A few pix to share.....

Have had a crazy time the past two weekends, Chris had his Sr Commencement Prom, he went with his good friend Missy (whom our whole family LOVES and ADORES)... we did the Mother's Day thing, the kids were so sweet to me (and we had Baby Noah for the day too! :O)... this weekend was nuts too, we attended a big Dance Party for our dear friend Sofia, an exch student of our best friends Blake and Lisa and their family, that was all night Friday night, we danced for HOURS and HOURS, jumped on the tramp, played games, sang, ate good food,and just had a BLAST... then Soccer all day Saturday and my great niece and nephew over for the night... just lots of fun stuff! Today, Sunday, has been a bit more mellow... but it is still early so we'll see? LOL
So anyway, here are some pix... enjoy!
Darla

Hey all...

Just wanted to pop in and wish everyone a good week! It has been great so far for me... working the new job and loving it - getting caught up on house stuff - squishin' in as much workout time as possible and just being busy! :O) I have some new photos to share but I'll have to do it later... pictures from Chris's SR Commencment Dance, Mothers day and so on.

Have a GREAT day!
Darla

GOOD MORNING! It is MONDAY!

Good morning to you! Hope your all having a fan-tab-l-lous Monday morning, I am up and going, been to the gym and got some of the kids off to school and am having a great start to a new week! Yeahh!
Had a GREAT workout this a.m. - did my weights/strength training and abs and some cardio and then sat in the HOT HOT HOT sauna for 5 min to just relaaaaaaax and man did it feel great!
I work this afternoon but am just happy that my day has started so awesomely!
Hope you have a GREAT day too!

Darla :O)

OH and I have to share my before/after photos of poor Hershey...he was such a furry mess...doesn't he look happy now?! :O)

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!

Having a pretty good day here.... lazy, but good. Kids and hubby let me sleep in, kids made me breakfast in bed (photo) and have been lounging in bed watching tv and taking phone calls all a.m. The younger kids made me some sweet gifts from school, a chinese art symbol, a bookmark and picture frame.... Chris brought me home a flower from Church that he'd actually picked for his friend Missy, but she offered for him to give to me instead :O) it was cute!
Headed over to my sister Lisa's in a bit for brunch - she is making abelskeivers, a round Danish pancake and a big family tradition for our family - so cool!
Later today Tiff promised to go on a (minimum) 2 mile jog and walk with me!! We also have baby Noah here today so things are pretty crazy.
On the health note - I am happy to report I am SLOWLY moving down the number on the scales agian - slowly, but it is at least moving in the right direction!!!

OK so I'll leave you with a few photos... Happy Mothers Day!

Darla

Making progress... I think?!

Finally, after taking a day off from the gym (go figure)
and eating a late night snack of ff/sf jello pudding....
I was down a lb this morning! LOL Love it! Totally cracks
me up - I am so serious - what a bunch of craziness!!!!!!

Maybe I need to take more days off from working out egh? LOL

I am a NEW SOUL...

OK so I keep taking these 'quizes' on Facebook and some are a hoot
but others are rather interesting to me - love ones like this that
kind of really pinpoint who *I* think I really am.....

*********************************************************************************
NEW SOUL
Fresh from the source, you are essentially pure, not given to corruption of self. Instead you feel the kindship of souls, no matter the age. You prefer to unify, to gather others around you to learn from them and to experience a life of joy with them. Beauty is a natural hue of all things, as seen through your eyes, and rarely do you pass severe judgement on others. You are very attuned to the physical, amazed by the power of sensuality and its effect on your senses. People can be confused when you move on to someone new, unaware you are simply free in spirit, not needing the anchors others do. You drink from the fountain of the Earth, enjoying the outdoors, the seasons, the abundance of life, and the passage of days into nights. Music vibrates your soul, and art is a kaleidoscope of visual sensation. Food delights you and friendship is more important than the clothes on your back. You sometimes feel people are cruel but want to forgive them, as you know something in them isn't right. You are often mistaken for an old soul, but you don't feel very old at all! New souls are gifts to the other souls, a reminder that goodness exists naturally and that we all can return to it, even after all the experiences that seem to trample it into dust. We are souls, on a very long journey of becoming.

Wow.....sure makes me think!
:O) Darla

TGIF!

Ti's Friday! Getting a busy day of work in and a nice relaxing evening ahead of me. It is GORGEOUS outdoors - hope I can go for a jog this afternoon! Outside! WOW!!!!

Went to comedy night last night - so fun - love getting out and having good times with friends. Thanks guys!

Alright, gotta get busy.

Darla

Thinkin' Thin Thursday

*sigh* I am so tired.

Thursday morning....
4:45 a.m. up and moving
5:00 a.m. dressed and ready to go
5:15 a.m. headed to the gym
5:30 a.m. working out - RAN 2 MILES STRAIGHT in less
than 30 minutes (beat my own personal best) and pushed
it up to 5.0 at some points - big big deal for me
6:30 a.m. dripping sweat grinning ear to ear
and driving home from gym
6:45 a.m. home, packing lunch for kiddo and
getting him ready for bus
7:00 a.m. tubby time for Mom - ahhhhhhhhh
7:15 a.m. out of the tub, picking out clothes for work
7:30 a.m. computer catch up time and eating breakfast
(fancy schmancy oatmeal from Hungry Girl cookbook)
7:40 a.m. (RIGHT NOW!) need to go get hair done and
get ready to go to work for the day

don't you think there neeeded to be a nap in there somewhere?
GEESH!

Have a GREAT day folks, I already have! :O)
Darla

Cool.......

:O) Thanks Robin - my blog is looking oh so cool and fresh again! You rock!


Just a quick update....been working HARD at the gym and staying in check on foods and have not dropped a single solitary pound of weight. *SIGH* But, it is ok because I know I am doing the right things and it will all come around in good time, right?
Yes? Please, someone validate this for me??? I am starting to lose patience to say the least.

Gym notes. Been alternating running/walking and other cardio every other day with my strength training days. The personal trainer taught me some great strength techniques I have been working hard to perfect. Kicking my own butt pretty much! Sore and tired and sore but feels gratifying when I walk out the gym doors every morning soaked in sweat and worn out. Hey, at least back on early morning routines and really tired at bedtime so I have been sleeping GREAT at night again! :O)

Need to take some pix sometime... then I'll share I guess? LOL I actually noticed some comparisons last night of just last July to current... that is good - right? (validation - remember??)

OK off to settle down for the evening. Take care and check back soon!
Darla

A NEW Goal for Darla...

OK as promised, here I am. Going to update you on life, kids, work all that but also wanted to share a big thing too. For the most part I've been sort of journaling my weight loss and fitness journey here on the ol' blog so I wanted to share this.

I have set a new goal for myself. For months and months I have been targeting a specific goal that has been "out of reach" for whatever reason. Mostly just my own lack of determination and dedication I suppose and yes, I have been able to maintain my weight which *IS* a big deal...but not reaching that magical "one-derland" number has been a week by week, month by month let down for me. So much so that I finally concluded that I was sort of setting myself up for failure. Knowing I'd missed my mark SO many times just makes it harder and harder. So, I set a new goal! OF COURSE I'll be partying in the streets dancing around screaming and hollerin' when I hit the magical roll of the scales down out of the 200 range but now I have a bigger picture. I am going for the gusto people! BIG NUMBER! HUGE MAGNIFICENT FABULOUS GOING FOR IT ALL NUMBER! I want to reach my 100 LB weight loss - and in a fairly good block of time! I have about 25 lbs to lose and I know I can do it but I am going to have to really shake up my workouts and really get strict with my diet. I can do it though - I know I can!!!! :O) So, I will be joining the ranks of "gym rat" soon and will probably spend more time in sweats and my New Balance shoes than anything but that is ok - I just want to reach this milestone SO badly! Cheer me on ok??

As far as kids, and life and home - well, Chris graduates in a month (I know!!!!!). The kids are all doing great in school and keeping us running with all the spring and end of year activities - Tiff is doing track, Dani just goes 100mph and Micheal is a 8 yr old boy, need I say more? Ed is working like crazy and doing his online courses for school - complaining a lot about it but I secretly think he is loving it! Maybe? or not? LOL I am changing jobs *AGAIN* - I started last week working in an Insurance office with a good friend of mine. I will still work occasionally at the dress store (weekends a couple days a month) for now but mostly good ol' M-F 9-5 and no weekends or holidays - THANK YOU JESSUS (as my sister Lisa would say). I am so grateful for this chance to have a job that works well with our family's needs an schedule. It is a HUGE blessing for me.

Ummmmmm...busy summer months coming up. Chris graduates and turns 18 in June, we'll be having a family party in Boise with everyone for that. Also have some cousin swaps going on thru the summer too. A big Jonas Brothers Concert for Tiffany and a trip to Oregon for Dani. Just ooooooooodles going on. 4th of July will include out of town family as always and I plan to run the Firecracker 5K that morning with my sisters too! SO COOL! Just a lot coming up.

So, keep an eye out on the blog for more - I promise to try to be more diligent in keeping in current!

HUGS and have a GREAT DAY!Darla

(Photo is from last weekend in Twin Falls, went to run a 5k Race for the Cure with Carlee but ended up doing more volunteer stuff than anything, but was still awesome! We were up and AT the event by 5a.m. - that is why I am looking so lovely...)

Did ya miss me?

I owe some of you an apology. Quite honestly, don't know really where to start other than make the 'excuse' that I've been really busy and have found another place online that I have been frequenting and thus the ol' blog has been neglected. SO... I have a LOT to catch up on here but for now I'll just say "SORRY" I have not been so diligent in keeping up here on the blog. Watch for more - SOON!

Darla

25 Random Things

I have been challenged to do this 101 times so I figured I'd better get to it. Here goes, 25 Random Things about me...

1. I like to drive around town but hate to drive distances.
2. I have 4 kids from the widest spectrum of personalities and traits.
3. I have been married over half of my life.
4. I still remmeber names of most of the people I went to elementary school with and can name all my teachers from Kind through 6th grade.
5. I love the color purple - flower, clothes, anything purple is a fave of mine.
6. I have a horrid distaste for cottage cheese.
7. I never did college. I only wanted to get married and be a Mom.
8. I have trouble telling others "no".
9. I am the youngest of 12 kids from a mixed up crazy meshed family and I love it.
10. I am scared of horses. Oh, and bears.
11. I love to go 4wheeling and have only fallen off once!
12. I listen to ACDC while I workout and run.
13. I love to do laundry but hate to do dishes.
14. I am a people person - love to talk and chat and get to know people but I am usually quiet at first.
15. I like to be one on one with people... not a big group kind of person.
16. I think my kids all are going to be taller than me.
17. I am not an animal lover - even though we have a dog and a cat.
18. If I could wear my hair in a ponytail 24-7 I would.
19. Someday I would like to learn to play the piano.
20. I wish I was a better cook but I don't see it in the cards. :O)
21. I worry about my kids futures more than they know....
22. I think having one or two very close friends is better than having dozens of so-so friends.
23. I am a dedicated person - to those who are close to me there isn't anything I would not do for someone I love and care for.
24. I am on a quest for fitting into a great pair of size 12 jeans!!!!!
25. I have learned over and over and am not afraid to say "Love me or leave me" because I am not changing for anyone but myself!

Back in the saddle again.... or running shoes that is!

I am doing my normal yo yo running - and I am back again LOL! I just really need to stick to it and keep up my endurance and strength! Stinks that 2 months ago I was at over 2 miles straight and today I had to push to get to 1 mile again. UGH! I felt the old familiar "rush" though and think I'll be able to kick it back up quickly. I want to be up to 3 miles again by the end of the month when I go run the 5K with Carlee in Twin Falls... oye!

Other than that, just busy. Kids, work, kids, work, house, laundry, kids, work... all that fun stuff. Ed started his online school program too which so far hasn't been too much of a kink in our schedules. We shall see?!

OK gotta get kids outta here and get showered and ready for work! I DID get up at 4:15 a.m. to hit the gym early so that feels good - now I'll have to fight to get in the shower! LOL

Take care and be good to your bodies!
Darla

For my hubby Ed, my daughter Dani, my sis in law Tammy and all the other weirdo's out there in our family...

pictures pictures pictures..... lots to share!

OK
First off, it is MARCH ya know....and this is what we got today - SNOW!!!!!

Secondly, a ton of new pix from this weekend, we had a big family event in our home! Micheal (our baby boy) had his Baptism and Confirmation at Church and it was awesome. We have very little family that are members of our Church so thankfully our very good friends were there to support him in this memorable event! So, there are a ton of pix, everything from photos of Micheal with big brother Chris (who got to do the actual Baptism) and then family pix and some with our friends Melvin and Blake who were part of the Confirmation and Baptism as well.

Enjoy!
Darla

Quick Check In

Wanted to peep in and say I am still alive! Just busy! Between kids, house, work and all that stuff I have been flying! I am good though.
Struggling with the weight loss - going back and forth, being good for a few days then bad for a few - I hate it! I need to get really focused!
Anyway, everyone is well, Dani has celebrated her 15th Bday this week and is loving teenage life! :O)
More later...


Darla

OOPSIE! Think I misled you guys....

In my previous posts I guess some of you got the indication that I *HAD* already reached 199 -- sorry, not yet folks. (danggit!) But I *AM* so very very very close... so close I could just SCREAM!!!! I think we'll be celebrating that monumental achievment within just a few more days... YES! So, keep the cheering to a minimum for now, but hold on when I do hit 199 bc the earth is going to move people! LOL


Darla

oh yea......

only 6 lbs to go baby!

having a VERY happy day here!

chow!

Drumroll please...........

2.8 lbs lost this week! YES! I am just 7.4 lbs from my BIG goal! I will be THERE very very soon!

VERY HAPPY DANCE DAY!

Wed Weigh In Day!

Today is the big day - weigh in day! I am hoping for a FANTASTIC number on the scales! I'll be sure to check back and share how fantastic it really is!

In the meantime - just a busy Wed here. Have a lot of laundry to do and make sure everything is ready for Ed's trip to Las Vegas... he and Blake leave tommorrow afternoon! Crazy! I also have a big workout planned for this morning, doing my BL sculpting video and hopefully going to brave the cold for a run!? The winds have died down and now it is just COLD - but after warming up with my video I should be ok to go tough it out! :O)

Biggest Loser last night? UGH! Ours didn't record soooooo I watched the finale part where they did the end of the weigh in and the vote off - I'll have to catch up the rest when I can sometime this weekend I guess.

OK off to get moving - kids off to school, laundry started and get that workout video pumping! LOL

I'll be back to share my GOOD news of the weigh in after a bit! :O)

Darla

And still going.......

My weight was down yet again today! YES! Another 4 oz gone gone gone! Tommorrow's weigh in is going to be THE BOMB I TELL YA!!!!!!! So excited! Soon my pants will just be fallin' off - yea, right - LOL But at least I can dream egh? Hee hee... Have a GREAT day!

Low.....low..................low!

VERY excited to report I just had my LOWEST weigh in EVER ... I am SO SO SO happy!!!

Loved the numbers on the scale and hope they are as good if not better on Wed my "official" weigh in day!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am "THIS" close to "one-derland" again!!!!!!!!!!

this is good...

"You have a choice.
You can throw in the towel,
or you can use it to
wipe the sweat off of your face."

Photos - hooray!

Our trip to Boise over Pres Day weekend and a few other misc. things -- just our CrAzY family! There are some of Tiffany's Birthday, Tiff on school spirit day (Blue and White day), Tiff and Dani at the hotel in Boise... a bunch of us with Ed's sister Tammy in Boise, Dani being REALLY silly and yea, just all of us... Enjoy!

Darla :O)

I am here! and ALIVE!

LOOK!!! Once again Robin has outdone herself - my blog page looks beautimus!! THANK YOU SWEETUMS! XOXOXO LOVE the new spring colors and flowers - maybe that will at least make spring THINK about coming to Eastern Idaho now??? I hope so anyway! Thanks lovie!!

Sorry I have not been on much. Just busy with work and kids and still trying to fight off this dang cold/flu gunk. STILL! I am still snuffing my nose and coughing but not so bad as I was. 2 STINKING WEEKS of this junk! UGH!

On to better news. Things have been crazy but good. Kids are all well and going great in school - we had Parent Teacher Conferences this a.m. and all the teachers were great. Loved it! So proud of the kiddos!

Work is good. I am almost done at the hotel.... one more shift this Sat and then I am complete with that. I just could not juggle the 2 positions and make it work anymore so I gave up one. I still LOVE the dress store and am planning to stay there for the long run for now.

Getting back on track with health and fitness. The icky sick bug got me down for about a week but I am back. I have gone running twice OUTDOORS (no gym with no job at the hotel) and did suprizingly well with that. I have a goal to be to 4 miles by the end of this month?! YIKES! Next month I have a 5K Run for the Cure in Twin Falls with my sis Carlee and I plan to kick bootie at that!

I have some pix from out trip to Boise to share that I am downloading today - will post them later on today ok?

Have OOODLES of housework and laundry to be doing so more later!
Darla :O)

still sick

sorry - no new news to share other
than i am still fighting off this
bug and feel like crud....

sorry

sick

I have the ickies - went to the dr this morning -
starting stages of bronchitis and double ear infection.
Ick!
Started meds and hopefully will be myself more tommorrow.

Darla

Chris and Sofia - Sweetheart Ball 2009

Our oldest son Chris took our friends exchange daughter, Sofia, to the sweetheart ball at her school - they made a sweet couple, had a blast and Chris made some new friends! Thanks to Sofia and Lisa for sharing their pix with me since I was in Boise during all of this fun!

Darla

Happy President's Day Weekend Is Over

Spent my weekend in Boise visiting Ed's family - long weekend but a good visit! Have pix to share but Ed is updating my PC soooo you'll have to wait!

Working tonight at the hotel - long night. LOL Almost done though.

Tommorrow I have some serious making up to do. I had a close encounter in Boise with Pizza, Chinese Food and a few other misc bad food choices. Tuesday will be my repentance with the gym. OYE!! 2.5 miles running - that is the main goal!!

Darla

Wanted to share......

Had a very nice evening tonight. My Aunt Dee celebrated her 80th Birthday with a HUGE group of family and friends and we were lucky enough to attend. My sister Carlee came from Twin Falls and was there as well, it was a great night! I begged for a quick photo with my 2 Aunts, and was successful at getting a quick group photo with them and my 2 sisters Carlee and Lisa. These are my Dad's sisters... two of them anyway, one could not be there due to health issues. :O( I would have loved to have seen Aunt Belva as well.
Anyway, here is the photo, and we are in the following order:

Lisa on the end in red, then Aunt Tina, Aunt Dee, Carlee and myself on the other end in green.

I am SO blessed to have such a great family! XOXOXOXO My Dad would have LOVED this evening too....


Darla

I had a momentus night!

Well, a momentus day really. First off, I took the kids to Church this a.m. which has not happened in a while. Still not 100% sure on how I feel about that but we went and it was a great service.
Secondly, I actually took some TLC time to myself tonight and sat down and did some scrapbooking! WOW!!! I have not lost it completely afterall! LOL I really have been wanting to do some pages for quite a while but tonight I just did it.
So, here are my two pages, sad as they might be. The pink one is all full of fun embellishments and crazy stuff, it was last summer when we were in Boise for Ed's sisters' family baptism. The photo itself is of two of his sisters, Carla and Odessa - along with their daughters and then myself and Tiffany. These three girls were all born the same year and two of them the same month! There is one more sister too, Tammy, whose daughter was ALSO born that same month but unfortunatly they weren't there for this visit. THAT would have been an awesome photo I think! Anyway, that is layout no one.
Page two, not so creative and a bad photo of the layout too! This was from the 4th of July last summer. Both Carla and her family and Odessa and her family were here in Idaho Falls for the 4th and we had a super crazy busy day. The end of the evening was the big fireworks display and I had to get photos of all the couples... we also had our close friends Blake and Lisa with us that night too so we all got these great lovey-dovey couples pictures -- awwwww so sweet! So, this page was SUPER fast and SUPER boring. I didn't put much on it other than a few little paper strips and borders and some fun red-white and blue buttons. The rest is just handwriting and blah.
So, there ya go! I scrapped!!!!
Darla

NOW it is WAY past MY bedtime and I am outta here and hitting the pillows!
And I took today off from the gym but tommorrow is 2.25 mile day!!!!!!!!!!

A REALLY GOOD SONG!

Never Gonna Be Alone Lyrics

This is on the new Nickleback CD Dark Horses.... LOVE this song, so awesome!

Sat Night - Big Date with the Hotel Desk!

Here I am again... hot date with the front desk here at the hotel, whoopee! LOL Hey, they were nice and let me have last Sat night off so I couldn't/shouldn't complain right?

So, what has been going on with Darla? Well, I have been really really focussed on my fitness once again. Have been spending a lot of time working out and planning for running and training and getting my body in the groove to be out pounding pavement when the weather warms up enough! I can't WAIT to get to run outdoors more!!! The treadmill has been fantastic but I just love the outdoor running so much more! Fun fun fun stuff!
In the meantime, I am up to 2 miles (and a wee bit more) straight on the treadmill again, just trying to increase that distance frquently and build up some endurance again AND trying to up my speed a bit - I am slow slow poke runner at 4.0 - 4.5 mph and I need to boost that up. Also, I have been shaking up my workouts and not just running all the time. I have been sort of alternating days on doing weights, other cardio like ellyptical and bike and doing floor stretches and yoga ball stuff and also kind of interval training too. Right now I'll do a long run one day, then a day of the three cardio workouts in 10-15 min segments and a day of yogaball and weights with some treadmill walk/run with the incline cranked up! So far so good! The numbers on the scale are creeping down slowly so it must be working??

Kids are busy - Ed is crazy busy and we are all doing well. No new photos to share, well, at least not here from work right now. I have a few on my camera I need to download at home.

BE GOOD!
Darla

Very quickly

Wanted to say HI and HELLO to those who visit me and are totally disgusted with how infrequently I've been updating. Sorry.

On the news front - I am back up to running 2 miles straight.... I am pushing REALLY hard to reach several goals for the month of February including that ^%$#@ evil one of hitting below "one-derland" on the scales. That has been my goal for one too many months in a row! UGH! I am very on track right now though and things are going good.

Kids are all busy. Ed is working like mad. I am working a lot. Life is just pretty much nonstop chaos around here. Wheeeee!

That's about it!
Guess I'll play catch up more on Sat night when I am at the hotel...


Darla

Oh Yeah!

I got up to 1.75 miles today - STRAIGHT! No stops, no side stepping the treadmill, just a good long hard run - missing music 1/2 the time too! WHAT?! yea, no music, no tunes, no good. OK so, my agenda was to go for endurance today. I was all set to go and my body was totally cooperating then WHAM! off went the tunes. My long life battery lost it's charge. Now, I cant' really complain because since I got my Sansa back in Sept I have seriously only had to charge it TWO times and this time I just let it go. Silly me. But I'll tell ya, I cannot run w/out music. I did plug away and at least beat my distance from last week but I think I could have and would have been able to go even more than 2 miles if I'd had music to keep me going. Danggit!

That is about it. Working hard, both jobs keeping me on my toes. Football today - pooey, not my thing, sorry.

Later guys!
Darla

I am getting back in this ballgame people!

THIS is how far *I* ran today - straight - without one little teeny tiny wittle break! I did it! Met my goal for today! YES! Now on and forward to 2 baby!!!!!!!!

OK I am back

Well here I am, another fun and fanciful Sat night all alone at the hotel desk playing blogger extraordinaire! LOL I have been actually browsing scrappy sites looking for some sketch ideas and also for some fun and funky ideas for storage for my supplies. Ed was a good hubby and put in some shelving for me in the closet downstairs so I could get all my supplies OUT of boxes and into places where I could get to them and actually do some CrEaTiNg! WOW!What a guy!! I am so thankful - now if I can find time to actually play with all my scrapalicious goodies I will be in Heaven!

So, this week has been exceptional on the fitness trek! I have done 4 days in a row at the gym and am feeling a big difference already. I am working on my running again and made it back up to a full mile run straight (whoo whoo) and will be working on adding 1/4 mile at a time to that so that I can get up to 2 miles again soon then 3 and then 4! When I can do 4 straight I'll be ready for my 5k runs this spring and I cannot wait! So much anticipation with that!!

Working a lot right now. Love it but it is hard to be gone from home so much too. Even though some of my shifts are only 4 or 5 hours it really breaks up my day so that I barely seem to have time at home to do what I need to be doing - you know?
So, I just need to find that balance I suppose. Thankfully the kids have been a big help, especially Dani and Tiff. Chris is always a help too, but between work and school he isn't home much sooo the girls are carrying alot of it. THANKS GIRLS!!

OK so work just got "not so boring" and I need to head out of here..... hope you have had a good day and weekend and get some needed R&R on Sunday!

CHOW for NOW!
Darla

working working working

will be back later to post some fun stuff...


d

Tootin' my rootin' shootin' little own horn!

Big news here.
First off - I did a mile run again (straight) finally. I KNEW I could do it!
Secondly - I am at 75 lbs OFFICALLY lost and never coming back.
Thirdly - I am SO STINKIN' close to reaching that BIG goal and I think with adding back the running into my routine I can do it, no, I KNOW I can do it!

"One - derland" here I come!!!!!!

Miss this pretty girl

Tiff took off for the weekend with her friend Kayla and family - they went to SLC Utah and over to Boise - she is such a sweetie girl - I really miss her not here! (and I LOVE this photo so much - it is an old one but I really love it....thank you Robin)

Hello from hotel-land!

So, here I am again - working on hour 3 and going into hour 4 of my 8 hour shift at the hotel. Now, think with me people. Hotel. Getaway. Relax. Ahhhhh... right? Um yea, if you are the desk clerk!(that would be ME) SERIOUSLY! So, you see, our hotel is geared more towards the business traveler - the Monday thru Thursday guys who come to town, work, eat, sleep, work, eat, sleep and then travel home for the weekend with their family. That is the majority of our business. So, come Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we get a few leisure visitors and then a few die-hard business people who tough it out through the weekend with us, but for the most part the hotel is REALLY S-L-O-W on the weekends. So, here I am. It is nice sometimes to have peace and quiet and down time to yourself, yes, it gets that quiet (not boring) but then I have to say the time goes SO much quicker when we are busy and there are guests to talk to and help out as well. Anyway, still loving this job, it is fun, even it if is slow sometimes (like today).
What else to report? Hmmm....
We are having Micheal's "official" birthday party, with friends that is. We'll be going to Leo's Place for pizza, cake and ice cream and the kids can play on the playland equipment, run, scream, be crazy and NOT trash MY house in the process!!(8 yr old boys, remeber?) What a concept egh? LOL Still cannot believe the lil' booger is 8 yrs old! Last night we took him to the Boy Scout store - since he is now 8 he starts in Cub Scouting and he needed the signiture blue shirt, yellow kerchief and all that fun stuff, oh, and a handbook and MOST importantly, his Pinewood Derby car! Let me tell you, he is SO excited over all this but not even an inkling as excited as his Dad is about it - the car anyway! Ed gets a little - um - let's say OBSESSIVE about building these Pinewood cars with his sons and although Micheal is doing the work (sanding and all that) his Dad is the master mind of it all! Micheal got to choose the style and the colors and stickers and all that fun stuff and Ed is teaching him step by step how to build THE ULTIMATE car - it is hysterical- honestly to see him, well, both of them so enthusiastic about something so fun together - just goes to show how Scouts CAN in fact help fathers and sons bond! :O) (which is really so cool if you ask me!)
On one last note, I know, I know, this is turning into a short novel but I DO have the time to write soo... here goes. I am back on the wagon people. No more food crashes, no more procratination, no more whining and pouting, just pure 100% DETERMINATION to do this! I am so very very close to the biggest goal I have had along this journey to get thin and healthy and I am at the door, knocking, and I am ready to do it! I have exactly 15 days left in the month of January and I AM DOING IT! "One-derland" here I come baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great weekend and be healthy and strong!
Darla :O)
Just call me Miss Forced Optimism OK?

OK promised photos

Not much, but a good one to work towards for me.... before and after photos from the flat belly diet website - me at my goal weight about 50 lbs from now. The photo is TERRIBLE (no light, in basement, all grunged out) but just look at that waist I COULD and WILL have soon!!!!!

Darla

It's Been Too Long!

I have been a slacker - I know. I wanted to clarify too, the technical difficulties posted were MOSTLY just me! Dear hubby doesn't want you all to think he has not had my computer up to par! LOL

So, what HAS been going on with my life? Well, just busy stuff. Kids, home, work, all that. The new year has FLOWN by so fast and I feel like I only jump on the computer for a sec at a time lately - thus the lack of posts here! So sorry to keep you waiting!

OK so kids are all good, keeping me crazy as usual. Chris is working on getting his ACT and SAT testing set up and looking at school options. Tiff is headed to SLC and Boise this weekend with friends. Micheal just celebrated his 8th Birthday and started Cub Scouts this week and we'll have his bday party this weekend. Dani is staying fluttery with her social butterfly status! LOL ( and some babysitting too!)

Ed is working as usual, and trying to do some side work on computers as well... and I am juggling the two PT jobs. The hotel only gives me 1 shift a week but the dress shop keeps it balanced and that will increase soon as one gal is leaving to start a new job. SO, we just basically go in circles - sleep, wake, work, sleep... oh, and read! OUR WHOLE FAMILY is reading the "Twilight" series and it is hyseterical to see is pass the books around! LOL

Workouts have been so-so ... less than consistant for sure. Foods have been a rollarcoaster too but I am sticking with it weather it is whole-hearted or not. Just need to get thru this phase I suppose. Somehow I am still slowly losing, right now I am sort of stuck at a 2-3 lb range up and down but I am still down at my lowest so I am ok with it. Slow and sure - slow and sure. I did run the greenbelt the other day with my sister Lisa - 2.34 miles and we totally kicked our time from last summer by about 5 minutes so that tells me I have not lost all my endurance! LOL

Guess that is it. Not much in the way of new photos with my camera still being fritzy nuts. I'll see what I can find though....


CHOW!
Darla

technical difficulties please stand by

having issues

computer/internet

and weight loss delays

difficulties puts it rather mild

send me mojo and strength please

darla :O)

Something to think about :

Muscle is life. Fat is death.

Found this on my weight loss chat site today and
thought it was right to the point - yes?

:O)
Darla

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!!

A new year is here and what opportunity and excitement it brings!
I look forward to another year full of fun, laughter, healthy living,
learning and happiness. I want to take this chance to thank all of
the very special and WONDERFUL people in our lives!
I am so thankful for friends who are kind, loving, and give unconditional
love -and I pray I can be as treasured to you as you are to me. Friends
who are like family to us, whom we appriciate and lean on and love so very much.
I am also so thankful for my wonderful, wonderful family and how much they
give and bring into my life! My kids who bring me joy day after day (and grey hairs increasing by the day). Of course, my hubby and right hand man Ed - he is such a great husband and dad and friend. I am so thankful for him everyday!
Looking back on 2008 I see so many blessings - and challenges - but things
that helped me to grow and become stronger. I hope 2009 will bring as much
joy and happiness to our family and yours!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Darla

PS What are your New Year goals for 2009?

A Good Laugh -

I have to go back and reference my post a few days ago "Face Check" and share a chuckle with you. I am warning you now though, I am bragging. LOL Well, sort of a humilated brag, but anyway....

So, on Christmas Eve my dear hubby and I were out running last minute (ok, all day last minute) errands and I had to run to the bank to cash a check. The same bank I've been going to for a few months now. Well, in I walk and the sweet gal at the counter greets me and I lay out the check and my drivers license on the counter. The gal looks it over, leaves and goes and whispers in another lady's ear and they come back to the desk together - the "other" lady pushes my ID back at me and asks me if I have another form of ID. Ummmm OK? So, I pull out my state ID card (photo ID) and my SSCard and put them down. "NOPE" - do you have another form of photo ID? Nope, I do not. Well, she then informs me that I do NOT have a valid photo ID and they cannot cash my check?!? WHAT THE HECK? So, I tell her that I've been coming in this branch for a while and my ID's ALL THREE OF THEM are up to date and valid and she then politely (or not so politely) tells me that the photo on the cards IS NOT ME!!!! OK so yes, sort of funny but not really bc these ARE my only proof of identity people! So, basically what it boiled down to was that my photo ID's are just old enough that they reflect my weight loss enough that the gal does not think, well, neither of them, think that it is me!
Now, I will take the flattery all the way baby - BUT - this sucked! I was flustered and flattered but mostly I was SO embarrassed! I got all teary eyed and upset and just as I was leaving the bank lobby I passed by a kid I used to work with and THANKFULLY he went back up with me and told the lady that I was INDEED Darla! LOL So, crisis averted but honestly, what a nightmare! After the fact, I was feeling pretty dang good about it and when Ed and I held up my photo ID and looked at it close we noticed that I now have a neck, my hair is styled different, my eyes are much brighter and I have color in my face. So yea, some slight differences! Ed thought it was great and I should not have been upset at all, my sister Carlee said the same thing, but in that moment I was so caught off guard! Also, to be honest, sort of an identity thing occured too - can't go into it really but realizing that even though I am still quite heavy maybe people saw me as just that fat girl. Anyway, guess I'll need to go get a new photo ID????? Geeeeeesh!

Be good!
Darla

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2008 TO YOU!

I wanted to wish you each a very very Merry Christmas and a safe and fun Holiday Season - thanks to those of you who read and respond to my blog throughout the year. You are so sweet and encouraging and helpful to me in my daily struggles with life and kids and mostly weight loss and fitness goals. I know sometimes I just babble and blubber on but I truly wanted you to know that sharing my ups and downs and having your support, be it family or friends, it means a lot to me.
So, today is Christmas and where am I? Working! LOL I have a short 4 hr shift at the hotel today and it is so quiet in here - we have just a dozen or so guests and everyone else is home with family and friends I hope! I am a bit worried about a couple of our guests who were headed to the airport but I am sure if they can't fly they'll be back to see me!
We had an OUTSTANDING morning with the kids today - Dani, Tiff and Micheal were jumpin' around waking everyone up at 5:30 a.m.! We all dragged out of bed and hunkered down in the livingroom to open gifts and see what Santa brought! We were truly blessed this year, as we always are, with gifts and treats and suprizes galore! I think Dani squeeled at LEAST a dozen times! LOL It was so fun! Chris and Dani both got digital camera's so I'll have to borrow their memory cards and download the photos they took while we were in gift-time frenzy! (my camera is dying a slow long lengthy death...)
Anyway, I guess that is all for now - other than we have SNOW coming down by the buckets and it is just beautiful! We got several inches overnight and with the famous Eastern Idaho winds a blowing we woke up to a snowdrift in our front entry way of the house and a beautiful scene of glistening snow! WHITE CHRISTMAS for sure!
(Now I hope I can get home from work this afternoon??!!)
So, Merry Christmas to you all and have a safe and fun day - thank you for reading and I hope to share lots in the new year to come!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! And, remember-
*** FORCED OPTIMISM: Fake it till' you make it!!!!***
Darla

So, I thought I'd Do An Update

I have been a BAD blogger - sorry. Just been super busy with the Holidays coming up and starting at the new, 2nd part time job. Then there are the kids, of course, and you all know how ED can be - right? LOL Just jokin' ya know! So, since our getaway over Thanksgiving life has just been chaotic!
I guess I can start by sharing this, a lot of you have asked WHAT the heck is with the 2nd job? And then there are those of you who are going, WHEN did Darla get a FIRST job? OK, here is the big lo-down on it all... I stopped babysitting little Noah bug back at the end of Sept and started working at the new Hilton Garden Inn here in Idaho Falls, it is on the greenbelt by the falls and is SUPER nice and fun. The folks there are really sweet and have been so gracious and helpful in the learning process (and there is A LOT to learn!). I work the front desk and overall I love it, there just are not many hours available for the new girl so after waiting it out about 2 months I found a second part time job! Actually, I wasn't really looking but one night kind of fell into some job applications at a couple of places and next thing I know I am hired! So, starting the first part of December I began on the job at The Dress Barn, a ladies business dress and casual store out by the mall. It is SO MUCH FUN I just love it! I am in week 2 of that and so far am just having a blast and finding that maybe being back in retail IS my calling after all?? So how am I juggling all of this? Well, they are both giving me super limited hours but they are working together to meet my scheduling needs (so nice of them both) and honestly I am still only working part time hours between the two of them TOGETHER! Hey, variety is good... dont'cha think?
So, other than that the kids are all going 100 mph with activities and friends and school. Tiff and Dani did a duet song in a talent show today at school that was amazing! So proud of them! Chris is work work working - between his AP classes at school and his job with Blake at the Furniture Doctor he never stops (and his girlfriend too ya know...) and little Micheal is just a ball of energy! He is loving 2nd grade and keeping us on our toes! He has made lots of new friends in our new neighborhood and there is a constant flow of little kids in and out and in and out of our house daily!
Ed?? just working and working and giving me hassles day after day - you know how he is...
So, that is about it from me, at least a decent share for today. I am still working hard on my weight loss and so far beating the battle and ALMOST down into what we weightloss guru's call "ONE-derland"... if you don't get it, you don't need to. LOL I have been working out at the hotel gym a few times a week (a perk!!) and am keeping on my foods too - slow but sure, my life story now! I will get there eventually though! Remember to take care of YOU this season and be good to your bodies, you have to keep them for the long run ya know?! :O)
Take care and be good!
Darla

Face Check

LOL So, Ed was telling me he was showing someone before/after pix of me and I was thinkin' I had not done one in a while - I have noticed a HUGE change in my face lately and then someone on one of my chat groups mentioned another gal who had lost a lot of weight and how much it shows in her face soooo I decided to post these photos, they are almost 18 mos apart - the old one is of Micheal and I from back in June 2007 and the new one is just a couple of weeks ago from Thanksgiving.... what do YOU think? Can you see a difference?
Darla

i got nuthin' to share

sorry for no new posts but i got nuthin'
nadda
nix
nothing at all

no fun news
no bad news
no big exciting things to share

been a quiet weekend
thank goodness

:O) Darla

Work it 2 and 3 and 4 and burn it and 2 and 3..4...

I am SO back on the gym routine and LOVING it!
Had another great workout this a.m. and even
got back to the early early morning routine too!
Up at 4:30 and working out by 5:00 a.m.! Whoowhoo!

Micheal is STILL home sick - Day 3 now... I took him
to the Dr yesterday, no strep and not certain if it
is viral or bacterial yet. Gave us a script for it
just in case but wanted us to wait till' this weekend
to fill it IF he is still sick. Icky crud!

Today is home, house, laundry, and playing Mom. That's
about it for me.

Later folks!
Darla

Busy week

Too much going on right now - can't even think straight.... and it isn't even Holiday related?! How's THAT for really being nuts?
Life is just crazy, everyday, everyway. Sometimes I just don't know which way I am going you know? I'd slow down and all but you know how that works - right? LOL

Anyway, on the good side of life, I love the new job, lots of fun, lots of perks and speaking of perks my hotel job saved my everlovin' life! They are allowing me to have use of the fitness center (aka mini gym) and I am so thankful!!! I have been out of the gym for a few months and just doing the jogging and it has been ok but I really needed something for wintertime and this is saving my life! With everything going on right now I need a place to go push hard and workout and let go mind, body and spirit as they say. So, that is good.

On the downside of life, Micheal man is sick - thinking maybe strep? ick! He was home today and I'll keep him home tommorrow too; possibly going to the Dr as well. Wish me luck there! Also, life threw me a curveball tonight and I had lots of thinking to do and came to some conclusions. Pretty deep stuff actually so won't share details but a lot of it has to do with how I treat myself and allow others to treat me and in the grande scheme of things is really fairly trivial but right now it is huge to me. I think with my body changes I have brain changes (NO not brain farts!! brain changes) and I just have a lot of things to work through. It is amazing to me how much mental/emotional stuff comes along with weight loss and all that. I love the Biggest Loser on tv and how they address so much of it - makes a lot of sense! Look good = Feel good (looks/feelings) see the connection? Anyway, that is my deep thought for tonight.
YOU all have a great week and stay out of trouble! Happy upcoming Holidays to you!!!

Darla

I got it!

I got the job I mentioned in the previous post! Now I am a 2 job workin' woman! LOL I will work both jobs as long as I can juggle 2 schedules. For now they are both PT limited hours so it will be ok - when it gets busier we'll have to see what happens. I am excited to do this new one, at The Dress Barn, and think I will get along great there.

Off to get groceries then housework then work at the hotel tonight! Later kids.......

Darla

Wish I Was Here....

I have to admit, part of the downside of going to the cabin in Island Park is the 'depression' that comes over you the day before you have to go home. I don't know how to really describe it, you just sort of get down and bummed and just know in your heart you don't want to leave - EVER! LOL So, then you get full of umpfh! and make the most of that last day and hours before you leave.... so, here we are into a new weekend and I have to admit, I wish I was back up there again. I am so thankful for the time we had last week - it was awesome/amazing and I loved every minute of it but we sure need to go more often! So long ol' cabin, I'll miss you! Hope to see you soon...


On happier notes - I had a job interview today and am pretty sure I got a position! It is at a local dress shop and they have THE cutest stuff. It would be a part time job and I would be working both there and the hotel until one or the other boosts up to more hours or maybe I'll just juggle them both for a while. I am happy though, this is something I really think I'll enjoy a lot and hey, a discount on cute clothes too!? What beats that?

So, tonight is Ed's work Christmas party - dinner and entertainment and of course, PRIZES! Hope we win something good egh?

Have a great night and weekend ahead!
Darla