Broccoli is NOT a cupcake

Why is it that stuff is good for you, stuff that is healthy, low calorie, and weight loss friendly does not taste anywhere near as good as the stuff that is not healthy and good for you?   I mean really---you can have a great big bowl of vegetables or a cupcake----be honest, you're gonna have the cupcake.  (And if you are one of those nutjobs people who always make the healthy choice please don't tell me about it)

Tuesday when I was at the gym Miss America or USA or some equivalent was on TV claiming that baked chicken with mashed cauliflower was so much tastier then fried chicken with mashed potatoes.  The chicken I am willing to discuss but the potatoes?  NO WAY.  I don't know where this lady is eating potatoes or what was wrong with them but I am 100% certain that no mashed cauliflower will taste better to me. 

So, know me and my love of doughnuts as you do, when I tell you that I made some broccoli that was tasty and definitely worth making again, you can feel pretty confident that it is good.  I would not lead you astray in the veggie arena.  This is a Pinterest find so some of you may have already seen it.  The orginal recipe calls for 4 to 5 pounds (yes, POUNDS) of broccoli.  Well, I am not sure how many people that was for but in my house there are only 2 people who are going to eat a full serving and 1 might get a few florets down so I am pretty confident that 4 to 5 pounds will be waaay more broccoli then we need.  I bought one bag of the precut/prewashed florets.  Pour the broccoli in a bowl, sprinkle olive oil, salt and pepper over the broccoli. Throw in the equivalent of 4 minced/chopped cloves of garlic.  Cover a cookie sheet with foil and then spread the broccoli out on the cookie sheet.  Place in the oven at 425 for 15-20 minutes.  The tips of the broccoli will start to brown when it is done.  Remove from the oven and toss with the zest from one lemon, squeeze the lemon over the broccoli and then sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.  Tasty and crisp---I promise.  If you try it, let me know what you think. 

Blessings!
Tracey

Gosh it feels like forever

It feels like it has been forever since I wrote, but it really hasn't been that long at all.  Time is funny.  And how is it that we have a "feeling" for days.  You know how we say  "gosh it feels like Monday or Thursday or Sunday" Weird.  Anyway, not the point...
I'm on week 5 of working out.  It's going pretty good.  I have found that I HAVE to as soon as I get off work.  If I don't go work out before heading home, then I won't work out.  I have also found that now that I am working out regularly that I don't seem to be as hungry all the time.  If I make sure to have something high in protein for breakfast then I am usually good until 11:00.  Then I either have some almonds or a fiber bar and a bottle of water before my exercise class.  It has been in the last week or so that I have noticed that after exercising I am not starving like I was a few weeks ago.  When I get home I can usually get by with either a small meal or a "heavy" snack.  Which I am hoping that this new development in my appetite is going to translate to visible weightloss soon.  And finally, I have observed that I sleep MUCH better at night on the days that I exercise.  The days that I don't exercise, I don't sleep soundly at all. 
So, those are all good things.  Now, I can't tell you how many pounds or inches I have lost because I haven't weighed or measured myself since I started this a month ago.  Today, I did measure myself so maybe in a few weeks I will have some comparison.  I don't like to weigh myself because I get very upset when my weight goes up and down each day.  And while I know that it normal it still bothers me and actually seems to make me not want to keep trying to exercise and eat well. 

OK, so that is my health update. 
Meanwhile, since I last talked to you, I turned forty two years old and celebrated my 18th wedding anniversary.  Big stuff right?  I would like to tell you about the amazing, exciting celebrations that we had for these events, buuuut there were none.  Both events fall so close to Christmas that (a) I told the guys that we would celebrate my birthday in June instead of January, i.e they could wait until then to buy me gifts and (b) we have never really done anything major for our anniversary.  Well, except for our 10th we took a cruise.  Maybe we will do something big in two years---check back with me then. 

And  now, I will leave you with this....



just cuz it makes me laugh.  :)

Blessings friends!
Tracey

Banana Cake recipe

I got this off Pinterest and baked it yesterday.  You HAVE to let it set over night.  Trust me!! I tasted it yesterday and it tasted like NOTHING.  This morning though?  Yum!  The ladies at school loved it---and asked me to share the recipe. 

2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature 2 tablespoons canola oil 3/4 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs, at room temperature 1 large egg white, at room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 large ripe bananas 1/4 cup milk ***I doubled this so that I could make a 9x13 pan I had some plain vanilla frosting I had made last week  in the fridge and I put a very thin smear of it on top of the hot cake.  It was just powdered sugar, vanilla, a stick of butter and a spalsh of milk

Preheat oven to 375°. Spray an 8-inch square pan with cooking spray. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat butter, oil, and sugar. Beat in eggs and egg white, 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in vanilla. In a separate bowl, mash bananas with milk. Set aside. Gradually mix half of dry ingredients into butter mixture. Mix in bananas. Mix in remaining dry ingredients. Pour cake batter into prepared baking pan. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on wire rack.

Valentine family board

So, I had this plain Jane bulletin board hanging in the hallway next to the garage door.  I had put some hooks into a while back so that we could hang our keys on it.  A few months ago, I had used it to put up notes about what we had going on each week.  And that was ok, but to be honest I didn't do a really good job of keeping up with it each week. 

I had been wanting to do some thing to it for a while

So, last week I decided I would paint it.It is hard to tell in this pic (I don't know why) but the base color is actually turquoise.  Once I got that on I felt like it needed something else.  So I thought I would add a pennant across the top.  Then, I thought, instead of triangles, what about circles or ovals?  Well, I painted on the ovals and I thought they looked too much like Easter eggs.   And  I wanted to add lines and dots to them but I thought that would only make them look MORE like Easter eggs.  So, then I came up with owls.  So, I turned the ovals into owls.  Which I like the owls but I know I will repaint it in a couple of months.  I think that it came out much darker then I wanted it to be.  However, while I have the owls on here, I decided that this is the perfect time to make a "Who Loves You?" board.  I used my Sizzix to cut out some hearts for the top and wrote "who loves you?" on them.  Then I punched out some extra hearts and tags to pin on the board for each of us to write messages to each other.  I just put it up today, and I kicked it off by writing a little note to each of the guys I live with about why I love them today. 

I hope that they jump on board this project with me.  Maybe it will give us a better appreciation of each other, and maybe improve some behavior around here.  :)  I'll let you know how it goes.

Blessings friends!

Tracey

What's goin' on?!?

Oh, not too much here---what's up with you?
I've got some pics to share with you....

Yesterday was the 100th day of school.  Which is a BIG deal!!! E had to bring a collection of 100 things to show the class.  He brought 100 Lego mini-figures.  The report that I got was that his collection was the coolest because everyone else just used the examples that were given in the instructions so they all brought pennies, m & m's, or starburst.  Even the ladies in the office and the music teacher came to see his collection so he was pretty proud. 

He also started basketball this month.  He has been having such a good time.  They are really learning the rules now, how to steal, how to pass, how to assist, and they have refs at the games now.  I told him and C today (after the game) that this week we are goign to start having basketball drills in the driveway this week.  And, I am NOT mom, I am coach, so they have to listen and do what I say without complaints that they are tired.  :)

Tonight I made some binky clips for my friend, Kendra.  She saw some on pinterest made out of mattress clips and asked if I could make something similar.  I used elastic, ribbon, mitten clips, and remnants.  I made her 4 clips for $12.  We thought that was pretty good since the cheapest she found online were selling for $10 each.    And for those who don't have babies or haven't had babies in a long time:  you loop the ribbon end through the pacifier and then the clip attaches to the baby's shirt so that if they drop the pacifier it doesn't fall on the floor or get lost.  It will still be clipped to the baby's shirt. 

As with just about any project, you learn as you go.  If I make them again I will cut the fabric just a bit wider and I don't know if I would use elastic again.  The mitten clips worked out perfect though.  I'll let you know if lil' Masen likes his new binky clips. 

And that's all I've got for today friends. 

Blessings!

Tracey

WHO is THAT!?!?!

I told you that I have been going to Zumba every day after work.  Yesterday, I'm there waiting for class to begin and catch a glimpse of this person in the mirror.   You know how sometimes you see someone you haven't seen in a really, really long time and you don't recognize them at first because they've gained a lot of weight or look much older?  Well, I saw this woman in the mirror and had that feeling.  Then I realized---it was ME!!!

Great googly moogly!!!! I did NOT look like that this morning when I was getting ready for work.  There must be something WRONG with the mirror at the gym.  Because I am telling  you that my rear end is NOT THAT big.  And I when I am at home I do not have that much of me jiggling around. 

I am thinking this must be some kind of trick carnival mirror that makes you look a whole lot fatter and flabbier then you are so that you will work out harder.  Yeah, that must be what it is--that's pretty smart of them! 

Of course the instructor looks the same in the mirror as in reality.  That must be because she is CLOSER to the mirror!  Yeah, that's it!!! The further away you are from the mirror the worse you look!  That explains everything!!!
Whew!!! I sure am glad I figured that out.  I was worried for a minute that I might really look like THAT!  And don't even get me started on how uncoordinated my mirror me looks.  Ha!!! Glad I'm not as goofy as that!

Blessings friends!
Tracey

18 years

This weekend is our 18th wedding anniversary.  And in November we will have been together as a couple for 22 years!!!! That is for more than half my life!!!!
We met my junior year in college.  We were both in student government.  He had a girlfriend at the time. A friend of mine did not know he had a girlfriend and kept trying to put us together in situations.  How embarassing!!!! He broke up with the girlfriend.  We started dating.  And we've been together since.  That's the short version.  :)
We've had some ups and downs.  There have been times when I could have strangled him and/or traded him in on a newer model.  I know he has felt the same at times.  But, eventually those times pass. He is a really good guy.  He has an amazing work ethic.  And he puts it to use to make sure that we have what we need and more.  Plus allowing me to work part-time so that I can be home with the kids every afternoon and every school break.  He is a devoted son.  He is an outstanding father.  He is waaaay more patient and calm then I am.  He is tolerant and reserves judgement.  He has a great since of humor, although he can be really dorky sometimes.  He's pretty great---and don't even get me started on his wife!!!! :)
Love ya Mr. G!!! Happy Anniversary!!

Blessings friends,
Tracey

The great state of denial

I admit it, I am a lifelong resident of the state of denial when it comes to things that scare me or make me nervous.  If I don't see it, hear it, talk about it, etc then it doesn't exsist.  I function well with this philosophy.  Let me give you a couple of examples:
we live outside the city limits.  Not like on a ranch or a farm, we do live in a neighborhood, but the lots in this area are all 1 or 2 acres.   Which means we have vermin, i.e. mice, bugs, and so on.  But I can convince myself that they aren't REALLY here on my property as long as I don't SEE them.  As long as I don't see them I can believe that our outdoor cats are effectively keeping all the vermin off our two acres and driving them onto our neighbors' land.  My ability is impaired however, when I see one of our cats chasing a rodent across the yard or when they bring one of the carcasses up to the porch.  Apparently, the cats are not familiar with the state of denial.
Snakes are another critter I can ignore and pretend that they don't exist as long as I don't see them.  However, when I am mowing and see something slither by, my toes curl and I get back to the garage as fast as my John Deere will go.  And telling me something like "Oh, that's a bull snake.  Those are good snakes to have because they eat the mice and rattle snakes"  does absolutely NOTHING to make me feel better or to return me to my comfy state. 
So, imagine the jolt I received a few days ago when I saw a BOBCAT in the field behind our neighborhood.  Now, I will say that we have had a skunk on our back porch, our neighbors frequently have armadillos digging up their yard looking for bugs, somewhere in our far back area there is a rabbit warren because we frequently see bunnies in the yard.  The boys and I have even seen deer every once in while.  But these are all generally tame animals that tend to stay away from humans anyway.  And, in the great state of denial, it never entered my mind that there might BOBCATS just a mile or so from my house.  Of course, this sighting automatically led me straight to the great state of WORRY.  What if the boys are outside playing and the bobcat gets in the yard?  Or what if it starts wandering the neighborhood?  Then, because this is how these things work, as I turned the corner guess what I saw---a dead coyote!!! Great googly moogly!!!!! Way to relocate me out of my home state mother nature!!!! A bobcat and a coyote all in one day?!?!  Did I mention how much I enjoy my residence in the state of denial? 
And now, just to keep things interesting, the kids are on "bobcat watch" every day on the way home.  They enjoy wildlife sightings, I do too, as long as it is one of those cute little rabbits or a prarie dog that I am sighting.  Anything scary can just stay hidden----and I will pretend that it doesn't exist. 

Blessings friends!
Tracey

I am trying to come up with something

Well, I just don't have a good topic here.  I had something earlier but then I forgot what it was----shocking isn't it?

Let's see, I have discovered that long weekends actually encourage me to not accomplish much.  Typically, I get the house cleaned and run to the grocery store on Friday but since I knew that we were off on Monday--I kept thinking, "I can do it tomorrow"  which means that I never actually got the whole house cleaned. 
Mr. G and I took the kids to see "we bought a zoo"  It was really good.  We all liked it alot.  This weekend has several movies coming out--like the one about the whales I mentioned a while back.  And the one with Tom Hanks about 9/11.  and I think there is another one but I can remember now---yup, shocking again.
I currently am playing 10 games of Words with Friends.  If you would like to play let me know and I will add you to my list.  I am a little obsessed with it. 
Did I tell you I have decided to celebrate my birthday in June?  See, my birthday and wedding anniversary are both this month.   And it is right after Christmas.  And every year I really can't come up with anything I want to do or get.  so, I told Mr. G that we could just do some cake in January and he could buy me presents in June.  I also told him that if he wanted to throw me a big surprise party in June he could.  Several people laughed at me about this, but then they agreed with the wisdom of this plan.  In fact, my nephew, whose birthday is also this month, is going to celebrate in June too. 
I am working toward making going to the gym immediately after work a new habit.  I am currently on week two.  I think it is about 5 or 6 weeks that you have to do something before it becomes habit/routine. 
I've got a funny for you , I'd driving the boys home from school and Chris is talking to me about something he saw on TV  "so he is in the heaves"  (me)  "in the heaves?"  (c) "no, in the heaps!"  (me)  "in the heaps? what does that mean?  what are the heaps?"  (c) "you know, the heaps, when you feel blue or feel sad"  (me) "ooooohhhhhh, the heaps!  you mean the dumps!  He was down in the dumps"  (c)  "(sigh)  yeah, whatever, he was sad!"    Apparently, telling me a story is very stressful for my child.  :)

Blessings friends!

I love Cool Whip

You know that commercial where the lady orders a piece of pie and the waitress says "oil or cream?"  and shows her a can of whipped cream and a tub of cool whip.  Well, I just have to say that I like Cool Whip.  I like whipped cream too.  And on some things only whipped cream will do.  But, there are also times that only cool whip will do.  Like on Jello or Jello salad, or on poke cake, or on pumpkin pie.  And there is nothing wrong with that!!! Why do people make classic American food inventions shameful?  Like Jello, Cool Whip, Twinkies---which I actually don't like and would much rather have a DingDong or raspberry Zinger, but that is not the point.  The point is that Cool Whip is good stuff.  So what if it is not all natural.  What do you think is preserving us from decay and disease?  All the chemicals and preservatives we eat of course!!!   So, I say to you----unite Cool Whip lovers!!! Unite!!!

I'm warning you, this one is random

I'm just telling you right up front that this one is probably going to be totally random and rambling.  I usually have a plann or a topic in mine but I just got nothin' today.     So let's see where this goes.

 healthy update:  well, I found a green tea that didn't make me gag so I started drinking the Dr. Oz weight away tea yesterday.  I don't know that it is actually going to make me lose any weight but it kinda helps fill the gap left by giving up my sweet tea habit.  I have decided that I have to make myself go to the gym as soon as I leave work.  If I don't then it is almost a guarantee that the work out won't happen.  Today I went from work to Zumba and worked out hard.  I am really struggling with managing my appetite though.  Because since I am exercising and moving more, it seems like I want to eat all the time.  If you have any tips or help with that I would appreciate it. 
The kids' school district is applying for a grant to upgrade their PE equipment.  Part of this application is the kids are wearing pedometers all this week and tracking what they are eating.  This is causing me to step up my game in the food area because I don't want to be the mom whose kids log zero fruits and veggies every day.  But it is also making them eat more fruits and veggies.  Chris actually consumed green beans and asparagus this week.  And that has never happened. 
And I have discovered that I am much more likely to consume fruit if it is blended up with ice into smoothie form or if it is chopped up, mixed together and in the form of a salad.  But, to just pick up an orange and eat it---nah, not at all appealing to me.  Which is interesting because veggies I LOVE and would eat just veggies for dinner if my family would go for it. 
 I am so very tired of laundry.  I have tried doing it all one day a week but I hate that because then I feel like I do nothing all day but sort, fold, and put away clothes.  I have tried doing a load each day so that it does stack up but I hate that because I feel like I am ALWAYS doing laundry.  So, I think my family should just become nudists, or wear the same clothes for like a week at a time.  I will let them change underwear daily.
My hermit inclination is increasing.  If it weren't for the fact that I would really like Evan to learn to read and do math, and if Chris weren't counted absent per class he misses, I would pick them up as soon as I get done with work and then not leave the house the rest of the day.  Once I get home I just want to put on my cozy clothes, eat and watch TV.  And going back out to pick up the kids throws a wrench in that plan. 
And speaking of TV, I am watching this show "Face Off" about make up artists who are trying to win a contest.  I am amazed at some of the stuff they create, other stuff just grosses me out.  these are the re-runs of last season and the new season starts tonight.  Gonna have to check it out and see if I want to add it to my tv watching rotation.  you know, in place of some of the Law and Order reruns.
In addition to laundry, I am really tired of my kids' having homework.  And the notes from the teachers that say "enjoy this time with your child"  HA!!! obviously they have a different definition of "enjoy" Trust me an hour of doing homework with my kid is a far away from enjoyable as a root canal.  In fact, I don't know ANY parent who would say that doing homework with their kids is an "enjoyable time." 
The increased exercise has made me more energetic during the day, which is great.  But right now it is 7:00 and I feel like I could sleep for 12 hours.  Which might also help with the weight loss, since I can't eat if I'm asleep.  I should say though that I am not really worried so much about weight as size.  I want to be smaller and firmer.
Hae you seen the commerical for this new show Alcatraz that is coming on Fox next week?  It looks kind of interesting---I may have to check it out.  But, it is from the same people who made Lost and I got really irritated with Lost after a while because it was just too complicated and convoluted. 
So, that pretty much sums up what is going on with me----healthier life, tired, and TV
What's up with you?

Insights for 2012

Yes, I am aware that we are only a week into 2012.  But I think that may be the best time to share some insights. That way you can put them to use early on in the year and think "wow, my year is so much better because of this!"   You will think that right?

OK--on to the insights!

#1  Inform your spouse. 
I have recently discovered that my husband does not know alot about details of our household.  For example, he does not know where to pick up the kids after school, where to take them for a haircut, which vet we use, which pediatrician we use, and/or to buy the hormone free milk.  Now please understand this is in no way a criticism of him.  In fact, if anything, it is a criticism of me.  He doesn't know these things because I always take care of them. He doesn't really need to know where to take the kids for a haircut because I always take them.  But, he also didn't know where the kids' birth certificates, social security cards, insurance papers, etc. were, and that would be a big deal.  So, last week, we sat down and purged our file cabinet and put all the important papers in one folder and now we both know where that folder is--just in case.  Also, I am making sure he knows where to pick up the kids 'cuz I don't think they want to spend the night at school.  :)

#2  Healthier lifestyles are NOT easy  (and kinda suck)
Now if you are a healthy person who runs every day, does yoga, and eats vegan/organic/paleo please do not tell me how great you feel and how much better your life is because of this.  I KNOW that EVENTUALLY I will feel great but right now, when I am trying to make the transition from donut/bread eating sloth it is kinda like torture.  I am only one week in and I really want a donut.  I mean REALLY want a doughnut.  And as much fun as Zumba is, watching reruns of Law and Order also makes me happy.  If I had a better understanding of chemistry, and a lab, i would begin development of a doughnut gum.  You know like nicotine gum to quit smoking?  I think we sloths need a similar aid.  Somebody work on that OK?  and then you gotta cut me in on the profits since it was my idea. 

#3  When developing a healthy lifestyle you must leave home
See, when you are trying to commit to exercise it is more effective if you leave your home.  If you walk three miles outside and you get tired it really doesn't matter that you don't want to walk any more because you HAVE to walk to get back home.  Or if you go to a gym for a class you have all the peer pressure to keep going even if you are tired.  But at home, if you are tired of walking you just turn off the treadmill and flop on the couch.  Or if you are doing a video and feel like you are going to die, you can just sit there and watch Jillian jump around on the screen--or turn her off and flip over to the Real Housewives. 

#4  DO NOT turn on the TV or computer when cleaning house
This is how it goes, you are cleaning the kitchen and think "Oh, I'll just check my e-mail really quick while the floor dries and then I'll go do the bathrooms"  and that "really quick" turns into 3 hours on facebook, blogs and pinterest and those bathrooms never get done.  Or, "Whew, I'm just gonna turn on the TV for a minute while I fold this laundry then I'll go and finish vacuuming" turns into a four hour mini-marathon of Top Chef.  Trust me!  I know of what I speak.  If you have a real desire to get done cleaning and washing clothes don't listen to these electronic devils!!!

#5  Recommit, do what you want to do, and say no
This one is really kind of long.  Recommit---to something.  Exercise, a hobby, making time for you, church, whatever you feel you have quit doing and really miss.  Do what you want to do the way that you want to--and this applies to everything.  For example; there are tons of things out there right now about doing one task/chore a day and getting stuff cleaned and organized that way.  And that is terrific if that is how you work best.  Personally, I am a "get it all done in one" day kinda girl.  And, all those recommendations to leave the dishes in the sink and bond with your kid are great but sometimes i just have to do the dishes.  And truth be told, i am a more engaged and attentive mommy when my chores are done then when they are waiting for me.  So, do it (whatever "it" might be) however works best for you.  And finally say no.  How many times a week do you agree to something and then think "now why did I say I would do that?"  Ugh I HATE that!!!! And I've already done it twice and the new year is only a week old.  There is no shame in saying No.  You don't have to provide a reason, just say I'm sorry, i can't.  I really need to work on this one, 'cause these commitments I don't really want to make anyway cut into my reality TV viewing time.

#6  Think about your audience.
If you are talking to your mom, sister, best friend or even your husband, it is totally appropriate to list all the things you do and how busy and stressed you are, and how amazing you are at all that you do.  However, it is not appropriate to have the same conversation with the cashier, your child's teacher, the parent of the kid in your kid's class, or even your casual friends.  They don't care that you are working, going to school, training for a marathon, have 85 kids, suffer with chronic acne, are the room mother for 12 different teachers AND have to bake 10 dozen cupcakes tonight.  What they are really thinking, as they nod at you and attempt to look interested is "what is she saying?  that she is so much busier then me?  that I don't have a lot going on?  that she is a better mom? is she implying that I am lazy?  What---she doesn't think other people are busy too?"  Trust me, you are not making yourself look good to this person.  If anything, they are currently planning ways to avoid any future conversation with you. 

#7 and related to #6  quit using Facebook as your personal pity party
You know what I mean.  Everyone has that one friend on their facebook who never has anything positive or happy to say in their status.  The world is perpetually against, their life sucks and they need you to know it.  And not only do they want you to know it but they want you to pray for them and tell them how great they are.  You know  "I am the worst mother in the world"  is just the facebook way of saying "please comment on my status and tell me how great you think I am"  or "my life just sucks!  why can't things ever go my way?!!"  is the facebook way of saying "please tell me that you are praying for me, that I am a good person, and that you know I deserve and will get good things"  I get it, crappy things happen every day to every one but when all you ever post is negative people begin to hide your posts, or unfriend you, and no one wants that right?

And those are your 7 insights for today---one for each day of the new year.  I hope that you have found this to be both helpful and entertaining.  :)

Blessings friends!!

Ack! You too!?!?!

Yeah, me too.  I  have climbed up on the healthy lifestyle band wagon.  I started going to Zumba three weeks ago--yes that means before the holidays.  I really like it.  And let me tell you---it is a work out!  I know that if I attend an exercise class then I am more likely to keep up with the exercise vs. saying I am going to walk at home, or use one of the numerous exercise videos that I have bought.  My sofa is a siren--it calls to me---Come sit on me, check your e-mail, watch re-runs of Law and Order:Special Victims Unit  (read that with a whispery, singing voice)
So, back to my tale, I have been going to Zumba.  And, now I need to make the healthier eating leap.  But that is really harder to me because, in case I haven't mentioned it, I like food.  Particularly, sweets.  And I like to cook, and then eat, and try new recipes, and taste them.  (sigh) so, I am working on the eating thing.  Maybe I'll just go to an extra Zumba class so that I can continue to indulge in my love affair with doughnuts. 
And, now, I have promised/committed with my friend Rita that I will partner with her.  We have each committed to lose 30 pounds in the next three months.  We are going to hold each other accountable.  Which this is a good thing because otherwise it is sooooooo easy for me to say---forget it, gimmee that cake!  did I mention that I really like sweets?  And I have many, many new recipes pinned on Pinterest. 
maybe I need to start focusing my pins on craft projects I want to make.  That would definitely be better.  Yeah, channel my love for food into creating---anyone need a scarf?

Blessings!

the year 2012--day 3

I don't know about you but I am really, really, really in disbelief that it is already January 2012.  First, it is hard to believe that the holidays are already over.  Second, it is shocking to me that another year has already passed. I know this is a big cliche and that people say it all the time, but truly, it seems like the time is just flying by.  Wasn't it just a few weeks ago that I was bemoaning the fact that summer was over and we had to go back to school?  And, now here I am bemoaning the fact that Christmas break is over and we have to go back to school.  Hmmm, I think I may be noticing a pattern here.  Oh, and Mr. G is just as thrilled that we are going back to school now as he was in August.  JEALOUS!!!

So, anywho, the boys head back to school tomorrow and I go back on Thursday.  Although, I may go in for just a bit tomorrow to get my room set up and grab the CD's I need for this month.  Typically, I make a CD each month of all the songs we will be learning that month.  However, my  laptop seems to have developed a hatred of itunes and Mr. G's laptop does not have a CD burner.  So, until I get a new laptop, or figure out why my laptop and itunes are no longer speaking to one another, I am going to have to go old school and switch out CD's for each new song.  :(  Not the best method but cheaper then a new laptop at this time. 

After a brief visit to school and a doctor's appointment, I am hoping to spend a little time in the developing craft room.  I have some fleece pants that I have to get hemmed for little E.  Let me just say how much I LOVE shorts season.  Pants for my children are such a pain.  With both of them, if they fit in the waist the length is wrong but if I get the length they need then the waist doesn't fit.  But shorts, are perfect.  All I have to worry about is the waist.  And thankfully, we live in a place where they get to where shorts about 75% of the year.  Flip flops are fabulous too by the way.  No socks, so laces, just slip them on and go. 

Umm, I am not sure where I was going with this blog.  I think I had an idea/point at the beginning but I have lost it somewhere along the way. Maybe it is the cough syrup.  Did I tell you that I am feeling under the weather?  I have one of those annoying coughs that won't stop and seems to kick in when you are trying to lay down and go to sleep.  So you have to spend the whole night popping cough drops because as soon as you don't have one in your mouth you start coughing til you gag and you get no sleep.  You know that cough?  And I have a gland/node on the left side of my neck that is swollen and tender.  I feel certain that if I could squeeze it nasty yellow stuff reeking of infection would squirt out.  Sorry, that was TMI wasn't it?  I sort of have a fascination with squeezing things.  This is why my sons and husband run screaming whenever I start looking too closely at any blemish they have.
I think my thoughts are meandering again.  Time to give you a break.   I'll go sleep off the cold medicine and maybe I'll be more coherent tomorrow.  :)

Blessings,

The last gasp of 2011

Whew--it has been a crazy, whirlwind last three weeks.  I thought that the Christmas break would be an opportunity for me to read some books, go to the pottery studio, make some crafts....umm, yeah, not so much.  But that doesn't mean, AT ALL, that it has been bad.  In fact, it has been really great.  let me show you some of what has been happening in the last few weeks.

This is the finished product of the gingerbread house.  I think I posted pics previously of the kids working on it.  But I never put up any pics of the house once it was done.  I know you were barely able to enjoy Christmas with this question hanging over your head.

We had a lovely Christmas.  It was kind of low key but lots of fun.  Chris got a Ninja Smoothie machine for Christmas.  And can you believe the darn thing already broke?!?!  We've used it 3 times and the post part of the blade broke on the last try!  So, I've gotta take that back to the dreaded Walmart tomorrow. Ugh,  I hate the Walmart! 

Evan got one of these mini doughnut makers for Christmas.  And he could not wait to try it out.  Finally, yesterday we made some doughnuts. 

It was really pretty easy but we will probably use a different recipe next time.  We used the one that came in the directions with the little machine and it didn't taste bad we just didn't love it.  We covered some in powdered sugar, some in cinnamon sugar, and some in glaze.  The kids informed that next time we need real frosting instead of glaze.  :)

For New Year's Eve we planned a big night of favorite foods and board games.  It doesn't look very appetizing in this pic...

but we had homemade mac and cheese, meatballs and spinach dip.  Yes, it was random but the kids enjoyed it and the games were fun.  We played Pictureaka and Blokus

And today, I got Mr. G to help me work on purging and re-organizing the office.  Several months ago, I told you that we were working on making the office a shared space so that I would have a room to craft it and store my stuff.  Well, I never really felt like I did a very good job of merging the two spaces or organizing my materials.  The cabinet above had been behind the desk and had the printer on top.  Today we emptied it all out and moved it across the room.  I organized all my craft supplies and made good use of my NEW LABELMAKER!!!! Now, not everything I have fit in this cabinet becasue I wasn't able to use the drawers ('cause there is other stuff in there that couldn't be relocated).  We have spent almost all day in the office/craft room and still aren't quite done.  As soon as we are I will post some more pics. 

And, finally, these pics are illustrative of nothing I have done but show you are super cute kitten.. .

Blessings friends!