The Wife of Dingus

2011 Workout Stats

2011-12-30T14:48:00.000-08:00

2009: 125 workout days.

2010: 182 workout days.

2011: 210 workout days!

January: 15

February: 21

March: 28

April: 26

May: 27

June: 21

July: 19

August: 20

September:

October: 15

November: 12

December: 12

This averages out to about 17.5 days per month, or 4.375 per week. Still room for improvement, but not bad:)

2011 Resolution Evaluation

2011-12-29T16:40:00.000-08:00

Last year, around this time:

Resolutions:

I would like to work out at least 200 times next year.... Yes! As of today, 209 workout days this year!

I would like to lose 10 lbs. More would be great, but 10 would be a start....Yes! 25 pounds lost!

I would like my cholesterol to continue to go down....Yes! The lowest its been ever!

I would like to work on my flexibility and my slouching. I have seen many pictures over the past year and I am always.slouching. Its these goddamn heavy boobs.... No, still slouching, still stiff as a board.

I would like to continue to follow the budget we have for the past month.... Mostly. To be continued.

Happy Holidays

2011-12-27T10:14:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays to you all. I hope you enjoyed your families, your presents, the food and drinks. I did, all of the above. I am also enjoying reading, sleeping in, sweats and more sweats, no make up, sheer laziness.

Not going to the cabin this year was sort of nice. We love the cabin, but to have the Christmas activities with family last less than 24 hours was nice this year. As we left my brothers, both he and my nephew were puking, so yeah... it was nice to be home:)

I have been on medication almost 3 weeks. It is making a world of difference.

My exercise though, has been with very little effort, if at all. This is something I am going to need to get going in the next week or so!

Much Better

2011-12-01T07:43:00.001-08:00

What a difference a few days make. Yesterday I began feeling better and today I feel on top of my game. While I don't expect everyday to start this good, I am reassured.

My doctor called in something, not sure what yet because I haven't picked it up. I'm not also sure that I will begin taking it. I'm going to try good old exercise paired with getting enough sleep first to see where that gets me.

November workout stats

2011-11-30T19:44:00.001-08:00

Lets just call it weak sauce.

12/30 days. NOT beating last years 15/30. Dang it.

43

2011-11-29T20:42:00.001-08:00

When I wake up tomorrow, I will be 43 years old. So weird.

It won't be an exciting day. Dingus is in SD for business, kids will be at school and then home for homework. And I'm just not feeling it. I'm not feeling anything really, but paralyzing anxiety.

Its not been this bad in a very, very long time. Bad enough that I bawled my eyes out for hours today, after finally calling my doctor to ask for meds. After calling a therapist I saw a few years ago, making an appointment for next week.

I think the lack of sun, the grey skies really gets to me. When I think about what is going on, what I am anxious about... its about being anxious. Its about losing control, not feeling in control. Hello... I'm a control freak!

I've not been working out much. I don't feel up for the gym. Did you hear me? Not up for working out... this is a very bad sign.

I'm going to workout tomorrow. I'm going to nap. I'm going to stop being so hard on myself and my mental state. Its not like I "picked" the chemical imbalance of anxiety.

So, hopefully when I wake up, some of this will have lifted and I can smile at 43.

October 2011 Workout Stats

2011-11-01T07:35:00.000-07:00

Last year, 10/31 days. This year, 15/31. Not as much as I wanted. Been busy, been anxious, been full of excuses:)

2011-10-25T15:13:00.000-07:00

Its been a while since I've written. And even writing now, I don't really feel compelled, which is sort of a guarantee that this post will suck.

Oh well.

School is going well for both kids. They are both rocking straight A's which is far better than I ever did, like, ever. Dingus and I talk all the time about how much better they are at this age then we were. I bet we have the same conversation for the rest of our lives. Its so awesome to have cool, smart, funny kids. Don't get me wrong, they are dorky, stinky, filthy animals. But they are mine and I love them madly.

I've been feeling melancholy lately and I realize its their fault. I miss them! They are always at school, at sports, at friends and I barely get to wrap my arms around them long enough each day. I have way too much free time on my hands.

Which says it all right there. Its true, I admit it, I'm going to fix it.

We are just over a week from going to Hawaii. I'm getting excited. I just filled my prescription for Xanax. Just thinking about that long flight... gah. More vodka please. Oh, that reminds me I have to bring cash for vodka on the flight:) It should be a fun trip. The heat, the bright sun, the sand. But I am nervous and would like to cancel the trip and I can't wait to get there. Oh hi, welcome to my crazy brain.

I haven't been to a ww meeting in a month. I just can't fit it in time wise. Happily, I haven't gained any weight and I'm back on chips (which really needs to stop.)

Ok, my artichoke lunch is ready.

September 2011 Workout Stats

2011-10-01T07:59:00.000-07:00

Last year, I worked out 12 days.

This year, 15 out of 30. So slightly better, but not a real show. September is hard with the kids getting back to school and me back to work. I finally now feel like I am in a routine.

Alright fine, its September already

2011-09-10T12:05:00.000-07:00

The kids started school this week. Everyone is happy and glowing and having a pretty good time with their new classes, etc.

Only one bus incident which involved a person outside the bus fighting another person, who happened to be holding a meat cleaver. The non-meat cleaver person got in his car and grabbed what the bus driver thought was a gun, so all of the kids had to get on the floor. 6th graders crying, 7th graders looking around skeptically, 8th graders screaming "This is awesome!"

That was day two.

I start on Monday. We prepped all week, got all ready, had our back to school potluck, yada yada. Its going to be great. Good families, fun kids.

I'm kind of ready to be back in fall, back in school and the routine of it all. The last few weeks my exercise effort has been way down, my eating effort has been way up and I'm feeling it. Need to get my shit together, yo!

What I am dreading is the dumb grey skies and the stupid dumb rain that comes with it. What a waste of blue sky.

I must now mop the kitchen floor. Every day this floor is a disaster area. What is happening?

August Workout Stats

2011-09-01T08:54:00.000-07:00

First of all, where the fuck did August go?

I worked out 20 days out of the 31. Last year I worked out 17 days.

I've gained about a pound back. Which is not bad considering all of the food and beer I've had this vacationing month.

As much as I dread getting back to the months of rain, I am looking forward to the regular schedule.

The whirlwind tour

2011-08-12T09:51:00.000-07:00

The funny part of this summer is that I was so happy at the beginning that we were going to be home so much and that it wasn't going to be that busy.

HA. I'm so funny. Silly wife of dingus.

The end of July and first week of August was spent with two different families as our houseguests and then ended with our annual beach trip. All so much fun. Weather was great, company fabulous, food incredible, so tired.

We've spent this past week at home, watching lots of tv, swimming at the pool, just chillaxin'.

My boys were supposed to float the river this weekend with my brother and his boys, but changed their mind to camping and then finally on to going to the cabin. So, the girl and I are going as well. This means cabin Friday, Sat, Sunday, work/volleyball camp/soccer practice next week and then on Friday... cabin again. I'm just so glad its not busy! :)

I could stay home, but the truth is, I really love my family so hanging out with them 3 weekends in a row is just fine with me.

I've begun working here at home. Prepping for fall. I admit it, as much as I don't want summer to be over, the weather to change to horrible, I'm missing being busy. I like my job. I like being busy.

I did just escape crazy. A preschool parent, a new one I don't know, but who stalks me by texting, emailing, calling ALL THE TIME just pulled her daughter out because she is going through a custody battle. Phew.

When we return from the cabin the second time, things slow down for the last two weeks of summer. Things we did not get done: sanding the deck, painting the house, staining the shed, sanding the dining room table, will have to be done on Sundays. Or next summer. Maritas dad paints one side of his house a summer... I kind of like that idea:)

July Workout stats

2011-08-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

Last July I worked out 12 days. This time, 19 days. Took lots of time of this month... oh well:)

My friend Pat

2011-07-31T13:07:00.001-07:00

Dear Pat,

I did not write you email down from facebook in time and now you have made your blog private. Can you please send me your email address? I would like to keep in touch.

Your cyber friend,

Wife of Dingus

So much more

2011-07-30T13:17:00.000-07:00

We are knee deep in visitors. Family for 4 days, friends for 3 days, then off to our annual beach trip. The visiting has been so much fun and I love the beach, so its a beauty of a week.

Right now, I am sneaking some peace. The girl went swimming with some friends. Dingus and the rest of the family drove to see the property in McMinnville. I am home alone, cleaning, restocking the fridge, quiet. Its very nice.

I hit 25 lbs. lost. The last few lbs. have been slow, but so perfect none the less. And yes, I have been doing weight watchers since February. I thought I had posted that, but I guess I didn't. For me, the impact of ww was early on and then slowly I changed mentally where I don't really need it. But I like it. The leader I have is really funny. My goal was 30 lbs. and since I am so close and so task oriented, I keep going.

I feel better than I have in YEARS. If you have weight to lose, find a way to do it. It opens up so much more than just smaller clothes. I feel so much better, so much sexier, just happy in my own skin. I should say it was hard to lose the weight, but for me, for whatever reason, it wasn't. I was ready. And as soon as I made up my mind, it just started falling off. Since I began, I haven't gained a single lb. back. I had a few weeks where I maintained, but what came off has stayed off.

I will feel so accomplished if when I blog next year, I can still say the same. But something has changed in my head and it just feels really good. I'm just not worried about it.

And yes, I still drink. All of the time. The key for me has been exercising, almost every day. I read an article before I started that if you want to maintain your weight in your 40's, workout 30 minutes. But if you want to lose, you have to workout an hour. So that is what I did, what I do. Occasionally I will do less time, but most of the time I take the hour for me. It enables me to drink and eat what I want and still lose. I think the illusion of WW or any "diet" program is that there are a big list of things you can't do. What I have figured out is that I can eat any damn thing I want, but just not all of it. And I have to, have to move.

I started because I wanted health. I got that and so much more:)

The "Can you tell she's on her period" list:

2011-07-19T09:28:00.000-07:00

1. I'm growing very, very tired of the grey skies. The one year I buy a 10 punch pass to Wilson pool for both kids and they keep closing it for "inclement weather." Since when did rain in Portland become inclement weather? WTF.

2. My extended family can be coo-koo-bat-shit crazy. I love them, but I find them very emotionally expensive. One nice thing about getting older is that for the most part, I realize there is very little I actually do care about. Be crazy, just keep me out of it.

3. Its July 19. I pretty sure we are somewhere at the crest where summer is half over. I hope the second half goes painfully slow, because I don't have the "ready to return to work" feeling yet.

4. I'm at 24.5 lbs lost. Really? Not 25? Stooooopid.

5. We feed everyone. Snacks, meals, you name it, there is always someone extra here. I love it, I really do, that my kids would prefer to be here than somewhere else. And at the same time, I'm going broke people.

6. The awesome Trader Joe's Columbia Crest wine deal (bottles are 3 bucks!) is ending July 31. Why? I like that deal.

7. Both my cats are due for rabies shots. I can't catch the barn cat and so I keep putting off making appointments. I'm "delinquent" with the city. That's nice.

8. I don't know. I guess that's it.

Wedding Season

2011-07-08T09:45:00.000-07:00

We are having a rash of weddings going on.

Last weekend we spent time at Wallowa lake and this weekend we head to Walla Walla. Its such a sweet time for the bride and groom. Not so sweet for my almost 14 year old boy... He'd like to stab his eyes out. At the last wedding he kept coming up to me saying "L-e-t-s g-o" and then he would point at me to finish the cheer by saying "Lets Go! Lets Go!" to which I said "Go Away! Go Away!"

Such a fun age. I'm actually highly entertained by the 13 year old boy. They are gross and annoying, yet so funny! Such good company! The boy had his bf sleepover last night and I just peeked at them. Both asleep on the carpet, under fleece blankets, in the clothes they wore all day yesterday. Um, heard of a sleeping bag? A toothbrush? Pajamas? Nope, just fall to the floor when you are ready I guess.

The girl enjoys the weddings. Last weekend her and her girlfriends danced to all of the group dances, helped set up, helped with the gift table. She really got into it. Everything was "Isn't it cute!"

I'm dreading the car ride today. Its a 4 hour trek, and after just returning from 6.5 hours in the car, I'm not feeling it. But, its a quick weekend and then we are home until August!

June Workout Stats

2011-07-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

June proved busy and a bit more difficult to get the workouts in. Still, I beat my June stats from last year. Last year I worked out 14 days, this year I worked out 21/30.

Icky

2011-06-23T16:06:00.000-07:00

Its been a weird past couple of weeks. Not weird I guess, but life in the icky way. A death of a friends son, another friend diagnosed with cancer.

It makes me sad. Reflective. Scared. Grateful. I just want to keep my karma clean. And just love my babies.

On the home front, the boy is busy with basketball camp, the girl and I are doing a preschool camp and they are collectively eating me out of house and home. Yesterday I went the grocery store and bought all of the shit food I never buy: corn dogs, hot pockets, chicken sandwhiches, etc. Anything to feed the boy who needs "real food" 20 times a day. I would love to track his actual calorie count.

Its been harder to exercise this June. So busy! I'm still, very, very, slowly losing weight. Down 23 lbs. now. I think its slowed down in part because I feel so much better and in part because its summer and I'm getting lazy. Its ok though, I'm actually starting a summer feeling fabulous instead of regret.

Eve

2011-06-13T08:50:00.000-07:00

Well, we are fresh on the eve of the last day of school. I've been doing well with it, the leaving of the elementary school, until today. I'm a little melancholy today.

I feel fine leaving the school. Its weird though. I've spent a large amount of my kids childhood volunteering at this school, in the classroom, on events, on school improvement. Its such a sweet school. We've really lucked out the school was so great because when we bought the house, we did zero school checking out. The boy was just 16 months old and it didn't even cross my mind. Must be the small town girl in me.

Anyway, I know all about the school where both kids will be, because the boy is already there. So, I'm not nervous about that. But I am nervous. My BABY is leaving elementary school. She is going to middle school, with all of those middle school-ers. And my girl, she is so sweet and kind and innocent and I just really am amazed that she has little, teeny boobs and is getting ready to join the big kids. Getting ready to be a big kid.

I worry about the workload and the homework and just the bigness of it all. Why is everybody getting all big and grown-upy?

Her going to 6th grade means the boy goes to 8th. And he is such an 8th grader. That child cracks me up.

Sigh.

Today is the 5th grade promotion. This means tears. Tomorrow is the talent show. For me, this also means tears. I am a giant cry-baby.

Me: I am done with work with the exception of one summer camp in a week. I'm so happy to have summer ahead of us. I'm feeling great, still exercising a lot and down 22.5 lbs.

May Workout Stats

2011-05-31T19:22:00.000-07:00

I worked out 27 out of 31 days. I think last year I did 19. Neat!

Ramblings

2011-05-24T08:08:00.000-07:00

Dingus has been gone since Sunday on a fishing trip. I always enjoy a little break from our regular family routine and at the same time always miss him when he is gone. Its been perfect timing though, I've been able to spread out my work stuff and tackle my curriuculum for next year.

The kids have been so loving. I am so lucky to have them in my life. What cool people! Yesterday the girls game got rained out (thankfully) and so I took the kids to ice cream. This is not a typical school night activity, so they were happy about the surprise.

I'm just getting over a cold. Its been a weird 3 week stint of post nasal drip, then my lost voice and then a cold. I've been just walking for the past few days instead of my long workouts... trying to keep moving at a restful pace.

I can't believe its almost the end of the school year. May has just cruised by. I'm down to like 7 days. Wow.

21

2011-05-18T16:25:00.000-07:00

pounds

gone!

*I am so immensely proud of this achievement

*I haven't felt this energetic in years

*I have zero anxiety due to daily exercise

*Everything fits better, feels better, its all.just.better!

Bonus:

*I'm getting checked out!

That my friend, is the best part. Today I had a man, good-looking at that, check me out once, then twice and then one last time as he held the door for me. And smiled with a sexy, oh I want you bad, smile. I wanted so badly to say THAT'S RIGHT BUDDY, DRINK IT IN.

I have

2011-05-09T08:38:00.000-07:00

No voice at all.

I had a smidgen of a little cold last week, with lots of post-nasal drip. This must have harshed my throat enough that when I had to talk really loudly at the party Saturday night just to be heard... well, by mid-party my voice was gone. Which is always sort of fun and sort of exhausting because it takes lots of effort to be heard.

The party was my last ever elementary school fundraiser. Everyone was very sweet to all of us 5th grade volunteers... almost out the door. I feel differently almost everyday about it. I'm scared to have two kids in middle school because its so much work. I'm thrilled to be done with shoe box floats and dioramas. I'm curious to see how the girl will do. I'm sad that next year is the last year my boy is still, well, young enough to be in middle school and not high school.

Sigh.

Today, a day off. Lots of cleaning to do (thanks a lot to the person who had dried mud on their shoes and walked around the house this morning!), planning next years curriculum, working out and resting. Got to get rid of this cough/no voice gig:)

Mothers Day

2011-05-06T09:29:00.000-07:00

You know when you decide something that you think will be all wonderful and mindblowy and smile inducing? And then you have a fight with your husband and you become all fuck you-e? I hate that.

-----

Yesterday I had the brilliant idea that for Mothers Day I would write the kids and Dingus love letters to give to them on Mothers Day. And along with their letters, I would purchase them each a little gift to open. A reverse holiday if you will. Unexpected, kind of exciting, fun. I bought the kids squirtguns and their favorite candy. I bought Dingus something for the yard (yes its Gnome, because who doesn't have yard Gnome?)

-----

Then, last night a series of events and misunderstanding exploded in our anual fight. We typically work well together. We usually don't fight much, or if we do, its more like bickering. But, about once year we have it out and it sucks but it sort of clears the air. This fight happened last night and even though we have both apologized, I'm still feeling the after effects. Like I'd like to smash the gnome.

-----

Part of my issue is 1. I'm on my period. 2. I have waaay too much going on. 3. Which means I am sosupertiredwithnopatiencepleasejustleavemealone-ish. Giant school projects, hosting two school fundraiser parties, planning the 5th grade send off, softball, regular homework, work blah blah blah.

-----

I guess I will stick with the reverse Mothers Day plan. And if I "accidently" shatter the gnome, he can glue it back together:)

April 2011 Workout Stats

2011-05-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

Another stellar workout month:) I worked out 26 days of our 30. Not too shabby. Beat my last years record of 19!

Cheesy Hashbrowns

2011-04-26T19:44:00.000-07:00

I don't know what the hell happened, other than on Easter Sunday, I ate about 3 cups (more?less?) of these yummy, grit, cheesy hasbrowns.

And I haven't shit since then.

Today is Tuesday. Um, I shit every day. I am so uncomfortable! I don't know how you once a week shitters do it....

A list:

2011-04-22T08:17:00.000-07:00

1. The boy has been flu-like all week. Only missed one day of school, but certainly could have missed more if I wasn't so.tired.of.sick.people and if he wasn't such a good student who hates to miss class.

2. Which means some of his plans have been canceled and now the entire family will spend the evening home with the sun out and blue sky. It sound like magic. I can smell bbq burgers in our future.

3. I got my physical results in the mail and everything is completely normal. My cholestrol went from 229 a few years ago, to 222 last year to 203 this year. This is verrrry good for me. This is exciting. I'm completely showing my age because omg what asshole celebrates their cholestrol number?

4. My cholestrol number is still technically in the out of range basket though, because its supposed to be under 200. My doctor wrote a note saying "Cholestrol fine" so I'm rolling with that.

5. Vitamin D was low, but not crazy low. I'm to take 2000 iu daily to get it up to where it should be.

6. In other exciting news, I am down 18.2 lbs, which is... drumroll... 10% of my body weight. For you non-mathheads, that means I used to weight 182 and I now weigh 164. And I'm 5'7, if you need that information, too.

7. So all of this means, I'm feeling really good. I've been very fit over the last two years, but now I am fit and leaner. I feel strong and cute and amazingly energetic. Almost daily people have been telling me how great I look and that is just amazing to hear after feeling so frumpy and out of shape for many years before this. Plus its always, always nice to hear you look pretty.

8. All of this has been, for the first time in my life, truly motivated by health. I want to avoid cholestrol meds as long as I can. And the other goal I have had was to get my waist measurement to a healthy measurement. Guildlines state that your waist should be half of your height. For me, this means my waist should be 33 inches or below. When I started it was 36 inches (like a man, that's nice.) Once a month I have been taking my measurements and you know what... now its 33!

9. I had saved some pants that were too tight for like 6 years. 6 years these jeans I used to love have been gathering dust in my closet and you know what, now they are too big. Its so stupid. I will never do that again, the holding on the past.

10. Easter weekend: full of sports, I'm making a caramel cake tomorrow to bring to Easter at the M's. I'm having groceries delivered today so I don't have to deal with all of the crazy passover/Easter shoppers. Today is just me, my treadmill and a quiet house. Do you hear that? Me neither....

Feeling frustrated

2011-04-16T09:33:00.000-07:00

The girl has been sick since Tuesday with the stomach flu. She became dehydrated and in response to the dehydration, her body is responding by vomiting and diarrhea (Incidentally, for as often as I have had diarrhea in my life, I always misspell it. Isn't that funny!)

Yesterday we ended up in the ER getting IV fluids for her. She was finally able to eat, after having nothing since Tuesday breakfast and was able to have a few liquids. We were there 5 hours, came home and she kept eating and kept drinking. Was even being a bit sassy.

At 4:30 a.m. she threw up. Just once, but what the fuck. Now she has had pretty steady diarrhea since then. She is crying (with tears finally) and is miserable and I am so fucking fed up. I want her to feel better. I want her to get well. I want things to get back to normal. Gah.

You should know

2011-04-13T12:48:00.000-07:00

losing 17 1/2 pounds

feels as good as it sounds.

Didn't expect

2011-04-06T13:40:00.000-07:00

that I would lose any weight this week. I mean, I've been working out, but I also partied hard with Marita on Friday (which included a 12:30 a.m. frozen pizza washed down with my 9 millionth vodka drink) and so I was really taken aback this morning on the scale.

I've lost 15 1/2 lbs. Holy hell, that feels like a lot! Its also close to 20 lbs, which sounds even better, no?

March Workout Stats

2011-03-31T19:42:00.000-07:00

I worked out 29 out of 31 days. Totally beat last years stat of 19 days.

And, I've lost 14 lbs.

The Belt

2011-03-29T18:36:00.000-07:00

Not much surprises me. But this morning, when I put on my jeans and they fell to my hips, I was a little taken aback. I've lost a little weight, not a lot, but I certainly didn't expect my clothes to be fitting much differently. Anyway, I realized I either needed to sag all day, totally change or wear a belt. I haven't worn a belt in many, many years. But I remembered that the girl had one of my old belts in her room that she used to use for play. I outgrew this belt years ago. Years. Ago. Anyway, I ran downstairs, found the belt, put it on and it fit. IT FIT.

Other things I've noticed:

1. My boobs are smaller. That pink flannel I loved but wouldn't wear is my new favorite shirt. Those other 2 shirts that I bought, washed and were too small int he boobs, well they fit too. I'm only keeping one though because the other one is, just no.

2. I can cross my legs way farther. I am a huge leg crosser and I guess I didn't notice that it wasn't as comfortable as it was in the past. Now its nice.

3. I feel better. I'm just more comfortable in everything.

Other things I'd like to change:

1. I really want my inner thighs to no longer rub. Do you know what I have always loved more than anything? Dresses and skirts. Do you know what I rarely wear them? Chaffing.

2. My gut. Go down more.

3. The wine I am drinking. Dingus forgot to buy chardonnay at the store, so I am stuck drinking some sweet, shitty reisling. Yes, I could not drink it. But I like my wine. Dammit.

Spring Break 2011

2011-03-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

Its been rather uneventful. Which has been nice:) The kids have gotten together with friends, I've worked out and even today didn't get out of bed until 10:00. I have been rather exhausted lately. I guess because of my period, coupled with a 3 day horrible headache. Just too much. I also continue on my workout terror and am thinking that today, or tomorrow I need to just not.

Dingus left for Vegas this morning super early. I don't really like it when he's gone. I mean, I do in the sense that I get to watch what I want and I plan on leaving my sewing machine on the dining room table. But I don't because I love his company and just the security of having him here, or at least close by. I've turned into a bit of a baby I guess.

Haven't lost any more weight, but I think its fair. Last week we ate out 3 times and I was on my period. I weigh exactly the same, so I figure shit at least I didn't gain. My clothes are fitting so much better and I am even wearing a few things that had gotten a bit too tight.

And that's it, I guess.

75

2011-03-12T16:57:00.000-08:00

Tonight we are hosting a retirement/last year at Maplewood party. For 75 people.

Not sure where they will park, or if they will overflow the down and upstairs, but I don't care. It should be fun. And once its over, I can stop thinking about it/prepping for it/cleaning for it.

Today was the first day I didn't workout, as in run or do a cardio machine... in like 23 days? 25 days? I'd have to count it out. However, I have cleaned and cooked for 8 hours and I am exhausted, so that has to count for something.

I'm down 10 lbs. now. Feels good.

Armpit

2011-03-06T11:03:00.000-08:00

Dingus has been out of town this weekend. I thought it would be relaxing and quiet, my evenings, but instead it was boring. I much prefer his company. He will come home later today.

I've lost 8 lbs. I am loving my new gym and have exercised for 18 days in a row. I realize this might sound a bit obsessive, but it just feels really, really good.

I spent all day trapped in a basketball gym that smelled like an exact combination of sweaty armpit and sweaty asshole. Plus it was like 90 degrees. The boys lost this morning, so I have the rest of the afternoon to breathe fresh air.

February Workout Stats

2011-02-28T15:47:00.000-08:00

I worked out 21 days. Out of 28. That's awesome!

Beat last years number by one:)

Also, lost 5 lbs.

On fire. Feeling good.

Happy Birthday Dingus!

2011-02-20T14:00:00.000-08:00

Dingus,

I love you. So much. An insane amount. You are so funny and thoughtful. I love you.

Wife.

-----------

And in other news:

1. I am ON Fire. I am loving the new club. I did 60 minutes of cardio four days last week and I feel fabulous. I am eating insanely well. I am on fire.

2. The final Daddy-Daughter dance was last night. Dingus arranged, without even me knowing, for a limo to pick up the girl. She was shocked. First excited and then in tears. She said she cried because she loves her dad so much. Because she is so lucky to have a Dad like him. Very sweet.

3. Today the family is coming by for the birthday party. I should really not be wasting time right now:)

Grace

2011-02-13T15:24:00.000-08:00

We've been graced with a long feeling weekend.

Birthday parties. Basketball games. Softball try-outs. Guitar jam sessions.

And a whole lot of nothing.

Both Friday and Saturday nights, we were in bed early. Well, early for the weekend. We were both tired, uninspired by television or evening our usual conversations.

Its been great.

And its only 3:30 on Sunday. Lots more hours in the day to read, to relax, to just be. Sometimes when things actually slow down I realize how on the go we all are.

Tomorrow I am going to the new gym I joined. Its called Crunch. Its only $10 a month, with no contract. Its a bit out of my hub, but with my schedule I should be able to pull it off a few times a week. I will still go to SWCC as well, but its $6.50 for every time I go and so the savings with Crunch will hopefully be worth it.

Fight Club is on TV. I'm going to go veg out. Happy Sunday to you:)

One of those weeks

2011-02-09T14:23:00.001-08:00

I'm having one of those weeks. Today is Wednesday and I swear it feels like Friday. I am willing it to be Friday.

1. The girl had a huge class project going on. She is doing it with two of her best friends and it has become a pain in the ass. Firstly, its like watching debate team... none of them can agree on what they want to do. Secondly, its going to go on for at least another week and its crazy making. They seriously debate for 40 minutes until Cindy (another mom) or I interject with an "OMG get working!" They work for 15 minutes, then the debate begins again.

2. I'm not communicating well. I've had a couple of times in the past week or so where I try and say what I am feeling and it comes out either way too opinionated or bitchy. Or both. I'm not sure why what I intend can't get out of my mouth correctly, because I seriously mean no harm.

3. I've been feeling really tired. Which could explain #2. Work has been hectic, my work schedule may need to change, I've been doing tons of tours and I think I am in need of a little vacay. Christmas break, even though I didn't work, was not relaxing at all.

4. I've gotten out of going to Vegas. The boss of Dingus wanted the wives to join them for several days in Vegas over Spring Break. They would spend the day at the World of Concrete and I would have been spending all day with the bosses wife. No can do. No offense, but I would rather spend my spring break differently. Plus, we would have had to ship the kids off to friends for the week and I'm sure all of the other families who have spring break would really love that.

5. Pants=tight. Seriously?

January Workout Stats

2011-01-31T17:07:00.000-08:00

I had a rough start of the month due to illness. But, on fire the last week or so.

I worked out 15/31 days.

Last January I worked out 18 days.

Been Awhile

2011-01-29T11:53:00.000-08:00

since I posted. I stop by, take a peek at the blog and just think, Nah.

So, a list:

1. Finally well and back to exercising. I like it.

2. Speaking of exercise, we went to the 80's Dance Party at the Crystal Ballroom last night and danced for 3 hours. It was off the charts fun. I cannot WAIT to do it again! We left the kids home alone for the first time in the late evening, opening up yet another peek at more mom and dad freedom. They made a gigantic fort downstairs, slept in it and had a peachy time.

3. We have survived our first month of 20% pay cut. Brilliantly, I might add. I devised a new budget system and honest to god, I love it. Dingus loves. And, despite the pay cut and us getting all of our essential and fun needs met, we managed to save $112 dollars. One proud mama:)

4. An accidental date night is occurring tonight for us. The girl is going to one of her BFF's for a birthday sleepover and the boy is sleeping over at his BFF's. Not sure what my big BFF Dingus and I will do, but it will be nice to have two nights in a row just with him.

5. I am really looking forward to DBC. I want the gifts (what are they anyway?) out of my house and I am eager to start a new book. Whose turn is it to pick? Kelly? If you know what you are picking, email it out... I'd love to start it now!

6. Oh yeah! We are going to Hawaii in November. Very excited. Sister of Dingus called and said she wasn't using her time share (which is big enough for 8 people) and offered it to us. We are going with the M's, as we were just discussing taking the kids on a trip. Fell right into our laps unexpectedly, but already I am motivated by knowing their is sun, sand and surf in our future.

Go Ducks!

2011-01-10T08:56:00.000-08:00

I will get to that. First, OMG everyone needs to stop being so sick in this damn house!

Last week, my bronchitis recovery was slow. I worked every day, but would come home and instantly fall alseep for a few hours, only to wake up feeling exhausted. My *goal* for the weekend was to sleep as much as humanly possible in hopes to finally feel better.

This worked for Friday. This worked for Saturday day. This did not work AT ALL Saturday night. Around 10 the girl began barfing and barfed all.night.long. All Night. She was in bed with me to make it easier to help her. She would puke, I would clean out the pitcher, get back in bed, attempt to sleep and then 15 minutes later up doing the same thing.

Yesterday I was able to take about a 45 minute nap in bed, but that was it. I honestly felt like I had been up all night partying....that sort of beyond tired, buzzy feeling. And I knew it would hit me today. Which it has. OMG I am tired.

Thankfully I have the day off so the girl and I can rest up. Tonight the Ducks play in the National Championship and I am so frickin' excited! We have another family coming over to watch the game and its going to be fun fun fun:)

2010 Stats

2010-12-31T16:02:00.000-08:00

For yet another year, I have kept track of my workout stats.

I haven't had my cholestrol drawn since last year, so I can report where that is at.

I am exactly at the same weight I was last December, so no loss but no gain.

I worked out for a total of 182 days, beating! my 2009 total of 125 days... by 57 days. That's almost 2 months of working out this year that I did not do this year.

I'm bummed, because the number would have been even higher if I hadn't spent the last two week so sick. Still, I am pleased.

The average per month is 15 days (which come on, is only 50% of the time) and about 3.79 per week. So, something to strive to beat for next year.

How it panned out:

January: 18

February: 20

March: 19

April: 19

May: 19

June: 14

July: 12

August: 17

September: 12

October: 10

November: 15

December: 7

Resolutions:

I would like to work out at least 200 times next year.

I would like to lose 10 lbs. More would be great, but 10 would be a start.

I would like my cholestrol to continue to go down.

I would like to work on my flexiblity and my slouching. I have seen many pictures over the past year and I am always.slouching. Its these goddamn heavy boobs.

I would like to continue to follow the budget we have for the past month.

Happy New Year. Love to you all!

The Road

2010-12-30T07:54:00.000-08:00

to recovery is what I am on. I am slowly beginning to feel better. S-L-O-W-L-Y. This has really been something else.

Viral bronchitis. Why not bacterical so I can have meds?

The only other time in my life that I got bronchitis was in 1986. I was a junior in high school and it started the same way, high fever. It went the same as well, on my back for 10 days. Seems like I lost weight the last time though... hmmm....

Today is day 12 of being very sick. Pretty much my entire fucking vacation. Gawd. Anyway, as I said before, I feel like I am beginning to come out of it. Still very tired, very coughy. But at the same time, less on both accounts.

Today my family went snowboarding and for the first time I am not going to be there as lodge mama. I can't seem to stay awake all day, so we both decided the odds of me really making it up on the mountain were slim. Dingus is meeting Miguel and their kids, so at least there will be 2 Dads on the mountain. Still, weird for me.

So while they are gone I will rest, maybe meet up with Marita for lunch or something and then I will try and clean up a bit. And rest some more.

The bummer about the entire illness is I was working out like mad at the beginning of the month. Now, nothing (obviously) but I was hoping to not be starting over in the New Year.

Really?

2010-12-22T17:10:00.000-08:00

Holy Shit.

I can't believe how sick I am.

Fever Monday night of 102 (thank god we rescheduled DBC or I would have gotten everyone sick!), Tuesday very tired with a cold, today, no voice, very tired, feel like I've been hit by a train.

Merry Christmas!

Tomorrow we leave for the cabin. I really can't fathom sitting up for 3 hours. That should be fun.

I typically never bring my computer to the cabin, but because there are no bedrooms with TV's, I'm being realistic. I will need to watch something.

Wishing you all the very best!

2010-12-11T12:58:00.000-08:00

Girl seems to be doing better today. No fever, but she has a very bad sore throat. Dingus' company party is tonight and us girlies will not be going. Now Dingus is trying to decide if he wants the boy to bring a friend, go with just him, or stay home. I feel bad for him, its no fun to go to the company stuff without your home team.

-----

Baking frenzie. Staying home the past two days has caught me up on some cookie baking. Mint chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodles, sugar cookies and next Heavenly brownies. All of the cookies are in the freezer and will be pulled out before my cookie exchange and then delivered to a few friends in the neighborhood.

I'm also getting ready to make a chicken chili to freeze for later. I just needed to get off of my feet for a few minutes:)

Sick Day

2010-12-10T10:35:00.001-08:00

Today I am home with my sick tween girl. Her fever is currently at 102.6 and she is mis-rab-lllllll.

-----

Just last night I said to Dingus "You know what, neither kid has missed a day of school yet! No sick Days, can you believe it?"

Insert foot now.

-----

I don't mind really. I mean, I mind she is sick of course, but I don't mind this surprise day at home where I can catch up on cleaning, baking and present organizing. Right now I have a *stack* of gift bags, tags, tins, etc. all waiting to be organized, but I haven't had the time to do it! I also have presents to wrap, but I don't think I can pull that off unless she sleeps again.

-----

Yesterday Dingus and I refinanced our house. I really can't believe how well it worked out. We were at 5.3 % and decided since the interest rates were lower that we should just see if it would be worth doing.

We closed yesterday on a 20 year, 3.85%, with a monthly mortgage payment $7 dollars less than we pay right now. And, origninally we were told we would have to pay half of our payment for December with no January payment, but instead, no payments for December or January.

Finally, financial good news.

-----

You know what I forgot about really sick kids? They need you. A lot. :)

It just gets better

2010-12-07T08:41:00.001-08:00

Today is the first day of the 20% paycut.

You know what else came in the paycheck envelope of Dingus today? Notice that our insurance is changing and...wait for it... going up.

Paycut + more out of the paycheck for insurance = fuck you asshole.

That's fine. I'm up for the challenge. Asshole you have no idea how cheap I can be. DBC, lucky for you I bought you each a really cool thing for our holiday exchange cause the rest of the gift is going to be hand made.

Except the wine. You will get wine. We had 6 cases of wine surpringly delivered last week (so at least I can drink well the next few months:)

At least I have: The best family, a house, a car, 2 cats and a good sense of humor.

May is "supposed" to bring a 120% pay raise. So it will be really tight for 6 months and then 6 months with a little breathing room. Only suckage: They might keep it this way. So the 6 months of breathing room will actually be a scramble to save for winter.

25 Days of Christmas

2010-12-05T10:06:00.000-08:00

We, like many families this year, have decided to celebrate the 25 days of Christmas by doing something special every day. Some are craft projects, some are Christmas related tasks, but so I remember for next year, here you go:

Wed. Dec. 1- Finish Christmas cards/ Get xmas music on ipod/ burn xas cd

Thurs. Dec. 2- Make pipe cleaner ornaments for the family

Fri. Dec. 3- Family dinner/ Make paper snowflakes/ hang from ceiling

Sat. Dec. 4- Civil War party here

Sun. Dec. 5- Put up Christmas tree

Mon. Dec. 6- Make and freeze christmas cookies/ Wrap packages to be mailed

Tues. Dec. 7- Blazer Game/ Ruby shop for Henry gift/ mail packages

Wed. Dec. 8- Henry shop for Ruby gift

Thur. Dec. 9- Make edible ornaments for the birds

Fri. Dec. 10-Holiday movie night

Sat. Dec.11- Coast Christmas Party

Sun. Dec. 12- Make Christmas Cookies/ Travis and Alison for dinner

Mon. Dec. 13- Make Teacher Christmas Gifts

Tues. Dec. 14- Wrap McRae family gifts

Wed. Dec. 15- Clean house for party

Thurs. Dec. 16- PEO Cookie Exchange Party

Fri. Dec. 17- Send Teacher gifts/Ruby’s class party

Sat. Dec. 18- Party at Bendix’s/ Bring cookies for Amy & Renae’s family

Sun. Dec. 19- Deliver cookies to friends

Mon. Dec. 20-Holiday movie night

Tues. Dec. 21- Take Christmas tree down

Wed. Dec. 22- Take Jayne a christmas gift. Pack for cabin

Thurs. Dec. 23- head to the cabin

Fri. Dec. 24- Christmas Eve Dinner

Sat. Dec. 25- Christmas Day

Workout Stats & Birthday report.

2010-12-01T07:56:00.000-08:00

Oh hi. I'm 42 now. Isn't that so weird? Its so old sounding!

Oh well. At least I survived 42 years. That right there is amazing, actually. Go me!

I had the most amazing birthday. It was very sweet. Dingus sent the kids home with friends after school, so when I got off work, I was told to get into pajamas and get in bed. Now I was thinking the same thing as you are, but it was so much more than that.

Dingus got home a little after 3, shut the bedroom door and told me he was going to get a few things ready. He eventually came in, helped me undress and brought me in to the bath tub. A very hot bath was drawn, there were candles everywhere and the water had big, huge bubbles. It was a bubble bath! I have spent many a days in the bath tub, but not really lately. He told me that he just wanted me to relax. He brought me my book, a glass of water and a drink. He told me to stay in a long as I like.

And I did. I'm reading this fantastic book that I randomly picked up at Value Village. It its called The Weight of Silence and its a suspense story about 2 girls gone missing. Anyway, I read my book in the tub:)

Afterward I showered and when I was all ready, he brought me into the bedroom and lotioned every inch of my body and then gave me a full body massage. It was so nice, because I had lifted weights the day before for the first time in a long time and I was sore. I think I will keep the rest of this section of the story private:)

We enjoyed a really long nap, I read more of my book and around 6:00 we both decided we were starving. Dingus wanted to go out for Mexican food, but I was craving pizza. I convinced him to go to the Lab and I am so glad we did because we ran into some old hippie neighbors and their friends we have known forever. Its funny, because I never thought for one second that I would grow to love those kids when they moved in, but I did. I'm always so happy to see them.

After dinner we picked up the girl from her friends house. We came home and waited for the boy to return from basketball practice. When they did, the kids eagerly handed me my gifts. I got: A duck apron, 2 pairs of silver hoops (one small, one big) and the new Ipod Nano! I was really interested in one of those for working out. I have my iphone, but its really big to tote around for a 6 mile run. We have an larger, older ipod but it no longer holds its charge, so it sits on the Bose dock as our main music source. Anyway, I will set it up after work today and check it out.... should work out great (get it work out.. ha ha )

What made my bday great were the things that Dingus said and wrote. Its so nice to be appreciated for all of the hard mothering work I do:)

And, it was 3 hours of solitude and spa-ness on a Tuesday... a day I would normally be knee deep in making dinner, helping with homework and driving the boy to basketball practice.

Ok... changing gears to workout stats.

I tied last November with 15 workout days. I can see now that the transition to fall this year and last year = less workout days. I can also feel myself gearing up to workout a lot, which I did last December. I am crushing my last year total though, which is awesome.

This is called a list:

2010-11-19T14:47:00.000-08:00

1. Snow! Maybe? But its sure cold. And wet and nasty and gah-ish.

2. I can't stop eating! At all. Its very bad, very very bad. I'm not sure exactly what is going on there but for some reason I am enjoying chicken strips dipped in ranch from the grocery store entirely too much.

3. I had my first cold! It sucked. The end.

4. I haven't been exercising! Really much at all! And when I do, I decide to do 30 minutes and only do 20, every single time. Too much training? Too much eating? Its too much what ever it is. I need to get that shit refocused.

5. I'm not sleeping well! I wake up at 4:30 and think about tempura paints, a use for the very nice cardboard box I have a work and several other useless, stupid ass items. My waking up started exactly with daylight savings, so hopefully it will adjust soon. I'm sure its not because I'm used to running several miles each week.

6. I can't stop organizing! I have a crush on order and orderly things and it makes me very happy so just stop with all of the judging already.

7. I haven't been reading! Because TV is so much fun!

8. I can't keep this up! All of the shouting while list making!

9. I love getting my groceries delivered! Its genius! With the snow on the way and people shopping for turkey day, I say No Thank You to grocery stores and Hello to the grocery delivery van!

10. Its Friday! A weekend full of fun! And Snow! And championship soccer (which will be either in the freezing rain or the snow, you pick) ! Have a great weekend, a great Thanksgiving (I'm thankful that at least one of you beyitches will leave a comment) and enjoy the snow with your babies:)

Feeling Frustrated

2010-11-09T15:04:00.000-08:00

Ahhhhrg.

1. 20% pay cut effective Dec. 1 for Dingus. Merry Fuckin Christmas.

2. Science project due for the girl. Typed report, illustrations, annoyance.

3. Miniature tree house project brought home today by the girl. This is an actual miniature tree house she is supposed to build. Right after the 5 sheets of homework she has tonight. Oh and right before her science project.

I know. We have jobs. We have a house we love. Our kids have clothes. We have savings.

What I don't have it patience. I don't want to have less money. I don't want to brainstorm a science project or build a miniature tree house. Stupid, Stupid and Stupider.

You know what I want? Tulum, Mexico. I want the sun I want the sand I want the peace.

I want the economy back to normal, please.

October Workout Stats

2010-10-31T11:01:00.001-07:00

I worked out 10/31 days. I tied last year at 10 days. Feels pathetic, but at the same time I logged a hell of a lot more miles than last year, so suck it. :)

Ready to tackle more days in November!

13.1

2010-10-18T10:56:00.001-07:00

I did it. I survive the near death experience of running yet another 1/2 marathon.

Today I feel sore in the hips and knees. I am tired. But I am happy! Happy because I followed through, happy because I am no longer "in training."

Did I walk? Yes. Mile 10 sent us up a hill and I was sore at that point. Did I run most of it? Yes!!

I am so glad I was thoughtful enough to take today off. Must nap now.

11

2010-10-12T12:19:00.000-07:00

Dear the girl,

Today is your birthday! You are officially 11. I woke you up singing happy birthday and I sent you a love note in your lunch box (I am so sorry I sent you Henry's lunch box though... guess I wasn't paying attention:).

You are very tall. Heads taller than most of your friends. You are also very athletic so you have a beautiful fit body. Your hair is shoulder length and you are obessed with wearing a head band every day, with your hair also in a bun. It looks darling on you, but as you know, I am worried your hair will break off.

Your body has begun to change and mature. You have really grown into a pre-teen kid this year. Your maturity with your school work, how responsible you are around the house, and many more things show the kind of woman you are becoming. I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives hanging out.

You are funny. You have a character you play named nugget. Nugget is a chipmunk and talks in a funny voice with puffed out checks. Its very cute and makes your brother laugh. He really loves his nugget.

You love to read. You just finished Bridge to Terabithia (however you spell that) and it made you cry so hard, made you so sad because the character Leslie died. You are so afraid that something bad will happen to the people you love, and even though we all are, we try our best to make you feel reassured.

This is your last year at elementary school. Your last year as a true little kid. Its going to be a great year!

I love you,

The Mother

Groove is in the heart

2010-10-06T07:50:00.000-07:00

I'm finally in the groove of things again. Back to my school year routine. Finding pockets of time to be by myself, to workout, to get all the food made and all of the chores done. There really has to be a system. If there is not, its too overwhelming.

Today work is at the pumpkin patch. Its sunny, but the wind is chilled. I love this day because its not really work. I dislike this day because its the pumpkin patch. again.

I am in the process of prepping for the girls upcoming 11th birthday. She is having her 9 million girlfriends sleep over on Saturday. Her actually birthday is next Tuesday. I should probably get a few presents for her, no?

She has really matured alot this year since school has started. Its amazing.

I've got about a week and a half left until the half marathon. I've decided that 8 miles is the furthest I am running prior to the event. Marita and her running crew have done 10, but no thank you. 8 is enough. And I plan on running a bit and walking a bit during the event. If I don't need to walk, cool. But if I do, whatever. Its a fun run.

Speaking of which, need to get a workout in before the patch:)

September Workout Stats

2010-09-30T13:43:00.000-07:00

Aw dang. I wasn't even paying attention this month. I've been so focused on training days and rest days that I didn't even notice that I WASN'T beating my last September stats. Dang it.

Last year I worked out 13 times, this month 12.

Yearly total to date, 150 days.

Wa Wa

2010-09-30T08:23:00.000-07:00

Today girls weekend begins. What I love about girls weekend:

1. I love being at the cabin with no boys. There are always so many fisherman there that its nice to have it all to ourselves.

2. I love the sleeping in. And then being awake for 2 hours and then napping. And then napping again.

3. I love the beer at 11 a.m. if you want. It only makes the nap better:)

4. I love the eating without a care. Eating even though you are stuffed. Eating bean dip for breakfast.

5. I love the pajamas all day. Only to change into fresh pjs at night.

6. I love coming home with something to show the kids. The whole family loves looking at the scrapbooks and this makes me happy.

7. I love being missed. Everybody is so happy when I get home. Its lovely.

8. I love coming home to a spotless house. Dingus usually gets his clean on when I am gone!

9. I love only having to worry about me. But thankfully only for a few days.

10. I love my new iphone. This has nothing to do with girls weekend, but whatevah. Its really cool.

Over

2010-09-27T17:49:00.000-07:00

I guess September is over. Yes, we do have a few more days, but for the most part, the month is gone.

I'm glad. September is always such a rush of craziness. School starting with school events, work starting with work events. All these forms and things you have to do just once. So once September is over, things settle into the new hectic school year, without all of the September hoops to jump through.

I'm training for a half marathon. I'm up to running 8 miles. I have zero desire to run any farther than that. Its boring. I lovelovelove running about 6 miles. Just a little over an hour and I feel wonderful. More than that I mentally start to get negative, like "why the fuck am I doing this?" The event is mid-October, so after that I can get back to my regular exercise habits. I am so proud though, to know I am in this good of shape.

Everyone is loving school. The boy is happy, the girl is happy. The girl is actually transforming into this young teen girl and I am glad. I was so worried about the little elementary her surviving in middle school, but now, I'm less worried. Plus when we are at the boys school, all sorts of kids call her by her name and say hello. Its very cute.

And she keeps getting picked up on. Because she is tall, boys keep thinking she is older. She's had boys ask for her number for cripes sake! Its weird for her, but now that it has happened a few times it makes her laugh and she takes it in stride.

I'm having mixed feelings about this being our last year at elementary school. Part of me hates the idea because its really been our home away from home the past almost decade. And at the same time, its like a house you are sick of... ready to move on.

Advice: Do I donate to the girls school this year, when I know that the money will be spent on teachers for next year? Or should I double up at the boys school since it will be for both of their school next year? It feels so wrong not to donate something, but at the same time, we only have so much money... ya know?

August Workout Stats

2010-09-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

I worked out 17/31 days. Total workout days for the year, 138 days (which already beats 2009, thank you very much:)

13

2010-08-25T16:40:00.000-07:00

My boy turned 13 today.

And he is such a keeper.

So handsome and funny and sweet and cuddly. I know the teen years are here and that some days/weeks will be hard. But for now, he is just the best.

------

We just got back from the cabin. It was very fun. It was very eye-opening as well. I'm too tired now to write much, but there are thoughts a brewing:)

30

2010-08-08T17:51:00.000-07:00

There are less than 30 days until school starts.

This is where I go "oh holy shit" about the fact that I 1. stay up too late. 2. Enjoy finishing "one more glass of wine" 3. Sleep in really late.

It will kick in soon. The denial will leave and I will begin to get excited for work, for a regular work out schedule, for kids eating their lunch at school and not all of the flippin' groceries here in one day. The house will stay clean and I will have quiet periods of alone time again.

But until it does, I humbly let out a big waaaaaaahhhhhh and whhhhhyyyyyy and a small under the breath, jesus.

On a side note, my taller than me son now has size 11 shoes. The girl is close behind with size 9.

July 2010 workout stats

2010-08-01T13:44:00.000-07:00

July was a weak month. We were gone on a lot, had lots of visitors and I ended up with a case of the lazy summers.

I worked out 12/31 days. My goal was to beat 7 days, which I did. 20 days is still the most I have worked out in a month.

Training for the 1/2 marathon has begun. My goal is to run every step (like last time) and to beat my last time which was 2 hours and 42 minutes. Yes, I am slow. I just ran 4 miles (52 minutes) and I can't imagine adding almost 2 more hours. But I will. I like the training schedule that I found online. Now I need to research good foods for before and after, because I can't remember what I did last time.

Always Interesting

2010-07-21T16:11:00.000-07:00

I'm back from Gold Beach. We had a decent enough time. The house was like a Yo MTV Crib house, just huge and awesome. The weather was sunny but with a very cold wind, so we didn't spend as much time at the beach as I had hoped. Still, in bed listening to the surf is just the way a good night of sleep should start.

Relations on the trip were interesting. As always, I gobbled up the sister of Dingus and her family. The brother of Dingus is always entertaining to me in his own way as well. His wife tends to spend all of her time alone and this time really disliked that we wanted to stay up past 10 visiting. It was a little weird.

The daughter of brother of Dingus did a fair amount of private bullying to the girl. She was a trooper and told us what was going on... no real damage done, but definitely a big bummer for her. My favorite bully quote was "I'm going to pee in your bed. And what are you going to do about it wimp, tell your parents like a pussy?" This quote was shortened for your enjoyment. Thank god the girl has a good sense of herself, not to mention a good sense to realize the ridiculous.

We arrived back home with texts from our California friends, apparently in route to our place... just in time for the brewfestival. We don't see them often, so I am always, always happy when they come. 2 days to unpack, clean and shop:)

The kids are at friends and having a few hours to myself has been just what I needed. Next week they both have soccer camp from 1-4 and I am really looking forward to tha time as well:)

Mid-Summer

2010-07-14T08:40:00.001-07:00

Already we sit at mid-summer and I can't believe it. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised because the school year went by so fast. Still, the boy and I bought a few school supplies and supplies for the preschool yesterday because (hello 25 cent notebook) we were there and Target had them out.

The adventures of summer have been some of the best. We spent 4 days on a houseboat on Lake Shasta which I would HIGHLY recommend doing with your kids. Seriously one of the top 3 things we have done on a family trip. We would all go again tomorrow. It's expensive, but man, so much fun. And super relaxing. We went with the M's so everyone had a friend. We have all traveled so much with them that its second nature by now.

We are preparing to leave for Gold Beach, OR. I've never been there, so it will be cool to check out a Southern Oregon beach. We are there for 4 nights with brother and sister of Dingus and their families. 4 nights in a big ole' house. Its been since before the girl was born that all of us shared a house together. The weather is to be in the mid-60 's which isn't really warm enough, but I love the beach and I am really looking forward to it.

When we return, I'm buying a sewing machine. Who has one and what should I buy?

June Workout Stats

2010-06-30T19:39:00.001-07:00

Well, June was just ok. I only worked out 14/30 days, so less than 50% of the time. My goal was to beat 7 days, which I did.

The beginning of the month went well, but the second school got out I was tired. And lazy. And then it dawned on me that I was very used to my school day workout schedule and out of sorts without it.

Friday we leave for our great houseboat adventure, so my only working out will be treading water. Which, hopefully if the water is warm enough, I will do. If not, we don't return until the 6th... so it will be 7 whole days without any exercise. Actually, thats not true, I plan on running manana.

My goal for July is to create my new workout schedule and stick to it. I have also been very lax with the food. I have been eating like shit, going for the easy food, no veggies or salads. Lazzzzzzzzy.

Happy Fourth to you all. Be safe.

Nothing

2010-06-22T13:01:00.000-07:00

The sun is out. I just wanted to make sure you knew and didn't miss it.

The extended forecast for July is shitty. I think we are going to have one of those awful, wet non-summers.

I'm working summer camp this week with the kids and its been great. Because I don't really have to work. Its so easy. The kids are getting paid and really love doing it. I honestly don't mind having something to do (although the sun is out and the pool is now open, so hello...)

I took last week off from exercising. Did it just once. I had just had it will all of the end of the year crapola.

That's it really. There is nothing going on.

Alice Cooper

2010-06-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

We started the morning like we always do on the last day of school, blasting Alice Coopers "Schools Out" from the ipod. The girl has been asking me all week if I was going to do it this year. They are getting too old for some of my tricks, but I love that they have a tradition to remember. It used to scare them to death (which was part of the fun, I admit:)

So, the last day of school. The girl and her friends decided to dress up with clown wigs and crazy clothes today to celebrate. Not too sure how that will go over, but I decide what the hell- go for it! She is coming home a fifth grader.

Gulp.

Fifth Grade? How can that be? Yesterday they had an assembly at school and she said "Mom, guess what happened... we got to sit on the benches!" And my little heart broke into a million pieces. At school, only the fifth graders get to sit on the benches. Its official. We are in our last year of elementary school ever.

Seventh Grade? You mean that grade that is two years away from high school? Holy shitake mushrooms. I can't even go there cause if you are two years away from high school that means you are six years away from college and that induces barfing instantly.

Why can't they just stay this age? Why can't we just stay this age, for that matter. I love how it is right now (which is what I say every year, so I'm sure I will say it in 6 years). I love it though.

For me, summer break has started. I am doing a little summer camp next week with another teacher, but all of our kids will be there so it will be easy. I am actually eager for it to be over so I can get our summer routine figured out. Lots of trips, lots of pool time and I am sure lots of friends. Apparently on Sunday when we were at the girls softball party, the boys girlfriend and another friend stopped by our house. Poor sucker was with us thank goodness, but I can just see that this summer, in regards to him, will be a whole new ball game.

Happy end of the school year to all of you mama's!

May Workout Stats

2010-05-31T16:39:00.000-07:00

Some how this post got saved to drafts yesterday. Rabbitsrabbitsrabbits.

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I worked out 19 out of 31 days. I was trying to beat 13 days from last May, which wasn't hard at all. What was hard, was finding motivation with all of this fricking rain.

I have noticed the last few months that I workout 18 or 19 days. 20 is still the record amount of days to beat and I am hoping to do that this summer.

Tomorrow is June. I love this, because it means we can see the end of the school year calendar!

Reason

2010-05-19T14:52:00.000-07:00

Today is Wednesday, not my usual day for meeting CCT at the gym. Typically on Wednesdays I go by myself and do a nice long stint on the eliptical. Today was no different, that was my plan. Except I was feeling a little pouty. Feeling a little bummed that I have lost my workout partner for the next two months. Feeling suddenly too alone in my transformation journey.

I kept going and going on the machine and slowly my attitude began to change. I AM alone on this transformation. I am the only one who can make these changes. Its nice to have company, but its not the reason why things are changing.

And I guess they are changing. Just today I had one of my preschool mom's tell me that I looked great. Which is always so lovely to hear, especially when you know you've worked hard for it.

May

2010-05-18T16:49:00.000-07:00

What is it with May? Its so busy! Its so annoying. Field trip and field day and softball fields and rain mixed with hail shared with wind. Annoying.

May makes me whine and wine.

I have found myself feeling antsy and I realize its because I am constantly wishing that whatever I am doing is over. Cause if whatever I am doing is over, it just gets us that much closer to summer break. And its not even work that is making me crazy... its the constant running around. Its the constant thinking of what I have to do next while I finish the task at hand.

We will go to the cabin for Memorial Day weekend. That, I am looking forward to. After MDW you can really see the end of the school year: 2 softball games left, 7 days of school, what have you.

Shattered a bottle of wine on the driveway today. Pisses me off. Knicked my toe, too. I hate that though... $8.95 out the window.

Found out my workout bud can't workout for 8 whole weeks due to a medical/dental complication. I love Tuesday and Thursdays with her. She really pushes me, she is so funny and sarcastic and horrible and she is so supportive. And now she is only allowed to "stroll around the park slowly". Bummer.

Speaking of working out, gotta hop on the tread.

Thursday

2010-05-06T07:56:00.000-07:00

I really like Thursdays. Its the day each week that I have off. No kids at home, no Dingus, nothing to do if I want. I could use it today, I'm kind of crabby.

I'm sure its PMS but also Dingus tends to stress each May because of work. This morning we bickered over the expired Buttermilk that we had in the fridge. He was to make abeilskievers (however you spell it... I prefer to call them evil schlagers anyway) and didn't. I intended to make buttermilk biscuits and didn't. I said "Oh dang" as I dumped it out and apparently Dingus thought it was directed at him, I was talking to myself about the biscuits and good god, seriously? Sums up marriage right there, don't you think. Fighting over the most ridiculous bullshit.

I'm ready for work, school, homework, sports, choir events, art lit, field trips and whatever else it is that we do, to wrap up. I'm ready for summer, sitting on the deck with my espresso and paper, sitting by the pool reading and complaining about the heat.

I'm ready for this shitty hailing, raining, freezing, windy weather to fucking leave. I want the rest of the softball games to be warm. I want spring to come. Is that too much to ask?

I bought the kids a four square ball for the house the other day. They have been trying to play with a tennis ball. Anyway, as I put the ball in the car it occurred to me that at some point, our house will have no balls. No hot wheels all over the deck. No animal posters on the walls. It will just be a boring old house. I am so grateful that we have kids. I can't imagine what it would be like to not. To just have a house. Not a house with kids. I wish they didn't grow up so fast.

Today: I really need to workout. Yesterday I didn't because of work/art lit/softball/cookingcleaninglaundary, etc. So, no workout and I actually even binged the entire day. It was kind of weird, I don't do it often so it always feels a little bit whoaaaa to me. This is what I ate: Breakfast, hard boiled egg, 1 slice bacon. Snack: Greek yogurt with granola. Not much of this because I spotted some Cheeze-its at work. Ate 500 crackers with about 3 chunks of cheddar cheese. About 30 minutes later I realized that I should have eaten half of my sandwich because art lit would last until 2, so I did. Ate, not hungry at all, half of a whole wheat BLT. After art lit, I drove to Freddies and there decided to get the kids (which I never do, so it was a "treat") pizza sticks from the deli for after school snacks. Realized right then and there that I was off the deep-end. Ordered two for myself and then thought a jalepeno popper would be good. Ate that sucker right in the car. Got home, ate, with ranch, my two pizza sticks. Recovered my senses later when I made tuna sandwiches for the softball game, made mine little. Went to the game, Dad was starving so I gave him 1/2 of my teeny sandwich. Ate the other half. Got home, felt "hungry" and made a mini plate of nacho's with salsa and sour cream. The End. Still stuffed (plus, not a single fruit or veggie?)

Speaking of food... I have been feeling really bored with the kids lunches lately and decided to google kids lunches to see if any cool ideas popped up. Wow. I can't stop looking at these Bento Box websites. They are amazingly artistic and so over the top. I love them. I think my kids are way to old to actually carry something like this around, but they are giving me a few ideas. You should check them out... just google kids bento box.

April 2010 Workout Stats

2010-05-02T12:54:00.000-07:00

I was trying to beat my April 2009 workout stats, which was a total of 7 times. This April I worked out 19/30 days. So, goal reached. My all time workout stat of 20 times in a month still stands.

Avoidance

2010-04-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

I've been sitting here, thinking about blogging to avoid getting ready for work. I love my job, I'm just not into work today.

Actually no, that's not it. What I am not into is setting this weekend into motion because its full of stuff I have to do. Starting with:

1. Work today. Lovely and Easy. Done at noon.

2. Working out. I continue to terrorize the gym with my epic workouts. And despite Vegas the scale has begun to edge the right direction.

3. Home. Here at home I will nap, get all of my stuff ready for tonight, get all of the stuff ready for tomorrow, clean the house, pack lunch for tomorrow, make dinner and then leave.

4. Bookbaggers. Tonight is the 26th annual bookbaggers event at the girls school. I am in charge of the Diary of a Wimpy kid station. This event is a sleepover event, but because of the girls schedule tomorrow we will be leaving at 11.

5. Sleep.

6. Up at 6:15. A.M. On a Saturday, which is just mean.

7. Leaving the house at 7:00. A.M. On a Saturday, which is really stoopid.

8. Arriving at 7:30 to the softball field where the girl will play at 8:00, 10:00 and 12:30.

9. After this game, I will head home. My old play group is all getting together for tea at 3 (hey it rhymes) and I am trying to coordinate this into my plans.

10. Saturday evening I fall into pajamas and hopefully watch some awful movie.

11. Sunday there is hope. At least on Sunday I can sleep in.

12. And laze around. Until 11:30, which is when I need to drive back to the field for the girls 9 millionth tourney game.

13. Back home. Just in time to grab a late lunch and produce out of my ass a clean jersey because...

14. We leave for softball pictures at 4:00.

15. After pictures we may or may not be doing HH with the Silly's.

See. Its just easier not to start it at all...

What happens in Vegas gets published here.

2010-04-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

I just woke up from my first nap of the day. There will be another. And perhaps another.

Vegas was all Vegas-y. I did the predictable: Gambled (about $12) to get free drinks, stood by gambling people to get free drinks, stayed up too late, ate & drank at weird hours. And I had one street performance where I fell down (but without injury, which I credit to working out- thank you very much).

Its a very odd world, Vegas. The men dress in t-shirts and jeans and the women dress like total whores. There was not a single time that I used a public restroom where there wasn't a girl spitting or puking in a sink. The whole town is sparkly and ding-ding-dingy and the casinos are all so big you could spend half a day trying to get out. You have to walk for miles and miles just to get around the strip.

It was my first time. I'd go back though, knowing what I know now. I would spend all day at the pool, which I did. I would nap at 3, which I need. I would spend more time in outside bars.

The sun was nice. Being in a swim suit was the perfect motivator for summer. I'm better, but I'm not done.

Of course it is...

2010-04-15T07:26:00.000-07:00

Crash the cat is missing.

WTF? Why is it missing now? Why when all of us are running around in different locations and don't possibly have the time to look for him... why now?

And do you think my girl needs another cat crisis? Fuck no. Do you think she needs another cat crisis the night before her big 4th grade field trip? Double fuck no.

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I have had the thought here and there about how much I love my life. How blessed I am to be with Dingus, who turns out is my very best friend in the entire world (His latest thing, we are so in love we deserve matching sweatsuits now... why wait for retirement:); How amazing, AMAZING my two children are. Both so incredible in their own way, incredible in their relationship together, their relationship with each individual parent, AmaZing; Our house, I love our house. We constantly change it to make it more ours and I love it. Financially, my yard, my garden, I could go on and on.

But you know what we suck at? Pets.

Kirby: My first cat away from home, lived with me first in an apartment, then rental house, rental house, NoPo home, this house. Total Asshole Cat. You would snuggle him, he'd be all purry and then then the next minute he would have half your eye scratched out. He was put down at 10 years old after he got very sick with some kidney disease. I made Dingus take him, I couldn't bear it.

Pal the bird: Lets not forget the first bird the boy had owned, Pal. Friendly green bird who one day, flew the coop. Do you know how hard it is to find a green bird in our green state?

Lucy: Grandma Kitty. Now this cat was the bomb. We loved her so so so much. She would tuck in each kid at night. She lived 5 short years, her last moments dying of liver disease. I had to put her down and it was horrible.

Floyd and Lance the birds: The last of the bird phase. The boy finally realized that shit sprayed walls and a floor covered in bird seed is gross. We give them to a cute couple who periodically send us pictures. Oddly, and this is no lie, that last picture they sent was of one of the birds riding on a cats back. Huh.

Samson: The pretty little black kitty who was perfect in all ways. Hit by car. Devasted my girl. Sigh.

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I began this post drinking my coffee in my pjs and had to finish it when I got home after dropping the girl off at school for her field trip. I was going to end it talking about the new cats and the missing cat and our terrible luck, but guess what.

While I was dropping the girl off, he came home. I can't believe it. Now both cats will be inside while we are all gone and nobody has to worry. Especially my girl.

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If you know me well, you know its a miracle that I leave today, in 8 short hours and I haven't packed! My nerves have been gone, although I did take a Xanax this morning upon waking. I knew when woke up before the alarm and had that ohgodohgodohgod feeling that I probably should take preventative measures:)

Its bad...

2010-04-08T07:52:00.000-07:00

In a week, I'm going to Vegas. For 3 nights. 8 women, some in their 50's, some in their 40's, some in their 30's... one turning 21. All flippin' crazy ass partiers. Going to Vegas for a 21-er. Hello drunko!

I have the following concerns:

1. I love to party. And I'm going to Vegas. This just seems like a terrible combination. A really bad idea. I think I will watch The Hangover this weekend just to remind me how bad it could be. And then I will watch Old School, because its a far superior movie.

2. What to wear? Its Vegas, so I assume everything down to my underwear needs sequins? I'm going to the mall tomorrow in search of shiny clothing. But the shoes... what to wear on your feet? Your walking lots (stumbling), your tired (drunk ass tired) and you want to look cute (not a frumpy 40). High heels with sequins seem required, but that just seems like something I might take off and just leave by the strip side. I am *praying* I can find sequined flip flops somewhere.

3. I'm worried I will get lost. Or fall down. And honestly this is only because of a certain member of my book group who has "had incidents" in Vegas. Her clueless behavior while drinking pretty much mirrors my clueless behavior while drinking and so, I'm just saying. My adult behavior deminishes rapidly every hour I am away from my Dingus and kids. Rapidly.

4. I have to fly. You know what, I'm not freaking out about that. Yet.

The other thing I am doing is thinking like a normal person. I keep thinking "Ok, we land at 8:30, probably be to our room by 9:30. Maybe go out for a drink or two and get a good night sleep."

Now I know this is not correct. I shouldn't be thinking like this. It is more accurately something like "Ok, we land at 8:30. Change into sequins in the airport. Get a drink on the way to our room. Throw luggage on bed, head out. Spoon luggage around 4 a.m., complain to self that luggage is a selfish cover hog."

I will be taking lots of pictures. And perhaps a wee bit of flip video?

March 2010 Workout Stats

2010-03-31T16:28:00.000-07:00

Another boring month to beat. In March 2009, I only worked out 4 times. This month I worked out 19 times. I did not beat my monthly all time high which was 20 workouts. Its 4:30 right now, I have a sinus headache and I am tired, so I don't think I will tie it.

Spring Break 2010

2010-03-22T09:23:00.000-07:00

Ah, yes... its spring break. I will first say that I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. The fact that summer is only 3.5 months is crazy. April typically drags on for me (Last year I deamed it the least desirable month) so maybe time will slow down a bit.

I think part of the year going by so fast has been my schedule. Work 9-10:30 on Tuesdays and not at all on Thursdays has been the best gift to myself. Since September I have been working out regularly and guess what, my anxiety is essentially gone. I just sent my son on a airplane for a week, without me (ok, yes, mom is there:) but I had no panic, no internal freaking out. I shed a few tears at the airport, but they were love tears, not scared tears. And while he has been gone, he has had a fever of 100, is miserable and I can't take care of him and I am fine. He's not, but I'm ok.

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This week I am with the girl. We have a few fun adventures planned. We also have a lot of free time that I need to fill. And hopefully the weather will hold this week so I can be out in the yard. Dingus is working, but will be home in the evenings, so at least I will have another adult around to help fill her time. I really can't believe all of her friends but one are out of town!

98 bottles of beeeerrrrrrr

2010-03-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

No wait, its not beer. Its 98 days until summer vacation. Dang I love that ticker!

WTF. What a week. And its only Wednesday. Wait! Its Thursday. Good gawd its almost over.

In News this week:

1. Psycho Neighbor brings her crazy on the basketball hoop! Update: I have called the city Street Systems and a Crime Prevention specialist who also specializes in neighbor relations and we are doing nothing wrong. The street guys said that technically there is a code that says you can't block the right of way, but that basketball hoops are flippin everywhere and they do nothing about them. So if she calls to complain, they will come out, look at it and go, yep that there is a basketball hoop and mail a letter saying, if anyone gets hurt, its not the City of Portland's fault. The other person I talked to also said, we are doing nothing wrong and that our neighbor is being... wait for it.. unreasonable. Kids are actually allowed to play basketball at 4:30 in the afternoon. Go fucking figure.

Its not resolved though, because she may still be in the process of calling a city mediator. I am willing to go and not interested in going all the same time. I'm just not sure crazy needs a platform to do more spewing. And I'm 1)not moving it and 2)not telling my kids they can't play, so... huh. Not sure what I will do.

2. I had a very nice time at DBC this week. I was really tempted to stay home because Monday's are our only day during the week that everyone is home and has nothing but homework to do. I'm glad I went though. I still need to get reading on Geek Love before the next book arrives in the mail. Thank you K for the beautiful yummy eggs!

3. Dingus is going out of town AGAIN next week for 5 days. This time for pleasure... a fishing trip with the boys at the cabin. But still, wah. Its boring without him here, I have to do everything and naturally on Saturday both kids have their very last basketball games at the same time, so I can only see one.

4. I should go. I need to workout, I need to go to DEQ, its sunny and the teeny little bit of yard work I have left is calling:)

February Workout Stats

2010-02-28T18:27:00.000-08:00

Last February I exercised 4 times, so February wasn't really a hard month to beat. This February, I exercised 20 out of 28 days beating my most days exercised in a month, which was 18 days.

I took my measurements mid-month and I am smaller than I was a year ago, but not by a ton.

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My focus for March is to continue with my exercise, incorporating more interval training because that seems to really kick my butt. I will also continue on with watching my food intake. It seems like I am really great with food or I am really bad with food. My pattern for overeating seems to follow two trends: I either reward myself for something (getting through a long day, a stressful event, or I'm feeling like I've been doing such a good job that I deserve it) or I eat more out of frustration (almost like a punishment... like fuck it, I just don't care).

And then I do have long periods where I eat like a normal person. I think my goal is just to become a conscious eater, so when I am upset or stressed or feeling like a reward, I can deal with it differently. Or moderately:)

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One of the old hippie neighbors stopped by today. Its been 4 years since we have seen Dave, and it really brought back a lot of memories. A lot. A lot of really fun times. We told Dave about Silly's husband who used to love to join us in water fights against the (as he called them) Dirty Hippies. Mr. Silly wanted to fill the water balloons with soapy water to clean them up. Dave was laughing so hard at this he about peed his pants.

Dave has become a man. When he left for CA he was skinny, like my boy skinny. Now he has filled out and it just made me realize that some day my boy will come home from college and he will look and act like a man. That is a surreal thought.

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Not acting like a man is what he is doing right now. He is acting like a teenage boy, which translates into JackAss. I cannot do or say anything right, until whatever 'tude situation he is in passes, and then he is on my lap or snuggling up to me, calling me Mama and giving me love. This is when I pinch him, out of spite. Snuggling out of love, pinching out of spite:)

Miracles x 2

2010-02-17T17:01:00.000-08:00

1. The first miracle is after months of working out, I had someone tell me that I looked thinner. Actually I was talking to 3 women and one said "You look thinner, are you working out?" and another said "Yeah, I've noticed you have lost weight" and the third one said "Yeah me too, I've been wondering what you have been doing." That was a nice surprise.

2. I have found 16 slim jeans for my son and they fit. WITHOUT a belt.

A list:

2010-02-14T10:50:00.000-08:00

-Dingus is gone. Its official. He left early this a.m. and neither one of us slept well. Happy frickin' Valentine's day.

-The Olympics are on. It's a great week to have a cold because there is constantly!exciting!stuff! to watch on tv.

-I am not working until Wednesday. This is nice.

-I don't know. I shouldn't really be posting, because I got nothing.

Girl Date

2010-02-04T22:16:00.000-08:00

Tonight the girl and I went on a date, with a secret mission. The secret mission was that she needed new girl clothes, although right now she hates girl clothes. She likes jeans, t-shirts and sweatshirts. She likes baggy, shaggy, non-matching clothes. Every morning when I see her dressed I think, ugh.

So I took her to Old Navy. At first she was resistant, only wanted new sweatshirts. After a few minutes though, she remembered. She remembered that clothes are fun!

I get that she is going through a tom-boy phase. Shit I am still in it most of the time. But it is possible to be a cute tom-boy. This was my objective.

And I might add that prior to shopping we went through her clothes and the child is now a giant. Clothes that fit her in the fall now look like toddler clothing on her. She was due.

So, we got lots. Sweatshirts, t-shirts, shorts, tank tops. And even... shhh... don't make a big deal...a skirt that she loves.

At bedtime she was so excited, on her bed looking into her closet. "I can wear this with that, and this with this and" on and on and on.

A very fun, successful mission:)

January Workout Stats

2010-01-31T12:34:00.000-08:00

I worked out a total of 18 days, out of 31. That averages out to be about 4 times per week.

Last January I worked out 15 days, which was my goal to beat. I was also trying to beat my year-to-date best which was 17 days. I made both goals, yeah!

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In February last year, I worked out 4 times. I'm thinking that number will be easy to beat.

I haven't weighed myself, but probably will tomorrow. I feel very certain that the exercise aspect of my life is totally set and will focus on food (mainly portion control) for the month of February.

A sudden weekend

2010-01-30T10:00:00.001-08:00

of nothingness. Almost.

We were supposed to go to the boys game, then the girls game, then to the M's for a track 4 party, then snowboarding all day tomorrow.

Now, we will go to the boys game and then come home.

Miguel has strep throat. The girl has a wretched cold/cough. So, all plans have been aborted.

And as much as I love the sudden openness to our day, I'm really bummed. Its so hard to see the M's between their sports/our sports/different schools/cities/schedules. Its probably been Thanksgiving since we have seen their boys... we saw the girls over Christmas, but that was a month ago! Too long. I lurve them.

But, now we have nothing! I was going to have to get up and workout this morning because it was the only time I could fit it in. Now I am going to wear my workout clothes to H's game and work out when I get home. Me like this.

Its probably a blessing in disguise because I have one the busiest weeks ever coming up:)

Please stop it right now

2010-01-26T19:04:00.000-08:00

My daughter cannot stop talking. Its been going on since after school, relentlessly. Followed by my son who tells me every 5 minutes how hungry he is.

And now she is singing as loud as she can, fresh out of the shower. This is why I stay up too late every night, just trying to find some peace and quiet:)

I could

2010-01-25T15:08:00.001-08:00

without a doubt, nap.

This weekend was so busy and emotional, it felt like a non-weekend. Actually all of last week was crazy busy, too. This week is only moderately busy which I am so grateful for.

Seriously, I am nodding off right now as we speak. Must nap.

R.I.P Dick

2010-01-17T16:22:00.000-08:00

One of my parents very good friend died last night. Dick has been sick in the hospital since December, but there was hope at one point that he would recover. I've known Dick since I was a kid and while I didn't know him intimately as an adult, I thought he was a very nice man. He married later in life... kind of a sweet story. Met his wife Marilyn, fell in love and proposed to her when they were fly-fishing. Now she is a widow. They were best friends and I just feel so sad for her.
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They are getting to the age were things are happening, my parents. One friend with prostate cancer, everybody on medication for high blood pressure or cholesterol, including my own parents. My dad's hearing and vision is going and I watch my mom re-explain things to him that he can't hear or help him find his fork if its in the line of vision that he can't see. The eye doctor can't really explain why his vision is gone in one part of his eye, but it is. And Dick's death is the first death of a friend in a very, very long time.
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Growing up I was always very close with my parents (minus the teen years when I thought everything and everyone was lame.) But they were my parents, you know. But something changed when I was in college and then married and had the kids. We became friends. We made each other laugh and enjoyed each others company immensely.

Its still the same now, only 15 years later, we are all older. I worry about my parents. Really, I worry about my Dad. Not being able to see well or hear well seems to be affecting him. And even though they are only in their mid-late 60's, I am realizing more than ever that my parents will get old and need my help. And I'm happy to give whatever they need. But I will miss my friends.
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We have had a fantastically productive weekend! The kids both had basketball games and then Dingus and I went to Cost Plus. Every year, since we've been married probably, we have said that for our Christmas gift to each other we were going to buy a bedroom set. Well, this weekend we did. We actually only bought the headboard and 2 night stands, because we don't need an "actual" set, but it looks fantastic. And the best part was, everything happened to be 50% off. I am no longer using a chair as my nightstand:)
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I am off until Wednesday. The kids will be home with me tomorrow, but Tuesday I will be home alone until I leave to workout and run errands. Tonight both kids have sleepovers with their very good friends, so Dingus just went to buy 7000 Papa Murphy's pizzas so we can feed the crew.
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I have only worked out 3 times this week. It was a busy week with the preschool open house and other things going on. I need to get back on track next week. The great/but oh no! news is that my very favorite pair of sweat pants that I love to wear on the weekends keep falling down. They no longer fit right. I guess that means that fat is turning into muscle. I haven't weighed myself in weeks, but I can say I don't feel any differently, but my clothes are fitting differently. I guess that's good, unless its your favorite sweats!

150

2010-01-10T15:36:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow there is 150 days until Summer vacation. While I am looking forward to that, I am looking forward to the days getting lighter and warmer and a little more sun. I know, I know, its January but I am looking forward to working in the yard. I want to plant, I want fresh flowers and really, I want sun. I need some sunny days
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I worked out 5 days this week. Sunday is the beginning of my workout calendar and I am doing nothing. I am in bed with the computer, with the girl next to me playing The Game of Life on my Iphone. I am tired. Last night I had 27 moms over for a school fundraiser. We do party board fundraisers where parents sign up to host parties and other parents pay to go. My friend Kari and I decided to host a Mom's Cocktail party. It was actually sooo much fun. Dingus took the kids to the movies so it was just all us Moms drinking and laughing.
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So today I am tired. And a little hungover. I have cleaned up the house, am ready for work and school tomorrow and so now I just want to chill. We are going to dinner at my brothers tonight so I even have a night off from cooking.
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I've got my open house this week for the preschool. I always get a little nervous before the big event so I am actually looking forward to it being over.

Alright, I need to shower and get going to my bro's.

Cooking

2010-01-04T08:26:00.001-08:00

I do this thing at night, if I wake up and can't get back to sleep. I cook. Not really physically cook, but mentally. Its relaxing and annoying at the same time. I slice potatoes and then I diced onion. It always involves something with a knife. I don't know why this is, but its such a weird state. Like I am dreaming, yet I'm not all the way asleep.
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Dingus snored all night long. All Night. We went to bed early since today is the first day back to school/work and I read for a bit. He snored during that. When I finally turned out the lights, I got him to roll over which usually stops it. Not this time. This time he snored in every position, through kicks and pinches... all of the things that normally work. He has been working on sanding and glossing our built- in, so I guess he is very tired.
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I was up from 3 a.m- 4 a.m. Cooking in my head and listening to the snores. It is 8:30 a.m. right now... I will leave in 10 minutes after the boy and his buddy catch the bus. I work until noon and then have an hour to kill before I get my teeth cleaned.

Someone tell me, why in the hell would I schedule a teeth cleaning on the first day back to work? When I know the kids will be crazy and I will be tired and wah wah wah.

2009 Summary

2009-12-31T11:46:00.000-08:00

A slight tally of information useful only to me:

Cholesterol: Down 7 points to 222. Still mildly elevated (my good cholesterol is high).
Weight: Down 10 lbs. Was 12. Still working on it.
Exercise: Currently on fire. Total days exercised for 2009= 125 days. Average over 12 months= about 10.4 times per month, which is 2.6 times per week... under par. Here is how is played out:

January- 15 days
February- 4 days
March- 4 days
April- 7 days
May- 13 days
June- 7 days
July- 7 days
August- 13 days
September- 13 days
October- 10 days
November- 15 days
December- 17 days

I have always kept track of when I have exercised each month just to have a visual on it. Some months its very motivating and some months, obviously not. What I love about tracking it for a full year is now, in February I only have to beat 4 days of working out to have done better than last year. I like that.
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I feel personally accomplished this year. I feel healthier, I feel less anxious and I feel very good with where the preschool is at. I also feel sad at times. I feel like I am at a bit of a crossroad where things are changing, not for the bad, but just different.

I feel very lucky to have the children that I do. They are good people. They are compassionate, funny, loving kids.

I feel very lucky to still like Dingus:) I can see relationships falling around us and it is so nice to have each other. He is a hard worker, a good provider in so many ways, and such a good Dad.
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2010 is full of possibility for me. I haven't really made any resolutions yet, but have made a commitment to myself to keep getting healthy. I really love working out, I really love feeling better. I have some goals with friendships (Make a better effort to show and say my appreciation), I have some goals with staying off this damn computer (When I have free time, I tend to get lost in the computer world and some of it is such a waste of time!), I have some goals with my kids (teach them more cooking.)
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I wish you and your families the most satisfying 2010!

A whole New Year

2009-12-29T09:59:00.001-08:00

Its surprising to me how quickly we have gotten to the end of December. The fact that its almost 2010 seems unreal.

I've been thinking about my New Years Resolutions. I'm working on them.

I've been thinking about this blog and how I can use it better.
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I have kept track of every single day I exercised in 2009. I was just curious. I've always kept track of when I exercise, mostly so I can motivate myself if I haven't gotten enough days in. But I hadn't tallied it all to look at the total. Anyway, in a few days I will and then I am going to try and beat the amount of days in 2010.

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I really want to go to the beach. I keep trying to convince Dingus that we should drive there on Thursday, but we won't. The weather is going to be cruddy.
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I have had the worst headache over the past two days. Yesterday at different points I really thought I was going to throw up. I just got over the worst period too. Gah. Here is a period story for you: I was on the second day of my period, which can be the heaviest day. We went to dinner at S & C's house. We ate chestnut soup (which is so good) and then while they were getting turkey out of the oven I used the restroom to change my tampon. All is well. We finish dinner, sit on their couches and begin visiting. I feel this.. wetness. I think to myself, am I really that fucking hot that I am crotch sweating? But to be on the safe side, I thought I would just go to the bathroom. I had a HUGE mess on my hands. Well, on my pants really. I had bled through my unders, through my jeans IN LESS THAN AN HOUR. Thank god we are such good friends with S & C, I was able to say "I either need a towel to sit on or I need to go home." It was so frickin' embarassing to say the least. Brought me right back to 7th grade. Anyway, I am guessing this cycle is a vicious one.
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I have really enjoyed this break. It has felt nice and looooooong. Early January is crazy because I have a fundraising party for the girls school here and I also have my preschool open house. Last year the open house was so great I was done looking for kids by the end of it. I don't know what this open house will bring, but it would sure be nice to have it the same way.
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Happy Holidays!

Nesting

2009-12-16T14:59:00.000-08:00

I'm guessing all of this irrational nesting behavior is because our latest construction project is sitting unfinished. Its being worked on, slowly but surely. The bookshelf looks gorgeous, the half that is done. It should be all done (except the doors) by Christmas. I am glad because:

My bedroom is covered in books and board games.
My liquor cabinet is stored with all of the breakables from my old bookshelf.
My office is covered in boxes which hold our new tv, new blue ray player and other boy shit that holds it all in place on the new bookshelf.
My linen closet is holding all of the extra blankets.

This is causing me to feel very claustrophobic and that the house is filthy, so to fix that I feeling I have:

Sold all of our extra chairs on craigslist.
Cleaned out every drawer and possible storage space in the office and either donated or threw away most of it.
Gave a chest of drawers set to Shawn, which used to hold art supplies.

I feel better.

But I'm not done. When did we get all of this shit in our house? And why am I the only person who cares? Over the break I am going to tackle many things, but I'm most excited about the kitchen drawers. Thats exciting.

We are gearing up for Christmas. The girl found out there was no Santa this year and was oh so sad. She's ok now. We will head to my parents cabin for Christmas with my brother and his family. We are all excited for it. Should be great fun.

Today was my last day of work. Ahhhhhhhhhhh I'm on vacation.

41

2009-11-30T14:11:00.000-08:00

Today is my birthday. I am 41. Its sort of a mouthful to say, 41. I'm pretty hopeful though. This year so far has been pretty good, so I'm thinking maybe 41 will be a great year.

That being said, I am heading to the treadmill to try and fight off this aging bullshit that is happening:)

199

2009-11-23T07:53:00.000-08:00

As I speak, there are 199 days until summer. Now when I made the ticker, I can't remember if its 199 days until my summer starts or if its 199 days until the kids summer start (they are a week later). Does it matter though? Less than 200 days until sunshine and warmth. Can't wait.

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Last night my family came over for an early birthday party for me. My parents are going to the cabin first and then on to the beach for Thanksgiving and won't be back for my birthday. So, after the girls piano recital, the whole fam damily came over. We always have the best time. My brother is hysterical and feeds off of Dingus we are endlessly entertained.

During the family get together, the boy said he had a sore throat. I told him to get some water. After everyone left, I was snuggling him in his bed and realized he was hotter than crap. Ah yes, fever is back in our world. Today was supposed to be the only day I had to myself this week... but now I am sharing it with my sweet, sweating boy. Naturally I just washed our sheets yesterday and I know he will end up in our bed watching tv. Oh well.

I'm hoping no one else gets it and that we can celebrate Thanksgiving as planned, with the M's.

A little gross

2009-11-12T14:22:00.000-08:00

A story:

This is a little gross, yet funny and gross, but maybe sweet on the kittens part. But mostly gross.

Two nights ago, while we were asleep a little something funny happened. Dingus sleeps without his shirt and one of our kittens, I assume in his sleepy state as well, began nursing Dingus' nipple. I woke up to him saying "Hey, Whoa, What are you doing!" and then he laughed and said "Honey, honey, the cat was just nursing me. My nipple was like an inch long!"

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I have worked out 5 days in a row. This is after me not working out at all last week. I promised myself that I would work out every day Sunday-Thursday and I have. I knew it would take a few days for me to get back to craving it, but I am and thats good. I need to get refocused and try and lose more weight.

About a year and a half ago when I had my last physical, my cholesterol level was "mildly elevated." I have a huge family history of high cholesterol, so it is something that I am really trying to keep in mind. My next physical is in December and I am really nervous that my cholesterol has continued to rise. I am hoping that exercise and losing a little weight will have helped it, but I don't know. I've been a little piggy lately and so I'm a little worried. I am sure at some point I will end up on meds for it, but I would love to put it off a little bit longer. I hate all of this blood pressure/cholesterol stuff because it just means we are getting old.

Nothing

2009-11-01T17:27:00.000-08:00

Each day as I check my list of blogs I read, I glance at mine and think, huh? I've got nothing.

Its not that nothing has been going on, its just that nothing terribly exciting has been going on. And sometimes I NEED to write and other times, I don't.

And today, I don't either. But I can't stand seeing an October date when its November already.

So for you, a list:

1. The boy left today for 6 days to Outdoor School. He's very excited. I keep running two loops through my head, 1: He will love this, he will have the best time, he will meet new friends, what a great adventure. 2: Cabin fire, he will freeze, he will starve, muh baby. Truth is, I know it will be 1.

2. I am fucking starving. I have been fasting since 10:30 last night because tomorrow I have a colonoscopy. The lack of food has left me tired and cold and crabby and boy... those poor kids in the world who don't have food. I am already planning my meals for tomorrow and it may involve a cheeseburger, doritos and pizza. And peanut m & m's. I am hoping they find nothing and that I can come back at 50. Probably wishful thinking... but hey. The girl just called me... her and Dingus are out to dinner. She is having a salad and a burger. I begged them not to eat here... I'm just too hungry!

3. Thats it.

Back

2009-10-19T08:02:00.000-07:00

Everybody is back to work and school today. I am thrilled we are all well enough finally. My only complaint is that I am still just so exhausted.

Which is why it makes perfect sense to get 2 new kittens yesterday.