butterflies

I think it is crazy that after 19 years of knowing Jeff and 14 1/2 years of marriage...I still get butterflies when he comes home from his trips. This trip was long (50days) and a hard one (emotionally) for both me and the boys!!

I am already dreading the next trip.

turn at funny and head straight to insanity

Both of these comments happened within 6 hours of each other:

My 12 year old son says "mom, it won't be long until I am an adult! Just a few years. It is getting close!"
This statement was made because I told him he had to be 18 or 21 before he could own land (long story).

6 hours later

Having another conversation with my 12 year old. I say "I won't be at college with you. You need to study, read and find that answer on your own." (science homework)
My son says "I am only 12. I am training my brain for college...but that is way off. You can still help me find the answer."

and with one look from me, he headed back to his room to do homework.......

ouch

ok, so I have been shaving crayons for 2 weeks for about 4 hours each day. Today I finished the last pack. I finished about 12:15 this afternoon and gradually all day my fingers got bigger and bigger, more and more blisters popped up and they feel like they are on fire.

WHY???? did I shave crayons. For a kids stained glass project at our church.

here is a horrible picture taken by my laptop since I don't have a CAMERA....

stranger in my house

I have had a stranger living in my house for quite sometime. I never see them but I see evidence!!
At first I thought it was the ghost of the woman who died in my house. BUT she was a mother of two boys just like me. She seemed to be organized and strict (neighbor stories) like me. SOOO because of the nature of the evidence, I don't think it is the ghost of the woman.

The boys have more information about this stranger than I do. They know its name....Knotmae

Here is the evidence:
Me: "who left the bathroom light on?" (which means the exhaust fan is also running)
boys: "Knotmae!"
Me: "who left the back door open?"
boys: "Knotmae!"
Me: "who left the lego room door open?" (which means the dog can get to the legos and eat them)
boys: "Knotmae!"
Me: "who didn't wash their dishes?"
boys: "Knotmae!"

I will catch this Knotmae one day!!!

nothing is normal in my life

When I sold Juice Plus, I did a lot of research on healthy eating, weight loss, maintaining weight, etc.
I also watch biggest loser and have read many books!!

So, why is my weight loss adventure screwy???
What am I talking about??

Well, I cut out soda, cut down on salt and sugar. I was drinking fresh juice and LOTS of water and eating a lot of fruit, carrots, salad....and beans for protein. I was walking an hour a day on the treadmill. AND with all that, I was not losing weight, in fact after I lost 3 pounds I gained it right back!!

This weekend I ate burger and fries, pizza, and a bacon Subway...and drank mostly sweet tea. I have not walked on the treadmill since last thursday.......and guess what?? I lost 3 pounds. The only thing I did right was eat small amounts of everything.

My new plan:
*continue the ban on soda (haven't had one in 2 or 3 weeks and not dying)
*eat what I want but small amounts but continue eating healthier choices...mixed with the other
*walk 30 minutes whenever I feel like it


Countdown:
34 pounds and 158 days

Jeff update:
gone 41 days, missed 3 snow storms, super bowl, olympic opening and Valentine's Day!!

40 days and 40 nights

Jeff has been gone 40 days and 40 nights. So, I can verify that Noah was on the ark for a long LONG time. I miss Jeff so much but I am happy to say that I have not been on a boat locked up with my family and every animal that roams the earth!! I can see why Noah got drunk!!

movable desk and study center

(sorry about the picture. had to take it with my lap top photo booth....never did receive the free digital camera)

Max needed a divider between him and Jack when they work at the kitchen table. Max also likes desk and office items.
We needed an "instant desk" for the kitchen table or on the table in his room....
I bought the trifold that is used for science fair projects.
Office Depot was having a clearance sale. I bought Post It envelopes that stick to any surface (11.99 for 3.00). You can put study sheets, work sheets, notes, etc in them...They had calendars for 2.00, Post It pad for 1.50 and Removable 3M sticky pads for .25 each...pencils for .50 pack of 10...pack of 8 markers for .88....plastic holder full of fancy cool paper clips for 1.50.....

I cut up a coffee filter box as a marker holder and a macaroni box for a pencil, scissors, ruler, tape holder.
I used the sticky pads to fasten everything to the board. I included place mats that have multiplication facts and the world map. Max drew on the board.

TA DAAAA
A partition, a desk, a study center, etc!!
And Max is excited about school again.

sad sad change of preference in MAZ's life

Due to our new dog and Jeff's work, I now am not so happy about rain, cold weather and snow!!

I am so sad. I have always preferred winter to any other season. I love snuggling under a warm blanket and watching the snow, or rain, etc. I loved stormy weather year round!!!

Now we have a dog. The dog insists on using the bathroom several times a day. We got the dog at the end of August. Since then, we have had so much rain and now snow, sleet and ice. I can not stay inside and be warm. I have to venture out into the elements to "walk" the dog in the backyard.

ALSO....

Jeff has been in Philly for 36 days. They have already had one blizzard which delayed court and are now expecting a severe blizzard which will delay court again.

I am dreaming of warm weather, Jeff home and going to the beach!!!


Countdown:
I am stuck. not losing but walking my legs off and eating healthy....grumble grumble

Treadmill Addiction

WHAT A FIRST FOR ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have always hated exercise!! I was so tiny until about age 22. I could eat quarter pounder meals every meal and never gain an ounce!! I could out eat anyone!!! I was not very active. Not lazy, but never athletic!!

I have been fighting weight gain for 14 years (hmmm, that is how long I have been married.........coincidence??)

This time, something is different about my journey. I LOVE the treadmill. I think it might have something to do with the time I exercise. I treadmill for about an hour every night. I shower and go to bed. Exercise relaxes me. I think it is because I am a ball of stress, normally. I don't lead a stressful life, just naturally stressed.....

I am with my boys all day long, teaching, mothering and playing. I love them and they are great, so no problem.
BUT I LOVE turning on my ipod .....and dance/run/walking for 1 hour!!! They keep themselves busy and don't come in my room the entire hour.

One small problem, I have some minor injuries due to Thriller, The Devil Went Down To Georgia, and White Stripes, Seven Nation Army.
I can't help it....I have to dance!!

mind tricks

If any of you had read my original blog, you may remember the story of Jeff's first trial. When I called him and got an unexpected surprise....
For my new readers....the short story:
Jeff travels with his job and is gone 6-8 weeks. He got this job 3 years ago. He was on his first trip. I called his cell phone and a girl answered. I asked for Jeff and (here my mind goes blank) but I know she  hung up. The smart me that is in control of my brain would have known that I must have dialed the wrong number. However, I watch too much TV, Oprah and movies. I sat there for a few minutes and day dreamed of how upset I would be to find out Jeff was cheating. Then I planned what I was going to do to Jeff to make sure he would never be able to "have fun" again.........Loraina Bobbit style!!
After one or two minutes, I called his cell again. Jeff answered and got an ear full of non sense (since he did not know about the first phone call)
It happened again.....
Jeff has been gone 31 days. He has been the busiest he has ever been on this trial. No sleep, no breaks, eating and working........pure torture for him. I had not talked to him on the phone in a couple of days. I sent him a few quick emails today. One of them was explaining how I had this dreadful feeling...doom and gloom all day. I deeply missed him. Jeff never emailed back. When it had been almost 24 hours sense I had an email from him. I sent one that said I just needed to know he was alive. I thought maybe the bad feeling all day was because something had happened to him. He did not respond. My mind was racing. Jeff was dead. Who could I contact to see if he was dead. Why didn't anyone contact me. How would I live??? Missing him after 31 days was torture. If he was dead, then that loss would be permanent.
................Jeff calls...........
I was very emotional as I told him I was getting ready to call to see if he was dead. Sadly, he had sent me several emails today. I did not receive them because something is wrong with the email.........................

Jeff better be glad that I trust him and our marriage because as I am typing this, I realize what kind of story this would be on Oprah!!



Countdown:
34 pounds and 169 days

Journey to the beach...

I did not start a new project this week. I am in the middle of putting together a kids function for our church. AND this weight loss and exercise keeps me busy enough!!

I lost 3 pounds, gained back 3 and then lost 2 pounds. The losses were just from drinking water and walking on the treadmill. NOT changing my food. I am an idiot b/c knowing this, I still choose junk food!!
Last night, I put one more motivation in the mix. My first motivation is to feel comfortable in a swimsuit and lounging on the beach. My new motivation is Jeff. He has been gone 30 days. He will probably be gone 30 more. I would love to feel healthy and skinnier when he returns!!

I did the treadmill last night and this morning. I ate wonderfully and then SABOTAGE. I had decided in my head that I would not eat out while trying to drop these pounds. I do not enjoy eating salad (only thing at fast food). If we were to go to a restaurant, I think I might have some strength to choose good food.

THEN we went to "treat" Max for dinner and he chose Ci Ci's Pizza. I am here to tell you that there is NOTHING good for you at that place. Oh, they provide salad but it is the "empty" kind!!

So I am off to the treadmill once again!! I'll be damned if I gain those 2 pounds back! My goal this week is to lose the remaining first 7 pounds.......then the 30 pounds!!

Countdown:
35 pounds and 170 days