Amy's New Start : Comments Welcome!

[toystoryduo]

Great job on getting your workouts in and for kicking them up a notch!

I love your ADRs!! Have you ever eaten at Les Chefs before? Since Le Cellier is going to be a 2 dining credit option, my DH said he would like to try it if they have free dining next year. I'd love to hear what you think about Les Chefs!

Sending prayers for Mark and his family. Please keep us updated on his job search.

How is your friend doing? Did she ever get the child support money?

I hope you have a nice weekend!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Lisa and Tracy.

Lisa: I hope these workouts do help me power my way through WDW!!

Tracy: I have never eaten at Chefs. I can't wait to try it out, I'll be sure and let you know. I was sorry to hear about Le Cellier, we have only gotten to do that one once, I could have gotten it last year but didn't because Dan's cousin didn't want to eat there. Should have goen anyway! My friend did finally get her child support, almost a week late. Shameful. It caused her over $100 in bank fees because of two returned checks.

I weighed in yesterday, I stayed the same. I'll take it gladly because I was pretty shabby with my food about half my days. Had I not drank lots of water and cranked up my workouts, it would have been way worse.

I really recommitted myself yesterday and left WW and went directly to the gym. I feel like if I keep up these intense cardio workouts on the treadmill, I might actually see some impressive results. I sweat like nobody's business!

So here is what I am doing based on some stuff I read on the internet, some information my personal trainer from 2004 gave me and what I see in shape people at the gym doing! I do four different levels of intensity on the treadmill:
Warm up walking, no incline for one minute intervals at 3.0 mph
Walking as fast I can handle (3.6-3.8) with no incline for five minute intervals
Walking on a 5-7% incline at 3.2 for five minutes (I increase that incline with each interval)
Cool down where I start out at 3.0 and then punch down .2 every minute for five minutes.

All told, it takes 45 minutes. It goes really fast because I keep varying what I do. So that is nice. I'll add 15 minutes to the bike, yesterday I just did 15 minutes on the track first because all the bikes were either taken or being worked on. Normally that won't be the case. I am really hoping that doing this three times per week, then doing aquasize two days a week (with a 20 minute walk or bike beforehand) will give me some results.

It was kind of intimdating doing the treadmill because most of the people on the machines are in great shape and running, while the walking track is for people like me and older people walking before Silver Sneakers. Frankly, I am just not going to let it bother me. I enjoy the track, but its not really giving me the results I need, its very easy to slack off and it gets very crowded at times and I am constantly having to slow down and wait for an opportunity to "pass". This way I can go at my pace and the only way I can slow down is to punch that treadmill down. And the incline thing is what makes me sweat, no incline on the track. I can walk up hills in my neighborhood but honestly when its 90 degrees or hotter, I am not too keen on that unless I get out there before 7:00 which doesn't seem to be happening too much!

So we'll see. Oh yeah, my food needs to be WAY better than it has been. Way better.

 

[toystoryduo]

Congrats for holding steady on the scale!

Your workout plan sounds like a good one!

I'm glad that your friend got the child support she was owed. I think her ex should pay her the $100 in bank fees too. Any chance he'll do the right thing?

I'm looking forward to your review of Les Chefs.

I hope you have a nice weekend!

 

[eyor44]

Love your treadmill schedule. It sounds great. Don't worry about others around (I know you won't). I think it's great you have the opportunity to use them.

on holding that scale steady you really are doing awesome.

I can't wait for you Les Chefs review either. I would like to eat there, but just not sure. In May I got dinner from Boulangerie Patisserie, which I believe is right behind Les Chefs. It was really good.

Sorry about your friend with the bank fees. That's just not right.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Tracy. Holding steady was fine by me too, I guess its all relative huh? I would be shocked beyond belief if my friend's ex every paid those bank fees. But I guess miracles do happen.

Lisa, I have eaten at the France cs place and it is so good, I am just long overdue for the full serve place!

A bit of a rant here.

So last week my sister and nephew came down here for the day. I fixed a very nice meal, gave her the microwave oven I bought for her etc. We had a great time, I hadn't seen her in a month. Now as usual she's down on her luck. She's broke, nobody cares about her, her friends blow her off, nobody can understand what its like to be poor, she is unlucky, blah, blah, blah. I let her rant because everybody needs that. So at the end of the evening she says "maybe we'll come back next Sunday too, this has been so good for me". I say, "sure". We made plans, I have since bought steaks, shrimp and planned a nice day, decided to take her to see Eat, Pray, Love which is just the kind of movie she loves.

Well I guess not. I called her a couple of times (getting that feeling I get because she is so good at blowing me off) today, no answer. Finally at 8:00 tonight Dan calls from the Sams Club check out (as I pay for the last of the food I am making tomorrow for her) and she rudely tells him she has too much to do and she's not coming. She's been in Denver all damn day today and I guess was going to call me "later".

I am so beyond mad I can't even express it! And its not really even about tomorrow, its about her doing this to me, to my poor mom may she rest in peace and everybody eles.

For what I spent on groceries making her her favorite meal, Dan could have taken me and the kids out for a nice lunch. I guess my nephew is still coming but since the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, it won't suprise me if he blows us off too. I am really hurt but I"ll get over it.

And she can whistle for the next invite. Last week she left with cash in her pocket, several bags of groceries, a microwave and a full belly. She had better not hold her breath for the next event cause its not happening.

I never learn where she's concerned and the only reason she still does this to me is because I let her. I feel sorry for her, like its my repsonsiblity to fill in the gaps in her life that are there due to her stupidity and lack of integrity and you know what, I need to stop that now. It takes too much energy.

When I think of all the times she did this to my mom, who until the day she died worried about her and tried to please her, it just makes me even angrier.

Okay rant over.

 

[toystoryduo]

Sending a gentle your way, Amy. I'm sorry to hear about the situation with your sister. I would be very upset too. Have you heard back from her yet?

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Tracy. I am starting to cool off, I did hear from her, it was obvious my nephew called her and told her how upset we were and what a pill she is being. She called and did her usual "was this definite?". I am sorry, I simply cannot stand the way she manipulates everything. I mean we stood around and talked about it, I have talked to my nephew three times this week and each time he says "mom and I are really looking forward to Sunday". This whole thing was her idea anyway. We cleared the whole day, spent money getting a very nice meal together but in the end, its our fault. We know how she is. She does this to everyone. And wonders why she's alone and people get sick of her and cut her out of their lives.

I have no idea if she's coming. She said she might but when it was obvious to her I was peeved, she got huffy. She never did apologize. And of course as usual, she has the perfect excuse to treat me like crap because she's in the throws of a crisis. She thinks "how dare Amy expect anything from me, I have all these problems". To be honest, after doing the whole shebang a week ago, having another Sunday taken up with a family gathering was not high on my list. But she suggested it and I thought "well she needs support and love and I want to give her that". She is clearly furious that Dan and I even have the nerve to get upset, how can we be so rude and demanding to poor little her.

For some reason she pushed my buttons tonight. I think its because she was rude to Dan and when dd found out her aunt wasn't coming, she was near tears. She adores her aunt and really was hurt and disappointed. I can take her being rude to me, but when she's rude to my husband who upon getting a job was immediately back in the "lets help your sister" mode, isn't going to fly too well with me.

We'll see if she shows, we'll see if my nephew shows. If they don't, I guess that is more steak and shrimp for us.

 

[eyor44]

Oh Amy, I am so sorry your sister did this to you. It really stinks when family treats you this way, especially after you help them. and the fact that she basically invited herself back over. I hope you have a good Sunday whether she shows or not.

PS - you have a really special DH

 

[toystoryduo]

Sending another gentle your way. Did your sister show up yesterday? I'm so sorry that you have to go through this, my friend.

Did you see that Disney has free dining through the end of September 2011? I'm working on some plans right now!

I hope you have a wonderful week, Amy!

 

[eyor44]

Amy, I am praying you had a good Sunday. and if not, I hope you were able to go to the rec center and work off your frustrations.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Lisa and Tracy. All I can say is what a few days this has been.

My sister didn't come up here, we went down there to see her. This situation is much worse than I thought and a long story short, she's lost her home. She has two weeks to get out. So tomorrow I'll be going down there again to help her find an apartment. Please say prayers we find one that she can afford that has a vacancy for September 1st. If we can't, she'll have to move in with me and as you probably can guess, that will be very difficult. She is not an easy person to live with and our relationship is better than its been but I predict if she moves in here, it will go downhill fast. Along with my relationships with Dan and the kids. I just can't even fully grasp that possiblity. I think my nephew can move in with his friend, he has a large two bedroom apartment and wants a roomate.

I also predict my sister's beagle will be here because I cannot see him in an apartment. I love this dog to death (he's my beagle Daisy's brother) but he's destructive at times and not even near being housebroken. But I can't have her giving him away or to the pound. He's family too. Guess I'll cross that bridge after I help her find a place to live.

My food was awful on Sunday, but has been good yesterday and today, and I have worked out yesterday and today. Tomorrow I am bound and determined to work out. I need to take my car in for an oil change and its 50,000 mile check up and then I should have time to swing by the gym and do the treadmill before I then come home to head down to my sister's.

Even with good eating and the workouts, this stress may not bode well for my weigh in on Friday. We'll see.

Things just never settle down or even out where my sister is concerned.

 

[DisDee]

Amy, I'm sorry to hear about the situation with your sister. I'm sure that's part of the reason she has been in those "moods" lately. You're a good sister to help her out in her time of need and I hope you're able to find her an apt. I'm sure that separate living quarters will be the best situation for everyone involved.

You've certainly had a lot of stress lately but try to keep yourself as a priority too. In doing that you'll be able to get thru these crazy times that much better.

Take care of yourself!

 

[eyor44]

Amy, I really, really admire you for helping your sister so much. I hope you can find her a place that works for her, her son and the puppy. I hope everything works out so you will be able to go by the gym tomorrow. Exercise can really help put things in perspective.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Didn't make it to the gym today. I tossed and turned all night long and decided to just get a few things done around here. I left this morning around 10:00 and got home just now.

What a day! We looked at four places. Two were very nice but she didn't qualify due to her credit, major bummer. And they charge you a non refundable thing to run your credit only to tell you that you don't qualify. The third place she qualified for just fine but to say it was a pit is an understatement. Horrible place, with disgusting people all over the place. And it was still pricey. Finally found a lovely townhome, small but very nice, right in the foothills with a little greenbelt area right outside, nice deck, incredible views and cheap. The owner is getting married and she and my sister just clicked and by the time we left it was like they had known each other for years. I am telling you, this was a God thing. Just meant to be. In fact, it was the lady at the first apt. where my sister got declined that gave her a card for an apartment finder and that was how she got turned onto it. Had she qualified for that first apartment, she'd be paying several hundred more for a place that I don't think was as nice. It all worked out!

But my oh my, we have our work cut out for us. The townhome is much smaller than her house, she's a pack rat and she's lived in her house for over 12 years. She's got two weeks to get rid of a bunch of stuff, declutter, pack and get out of her house and into the townhome.

The four of us will go down on Sat. morning, spend the day working on the house and packing and then spend the night in a hotel and work some more on Sunday. Somehow we have to get this all done.

Thank you so much for all your good thoughts and prayers, its been a whirlwind few days but I think it all worked out. This is a fresh start for her and seeing her so happy and excited was very nice. I can't remember the last time she looked this happy. I swear that house of hers has the worst Karma. I think its built on jinxed ground!

Lisa: Now that mom is gone, its sort of me and Dan and nobody else to help her out and care about her. She and my brother do not get along. I do love her very much, I just hope she gets it together this time.

Denise: For sure what's been going on has played a part with her moods lately. I am really hoping she's going to feel better about life and be happier from here on out.

 

[eyor44]

Amy, may I make a suggestion for your sister's stuff. Have her select what she will take with her and move it if possible, then have a household sale. Move everything that is left into the garage, living room and kitchen and have people come inside. No dragging out, etc. Sell cheap and she'll make some $$ to help.

 

[toystoryduo]

I'm glad that things are working out for your sister! It sounds like cleaning the house and moving might be a bit of a challenge, but praise the Lord that she will have a nice place to live!! What a blessing that she has you and your family in her life!

I hope you have a nice evening, WISH sis!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Lisa, I suggested your suggestion (this is what my friend who just lost her house did and she didn't make much money but she made some and she got rid of a bunch of stuff) but I am not sure she'll do this. Why you may ask? I have no idea. She seldom does things in a manner that makes sense to anyone. Hence her situation in life.

Tracy: It is such a nice place. I'll have to take some pictures of the view she has off her deck and post them. I am jealous although I also have a nice view of the mountains, just not so close up as she does! She'll have deer out there and the lady said they had a bear mama and cubs this spring. I told my sister to be sure and keep an eye on the dog.

So today's fun and games was dd hurt her foot and they though it might be broken! She's going to start dance back up soon, and she and her friend were practicing stuff last night (well at 1:30 a.m this morning) and when they did some pirouettes, dd's little toe didn't turn with the rest of her foot. I thought it might be a broken toe, but its the area of her foot below the toe that was swollen, bruised and she could barely walk. Well three hours spent driving to the doctor, waiting at the doctor, waiting at the x ray and we found out its just a bad bruising and probably a sprained toe. So she's got an ace bandage and taped up toes for the next ten days. Can I just say I am ready for my kids to be in school where maybe they won't injure themselves??!!

Also spent vast amounts of time on the phone today with my sister. She's a chatty one, I on the other hand HATE talking on the phone to anyone but my brother. Bless her heart, she told me in great detail all about her ordeal yesterday. HELLO, I WAS THERE REMEMBER????? But we got a bit of a gameplan set for this weekend. I swear, she's the kind of person who cannot get in gear when she has to multi task. She said today, "I'd be in trouble if I didn't have you". No kidding.

After the last two days, I suggested Dan take me out to dinner tonight where I proceeded to eat like a pig. Or stressed out woman, take your pick.

Never made it to the gym. Also missed my eye appointment and getting new glasses. Also didn't get my errands done. The kids start school Monday and all the stuff I was going to do the past two days and over the weekend will now be done tomorrow. We are having friends over for a bbq which has now been turned into pizza night.

I have decided the next few weeks will be stressful but I just need to keep thinking "this is not my stress, I am just here to help and then I can leave this stress and go home". I got off kilter the last two days, but that's all I can afford to be off track.

Thank the Lord each day is a new day. Otherwise, I'd be in trouble!

 

[eyor44]

Amy, here is my suggestion for your kids until Monday.

although you will most likely need their help this weekend. Bless your heart.

You are one amazing woman. You keep everyone straight and you keep on yourself. The Lord will bless you.

 

[goldcupmom]

What a lot your are dealing with with your sister. This week must be sister 'hell' week. I've been having probs with mine, too!

Blessing that you found her a good place to live.

Will be praying things go well this next week. Hope DD feels better soon! Can't dance well with a hurt foot!

If I don't get back before, have a GREAT weekend! Get some YOU time!!

 

[toystoryduo]

I'm sorry to hear about your DD's foot! I hope it is feeling better for her soon.

Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers for you as you help your sister this weekend.