Some of you know I've been doing Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. It has definitely taken me longer than 30 days. In the beginning there was no way I could do 2 consecutive days because my muscles were so sore!
I haven't lost tons of weight. 8lbs so far and I'm on the 6th day of Level 3. I'm not too concerned about what I haven't lost, but I'm totally psyched about what I've gained!
I am stronger! I can do more than I could before. Going up and down the stairs is a breeze now. Loading wood in the fire not as hard (still don't like doing it but I actually can now).
When I think about how weak I was it's kind of scary. I'm not done yet I still have a ways to go. Level 3 is still kicking my butt pretty good. I know my cardiovascular system thanks me.
I've also lost inches too. How much exactly I don't know. I never did measure, but I started at a size 12 and now my size 10s are getting lose and baggy. Maybe soon I'll get into those old size 8s I have kicking around in the closet.
I never use to like working out, but now I look forward to it.
It's good to sweat!
And now I have good stabilizing muscles to wear my 5" Steve Madden high heels;)
Following my friend cause I can't think of anything to write.
{one} If you were granted three wishes what would they be?
Hmmm...to live somewhere like Hawaii...that housework would be easy and enjoyable...and I'm gonna leave the last one open for emergencies;)
{two} Who is your favorite author?
I would have to say John Bunyan first. I can't think of any authors only good books. My all time favorite the one I read over and over is the Bible so favorite all time author, God:)
{three} What crowd were you involved in during high school?
I was in the Church crowd.
{four} What is your favorite thing to do when you have time to yourself?
When I have time I like to sew, cross-stitch and scrapbook. While I do these things I like to watch movies.
{five} Do you have any hidden talents?
I really don't think so and if I do they must be really, really hidden!
{six} Can you fake any accents?
yes, but only with Josh, I'd never do it in front of anyone else
{seven} Have you ever been mentioned in the newspaper?
I grew up in a small town so yep I've been in the newspaper a few times.
{eight} Have you ever been arrested?
Never been arrested, but I did take a ride in the back of a cop car!
{nine} What is your favorite job you've had?
Being a Mom, it's a had thankless job, but so far it's still my favorite.
{ten} Do you have any scars?
Emotional or physical?? I have both:)
On my knee I have this weird scar of lines and dots from when I stopped my bike with my knee.
And lots of stretch marks, my battle scars:)
Josh has way more scars than me, from chains saws and stuff, but the coolest one I want to tell you about is a body surfing scar from Hawaii. It looks exactly like the number 17!
(just a little scar trivia for ya;)
Word of advice....be careful where you get your sewing instructions.
Following duvet making instructions from a miscellaneous site, I bought the listed amount of material for the proper bedding sizes. Unfortunately there was no where on those instructions that told me this would only cover the front!
I thought at the time, "This is a lot of material!". Not once did I think it wouldn't be enough.
While I only need a 15 x 84 inch piece for the Twin Cover, I'll need another 5 1/2 yards for the Double. NUTS!
I am beginning to think it would have been cheaper and easy to buy covers. I would have, but the ones I liked were at least $100, the cheaper ones where not as pretty. I have beautiful material, the kids are going to love it. If it gets done!
I've spent $189 on 3 duvet covers so far, how much more will I need to spend??
I am currently undoing 1/4 of the stitching I did late last night.
Mistake #2 Sewing while tired = miss calculations in measurements. OOPS!
The plan for this week, along with all our regular daily tasks:
~ Detailed Cleaning of the Kitchen, Dining Room, Living Room and Entrances in preparation for decoration.
~ Shopping with the children so they can buy gifts.
~ Shopping without the children so I can buy gifts.
~ Baking Cookies with enough to freeze and last us through the holidays. (maybe) (That's maybe last not bake.)
~ Decorate the house for Christmas.
~ Make all gifts that need to be made.
That last one I am starting right now. I am off to sew Duvet covers, catch ya later when I'll let you know how the "list" is going.
I believe I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas, and winter.
I love Christmas for the fact I get to visit my family that I haven't seen most of the year or at least since summer. I hate that the roads are yucky and sometimes scary this time of year and my beloved family is traveling on them.
I love giving gifts to people. I hate that gifts often take away from the real reason why we are celebrating in the first place. If I had it my way there would be no presents on Christmas, the big spending and hoopla would be on your Birthday!!
I love all the good food, and baked goods. I hate that how I feel when I eat to much of the yummy, yummy food!!
I hate being cold, I hate keeping the fire going (which reminds me I need to run and put wood in the furnace!).
I love how quiet it gets outside at night when everything is covered in white. It looks so beautiful that I forget that it's cold out and I just stand and stare. The stars are even brighter and time disappears.
I love that the kids have so much fun out there, building snow forts and snowmen. I hate that 3 out of 4 of them never seem to remember to knock the snow off outside or hang up wet stuff! GRRRR! But they do play nicely (mostly) for hours.
I hate that the kids are always thinking about what they want, well the younger ones anyway. I haven't heard much about it from the older two. I love that they are old enough to shop for and think about, what the person they are buying for would like.
I hate that the stores are crowded with people. It makes grocery shopping a pain. I love that Ten Thousand Villages is open this weekend and so is the Farmers Market fair.
I am thankful for the true meaning of Christmas, above all the hoopla (my new word of the day).
That true meaning being the Creator of Heaven and Earth gave His only Son to pay the way for us to be reconciled to Him. Christmas celebrates His birth, but really it's about the Cross. And I can't leave it there, cause He didn't stay on the Cross, no He didn't. He rose up from the dead to sit at the right hand of God, preparing a place for those who will follow Him. That is what Christmas is truly for, to remember what He gave, and remember why we're here.
That's how I feel when I'm sick. Do you remember that song? I think it was a Michael W. Smith? (Wow I totally drew a blank on his name!)
"Sittin' in the rain,
water on your brain,
gotta hole in your boat.
Tryin to stay afloat,
has got you down.
I’ve got a wind in my sail
Rubber boots and a pail
I’ll throw you a line
Rest assured that i
Won’t ever let you drown
Chorus:
’cause when you’re up against the wall
You know I’ll be here for you, for you
When you rise and when you fall
I’ll always be here for you, for you
When the plans you make
Fall through and take you
For a loop
Or some bird has flown the coop
And left you stranded
Just lean on me
And together you see
We’ll carry the load
Even if we don’t
Quite understand it
I'm not really sinking, just feeling sorry for myself. When I'm under the weather and not myself all the things I wanted to get done and can't bother me. Like grocery shopping, my workout, lesson planning. I just don't have the energy and I can't see through the cobwebs in my brain.
We're in survival mode here. I make waffles, toast and ichaban to keep the children fed. They do the dishes and whatever school they can without me. Then they play games and watch movies the rest of the time. Don't worry they are supervised. I counted there are 4 here! Ok that means one is missing but I remembered that he went to Oma's:)
Hope you all are avoiding the annoying coughs, colds and flus. I am going to take more Vitamin C and drink some tea.
Finally! One of my little chickens is earning her keep! Yesterday morning Bradon came in beaming with the first little egg in his hand.
It's actually bigger than I expected. I was thinking they'd be like robin's eggs. They are a pretty good little size.
