My dear sister-in-law just graduated with her Master's degree and has been working and going to school for years, without much of a vacation, except for down to our hometown to entertain my children whom adore her and vise-versa. She decided to go to Hawaii for a 10 day vacation by herself. Last week when she was here visiting for my daughter's 5th birthday she asked me if I wanted to Hawaii for a few days. YES!!! After much researching on airline tickets, and with the help of my dear sister who, in her other life, is a vacation planner, found tickets that had previously disappeared, and/or been jacked up $100-200 for the same flights. My parents also contributed by giving me an early birthday present (cashola) and said I should do it. My husband also gave his blessing, so when the ticket price mysteriously came back down to a good price I snatched it up! So, I'm going to Hawaii in 2 weeks.
Thankfully, my dear in-laws prayed over me last week, and since then my headaches have mostly disappeared (Thank you Lord!).
Since we usually plan vacations about a year in advance, it hasn't really set in that I am actually going in just 2 short weeks. I haven't really had the chance to get excited yet because it still feels like forever away. The other day I scoured nearly every store in town looking for a few new things to take with me, but I had no luck. A few days later I did pick up a new cute pair of jeans (not really what I need in Hawaii, but fun nonetheless). I also got a cute top which will be perfect for Hawaii. Otherwise I plan on living in my swimsuit, and a pair of shorts.
So, I have 2 weeks to get myself in the best swimsuit shape possible! Strangely, despite my poor diet and lack of working out for the last 7 weeks due to the headaches, I managed to lose weight, which is unheard of for me, but I'm thankful that I didn't totally blow it!
If you're on facebook, I plan on updating while I'm in Hawaii with real time pictures of my view :)
ALOHA!!!!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Flabby Cat, and the new kitten
We've had our cat Daisy for nearly 10 years. We got her when she was 8 weeks old, and have loved her dearly ever since. She is a fantastic cat! I've always loved cats, and after years of having just 1, I thought it might be fun to have 2 :) . Daisy used to be beside herself whenever we were gone for a weekend. She would follow us around for days, meowing incessantly. Also, if she thought she was alone in the house, she would howl and howl in the most pathetic way...you'd think someone was torturing her by the sounds of it.
My husband is not a cat lover. However, after he agreed to get Daisy, he fell in love with her too. Before agreeing to getting a cat he laid down ground rules saying "okay, you can get a cat, but it has to be an inside cat (as to not get dirty and bring in bugs and stuff from outside), I will NOT feed it, I will NOT change the kitty litter, and it may NOT sleep on the bed". We brought Daisy home, and the first night he is feeding her, changing her kitty litter, AND she slept on the bed. It's pretty much been that way ever since. Daisy is spoiled, and whenever someone comes over they mention how fat she is. We hardly notice because we are used to her fluffiness. However, a recent visit to the vet confirmed that she was overweight. Poor thing.
I've joked several times over the years about how Daisy needs a playmate, to which Steve has laughed and said NO.
Last fall, I mentioned to Steve that I had seen a flier for a really cute kitten, and he asked questions (as if he might not say no). Shortly after this he was going to be leaving for a week long class in Seattle. I heard him telling someone about his trip and how he might come home to a new cat. Hmmmmm.
So, while he was gone and the kids were in school I went down to the local stray cat rescue and perused the kitties. Long story short, I came home with a 6 month black kitty named Gabby. Gabby thoroughly enjoys Daisy, but the feeling is not mutual. For about a month after getting Gabby Daisy was MAD, and I mean completely out of character, totally pissed off kitty. Growling when we picked her up, or petted her too long. She refused to sleep on our bed anymore, and there were none of our nightly cuddles in bed. I felt really bad!!!
Plus the kitten is a night owl, and likes to kneed everything and nuzzle your hands and try to get under the covers...all of this at ungodly hours of the night. We had been locking her in our bathroom, which was working out fine until she starting trying to claw herself out. I really thought I was going to have to return her...it just wasn't working out. Then we decided to lock her in the laundry room, which has worked out so much better.
Anyway, Gabby really enjoys chasing Daisy throughout the house! They tear through the house, sliding around the kitchen like cartoon characters. Usually this ends in Daisy growling and them swatting at eachother. It's actually pretty comical. Then they will lay next to each other by the fire and be just fine. Daisy is back to sleeping with us and nightly cuddles, and in general is back to her old self.
AND, the funny thing is that she has lost 2 pounds!!! All you need is someone to chase you (sprints) several times a day...and someone stealing your food while you are not around, and you too can lose weight. I told Steve that this was a good workout plan, to which he volunteered to chase me around if I wanted. To which I replied that I was pretty sure I could out run him, so maybe it would be a good workout plan for him. I'll keep you updated on how that goes.
My husband is not a cat lover. However, after he agreed to get Daisy, he fell in love with her too. Before agreeing to getting a cat he laid down ground rules saying "okay, you can get a cat, but it has to be an inside cat (as to not get dirty and bring in bugs and stuff from outside), I will NOT feed it, I will NOT change the kitty litter, and it may NOT sleep on the bed". We brought Daisy home, and the first night he is feeding her, changing her kitty litter, AND she slept on the bed. It's pretty much been that way ever since. Daisy is spoiled, and whenever someone comes over they mention how fat she is. We hardly notice because we are used to her fluffiness. However, a recent visit to the vet confirmed that she was overweight. Poor thing.
I've joked several times over the years about how Daisy needs a playmate, to which Steve has laughed and said NO.
Last fall, I mentioned to Steve that I had seen a flier for a really cute kitten, and he asked questions (as if he might not say no). Shortly after this he was going to be leaving for a week long class in Seattle. I heard him telling someone about his trip and how he might come home to a new cat. Hmmmmm.
So, while he was gone and the kids were in school I went down to the local stray cat rescue and perused the kitties. Long story short, I came home with a 6 month black kitty named Gabby. Gabby thoroughly enjoys Daisy, but the feeling is not mutual. For about a month after getting Gabby Daisy was MAD, and I mean completely out of character, totally pissed off kitty. Growling when we picked her up, or petted her too long. She refused to sleep on our bed anymore, and there were none of our nightly cuddles in bed. I felt really bad!!!
Plus the kitten is a night owl, and likes to kneed everything and nuzzle your hands and try to get under the covers...all of this at ungodly hours of the night. We had been locking her in our bathroom, which was working out fine until she starting trying to claw herself out. I really thought I was going to have to return her...it just wasn't working out. Then we decided to lock her in the laundry room, which has worked out so much better.
Anyway, Gabby really enjoys chasing Daisy throughout the house! They tear through the house, sliding around the kitchen like cartoon characters. Usually this ends in Daisy growling and them swatting at eachother. It's actually pretty comical. Then they will lay next to each other by the fire and be just fine. Daisy is back to sleeping with us and nightly cuddles, and in general is back to her old self.
AND, the funny thing is that she has lost 2 pounds!!! All you need is someone to chase you (sprints) several times a day...and someone stealing your food while you are not around, and you too can lose weight. I told Steve that this was a good workout plan, to which he volunteered to chase me around if I wanted. To which I replied that I was pretty sure I could out run him, so maybe it would be a good workout plan for him. I'll keep you updated on how that goes.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
What...I have a blog?!
Long time no see! I can't believe it's been 2 months since my last post. I'm sure I'm pretty much talking to myself now as anyone who was reading my blog has long since given up on me.
To sum up the last 2 months, I was doing great with my workouts and eating for a good 3 weeks, until I starting having pesky daily headaches. This has pretty much derailed all workouts except for the 2 Pilates classes I teach each week. It's no fun to run or do any cardio when you have a headache! Still trying to figure out why I'm having headaches, but so far no luck. Very frustrating!
Also been thinking a lot about how to get everything done in life. How do I work 27 hours a week, keep my house clean, spend time with God, cook healthy meals, read to my children and have quality time with them, workout, be a good wife, get enough sleep, AND keep my sanity? Seriously, it is not possible to do it all!! Every day I think about how I might be able to do better, but then I have a headache and all I want to do is sit...which pretty much cancels out all activities above. I'm still working on the solution, but I think I've narrowed it down to the fact that I just need more energy. I'm working on figuring out where to get it from. More on that later.
I'm just really glad I'm not a type A personality who feels like everything needs to be perfect all the time, because that would be exhausting!
Other than that, I am REALLY looking into forward to warm weather and lots of sunshine! I'm hoping both come soon!
To sum up the last 2 months, I was doing great with my workouts and eating for a good 3 weeks, until I starting having pesky daily headaches. This has pretty much derailed all workouts except for the 2 Pilates classes I teach each week. It's no fun to run or do any cardio when you have a headache! Still trying to figure out why I'm having headaches, but so far no luck. Very frustrating!
Also been thinking a lot about how to get everything done in life. How do I work 27 hours a week, keep my house clean, spend time with God, cook healthy meals, read to my children and have quality time with them, workout, be a good wife, get enough sleep, AND keep my sanity? Seriously, it is not possible to do it all!! Every day I think about how I might be able to do better, but then I have a headache and all I want to do is sit...which pretty much cancels out all activities above. I'm still working on the solution, but I think I've narrowed it down to the fact that I just need more energy. I'm working on figuring out where to get it from. More on that later.
I'm just really glad I'm not a type A personality who feels like everything needs to be perfect all the time, because that would be exhausting!
Other than that, I am REALLY looking into forward to warm weather and lots of sunshine! I'm hoping both come soon!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Brownies...
Brownies with a Difference!
Many parents are hard pressed to explain to their youth why some music, movies, books, and magazines are not acceptable material for them to bring into the home or to listen to or see.
One parent came up with an original idea that is hard to refute. The father listened to all the reasons his children gave for wanting to see a particular PG-13 movie. It had their favorite actors. Everyone else was seeing it. Even church members said it was great. It was only rated PG-13 because of the suggestion of sex--they never really showed it. The language was pretty good--the Lord's name was only used in vain three times in the whole movie.
The teens did admit there was a scene where a building and a bunch of people were blown up, but the violence was just the normal stuff. It wasn't too bad. And, even if there were a few minor things, the special effects were fabulous and the plot was action packed.
However, even with all the justifications the teens made for the PG-13 rating, the father still wouldn't give in. He didn't even give his children a satisfactory explanation for saying, "No." He just said, "No!"
A little later on that evening the father asked his teens if they would like some brownies he had baked. He explained that he'd taken the family's favorite recipe and added a little something new. The children asked what it was.
The father calmly replied that he had added dog poop. However, he quickly assured them, it was only a little bit. All other ingredients were gourmet quality and he had taken great care to bake the brownies at the precise temperature for the exact time. He was sure the brownies would be superb.
Even with their father's promise that the brownies were of almost perfect quality, the teens would not take any. The father acted surprised. After all, it was only one small part that was causing them to be so stubborn. He was certain they would hardly notice it. Still the teens held firm and would not try the brownies.
The father then told his children how the movie they wanted to see was just like the brownies. Our minds lead us into believing that just a little bit of evil won't matter. But, the truth is even a little bit of poop makes the difference between a great treat and something disgusting and totally unacceptable.
The father went on to explain that even though the movie industry would have us believe that most of today's movies are acceptable fare for adults and youth, they are not.
Now, when this father's children want to see something that is of questionable material, the father merely asks them if they would like some of his special dog poop brownies. That closes the subject.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Back in the groove...
I feel so much better when I'm eating right and exercising!! Why is it so hard to do this long term instead of thinking of it as a weight loss only goal, or a "diet". I hate that word by the way. I'm not on a diet. I'm eating healthfully!
So I started out slow yesterday, mostly because I wasn't quite sure what type of weight lifting/strengthening exercises I was going to do, so I just decided to do interval cardio. I did 20 minutes on the stair mill. I am so out of shape!! I have a very strong core, but because I hadn't been doing consistent cardio, I was wiped out! Today I was at the gym at 8am! That might not seem like anything special to you, but that's a near miracle for me! I did a bunch of lunges, push-ups, squats, overhead presses, plank, bird dog, some pilates (which felt a little strange in a corner of a gym), then cardio. Unfortunately my fun watch/heart rate monitor is on the fritz and was only recording my heart rate for about 5 seconds out of every minute. I'm going to have to check the battery.
Also, I am so very excited. This Saturday I am going to my first running class in preparation for a 1/2 marathon and Pear Blossom run ( I think it's a 10k). I have always enjoyed running, but my body seems to not enjoy it as much, as I always end up hurting in one place or another. I figure this is from not having the right shoes and running on crowned roads...and probably starting out to hard (I'm not very patient). Anyway, this class will be great as we are all beginners, and it will be good motivation to be running with others. We'll see if I actually make it to the 1/2 marathon. So far that is not really a goal, as I feel like I have a ton of other things on my plate right now, but we'll see how it goes.
Last night I taught my first Pilates class for the community college. There are 8 students (including my dear Mom). I was SOO nervous as I kind of felt like an imposter pretending to be a Pilates instructor. There is still so much I feel I have to learn. Anyway, I had copious notes that I studied (so I wouldn't have to read them all to the class). Since it is a college course, I felt like a proper introduction to Pilates was needed instead of just jumping into the exercises without any knowledge about the key principles. After all the talking I did, we only had time for 1 exercise, Pelvic Curl, which is one of the warm-up exercises we do at the beginning of almost every class. Tomorrow should be more fun as we delve into more exercises.
So I started out slow yesterday, mostly because I wasn't quite sure what type of weight lifting/strengthening exercises I was going to do, so I just decided to do interval cardio. I did 20 minutes on the stair mill. I am so out of shape!! I have a very strong core, but because I hadn't been doing consistent cardio, I was wiped out! Today I was at the gym at 8am! That might not seem like anything special to you, but that's a near miracle for me! I did a bunch of lunges, push-ups, squats, overhead presses, plank, bird dog, some pilates (which felt a little strange in a corner of a gym), then cardio. Unfortunately my fun watch/heart rate monitor is on the fritz and was only recording my heart rate for about 5 seconds out of every minute. I'm going to have to check the battery.
Also, I am so very excited. This Saturday I am going to my first running class in preparation for a 1/2 marathon and Pear Blossom run ( I think it's a 10k). I have always enjoyed running, but my body seems to not enjoy it as much, as I always end up hurting in one place or another. I figure this is from not having the right shoes and running on crowned roads...and probably starting out to hard (I'm not very patient). Anyway, this class will be great as we are all beginners, and it will be good motivation to be running with others. We'll see if I actually make it to the 1/2 marathon. So far that is not really a goal, as I feel like I have a ton of other things on my plate right now, but we'll see how it goes.
Last night I taught my first Pilates class for the community college. There are 8 students (including my dear Mom). I was SOO nervous as I kind of felt like an imposter pretending to be a Pilates instructor. There is still so much I feel I have to learn. Anyway, I had copious notes that I studied (so I wouldn't have to read them all to the class). Since it is a college course, I felt like a proper introduction to Pilates was needed instead of just jumping into the exercises without any knowledge about the key principles. After all the talking I did, we only had time for 1 exercise, Pelvic Curl, which is one of the warm-up exercises we do at the beginning of almost every class. Tomorrow should be more fun as we delve into more exercises.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Starting tomorrow...
I am such a nut job. My relationship with food is odd. I do not consider myself an emotional eater, but once I am off the proverbial wagon, I am WAY off. As in, let's eat every bad thing that is within reach because I know when the new year starts I'll start eating healthier. I am going to start going back to the gym because this is what I am most consistent at. Working out from home is good in theory, but I just have a hard time implementing it on a daily basis. Plus, I think for me being home most of the day every day, getting out to go somewhere (even the gym) is exciting. I'm actually looking forward to using the Stair Mill again (the machine with the rotating stairs)....it is my favorite cardio machine, and I've missed it these last several (8 or so) months.
Tomorrow I also start teaching a new Pilates class for the community college. I'm trying to look forward to it...right now I'm just nervous and tired just thinking about it.
I've ordered the new book by Tom Venuto "The Body Fat Solution: Five Principles for Burning Fat, Building Lean Muscles, Ending Emotional Eating, and Maintaining Your Perfect Weight". Tom is a very well respected voice in the fitness industry, so I think it's going to be a useful tool. I also ordered a Wii game called My Fitness Coach, which has gotten good reviews on Amazon, so I think it will be fun. Have you noticed that I need a LOT of variety in my workouts. Mostly though I just need to get my head in the game and think of this as life long healthy living, not a diet or a lose weight fast plan. I just need to eat healthy and exercise. How hard is that??? Seriously, for me it's 90% mental, and it takes a lot of focus to keep my head in the right place. I wish I were one of those people who just craved vegetables, and loved drinking spinach smoothies, and loved to get up at o'dark thirty every morning to get a workout in. I guess I just need to remind myself I'm worth it, and it's never going to be easy.
My plan is to eat the way I know I need to, not with any set diet plan or rules, but I did Body for Life long enough that I know what healthy eating consists of. I won't be counting calories, but will attempt to eat 5-6 small meals a day consisting of about 250 calories each. I need to drink WAY more water than I have been lately. I will be having a free day once a week, because this keeps me sane and generally increases the likelihood of my success. I will be doing interval cardio combine with some combination of Turbulence Training style weight lifting, as well as trying to get more Pilates in for myself.
I have a specific weight I would like to get to, but more than that I need to decrease my body fat a LOT! I bought new running shoes, which I hope to use on the days I can't make it to the gym.
Wish me luck!!
Tomorrow I also start teaching a new Pilates class for the community college. I'm trying to look forward to it...right now I'm just nervous and tired just thinking about it.
I've ordered the new book by Tom Venuto "The Body Fat Solution: Five Principles for Burning Fat, Building Lean Muscles, Ending Emotional Eating, and Maintaining Your Perfect Weight". Tom is a very well respected voice in the fitness industry, so I think it's going to be a useful tool. I also ordered a Wii game called My Fitness Coach, which has gotten good reviews on Amazon, so I think it will be fun. Have you noticed that I need a LOT of variety in my workouts. Mostly though I just need to get my head in the game and think of this as life long healthy living, not a diet or a lose weight fast plan. I just need to eat healthy and exercise. How hard is that??? Seriously, for me it's 90% mental, and it takes a lot of focus to keep my head in the right place. I wish I were one of those people who just craved vegetables, and loved drinking spinach smoothies, and loved to get up at o'dark thirty every morning to get a workout in. I guess I just need to remind myself I'm worth it, and it's never going to be easy.
My plan is to eat the way I know I need to, not with any set diet plan or rules, but I did Body for Life long enough that I know what healthy eating consists of. I won't be counting calories, but will attempt to eat 5-6 small meals a day consisting of about 250 calories each. I need to drink WAY more water than I have been lately. I will be having a free day once a week, because this keeps me sane and generally increases the likelihood of my success. I will be doing interval cardio combine with some combination of Turbulence Training style weight lifting, as well as trying to get more Pilates in for myself.
I have a specific weight I would like to get to, but more than that I need to decrease my body fat a LOT! I bought new running shoes, which I hope to use on the days I can't make it to the gym.
Wish me luck!!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Christmas time fun
What a wonderful Christmas, come and gone. It's always amazing how fast it comes and goes. I LOVE Christmas time, so it's tough for me to get back into the groove of working and doing chores! This year was especially fun because I made a lot of things that I had never made before. One day in September I called my mom and asked if she wanted to make rag quilts for my 2 kids and my niece and oldest nephew. Neither of us had ever made one, but she knew how to sew, and really that's all there is too it. We had a great time making the 4 quilts, although I think I got the better end of the deal, since I couldn't work on the quilts at my house since 2 of them were for my kids. I didn't get pictures of the other 2 quilts yet, but here are the ones we made for Aaron and Maree. We made them twin size.
Maree's with high heel shoes and purses..
and Aarons..
Then I also made jar cookie mixes to give out to friends.
And just for kicks I started making jewelry. Who knew that could be so much fun!!
This year was especially fun because of Aaron. He just melted my heart, and I am so proud of the the little man he is becoming. After he got his quilt, he was just so appreciative, and kept going on and on about how much he loved it. He asked me how long it had taken, and just kept saying thank you. He also told me that he was so glad I was his mommy.... *sniff sniff*. Precious. Then when he got to "open" the picture on his wall, he was just so cute.
I think with every gift he received he said "Thank you sooooo much" with so much sincerity.
Here is the big wall unveiling for those who haven't seen it on my Facebook..
Happy New Year!!
Maree's with high heel shoes and purses..
and Aarons..
Then I also made jar cookie mixes to give out to friends.
And just for kicks I started making jewelry. Who knew that could be so much fun!!
This year was especially fun because of Aaron. He just melted my heart, and I am so proud of the the little man he is becoming. After he got his quilt, he was just so appreciative, and kept going on and on about how much he loved it. He asked me how long it had taken, and just kept saying thank you. He also told me that he was so glad I was his mommy.... *sniff sniff*. Precious. Then when he got to "open" the picture on his wall, he was just so cute.
I think with every gift he received he said "Thank you sooooo much" with so much sincerity.
Here is the big wall unveiling for those who haven't seen it on my Facebook..
Happy New Year!!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Dates with Daddy
When Steve took Aaron hunting this year, he also promised Maree he would take her on a date when he returned. Today is date day!! Maree is sooooooo excited to go on a date with her daddy. She has chosen to go to Arby's because they have curley fries, and apparently those are "da bomb". Everytime she talkes about her date, her little eyes light up, and she gets the cutest smile on her face.
Anyway, things have been pretty busy around here. Fortunately I am not feeling stressed, which is great. I've been teaching a Pilates class Monday and Wednesday evenings, working, trying to get ready for Christmas, etc. We have a lot of fun gifts planned this year...including this one for Aaron...
Now under wraps until Christmas...
Christmas will be SO fun!
Anyway, things have been pretty busy around here. Fortunately I am not feeling stressed, which is great. I've been teaching a Pilates class Monday and Wednesday evenings, working, trying to get ready for Christmas, etc. We have a lot of fun gifts planned this year...including this one for Aaron...
Now under wraps until Christmas...
Christmas will be SO fun!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Pilates...again
Wow, I've been neglecting my blog!
Several people have inquired about what I plan on doing with my Pilates certification. I was planning on creating a cardio/pilates class as this is what I felt would be most beneficial for me. And to be honest, a huge reason I decided to get certified in Pilates was so that I could do it too. I have a hard time getting my cardio in at home, and I don't have a gym membership anymore (or at least they haven't been charging me, and I'm afraid if I go, they will realize they haven't been charging me...). So, I thought doing a cardio (bootcamp style) followed by a Pilates mat class would be a great combo. Anyway, I wanted to do a test group beforehand to make sure I could make it run smoothly and see how it went. However, my Pilates instructor/studio owner asked me if I could teach a class starting next week...eeks! A real class with paying customers! So the cardio/Pilates class is on hold for the moment.
I'd love to have any of you out there in the area to come take a class with me at Southern Oregon Pilates. It will be on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:30 starting on Dec. 1st. It will run for 4 weeks only. Then maybe I can start the cardio/Pilates class....but I have to find people to come to it and pay for it too :)
Several people have inquired about what I plan on doing with my Pilates certification. I was planning on creating a cardio/pilates class as this is what I felt would be most beneficial for me. And to be honest, a huge reason I decided to get certified in Pilates was so that I could do it too. I have a hard time getting my cardio in at home, and I don't have a gym membership anymore (or at least they haven't been charging me, and I'm afraid if I go, they will realize they haven't been charging me...). So, I thought doing a cardio (bootcamp style) followed by a Pilates mat class would be a great combo. Anyway, I wanted to do a test group beforehand to make sure I could make it run smoothly and see how it went. However, my Pilates instructor/studio owner asked me if I could teach a class starting next week...eeks! A real class with paying customers! So the cardio/Pilates class is on hold for the moment.
I'd love to have any of you out there in the area to come take a class with me at Southern Oregon Pilates. It will be on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:30 starting on Dec. 1st. It will run for 4 weeks only. Then maybe I can start the cardio/Pilates class....but I have to find people to come to it and pay for it too :)
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Standing on a soapbox today...
After watching the election coverage last night, and seeing the swarms of people standing outside the White house chanting for Obama, I couldn't help but to feel sorry for President Bush. Today, while perusing the news I came across this article which really summed up all that I felt.
Click Here
Click Here
Monday, November 3, 2008
Wrap Rage?
I was just perusing my favorite website to shop at ....Amazon of course, and on their main page they have this article about the packaging of products. As you fully understand, because the manufacturers of toys are relatives of Houdini, they like to make it as difficult and frustrating as possible to get the intended item out. So much so, that they have named this frustration "Wrap Rage". Yes, it has an official term. Seems like everything has a diagnoses these days....
Anyway, even though I thought it was kind of silly that they coined a new phrase for the frustration we all feel (especially parents of small children) when trying to extrude a small toy from an ungodly amount of hermetically sealed plastic, metal twisty ties (twisted 47 times), and zip ties (12 of them on all body parts, corners, etc), it is SOOOOOO true. The amount of packaging material that goes to waste on toys is obnoxious. And trying to get some toys out of their packing is like trying to get gracefully put on a full body shaper/squeezer inner.
Other companies (probably sister companies of the toy companies) have started marketing "Wrap Rage Cures"...which are essentially heavy duty scissors to combat against the packaging.
Great Britain did a study and found that 67,000 people reported injuries from opening packing.
Thankfully, Amazon is a smart company.
"Amazon is working with leading manufacturers to deliver products inside smaller, easy-to-open, recyclable cardboard boxes with less packaging material (and no frustrating plastic clamshells or wire ties"
I haven't seen a company do something that made this much sense in a long time. So refreshing that they are using common sense to help make their customers experience more pleasant, even though these are not their products. Way to go Amazon, WAY TO GO!!!
Anyway, even though I thought it was kind of silly that they coined a new phrase for the frustration we all feel (especially parents of small children) when trying to extrude a small toy from an ungodly amount of hermetically sealed plastic, metal twisty ties (twisted 47 times), and zip ties (12 of them on all body parts, corners, etc), it is SOOOOOO true. The amount of packaging material that goes to waste on toys is obnoxious. And trying to get some toys out of their packing is like trying to get gracefully put on a full body shaper/squeezer inner.
Other companies (probably sister companies of the toy companies) have started marketing "Wrap Rage Cures"...which are essentially heavy duty scissors to combat against the packaging.
Great Britain did a study and found that 67,000 people reported injuries from opening packing.
Thankfully, Amazon is a smart company.
"Amazon is working with leading manufacturers to deliver products inside smaller, easy-to-open, recyclable cardboard boxes with less packaging material (and no frustrating plastic clamshells or wire ties"
I haven't seen a company do something that made this much sense in a long time. So refreshing that they are using common sense to help make their customers experience more pleasant, even though these are not their products. Way to go Amazon, WAY TO GO!!!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Mommy time
Today has been a great day so far. Got a great night of sleep, went to Pilates class, went to my parent's house to give them a short Pilates lesson/class. Then went for some extended retail therapy. I ended up buying only things for DH, and kids...although I did get myself some new underwear :)
DH and the kids are at Grandma's ...DH and his Dad are working on a loft bed for Aaron.
Came home and did some mandatory chores, internet surfing, then jumped on the new Wii game DH bought last night. I've wanted this game since I saw the reviews for the Jillian Michaels Wii game got such bad reviews. I really wanted a workout game for the Wii because to be honest Wii fit doesn't keep me occupied for very long. There aren't a whole lot of options at this point, which is why I was really excited for the Jillian Michaels game to come out, but I'm so glad I didn't pre-order it from Ama*zon. While seeing the awful reviews for the JM game, Ama*zon brought up the suggestion of this other game that had gotten way better reviews, called Active Life Outdoor Challenge . In Outdoor challenge, there are a ton of different activities that you can play on your own or with a friend. Last night Steve and I did a sprint competition together...HOLY COW we both plopped onto the couch totally out of breath. He totally smoked me! (I will practice in secret until I win!!)
Today I put my heart rate monitor/calorie counter on just for kicks and did the "fitness" mode. There is a marathon mode where you are running for 10 minutes. I burned 100 calories doing that, then about another 100 doing various other shorter activities. It was a LOT more fun than regular exercise, but it is definitely exercise! My calves were burning during the marathon. If you have a Wii I would totally recommend Outdoor Challenge.
DH and the kids are at Grandma's ...DH and his Dad are working on a loft bed for Aaron.
Came home and did some mandatory chores, internet surfing, then jumped on the new Wii game DH bought last night. I've wanted this game since I saw the reviews for the Jillian Michaels Wii game got such bad reviews. I really wanted a workout game for the Wii because to be honest Wii fit doesn't keep me occupied for very long. There aren't a whole lot of options at this point, which is why I was really excited for the Jillian Michaels game to come out, but I'm so glad I didn't pre-order it from Ama*zon. While seeing the awful reviews for the JM game, Ama*zon brought up the suggestion of this other game that had gotten way better reviews, called Active Life Outdoor Challenge . In Outdoor challenge, there are a ton of different activities that you can play on your own or with a friend. Last night Steve and I did a sprint competition together...HOLY COW we both plopped onto the couch totally out of breath. He totally smoked me! (I will practice in secret until I win!!)
Today I put my heart rate monitor/calorie counter on just for kicks and did the "fitness" mode. There is a marathon mode where you are running for 10 minutes. I burned 100 calories doing that, then about another 100 doing various other shorter activities. It was a LOT more fun than regular exercise, but it is definitely exercise! My calves were burning during the marathon. If you have a Wii I would totally recommend Outdoor Challenge.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
I'm not good at math, but....
Today DH and I had some interesting and intellectually challenging conversation on the way to Costco. You see, DH often thinks he is right.
By often, I mean always. And I must admit that he is knowledgeable in a lot of different things, in which I don't even pretend to have knowledge in. Usually, if I don't know the answer I say "I don't know" whereas DH usually pulls some retarded answer out of his....well you know where.
So in the car Aaron asks if more air came out of the vent when it was on high vs low, to which I said yes, and DH says no. DH proceeded to fervently argue his case giving analogies about pipes and water and the like. I, however, believed that if the fan was pushing air out at a faster rate, then of course, more air would be coming out. DH continued to disagree wholeheartedly, and starting talking about molecules, and other technical sounding information, at which point I knew his theory was faltering and he was just trying to talk big in order to try to confuse me. This probably works for him in some cases. Anyway, after having this conversation we went straight into the following one...
We've been considering areas in our budget that we could cut back on or cut out in order to save more money.....
Me: maybe we could cut out the bug spraying (we get the outside of our house sprayed every 2 months to avoid bugs coming in the house...DH hates ants and I hate spiders).
DH: Hmm
Me: That would save about $300 (it's $54 every 2 months)
DH: Um, I beg to differ...it would be more like $600 dollars
In my head I'm thinking...well I know I'm bad at math, but I'm pretty sure it's $300
Me: Um, no if it's $54 every 2 months or every other month, wouldn't that be $300
DH: No, it's $600
Me: huh? How do your figure, if it's about $50 x 6 months, 5x6=30....that's $300 dollars.
DH: No.... say we start in January, that would be $50 (for simplicity's sake), then in March, if we're adding, it would be $100, then in May it would be $150, then in July it's $200....
At this point I'm laughing inside because I know I'm right and when DH gets to the end of his brilliant example that he is going to see the error of his ways, and it is going to be sweet victory for me... whaahaahaa
DH continues: then in September it will be $250
I can't believe he's still counting, he must know that he is wrong by now
DH continues: then in November it will be $300
Me: Haahhaaahhaaaahaaa......brilliant!
It's small victories such as this that keep me going :) He will not live this one down....for a very very long time.
And by "very long time", I mean probably not ever.
:)
By often, I mean always. And I must admit that he is knowledgeable in a lot of different things, in which I don't even pretend to have knowledge in. Usually, if I don't know the answer I say "I don't know" whereas DH usually pulls some retarded answer out of his....well you know where.
So in the car Aaron asks if more air came out of the vent when it was on high vs low, to which I said yes, and DH says no. DH proceeded to fervently argue his case giving analogies about pipes and water and the like. I, however, believed that if the fan was pushing air out at a faster rate, then of course, more air would be coming out. DH continued to disagree wholeheartedly, and starting talking about molecules, and other technical sounding information, at which point I knew his theory was faltering and he was just trying to talk big in order to try to confuse me. This probably works for him in some cases. Anyway, after having this conversation we went straight into the following one...
We've been considering areas in our budget that we could cut back on or cut out in order to save more money.....
Me: maybe we could cut out the bug spraying (we get the outside of our house sprayed every 2 months to avoid bugs coming in the house...DH hates ants and I hate spiders).
DH: Hmm
Me: That would save about $300 (it's $54 every 2 months)
DH: Um, I beg to differ...it would be more like $600 dollars
In my head I'm thinking...well I know I'm bad at math, but I'm pretty sure it's $300
Me: Um, no if it's $54 every 2 months or every other month, wouldn't that be $300
DH: No, it's $600
Me: huh? How do your figure, if it's about $50 x 6 months, 5x6=30....that's $300 dollars.
DH: No.... say we start in January, that would be $50 (for simplicity's sake), then in March, if we're adding, it would be $100, then in May it would be $150, then in July it's $200....
At this point I'm laughing inside because I know I'm right and when DH gets to the end of his brilliant example that he is going to see the error of his ways, and it is going to be sweet victory for me... whaahaahaa
DH continues: then in September it will be $250
I can't believe he's still counting, he must know that he is wrong by now
DH continues: then in November it will be $300
Me: Haahhaaahhaaaahaaa......brilliant!
It's small victories such as this that keep me going :) He will not live this one down....for a very very long time.
And by "very long time", I mean probably not ever.
:)
Monday, October 13, 2008
Hmmmm, choosing your battles...with your kids...
Yesterday after church we went out for a late breakfast. I love breakfast foods!! However, it is often hard to go out to eat and have anything close to a healthy breakfast. Anyway, we went to the Black Bear diner, which has notoriously HUGE portion sizes. I ordered an egg beater omelet thinking that would be healthier than the 3 egg omelet. However, I was sorely disappointed when it arrived as there was butter or some other oil oozing out of every crevice. So, what did I proceed to do. Spread butter and jam on my big 'ol biscuit and enjoy every bite :).
Okay, back to the title of this post. My dear 4 1/2 year old daughter is not much of an eater. She eats like a bird. She loves ham though, so I ordered her a breakfast sandwich, which came with eggs (not her favorite), cheese (mostly okay), and ham (favorite) on an english muffin (she loves bread like her mother). However, she was about as enthused with her sandwich as I was with my omelet. After I cut it up for her, and she had maybe 2 bites of ham, I looked over and she is munching away on the small piece of kale garnish they had on the plate. Dear husband was getting irritated at her because she wasn't eating her breakfast, and I'm thinking, well at least she's getting some great nutrients in. She proceeded to eat everyone's garnish off their plates. She also ate all the strawberries off the small bowl of fruit that had come with her meal. So all in all, she had a very nutritious, if not darn right healthy meal. Maybe I should order like her. I'll take the garnish and the fruit, hold the meal......
Okay, back to the title of this post. My dear 4 1/2 year old daughter is not much of an eater. She eats like a bird. She loves ham though, so I ordered her a breakfast sandwich, which came with eggs (not her favorite), cheese (mostly okay), and ham (favorite) on an english muffin (she loves bread like her mother). However, she was about as enthused with her sandwich as I was with my omelet. After I cut it up for her, and she had maybe 2 bites of ham, I looked over and she is munching away on the small piece of kale garnish they had on the plate. Dear husband was getting irritated at her because she wasn't eating her breakfast, and I'm thinking, well at least she's getting some great nutrients in. She proceeded to eat everyone's garnish off their plates. She also ate all the strawberries off the small bowl of fruit that had come with her meal. So all in all, she had a very nutritious, if not darn right healthy meal. Maybe I should order like her. I'll take the garnish and the fruit, hold the meal......
Monday, October 6, 2008
Murphy's Law
What I find baffling and something that has to be involved in someone's conspiracy theory is the fact that the batteries in smoke detectors ONLY GO OUT AT NIGHT. I think there is some sensor that senses the increased CO2 when you are in bed sleeping and then they beep. I've had many-a-smoke detector start beeping in the middle of the night...not to alert of some disastrous fire, but to alert you that the battery MUST be changed right away.
Last night I had been laying in bed no more than 4 1/2 minutes when the first beep sounded. Dear husband was already fast asleep as he had gone to bed earlier. He didn't stir, so I say "babe, the smoke detector just beeped". He says, "I know, I heard it". I'm thinking he was going to pretend he didn't hear it, hope it had been a bad dream, and pray that it didn't beep again. However, he got up, I turned the light on, and he gets the ottoman that's in our room to have a look at the unit.
Interestingly, it's attached to the house electricity as a back-up, so the battery is really only in case the power goes out. We've lived in our house 4 years and never changed any batteries.....did you know it recommends testing the unit WEEKLY?? Really, who does that??
Anyway, he had a hard time getting the unit back on after changing the battery...turns out there is a special compartment on the top of the unit, and you don't have to take it off the ceiling to get to the battery...things you learn after you take the unit off the ceiling. So he goes to get the step ladder from the garage, gets the unit attached to the ceiling, he puts the step ladder away, we turn the lights out.
BEEP
Lights go on, out he goes to get the step ladder, he fidgets with the unit again, tries to read the directions, puts the unit back on the ceiling, takes the step ladder back out to the garage, gets in bed. Lights out.
5 minutes later. BEEP.
Repeat above steps.
Advise hubby not to put step ladder away until morning.
Then we notice that the unit is blinking red instead of green like the rest of them in our house. It is blinking red about every 10 seconds. The directions state that if the unit blinks once a minute or 4 times that there is wrong with this or that...it says nothing about continual blinking every 10 seconds.
Uhhhh.
Enter laptop to google stupid fire detector...discover we are not the only ones with this particular unit who have had this problem. Meanwhile dear husband is still fidgeting with the unit, and thinks he has fixed the problem. He once again reattaches the unit to the ceiling.
This took 45 minutes in total.
Thankfully, there was no additional beeping in the middle of the night.
Side note: hubby bought batteries to replace the rest of the detectors in our house in order to avoid any additional night time disturbances....they aren't in yet...so there is always tonight.
Last night I had been laying in bed no more than 4 1/2 minutes when the first beep sounded. Dear husband was already fast asleep as he had gone to bed earlier. He didn't stir, so I say "babe, the smoke detector just beeped". He says, "I know, I heard it". I'm thinking he was going to pretend he didn't hear it, hope it had been a bad dream, and pray that it didn't beep again. However, he got up, I turned the light on, and he gets the ottoman that's in our room to have a look at the unit.
Interestingly, it's attached to the house electricity as a back-up, so the battery is really only in case the power goes out. We've lived in our house 4 years and never changed any batteries.....did you know it recommends testing the unit WEEKLY?? Really, who does that??
Anyway, he had a hard time getting the unit back on after changing the battery...turns out there is a special compartment on the top of the unit, and you don't have to take it off the ceiling to get to the battery...things you learn after you take the unit off the ceiling. So he goes to get the step ladder from the garage, gets the unit attached to the ceiling, he puts the step ladder away, we turn the lights out.
BEEP
Lights go on, out he goes to get the step ladder, he fidgets with the unit again, tries to read the directions, puts the unit back on the ceiling, takes the step ladder back out to the garage, gets in bed. Lights out.
5 minutes later. BEEP.
Repeat above steps.
Advise hubby not to put step ladder away until morning.
Then we notice that the unit is blinking red instead of green like the rest of them in our house. It is blinking red about every 10 seconds. The directions state that if the unit blinks once a minute or 4 times that there is wrong with this or that...it says nothing about continual blinking every 10 seconds.
Uhhhh.
Enter laptop to google stupid fire detector...discover we are not the only ones with this particular unit who have had this problem. Meanwhile dear husband is still fidgeting with the unit, and thinks he has fixed the problem. He once again reattaches the unit to the ceiling.
This took 45 minutes in total.
Thankfully, there was no additional beeping in the middle of the night.
Side note: hubby bought batteries to replace the rest of the detectors in our house in order to avoid any additional night time disturbances....they aren't in yet...so there is always tonight.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Selective Attention Deficit Disorder
Yes folks, I have just diagnosed myself with S.A.D.D., Selective Attention Deficit Disorder. Last week I got this email from my mother-in-law....have a look
Did you watch the video? Don't skip ahead. Okay, so you've watched it. Did you see it? I didn't see it ...not even the second time around. How sad is that. I couldn't figure out what the audience was laughing about. I guess I can pride myself in being extremely focused!!!
Then as I was trying to find that video online, I came across this one...have a look
The crazy thing is that even though I knew what to expect, I was still diligent about counting the number of passes, and I totally missed the character moonwalking. Yes folks, I have S.A.D.D, and I might need to be medicated.
More coffee ought to do it.
Did you watch the video? Don't skip ahead. Okay, so you've watched it. Did you see it? I didn't see it ...not even the second time around. How sad is that. I couldn't figure out what the audience was laughing about. I guess I can pride myself in being extremely focused!!!
Then as I was trying to find that video online, I came across this one...have a look
The crazy thing is that even though I knew what to expect, I was still diligent about counting the number of passes, and I totally missed the character moonwalking. Yes folks, I have S.A.D.D, and I might need to be medicated.
More coffee ought to do it.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Ta daaaaa
I was on the phone with my dear sister this morning, also making a birthday cake for my son's 7th birthday. The kids were playing "Indiana Jones"...not a single fight, cry, or whine for a solid hour..it was delightful. So I walk into my bedroom to check my email, and this is what I find...
I just laughed...notice he had the red ottoman as a safety net ..safety first. He says that Indiana Jones has to know how to hang...which is true! Then he gets down and looks at himself in the mirror and says, "Wow, Mom, look at my muscles...they look like grown up muscles".
I just laughed...notice he had the red ottoman as a safety net ..safety first. He says that Indiana Jones has to know how to hang...which is true! Then he gets down and looks at himself in the mirror and says, "Wow, Mom, look at my muscles...they look like grown up muscles".
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Shattered Dreams
I have mentioned before that hubby and I enjoy playing Faceb*ook games against eachother. For a while we were playing "Scrabulous", which was just like Scrabble, but it wasn't licensed by Has*bro so it got removed. Prior to it's demise I won every single game against Steve. Then it left and we had to find a new game. So lately we've been playing "Scramble", which is just like Boggle. The other night we tried playing the real live version on the kitchen table, but it was too slow to have to write each word down....I can type way faster!! So anyway, we've been playing a couple of games a scramble a day, and I have won every single one. He has not one a single match...not one. We've played 36 matches (5 rounds each). So last night we were playing, and he mentioned that he just wanted to win ONE match...then he would quit playing forever being satisfied in winning just one. Suddenly he squeals with delight saying "I won, HA, I finally won" and on and on he went gloating in his success. I was currently finishing another match we had going one, so after I finished I went and looked at the score page. As usual, every match listed me as the winner. So I asked Steve were he saw that he won. He says "well it must not have updated yet". Well, 12 hours later it still hasn't "updated". Steve thinks it's a conspiracy against him. He swears the computer told him he won. Evil computer! I think his eyes/brain were playing tricks on him....poor guy. Maybe next time honey.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Fashion can be so weird
Sometimes I think fashion designers are only out for the shock value. How is it possible that people would actually wear some of these things...take this for example. Will this come in handy when riding a motorcycle...perhaps...because it matches her dress, which is important. Or maybe it's a new diet plan, almost like a chastity belt...if you can't reach your mouth, you cannot eat. Maybe it's so you can "drive by braille" and pretend you are pacman?? Will you be able to fend off aliens? Does your ipod hook up to it for a surround sound effect??
Or how about this...
It's like a girly Darth Vador...I wonder if it comes with a voice changer?? Probably wouldn't be safe to wear while driving...just a guess.
That is one floppy eared wabbit. Or maybe it's a rain catcher so you don't have to carry around bottled water...you'd just need one VERY long straw to reach the bottom of the dress.
So strange...so very very strange!
Or how about this...
It's like a girly Darth Vador...I wonder if it comes with a voice changer?? Probably wouldn't be safe to wear while driving...just a guess.
That is one floppy eared wabbit. Or maybe it's a rain catcher so you don't have to carry around bottled water...you'd just need one VERY long straw to reach the bottom of the dress.So strange...so very very strange!
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