Sunday, October 11, 2015

Five Minutes

I did this a coon's age ago.....kind of interesting. 

I'm going to type out everything that comes into my mind in the next 5 minutes. I will only elaborate if my thought process goes further. 

Ready?

Get set.

GO!

Right now I am listening to Shane and Shane "I Need You."
Such an appropriate song for me right now. 
I have had a cruddy last couple of weeks. 
JBQ.
UGH! Still upset about all that mess.
I just need adults to play by the rules and act nicely.
It is still stinkin' hot outside.
It's the middle of October. 
It won't be long before I need to....
First I need to clear the coat rack.
I just donated a lot of coats, but I need to sort through them.
I need to move the *overflow* to my son's closet.
I share a closet with my hubby. 
It's tiny.
Who does that? I need more space.
It wouldn't be nice to just move him to my son's closet.
Pretty soon, space won't be so tight.
I'm sad.
My oldest is getting college letters daily.
He just ordered his class ring.
He still asks some crazy questions.
I'm glad he is still home.
Still so much to do with him.
I love the fall flowers on my table. 
And the sparkly corns. 
I cut up a watermelon for small group.
It's GROSS!
Its all mealy.
We only have 5 extra kiddos tonight.
Again.
Phone call, people.
My youngest is feeling the sadness of not being included.
I love the wind. 
A hot wind is better than nothing.
Laundry needs to be done.
Always.
Tomorrow is our day off for The Great State Fair of Texas.
Thank goodness! 
I need the day. 
I have a lot of clutter to go through.
I am always distracted from things that I need to do.
My dog is wet.
And under the table.
*sigh*
He is always wet.
He is always under the table. 
I need to replace the sliders on the chair legs.
They are hairy.
From the wet dog under the table.
I need to do it before Thanksgiving.
I need to take my personal day for my Thanksgiving shopping.
And my Christmas candy making.
I should put that into the computer this weekend.
Get it marked off my



THAT'S ALL! Peace out!

Friday, July 31, 2015

Time change

No, I'm not talking about Daylight Saving Time. I'm talking about starting school. 

It's nice to be back into my routine, but HOLY SMOKES! I get busy right around NOW.  It will be increasingly difficult to get on here and post. I certainly will have tons of stuff to say, but not a lot of time to say it. 

Time....well, time causes me problems. There's just not enough of it. Well....that's not entirely true. I'm simply a poor manager of time. 

BUT, that is not why I'm on here today. 

You know, my last post was celebratory. I was excited because that wasn't the full 3 weeks. We went camping. Not "tent and pee behind a bush" camping, but stay in a cabin, kind of like church camp, camping. 

Meals were provided. Thankfully, we weren't served SOS, but we had things like: spaghetti and meat sauce, ham, brisket, beans, and potatoes, breakfast tacos, biscuits and gravy.

I will tell you....I ate. I didn't go crazy eating all this stuff that is *unclean.* But, I didn't go hungry, either. I will say that I was a bit nervous, because I wasn't drinking my water, eating clean, doing my exercises....(well, I have trouble doing my exercises, anyway.) I worried that my 8.5 pounds would be undone by 4 days.

I am happy to say that I only gained 2 back. Further, after 1 day of getting back on track, one of those pounds was gone. 

It's going to be hard to do this during school. I'm not saying it will be impossible. We just wolf down food SO quickly, and often get stress munchies and tired munchies. 

BUT, I WILL TRY!

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

DRUMROLL PLEASE!

OK.....after... 2 weeks (well....2 weeks yesterday) and questionable straying, I went ahead and weighed and measured.

So, the good news is that my efforts were not completely sabotaged. I am learning what my friend, Catey says.....follow the 80/20 rule. So, I CAN have my treats. I just can't make a glutton of myself. (Being a glutton is within my skill set, not gonna lie.)

Anyway, these numbers are TOTAL....including my 3 day fix. If I figure that into the date, then I started this July 4....so three weeks from this coming Saturday. 

Before I go on, I am now, officially excited about this clean eating thing. I can DO this.....I will continue to learn what is good, bad, and too much. Will I drink sodas again? I don't know. I had some horchata last night....I LOVE horchata.....I often CRAVE horchata.....and it was too sweet. YEA!!! If it's too sweet, I don't want it.   I had pizza last night. I felt bloated. It tasted good, but the feeling afterward....well, maybe it was just enough to make me rethink stuff like that. I don't think the pizza, in and of itself, was too terribly bad, but the crust? I need a whole wheat, or something besides white flour dough.

OK....you've been patient enough. Besides, I need to roll. I am having a dinner party tonight. I need to start cooking. It will be with great happiness, too!

Since July 4, I have lost 6.5 inches and 8.5 pounds.

What the WHAT?????

YEP!!!!

SO, this morning, my steel cut oats with half a banana and 2 teaspoons almond butter taste a LOT better. 

Clean eating, y'all. It's where it's at!

Sunday, July 19, 2015

DIFFICULTIES

It has been a difficult week for me on the whole eating front. 

I have been strong for a long time, but the last few days, I've been cooking for my boys. 

Remember last time? All that food I have to get rid of? Yeah....that. 

I have been allowing myself small portions of stuff. And, have been feeling guilty. 

I've gotta get over that. 

I have until Wednesday. Wednesday evening we are having a dinner party. I'm cooking Mexican food. I LOVE me some Mexican food. I will try to do my best.....choose corn tortillas, or lettuce to wrap. The beef will be lean. I will also have a chicken option.

But, y'all. I'm making my queso, salsa, and guacamole. Y'ALL!!!! It's the perfect trio in any house. I'm not gonna lie. I make some pretty delish salsa. 

I know.....I should have a salad.

But, then.......

THEN, I'm making strawberry shortcake, peach shortcake, and an Oreo ice cream cake.

I think I'll weigh Wednesday morning. :-)

Friday, July 17, 2015

CHEATER CHEATER PUMPKIN EATER

So.....I cheated last night.

NO......IT WASN'T A CHEAT!!

This is a lifestyle change. There are going to be days that I don't eat perfectly. That is OK.

DO YOU HEAR ME, SELF? THAT IS OK!!!!

I have done so much better in these last 2 weeks. I haven't had a soda, nor a CFAST this entire time. I HAVE had tea, but it is green tea with stevia. THAT, in and of itself, is a huge difference. 

I also don't snack on crap all day. I've had 1 chip. ONE. I instinctually ate it when I fixed the boys' lunches. 

Yep....I still love chips. But, my point is....I didn't eat a quarter of a bag, or 3 handfuls, or even 2. 

I'm learning. 

One of the treats I'm allowed is 6 chocolate covered almonds. Well, I've had 6.....only once. Six is good. (Any Jerry Seinfeld fans out there?)

I have had none of the treats, save the aforementioned almonds and 1 chip. 

Until.....last night. 

Now, last night was a conscious decision. There were a few reasons (read "excuses") that allowed me to justify this. Please...no judgment. This is difficult enough. I'm still trying to learn the whole *within reason*. I have understood the logistics of it forever. I am just now getting into the practice of it. 

So, why did I do it? Well, I started this and just bought food for myself. We still have a lot of *unclean* foods. Clean eating is not necessarily more expensive. However, when you have to replace a lot of your pantry, it could be. I am not going to waste food. 

I also chose to do it, because my kids are suffering. YES, I KNOW they need to be eating like I now am. However, I'm still getting rid of food, remember? This whole *get dinner on the table* then eat my rabbit food with my little yellow cup of starch is for the birds. I'm tired of doing all this. And, when I just worry about myself, my kids eat even worse! How do I know? The 4 empty cereal boxes in the trash testify to that.......I just bought the cereal Monday. 

Finally, it was a treat to myself. I have been working my tushie off in the boys' rooms. We have 2 boys who have outgrown (in weight and length) their loft beds. So, we've been tearing down and building beds. Do you know how NASTY floors and baseboards get, especially behind furniture, ESPECIALLY when dogs like to stay there? 

PLENTY.

NASTY!

SO......I've been working on the rooms. I spent about 5 hours in said hairy bedroom, yesterday. 

I wanted bacon.

THERE!!! I SAID IT!!!! 


I WANTED THE BACON!!!!


......and the biscuit......but who's keeping score?



Monday, July 13, 2015

WHATABURGER

So, yeah....they won't allow guns (open carry, anyway.) 

I'm OK with it, honestly. 

First, you can still conceal and carry. I have my CHL, so I'm good. 

Second, Whataburger has a LOT of kids that go....like after school. In fact, we have one right across the street from a high school. There are always a LOT of teens who go there. Teens make stupid choices. They try to show off. Honestly, I don't know that I would like a gun showing when there are 2 teen boys squaring off over a girl. 

Extreme? Yes....I know, but dude, really? I'm a mom. That's my job. 

It's not like on January 1st everyone is going to be able to take their gun out everywhere. You have to have a conceal and carry license in order to open carry. Me personally, I'd rather conceal. 

"Ooooo.....look at me.....I have a gun."

"Yeah.....just let me eat my burger, OK?"

Finally, Whataburger management has brought down that statement. Some of us are defending businesses for their rights to NOT do things that are against their beliefs: i.e. bake a cake for a gay couple's wedding. We can't scream that business owners have the right (when we believe in it) but then bash another business for doing the same thing if it's agains what we believe.

I do not, though, have a problem with people taking their business elsewhere when they don't agree. THAT IS WHAT THE FREE MARKET IS ALL ABOUT, PEOPLE. 

I am Christian. I have never denied the fact. I will never deny the fact. However, we have to remember that when we pray for rain, there will be mud. 

I am sad that we cannot pray to MY God, in public schools. But, right now anyway, some others can't pray to Allah, Buddha, or the Flying Spaghetti Monster. For that, I am glad. I don't want my kids around it. They will be exposed soon enough to things which do not adhere to my personal beliefs. 



Oh, yeah....I did have a burger yesterday. Not a WB burger, but a burger. It was a bit of a cheat. I had the patty, mustard, lettuce, tomato, a dollop of guacamole and the bun. The bun was the really bad part. Then there was the cookie. It was luscious. 

I have no regrets as my 21 day challenge has treats built in, like chocolate covered almonds, potato chips, milk.....I haven't done ANY of that. It's all good. 

Y'all have a great day. 

Friday, July 10, 2015

No clever title

Still hanging. It's easier, now that I can eat meat and a bit more fat. My new favorite is sun butter. 

But, let me tell you....the Shakeology shakes are SO good. I have them after my workout. My favorite way is with frozen banana and almond butter. YUMM-O-LISCIOUS!

OK....so I still haven't weighed in. Remember? I told you I wouldn't. I'll weigh the morning of the 23rd. It'll be a few days early, but my family and I are going on a vacation. That MAY hurt me. I won't have my cups, nor my DVD. I will be doing things like horseback riding and hiking. I will also practice what I have learned and control my portions. However, I will not promise to not have a CFAST or DP. 

I'm hoping for another 5 pounds with a total of 10 total. Not too bad for 3 weeks. I hope that I will be in enough habit to make some good choices with both eating and working out. I will say that a good diet is a teacher's downfall. I mean, we get a 30 minute lunch. That doesn't mean we have 30 minutes. 

Anyway, there's snacking first think in the morning, snacking during conference....the occasional chocolate emergency.....I just have to make smarter choices during it. 

Alright, that's all today. I have so much to do. I'm trying not to feel like my summer is over. It's hard when I'm to this point. It's sad, but happy, too. I love teaching. I love my students. I love my team. I also love being home. Not, the laundry so much, but the kitchen stuff, and just puttering around the house. And, this time of year? Well, we are very close to Christmas. The Lobby has stuff out. I've been burning my Fall Harvest candles. Yeah....new school supplies and Christmas stuff at The Lobby....2 of my favorite things EVER!

So...I'll be back in a day, or 2.

Wednesday, July 08, 2015

TICK TOCK

Just quickly touching base.

I had another successful day. I did not, and I will not, weigh daily. I'm not sure when I will weigh. I don't like getting hung up on the numbers. I go by how I feel and how my clothes fit. The only new clothes I want to buy are smaller. :-)

Speaking of.....I THINK clothes have been resized. In the past few months, I have actually gone down a size in a certain brand of shorts. However, my size is the biggest I've ever been. Is society making it OK to be big? Even so, I don't like how I look and feel....that is my goal....to change all that.

I got to eat a LOT of food yesterday, compared to the 3 days prior. My favorite? MEAT!!!! OMG! I missed meat. And, bread. It was great to be able to eat a small sprinkling of cheese with my eggs yesterday. This morning, my first meal was 4 slices of turkey bacon on whole wheat toast with 2 sliced tomatoes (that I grew myself). PRETTY DARN TASTY!

I did the exercise video. Yep....old, and out of shape, I am. But, I hope to change that. Two of my boys were quite helpful. One, exercised beside me. The other was pointing out improvements I needed to make. "Mom, you need to go up on your toes more." Truly, it was helpful. The one, before exercising with me, made sure that I wouldn't feel bad or be intimidated. LOL! Sweet boy. Those who know my kids probably know who that was.

So....just wanted to check in and say that I'm still ticking.

I am down to my last 4 weeks before in-service. So sad.....not gonna lie. There is still so much that needs to be done around the house in order to feel good about leaving my house for the next 10 months. I'm working on that.

In other news, because it has been a coon's age since I've been on here:

We did not take a month long vacation this summer. Why? We put in a pool and a pavilion. It is SO nice. We love it! I may post pics later, but......ugh....the computer situation has been crazy.

We currently have 4 laptops. Two of the computers have crashed a few times and we have had them repaired. So, a lot of my pics are on different devices. I simply cannot wrap my head around all that.

We are still big in JBQ, only I have 2, instead of 4, in it. My 3rd son, this will be his last year. We just got back from Nationals in Chicago. He was a BEAST! He quizzed out (forward) 16 out of 25 rounds. That is crazy good. I am kind of a behind the scenes coordinator at our church. (I haven't been officially named coordinator, but things I do need to be done and I'm the only one who does them.)  I am also co-coordinator for our Area, which means I help with the meets and have some 30-ish teams. It's fun. It's work. It's stressful....especially with DH still flying and teaching.

My oldest son will be getting his license in a few weeks. We've been teaching him. I'm ready for another driver in the family. He will be a junior. His brothers? Freshman, 6th grade, 5th grade.

My hubby is still flying. He's still my hunka-hunka!

We now host a middle school youth group for our church. We sure enjoy those kids. This year, a lot of them will be students I actually taught.

Alright. Until....tomorrow? Maybe

Peace out!

Tuesday, July 07, 2015

ACCOUNTABILITY

I have a lot of curse words right now. I had a post, last night.....a LONG post.....but, due to some technical difficulties (namely a problem with Blogger) it did not post.

*GRRRR!!!!*

This won't be near as long, because now? I'm just ticked!

Basically, here's what we have going on. I am on a new weight-loss journey life-style change.

Why? and Why now? Well....I'm getting older. I don't want to be old and fat, simply put. I'm not doing a great job setting examples for my kids. It makes me very.....sad.....to feel so hypocritical. So, here I go.

The reason I am letting you in on it is because I have a pride issue. If you know I'm doing this, then I'M GOING TO DO IT! The whole family will be involved, somehow.

"So, what are you doing?"

I'm glad you asked!

I'm doing the 21 day Fix with 3 day kickstart by Beachbody. I have a friend who recently did this challenge. I have another friend from high school, who is a coach. I listed her as my coach, spent my cash, and now? I'm working toward a better and happier me. It really does not have to do with vanity and my looks. I've popped out 4 babies. There are going to be some things on me that are....um.....shall we say....in a different place than they were originally.

My issue is I love food. I love to cook. I'm kind of a foodie. These are all OK....depending on the choices made. Sadly, I have made some unwise choices in the past.

"But, ~LL~! Why not do one of the other programs out there? The ones your friends do?"

Well, let me tell ya. I've tried a lot of them....with varying degrees of success. Let's do a run-down, shall we?

Good ol' calorie and fat counting: I was good at this. It was successful. It was....*whispers* 60 pounds ago. I loved the numbers. I weighed everything. I read labels. I learned what foods held what nutrients. I could look at a plate, and tell you how many calories (and fat calories) were on that plate. If you wanted to lose weight, I could tell you how many calories and fat calories you needed. Why did I stop? Lazy? Immature? Bored? Busy? Maybe a bit of all

Medifast: Successful. Food? Gross. I was ok for about 10 pounds. But, honestly? The food got to me. After awhile, I could no longer handle the cup of doped up fortified soups and powdered eggs.

HCG: Successful. But, BORING! I did get tired of eating 1 melba toast with a bunch of lettuce and some tomatoes. Having a semi-regular dinner was just not enough. The big reason, though, was that I was putting hormones into my body. I don't like that.

Plexus: Yep.....successful....somewhat. It got to where it wasn't working for me. The BioCleanse? Yea....it's cleans like I do. Have you seen my house? I did like the pink drink. It helped me sleep. Honestly, exhaustion will take care of things and I will eventually sleep.

ItWorks: Kind of successful. I didn't lose weight, but I LOVE the Greens. First, I KNOW what's in there. Second, the wraps. I do like them. But, the pills? I'm not keen on taking pills, I'm not gonna lie. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm NOT granola. I would rather chop down a tree to read a book, than to hug it. But, when it comes to fake junk getting pumped into my body....I'm not a fan. (Please, spare me to sermon on *You drink sodas! That's crap!* Yes....I KNOW!!! I'M WORKING ON IT!!!)

Thrive: this is a touchy subject as I have a lot of friends doing it. I have even lost a friend because of it. But, let's not open up THAT wound.  It was not successful, but it was not a failure. I mean, I lost nothing. Did I feel energy? Yep....the first day. And I gotta say, it was concerning. I mean, I would start my day with tea and have a soda mid-day. On the first day, I didn't have either, but with 2 little pills and the patch......HOLY SMOKES! I couldn't run fast enough. Talk fast enough. I was wound tighter than an 8-day clock.  Yes...I DID give it my time. A full month and $150. It is not worth it for me. Besides, I do not know (to this day) what all is in the patch or the pills. That's an issue. Yes....I'm.....chunky, but I do try to eat REAL foods. I just eat too much of it, and it's not all considered *clean*.

Which brings me to the 21 day fix. They send these boxes (fancy, colored, square measuring cups) to *retrain* you in portion control. From what I'm seeing, there will be a LOT of food I can eat. It's all whole foods. Clean foods. I can, if I choose, have a Shakeology shake once a day, but I don't have to. I'm not popping pills. I'm not wearing a patch. It's just.....real. And life. Once I'm done, I can maintain without spending money (or selling it in order to have my products for free.)

The horrible thing about this? The 3 day kickstart. HO!LY!SMOKES! It was awful. Very low cal, 3 shakes a day, very little food, and a fiber sweep. Yep, it was as bad as it sounds. No....I didn't live in the bathroom. But, the drink? Well...you know how okra gets slimy? Imagine a drink of gritty, lightly citrus-y, okra juice. I did cheat on day one. My headache (remember the tea and soda?) was SO bad, and I was SO hungry, that I ate 1/2 banana, took 4 Tylenol, and drank 1/2 cup milk....then went to bed with an ice pack. My poor kids. But, they have been troopers.

I am happy to say, that this morning, I am down 4.4 pounds.

Now, I will not be posting before/after pics. I'm not looking for kudos. I will not be telling you how much I weigh. I will say that I would like to lose 35-50 pounds.

That being said: I've got lunch to prepare. Any encouragement and prayers are welcome. Please, if you do know me, and care to comment, I ask you to NOT put identifying information in your comments.