This week's wrap-up

Hi All!
This past week has been crazy. Nashville experienced a horrible flood, I have never seen anything like it at all. We were so lucky to have had no damage (other than a small roof leak). But so many have lost everything. Yesterday the girls and I took baskets of food and cleaning supplies, along with cases of water to random houses in our area. It was really good for the girls to get to do that. Mackenzie really understood what was happening, and she really wanted to help. She even said she would give away some of her stuffed animals to kids that lost theirs. I was so proud of her. It made for a great Mother's Day. My sweet husband spent several hours on Saturday trying to find me the Garmin Forerunner 305. But everywhere he went had sold out of it. It made me feel so good that he tried so hard to do that for me, so hopefully in a few more weeks I can get one.

Throughout the week we had beautiful weather, so every day I took the girls out in the double stroller and we went for a 4 mile walk/run. I intended it to always be a run, but pushing 60 pounds of kids then whatever the stroller weighs gets a little tiring. And my stroller is not a jogging stroller, so it doesn't handle the best. And then there are at least 2 MAJOR hills to climb, so I get pretty worn out. But all in all I did pretty good. I am hoping to get a jogging stroller soon.

I have a 5k to run on Saturday, so I am hoping to improve my time on that. I also have a goal of running 100 miles in May.

I have not been so great at my eating this week. I tend to splurge after weigh-in on Saturday. It is now Monday afternoon, and I haven't really stopped! Yikes! I have done Weight Watchers so much that I feel like I know how to cheat. I need some more strict guidelines right now. I am still going to meetings and will finish out my pre-paid sessions through June, but maybe will try calorie counting for a while. I am working out like crazy but only losing about a pound a week. I am not complaining, but I know I can do better. Any thoughts?

I'll leave you with a picture of me and the girls before one of our runs this week

Weight Loss Update.. For those of you who care!

Well, it is now my 3rd week on Weight Watchers. And I have lost 2.8 pounds! But I actually lost 2 pounds before officially starting, so my grand total is 4.8!! YEAH! So , that makes my goal somewhere between 25-30 pounds left. (I haven't decided where I want to end up). However, I was a little bummed out this week at weigh in beacuase I just maintained, so no gain or loss. But that's good, I guess. I am pretty sure I know why I didn't lose- I ate out alot!! I stayed within my points, but i really did not make the best choices for my eating. Even thoug I can eat Chicken McNuggets, I probably shouldn't have had them 3 times in the week, nor ate a pound of chips and cheese dip at the Mexican restarauant! But, lesson learned, so gonna do better this week.

I am also trying to amp up my workouts. I already have plannned 2 workouts a day- in case I miss one. I know this sounds a little crazy, but I need to do soemthing everyday. I have a treadmill that I pull out halfway between my garage and driveway and I run and the girls play. This looks a little crazy to the neigbors I am sure, but it is what works for me!! It is the best solution i have come up with to keep the girls happy and occupied but let me get in a workout. I typically strive for a 45-90 minute run on the treadmill, and I am trying out interval training now too! i also run sprints on my driveway ( I have a very Steep driveway). I am running backwards up the driveway too! HARD! I am training for a 5K, 10K, 15K, and 1/2 marathon in either September or November. So, I run outside 1-2 x wk.

In, addition I am doing some workout videos. I have come to realize that I need an intense, cardio based workout, so these have been working really well for me.

The Biggest Loser Last Chance Workout
Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred
Jillian Michaels Banish Fat Boost Metabolism
Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones
Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown

So, for now that is my plan. I am just working each day and doing the best I can. I think that I finally have it in my head that I have to do this. I don't want to settle for being mediocre anymore. I have so much more potential than I have given myself credit for. I owe this to myself, my family, and to God because He gave me this life to live more abundantly.

Here we go again...

Well, it has taken me a while to get to this point, but here I am. I am tired of being uncomfortable. I am tired of being a little "pudgy". I am tired of looking in the mirror and hating what I see. I am tired of being consumed by negative thoughts about myself. I am tired of not feeding my body what it needs. I have been here before ( many times). I am making some changes. First of all, I re-joined Weight Watchers. I think I have done it 4 times, but the most successful being the first time 9 yrs ago. I lost close to 40 pounds then. I felt great. I worked out and ate right. But, just like alot of things, I let that go. I have tried a couple of times since then, but with little success. Mainly because I wasn't willing to work hard enough to make it stick. So, here I am again. I have about 25-30 pounds to lose. I love weight Watchers because it is normal! You can be a normal person on it, you don't have to take your own salad dressing with you when you go out to eat! It is making me focus on healthy foods, portion control. I really have to think about what I eat, am I eating this because it is fuel for my body? This is only my first week back on, but I am excited about what I can do.

I want to be an example to my kids. I want them to make the right choices and not struggle the way I have.

I am also starting to run again. I really like to run. I enjoy it. I actually like to run on the treadmill too! I ran my first 5k on Saturday, the first one in over 2 yrs. I had back surgery almost 2 yrs ago and it has taken a long time to recover. I know that when I am active I feel so much better. So in addition to running I am also starting Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. I did this a few months ago, and let me tell you- it works! It is intense, but it will work you out. I also like Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds. It is super easy and very moderate as far as intensity. My plan right now is to schedule in 2 workouts a day, one am and one pm. One a light/moderate 20 minute or so and then a good 45-60 minute run. I have a treadmill, but also like to get out with the girls too.

Another thing I am trying to incorporate is more "clean living". I try to buy organic beef, chicken, and dairy. We do not drink cow's milk, we drink almond milk. I have switched all my kid's dishware to glass, stainless steel, or ceramic. I will get more in to this in a later post. I am not a total greenie, but I think there is merit to really knowing what you are eating. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy my McDonald's quite a bit, you can't give up everything! Haha!!

So , here it goes, and I will keep you informed of our progress.

What are you gonna eat this week?

I generally try to plan menus for each week. I do this because I get to dinnertime and either don't feel like using my imagination at all, can't pry a certain 2 yr old off my leg, or I am just in a rut, or I really just don't care. So, here is a sample of what we're having for dinner this week. Please share your menus- I really need some help getting out of our usuals!!

Mon- Roast Beef Sandwiches with steamed broccoli and baked french fries. (we had this last week and it was great! Just take some deli roast beef, throw it in a saucepan with some seasoned beef broth and heat it for a few minutes. Heat your oven to 350, place the roast beef on some sub buns, top with provolone cheese and bake for about 5 minutes. Use the leftover broth as your "au jus" sauce). Yummy!!

Tues- salad

Wed- Baked Potatoes, steamed veggies

Thurs- Cheese and chicken quesidillas with refried beans

Fri- Frozen Pizza (we like Red Baron),and veggies and dip and/or salad

Sat- grilled cheese and tomato soup

Sun- Baked chicken, marinated in hawaiian marinade, rice, grilled pineapple (on the George Foreman), and steamed veggies

(Yes, that's alot of steamed veggies, I know)

Look forward to hearing your menus.....

Tilly Bird Designs

Many of you may know that my mom and I have a little business called White Heather Creations. We have worked together on this for a few years now. As we have done this, we have branched out in several directions. We both have our own niche and felt that it was time to expnd our interests. So, I would like to introduce you to Tilly Bird Designs. Here I am concentrating on personalized embroidered items such as shirts (birthday, big sis/bro, names), appliqued name frames (for room decor), Hair Happies and bows, Tooth fairy pillows, and much more. In the coming weeks I will be getting a website going, but for now you can check us out on Tilly Bird Creations blog. I will be doing some give-a-ways there too. And I always welcome custom orders.

And, please visit White Heather Creations to find wonderfully scented room sprays, soaps, gift baskets, photos and cards of Scotland, perfumes, and more.

Also check out my dad's site for beautiful pictures at Day Star Photo.

Oh, and one more, while we're at it!! Here is Dewayne's site for our business, Quest Systems.

Just some randomness

Today am I am going to meet with a tax attorney. Not holding out much hope, but it's worth a shot... I guess... depending on how much he charges. Dewayne says if he costs $500 in order for us to save $500 on these stupid taxes, it is well worth it. As you can figure, that really doesn't save us any money. His theory, however, is that at least we can stick it to the IRS. I am not sure that will really hurt the IRS's feelings, but it might make us feel better. He announced to me the other day that his mission in life is to now stick it to the IRS every and any chance he gets. I agree! The girls are both suffering from colds. Unrelated, They have missed a million days of preschool, that only meets 2 times a week. Gotta love snow days! I have eaten way too many assorted chocolates in the past 3 days, really way too many. It is embarrassing. I am on the hunt for a good all-purpose all-natural cleaner. Any suggestions? Itried the half vinegar/ half water solution. Not a big fan. Works well, but I can't deal with the smell. Flashbacks of this summer when we had 3 billion fruit flies and we set out cups of vinegar to lure them to thier death. Oh, and this just makes me laugh....(Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the page to pause the background music, so you can hear the video).

I need an umbrella

You have heard the saying, when it rains it pours... well I am in need of a giant umbrella right now. I have felt put through the ringer the last couple of weeks. Not only did we have to deal with this stupid IRS audit, but we had to have work done on our Jeep. Well, yesterday Dewayne got up to go to work and guess what?? His van won't start! I am frustrated beyond belief. If it's not one thing, it's another.

I know that God is in control though. That is the one constant in life- that God loves us and provides for us in a multitude of ways. My mom keeps telling me to hand on because things must be getting ready to break loose for us. I am not sure they can get too much worse- haha!! But beyond all this frustration and worry is some simple truths that I must hang on to- God loves me beyond anything I can understand. I have a roof over my head and food on my table. I have a wonderful husband that loves me and two of the greatest kids on the planet!! I have a wonderful family and great friends. God has never failed me and he won't start now. Maybe the provisions aren't how I expect them, but nonetheless they are provisions.

I have listened to this song over and over, and will continue to praise God for who he is.