tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42334174157084640902024-03-13T14:44:48.989-07:00Song of The Fat LadyOne woman's quest for healthy living, weight loss, and a happy, balanced life. It ain't over till the fat lady sings!Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-36149536186757213652013-12-03T09:57:00.000-08:002013-12-03T19:44:13.690-08:00I'm Full of It<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm sure some of you, when looking at the title, thought to yourselves, "Why Yes. Yes you are." Well, I'm admitting it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last month I read many posts on Facebook where they list things they are grateful for each day. I enjoy reading them - especially my family's. My older sister posted her gratitude each day and after reading it, I would name something to myself for which I am so incredibly thankful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Because I am. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So incredibly thankful - for so many, many things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I'm just not feeling it. I've been grumpy and irritable and my tone has been considerably less that patient and pleasant. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I would name what I'm thankful for, it felt forced and cheesy. But I kept on naming things because, you know, the whole fake it until until you make it adage. I was hoping to get there, get to feeling it - and feeling it good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been trying to write. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Those 3 or 4 people who read this regularly have noticed that it's been 3 weeks since I've written. What they don't see is the 152 times I've sat down to write and had no words come.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Usually, writing helps me to sort out what I'm feeling and helps me to lay it bare. If I don't like something that is happening in my life. I'm the only one that I can change - either the situation, or how I look at it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was going to write this post with the same title I have now, I'm Full of It. I wanted people to look at the title and think one thing and then read my lovely post about how grateful I am and see that I AM full of it. I am just so chock full of thankfulness. I had it all planned out in my head. Things usually look their best there...in my head.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Except the words wouldn't come. All of my thankfulness is stuck somewhere deep inside. I guess you could say that I'm a bit spiritually constipated. That analogy is going to make my mom roll her eyes to the back of her head so far, that they just might not make it back, but it's just </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the way it feels. My gratitude is all backed up. And if I don't work on it, if I don't loosen up the old pipes, so to speak, my gratitude is going to turn into my own tiny, petrified little pit of despair.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know that having a thankful heart turns a lot around. I've seen many quotes pasted on friends' timelines on Facebook about gratitude and having a thankful heart. Here's one, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each one was a little dagger to my heart because I wasn't feeling it. And although I wasn't complaining so much out loud, I've been doing plenty of complaining to myself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, yet, I agree! I totally believe in the power that gratitude has over my outlook and how I behave and how I feel. And only I have the power to change any of that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a really good life. I have a home. I have a husband that loves me and supports me and who works really hard to keep the bills paid and make it possible for me to be in our home with our boys. I am there whether they want me to be or not and I love that I get that choice. Yes, there are days where I fantasize</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> about getting in the car all by myself and driving and driving and driving and yes, EVERY SINGLE NIGHT I am relieved when bed time comes along. But what would I do without those two boys? I am so lucky for the chance to have gotten to know and love the men in this house.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, holy hell, things can be so hard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've thought about praying for a thankful heart. However, so many times, to get what you want there is a hard lesson to be learned. So praying for gratitude seemed like just asking for trouble. Who needs more trouble? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cowardly much?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh yes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I may have mentioned I'm seeing a counselor. She is really helpful with my parenting. She offers new words and encourages <i>less </i>words with my boys and really stresses the need for self care for all moms, and especially for mothers of kids with special needs. She suggested I read a book, by Brene Brown, called The Gifts of Imperfection. I put it on my Kindle and started reading. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I came across this quote in the 2nd or 3rd chapter,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Don't get me wrong, I'd love to skip over the hard stuff, but it just doesn't work. We don't change, we don't grow, and we don't move forward without the work. If we really want to live a joyful, connected, and meaningful life, we must talk about things that get in the way."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I bookmarked my spot in the book and closed it out. And didn't pick it up for almost a month. And spent the month looking for a thankful heart in all the wrong places.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of a sudden, it was Thanksgiving. Lobster had requested a quiet Thanksgiving day of football and food and just our family. For me, it's not quite a holiday if there's not a big group of people talking and laughing and enjoying good food.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We compromised with a pie night with friends on the eve of the big day and had a lot of fun with a house full and kids running and squealing and delicious desserts being shared. Boy 1 said he wants to make The Pie Palooza a yearly tradition.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanksgiving day was quiet, except for the harsh voices of boys spending too much time together and a mom singing songs about Jesus and kindness and groans and complaints about such singing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When dinner was ready, we sat around our table. Lobster settled an argument about where each boy got to sit and we then each listed a few things for which we were thankful. Lobster began our family prayer to give thanks and ask blessing upon our feast. While our eyes were closed, I almost gasped aloud. I was given a gift. I opened my eyes during the prayer and looked at my family. Where my heart had been discouraged and a bit heavy, I was filled with such love and appreciation for t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hese men in my life and for the life that we have made together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For just a moment, I was overwhelmed with emotion and the tears spilled over my cheeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know I have more work to do. I've got "things in the way". But that glimpse of how it can feel gave me the determination to keep working. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I am full of gratitude for that.</span>Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-8746996297812829082013-11-11T10:41:00.000-08:002013-11-12T09:11:18.547-08:00Stop Shoulding on Yourself<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I stared at the floor in front of me. I knew what it was. I had heard the goings on moments before. I closed my eyes and sighed big - wishing that it would change before they opened again, but knowing that the job was mine alone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vomit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was all around me. The odor of partially digested chicken and broccoli and rice crispy treat and mucous and acid drifted around me. I groaned. I guess I could consider myself lucky. The last time this happened, it had been spaghetti and meat sauce.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted to throw a towel over the whole mess and walk away, but there was a boy in the bathroom that needed to get back to his bed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The same boy that, in his urgent, sickened panic, forgot he had a bowl in his bed for this very reason.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I haven't had to deal with much puke. And not for a long time. I've been pretty lucky in that way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I didn't miss it one bit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I realized that I had forgotten paper towels in my shopping last week. I groaned, again, thinking about kneeling over this with a rag and a bucket.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had jinxed it, you know. Last week, I had been reading a blog about a woman "knee-deep" in vomit. I thought, "Whew! I'm glad my boys aren't yakkers."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hearing my groans, my son said, "I'm sorry Mom." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Separated by a sea of puke, I just answered, "I know, Sweetie. Stay there so you don't walk through it." I wish I could say that I quickly made a path and swept him up in my arms, tucked him back in his bed caressing his hair while he fell back to sleep.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wish I could say that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did make the path, but he traversed it mostly alone and fell back to sleep after just a peck on the forehead. I focused on the job at hand.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Later, after cleaning it all up and after a load of laundry, I thought about how I reacted. I thought about how I would have wanted my mommy to respond to me when I was sick.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I then thought of how my counselor said that she's noticed that I get the most teary when I talk about what I <i>should</i> be doing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's so easy for me to listen to another mom talk about her failings and tell her to not be so hard on herself - and mean it. I've been told many times that I'm too hard on myself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why is it so hard to afford that same sympathy and empathy for myself? Why do we moms do that?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's all right to want to do better. Doing our best is all anyone can ask. But somehow, we demand more of ourselves and then feel terrible when we don't measure up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I put my question to you, gentle reader. How do we show the same kindness to ourselves that we show to others? How do <i>YOU </i>that?</span>Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-91395265624611726272013-10-29T11:40:00.000-07:002013-10-30T08:10:01.318-07:00Circle The Wagons!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's been quite a wild few weeks. In addition to our usual madhouse, Boy 2 has been giving us a run for our money - both with behavior at school and here at home. Really, it should give me plenty to write about. I, however, have felt the complete opposite. I kind of just want to hole up, form the wagon circle, and hide.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AV2WU41-qLQ/Um_vkXeDv2I/AAAAAAAAAc8/Ayf37zvSVHo/s1600/Pioneers_Crossing_the_Plains_of_Nebraska_by_C.C.A._Christensen.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AV2WU41-qLQ/Um_vkXeDv2I/AAAAAAAAAc8/Ayf37zvSVHo/s320/Pioneers_Crossing_the_Plains_of_Nebraska_by_C.C.A._Christensen.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pioneers Crossing The Plains of Nebraska by CCA Christensen</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Doing that for a little while is all right. I'm the type that likes to wallow in it for a bit and see if it passes. But, really, there's only so much of that you can do, especially when you're a mom. We need help. And I'm the one that needs to find it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I remember - back when I had no children - when I had all the answers. It takes a firm hand and a loving spirit and the kids will fall into line. Kids behave the way they do because the parents aren't consistent enough. Oh, I was so smart then. I really miss those days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Of course we have to be consistent. Let the consequences be the teacher. Of course we have to love them. We are the adults and we have to act like it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But kids are different. What will work for one, will not even faze another. Kids' brains are wired so differently. And in our case, there are "brain issues" as well. I'm just going to say "brain issues" because there are some of our boys' stories that aren't for me to put out there for display on the Internet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So I went searching for help. I found help for myself rather easily. When we were going through our educational classes for foster care and adoption, there was a woman teaching one of the classes who is a Licensed Professional Counselor and I thought to myself, "I would totally call her if I needed help." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It took a couple of weeks to work up the courage to call, but I did. And I'm so glad. She has so much experience with adoption and parenting kids with special needs and just parenting in general and the need to put on your own oxygen mask first, as hard as that can be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Finding help for my little peanut has been a bit harder. The names I had selected at a clinic that takes our insurance didn't have any openings. I had been doing some other research to find a counselor that would accept our insurance and that would have experience with "brain issues" and adoption. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The school and, specifically, Boy 2's teacher has been so good to work with. She has some personal experience (also not my story to tell) that helps her to understand our position and that means so much. I feel incredibly grateful for both of our boys' placements in school this year. How a teacher responds makes such a difference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yesterday, I heard from the clinic and we have an appointment - with one of the top names on my list! It's not for 3 weeks, but we have a date. I know things take time, but I'm feeling like I can see the light. And hopefully, it's not the train. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We already know that I don't handle stress well. Wallowing and a tendency for comfort eating are not a good combination. I was feeling pretty good because I had been able to at least maintain my most recent weight loss - until this week. I'm sure hoping it is some water retention, because almost 8 pounds is a lot to gain in one week. I didn't log it into My Fitness Pal yet. I'm just trying to drink a lot of water to flush out my system and see how it goes. I haven't been logging in a lot of things on My Fitness Pal, lately. I need to find a way to keep track that doesn't take up so much time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Exercising would help manage my stress. So that comes back in this week. And Lobster is home from another trip. It's really nice to be all together again. We love having that man home. I'm pretty sure he's just got one more this year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This past week was pretty busy. While Lobster was away, I spent a day with Boy 2 at school, babysat, 2 boys' soccer practices, appointments, volunteered at the school and did a Halloween Food demonstration at a church event. Would you like to see my table? I sure had fun doing this!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I made stewed monster toes, apples with ogre snot (sorry mom!), eyeballs on a stick, Dracula's dentures, pickled brain, cheese witch fingers, french fried spider legs, and bloody band-aids. It was fun and the boys really enjoyed the left-overs. And I have to admit, that so did I.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm feeling good and hopeful. I love my little family and we're having a bit of a rough time right now. But we're getting the help we need. I heard somewhere that one sign of maturity is knowing when and how to ask for help. Maybe I'm finally feeling like a grown up. I can't solve everything with a hug, a kiss, and a pat on the behind. I can't even solve it all myself. And that's OK. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think I can let the wagon train loosen its circle. I'm ready to get back on the trail.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-39126998522269447442013-10-14T13:23:00.001-07:002013-10-14T13:23:41.067-07:00Halloweening It Up<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are Halloweening it up around here. Halloween and Christmas are my favorite holidays to decorate. With all these boys around, I'm not really into cutesy decor. I don't necessarily want to permanently damage the minds of small children, but I want it a little creepy around here - at least more creepy than normal. I love that not dusting actually helps with the ambiance this season.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I should really have this sign up year round. It's a good warning that all who enter my home should have. BEWARE: There will always be laundry on the couch and a floor in need of a sweep and wash.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you enter, watch out for the spiders. I don't feed them this time of year. They get plenty of trick or treaters on Halloween. I'm taking applicants for a family of snakes to take up residence in the bird house. You can't see them (because they're still in my living room), but some bats are also moving into The Bat Motel on the ceiling in the entry way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to my 3-year-old nephew for assisting me with the spiders and web. He was a BIG help. I'm working on a spooky section of the yard as people enter with ghosts and ghoulish creatures and bright eyes in the shrubbery.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inside, the mantel is loaded. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love this corner of the room,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the bowl is a lovely collection of eyeballs, disembodied ears and fingers and bugs - lots of bugs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But my favorite find at the Dollar Tree this year are the holographic portraits. I'm bummed with how terribly the pictures turned out, but I had to show them. I make everyone look at them when they come over. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cheap plastic frames aren't great, but I love how they change when you move.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It reminds me of the old scary movies when the painted portrait's eyes would follow the characters walking through the home. Don't you love them?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've gotten a lot of ideas for Halloween decor and food from Pinterest. It's a great resource for tons of great things in one place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the weight loss front, I've been a bit derailed. I had a binge a week and a half ago. All because of a stupid bag of potato chips. I'm back on track, but it's hard to just let it go - and stop thinking about those chips. Bah!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not sure why I seem to sabotage myself whenever things are going well. I was feeling so strong and I was LOSING WEIGHT again. Sigh. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've just got to keep going every day. And no more potato chips. </span></div>
Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-24280729149035539622013-10-02T23:32:00.001-07:002013-10-03T16:36:05.035-07:00Sucky - Yeah, I Said it.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Late last week I started writing a post about guilt. And I just may finish it someday. But that won't be today. You may notice that I am a few days late with this post. And I feel really guilty about that. (winky, winky) But I am totally wiped. I've been sitting here by my computer staring at the pile of laundry to be folded waiting for me on the couch. And by staring, I mean glaring; and by waiting, I mean taunting unceasingly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a completely unrelated note, I read an article about the over-use of commas. Now I'm afraid to use them. I am totally a comma abuser. Is there a 12 step group for that? I need to go back to 7th grade English class. What's funny, (or not, actually) is I've been kind of snobby about it when I read. So, yeah. Sorry. Add it to the list of stuff I thought I knew but really don't. I have a friend who is a middle school English teacher. I'll have to ask for some lessons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lobster went out of town Sunday morning. The only good things about that is that I get to park in the garage and no one thinks it's weird when we eat cold cereal and gyoza for dinner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hate when Lobster travels. Well, maybe hate is too strong of word. I dislike Lobster's travels. Add on boys' endless arguing, a hailed out soccer practice, too little sleep, and Boy 2's behavior issues at school and it equals a sucky week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So last week we threatened that if Boy 2 could not control his own behavior, we would have to control it for him. We would do that by attending school with him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Guess who didn't control his behavior?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Guess who wasn't out of town and got to attend the first grade - not once, but twice so far, this week?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm hoping that I don't have to make a third or fourth... Fingers crossed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw this on a friend's Facebook timeline:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It totally cracks me up. I want it. This is me on a mug. There are several for sale on Amazon and other online sites. I just have to pick which I like best. LOVE it. Maybe I'll just hint a lot and it will show up in my Christmas stocking. Yes, I just mentioned Christmas. I just got out the Halloween decorations. Doesn't that make it time to start talking about Christmas?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I get to spend the morning with my nephew tomorrow. I'm hoping he'll help me with my "spooky" Halloween decor. I love hearing him say "spooky." And if you are into Halloween decorations, check out Dollar Tree. I scored some great stuff. The cashier said it disappears fast, so hurry in. Once I'm put together, I'll try to get some pictures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm going to bed. I can't take the laundry taunting me anymore. That will show it who's boss. Take that, laundry. And tell your friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-64777061583275405702013-09-22T21:47:00.001-07:002013-09-22T21:47:26.785-07:00Smile on My Face<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have rocked myself a bit out of this rut in which I've been stuck! I'm afraid to celebrate too much because it's so easy to fall back in those cursed grooves. I love seeing the scale lower than has been in a long time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I can partly attribute my 3 pound weight loss this week to a tight budget. There was no eating out, no extra treats. I'm going to have to keep it this tight from now on. ;) I focused on my water intake and I added in some exercise. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had planned on going to a low-impact aerobics class at the Y, but I chickened out. I found that my cable provider has exercise "classes" on demand for no extra cost. I've been doing a walking workout in my living room. I tried a Sweat Sexy workout, but somehow, my moves did not look like the women on the screen, and they were definitely not sexy. It was, however, sweaty. So, I'm halfway there.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our Primary children did a presentation in front of the congregation at church today. The kids all did such a wonderful job. Each child spoke about something they've learned this year and sang songs. I was so proud. I was especially proud of Boy 1, who has never before been able to say his part in front of the crowd. While he hid behind the podium, he said his lines clearly. It was kind of funny to see people in the congregation look around to see who was speaking. I was so happy and proud! I had tears rolling down my face and I almost forgot I was supposed to lead the next song. This was a big step for my anxious boy. Boy 2 did a great job, as well. They earned a trip to a local pizza place that also has video games and such. Proud Mama day.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm keeping it short and sweet. I'm a tired puppy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Make it a great week!</span></div>
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Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-78709085239969334282013-09-15T22:51:00.000-07:002013-09-16T08:04:17.673-07:00COMPARE OR NOT COMPARE? That Is The Question<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been feeling good about the number of books I've read this year. I have a goal of 40 books and I've read 29. I'm ahead of schedule and it looks like I'll be able to meet my goal. Some of the novels on this year's list are now favorites. I love reading!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One day last week, I looked on Goodreads.com and saw that a friend of mine had met her goal of reading 80 books in 2013. By September, she had read 80 books. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">80 BOOKS!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of a sudden, my 29 books was a pittance. I mean, my friend has 3 young boys, her own business, has lost a significant amount of weight (she looks FANTASTIC!) and volunteers at school and church and does things with her family and friends. AND SHE READ 80 BOOKS!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My feeling of accomplishment disappeared, and it was replaced with discouragement. I started to question how she was able to meet her goal. That is exactly 1.54 books each week. How is that even possible when you have an already busy life? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I realized that I was tearing her down to make myself feel better, I was ashamed. I was already envious of her in her weight-loss efforts. But, she worked hard for it. She has logged into My Fitness Pal every day - for over 200 days in a row. She exercises several times per week. She works hard. And she is an amazing, strong, driven woman. She accomplishes a lot. No wonder she met her goal of reading 80 books. She is a person that accomplishes goals. She makes things happen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why do we compare ourselves to others? Why get out that measuring stick at all? I was happy with the number of books I had read. I was proud of it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You know, sometimes comparing ourselves to others is not such a bad thing. We can see something in a friend's experience - something that worked for them, or made things easier and use that information in our own lives. We can see that someone accomplished something and be inspired to do better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But often in our measuring, we come up short. And it stops us cold.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My boys are comparing all the time. One has more milk than the other. How many crackers did you get? How many kisses? How much time with Daddy? How many songs before bedtime? Over and over I tell them, "That doesn't matter. Right now, we're talking about you, not him. You don't need to worry about that." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why can't I take my own advice? I don't need to worry about that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's destructive, this comparison thing; this measuring our weakness against another's strength. This life is not a competition with those around us. There is always going to be someone prettier, smarter, skinnier, richer, stronger, happier, luckier, better read than we. It doesn't make us any less amazing. It doesn't diminish what we do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, help a girl out. Share with me how you keep your head up. Tell me how you stay positive. Divulge your secret to avoiding the measuring stick. Give a friend a hand.</span>Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-27367241449146015682013-09-08T21:02:00.000-07:002013-09-09T13:53:48.947-07:00Excuse Me, I Didn't Get The Manual<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wouldn't it be nice if kids came with an instruction book? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Here's your bundle of joy, Mama. Oh, don't forget his manual! You'd sure be up a creek if you forgot that!" </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now, I know all the basics. I don't worry about any of those. I can:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Feed them good food - lots of fruits and veggies and a few cookies now and then.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Keep their bits clean - and don't forget behind the ears. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Teach them to be polite, over and over and over and over and over....and hope it sticks. Someday.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Make them go outside and run around and use their imaginations. Keep an eye on them, though, so they don't whack your poor plants to pieces with their "swords" or use your tomatoes as bullets or as an art project worthy of Jackson Pollock on the fence.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Give them lots of hugs and kisses until they literally can not stand any more.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Be their mom, not their friend.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Et cetera, Et cetera...</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What I'm having trouble with, is the "when?" questions -and a bit of the "how much?", as well. As in, when do I let them ride their bikes in the neighborhood with no supervision? And when do we talk about the birds and bees? And how much information is too much? And how much and when do they need to know about the circumstances of their births?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As their mother, I'm supposed to know when they are ready for things. I am aware that comparing myself to other moms and my boys to other children is not a good idea. However, the boys start comparing immediately. And over and over, I keep finding out how much I really don't know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our neighbor has a son one year younger than Boy 1. He rides his bike to school, to his friends' houses - all over - with, seemingly, no limits. Boys 1 & 2 would like to do the same. The back yard is no longer enough. I grew up wandering my neighborhood. I want my boys to know that I believe they can handle themselves in all situations. But...But...But...</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XS_WGiiHFdo/Uizszn7P39I/AAAAAAAAAac/WbFlq5-mugM/s1600/Boys+on+Bikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XS_WGiiHFdo/Uizszn7P39I/AAAAAAAAAac/WbFlq5-mugM/s320/Boys+on+Bikes.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Boy 1 is extremely impulsive. He could be riding along, see a cat running across the road, drop his bike in the middle of the street and chase the cat into the yard of someone we don't know. He recently called some teenage boys that were walking down the street (who were minding their own business) a name while he was out riding his bike <i>under my supervision</i>. He's lucky they either didn't hear him, or were good at ignoring annoying kids (they also ignored his apology). He might not be so lucky next time and get hit or learn some <i>really </i>unacceptable words. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Do I protect them from these possibilities, or do I let them learn the hard way?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Part of me wants to let the natural consequences do their work. But, Boy 1 has special needs that must be taken into consideration. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And Boy 2? He's six. How much freedom/independence does a 6-year-old get? Not much around here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Those manuals would sure come in handy, you know? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have said it over and over again, this parenting thing is not for sissies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love the idea of Free Range Parenting in theory. My anxiety and, I admit it, pride holds me back. I, of course, worry for their safety. But I am also concerned with what they may do or say to people and if it will cause me embarrassment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Taking on the job of parent opens us up to all kinds of fun opportunities and embarrassment is one of those. I guess I should just get used to it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here we go back to the ABC's of Me. Almost done!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I'M STUCK: </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">again. The exercise starts up once more. If I don't want to cut calories, the exercise has to make a come back. I know it. The first steps off the couch are the hardest. The boys being in school means I have no excuses left. I know I'm tired of writing about being stuck. And, I'm sure you are weary of reading it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I'M THRILLED: </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">with how the first week of school went. The boys love their teachers (and so do we) and there have been no complaints. I am LOVING my days - so much so, that, I'm feeling the slightest bit of guilt. This is going to be a great school year.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I USE: </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">an 8-ounce cup to drink my water now. I find it easier to finish when I can down it quickly. I was using these huge cups and just seemed to take forever to empty them. Every time I come into the kitchen, I drink 1-2 glasses full and I get my daily recommended with no problem!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">MY VITAMIN: </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">D is severely deficient according to my blood work taken at my recent yearly physical. I've been prescribed 50,000 UI of Vitamin D that I take weekly. Once I'm done with this after several weeks, I'm supposed to take a daily supplement with my multi-vitamin. My doctor said that it's especially common here in the northwest for deficiencies. She said I would feel better, but I haven't noticed any change yet. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I WANT: </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">to finish building our raised vegetable beds. I've still only got one - and that is full of tomatoes that are finally ripening. I have room for 2 more in our space. Lobster started the 2nd bed around Mother's Day, but got frustrated with my design and quit. I have since dug out the other sides to make it level, but the boys have "helped" in the digging. That's what we get for leaving the project unfinished, I guess. It is, seriously, the story of our lives. So many unfinished projects.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I AM XCEPTIONALLY: </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">pleased with my window boxes. They could use some more red Geraniums, but I love the way they look.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Next year, I will use white Sweet Allyssum instead of the Lobelia. Although when the weather is too cold for most of the annuals in the box, I'm going to replant the Lobelia into my flower beds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am Xceptionally happy with the Sweet Potato Vine. It looks so lush and although I had originally wanted the chartreuse variety, this purple looks great! Maybe next Spring, I'll do some of both - that would be a nice contrast with the red Geraniums.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I YELL: </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">much less lately. Having our home be a "No Yell" zone is something I have been working toward and I admit it's a struggle. It really becomes a habit - and a hard one to break. Once I've got it, hopefully, the boys will follow suit. My "tone" is next on the list.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I ZONE: </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">out if I sit down for too long in the late afternoons. There are some days I can't stay still too long, or I literally cannot keep my eyes open. I really didn't think I would turn into an old lady quite so soon. Luckily, now, the boys are getting home from school at that time, so I keep pretty busy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whew! I'm so glad those ABC's are done. It took me much longer than I had planned and some of the letters were downright tricky.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have a great week, all!</span>Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-86596605806914661332013-08-25T23:55:00.000-07:002013-08-25T23:55:43.732-07:00Back At It<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is officially the week before school. School here in our district starts Wednesday, September 4th. Boy 2 will be in the first grade - there all day. It will be good for him. He was ready for all day last year, but our school doesn't offer all day Kindergarten. I'm starting to get a bit giddy when I think about all I can get done in 6 hours by myself. Although, then again, I'll have no excuses left. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">S'all right, still giddy.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I MADE</span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">: </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a dinner, last week, that even I couldn't eat. I don't think that has ever happened. I feel like I do a good job in the kitchen. I enjoy cooking and I usually have a good tongue (?) for flavors. But, something was not right with this casserole and it all ended up in the yard debris can. Thank goodness it was just us. We scrounged around to get food for everybody - a can of chili, a lonely corn dog, a quesadilla, some peanut butter and jam. I needed to go to the grocery store and there wasn't much from which to choose. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Big time Mama fail.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I NEED:</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a lot of alone time. I've written about this before. I usually get it after the boys go to sleep. That would all be fine, except that I usually end up staying awake way too late. That makes it hard to get up in the mornings and I start off my days grumpy. I'm not much of a morning person anyway. Before we had kids, Lobster would get up in the morning and be all chipper and talkative and actually expect me to answer him - <i>before work</i>. I remember just looking at him and thinking, "Are you kidding me?" That is definitely one thing we didn't discuss before marriage. It should really be on the list of important pre-wedding topics.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Anyway, </i>in the hopes of good mornings to come, I have decided to give myself a firmish bedtime. If I expect to get up at 6:30 every school morning, I need to be in bed by 11pm. That will give me around 7 hours of sleep and, hopefully, that will be enough. I've been getting not enough sleep for so long, that I'm not really sure how much I need. I know I'll need to, eventually, get an alarm clock, but for now, Lobster will use his phone to wake us up. I'm hoping it will improve the start to our day. We can sure use it. There are some mornings when a boy is room-bound by 7:30.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I'M OVER:</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">summer. It has been a warm, dry summer. While it's great for summer veggies (woohoo tomatoes & cukes!), it's not so good for Amy. It rained this morning and I just sat at the table and happily listened to the drops on the roof and I actually could feel my lawn and flower beds relax. It's like they said, "Oh yeah, that's what it's like." Our sprinkler system has been shutting down zone by zone over the past several years and it's finally dead. I've been schlepping a sprinkler around just trying to keep things from shriveling away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, while there are many things to love about summer, it's just not my season. I really get to missing the rain. I think I was supposed to have been born here instead of the dry desert of Utah. I like the moss between my toes.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I'VE PLAYED: </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">way too much Plants vs. Zombies, lately. I put the game on my Kindle for the boys and I thought I'd better play it to make sure it was appropriate (you never know with zombies-<span style="font-size: x-small;">wink wink</span>). I was hooked. I've gone through all the levels in less than a week. Boy 2 loves it as well, and likes to get me to "help" him. I have a hard time letting the boys make the choices about what plants to put where. I've decided I can't play with them anymore. It makes me too uptight and I'm not nice about it. I'm a weirdo - it's just a game, right?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I QUIT: </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">drinking cow's milk. I've been trying different options and I've settled on the unsweetened almond milk. I really like the sweetened vanilla flavor, but it has so much sugar (more than cow's milk, which has a lot). There are a lot of reasons I switched. Most of all, it's just gotten so that it grosses me out to think about all the stuff in milk. I won't mention them here. I haven't been able to talk my family into switching yet, but I'm working on it. Yes, I know that there are many things made with cow's milk - things that I still really like to eat. I'm still figuring it all out. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I'VE READ:</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 28 books this year. I have a goal of 40 books, so according to <a href="http://goodreads.com/"><b>Goodreads.com</b></a>, I'm 3 ahead of schedule. My goal last year was 50 books and I came up short. We'll see how my new bedtime affects my progress. If you haven't joined Goodreads yet, do it! Send me a friend request. I love to see what others are reading! I'm always looking for something good to read.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><u>SUNDAY STATS:</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">WEIGHT GAIN/LOSS: 0 lbs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS: -26.6 lbs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">FOOD: Not enough veggies - needed to go grocery shopping</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">FOOD TRACKING: 3 of 7 days</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">EXERCISE: 2 days of light yard work</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">HYDRATION: Mostly good. I read somewhere that I need to drink water like it's my job. That has helped me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-75845598099459702552013-08-19T00:29:00.001-07:002013-08-19T00:29:05.818-07:00I Really Need To Stop Watching Animated Movies<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Saturday, we had a beach day. It ended up being a very short beach day, but beach day, it was.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It was Lobster's birthday(ish) and he wanted to get some family pictures. The last time we took one, it was March AND that was the last time we were at the coast. I was really looking forward to being on the beach, watching the boys dig and throw rocks and race the waves and close my eyes just for a minute and listen to the water crashing on the sand. Usually, I pack a lunch and try to stay on the beach as long as the boys (Lobster included) will let me. This trip, however, we decided to live it up and try some local fare.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Not finding much to choose from where we were, we headed south to a larger city. As we came to the split on the highway where you have to choose to go north or south on 101, traffic was at a stand-still and backed up onto the highway. Rather than getting in the line of cars, Lobster quickly made a U-turn and got on the highway heading east - toward home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, I totally agreed with his decision to turn the car around, but going home an hour and a half after getting to the coast was not what I had in mind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I was not happy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I made sure Lobster knew it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It's when I get quiet when it's the most dangerous. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I. Was. Quiet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We were all hungry. I was angry about going home. Lobster was upset about me being angry. And the boys, for once, knew when to keep their mouths closed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lobster found a little Mexican place in a small town on the way. We walked in and were the only customers there. The food was simple, but good and they had a delicious jalapeno crema in a little squeeze bottle. It was so good on my tacos. Don't worry, I've already found a <a href="http://thehungerstruck.com/2009/09/22/fish-tacos-with-jalapeno-creama-and-celery-root-slaw/" target="_blank">recipe</a> to try at home. I can't wait. If you know me, you know I won't be making the fish tacos. I'm sure they are very good, though. If you like fish. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We talked it all through at the table and figured out a way to salvage the afternoon. We took the boys to see Planes at our favorite movie theater. It was really cute. It had a great message about making your dreams come true and doing your best and getting up when you fall. The quote from the Dusty (the crop duster that wants to be a racer) is,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"I'm just trying to prove maybe, just maybe, I can do more than I was built for."</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> I have a feeling I put way too much thought into animated movies. The Croods really affected me, too. It was deep. <a href="http://songofthefatlady.blogspot.com/2013/04/on-how-i-compare-myself-to-animated.html" target="_blank">I totally identified with that caveman</a>. I was thinking about it for weeks. And Planes has been on my mind, as well. But the more I thought about it, the more I wondered if it was such a good message to give to kids, "Don't be happy with what you are, you can be better! You can be whatever you want! Don't be content with the mundane. Your life should be exciting all the time!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Am I being a downer when I think that someone's got to be the crop duster? We can't all be racers. While I agree that we should each do our very best and go for the things we want, we need to be realistic. It's a wonderful thing to be a really good crop duster. And we can be happy knowing that we do a good job. Learning to be content with what we have/are/do is, in my opinion, the best way to have inner peace - and a great secret to happiness. It's a terrible thing to always be wanting more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I really need to stop watching animated movies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So, I'm finding this ABC's of me thing much harder than I thought. And I'm using a dictionary. And I'm only on "J". Ugh. I'm sticking to it, though. I've got to stick to something, right? I'm redoing "I", because it was lame last week.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I'M IGNORANT: </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">about most things technical. I'm slowly learning how to work a little more independently on the computer, but I've got a long way to go. I am SO not computer girl.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I JOKE: </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">a lot. It's a defense. I use sarcasm. I'm trying to not be so sarcastic here in my family. Boy 1, especially, has a hard time understanding what I'm saying. He's a little more of a literal kid. When we took a Love and Logic class, we were advised to avoid sarcasm. It was said that the delivery of what we say is just as important as the words.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I KEEP: </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">too much stuff.. I don't have good storage solutions and the paper is driving me crazy. I feel helpless about most days. I need to better use my binder and get better storage. It's embarrassing. Lobster gets fed up with the paper and dumps it all in a box and puts it in the garage. I've gone through many boxes and I've got so many to still get done. It's sure easier to know what to do with papers when they're a few years old. I'm telling you, my organizational skills are severely lacking.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I'M LOOKING: </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">forward to school starting. I'm ready for routines. This will be our first year of both boys in school all day. Part of me is excited and part of me wonders what I will do. I'm thinking of looking for some part-time work. Anyone hiring? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Sunday stats are lacking this week. I forgot to weigh myself this morning. I've been neglectful in logging in to My Fitness Pal. I've been drinking water, but having trouble snacking in the evenings. </span>Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-60910600057911101692013-08-12T01:03:00.000-07:002013-08-12T01:03:30.270-07:00More Fun with ABC's<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took an unexpected break last week. I lead the music for the Primary, which is the children's Sunday school portion of our church time. It's something that I am loving, but it is exhausting. There is a lot of preparation. I lead the singing in 3 groups. There is the nursery, a group of 18 month to 3 year olds, the junior Primary - which is ages 3 to 7, and the senior Primary - ages 8 to 11. So, although we basically sing the same songs, my methods and plans are very different.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you work with kids, you have to have energy. Your attitude about them and about music is key, in my opinion. Good, positive energy is essential. But, keeping it "up" for almost 2 hours is very draining. Then I get to come home and everyone is hungry, and dinner's not going to get itself, is it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, right after dinner, I could not keep my eyes open. Literally COULD NOT KEEP MY EYES OPEN! Boy 2 kept trying to play a game with me and he finally gave up because he kept having to shake me awake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lobster took the boys for a drive and when they left I was in a trance, sitting on the couch. An hour later, they came home and I was in exactly the same position. I haven't been that tired, well, I can't ever remember being that exhausted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I kept meaning to get to writing. But, what a week it has been. I won't even go into all the stuff the boys have broken. They have been in rare form, and not in a good way. Boy 2 is especially, um.....challenging, lately. What is that saying (or is it a song, or a nursery rhyme?),</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"When she was good, she was very, very good. But when she was bad, she was horrid."</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is Boy 2 to a "T". There is not much middle ground with him. He can be so loving and helpful and he is a hard worker - give him a job to do and he WORKS. He's such a good snuggle-bug and he's really smart. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, boy, if he's not occupied, or if he's too wound up or ticked off, watch out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week, it came down to when I was not "on" as a parent, I just wanted to be "off" completely. I've been emotionally drained, physically tired and perpetually pissed off.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't you want to come hang out? Really. I'm a barrel of laughs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is anyone else ready for school to start? It's less than a month, now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's get on with our ABC's!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I FEAR:</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">much more than I thought I would as an adult. When I was in Elementary school, a teacher gave us a fill-in-the-blank type form. One of the lines read, "I am afraid of_______." My answer was "nothing." </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now that I have children, most of my current fears have to do with them and the world in which we live. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After talking with my mom and finding that I, indeed had many fears as a child, I know that my answer was mostly bravado, but oh, to feel that way would be fantastic, wouldn't it? </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I'M GRATEFUL:</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for the life I have. There are a many things that would be great to do or to have, but I really have a good life. I have a husband that loves me, and works really hard to make sure that I can be here, at home, with the boys. And as much as I reminisce about how quiet our house used to be, and how things used to stay nice and unbroken, and how I used to only have to do laundry once a week, and about all the weekends when I could sleep in, and .....oh wait. What was I trying to say? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But seriously, those two little boys, sleeping in their beds, and their daddy have my heart. It's theirs completely, and I wouldn't have it any other way.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wzEWW28ugKw/UgiREtwMSeI/AAAAAAAAAZg/qPZTu1kpVHE/s1600/Westbye+Fam+Mar2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wzEWW28ugKw/UgiREtwMSeI/AAAAAAAAAZg/qPZTu1kpVHE/s320/Westbye+Fam+Mar2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I HATE: </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ants. They make me feel creepy crawly and we must live right on top of multiple ant hills, because we just can't get rid of them. We've used traps, and sprays and natural remedies and they just keep coming back. And the funny thing is that they're not even in the kitchen. They are in our bedrooms and bathroom. It totally creeps me out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In general, I like bugs. I think they are cool. Give me a Dragonfly, a Praying Mantis, a worm, or a spider, even<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (and no, that's not an invitation for them to come into my house, just for the record)</span>. But ants - ugh. Oh, yeah, mosquitoes too. Hate 'em.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I INTENDED:</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to use a lot more letters, but I got stuck on I. But it is time to go to bed. Morning comes much too early around here. There comes a point when it is really just too late to make any sense. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a great week. Peace.</span>Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-78486750948044145722013-07-29T09:25:00.001-07:002013-07-29T09:25:36.267-07:00The ABC's of Me<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am a little late in posting again. I snuggled with my boys for a bit last night while they read in my bed and the next thing I knew, it was 3:00am. I've been tired and grumpy and I think I have at least caught up on some sleep. Now, I'll have to work on the grumpy.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm starting a bit of self-evaluation with The ABC's of Me. It will take me a few weeks to get through the alphabet, but I'm choosing a word starting with each letter and seeing how it applies to me. If you have any suggestions for words I should use, leave them in the comment section.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here we go.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I ASPIRE</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">: To be like my little sister and rock my work outs. My sister goes to the gym 5 days a week. More recently, she has started Spartan Training and pushes herself very hard. I aspire to be like her.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I haven't gone to the gym for months. I have sporadically done my Kinect Zumba workout. I really like working out in the privacy of my home. But I can see the benefit of going somewhere, and being expected. This summer - specifically this month, I have not been as dedicated to working out. I have many excuses (my biggest one being that it's hot and we have no air conditioning), but they are just that, excuses.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I BELIEVE</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">: In the power we each have to transform ourselves. I believe in <i>MY </i>own power to transform my inner and outer selves. My intentions are mostly good. I often seem to fail in the follow through. And not just in my weight loss efforts. It bleeds over into all parts of my life. That's one of the parts of me I'm trying to transform.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I CONFESS</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">: I haven't even looked at my Summer Mind and Body Challenge that I started in June. It's now the end of July, and I don't think I've tracked points at all this month. It's a little embarrassing since I made such a big deal of it. I really should have gotten an accountability buddy.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I DECLARE</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">: This has been a hot summer. A lot of people say that we don't need air conditioning here in the Pacific Northwest (Lobster being one of those for a long time), but that's just a bunch of hooey. I admit that some summers, there are just a few weeks that you need it, but during that time, YOU NEED IT. We're replacing our old dinosaur of a furnace before the fall and I think I've finally talked Lobster into central air. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I'M EXCITED</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">: About tomatoes from my garden. Each of my tomato plants has green tomatoes. My grape tomatoes are just starting to turn color. I can't wait!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'll continue this in my next post. I need to get out my dictionary. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><u style="background-color: #eeeeee;">SUNDAY STATS:</u></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">WEIGHT GAIN/LOSS: -2 lbs</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS: -27.4 lbs</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">FOOD: I finally went grocery shopping. Salads are GREAT!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">FOOD TRACKING: 3 full and 2 partial days of 7.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">EXERCISE: No formal workout. Some light yard work.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">HYDRATION: Good. Not great, but good.</span>Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-56375537583271222272013-07-22T10:05:00.000-07:002013-07-22T10:05:04.621-07:00Oh, To Be 19 Again...<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was my father's birthday this past week. He would have been 75. My sister put a photo of him at 19 on Facebook. He looked so happy and young. I could really see my sister's resemblance to him - something I had not noticed before.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was showing the picture, one I have on my wall, here at home, to my sons. I asked Boy 2 if I looked like my dad, and he said, "Well, he's a lot skinnier." I laughed and agreed. I started thinking about how I looked when I was 19, and if I also resemble him. So, I got out all the old pictures and found a few from 1989, you know, the good old days. The days of shoulder pads and big hair. Those were some good times.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, here's the picture of my dad. Doesn't he look handsome? And here's me at 19.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8kY39Rk4V3E/UezIrSF7PjI/AAAAAAAAAZI/tqgylnOSVM8/s1600/Amy+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8kY39Rk4V3E/UezIrSF7PjI/AAAAAAAAAZI/tqgylnOSVM8/s320/Amy+19.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't see </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">too much </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">resemblance...</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">maybe, just a little </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">around the mouth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just for fun, here's another:</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hWgaEXCkNUY/UezItoLvxQI/AAAAAAAAAZU/IbVr8DFzl5o/s1600/Cowboy+Amy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hWgaEXCkNUY/UezItoLvxQI/AAAAAAAAAZU/IbVr8DFzl5o/s320/Cowboy+Amy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And to think, I really wasn't happy with the way I looked then. Silly girl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes, it's hard to stay positive. I've been struggling with that a bit, lately. I like to think that I'm generally a positive person. I know I can do this. Why am I letting myself get tripped up? This is all a mental game. I'm the one who's supposed to be in charge around here. The frustration that comes with knowing just how much weight I need to lose is a bit overwhelming. Sometimes, I worry that won't be able to do it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And sometimes, because I feel it, I hear it from others - even when that's not what they are saying.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I try really hard to keep that doubt hidden. I keep it bound and gagged in a dark corner. It is always struggling to get free. And, at times, an arm or leg breaks loose. The gag slips just a bit and its whispers pierce and tear and deflate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think the key - and it sounds so trite and overly simple - is to truly take it one day at a time. One choice at a time, even. How can something so simple be so difficult? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let me know when you figure that out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like the old photographs I was looking through, my memories of my dad have become slightly fuzzy around the edges. I do remember a lot of love and laughs. He </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was a large man for most of his adult life. He didn't talk to me about his size and how that affected his spirit. He seemed very happy and positive. He's been gone almost 10 years, now, and I had lived in a different state for a few years before he died. I'm sure I only saw what he wanted me to see. I understand. I resemble him in that way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being positive is a choice. Sometimes, there are many things that get in the way, but the power is ours. And it <i>is</i> a power. Maybe, even, a special power. I can't read people's minds. I can't burn people/things to a crisp with my laser-vision (as much as I would love to, at times. Sometimes the stink-eye is just not enough). My super-speed isn't happening any time soon. I <i>can</i> choose to be happy. And I <i>can</i> choose to disregard the doubt. Only feed the positive thoughts. Maybe, I can make that ugly old doubt shrivel up and disappear. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's worth a try.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><u>SUNDAY STATS:</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">WEIGHT GAIN/LOSS: +0.6 lbs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS: -25.4 lbs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">FOOD: <span style="font-size: x-small;">It wasn't pretty, folks. Especially the second half of the week. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">EXERCISE: NONE</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">FOOD TRACKING: <span style="font-size: x-small;">5 OF 7 days. My calories went over goal, 5 of 7 days, as well.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">HYDRATION: Good, but not good enough. 3 words- Dirty Diet Coke. </span>Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-59536653463129358982013-07-14T22:36:00.000-07:002013-07-16T21:35:59.080-07:00A Bitza This and a Bitza That<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, I'm not a reliable food tracker while on vacation. Get me out of my routine, and my REsolve seems to DISsolve. Monday, we were in the car all day, and while the day started well enough, I soon realized that Lobster "forgot" to pack the cucumbers, cherries, grapes, and mango in the cooler. He remembered the fixins for sandwiches and the Diet Coke. The bag of crackers, candy, chips, and such also made it. I had bought a lot so we wouldn't feel like we would have to buy much on the way and to also have bribery material for good behavior. I thought I had prepared well. Next time, I just need to follow through and make sure it all gets into the cooler.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I gained 2 pounds this week. I'm not too worried. Although I didn't faithfully track my intake, my eating wasn't out of control. I also spent two days in a car trying to not drink too much. I didn't want to be the reason to stop the car, if you know what I mean. I didn't get enough at my mom's, either. I'll just be making sure to drink my water, and then have some more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My mint is going crazy outside. I think I'll have to make some flavored water every evening for the next day. My favorite is cucumber, mint with some lime squeezed in right before drinking. I found that when I let the limes sit in the water over night, they made it slightly bitter. I found a recipe for a <a href="http://tonetiki.com/2012/07/27/day-spa-mango-ginger-water-0-calories/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>flavored water made with fresh ginger and mango</b></span></a>. I think I'd really like to try that one. And I just happen to have some mango on hand.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My chives are also going gangbusters. Somehow, though, I don't think that will make a good flavored water. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All of my plants survived warm weather while I was gone, thanks to a good friend. She also kept the hamster alive and running - good for the 6-year-old, I guess. We almost had a free-range hamster. She escaped her little exercise ball whilst her young, attentive owner was not so attentive. Luckily, she only got as far as under the couch. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The last time the hamster made a break for it, we had our Sophie girl to sniff her down. Sophie loved to sit and watch Squeakers. I knew she was just waiting patiently for a chance to make a Squeakers snack. It cracked me up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our Sophie was a good girl. She gave us good companionship for a long time, 12 years. At 13, she couldn't hear or see much and her hips gave her quite a bit of pain. That made her grumpy with the boys and she had started to snap and be aggressive. We chose to euthanize her. Although we know it was the right decision. I miss my girl. She was my baby before we so rudely replaced her with the human variety. She was patient and always happy to see me. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kAG42yfO7iM/UeOGch1axGI/AAAAAAAAAYo/X9qRRGx3P3Y/s1600/Sophie+at+Easter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kAG42yfO7iM/UeOGch1axGI/AAAAAAAAAYo/X9qRRGx3P3Y/s320/Sophie+at+Easter.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is my favorite picture of Sophie. She was not happy about those Easter bunny ears, but she tolerated them and even smiled for the camera. The Humane Society called Sophie a terrier mix, but we always called her a Bitza. She was a bitza this and a bitza that. Sophie was the healthiest, smartest, and weirdest dog we have ever previously owned. She fit in our family perfectly. Without her, I'm outnumbered by the boys. Somehow, I don't think the hamster will commiserate as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rest in peace, my girl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><u>SUNDAY STATS</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">WEIGHT GAIN/LOSS: +2 lbs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS: -26 lbs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">EXERCISE: <span style="font-size: x-small;">I guess sitting on my mom's soft, cozy rocker doesn't count.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">FOOD: Lots of veggies. Slightly more treats than usual.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">FOOD TRACKING: Not great - 1 & 1/2 days of 7</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">HYDRATION: Not great</span>Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-33925089170309894132013-07-09T21:36:00.000-07:002013-07-09T21:36:46.831-07:00Fun<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Travelling with kids is always fun. I'm not really talking about fun fun. I'm talking about the kind of fun spoken of in sarcastic tones and a lot of eye-rolling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You know..........<i>fun</i>. 13 hours in a car that, while normally seems quite spacious, all of a sudden is much, much too small.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At one point, Boys 1 and 2 were fighting. They were tattling. They were tattling about fighting and then fighting over tattling. And I had had enough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I started singing about kindness, and Jesus. I sang about Jesus wanting us to be kind. When they started complaining, I sang louder, and louder, still. I think the cars next to us on the freeway could hear my song, I was singing so loud. Lobster soon asked me to, "Please for the love of everything holy, just STOP!" OK, he really just said, "Please stop." But his voice sounded much more like the former.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just for the record, and in my defense, it <i>was</i> quiet for a few minutes after that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've sung to them before. I threaten to sing when they fight. This singing is not like when I sing their songs at bedtime - which they love, by the way. This singing is a weapon. I may have a smile on my face while I do it, but it is sharp and harsh. One might wonder if I stand on the edge of sanity, when I sing like this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I found out that my singing, as a weapon, is not my original, bright idea. This morning, after my sweet, sweet boys started fighting, my own sweet, sweet mother started singing, "I want to be kind to everyone..."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yep. We have <i>fun</i> on our vacation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, we're on a short vacation. But not from my plans. My mom asked what kind of food I wanted her to get, and I just said, "Lots of vegetables." And she delivered. She even had two tomatoes and a cucumber in her garden that she saved just for me. She's pretty great.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><u>TUESDAY STATS</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">WEIGHT GAIN/LOSS: -0.4lbs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS: -28lbs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">EXERCISE: Womp, womp. Sad face</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">FOOD: <span style="font-size: x-small;">Great week until weekend. Food left over from 4th and stress were not a great combo.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">FOOD TRACKING: Great - 5 full, and 1 partial day of 7</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">HYDRATION: Really good</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-67324111596211001332013-06-30T23:32:00.001-07:002013-07-01T11:55:58.312-07:00OPERATION: TAKING MY YARD BACK, an update - part trois<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, that 5 pounds is gone and they took a friend with them. I'm going to start ignoring all of my problems, this one worked out so well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Messy house because it's too hot to feel motivated to do much? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>IGNORE!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kids fighting amongst themselves?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i> IGNORE!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ugly, weird bump on your leg?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i> IGNORE!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Voila! Problems solved!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I kid, I kid. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(sort of) </span>Darn hormones. Or salt. Or....whatever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been so hot here in the Pacific Northwest these past few days. My dear, dear Lobster is still under the mistaken belief that we don't need central air. I had hoped that his red-faced, sweaty, stinky, grumpy wife would have changed his mind, but no luck so far. Thank the heavens for the slightly coolish breeze coming through right now. Our inside temperature has dropped to 80 degrees. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is 10:00 pm. UGH.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took a ride in the car with the boys this evening, after dinner, just to get in front of the air conditioning. I still haven't decided if it was a nice break, or if it just made it feel hotter here at home.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> One nice thing about the heat, is that I'm definitely drinking a lot of water. Although, I'm sweating so much that I'm pretty sure I am no better hydrated.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, I thought it was about time to show some more pictures of how our yard is doing. The weeds are under control, the grass is still green, I have vegetable plants in my raised beds, I've got flowers in the window boxes out front and our yard is mostly well-groomed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I'm not liking, is the mess with the boys' bikes and balls, and dirt and rocks that always end up on the patio. Hey! I should try that ignoring trick....it's got to work!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is the view walking up my front walk. I'm really happy with how the window boxes turned out. I should have stuffed more plants in there, but I'm on a budget, here. I really miss the days that I got my 30% employee discount. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They'll fill in. Eventually.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The jasmine is blooming. It smells so good!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O6O1fGr7_5U/UdET3Wron6I/AAAAAAAAAXY/IL4QuB5arGU/s1600/Blooming+jasmine+on+birdhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O6O1fGr7_5U/UdET3Wron6I/AAAAAAAAAXY/IL4QuB5arGU/s320/Blooming+jasmine+on+birdhouse.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This rose campion blooms in such a bright hot pink. It's foliage is woolly, like lambs ears and it re-seeds itself all over.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2IGn2xsJneE/UdET8nBpSfI/AAAAAAAAAXg/TNTOvKjHF_A/s1600/Hot+pink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2IGn2xsJneE/UdET8nBpSfI/AAAAAAAAAXg/TNTOvKjHF_A/s320/Hot+pink.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This bed (below) was overgrown with grass. We had to take everything out. I'm leaving it bare for a little while, to pull the grass as it grows up. I'm sure much of the roots are still there. My lace-leaf Japanese maple could use a good pruning. The branches under all those leaves are quite beautiful. I'm a little chicken to take that one on, myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in the back, the climbing rose has bounced back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And my hydrangea is starting to look lovely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baby grapes,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and baby tomatoes,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and baby caterpillars. They've come back for the past 3 years. These are Cinnabar moth caterpillars. They love this ragwort on which they are chomping. It's poisonous, and not very pretty, but I don't pull it out because we love to watch the little guys grow and grow</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKv2ncV8eCo/UdEU7_6RYoI/AAAAAAAAAYY/53Od_FNRhQk/s1600/June+2013+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKv2ncV8eCo/UdEU7_6RYoI/AAAAAAAAAYY/53Od_FNRhQk/s320/June+2013+056.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the little tiny caterpillar next to its big brother. So cute!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Well, we're down to 79*. We're on our way.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><u>SUNDAY STATS</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">WEIGHT GAIN/LOSS: -1 lb</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS: 27.6 lbs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">EXERCISE: 2 Kinect Zumba workouts, 28 minutes each</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">FOOD: <span style="font-size: x-small;">Very good choices. I even passed up some french fries, one day</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">FOOD TRACKING: Excellent! 6 of 7 days</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">HYDRATION: Excellent - at least 64 oz per day</span></div>
Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-60799312635564017152013-06-23T22:48:00.000-07:002013-06-23T22:48:32.924-07:00How to NOT enjoy summer vacation<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It started out promising enough. After weeks of beautiful weather, the rain did NOT ruin the school's family picnic and Field Day and even more importantly, the rain did not ruin the chance to go to our friend's house and watch a movie in the dark on a sheet hung on the outside of their house. The boys got to run around with friends and then we all huddled under our blankets to watch How to Train Your Dragon. We got home deliciously late and Boy 1 and Boy 2 wanted to continue the party at home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They also slept in the next morning. Lobster was envious. He had to get up and go to work after such a late night. I really sympathized with him in that minute before I went back to sleep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had left the week's schedule very loosey goosey so we could stay in our pajamas all day and get way too much screen time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess that was my first mistake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I mean, seriously, what kid doesn't want to watch TV and play video games all day?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apparently, mine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's all they ever wanted. They got it all at once, and it was too much. They got bored. They fought over which game to play. They argued about which characters they wanted. And they grumbled about getting to spend alone time in their rooms.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I, I who hadn't prepared well enough <span style="font-size: x-small;">(again)</span>, got grumpy. The happy, carefree first days of summer vacation that I had hoped for, flew out the window with their harsh words and angry voices.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the grumpiness has lingered, my friends. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Boys 1 & 2 fighting is nothing new. And to be honest, neither is my grumpiness. I want to be soft and fun and playful, but somehow, all I see is the floors that get dirty too fast and the money that doesn't stretch far enough and laundry that never, EVER, gets completely done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've never thought of myself as a pessimist, but I'm starting to wonder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another thing I'm grumpy about is my weight loss - or lack of it, I should say. I have been working really hard at staying under my calorie goal each day. And I had finally gotten past the 25 pound mark for the first time in months! I have seriously upped my water intake and had less soda. I stayed under my calorie goal 5 of 7 days. One day was just barely over, and the other day was my birthday and Lobster and I went out to dinner. I estimated the food on My FitnessPal as closely as I could, but even eating lightly earlier in the day, I went over my goal. It was delicious and I don't regret it. I was so careful the rest of the week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, midweek, when I hopped on the scale to see my progress, I admit I was a little shocked to see that my weight was up. The next day, I weighed myself again and I was up another few ounces. This morning, my normal weigh-in day, I am up 5 pounds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ugh. It makes me want to eat a bag of potato chips.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BUT, I DIDN'T! Progress, people!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've decided that I'm not logging it in My FitnessPal. I am ignoring it and I'm hoping it will go away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn't that how you deal with your problems?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Anyway</i>, I've been having fun experimenting with what I can cook on our outdoor grill. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fireworks came a couple weeks early to our house. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The heating element in our oven gave us a light show on Friday night - even after I turned it off. So we unplugged the range and sent away for the part. But, of course, it being a weekend, we get to wait longer than our normal super-fast delivery. I'm not sure why these things happen on the weekend. There is some law written down about it somewhere, I'm sure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So the main goals this week are to have fun with my boys, drink lots of water, and don't sweat the small stuff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What are your goals this week?</span></div>
Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-64867645763212052862013-06-09T23:10:00.000-07:002013-06-09T23:10:38.826-07:00My Favorite Things<br />
<ol>
<li><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">TV Episode:</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Once Again With Feeling (a musical - and yes, I know every song by heart)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Movie:</b> Stranger Than Fiction. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Restaurant food:</b> Chicken pasta salad at The Other Place in Salt Lake City, Utah and a close second is the Roasted Veggie Flat bread Sandwich at Amadeus in Salem, Oregon</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Flower:</b> the Tulip</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Shoes:</b> flip flops or none</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Book:</b> Too many to choose, but I prefer fiction</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Face lotion:</b> Oil of Olay's Daily Facial Lotion</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Body lotion:</b> Aveeno Baby's Soothing Relief Moisture Cream</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Perfume:</b> Skin musk, by Bonne Bell (I've loved it since I was 17)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Place:</b> My own bed, close 2nd - the beach, extremely close 3rd - my Grandpa's farm in Hatch, Idaho</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Color:</b> Deep purple</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Vegetable:</b> Zucchini or tomato</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Fruit:</b> Watermelon or tomato ;)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Song:</b> too many, but in general I'm a sucker for sappy love songs. Barry Manilow can make me stop in my tracks, close my eyes and sway. Seriously. Judge me if it makes you feel better.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Children's Book:</b> The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Laundry Soap:</b> Arm & Hammer Plus Oxy-Clean, original scent</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Car that I owned:</b> my black, 1987 Buick Somerset</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Outdoor Temperature:</b> 66 degrees, Fahrenheit</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hand Soap:</b> Sotftsoap's Coconut and Warm Ginger</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Bottled Salad Dressing:</b> Newman's Own Low Fat Sesame Ginger, or Cardini's Original Cesar</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Nut:</b> Pistachio</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Seed:</b> Sesame or Sunflower</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Ice Cream:</b> Always love me some kind of chocolate & mint combo - Tillamook Brand rocks! But then, Schwan's Coconut Almond Fudge is pretty darn near perfect.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Herb:</b> a hard choice, but probably cilantro.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Condiment:</b> salsa</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Junk food:</b> POTATO CHIPS</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Body soap:</b> Dove, warm vanilla scent</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Christmas movie:</b> The Year Without Santa Claus or Elf. The Heat Miser or Buddy - hard choice!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Cheese:</b> Provolone</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Paint color currently in our home:</b> Rattler's Den</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Candy:</b> chocolate covered gummy bears</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Soda:</b> Diet Coke</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Carbohydrate:</b> potato</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Font:</b> Calibri</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Cereal:</b> Frosted Mini-Wheats</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>"App" on my Kindle:</b> Bejeweled game</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Method of cooking vegetables:</b> roasting</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sleeping position:</b> on my side</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Talk Radio Host:</b> Dr. Laura</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Favorite thing about being a Mom: </b>watching them accomplish something that is, for them, really hard. And snuggles, lots of snuggles.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Possession:</b> My grandpa's old trunk</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Photograph:</b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hKbw7-XLawU/UbVnXks1gQI/AAAAAAAAAW8/wFoJO7rAudw/s1600/su2+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hKbw7-XLawU/UbVnXks1gQI/AAAAAAAAAW8/wFoJO7rAudw/s320/su2+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Way to Spend My Time:</b> Going for a drive on a sunny day with my family</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a birthday this month. I am turning 43. For that reason, I chose 43 of my favorite things to share with you today. They are random, but they are, in part, what makes me me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm sorry or you're welcome. You choose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><u>SUNDAY STATS:</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">WEIGHT GAIN/LOSS: -1.8 lbs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN LOSS: -26.8 lbs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">FOOD: <span style="font-size: x-small;">Really good choices until Saturday when there was leftover cake from end of soccer party.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">FOOD TRACKING: Excellent, 6 of 7 days</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">EXERCISE: Pffffft!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">HYDRATION: Much better this week. Go water!</span></div>
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Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-21508767664497121712013-06-02T22:15:00.000-07:002013-06-02T22:15:58.874-07:00Challenge Extended...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, yesterday was the first of June. Did everyone start on the Back To Her Roots <a href="http://backtoherroots.com/2013/05/23/super-summer-challenge-how-it-works-printables/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Super Summer Mind & Body challenge</b></span></a>? Yeah, me either. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just kidding!! I totally did. I didn't get a lot of points yesterday, but that's what happens when you stay in the house all afternoon after your 6-year-old's soccer game trying to keep 2 boys from hurting each other. I'm telling you, those Bickerson brothers totally need an attitude adjustment. And I'm just the Mama to do it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Actually, I'm at my wit's end (as little wit as there may be) about it. This next week is the last full week of school here in Oregon, and I'm <strike>scared out of my mind</strike> a little concerned about how the summer is going to go. My best idea, so far, is to send one boy each to grandparents on either end of the country. Maybe distance would make their little hearts grow fonder. Yeah, I know. It's a work in progress.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyway, I have set my personal mind and body goal points and I'm excited to get to work! I decided that a mid-point reward (at 5,000 points) will be an adult-only weekend away with my Lobster - probably at the coast.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That's what I call motivation. ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've had a hard time deciding on a 10,000 point reward. I'm trying to think of something not too expensive, but motivating. I'd be happy to receive some suggestions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, I was hoping to be just a little bit professional and scan these documents to use, but my super-awesome computer skills (major eye-roll) don't include how to make the scanner speak to my laptop. Apparently, it's not the same as my lap top telling the same machine to print. The scanner has always been kind of stuck-up, though. Oh well. You get pictures of them. I can do that.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ymdhgpAlZPQ/Uawd4NSDexI/AAAAAAAAAWg/2d1B7MkkeJE/s1600/Mind+points.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ymdhgpAlZPQ/Uawd4NSDexI/AAAAAAAAAWg/2d1B7MkkeJE/s320/Mind+points.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BziaEZQgJyU/Uawd6zaVRMI/AAAAAAAAAWo/DwTsLxii13Y/s1600/Body+points.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BziaEZQgJyU/Uawd6zaVRMI/AAAAAAAAAWo/DwTsLxii13Y/s320/Body+points.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These are my point reference sheets for both mind and body goals. When I complete something on these lists, I keep track of the points on another sheet. These free printables are available on the blog, <a href="http://backtoherroots.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Back To Her Roots</b></span></a>, if you click <a href="http://backtoherroots.com/2013/05/23/super-summer-challenge-how-it-works-printables/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>here</b></span></a>. She also created some completely blank point sheets so you can totally customize your point values.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let me know if you do this challenge. I'll be talking about my progress periodically. It would be fun to help motivate each other.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's going to be a busy week trying to get things done before school is out. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Random thought: When ever I think about the challenge, or say "challenge" it makes me think about an episode of Friends. Please enjoy this clip. I love the way Ross says, "Challenge extended." It cracks me up. Every time.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/BC2ZwdQjtCs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Challenge accepted. Ha! Have a great week. Get to work!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><u>SUNDAY STATS:</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">WEIGHT GAIN/LOSS: -1.4 lbs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS: 25 lbs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">FOOD: <span style="font-size: x-small;">Much better watching sugar & sodium. Much better results, too!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">FOOD TRACKING: Great! 5 days + 1 partial day out of 7</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">EXERCISE: <span style="font-size: x-small;">1 - 30 minute Zumba workout and 1 full morning of yard work.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">HYDRATION: Not as much as I need. :/</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-2262665755018803072013-05-26T22:32:00.000-07:002013-05-26T22:32:31.935-07:00Take a Deep Breath<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hate getting up once I go to bed - especially after I've been asleep. If one of the boys have trouble in the night and come in to get me, I just put him in the middle of our bed (to the annoyance of my Lobster), give him a pat on the back, and go back to sleep (Hallelujah for king sized beds!). Luckily, it doesn't happen so often anymore, and very rarely do the boys come in the same night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, earlier this week, Boy 1 came into our room. When he was little, Boy 1 woke 4-5 times a night and was a frequent middle-of-the-night visitor. But he's grown out of most of that. He's still a VERY light sleeper and has trouble getting to sleep. A small bit of Melatonin helps him to relax and quiet his mind just enough of the many troubles that have a chance to catch up when he's lying still in his darkened room. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He had had a nightmare. My usual patting on the back and falling promptly to sleep wasn't working. He was shaking and still frightened although he had his mom and dad on either side of him. He was whimpering and wanting to talk about his dream. Sometimes, I don't indulge him in talking it out because he often works himself up to inconsolable. I tried to get him to start some deep breathing and told him that we'd talk about it in the morning. Luckily, with a little help from my soft, <strike>doughy </strike>snugly arms, he was able to settle down and fall back asleep. I'm sure my snoring in his ear helped, too. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Apparently, in his dream, a blimp caught fire and crashed into his room, engulfing one of his walls in flames. Can you blame him for needing a little comfort? I sure can't. When we talked the next morning, he still remembered many details. I had hoped that he would forget. Those details made his next bedtime (and almost every other one since) a little more difficult. Poor kid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, so if you know me, you know how organizationally challenged I am. I try, but man, it's a struggle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you've been reading for a while, you'll also know that I've been stuck. I've been losing and gaining the same 5 pounds over and over for months. Exercise has been hard because of my foot/ankle and I let myself "off" way too easily. How else do you think I got this big? I have such good intentions, but I'm sure you've heard which pathway is paved with those.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, one of the blogs that I regularly read, <a href="http://backtoherroots.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Back To Her Roots</span></b></a>, is sponsoring the <span style="color: blue; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://backtoherroots.com/2013/05/23/super-summer-challenge-how-it-works-printables/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Super Summer Mind and Body Challenge</span></a> </span>starting on June 1. It's just what I've been needing, but too lazy to put together myself. She even has free printables for point tally sheets, ideas for points for both mind and body and blank sheets so you can customize activities and point values for yourself/your family. Check it out - she's got some great ideas. I'd love to know if you end up working on the challenge. We could help motivate each other!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm going to try a version of this to help in the activities that I plan for the boys and me this summer - encouraging them to stay more active, positive with each other and working individually and together toward a goal with a big reward at the end of summer. They get to help decide the reward.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm feeling frustrated. I've been doing so awesome at tracking all of my food on My Fitness Pal. And I only went over my calorie goal once this past week. I gained almost a pound this week after gaining a half pound last week. I'm noticing that although I stay under my total calorie goal, I'm not staying under the individual goals for sugar and sodium. Those two categories are where I go over most often. So I'm keeping an extra eye on those. I also really have to up my water intake - especially in the afternoons. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm frustrated. I'm a bit discouraged. But just like my 9-year-old, I'm trying to get through things by doing some deep breathing and keeping calm - not working myself up. I'm going to pat myself on the back for the things I'm doing well, get some good sleep and keep working. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll get there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><u>SUNDAY STATS:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">WEIGHT GAIN/LOSS: +0.8 lbs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS: -23.6 lbs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">EXERCISE: Yard work and a little walking - not great</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">FOOD: I made some really good choices this week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">FOOD TRACKING: Excellent! 6 of 7 days!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">HYDRATION: Okayish. Need more water!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-660461510982357202013-05-19T21:59:00.000-07:002013-05-19T22:03:44.528-07:00And So She Tries a Limerick<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">There once was a full-figured lady</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Who's brain kept coming up empty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">All words took their flight,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">When she sat down to write. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">So she'll try when her head is less achy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">;)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a great week!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><u>SUNDAY STATS:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Weight gain/loss: +0.6 lbs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Total weight loss: -24.4 lbs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Food: Snacking was a problem this week</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Food Tracking: Awesome! 6 of 7 days</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Exercise: Lots of yard work</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Hydration: Still struggling to get more water in afternoons</span>Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-35655106124304808842013-05-12T23:49:00.001-07:002013-05-12T23:49:48.654-07:00Mother's Day Invaders<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sun was shining. A cool morning wind was gently blowing through the leaves of the plants around me as I pulled weeds - trying to make sure to get the roots. I admired the shrubby ground cover that spilled over the wall in the bed. It was in full bloom. The bright yellow cheerfully popped against the red barberry and pink azalea.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VchYKd4qYYM/UY_EIfgpsqI/AAAAAAAAAVo/-ueeO3hhBDw/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VchYKd4qYYM/UY_EIfgpsqI/AAAAAAAAAVo/-ueeO3hhBDw/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I continued to pull weeds, a flash of green caught my eye. Green where it was supposed to be yellow. I went to investigate, and found it. Here...and there...and over there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had Invaders.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Plants that weren't supposed to be there. There was some English Ivy hiding out just under the flowers. A couple of volunteer baby maple trees on the edge of the bed and a Japanese Snowbell coming up right between the azalea and the Barberry. How did all of these trouble makers get there without me noticing? </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They were big </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and established </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">enough to have </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">been there at least a couple of years.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dKMfyytGUZ0/UZBe5WcyZzI/AAAAAAAAAV4/aVyqOPGoGe8/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dKMfyytGUZ0/UZBe5WcyZzI/AAAAAAAAAV4/aVyqOPGoGe8/s320/014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These Invaders had grown undetected. In fact, they were protected by my own carefully selected plants. Small and inconspicuous, they sat, biding their time, waiting for their root systems to become strong. Pretending they belonged there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Removing them from these beds will be difficult. To make sure it's permanent, I must pull them out roots and all. Getting a shovel or other tool in there could cause damage to my other plants. But if I don't remove them, they could all too quickly take over, or displace my carefully chosen arrangement.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wevauII2W5Y/UZBfbYzZ3yI/AAAAAAAAAWI/d1jnSZKQYZc/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wevauII2W5Y/UZBfbYzZ3yI/AAAAAAAAAWI/d1jnSZKQYZc/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I was thinking about how I needed to get them out, it occurred to me that I had other Invaders with which I must contend. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These Invaders aren't overtaking my flower beds. But they do just as much damage. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They have grown protected and sheltered. But unlike the unwanted plants in my yard, these other Invaders don't reach for the sun. They stay below the surface, preferring the dark. They bubble and foam and froth - eroding from within.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These Invaders tell me that I'm not doing enough. That I'm doing it all wrong. They tell me that, on this Mother's Day, I should not be celebrated. Contrary to the card on the window sill, I am not the "Best Mom Ever!" and that maybe, just maybe I'm not cut out for this Mom Stuff.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I used to hate Mother's Day. It seemed like a cruel joke that anyone would celebrate when I was being denied what I wanted most. And those Invaders told me that I wasn't supposed to be a mother - that I didn't deserve to be a mother.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then it happened! Finally, we were parents. And all of a sudden, we had what we wanted and it was wonderful! It was an answer to our prayers and our wishes and our dreams and we were so, so happy. But it wa</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">s also so, so hard, and it was exhausting, and although we had been waiting twelve long years, we had an almost two-year-old and suddenly it seemed too fast. What did we really know about being parents? And then, there were two. What a blessing and how scary!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After we had waited so long, how could I complain about how hard it is? After finally getting what we wanted, how could I not enjoy every minute? After having our house be so quiet how could I now curse the craziness? My Invaders told me I must be doing something wrong. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Those Invaders are well established. They've been here long enough that they think they belong here. Getting in there to pluck them out, root and all, will be difficult.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know that I'm a good mom. I also know that I have a lot to work on. Just like the invading plants steal the water and nutrients from my desired plants, these Invading Thoughts suck my confidence and steal my joy and break my spirit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm not sure why it is so easy to believe those darn Invaders.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They have to go. They must be plucked. I need to make room for the positive, for the joy, for the fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So don't let those Invaders take root, my friends. Let's make room only for what reaches for the sun - for the light. It's worth the work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><u>SUNDAY STATS</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This week's weight gain/loss: -3.2 lbs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Total weight loss: -24.8 lbs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Exercise: Not great - just yard work - no formal exercise</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Food: Not too shabby - down a bit on the veggie intake, though</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Food Tracking: Excellent! 6 days out of 7</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Hydration: Good</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-76492070022418958242013-05-06T00:26:00.000-07:002013-05-06T00:26:34.419-07:00Last week<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have felt really good this past week. I logged (in My Fitness Pal) just about every single thing that got in mah belleh. And all days but one, I stayed below my calorie goal. I missed tracking Saturday and I usually don't track n Sunday. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't give myself a free pass on Sundays. I just take a break from tracking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is the day of rest, after all. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saturday night, we had some people over and I spent most of the day cleaning and cooking after Boy 2's soccer game. Those</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> little Kindergartners are so cute chasing that ball all over the field.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My feet are so sore and swollen today. As I'm sitting here my left foot is just pulsing and cramping up. Being on my feet so much yesterday and then today at church was too much for my tootsies. Combine that with not enough water and too much sodium and my feet are a sight. I'll spare you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I gained 3 pounds this week. I think I can partly blame the Great Harvest pizza bread I bought on Thursday. I bought it thinking my family would love it with the spaghetti we were having for dinner. My guys love bread. Hey, I love bread. Especially that soft, chewy, crusty bread. We don't have it so often anymore because it's one of the (many) things I can't keep my hands off. Any way, Great Harvest makes a pizza bread with herbs and hunks of pepperoni and cheese throughout. It's delicious, by the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, the boys - including Lobster - didn't like it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While I tracked each piece I ate, I ate way too much of that bread. I just couldn't see wasting a loaf of bread that cost $10. After the fact, I feel silly to have wasted so many calories on $10.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although the bread gave me some trouble, and although I gained this week, I'm feeling strangely positive. It's not a race and I just need to take it one day at a time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been warm lately. The sunshine is great - a nice little preview of summer. I'm afraid to get too attached. It's supposed to last through this week, at least. My peas are over a foot tall, now. I can't wait to eat them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's almost time to plant my warm season veggies. We'd better get those raised beds built. I'm all about the tomatoes. And zucchini. Oh, and cucumbers. I love me some cucumbers straight out of the garden</span>.Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-63118308800681539522013-04-30T00:14:00.000-07:002013-04-30T00:14:06.280-07:00Stuck<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started writing weekly over a year ago. I wanted to keep a record of my losing weight. I wanted to hold myself accountable and hoped that my friends and family reading about my progress would keep my motivation going strong. I was hoping that it might BE my motivation when mine was lacking.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've watched people all around me losing weight and getting healthy - changing their lives and their bodies.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I sit here, stuck.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, I'm stuck in a mire of my own making. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, still, I am stuck.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't even complain. It feels too much like whining (it is), and I've done enough of that (I have).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For this whole time, I've been looking at this weight loss thing not as a diet, but as a change in the way I and my family live. I've not been in a hurry, though it would be nice to just have it disappear. I have figured as long as my weight is moving in the right direction, it doesn't really matter how long it takes. The time is going to pass anyway, right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And time is passing. And I have bounced around the same 5 pounds since August.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eight months.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eight months of not totally taking a nose-dive, but not really doing very well, either. If I were an employee having a review, I would SO be fired. Mediocrity is really something for which to aspire, yes? And, bah! I'm trying to not think about the weight that I could have lost in that time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so, this vehicle that I chose to keep me motivated has become my weekly public humiliation. OK, it's not that bad (most of the time). That was a bit dramatic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not giving up. But, I'm not promising anyone that I'll be inspiring, either. I know that it is about my choices every day.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can make good choices.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I've chosen to not walk in front of a moving car. I've chosen to be kind to animals. I've made the choice to eat more vegetables and less processed foods. I make good choices - every day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just need to make more of them. And fine-tune others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I need to actually make those choices. Not just write about them. It's so easy to talk (or write) about what I need to do. Much harder to follow through. I need to walk the walk - to realize that when I give in to what I want right now, I'm giving up what I really want.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I'm stuck. Is admitting I'm stuck half the battle? No? <span style="font-size: x-small;">Well, dammit!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm stuck. But, the good news is, I know how to get out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is that half the battle?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sure hope so.</span>Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233417415708464090.post-21257133930283063272013-04-29T10:47:00.001-07:002013-04-29T10:47:29.966-07:00A Pause in the Programming...<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So last night, after the boys were asleep, I was having some Internet connection problems. With my in-house technician otherwise occupied, I did what I know. I checked all the connections and re-booted. While I waited for everything to boot back up, I sat on the couch to return a friend's call.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And the next thing I knew, it was 12:30. I woke up with cold feet and lost time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I guess I needed it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So...there will be a pause in the programming. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Please check back!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Amy at Song Of The Fat Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667742798194546190noreply@blogger.com1