Okay,
So, I'm gonna keep blogging. I miss the contact and friendships I find out here in blog land. So along with my new name I've got some new ideas for how this blog thing is going to continue.
First, I've agreed to "jog," and I use the term loosely, a half marathon on April 7th. My original goal was to do a full marathon this year, however I had a baby, a crisis of fitness and a pretty rough case of lard ass for the last year (ugh) So, new goals (can you hear the excitement?) I'm still deciding how I'm going to work marathon training into the life that also contains family, job, church and crafts. I'll let you know what I decide and part of my blogging for the next few months will be updates on training. I don't yet know if this will replace, or add to, my annual mud run plans, I'm still trying to decide that one too. (I'm pretty indecisive right now)
Second, Crafty awesomeness. I'm going to attempt to do a weekly feature on the blog about something crafty that I've done. I have several ideas floating around. It could be a tutorial, but I tend to think it'll be more show and tell and then if anyone is interested in the specifics I'll post them after a requests comes through. I need to begin earning some sort of revenue from the things I create and I'll be posting information about that as well.
Third, and probably secondary to the jogging-half marathon deal, I'm going to try to re-lose the weight I have put on over the last year. I had the totally valid excuse of pro-creation for awhile, but I'm starting to feel old and fat, it's not a good feeling. I'll hopefully have little trouble shedding the pounds since a three day a week minimum of training is on the docket for at least the next 12 weeks. (esh, that's a lot of gym time)
Fourth, I'm going to attempt to create a bible study. I have been feeling guided toward helping others learn through and about faith. I have some writing skills and a deep love for the word of god. It seems right to me. So I'll probably ask for some opinions about my musings. Hopefully you guys will have some critical opinions for me.
I'm going to be doing non-blogging things as well, including continuing to manage my daughter's girl scout troop, and becoming a organization maven in my house of crazy.
So basically this blog will not have A focus aside from following the days as the craziness unfolds, hope you all enjoy being along for the ride.
12/31/2012
12/17/2012
Proverbs 3:5
Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
While I was eating lunch and perusing the internet last Friday I happened upon early coverage of the shooting. I immediately started praying, for the children, for the parents, for the teachers, for the siblings, for the family of the shooter and for myself. I have spent the last three days in a half daze state, doing little more than hugging my babies and crying.
I wanted more than anything to drive to Pumpkin's school, withdraw her from the roster and never let her leave the house again, but then I remembered a few things that kept me at work and gave me some hope.
First: One of the lessons I've learned from my mother is; if trouble is looking for you, it's going to find you no matter where you hide, and you can't be afraid to live your life.
Second: (and this one came from a movie) I want to be able to explain things like this to my babies in a way that helps them to deal with the heartbreak that things like this cause. Then I remembered a quote from the movie, "Where the Heart Is" Novalee Nation: You tell them we've all got meanness in us, but we've got goodness too. And the only thing worth living for is the good. And that's why we've got to make sure we pass it on.
Third: And maybe most important, I reminded myself not to be fooled into being angry at my heavenly father over this event. The tears I shed are trivial compared to the hurt he must feel at the suffering of his children.
The thing that everyone focuses on is the "Why", and in reality we may never know, which is hard to swallow. Take it a step further, even if there was a letter telling his reasons, would that make it any easier to cope? Would those mothers and fathers sleep easier knowing the reason this person felt the need to wreak havoc on such tender victims? Probably not.
So I prayed, am praying, will continue to pray.
Heavenly Father:
Please be with us during this time of sadness Help those affected to find strength, courage and peace. Help those of us, who are struggling to understand, to put our trust in you. Help us to find peace in our minds and continue to see the wonder of your love in our lives. Help us to remember to be thankful, forgiving and kind.
In your sons name,
Amen
While I was eating lunch and perusing the internet last Friday I happened upon early coverage of the shooting. I immediately started praying, for the children, for the parents, for the teachers, for the siblings, for the family of the shooter and for myself. I have spent the last three days in a half daze state, doing little more than hugging my babies and crying.
I wanted more than anything to drive to Pumpkin's school, withdraw her from the roster and never let her leave the house again, but then I remembered a few things that kept me at work and gave me some hope.
First: One of the lessons I've learned from my mother is; if trouble is looking for you, it's going to find you no matter where you hide, and you can't be afraid to live your life.
Second: (and this one came from a movie) I want to be able to explain things like this to my babies in a way that helps them to deal with the heartbreak that things like this cause. Then I remembered a quote from the movie, "Where the Heart Is" Novalee Nation: You tell them we've all got meanness in us, but we've got goodness too. And the only thing worth living for is the good. And that's why we've got to make sure we pass it on.
Third: And maybe most important, I reminded myself not to be fooled into being angry at my heavenly father over this event. The tears I shed are trivial compared to the hurt he must feel at the suffering of his children.
The thing that everyone focuses on is the "Why", and in reality we may never know, which is hard to swallow. Take it a step further, even if there was a letter telling his reasons, would that make it any easier to cope? Would those mothers and fathers sleep easier knowing the reason this person felt the need to wreak havoc on such tender victims? Probably not.
So I prayed, am praying, will continue to pray.
Heavenly Father:
Please be with us during this time of sadness Help those affected to find strength, courage and peace. Help those of us, who are struggling to understand, to put our trust in you. Help us to find peace in our minds and continue to see the wonder of your love in our lives. Help us to remember to be thankful, forgiving and kind.
In your sons name,
Amen
12/11/2012
Topic: Weightloss: The thing is....
I don't have much to write about it. I weigh 194,
and I'm not sleeping enough to get that number much lower,
and I'm unwilling to go on bitching about it.
I'm living the life of a mommy, doing her best, and it is what it is.
I feel like I've said everything already, like it's silly to re-type
the old promises to myself and the old ideas about weight loss.
And to be totally honest, blogging was never about accountability for me,
I could very easily lie on here, and no one would know the difference.
but, blogging is fun and I enjoy the idea that I am sending good things out into the universe.
The problem is that now, without weight loss as a focus,
I feel fractured, like my blog has no purpose or audience.
I'm trying, but I don't know what to do here, should I keep writing or hang it up?
Anyone else have an opinion?
and I'm not sleeping enough to get that number much lower,
and I'm unwilling to go on bitching about it.
I'm living the life of a mommy, doing her best, and it is what it is.
I feel like I've said everything already, like it's silly to re-type
the old promises to myself and the old ideas about weight loss.
And to be totally honest, blogging was never about accountability for me,
I could very easily lie on here, and no one would know the difference.
but, blogging is fun and I enjoy the idea that I am sending good things out into the universe.
The problem is that now, without weight loss as a focus,
I feel fractured, like my blog has no purpose or audience.
I'm trying, but I don't know what to do here, should I keep writing or hang it up?
Anyone else have an opinion?
11/29/2012
Tales from the land of amoxicillan and tylenol
The Munches are sick, like for real sick and I feel like a jerk because the other night Pumpkin comes in all weepy and sniffly at like 2;30 in the morning and says her ear hurts. Well the sniffly and weepy wakes up her brother who has developed an inability to sleep in a horizontal position without screaming like someone is ripping off his toes with pliers. So amid the screams I give her my patent mommy response to booboos of unknown origin.
"Go get a cold thing" (these are chilled gel packs that help with bump and bruises and we keep them in a basket in the fridge.) I managed to get the tiny one back to sleep by sitting up propped by pillows and "ssssshhhhhh"ing in his ear for a while, until I dozed back off.
FYI: (and I know this from experience) when you put cold on an infected ear, it hurts like a bitch. So, then an hour later Pumpkin comes back still weepy and now quite soggy from crying and snotting all over herself. (is there anything more creepy than being woken up by a child in the middle of the night, they think they are being nice by whispering but you wake up with them standing over you like a scene from a horror movie and you immediately look for the exit and grab for the knife under your mattress, amiright?....maybe it's just me.)
"mommy that cold thing didn't help much"
*cue shrieking infant
*cue Joan Crawford moment
So I dragged my ass out of bed and got the hot sock, (a sock that I filled with flax seeds) nuked it in the microwave for a minute gave Pumpkin some tylenol and a drink and tucked her back into bed with the warm sock and smell of flax to lull her to sleep. (all of this to the tune of shrieking baby in b flat major)
So I called the pediatrician and asked for an appointment for sanity, the nurse seemed confused; then I might have mumbled something about prolonged colds, painful ears that kids don't use anyway and horizontal intolerance. She gave me an appointment for a day later, (great one more night of awesome.)
So before bed we gave everyone a dose of Tylenol and another of benadryl for good measure, nuked the hot sock and tucked everyone in with hope for good things. I don't remember much of what happened, the fatigue induced fog has hazed my recollection but when the alarm went off to get up and go to the doctor I was sitting straight up on the loveseat with Pumpkin's head in my lap and Squirt and I strapped into the moby wrap sweating enough to necessitate a bath before leaving the house.
Sunshine slept blissfully unaware and woke up ready for pop-tarts.
I wanted to punch her.
"Go get a cold thing" (these are chilled gel packs that help with bump and bruises and we keep them in a basket in the fridge.) I managed to get the tiny one back to sleep by sitting up propped by pillows and "ssssshhhhhh"ing in his ear for a while, until I dozed back off.
FYI: (and I know this from experience) when you put cold on an infected ear, it hurts like a bitch. So, then an hour later Pumpkin comes back still weepy and now quite soggy from crying and snotting all over herself. (is there anything more creepy than being woken up by a child in the middle of the night, they think they are being nice by whispering but you wake up with them standing over you like a scene from a horror movie and you immediately look for the exit and grab for the knife under your mattress, amiright?....maybe it's just me.)
"mommy that cold thing didn't help much"
*cue shrieking infant
*cue Joan Crawford moment
So I dragged my ass out of bed and got the hot sock, (a sock that I filled with flax seeds) nuked it in the microwave for a minute gave Pumpkin some tylenol and a drink and tucked her back into bed with the warm sock and smell of flax to lull her to sleep. (all of this to the tune of shrieking baby in b flat major)
So I called the pediatrician and asked for an appointment for sanity, the nurse seemed confused; then I might have mumbled something about prolonged colds, painful ears that kids don't use anyway and horizontal intolerance. She gave me an appointment for a day later, (great one more night of awesome.)
So before bed we gave everyone a dose of Tylenol and another of benadryl for good measure, nuked the hot sock and tucked everyone in with hope for good things. I don't remember much of what happened, the fatigue induced fog has hazed my recollection but when the alarm went off to get up and go to the doctor I was sitting straight up on the loveseat with Pumpkin's head in my lap and Squirt and I strapped into the moby wrap sweating enough to necessitate a bath before leaving the house.
Sunshine slept blissfully unaware and woke up ready for pop-tarts.
I wanted to punch her.
11/21/2012
When things were working
I'm slowly gaining weight.
It is and is not significant. It's not because it's coming on slow and I'm not having binges where I sit and eat frosting out of a can or anything. It is significant because I'm watching myself get to where I was the last time I decided to lose weight.
The tired, eat whatever you can to stay awake, survival mode of taking care of three kids while working a full time job is really starting to show.
So I've decided to go back to the things that worked.
What worked before was eating easy lo-calorie meals most of the time. skinny lattes for breakfast, soup that's under 300 calories for lunch and egg beater omelets for dinner.
What worked before was cooking veggie stuffed meals 2-3 times a week and having leftovers that would sit in the fridge and guilt me into avoiding the drive through because I didn't want to waste the food at home.
What worked before was movement, exercise and not wanting to waste that effort with shovels full of garbage.
What worked before was tracking, keeping meticulous notes of what I ate each day, so I could know when I went overboard one day and be able to course correct the next.
So the holidays are a true test for me. If I can lose over the next month, I will be on the right road. so, here's the plan.Today water and multivitamin habits start up again. For the next week, tracking only. No other changes. Then the week after, calorie cutting and tracking. The following week adding in 2 or more days a week of at least 30 minutes of movement. I've had a few monthly bills increase so for the time being I've had to freeze my gym membership and I'll be heading back to the place that saw the start of my earlier success, the work gym. it's free and has an elliptical and weight bench, everything I need to get started again. The only thing I don't really have control over right now is sleeping; I'm working on it.
It is and is not significant. It's not because it's coming on slow and I'm not having binges where I sit and eat frosting out of a can or anything. It is significant because I'm watching myself get to where I was the last time I decided to lose weight.
The tired, eat whatever you can to stay awake, survival mode of taking care of three kids while working a full time job is really starting to show.
So I've decided to go back to the things that worked.
What worked before was eating easy lo-calorie meals most of the time. skinny lattes for breakfast, soup that's under 300 calories for lunch and egg beater omelets for dinner.
What worked before was cooking veggie stuffed meals 2-3 times a week and having leftovers that would sit in the fridge and guilt me into avoiding the drive through because I didn't want to waste the food at home.
What worked before was movement, exercise and not wanting to waste that effort with shovels full of garbage.
What worked before was tracking, keeping meticulous notes of what I ate each day, so I could know when I went overboard one day and be able to course correct the next.
So the holidays are a true test for me. If I can lose over the next month, I will be on the right road. so, here's the plan.Today water and multivitamin habits start up again. For the next week, tracking only. No other changes. Then the week after, calorie cutting and tracking. The following week adding in 2 or more days a week of at least 30 minutes of movement. I've had a few monthly bills increase so for the time being I've had to freeze my gym membership and I'll be heading back to the place that saw the start of my earlier success, the work gym. it's free and has an elliptical and weight bench, everything I need to get started again. The only thing I don't really have control over right now is sleeping; I'm working on it.
11/19/2012
Letting Go
I'm letting go of about 4 bags of clothing. I'm on the fence about a bridesmaid's dress I wore to my brother's wedding four years ago. It's too big, but it's beautiful. I may never have another reason to wear it but I love it and so it stays in my closet. I drag it out every once in a while and put it on, wishing I had a reason to alter it and wear it again.
I'm letting go of the notion that a mother of three with a full time job can, in fact, hand make gifts for every person she knows. I have pared down my gift list this year. The munches and I are going to do a bit of baking and candy making for gifts, I have a very achievable list of craft gift items. I've said it before and I'll say it again, people, we have too much crap. I don't want a present, I want you to be present. If I matter to you, spend some time with me, and in return I will do the same.
I'm letting go of the tendency toward procrastination. It's killing me. I need to get crap done; because, as I sat at my desk this morning, caught up on work, finishing the things that needed to get done today, I was filled with contemplation and peace. I feel good, I feel smart and I think I need to make this feeling continue. It seems that using a calendar helps me, when i check things off I feel good. I'm going to explore using one in both my personal and professional life. Today I will be going home to a clean house and I have no plans this evening, so I'm going to make sure the house stays clean and begin work on a Christmas project for my daughters. Their stuff will be done first this year. I'm putting my kids first.
I'm letting go of my frustration with my daughters, they don't deserve it. They are learning, I'm supposed to be teaching them. What I'm doing isn't working, the whining and not listening is getting a bit excessive, so we are going to find something that does work, I don't know yet what that is, but I'm going to figure it out.
It's the end of a very busy year, and I have some stuff to get in order before next January 20th.
Happy Monday all!
I'm letting go of the notion that a mother of three with a full time job can, in fact, hand make gifts for every person she knows. I have pared down my gift list this year. The munches and I are going to do a bit of baking and candy making for gifts, I have a very achievable list of craft gift items. I've said it before and I'll say it again, people, we have too much crap. I don't want a present, I want you to be present. If I matter to you, spend some time with me, and in return I will do the same.
I'm letting go of the tendency toward procrastination. It's killing me. I need to get crap done; because, as I sat at my desk this morning, caught up on work, finishing the things that needed to get done today, I was filled with contemplation and peace. I feel good, I feel smart and I think I need to make this feeling continue. It seems that using a calendar helps me, when i check things off I feel good. I'm going to explore using one in both my personal and professional life. Today I will be going home to a clean house and I have no plans this evening, so I'm going to make sure the house stays clean and begin work on a Christmas project for my daughters. Their stuff will be done first this year. I'm putting my kids first.
I'm letting go of my frustration with my daughters, they don't deserve it. They are learning, I'm supposed to be teaching them. What I'm doing isn't working, the whining and not listening is getting a bit excessive, so we are going to find something that does work, I don't know yet what that is, but I'm going to figure it out.
It's the end of a very busy year, and I have some stuff to get in order before next January 20th.
Happy Monday all!
11/13/2012
8 Months
18 months ago I became pregnant, now my little guy is 8 months old and is infecting my with stupid giddy happiness everyday. I'm not sleeping, I'm often covered in a thin film of baby drool and I occasionally find pacifiers stuck in my bra after I've gotten to work. It's rough, but it's awesome.
Here's a few of the awesome's that have happened in the past 8 months.
-last week I was at a funeral and realized that it had been over 4 hours since I had last nursed the Stink and my left side bra cup was still unhooked. I had been walking around with bi-level boobs for an entire morning.
-I ran a 5K Mud Run 6 weeks post partum.
-I was pounding away on my computer and singing along with a Glee mix playlist when I realized I had been singing "I kissed a girl" quite loudly and my office door was wide open.
-I may or may not have actually gone to Walmart in all of the following, though not at the same time:
1.) Actual matching blue and white striped pajamas,
2.) a thin t shirt with no bra,
3.) mismatched shoes
4.) a black tank top and leggings (think chubby cat woman, sans ears)
5.) a garden gnome costume.
- I slathered baby Vicks on my own shoulder while Stink was sick to help ease the congestion of my little guy who had to have a bib on to keep from soaking everything and couldn't breathe.
- My oldest Munch went to school. YAY Pumpkin Girl!
- My girls learned "We Will Rock You" and were singing it in the bathtub with shampoo horns on their heads, I'd post pics if it wouldn't get flagged.
- I was at a wedding and was one of only three people there who was actually excited to hear the electric slide come on, also one of only three people out on the floor dancing along to it.
- I gave my then 6 month old a marshmallow to gnaw on and he stuck it to the side of his head like a drunken unicorn.
- I welcomed my brother's family into my home for two months.
- I actually made 4 recipes I pinned on pinterest.
- I started a Daisy Troop with pumpkin and five of her school mates.
- I raked leaves for the express purpose of letting my kids jump in them.
- I thanked god everyday for how amazing, awesome, fun and crazy my life is. A crazy life is a full one and that is never something I will lament having.
Here's a few of the awesome's that have happened in the past 8 months.
-last week I was at a funeral and realized that it had been over 4 hours since I had last nursed the Stink and my left side bra cup was still unhooked. I had been walking around with bi-level boobs for an entire morning.
-I ran a 5K Mud Run 6 weeks post partum.
-I was pounding away on my computer and singing along with a Glee mix playlist when I realized I had been singing "I kissed a girl" quite loudly and my office door was wide open.
-I may or may not have actually gone to Walmart in all of the following, though not at the same time:
1.) Actual matching blue and white striped pajamas,
2.) a thin t shirt with no bra,
3.) mismatched shoes
4.) a black tank top and leggings (think chubby cat woman, sans ears)
5.) a garden gnome costume.
- I slathered baby Vicks on my own shoulder while Stink was sick to help ease the congestion of my little guy who had to have a bib on to keep from soaking everything and couldn't breathe.
- My oldest Munch went to school. YAY Pumpkin Girl!
- My girls learned "We Will Rock You" and were singing it in the bathtub with shampoo horns on their heads, I'd post pics if it wouldn't get flagged.
- I was at a wedding and was one of only three people there who was actually excited to hear the electric slide come on, also one of only three people out on the floor dancing along to it.
- I gave my then 6 month old a marshmallow to gnaw on and he stuck it to the side of his head like a drunken unicorn.
- I welcomed my brother's family into my home for two months.
- I actually made 4 recipes I pinned on pinterest.
- I started a Daisy Troop with pumpkin and five of her school mates.
- I raked leaves for the express purpose of letting my kids jump in them.
- I thanked god everyday for how amazing, awesome, fun and crazy my life is. A crazy life is a full one and that is never something I will lament having.
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