Day 4...swimming

Went swimming for an hour today.  Just did laps and never felt so good in my life!  I love the water...you don't have to feel like a big huge person.  (Okay, unless you jump in and then it's like being at SeaWorld.) But after that, you can float or swim for hours.  Or, at least I can.  :)

Eating was easy since I had stir-fry at my grandma's.  I love it when other people want to cook dinner!

Tomorrow...Richard Simmons...yeah, you read that right!

150 DAYS to go!  Weigh in coming soon!

Just Do It...Even If You Suck!!!

Day 3...Pilates for Wimps (i.e. me)

Okay...food--no problem!  I can count calories-especially with a super simple app on my phone.  Really, now it's all about the exercise.  I've still been a little sore from my working out everyday (told you I was bad at this), so I figured I'd do my Pilates for Wimps DVD I bought from the Dollar Store.  (Yeah, you know it's gotta be a best selling working dvd when you buy it at the Dollar Tree!)

Basically the premise of the DVD is that anybody can do Pilates and that they offer a mix of pilates moves mixed with modified pilates moves so you can do this even if you are a huge sissy-la-la who can't even hack running one block.  (that's me, by the way!)

So, I did that with no issues and keep thinking that I should really work toward stepping it up.  I think I'd like to aim for running again sometime next week, but we'll see.  Of course then at least I'd up the comedy factor for my neighbors that might be up early in the morning and my husband.

In the meantime, Day 4 is coming!!!

151 days left...JUST DO IT...even if you suck!

Day 2...Step Aerobics...(slightly adjusted)

So day 2 was pretty good!  I did use some of my exercise points.  Mostly because we had other friends over and I decided to make some lower calorie cupcakes (thank you, Pinterest!) and I wanted one.  So I ate one.  But, I did really good!

I started off by working out with a step aerobic DVD that my friend made me.  It's by some guy named Gilad and is so 80's it's not funny.  But it works, and I like it.  Of course I don't have a step thing, so I used our wii balance board.  That works though.  Felt pretty good too!  I didn't run though, since I am horrible at it.  Figured I would to other things and maybe go back to the whole running thing when I got really desperate.  We'll see.

Day 3 will consist of pilates just to keep mixing it up...

Remember Just Do It!!! Even if you suck!

152 days to go!!!

Day 1...Did I tell you I hate running???

So yesterday was Labor Day...yeah, people say don't start any sort of new lifestyle/diet thing on a holiday...but I figured I can always find an excuse to put it off, so I just decided on Sunday to start...I'd say I did pretty good for the most part.

 I decided Sunday afternoon I would run on Monday morning.  Now have I ever mentioned how much I hate running? Maybe hate isn't strong enough...despise, loathe, hmm I'll have to think about a better word.  Now don't get me wrong, you have to run for some things...tennis, football, basketball, baseball, if a T-Rex is chasing you..then it makes sense.  But running just to run?  (I'm sure my running friends are ready to beat me now, but c'mon guys, you know me!)  So on to the adventure...and let me tell you if people were to read this they'd be busting up by the time I'm done so here goes.  I got up at 7:30 (a horrible hour for anyone to have to be up), and got ready for my run.  Then my wonderful husband offered to run with me.  I said okay, but warned him that since I've put off exercising for the last 2 weeks, that I was going to start out slow and aim for a couple blocks.  He's so wonderful he didn't laugh, he just got ready and we went for our run.  Yeah...I made it a block and was tired, feeling crappy, and realizing I'm probably the slowest runner in the history of runners.  At this point, I'm thinking all I really need to do if a T-Rex is chasing me is just make sure I stay near someone else that I can throw behind me while I go hide under a bush.

But after I did that, I decided to exercise with Wii Fit (who says a little exercise can't be fun), and later when we went to my grandma's I swam laps for about 30 minutes.   Dinner was even pretty healthy since we had shish-ka-bobs.  (Is that how you spell it?)  Yeah, I felt pretty good...decent breakfast, decent lunch, cleaning grandma's house to earn a few extra exercise bonuses for my calorie app, a kabobs for dinner.

Then Jeff and Emily came over for games and I tanked a little.  2 pieces of a Totino's pizza (and I mean two pieces that equaled 1/4 of it...not two pizzas...yay me!) and 5 Oreos later...not feeling too hot about myself.  But I thought...forget it!  I did okay and didn't eat the bag of Oreos and didn't go nuts today so good for me!!!

The best part is I've found a new mantra for this little adventure for myself...(okay, it was on Pinterest and I totally stole the picture for my phone, but whatever!  Don't judge me!)  It's a Nike swoosh that says "Just Do It   Even if you suck!"

Totally going to work for me!!!  Day 1 down...153 to go!

Before...

We're going to Disneyland!  (Well, barring the end of the world that the Mayans and extremist Christian groups that make the rest of us look like kooks are ridiculously predicting.)  In 157 days we will be flying down to party with Mickey, Minnie, and of course, Capt. Jack!  So, what does that mean...that means that I have 154 days to get my butt in gear (and with tons of needed prayer) get exercising!  We went 5 years ago and that was a size smaller for me.  And, since I've tried everything else and nothing really works for me, I'm just going to plunge in and hope for the best!  I've got to do this...not for any obvious reason that most people spout like better health, or being a good example for my kid or random stuff that while is important aren't what my motivation are...but for the rides!  I'm going to be able to go on every ride I want and not look like a fat tourist!  We'll see...

I love my iphone!

So today, I decided to attempt the weeds in the front yard.  Yeah, that pretty much ends with me using the weed eater on them all and then spraying them with vinegar in the hopes that the pinterest pin that said vinegar kills weeds is right.  Before I started though, I decided to see if yesterday's sermon was on the church website.  IT WAS!!!  Score!  So I loaded it up, and put on the headphones and got started.  It is so great to know I can miss a Sunday (or 3 this month), and not miss the lesson.  Before I had a smartphone, yeah, that would not have happened.  In fact, if I hadn't given in to my materialism, I wouldn't even be able to do that.  AND, if my husband hadn't found a way to convince me to get internet, we wouldn't be able to listen without it costing us data on our phones.

So really, I should say I love the fact that I'm human and live in America.  I not only live in a country where I have the freedom to buy whatever kind of internet, phone, computer, or house with a tendency to have weeds growing in my front yard; but I have the freedom to worship Christ as I feel led to and can listen to the sermons from the pastor I have the freedom to learn from.  Think about that!  We were born and live in a time where technology is insanely amazing, and in a country where we can pursue using that technology in not only a way that helps our lives for ease of things, but also to enrich them!

In reality, I don't love these things...I'm super appreciative of them!

Ultimately, I really love (in the real-not so materialistic kind) my freedom that has been bought by Christ and that He has chosen to bless my family.  We're not rich or always have the money we'd love to have to buy things that we want, and really have to work hard to take a vacation or do some things.  But, we have been given life, we're provided with food, shelter, and clothing, and obviously we have enough to pay for the internet and phones so I can do random things like find interesting things on pinterest, catch up with friends on facebook, or even type in a silly little blog.

Just think...all this came from the thought when I was done with the yard, that I really enjoy my phone.  Hmm...

IT'S OVER!!!!

 Got a call at 6 am this morning from a co-worker, and they told me there was no school today!  Do you know what that meant?  That there was a settlement today!!!!  Woo-hoo!  I've never been so super excited to go to work in my life!  I mean seriously excited, like no need for coffee or positive thinking or find something happy...just a complete happiness that settled in because things can get back to some semblance of normal tomorrow!  It's such a fabulous, wonderful, happy day!  The weight of worry and stress is gone and I can finally enjoy a beautiful afternoon without feeling exhausted and drained!  I am so happy!

Now, hopefully, things won't need to get to this point or this bad next time there's another contract negotiation...

Can't wait til school tomorrow...

Is it over yet???

Stupid strike!  I'm so over this whole thing!  Finally get a day off and I'm too tired to enjoy it!  I'm not pro-union, but just to be clear, I'm not pro-administration either.  I personally feel both sides are hiding information and not being professional, and both sides are looking to help themselves.  Who I really feel sorry for are the teachers and students.  I feel bad because the teachers are striking and not working, and I feel even worse for the students, who on Monday will be stuck in classrooms with substitutes they don't know at all!  I also feel absolutely horrible for the part time workers and other long term subs (like myself) who are stuck in the middle.  We can't really choose sides without alienating ourselves from either our coworkers or by possibly not getting a full time position in the future.  Many people who I have worked with who are part-timers have been told "off the record" that in order to be considered to advance in the district, they need to be available to work 10 hours a day during all of this.  Really? That's how we treat the people who are working hard???  Bullying them?  Not that I'm saying that everything on the strike line is always perfect.  People really should remember that we don't know anything about what the other is choosing to do and for what reason (This applies to everyone involved) and that ultimately we are adults and should take responsibility for our own actions and choices.  Honestly the thing that I think the strikers should remember is there could be part timers stuck in a bullied position by their boss?  What if they are the sole money earner for their family? What if this job is the only thing between them and being homeless?  Not that I'm saying that the staff at the school I'm at is doing that.  (Well, at least with most everyone who works at the same school as the strikers, the strikers have been very supportive and encouraging.)  But frankly I'm getting more frustrated and disheartened by the people I see who's hearts are breaking over this and not being able to be with their students.

Why can't we just table the whole discussion until June 13th so we can finish the school year?  It's been 14 months...a couple more won't hurt anyone!  Or better yet...work out a deal!  Quit trying to make power plays and media twists and PR moves and get a decision made.

In the meantime, I'll be ready to go to work Monday and hope and pray that the kids will adjust okay and know that we care about them and are doing what it takes to take care of them.

Stupid strike!

Narnia...I finally got it!

So for years, I've enjoyed discussing different books I like and some of those are The Chronicles of Narnia books.  I have always enjoyed the fact that it's all about these "normal" kids who help to save a different world.  And, of course, as with many things in society, there's always people that want to find deeper meaning.  Even in these books.  I can't count how many times I have heard people say that these books are an allegory.

Well I don't get it!  At least for the longest time I didn't.  I mean come on, Jesus is not a lion...He's a person! We can't really go to new worlds when we step into a closet.  (Or none that I've ever seen.)  So, I've never gotten into those discussions.  That is until Disney made The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  
I remember sitting there watching Aslan approach the stone table and I started bawling.  It was exactly what Jesus did for us!  Totally made sense after that!  So yeah, I felt all awesome.  So, over the years I've reread them, and looked for the rest of the allegories...and back to nothing!  I think I'm just really dense sometimes, because I'm sure God shows me things that I just don't get.  And then, today, my brother-in-law posted an article on facebook about The Silver Chair.  AND I GET IT!!  Prince Rilian totally had an addiction!  And in order for him to get away from it, not only did he need to let go of the past, but he also had to have help from others and to finally break the chair himself!  (the addiction!)

I don't have any addictions (okay, I admit I do enjoy my social networking, and Pinterest is pretty awesome, but that's a whole different ball of wax).  And so I know that I'll never truly understand and relate to this, but I can definitely empathize with it!  But, I do know people who have them, that are still sitting in their chairs...so why am I not praying for them and asking God to bring people to help them break out of those chains so they can get out of that chair?  I don't have an answer to that question, but I do know that I'm going to pray for them and pray that God will do this, because He is bigger than anything!  And, as for me, I guess I'll keep rereading these books, and maybe someday, I'll understand the allegories in all of them, not just two books!

Crockpot Cooking

I've had my crockpot for almost 11 years.  (It was a wedding gift from my great-aunt.)  In the last 10 of the 11 years, I've used it maybe 6 times.  (Sorry, Aunt Arlene) Yup, that's how useful it's been.  (Meanwhile I've had my Kitchenaid for 2 days and used it once already, and have been scouring my cookbooks to find more things to make in it.)  However, with life getting busy and me still working on the whole weight loss thing, I've decided it's been better to use it so I can make yummy food without having to spend all of my time in the kitchen.  (Not to mention me having control over what I put in the food.)  While I stay home, I am so not Martha Stewart.  In fact, Rachel Ray is totally my hero for having 30 minute meals.

So, lately on Pinterest, I've been finding some great easy recipes that friends have pinned that I am trying out.  For example, last night I made Paula Deen's macaroni and cheese recipe, with some adaptations, and it was so good!  I even had enough left to freeze for another time!  That's right, not only did I cook a fabulous meal that both of my picky eaters liked, but I even froze some to save myself from making another meal later!

On the 17th, I made pulled pork and froze some extra!  Woo hoo!  So tonight, it's the crockpot again!  Tater tot casserole, and my plans for next month include a Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe.

Why didn't I ever think to use this before??? I get to not only try out new recipes, but I can also introduce foods to my family without their immediate knowledge that are healthy and different.  (again, picky eaters)

Bring on the new ideas!!!  Who knows, now that I'm not only getting the joy of the crockpot, maybe I'll get brave enough to try the whole cooking for the month idea I keep seeing...