The Wait is Finally Over! And other news...

Okay...I've been a little lax in my postings...mainly because it's November and Nano time again - but there has been soooo much going on!

First - my granddaughter looked soooo cute in her little ladybug costume!  Mom had to come show her off on Halloween before heading to a party.  I just had to take pictures, ya know?  Don't you think she's just cute as a bug? lol

Then - we've been waiting for almost 2 weeks for my son to get his mission call.  It finally came yesterday!!  Party!!  So, he's going to....

The Carlsbad California mission!!  Way to go son!!  His cousin was there that had gone to California and had been the only one to guess California as a mission, so he won the big prize...lol  A lot of shrimp!

Anyway - life is just starting to get crazy - but it's been great.  Especially the leaves!  Our big tree has finally turned colors and is just starting to drop.  I'll have to take my annual photo of it and post it later...

But for now - I'm so excited...and I just can't hide it...

Can you hear the song now??

There Seems to be a Need...

There have been several comments to my husband at work about the food he takes for lunch.  If you read my food blog, you'll feel like you're having de'ja vu, but I wanted to post this here as well.  It seems that they have told him they would be willing to buy my food if it was pre-made for them.

I'm wondering how much of it is time and how much is knowledge.  I've volunteered to teach a couple of women in my neighborhood how to lighten up their menus and recipes, and they are totally excited.  I know for a long time I was frustrated with how to do the same thing, and it's been research and experimentation that made the difference.  I guess the fact that I've lost 80 pounds in a year makes people think I know all, or more than they do.  Perhaps - but I think it's all viewpoint.

So, I'm tossing the question out to the cosmic world of blogging to see if I get any kind of response.

What would you think of a web site that you could submit recipe or menu questions to and get help and advice for low fat, low sugar cooking?  Possibly even money saving tips, but I'm not expert in that area by any means.

Fall Colors

Fall is my favorite time of year, hands down.  I guess spring is in there too, followed by winter, but fall takes the prize.  I think the colors are just amazing and every year I try to get my family to go driving with me.  Last year we didn't make it, but this year I was determined.

Amazingly enough, by conference weekend (which is usually when we go) we still had leaves!  After conference was over we went driving up Lambs Canyon.  It was sooo gorgeous.  I couldn't believe the yellows.  On the way home we drove through East Canyon which had some pretty reds.  sigh.

It was a wonderful afternoon and I got my leaf fix for the year.  Fortunately, our big maple out front hasn't turned yet, so I still have that treat in store.

I'm a Grandma! Where Did Time Go??

by G.Parker

If you've ever watched Star Trek, you'll know there are a couple of episodes that involve time travel.  I feel like I've lived that this past week.  Last week my first grandchild was born.  It was like looking at a video of myself 23 years ago -- it looked that similar.  It freaked me out.  Not that I don't love this new little angel, quite the contrary -- she's a total doll.  But it's just so odd to suddenly go from being a parent to a grandparent.

And then I got the news that I'm a grandmother, again.  Another baby girl.  Wow.  We think it's kind of ironic -- we had twins first and now we have two grandbaby girls born in the same month.  I guess we'll never really know the feeling of 'one'.  I guess it's a lonely number that we'll never know...grin.

I did have a photo that someone had forwarded to me of this granddaughter, but I've been asked to remove it, so it's gone.  Take my word for it, she's cute!

So, despite actually having had a few minutes to write this week, the blog wasn't a priority, so you just get the news flash.  Next week it will be something writerly...is that a word Darvel?? 

Grandbaby Number two is here...

Well, as if having one grandchild wasn't thrilling enough, I just found out I now have 2!!!
The second one arrived much earlier than expected, though everyone is saying it was fine and full term, yada yada.  Anyway - granddaughter number two is here.  Carrie Lee Parker...doesn't that sound like a country singer's name?  lol
I don't have any photos yet, but when I do, I'll post it.
Life just keeps getting better and better... lol

Never Forget

Well...today is September 11th.  I can't believe it's been 9 years since that fatefull day in 2001.  I wish we had a huge flag to raise, but we don't.  We have two that we put in the window.  Last year I put yellow ribbons everywhere and my kids were asking why yellow ribbons?  I told them because we didn't want to forget.  They got it, but I'm not sure anyone who saw them did - they probably just thought we were remembering or honoring a specific individual.

This year, we're still celebrating the birth of my first grandchild.  We put pink balloons out on the mail box (we'd gotten some latex ones to take to the hospital and then remembered when we got there that they didn't want latex inside...sigh), but no yellow ribbon.  Our commemoration is going to be a little less obvious, I guess.  We have a neighborhood party, and I wonder if they planned it on this date on purpose.  It kind of makes me wonder.

I hope you've had a chance to reflect and remember.  I plan on teaching little Kestra all about this great country - if it holds together long enough for her to understand such things.

I hope you have a wonderful day and spend it with family.  It's a special day.  We're alive and free.  Not everyone is able to enjoy that.

I'm a Grandma!

Wow...I can't believe it finally happened.  My daughter had her baby!  She's the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen (short of when my own children were born of course) and I just can't believe it.  Isn't she just sooo cute?  The biggest brown eyes...sigh.  Can't tell I like her or anything...  ;)

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's driving we will go...

Well...I didn't realize how long it's been since I posted.  Life has been absolutely nuts this past month.  We drove to California twice...once to southern Cal and once to northern.  We just can't get enough, ya know???  sigh.  The trip south was a funeral...sad and fun at the same time.  We never get to see my hubbies family there.  The trip north was fun, my uncle turned 90!!  He is really amazing.  I hope I have some of his genes...lol  I took the camera, but did I take any pictures??? NO.  I couldn't believe it.  I left the camera on my bed while we went to the party.  sigh.  So, I took some with my phone and we'll see if I can get them to send so I can post them later.  Now we just found out the hubby of one of his cousins we just met died in his sleep.  wow.
We might be heading back to California...
sigh.
In between that, we had a baby shower for my daughter, (which was fun) and a double wedding shower for my niece and nephew's fiance, which was hilarious.  Good times, I tell ya.  And work started back up...so like I said, crazy month.  I'm still trying to finish my earth oven...it's just slow going with everything else.  I'm determined to have it finished by Monday so we can make pizza for Labor Day!!!  We'll see how it goes...
;)

Still Going...just not there yet...

Well, I've lost another 5 pounds.  It's finally put me below the 250 mark!!  WOW!  It's so unreal to see the scale going that direction after SOOOO long.

The only problem is, my goal.  Remember the goal I said I wanted to reach by my birthday?  Well, that was to have gotten rid of 100 pounds by then.  I now have 29 to go, and that means 15 pounds a month.  UGH!  That's probably not going to happen, but I'm going to try my darndest.  My trainer said maybe by the END of October...lol   sigh.  July was just sooo hard, and so was June.  I had really hit a plateau and slowed down.  I'm just going to have to really kick things up.

At least she didn't recommend I change anything by way of diet...  ;)  I don't know if I could get any lower...lol  I'm really getting used to drinking breakfast...

Have a good one!

Well, there's progress...

I told my hubby I was bound and determined to get my earth oven done this week. I've taken FAR too long as it is. I really wanted it done in May. sigh.

Anyway, I finished leveling the ground and the bricks were pretty much level, so I said onward. I put the cinder blocks in, and it stayed level (miracles do happen!!), so I put the barrel on. You see, he suggested (my all knowing and amazing hubby) that I'd probably want to be able to reach the cooking area from the deck and not have to walk around, and he's probably right. So, in order to make it high enough, we have to stack things. ugh.

It looks rather ungainly, but the barrel is full to the brim with broken bricks to weigh it down and make it solid. With the ring on top, we're ready to fill it with the bottles and mud to make the heat sink base for the floor of the oven. Hopefully I'll have that done by tonight so I can start on the top tomorrow.  Eventually we're gonna put brick around the base so you don't see the barrel and stuff, and it will look cool.  But for now, pizza this weekend!!! (I hope!)

Well...step 3?

I'm building a mud oven. Did I mention that before? I realized that I should probably document the process, and since I've already missed part of it, here's where I'm at now.



We had to cut down the bush and cut back the tree that was there before, and then get the sprinkler moved that was back in the corner. It's now up in front of the rail road tie, and now I've put a layer of brick as the foundation. Problem is, we need to build up a good two feet before I put a barrel on it to make it the right height to reach from the deck. Sigh.

Anyone have spare cement blocks? ;)

I Lost 7 Pounds!!

It was so great today! I went in to see my personal trainer, after having been, if I do say myself, extremely good this past week as I wanted to get those two pounds off and perhaps 2 more...

Anyway, I get on the scale, and I lost 7 pounds!! I was SOOOO excited! She couldn't even believe it at first and had me get back on. She was totally floored. YAHOO!! It's such a relief. I'm now up to 66 pounds since October. My goal is to lose 4 more before the end of the month? I hope I can, I hope I can...lol

Anyway, had to share.

Song in my head? I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it... lol ;)

I'm a little discouraged...

Well - we go on vacation and I come back to find out I've gained two pounds!! ARGH.

I know it's only two pounds, but I was sooo looking forward to it being down, not up. I've still gotten it down 60 pounds, but that just means I've got two extra pounds to go before October, which is my 100 pound goal date.

And lately, I've just felt FAT. Interesting, huh? I think it's satan working at me, but still - it's discouraging. oh well.

So, at least I did my work out today, so we're still moving onward. sigh.

If I could figure out what to do with my socks or shoes to keep me from getting a blister on my right foot, I'd be more excited about doing the 5K on July 3rd!

Any suggestions would be helpful...

Family Home Evening Helpers

I had the opportunity to evaluate a book for use in Family Home Evenings this past month, it was really fun and I'm a sucker for a free book! I wasn't sure what to expect - other than it's the second in a series of helps from Diane Kirkpatrick. Apparently there are several different kinds of 52 weeks of Family Night.

The one I got to look at was 52 More Weeks of Family Night. It came with a CD with downloadable activities.

It's very simple - it's not a full lesson plan, it's simply a suggestion of activities for different subjects. I had my 16 year old teach a lesson out of it on Tithing, and he wasn't sure what to do (he's autistic and wasn't happy to be teaching anyway ;) ) Fortunately, it was easy for him to print up the chosen activity and he was able to give us the general idea from what they'd provided.

So, if you're in a rush and need something easy, this is your best bet. It's not a huge book, it's not very costly, and I think it would make a great addition to the Family Home Evening library. Go check it out!

Remember and Memorialize

I read an interesting article the other day that said one of the reason for picking the last Monday in May was so that people wouldn't associate it with a particular war (civil war) and that it would be warm enough that flowers would be used on the graves.

My mother-in-law came over last night for dinner, and her husband was quick to tell me they had distributed 17 different mums to graves over the past two days. That blew my mind. 17???

We are going on the first ever family walk to the cemetery today. We live about a mile from the city cemetery and we talked about how we need to do more of the exercise variety with our children - so this was suggested. We are also thinking of doing a 5K for the 4th, and need an idea as to how out of shape we are, personal trainer aside - I mean, she hasn't been training me to walk a 5K... lol

So - Anyway - Today I honor my father. He was a veteran of World War II, and he was a Ranger at a time when being a Ranger meant you didn't have a long life expectancy. If you've seen the movie Saving Private Ryan - the group that they send in to find him is a group of Rangers, the same group my father would have been in.

He and thousands, hundreds of thousands others have fought throughout the years to preserve our freedoms and to help others in discovering it. They volunteered. I honor those who have gone before, and those who serve today. Thank you for being willing to be on the front lines.

Thanks Dad.



On a side note: it was pretty cool - we saw Elder Uchdorf at the cemetary!!! My son spoke to him, but we all restrained ourselves from mobbing him. At least now I can say I've seen him in person! lol

Just a Caution...Clearplay users

Okay - Just for those of you interested in the Clearplay - it's good, we like it, but beware.

If you let your subscription time out, you can't use it anymore.

We noticed there was this little message when we used it last week that said we only had 3 uses, then 2, then suddenly it wasn't letting me. It's message was that you had to update the filters on the stick in order to use it.

What???

I figure, you know, once we've paid for the filters, they're on the stick, they're ours. But no. I emailed them and said what's up with this, and they emailed back and said it's how it works. If you don't have a current subscription the filters don't work.

I told them I'd be sure and get the word out.

It's a great idea - and we really like it. That's why we updated to the new one. Only you know what?? the old one would let us use the filters despite the age of the filters or the status of our subscription. Hmmm... Although, perhaps I'm being naive. We never let our subscription run out, so how do I know?

It hadn't even run out this time, we just don't update it every month. We're not that into the new movies.

Anyway- just a word for thought.

Have a good one!
;)

Life is Good

I got to work this morning, and got out of my car to hear the sound of hummingbirds flying around. I love the sound of hummingbirds. Then as I walked to the entrance, I passed two lilac bushes that are starting to bloom. Pure heaven. I got to my office and sat down, realizing that I have it pretty good. I have my own office with a large window that looks out at a large flowering bush.

I've had worse jobs. I've had worse views - to be sure. There are many things to be thankful for, not the least of which is my job and the small pleasures associated with it.

Life is good.

Just Us and a Yard

Yesterday we decided it was such a gorgeous day, we had to do a picnic. The kids were ecstatic as the ones that didn't live at home anymore texted back to say they wanted in. So, we got home from church, scrambled to make sure we had enough food for everyone - defrosting more meat...lol - and then heading out. We went to the park we usually go to, but it was chuck full. Okay...we were going to head to one across town, but my daughter called us from there, they were just as full. We went to a little less known park, but they didn't allow dogs and all three vehicles had one. So...

We went home.

See, we live on an acre, and we have loads of grass, our own bbq and picnic table. What more do you need? It turned out just fine. The kids pulled out the sports kit my children had given me for mother's day a couple of years ago and played volleyball and tossed a frisby around. We ate pasta salad (the heralding in of spring) and bbq chicken and pork ribs, topping it off with a great low fat gelatin cake that I'm highlighting on my food blog. It was great. We had loads of fun together, and I was glad we stayed home. It was a nice drive around town...

The Tulips Are Coming!

Okay...I love tulips. I think they're one of the prettiest flowers. It's hard to decide between roses and tulips...lol.

Anyway, When I heard there was going to be a Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point, I'm thinking my family needs to go. Only, it's a little steep on the price side...so I don't know if it will happen. I'm thinking I might be able to talk my mother-in-law in going and perhaps helping pay, but that depends on when we end up going. There's no way it will be this Saturday...tooo much going on. Eagle project, RS conference, ugh. But - in an effort to win tickets, I am hooking you up with a chance to win free tickets!!



Greta's Deals is giving away a pack of 6 tickets to the festival! One of the things we have to do is link to her blog - so go check it out!!

Now...who else do I know that likes flowers? ;)

Welcome to Spring in Utah!

Okay, I know I should be used to this type of weather by now, but it's still mind blowing when we get this kind of storm that we really didn't get much of this winter...sigh. My poor son is just about ready to scream -- it should be spring weather in his autistic mind, the calendar says so!! lol

Thought you'd enjoy a photo out of my back door. Time to make a snow fort!

It's Working!!

I may have said this before...but I had to say it again -- it's working! I've lost 51 pounds in exactly 5 months!! I never really thought it would happen a year ago...so it's just amazing. My clothes are falling off (well, most of my pants look like clown pants) and my shoes are even loose!
The only down side is my personal trainer had her baby, and now I'm going to this single guy that I wanted to shoot yesterday, but I'm being good. I'm still sore...sigh.
He's making noises like I'm stuck with him for the remainder...NOT. I can't wait till mine comes back.
Anyway...
They want me to come up with a before photo. I have always been a reluctant subject, you know? So, that means I have to go through my photos and see what shows a more than head shot. You know...the body. sigh.
anyway, When I find a good one, I'll post it so you can see where it all started. I'm not going to post the after until at least October, when I'm hoping to have lost another 50. That will be the most dramatic of the two.
Have a good one!!
I'm so excited! (Sing with me now) And I just can't hide it...
lol

A Voice of Warning...

I was given the opportunity to peruse and read Cleon W. Skousen's book written before he died. It wasn't printed until now -- due to his asking his family to wait till it was needed. I think it would have been interesting to live with that man -- what's it like to live with someone who is so knowledgeable? I mean, my dad's smart, but there's a little bit of a difference -- even though I think they would have gotten along famously.

Suffice to say, his book, entitled The Cleansing of America is a voice of warning. It is filled with discussions of what is wrong with our country today, from the economic situation to the government; what will happen to us according to prophesy (both biblical and Book of Mormon) and what the future holds before the coming of the Savior. Much of the prophesies are familiar, but some of them have a little bit of a twist from what I was aware of.

I was surprised to see that it's printed much the same way as his other books are, with the scroll work on the background of the page, it's true to his feel, and his voice.

I am usually a quick reader, and thought perhaps this was something that wouldn't take a lot of time to read. I should have learned from his other book, The 5000 Year Leap -- which I still haven't finished. sigh. He's a little deep for me, and it takes a while to get my brain wrapped around his imagery. Also, it feels too real to be taken in such a light read.

It reminds me a little of the book President Kimball wrote called The Miracle of Forgiveness. It's a little heavy on the depressing stuff in the beginning, and then hits you with the wonderful aspects at the end. It does bring hope, albeit a little warily, and it is very enlightening. I would encourage all who are curious to read and seek understanding.

If you pre-order his book before April 1, you can get it at a substantial discount through Valor Publishing (a great new publishing force in the market). So if you have deep readers or anyone in your family who would appreciate his writings, order now and save! It's a must have for the family library, along with all his other writings.

Check it out...

Hey, my hubby actually posted on his blog! lol I'm teasing him, because the only reason he started a blog was to comment on mine, that's why it's called Supporting the Arts...lol

But I digress -- He is in college, and one of his classes he's trying to finish had him write a paper on a subject he felt passionate about. So, he wrote it, and it's wonderful -- so I told him he needed to publish it on his blog. He finally did, and I'm telling everyone to go read it. He says it's a good cure for insomnia, but I think it's fascinating. Please go take a look...

Support of the Artists

Wow...another 3 pounds!

Well...yesterday I went to my personal trainer and weighed in...another 3 pounds! Wow. All I can say is that it really does work, and it's gradually coming off! My hubby was a little anxious for it to come off faster, but my trainer and everyone there agrees that it STAYs off longer if it comes off slower. I figure that's everything I've read too, so I'm good. I figure 3 pounds a week is fantastic, and I'm happy. If I keep this up, next week will be my 50 pound mark. I can hardly believe it's finally happening!

We went shopping last Friday for some clothes, because, let's face it -- most of mine don't fit anymore. Especially the pants! We went to DI first, because I don't want to spend loads of money on clothes that aren't going to be worn for very long -- I'm planning on having them all be too big on me, ya know? I found some cute shirts, but no pants!! sigh.

We went to wally world, and still didn't find any that I liked. We got a pair of workout pants, which was good -- the ones I have are all too big too. So, I guess we're going to have to venture farther afield to find some good ones. What a hardship, huh??

lol

Wow!

Okay, I'm a little excited! I lost two more pounds and found out that I've lost 6 inches off my hips since October!! YeHa! It's working! The frustration with figuring out food, keeping track of the food, and doing weights that kill my arms and legs is working...lol
I knew my clothes were starting to get loose, in fact my skirts are really getting loose. My hubby says it's all a conspiracy to get new clothes...lol Whatever works, right?

Only 116 pounds more to go...

Okay...disappointment

I was finally able to get my hands on a copy of Julie and Julia this past weekend. I was thrilled to finally have some time to read on Monday night (after FHE)and I pulled out the book, got settled in my comfy chair and started reading. Ugh. I made it through the first chapter and struggled toward the second and then gave up and went to something else.

While the writer has character in her writing, she uses too much sexual references and language for me. I'm very happy I saw the movie first -- I wouldn't have watched it if I had read the book first. sigh. So, now I have my hands on Julie Child's memories of France. I'm hoping it's a little more readable... Oh, such a joy to be able to read again!!! And I have LOADS I have to read...

Getting there one pound at a time...

Well, I didn't have time to post last week, so this week makes up for both. Things are still progressing with the weight loss, though not as quickly as some would like. My hubby still thinks that the initial weight loss of 15 lbs in two weeks should be the standard...but we keep telling him, (my trainer and I) that 2 lbs is the most sustainable and maintainable weight loss. Last week I managed to do 3 though...grin. This week wasn't as exciting...only 1. sigh. My trainer told me not to be discouraged though, I lost 3 lbs last week, so it will be lower this week. She said they'll probably change calories or something in March or April. Oh well.

It's becoming very challenging to get my calories and percentages within the required limits. sigh. I've become very fond of protein drinks...

What is it About Weddings...and Babies?

Okay. Have you ever watched the movie The Mirror has Two Faces with Barbara Streisand? It's really a wonderful watch, and it has many corollaries to real life. There's this scene where she's describing her sister's wedding to her class (she's a literary professor) and I thought of this scene yesterday at my nieces wedding.

I had no part in it -- so unlike Streisand I couldn't say I was part of the stereotypes. But in watching the proceedings, I realized a book could have been written about this point in time. It wouldn't be a happy one, because in some eyes, there wasn't a happy ending. It's one of those, did she make the right choice? moments.

I watched my niece, who didn't look happy through the whole ceremony, and didn't really seem awake as she greeted us afterward, and wondered if she was on drugs. She didn't show any animation or happiness until after we were eating and things mellowed a little. My husband pointed out that perhaps it was nerves and she's pregnant, (yes, there is that) and stuff.

It could also be the knowledge that she'd shut her mother out of the proceedings and only allowed her to participate. Yeah.

I quoted an old phrase in my other blog a week or so ago... You can pick your friends but you can't pick your family. Boy oh boy.

Well...the wedding and it's initial drama is over. I guess we'll see how things go.



Did I mention I'm going to be a grandma before the end of the year?? That's right...the son that got married (which I hadn't mentioned before either...long story) told us last week that his wife is expecting.

Not only that, but my un-married daughter is also expecting. They are due within days of each other.

This should be a real interesting year...

Meet our Newest Family Member...

We got a dog.

I'm not sure why...but she's huge. She's a tree hound, and she has a deep bark when we hear it, which has only been once. We're sort of use to the small dachshund my daughter got last summer, and so this dog seems huge. We're still getting used to each other -- trying to figure out when she needs to go to the bathroom outside instead of inside...sigh.

When we got her they told us her name was Marley. My first thought was, "Gee, like the movie, Marley and Me." My kids all thought the same thing. "Hey mom, that's like the movie!" None of us have seen it...just heard the title.

My husband told me we had a narrow vision of things. I looked at him for a minute, and then realized what he was saying.

"You thought of Jacob Marley," I said.

He nodded and the kids laughed.

"Just because you have a morbid thought process," my daughter told him.

I wasn't sure about that one...



and on a lesser funny side -- I only lost 1 pound this week, though I've lost two inches off my hips, so progress is being made! Just VERY slow.

sigh.

Book Giveaway!!

Okay...I think you remember me posting about Josi Kilpack's book, English Triffle? Well, she has another book out, and a friend of mine is giving a free copy away. I want it!!! So, I'm posting about her contest in hopes I get it. You really want to check it out...
So here's her site.
Sandra's The Dance

Aerobics!

Okay...I've decided that Zumba is really just another name for something that started about 35 years ago. Aerobics. Many of you probably won't remember, but in the early 80's there was this new exercise craze that everyone jumped on the band wagon for. Olivia Newton-John, Jane Fonda, all of them had tapes you could rent or buy to do aerobics. For a long time they had 'hooked on classics's on channel 11 that I used to tape and do later. Of course, that was after I was married and didn't have time at 7am, which was when they showed it.

Before that, I had a roommate that taught an aerobics class and I'd go do the classes with her. I took a class at the old Deseret Gym, but it was sooo crowded and insane.

The thing about aerobics was you had to wear certain clothing. Ugh. I've still got pictures that my roommate and I took that crack me up...the leotards, the tights, the leg warmers, the headband...it was a whole outfit.

One of the things I like about Zumba is that it doesn't matter what you wear. Oh sure, if you want, you could spend money on the cutsy stuff and look gangster, but it doesn't matter. There are some women who don't.wear.much.at.all. sigh. But on the whole, it doesn't matter what you wear, as long as it's comfortable and you can move in it.

Last night I decided it was time to find some different music. Something without the videos of the scantily clad women for our sons to be watching. So I dragged out all our cd's that looked promising and we stuck them in to see what kind of steps came to mind. I mean, it's dancing, right? We had sooo much fun. My daughter even liked it. We went almost an hour! It was great. So, if you like to dance, can work up a sweat while you're doing it, and have some fun music with a good quick beat, you're set. You don't need to buy anything...well, except perhaps a cd player... ;)
have a good one!

Oh, and I lost 5 more pounds!! That's 32 now. It's just fading away...lol

It's ZUMBA Time!!

Wow...I've been doing Zumba now for about 2 months. I only do it a couple of times a week, as I alternate with weights, and sometimes I walk on the treadmill. Anyway, she purchased a set that has a couple of different DVD's with different sessions. One is 20 minutes, one is 45 and one is 55. The one that's 55 minutes, is a live workout show, where they shot it with a live crowd of like 100 people. It's crazy.

The first time I did it with my daughter, I thought I was going to die. Seriously.

The next day I could hardly move. My heart rate had gotten so high, that it hadn't been a good thing. I figured it was too much for now, and avoided it since.

I decided tonight to try it again. Wow...what a difference!

I don't feel too bad! I feel about like a regular workout, and I was mostly able to keep up with them...at least as much as the people in the audience... grin.

So, I guess I'm improving! My eating habits have changed a little too...

It's like there's light at the end of the tunnel.

Who'da thunk?

Of course...this morning was a whole different story. I think I did get my pulse up a little higher than I thought I would and this morning I had a headache. UGH. I have also done the 20 minute one twice, and that works nice. The class up above is someone else's, I haven't gone to a class. I think it might be fun...

Anyway -- I'm doing better and am determined not to let it get the better of me!! grin. Off to eat my protein bar now... Recipe on my cooking blog. Have a good one!

Slowly but Surely, 2 more...

sigh. The first weighing in kind of spoiled me for the rest. I only lost 2 lbs during the past week. I guess it's good that I'm still loosing, but at this rate, it's gonna take me a LONG time to get rid of all this weight. I guess that's only appropriate, since it didn't come on really fast either...right?

Anyway...I figured I'd let you know how the progress was going. I've been having fun cooking -- you ought to check out my cooking blog and see the recipes.

My trainer says that I'm doing okay, she's really impressed with the recipes I've been adapting. I took her some samples yesterday and she really liked them. Grin. I guess there was a bit of good news out of all of it...

Well...off to clean my desk. Have a good one!

Okay...so, I'm Procrastinating...

One of the goals I had for this month was to finish my Nano project. Have I glanced at it? Yeah...once. Have I written anything on it?? NO. sigh. It was such a fun story to start with, and then I let myself get sidetracked by the characters, and I didn't follow the outline I'd suggested. I hate when I do that.

So -- I need to get on the ball. I guess I'm going to have to rewrite. Before I even finish, I've got to revamp where it was going cause it left me with no where to finish.

sigh.

Added a recipe to my cooking blog, you ought to go check it out. Chicken Enchiladas...yum!

Gotta Love Julia!

Okay, I finally got to see the movie Julie and Julia last night with my daughters, and it was a blast. I laughed so hard! Meryl Streep does such a good job of imitating her voice and mannerisms, it's mind blowing. It also made me want to do better at my blogging. The only problem was the ending -- Bummer!!! Can we protest?? ;)

My daughters and hubby think I should do a similar idea with my weight loss and recipes. Since I have another blog that is about food, I am torn with which location to do. I supposed I'll do the weight loss here, and the food there, but it will feel like no one is reading me, just like the movie. I guess it depends on why I'm doing it, right? For readership or to write?

Well, for now, it's to write. I guess we'll see how it goes, and if I get any more followers...grin.

And by the way...yesterday was weigh in day, and I lost three pounds over Christmas. I was disappointed because it seemed low, my hubby was impressed that I still managed to loose weight over the holidays. I guess that is a point... ;)
Have a good one!