Sharon's Journal -150 here I come!

[sharoncity]

Hi Guys!! Thank you for all the wonderful ideas!!!!! I truly appreciate it! The kids of course managed okay. Bobby (the 7 yo) has a tough time with Grandma. Grandma likes girls more than boys, so she tends to be pretty tough on him and he reacts badly to that. Thus it is just a circle of actions triggering reactions, over and over again.

As I suspected, my babysitter got a new job and so now I have no one for those two days. We are okay with leaving Michelle (12 yo) in charge on Thursdays, because it is only about 1 1/2 hours after school. I go home for lunch and meet the bus and let them into the house. The problems arise on Tues (3 hours) and school vacations/summer. Michelle is a very good girl, very responsible. I'm just not sure I'm ready to leave them alone for more than 2 hours. I will have to give this a lot of thought over the next few days. I have tried quite a few of the options you guys listed - all with no luck. The problem is, if the teenagers are the type you would want to babysit your kids, they are probably involved in after school activities. Most of the sports at the high school have practice EVERY day after school. So none of those kids are available to me. I really have no idea what I am going to do.

Weight loss/ healthy living-

Nonexistant!!!!! I fell apart last night. I picked the kids up from MIL's house. She had made dinner (very nice! ) She also made choc chip cookies and an apple pie for DH!! I am okay with avoiding the pie, but fresh baked cookies are my biggest downfall! I ate 3. Then I took the kids to the mall. I had planned to get the Japanese Chicken Teriyaki. Since kids had already eaten, I skipped that. We got pretzel bites at Pretzel Time, which aren't too bad point wise. But I had already eaten 3 cookies....... Then I had 2 pork chops when I got home, way past 7 pm. Just a bust all the way around.

So this morning, did I return to healthy living? NO! Had a bagel instead of fruit for breakfast. It seems like when I have these foods that are off program, it triggers even more bad eating because I feel so hungry!

I am going to try to reign myself back in tonight. Michelle has private dance lesson from 7:30 - 8 pm. I am going to try to exercise before that, because AI is on from 8 - 9. Don't know if I will have time before dance, but I will truly try! And tomorrow - no excuses! Back on track! I will never lose any of this weight if I keep this up!

So that's my story today. I am very busy at work, so I haven't gotten to any journals yet. It snowed again today (about 3 -4 inches), kids had no school. DH doesn't work on Wednesdays, so he is home with them.

Hope everyone has a great day!

TTFN- Sharon

 

[swilphil]

Sharon my MIL favors her grandaughters too, and I'm dreading the day when my sons figure that out. Can your 12 year old sign up for a babysitting class to learn some of the safety rules. My 12 year old niece babysits my 2 and 4 year old all the time. I was a little reluctant at first, but she took the class at the Y and then we gradually worked her into to becoming a full-fledged babysitter for us. She also babysits a bunch of kids in her neighborhood, so I felt a little better about it.

I did my exercise this a.m., so I could stay home tonight and watch AI.

 

[sharoncity]

In reply to suggestions:

Beth - Nope, no YMCA close to us.

Wilderness - Grandma doesn't like them playing video games either. "It's no good for them!"

Geety - Can't usually bring too much over Grandma's. Number 1, it is usually a last minute option, so no prep time. Number 2, lots of little ones around usually, so Grandma banns legos, small pieces.... Cards might work pretty well. Maybe I will keep a deck in Bobby's backpack "just in case". Movies/dvds - well with 5 yrs between them and a boy and a girl....they don't really agree too often about what to watch. And thanks for the formulas for APS - that really helps!!!

Jenn - my kids never went to a day care center. For Michelle, I had all family members watch her. Mon was Mema (my mom), Tues was Auntie, Wed was Daddy's day, Thurs was GreGre (my Grandma) and Fri was DMIL. It worked wonderful back then!!! Bobby went to someone's house for Tues and Thur until he started school. I've had the babysitter for 4 years now. She took another job last year for a few months before coming back to us, so I have done this search before. I've contacted the local high school, the Youth Service Bureau. Haven't tried any colleges yet. At a certain point, I start to get pretty nervous about inviting a stranger into my home to watch my kids, ya know? But I will give that idea some thought.

Doe - you are right, the kids just need to "suck it up" every once in awhile. I always tell them that they have a nice house and camping trips and dance classes, etc because mommy works. They need to do what they need to do sometimes! Girl Scouts, well not many girls around here last in girl scouts to be old enough to babysit. As I said, all these activities take up so much time, they don't have time for anything else. Most girls are done with scouting by about 5th grade or so. The church, well I was thinking about that too - maybe I could even find a retired woman who wouldn't mind watching the kids for a few hours a week.

I will have to devout a considerable amount of time to this for the next few weeks. Babysitter is officially done, so I have no one for next Tuesday. My DH thinks we should just send them down to my grandma (who is 89 yo and lives behind us). I think it is just too much to ask of her. he fails to see what the problem is, because they are good kids. But what about snow days, vacation, summer.....??? I think it is too much for an 89 yo to be responsible for.

I am praying that a solution will turn up in the next couple of weeks, because I don't have any idea what I am going to do.

Thanks again for all the great ideas! At the very least, its got me looking in new directions!

Sherri - I am actually trying to get her in a babysitting class in March. I'm having a hard time, because they fill up very quickly, but I am high on the waiting list!

 

[Strings]

Sharon,

I hope things work out quickly. I have one more suggestion. Try a local colleges department of education. We have 2 colleges in the area. Some of the education students babysit on the side. They have an education background and are young.

Just a thought.

Take care, I'll say a prayer.
Beth

 

[wilderness01]

Wait a minute, they are your kids. I know they are at her house, but what is wrong with playing with a gameboy? I would have my husband speak to his mother. She needs to bend a little here. Sorry you are going through this.

 

[geetey]

My grandmother is 90 and she LOVES when the kids come over. She has grandkids from 50s down to 9 (she had 10 ten kids) and then great grandkids down to 1 day old (my nephew! He was born yesterday!). Anyway, she loves when she has time with the 'older' kiddies (about 5 and up) because the kids are self-sufficient, are good conversationalists and are welcome company. I wouldn't have a problem sending my kids to her house for 3 hours. Maybe you should talk to your grandma? She may welcome the chance for some one-on-one time with your two!

Good luck!

 

[sharoncity]

Ya know Geety, Gre Gre loves the kids to come over. And I think it is good for her. But what if she isn't feeling too good that particular day? She of course wouldn't want to tell me and she would end up pushing herself too much. And she is in an in-law apartment in my Mom's house. The kids head straight to my mom's even if GreGre is watching them. They are just more comfortable over there. What happens is GreGre keeps walking down the hall to "check on them". I tell her not to, that they will come to her if they need anything, but she just keeps going over to "check". She has very weak legs, so she is not supposed to be on them that much, not to mention she doesn't usually bother with her walker in the house.

Wilderness - My MIL is a pretty strong opinionated woman. After all she raised 6, so she knows what she's doing. DH won't interfere because he works with his dad every day. Doesn't want to start anything there, plus he is one of those people who is just nonconfrontational. When she watches my kids, I'm just along for the ride, ya know? She is a truly wonderful person and I love her dearly. I just don't have her watch my kids too often!

I hate to sound so negative to everyone, because I'm not usually this way. But last year when I was looking for some one, I wracked my brains. I've asked everyone I know, coworkers, other moms, if they know anyone. I am very hesitant to have a total stranger come to the house, so that is why I don't put an ad in the paper or anything. I'm sure I will figure something out. It may take a few weeks, but we'll figure out something.

Yesterday, I did absolutely awful and I'm am not happy with myself today. I will climb back on the wagon and start over today. I brought food with me for snacks and lunch. I will stay with these things and not deviate!! I forgot my clothes for Curves, but I have to go home at lunch to meet the kids, so I'll grab them then. If I go to Curves, I won't have to force myself to exercise at home. I've been so tired these last few weeks. I think all the cold weather, heat running nonstop, lots of snow........it has all given me a case of lethargy. But I need to exercise and I know it will actually help me feel more energetic. So that is the plan.

Lots to do at work today, so I don't know how many journals I will get to.
It is C-O-L-D here again. 2 degrees when I had to walk the kids up to school! They are talking about more snow for Sunday????? AAAUUUUGGGHHHHH!!!!!

TTFN- Sharon

 

[toystoryduo]

Sharon,

Good morning! I'm sorry that you're going through all of this right now. I hope that you are able to find a solution that works for everyone soon. I'll keep you and your family in our prayers.

In the meantime, have a great day today, Sharon! Take some time today to do something special for you.

 

[Strings]

Hi Sharon,

I don't blame you for being hesitant in having a stranger in the house. We're all just trying to brainstorm along with you. I hope you find someone soon. I know this is weighing on your mind and heart.

I'm sending you to help you get back OP today. Have a great workout at Curves and STAY WARM!!!
Beth

 

[plutosmyfav]

Hi Sharon,
I'm so sorry you are stressing over your child care. I understand how you feel about a stranger. I really hope something comes through for you. I think its the hardest part of being a working mother. Right now my son is in a great daycare but I am already stressing big time about next year when he will start kindergarten which is in session a whopping 8:30-12:00 per day. I will find out about their afterschool program in March. But I am not happy about it at all.

Don't feel bad about falling off the wagon. I think this weather is causing the blues and hungry horrors. It HAS to let up soon, right? Just try to get the bod moving anyway you can, it will help you feel back on track so much faster

Sundie

 

[Blueeyes101817]

osharon--sorry none of my suggestions worked haha..i know what you mean about having people you dont know in your house...my friend just went for an interview for babysit, so if you get desparate for ideas, that may work.
im losing my family i do the nanny thing for, so ill be on the opposite end of where you are in march

 

[plutosmyfav]

Hi Sharon,

more pixie dust your way for the childcare issues!

I took my journal offline. I'm going to start a new one once my google fiasco has died down. In the meantime, I'll stop by often!!!

Sunny

 

[wilderness01]

I hope something works out for you soon in the child care department. Good luck.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

hope everything is looking good this sunday

 

[sharoncity]

Hi Guys!

Nothing new on the childcare front. I do have one vague idea, but I am not sure if/how it willl work out. For tomorrow I plan to send them down to my grandmother (GreGre). At least she will let them watch TV or what ever else they want to do!

Okay, time to report about how I am doing. In a nutshell - TERRIBLE! I am back up to 184. I did pretty good on Friday, HORRIBLE on Sat and VERY well on Sunday. I don't know why my weight flucuates so much. If I have one bad day, I will easily see a 2 or 3 lb gain. And then it takes 2 or 3 days to get rid of that 1 day gain. I am seriously considering going to a nutritionist to help me figure things out. I mean, when I say I'm bad, it means I go over my points. It's not like I had ice cream or cheesecake or anything. Just too much food. I drink tons and tons of water, so I wouldn't think it should effect me this much. But here I am, at the end of the first month of recommittment, and I am only down 2 pounds. I will NEVER make goal if this keeps up!!

I did the 3 mile WATP dvd yesterday, so I was happy about that. I brought my clothes for Curves today, but I am unsure if I will make it there. If I don't, I'll do the 3 Mile WATP again. I also gave some serious thought to my exercise routine yesterday while I was WATP. I think I need to get up a few mornings a week and do the WATP. I have been so very busy in the evenings, I just haven't been exercising like I should. It will mean getting up at 4:45 am to do it, But if I only have to do that a couple times a week, it wouldn't be too bad.

I hope everyone else had a better weekend than I did. Here's to Monday mornings and new beginnings!!

TTFN- Sharon

 

[septbride2002]

Sharon great job on reassesing your workouts. Sometimes we need that time to give ourselves a push in the right direction. And if you get up that early you truly have my praise I enjoy sleeping to much ;-)

If you don't make it to Curves enjoy your WATP tape! Keep smiling! Remember the basics - water, exercise, food!

~Amanda

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Sharon!

Working out in the mornings has helped me immensely! Some days are harder than others to get out of bed, but I feel so much better about my day when I get it in in the morning. I know at night I am usually too tired to even think about exercise.

Have you ever thought about the FIRM workout videos? They guarantee results in 10 workouts. I really love the FIRM, but I think I'm going to have to add other workouts to my schedule because I think my body is getting too accustomed to that type of workout. For example, I did TaeBo for the first time the other day and it was tough! I felt good the next day because I knew that I had worked on muscles that I haven't used with the FIRM. How do I know? I was sore!

I hope that the babysitter situation works out for you. It's kind of ironic because I am trying to get a job babysitting so I can stay home with my girls and you need a babysitter, but we live quite a distance away from each other. I hope it works out for you soon, Sharon!

Have a great day, Sharon!

 

[swilphil]

Hi Sharon--Talking to a nutritionist might be a good idea if you have one available to you. Can anyone at Curves help you? I don't know a whole lot about their program, but maybe you can do something to increase your intensity there.

I'm in the same boat where the weight is coming off really slow. I went running last week and that did help. I guess I need to do that every week. *Sigh*

 

[geetey]

Hi Sharon!
I hope your new babysitting lead turns out to be something fantastic! I know things will work out - I just hope it happens quickly!
Tracy may be on to something when she talks about the FIRM. Perhaps you have been WATPing too long for the workouts to be effective? I hope that isn't the case for myself, but I fear that it is. It looks like I will be checking out some FIRM tapes as well. Changing this around might just be the key. Early morning workouts always get me ready for the new day. Like Amanda, I really dislike getting up early, but sometimes it is worth it. I know YOU are worth it!

 

[Strings]

Hi Sharon,

I hope the babysitting lead works out.

Good for you! You are reassessing your needs. Both a nutritionist and morning exercise could help. I know that I am not losing as quickly as I would like.

I hope you figure out something that works for you.

Take care,
Beth