tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46933789410988053302024-02-19T20:33:12.646-05:00Sisyphean MommyA mommy's life may seem mundane and monotonous at times, but joy and fulfillment can be found if you just. keep. going.Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-52885975468412391262013-04-26T14:35:00.000-04:002013-04-26T19:28:29.150-04:00My Surgery Story<h3>
I realize this is ridiculously long. I wrote it mostly for me, though, so I allowed myself to blather on and on. For the abridged version, read just the <b><i><span style="color: yellow;">yellow text</span></i></b>.</h3>
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I am 38 years old, and aside from a broken nose in seventh
grade (field hockey accident), I have never been hospitalized for anything
unrelated to pregnancy or childbirth. That is, until this week.</div>
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Tuesday, April 23<sup>rd</sup>, was a regular day. The older kids were in school; Josh and Zack
were home. I had some stuff to do around the house, but spent most of the morning just puttering around. Doing a little bit of this, avoiding a little bit of that. I did manage to get in some exercise, but only because I was putting off folding some laundry.</div>
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The boys were playing outside, and I started to make them lunch. I was standing at the kitchen counter and felt a pain in my stomach. It felt like a gas bubble or something, but pushing on my stomach didn't make it feel any better. I hadn't eaten much that day - only a couple bites of dried fruit - but it didn't seem like a hunger pang either. I walked around a little bit, and it felt better. But then it quickly returned. And again, pushing on my stomach didn't help. Pushing on my stomach actually made it feel worse. I walked around and did some deep breathing. Minor relief. I finished making the boys' sandwiches and went to sit down. I found that if I sat on the edge of the chair, with my legs apart and my head bent over, with my belly pushed out, the pain didn't seem as sharp, but it still wasn't going away.</div>
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I did not know what was going on, but I started to fear it was something serious. I asked Josh if he knew how to dial 911. I said, "If Mommy gets really sick or if something is really wrong, pick up the phone and press 'talk' and then press 9-1-1 and talk to the person who answers the phone." </div>
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Josh said, "911? To talk to the police??" </div>
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And Zack chimed in, "The police?? They arrest you for getting sick??" </div>
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I had a good laugh and then explained that the police would send an ambulance to bring me to the hospital.<br />
I couldn't decide if my pain was serious enough to call 911, so I called the doctor's office to get their opinion. I talked to the secretary, then was placed on hold, then I talked to the nurse's assistant, Robin, then placed on hold again. By the time Robin was back on the phone, I no longer wondered if I needed to call 911. I was sure of it! That's how fast the pain escalated.</div>
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Robin offered to call 911 for me so I could hang up and try to find someone to come over and stay with the kids. At this point, I started crying. I became overwhelmed with concern about what might possibly be wrong with me. I wondered who could come watch the kids. I worried about leaving the kids home without first having planned for my absence. (Some of you know I like to create actual manuals for this type of situation!) I worried about how long I'd be gone. I worried about calling Neil to come home from work because I knew how much he'd worry about me. All of these thoughts went through my head in the span of about 1.2 seconds.<br />
I tried calling one neighbor down the street who wasn't home. I was going to call my neighbor across the street and realized I didn't have the phone number [Note to self: add their phone number to contacts.] Then I remembered that Dick & Shirley, some of our very best and nicest neighbors were probably home. I called them, still crying, and Shirley answered the phone. I said, "We have an emergency. Can you come over?" She said, "Yup!" and hung up the phone before I could say goodbye. She and Dick were at our house in less than a minute.</div>
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I called Neil and asked him to come home. I explained (through tears, of course) that there was something wrong with my stomach, that Dick and Shirley were coming here to watch the kids, and that 911 had been called and an ambulance was coming to get me. (And then I prayed that God would get Neil home safely because I was having a hard time picturing him <i>not </i>driving 100 mph to get home.)</div>
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Within a few minutes, the ambulance was at our house. It wouldn't have occurred to me to request female EMT's, but two female EMT's are who showed up - and I was very pleased about that. I wish I remembered their names, but I don't. They were both so nice and caring and gentle and reassuring. Really wonderful! [Another note to self: find out their names and send a thank-you note.]</div>
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As the EMT's got me ready to go, Shirley could see how much pain I was in and how stressed I was about leaving. She offered to ride in the ambulance and come to the hospital with me. Normally, I'm fairly private about personal stuff and prefer to keep my potentially embarrassing misery to myself, but I also knew what a baby I become when I don't feel well. I knew I'd want someone with me, so I accepted Shirley's offer.<br />
Before we even left the driveway, they performed an EKG and started an IV. Everything looked good, so off we went! (Over the next ten hours, it was simultaneously encouraging and terribly frustrating to hear how healthy I was!)<br />
We took what seemed to be the scenic route to the hospital. Seriously, I couldn't understand why we went the way we did - - it took so long! During the ride, I was able to communicate via text and facebook. (I love technology!!) I found out that my parents were on their way to my house and would relieve Dick of his child-watching duties so Neil could come be with me in the hospital. My sister Missy had informed the rest of my family what was going on with me, and I was able to text with my sister Jeannine about what was going on, as well. In some ways, all of the facebooking and texting helped keep my mind off the pain.<br />
I was given some pain medicine through my IV, which helped take the edge off. It brought my pain level from an 8 down to a 7, maybe. If I had known then that I'd be experiencing Level 10 pain for a large portion of the rest of the day, I might have rated the ambulance-ride pain a 5 or 6 instead, but at the time, I didn't know better. The whole ride in, I couldn't help but think of the Boston Marathon bombings only a week before. Surely, the people who had limbs blown off were in worse pain than me. Who was I to rate my pain so high when clearly there was conceivably much more room above my level? But trying to remain humble didn't do much for my pain, either, so I went back to complaining about how much it hurt.<br />
At the hospital, things seemed to move rather quickly. I was never left alone for long. I felt that everyone cared and was doing their best to help me. Unfortunately, nothing was helping me. I was given various pain killers, none of which really worked. The pain was like being in labor, but much worse. It was like experiencing one long contraction that NEVER. ENDED. And unlike labor, I didn't know why I was in pain. I couldn't tell myself, "Your body is made for this!" I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I didn't have the promise of beautiful, squirmy newborn to help me fight through the pain. It just HURT, period.<br />
The worst part of the day was when they decided to give me morphine. The morphine did nothing for my pain; I'm pretty sure it made it worse, actually. My legs were heavy and numb, my arms went numb all the way up to my neck and face, my hands were stiff and knotted, and the pain in my stomach was intensified. Yeah - I was not a fan of morphine.<br />
One doctor came in and was poking my stomach. I understand they need to touch the area to get some kind of assessment, but it had already been done. Several times. And it hurt. Every time. And with the added bonus of the negative reaction to the morphine, I couldn't stand it. I yelled, "Stop poking me!"<br />
I think he may have tried to explain why he was doing it, but he didn't stop poking. I got mad and (with my eyes still closed in pain) I whacked him with the (empty! clean!) throw-up bag I was holding. (Oh, did I mention that either as a side effect of the narcotics they were shoving through my veins or as an additional element of my stomach pain, I was also vomiting every so often? No? Well, I was. And that was all kinds of fun, let me tell you!)<br />
So, anyway, I whacked the doctor with one of these:<br />
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It is a plastic ring with a light plastic grocery-type bag attached to it. I hit him with the <i>soft </i>part. Did I mention that it was clean? And empty? Well, the doctor turned into No-bully Nelly and stated loudly in a most offended voice, as though he had rehearsed it in a seminar, "Ma'am, do NOT hit me!"<br />
If I hadn't been in so much pain, I would have laughed in his face. As it was, I was concentrating on trying not to die, so I just said, "I whacked you with a bag." And he insisted, "You hit me. Please do not hit me!"<br />
So I responded, loudly, "Then stop poking me!!"<br />
He left after that, and I didn't see him again the rest of my time there. Good riddance, pimple-nose!<br />
That was one bad experience. The other was with another male -- this time a nurse -- about 20 minutes later. As I mentioned, my pain was intense. It got so bad that I was writhing and yelling in pain. Not my finest moment, I'll tell you that. Poor Shirley felt so bad for me, she left the room to find out if there was anything that could be done for me. A male nurse came in. Did he give me any medicine? No. Did he ask if he could help? No. Did he pat my arm and say, "There, there. You're going to be ok." No!<br />
He said, "I don't want to sound like a jerk or anything, but yelling isn't going to do you any good. You need to get control of yourself." And then he left!! Thanks a lot, JERK!!<br />
At that point, I just felt dejected and embarrassed. No, yelling clearly wasn't going to do me any good. So I buttoned my lip. I laid there in pain, cursing the world, pitying myself. I tried repeating a prayer my sister Michelle had told me about. "God, help me bear this!" I repeated it over and over and over again. It didn't feel like it was helping, but if I was going to die -- and at that point, it felt like a real possibility -- I at least wanted credit for <i>trying</i> to be holy!<br />
But the pain continued. And the tests continued.<br />
All vital signs: great!<br />
Another EKG: perfect!<br />
Blood work: normal!<br />
At one point Shirley tried reassuring me that my color looked good, and I yelled at the poor woman. "I don't care what color I am! I just want the pain to stop!!" (Sorry, Shirley!)<br />
X-rays: all clear!<br />
Dick arrived to pick up Shirley, and they both stayed with me until Neil got there, which wasn't much longer after that.<br />
Ultrasound: fantastic!<br />
They could find nothing wrong with me.<br />
They had never seen such a healthy sick person! WHAT THE HECK???<br />
One of the nurses told me that gastrointestinal issues are "tricky" sometimes. If it was something with my gut, they may not be able to find out what the problem is. She started talking about what kind of medicine I could take if they had to send me home... It all became a little fuzzy at that point. Send me home?? There was no way I was leaving that hospital until I knew what was wrong with me and someone fixed it!! I was scared and worried and still in so much pain.<br />
A nurse came in with a jug of red liquid that looked like fruit punch. (It was <i>not</i> fruit punch, by the way.) There was a form attached to the side of it stating that I had to drink the liquid, and I'd be having a CT Scan at 21:15. I must have been mildly delirious at that point because I remember being proud of myself for figuring out they meant 9:15pm, like I had decoded a secret message.<br />
One sip of that juice and I knew I couldn't do it. It was horrible! The orange sugary stuff you have to drink during pregnancy for the glucose test is blissfully delightful compared to this crap. This red stuff was 100% awful. I cried. I agonized. I told Neil I couldn't do it. I wailed, "It's not going to do any good anyway! They're not going to find anything!"<br />
It had been a very long day with no relief and I was in despair. But somehow, Neil talked me through it. He told me to have faith; that they would be able to find out what was wrong. He asked the nurse if I had to drink ALL of the liquid (I think it was a full quart!) or just some of it. She told me to do my best. I think I got through 1/4 of it before they came to take me for the CT Scan. I was confusing the CT Scan with an MRI. I didn't have to go in a tube. I just laid on a long table, and a big white donut thing passed over me. Or I passed through the white donut. [Mmmm... donuts.] I'm actually not really sure.<br />
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After a few scans, I was injected (via IV) with an additional solution to help with additional imaging. I was warned that I'd feel some warmth in my throat and that it would travel down to the seat of my pants. And that's just what happened! It was the weirdest feeling. For about 60 seconds, I felt like my spine must have actually turned RED to show up in the scan - it was so hot! But then it dissipated. The whole CT Scan only took about 5 minutes.<br />
And it worked! They found the problem!<b><i> </i></b><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">My small intestine was twisted!</span></i></b> A section of my small intestine had somehow adhered to some scar tissue, and over time (or suddenly?), had twisted in on itself, causing a blockage and severe pain. My understanding is that my problem was of the "<a href="http://www.buzzle.com/articles/twisted-bowel-symptoms-and-causes-of-twisted-bowel-syndrome.html" target="_blank">abdominal adhesion</a>" category, possibly from my last c-section, in 2007!! I'm really not sure.<br />
All of this information was delivered to me by a 3-person team of surgeons. Guess what? Surgeons don't come talk to you unless they're planning to operate on you. (It took me a little while to figure that out, so I wanted to share this helpful bit of information in case it helps someone else!) They weren't speaking hypothetically about what they would do to someone in my situation. They were telling <i>me </i>what they needed to do. To <i>me</i>. Right away.<br />
A-ha! Ok! NOW we were getting somewhere! Action! Something was going to be done to fix my pain! Hallelujah!! I was all in favor of whatever they were telling me after that point. I had the wherewithal to request a priest to come administer <a href="http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments/anointing-of-the-sick/" target="_blank">Last Rites</a>, but other than that I just agreed to whatever they said.<br />
The priest came, and one of the surgeons prayed with us. (Woohoo!) It was really cool, and I wasn't scared at all.<br />
Shortly after midnight, I was wheeled into the operating room and given general anesthesia. I had <a href="http://www.news-medical.net/health/Laparoscopic-Surgery-What-is-Laparoscopic-Surgery.aspx" target="_blank">laparascopic surgery</a> to detach my intestine from the scar tissue and untwist it. Three tiny holes; <b><i><span style="color: yellow;">all fixed!</span></i></b> And that, as they say, was that!<br />
I don't know why the pain came on so suddenly. I don't know what caused the intestine to twist. I don't know if there's anything I could have done to prevent it from happening. I don't know if any of it will have (or has had) any impact on the dietary changes I've been making for the last several months (no gluten, no dairy, increased dietary supplements, etc.). I have been given no medical restrictions from the hospital - dietary, physical, or otherwise. As long as I'm feeling fine, I can assume I am fine, which sounds really great to me!<br />
My first night home, I had some serious neck and shoulder pain. Apparently, <a href="http://www.buzzle.com/articles/shoulder-pain-after-laparoscopic-surgery.html" target="_blank">it is a very common side effect of laparoscopic surgery due to the CO2 gas used</a>. The pain has continued, but gotten less severe over the last 24 hours. Last night I was even able to sleep on my side a little bit.<br />
I'm recovering well. My mom stayed an extra day to help with the kids and the house. Neil is home from work, catering to my every whim (though I haven't asked him to peel me a grape yet!) and playing the quintessential Mr. Mom.<br />
I want to thank everyone who kept me in their thoughts and prayers over the last several days. <b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thank you, God</span></i></b>, for sparing me from serious injury and getting me through this ordeal. Because of facebook, even people I didn't know - friends of friends - were praying for me! Thank you to my parents, family, friends, neighbors, and everyone who dropped whatever they were doing and offered to help. I appreciate it so much, and your kindness means so much to me!</div>
Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-82929837168468543732013-01-31T12:28:00.000-05:002013-01-31T12:28:03.367-05:00One Month Down<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So this is what January's exercise looked like. Not bad! 21 days of exercise, and I'm down 7 lbs. I was sick in the middle of the month, and that derailed my exercise streak. I still could have and should have been walking on the treadmill, but I didn't. Next month will be better and/or more consistent.<br />
In my exercise group (on FB), I'm pledging 20 workouts for the month of February. That is the same number I pledged this month, but there are 3 few days to accomplish it. I think it will still be very doable. In my Fit for Good group, we've started a 21-days-in-a-row exercise challenge, and today's only Day 3, so the first 17 days of February are taken care of! I'm sure I can fit 3 more in between the 17th and the 28th! Thank goodness for overlapping challenges, huh?<br />I am still weighing myself every day, but I've shifted my goals from weight loss (which I still desire very much) to exercise, sleep, water intake, and good eating. I've decided that I don't want to measure my progress in terms of something that can disappear. "Down 2 pounds - hooray!" "Up 2 pounds - boooo!" No thanks. I prefer looking at my calendar and seeing 21 days of exercise and knowing no future days without exercise can negate that accomplishment.<br />
And look what else I get:<br />
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My muscle definition is returning! Wahoo! This makes me very happy! I'm hoping soon I can take a picture of my <b>whole</b> body of which I am equally proud!Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-34531094461531673472013-01-15T12:23:00.002-05:002013-01-15T12:41:39.818-05:00Documenting ItSo today is the 15th day of the new year. For fifteen days I have been dieting and exercising, on a mission to lose 25 lbs. Fifteen days, for me, is a very. long. time! Given the success I've seen, not just on the scale, but mentally, I thought it would be wise to write down exactly what I'm doing so I can acknowledge what is working and see why it is. There's a lot, so bear with me. Here goes:<br />
<ul>
<li>I have a designated "workout calendar" in my basement (where all my exercise stuff is). Each day that I exercise, I write down my weight that day, what time I start (and what time I finish), what exercises I do, and then give myself a sticker for the day! (Only 1 day missed so far this month!)
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</li>
<li>I log my food and exercise on <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/" target="_blank">My Fitness Pal</a>. If you want to friend me there, I'm <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/tnt0617" target="_blank">tnt0617</a>, and you'll be able to see what I'm eating and what I'm doing for exercise. Logging my food has helped me, on several occasions, keep a few bad choices from turning into a slippery slope of horrible choices.</li>
<li>I don't take my phone or laptop to bed. (This was a new year's resolution, actually.) This helps me go to sleep earlier because I'm not distracted by FB posts or comments, and I'm not tempted to google *that thing* I just thought of before turning out the lights.</li>
<li>I set my alarm for 5:15am. Some mornings I wake up early, some mornings I don't. But not having my phone is incentive to get out of bed because then I (a facebook addict) can go downstairs and check my notifications. I can easily walk and facebook at the same time, and once I'm going, it's easier to get into a real workout. And working out first thing in the morning is really the BEST time to work out. I don't have the kids bugging me and it gets it <b><i>over & done with</i></b> before the rest of the day gets a hold on me.</li>
<li>I have cut out/limited gluten and dairy. I've been more strict with the gluten than the dairy, and if I had a serious food allergy, I'd have to be even more strict than I have been, BUT for the most part, I've avoided both. This is how I've avoided 99% of the junk food pitfalls that normally get me.</li>
<li>I joined <a href="http://weightlosschallengeme.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dr. Lou's Weight Loss Challenge</a> in Portland. This year it included a "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioelectrical_impedance_analysis" target="_blank">bioelectrical impedance analysis</a>". I don't have too much to say about it yet, but basically, it looks like a bunch of info that tells you more than just the number on the scale I'm going to a class tonight which will dissect the info for us, so stay tuned. Knowledge is power, folks. :)</li>
<li>I started a Facebook group called "Skinny in 2013" for myself a few like-minded ladies who want to make this the year we lose our extra weight. "'Healthy' is nice, but 'skinny' is really what we want." (Not that any of us will sacrifice health to lose weight, but a healthy lifestyle doesn't particularly motivate any of us. We want to look good in our jeans!)</li>
<li>I rejoined a facebook group belonging to my fitness expert friend Laurel. Each month, members post their goal number of workouts planned. Then, through the days, each member posts their workouts and what number they're up to - trying to meet or exceed the monthly goal they've set for themselves.</li>
<li>I joined another facebook group that, so far, hasn't been particularly helpful, but it's another element of encouragement/motivation. It's a group started by Toni Anderson, and she is the reason for my interest. Talk about motivating, look at this!!<br />
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(And she has 7 kids!)</li>
<li>I weigh myself every day. First thing in the morning, I get out of bed, go potty, and hop on the scale. I record my weight on a chart I taped to the inside of my medicine cabinet. It has a space for every day this year. I did that so I wouldn't have a specific goal date looming in front of me. Some people are motivated by having a specific goal date. Not me. It's like driving near a cliff and watching the cliff and then driving off the cliff. But weighing every day does help me stay on track. I'm aware that the body's weight can fluctuate up and down for various unknown reasons, but I'm also aware that if I have 4 margaritas, I won't be able to hide them from the scale for long. I depend on the scale's daily feedback to keep me on task.</li>
<li>I joined an email group of women who are preparing to run the <a href="http://www.beach2beacon.org/" target="_blank">Beach to Beacon 10K</a> this year. I ran the race for the first time last year. I had not properly trained for it, and though I was able to run the entire distance (1:06:43, thankyouverymuch!), I felt like dying the rest of that day, complete with flu-like symptoms. I would like my body to be more prepared for it this year - - and I'd like to complete it in less than an hour. So, in the email group, each Sunday, we email everyone what our workouts were for the previous week. It's a place for encouragement or questions or whatever, but mostly, it's just another level of accountability.</li>
<li>I made myself 2 big pots of soup and a big pot of chili, dished them out into single-serve dishes, and froze half of them. The other half I put in the fridge so I have them to grab for a quick meal. Having healthy food at-the-ready is KEY for me! Here are links to the recipes: (1) <a href="http://blog.peertrainer.com/recipes/2012/12/easy-simple-and-fast-weight-loss-soup-recipe-new.html" target="_blank">PT Motivation Booster Soup</a>, (2) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/tiffany-thompson/bean-kale-soup/10150825405882655" target="_blank">Bean & Kale Soup</a>, and (3) <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/slow-cooker-vegetarian-chili-with-sweet-potatoes-00000000049528/index.html" target="_blank">Sweet Potato Chili</a>.</li>
<li>For exercises, I've started the <a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml" target="_blank">couch-to-5k program</a> again (I've done it several times, but I think I've only completed it once before!). I do that on Mon/Wed/Fri. On Sun/Tue/Thu, I do a session of <a href="http://www.jjsfitclub.com/" target="_blank">JJ Virgin's 4x4 workouts</a>. I bought her dvd's, so I have 8different workouts to choose from. I use Saturday as either a makeup day (if I'm off a day in the week) or do the elliptical or some wii fit games or whatever. I also throw in a mile walk just about every day (because I can do it while cruising facebook!) I've started adding inclines to the treadmill setting and either wearing ankle weights or carrying hand weights to add extra resistance.</li>
<li>I've watched all of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxdqzR3tsQg" target="_blank">these videos</a>. Honestly, anything that comes from <a href="http://www.peertrainer.com/" target="_blank">PEERtrainer</a> and/or JJ Virgin is solid gold. Listen to what they say. It's all such great info!!</li>
<li>Speaking of solid gold, I watched this video last week. It really hit home for me. If you want to reach your goals, do it! Don't convince yourself you're "fine" not achieving them! Take this advice from Mel Robbins!</li>
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Hmmm. I guess that's all of it. As I suspected, there is a LOT here. No wonder my housework is suffering. It is a full-time job staying on top of this stuff. But for the first time in a long time, I'm doing it. I'm <strike>taking</strike> making the time to exercise and focus on my goals. And it's working. Since January 1st, I have lost 6 lbs. I still have 19 to go to reach my goal, but I'm confident I'll reach it THIS YEAR!!<br />I'm not sharing this info to brag - I wouldn't set myself up for imminent failure like that! - but to help anyone who may be struggling. Trust me... if I had my act together, I wouldn't need all these tips, tricks, and tools to keep me going. We're all in this mess together! If any of these ideas sound like they may help you, please feel free to copy me! Helping others motivates me!<br />
Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-74292404670045583152012-03-07T22:20:00.001-05:002012-03-07T22:23:38.995-05:00Martha, Mary, and Me ... (Me, Myself, and I...?)For Lent this year, I'm saying a rosary each day for one (or more) of my friends, and keeping them in my thoughts and prayers throughout the day. I'm really loving it! I feel like, for the first time in several years, I'm actually <b><i>doing </i></b>something for Lent. And I could/should talk more about that, but that's not what prompted me to post today.<br />
<br />
The issue I've been having is that in order to get my rosary in each day, sometimes I need to multi-task and do something else at the same time. Not something that requires any mental work, but some mindless physical stuff. Washing dishes, folding laundry, using the treadmill, etc. But rather than being pleased that I'm saying the rosary, I've been feeling guilty that I can't sit still (or kneel!) and just. pray.<br />
<br />
I've had a lifelong interest in/struggle with the whole Martha/Mary scenario. I've always been a Martha and always felt that I should be more of a Mary. I can be contemplative, I can sit still, I can pray. But shit needs to get done, and someone needs to do it. A lot of the time, that someone is me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i89/stephfaris/busy-mom-weight-loss-diet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i89/stephfaris/busy-mom-weight-loss-diet.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Recently - within the last year - it dawned on me that Martha became a saint, too. Ah ha!!! I started feeling better about being so busy; about being so "anxious and troubled about many things" (Luke 10:41). Ok, so it <i>is</i> better to be sitting at the feet of Jesus, prayerfully conversing with him, turning our minds to higher matters. But Martha became a saint, too! I thought: she must have done something right! Right??<br />
<br />
Well, tonight I had a new revelation. Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the better portion and it wouldn't be taken from her. He did not, however, tell Martha to be another Mary. And I think this is how Martha became a saint. She did what <i style="font-weight: bold;">she</i> was supposed to do. She stopped worrying about what Mary was or wasn't doing; she stopped looking outward to see how other people were serving our Lord. As I'm fond of bringing up: she kept her eyes on her own work.<br />
<br />
God calls us to know, love, and serve Him, but only as each of us <i>can </i>serve Him.<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-12-14" id="en-ESV-28632" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"><br />
</sup></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-12-14" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">14 </sup>For the body does not consist of one member but of many.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-12-15" id="en-ESV-28633" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">15 </sup>If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-12-16" id="en-ESV-28634" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">16 </sup>And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-12-17" id="en-ESV-28635" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">17 </sup>If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-12-18" id="en-ESV-28636" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">18 </sup>But as it is, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28636A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28636B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>as he chose.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-12-19" id="en-ESV-28637" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">19 </sup>If all were a single member, where would the body be?</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-12-19" style="background-color: white;">~ <b>1 Corinthians 12:14-19</b></span></span></i><br />
<br />
So, I've decided I don't need to become Mary. Or Martha. I need to be me. I need to become the best possible version of me. I need to be who God made me to be. When I'm required to behave as Mary did, I should do that. When I'm required to behave as Martha did, I should do that. But I'm going to have to do everything as me, because that's who God chose for the job.<br />
<br />
And to realize I'm already fully qualified is quite a relief.Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-53264567359219635502012-02-15T14:00:00.001-05:002012-02-15T15:11:56.488-05:00Feeling Like the Titanic - in More Ways than One.I need a makeover. Spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally. I am a wreck. And because I’m so far from where I want to be in all of those areas, when I think about all I want to change, I get overwhelmed. I start to feel like I’m drowning, and with every attempt to get my head above water, I push myself further and further beneath the surface. Glub. Glub. Glub. Glub.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Spiritually.</div><div class="MsoNormal">I am a Catholic. I was raised Catholic. I’ve never not been Catholic. I went through my phases in college and young-adulthood where I certainly wasn’t living a very Catholic lifestyle - but I always felt very bad about it. I never considered not being Catholic. I like being Catholic. So it would stand to reason that I am happiest when I’m being a <b><i>good</i></b> Catholic. Now, of course, this could mean lots of things to lots of people – even within circles of “good Catholics.” To me, it means not only fulfilling the bare minimum obligations of going to church on Sundays and holy days, going to confession once a year, receiving communion, etc. Those things are a given. For me, what I aspire to is a more meaningful prayer life (read: a prayer life, period.) I want to take what I have learned from the Gospel and the lives of the saints and implement those things in my own life. I want to lead a life that, even if I were on hidden camera, anyone watching would know I was a Catholic and I could be proud of my behavior. This is not, um, currently the case.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Glub.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Physically.</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ve been at the same weight, within 5 lbs., for about 2 years. My mother congratulates me on this. “Wow! You’re so good at maintaining your weight!” Sigh. Yes. I suppose I am. The problem is, <b><i>this</i></b> is not the weight I want to maintain. I want to get down another 10-15 lbs. and then maintain <b><i>that</i></b> weight. The problem isn’t a lack of knowledge, or lack of a plan, or trying so hard and nothing working. The problem is me. I am the self-sabotage master! I am a pro at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. I will lose a pound and then hope I'll somehow continue to coast downward while I scarf down several handfuls of spicy almonds, and chocolate cake, and ice cream. I end up feeling like a blubbery, roly-poly, jiggly marshmallow. Boooo.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Glub.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Emotionally.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sucking at so much takes a toll on a person. It gets inside your head that you suck, and then you can’t hear anything else. Every kid’s whine, every dirty dish, every dusty surface, every lame text message adds its voice to the one in your head. It’s a chorus of “yoooooouuuuuu suuuuuuccccckkkkk.” And repeatedly hearing that you suck might possibly, if you're someone like me, make you cry. Cry, cry, cry. Last night, I thought I lost my ipod. Even worse, I thought it was <b><i>stolen </i></b>by the 2-year-old, which pretty much meant I would never see it again. I spent a good half hour - after everyone had gone to bed and after I should have been in bed - searching and bawling, bawling and searching. I wasn't crying JUST about the ipod, of course, but it certainly set things in motion.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Glub.<br />
<br />
Mentally.<br />
I can't think straight lately. I'm easily distracted. I miss the point of jokes and cause trouble when I say "what?" too many times. I'm listening, I just don't get what people are saying!! I tried calculating the difference in race times the other day and got it wrong. A very simple problem, and I didn't even catch the mistake until several days later. I used to be a math whiz, of sorts. I got a 730 on my math SAT's (a few <ahem> years ago). And now I can't subtract?? I even misplace things - like ipods.*<br />
Glub.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I'm at a point where I feel like <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Frances at a certain part</st1:place></st1:country-region> in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0328589/" target="_blank">Under the Tuscan Sun</a>. I tried to edit down this video, but couldn't. The part I'm talking about is from 6:52-7:55. (But I do recommend the whole movie. It's one of my favorites!)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RbuZl4M2a3A?rel=0 t=6m52s" width="480"></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
"You're sad! Again! You're like a big black hole!"<br />
<br />
Yes, that's me. A big black hole of misery. I'm feeling hopeless and crappy and crappy and hopeless. And bitchy.<br />
<br />
Sigh. I attribute a lot of these feelings to PMS, but I hate to say "PMS" because I don’t think most people take it seriously. I think it’s safe to say that 90% of the world sees PMS the way it’s caricatured in sitcoms. “Yeah, yeah, yeah – it must be her time of the month. What a bitch!” But for me, and surely others(?), it’s a very real internal warzone that wreaks havoc on every aspect of my life. It’s not as simple as being in a bad mood. I feel like a completely different person who can’t get out of my own way, and I can’t sidestep the nastiness no matter how hard I try. (Please tell me I am NOT alone in this!!)<br />
<br />
Remember in the movie E.T., how the flower - what was that? a marigold? - was somehow directly connected to E.T.'s well-being? When he was dying, the flower was dying; when he was coming back to life, the flower perked right up, and that's how Eliot knew he was going to be ok. Well, if you would like to know the state of my well-being - emotional, spiritual, physical, mental, whatever - take a look at the state of my house. If it's a mess, I'm probably a mess, too. If it's neat and tidy, then chances are I'm probably in pretty good shape, too. And I'm not sure which begets which, but it's probably a chicken-or-egg scenario. It doesn't really matter which comes first, though. Messy house = messy life. And right now, my house looks like someone turned it on its side, then upside-down, then right-side-up again. Everything is kinda in the right place, but none of it's good. It, like me, is a wreck.<br />
<br />
So, if I can't fix me, I'll fix my house. I'll focus on these external things and hope to be miraculously internally transformed. I'll doing laundry. I'll sweep the kitchen. I'll clean the playroom. It will keep me busy and, more importantly, it will restore some of my sanity. And sanity is a good place to start. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>*After finally giving up and going to bed, I found my ipod in my nightstand drawer - just where I had left it the night before. Glub.</i></span></div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-17896814535794643152012-02-07T12:02:00.000-05:002012-02-07T12:02:52.096-05:00Much To-Do About Nothing<span style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;">Whoooooops! I guess I forgot about this blog for a few days. So much for the 30-day challenge. But it's all good. I don't think I've disappointed too many readers (LOL!!) and I'm here now, so...</span><br style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;">Today I want to talk about...[<pause> decide what you want to write about and then continue like it was your plan all along.]... Daily To-Do's! Ah yes, that's what I want to talk about!</span><br style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;">I have been struggling with this for days, weeks, months - maybe even years. For me, it's not enough that things get done. It's not enough that they get done when they get done as long as they get done. No. I need things on a schedule so I know they'll get done *when* they're supposed to get done. They'll be done by the correct person at the correct time. My house will run like a well-oiled machine because every chore is clearly outlined on a calendar from now until the end of time!</span><br style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;"><sigh.> Only in my dreams. And ok - that sounds a little crazy now that I type it out in black and white. But I </span><b style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;"><i>do</i></b><span style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;"> like things ordered. I </span><b style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;"><i>do </i></b><span style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;">like things neat & tidy - - not just my house, but the manner in which I run my house. And it's not because I'm a control freak. Or, I should say, it's not </span><b style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;"><i>just</i></b><span style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;"> because I'm a control freak. It is also because I, like most people, don't enjoy chores and cleaning, and the more "automated" those kinds of tasks become, the less time they take to do, the less of a big deal they are, and the faster you can get on with life. And by life, I mean all the stuff we WANT to do!</span><br style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;">But here's the problem. Every time I come up with a system, part of it works and part of it doesn't. So I keep readjusting and reformulating and redesigning, and we end up with NO PLAN AT ALL. If I were my kids, I'd get pretty frustrated that I couldn't just pick something and stick with it. But they're young and they'd get in trouble if they told me that, so I'm safe for another year or two.</span><br style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;">My latest plan involves a large magnetic white board. Ideally, this is what will be on it for each new day:</span><br />
<ul style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2.5em; padding-right: 2.5em; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em;">the day of the week</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em;">the date</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em;">the day's forecasted weather (so the kids know what to wear)</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em;">the day's planned dinner (so I'm forced to think about it before 4:59pm)</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em;">each person's chores/plans for the day</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em;">any additional notes about that day (birthday party, playdate, holiday, etc.)</li>
</ul><br style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;">It will be a nice little (ok, not-so-little) hub of information for the whole family. Some things (the weather, dinner) will just be for reference. Others (everyone's chores) will be for checking off. The kids will know what they need to do (without being nagged by Mama). I will have good reminders for the stuff I want to get done. I really think things will run more smoothly around here. Or, at least I will </span><b style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;"><i>feel </i></b><span style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;">like they are running more smoothly - - and that's what it's really all about! How Mama feels!</span><br style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;" /><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c2c2c2; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLd2vSRie2-JH9BgmWeigIfZ3hGKoLuDTb_C7vhigMMsN_DsqWWWvjrKW0Tt947rRL9nQX0Z2Fy-b8FsyVd222gkDNJNR9N1sKAL3Rivi9OXoBmyklPTU5FE-CjzIjdPsBWghHHnCE1H0/s1600/mama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #a31f39; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLd2vSRie2-JH9BgmWeigIfZ3hGKoLuDTb_C7vhigMMsN_DsqWWWvjrKW0Tt947rRL9nQX0Z2Fy-b8FsyVd222gkDNJNR9N1sKAL3Rivi9OXoBmyklPTU5FE-CjzIjdPsBWghHHnCE1H0/s320/mama.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.199219) 0px 0px 20px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(194, 194, 194); border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(194, 194, 194); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(194, 194, 194); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(194, 194, 194); border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.199219) 0px 0px 20px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div><br style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;" /><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c2c2c2; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; text-align: center;"></div><span style="background-color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;">I'll try to check back when I get everything in place and let you all know how it's working. Or how it's not working - and how I plan to fix it.</span>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-28858890502403764002012-02-02T16:44:00.000-05:002012-02-02T16:44:53.625-05:00Just Showing Up, Folks.I'm in such a foul mood today. It's one of those days where I want to disconnect from all social networking, cancel all communication with the outside world, and move to a cave in the mountains (in a warm climate where there are no dangerous animals, of course).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGQyduJoL674ndx6d132LRf-VCicjVbOMmAYj0TZ1RipGSqJcaEVscQxMuIaakFb-bxB0o5QPvV8oVgk9mW-Oe-yQ4GBC_MinhlrmMcf_AZQfMfMdYn9kJ6lNHb3-NqwXHQLjVGh6vNg/s1600/Erbil_governorate_shanidar_cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGQyduJoL674ndx6d132LRf-VCicjVbOMmAYj0TZ1RipGSqJcaEVscQxMuIaakFb-bxB0o5QPvV8oVgk9mW-Oe-yQ4GBC_MinhlrmMcf_AZQfMfMdYn9kJ6lNHb3-NqwXHQLjVGh6vNg/s320/Erbil_governorate_shanidar_cave.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I've wasted my whole damn day making invitations for my son's birthday party, taking waaaaay longer than I needed to, and they still came out relatively lame.<br />
I haven't exercised. I haven't prayed. I'm living like a person who's depressed. Am I depressed? Maybe. But to admit that is to admit that I'm being selfish because I always think selfishness is at the root of depression.<br />
So, am I being selfish? Oh, most likely. Man. I hate it when I figure out stuff I don't want to know.<br />
Suck it up, chick. Get movin'!Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-69139059043268284942012-02-01T14:52:00.000-05:002012-02-01T14:52:10.736-05:00Prayer, Exercise, and Self-ImprovementI was not nice this morning. My 10-yr-old daughter was leaving for school and I asked if she had her snowpants with her. She didn't. We had a quick conversation about why - none of it was very important - but I ended up saying something snide intended to make her feel guilty. Why did I do that?? Completely unnecessary, unhelpful, and just not nice.<br />
We had a few more words before she left - - I was trying to lighten the mood without actually apologizing for being a jerk (again, not very nice) - - we said our "I love you's" and she went out the door.<br />
"What kind of crappy mother had I become?" I immediately asked myself. Seriously, I'm constantly wondering - usually out loud - where my kids get their bad attitudes, and I don't need to wonder. <i style="font-weight: bold;">I</i> have a bad attitude.<br />
I pictured Mary talking to 10-yr-old Jesus and was sure the conversation would have gone a little differently. (Ok - it's a little comical to imagine - but this really is how my brain works.) Suddenly, I felt like such a slimy troll.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.alicia-logic.com/capsimages/mib_007Mikey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://www.alicia-logic.com/capsimages/mib_007Mikey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
"Here you are given these beautiful children to love and take care of and you treat them like such an annoying inconvenience!" (That's me talking to myself. Mary would, again, probably have nicer words to say.)<br />
So I decided I needed to start praying; praying merely to be a nicer, gentler mommy. I decided that I will say one whole rosary a day asking for assistance with this.<br />
Not long after I made this decision, I received a Facebook invitation asking to join others in an 18-day rosary novena praying to overturn the recent HHS mandate. So I decided to piggy-back the two. A rosary for "nicer Mama" will double as a rosary for overturning the mandate. That's two birds with one stone!<br />
And guess what? I have all the rosaries on my ipod. I decided to kill <b><i>three</i></b> birds with one stone. I plugged my ipod into my treadmill and added exercise to the mix! Walking & running and praying - excellent cardio! Good for the heart and soul.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTOWb4v91RUFzHjR61qaPF51XlmHxzwqYBybGL5yaKtrn4h-SUb" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTOWb4v91RUFzHjR61qaPF51XlmHxzwqYBybGL5yaKtrn4h-SUb" /></a></div><br />
They have the <a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/index.shtml" target="_blank">Couch-to-5k running program</a>. I highly recommend C25K to anyone who, like me, is NOT a runner. It gets you running a 5K by the end, and it pushes you just enough outside of your comfort zone each week to show you what amazing things you can do. I'm going to create the C25D (couch to 5 decade) running program. Start out by running only during the Our Fathers and by the end, you're running for the entire rosary! Ha-ha! I'm joking. Kind of.Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-54547353596947977812012-01-31T20:24:00.002-05:002012-01-31T21:01:59.070-05:00I'm Not Ready!But I don't think I'll ever be ready.<br />
I'm talking about sharing this blog. I feel like Indiana Jones in The Last Crusade.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdVuwqM69lma0FOEKA59a6j1L8XMb23xHSXJ74Sf3uR-tnkbMAVjX-0KoxrsXhO_OwPEbFaY_ek-5eNRioHEEfBgBq9OLsrn2sQ-iZGprpSQYDIP0cnzgEeM_N79vxuBiqtXTZCiaeuw/s1600/indy11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdVuwqM69lma0FOEKA59a6j1L8XMb23xHSXJ74Sf3uR-tnkbMAVjX-0KoxrsXhO_OwPEbFaY_ek-5eNRioHEEfBgBq9OLsrn2sQ-iZGprpSQYDIP0cnzgEeM_N79vxuBiqtXTZCiaeuw/s320/indy11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I just need to step out and see what happens. And hopefully, I don't plunge to my death! Not likely, right? Right?!?!<br />
<br />
All kidding aside, I think getting this blog "out there" is good for a few reasons.<br />
1. What's the point of having a blog if you're not going to let anyone read it?<br />
2. I'm kind of tired of talking to myself.<br />
3. (And this is a big one...) If I'm going to work on my new year's resolution of not worrying about what people think of me, this is a great opportunity. It will be a good exercise in humility. I think.<br />
<br />
So... here goes...?Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-18170707761930429952012-01-30T17:16:00.000-05:002012-01-30T17:16:04.006-05:00I've Got The Shakes!Ha-ha! Protein shakes, I mean. <br />
I've been making some variation of these shakes for quite some time now, and I thought I'd share how I make them - my current version anyway.<br />
I drink one of these for breakfast, and for the next week anyway, I'll be having another for lunch (or dinner, if the need to CHEW comes at lunch time).<br />
Ingredients.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4qO86yj4tuvgug4fjLVFAjmuc6VIPwNqmegp9lM9FrU_tUNYyNc5EprBSisGOGq381cp9REdZ7cgWiQ9ybCP1RdIhcWRu978wgnCZTPSsxvAcIlb12YU-ojrgNM9Aj5xnN9GaYPPMcM/s1600/2012-01-30+14.15.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4qO86yj4tuvgug4fjLVFAjmuc6VIPwNqmegp9lM9FrU_tUNYyNc5EprBSisGOGq381cp9REdZ7cgWiQ9ybCP1RdIhcWRu978wgnCZTPSsxvAcIlb12YU-ojrgNM9Aj5xnN9GaYPPMcM/s320/2012-01-30+14.15.38.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Protein powder - 1 scoop</b>. At present, I am using something I don't recommend. It has a lot of good stuff in it, but it also has sucralose (splenda), and that's something to really stay away from. But I bought it a long time ago, and I hate throwing away perfectly good (ha ha - you know what I mean!) stuff. When it's gone, I'll probably be switching to <a href="http://www.vitacost.com/Jay-Robb-Whey-Protein-Powder-Vanilla-24-oz#" target="_blank">Jay Robb Whey Protein</a>. A bit more expensive, but you get what you pay for, right...?<br />
<b>Chia Seeds - 1 Tbsp</b>. I use the <a href="https://store.nutiva.com/chia-seed/?gclid=CJf1uefM-K0CFYPc4AodDX3Ssw" target="_blank">Nutiva</a> brand. I bought them at GNC. They were on sale for buy one get one half off, so I bought 2 packages.<br />
<b>Fiber supplement - (just under) 1 Tbsp.</b> I have some <a href="http://www.pureformulas.com/medibulk-8-oz-by-thorne-research.html" target="_blank">Medibulk from Thorne Research</a> leftover from the cleanse I did with PEERtrainer, and I've been putting it into my shakes. But I won't bother reordering any more when it's gone. But I also won't be using the Metamucil I used to take. There's 8 grams of sugar in one serving!! I might replace it with ground flaxseed or just leave it out all together.<br />
<b>Spinach - 1 big handful (about a cup).</b> Fresh. <br />
<b>Mixed berries - 1 cup.</b> I use <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Wyman-39-s-Of-Maine-Blueberries-Red-Raspberries-Blackberries-Triple-Berry-Blend-3-lb/16554757" target="_blank">Wyman's Triple Berry Blend</a>.<br />
<b>Coconut milk - 1 cup.</b> I use <a href="http://www.turtlemountain.com/products/product.php?p=so_delicious_beverage_hg_unsweetened" target="_blank">So Delicious, unsweetenend</a>. I used to use the canned coconut milk, lite and regular, but I prefer the much larger serving size of the kind in the carton. It makes a better shake.<br />
<b>Water - 1 cup.</b> Without it, the shake would need to be eaten with a spoon.<br />
Blend and enjoy!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkUUSO9zqsmiziwk2-9xmCifue8h9AXs1xSIFcEaSRNt8h7m10L9qy4VygmE5VYlxG1dcTLld51gNUETOf9XavbAmvLRgpSt6Q1qmDASoBheJskdQZXwkWSgx4KWMU3I0V-yYO8oF230/s1600/2012-01-30+14.21.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkUUSO9zqsmiziwk2-9xmCifue8h9AXs1xSIFcEaSRNt8h7m10L9qy4VygmE5VYlxG1dcTLld51gNUETOf9XavbAmvLRgpSt6Q1qmDASoBheJskdQZXwkWSgx4KWMU3I0V-yYO8oF230/s320/2012-01-30+14.21.02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I use a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0008FUU0W/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_3?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0000AZUW9&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1F9YS3809D3J7XFDH5HZ" target="_blank">stick blender</a>. I bought it a couple years ago to blend homemade vegetable soup into drinkable soup. I put all the ingredients in the big cup, blend it there, and drink it right from that cup. After trial and error, I've learned that the best order for adding the ingredients is this: spinach, dry stuff (protein, fiber, chia), berries, coconut milk, then water. If you're using a regular blender, I don't know what order would be best.<br />
Also, for quick shake-making, I pre-single-serve what I can. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM82M78gdktIKiKZukm_aTSQ5DTIYyienfS_YnEDe9Rfu-eAhsx7WRFyrm-MqP7BGvHy5PD2hjHOnjfb6kdVF_YRNPGkcdCRYa-8YSmNTfTbp0_13nksSZs7mWd-c-URH98fRg4ZWlTVk/s1600/2012-01-30+14.13.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM82M78gdktIKiKZukm_aTSQ5DTIYyienfS_YnEDe9Rfu-eAhsx7WRFyrm-MqP7BGvHy5PD2hjHOnjfb6kdVF_YRNPGkcdCRYa-8YSmNTfTbp0_13nksSZs7mWd-c-URH98fRg4ZWlTVk/s320/2012-01-30+14.13.02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The water and coconut milk, I pour as I need it, but the spinach gets put in ziploc bags. The berries get put in 1-cup containers in the fridge. Leaving them frozen makes the shake too cold for me to drink, but I know a lot of people would prefer that. The protein powder, fiber, and chia seeds all go in to containers together, and I store them in the pantry.<br />
When I'm running late - as I was this morning, and as I do OFTEN - it's nice to know I can make a shake in about 1 minute from start to finish!Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-9388719735070964402012-01-29T21:07:00.000-05:002012-01-29T21:07:30.204-05:00At It Again...Tomorrow I'm restarting a cleanse/diet/whatever. Protein shakes, veggies, water, exercise. Same ol' same ol. I'd go into more detail, but I've tried and failed so many times, I'm a little leery of making a big deal out of it. If I see some success and manage to continue on for more than a few days, I'll talk more about it then!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQofBYP19dEtjKWCLgxG5HXFv7Tc3_hjIUZApLdX08Rvhq3eFLGoQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQofBYP19dEtjKWCLgxG5HXFv7Tc3_hjIUZApLdX08Rvhq3eFLGoQ" /></a></div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-23052923090443883732012-01-28T08:20:00.000-05:002012-01-28T08:20:27.201-05:00Is this what is meant by "It will blow your mind!"?So, there are these things called "mashups" where 2 songs are blended together to make one new song. I know these have been around for a while, but my interest in them has been renewed.<br />
There's this guy, "<a href="http://mightymikesnewboot.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mighty Mike</a>", who puts these things together, and it really is so cool! My brain hears both songs individually - and together! And I wonder how he knew they would work together and not sound like a big mess.<br />
Here's my favorite one so far:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiUb7hmX7vE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-41847679147192463052012-01-27T17:06:00.000-05:002012-01-27T17:06:28.663-05:00There but for the grace of God, go I.[I'm not sure where I'm going with this...yet.]<br />
There's been a lot of talk in the last few days from various <a href="http://www.ncregister.com/blog/the-dumbest-phrase-in-the-english-language-is" target="_blank">bloggers</a>* and online articles and status commenters about not being judgmental of other people. This, of course, is not a new concept. "Judge not, lest ye be judged," and all that. I know all this.<br />
Yet, we - - we, as Catholics; we, as Christians; we, as plain old good people - - are called to be discerning, to figure out good and evil, to have opinions about who and what we encounter in the world.<br />
My new year's resolution last year was to be less judgmental. To me, that meant I was to feel less superior about the various choices I had made which differed from those of other people. It meant being less snarky, and having less of a knee-jerk reaction of thinking, "Well, THAT'S stupid!!" when faced with someone who didn't make the exact same choices I would have. To be honest, I think the year went quite well. I do think I've become less judgmental. And I feel good about that!<br />
My new year's resolution THIS year, is to feel less judged. So far, this is proving to be quite a bit harder. It is very difficult for me to say, "I don't care what others think of me" and actually mean it. But I am working on it.<br />
I read an essay a while back called "<a href="http://www.peertrainer.com/how_to_live_without_apology.aspx" target="_blank">What you think of me is none of my business.</a>" It's good to re-read this once in a while.<br />
Ok... so I'm in a weird place now. Not judging people, not feeling judged... How the heck am I supposed to use Facebook??<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://aparchedsoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Kronk-Shoulder-Angel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://aparchedsoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Kronk-Shoulder-Angel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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*Disclaimor - I almost didn't want to link to that article. I'm worried that there's some back-link system that will bring people here from there and this blog isn't ready yet, and I'm just yammering on and haven't gotten serious about my writing yet, and <sigh> I'm trying to feel less judged. : /Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-15580706938718057922012-01-26T22:02:00.001-05:002012-01-26T22:02:42.931-05:00Crap! I Missed a Day! : (Booo. I missed a day in the 30-day challenge. Grrr.<br />
And I thought of writing two entries today to make up for it, but it's already 10pm, so it'll be just one.<br />
Here's the reason I didn't write yesterday...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxvM84Hsoq5mIwIyKayNzR4PnZMaW6YsAwtX2TjG57Tf_VB_Mm51dsERrm_BkLBQVF26SFsRA7glTxfU5bzO5TK02EFflWn_Oi2FRFzwCiTAEQMU1nHJqWTWGIEYzgZ9evGHzYzi1fWM/s1600/2012-01-25+17.16.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxvM84Hsoq5mIwIyKayNzR4PnZMaW6YsAwtX2TjG57Tf_VB_Mm51dsERrm_BkLBQVF26SFsRA7glTxfU5bzO5TK02EFflWn_Oi2FRFzwCiTAEQMU1nHJqWTWGIEYzgZ9evGHzYzi1fWM/s320/2012-01-25+17.16.10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I won tickets to the Matt Nathanson concert, including passes to the pre-show sound check. It was really cool! But the whole day needed to be orchestrated carefully so I could go, and I was busy from the moment I got up in the morning.<br />
But go I did and had a fantastic time! I got to spend time with my sister on her birthday, have a night out sans Mommy duties, and listen to some great music! Fun fun fun!Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-60366385795667031702012-01-24T21:26:00.001-05:002012-01-24T21:27:32.605-05:00(non)Dairy DelightToday marks day 7 of little to no dairy for me. I didn't plan on cutting it out, but it kinda happened, so I just went with it. Last month I did a cleanse - not a stupid, unhealthy cleanse, but a healthy, nutrient-rich, non-allergenic cleanse - and it was stated by one of the people conducting it, that excluding dairy from her diet really cleared up her skin.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT-zc_vNQZIW0SeHMWjDaSkA6Ci1AbPy8XFrb6Nk_0oDcjulPJFPA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT-zc_vNQZIW0SeHMWjDaSkA6Ci1AbPy8XFrb6Nk_0oDcjulPJFPA" /></a></div><br />
Well, I only made it through 10 days of the 14-day cleanse (and maybe more about that another time), but I did notice my skin was fantastic! So smooth and clear! And my skin isn't normally too bad, but washing it in the shower, I could really tell the difference in how it felt. Like glass, I tell ya!<br />
So the cleanse didn't go exactly as I hoped (ok, yes - I will talk about this some other time), and I kind of fell off 4 wagons at once, and that was one of them.<br />
But last week, unlike me, I tried a new diet. I don't like "diets." Anyway, I did 2 days of the Dukan diet (protein only) and then planned/tried to go back to my pre-cleanse diet of protein, veggies, a little bit of healthy fat, and small portions of rice, beans, lentils, etc. With that there is no dairy. After a few days, before I really noticed dairy was missing from my diet, I noticed that my skin felt awesome again!<br />
Oh, yeah!! No dairy = clear skin, apparently.<br />
The true testament? I got my period today and my skin didn't produce one speck of a blemish! Amazing!!<br />
So, I'm obviously not lactose intolerant - and I'm not swearing off dairy forever (isn't ice cream made from dairy??) - but it's definitely a good little piece of info to possess. Don't ya think??<br />
Oh, and another thing. I take calcium supplements for the couple weeks before my period to alleviate pms symptoms and reduce cramping. So, ironically, increasing calcium and decreasing dairy helped me this week.<br />
Have any of you (you know, "you" - you phantom readers I hope to have some day...) had any experience with foods affecting your skin like this?Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-33271755765128937412012-01-23T20:46:00.000-05:002012-01-23T20:46:58.908-05:00A Really Bad Day... And I'm OK.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRLBNUyPyUs-_xgqLVac1si_Krg1RnFAVXCxP17YFRn7jSrU4j1FA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRLBNUyPyUs-_xgqLVac1si_Krg1RnFAVXCxP17YFRn7jSrU4j1FA" /></a></div><br />
Today was the kind of day that as soon as I start recounting all the bad crap that went on it, I get tired of typing - - partly because there was so much crap, and partly because now that the day is over, it just sounds like whining to me. And I hate whining. In all forms.<br />
But it was a really crappy day. Bratty kids, sick kids, fussy kids, bitchy me, pms-y, psychotic, "feel-like-my-head's-going-to-pop-off" me. Last-minute doctor's visit, double ear infection, older kids' playdate cancelled, speeding home to retrieve children, waiting around to get other daughter off bus, back to pharmacy to get antibiotics, loooong wait for medicine, insurance card issues, kids still need dinner, more whining children, kids fighting after going to bed... UGH!!!<br />
Long story short. I made it. Several times today I almost posted on facebook how bad my day was, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. It's not even that I didn't want to whine. I just didn't want to <i style="font-weight: bold;">seem</i> like I was whining. How sad is that?? But whatever - - I still made it! I managed not to blow a gasket. I managed not to scream (anymore, after the morning) at the children. I managed not to burst into tears at the pressure of doing everything required of me today. And it was just when I phrased it that way in my head - - "all the pressure of what's required of me!!" - - that I no longer felt the need to whine.<br />
It seemed like one of those <a href="http://first-world-problems.com/" target="_blank">First World Problems</a> you hear about.<br />
I prayed for strength - and got it, apparently. Thanks, God. I know it was you who got me through today.Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-4992355791515710122012-01-22T19:51:00.000-05:002012-01-22T19:51:58.383-05:00Bare MinimumIt's 7:42pm and I'm already in bed. So tired. <br />
I bought myself, and am now drinking, some chamomile tea. I haven't been sleeping great at night (probably part of the reason I'm so tired!), so I'm hoping this will help me stay asleep tonight.<br />
Because this challenge is all about just showing up, I get credit for this lame post.<br />
Now if I can just figure out how to publish this from my phone.Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-58203505634622964342012-01-21T21:14:00.000-05:002012-01-21T21:14:18.593-05:00Day #4OOPS! Almost forgot about blogging!! Good thing I set myself a reminder on my phone to go off once a day! That phone is my brain, and without it, I'd be so much dumber and absent-minded.<br />
I give myself reminders for pretty much <i style="font-weight: bold;">everything</i>. Playdates, doctor's appointments, kids' early release days. A few days ago, I set myself a reminder for December 24th, telling myself to make sure that we all stand to the side of the Christmas tree, rather than in front of it, for our family picture. There are so many of us, and our tree is so small (by comparison), that we always end up hiding the fact that it's Christmas except for an inch of a tree branch here, a smidge of the star there, and tiny corner of a present next to someone's elbow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQJQkMePvOa01jlRvlMIF8PmHpKsB0SnpvPP2tQMvzwmvi8flND" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQJQkMePvOa01jlRvlMIF8PmHpKsB0SnpvPP2tQMvzwmvi8flND" /></a></div><br />
Ok. So there you have it. Automatic phone reminders. That is my secret weapon in combating the inevitable "mommy brain" you acquire 5 seconds after peeing on the stick.Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-53465266621933661952012-01-20T14:22:00.001-05:002012-01-20T14:25:59.792-05:00Blog and Chew!I have a rare opportunity here. 2 of the 3 little boys are napping (usually, it's just the 2-yr-old), and the third one is playing oh-so-quietly in the playroom. I should be getting stuff done, but instead I'm blogging!!!! Do you see why it's hard to keep up with this thing?? There's <i><b>always </b></i>something that needs to be done, and blogging seems like such a luxury. It really seems like a big, fat waste of time.<br />
But I'm doing this because it's part of my 30-day challenge. And I chose this challenge because it <b><i>is</i></b> something I want to do. Or, at least, I think it's something I want to do. I think I want to have a blog and/or write a book. Everyone tells me I should. But maybe it's just because they find my life interesting (just the fact of having 6 kids is a REALLY big deal to some people), and not because they think I'd be a good writer. And people have enjoyed things I've written in the past, but whenever I go back and read something I was proud of at the time I wrote it, I'm always a little ashamed and embarrassed. I think, "Well, that was kind of... crap."<br />
So this challenge is also a test - - an experiment. Let's see if Tiffany can write! Let's see if she's any good at it, but let's also see if she can physically put pen to paper... er... fingers to keyboard!... and write something! And for now, "something" will also mean "anything" just to get words down on the screen.<br />
That takes care of the BLOG part. Now, on to the CHEW part.<br />
I thought I could kill two birds with one stone by blogging while I eat my lunch. Then I wouldn't feel so guilty about sitting down at the computer. A girl's gotta eat, right?! But I can't type and hold a bowl and a fork at the same time. And I was so hungry, that putting the bowl down wasn't really an option.<br />
Now I'm done eating and can type. (Don't make me feel guilty about sitting here when there is a ton of laundry to fold right in the next room!)<br />
I wish I had taken a picture of my lunch to post here, but alas, as I said, it's gone. Enter, google images...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.usomega3.com/85-138-thickbox/grilled-chicken-garden-salad-price-per-person.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.usomega3.com/85-138-thickbox/grilled-chicken-garden-salad-price-per-person.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It was better than this one appears it would taste, but you get the general idea. (Mine was also probably twice the size! It was fantastic! Gigantic garden salad, homemade dressing, and topped with baked chicken breast. Really - so yummy! The salad had romaine, spinach, carrots, cucumbers, red & green peppers, and tomatoes. The dressing was a version of <a href="http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=7594" target="_blank">this recipe</a>, but I used lime juice instead of lemon, granulated garlic instead of fresh, and I added some of the <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/emerils-creole-seasoning-essence-recipe3/index.html" target="_blank">creole seasoning</a> I put on the chicken. I didn't follow that recipe either. I rarely do. It's not that I'm such a great cook, but I almost NEVER have everything on hand that an online recipe requires.<br />
Ok - 2 year old awake. Time up! And, I still have to take a shower before the kids get home from school! Not that my kids care, and not that I care if it were just going to be my kids, but one of them is having a friend over and I want to look presentable when her mom comes to pick her up!Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-80970887911433000712012-01-19T19:17:00.000-05:002012-01-19T19:17:53.391-05:00Love this time of year!!It's tax time, folks! It's definitely one of my favorite times of the year. I love getting big chunks of money deposited into my bank account!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_6kfEAWNKM0ehiVaWbsu_wXMYY2nZR7g5FcDD7JT92-csMJ0y20tmMr16gM9MVfSj1e_FN44s0yMs-xeY96n9NkGlNOKDKLQQKG-cYd6Mz_NrAen1ZQcyim4DdVqc3P2ai60-n40avE/s1600/cash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_6kfEAWNKM0ehiVaWbsu_wXMYY2nZR7g5FcDD7JT92-csMJ0y20tmMr16gM9MVfSj1e_FN44s0yMs-xeY96n9NkGlNOKDKLQQKG-cYd6Mz_NrAen1ZQcyim4DdVqc3P2ai60-n40avE/s1600/cash.jpg" /></a></div><br />
What's that you say? It's all just a scam by the government to make you grateful for giving you what was yours in the first place, that they took without asking?? Yep. I know. Don't care.<br />
I'm looking forward to paying off (O-F-F, off!!) some gigantic bills that have been hanging over our heads and starting from ground zero on our budget plan again.<br />
I have a great budget system in place, and when we (and I say we, but it's really <b style="font-style: italic;">I</b> who does most of the spending around here) follow it, great things happen! We have less bills, we go on vacation, and money goes into this thing we created a while back called a "savings account."<br />
If you're looking to get on track, I can recommend two helpful tools -- two things that have helped me.<br />
<br />
<ol><li><a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/new/baby-steps/?gclid=CKvK1O2m3a0CFQPf4AoduB3Bng" target="_blank">Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps</a>. We've never gotten through all of the steps, nor have we followed them to the letter, but his advice does work and it can get your head looking in the right direction.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.mechcad.net/products/acemoney/free-personal-finance-software-quicken-alternative.shtml" target="_blank">Ace Money Lite</a> (the FREE version!). I started using this program 6-7 years ago. It's really just a glorified check register. And I still use my paper register to track my checks and receipts, etc. But this program has a unique feature that has changed my life. It forecasts your spending and tracks your income so you can see your cash flow BEFORE you get into trouble. As I recall, it takes a good bit of time to set it up initially (entering all your bills - monthly, yearly, etc.), but it's so very worth it! No more bounced checks, declined debit cards, or unnecessary surprises!</li>
</ol>Oh, and one more recommendation - - <a href="http://turbotax.intuit.com/" target="_blank">Turbo Tax!</a> I have done my/our own taxes for the last 10+ years using this site and I've never had any problems! It's easy, thorough, and fast.Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-84672356352726282032012-01-18T10:51:00.000-05:002012-01-18T10:51:20.467-05:0030 Day ChallengeMy friend Alecia posted a link on Facebook to a guy talking about doing a 30-day challenge. It could be for anything, but it has to be for 30 days in a row. I didn't want to choose something diet or weight loss related because I focus on (obsess about...) that stuff enough. So I decided to blog for 30 days in a row. Just write write write. I'm sure it will end up being just as exciting as an everyday diary, but I'm not going to think about it.<br />
To get the creative juices flowing, I've decided to use <a href="http://www.blogtap.net/blogtopicgenerator/">http://www.blogtap.net/blogtopicgenerator/</a> (which I found by googling "random topic") to give me an idea each day. I may not use the exact topic given, but I'll use the suggestion to jumpstart my post.<br />
***<br />
I recently got new phone. I had been a Blackberry user for many years. I loved it for a long time, but over the last year or so, I started feeling like I had the moron of the smartphone world. The apps available were pitiful, laughable, and mostly non-existent. So when my Blackberry died twice in one week (for no real reason at all), and I found out I was eligible for an upgrade, I went for it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04NKDW3oUwukPkqhy0ypCbO3-acZDZh7BT9F85xPioyz5H_YqETP9FmmPW7F0Djkb0sqndfP6gdMEuzidpvfdV5Xj7_PgQK_d9snb_6YmfRtvloPQdkqNLN4h46yn7Kek734GfvITxWs/s1600/samsung-mesmerize-galaxy-s-smartphones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04NKDW3oUwukPkqhy0ypCbO3-acZDZh7BT9F85xPioyz5H_YqETP9FmmPW7F0Djkb0sqndfP6gdMEuzidpvfdV5Xj7_PgQK_d9snb_6YmfRtvloPQdkqNLN4h46yn7Kek734GfvITxWs/s320/samsung-mesmerize-galaxy-s-smartphones.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I got the Samsung Mesmerize - Galaxy S. (Not the new II that has been in commercials, but similar/older I'm guessing.) It's so great! TONS of apps to choose from, touch screen, user-friendly. From what I hear of the iphone, it sounds like it's very similar without the high price tag or random expensive glitches.<br />
The only thing I don't like about it is having to hold the phone carefully so I don't accidentally click on something when I'm just trying to read something. Darn touch screen! But all-in-all, I love it!!Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-71677027010180518892011-08-19T22:36:00.002-04:002011-08-19T23:00:18.920-04:00Why I'll Never Be a Successful BloggerSeveral months ago, when I started this blog (not "launched" because it's still not public), I shared it with one of my friends who is a very successful blogger. She has her own blog, she blogs for a famous online newspaper, and she's featured in various other popular blogs and publications. She emailed me back a very thoughtful response with positive feedback and helpful advice. For someone who likes to achieve "empty inbox" status, it should say a lot that I've left her response in my inbox all these months. I just want to make sure I hold on to her input, at least until I can implement some of it. (I would link to her here, but I'm still not ready to share this blog, so for now I'll just call her my very helpful friend Simcha.)<br />
But here's my problem. Her advice will be helpful if I want to have a <strong>successful</strong> blog. And, you may ask, what blogger wouldn't want their blog to be successful?? Apparently, me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_CN4BFZFrGT-7fUWZzp8MCu5wEmjRFWzphtxZBsZGzV-94rPIN9mGZJ6jdzm2AV6LtmFWygzMr63GRSMP3dsQkyWiYzf8ChmQ2E6q4JKyWJyI8oFKTo6gU95zS1hjm_gz1LF51LqL_w/s1600/writingsample.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_CN4BFZFrGT-7fUWZzp8MCu5wEmjRFWzphtxZBsZGzV-94rPIN9mGZJ6jdzm2AV6LtmFWygzMr63GRSMP3dsQkyWiYzf8ChmQ2E6q4JKyWJyI8oFKTo6gU95zS1hjm_gz1LF51LqL_w/s320/writingsample.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The more I read Simcha's blog and others which seem to have gigantic followings with lots of happy supporters, the more I see they also have stalkers and lurkers and trolls and whatever else they're called. These are people ("people") who have nothing better to do with their time than to seek out boggers they disagree with and say argumentative, mean things to and about them.<br />
Ack!!! I don't want that!!! I want happy, funny, ha ha ha, you're entertaining -type comments. That's it. I don't like arguing with people I <strong>know</strong> - - I don't even want to think of wasting my time arguing with jerks I don't know!<br />
I hadn't planned on a musings, stream-of-consciousness kind of blog, but I'm realizing that trying to avoid that is keeping me from blogging all together. And that's not good, right?<br />
So, I think I'll go back to my original, undeveloped, non-successful blog idea of just writing how I do what I do, day in, day out, boring, blah blah blah. At least then I'll be writing. And I can let things evolve from there. Or not. But I don't need more stress in my life, for crying out loud (this is me reminding myself!), so for now, something mediocre and/or bad is better than nothing at all.Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-34690225248836028772011-04-07T11:19:00.003-04:002011-04-07T11:37:17.705-04:00Turkey Spinach BurgersI cannot take credit for coming up with this recipe. It belongs to <a href="http://www.drfuhrman.com/">Dr. Joel Fuhrman</a>, and I got it from his <a href="http://drfuhrman.com/shop/Eat_for_Health.aspx">Eat for Health</a> books. I do take credit, however, for making them and feeding them to my family!<br />
<br />
When changing your own eating habits from unhealthy to healthy, it's fine if you want to do a 180 overnight. You can go from pizza & wings to broccoli & quinoa without batting an eye. And sometimes, it's even advisable to make such a sudden drastic change because it launches you headlong into a new lifestyle. If nothing else, it's a great jumpstart.<br />
<br />
But when trying to give your entire family's eating habits a healthy makeover, it's best to make small incremental changes.<br />
<br />
I am super-blessed and lucky to have a husband who supports the healthy food choices I try to make for the family. If left to his own devices, he would probably subsist on pizza and wings - - and ribs, and fried food, and cheese, and reese's peanutbutter cups, and beer...! But he loves me and supports me and knows (or "knows") he should be eating healthier, so he's on board whenever I want to try something new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if I take away all his favorites all at once, he might just end up feeling deprived and resentful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And who wants that??<br />
<br />
The kids are surprisingly open-minded when it comes to trying new, healthy foods. The older three are definitely more adventurous than the younger ones, but even they have the lingo down. "This will make us healthy and strong, right Mom??" Some dishes go over well - some ridiculously well - and some, not so much. But the fact that they do not thwart me at every turn is very encouraging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if I’m constantly throwing new food at them, they might get burnt out on the novelty (which is sometimes my biggest helper in getting them to try something in the first place) and just revolt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, who wants that??<br />
<br />
But the biggest reason to take things slowly and to make small changes is for your <strong>own darn sanity!</strong> It is hard work! It is mentally challenging to throw out the old meal ideas and come up with new ones. Who am I kidding? It's hard enough to come up with the same OLD dinner ideas! "What?! It's 5:00? You people want to eat today, too?? I better come up with something fast!!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give yourself a chance to learn a little at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try something new, tweak it, incorporate it, make it your own.<br />
<br />
My plan was to eventually come up with an entire arsenal of new healthy meal ideas. And honestly, I admit that I will never completely throw out the old meal ideas. We will incorporate and adopt the new healthier meals, but still allow and toss in the older, less-than-optimal meals on occasion. Sometimes, we might even have a full week of old meals. And we will go on living, and the world will keep turning.<br />
<br />
Turkey Spinach Burgers are one of the first meals I tried from Dr. Fuhrman. As I was making them, and smelling them cooking, I declared out loud to my family, "You will never want regular burgers again!" They smelled soooo good! And, not surprisingly, they tasted amazingly delicious!<br />
<br />
Here's the recipe, as I make them (slightly altered from the original).<br />
<br />
2 packages of "93/7" ground turkey (1.3 lbs each)<br />
1 10 oz. pkg. of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry<br />
1/2 cup dried bread crumbs<br />
1 Tbsp. dried minced onions<br />
1/4 cup dried chopped parsley<br />
3 Tbsp. worcestershire sauce<br />
1 Tbsp. hot sauce (generic is best!)<br />
<br />
Mix ingredients all together and form into patties. (This recipe makes 12-14 patties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Approx. 135 calories per patty.) Grill, broil, or pan-fry them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I usually eat mine on a whole wheat bun, with romaine lettuce, sautéed baby bella mushrooms, and brown mustard. Other condiments used by family members include ranch dressing, hot sauce (yes, more!), barbecue sauce, and good ol' fashioned ketchup & mustard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suppose cheese would taste good on them, too, but we haven’t eaten them that way.<br />
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I'm sorry I don't have a picture of these to woo you if you're sitting on the fence about trying them. I'm making them for dinner tonight, though, and if I think of it, I'll take a picture! They really are delicious and the whole family loves them!Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693378941098805330.post-79737267078707363262011-04-06T11:16:00.005-04:002011-04-06T14:13:47.742-04:00A Failure to Plan is a Plan to FailI don't know who originally said it, but it sure does seem to be true in my life. Eating, exercising, praying, chores - - whatever! If I don't at least make a mental note, a virtual to-do list, things don't get done. Yes, sometimes I have to wing it, but it's rarely the best way to go. <br />
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Monday, I flew by the seat of my pants. I'm currently in Week 3 of the <a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml">Couch-to-5K</a> program, so I knew I'd be running that day, but that's as far as my planning went. And guess what? That's pretty much all I got done that day. <br />
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Monday night, before I went to bed, I decided... "Tomorrow: I will pray first thing in the morning (one decade of the rosary, starting small); I will fold & put away all the laundry (4 loads); I will vacuum the whole downstairs (including the entryway, a veritable sandbox)." And guess what?? I did it! All of it! I accomplished everything I set out to do, and then some! I cleaned the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">downstairs</span> bathroom, scrubbed one of the upstairs showers, and changed the sheets on my bed! Amazing! <br />
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What was NOT amazing was that I didn't exercise (other than the marathon of chores, of course) and I snacked on anything and everything ALL DAY LONG! Those were two areas I hadn't formulated a plan for, and well... that's what happens when I wing it. <br />
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So, here we are today. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Wednesday</span>. Wed. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Nes</span>. Day. (Can anyone spell it without pronouncing the parts separately?) What have I planned for today? <br />
<ul><li>Dinner - Jambalaya. (From a package of frozen components. I really should just make it myself. Next time.)</li>
<li>Exercise - c25k week 3, day 2. Just do it.</li>
<li>Chores - fold and put away another load of laundry (the sheets from my bed and whatever misc. clothes were still dirty after all yesterday's laundry was done), empty & reload dishwasher.</li>
<li>Bills - need to enter my receipts into my check register and pay whatever bills are due.</li>
<li>Food - don't eat between meals, except maybe one snack. Drink more water!!</li>
</ul>There are probably 500 other things I could add to that list, but this is certainly sufficient - especially if I stick to it! And, um, please don't notice that it's almost noon and the only thing I've accomplished is something that was NOT on my list for today: begin a new blog.Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198591580384976505noreply@blogger.com1