Day 4 Update.....

Well, I am almost at the end of day 4.....here is what I have thought so far.

Day 1 - Not the worst day ever.  It was supposed to be hydrating only with water, and one apple or other fruit at night.  I ended up running, so I made a large glass of vita mix and drank that w/ my water.  

We had a Ragnar meeting that night at a Mexican restaurant.  The chips and salsa were out in full force....as well as some pretty sweet looking quesdillas!

Stayed strong.

I felt fine throughout the day, but by 9ish I had headache and was getting nauseas.  

I had been looking forward to watching biggest Looser...but I just went to bed.

Day 2 - Maybe a little better.  You add in a few more raw food fruits and veggies.

I was not hungry until late morning....I had a pretty limited supply 

of this type of food in the house so I made a run to Sams Club.

Tonight it was Calvin's Eagle Ceremony at church....

I avoided the pizza and magnificent looking cake by depleting the Veggie Pickers tray.

I was loving me some pea pods....I wanted a ton more but V's mother in law seemed to be standing guard over the food table.

McCauley and I snuck out w/ a napkin holding a few extra carrots, and celery.

Party Time!

Day 3 -  was the toughest, the so called hump day.  In the program description, they say you will have boundless energy, and will feel so amazing!  LIARS.  I was starting to get annoyed w/ the whole thing.

Wishing I never laid eyes on this stinkin 7 day cleanse!!  I was clean enough as it was.

I was really craving something warm....like a casserole, or hot cocoa.

What saved me was the Edema-me (soy beans).  I ate these warmed up....quite a lot of them.  They really hit the spot.  They even have a little bit of a salty taste which was perfect.  The other thing that helped me was the hot lemon water.

This night was our Primary Auxiliary training at the stake center.  The refreshments were to 

CHEAT FOR!!  So, so sinfully good.

I took my plate as you see below and put each item into the freezer when I got home.

Oh yeah I am eating them!!

.....in like 4 more days!

(btw...that is a mint chocolate brownie)

However, I don't plan on scarfing them all down in one day or one sitting....

albeit, I can foresee times that this would be highly 

appropriate.....

* pulling an all nighter with Canasta

*going to a DDB - (Dana Desert Bar)

*a special night at a GNO

*the list can go on.........

.....but I am discovering the power in delayed gratification and patience.

Day 4 - BREAK THROUGH - woke up feeling pretty good again....seemed like this was going to be A.O.K. after-all.  I made a hearty vita mix and allowed for an extra add in.  

I used all of the seeds from both halves of the cantaloupe, 3 prunes, lots of spinach, carrot, banana, cut up plum (no pit) lots of ice and water...... 

 .....and PEANUT BUTTER.....a rather large scoop!

I needed a bit more energy,

this and a 1/4 cup....trail mix throughout the day did the trick.

Tonight V and I took the little girls out on a little Halloween Adventure......and 

we did split a Chick Filet frozen yogurt cup.....

I cannot say how delicious it was!!

For the remaining 3 days I will gradually add another healthy item in, and voila....I will be done.

(this is not according to the "plan" they do not allow for nuts of any kind....I am adding that, (raw almonds and such) and will be adding yogurt tomorrow maybe....starting the wind down.

The thing I am loving the most is how everything TASTES so wonderful.  Or maybe I am just really tasting my food for a change...  Like earlier, when I accidentally licked the spoon w/ the 

peanut butter.....WOW!  

It makes food exciting and fresh again.....

Guess who I saw today.....?

Before I answer that question I am going to go back a few weeks....I was opening the mail one day, there was a letter from Ethan's orthodontist.  It was a thank you note for a referral I had given, (I really don't remember giving this person the referral, but I do know them, so I guess we discussed braces at some point).  With the note there was a $10 Publix Gift card.  Whooohooo!  Score!  I starting wondering about who else I could refer!

Today at Publix I was picking up a cake up for V for her son's Eagle court of Honor tonight.  I pulled out the gift card to use....but I couldn't use it, it felt like I would be wasting it, because Vanessa was just going to pay me back anyway.  Kinda dumb....money is money.

On our way to our next errand, M and I were cruising along A1A by Lowes and I looked over and saw, you guessed it, Marcus (the young man who helped me w/ my tire yesterday), getting ready to cross the street with his bike.  Couldn't believe my luck....yeah..... luck.  Anyway we went on down and did a U turn and came back to find him.  It didn't take long, we drove into the parking lot where he had gone and drove up beside him.  Hey Marcus.....I have something for you, it is not much but I just wanted to give you this $10 gift card to Publix.  He was all amazed, well, it's a lot to me.  Thank you so much.  YES!

M asked a lot of questions about him, and made her observations.  She thought it seemed like he was poor, she felt bad for him.  How could $10 be a lot to him?  She hoped that he lived in a house with a chimney....I said, for warmth?....no so Santa will be able to go to him at Christmas and hopefully leave him some money.  Yes, I hope so to.



PS - just as a little side note to the story, earlier today I took the tire in to Jerry's to get the flat fixed, M and I just waited while they did the work.  When the bill came and I went up to pay, I had in my mind it could be upwards of $40 or $50.....no idea what fixing a flat and putting a tire on might cost.  I wanted to make sure I had something in mind so my face didn't look shocked when I heard the cost.  When the guy was ringing it up, he was like, oh....it looks like you have our tire protection plan.  It will be no cost for you today!  YES!  Score!

Heather, gifting does come back to you!!!

29 Gifts.......

Today a perfect stranger gave me a gift....I had just finished dropping a load of books down the library shoot and was heading over in the van to go park for my shift, when I noticed a young man kind of waving me down.  

My first thought was, oh boy, I do not have my wallet, what does he want?  I didn't want to be rude and race in the library back doors so I waited for him to come around and asked if he needed something.  Well, no, but you have a flat tire.  Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, wow.  Thank you, I had not noticed.  It was indeed flat.  He says, do you have a spare?  Aaaaa, yes I think so.  Anyway, he proceeds to get right on it.  I offered to help, but he had it under control so I went and watched as I sat on the curb.  I had to chastise myself for a bit there on the curb, for doing the usual and jumping to negative assumptions about a person coming towards me.  Heaven forbid they ask something of ME.  Once I was done with myself, I was able to think of some things to ask him while he worked.  Found out he is from here, he moves around a bit depending on where it is cheapest.  Asked if he had kids because I see he has a ring on, oh, no, my wife left me when I lost my job.  She was unhappy that I was out of work and started cheating on me, they had been together 5 years, he is 25.  Well, what about his family, where is his mom?  Oh, I have no idea, she left when I was 18, I came home from work one day and she was gone.  She and my dad are separated, haven't seen them for years.  One sister....somewhere.  He seemed to really know what he was doing, I said, you should work at a car place, you look like you would fit in great there.  Yes, well, I have tried to apply but I don't have my......(some certification)....they will not even look at you then.  It would cost him $500 to get it.  He has an interview later today at Texas Road House.  

I was scrambling around, trying to scrounge up some money out of a hidden compartment or something.....I was only able to find a pass along card.  Surprise!  I put the time of our church, and Kevin and my name on it.  His name is Marcus.  I had to work very hard not to start crying my eyes out when I expressed my thanks to him.  You didn't have to do that today.  Thank you so much, I would like to have at least bought you lunch.  But hey, here is this card.....we will be here at church on Sunday....we would love to see you there.  I said you never know what avenues will open up, my husband has a small trucking business, maybe he would hire you to help with washing and that kind of thing.  Who knows.  Come if you want to.  Or you can just go throw that away, whatever you want.

A few weeks ago my sister HB did a post on her blog that went into details about a giving challenge called 29 Gifts ....  I really liked the idea and wanted to join her in the challenge.  I have already started w/ my little give-a-ways, but I really wanted to kick it off and invite you to join us "Officially" starting on the 27th of OCTOBER (TOMORROW!!!!)  ....the significance is simply that Thanksgiving Day is 29 days away from the 27th. You can go as simple as you like....the idea is just to be more mindful of Giving. 

Maybe it was not lost on you either....but this "goal" has been written in my calendar for over a week.  It has definitely been on my mind, and I have been making a few minute efforts, but how very silly it feels in comparison to the gift I was given today.  I am pretty sure Marcus does not have a planner at home, that he is tallying his gifts on.  I was the recipient of someone else's kindness, just because they saw a need.  This person does not have anything to give, except for his service, which he gave without reservation.  It is humbling and eye opening to see a good person in action.  Makes this whole 29 Day giving idea feel like a fraud.  

I love Heavenly Father's timing....way to perfect....I appreciate the lesson learned.  It doesn't make me a better person because I am consciously looking for ways to give to others for the next 29 days.  This should be my mentality every day of my life.  I shouldn't need to have a program to make a difference in someone else's life.  But truthfully, sometimes I do.  

After 29 days are up....then I will be extra Grateful, because it will be Thanksgiving.....and that is the day we "remember" to be thankful......oh boy.....  I am on a roll now.  Life is wonderful!  I am thankful for giving people.....I am trying to be one of them!

The right time for a change....

The boys and K have been gone three days now.  With all my extra time I have been doing some thinking, planning, and reading.  I am not obsessed w/ any up coming tests or certifications.....kind of taking it easy this week.  Sooooooooo, Vanessa and I have been talking about giving our bodies a little well deserved break, and possibly doing a cleanse of some kind.  She has emailed me several excellent resources, which I have compiled in a nice pink hard back folder.   I have been going over all the ins and outs of the different plans today.  

WHY A DETOX?  

Lately with all the study I have been doing on the body, muscles, nutrition guidelines and so forth, it has just been pushed to the forefront of my mind.  I have become more AWARE of what I am putting into my mouth and then expecting my body to produce energy and fuel out of, which is, for the most part, C R A P .  I do like to think of myself as "POPETTE" instead of Popeye, because I am a female, ....since the one thing my system knows it can count on is my trusty VitaMix drinks on an daily basis....which are jam packed with spinach.   I truly notice when I have gone w/out for a few days.  But if that is the only "Conscious" thing I am feeding my self then what kind of energy do I think I can expect from my physical being?  I believe I am asking too much.  Running 10 miles on what???  brownies!!  Last nights ice cream? ....who wouldn't be exhausted for the rest of the day?  

Me enjoying a chocolate pudding cup.

This has been on my mind for a while......the knowledge that I would like to change my eating habits.....and be a better influence and teacher for my children.  It is not about weight.  Last month I ran across the documentary "Super Size" at the library.  I had heard about it, and thought it might be interesting.  Kev and I watched it.  Have you seen it?  With the guy that had to eat only McDonalds food for 8 weeks (I think).  It was interesting and scary to.  He went into many facets of American eating habits.  The part I really did not like to see was the bit on School lunches.

A few weeks ago, before we watched the documentary,we were at Ethan's baseball game, I was talking w/ one of the moms I knew from school.  We got on the subject of school lunches, I was saying how fun my kids thought it was to purchase their lunches.  Since it is new for them it is sort of an adventure.   Suddenly, another mom, was like, my children have never eaten a school lunch in their life.  I would nerver let them, especially not now that all the food is pre-made and shipped in.  I'm all.....loosen up lady....take a chill....give your kids some fun now and then would ya?  (I also know this other gal and she is a great lady.... , sometimes maybe too perfect, but very top notch, I do like her.) But I am not going to lie to you.....it has crossed my mind to wonder where all the cooks are when I have been in there with the kids for BREAKFAST!!!  yep.  Anyway, this Super Size show gave fuel to her claims and much, much more.

Today I did something I very rarely do....I can count the times on one hand that I have had the television on during the day (and really hardly ever at night since I started my blog), unless I am cleaning and just want to listen to a conference talk or something.  Today I watched two episodes of The Biggest Loser.  I was in and out for a lot of it, and sped through segments here and there, but also was sitting and watching a good deal of it.  A friend of mine, Aubrey, has raved over how inspirational it is........REALLY?  She is an athletic, small petite girl and I was surprised that she was so hooked on it.  I thought it may be worth a look see.  I was really surprised at the true motivation I was getting from that show.  The trainers are so amazing....Jillian, and Bob.  Man I love them.  But also the contestants.....what I love is when one of the trainers pushes a player to the brink of dispair, to the very edge and beyond what they ever could have imagined they were capable of.  They are able to surpass the impossible.....I can't believe what they get them to do.  The next day they are so full of gratitude for the realization of their uncovered capabilities.  What else can I do???  I love all the healthy tips the show continually throws at you.  I believe I found a keeper.

It leaves me wondering about myself..........what am I capable of????  So much more..........I want to find out.  I want take a closer look.....here is the plan I am going to give a go at - the 7 Day Diva Detox  take a look if you want.

..

Here is the gist of my desire to get a clean break and a fresh start......I want to be a CONSCIOUS EATER.  I want to be choosy about what I take into my body.  That is it.  I want control over my eating, and I want to better teach my children about nutrition, and how the body utilizes the food we eat.  I want all the energy that is available to me, ALL OF IT.   

 I am going to sprout my own sprouts.....I have never been a lover of sprouts, but I think I can become one.  After reading about how they are so packed full of healthy nutrients.....I know I can learn to LOVE them!

 Here is another page out of the 7 day detox.  7 days.  We can do anything for 7 days.

It is Done.....why am I not relieved???.....

October 23rd, 9 - 6pm - Kissimee, FL - Primary Group Exercise Certification.....Completed today.  Check mark.  

As you know the boys are all gone to South Dakota with Kevin.  McCauley had a fabulous time staying with the Q's.  Last night when I dropped her off, I stayed a while to hang out, and got to eat my first chicken wings ever.....YUM!  and thank you Kara.  They were super yummy....but I still can't imagine ever, ever, getting filled up on them.....one teaspoon of chicken at a time!!  Yes, I know that is why they are usually an appetizer.  I guess it is mostly just for the "fun" of eating them.  The act itself.

  

Before I left I went in with M to make sure she was in her jammies, teeth brushed, and all set for bed.  She said her personal prayers with me before I left.....please bless mommy, help no robbers break in and rob her.  Help no bad guys to come while she is all alone.  (OH MY GOOD - NESSS!!!....PLEASE DON'T PUT THOSE THOUGHTS INTO MY HEAD).  I am going to be the most scared person on the planet by the time I drive home alone....creeped out and nervous crossing the long mile in the dark and dreary night.  Boooooohhhhhhaaaaaaaaaa!!  I had taken precautions before I left to leave the porch light on, shut all the blinds, etc.  The only thing left to do was unlock one of the sliders and go shut and lock the back porch door where Herbie sleeps.  YIKES.....!  Done.  The one thing I did not bank on was the home phone lines being dead.  Definitely not comforting.  The suspicious thing is that earlier that afternoon an AT&T "service man" had come to the house.  McCauley had come in while I was in the office and said there was a man outside that wanted to talk to me......OH MY HECK!!!  WHERE???  I go sprinting out there looking for the intruding - sneaky - snake outside prowling around our yard, and it was this "service man" that needed to "check some wiring" in our back yard.  I looked at him, a man of color, then I looked at his truck, it all looked legit.  So I had no choice but to say ok.  

Well, it "looked legit"....until a few hours later when there was no dial tone at all.  WHAT UP?  Anyway, this is what I went to bed with.  I brought my mobile phone in, as well as the vonage phone, and I got my mace out.  I left more than the night light in our bathroom on.  I just had to shut out my fear.  (which, after this post I am probably going to gear up for once again tonight.  At least my little side kick is home.... unfortunately still no home phone yet).  AT&T said they may have to send out a "service man"..... aaaaa no thank you.

Back to today, got up at 5:30am, I was on my way by 7:00.  The ride was beautiful.  You can't tell in the photos, but for much of the hour and twenty minute drive the moon was in front, and the sun was bright red and coming up behind.  It was really cool.  There were loads of fog patches along the way.  I wish I could have gotten better pictures.....I did what I could while trying to stay a little focused on driving.

I was very nervous.  On the Garman, when I had about 9 miles to go....I was really peaking w/ my nervous signals, freezing cold hands, DMS, wanting to cry.  Oh well, it is going to happen.  So move on.    I got there, thinking it would be a large group.  Nope, ended up only being myself and eight others.  All very nice girls/ladies.  

Our trainer for the day reminded me of a female drill sergent....deep gravely voice, really in your face at times.  Each one of us had the opportunity to feel like an idiot moron at one point or another during our course for asking the GAYEST QUESTION ON EARTH....or making a remark, or comment  that may as well have been FROM SOMEONE W/ NO BRAIN (she did not say these words....but you got the idea pretty quickly).  I know I am making it sound like misery....it wasn't....she was actually pretty funny and extremely knowledgeable about all things exercise, alignment, body basics, muscles, tendons, anything at all fitness related.  

It does not matter what you or I have heard or seen in the past.....there is no such thing as lower abs!!!!!  THEY DO NOT EXIST.  Let me draw you a PICTURE!!!!  You will sound stupid if you say "let's work on the lower abs now"...... there were some comments like this from her that were absurd....because every instructor that I have ever had the pleasure of attending their class has said these exact words, and I never once thought they sounded stupid.  We were in fact working our lower abdominal area.  We COULD FEEL IT LOW IN OUR ABS!!!   You cannot win w/ a drill sergeant.   

At the end of the test she had given us a questionaire to fill out about the course and her as an instructor.  I would wager money that she has never gotten a low mark....ever!!!  You wanna know why?  She is sitting right there when you turn it in.  Your NAME IS ON THE TOP TYPED in INK.  She will know it was you.  She still has control of all of our test scores.  I gave her perfect marks!  Sorry I could be of no help for future participants.  I choose to be selfish.

You wanna know why I had to be selfish?  Because I really don't know how I did.  I am scared I did not pass.  I have no feeling of confidence right now.  I did not "ACE" it in any way shape or form.  It was hard.

A quick run through of the day, we got there, went over the formalities, then she got right into the practical.  Testing us on our knowledge of the different muscle groups, having us demonstrate specific exercises and stretches for each.  This took quite a while.  She would correct form and give helpful tips and made many things more clear for me.....example.... what is Sagittal Plane?, Anterior/Posterior?, and on and on.  My problem is not the hearing and understanding.....yeah I get it.  But it is the retention part. Keeping it straight in my brain long enough to make it stick, or at least be useful.  Don't even try to get me to explain Sagittal Plane to you.....don't bother.

Anyway, after that we had to demonstrate a 5 min warm up routine, teach the class an exercise that had at least three difficulty levels.  Do a cardio segment.....and so forth.  I think for the practical when it came time to test....(wish I would have been in the back row instead of front).  I'm pretty sure I did ok.  The written 100 question......um, I know there were quite a few I was not certain on.  I have come home and checked a few that I remembered and both I missed.  YEAH!!!  Awesome!  I scraped by with the time.  We were given an hour....she was calling for any remaining tests....(mine) I was still eeekking out the last two answers!!  How do kids deal with the pressure in school?  I am a wreak.

I felt like I studied pretty good......that is until I got there and saw that one gal had produced a massive stack of flash cards....in addition she had outlined each chapter!!!  I AM DOOMED.  I have been out of school waaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy to long.

This picture was taken on our lunch break.  I ate in the car....apple, trail mix, what not.  My feet look relaxed and care free.....FAKE.  I will know in 4 - 6 weeks.  I probably won't tell you if I don't pass....but I will tell you if I do!

NOT Oprah's Favorites.......

The boys are finishing getting ready for their big ANNUAL hunting trip to South Dakota.  They are missing 6 days of school!!!!  Very scary.  I hope they don't get sick the rest of the semester.  Kevin just walked in the door and is starting to pack....thought we were supposed to leave at noon....but it is 11:40...I think I have time to do a random post.

I have been stockpiling a few photos for a while of my favorite foods and munchies, for no reason really, just thought it might be interesting.  Look at the smorgasbord of healthy veggies and tasty treats below.  I thought hey, Oprah, always has her fancy smancey favorites show.... and she is a gazzilionarie....so why shouldn't I do a simple post with my favorites?  

One of our families favorite all time soups is 

CHEESE WHIZ soup.

This Caldron was purchased especially to make this soup.  I used to have to borrow my neighbors big pot each time I made it.

I have modified the recipe a bit over the years, making it a lot more healthy.  But if you want to make it, the original recipe is below....with my mods noted.  You should try the real deal first.....YUM!! 

Cheese Whiz Soup

3 c. diced potatoes

1 c. carrots

1 c. celery

1 c. chopped broccoli

½ c. chopped onion

3 c. water

4 chicken bouillon cubes

Cook above ingredients in lg saucepan for 15 min. until tender.  Do not drain.

Melt ¾ c. butter or marg. & ¾ c. flour in soup pot until Carmel color.  Add –

3 c. milk

2 c. half & half

1 t. crushed basil

¼ t. pepper

12 oz bottle Cheese Whiz

Cook on low heat until blended.  Combine w/ veggies and water.

This is the basic recipe…I modify and change it up a lot.  I usually double the recipe (I use a huge caldron).  Maybe triple the veggies.  Any meat is delicious.  I add canned pumpkin often.  Usually I just use 2% milk and no half and half.

This next favorite I attribute to my dad.  He ALWAYS has Ready Whip in the fridge.  Always!!  He likes to have it handy to do just what Ryker is doing below.  He needs a little something sweet....well, ReadyWhip stands ready to please.  He usually assumes the entire room of people has the same hankering, so we all get a mouth full of goodness.  I keep my eyes open for when I can get it very inexpensively.  I like having it on hand for Hot Cocoa mostly, any kind of cocoa will really do.  I also love to add a variety of coffee creamer to make it extra rich (I only get the creamer because I can get it for free with my coupons.   I had to find a use for it....turns out this it the perfect use).  There are all kinds of yummy flavors to shnaz up a plain old cup of cocoa....French Vanilla, Italian Cream, Butter Pecan, and on and on....delish!

Lately I have been loving Peter Pan honey roast creamy peanut butter.  With couponing I was able to try these Nature Valley Granola Thins for no cost, so I snatched up a few boxes.  They already have pb on one side....very nice, but I like to go for the extra fat mile and put another layer of PPHRC on top of that. That is a MAJOR YUMMY TREAT!  Try that!  

Recommended deli meat....you may not be able to see it, but that is Oscar Myers, BARBECUED SEASONED chicken.  The best!!!  Flavor packed.  Throw some pickles, spinach of course, honey mustard, mayo, on some kind of thin and Voila!  

In My Opinion....the best fastest, healthy, snack, or breakfast for me right now is the TRUE DELIGHTS blueberry Quaker oatmeal.  Really satisfying, I like eating my oatmeal, yogurt, and small puddings with a dash of ready whip, and a plastic spoon....it just makes it that much better.  

Don't you love throwing away EMPTY CONTAINERS?

It feels like such an accomplishment....it is such torture getting the last inch of contents out of any bottle, it is so freeing to get rid of that old nasty bottle.

Got two in one day here!

The kids love these Fresh Stacks for lunches....they are the perfect sized packs.....

it seems like we used to have loads of half eaten Ritz packs before that would get thrown away

because they got all stale....WELL NOT ANY MORE!

NOT A FAVORITE........Buddy Fruit packs....these little guys were on sale a few weeks ago.  I thought I would give the kids a thrill and include them in a few of their lunches.  Ryker saw them and knew immediately what they were.....Are those Fruit Buddies???  Yes!  You've seen them?  Mom, I am not taking one to school.  Everyone makes fun of kids that bring those.  Hmmmm?  I went ahead and sent one w/ Ethan (he had not heard the conversation).  When he got home I asked about how he liked it....he said he gave it to a kid that squirted it all over the inside of the garbage can.  How wonderful.  I tried pawning one off on McCauley.....but she was like, Don't kids make fun of you if you take those?  What is the deal at that place??  Who decides what is cool and what is not?  Lamos.  Why do our kids care so much???  Why did I?

What are your favorites??
come on....just for fun.

PS - just reread my post.....kind of feel retarded that these are my favorites.....the soup yes, the rest lets just say these are some fun convenience foods that I like right now, and might recommend you try.

Accomplishment.....

I have been feeling very productive the past few weeks.....I got to thinking about all the different reasons that we are driven to "accomplish" the things we do.  Some examples of my happy productivity are below, and what drove me to do them.

The first shot below is of our Super Sweet Garage (so joking).  A few months back Kev was complaining incessantly about how we have a $30,000 van that sits outside rotting so that we can have tons of crap saved and protected in the garage.  I listened to this, and even though I knew and still know that most of that so called garbage and crap is the big guys,  I decided to take the bull by the horns and just dig in .  I felt very happy w/ my accomplishment.  The car now fits.  I can now do the wash w/ out wading over piles of debris.  To be truthful:  this is the second time I have done this to the garage in the past few months.  Without coming down on anyone in particular, some people cannot seem to fathom cleaning up after themselves.  Putting away a big project that they have started is a foreign notion.  I had actually determined to leave the garage a huge mess this go round, (for the sake of principle) and just let the car rot outside, and be humiliated any time the door stayed open for any amount of time, but luckily I was kind of forced into reconsidering about 45 minutes after Kevin left to go on his trip this week.  

I had gone out to change the wash over and noticed what seemed like gallons of water cascading down the driveway after passing through the rubble piled in the garage.  Hmmmmmmm.  I was able to jerry rig the pipe again, and prop it up w/ the board and continued to do several batches of uninterrupted wash....but I could not bear to leave the wet mess.  SOOOOOOOO, my point is, sometimes we are forced to accomplish and change our plans for the day.  The benefits are the same....I still felt so good after I was done, even though it was not my idea to begin with. 

Here is Kevin's side.  I won't add any commentary..... I think some people think I give K a hard time.  So I will just leave it at the photo.  I just want to say to him:    I would love for you to have the same wonderful feelings that I have.  I am at your disposal if you ever want help on your side.

 I finally accomplished the goal of potting a few flowers for the front yard.  Not a big deal, but what a difference they make.

 Some accomplishment, the reward is not so much the finished product, but the doing.  For Relief Society we had a craft night a few weeks back.  Shelly and Nicole were in charge of these cute brooch/hair clips.  (V was over a very sweet Nativity....we still need to get together to make them....pics will come later)  Colleen did gift bag stamping,  plus there were several others....It was a really great night.  A bunch of us ended up staying until 10pm...I think!!  Poor Jeanette!  We were laughing and goofing off trying to bang out loads of these clips.....whoa...Shelly I still owe you $5!  I am good for it..... it does not get better than ACCOMPLISHING with friends!

These are sooooo much more adorable in person......

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE PREP - TIME YOU PUT INTO SHARING YOUR CRAFT!

 I hope you can see the difference in these two photos....  every day I look out my kitchen window at this pretty little wooden patio set.  Unfortunately, the weather, salt, and time had taken a toll so badly on the table and chairs that is was pathetic to see.  An eye sore if you will.  I have been "meaning" to stain the eight pieces for a very long time.  I finally DID IT!!!!  It took a week of having the tarp out there and just fitting in a piece here and there.  But it is done!  This was, and is a very rewarding accomplishment!  I love to look out the window and see the clean freshly stained set.  Now we just need to have a barbecue and head out to actually use it.

 OK....there was no way not to make this picture look truly disgusting.  (believe me I tried many angles....my feet/nails really are that sickly right now, black for Halloween!)  Sorry, but the fact is some accomplishment is down right hard and sometimes painful!  I have had this bad boy for no less than a week now.  I keep wondering if I am supposed to pop blisters or leave them.  Well, I finally got online and found that no, indeed you are supposed to leave them intact.  That fluid is plasma and it is helping to protect the damaged skin below, as well as assist in the growth of new skin underneath.  Ha!  So it will remain.  Our latest running accomplishment was 10 miles on Saturday.  I am not going to say that Shelly and I were/are w/out any discomfort of any kind....FALSE INDEED.  However, I will say it WAS THRILLING AND WELL WORTH THE HARD WORK AND SUSTAINED EFFORT THAT IT TOOK TO ACCOMPLISH. It felt very satisfying.

Lastly....yes, this logo is backwards....but I think you can figure it out.  I bought this motivatingly bright orange (you can't tell in the photo) shirt for myself yesterday to wear to my 3rd CLASS WARM UP TODAY @ 8:20am.  I actually had fun today.  I left my cheat sheet at home (on purpose).  I felt loads more confident.  I planned the warm up  in a sensible sequence.....first a moderate, but high energy active portion (marching, skipping, grapevine, jacks.....and so forth), then a short squat/lunge series, then the static stretching.  Whooohoooo!  I did feel the DMS coming on, so when I got them started on a repeating lunge, I asked them to keep on lunging while I got a quick drink, which I spilled down my front.....didn't matter.  I was right back with them.  Major Accomplishment!  I felt so happy after.  I received some great feed back.  I am anticipating the next class.....not with fear and trembling.....but with excitement this time!

TRUE REWARDS

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing:

but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

There is nothing in all the world so satisfying as a task well done.  There is no reward so pleasing as that which comes from the mastery of a difficult problem or challenge.

Quote by : President Hinckley 

What is one of your most satisfying accomplishments?

Todays Happenings......

Good Middle of the Night to You......I hope you are sleeping soundly in your bed right now, as it is 1:45am.  K is out of town, my MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT ALARM WENT OFF....that would be Heidi, McCauley's hamster.  You know what....I will just let her stay in the room and I'll leave.  I am beginning to see a pattern that apparently I can live with.  Quite frankly I'm starting to believe I do my best writing after a burst of adrenaline has shot through my viens from being startled from sleep by the gentle crackling of wrapping paper behind our bed.  My fear .... is that I will get to a point when I will not be able to write a thing during normal daytime hours w/out that high. 

In the quad of pics above you see Heidi now behind the bed, I awoke when she was trying to scale the inside of the tube of wrapping paper....Heidi loves a good challenge..... the picture on the left shows how  she got out, she was able to move the lid and squeeze through the top.  I TRULY thought all the kids knew that you had to have the diapers and the wipes stacked on top of the lid so she couldn't move it.  (you can't tell but the  first picture does not have the wipes on top........on Saturday those diapers and wipes will be given away at a baby shower.....we will have to come up w/ a different strategy to keep Heidi in).

Why doesn't she like her cage anyway???  She never stops attempting escape.  It goes on 24/7....she does have a pretty decent success rate.....but look at the poor saps below.  If she had any real brains she would stay where she is safe in her cage (see her tucked in behind William's head?)  These gerbils kept W busy for a good long time last night.  This kid is like the gerbil whisperer....I was watching him catch, release, drop, and maul these + two other gerbils for quite a while.  He never got bit.  I was astonished.  Maybe it was because the gerbils could sense he had no fear.  

Alright, that is done, now that I am here, I may as well work my way backwards through the day to get to why I am really writing this post.  I will just cover the highlights....because this was a jam packed day.


Midday high-light was checking Lawson out of school.  All of the kids had their 6 month dental appointments scheduled for Oct. 25th, but since the boys and Kevin will all be on their hunting trip to South Dakota, I had to move theirs.  Well, they had been pushed back to Feb. but I asked that Lawson be kept on the "short call" list to see if he could get in sooner than later due to some recent concerns.  Well, miraculously we got the call yesterday that they had an opening today at noon.  I snatched it up and you can see the event unfold below.

This is Ms. Robbi, the best hygienist is the world!!

I love her so much.  Lawson was very relieved to find that he had Robbi for his make up visit.

Notice her wall of fame.....the kids are on there from when they were very young.

A quick background to this visit : a few weeks ago L was complaining about his upper left tooth feeling weird.  K and I checked it out, couldn't see anything.  I said, well, can you last till your apt in a few weeks?  (I had forgotten about the trip at this point).  He said sure, but he persisted to bring it up and we would look and couldn't see anything......UNTIL....one day when we saw two bumps on the gums above his teeth.  hmmmmmm.  My initial thought was that his permanent teeth were trying to come in side ways and were going to shoot out the side of his gums.  I have only ever seen this with kids in Louisiana.   (I am not sure if this is pertinent in any way, but feel I should mention, that at one point over the course of the complaining we asked if he had tried to floss, nope, so he did.  L reported that he did in fact get a chunk of meat, he thought, (yes, I know this is gross to hear...but it may be important to the story....can't let pride hold me back.....naturally I would like you to believe that my kids floss everyday, and that they never get meat chunks caught between their teeth for who knows how long, but that is not the reality).    Anyway, long story short, after a few exrays, etc.  the dentist reports that he has an acute infection.  He needs antibiotics immediately, and he needs to come back in a week and get that tooth pulled.  Whoa.
I know we were blessed, not lucky, to have found this out before the week long trip.  I am thankful to an attentive, and mindful Heavenly Father who sees and knows what we do not.

Now....drum roll please......dadadadadadadadadadadadaaadadadadadadadadad.....getting to the post I have been anxious to write about.  This morning I taught my first warm up for, not one, but TWO exercise classes at OUR CLUB.  It was one, well, two of the most terrifying experiences of my life.  

I have been going to OUR CLUB for at least a year now and I love it.  I mostly love the classes.  I have tried, and for the most part loved them all - Zumba, step, Intense Intervals, Body Sculpt, Turbulence Training,  yoga, pilates, kick box, and the list goes on.  I have always admired the instructors, and have kept the idea dormant, but in there, of the possibility of maybe someday pursuing instructing myself.  


When the kids and I were gearing up for them to go to public school I began making a list of possibilities.  A kind of wish list of things I wanted to accomplish, or learn more about while they were away for several hours each day.  Getting certified to instruct was on that list.  


Soooooooooooo, I have been chipping away at it.  I got my CPR re-certification a few weeks back.  Took the online test, and then met up with the professional to pass off my practical.  I have been studying, and working through the written material.  THERE IS TONS.  The book is massive.  I will go and take the all day work shop and exam on Saturday the 23rd.  It will be in Orlando (V - can you still keep M?)  while the boys are on their hunting trip.  


This morning was the hurdle I have been dreading/yet anticipating for a few months now.  I can't believe I survived it.  Maybe that's a bit dramatic....but it was so very terrifying.  I had to come up with just the warm up for the 6:00am step class.  I worked and watched and strung together a 10 - 15 minute routine I felt ok about.  I typed it out.  Made a mini cheat sheet that I wore in a sweat band on my wrist.  The night before I could not sleep, so at 3:00am I finally got up and put my gear on and shut the office door to practice a few more times.  I felt pretty good.  After I took my shoes off (I was only a little sweaty), went back to bed in my workout attire.  Got up at 5:00, went over it again and headed out.  Got there early to test out the stage.  I was super thrilled to see my two dear friends Shelly (running buddy) and Vanessa show up for moral support. I really wanted to give them a good showing.  You know what I mean? Make it worth their effort.  


Maria made it, the instructor for the class, as well as the head over all the classes at the gym.  She was all excited and supportive, she cued up the music and introduced me using the head set.  Then she took off the head set and gave it to me.  (I tell you I am reliving it right now..... thankfully this time I can cry in the privacy of my own home.....no I did not cry at the gym...but the thought did cross my mind).  I felt like a little kid, taking this gadget, and trying to figure out which way to put it on.  It seemed massive, it loops around both ears and has a bar thing that rests across the back of your neck.  It felt very awkward and intrusive and distracting.  


I am shaking.  I walk to the stage.  I am trying to act calm and normal.  I know these people, all 8 of them.  It is just a warm up.  Let it begin.  I am doing it....so many thoughts are clamoring through my mind, try to stay with the beat of the music, what comes next, cue them for the last one, get ready to transition to the next step, don't worry about Shelly who is a jumbled mess in front of me....pretty sure she has never taken a step class ever in her life...., don't worry about Maria over in the corner....is she trying to help me find the beat?.....oh my gosh what comes next, look at my cheat sheet, w/out looking like I am looking...impossible.  I have to take my paper out and turn it to the other side and tuck it into my band again.  What is up with My mouth and throat???!!!!!!!!!  I have lost the ability to communicate verbally.  I have such a dry mouth that my lips are sticking to my teeth.....they are literally stuck to my teeth, tucked under so that I look like an insane WOLVERINE!!!  at this point....I can think of nothing else but getting water and trying to eek out my next cue.  This was a very low point.  I wish so much that I was exaggerating.  This is the cold hard truth and just how it was.  I had to pry my lips off my teeth as discreetly as possible....but they went back up.  Is this as hard for you to read as it is for me to write.  Are you getting it????  Shelly finally responded, w/ some goading on my part to get my water "WITH THE ORANGE LID"......, by then I was wrapping up, (thank you though), and my time on the stage was over.  


I did it all over again at the 8:20 Body Sculpt class w/ Elena.  Maria had given me some constructive critiquing, which was much needed and appreciated.  I rushed home, got the kids up and off to school.  Hurried and reworked my warm up, removing some of the twisting and adding other safer stuff.  (I was so, so tempted to cancel and put off this second warm up).  I forced myself to go do it, IT IS ONLY A WARM UP FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!.....but only after drinking a large quantity of water, as well as a spinach packed vita mix, and inserting an altoid mint for mouth moisture.  This class was packed.  Overall it went quite a bit more smoothly.

RELIEF.  It is done until next time.  I am supposed to email Maria and let her know when I would like to do it again.

I was thinking how I wish I could see several months into the future.....like if I had a Magic 8 Ball.   I am curious about some things.....Will I stick with this Instructing business?  Will I become a savvy, confident,  instructor?  Will I get a class of my own someday and have my name on OUR CLUBS class  schedule????  Will I be able to overcome DMS? (Dry Mouth Syndrome).  

No longer under Knee Dictatorship.....

The Ragnar Relay is coming up in one months time....I thought I would give it a little air time.  Kevin hates the name Ragnar.....I am pretty sure he dislikes it because he doesn't know where it came from.  I didn't know myself until our recent meeting.  If you are curious, click the link below. 

Why the name..... RAGNAR??

So that is pretty a pretty cool name!!!
So is our team name:
SOLE SISTAS  ....get it?(two way meaning)
Our team is finally SET...we have all 12 participants, as well as our running legs.  I am runner number 6.  Which means I will run a total of 17.9 miles (pretty sure that is what I added up).
Click on Sistas and you can see our team and maybe even the map of the race...maybe not if you don't have the login info...sorry.
I thought it was a little tricky to understand.

Nice profile pics LADIES!!
I am really excited for this adventure......especially after my break through run recently.
I have had a lot of trouble with my knees over the past several runs.....major trouble... until last week when...I finally made an adjustment in my running stance.  I had had a good run until about mile 4, when my knees started running the show again.  They are the boss.  The final say.  Absolute POWER.  My thoughts and ideas are worthless under Knee Dictatorship.  It doesn't matter that the rest of me can go on, there is NO Arguing with my stubborn pair. 


I was really getting frustrated and thinking I was going to have to possibly quit, etc.  
I had walked for a few minutes and decided to give running one more try, this time I had the idea to crunch down a bit, and try to stay a bit tighter,  and more compact as I ran.  Sounds ridiculous and I am sure looks that way to.  Can't say that I really cared.  In this position I noticed that I felt my weight in my upper thighs and butt more.  Also, instead of leaning forward I was straight over my heels, maybe even back just a bit.  This feels really good!  I feel NOTHING IN MY KNEES!!


HA!
  
I was able to continue running and pass my personal best for training so far...over 8 miles last Wed.  Shelly and I were just shy of 9 miles this week on Monday.  


SOOOOOOO.....What is your story??? Had any Breakthroughs in your training??  Any hiccups or frustrations??  Lets hear em!!

  

I am certain this post does not express the happiness, and gratitude I feel at finding out I could run differently.  I am very grateful for my brain, and that I was able to get the idea to make a change, instead of giving up.  I'm thankful for my knees, and strong healthy body God has blessed me with.
It is such a blessing to be able to get out and have the freedom to do as I choose.
On the break through run I mentioned, I did attempt to cry tears of joy......IMPOSSIBLE...while running.  I hadn't realized this before, but crying seems to clamp shut, or severely restrict an important airway. So it was very brief.

"Live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you."
Alma 34:38