Hey Rose and the rest of the BL gang!! Sorry I've been MIA!! I'll totally admit I am way off plan. Things are just full on here and I haven't had much time to myself. DH is home so we have gutted the bathroom for a complete reno. Then our room is next including building DD a loft bunk so her wardrobe and toys can go underneath. Then we are doing the boys room, loft space for all 3 of them. Having 2 bedrooms sucks!!! That's all I can say!!
And sports are crazy busy. This week is basketball camp, next week is 2 kids in swim, one in tennis, and the oldest starts 5:30am conditioning. I honestly don't get a break until they go back to school!! LOL And crazy me is toying with the idea of going back to work!!!!
I've also been fielding phone calls from parents about crap in the neighborhood (damn teenagers) and school stuff. The music teacher really ticked me off today and let's just say it's a good thing I'm not the PTO VP anymore. I've reached my limit with the BS at school. I'm also glad we decided not to send DD there, so I just have one there now and he only has 3 years left.
Anyway, I'm here. Trudging along. I really want to get back OP, but honestly I need to just come up for air!
UGH, ok tomorrow I commit to getting my water in and working out for 30 minutes.
There I said it and no take backs!!!! LOL
I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!
Oh and PS, the weather was ok we just had some thunderstorms and steady rain all day, nothing major.
Glad you found a minute to come chat with us. I LOVE home renovations, but I get crazy stressed in the middle of them when everything is rearrranged and messy! But it will be great when it is done, right??
Organizational Challenge 6/24-6/30
OK everyone last week in June so we are spending our last week in the kitchen.
Jobs for the week:
* Make beds every day
* do dishes every night and have a clean sink before bed
* Menu planning for the week
This week we are going to clean out the drawers. All of them! Junk drawers, utility drawers, utensils etc..... Purge unused, unwanted items. Busted wooden spoons, burnt plastic ladles, baby utensils if the babies are now 14.....
We are also going to hit the counter tops this week. Clutter leads to Chaos!! so clear the clutter!!
Only keep the essentials on the counters.
Actually, I did my kitchen utensil drawers late last summer/fall, so they aren't too bad... and I did the junk drawer in late April or so.... so my kitchen drawers are good!
Counter tops.... well... I keep too many appliances out. I'm usually too lazy to clean and put away the coffee maker so most of the time it sits out.... electric kettle stays out, toaster oven stays out, Kitchenaid mixer stays out. Other than that I just have my utentsil crock (Remy!), my paperwork basket and my food journal usually.
It is the buffet that becomes a dumping ground for the rest of the family! I am constantly asking folks to move their CRAP from the top of the buffet!
Been doing good with the other stuff!
Inspirational Quote of the Day
"It's impossible" said pride.
"It's risky" said experience.
"It's pointless" said reason.
"Give it a try" whispered the heart.
THANKS!
Pamela, we still have a lot of cous cous left although I took cous cous salad to 2 diff parties last weekend. I've had the thought that it would be cheaper to just donate it or toss it rather than keep buying all the other ingredients I need to go in there
Black beans, corn & cilantro for one dish, cukes,tomatoes, celery for another. I'll have to check the recipe board for your recipe though in case I do decide to make some more.
Not sure when/if we will go the the Black Forest for the cuckoo clock, would have to be today or tomorrow if we are going. We have all day plans Sunday and I am going to see Celtic Woman Sunday night! DH will be back in Germany for 3 weeks at the end of July so he may have to go by himself (he's the one that wants it)
Nancy, I would love to go to the new Mets stadium, I've been to the Yankees and it was so nice. DS is very excited to go back home to HS in the US with his old friends. I hope it's a good transition for him. His old MS feeds students into 3 different High School so it won't be the same.
I had my hair done at 9:00 this morning so I am looking good We are all at home today, incl DS friend who slept over last night. DH made us all pancakes, bacon and biscuits. So far, we aren't up to much. I am making a "mix tape" for all my girlfriends here as a good -bye present. Ya know, like I'm back in 7th grade or something It was either that or homemade pesto and I don't have a food processor for that so....
I'll come back later and answer QOTD...
Shawn
Sounds like you've got lots to do before you leave.
We splurged on pancakes today too. I made Fiberone with extra bran for DD and myself... the men had "regular" pancakes with some extra bran thrown in. I didn't care for the rhubarb sauce on them like I thought I would.... so I ended up using light syrup mostly.
GOOD MORNING ALL YOU LOSERS!!!
love that the above statement is completely appropriate to say!
don't forget to send dona your weigh in information. and do it correctly! rose has taught us the way!
QOTD, Friday June 24th: well, it's my anniversary today and whenever there's something to celebrate, i always turn to....food. so here's a two parter: instead of turning to food to celebrate, what is something we all can do to celebrate a special occasion (birthday, anniversary, graduation)?? secondly, because we all have to eat, what is a celebratory meal that you can make healthier???
Well.... it is SO hard to find another area to concentrate on, but I've definitely been working on it for the past few years.
For my birthday dinner for the past few years I chose Applebee's because I could get a Weight Watchers meal.... it was still a treat, but not crazy over-the-top for calories, etc. Plus then I had a few extra calories to play with to enjoy a birthday ice cream or something.
I'd love to plan an "active" birthday celebration, but we don't all enjoy the same activities. We did go to a movie last year and are again this year, but that is just as much about the movie popcorn as it is about the movie itself!
We've never been big on celebrating our anniversary.... usually just a dinner out if we have time.
THe kids birthdays I'm trying to start concentrating on activities versus the meal. Swimming, bowling, stuff like that. There usually still ends up being a meal, but it isn't the centerpiece.
On vacation with DH's family in the summer there is always a lot of activities... kayaking, walking the beach, some biking, tennis..... but there is also always a LOT of food! 
Disney QOTD, Friday, June 24th: What's your favorite Hidden Mickey?? What's the one you always point out??
We've never been big on looking for hidden Mickeys. Sometimes we just find them when we aren't even looking. THe one we always seem to look for is the one in the queue for Test Track (made up of washers). Other than that I probably couldn't name a single one.
what's that? you're wondering what aunt ann would say? i was just looking at her facebook and she had a funny status update from easter time: "Wow. The bathroom scale gods are really pleased when you give up wine for Lent." not saying we have to give up wine (well, i do, duh) but don't forget that alcohol is not a good idea when trying to lose weight!
SO RIGHT! I virtually gave up all liquor when I started WW. It wasn't an intentional thought..... It just never seems worth the points/calories. I usually indulge in a margarita or two on vacation and maybe the occasional beer (just a few a year). THat's about it.
The more I think about food/calories/points as being the fuel for my body, I realize that the liquor is NOT fueling me properly... it makes it even EASIER to skip the booze.
THat said, I did buy a 6 pack of the MGD 64 beer last week. I have one in the fridge for that day this summer when I am just craving a beer! But I've determined that the entire 6 pack MUST last the summer.
have a great day everyone!!!
**************************************************
today and tomorrow are going to be really busy days for me. i'll do my best to get on and post but if i'm not around don't worry, I'LL BE BAAAHHCK.
i'm doing a trip to the bronx zoo this morning with the folks from mommy and me class. we aren't going to stay long because thomas needs to nap and i need to go to costco for his bday party tomorrow. my friend lauren is coming up to watch him thank goodness. that way i can shop and not have to deal with him in the cart getting antsy.
tomorrow will be a mad dash to set up and pick up cake and balloons and all that before guests come to the beach club at 2. i think we're looking at 28 adults and 20 kids. and that's small compared to last year! pizza and cake though - keeping it simple.
we aren't meeting at the zoo until 10 so i'm planning on getting in a run/walk before we go. it looks like rain today and tomorrow. hopefully it'll hold out for the zoo and the party. we shall see!!
Have a great weekend! Enjoy the party!
Good Friday morning everyone. Sleeping to 6 is not working. Dh is up and I find it hard to work out when he is up.
Nancy Happy Anniversary.
I don't have any time this morning. We are leaving this afternoon to go camping for the weekend and I need to pack. I should have done it yesterday but I didn't feel like it.
I will be back late on Sunday so have a great weekend everyone.
Have a happy and healthy weekend.
HOpe that the camping weather hold out for you!
Well, I am a samer today. But that is totally okay with me because actually I had gained 4 pounds over the week-end, grabbed ahold of myself and worked like crazy to get where I am now, so it's all good. Maybe next week I can lose some "new" weight.
SO technically you lost 4 pounds this week? That's great!!
That's the opposite of pixie dust. The anti-matter of pixie dust. It's brown and gooey and sticky and sucks the magic out of everything and it's everywhere here today.
The worst part is, any pixie dust you *DO* happen to have gets stuck and absorbed and ruined and lost in the mess.
Maybe that is what my DH's problem is today.... Maybe he got hit with some Goblin Goo (or whatever you called it!). CRANKY guy today! Trying to stay out of his way.
I'm happy to be a maintain this week... Of course a loss would be better, but between some bad choices (enabled by Laura's cats), getting sick and dehydrated, getting re-hydrated, and looking at the calendar and saying "oh, maybe THAT's why I'm grumpy..." I'd say a maintain is something to be content with this week. Next week, hopefully onward and downward...
We usually have parties to celebrate. It is what it is and not something that I even want to change. Sometimes it is okay to let loose for a day.
My favorite hidden mickey is actually a hidden tinkerbelle. On the rock at the exit of Thunder Mountain. I can usually pick out the hidden mickey's and pooh on that ride too. There are also many hidden mickey's on the walls at conservation station.
Who else but you would find a hidden Tinkerbelle!!?
We are having a lazy day. It is cold and overcast outside. I guess my brother's family is still heading to Hampton Beach for the weekend. The beach in the rain and cold doesn't sound exciting to me. We think we'll do day trip on Sunday since it's supposed to clear up. We're debating between Six Flags New England or Parc Safari in Quebec. They are about equal distance from our house. We live 2 hours from the Canadian border and have never taken the kids.
Well..... I'm probably too late, but my suggestion would be to SKIP Parc Safari. DS and I went a few years ago and camped in the area. THe Parc is really barely a one day park... especially for anyone over the age of 6. We DID spend two days there because, hey, we had already driven that far and such... and we drove through the safari twice, but the park itself is pretty lame.
Haven't done Six Flags yet.... just not that interested I guess. We have Canobie Lake Park about an hour away and the kids usually end up there at least once per year.
Today I maintained exactly what I was last week. But after the Friendly's splurge on Sunday and having an iffy eating week, I'm okay with that. I took my measurements last night, and although I lost 1.25 inches in my waist, I either stayed the same or gained everywhere else.
But, I'm going to work on planning healthier meals this week (I have to, I have job training Monday-Wednesday, so I need to plan ahead for that) and keep exercising.
A maintain is NOT a gain, so that is good. And planning ahead for the week will be so helpful!
So I did my post vacation weigh in Monday and was up 3.1. I decided to just do my weigh in today even though its only been 4 days and see how I'm doing. Well, I'm down 3.1!
Back to where I started. I'm so glad this weight came off quickly.
Pamela-DS9 is doing summer swim team for the first time. He is a strong swimmer, but really small for his age. He is in the 9/10 division and some of those boys are huge! He's doing his best and I'm so proud of him. If only they went by size instead of age he'd be killing it!
Nice job getting back to where you started!
I agree.... sometimes swim ought to go by size rather than age. When the boys start hitting about 10 years old, their sizes can be all over the board! Some of them look like grown men at 13 with a beard and alll.... and other still look like little boys! I imagine it can be intimdating for the smaller ones!
Hi to everyone else, have a wonderful day!
Pamela - no my parents arent dumb haha, but also REALLY DISLIKE ANIMALS! I mean really dislike! I'm sure they figured out it was a farce eventually as far as the cat was concerned but trust me I needed the sympathy vote for him! (i'm sure if i wasn't a dog trainer, and didn't get such a huge discount at the ver we wouldn't have animals at all haha!) That being said, I am so NOT a cat person. I like mine but only because he acts like a dog most of the time!
I was a bit afraid to step on the scale today, I was sure there would be a gain, but am happy to report a maintain! Well i'm up .2 pounds but im so not counting that! I had taco bell last night after a tough work day and just didn't even care!
I'm not losing as fast as i would like, but i have to remember i'm not GAINING and that needs to be good enough for this week, since I have so much going on. Next wednesday I finally have a day off after working 16 days in a row!
I have a challenge for ya'll! One of my favorite things ever to eat is cut up hotdogs and macaroni and cheese! If I could eat it every day I would, but I have not even had a hotdog since i started my diet let alone macaroni and cheese! I'm dying here! My challenge, or question, as it were, is does anyone have any suggestion as to how to make this a more healthy option? I know its really an unhealthy thing, but there must be something i can do to make it just a bit better for me so I don't feel awful if I have a craving!
Ummm.... can I just say I
when you mentioned that food?? Don't mean to sound harsh but ewwwwww!! PLEASE consider dropping hotdogs from your regular menu. THey are terrible for you! Cured meats should be VERY limited in your diet (hotdogs, lunch meats, bacon, ham, etc).... plus most hot dogs are made with questionable part of the animals. NOt to mention all the sodium!
And mac and cheese? White carbs and powdered cheese? You could do so much better for yourself!!
If you want something that has a similar taste, try making your own mac and cheese with whole wheat pasta and reduced fat (real dairy) cheese. If you MUST have the boxed stuff, try making it with just skim milk and no butter. It comes out just fine.... I've seen it done.
Add a bit of crumbled bacon or uncured ham to the mac and cheese. It should give you a similar taste. It might not be much lighter in calories, but it should be so much healthier than what you are currently eating.
Any chance you could be satisfied with steamed cauliflower with some sort of cheese sauce on it instead of mac and cheese? That might be a good alternative. Then maybe a reduced fat all-beef or chicken hot dog (not even sure if they make such a thing).
Just do some thinking about how unhealthy it is for you... calories aside even, and maybe you might think twice about it next time you have a craving.
I can't say the exact brand of hot dogs, its usually whatever is in the freezer but the crappier the better haha! Meaning I don't like to "all beef" dogs for this. I think my mom bought turkey dogs once and those were yum! Normally for the mac and cheese its just Kraft standard blue box, but I'm open to something home made. As for size, god I never measure my food but lets say a cup of roni and 2 hot dogs cut up usually.
That sounds like a really big portion.... especially considering that on Weight Watchers (assuming 1 c portion of Kraft mac and cheese made according to directions and two regular beef deli hotdogs), that would probably be over half of my daily calories (just guesstimating, of course).
Today was cleaning day: I cleaned the bathroom and vacummed. Then I got really ambitious and decided to clean the fridge out.
I truly think the last time it was cleaned was maybe 2003. I threw out (among other things) a 5 year expired bottle of lemon juice, some teriyaki sauce, some soy sauce, some congealed chili sauce and hot sauce (no idea what that was even doing in there, since no one eats hot stuff
), and a 3 month old bottle of chocolate raspberry wine that Mom had one glass of and never touched again. Then I SCRUBBED the shelves, walls, drawers. There was a horrible, sticky, gross, viscous, brown goo stuck to the bottom, under where the produce drawers go.
Of course, now there's really nothing left in the fridge! I was going to do a Zumba workout this evening, but I'm pooped now. Mom said I'm earning my keep though!
My house next please!!
Greetings from Morrisville, NC!
Today has been a horrible day all around! My DBIL's father passed away this morning so DSis and DBIL are heading home to go to his wake and funeral Wed and Thurs of next week.
I arrived without problems to find my mom very confused and having trouble staying awake. She thought she was going to have a seizure so I gave her some more meds which made it worse. She was falling asleep standing up and then when trying to get her into the wheelchair to start getting her ready for chemo her legs gave out and I was able to carefully get her to the floor. Dad called 911 not realizing the severity so they only sent help and then realized we needed the EMTs. They were absolutely amazing. Mom thought she had too much medicine and despite not wanting to go to the hospital went without a fight. I agreed it was probably the beginning of an OD. Luckily I had the spreadsheet my brother had made which helped the doctor figure out what had gone wrong. We finally came home around six and ordered pizza. I got her into bed and put a pain patch on and now she is sleeping peacefully. I have to wake her up in 20 minutes to give her the medicine to get her through the night. Unfortunately she missed her 3rd chemo treatment. Last night the doctor who came to the house realized she had shingles which is part of the severe pain issue.
I'm exhausted and my back is hurting. I've eaten mostly like crap today but plan to do better tomorrow when I can have my shake and tea and hopefully take a walk. I've been awake since 2:45 this morning. I think I may have dozed off on the plane for a few minutes.
I think I'm going to get ready for bed and get the pills ready.
Thanks for all you love and support and prayers. I felt so overwhelmed the minute I walked in the door. Though it was frustrating to have to go to the ER, it was helpful to me as I could clarify the doses and frequency of meds. I don't feel that overwhelmed any more. Hoping she can get a good night's sleep. She didn't even totally realize I was here this morning. I may sleep in Mom and Dad's bed so I can fall asleep watching tv.
Enjoy your weekend!
OMG! When will it end?
Sorry about Mom's shingles, but it is good to know that the pain isn't from the cancer or chemo. But her supressed immune system (from the chemo) is probably WHY she got the shingles.
GET SOME REST!!
HAPPY SATURDAY!!!
ok people! it's the weekend - and usually our toughest time sticking to plan. so let's all concentrate....WATER!! VEGGIES!! BROWNIES ARE BAD!! got it! ok good.
i didn't get a chance to get on last night, i'm sorry. today will be another busy day but i promise to be a better coach after today!
yesterday was a go-go-go day. zoo with the mommy and me group, costco for the goods for today, set up at the club, etc etc. by the time i got home i was so exhausted, a little crampy and just crashed.
today we're up and ready to do it one more time. party day! my to-do list is a mile long and it starts with our QOTDs!!!
QOTD, Saturday, June 25th: What are some simple ways that YOU sneak more exercise in during the day? Do you take the stairs when possilbe? take a walk at lunch time? play a game with the kiddos?
Always stairs, I even walk up and down the escalators at the mall. I walk when I am waiting for someone (usually DD) somewhere. Occasionally try to play Wii games with DS, but I stink at them!
Disney QOTD, Saturday June 25th: Who is your favorite character?? And most importantly, WHY?
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE!!!
Favorite character? Probably can't name just one. Love Ariel, cause she was my re-introduction to loving Disney as an adult.... and because of my DD, who I swear is part mermaid! Love Jiminy cause he always gives such good advise. Love Buzz and Woody cause they remind me of DS being little.... and cause I just love them! Too many to name, I suppose!
Good Morning!! We were up very early for a Saturday as Nick was supposed to have a friend over. turns out her parents or step mother won't let her come as he Dad is sick. I even offered to go pick her up
DH cleaned up the kitchen and I've done 2 loads of laundry, and picked up the entry, made the bed, and vacuumed through. I even did a quick wipe down of the bathroom.
I want to get our camper packed for next weekend as we're camping for the 4th. We'll leave right after Nick gets out of Driver's Ed on friday, drop the camper off at the campground and take the kids to Santa's Village in Jefferson, NH for the day. We haven't been in a few years and since Colby is a believer we'll get in one last trip.
Awww... that is too cute! We never made it to Santa's Village when the kids were younger.
Sounds like the house is in order, so you can take the day off!
I did a bunch of cleaning yesterday and the day before to get ready for DD's friends yesterday, so I'm feeling like I can relax a bit today! What a great feeling!
******************
Happy Saturday friends!
Sorry I never made it over here yesterday. I trust everyone is well!
Rainbow Girls scrapping time went fine last night. THey got their book done and were cleaned up and out of here by 10pm. I would have liked some time to actually attempt some of my own scrapping, but I was happy to be of help to them. Plus serving dinner and cleaning up kept me busy, of course.
We are off to see Cars 2 today.... don't know what time yet. Probably late afternoon. This is my belated birthday celebration.
Had pancakes for brunch.... didn't overindulge (planned to eat 3, but ate 4... they were fairly small) and ate "healthy" pancakes (Fiberone mix with extra oat bran and cinnamon), but the carbs are definitely "foreign" to my belly and I'm feeling kind of gross right now. Plus kind of sleepy... not sure why after a full 7 hours of sleep and two cups of coffee. Maybe it's this stupid weather???
DD is on the treadmill right now..... I never realized how LOUD it sounds downstairs! They didn't do dry-land training after swim practice this morning and her coach told her she had to run today.... and she isn't one to shirk on a challenge! Guess I can't go lay down on my bed if she's running though. oh well.
Off to check movie times! TTYL........................P
I'm really glad you're mom didn't have a seizure though; my brother has a seizure disorder and a few years ago we were home alone, he started out in a blank stare and then it went into grand mal. It was truly the scariest thing I have ever witnessed. 
So true, but I did it today anyway.
I like the way you thing, shawn. Hope you can work something out to stay a little longer or go back. It sounds like it has been an amazing opportunity for you, and you have done so much and taken advantage of seeing so much of Europe while you've been there. What wonderful memories you've made with ds. 
Sounds like a good time! 
It's not easy to take off 4 lbs in one week but it's sure easy to gain it! I think if I was not weighing myself every day, there's no telling how much weight I would be gaining! I'm currently in a phase where I keep going up and down the same 1.5 pounds - no one's fault but my own but I'm ready to move past it.
We old timers must stick together! 
This is for you. 
to all the folks I missed and 
That's why I need to run and train for half marathons, to help get myself off the couch. I'm hoping that may change a bit when we move our office.
I wholeheartedly endorse your decision to get some booze! 
Now that I'm fully mobile again, I walk to the cafeteria to grab my lunch on days that the menu doesn't stink on ice (the guy before me eats about 30 minutes before me and lets me know what the vegetables of the day are... it's never listed on the menu.) Stairs aren't an option, my building has no elevator... it was a laugh-a-minute when I was still on crutches and not allowed to put any weight on the bad leg...
