Sunday, February 28, 2010

weekend *sigh*

*sigh*..... what a great weekend!

Started off after a very.. long.. friday.. at work. But at 5pm sharp I locked those doors and my friend and I headed up to Tri-Cities for some much needed shopping therapy. And whoa, I spent a little too much. But it's all good. I got some new clothes for Dennis, Bubba, and Harley. I got a wierd sweater cardigan thing, and some loot from Bath and Body Works. I am totally hooked on Mango Mandarin!!! Had some dinner at Mongolian BBQ Grill (sans noodles), which was pretty good. I think I might venture back to Mongolian in a couple of weeks. Lots of veggies and meat, all cooked up, cant really go wrong there.

I had planned on going to get a pedicure on Saturday morning, but instead i watched QVC and bought the Today's Special Value. I convinced myself I could do my own pedi, and spend money on Philosphy skin care. We'll see. I have had the worst luck with skin care products this last year. But at least I can send it back if I dont like it.

I then went for a run at the walking park. I was doing so so so good. I was running for a good amount of time, and then I hit a swarm of gnats. It was sick, I kept going for a while, but there were more gnats, and more and more and more. My face was so wet and sweaty, they were sticking to me, and almost in my mouth and up my nose. I ran some more at the top of the trail. It was a great run, but I was so sore when I woke up this morning.

Mostly just cleaned house yesterday, went to the park with some friends and kids. Dennis and I watched Julie & Julia last night. Long movie, but I enjoyed it very much, but it made me think about how much I miss cooking and baking. It was just an all around nice and peaceful day. And how about that weather, folks?? Gorgeous!!!

Went to church early this morning, and that was great as always. Its good to see people I know there, and to be there with my whole family. Some friends of ours went today too. I hit up the grocery store before we came home, nice to get that all out of the way. I saved $50 shopping sales, and using coupons.

Oh! Back to the baking thing...Harley and I have been baking cookies on Sundays. She loves to help me in the kitchen. And since I cant eat any of it right now anyway, its easier for me to give her the control in there. She is loving it because I let her do pretty much everything. I'm not the one eating them, so its nice to "let go" of the control I have. I'm not picky about they way they look, or how long it takes her, etc. Last weekend she made snickerdoodles, and today she picked Double Chocolate Chip Cookies. It was a recipe she picked out of her kids cookbook. We use the cookies during the week for her sack lunches, and for an after dinner treat. She is getting more comfortable using all the measurements, and reading recipes. I think we have an awesome Sunday tradition going on here.

Today was another gorgeous day, so instead of the chicken tacos we had planned for dinner, Dennis BBQ'd us hamburgers for lunch. I discovered a way to make bread out of one of my Medifast soups, and its actually pretty good. So I made myself a little hamburger with my "bun." It was so awesome! You should have seen the grin on my face, I thought it was a "real" hamburger.

The diet is going really well. My weight loss is starting to show, and people are noticing. I get a little freaked out sometimes. Do I know how to be thin? Strange, I have been wanting this for so long, and now that its happening, I'm scared?
Ya, riddle me that one, batman.

I went for another "run" this afternoon. Whoa, I am so so so sore. I dread going pee, because it hurts so bad to lower myself down onto the toilet. Sorry if that is TMI, but for real. I'm hurting. I know this will get easier. But for now, I am just going to whine about mmmk?

Oh! and that pedicure I said I could give myself... guess who is going to do it for me?? Dennis! What a guy! He is going to paint my toes and massage my feet with lotion.

Love him. Love my family.

Love my weekends.

*sigh*

Sunday, February 21, 2010

"driving" us crazy

On April 16th, Bubba will be 15 years old.

That only means 1 thing.

It's time to get the drivers permit.

Bubba is always asking us if he can drive, we say NO, of course, you arent old enough yet.

That turns in to "Can I just go around the block?" No.

"Can I just back the car out of the driveway" No.

"Can I start the car?" N... wait? Oh, start the car? Its a good 30 degrees, out, heck yes, please, go start the car! And crank up that heater while you're out there.

Lets go back for a minute, to about the beginning of December...

One morning before school, Dennis, on a whim, asks Bubba if he wants go out and start the Tahoe. Bubba grabs the keys and flies out the door, and returns a minute later. They wait a good 10 minutes or so, excited about hopping into a warm, defrosted car, and get to school. While walking out to the car, Dennis noticed that the Tahoe sure was quiet, but whatever. They climb inside and its freezing cold, and the heater is blowing full blast, icy cold air! The Tahoe wasnt even started!!! Bubba turned the key, and the fan started blowing, he thought that meant the truck was started!!! After a short lesson, Bubba can now successfully start a car. And we have been toying with the idea of taking him out on a back road and letting him drive my little car. And today we did just that....



He did good for his first time.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

wondering why...

Recently I have been wondering why?......

Why is it, that I cant sit still for one second if my kitchen or living room isnt completely spotless, but my bedroom and bathroom are almost always a complete disaster??

Why is it, that when I diet, I crave Taco Bell, and Big Macs? The two foods I absolutely refuse to eat at all even when I am not dieting.

Why am I afraid that running will give me a heart attack?

And, why cant I find the perfect running shoe?

Why dont I brush my dogs teeth?

Why can't I keep my car clean?

Why do I wear hoodies about 90% of the time?

Why dont I ever take pictures anymore?

And, why am I blogging when I have a million and one things to do?

Why would someone smoke cigarettes?, while constantly complaining about how broke they are?

Why dont unhappy, stressed, and depressed people do something to change?

And why am I hungry, when I just ate 33 minutes ago? ..... maybe I'm just thirsty?

Saturday, February 13, 2010

4 weeks, 5 days

Today is 4 weeks and 5 days since I started my diet plan.

I have been living off soy protein shakes, powdered soups, and meal replacement bars.

I havent had one tiny bit of anything that is not allowed on my plan.

I made banana bread, brownies, tacos, and french toast for my family. I didnt even lick my finger.

Valentines dinner is a tradition for Dennis and I.

We. Love. The. Farmers. Kitchen.!!! and we go there every year for Valentines Day.

I told myself when I started the plan that I would not cheat one bit, one bite, or one finger lick..... until Feb 13th.

and I didnt!

And the meal tonight??

AMAZING!

homemade herb foccocia bread with dipping oil
fresh tomato and basil soup
and one of the biggest ribeye steaks I have EVER seen!

I was in meat heaven, then Dennis mentioned dessert.

oh snap.

Creme Brulee..... serioulsy one of my FAVORITE foods ever!

He got the chocolate truffle cake that was shaped like a heart. adorable.

Both desserts were amazing.

and guess what? we brought some home.

I'm so stuffed, so full, my stomach, its distended, lol.

Those boxes are calling my name.

..............................................

I set a goal, a standard... and I stuck to it. Maybe for the first time, ever!

And I will go right back on tomorrow.

My birthday is in 3 weeks. I plan to have something special then, but nothing this elaborate. I have been journaling my triggers, and my cravings. and this is so silly, but as of right now, I plan on having... a chicken pot pie for my birthday.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Because I need to...

I "need" to blog.

Everytime i think about it, i become massivly overwhelmed. There isnt enough to talk about, or, there is too much to talk about.

I'm just going to ramble, and be random, so... hang on.

I've been losing weight. I didnt want to blog about losing weight. I dont like telling people I am on a diet.
Today marks my 28th day. I am down 14.6 pounds.
Its Medifast, I feel good. I no longer constantly think about my next meal.
But I feel the need to write about this, because losing weight is hard. Sticking to the diet, thats pretty easy. Not seeing the scale move as fast as I want it to, thats hard.

I am going to start walking again. Walking will turn into jogging soon. I am going to Spokane in May. I already made reservations. Dennis will take me up there and cheer me on. I will do it alone. 7.46 miles, I know I will finish the Bloomsday run. My goal is to be able to run more than 1/2 of it.
I think i need to buy all of the runners gear. The tight shiny black running pants, and a sweat band.

The kids have been naughty lately.

Bubba's grades a month ago were so awful. It's embarrassing. I dont like telling people that the kid I am raising is a slacker. He is doing much better now. The first semester of High School almost got the best of him. He passed all of his classes. I prayed for him everyday.

Harley has been naughty too. She can be quite mean to her dad and her brother. We dont relate. I try very hard. She is a good kid. She really is. I look at other people's kids, and am so thankful. But I have little patience for her. I pray for patience, everyday.

The family and I went to church this last Sunday.

I havent blogged about this subject at all.

This last year has been so...eye opening. God is present in my life. I know he has always been here, but maybe I havent allowed myself to acknowledge Him? I was afraid, maybe I still am a little. I know God is working in me, my eyes are wide open, and so is my heart, and I am letting Him in. I am finding myself so moved, and so touched, by worship music, the Bible, and other Christians. And I know that I need this relationship with God.

We decided as a family, to start looking for a church. I have gone to church in the past, but I want a church to go to... all the time. I didnt want the church I picked to be one of those "i have been to church before" churches. I want to regularly attend a church, and I want to worship God, in church, with my family. I want to be around other people who do the same thing, I want to be around Christians.

We knew that we would try New Hope Church, because of the great things we have heard about it. They also have an amazing youth program. I am going to admit something, I was almost "afraid" to like the church. Fears of not fitting in, fear of commitment.

I wasn't raised Christian.

I wasnt raised to believe in God at all.

Are "they" going to know? Are they going to see that?

Are people going to wonder what I/we are doing there?

Am I going to be accepted?

What is expected of me?

These questions are still looming, yet I cant wait to go back next Sunday.

and with that said, I think that is enough "sharing" for one night.