Lesli's Changing Life at 40 Journal

[toystoryduo]

Wow Lesli!

You are super busy, my friend. I am sending some your way to help with your to do list.

Congrats on your weight loss!

I hope you'll let us know how you like Jillian's site. It sounds like a good one!

Have a great day today!

 

[Lesli54]

I am so tired. Trying to get enough sleep lately is almost impossible since DD21 keeps calling late evey night. I don't mind talking to her, but I still nedd some sleep. It seems that she is worried that she won't have time to visit enough locations to decide on a venue. I get the feeling that she wants to take the first place on the list, go with it and then everything else should fall in line. If only planning were that simple. Me? I would like to see what is available at what costs to familiarize myself better and go from there. Of course, the wedding is on her priority list and for me it is kind of on the secondary list at the moment. There is much to do, but I have been good at planning other events so I know that this too will get done, I just need to focus on a few other things as well. Oh a mother's job is never done. Someone send me some to make it through this next year and a half without being too sleep deprived.

All food yesterday was as planned up through Lunch. The PM snack was a Tbsp of pb, close to supper I ate some tuna (needed energy to mud). Then after I had mudded 2/3 of the room, I needed a break and ate a pork chop sandwich (needed more energy to finish). Water was 104 oz.

I did not start my exercising yesterday, so I will have to change my start day to today. We ended up having some internet issues and the phone company had to come out, so that threw off some of the day. However, I did look at the website and I can see where they may be some benefits to doing this aside from getting an exercise regimine. I did not get to the bookwork or the family project so those are projects for today. However, I do a bit more organizing in my office with most of my 1/2 hour spent on organizing my rollodex. Yes, it sounds minor, but I had so many business cards just sitting in front of the rollodex that they were everywhere and I was always fighting with them to stay put, so went about organizing that. It already make a big differnce. Hopefully, if I can keep tackling "small" projects like that, I will eventually get somewhere.

Thankfully, I have the laundry area mudding finished, with the exception of the shower area, but I ran out of mud. In fact, I almost didn't have enough to finish what I did get done. I struggled this morning on whether I should go get more this morning and really push myself to get it all done before Thurs morning, but more than likely, it wouldn't get done 100% and I would have just stressed way too much. So I will pick some up tonight along with the wall color when DD11 goes to dance. Then when I get home, I can mud the other area, which won't be dry enough to completely sand before the floor is done, but that's ok. Tomorrow I can sand the majority of the room. In a perfet world (which would be nice) everything would get done when it is supposed to before the floor guys arrive, but we are doing this ourselves and you do the best you can (at least that is what I keep reminding myself). At least, all the sanding including the shower area should be done before the new washer and dryers arrive, which DH put off delivery until next week. One step at a time, right?

Today's food:
Breakfast - 1 egg omelet w/gr pepper & little cheese, 5 strawberries, 1 c milk, 1/2 c pomegranite juice
AM snack - 4 crackers w/pb
Lunch - HC soup
PM snack - banana
Supper - probably Panera

Goals today:
1. Exercise - according to Jillian
2. Bookwork - 2 hours
3. Family project - 4 hours (main focus of the day)

I am off to tackle the rest of the day and to remember that as long as things are getting done, there is no reason to push to the point of too much stress. One day at a time.

Everyone have a wonderful day!

 

[toystoryduo]

Sending some your way today. I hope you have a wonderful day ahead!

 

[goldcupmom]

Wow, Lesli! Can you squeeze any more into your days???

Your food looks GREAT, and I'm anxious to hear how you like Jillian online. I keep seeing those ads.

Have a good weekend! Get some 'you' time!

 

[Lesli54]

Thanks for stopping by ladies! I am trying to squeeze more time in, but I just can't figure out where.

Exhaustion!! Where to begin? Oh, today, I was down another .2 lbs. I don't know for sure how Jillian's exercises are going to work since I didn't get to it yesterday either and Wednesday's are my off days according to the plan. But I think I have done enough work in the last few days to consider it all exercise. I have been trying to meet the flooring deadline.

Yesterday, water was excellent, but I don't remember how much. Exhaustion, you know. I can't even remember all the things that I did yesterday, but I do know that I cleaned more of my office. Oh yeah, I was so tired that I took a nap for 45 min. That was a very good thing. Then DH and I ran errands later in the evening. Had to get more mud and paint. I did not work on the laundry area since I thought it best to let things fully dry. Food was as planned. Lunch was just over 1 c HC Bean Soup and the crackers. At Panera, I was so hungry, but I ate fairly healthy, although probably high cal. I had the 1/2 turkey artichoke sandwich, a sm bowl french onion soup, and an apple. It tasted so good and I think part of it was because I was hungry.

Today's food:
Breakfast - 1 egg omelet w/gr pepper & little cheese, 1 c milk, strawberries, 1/2 c grapefruit juice
AM snack - missed (too busy with work)
Lunch - just under 1 c HC Bean soup (left from yesterday) & banana
PM snack - missed (too busy w/ laundry area
Supper - 3 tacos (ordered out, too exhausted to even operate the microwave)

I probably met most of my goals today, as I have been very busy. This morning, I worked on bookwork that needed to be done while waiting for DH to get back from running errands. We needed a special filter for the shop vac so that when I sand the walls most of the mess is picked up right away. Then I spent 2 1/2 hours filling in the gaps around the new shower in the laundry area. It is a tight space and some of the gaps just seemed to take alot of mud, but it is better than getting water where you don't want it.

Then I took DS6 to get his haircut, came back home worked on the laundry area some more. I sanded until, I couldn't take any more. Finally, I gave up and told DH that I will just finish after the floor is in. Not ideal, but fortunately with the vaccuum system I am not making that big of a mess and I can be done after. Ate supper, then DD19 and I cleared an area in the hallway for the washer and dryer so that DH could move them out of the room. We cleaned the floor really good and then I called it quits. However, since I am also having company tomorrow, I proceeded to spiff up the kitchen and other parts of the house quickly. I did get some help with that.

I do not know how I managed to get so much done today, but it did feel good, even though I am exhausted now.

Tomorrow will be much slower, so I do plan to tackle the exercise that Jillian has. I know that I haven't done what I should the last 2 days, but I had to work on the basement and it was alot of activity which is the most important thing. It's been a long day. Talk to you tomorrow.

 

[toystoryduo]

Lesli,

Where do you find the energy to accomplish all that you get done in one day? You are amazing, my friend!

I hope you have a great day ahead!

 

[Lesli54]

Tracy, it is called "I wait until the last minute".

I am so excited because I am down another lb.! Oh yeah, 214.8. Finally on the lower side of the 210's. I knew I was working out yesterday.

This morning, I was so sore it wasn't even funny, but after a motrin and a shower, I felt great. Got the kids off to school, cleaned the kitchen up, ate breakfast, did some bookwork that had to be done today, and now I am waiting for my family book partner to stop by. Hopefully, we can get at least the layout determined.

The floor guys are here prepping the floor and it sounds like they will be back later today to finish. At least that is what I hope I understood. I hear grinders and hammering, so not sure what that means. Oh well, the result will be nice.

Today's food:
Breakfast - 1 egg omelet w/gr pepper & little cheese, 1/2 7 grain toast w/ jelly, 1 c milk, 1/2 c grapefruit juice
AM snack - banana
Lunch - HC Country Veggie soup (it's raining and looks like a soup day)
PM snack - ??
Supper - pizza night & 6 oz pop

Today's goals:
1. Exercise - no excuses today
2. Sand the corner where the washer and dryer will go if I can get onto the floor later.

Today is the only day that I can do anymore sanding before surgery on Monday, so we will see.

Other than that, I plan to spend most of my time on the family book. Hope that everyone has a great day!

 

[Lesli54]

Really quick. I counted 685 minutes as exercise in April, most of it due to the workout that I got on all the sanding and mudding. Weight loss was 2.8 lbs in April. Not great, but still progress.

Thursday, I did manage to get back down to sand the two walls that the washer and dryer go on, talk about exhaustion, but a great upper body workout.

Yesterday was a whirlwind. Went to the dentist, ran errands with DH, primed the 2 laundry walls, went with DD21 and fiance to look at a venue (a beautiful 1800's mansion, if they don't have it there, then I will do a house party there since you can rent the entire thing really reasonable), then ended up doing laundry at my moms (DH had a bad experience with the clothes at the laundry mat, couldn't get the suds out), finally to bed after midnight.

Food was not great, more later.

Today, I am off to do soccer with the 2 youngest, then off to look at another venue w/DD21 (1800's rail station, are we seeing a theme here?), then off to my birthday dinner with the entire family but I am not allowed to know where.

I will post more later.

 

[toystoryduo]

How fun that you're looking at venues for the wedding! I hope you find the perfect place at the perfect price.

Great job on your exercise minutes and weight loss for April!

Have a great weekend!

 

[goldcupmom]

wedding planning sounds fun, but I wouldn't want to have to do it....yet!

Sounds like you are doing well with all you have going on!

Keep moving & take care!

 

[Lesli54]

Just a quick note to let you know that I am still here. I had the lasik (PRK) surgery on Monday and pretty much have taken the week off. Things went well with the surgery and it was really quick. I was amazed at how well I could see afterwards. Tuesday was not too bad and for the most part the vision was good. Then Wednesday came, (they said it would be the worst) I was so sensitive to the light that I closed the drapes, put a blanket over my head and went to sleep. What else to you do when you can't keep your eyes open? Last night wasn't as bad and I managed to get out with DD19 and the younger two for a little shopping, but I couldn't read anything that was too small. Fortunately, most of it passed. Today, there was a little sensitivity to light so I laid down, but for most of the day I have been fine. I just can't see as clearly, but that will pass. Went to the dr. today and he took me off 2 off my eye drop meds, just down to one for the next month. In fact, he was pleased with the way things are healing that I was told to cancel next weeks appt and come back in a month. Sounds good to me.

The washer and dryer came today. I did manage to get the walls done where they are going, thankfully. However, they brought an electric dryer and not a gas dryer, so we had to send it back. Now I am waiting to hear when we will be getting the dryer delivered. So we can wash, but not dry. It is always somehting.

Food has been off, in fact I just am not eating much at all so even with it being off and not great choices it is not hurting as much as it could. Water has not been great either. I guess I can only concntrate on one thing at a time.

Well, I am off. First I need to check this message for major typos (things are fuzzy). Catch you later.

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Lesli,

I am so glad to hear that the surgery went well!

I hope you get the correct dryer soon...We've been without a washer for about 2 months now (motor burned out) and now our dryer isn't working either. My DH has been super busy lately and hasn't found the time to buy the parts he needs to fix it. Hopefully, soon.....

Have a great weekend!

 

[toystoryduo]

Happy Mother's Day, Lesli!

 

[Lesli54]

I am back from my little "hiatus" with the eyes. It is amazing how much my eyesight improves each day. At least I can now type on the computer without seeing tons of shadowing on the letters. Sure does make for fewer typos.

Water last week was horrible. I really spent most of the week with my eyes closed or in darker rooms so very little activity and I did not pay much attention to decent food. But 2 days ago, I was still at the same weight so I guess I did ok. However, today I am up a bit but I think that is mainly from lack of water.......and eating very late the last 2 nights. It's called stress combined with being off track last week. So time to get back on track.

Last Saturday, the one before this past weekend, the family took me out for a wonderful birthday dinner. It was so delicious and nice to have the whole family around. DD21's fiance ordered a appetizer called saganaki, which is a flaming greek cheese and so good. Earlier that day, we took a tour of a beautiful venue, which used to be an old railroad station, for the wedding reception. Then it was a matter of the quality of food served since the venue was owned by a caterer so no choices there. Also, they will have to now look for a ceremony site if they go with that venue.

This past Sunday, we went to railroad station venue for a Mother's Day brunch so that we could check the quality of the caterer. DD21's fiance took his family there as well, although they were not aware of why. Quite interesting to say the least. Fortunately, the caterer is decent. Unfortunately, I don't know if I can get the two of them to look at other places just to be sure before making the final decision. Somehow it will all work out.

Of course, there is still the running kids to ball games and practices. Fortunately, DD19 is almost done for the semester and has been able to help out quite a bit since I was not driving last week.

The last two days, I have been very frustrated and the food has not been good since I was allowing old habits to creep in. The mindless munching of salty then sweet, eating at the wrong times because I wasn't doing really meals which creates overeating, and eating very late whether I was hungry or not. Fortunately, I have recognized what is going on and am working hard today to deal with the frustration in a different manner. I have been trying to work on the family book and every time I go one direction it is changed by DH's aunt, then another direction and changed again. All it is doing is taking more time going back and forth. However, yesterday I figured that I am just going to do what I can think is best and present it for proofreading. If it is not suitable then we can make changes. Also, I figured out how to scan in the original book that she did, turn it into a file that can be edited, and just make updates. It is great! Mainly now, I am editing, so hopefully with luck I can have alot of it done by the end of the week. Keeping frustration at bay that is.

Today's food:
Breakfast - 1 egg omelet w/gr pepper, portobello & little cheese, 4 lg strawberries, 1/2 c grapefruit juice
AM snack - banana
Lunch - HC fresh starts pasta
PM snack - havarti cheese & gr pepper
Supper - BLT's and potato salad

Today's goals:
1. Stay focused to reduce frustration
2. Water and plenty of it

I have a busy day ahead, soccer practices, band concerts, and the family project, so I better get going. Everyone have a great day!

 

[Lesli54]

Down another .4 lbs. Not alot, but at least it is a loss and with the busy week I had last week, I am surpised there was a loss at all.

I still haven't gotten my water back on track, so that is the plan for this week. Although, I did have some healthy meals last week, there were many that were not very healthy. Not to mention a few chips and cookies. However, the plus side was that I believe that I consumed fewer calories just due to all the activity going on in the house last week. I just wasn't eating as often.

Wednesday, I think I traveled the state as I had to pick up DD21 from school which is over an hour, drive back this way, plus another 45 minutes in the opposite direction just to get her to the eye dr. Along the way, we stopped to pick up my bathroom sink for the basement. At the appt, I realized that this would be the last time that I will be paying for new glasses for her along with many other "last time" moments over this next year. Some mixed feelings there. Then we ran over to look at another venue for the wedding. A beautiful location in a park. Met with DD19 and the younger two so they could give me a mother's day gift. A picture of the 4 of them, that they managed to sneak out to do. It was great and I have to say that they were really good at finding a way to get the picture done without letting me know. Did some wedding idea shopping, picked up DD11 from dance and finally went home late. Long, long day.


Thursday, took DD11 to the ortho, did tons of laundry (still drying at BIL's house, hoping that dryer comes in this week), little organizing, worked on the family book a little, soccer practices, etc. Very busy day.

Friday, was pretty calm so I spent most of the day on the family project. Down to proofing all the info entered so that I can rest assured that dates and names are correct for printing.

Saturday, DS6 was not well so no soccer, then soccer was canceled for DD11 (thankfully). We have had so much rain lately. And when is the weather going to warm up? Took DD11 to her dance rehersal, shopped with DD21, cleared out alot of books from the bookcases for the garage sale. By the end of the day, I was exhausted.

Yesterday was a long day. We sat through many hours at DD11's dance recital. She did well and had fun so that was the most important part. The DS got sick on the way home, not fun. Needless to say, I have had so much laundry lately and no dryer. However, I am pleased with how clean things are coming out.

Today's food:
Breakfast - 1 egg omelet w/spinach, portobello & little cheese, 1 c milk, strawberries, and 1/2 c grapefruit juice
AM snack - 4 ritz pb crackers
Lunch - 1/2 chicken salad sandwich, chips & salsa, choc chip cookie
PM snack - banana
Supper - ???

Goals today:
1. water
2. finish proofing my database on project

I am not too energetic today. Just so tired and it is cold out which is really zapping the energy. This week, I am just going to work on getting back on track. There is much that I would like to get done this week, many deadlines coming up, and as always tons to take care of. Hope that everyone has a great day!

 

[Lesli54]

Thank God it is warmer out today. I practically froze yesterday, it was just so chilly.

I was not very active yesterday. I did work on the project, but with taking care of DS6, I didn't get as far as I had hoped. Also, I did rest in the afternoon for a bit. Oh well.

Needless to say, the day was really off for food, at least later in the day. Water was better, but not what it should be. PM snack was a special K bar, I think cracker, and possibly something else. Supper was 15 pizza rolls and some nachos. Later, I had 2 cookies and milk, then much later it was a bowl of fruit loops. There was probably something else. I was so tired and cold that I didn't focus and I kept looking for "comfort" foods, but I really don't have many so I just kept eating trying to find something that would satisfy. Back to square one so to speak.

Food today:
Breakfast - 1 egg omelet w/spinach, portabello & cheese, 1 c milk, strawberries, 1/2 c pomegranite juice
AM snack - yogurt
Lunch - turkey & provolone w/ spinach sandwich, chips
PM snack - banana
Supper - BLT's, potato salad, pasta salad

Goals today:
1. water
2. family book
3. bookwork

I had plans to visit with DSis for our birthday lunch, but that didn't work out. So I will work to get things caught up around here and then I hope I can tackle another area to dejunk for the garage sale. DH started on the garage last night which is great. Then we have soccer practices and DS6 has a baseball game. So a busy day.

Hope that everyone is doing well.

 

[goldcupmom]

Sounds like you have been busy as usual. Glad the eyes are improving.

Have a wonderful rest of the week!

 

[Lesli54]

Today is a great day! I already have completed a few tasks that I had planned to get done, which is always great early in the day. Don't know if I would say I am energetic, but at least I do feel motivated. Maybe it helps to put on a little makeup in the morning even though I am not going anywhere. Just makes me feel pulled together.

Yesterday was ok, but I did let stress get to me a bit in terms of food. Water was better but not great. All food through lunch was as planned. A few too many chips, so I wasn't hungry for a PM snack, but a candy bar looked good and I ate it. Supper was some nachos at the ball feild and a bowl of fruit loops later.

I did manage to get alot done with the proof reading, finished the FAFSA for DD19, did some bookwork, and played "dugout mom". DH was in serious need of a mom to help keep things organized in the dugout. It was kind of fun, but I didn't really get to see DS6 play. We had a child that was a handful and that really took alot of my attention. Maybe next time.

Today's food:
Breakfast - 1 egg omelet w/portobello, spinach & little cheese, 1 c milk, 1/2 c pomegranit juice, 1/2 slice 7 grain toast w/jelly
AM snack - 2 pb crackers
Lunch - chicken salad sandwich & chips
PM snack - banana
Supper - Maybe Panera

Today's goals:
1. water (not bad so far, but I really need to boost it up some more)
2. family book (just a tad of proofing left then quite a bit of editing)
3. Stick to my food plan and no late night eating (eating to relieve stress just isn't worth it)

DH just called, had an appt with one of his drs. Guess they were a bit concerned about the effects that his weight is having on the bp and other things. So, he pretty much was told to get rid of the weight. Maybe, I will have a partner for this again, which would be great. It is harder to make a lifestyle change on your own if the rest of the family doesn't follow. Maybe we can come up with a way that we can all do it together. The kids don't need to lose weight, but they can learn to be more active and healthier.

Well, I am off. I need to work on the book, make sure DS6 is ready for his game tonight, and then take DD11 up to dance tryouts. She is hoping to get into the dance company for next year which means she will get to compete. Also, waiting to hear on the dyer, it is in, but they have to figure out when to deliver.

Talk to you all later.

 

[Lesli54]

Many pluses yesterday, one major minus.......choc chip cookies.

Water was way up. I think about at 64 oz, but I would like to get in more. At least I am getting back on track there, though. Food for the most part was really good. Everything was on track except I missed my PM snack. At Panera, I had a half turkey artichoke sandwich, apple, and half ceasar salad. Then I bought some choc chip cookies (the smaller ones they sell). Ate only one.........until I got home late then I ate 3 more. Most of that was frustration that I let get to me. Time to move on. At any rate, fortunately it didn't sabotage my weight, but I possibly would have had a loss today if I had not eating so many of the cookies. I am maintaining which is good, but since my goal is to take off lbs, I need to become more focused.

Got bookwork done, did a few errands, and I finished proofing input for the family book so I can move onto the editing. I had to wait for DD11 to finish her dance auditions so I just stayed at Panera to work on the project while I enjoyed my dinner. It was really relaxing. Unfortunately DD11 didn't make the dance company, but they do want her to move up to a prepratory class that could definitely help her at the auditions next year.

Today's food:
Breakfast - 1 egg omelet w/spinach, gr peppers, mushrooms & cheese, 1 c milk, 1/2 c grapefruit juice
PM snack - yogurt
Lunch - chicken salad sandwich w/spinach, strawberries
PM snack - cherries, maybe some cheese
Supper - taco salad

Today's goals:
1. No late night eating
2. Frustration or stress? - take a walk, food won't cure it

Another good start to the day. I am telling you that the warmer weather, fixing my hair and adding makeup really adds to the productivity. Not that I didn't do my hair before, but I am taking a few extra minutes to make it look a little nicer than the brush through that many SAHMs do. We always put ourselves last, but I am tired of that and want to feel good about me again. Change that....not just good, but great! I like feeling more put together. I will let you know how this experiment works.

Tonight is soccer practice and a ball game for DD11. DS6 has Boy Scouts which he has been wanting to do since he was little. Also, I need to clean out the camper and start getting it ready for the summer. We are going to camping this weekend.......well, it might be more of a modified camping since there are still many things that we have to be away from the campground for. But the kids will enjoy sleeping in the camper and swimming (if the weather is nice).

Time to go. Hope that everyone has a very productive day.

 

[Lesli54]

Ok, I finished the cookies yesterday. I think there were maybe 3 or 4??

Other than that, the day was pretty good and I checked the scale today, so far so good. Of course those cookies kept me from losing, you know. Water was way up yesterday which is good. At lunch, I had potato salad instead of the cherries and I skipped the PM snack. Trying to get kids to places, I ate and early supper instead. Then later, I had a little more taco salad, probably should have found something else since I had eaten so early. For the most part, a good day.

Walked to the school yesterday to pick up DS6, so add 20 minutes to exercise. Hey, it's a start.

Well.......I added a new "job" so to speak. In order for the Cub Scouts to create a new charter in town (we haven't had any here for awhile so they have been going to a neighboring town), they needed so many adults to fill certain positions. There just so happened to be just enough parents at the meeting and you guessed it.......I was roped in. Not really what I had planned. However, I did say that I won't lead, so my job is the books and record keeping. That I can do. Not as roped as it could have been, but at least it will keep the boys in town.

DH got the camper out and ready so my job today is to get some clothing together, food shopping and any other essentials that we may need. I am looking forward to it even though we have many other things going on this weekend. Just a part of the day away each day will be relaxing.

Food today:
Breakfast - 1 egg omelet w/spinach, gr peppers, mushrooms & cheese, 1 c milk, 1 c grapefruit juice, a few strawberries
AM snack - 2-3 pb crackers
Lunch - taco salad
PM snack - cherries
Supper - ?????

Goals for today:
1. water
2. stay on track with food

Today, I was up early and it felt great! I have cleaned out the fridge, dried and put away dishes (DH washed) and have a load of laundry going. Now I have time to work on my book project before DD21 comes over. She is going to help me clear out some more of the things around the house for the garage sale. Don't know what DD19 plans to do, but she definitely thinks that no classes means she can veg. Other than getting her room cleared out, which is a big plus, she has not volunteered for much else. So I think this week will be an experiment. We will see if she either asks for more hours at work, checks on volunteering at the hospital like she had planned, or decides to pitch in some more around here. My guess? She thinks that summer is for relaxing.....great if you are still a kid, but not so great when you are an adult. Hopefully, she will prove me wrong.

Well, I better get going. Lots to do. Everyone have a great weekend.