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Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Take It Off Tuesday!

Well, it's more like "Put it on Tuesday". Too much fun at the birthday parties of LP and LC this past weekend. I added a 1lb. Yikes. I have a long ways to go to hit 20 x 30.

And only one person joined the challenge. Hmmmm. You can still sign up! But your points are dwindling. Sign up here.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

The first trip to the dentist...

Eventhough Smiles is home for the summer, there was no way that I was going to miss out on LC and LP's first trip to the dentist. We made the trip to see their Auntie at the dental office that she works at... Its about a 40 minute drive. We all go to that office now, and it's great.

LP went first with daddy. She was very shy and would not let the dentist count her teeth. She briefly flashed her front teeth at him and then turned away. What a sweetie. LP received several prizes and two new toothbrushes. She was thrilled! And excited to go back next time.

LC went next with me. He sat in my lap on the chair. At first he was very shy, but after a minute or two... he opened his mouth really wide. He let the dentist count is teeth and look at them with his little mirror. In fact the dentist had to tell him, "You can close your mouth now, little guy"! It was cute. He took 5 prizes from the basket. The bar has been set. It's a good thing that their Auntie works there... or they may not get as many prizes.

The dentist gave me the talk about cutting down on the juice. Their teeth look good, but he knows that parents struggle with it. And we do, LC loves juice. He begs for juice or rather screams for it.


So it was a sign when I logged into Mommy Momo's blog to find this giveaway.
MOMMY-MOMO: Wateroos Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

Wateroos are fruit-flavored waters without sugar or artificial ingredient - That's tough to find! It's either sugar or artificial sweetners... ack.

I guess they carry them at Rainbow. I will have to give it a try. Anything is worth a try, eh?

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Take it off Tuesday – Who will join the good fight?

Down 1 lb.

Since posting about my weight loss "strategy", I have had a few folks report back to me about their experience with the WW thing. I read somewhere that someone who attends their meetings is 3x more successful in losing weight (or something like that). So what makes those who attend meetings more successful?

Is it the information? – hmmm, I have already done the program and can count my points. BTW, my friend and co-worker who "drives me crazy" over at
Better Late than Never supplied me with these great resources. Thanks! Check them out if you are into the rogue WW thing.

WW Points calculator
Dottie's Weight Loss Zone - Going out to eat? She has tons a places listed with point values and loads of other great resources like recipe ideas!

Is it the constant reminder? And the accountability of having to weigh in every week… and that someone else is writing down the number? Possibly – but I have my blog and I can see that I am not the only reading it (there may be one or two others).

Is it the camaraderie of the group? It certainly could be. There is nothing like having the support of others to light a fire under your ass. Some see it as competition. Others see it as support. I guess it depends on who you are.

So how do I get all that … and not pay the price? Light bulb, clouds part, cue music.

Join me in Take It off Tuesday! I can’t do this alone.

Every Tuesday - weigh yourself, keep the number to yourself (or share if you care), and report back to the group your loss for the week (or gain - shit happens) and your overall loss (or gain). Who will join in the good fight? Can you commit to a 10 week challenge? You don’t have to do the WW thing. It’s a choose your own adventure deal (oh, I hearted those books!).

There will be a prize in the end – Um, not sure what yet and I can only ship within the US/Canada. Beware; this is my first contest – so give me some slack, jack.

Here is the scoring strategy:

One point for becoming my follower (leave a comment or leave a comment if you already are (um, that's only two people)).

Two points for joining the fight (leave another comment).

Two points for blogging about my contest (post a link in another comment).

One point for each week you report back with your weekly loss (or gain!) and overall loss (or gain!) (by leaving a comment). That’s a total of 10 comments or potential points.

5 points for the biggest overall loser, 3 points for the second biggest loser and 1 point for the third biggest loser. Don’t lie. We all hate liars. If you lie, everyone will hate you (okay, hate is a strong word). I un-heart liars. Be real.

OK, go weigh in. Let the games begin.

I heart Giveaways... but I never win.

Bobbi at N Her Shoes has a giveaway for Super Green Food from Amazing Grass - That's wheat grass people! Come on.

Check it out!

N Her Shoes: New Job, New Giveaway!



Saturday, June 20, 2009

I shall have you some day....

Yes, some day you will be mine.

















You know that "hobby" I started a few weeks back. Well, lets be honest. The arts and crafts crap is great. But I suck at that stuff. I won't bore you with the details.


I am counting the days until this fine piece of machinery will be mine. And my wallet will be a lot lighter. Still I want it.

Do I sound slightly deranged?

Friday, June 19, 2009

Take It Off Tuesday.. I mean Friday

Wow, the week flew by. It was a super busy and somewhat stressful week. Boy, I am glad that it is over. I am relaxing with an adult beverage and counting the minutes until LC and LP fall asleep. As I am quickly headed by bed myself.

This week, great progress has been made. So what is the secret to my success?

Smiles joined the fight. That's right. We are both trying to see a glimpse of our old selves.... let's just say that Smiles has no where near the fight ahead of him that I do. But I am enjoying the support of my best friend.

As of today, I have dropped 6 lbs. Yipee, only 14 more to go by the big 3-0.

My sit-up challenge is going well. I have put the
push-up challenge on-hold. Why? I can't put any weight on my hand since the infamous crash.

This week has been a source of frustration for me on the home front. LC and LP are acting up like you would not believe. This is by far the toughest stage to date. My mom and I took them to the mall tonight and it was pure chaos. I got my work-out in and was drenched in sweat by the time we reached the car. I need Nanny 911. I have lost control.

Just when I think it can't get any worse and I raise my voice... I hear a little voice saying, "sorry, mommy. i give you kiss". Like I have said before it's those brief moments of complete sweetness and those little faces of gold... that make the tough moments melt away. I am lucky to be a mom. Shit, now I am freakin' crying.

Time for bed.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

The plight of a working mom

Last night when I got home from work, LC and LP gave me huge hugs. And then LC said to me.

"Mommy, you work too much".

And my heart broke.


As a mother, I am always torn between the demands of motherhood and having a career. Don't get me wrong. If push came to shove, motherhood would win. But there is an internal daily struggle - It's great for them to go to daycare, learn new things, play with other children and experience a little "classroom". But it hurts when they cry as I leave them, wake them up from bed to get them ready in the wee hours of the morning and when they say, "don't go, mommy".

There are so many pros and cons to each side. I know that I would lose my mind being at home all day, every day. Ideally, I would work part-time or have a very flexible schedule (i.e. my own business) - but those gigs are hard to come by and owning a small business is a lot of work.

Until I figure out a solution, I am trapped in a cube farm working long hours and struggling to find balance.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Crash

I have a new name. Its crash and that is what I did this weekend. I fell on my ass several times. I talked my sister-in-law into doing a inline skating half marathon. We showed up at the place, and these people were seriously intense. They were sporting spandex and inline skates that looked nothing like my inline skates. So we started at the back of the pack, and we finished at the back of the pack.

Around ¾ of the way through the course, we had to round a corner and go on a busy and rough road. As I turned, I hit some rough gravel. I ate shit – BIG TIME. Pieces of my pants were shredded and stuck to my skin. My elbow is a big bruise, and my hand hurts. It is possible that I broke a bone in my hand.

But that’s not all. So I got up and finished the race – slow as can be. As we approached the finish, my sister-in-law reminded me about the stupid rubber mats that you have to cross (they cover up the timing equipment). People cheered us with sympathy claps and they watched us cross the finish.

Good thing, she reminded me about the mats – because I ate shit again! And to add insult to injury, the timing equipment beeps as you cross it. And I landed right on the spot…. And it just kept beeping. So I gracefully rolled my big ass out of the way, beep, beep, beep, and beep. Yup, what a freaking nightmare.

Check it off the list.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

You fall, you get up. You stuff your face, you stop.

I pigged out today. I mean seriously pigged out. It was a day of weakness. And it was not healthy food. Let's just say that if I were good and had counted the points like I said that I was going to.. I would have doubled my maximum allowed points. The nice thing about a diet (unlike other things in life) is that you can start over the next day.

After all of this gluttony, I had a skinny person tell me that they ate two pancakes. Oh my, they were stuffed. Two pancakes? Isn't that normal? Go eat a cheeseburger please. How do I change my mind set to think that two pancakes is a lot - they better have been big freakin' pancakes.

I was thinking about pitching an idea to the Biggest Loser folks. Can you please accept applications from people who are just plain overweight? I want to go on that show... and win the money. I may have to cut off a few limbs to win. Bad idea.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Life in the Fast Lane

My job is totally stressing me out right now. On top of the stress of work, we have had a flurry of activity on our house. Last night we had 3 showings and tonight we already have 2 scheduled. Being out of the house for an extended period of time takes it's toll on me, smiles and my little stinkers. I am plain tired.

About a week ago, I started this quest to eat super healthy food. And much to my dismay, I have been gaining weight. I mean seriously, WTF? It must be that damn thyroid disorder that I invented.

In my previous life (re: right before the wedding), I joined Weight Watchers. It worked ok for me but I always ended up eating crappy frozen food and other gross stuff because it was easy and the box told me how many points it was. I, of course, got sick and tired of frozen meals with 2,000 ml of sodium. Kind of like when I got sick and tired of drinking Slim Fast shakes.

So knowing this and that I couldn't stick with these plans, I thought that I would just load up on the fresh fruit, veggies, protein, etc. Well, clearly it is not working for me. And I don't want to invest MORE money into another plan.

So I am dusting off the old WW information with a new plan of attack. I am going to eat REAL food and try the old tracking of the points. But I am not going to join - Cause that would go against my plan of saving money.

Anyone on WW? Anyone need some support? I could use some help staying on track without paying for WW meetings.

One more thing - Hey Caribou, I drove past you twice yesterday and once today, and I didn't stop! So Shut the Front Door. In your face! Kiss mine. =) I can't help myself.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Take It Off Tuesday - Reality Check.

Another week has come and gone. And due to some factors outside of my control, I have determined this week to be my free pass.

A few days ago, I had a moment. One of those moments that hits you like a train.

And again last night that moment repeated itself. It was the wake-up call. There have been nudges, thoughts and little reminders for years but this was a wake-up call - Alarms blaring. I am an athlete trapped in an unhealthy body. I feel like Tyra Banks when she dressed up in the fat suit on her show (gasp, I watch that dumb show ... only occasionally).

For fear of judgement, I won't divulge my moment. And I am NOT looking for condolences or excuses.

Have you seen the movie, He Is Just Not That Into You? Well, the movie is ok. Kind of long and drawn out. The basic idea is that we (women) are programed from an early age to think that if a boy hits/teases/pulls your hair he likes you. This mentality carries on into adult life as we keep around guys that really aren't that into us.... and our friends keep telling us positive stories about other relationships and help us make excuses. All to avoid feeling hurt.

Women like to sugar coat reality ~ especially to our friends. We don't like to hurt people's feelings (at least not to their face).

If a guy said to his guy friend, "Dude, I am getting fat". The friend would reply, "yeah, you are ya fat ass".

If a gal said to her girl friend, "I am so fat". The friend would reply, "Oh, no you are not. You are so pretty. You are so blah blah blah".

Just like in the movie, we (women) make excuses, reason bad things into good things, and shield our friends from heart break... all the while, we aren't doing them any favors.

So I am going to keep my moment to myself. Knowing that I truly am unhealthy and unhappy with it.

I think that I am suffering from a bad case of PMS.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Saying Goodbye

Dear Over Priced Latte,

Tomorrow I will drive by you on my way to work and look the other way. I have loved you for many years. I have poured my wallet out to you. I have visited you nearly everyday. You have been there for me through many o' sleepless nights with LP and LC. You have been the highlight of my day.

But I can't do it anymore. It's not you. It's me. I have found someone else. Someone cheaper. Someone in my own home. His name is home brew.

So goodbye Caribou, Starbucks, over-priced Latte. I have tried to wean myself slowly away from you and I can't. I have to say good-bye cold turkey.

It's over. Please please don't contact me anymore..

Your faithful revenue generator,

Mimi

P.S. That stupid $1 off coupon you gave me today won't work. I ain't coming back.

The Challenge (s)

** Update: My links are showing up in the same color for some reason. I have changed them to show up in red. To read more about the challenge click on the red links. And a big shout out to Mommy Mo-Mo. My very first follower.***

Anyone care to join me?

I am doing the
100 push-up and the 200 sit-up challenge!

To start, you do the initial test and then follow the instructions. Let' s just say that I have a loooooonnggggg ways to go to hit the 100 push-up mark.


If it makes you feel any better, here are my results:

Push-ups: 7 (sad)
Sit-ups: 44

Friday, June 5, 2009

Can you spell Hypochondria?

According to the source of all truth (Wikipedia), Hypochondriasis (or Hypochondria)

is often characterized by fears that minor bodily symptoms may indicate a serious illness, constant self-examination and self-diagnosis, and a preoccupation with one's body.

I am fully convinced that I have a thyroid problem. It is the cause of my weight issues, fatigue, moodiness, tiredness, joint pain, tenderness, and a whole myriad of other issues. I am going to request some test at my annual visit to the doctor. I mean seriously, I am not gaining weight because of that 2lb rice crispy treat that I purchased at the company cafeteria. It must be a thyroid issue.

At least this way, the clinic staff will have something to talk about…. I can hear it now, “Ugh, here she comes again. I wonder what chronic condition she has now”.

Next, I should have a mental health evaluation. 1. Hypochondriac – Check. 2. Paranoid – Check.

On a happier and lighter note, I have made yet another purchase through Etsy.

I heart Etsy. Never looked at Etsy? There is a ton of stuff to look at! Etsy is a place to buy and sell all things handmade.

One of my personal favorites, I learned about through MckMama. It’s called Briar. Claire. I just bought some clippies for LP, and this adorable hat. I can’t wait!!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

down but NOT out

I am not sure what is going on. Every and all attempts that I have made to exerice have resulted in an injury. Last night on my walk/run, my foot pain came back with gusto. I attempted to just walk tonight ... and seriously there must be a large rock in my shoe. Back to the podiatrist.

Am I too heavy to run? Am I just really out of shape? Or just bad luck?

But, I am not going to give up on this. I can't. I can't continue to feel like this. It makes me unhappy. I signed up for a pilates workshop to learn the basics. Ha, this should be interesting. I can hardly touch my toes. I start next week.

Twin Tantrums & Games

I love LC and LP with all my heart. As we went for a walk last night, Smiles and I talked about the future while ignoring the whining come from the stroller. We walked past the park (big mistake as the whining increased) and noticed parents sitting on lawn chairs. They were either watching the game or chatting with other parents. There were even a few parents reading a book while half watching the soccer game. Oh what a dream! What a dream!

Someone lied to me when they said that the two’s were terrible. Heck, what about the 3s? This stage can be wonderful. They are still so cute and they are learning new things everyday. The best part is that they still want to hug and kiss and cuddle. I know my days are numbered in that department.

But there are those moments were I think that I might just lose my mind. Like these moments….

  • LC has discovered the toilet plunger (gross). Within a span of 1 minute, LC grabbed the garbage from the master bathroom, took it to the other bathroom, dumped the contents into the toilet, flushed the toilet, took the plunger out from under the cabinet and started to plunge the toilet.
  • LC and LP ran into the master bathroom (yes, this appears to be the cool place to go right now) and started pulling on the shower door. The shower door came off the hinge and made a hole in the wall. Fast forward one week, Mommy attempts to take a peaceful shower. I step out of the shower to grab my towel. Shower door falls off and hits me in the head and makes a huge hole in the drywall. Phone rings. Showing in 5 hours. No time to patch the wall and re-paint. My head hurt all day. Another potential concussion. Is four too many?
  • LC learns to pee outside in an emergency potty situation. LC continues to try to pee outside any chance he can get. Especially when others (little neighbor girls) are around to watch and praise his new found talent. LP attempts to pee outside while standing up. More laundry.
  • LC and LP are now fascinated with sticking any and all objects in electrical outlets. Great.
  • LC is obsessed with household cleaner. 10 minute tantrum occurred as a result of “mean mom” not allowing LC to play with toxic cleaners. Note to self: Maybe I should try those natural cleaning solutions.
  • Newest game – Climb up on the fireplace, jump to the couch, walk across the top of the couch like a cat, jump down on the coffee table, play with the lamp and telephone, jump up to the next couch and start over.
  • Smiles videotaped LC and LP last night. LP spent the time jumping around (dancing), smiling at the camera and sticking her hands down the back of her pants (cute). LC spent the time yelling, “wrestling”, singing songs buck naked, and turning so his bum faced the camera, grabbing his butt and saying “poop-y butt”. Charming, huh?

The list goes on. As trying as these times are… I just love them to pieces. One of the greatest challenges as a parent is to discipline without ever showing them that you are laughing.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Take It Off Tuesday - Week 2

Ugh. Shucks. Yup, the delay in my post is due to that fact that I must report a big fat Goose Egg. That's right. 0 lbs lost this week.

But I am not going to think twice about it. Because let's face it. It's my fault and I didn't make the best choices last week.

I have rallied my troops (um, me) to bring my game to the next level. In fact, I have already started to up my exercise. Did I mention that I signed up for a Half Marathon in June? Ok, its rollerblading ... but still that's 13+ miles.

Not only did I already start to up my exercise. But I have also spent more time on ME this past week. AND due to a major computer malfunction and a brand new computer some organization tasks were forced. I archived photos onto CDs. Techincally, Kodak Gallery archived my photos and I paid way too much for it but that was my only option after the computer malfunction. But regardless (or as some annoying people say irregardless) progress has been made!

Yes, it is really me writing this post not my evil - overly positive twin sister.

Monday, June 1, 2009

I heart Redbox

I admit that my first reaction to Redbox was a bit snobby. I instantly dismissed Redbox because the first that I heard about it was in association with McDonald’s. That’s plain dumb. I say that I hate McDonald’s and really I do. But LC and LP have eaten a Happy Meal or two and I sometimes enjoy their french fries. And who could pass up their $1 sundae. I know the organic mothers' of the earth should come after me.

It’s like the super religious folk sneaking off to the strip club. It happens. We sometimes say one thing and do another. Shall we all just free ourselves of our better than thou attitudes now? Me included.

Ok, I digress. Back to why I heart Redbox. I don’t have enough time to watch a ton of movies so Netflix is not a good option for me. Plus LC and LP watch the same movies over and over again (remember the portable DVD player). They even have Redbox at the grocery store…. both the normal one and the spendy one.

It’s really simple. Its a little touch screen kiosk and you pick your movie, enter your email, slide your card and it spits out a movie. It even sends you email receipts. Just like that you have a movie. And the best part is that each movie rental is $1. I used to rent movies from our local cable provider. But they charge $4.99 per movie. What a rip off!
And movie stores, do they still have those? I’m sure it’s more than $1 per movie.

I heart Redbox.