Things That Break

There are some things that break and do not need to be replaced immediately. Sunday, I grilled a tenderlion out and had Caryn and Benjamin carry the platters out to help me. Low and behold, Benjamin just about dropped his on the deck steps. I was right behind him and saved it. Then, I opened the grill and checked on the meat. SPLAT! Somehow he managed to let go of his platter and it broke into a thousand pieces. I don't need to replace it yet.

Yesterday, I started my coffee, went about getting everyone ready and on the way out the door tried to pour my coffee and it hadn't brewed. What? It was on, everything the same as always just no coffee. That is something that has to be replaced. Luckily, it was Valentine's Day. Got one.

Strategizing with weight loss is very similar. A WW member came into to way today and mentioned how she enjoyed the "game." Strategically planning her points and making sure she spent her points on something she really needed.

Wish I could get back into the "game" and have have strategically planning my day.

Looking Out For You

I wish I had someone email me to verify that I really ate something questionable. Friday, our credit card company emailed us and tried to call us to verify a $1.00 charge to our account. It was from an online music site that they have being tracking. Of course, I could not verify it, since my wife opened the account it had to be her. We never heard of the place, they closed our account and overnighted us new cards with a new account number.

It would awesome if when you tracked what you were eating, someone would be watching out for you. Weight Watchers is getting much closer with their barcode scanner. Now, I just need updated technology to get it to work.

I can see today is going to be a tough day. My oldest made cookies last night and was going to take them to school. She tried one and decided not to bring them. Something about them sugar cookie mix had an expiration date of May 2010. I tried them, actually tried three. I'll be putting them in the truck when I get back to the car.

Happy Valentine's Day!

When Things Go Well

It's amazing to me how the weeks fly by. It sure is true about the older you get, the faster time goes. My weekdays fly by and if we have something going on during the weekend, it flies by just as fast.

Friday, I primed and painted our toy room in the basement. I wanted to get this room done first because I had gotten a pegboard from Weight Watchers with six baskets and two flat shelves to putup on the wall for toys. It really did turn out well and I was able to empty more totes, which the kids don't like playing out of. Seems if it's in a tote, it's invisible to them.

We also had a birthday party for my nieces. We probably overstayed our welcome, but everyone was playing so nice, we stayed till bedtime.

Yesterday, the girls primed another basement wall while the boys chopped wood and shoveled. Today, my wife is off and I'm keeping the 3 yr old home again. He's having a horrible time with being sick lately. No one else has got it, but he's making up for it.

I canceled my interview for a full-time job. Just does not feel like the right time yet and the place is undergoing lots of change right now, so probably best to notget involved yet.

Everything is cruising along foodwise and exercise wise, which is contributing to making the time fly. It sure was nice to sleep in Saturday, but I'm sure I'll miss the paycheck soon.

Have a great Monday!

Ran 7 miles

I really was not planning to go to the gym this morning.  I had every intention to just head home because frankly, I'm tired.  But something got me going and my car headed to the gym.  I ran and ran and ran.  First, one and a half miles...then switched treadmills because the sun was glaring off the magazine rack right into my eyes.  Then, another 5.5 miles. I got done much earlier than I do if I attend a class.  Had plenty of time to grocery shop and head to Sam's Club. 

I felt great. I know if I would have skipped the gym today, I would have felt guilty all day and just taken the frustration out on the kids for no good reason.  I am now set up for success and I am ready for dinner too.  Planning ahead to ensure success.

The Saturday receptionists and I have been mulling over options as to meetings to attend.  I would love to go to the center closest my house, but I was working there yesterday and checked the numbers and over 150 members attend each meeting.  That's a bit too large for me.  I understand the leader is great, but seriously...150!

I do plan on skipping the gym tomorrow, but who knows what direction the car will take.  Really I have no good reason other than, I can.

Planning Ahead

Wednesday is always a very hectic morning. I always try to go through what I need to get done the night before, but something always seems to come up unexpected. It's garbage day, breakfast for lunch day, which means I need to make four lunches because no one likes the menu, I need a bag for the gym with dress clothes, need my Weight Watcher bag for work, get an idea for dinner, get my bag ready for my nursing home evening job and then it's a battle to wake everyone and get them dressed, brushed, fed and out the door.

Today, the added demension of a fifty cent "dress down" day complicated the dressing situation. That makes it even a bigger battle to get ready in morning, but actually it did go well.

So why is it that I can plan ahead and get everything prepared for our hectic morning, but when it comes to eating, I can't get a handle on planning ahead? My goal for the next two days will be to plan my points. I don't even care if I will be able to track, but as long as I have my points planned out for the day, I should be successful.

Tuesday Workout

I have really been working out hard during the week. Much easier just to stick around the gym all morning than head to the stores to window shop or sit at Starbucks to sip some coffee.

Today, I ran 3.5 miles; rode the Arc Trainer 45 minutes on Pike's Peak program; and had a tough strength session for 30 minutes. I burned over 1500 calories and hoping to not eat it all later.

Really, I have been doing alright eating a few healthier snacks throughout the day and one bigger meal. So far, the effort isn't showing up on the scale though.

Have a great Tuesday, it's supposed to snow a little later.

Super Bowl Weekend

The kids had off Friday, which happened to be my birthday. We went to the WAC to swim. My trainer had canceled on me earlier in the week, so I had a killer weight training session first. I hate weights! My chest is still sore from the session.

Saturday, I worked my last WW at our old center. We have been told that when we get back to our goal, the meetings will be ours again. I pretty much had a pitty party weekend though and didn't so much care what I ate.

We had a family birthday party Saturday at our house, two big meals and cake and pie. Sunday, an impromtu Superbowl party happened at our house as well.

Glad to be back to the routine. On the treadmill as I type, followed by Spin and maybe some weights afterwards depending upon how exhausted I am after Spin.

Have a great week. Shooting to track all week.

Happy Groundhog's Day

The kids have off school tomorrow. They are under the assumption that we are going swimming at the gym in the morning and painting in the afternoon.  We plan on painting our basement as the colors are super dark, but I'm just not sure I want to let all of them help me.  Right now, there are a few dark brown walls, a few darker brown walls and a few deep purple walls.  We have bought a blue, gold and rust color to lighten it up, but plan on hosting a party on Saturday, so I'd rather wait on the paint.

It's a dreary day today, meaning Spring is on it's way.  The groundhog in Sun Prairie, "Jimmy," did not see his shadow.  The groundhog at our Milwaukee County Zoo gets to sleep till noon. "Wynter" will make her prognostication then.  Last year, we had such a blizzard that they actually canceled Groundhog's Day, so this year is bound to be much better.

Today, the kids had a technology day. For a quarter, they could bring in any technology to play with that they wanted.  My two girls both wanted to bring an ipod, so I hesitantly let my 2nd grader take mine.  Honestly, she's much more responsible than my older daughter, so I'm not concerned, but it could make for a long run at the gym without my tunes.

Happy Groundhog's Day!!

Light Bulb

We moved into our new house a bit over a month ago. Seems everyday I can find another lightbulb that was burned out...in the shower, under the kithchen cabinets, outside, in the bathroom, etc.

It's a constant adventure finding all the light switches that work the different fixtures. After a month, I think I have conquered the lights. The only light I can't figure out is a light in a shadow box in our entry way. Changed the bulb, but still have know idea how to turn it on.

One month. I should be able to conquer 7 pounds in a month, but again it's a constant adventure. Wish it were as easy as heading out to buy a new lightbulb.

Under the Weather

My 3 yr old is back to normal. By mid-afternoon yesterday, I felt horrible however. Just achy and having the chills made for a long afternoon/night. I did make it bad to the gym this morning and ran 3 miles. Less than I usually do on Tuesdays, but my oldest had an Ortho appointment mid-morning. She got her bottom braces on.

I got a call already for an interview, but the more I think about it, the less excited I am to go back to work fulltime yet. Just remembering the headaches when the kids were off school makes me want to wait at least another year. We'll see, an interview is always something goodto practice if nothing else.

It's a beautiful day today in Milwaukee. A high of 53! The only snow left now is the gross brown salt covered snow. I'm sure we'll got more yet.

Things Happen for a Reason

The territory manager for the new store that our Weight Watchers location is moving into, met with the staff of the Saturday meetings.  All three of us receptionists are over our Weight Watcher goal.  I am the closer being 7 pounds above my goal.  She told us what we already knew, sorry but because you are over your goal, you will not be able to work meetings in the new store.  I'm fine with it.  I haven't been tracking regularly for a LONG time and frankly, I don't feel comfortable giving advice to members when I know I'm not following the program.

So, Saturday instead of attending WW inservices, I surfed the web looking for part-time jobs.  Would love to find one that worked with the kids school schedule, allowing me to work only during the school day and on Saturdays. I had heard that the Activity Director from a nursing home I used to work at had been let go, so I even sent my resume their way.  We'll see what comes of it, but I think my time with Weight Watchers has run it's course.

We did make it to Applebee's on Friday night.  The kids were on cloud nine...they sang Happy Birthday to both me and my wife and we got the sundae to share as a family.

My 3 yr old had a wicked bug this weekend.  I'm keeping him home today as I would hate for the teacher to deal with the mess we dealt with this weekend.  Skipping the gym, maybe a good day to clean out the exercise room and actually use it.

Hoping for a healthy week.

Birthday Brownies

We normally don't have dessert except on the weekend. I usually have yogurt or fruit, but the kids don't call that dessert. Their desserts consist of ice cream or cakes or brownies. Wednesday was my wife's birthday, so my 7 yr old and I made brownies. The kids were extremely excited to find out there were brownies left last night for a second weeknight of dessert.

A few years ago, I don't think there would have been any left. I would have finished the pan after they went to bed. Proudly, I had one each day and there was a row left for my wife when she got home from her Masters class last night.

I'm still working on my exercise room. I seem to keep piling new boxes in there to go through. We got rid of a huge amount of boxes yesterday, and I cleared a bit of room out of our storage room. We ordered a new refrigerator since it was 0% financing for 18 months. We loved our frig at the old house, it was bigger and had the frig on top and freezer on the bottom. I am looking forward to getting that familiar friend back. We'll keep this frig in the basement for extra space.

Looking forward to a Weight Watcher weekend. I still haven't heard though if I'll be working there after next week. We're moving to a new location and had to reinterview in August. Would be nice to know before I spend the weekend training. I know the two receptionists that I work with have been told they will not be moving because they are over their goal. We will see.

Applebee's

Driving past the biggest mall in Wisconsin everyday allows the kids a fun glimpse towards a good variety of landmarks. One, landmark that my 3 yr old doesn't let me miss is Applebees. Each time we drive past he let's it be known that he would like to eat there. "Applebees NOW!!" we'll be going soon to celebrate my wife's and my birthday.

Another fun sign we pass daily is the Kopp's Custard sign. All of the kids try to read that sign before each other. Everyday, it seems one of them announces the flavor of the day is their favorite.

We drive past 5 McDonald's, 3 Taco Bells, countless banks and othe restaurants. It's fun to drive to school for now, but will be so much easier once the winter is over.

Kitchen Table

Last night, I picked up our new kitchen table. We have been using my wife's little round table passed on through the generations. It only has two chairs, so we've been using folding chairs to compensate. We had six counter height chairs to go around our countertop at the old house, but we couldn't steal the countertop without the new owners noticing.

To break in the new table, my toothless 7 yr old had cereal this morning. She seemed to enjoy being the first one to eat there.

Happy Birthday to my wife. We'll be celebrating both our birthdays over the weekend.

Exercise

My gym usually has free wifi, but for some reason it hadn't been working the last few weeks. Tried it again today, and here I am. I've been scolded for not writing since "Elvis' Birthday." I will try to do better.

I've been staying at the gym longer since I need to stick around this side of town while my little guy is in school. The gym got several new machines for the new year, so I've been attepting to like the Arc Trainer. I've had mixed feelings. I've liked the workout, but my feet have been numb afterwards. I'll continue to try it as it is an awesome workout.

The house is getting to be more like home. I bring my little guy home for lunch everyday even though we have to trek right back for speech, he likes the routine of having lunch at home.

My breakfasts have consisted of an oatmeal on the go bar. Thesehad been a trigger food in the past, but now that I know the serve a purpose, they haven't bothered me.

I haven't had difficulty snacking after school much either now that we're getting home a bit later and I can go right to making dinner.

So pong for now, I'll try to get in the habit of writing a short blurb daily, but you know it takes 21 days to form a habit, so give me time.