TB's Journey~

Knowledge is Power

2013-08-30T07:37:00.001-05:00

I'm a Music Therapist and love Pinterest. I use it to get intervention ideas for the populations I work with. Today, this pin struck a chord. Totally tells the story of my path back to 270. Moving, debt, new job, new schools for the kids were stressors, then came the excuses.

I joined a "Dietbet," but really have not started. I'm putting off the exercise, which there is no reason for. I've got the time! I just feel like next week when the kids go to school, I'll be more apt to exercise.

I've tried tracking a few days, but by mid afternoon find it cumbersome and stop. It's just part of the self sabotaging I've been doing.

I know I can beat this, it's just a matter of motivation, because I realize how hard the journey is...

It's Time

2013-08-22T09:39:00.001-05:00

I have avoided blogging all year, just as I have avoided exercise. I've put off till tomorrow rationalizing that I don't have the time, energy, etc. to do it today. Today, I was reminded about the "work" that goes into a healthy lifestyle. I received a group email from Sparkpeople. It struck me that I've been working just as hard to not live healthy.

I am officially at my highest weight ever! My body composition has changed over the years and my waist is not at its highest, but my chest and shoulders are. I haven't touched exercise equipment in months and the last time I truly walked for exercise is over a month ago.

I receive little reminder everyday asking if I've done 10 minutes of movement. At one point, I thought how ridiculous, but now I have a tough time answering yes.

My sister-in-law is getting married Saturday. Today, I'll be shopping for something to wear. It's time to "work" at this healthy lifestyle.

The New Year

2013-01-11T15:21:00.001-06:00

I made it to a Weight Watcher meeting in December. The two receptionists that I worked with asked if I'd like to come with them. I went, but have not even bothered to open the new material. Frankly, I haven't tracked, exercised or really given a rip since early last year. Moving away from my gym, quitting my WW receptionist position, and just life in general has not motivated me to care much about my weight/health right now.

My wife, has used the elliptical more than I have this year so far. She's trying to get down a few pounds before we head to Disney World in April. She's hopped on it daily, and I've checked the room out to make sure the lights still right... I'm just not at the point of caring right now. I know what I need to do. I know how to do it. I know the WORK it takes to get the job done and that's really what's holding me back right now. It's a lot of work to be diligent and stay strong in eating and living healthy. One of these days, I'm hoping the switch will flip and I will realize that it's so much easier than I think.

But for now, I'm happy at the 250 that I weighed in at on December 8. Still at it, and this is actually the longest I've stayed the same for some time so maybe I am turning a corner. I know one thing, I've been much busier since taking a Hospice Music Therapy position and have not had the time to snack that I once did.

I will carry on and hope for the kick in the butt I need to realize it is really not difficult to lose/maintain, just takes some dedication.

Three Blind Mice

2012-11-28T15:42:00.001-06:00

November sure has flown by. I am amazed at how fast time can fly by. We had a touch of the flu come through our house the week after my MIL's birthday party. My 4 yr. old, 8 yr. old, 6 yr. old and then my wife all had a stomach flu for a day. It was fast moving and didn't effect anyone too bad. The following week, I took the in-laws to the airport for a trip to Disney World and picked them up. I also called to cancel my gym membership. I didn't sign up for the bootcamp that I had taken for over 2 years and I decided to cut out training for the holidays and then decided that those were the only two days that I religiously made it to the gym, so I cancelled my membership. I needed to give a 30 day notice, so I am actually still able to head to the gym till the end of the year.

Seems we've been sharing our house with some visitors for a while. No idea how long, but by the amount of droppings we found, it's been awhile! We started cleaning and getting ready to decorate for Christmas and my wife found some brown rice looking stuff under our ottoman. Turns out it was mouse droppings. I stopped at Target to do some Black Friday shopping at 2:00 in the morning. What did I buy? Just mouse traps. By the time I woke up at 8:00, we had caught two mice. We then did more cleaning and found a huge amount of droppings under an entertainment center. The wife also joyously found a dead mouse instead the entertainment center. We trapped another mouse each morning, but now haven't gotten one since Monday. I did an inspection of the exterior and I'm pretty sure I found the "hole" they were coming in. We have a porch slab that butts up to the house and in that corner, seems that was a big enough hole for them to find their way in. I sealed it with some steel wool and a whole can of foaming insulation so I don't think we'll have a problem for a while.

Thanksgiving was a blast and we over did it on the pies once again. Five at my Mom's and six at my MIL's. I haven't been losing or gaining lately, but do plan on getting the motivation mojo flowing once again.

I had a job interview in August for a MT position and hadn't heard anything good or bad from the company. Seems there was a lack of communication and I was meant to be hired then, but the person who interviewed me abruptly quit and my file was left in limbo till this week. This morning, I met with the new administrator and we had a good discussion. She left me know that there was now another MT interested in the position so I should hear either way next week. Nothing like hearing about a job in a timely manner!

Election Day

2012-11-06T11:19:00.001-06:00

I can't believe a week goes by so quickly. I was quite busy last week getting ready for a party on Saturday. Hope the wife appreciates the cleaning I did. Each day I picked a different room/floor to conquer. I saved the basement for Friday because that place just collects clutter, toys, junk, clothes, etc. The kids like messing it up much more than cleaning it up. I hid several totes including the play-doh, Barbies, dress-up, and baby dolls before the party Saturday. I did have one little niece ask where the dress-up clothes were and I told her we weren't playing dress-up today. She found plenty of other toys to play with.

We had a fun party Saturday for my MIL, who turns a certain retirement age this week. Someone brought the flu-bug from MN and infested our family. Four year old sick Sunday, Eight year old sick Monday and Six year old sick today. My 11-year old seems to avoid the germs as she stays away from them as much as possible even on a healthy day ;)

I did sneak out to vote and I did sneak downstairs to exercise, but my food choices suffer when there are large amounts of leftovers in the house. I did track a few days last week, making it the first time I tracked in almost 4 weeks. It is so easy to stop that habit!

I think I've convinced myself to quit my gym membership. I have one more training session left and then I'll quit. It will save a huge amount of money not paying the monthly membership, training sessions, and for Fit Club. I could pay to go to Planet Fitness for 1 year for as much as I pay per month at my current gym. It made sense when I lived closer and when I had kids at home because the daycare option was awesome. Now, I'm lucky if I make it 3 times weekly. I'll make sure to use the time wisely at home.

Get out and vote!!

Halloween

2012-10-30T13:22:00.001-05:00

Halloween can not be over quick enough. We bought a boat load of candy...3 bags of 150 each. Why? We didn't want to run out? In our defense, we've never been in our house before for trick-or-treat so we had no idea what to expect, but 450 pieces of candy was probably being a bit more than prepared. We live near the entrance of our subdivision and apparently all the kids head for the middle of the subdivision and don't bother making it all the way to our house. We did have the neighborhood kids, but beyond a few other stragglers, we did not have many. Possibly 30-40 kids, so we were more than prepared.

Yesterday, the wife took a bowl full to school, unfortunately it was the bowl with the candy I didn't so much care for. She left the chocolate bowl! I was great all day, but after coming home from work at 8:45pm I was hungry for something fast and the candy bowl won. I grabbed 3 fun size candy bars, followed by 3 more. I was able to reel it in and stop at that, but the damage was done.

The 4 yr old was so worn out from trick-or-treating that he fell asleep on the ride home from school and didn't wake up till morning. It was early morning, 4:00, but he still slept more than 12 straight hours. The other 3 kids had off yesterday, so after the 11 yr old was done charting her candy haul, we headed to the gym to swim.

My kids are awesome about eating candy. I don't ever remember asking my Mom if I could eat some candy, but my kids have been asking every time they want a piece and they're not asking often. I've probably eaten more than them with my quick bursts of sugar.

Hope everyone is safe, we've got a little wind today, but nothing major.

Trampoline

2012-10-26T11:59:00.001-05:00

Thursdays I pick up #4 from school early every week. This week, we had a parent/student project to do at 12:00 and then we were free to go home. We decided while we were creating a Jack-o-latern masterpiece that we would jump on the trampoline as long as it was not raining. We got home about 1:30 and went straight for the trampoline. I had not "played" on the trampoline before, only crawling on it to grab said #4 to bring him inside when it was time. So, I was quite surprised at how tired I did get after jumping for just a few minutes. We probably stayed on the trampoline for 1/2 hour, but I definitely did not jump for that long. I let him do most of the jumping while I goofed around. We did jump around the perimeter, and did belly flops and lots of other jumping too. I was exhausted!

Now I understand why the kids come in flushed, breathing hard and ready to drink a gallon of water. It's a lot of work to "play" on a trampoline.

I did not make it to the gym Thursday, but did 45 minutes on the elliptical. I had other things to get done and needed to pick up #4. Friday, not looking like a gym day either as I helped with a 1st grade Fall Celebration all morning. I will be mowing the grass and running about to do a few other errands. The day sure goes quick when I have a list of things to do.

Get Up and Move

2012-10-24T13:57:00.001-05:00

I was on Facebook yesterday and saw a post from Jack Sh*t stating that it was his last Facebook post. It went along with his blog entry from the day prior stating that it was his last blog post. His point was simple eat right and move!

I've been struggling with my exercise motivation lately. Since moving, we are almost 1/2 hour from my gym. I love the gym, but the 1/2 hour there and 1/2 hour back could be used better in my opinion. Or could it? I have an awesome elliptical and a home gym that was left in our new house when we moved, so I should have all the right stuff at home, but I make excuses at home. I'll do it after the dishes, laundry, after breakfast, lunch, after I rest for awhile...really? What do I need to rest for if I've done nothing!

Last week, I did make to the gym 4 days in a row. My goal was 4 out 5 days this week, but going to my Bootcamp class this morning, I got pushed, motivated and bullied into signing up for two Saturday classes. It's a special promotion the gym puts on yearly, and everyone else in my Bootcamp class was signed up so they all ganged up on me to get me to sign up. If I would have stayed home, easy excuses would have allowed me to sleep in Saturday, but since I went to the gym and worked out, I'll be going again Saturday.

I've had a sore back all week, I believe it's because the 4 yr old crawls into our bed and knees me in the back all night. It's just annoying, but a pain anyway. May be time to break out the reward chart for staying in his bed all night once again.

Where Are Your Shoes?

2012-10-23T09:17:00.001-05:00

We have a room dedicated to shoes, coats, outdoor toys, etc. It's a room in back of the garage, which could be used as an office and someday I may use it as a music studio, but for now we call it the "den." It serves as a catch all for backpacks, the vacuum and many other items. I usually try to organize it about once a week because if I find shoes around the house I just toss them in this room. You would think after living here for close to 10 months, the kids and the wife would be used to dropping there shoes, bags and coats off in this room. It does not happen!

I find shoes all over the place! Today, I asked my 6 yr old where his gym shoes were so he could wear them. He didn't have gym today, but it's awful dreary and rainy out, so I wanted him to wear these versus his Crocs. Forty-five minutes after I started looking for them and had all but given up, he looked outside and said, "Daddy, I found my shoes!" He LOOKED outside, did not go outside since it's been raining since early yesterday. He had left his shoes by the trampoline on Sunday night. After close to 3 inches of rain, these shoes are well water logged.

Needless to say, he's wearing his Crocs today. Just like I need to work on my eating habits, the kids and the wife need to work on there habits of leaving coats, shoes, bags EVERYWHERE! Sure would be nice to have that 45 minutes back to exercise...

Halloween Candy

2012-10-22T12:56:00.001-05:00

Dumb move! I opened the candy! It's not "Trick-or-Treat" until Sunday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm, but the candy bag is open. Now, to keep the candy around until then before I need to go out and buy more. My wife bought one bag of a tootsie roll mix type bag. I would have been fine staying away from that till Sunday, but I went and bought more. Fun size candy bars and Skittles, Starburst, chewy stuff mix. I opened the candy bars. I figured taking 2 fun size candy bars to work last night would be lots cheaper than buying a silly candy bar for $.95 from the vending machine. It was and thankfully it's only been "a few" fun size bars so far.

Today, I headed to Spin class at 9:00 even though I worked till midnight last night. I did fine as I got at least 6 hrs of sleep versus my 3 hrs if I work till 3:00am. After spin, I made up for the candy bars and did 20 minutes on the Stair climber hitting 100 floors and about 250 calories. Last week, I made it to the gym Tuesday-Friday and exercised at home on Saturday so it was a good exercise week. Eating wise, I did fine till my weekend working shifts. I really don't need the snacks I sneak, it's just out of boredom that I eat during work. I did choose wisely as I found snack size bags of Special K chips at Sam's Club last week. Much better than buying them in bulk as I could eat the whole bulk bag in a sitting.

I did great staying away from snacks in between meals and this week will try to focus on tracking because I know that will be a key to success. Here's to another 4 day week at the gym. I may try Friday as well, but am helping at a 1st grade Halloween party till 11:00am.

School is in Session

2012-10-18T12:52:00.001-05:00

I really don't know where the time flies. I seem to check other blogs, much more than I post here. It has been two months since I've posted. School started, which should have motivated me to get back into a healthy exercise schedule. Slowly but surely...I'm going at least three times a week to the gym, which is better than the 2 times during the summer. I've been putting in a lot of weekend split shift hours at work, working every Saturday night and at least 2 Sunday nights a month since Labor Day. It's fine, we always need the money, but I'm so tired by Monday that I use it as a sleep day. This week, I was sleeping still at 2:00pm when my boss called and asked if I could come in early. I hopped up and went.

I have been contemplating quitting my gym since I only go twice a week, but right now I've decided there is no reason for me not to go at least 4 times a week. I've signed up for Monday spin and may be dragging because of working till midnight Sunday night, but I'll be there. One big reason I was going to quit the WAC was because my trainer of almost 2 years took a different position within the gym and stopped training. I stuck with it and she recommended another trainer who is a lot like her. My trainer sessions include a bunch of circuits, which certainly wear me down. This week, trainer Jackie commented that I was breathing "pretty hard." Duh!! I'm huge!!

My eating has been less than stellar. I've broken down and bought new jeans because I don't fit in my size 34" by a long shot. The summer I can hide because most of my shorts have stretch waists. It was not a pleasant trip to the store trying on jeans only to realize I needed a size 40". I had tracked well for a week last week, but I just stopped...no reason. So, I need the motivation of stepping on a scale weekly I believe to keep me accountable food wise.

I will get back to a healthy weight.

My kids are loving their new schools and have made several friends in the neighborhood. That is a very good thing!

My goal is to blog weekly and track daily for the next week. There is no reason for me not to besides laziness and excuses. 245 is not a happy weight.

Is Summer Over Yet?

2012-08-13T11:10:00.000-05:00

Summer has definitely been a problem time for me since I've stayed home with the kids over 4 years ago. It is tough to maintain an eating and exercise routine throughout the summer and I just hate tracking! I've had good days, but it seems the bad days (non-tracking) out number the good days 2 to 1. When I track, I do great, I've been tracking well, Monday thru Wednesday as those are my work/gym/routine days. Then, the 4 day weekend starts and no tracking, no exercise starts. It will get better.

I broke down and bought a bigger pair of pants last week as being uncomfortable in tight work pants, just makes me even more frustrated. I had another interview on Thursday and this position is one that would be perfect as it is for a Hospice and flexibility is the name of the game in Hospice. Hours would vary from 4-20 and they would be daytime mostly.

Another routine that is causing problems at home is the bathroom. Seems the 4 year old is having a tough time making it to the bathroom. I'm hoping that the routine of going to school and the schedule of the day will get him back on track as well.

Hoping for a good week, the weather has been beautiful 70's to low 80's and 60's at night.

Let's Move Everest

2012-08-08T07:17:00.001-05:00

I've been contemplating going back to work full time after the kiddos go back to school. My littlest one, Ben, will be going to 4K and I'll be home all day by myself with nothing to do, but eat ;) I'd have plenty to keep me busy, groceries, laundry, cleaning, etc. are nice to get done when there are no distractions around, but if I could find a good little part time job, or a full time job close to home, I'm all for it.

Yesterday, I had an interview for a position the would be perfect for me. The current person is going on maternity leave in mid-September and they are looking to hire someone to fill in for her and then take on a type of "job share" once she comes back, if she comes back. The interview was my first experience with a group interview. There were 10 potential candidates in a circle and the human resource director along with the current person leaving soon. We introduced ourselves, answered silly ice breakers including, if you were in the circus what would you do and if you're boss asked you to help move Mt. Everest what would you do? After the ice breakers, we broke into two small groups and decided which 5 people out of a group of 12 to save and start a new world with. It was a crazy activity that I am sure was meant to see how quickly you can work with others and how well you compromise, make choices, etc.

After that, 3 written questions: Besides yourself, who would you hire? What are your strengths? And what you liked/disliked about the interview process?

I hadn't been in an interview for a LONG time looking for a music therapy position. Over 7 years ago actually, as it was right after I graduated with my degree. I did have an interview earlier this year, but it was at the same place that I've been working and just to gain a few hours in another department. That was much more relaxed and more like friends just chatting.

Now to the food, yesterday, I was feeling down because I had really had a horrible food day on Monday. I meet with my trainer Tuesdays and she really cheered me up. I can't help but laugh and have a good time working out. Who knew 8 pound weights could be so heavy when used in the right way. My shoulders and thighs are hurting today.

Weekend

2012-08-06T13:49:00.001-05:00

I continue to not feel motivated to exercise or track on the weekend. Unfortunately, seems that I've been making every weekend at least a 4 day weekend. Exercise and track great Monday-Wednesday and slack off Thursday-Sunday. This will definitely need to change if I'd like to continue fitting into my clothes. Even one more good day would be a success for this week. So that's my goal, track and exercise at least 4 days this week.

Had a great weekend though. Girls were off camping Thursday and Friday night. We had friends from out of town visit Thursday-Saturday. On Friday, we took a trip to our college, St. Norbert. It was the first time that I had an official college visit since my sister went there, I really didn't have an official visit that I recall. Besides the tour, we got a free lunch at the caf. The campus is so much different than 15 years ago. It's awesome to see the improvements and fun to relive memories. My wife and I met there and had some fun times together and separate. My student adviser and choral director happened to be walking through campus as we were starting the tour. I approached him and he immediately recognized me. Must have made a huge impression on him either in a good or bad way ;)

I skipped the exercise Thursday, just because, Friday was a car day, Saturday and Sunday again, just because. Plus, Sunday we headed to the State Fair eating cream puffs and cheese curds. This week, I shall get some exercise in today, and head to the gym Tuesday and Wednesday and hit the exercise room at home Thursday for sure. No reason not to!

Have a great week.

Mowing the Grass

2012-08-02T09:02:00.000-05:00

It's amazing to me that I've only had to mow our huge lawn a few times this year. Starting off with 2 times in April, I was dreading the thought of the almost 1/2 acre chore weekly. But the summer became hot fast and our lawn became a brown crunchy hot pad. Yesterday, I mowed the lawn for the first time is over 6 weeks. Usually our lawn does turn brown for awhile in July or August, but 6 weeks is a long stretch. It was nice to be outside doing something active for awhile, but it sure was hot. And being that I haven't mowed for so long, I forgot how long it actually takes. And forgetting how long it actually takes, I didn't bother to lather up with sunscreen and today my forehead is as red as a ripe cherry.

I have done a good job tracking this week, and hopefully it will become more of a habit soon. My eating has been good, but I still need to focus more on my fruits and veggies as snacks. Apples had helped me so much when I initially lost my 80 pounds, so I have definitely gone back to basics and the apples are back on the island. I brought two with me to work last night, my 8-year old was amazed that I was taking something healthy. Small steps...

Day 4 of Tracking

2012-07-31T16:05:00.000-05:00

I have actual tracked honestly all the food that I've eaten in the past 3 days. This is truly an accomplishment since it hasn't happened in so long that I actually can't remember. Tracking definitely keeps me honest and it definitely keeps me mindful of all the garbage I should not be eating. Today has been a good food day thus far, but I forgot how much I had to run to the grocery store to get fresh fruits and veggies when tracking. Out of bananas, apples, grapes and salad fixings. This will be a good week. The scale has come down a bit and hopefully it gives me the motivation to continue forward.

The sad note is that my trainer will be taking a different position and will no longer be training. I've worked with her every Tuesday for the last year and a half and we have 3 sessions left before her move into the administration side of things. She has said that she will continue to teach Spin and Fit Club weekly, so maybe that will give me reason to make it back to the gym daily. During the summer, it's been Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I have been working out pretty consistently at home though too.

Thursday is the start of our State Fair. Our kids are concerned about where we will be parking since we moved. We used to be within walking distance of lots of things, now it's hope in the car so we can go. Here's to a successful Wednesday.

Training for the Olympics

2012-07-30T12:42:00.002-05:00

It's amazing to me to watch the Olympics and watching all the back stories. How certain athletes missed making the team by mere hundreths of a second four years ago and now they have made the team this time around. How other athletes have missed out on the dreams because only two athletes from each country can compete.

It's also amazing to me to realize where I was four years ago, compared to where I am today. Four years ago I actual weighed about the same as I am today. Unfortunately though, I was on the weigh down from 275 where today, I am on the weigh up from a low of 186. I have done a horrible job watching what I eat since quitting my job at Weight Watchers in February. It has left me with extra pounds and I am not happy with it. I have occasionally tracked, but usually not. I have occasionally exercised, but usually not. I have occasionally been happy with my choices, but usually not.

I need to get in the mentally of an Olympian for a moment and take this weight loss thing more serious. I have definitely not been happy where it is going since this summer I was forced to buy new clothes not because of losing weight, but because of gaining weight. I tried my jeans on yesterday for the first time since February and it twas not a pretty sight.

Serious weight loss Olympian training needs to come. I believe I can will need to be a new motto instead of, "Who cares?"

Tooth Fairy

2012-03-05T08:37:00.000-06:00

For some reason, the Tooth Fairy has not discovered our new house yet. My 7 yr old is a toothless wonder right; missing 4 teeth on top and 2 on the bottom. Not to outdown, my 10 yr old has managed to lose a few molars since the beginning of the year.

With the Tooth Fairy arriving at our house for the last three nights straight, I think she has finally discovered our new house. But those first few teeth of the year were a bit forgotten by the fairy. In fact, I think there's still a tooth or two hanging out in the girls room.

Habits. Hard to start, much easier to break. I'm sure the Tooth Fairy is now in the habit once again of discovering where we live.

Habits. Should would be nice if I could get in the habit of eating healthy once again. After quitting Weight Watchers, it seems I have given myself permission to eat like a hog especially after dark.

Habits. Once I skip the gym one time during the week, it sure is easier to skip it twice, or more.

Looking forward to the nicer weather as these long winter days are coming to a close. The Weatherman said on the news last night that our average highs should now be in the 40's. It's almost time for the tanktops.

Lights & Exercise

2012-02-29T11:25:00.001-06:00

Happy Leap Day!

My 3 yr old woke me up about 3:30 to make sure I wouldn't miss it. He's been in the habit of waking up and crawling into our bed for awhile. Not so fun to have a knee jabbing me in the back. May have to bribe him as we did with the 6 yr old. Stay in your bed for 7 days in a row and you can buy a toy.

I am amazed by the number of lights we have in our 2200 sq ft house. It seems that the kids have a very easy time flipping the lights on, but when it comes to turning them off, they forget where the light switch is. I run through the house frantically everyday turning the lights off before we leave for school. And everyday, it seems I find at least a few left on; upstairs bathroom, girl's bedroom, and sometimes 3 or 4 different light switches in the basement. I reaaly need to throw my pedometer back on to see how many more steps I take in our new house. In our old house, I didn't so much care as I came back home right away to eat breakfast, but in our new house, I don't get back home till after noon. Trying to save a little energy cost whereever I can.

Have a great February 29!

Weight Watchers

2012-02-27T08:31:00.000-06:00

I came to the conclusion that I've been at the same weight, 215, give or take a pound for the past 3 years. I'm happy with my weight, the doctor saw no reason for me to lose weight, so I'm quitting Weight Watchers. That way, I can actually have a reallistic goal of 215. Just need a doctors note and I'm back to lifetime, just can't work for the company.

They offered me Thursday hours, which didn't work with Ben's speech and it would have required afterschool care costing more than I would make. So, a quick "see ya" letter went off to my territory manager and Wednesday will be my last meeting.

I've fine with it as I really haven't been counting points for well over a year. Seems the new Points Plus allowed me points to eat lots of convenient foods while still getting plenty of fruits and veggies.

I still plan on working out regularly, but it will be nice to not fight with the scale.

Happy Monday.

McDonald's

2012-02-21T09:53:00.001-06:00

My kids love Tuesdays. After school, we head to the library to do our homework. Afterwards, we drop my oldest off at choir and then I head home with the other three kids. The last few weeks we've ate at home since last week was Valentine's Day and the week before we had tons of leftovers. Normally, we do head for McDonald's as a quick convenient meal/treat. They always get McNuggets in a Happy Meal. They're always more interested in the toy initially, but that ends up in the corner by the end of the night.

I love that McDonalds has revamped their Happy Meal. Their fries are a smaller portion and they've added a snack-size apple. These are different than the Apple Dippers; a smaller pack with no Carmel dipping sauce, but my kids have not seemed to mind.

I'm so glad they've made this change because for a while, we had been getting the apple dippers extra for dessert and most of the apples were left for me, which is better than fries, but I'd still rather have them eating the apples instead of licking the carmel out of the container.

Today, we'll head there for the first time in weeks. It's Fat Tuesday as my if I wasn't aware, my 6 yr old Alex came down the steps with his blanket stuffed in his belly and declared, "Happy Fat Tuesday!!".

We had our Packzi's already.

At Home

2012-02-17T10:18:00.000-06:00

It's Friday morning, I took the kids to school and headed back home. Working out for two hours a day Monday thru Thursday just wears me out. I planned to prime a few walls in the basement, but it's gotten to be a time where I decided it just didn't pay to start. I got downstairs and taped all the woodwork, and by that time I would have had about 45 minutes to paint, so I decided not to start. At least it's all ready to be primed and painted.

It still is wierd being home during the day. I just don't know what to do. I'm so used to heading to the gym everyday, when I do come home, I have to have something to do or I'm just walking around aimlessly heading towards the cupboards. I will be heading out to Menard's soon to get a few things.

No plans for the weekend, I may head to a Weight Watcher meetings tomorrow morning just to get some motivation, but I'm just not feeling it lately. My eating has been fine, but I just don't want to follow the points. Seems when they took my Saturday meetings away, they took my motivation to follow the plan away too.

Things That Break

2012-02-15T14:30:00.000-06:00

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

2012-02-14T09:29:00.001-06:00

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

2012-02-13T08:51:00.000-06:00

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!