Day one done! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Got up, did the gym, slow but sure. I was definatly feeling not doing anything for a few weeks. I got on the treadmill and did the walk/run program for a total of 1.07 miles in 21 minutes. Also did my stretches and ab moves too.
So far so good on foods today - tonight will be the kicker with New Years' Eve and all. Wish me luck and a Happy New's Wish to you!

Darla

New Year - New Me!

So, this is going to be long and boring. Sorry. But I want to put it out there for a couple of reasons. First off, I feel so much more accountable when I put things in writing for others to see - then you can all hold me to the wall on this stuff! Secondly, I know there are a lot of people who read this blog for nothing more than to get some additional motivation for themselves - and that is TOTALLY COOL! If I have or can inspire anyone to do better physically, then WOW! I think that is awesome!
I know this past month or two has been slow around blogland regarding weightloss and fitness and health. I have really struggled since my surgery to get back on my health track - honestly - I have sort of lost my way. It is sad and frustrating and I am so sick of feeling this way. I have concluded that I just have to get up the determination and self worth to do this for myself - not later - but NOW! Of course, the New Year is always a great time to start anew and fresh, but I am just ready to do it.
Over the past few months I have slowly gained back a portion of my weight lost - enough that it is still managable- I can get it back off, but also enough that I am noticing it in more than one way. Tighter clothes, sore back, feeling sluggish and tired again all the time. NOT the way I want to feel. I guess knowing how great I CAN and DID feel is really great motivation for me.
When I had my surgery in Sept I have struggled a lot. I did get back to the gym quickly and was ready to keep going but then I have gone back and forth, up and down, with getting sick, getting better, getting sick again. I have spent the past 3 months with the majority of it fighting off colds and illness. I finally decided in Dec to give my body a break. I think I just needed to let my body catch up and cool down? But now, I just feel like crud. I can't stand it! So, it has been several weeks and I am ready to do this!
Another big thing for me is looking back at this past year. AMAZING changes in myself. Not just physically but emotionally and just overall. When I think back at all the fun times I had - WOW! I feel so giddy just thinking of them all! Stuff I never even thought of doing before, or was too self consious or scared to try. Crazy! I loved how I felt playing and dancing and swimming and going out on the ARV's -- all those things and I don't want to lose that. Yet one more motivation to keep going on this health and fitness trek of mine!
So, here I am at this turning point again. No one can do this for me but me. I know that, but sometimes it is so hard. I have to be ready mentally more than physically. I have to have the desire - trying so hard to get that back like I did before. I am so lucky to have so much support from freinds and family to help push me on but truly it is 100% my choice and my doing what I know I need to do! So, keep cheering me on and if I "fall off the wagon" please help boost me back up! I have new running shoes and I have my new music loaded on the MP3 so I have no reason not to go! Right?
Here's to LESS WEIGHT IN 2008!!!
Darla

Brrrrrr Baby It's COLD Outside!

http://www.localnews8.com/Global/category.asp?C=93338&nav=menu554_1

Our local news is covered in stories about the weather in our area... snow, closed roads, blizzard advisory for the next 24 hours... YIKES! Right now we have gotten about 12 or so inches for this week and tonight we are under a storm advisory of high winds and snowing conditions of up to 60 mph wind gusts! Great for sledding and playing but bad for driving and all those poor folks traveling home from the Holidays! :O(

Gonna put on my fuzzy slippers and make some hot chocolate and cozy up for the night!

Stay warm and safe everyone!
Darla

Hold on to yer' britches kids - I SCRAPPED!

Cleaning off my desk, fingering through my goodies, and envisioning what I can do with my new found treasures inspired me to play tonight! So, here we go - my latest and greatest creation..... Micheal I LOVE YOU!

Darla

My Good- Good- Goodies!!!! (happy dance!)

So, way out yonder here in the lil' state of Idaho, we are quite a few in the way of numbers of scrappers. Must be that we are so secluded from teh rest of the world or something?? I don't know, but Idahoans are BIG into scrapbooking.
That said, we have some FANTASTIC scrapbook stores and craft stores here in our part of the state but the really good stores seem to all be over in the Boise area.
Every time I go over to visit family I try to sneak away to hit a store or two. My most recently fave store closed a while back and I was quite bummed as it was really close to my MIL and FIL's house and had the COOLEST stuff!

Never fear though... Boise is on the ball and somehow got themselves THE coolest store ever ARCHIVERS!!! Ah yes, the mecca of all scrappiness! :O) So, this visit over, my dearest most loving hubby dropped me off for a short visit while he ventured over to the Cheesecake Factory at the mall. (yes ladies and gentlemen, I gave up cheesecake for scrapping) :O) OK OK... he brought me cheesecake, I cannot lie. LOL

So, here is a glimpse of the goodies I got at the ever-famous Archivers store in Boise, some new - fun - fab papers and some cool stamps and things. They have AWESOME $1 and $1.99 bins and then my very favorite thing ever - *THE CUTEST!!* penguin paper ever! Happy happy me!

Darla

Just Ask Ed

Gotta love best friends and inside jokes. :O) Thanks for the family t-shirts Blake and Lisa!! The Black's look great in black!

Darla

a few more photos ......

Just a few more things to share... still lots of stories and updating to do, but not much time, so photos at least to keep you going. LOL :O) Darla

-My brand new running shoes - !!!!!THANKS!!!!! to Mom and Dad Black! (they won't cook like a crock pot but they'll keep me runnin' hot on the treadmill- THANKS!)
-Sister Darla (the nun??) no, just all bundled up to go out in the snow to play! LOL I love my Columbia coat and new snow pants and boots! We got SO much snow too!
-Chris' Firebird covered in snow...he had to dig it out of the snow and then "slide" into the driveway so the snow plows could get down our circle!
-Our trees and bushes are weighed down with all the snow - it is good packing snow for forts, snowmen and sledding!
-Blake and Lisa opening their Christmas from us, their super COOLIO sweatshirts (Lisa the model!) and "THE" perfect game for Blakely-man "Dirty Minds"...
-PROOF that I did in fact make it to Archivers in Boise :O) So awesome!

The day after.....

Well, I'd like to say we are "coming down" from our Christmas high around here but things are as crazy as ever in our home and I am just plain pooooopered out!
After surviving the wrath of the gift opening yesterday morning, we did relax and hang out, ate a nice turkey dinner. Then we played on the 4 wheelers and sleds a bit outside... and drove out to our friends Blake and Lisa's to do our gift exchange with them. GREAT fun there! (more later) After that we headed over to the Ucon pit which is a HUGE hole in the ground which is great in the summer for biking and 4 wheeling and better in the winter for sledding! So, we went, played a bit, and then went to leave when Ed realized his *ONLY* ignition key to the new Ford was missing. We then spent a good 45 min searching in the dark and snow for it...called Blake to bring his spotlights, looked for another hour at least... nothing. So, we hooked the trailer up to Blake's truck and he drove us home. Had to leave the poor "Explosion" out there all night by its' lonesome self. :O( Late, cold, tiring night. BUT a memorable one(as Blake pointed out!).
So, this morning we were sort of back to routine, baby was back for me (but sick again) and kids doing their own things. Chris and Ed both took today off and good thing too as they are now out getting the Ford towed to the locksmith shop for a new key. *SIGH* Also, Chris had to dig out his Firebird Formula from the snow and move it so the snowplows can get through the streets... we are BURRIED in snow and it is awesome!! I have more pix to share of all this too...later.
Wanted to share just a couple more photos from yesterday, show ya all the fun goodies we got for Christmas!!
LOVES!
Darla

Photos
The tree after Santa stopped by
Micheal with his new blue sweater (that matches his big blue eyes!)
Chris FINALLY gets his Columbia coat :O)
My awesome watch Ed gave me
and several gift certs I recieved in my stocking!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE !!!!!

Holy cow! I have so so so much to share.... life has been a bit on the CrAzY! side the past few days and I have a lot of catching up to do. Tons and tons of good, some bad, but overall feeling very BLESSED on this special Christmas Day. :O) I hope you and your families are all well and happy and enjoying this joyful day together in the warmth of your homes and one another's love.

Quick rundown for you...... a week and 1/2 ago we took our pup, Hershey to the groomers, we discovered a raw spot and nick/cut on his chin but thought it would heal on it's own. No. So late Fri evening we had to take him to the ER Vet office for an emergency surgery - he is one sick puppy - not exaggerating. He had to have a large area of skin removed from his chin down to his chest and sewn up and is on anti-b meds. Praying he heals quickly and without complication. :O(
Also Friday, I headed to Pocatello to meet up with my sisters for a girls lunch and gift exchange to and visit our Mom who is under Hospice care there. While visiting, I got a call from dd Tiff's school stating they thought she'd broken her wrist and needed picked up. THANKFULLY Ed was off work and Chris was out of school and they were able to get her to the Dr where we found it was just a sprain (although she is still quite uncomfortable so we might have to re-check).
Sat a.m. we left for Boise at the crack of dawn to visit Ed's family. Had a good drive over and fantastic visit! Quick but fun. Celebrated Dad's 61st Bday and just had fun! Got home late Sun night and all but fell into bed! OH and while we were there, I got to go to an Archivers Scrapbook Store! THAT WAS THE BOMB!!!!!!!!!!!
We also got a Cheesecake Factory cheesecake that is so rich no one can eat a full slice! LOL
Christmas Eve was a rush of running around getting last minute things done in a a massive snow storm! We got about 8-10 inches and it was just amazinly beautiful all day! The yard and whole town is blanketed in snow and it is gorgeous! LOVE a white Christmas!
Woke up at 6:00 A.M. this morning with the kiddies to see that Santa had indeed been here! Left way more goodies than any one good girl or boy deserves and we had a blast opening things and sharing our gifts!
Dinner tonight is a small-ish turkey dinner without all the trimmings, LOL, but a nice dinner it will be for sure! :O) (we soooooo overdid Thanksgiving this year I am still feeling full from it all a month later...)
So, a couple of photos, just a teaser of all the ones to come.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Darla

**Photos top to bottom are:
Ed with a Christmas bow - my bestest gift!
Me and my boys who I love so much!
The AFTERMATH of gift opening (plus two full bags of wrapping)
My beautiful new ring which I love to bits!
The Cheesecake Factory Cake mmmmmmmm!
Pappa and his Bday cake from the kids!
Ed and Chris "beating" on each other...

sick again

I am sick again. Not to whine or complain or do the "woe is me" song and dance but I am SICK of being SICK all the time.
I have been muddling through my 4th sinus "thing" in just a matter of a few months and now I have some freakish stomach bug and I just plain don't like it.
So, for now, I am going back to bed. Anyone got a giant orange tree they want to send me for Christmas? Maybe boost up my Vit C or something? ugh... :O(

Darla

Tiff's new do and playing dress up!

Well, Tiffany did it again! She went yesterday and had her hair cut for Locks of Love... this is the 2nd time in less than 2 years that she has done it and I am so proud of her! WOW her hair is short though! Ed says she looks like Peppermint Patty!

The other photo is of me last night.... not the best photo, but it works. This is the new outfit my sister bought me for Christmas. I love love love the blouse, love the red, love the sparkles, and just felt so pretty in it! It was a nice banquet and dinner and we had a great time!

OK lots to do today! I'll see ya all later!
Darla

I stole this!!!! (and) My Holiday Decor' Continued...

Sorry I missed a day or so, just been busy I guess. But now I am back and with lots to share.
First off, my decoration. This little mini nativity set was a gift to me from my friend Liz. Liz has lived with us for a few years, since Micheal was a baby and is like a sister to Ed and I, she is awesome with the kids and we love her like a sister! The year Micheal was born, I was SO super preggo that Christmas and just so worn out and tired, I didn't even want to decorate because of all the work involved in putting up and taking down and a baby due any minute. Well, Liz bought me this cute lil' mini Nativity set and I just love it! SO cute! Oh and the little teeny tiny baby lambs - TO DIE FOR! Just adoreable! I love this set!

Got this challenge from my online buddy Kip's blog...thought it was a fun one!
Thought provoking challenge....
1..What one person has most inspired you, in your career? Well, since I am a SAHM I would have to say my own Mother. She taught me so much and I try in so many ways to do the things she did for us.

2. If money were not an issue, where would you live? I think we'd still be here in Idaho Falls, but probably in a bigger, newer home.

3. What is the best advice you ever received? If at first you don't suceed, try try again. :O) Thanks Mom.

4. What is your favorite time of day? LATE nights when the kids are all in bed!

5. What is the best invention since sliced bread? Minivans with automatic doors!

6. Not including family or friends, the top three things you're thankful for? My home, my health and cameras to capture memories forever!

7. If you had that mobile phone service, who would be your top five? Well, my speed dial includes my dh Ed, ds Chris, our bf's home, friend Blake's cell, friend Lisa's cell, sister Lisa, sister Carlee, and friend Liz

8. What things need to happen for you to have a good day? Decent sleep, waking up on time, no argument with kids before school, morning phone call from my bf Lisa.

9. What is your favorite every day outfit? Blue jeans, t-shirt, tennis shoes

10. When you are alone in the car, what do you do? Listen to the same CD's over and over and over and talk on my cell phone (too much!)

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? THE most beautiful blue Chrystler Town and Country minivan fully loaded with EVERYTHING I could ever dream of!! I love my van!

12. What one person, whom you have never met, do you wish you could have lunch with? (met in person?) Shar for sure!

13. What is the one part of your body that you like the most? My long blond-ish hair and my cavles which the kids pediatrician said were "buff"

14. What song, when playing on the radio currently, is your favorite to hear? I LOVE LOVE LOVE the song "Paralyzer" by Finger11

15.What is the one piece of advice that you wish you could give someone? What are people saying about YOU behind YOUR back?

16. What are you looking forward to right now? Going to bed!

17. What are the tv shows you watch every week and hate to miss? ER, Survivor, Biggest Loser, Little People-Big World

18. What is the dinner that you or your family eats once a week? Ground Beef

19. If you just won $100,000, what would you use the money for? Pay some bills and use some as a down on a house

20. Name one random fact about you that you think most people do not know. I have crooked pinkie fingers...inherited it from my Grandma and my Daddy!

and now it is too late to report on the days' events but I wanted to "tag" Shar, Dolly, Robin, Cindy, and Sherelle to this challenge and I will post about my crazy day tommorrow!

Darla

Whoo whoo for Wednesday!

Going to be a good day here (I hope!). I got to sleep a bit longer this a.m. as the baby and momma were late. I am going to do a quick through on the house this morning and then get dressed to go meet my sis for some shopping! My older sis, Lisa, is taking me to Macy's to pick out an outfit for my Christmas gift! HOW COOL IS THAT? I went to "pre" shop the other day and found a beautiful blouse I want, so we'll see what we end up with today! Should be fun!
Also, we have NO plans this evening which makes things nice... quiet, calm, family time, I enjoy that a lot. Don't have a clue what to make for dinner yet, but I am sure I'll come up with something. Better than last night anyway. LOL We were all so busy coming and going dinner sort of got shoved off and we had to fend for ourselves LOL. However, the caroling ride with my girls was fun - COLD - but fun. We went on a trolly style wagon pulled by 2 huge and beautiful clydesdale horses, around our neighborhood with about 20 young girls and moms to sing carols for the holidays. The horses are amazing... weighing in at over 1800 lbs EACH they are massive and strong and yet sooo beautiful and gentle. The owner of them, his daughter is a good friend and neighbor of ours, she takes our dd Tiff to the farm with her alot to ride horses and help out so that is cool. Tiff is at that age where girls LOVE horses and so this has been an amazing opportunity for her.

Christmas decor 101 - the rugs. LOL This is a funny one. So, I am love all the hoilday fun decorations for both festive and everyday things... but one thing I have never "got" was holiday rugs. Well, my Mom bought these Santa rugs several years ago and they are light and flimsy and roll up all the time, really serve very little purpose but I somehow ended up with them and now I feel like I have to use them. LOL So, I have one by the front door and one just inside the entry too to double wipe your feet of the snow before getting on the carpet. So far, the dog has stolen them twice (dragged them off), they have been flipped and tripped over, they are already getting wet and muddy and grungy and need washed... but, I'll leave them out because Mom would love it.

:O) Have a great Wed!
Darla

Quick post today and another Holiday Spotlight!

Happy Tuesday everyone! I am up, alive, and semi-breathing so that is all good, right? Just fighting this sinus thing still - it is kicking my butt but I am hanging in there. I did sleep pretty good through the night but then got up this a.m. feeling like 500 lbs was sitting on my forehead. Have spent all morning with a heated rice pack on my face trying to get it to drain... and drinking oodles of green tea. Hope it works!
Not too much to do today, just a bit around the house and going to help my sis with her house... tonight is the Mother-Daughter Sing Along for Church. We'll go by horse drawn wagons through the neighborhood caroling songs - so much fun! However, it is COLD here right now (we got down to -3 degrees last night) and I will have to bundle up good to keep from getting more sickie! :O( ick!
I am not doing so hot on the workouts this week - obviously - as I can't go run and wipe my nose at the same time, I am just not that coordinated. So, hopefully by the end of the week I'll feel better and can play catch up. Going to push myself super hard to eat better all week though! I can at least do that, not like I can taste anything with my nose so stuffed up anyway! ROTF!

OK Spotlight today is my Anne Geddes Santa Baby doll.... isn't he cute!? I got him for Micheals' first Christmas in 2001 from an Avon catalog! He looked SO much like Micheal, that little fat round head and all, I just had to have him. Now, lil' Micheal is almost 7 yrs old and every Christmas I can remember what a sweet lil' chubber-bub of a baby he was that first year! Definatly a favorite for sure! He isn't very big, sitting he is like 6 inches tall? But he is soft and stuffed and fluffy and sweet and I love love love that lil' chunky face so much! I'll have to find a photo of Micheal at that age and share....

Darla

More Christmas Goodies!

Wow, it is Monday again. A busy yet quiet weekend around our house, got things decorated, (and made more of a mess), did a little shopping and lots of window shopping. Got to get the house into shape today... driving me nutty!
Went to the mall yesterday where I brushed up against a lady in JC Penny's who had severe cigg smoke on her clothes - I immediatly started to get stuffy and sneezing and by the time we were doing dinner I was in a full blown sinus ick! Had a rotten night and feel like death this a.m. I have been sick with a sinus/cold thing 4 times now since my surgery. ugh! I guess my immune system is way down from the surgery or something but whatever it is, I am sick of being sick! I'll be sick for 2 weeks, well for one, then sick again. Hope it is gone by Christmas.

My decoration "spotlight" today is a newbie! Last Christmas my oldest son, Chris, bought me this BEAUTIFUL Light-up, musical, Christmas Candy Cottage snow globe! I LOVE IT! It lights up and sprinkles glitter and plays music. It is motion activated too. So cute! I forgot he got it for me so when I pulled it out of the box this year it was like a brand new suprize all over for me!! Isn't it pretty? Oh and both sides are equally as cool. One is the "inside" of the bakery shop and the other is the shop window from the outside. So cool!

OK off to do dishes and laundry and all that fun stuff - oh, and blow my nose *again* too.

Darla

*And I have no will power. I ate a Big Mac and fries for lunch today thanks to my sister Lisa. ugh*

Christmas Decoration Spotlights

OK so I guess this is SORT of goofy, but I like the idea and thought you might enjoy it too. Over the years, Ed and I have collected quite the assortment of Holiday decorations. I just wanted to share some favorites and tell their stories!
My Mother was really really uptight about her decorations, especially the tree ornaments and such. I think growing up during the depression made her more thankful (and worried) about the "things" she had. So, although I don't believe that THINGS are more important than people and feelings, I am glad she has instilled in us this sort of uptight thinking about taking care of our decorations. Each item has a speical box and packaging and is taken care of with the utmost tender loving care. It is a lot more work unpacking and re-packing each Christmas but I hope that MY kids will care for their decorations this way too.
So, here are a couple of my favorites... I'll share one or two each day with you here!

These are two of my oldest and newest decorations. Oldest because they were Mom's and we used them EVERY Christmas when I was growing up. New because I just acquired them a year or two ago. Mom's old Nativity and a plastic Santa doll.
The nativity is funny.... it really and truly is NOT the prettiest thing you ever saw. The stable is a cheap thin board with a sticker scene in the back and poorly painted ceramic figures. The light up top for the star no longer works. The paint is chipping on some of the figures and the sheep is missing. The baby Jesus has fallen out of his swaddling wrap and there is no manger - but one that my son made of popscicle sticks. However, this nativity set was simply THE most beautiful thing to me when I was growing up. Mom always set it up in the center of the livingroom, on top of our huge console stereo TV system. She put light, fluffy, silky angel hair under it and placed each figure with precision. I remember thinking it was jus the most elegant, beautiful thing in the world.(I think it was the angel hair?) So, although it is old and worn and not the best quality, it was and always will be special to me. It is old, Mom had it most of her adult life - and it is new - to me, as I just got it handed down to me a couple of years ago.
Santa. Same story goes, old/new as Mom had it forever and ever (I think she told me she had it long before her older kids were born which makes it over 50 yrs old?) and it is new, again, as it was just passed to me recently. This is a good old fun Santa doll. He stands about 15 inches tall maybe? He is plastic and has painted on facial features, including these crazy BLACK wrinkle lines! (my dd thinks it is gross) He has a sewn fabric suit with cotton batting for the trim. His plastic boots are firmly stuck to his feet although I think they USED to come off. His belt is fastened on with a sewing pin (as is some of his clothes) and he is just old. I'd like to see if I could find out how old, where he'd come from, that sort of thing... I just love him. Again, he is not beautiful or anything fancy, she probably bought him at a 5 and dime store like King's or something, but I love him and am so giddy happy to have him and put him out - even if my kids think he is creepy! ROTF!

Darla

Christmas Season Decor' Ala DarlaLOU!

Well, although I have put it off 101 times since Thanksgiving and I have made on excuse after another I finally broke down and did it today. I dragged all the boxes up one by one and put up the decorations. I thought it would put me in the Christmas "Spirit" but it really didn't. *sigh* I wish it had... I am not sure what or why but I am not there quite yet. I will get there though. I promise! Anyway, here are a few photos of the decor... I'll post a few each day and tell about them and why they are favorites and so forth. For now these are some general shots, my winter village (that grows each Christmas thanks to Ed and the kids), the nativity collection on the piano, the "Disney' collection on the coffee table, the fireplace/mantel and my few diningroom decorations including my "blue" snoman set up. OH - and the bare tree. LOL Will get it decorated tommorrow! :O) Enjoy!
Darla

Woah! It is Saturday Already? {again!}

First of all - LOOK UP TOP THERE! Is that new banner not totally cool!? Good ol' Robin saves the day again! I love it, so festive and fun - holly and jolly! Thanks Robin dear!!
I cannot believe it is Saturday already. Normally I would be jumping up and down in anticipation and excitement and yet for some reason it "ZOOMED" up on me this week! Maybe it is the upcoming Holidays and the realization that I AM SO NOT READY YET ? I don't know, but wow, Sat is here - already!
I have lots to do today and then it is sort of a bummer day too. Ed has been working lots of OT this weekend and will be gone most of the day, he worked 14 HOURS yesterday! Stinky!Poo! But a good time of year for OT! :O) Also our best friends are gone for the weekend which means no date night tonight with them, however we are thinking of going out with our friend Liz instead. So I guess all is not lost! LOL I just look forward all week to our night out on Sat's so much - I need them. Goofy but true. So, with all I have to get done today I am sure I'll stay busy enough to keep my mind free and clear of all the bummers.
To do today: help the kids with their bedroom, clean upstairs including mop floors and scrubbing bathrooms. Need to wash some laundry and some bedding. And last but certainly NOT least, I'll be putting up the majority of the Christmas decorations *FINALLY* today. I'll get the tree put together too and then tonight oldest ds can get the lights on it and tommorrow we can decorate it all as a family! :O)
I can't believe I have waited so long to get going on this... so much work though and I have been so un-energized about anything at all since Thanksgiving. It was like all that effort just sucked the life out of me to make it through that weekend. Don't get me wrong, it was fun and well worth the planning and work, but it took a lot out of me I think. My body is just on such a rollarcoaster right now. But, on a happy note, all the extra healthy eating and going to the gym this week has finally paid off! After being bummeroni for several days I finally am down another pound and couple of ounces today! Hooray!
Anyway, lots to do, lots to do! Hope you have a wonderful weekend and hey, we even got a wee bit of snow last night! :O)
Darla

Spic and Span errrrrr' Mr Clean?

I have had "one of those days" you know the ones... woke up bad and continued to go that way to the EXTREME! Well, I decided nothing is worse than cleaning house and especially your own so since I was in pure and utter misery why not just ice the cake? So, send in MR CLEAN baby!
I got woke up in an odd sort of way this a.m. Our friends, Blake and Lisa, stopped by last night to visit and Blake was playing wiht my cell phone. At first I was leary but then he said he was just looking so I was like 'whatever' .... and they left. Well, by the time I fell asleep it was nearly midnight and I had to be up at 4:45 a.m. this morning. I have had a hard time sleeping lately anyway since my surgery but an average of 5-6 hours is usual. Well, my alarm went off, I got up, got dressed, combed my hair, brushed my teeth and proceeded to get ready for the baby to be dropped off and then head to the gym. Well, I get out to the kitchen only to realize that it is 3:55 A.M.! YES - it was not even 4:00 a.m. yet! So, it seems Blake (in all his hilarity) re-set the alarm on my phone for one hour and one minute earlier than I had to get up. OK fine, I can go back to sleep for an hour till' the baby comes.
I laid down on the couch and dozed off, only to be woke up with a call from the baby's Mom telling me they were going to sleep in and she'd be here around 7:30 instead. OK. Forget the gym at this point, I am pooped. I get undressed and crawl back into bed with Ed figuring he'll wake me up when he leaves and in time to get the kids up for school - which he did - and I didn't. I fell back asleep after he left and overslept.
7:45 the kids wake me up in a frenzy (they are to be to the bus by 7:30) and we run all around and get them dressed and fed and I take them to school in my pj's, snowboots and in the snow. *sigh* IT GETS BETTER!!!!!
Get home and wait for the baby as I have to be to my sisters' house at 10:00 a.m to clean for her. Wait - wait - wait - (make a couple calls to Blake to chew him out, he doesn't answer) Tiffany calls to say she's tore her pants out at school and needs a new pair - at the PACE school clear on the other side of town.
Baby shows up at 10:00, I visit with Mom till' 10:30, take Tiff her new pants and make it to my sisters at 11:00. I worked there for 2 hours and then home to work on MY house. Spent the rest of the afternoon/evening working on DEEP cleaning toy areas and my scrappy area downstairs.
Tommorrow we'll put up decorations! *IF* the house upstairs is clean! Kids ARE and WILL BE helping.
And that has been MY day... I can get up at 4:45 a.m.- but don't bug me before 4:00 a.m. ..... look out Blake, that is all I have to say.

Darla

Oh and weight was even stevens today as yesterday.

A few things to share.

Over the past year and a 1/2 as I have slowly but surely worked towards a healthier me, I have had so much help from so many angles. My biggest source, naturally, has been friends and family. I don't know where I'd be without their push and their compliments and so on. But, be honest, your support team isn't there 100% of the time. Not a bad thing, we need to rely on ourselves sometimes too and although that is hard, it teaches us things about ourselves we may have missed along the way.

I believe everything happens for a reason, good, bad, all of it. I also believe that sometimes bad things happen for good reasons - initially it may suck, but in the long run good comes gushing out in the buckets for you. Know what I am talking about? Well, instead of rambling on and on I'll get to my point.

When you are on a long road like I am, this "quest" for a healthier body and spirit and to be honest, skinny girl jeans... your support team is key. Yea, leaning on yourself is good to a point, but you need reinforcements and when your normal team is not or cannot be there for you then what? You need a back up plan! I am not saying that my team has failed in anyway, it is just that people have their own lives and I'd be quite pompous to say that I think they should all be giving me 100% of their attention and time to help me along the way. Self reliance is important but when you can't rely on yourself either - T R O U B L E in paradise baby!

So, what is a girl (or guy) to do? Get your backup plan!! Here are a few things I have done to help me stay with it, don't give in, be strong, heck, not just devour an entire pint of Ben & Jerry's Super Double Fudge Brownie Delux Ice Cream in one sitting. Hope they help you too!!

People Watch - yup, I sit back and watch others behaviours and what they do to their bodies. Watch people in resteraunts and think "do *I* look like that when I am eating?" envision how others see you doing the things you think look gross or unhealthy

Write Yourself A Note - a note of encouragement, a note of congratulations, or a new list of goals and things you want to achieve. Write it and read it to yourself. I make new goal lists every few months and it helps keep me focused!

Compare the Before/After - if you have not been keeping a photo diary of your weight/fitness then start now! Photo proof is the best and most encouraging (next to buying a size smaller jeans) Also look at the things you were doing before and now... For me a HUGE thing was seeing all the stuff I've done this past year that I could not or would not have done before - swimming public (even doing a slide!), dancing, going on ATV rides and more.

Websites - I have tons and tons of sites I like to go to for help. I can look up things with diets, foods, excersizes, emotions... there is an endless sea of help on the internet! Here are a few faves of mine:

http://hotthickchick.blogspot.com/


http://www.sisterskinny.com/


http://www.prevention.com/cda/homepage.do

So, get up, get moving and get feeling better! Drink your water today! Do something good for you and remember you are your best helper! (Omgawsh I sound like a self help tape or something! EECK!) Just do good for yourself today - OK?

Darla

It's WEDNESDAY People!

Now, for some it is "mid" week... for others it is something else. For us, it is "nearly" weekend for hubby and I as we both get Friday's off from work (usually) so I love Wednesdays! Some of the gals that I chat with on my scrapbooking group call it "HUMP" day but that always gives me visions of inappropriate things so I rarely use that term LOL but it cracks me up!

Today will be a busy one. I DID get up and go to the gym this a.m. - got in a WEEK 3 walk/run on the Couch to 5K program and it felt SOOOOOO good! Wore me out, yes, but felt great! I also did some recumbant bike too (2 miles) as all the ellyptical machines were being used! I feel good though! Hope the scales agree with me....
Gotta get some housework and laundry done today and some ironing. I HAVE to clean up my desk here and my scrapbook area too! It is a joke, don't even know how I can sit here and type and not get all wiggy with all this stuff everywhere! UGH! I have HALLOWEEN decorations ON MY DESK! What the heck!? Also going to try to do some meal planning today as Ed and I are doing a special diet (well, Ed is doing it and I am tagging along with my own variation of it). I am going to make the kids help me clean up the basement today if it "KILLS" us all - which it might just do! I am so sick of the clutter and toys all over. Crazy! Also have the baby, of course, so that keeps me busy, and then I am supposed to go pick up some baby items from a gal on Freecycle too - a carseat and excersaucer thing - hey, I will take free anyday!
I also found a super cute Christmas decor craft thing this morning that I want to try and if it works I think I'll be mass producing for gifts! Quick, cheap, easy and I have all the goods for it so if I can pull it off, I will have that to do too!
Not to mention Christmas CARDS which I have no idea how I am going to do, I may have to cave and buy the $1.99 box at WalMart! EECK! The horror! LOLOL

Biggest Loser last night! WOW was it good or what? So hooked on that show and so amazed at what it does to keep me motivated AND how turned around I got last night! All this season my least favorite player was Nichole. Not sure what it was, but she just did not appeal to me and I was just dying to see her go. Something happened last night and all of a sudden I just felt for her so much! I loved when her trainer made her put on her old fat clothes and they were just falling off her body - I was bawling my eyes out and just so proud of her for how far she'd come. I don't know what or why, but my whole opinion changed right that moment! Anyway, it was a great show last night, loved the boxing challenge and that the GIRLS RULED IT!!! It is going to be a super tough ending... I like all the players left A LOT and I am going to cry as each one leaves I am sure. :O(

Trying really hard to get on my weight and health and fitness. Have been VERY up and down the past month with it and am ready to just do it! Want to be to my original 50 lost by the end of the month - I know I can do it!!

Have a good one!!!!
Darla

Photo is of Micheal and Berg at the cabin over Thanksgiving....they are such good buddies! Just a few weeks apart in age and so funny to watch them interact and play! Goofy boys!