing "The Women" with my BFF's and seeing Meg Ryan's transformation from curly to straight my mind was made up. Straight hair didn't necessarily make her look younger but it made her look less chaotic and more like a woman who took herself seriously. I think as women sometimes we struggle between our teenage selves and our middle age selves. There is nothing better than finding a really great pair of jeans (which I have) and the right style of hair, that makes us feel young but helps us look really good for our age. My ultimate goal is to be like my girl friend Shannon or Aunt Janece, to look so good no one knows your real age, just keep them guessing.
I had my weigh in on Friday, lost another 2 lbs, and I had my first measurements done. I have lost 1" ea on my arms, thighs and neck and 3" ea on my waist and hips!!! Definitely something to celebrate.
I did struggle a little to get to the gym this week, and I am finding that I have a lot of guilt when I don't get there as much as I would like to. Our cat Suki was sick on Saturday and kept going down hill all day, she passed away around 4:30 Saturday afternoon. Emma and I usually go to the gym together, especially on Saturdays, but we couldn't bring ourselves to leave Suki so we ended up skipping our work out on Saturday. I have beat myself up over that for the last 24 hours. I feel that I need to find a healthy approach to life/work out; I don't want to make this an issue to causes me guilt or stress I have enough of that. If any of you have advice please share.
Kudos to my sister Shelby for getting her first (of many I am sure) promotion at work. I am so proud of my sister, her work ethic is set to a higher notch than most and she is continually trying to better herself.
Eric is getting ready for his Wyoming fishing trip with his brother Mark. They leave on Thursday this week and he will be gone for 4 days. Hopefully he will be bringing home a mess of big beautiful trout for us to feast upon next week.
We had our first snow fall of the year yesterday and although I could have waited another month, or even two, it sure was a beautiful sight. I am so blessed to live where we have 4 seasons.
Next weigh in: October 18th
next measurement: October 25th
One of the guys that I do a lot of business with keeps commenting that I look a lot different. This is because I started wearing my hair straight. I told him I have gotten younger, and thanked him for noticing. After seeing "The Women" with my BFF's and seeing Meg Ryan's transformation from curly to straight my mind was made up. Straight hair didn't necessarily make her look younger but it made her look less chaotic and more like a woman who took herself seriously. I think as women sometimes we struggle between our teenage selves and our middle age selves. There is nothing better than finding a really great pair of jeans (which I have) and the right style of hair, that makes us feel young but helps us look really good for our age. My ultimate goal is to be like my girl friend Shannon or Aunt Janece, to look so good no one knows your real age, just keep them guessing.
I had my weigh in on Friday, lost another 2 lbs, and I had my first measurements done. I have lost 1" ea on my arms, thighs and neck and 3" ea on my waist and hips!!! Definitely something to celebrate.
I did struggle a little to get to the gym this week, and I am finding that I have a lot of guilt when I don't get there as much as I would like to. Our cat Suki was sick on Saturday and kept going down hill all day, she passed away around 4:30 Saturday afternoon. Emma and I usually go to the gym together, especially on Saturdays, but we couldn't bring ourselves to leave Suki so we ended up skipping our work out on Saturday. I have beat myself up over that for the last 24 hours. I feel that I need to find a healthy approach to life/work out; I don't want to make this an issue to causes me guilt or stress I have enough of that. If any of you have advice please share.
Kudos to my sister Shelby for getting her first (of many I am sure) promotion at work. I am so proud of my sister, her work ethic is set to a higher notch than most and she is continually trying to better herself.
Eric is getting ready for his Wyoming fishing trip with his brother Mark. They leave on Thursday this week and he will be gone for 4 days. Hopefully he will be bringing home a mess of big beautiful trout for us to feast upon next week.
We had our first snow fall of the year yesterday and although I could have waited another month, or even two, it sure was a beautiful sight. I am so blessed to live where we have 4 seasons.
Next weigh in: October 18th
next measurement: October 25th
Sunday, October 5, 2008
And now my journey begins...
When I turned 30 I went through a similar self exploration so I guess it is normal at certain times in our lives to take a look at ourselves and change what it is that we don't like and expound on the things that we do like. Ten years ago I was over weight, out of shape, and smoking a pack a day. I quit smoking (cold turkey) and started going to the gym. I got in shape by going to the gym a couple of days a week and I stopped drinking soda and eating all of the crap that we eat when life is hectic and we are too busy to cook. So here I am again full circle out of shape, and over weight, this seems to be my Achilles heel in life.
My oldest daughter Kelsi says, we all battle against our own cure! She came to rely on this phrase as a mantra in her life when she lost her biological father to his battle, and now she, and I and probably you are left here to battle against our own cure. Losing Tom and trying to hang onto Kelsi has brought a certain fragile quality to my life. I am sometimes afraid to speak for fear that I will say the wrong thing to her, and she will somehow end up like him. But I am getting off track here. This is for sure a blog of its own.
I am constantly battling what I know will make me happy and that is getting in shape. At the beginning of summer I started walking but I really was not seeing a big change in the way my clothes fit. So, after committing to a "we are turning 40 cruise" with my BFF's in November of 2009 I started going to the gym again. my first day back was September 15th. I met with a trainer that day and he was AWESOME! He gave me a work out schedule that I have kept up with for 20 days now and I have never missed a session. Donna says 20 days makes a habit, so I think I am on my way to a good habit. I met with a nutritionist a week ago and I really don't have bad eating habits I just have a really bad habit of eating to much in the evening. I am working on that.
I am not brave like Shannon and will not post my weight on the computer, although if I only weighed 120 I would totally post that so I take back the brave comment. LOL
But I will say that I have lost 1o pounds since the beginning of summer. My clothes feel great on me. I love being able to breath in my favorite jeans without that roll of fat hanging over my waist line.
And now my journey begins. I will be blogging my weight loss experience, as well as my coming of old age in this blog over the next year as I prepare myself mentally, physically and financially for my "Turning 40 Cruise". I hope I can count on all of you for love and support, cheers and kudos even when I eat too much at Thanksgiving and gain 3 lbs.
I am going to share my workout schedule with you and if any of you have advice on how to shake it up a bit when I start to plateau please feel free to share.
Monday - upper body
Tuesday- 1 hr cardio
Wednesday- lower body
Thursday- off
Friday- upper body
Saturday- lower body
Sunday- off from gym but still do about 1/2 of cardio (usually walking our totally adorable dog Dax)
I always start off by warming up with 5 min of cardio on the cycling bike; am working my self up to taking a cycling class on Tuesday's as my cardio but not there yet.
I do a circuit of training for about 45 minutes on either my upper body or lower body, followed by 60 crunches, 60 reps on the waist machine thingy (don't know what it is called) and 36 leg throws with the trainer. Then I wrap up with 5 minutes on the rowing machine and 30 minutes on the treadmill in cardio or fat burning at a 3.2 with a HR of 134, my max incline is about 5.5 right now, but it was 3.4 two weeks ago so I am improving. I weigh in and do my measurements every other Saturday, my next weigh in is October 11th.
My journey begins now, I can say I am fully committed to bettering myself in the year to come and I hope you will come along for the fun. And for all of you out there turning 40 this cruise is open to you all. This is a celebration to all we have endured and all we are yet to endure as strong, successful and self-loving women.
P.S. this blog is updated each week on Sunday morning.
My oldest daughter Kelsi says, we all battle against our own cure! She came to rely on this phrase as a mantra in her life when she lost her biological father to his battle, and now she, and I and probably you are left here to battle against our own cure. Losing Tom and trying to hang onto Kelsi has brought a certain fragile quality to my life. I am sometimes afraid to speak for fear that I will say the wrong thing to her, and she will somehow end up like him. But I am getting off track here. This is for sure a blog of its own.
I am constantly battling what I know will make me happy and that is getting in shape. At the beginning of summer I started walking but I really was not seeing a big change in the way my clothes fit. So, after committing to a "we are turning 40 cruise" with my BFF's in November of 2009 I started going to the gym again. my first day back was September 15th. I met with a trainer that day and he was AWESOME! He gave me a work out schedule that I have kept up with for 20 days now and I have never missed a session. Donna says 20 days makes a habit, so I think I am on my way to a good habit. I met with a nutritionist a week ago and I really don't have bad eating habits I just have a really bad habit of eating to much in the evening. I am working on that.
I am not brave like Shannon and will not post my weight on the computer, although if I only weighed 120 I would totally post that so I take back the brave comment. LOL
But I will say that I have lost 1o pounds since the beginning of summer. My clothes feel great on me. I love being able to breath in my favorite jeans without that roll of fat hanging over my waist line.
And now my journey begins. I will be blogging my weight loss experience, as well as my coming of old age in this blog over the next year as I prepare myself mentally, physically and financially for my "Turning 40 Cruise". I hope I can count on all of you for love and support, cheers and kudos even when I eat too much at Thanksgiving and gain 3 lbs.
I am going to share my workout schedule with you and if any of you have advice on how to shake it up a bit when I start to plateau please feel free to share.
Monday - upper body
Tuesday- 1 hr cardio
Wednesday- lower body
Thursday- off
Friday- upper body
Saturday- lower body
Sunday- off from gym but still do about 1/2 of cardio (usually walking our totally adorable dog Dax)
I always start off by warming up with 5 min of cardio on the cycling bike; am working my self up to taking a cycling class on Tuesday's as my cardio but not there yet.
I do a circuit of training for about 45 minutes on either my upper body or lower body, followed by 60 crunches, 60 reps on the waist machine thingy (don't know what it is called) and 36 leg throws with the trainer. Then I wrap up with 5 minutes on the rowing machine and 30 minutes on the treadmill in cardio or fat burning at a 3.2 with a HR of 134, my max incline is about 5.5 right now, but it was 3.4 two weeks ago so I am improving. I weigh in and do my measurements every other Saturday, my next weigh in is October 11th.
My journey begins now, I can say I am fully committed to bettering myself in the year to come and I hope you will come along for the fun. And for all of you out there turning 40 this cruise is open to you all. This is a celebration to all we have endured and all we are yet to endure as strong, successful and self-loving women.
P.S. this blog is updated each week on Sunday morning.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
A little side trip before the journey begins.
Life is great as long as there is no change. Change makes me look at myself and reevaluate everything around me. I would really rather not do that. Not only am I too busy but I rarely like what I see. So, then there is the whole process of "I am going to change this," "I am going to start doing this differently." And how long do those changes (always for the better) really last? I rarely stay on that good path that I have chosen, but instead revert back to my messed up ways.
But not this time! As part of my journey to turning 40 I am making life changes and I will be recording them all right here. My first commitment to change is making weekly contributions to my blog in order to stay in touch with my 3 bff's, hopefully this will make being apart a little more bearable. (Technically it is my second commitment, I joined they gym 2 weeks ago but more on that later)
Before the journey begins I need to take a little side trip to deal with one of my bff's moving (but not moving on).
Shannon and the family packed up and headed for parts unknown in the deep south on Friday. I stayed out of the way; no phone calls, no last minute tear filled visits because I know that she is under an enormous amount of pressure and I didn't feel that I needed to be there for her to know I love her. BUT, I never got to see or say good bye to the kids and that is really hurting me right now. I spoke with Donna Friday night and she stopped by and saw the kids for a quick minute and I am sure Andi did also. Today I am going to seriously reevaluate what kind of a friend I am. My three daughters love my girlfriends of 13 yrs, but I feel as if their kids barely know me. That speaks volumes about the kind of friend that I have been VS. the kind of friends they have been.
So Shannon, my professional blogger, this is for you. I will record my weekly progress on the gym/diet front so you can encourage and uplift me all the while keeping up with goings on in each others lives. It's not quite the same but we wouldn't have had this in the 80's so lets appreciate the technology and blog away.
Now get unpacked, put a smile on your face (a little make up too, were getting too old to go out in public without make up) and get to the closest gym. You will feel so much better when you can get some ME time.
I love you tons...and no worries honey you will not be replaced.
But not this time! As part of my journey to turning 40 I am making life changes and I will be recording them all right here. My first commitment to change is making weekly contributions to my blog in order to stay in touch with my 3 bff's, hopefully this will make being apart a little more bearable. (Technically it is my second commitment, I joined they gym 2 weeks ago but more on that later)
Before the journey begins I need to take a little side trip to deal with one of my bff's moving (but not moving on).
Shannon and the family packed up and headed for parts unknown in the deep south on Friday. I stayed out of the way; no phone calls, no last minute tear filled visits because I know that she is under an enormous amount of pressure and I didn't feel that I needed to be there for her to know I love her. BUT, I never got to see or say good bye to the kids and that is really hurting me right now. I spoke with Donna Friday night and she stopped by and saw the kids for a quick minute and I am sure Andi did also. Today I am going to seriously reevaluate what kind of a friend I am. My three daughters love my girlfriends of 13 yrs, but I feel as if their kids barely know me. That speaks volumes about the kind of friend that I have been VS. the kind of friends they have been.
So Shannon, my professional blogger, this is for you. I will record my weekly progress on the gym/diet front so you can encourage and uplift me all the while keeping up with goings on in each others lives. It's not quite the same but we wouldn't have had this in the 80's so lets appreciate the technology and blog away.
Now get unpacked, put a smile on your face (a little make up too, were getting too old to go out in public without make up) and get to the closest gym. You will feel so much better when you can get some ME time.
I love you tons...and no worries honey you will not be replaced.
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