Favorite Shots!

Just thought I'd post some of my favorite pics from the WA trip...because if I loaded them all, I might break blogger. Enjoy

Happy Birthday...

to this pretty lady! Hahahaha!

SHC-DAY 4

Today is a good day!

I started back on my workouts today.  I'm so glad I took yesterday off.  I did Shoulders & Arms today, along with the Ab Ripper X.  Good times.  Again, I only did half workouts for A&S but I tried to do as much of the Ab Ripper as I could.  I got way farther than last time so I'm sure I'll be feeling it much more than last time.  But I'm okay with that.  I can feel some changes already.  Not really physically but mentally.  I can tell I'm talking with more confidence.  I'm paying way more attention to my posture.  I'm am feeling very good today.  I think my PMS moodiness has passed for this month.  

I've been drinking more water, especially at night instead of snacking.  I only had 1 Andes Mint Parfait last night.  Big ups to Kim! ;)  I have finished my Mt. Dew for the day.  I am down to 1 a day now.  Yay!  Keeping at it, maybe one day I'll be Dew Free.

I am thinking of taking small jogs at night, but they tend to wake me up...what do you think?

Also, Mary gave me the idea of finding a celebrity body that inspires me.  Finding someone who has a similar frame to you is hard...but I am working on finding one.  Now, I know that I might never get to a stars body, I mean, they have personal trainers and can work out hours on end.   But I think it's nice to be able to have something to aspire too.  Something healthy.  I'll let you know if I come up with someone, I have a few in mind right now.

Tip for the Day:  Don't forget to breathe.  Not only while you're working out (though that's very very important) but in your day to day stuff as well.  Try not to stress about the little things.

SHC-Day 3

So I took a break today. Not with the eating part, I've actually been doing really well with that today.  Lots of small snacks and not over emotional eating.  It's 1445 and I've only had half a Mt. Dew so far.  I am very proud of myself.

I decided to take a break from the physical part today because I am sore everywhere.  I know this is an extreme workout regimen but I still have to physically be able to care for my children and my home.  So I took a break today and I'll start where I left off tomorrow.  I think my body needs the rest.  I will probably take a long walk to the park today so I get some sort of exercise in.  

I had started my video after dropping Rye off at school, but then a friend stopped by and we talked for a bit.  After she left I started the video back up and I realized the band I have were too much resistance.  I wouldn't be able to do the workout.  I went and got some dumbbells at the MCX, a good starting weight for me and I'll go up from there.  Tomorrow. 

So, that's it for me today.  I am feeling much better emotionally today.  My Evening Primrose Oil has been helping me a lot.  I feel almost normal.    

SHC-Struggles

I am feeling weak today.  Not just physically, but emotionally.  I think it's all stemming from that blessed time of month we women endure.  I feel fat and bloated.  I feel like nothing I'm doing will make a difference.  I'm at my wits end with my chicas today.  I know it's all from PMS, but even knowing that's what it's from, does nothing to help the feelings abate.

I'm just feeling low right now.  It's just started in the last hour or so.  I've felt the tension with the girls building throughout the day but the rest just kind of hit me.  It shouldn't surprise me, it happens every month...but I never seem to expect it.

I hate that I'm taking it out on Rye and Jo, especially Rye.  I HATE IT!

SHC-Day 2

So, yesterday after I worked out, as my muscles tightened up a bit, I started noticing my posture more.  I've always had bad posture and have always wanted to better it.  I think these workout might help me in that department.  I'm trying to keep more aware of it.  It's hard though.

I haven't done my workout yet today.  It's lower body, called Plyometrics.  I'm going to get it in when Joe is napping.  

I have to say, I am so glad that I only did half the workout yesterday.  I am way sore today but not enough that I can't function.  As I have some cleaning to do today I'm glad.  I don't feel my abs at all though, so I'm thinking I should have pushed that a little more.  I think I have abs again tomorrow, so I'll tray and hit that a little harder.  I think this first week I'll be doing half workouts.  Then I'll try and go full next week.

Food wise, I didn't do horrible, but I wasn't stellar either.  I had a ding dong last night.  I could say that I ate it before remembering that I wasn't supposed to be snacking but that's a lie.  I ate it anyway.  I'll try and be better tonight.  I did decently with the Mt. Dew.  I had 1 1/2.  I stopped myself halfway through the second one when my headache had receded.  Today I am planning on drinking half of my one earlier in the day and the other half later.  Hopefully that will keep me to one today.  I did stick to smaller meals/snacks though.

Update:  I did some of my workout today.  Not even close to the whole thing.  I didn't realize my legs had gotten so weak.  I'm going to have to take a walk to jog tonight to make up for how little I did today.  Yet my legs still have that wobbly feeling.  I am definitely not a exercise in the afternoon kind of person.  I need to get it done in the morning.  I need to remember that.

SHC-Day 1

Okay, I didn't get up early like I had planned to workout.  I'm hoping once I start sleeping better I'll be able to get up in the morning.  I forced myself to do my workout after Rye went to school.  It took everything I had to do it.  BUT I DID IT!!  My Chest & Back workout video includes 2 reps, but I could only manage 1.  I know I'll get better as I progress through the program.  I'm already having a hard time lifting my full water bottle so I know my muscles got a workout today.  the second part of the schedule today was the Ab Ripper X.  I could only get through the 1st 4 exercises.  I am not discouraged though.  I WILL GET BETTER!

I did decide to make another change in the diet area besides the no snacking after 7pm.  I want to try and cut back on the Mt. Dew.  I will not say get off of it, not yet...but that will be my ultimate goal.  Right now I'd like to get down to one 20 oz. a day.  And I'd also like to start drinking more water.  

P90X TIP OF THE DAY:  You should be eating every few hours while you're awake, favoring small meals & snacks. 

Smokin' Hot Challenge

IT HAS BEGUN.....

For the next three months my sisters, my best friend and I have decided to challenge ourselves to become SMOKIN' HOT!    We'll be posting weekly (Sundays or Mondays) to share our weeks progress.  Wether it be a new healthy recipe we liked, how many pound/inches we've lost, struggles we've faced, changes we've been noticing.  I challenge all my friends and family to join in.  I haven't been feeling great lately...not liking my body, having little energy, not sleeping well.  I want to change that.  Eric and I are trying to plan a romantic weekend when he gets home and I want to look and feel my best for him and for me.  

My sister Heather has added a Mr. Linky something or other to her blog that can help us all stay in touch with each other through this challenge.  If this is something you've been meaning to get around to, join us and get the support that is so helpful to have.

For myself I have gotten the exercise series P90X and plan on using that through out the challenge.  I probably won't be sticking to the meal plan too much.  I don't know that I want to lose any weight, I just want to tone up and gain some muscle.  So the only change to my diet, at first, will be not snacking after 7pm.  I know that once I start working out I tend to start eating healthier as a result...so if that happens, that's cool but I'm not going to be strict about it.

I have taken my before shot.  But I won't be posting that puppy until i have something to compare it to.  Hehe.  

CHOCOLATEY GOODNESS!

Is she not the cutest, messiest little girl you've seen in all your life?!  I know.  No need to answer.  Joey has the funniest, sweetest personality.  Her attitude is starting to poke through a little bit but we'll deal with that.  She is always laughing and testing her limits.  I am having such a fun time with her right now....except when her and Rye start yelling & picking at each other.  Jo loves to 'eric-tate' Rye.  It is her favorite past time.
Here are some similar shots from Washington. Josie loves her ice cream. She hears the word and it's GAME ON!

Here are some pictures from Rye's actual birthday.  Mary went and got her a special cake and everything.  Rye felt very special.  I can't believe that my 1st baby is 8 years old.  It's gone by so fast but at the same time I feel like she's been with us FOREVER!  I love my Rye and I can't wait to see what life has in store for her.

THE CAKE
THE BIRTHDAY GIRL
PAPA LIGHTING IT UP!
BLOW THEM OUT! BLOW THEM OUT!
CHOMP CHOMP!
YUMMY CAKE!  THANKS LIZ!
BIG BITE FOR A BIG GIRL!

Here are two pictures from when Rye received her BIG surprise birthday/christmas gift from Aunt Michelle & Uncle Greg. She's been wanting this American Girl doll for a while now and she has not been without it (when she can help it) since she got her.

THE LOOK OF SURPRISE/RECOGNITION
RYE AND HER BELOVED JULIE!

Video Post

Here are some videos I took over the vacation. I finally got my memory card reader so I'll be able to start sharing pictures.
This first video is of Jo and Mary. Mary was whipping her around the driveway. I was so nervous but as you can see at the end of the video you can see that Jo asks for 'more'.

This next one is from Michelle's and my trip to La Push, Washington. We loved the way the fog/mist rolled along the shore. It was so neat to watch and luckily I was able to catch it on video. We had such a fun time that weekend. I'm so glad we were able to do it.

This last one is of Ryelie. One day I was hanging out inside and my niece, Sierra, came in and said Rye wanted to show me something. She said that Rye knew how to ride a bike now. I hurried outside to see my girl riding around like she'd known how to do it all along. She's had such a problem with her fear when it comes to her bike. I have never been so proud of her. I didn't have to do anything, she just decided it was time and she did it!
(Excuse my super deep voice...hehe! I come from a trailer park in Ida-hoe!)

Here are a couple shots I took along with the video.

Yay!

Happy Birthday to Me!!

I looked everywhere I could think of for the dishes.  I went by some department stores, Wal-Mart and Target but to no avail.  My wonderful, loving husband told me to go ahead and order them.  Yes, the shipping is OUTRAGEOUS...but I told him it could be my birthday present.  I had gotten a pair of sunglasses but they didn't turn out as great as I'd thought they'd be for the amount I paid for them.  So I returned them today and ordered my plates.  I don't know how long it will take to get them but I'll be waiting excitedly.  I think I'm going to get some plain white square ones that they sell individually at Wal-Mart to mix in with me the printed ones.  I can't wait to get them.  I think I'm going to keep my eye out for some dish cloths that will coordinate.

Yay! 

ps...I am not going to need 8 of these coffee cups.  We don't drink that much coffee and I tend to like mixy/matchy coffee cups anyway.  If you'd like 1 or 2 of them, let me know and I'll send them along when I get them.  

I HATE HAWAII!!

Sorry Layla, but right now, I do, BIG TIME!

I can't get my pretty dishes.  The Wal-Mart here does not carry them.  Hawaii does not participate in site-to-store.  And it would be $68 to ship 2 sets of them here!!  

HIGHWAY ROBBERY!!

Shipping is always such a pain in the arse here.  I can't stand it!!

My choice.

Okay, well so you all know.  My choice will be the second design.  I like both, but I don't know how long I would like the flowers for.  I love the bright colors in #2 and the square plates and bowls are so cool looking.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in...it was interesting to see what people thought I'd choose and to hear all of your input.  

Now, if I can just find that set some where here so I don't have to order it, that would be icing on the cake.

Help me Out!

Okay friends & family....I'm thinking of getting some new dishes.  I like the ones I have but they chip easily.  And I'm think with getting the kitchen upgraded I can do it with my dishes as well.  I want to go with Corelle because I know they're sturdy.  I have narrowed it down to 2 designs.  They both have a touch of pink in them so they'll coordinate with all my smaller appliances.  Here is option #1

And here is #2

What do you think?  Which is more me?  I have a pretty good idea which I want to go with and Rye has put in her 2 cents...I want to see how well you all have me pegged....

ps...I'll post pictures form WA soon.  I'm waiting for a memory card reader I ordered.  I haven't been able to find my camera cable.

My pretty girl

I can't believe my Ryelie is going to be 8 years old in just a month.  It feels like just yesterday that we were bringing her home to our little apartment in Bremerton.  She has become such a 'mini-adult' lately.  Wanting to be in the grownup's conversations, which I am constantly reminding her she's just not old enough for.  She's thinking things through more thoroughly, trying to be funny in 'not so childish' ways.  I miss my little baby girl but, at the same time, I'm looking forward to this new time of her life.  Don't get me wrong...it scares the begeezus out of me.  We're already dealing with 'teen type' attitude and sullenness.  And I think, if this is how it is at 8, how much worse will the teen years be?!?!?  But we'll handle it, we'll deal.  I love my girls so much, I just want them to grow up thinking more of themselves than I did of myself.  I want her to be happy.

Bathing Beauty

Testing the waterLooks good Mom
bubble head picture
The water's not that good


cheese
that's right, i'm cool
get outta my face
ready to get out mom

New Camera

The girls hanging out
Sumo Squat

Got my toes done for the WA trip. Hehe.

testing.

New This Week...So Far

I wasn't going to do this post yet, because I have 2 more movies to watch, but I had to tell you about Fired Up!  RENT IT!  It's definitely an adult movie.  It has language, some nudity and sexual comments....but I have not laughed at a movie do hard in a long while.  I was afraid it was going to be kind of lame, you know how some of these smaller movies can be.  Oh man, not this one.  The movie is about friends, Nick & Shawn.  Football players who's summer plans look rather boring, 2 weeks at football camp with no girls in sight.  They decide to scam their was into the cheer camp by becoming cheerleaders.  The plan to bail early after they've scored as many chicks as possible.  Of course, changes of heart ensue...I may have to watch it again before I return it.  Seriously, if you're in the mood for a hilarious movie, this is definitely it!  If you're easily offended, this probably isn't for you.

I'll edit this and add more movies when I get to them.  I have Revolutionary Road and Gran Torino waiting.

Some Randomness

A few picture I've taken over the last few days. This first one is of a note Eric left me on our chalkboard. The only reason I'm sharing this is because...I DIDN'T NOTICE IT FOR 2 WEEKS! I swear right before and after he leaves I kind of go on auto pilot. It's weird. I was so touched at Eric's thoughtful gesture. Thanks babe!The girls hanging out in the playroom.  Jo's mad that I pulled out the camera.
Us.
Me & my baby
The girls being goofy.  Jo was laughing so hard.  She wouldn't get off of Rye.
Kisses.  A rare show of affection.
Rye, always trying to horn in on a shot.  So funny!
Jo likes to do her sad face sometimes.  She's so adorable, I can't stand it.  
Kisses for Mom.  I have a similar one with Rye at this age.

New This Week

Alrighty, I'm a little late this week with the posting.  As all the new releases for this week come out tomorrow.  And seeing as I watched these movies on Thursday I have no reason for my procrastination.  I watched two new movies this week, technically three, but one was on TV.  

The first movie I watched was New in Town.  A sweet comedy starring Renee Zellweger and Harry Connick Jr.  Renee plays a Miami based exec that goes to Minnesota to change over a factory and lay off hard workers.  She falls in love the with town and with Harry's single dad character.   I don't want to give too much of it away so I'll say no more.  It was a good movie.  I am not a huge Renee fan but I would definitely watch this again.

Next up is a small movie called The Ramen Girl.  It stars Britney Murphy as a girl that never commits to anything until she follows a boyfriend (that didn't want to be followed) to Japan.  In the sorrow that follow his ditching of her she finds solace in a Ramen shop.  She decides she want to become a ramen chef and asks to be trained by the alcoholic chef.  There are subtitles through out the movie but worth the read.  I only checked this movie out because I love her other small film, Love and Other Disasters, even though she's not always the best actress.  If you're in the mood for something a little off beat, check out this flick.

The last movie I want to touch on was a Lifetime Original Movie, starring Sarah Chalke, called Maneater.  It's a long one, but totally worth it.  Find it's replaying on TV when you can.  Chalke plays Clarissa, a girl totally caught up in having money and things.  On being told by her father that he'll be cutting her off she decides to bag a rich husband so she doesn't have to work.  All kinds of craziness ensues and she grows up a lotthrough this movie.  I was seriously bawling at the end of this movie.  It was great.  Sarah Chalke is just hilarious in general and I loved her in this role as well.  Again I say, check this movie out.

I'll be buying He's Just Not That Into You when it comes out tomorrow.  I can already tell you that is a great movie.  I watched it in the theaters and it was awesome.  You can't help but love Ginnifer Goodwin's character but also cringe for her when you see her doing something countless women do.  There are so many story lines in this movie that all end up intersecting in one way or another.  This movie, with it's star studded cast, is definitely buy worthy if you are into romantic comedies.