4 Miles

Well, I didn't do well this week. I didn't GAIN, but I didn't lose weight either. 

BUT–I do feel better about myself this week. While I didn't hit my goal of working out 5x this last week, I did do it 4. And I can tell a huge difference in my day when I do so that's motivation to do it more (even though I didn't today yet ). I am most proud of myself for going yesterday even after James didn't. Often, when he doesn't work out it makes it easy for me to justify not getting up to go, but I got up on Monday and did it, even after not sleeping well.  Also, I did eat better most of the week. (Friday night scrapping and Saturday's dinner out being my two exceptions).

As I look at the list of names of people and how much they lost, I'm trying to use that as motivation–not getting discouraged and giving up. 

Last month, Will did a question/answer about his Dad.  Last week it his his turn to do one about me. In the spirit of fair play, I'm going to post it, but I don't think it is as funny as the one about James' was.

My Mother's name is Tina.
She is 6 years old. Why do they ask this of Moms and not Dads?
She has blue eyes and black hair.
Her favorite food is fish. In his defense I think we had fish the night before and I was commenting how I liked the recipe…but not my favorite food by far!
She likes to do work. Just because he sees me doing it a lot doesn't mean I like it!
She spends most of her time playing games with me.
Mommy looks pretty when she gets a hair cut. And I've only had my hair cut once in the last year–what does THAT say about me?!?
She knows how to push us on the swings better than anyone in the whole world!
I want to give my Mommy a digger with a shovel in the front and a backhoe. Um, thanks?
If Mommy and I spent the day together, we would do dishes. Sorry kid, that's for you and Daddy to do together!
I know my Mommy loves me because she hugs and kisses me.

I want to wish our moms, and the other moms who might read this, Happy Mother's Day!

My Mother's Day gift was a great one–but pictures help explain what James did. Here you see a picture of the side of our kitchen, next to the fridge.  When we first moved in, we placed the 2 microwave stands we'd had in various places there to hold the microwave and other things.  Then James' mom suggested using our table there to add to the counter space. This worked well, but there were a few problems. First (mainly), the table was lower then counter top height, so it was a bit hard on my back to work on it…I would stoop over.  Second, as you can see it got a bit cluttered there. I used to have things neatly organized, but a little boy named Alex would pull everything off. (I'm looking at this picture and I can't believe I didn't pick up before I took this. This was it at it's worst, really! Please don't be ashamed, Mom, I know you taught me better.)

The original idea was to raise up the table and put doors on it. It ended up being easier to get two untreated cabinets and put our table top on it. James painted everything and put them in this evening, and we now have:

Doesn't it look SO much better?!? James did a great job! On TOP of that, I got to sleep in a bit and had breakfast brought to me in bed (Will got upset when I chose to eat it at the table though!) and some potted yellow lillies and cards from both James and the boys. VERY nice. 

(And I'll just end this focusing on the positive. :-))

Last summer, when the power mower was broken and wouldn't run, I kept hinting to my husband that he ought to get it fixed, but somehow the message never sunk in.

Finally I thought of a clever way to make the point. When my husband arrived home that day, he found me seated in the tall grass, busily snipping away with a tiny pair of sewing scissors. He watched silently for a short time, then went into the house.

He was gone only a few moments, and when he came out again he handed me a toothbrush."When you finish cutting the grass," he said, "you might as well sweep the sidewalks."

Wow, yesterday ended up being a crazy day!

The Bad–Preschool didn't meet yesterday, and I never got a note about it. But I did wonder since it was an election day (primaries) and they didn't meet on the election Tuesday in the fall.  Ironically, Will was saying how he didn't want to go as we pulled up to the church/school. Once he found out it wasn't meeting he suddenly wanted to go. (Maybe that's not irony but typical 3 yr. old behavior.)

The Good–He recovered from his disappointment very well. (It could have gotten very ugly–but it didn't and I couldn't title my post "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly".) We went to a nearby store (They give lollypops! And have a horse he can ride for only a penny!) and he found that fun.  Then we blew bubbles outback and he's finally able to do it (not just end up with soap all over himself). I also told him it was Date Night, so he'd get to go to the Brown Church on the Hill (where I go for MOPS) to play that evening.

More Bad–James and I were REALLY looking forward to our Tuesday Date Night. We pulled into the church parking lot and found out it had to be canceled. The church has some construction going on and the workers had hit a power line that afternoon, causing the church to lose power.

The Good–Both kids were tired and were in bed very soon after we got home. We still got to eat dinner together (in the kitchen with our Qdoba takeout). AND-we were both very good and only ate 1/2 of our burrito. While the white rice in it wasn't part of our diet plan, I feel we did a good job on portion control.  AND–while I didn't get my workout in yesterday (rough night the night before made it too hard to get up early), the boys and I got a good walk in to go feed the ducks (and fish) in the pond behind James' office. (The fish seem to enjoy the bread more then the ducks.)  AND—I did get my workout and another walk in today.  AND nothing I planned on going to today was cancelled. And I'll just stop this now before the 'ands' get out of hand!

Are you in? It's not to late to join! Just click on the button to the left, or go here: http://www.talesfromthescales.net/

My goal? First, lose the 15 lbs. I gained back last year. Then, lose 15 more. 

How?

• Plan meals & healthy snacks (instead of grabbing what ever works).
• Work out 5xs a week (I'm not doing well towards that goal this week so far)
• Be more active during the day with the boys (walks, running around with them, etc.)

What we've been doing, in pictures (click on the picture to see more):

May Pictures

Today on a local radio station, a local Biology teacher was giving the host his Freshmen Biology exam (long story as to why). I was so excited I was getting the answers right–and then I realize I should be since I USED TO TEACH THAT!!!

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We have had some wacky weather. Monday & Tuesday it was HOT (in the 80s). I'll justifying saying that is hot because we went from cold (wearing sweaters) to warm to that in just a week. There was no time for our body to adjust!

Monday we spent most of the day outside (except for naps). In the morning, I was able to weed while Will played with his trains outside on the front porch and Alex napped. (Alex is one to run towards the road so I can't weed out front when he was awake.) Lunch & dinner were both on the deck. We've decided we've already gotten our money's worth from it–and we've only had it for a month.

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If you look over to the left side you'll see a little box with the "May Day Weight Loss Challenge" on it (down below the pictures, sorry you'll probably have to scroll down).  I am joining in an on-line weight loss group–and you're welcome to join as well! Starting Tuesday, each week I'll be posting how much weight I've lost (hopefully not gained)–but not my actual weight. Y'all don't need to see that!  I was pleased with the weight loss last summer, but gained it all back during my "break" from exercise during the winter (Um, if I didn't do it all fall or winter is that a break? Or just quitting?) It was NOT a good thing to take a break from. My back problems the last few weeks have made me realize I must make that a regular part of my daily schedule. 

SO– my goals are to work out daily (5x a week), cut out the snacking, and do some extra moving around with the boys during the day (ie. going for a walk, playing "I'm Going to Get You!", etc.).  Want to join? Click on the button to find out more! 

One of the amazing things about blogs is how you can get to know people so well you've never met (ok, maybe that's just me). I have found an amazing group of Christian women who blog and have found my faith strengthened & challanged by their faith.

One woman is my age, with 3 kids. Heather found out a few weeks ago she has a brain tumor. She goes into surgery on Thrusday and she and others are asking for her to be covered in prayer the next few weeks.  She is an amazing person, her faith has remined so strong through this! You will be inspired if you click on any of the links and read a bit of what she has written. Also, please join me in praying for her and her family.