White Hot Magik

The secret to 61 years of marriage...

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:51:00 +0000

This weekend we had our annual family reunion for my grandmothers side of the family. One of her sisters was celebrating 60 years of marriage. Which prompted my mother to tell about the lady she met at the beauty shop the other day.

As her nails were being finished up, the next client came in and when Lila, the beautician, asked how she was, Mrs. X commented that she was wonderful. She bubbled that day before had been her 61st wedding anniversary. My mother, had to ask the lady, what the secret of 61 years of marriage was. Matter of factly Mrs. X explained she and her husband were very compatible, got married young and still had sex three times a week. In fact for an 81 year old, he was still quite good she told them. Mrs. X attributed his virility to her husbands Irish and Italian heritage, although she thought it must be the Italian side that kept him so strong.

She went on to tell about how her husband had gently woken her up that very morning, "But I want to sleep!" she said. "But I have something to show you!" he said. "But last night was our night," she sighed. "Are you kidding? I am not Superman!"

Gotta love those old folks, they are too funny. (Although none of my grandmothers sisters shared any of those kind of stories.)

Sunrise Sunset

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:16:00 +0000

Sunrise over NM

Life is running very fast these days...

But every once in a while I can slow down and find the camera....

and enjoy the beauty of God's creation....

Sunset over NM

Mine Tailings

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:04:00 +0000

We just returned from our first trip of the summer. We jumped in the truck and drove to my Mother-in-laws house. She lives in Silver City which is in the Gila Mountains. Like a lot of towns in NM it has old west history, beautiful scenery and more than it's share of California transplants who are gussying the town up. We didn't have time go and shop the historic downtown district this trip, which is full of art shops and funky eateries.

My MIL house is tucked away near a very small town called Pinos Altos in a juniper forest. I was commenting how on our quick trips over the last several years we hadn't really explored the local sites or taken the boys to any of them. They are getting to the age where we can take them to some of the local sites like the Gila Cliff Dwelling or my favorite the Catwalk. This trip was to help her with a project so we didnt' have much extra time. However on a trip out to see my husbands sister, we did stop and look at the Santa Rita Copper Mine in the Mimbres Valley. It is sparsely populated and on the drive out you see very little except the occasional house or small country bar. I find a certain beauty in the contrast of the dark green junipers and the dry yellow grass underneath. The monsoon season has started but they grass hasn't greened up yet here. While I am as anxious as anyone to see the hills green, I do find a beauty in the way they look now. Of course, I didn't think to grab my camera as we jetted out the door, but I had my phone with me and tried to snap a few pics of how the countryside looked to me.

We did stop at the Copper Mines viewing area to show the boys the open pit mine. It is one of those sites that is interesting and disturbing, beautiful and ugly all the same time. I recall my dad taking us to see it when I was a young girl. There was no activity on this day at all down in the mine. As we took in the scene, and read the informatinal signs I was telling the boys what I remember most about what I saw as a kid with all the dump trucks driving down in that mine that looked so small but they had a tire from one of the trucks in the viewing area. My 6'4" dad barely came up to the middle of the tire. Unfortantely the tire was gone but there were pictures of men standing next to one.

It was late afternoon and while we looked a mine employee showed up to shut the gate, he asked if we had any questions. I mentioned the tire I remembered as a kid and he was telling us that those tires currently cost $22,000 a piece and each truck has 6. They look like a typical dump truck in a picture but are 20' wide and 40' long.

I asked if the mine was still operational and he said no, that they might start up again depending on copper prices and the economy. He also elaborated that the mine was a very lonely place of late, there were still a few employees around in the offices and a couple of drivers to keep the mind from flooding during monsoons and guards. He said he had been a shift surpervisor and they used to employee over 900 people but now it was down around 30.

Overall we had a nice trip despite not being able to finish the project we started due to rain on Saturday. Hopefully we will make it back later in the summer and take in some more sights and I'll get the camera out the door with me next time for more pictures.

Taking Care of the Creepy Crawlies...

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:18:00 +0000

Fair warning if you hate spiders, in particular large hairy ones stay away from today's post. I repeat don't look at the following videos.

We have a fair number of tarantulas around here in the summer. I caught a video with my camera phone the other day while the kids were riding bikes. Just in case you are freaking out about my kids riding near tarantulas, they really aren't dangerous and don't want anything to do with you. Even at fairly close range (I had to get close with my phone) it took no notice of us.

As you may recall last fall I posted a picture or two of my lovely friends the tarantula hawks who are in abundance again this year.

In fact I thought that poor tarantula is doomed hanging out here the open because just that morning I had tried to photograph an actual tarantula hawk dragging off a tarantula in my garden. I was so excited since I knew what they did but had not got to actually witness any of the process. Alas my pictures did not come out so I was very excited when my husband called me out back to see another one last night.

In both cases it was apparent the tarantula was paralyzed and one almost feels bad knowing it's fate as a live feeding chamber for the tarantula hawks young. You can read all the gory details on DesertUSA if you want. As I finished filming this my dog came over and decided to stick her nose in the hawks business and she got upset and charged us. I hear the sting is painful, although not poisonous, so we backed up quickly.

I love insects they are so interesting!

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:33:00 +0000

Turf Dad who reformed his ways and refused to tag anyone with this meme since the swine flu is going around. Me, I already have the flu, although the doc says not the pig kind. Even still I am virtually on house arrest and no one wants to be around me. So I have taken a lot of stupid quizzes on FB this week. I thought I would go ahead steal this meme for myself since I was racking my brain to find something to post.

1. Who is the hottest movie star? Coincidentally this question would coincide with a quiz I took on FB this week, and luckily I had the opportunity to pick five because just one, that is hard for me...

If you had form a team to save the world who would be in it? by Nora

Aragorn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Maximus Decimus Meridius , Wolverine and Leonidas ¡Esto es Venezuela! Tomaaaaaa!.

2. Apart from your house and your car, what’s the most expensive item you’ve ever bought? Probably our TV, we got a new one this week with our tax return and quite frankly the sticker shock for even a middle of the road flat screen is still killing me. It is nice to view TV without the lines and and fuzz though.

3. What’s your most treasured memory? Again, a hard quiz to pick just one. These little babes have been on my mind a lot lately. Zach at a few months and Max right after he was born.

4. What was the best gift you ever received as a child? A favorite family story is how one year at Christmas I really wanted a Crayola caddy. I asked my Nanny (grandma) to get it for me and she had presents wrapped under the tree I shook them and knew one was my crayola caddy, then bragged about it. Christmas morning came and I opened my presents and there was no caddy. She had hid it since I was being such a brat, she did give it to me later.

5. What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made? Again only one??? Usually about August I ask why I agreed to let my husband move us away from Ruidoso, a cool little mountain town.

6. 4 words to describe yourself. Goofy, Weird, Kooky and Offbeat. (in a good way I hope)

7. What was your highlight or lowlight of 2008? Highlight was watching my family grow and heal. I often stop and think what life was like a mere two years ago and marvel that we made it through. Lowlight, well nothing seems that low now.

8. Favorite film? Ohh again hard to choose. One of my all time favorites is So I Married an Axe Murderer. I quote it often.

9. Tell me one thing I don’t know about you. Is there something someone doesn't know? As I kid I was obessed with rodeo clowns and I ran around town in my cut offs with bandandas tied to the belt loops. I didn't wear clown make up though. Unfortunately I think I was in fourth grade during this phase which I find disturbing now.

10. If you were a comic book/strip or cartoon character, who would you be? I didn't really read comics as a kid. Unless you count Archie. I dig Hawk Girl though.

Cinco de Mayo

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Sat, 09 May 2009 21:35:00 +0000

no, nO,NO!

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:44:00 +0000

Lately I have cme to a conclusion, I have a problem and the problem is saying No. I have mastered telling my kids no, however when it comes to adults I am not doing so well.

What that really means is that between my volunteer obligations, picking up new ones because I can't say no, baseball practice and a new job. I just had to let blogging go by the wayside this last month.

Yeah I said a new job. Again with the no thing though, someone asked if I would be interested in a temporary job or if a knew someone who would and I said sure I would do it. The timing is great I should be done in May or June. So I am working on filing for a large petroleum company. In general it is easy, I get to jam to my music all day through my mp3 player and the extra income will come in handy in the months to come. Plus I have my foot in the door if I want to continue working there, assuming they have any jobs. (Although, some of the companies in the area have been doing cut backs or laying off so I am not holding my breath.)

Bad part is I am stuck in a cubicle all day, and actually found myself muttering the other day when I couldn't listen to may favorite internet radio station show, because they blocked the url. I worry I may turn into that guy from Office Space, you know the one muttering about his stapler. Thankfully I have a top of the line Swingline on my desk. Although I am on my third cubicle so far.

Plus the added bonus, I get to run into all kinds of people from back in the day, including one of my best friends from grade school. And I have tons of dirt on my supervisor, I have known her forever our moms are best friends, so you know I have a free reign.

You feeling lucky? Are you?

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:13:00 +0000

Luck is in the air as we shake off winter and celebrate the beginning of spring round here. An unexpected but welcome offer came my way this week. Max is turning four and I hope to get his birthday party pics up soon, we had it a week early. We head of for spring break in a couple of days, a quick stop at the Mother in laws mountain abode and then the kids and I will pile in with my parental units and nephew and go pay a visit to my sister in California with a stop at Legoland.

I even have high hopes of winning a contest or two in the near future. Seriously my NCAA brackets rock, or should I say rawk, they are that good. I have them entered in no less than three places. If you want to enter our bracket on FB, just follow the link.

Seems some other bloggers are feeling the need to give away too. For instance Mocha Momma is giving away a fabulous prize if you leave your dumbest stunt in the comments. Watch out for turfdad's comment, just be glad you didn't see the orginal post on that one. I nearly had to gouge my eyes out, good thing I was wearing PPE. ; )

Wifey is also giving away some very pretty souvenirs from her cruise to the Meditteran which she got to take to for the travel channel. If she weren't so dad gum likeable I might just be jealous of her. I think she should give job advice as well, really how does one get paid for that. Don't worry I don't think it will change her since she is a former star of TLC's A Wedding Story.

Have fun folks!

It's tough being a...

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 16:30:00 +0000

At church we are doing a Beth Moore Study on the book of Esther. I love Beth Moore studies, because I learn so much and she is so dad gum engaging. (Yes, I realize I just used dad gum in a sentence.) I remember the first time I was going to watch the video that went with it and I took one look at her and thought she would be stuck up church lady type. (I don't know why, maybe I was in a bad mood.) However I was immediately engaged by her down to earth style and her enthusiasm. One of my favorite parts of this series so far is that every week she asks a you to fill in the blanks of this sentence.

It is tough being a woman when ______.
or
It is tough being a woman in a world where _______.

She then reads some responses during the video portion. Some are funny some and some make you cry.

I thought this would be a fun exercise for us. So my question today is how would you fill in that blank? Men, drop the Whoa part of women okay? I throw my answer in the comments, but please post your answer and then look at the other comments.

It's only logical

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:47:00 +0000

Max is almost completely out of all toddler like activities these days. He is potty trained, but not accident free. He is mostly reasonable, but still can throw a wallop of a fit, albeit less frequently. Suddenly he protects his two year old little cousin rather than fight with her. Next month my baby will be four, and I love how our conversations go these days, even though sometimes I don't come out on top.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Me to Max: Max can you hold the dustpan for Nonnie like you do for mommy?

Max: No, I only do that for my mommy.

Me: Max, remember Nonnie is my mommy, so it is okay, almost just like doing it for your mommy.

Max: You do it for her then, she's your mommy.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

I took him clothes shopping with me the other night. Without big brother to wrestle with, he was quite helpful and sat nicely on the bench in the changing room while I tried a few clothes on. First outfit a pant suit, he made sure I was putting it on correctly, Does that shirt get tucked in mom? When I explained it stayed out, he exclaimed, It is beautiful mommy! After trying on a dress, he proudly said Mom that looks like a wedding dress, you are pretty. But the winner, was when I tried on a sparkly red and black shirt and he yelled excitedly Mommy you look like a rock star! I bought the shirt and wore it to the Symphony the next night, and every time someone complimented it, I had to tell them about my personal shopper.

Hope you had a Bubbly Valentines Day!

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:58:00 +0000

On Friday a lovely package came in the mail for me thanks to a Valentine Gift Exchange sponsored by Becca's Blog from the Left Coast.

My gift exchange partner is a blogger previously unknown to me The Gaelic Wife.

I love the theme, Bubbles! In fact if someone wonders where I am this afternoon I think it will be safe to say I am relaxing in a tub full of bubbles drinking champagne and blowing bubbles with my wand and my gum!

I think it will be a well deserved time out, it was an insanely busy week and we were out late last night. Yesterday was the Roswell Symphony Orchestras Concert with Opera Singers performing the concert version of La Traviata. I dutifully acted as a gopher before the show in my heels, running from front to back as needed to help out my husband. I snuck up to the balcony after we were done with ticket sales and was mesmerized by the culmination of all the hard work to put the show on. It really takes a group of professionals to show up on a Thursday, rehearse and have a show on Saturday. Ben played Tuba as well this performance and managed to take care of all the little details before and play. I was so proud, and didn't mind sitting by myself at all, of course as a musicians wife one gets used to that. Afterward, we enjoyed a lovely reception, that included chocolate and strawberries, my favorite! We hit the hay at his great aunts house since the 40 minute drive home was more than we wanted to do last night, although we had to be up and ready early to get to church this morning as we both were part of the music service. All in all I would rate it as one of the best if not busiest valentines day ever!

Thanks so much to Becca and The Gaelic's Wife for making it that much sweeter!

Who knows the plans he has for me?

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:37:00 +0000

I wasn't going to post about this because quite frankly it hurts still.

I already lost my awesome job. While out on our rounds on Monday and Tuesday, they lost a several hundred acres and I could tell it worried my new employer. She said it usually evens out, but on Friday she called and said the rest of the week hadn't produced any more and she was afraid that was going to have to be the end for now, it was too big of a hit for them to support having me on as well.

Of course I worry about what I did wrong. Logic tells me that I didn't do anything but still my mind can think of a billion stupid things.

This week I have had two friends in California laid off, and know the hits to their family is far worse than the hit mine is taking.

Of course the reality is that we have a money situation facing us that I know is going to put us in the hole if we have to rely on our current incomes. I really do need a job that is providing me with more work that subbing is right now.

So all weekend long in quiet moments I obsess about which not as ideal job as the last one should I apply for. This morning I literally wake up worrying and have knots in my stomach about what is coming up this week. I pray as I work in my garden, getting out some frustration, I tell God which job I think is best and why... wondering what will happen... how will we pay this bill now. I want answers about why this great opportunity was dangled in my face and so abruptly taken away.

I try to enter church on Sunday mornings with a clean heart and clean conscious. I think I need to read and pray before church today. As I open my bible Jeremiah, 29:11 comes to mind, I wonder why? I am only on chapter 2 of Jeremiah. So I look it up and remember making a graphic of this verse as a present for a friend.

I feel a peace come over me as I try to remember that while I may not be in control right now, someone far more powerful is, who has seen me through much much worse circumstances.

Then I was checking out Renee Swope's Blog, The Journey of my Heart, and it was dead on for me this weekend. Writing on Phillipians 4:5-7 she states "In the NIV translation, Verse 7 says, "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Oh that God's peace would transcend my need to understand! Sometimes that is my biggest problem, I can accept what God is doing if He'd just help me understand why He's doing it that way." Wow, that describes me to a T!

So I felt moved to share from place of hurt, because I am sure I am not the only one wondering why? What will I do now? What did I do wrong? I know trusting that I am in the right place doing the right thing is so very very hard when things don't go my way.

I also found this graphic I had made while looking for the one from Jeremiah. I really cannot think of a better conclusion than this, and marvel how when I asked for peace about this situation how many great examples I happened across this morning.

Randomness....

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 03:57:00 +0000

Heather from Ramblings of the Shy & Insecure, tagged me to write 6 random things about myself. Since I am in need of easy blog material and she is an 4-H buddy from back in the day, I have to comply. I have been learning so much about her, like the fact that she says she is shy, which is not how I would have described her growing up. It just goes to show how our perceptions about ourselves and others are not always reality.

1. Speaking of random perceptions of ourselves... I constantly worry about being too weird, except when I don't care how weird I am, and then I am obnoxious. I know someone else who does this and it annoys me about them at times, which is surprising, one would think I would be more sympathetic.

2. Today as we visited farms, there were at least two places we went that I knew the farmers kids growing up, I really wanted to ask about them but worried because in both cases I have heard they are pretty screwed up on drugs. I wonder what is more impolite, to act like I don't care, or be respectful and not bring up a possibly bad subject. Luckily I didn't actually see either farmer so it was a moot point today.

3. I have found out how out of shape I am the last two days. Turns out getting on my hands and knees digging around for bugs uses muscles that have lain dormant for far too long, I am really sore right now. Wii Fit should add a bug scouting workout section.

4. Blogging turned out to be beneficial to me last week. I subbed in a computer class at the junior high and the kids read a chapter of their manual on the computer and then had to practice html. They subject was numbered lists, bulleted lists and nested lists. While I didn't know how to do what they needed to do prior to the lesson, when they told me they were complete I was able to read their html script and see if they did it with html or by simply typing. The look of shock when I asked to see their code was great! They thought they were getting away with something, and I was able to help them do it right.

5. I am really missing my dishwasher lately, even though it has been nearly two years without it. I have one, but no room to put it in. Have I ever mention how much I bite at dishwashing, I still have to rewash things all the time. Aren't you looking forward to dinner at my house now?

6. Some errant blog I read for artsy crafty inspiration posted a link to this recipe that has me salivating. Luckily I am low on eggs or I might just try this from scratch. I have to remember I am trying to loose weight not apply it directly to my hips..... Anyone want to invite me over? I'll bring it, because if I am sharing then it is okay, right? And that leads me to....

Wednesday Weigh In Week 5 (I skipped week 4)

Starting weight December 29, 2008: 236 lbs.
Overall Goal weight: 140 lbs.
Weight last week: 230 lbs.
Weight today: 232lbs
Amount lost this week:0 lb +2

Time to get back on the wagon... good thing I got sore at work that means I am building muscle, right?

We are going on a bug hunt...

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:37:00 +0000

I have been very excited about starting a new job today. I am going to work Mondays an Tuesdays as a crop consultant. Which is looking for bugs, disease and weeds on farms and then making recommendations to farmers about what to use and when to do it. For those of you who are newer or may not recall, this is what my degree is in. While I have a ton of experience doing this work in ornamental plants, I have not spent as much time on farms, although I have some.

So while my new employer joked about going back to work so soon, they take off the months of December and January, I replied I was quite happy to be digging around alfalfa fields on my hands and knees looking for cutworms. It was a gorgeous day, it got up to the mid 70's and it was above freezing when we went to work. So while jackets were necessary for the wind, it wasn't too bad at all. However it was dry, holy cow is it dry right now. We have had no rain this winter and lots of wind.

My boys cannot wait to go to work with me. When you think about it, it really it is a dream job for a six year old and three year old boy.

I am going to be taking my license exam next week to be a pest consultant and will pick up certifications in both agronomic and ornamental plants so I can work with folks in town which is my next step. This job is really an answer to a prayer, it will be steady income and set days which will help me work on my own business on the side, and one or the other will grow into more.

Wednesday Weigh-In Week 3

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:37:00 +0000

What did I say last week about making sure I posted more often than Wednesday....

In all fairness I do have at least two open drafts about a sentence long, writers blook took me down when I had time to write, which wasn't very often.

After week 1 of tracking my food intake online, I am more aware and slightly appalled by my diet. I will keep using the tracker at the daily plate. (Anyone else using one? Do you like it? Why?)

Starting weight December 29, 2008: 236 lbs.
Overall Goal weight: 140 lbs.
Weight last week: 230 lbs.
Weight today: 230lbs
Amount lost this week:0 lb

Causes: I am not exactly sure, I did step up the cardio training a bit and feel my pants are looser so that seems good, maybe I gained a slight amount of muscle mass, it does weigh more than fat.
I am going to start tracking my measurements weekly to quantify if I am really getting smaller, rather than just relying on the weight number. Haven't decided to post that. Why? I don't know maybe you know enough about me.... Those that do, do you think it helps? Although I suppose if I get lost, my husband can read my blog and give a great description of me...

Excercise Goal: Aerobic exercise three times a week (full half hour), Strenghth/Yoga three times a week (at least 15 minutes.)

Food Goal: More veggies and fruits, lean meats. Main goal is to not count my exercise against my daily caloric intake. (Ie. subtracting calories for exercising and seeing if that helps me reach my 2 pound loss this week.)

Blogging goal: A tour of my town... and maybe a post about this weeks current events. One one Friday and one on Monday.

Now I am off to study and clean...

Wednesday Weigh In Week Two

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:57:00 +0000

I feel the need to remind myself not to let this blog only be about the weigh in. I really intended to get a post up earlier in the week. So maybe I should have started that on Friday or Saturday...

This weeks Weigh in Results....

Starting weight December 29, 2008: 236 lbs.
Overall Goal weight: 140 lbs.
Weight last week: 231 lbs.
Weight today: 230lbs
Amount lost this week: 1 lb

Interesting thing about the single pound loss. Since I am using the Wii Fit as my weigh in tool and it encourages you to weigh in every day, I had a spike on Sunday where I showed a weight gain of 3.3 pounds. While I know a persons weight can fluctuate a couple of pounds during the course of a day, that is still high. Truth be told, I think it was the greasy hamburger I had for lunch on Friday, then the Pizza Buffett later on that evening and Saturday was really no better. We had Mexican for lunch and I don't recall what for dinner, but it probably wasn't healthy.

I know for some people weighing themselves every day and watching that spike go up might cause them to give up. Quite honestly a few years ago that might have been the case with me. However I think for me at this point in my life seeing a real time translation of what happens when I don't make the best food choices is a positive thing. Knowing I need to step up the exercise at that point, and kidding myself that my choices weren't really that bad won't fly anymore.

So to that end, while I haven't obviously been restricting my food intake, I was trying to keep a running total in my head of how many calories I have been ingesting. Monday while wondering just how many calories were in that sandwich at Subway, I decided to google it and found a nice tracking tool. It is called the Daily Plate and while at this point I am not necessarily making huge diet changes, I can know just how many calories I ate. So my goal this week is to keep exercising, track my food every day and then next week I will make some meal adjustments.

Wii are Unbalanced and Exercising

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:56:00 +0000

I think I mentioned that Santa left me a Wii Fit for Christmas. Some might want to slap Santa at the presumption of giving that kind of gift. Just for the record, I told Santa I couldn't decide which I wanted more the Wii Fit or Guitar Hero. Seeing how Santa is a professional musician, who does play bass, I thought I had a better chance of winning on Wii Fit.

What I didn't realize was the the balance board not only lets you snowboard, but it also weighs you. I know, kinda sucks the fun right out of a present, doesn't it. Especially when after entering my info it informs me my BMI is 1 gabillion. Yes that is a real number, I think. Okay let's face it I knew my weight was an issue, I wasn't surprised when the balance board informed me I was obese and transformed my Mii from a skinny likeness of me to an almost mirror image where my belly was hanging out of my shirt. Isn't the point of a video game to escape reality?

Undaunted I continued on and was given my first Wii Fit Age, 48 a mere 13 years older than my actual age. Ouch. Then I played my first game. I went for the Balance games thinking they would be easy. After several attempts to head soccer balls I was told I was unbalanced. Who me? How did it know? I thought I hid it well.

All joking aside, I had already decided that I had to get serious about getting some more exercises and losing weight, before Christmas. I didn't research the Wii Fit as an exercise tool, and when someone wondered why in the world one would need a game to do yoga, I had no answer. However after playing with it for a couple of weeks this is my review so far.

Likes:

I am having fun.

It tracks your exercise, weight and graphs it. You can even add time spent on exercised not done on the Wii Fit.

I am competitive so getting keeping the high score is important to me and it motivates me.

Unlike going to a class, I can do it when I have time and don't have to worry about my appearance. However it can be played in a group so, I can take my board and go play somewhere else.

Since it measures how much pressure you are putting on your feet or hands, I feel as though I am possibly doing the exercise right, unlike when watching a video.

You have to play to keep unlocking more exercises or games.

I actually worked up a sweat doing the aerobic games.

It had me set a goal weight and it told me I had too much too soon, and gave me sugestions about resetting it to something healthier.

Dislikes:

Right now the only thing that I really don't like is that I would like to program a set of exercises and move through them without stopping to punch the buttons. Maybe there is a way to do that I just haven't found yet.

Reality:

Right now I am in the heady days of playing with a new toy, will it be a tool I use long term? Or will it join the guitar in my closet? Who knows, I hope to keep with it, to that end I am going to make myself accountable here as well. I am going to start participating in Blog to Fit as an additional motivational tool.
I haven't made any major diet changes except to measure out what I am eating and be aware of appropriate portion size.

So here goes it internets.... I hate to do this, I am totally going to close my eyes when I hit the publish button.

Starting Weight 12/29/08 236 lb

Last week: 234 lb

This week: 231 lb

Pounds lost (or gained): 5 total 3 this week

How many pounds left to lose: 15 for my current goal on Wii Fit but I would like to get down to 160.

Getting Back in the Saddle Again

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 15:35:00 +0000

Writing even when you don't feel like it was the title of Bird's latest post and quite frankly it home with me. There has been that little nagging voice in my head reminding me that I need to update, but you know nothing was really moving me toward a cohesive post. So here is what you get...

Christmas recap:
Excellent, relaxing 6 full days at the mother-in-laws house up in the mountains. It snowed the day after Christmas, and I always enjoy that. Mostly I enjoy the more relaxed pace at my MIL's house, my sister in law and her two kids were in and out, they live near by. My lovely neice and nephew are 15 and 13 respectively and my kids cannot get enough of their cousins and leave me alone to do as I will for long periods of time. I am thinking I need to see them more often. We got a Wii for Christmas thanks to winning some money back in October and Santa left me a wii fit to go with it. I love it despite the fact it informed me I am obese and unbalanced. I am sure several people I know would tell me that for free. ; )

Auld Acquaintances forgot:
I got sick on the return home with a cold and the 31st was one of those days where you put one foot in front other and do what needs to be done, but no more. We had a party to go to that I really hated to miss, but we did. Lame as it sounds I snored in the new year, but I am sure I toasted everyone in my dreams.

Going to the dogs...
It has been a bit of a readjustment for Rigby since we left them at my parents while we were gone. We got a large crate and she is taking to it well to sleep in it at night. I do need to research or find a good reference about dog training, especially since I suspect she was abused by the way she cowers and hides so much. However she is good natured with the kids but just still kind of wary. Every day is better, in fact today she is downright playful and acting like a normal pup.

The best laid excuses...
I had a Christmas post I was workin on, but the computer and I weren't get along that day and we were trying to leave town. Then the MIL only has dial up and it is slow slow slow. I did get on and check my email once or twice and update FB status, however I was too busy relaxing to try to put a post up, I am sure it would have ruined my tranquility. Then I get a head cold and you don't want posts under the unfluence of snot do you? That's right you are welcome.

Say that again Sam....
I love all the juicy stuff the kids say during the down time... like when I commented to Zachary (6) about his eyes looking tired, the asked me if he had wal-mart bags under his eyes. Or Max (3) who was scarfing down enchiladas that his grandfather madie who declared all I needed to do was love him and feed him enchiladas.

The Gift Exchange

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Becca's Blog from the Left Coast hosted a great Christmas exchange. Yeah we got to open a present early! We loved all the treasures we got from Jen over at the Gordon Family.

The evil grin with the scisors is scary. Little brother has that look of, Mom is going to regret this later.

First out of the box, The snowman ornament. Yes, I am wondering why this kid has his shirt off and why his mother didn't ask him to put one on before taking pictures.

Max displays his favoirte Holiday card yet. He really loves that mouse.

A first aid kit, why would she think I need that? Just because of this? Well fine I am putting this in the car, I am sure it will come in handy.

Did I mention she is excellent? I love the chocolate. Now I am sorry that I let the kids help though, they will expect me to share.

This is also excellent, since she remembered me saying my husband went to KU and his most fond memory is of marching in the band and being pelted by Power Bars by K state fans. He mentioned something about using it as a dog training accident cleaner. I think I may give it to his mom to wear since he gives her so much grief over her love for the Cowboys and since purple is her favorite color.

Lastly go visit the other participants. I met a new blogging friend, Meg from Meg's Garden, through this exchange since I drew her name.

In good times and in bad.

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 06:25:00 +0000

I had one of those days of great heights, lowest lows and all the tangled emotions in between.

Today was the big symphony concert with Michael Martin Murphy. My husband is the manager of the symphony and is still in the first year of his job. As his wife, I hear all the worries, the frets the challenges. Today was great, a nearly sold out house, hundreds of first time visitors to a symphony concert, a great plug from Michael Martin Murphy about it being one of the best orchestras he has played with after more than 20 years and a 100 symphony concerts. He even thanked my husband (among others) on stage. It was a sweet moment and I couldn't help think how we have come so far from a few years ago, how it feels every day more and more like life is coming full circle.

As I went backstage to find my husband after the concert, I couldn't help beam in pride for my husband. However a few minutes later he shared some news with me that let me down. Hard. I wasn't sure how to react. As often happens with me, my mind races to all the worst possible scenarios and start to worry. I didn't have long for that since he then says come with me, Mr. Murphy wants to meet you. I must say he was just about one of the nicest people I have every met, quite frankly I expected that much from his music and stage presence, but still it was still wonderful to get that first hand experience.

Later as I had some more time to think I ponder how we handle this situation. How much money will this cost us? How will we pay for it? This may affect work, could it cost him his job? Then what will we do? Flashes of anger and embarrassment pass through my head all the while, keeping it in. I am with my brother, my sister in law and a friend, I wonder if I will have to explain to them what happened. What will happen as this all comes out? I have learned to hate being secretive, but know that not all things need to be shared in public either.

Tonight as we get home and have a chance to really talk, I am heartbroken that something happened to mar this day. This day of otherwise great success. While that negative voice in my head has mentioned to me how typical this all is, the anger is mostly gone already, realizing this heartache has some potential for some good as well. It could be the catalyst for some change I have been praying for. While the fears are still there, I don't feel overwhelmed, the great comforter has whispered some truths in my heart, he is in control, and while he does not always save us from the heartaches in life, especially those we make for ourselves, he will see us through. Right now I am feeling confident on stepping out on faith not letting fear overrun me. However I don't want to sound perfect, I know tomorrow and the next day and the day after that will certainly challenge us. So while I know you don't know exactly what for, I ask for prayers for us, to face the challenges that of straightening out this mistake.

Our Newest Family Member

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:37:00 +0000

Saturday night my mom called and said she needed help catching some puppies dumped by her house that were near the highway. Don't get me started on that subject! Jerks. I send hubby to help since he could get there more quickly and wouldn't you know it, he fell in love. A friend is taking the other pup home on Christmas Eve for his kiddos. She looks like a German Shepard mix. A bit timid at first, she is romping around the house getting into a little bit of mischief today.

On the left is Zach and Seargent Pepper, our one year old dog. On the right is Max and our new puppy, Rigby.

Max wants to carry her around and she is too big for that. In fact she is almost as big as Sarge, a cocker spaniel dachhound mix, or cocktail weinie as we like to call him.

Isn't she sweet? Now I just have to get her to the vet and all that.

Infinite Grace 2008

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:40:00 +0000

Oh, life has been a whirlwind lately. Isn't that always the case, especially as the holidays approach?

Before I update on current events I was recently revisiting some memories and want to share.

Three years ago I climbed into a car with my mom and one of her best friends to head to Phoenix for the weekend. I was apprehensive and nervous. We were heading to a Woman's conference, and while I was excited about the trip. I wasn't excited about the drive. I knew at some point I was going to get questioned by my mom and her friend (who I have know the better part of my life) about what was going on with me. If my husband and I were going to get divorced or if I was going to take him back. We were in the middle of a separation at the time. He was finally starting to make a turn around and I was trying to make it work, but not compromise. Hard time. I knew my mom and her friend, were incensed on my behalf and wanted me to not get hurt again.

There was another group of ladies going with us. One climbed in our car for a while and boy was I glad, since that would take the pressure off me. As we got to talking she told us her story about how her husband had an affair and the ensuing aftermath and how a few years later they were both remarried and attending the same church and navigating the co parenting arena. I felt bad because as I listened to her story, I stared out my window as the tears quietly rolled down my face. I couldn't face her or speak for fear of completely losing it and making a fool of myself. Her story hit too close to home, the possiblilty of this being my future.

When we got to the conference, I recall timidly singing along with the singers in the beginning. Realizing that I just entered an arena full of approx 12,000 women. I recall when the first speaker got up, she talked about how she had been on one of those Christian TV networks and I remember skeptically thinking, oh she is one of "those" people. As Sheila Walsh continued she detailed a mental breakdown and how her life was really transformed by God, Istarted to change my mind. Maybe these speakers, these singers would be someone I could relate to. By the time we started back home, I was better able to speak honestly with my mom and her friend about what was going on in my life and how my husband I were still working toward healing. After listening to the many stories of God's grace, I had the courage to do what did not seem like the easy option and forgive my husband and myself and move on with our marriage.

We went again last year, by then I had moved back to where my parents live, with my husband and was still embarking on a new life. At the time, I think my husband was starting a new job after his first endeavor hadn't gone well. We had just weathered one of those tests where I thought I was going to lose him again to that terrible Balrog of depression. This year, I couldn't help marvel at how much my life changes every time I go. As I laugh, cry and dance throughout the conference, I cannot help but feel so renewed at the end. The speakers are always so open to tell about their trials, failures, and subsequent successes. Never do I feel preached at by someone who just doesn't get what my life is about.

Here are a couple of links to some of my favorite segments from this years Women of Faith conference. Whether it is listening to spunky Patsy Clairmont speak, Sandi Patty bringing the house down with her husband, Nicole C. Mullins rocking it, or Anita Renfroe making me laugh, I had a great time.

I also can't help but thank my mom for including my sister and I and paying our way on these trips. Enjoying some time with them is always special. We already have tickets for next year, for the Phoenix conference in October. They meet all over the country and I highly recommend attending one near you. Of course I would always welcome you joining our group in Phoenix.

Facbook Academy Class of 2009

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:15:00 +0000

Is it just me or has Facebook grown exponentially lately?I heard it talked about it during the Election coverage. Lately I have averaged a friend request a day, and as we already established, I am not a big deal on the internet. I have over a hundred friends. (I should note that at least half or more are family, the Johnsons are big clan and I don't even have all of them on FB as my friend.) The point is I finally feel popular years after high school. You like me, you really like me.

I really enjoy catching up with my high school, 4-H, and college buddies. In general I love the whole thing despite the whole breastfeeding debacle so to defend my honor I have joined the "Hey Facebook, Breastfeeding is not obscene" group to make my views known. It is a hard lines stance, no really.

I regularly change my status so that people can know what I am doing. I think they get the sense I am a bit of a smart alec. Why? IDK maybe my BFF Elizabeth can explain.

My husband had a long marketing meeting yesterday. He told me the gentleman feels the Roswell Symphony Orchestra needs a presence on Facebook. I laughed because I have been mentioning how he needed an account so I could send him some flair. My husband may actually be the last person on the planet who isn't using social networking online. Plus he could do it and work and claim it is work, how sweet is that? My mom even has an account.

No that wasn't a burn, it is the truth. My mom does have a facebook account, so do some of her friends. She doesn't know how to use it and asked me the other day to show her how to work her Spacebook account. I giggled and she got on to me about how she really needed help with her Spacebook account. This reduced me to nothing more than a giggling teenager as I tried to explain to her it was Myspace or Facebook. She won't appreciate me mentioning it here either but she doesn't understand blogging either. By the way I did give her a lesson, and I was nice. Well except when she was adding one of her (female) friends and it asked how she knew her I did encourage my mom to clicked that they had dated. We thought it would be a good joke, except my mom's friend probably doesn't know how to check that.

In fact I have been fielding a lot of questions from family and friends lately and giving lots of advice. You can block status updates this way or you can get more info this way. So much so that today I have decided to open my very own Facebook Academy to help the superpoke challenged. My fee structure is going to be nominal. Students will only have to donate their status line to read. Nora is the Homecoming Queen of Spacebook.

What the Google?

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:13:00 +0000

Okay I sat down at the computer to type out lyrics to songs for children's choir tonight. Then I got sucked into a facebook time warp that led to me googling a recently found old high school friend because she is a writer. Google searches can be so entertaining, I think I have a problem.

Have you tried googling people you know? My mother and sister and I spent one entertaining afternoon googling the names of our entire family. Turns out my mom also sells real estate in Florida, who knew?

What about yourself?

I google myself starting with the basic first name and married last name. Really common name, Nora White, get lots of hits. In the past when I googled myself a naughty blond Nora White would come up. (Not me just in case you think I lead a secret double life with the same name.) However she doesn't show up anymore. This is my favorite find from today's search, a cafe press page full of items with this vintage Nora logo on it. I am seriously thinking I should get every item on this page.

I could get my husband and I matching underwear. How awesome would that be?

Let's face it, I show up low on the Nora White google, I didn't even have the interest to look for me past page 2. So then I throw in my maiden name. #1 Hit is my facebook page. #2 is someone who is white and has my maiden name. #3 is an old photo of someone who I don't think is my relative. Of course now I am curious who this other Nora McCaw was and why was she being photographed with Higgenbothams? I also love the google asks Did you mean: Nora McCabe White. Or my favorite, Did you mean: Nora McCall? As if I didn't get enough of people trying to spell my name that way Google.

So after a hard morning wasting time on the Internet and then documenting it on my blog, all I can say is that apparently I am not such a big deal on the Internet, google isn't even sure I want to search for me. ; )

The one where I get out of dishes for a while.

noreply@blogger.com (White Hot Magik) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 01:50:00 +0000

My ability to injure myself is a bit overdeveloped. Just this morning I decided the burn I sustained during my polymer clay frenzy was healed enough to go without bandage. Little did I know it would be replaced with a new one a few hours later.

This bandage has a serious injury under it, and it is sure to elicit questions. Do I tell the real story or make one up? I think I will evade questions, and you dear blog readers will know the truth.

You see our commode has been leaking and dear hubby was going to fix it this morning. Knowing that, did I go to bathroom at church before I came home? No, not that it would have mattered. I have this mechanism that means I walk through my front door and the bladder twitches. So after being home long enough to peel potatoes for lunch I cannot stand it anymore. I am thankful we live in the country and have as secluded part to the backyard. While I am taking care of business the dog starts heading toward me, as I shoo him off I lose my balance slightly and flail my arms to catch my balance. In the flailing I slap a pane of unbroken glass near me with the knuckle of my right hand middle finger. Didn't break the glass but cut my finger. I gingerly try to put myself back together to get in the house so as to not stain my dress with my now dripping finger. I get in the house and put my hand under running water to clean it off I scream it really hurt, which brings my husband running from the bathroom. As I inspect the cut and see it is quite deep and quite wide and notice white things inside, he nearly passes out, he doesn't do blood and guts.

My brother the EMT comes out and butterflies it for me, tells me it needs stitches. However I am cheap and decide that isn't necessary. Then as I end up explaining the whole story to my mother, father, brother and sister I realize I need a covers story. Can I really admit to people that I had to micturate in my own yard and then nearly sever a finger on something that doesn't belong in my yard so the dog doesn't lick my bare butt in the process?

Typing is slow, writing impossible, I am wondering how I will fix my hair. I have decided I will have my dad help me rebandage it to keep my husband from having more spells. And the toilet is leaking from the tank now after dear hubby put it all together again. However I can just turn off the valve and we will deal with that after he does the dishes. At least we are still laughing about it.