Today was Mops and I had the fortunate experience of driving a "loaner" car there. Now, I hope everyone has had the distinct opportunity to drive the "loaner car" at some point in their lives. It's always an adventure, because you never really know what to expect out of it or from it. I've often wondered how a vehicle from a mechanic shop could have so many "issues"... I really have no complaints about the one I drove today. It got me where I needed to go and back home again. However, it wasn't my own vehicle and that's probably why I never really cherish the "loaner" moments.
Interesting, that makes me think about my life... Do I sometimes treat myself as a "loaner"? Hmm. I like to think that I don't, but as I look at my life...I do. What a great reason to let God be in control. Let Him keep me cleaned up and fix what's broken. Because when I try to do it myself, I'm turning myself into a "loaner" - it's never quite fixed, just patched up so it won't break down right away - it's never quite as clean as it should be, just enough to get by. I don't want that. I want the new car. The clean car. The car I can depend on.
Wow. That was random.
Today was COLD again. I don't like winter and I don't like cold. I'm glad that Casey doesn't mind it. But I hate that I have to go outside with her because it's cold out there! But before you think I'm a terrible mom - I DO go outside and play with her when it's not sub-zero. And I will admit, that it's good for both of us - even if I despise the cold.
I had to throw this picture in because it reminds me that winter only lasts for a season. It may be a long season. But it's only for a season. (I'll keep telling myself that!) This was taken in Mexico in January. What a great group of friends, and what a good time we had! ;)
Summer is coming!
Well, I've entered the world of FaceBook... And what fun! I've found so many people that I just figured I had lost touch with forever, but no! I found them on FB. So cool. Anyhoo...
I've been feeling like a bad mom. How did I let my daughter become such a whiny child? Now, I have to go to disciplinary lengths to overcome this problem - and I don't like it at all. When she was 1 and 2, I could just distract her, but not so now! And that's what I've been trying to do and it's given me this child... I've been trying so hard the past couple of days to nip it. But I could sure use some suggestions from others who have "been there, done that". Or maybe I'm the only one! Yikes! Then I would feel like a really bad mom! Aside from the whining, I have a sweet and happy child. I just can't believe how quickly she's growing up. I need to post some more pics.
Weight loss musings:
I lost 1 pound last week! I know, it's not much, but the scale went down, and that's what matters most to me. Now I have a reason to try hard this week so I can have the same results next week! I really tried to cut back my portion sizes, and for the most part I did very well. Exercise? Bleck! So not a fan. Give me warm sunny days (75 degrees +) and I'll be outside everyday - playing at the park with Casey, mowing lawn, working in my garden. But keep it cold like this, and you'll find me indoors wishing for Mexico!!
Wow! I really rambled today, didn't I? ;)
Why is it that even though I know what I need to do to lose weight, I struggle so much? It doesn't matter how many different diets I try, or how many exercise dvds I buy, or how many "magic" pills I pop, it all boils down to this very basic truth: To lose weight, one must eat less and move more. How much more simple can it get!? I mean, seriously!
With that said, this week went fairly well. I've been trying to watch my portion sizes and to drink a lot of water. I figured out a way to make sure that I drink enough water every day - I fill a milk jug every morning and it needs to be empty by the time I go to bed. I've also been trying to "listen" to my stomach, so that when I'm full, I stop eating. Drinking plenty of water each day has really helped me with that! I've also been trying to get some exercise in every day - that's been the hard part. I finally decided that I don't like to deliberately exercise. Even with having Julie to motivate me, it's a struggle. So I've been trying to run around the house with Casey, walk to the library, go up and down the steps as much as I can during the day. Basically, I try to keep moving. With nearly one week under my belt, I'm feeling pretty good about myself. Hopefully the scale will reflect that on Monday... I'm going to try to add a little more fiber into my diet and see if that helps, too. I'm sure I'm not getting enough on a daily basis. That, and sleep. I'm terrible at getting enough sleep. I guess these are my add-on goals for next week: Keep moving, More fiber, Get enough sleep.
On a different note, I've decided to stop selling Creative Memories products. I never thought I would get to this day, but it's funny how changes in our lives effect the things we do... *duh* I'm a little melancholy about it, but I also feel a sense of relief to be out from under the consultant obligations. I've done so very little since we moved, and it just doesn't make sense to continue right now. Plus, I've hardly done any scrapping in the last year and a half. I'm so far behind! I love to scrapbook - I especially love the finished product. I hear my pictures calling my name!
Ah, the weight loss battle has begun. And what a battle it will be - with myself! I keep trying to tell myself that it would be so much easier if the weather were warm and sunny - ie: 75+ degrees... yeah, right. If I can't do this when it's cold, then I may as well lasso the moon... Ok, so that didn't make any sense, but it's also 12:30 at night and I should be in bed, but I'm sitting at my computer typing a message that I will probably want to delete after I read it in the morning.
If anyone does read this blog, besides me, let me know if you are trying to lose weight and if success is finding you. Or maybe you've already lost it, weight that is, and you'd like to share how you did it. I'd love to hear some encouraging words and advice. The more the merrier, you know. I've decided to do it without pills and crash diets, I'm trying this the old-fashioned way: portion control, exercise and general lifestyle changes.
I can do it!!!
Lunch on the beach in Cozumel. Can you think of anything better?
Enough complaining. I'm in a "winter" cleaning mode today. It actually started last night, but is thankfully continuing today and will hopefully last all week! After a talk with Julie last night, I've decided that I was not born a "cleanie", I was born a "messy". Unfortunately, that just means I have to work much harder to keep my house in order. blah! I wish HGTV would send someone over here and get me organized...wishes....wishes.... I'm amazed at how much stuff we've accumulated over the past year and a half. I have a huge bag and a box that are being filled for Goodwill. And I just did this last summer - where does it all come from? My goal: get this house in tip-top shape by Casey's birthday! (And keep it that way!)
My other goal: lose 60 pounds this year! That's only 5 pounds a month, and I can do it. Thankfully, I have Julie to go this road with me, which will help a ton! Together, she and I could lose a small person - Yikes!! I've been saying I want to lose weight for years, and this year, is my year. I never had a weight problem when I was growing up, but then I got married and I think I just stopped caring. Unfortunately that has led to a 60 pound weight gain since my wedding day - 15 years ago - that's only 4 pounds a year. I'm trying to put my focus not only on losing the weight, but on a healthy eating lifestyle. I've gotten so careless over the years and I really want to change that. I don't want Casey to struggle with this like I have. I'm also working on being a more positive person, which will help me and my family more than anything!
With God's help, I can do it!!!
Ola! I miss Playa del Carmen. It was beautiful, with loads of heat and sun! We came home to below zero temps and 6 inches of snow... Maybe the winter won't seem as long since we had a "break" in the middle of it all? We went with 3 other couples and had a great time! It was sunny and 80+ when we arrived and it stayed that way pretty much the entire time. Every night we would walk from our resort down to Quinta Avenida (5th ave) and browse the shops and eat at one of the many restaurants. During the day, we either stayed at the resort, or took a day trip somewhere. Tuesday we took the ferry over to Cozumel and rented scooters for the day. Oh what fun! We rode all over the island. Stopping frequently for drinks, chips and salsa/guac, of course! I think I've consumed more chips and salsa in the past week then in the previous 10 years!! But it was sooo good... Thursday we spent the day at Xel-Ha, a water park of sorts. They offer snorkeling and swimming, cliff jumping, lazy river among many other things. It was fun, but Cozumel was better. All in all, I'd say it was a fabulous way to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary.
Casey spent the week with Nana, and did very well. She missed us, but there were no major breakdowns, which was good. When we picked her up, she told me "Thanks for coming to get me!" She was very happy to see us and we were very happy to see her. It was the first time we've left her for that long (9 days), and I hope it's a long time before we do it again. I really missed her! What usually did me in was when I would look up at the moon at night - and think "I see the moon and the moon sees me..." ...her favorite song.
As much as I enjoyed the trip and the sun, it was nice to get back to my own bed and my own house. I'll post pictures soon. Oh, I'm going to learn Spanish this year. I've been saying for years that I would like to learn it and have never done anything about it. That's going to change!
Adios!
Today was COLD again. I don't like winter and I don't like cold. I'm glad that Casey doesn't mind it. But I hate that I have to go outside with her because it's cold out there! But before you think I'm a terrible mom - I DO go outside and play with her when it's not sub-zero. And I will admit, that it's good for both of us - even if I despise the cold.
I had to throw this picture in because it reminds me that winter only lasts for a season. It may be a long season. But it's only for a season. (I'll keep telling myself that!) This was taken in Mexico in January. What a great group of friends, and what a good time we had! ;)
