So what happens when you run yourself down?

DUH!!! You get sick. Well mama warned me I was doing to much. Mama said slow down or your going to get sick. Mama said ….. Heck I’m 50 years old and my mama said. Should of listened to her but there is always so much that has to be done that I just kept going and now, well I’m sick. Right now just a horrible cold and I don’t plan on it getting any worse than that. I have taken the past 3 evenings off to do nothing but sit under a blanket and drink my fluids. I did go to work and than disinfected the bus each night. I did go to the gym once in those three days and took it a bit easier on the bike (which I am now up to 60 miles with only 72 left to go next week). I did have daycare with Joss but it was to give her mama a rest because her mama has MS and needs a break but in turn found out Joss has the flu so on top of my cold I’m hoping I don’t get the flu. It’s winter time and I drive a germ wagon (that’s what grandma calls my bus) and I have little ones between so it’s bound to happen. It just means this weekend I’m going to sleep in a bit more and take a nap and do as little as I possible can or have too.

I have something to share with you, MONSTER BOBBY!!! He’s been here before but he’s bored and hates the winter so only spends a tiny bit of time outside otherwise he’s inside terrorizing the dogs or today me.

I was putting the dish towels away and he climbed up into the cupboard and each time I went near he’d try and snag me and eat me. Then…..

 

 

I wanted to clip coupons since shopping day is tomorrow and he at the newspaper. I did get the coupons I need from it but some of them are a tad bit shredded.

While Bobby is in here driving me nuts I have this outside the window eating spaghetti noodles I through out for them. All that separates me from the squirrels is a pane of glass. This little red squirrel didn’t care I was standing right there taking his picture or watching him.

The scale said I lost nothing again this week. That’s two weeks in a row and I’m keeping my calories down, there isn’t any added sugar anywhere’s. I hope it means I’m building back my muscles and they are taking place of the fat. I have noticed my pants are getting back to that better feeling and I have notice, up until my cold kicked in, I have more energy so I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing and hope that the scale catches up soon. It’s disheartening but I know I’m doing what’s right. I’ve been here, done that so I know that it will get better.

Mike is in Aspen this weekend. It’s so cool to say that. Anyways, his school took a bunch of kids for $50.00 for the weekend to the X-Games. I am hoping it will help Mike loosen up a bit and relax. He’s been so uptight about his new phase in welding. Welding is something Mike is really good at already but there’s always room for improvement and new techniques but right now he’s not into learning something new but he will get there. It’s hard having someone tell you to do something over and over again because it’s not the way they wanted it but it passes the x-ray machine. They x-ray things to see how the weld is and Mike’s welds are awesome but just not done the way they want them so he’s gotta give a bit, bend a bit and relax and enjoy this phase. School is 3/4 of the way over and soon graduation and a new life. He’ll get it, he always does but of course in his own time.

Well I do have to vacuum, I need to walk over to the neighbors and check their cabin and of course there’s the chickens and fire that need tending. Then Jim will take me out for lunch and we’ll come home for a nap. So I really better get going. Take care my friends and I do hope you all are having an awesome weekend. Take care of yourselves, rest, relax and rejuvenate. It’s good for the body, it’s good for the soul. I’m learning.

Just –16* now…..

And I did 18 miles in a bit over an hour on the bike this morning. Got my 1st bus run done, cleaning done and made it home for lunch. 2 scrambled eggs with a peppers and a slice of cheese and 3 lite sausages. Dessert was blueberries and banana. Oh and of course a glass of 1% milk. Not to high in anything and very filling and now in 15 minutes heading out the door for bus run 2.

I don’t think I’ll be increasing my mileage on the bike for a bit. 18 miles was really pushing it and my feet and butt went numb. I’m not sure if it’s the recumbent bike I rode or the settings but it was hard to move when my time was up. It is so much easier on my knee though then the usual bike so maybe will have to fuss a bit with the settings. I don’t ride on the easiest setting level, I do 3 and 4 which on the screen looks to be about 1/3 level to full. It took my all to do this and I was a hot sweaty mess when done which when it’s –28* and I have to go out to a cold car and do a safety check and get into a cold bus probably isn’t the wises thing but I did change into dry clothes and my long john’s.

Well I just wanted to check in, tell you not to worry….I did get lunch and I am going to look into a thermos for soup. Or I’m just going to show up at Kim’s house and beg for a sandwich or something. I’ve got to tell you guys, Kim is a life saver. She’s such a dear friend, puts up with me when my bus runs are to close together to go home but to far apart to just sit and wait. She has crafts we work on, ideas to pass around and she feeds me. Oh there’s so much more about Kim that makes her a dear friend but these are a quick highlight. Want to see a woman that has more crafting abilities in her left freckle then I do in my whole body, check out her blog.

Okay, time to pee and get out there and freeze. Take care my friends and stay warm or if you have warm weather, think of me and send a warm thought or two. Blessings!!

-28*

And school is running two hours late so I’m going to make the best of that time and head to the gym early. YEAH!!! for me, I’m doing something I’m suppose and putting it in perspective. I am eating a small bowl of oatmeal with blueberries for breakfast cuz by time I’m done at the gym there won’t be any time to come home and fix anything so am eating first. Yea I know, your not suppose to eat first but if I didn’t I haven’t a clue as to when I will eat next. Because after I get back at 11 from my first bus run I have to go to my cleaning job in Aitkin which will take me up to the time I run back to Crosby for my 2nd bus run so I’m bring a banana and OJ and eating my oatmeal and well at –25 and not suppose to warm up much if I did bring a lunch it would be frozen like a rock before I got to it.

I got in 15 miles on the bike last night and am hoping for 18 today. I’m trying to increase by 3 miles each time. I’m trying.

Anywho….it’s time to run. Just checking in. Take care and have a blessed day. Stay warm if you from up north.

It’s really cold this morning….

I am out the door in 5 minutes, usually I’m already in my bus but today am subbing for someone else because my school has the day off. It’s –25* out there this morning. I have my thermals on and have my boots on the heater ready to put on and go. But first…..

I wanted to wish you a great day. It can be day 1, day 30, day 130 or more but it can be and will be a great day. I had my SF breakfast drink and some yogurt with blueberries. I will be fixing chicken breasts for dinner with a salad and lunch …. well it’s not planned and yes I know it should be but I’m not sure if I’m even home for it today so we’ll just see. I also have at last 12 miles I’m going to ride on the bike this afternoon. Since I’m subbing I’m done at 4:00 so am going to go then to the gym and hope that it’s not a busy time. I keep varying my times at the gym looking for the best time to go. There’s a 30 minute limit on the equipment when it’s busy and for me to get in 12 miles or better I need an hour so we’ll just see what’s possible.

So I’m out the door. Take care my friends and have an awesome day. Blessings to you all.

Oh so tired and feeling like crap…

So this was the week from …. well can’t say hell because it was a good week but it was beyond manageable. I did get lots done for others and even took care of my own house but today am feeling so tired and have a headache that is knocking me off my feet. And my stupid left calf, I just don’t understand why that thing has to bother me every single day and the doctors can’t find a reason why. It’s tender and throbbing today.

I finished up my laps at the gym, 100 laps did and done. Now is the 112 miles. Yesterday I did 12 miles in 58 minutes. Not sure if that’s a good time or not but I just took a steady pace and kept going. I downloaded an audio book and found that it was a perfect companion for bike riding, that is as long as I didn’t look at the TV and read what was being said at the same time. DUH!!!

I did not lose an ounce this week. I didn’t stick to the plan either. Between 30 hours in the bus, 10 hours of cleaning the lodge, 8 hours of daycare, 3 hours of scout meetings, helping at the farm and being there for my grandma and parents I just didn’t stick to any plan of eating, I sorta just ate when I could. I know better and this week I am planning according to the ads at the grocery store. Fruit is on sale, 2/$5.00 so I’m getting some blueberries and blackberries and hoping for raspberries too. I need some onions and chicken breast and oatmeal and milk. It seems planning a menu and then sticking to it is worse than swimming those laps or getting the bike riding I oh so love … NOT… did and done. Maybe if I just have all the good stuff available and when I open the fridge it’ll be there to pick and fix. I’m working on it.

Today is just going to be a nothing day. I slept in, going to town for a short run with Jim and then back home to take a nap. I did get the coal fire cleaned up and started again and the chickens taken care of. Got 18 eggs so am going to boil some of those up too. Shower did and done, so for today I’m thinking that’s enough.

I put the sweater machine back into it’s box. No matter what I did it just kept dropping stitches. It’s not under the bed yet, maybe give it one more try when things slow down but for now am just going to bring out my sewing machine and make a pair of nighty pants. Thought I don’t wear them to bed I do lounge in them in the evenings so need a new pair that’s soft and warm.

I hope that this week was good for you all. I hope nothing happened you couldn’t handle. I tried to stop by a few of you but know I didn’t make it to everyone so maybe tonight I’ll get to stop by a few more. Take care and take time to relax and enjoy your weekend. They are just way to short if you ask me.

Blessings my friends!!

Gotta question….

Does anyone have, ever used, seen, played with, came in contact with……

one of these?

Just before Mike was born I wanted one of these really, really bad. I wanted to make Mike all kinds of cute little sweaters and bedding and … well all kinds of cute things.

So Jim got me one…We don’t even have a Pamida any more and see the date, 6/30/92?

I remember taking it out of the box a few times and giving it a whirl but thinking that the kids I had in daycare were going to break off the needles, bend them and all kinds of thought but mainly it was because it wasn’t as easy as the commercials said it was. In fact it really was harder then just the regular knitting….at least then I thought it was.

So as you know I had Friday off and was thinking I should do something different other than the usual clean the house, make dinner, do the laundry … you know, the usual stuff. So I dug this out from under my bed, 20 years later. Can you say dust bunnies? I am surprised they just didn’t move in and make themselves at home. I dusted it off, got it out of the box, put it together and proceeded to make the 1st square they teach you how to do. Now I can not be that dumb this many years later, but I must be because it still doesn’t work as easy as I remember the commercials. It still drops stitches which they say just take the little tool and pick up the stitch. HAHAHA, that’s funny. So you pick it up, now what do you do with it…they say weave it in. Yeah right, the little hook tool your suppose to use, it has this little thing on it that closes so you don’t lose the thread and they it won’t open to get the yarn out. Weave it my butt. So after working for 3 hours here’s what I made.

 

A really stupid looking hat. And those lost stitches, I just sewed them into the seam in the back. And that mess when you take it off the needles that they say just use a crochet hook and hook them together, well they are inside and under the pom-pom hiding. This thing wouldn’t fit a baby because it’s to long, it sure wouldn’t fit a older kid, it’s squeeze their head. UGH!!!

And to think, I’m sitting here again tonight trying to make a scarf so I can practice the going back and forth but now the stupid needles are getting stuck in the thing that goes back and forth. No matter what I do the first 2 needles got hooked in the knitter.

So my question is, does anyone know anything about these things? Can one machine really be that hard to work or can one person just be really that stupid that they can’t use a simple knitting machine? HELP!!!

I do have to say the stitches are uniformed and nice looking…..in the middle part of it all.

Hope your having an awesome weekend. I took my mama and daddy shopping today. I got me some new fingernail polish. I have fingernails to put it on. Still ugly so won’t show you yet but one day I will. Weighed in today too. Down 2 pounds, a total of 6 in 12 days. I am also 20 laps short of finishing my laps so will get them done on Monday so can start on the 112 miles on the bike. Getting there.

Take care my friends and really if anyone knows anything about these things, please help. Otherwise, well maybe someone on e-bay will like it. Blessings!!

School cancelled, activities cancelled…so much I could be doing but….

I never ever have a day to do nothing. Well so far today I’ve been up since 5 and I’ve done……nothing. Oh I’m dressed, washed, combed and brushed but not even the chickens are done or the fire. I’ll get there, just not yet.

It really is strange not going anywhere’s when I am never home any more and when I am home I’m sharing it with 4-6 kids. It’s quiet, and dreary and …. well did I say quiet?

I haven’t a clue to what’s on TV and I really don’t want to spend the day in front of it anyways, or my computer but so far well it’s been both.

I did find something I want to do today though. My daddy loves soup and with all the weight he’s lost and how life is not treating him fairly I think I’ll make him a big batch of homemade chicken noodle soup along with my first ever attempt at homemade noodles. I got a recipe today in my in box from a really cool lady that has some really awesome recipes so I’m going to give that a shot. I also made some chicken chunks this week that Jim loved so even though I’m trying my best to be good I’m making sure others are taken care of.

My mama, I know it’s been awhile since I’ve talked about her, has healed very nicely from her broken collar bone and doesn’t even need to go back for rotator cuff help. She has always healed well and continues to do that which is awesome on top of all that has happened. My sister isn’t doing well but still just hanging in there. She can not keep her balance and keeps falling and is losing her sight in her good eye. I’m not sure where this will all end up but I did talk to my mom and dad about it and I see in the future some assistive living for her. She’ll be able to keep her independence but someone will be there to help her when she needs it. Now it’s my daddy’s turn to have the aging issues. I took him to the doctor this past week because there are some great issues with his weight loss (down to 157.2 from 220 a couple years ago and no he’s not trying). He’s also worried, along with us, about his memory problems and not able to focus on things. There are other things going on too but we’ll just see what the doctor comes up with after all the tests that he’s called for. We’ll know more on the 29th. My grandma, daddy’s mama, has called worried about him too and mama because she knows they need each other and she’s worried because you know a mama isn’t suppose to outlive her children. So it’s a handful but a day at a time handful.

Well you know, I started this post about 10 this morning and now it’s 1 but I have manage to get a few things done. The soup is ready for me to make the noodles. The dryer is running, the dishwasher is ready to go and next is vacuuming and cleaning the bathroom but I just noticed Extreme Home Make Over is on and even though it’s a 2009 episode I haven’t seen it so think I’ll take a break and go see what they do and who they help. I really do enjoy that show when I’m able to see it.

Take care my friends. I know this is a strange, hopping around, misc blog post but wanted to at least check in. Blessings you all!!

Freezing….

Why does it seem when I cut calories I freeze? No matter if I’m working out to the point of drenched or sitting on my butt driving the bus I am cold? I cut calories, I cut fat, I eat healthy and my body freezes. I’m not impressed with being so cold all the time. I mean I live in Minnesota where being warm this time of year takes lots of layers but even with my wool socks, my long johns, a t-shirt and a sweatshirt I am still cold. UGH!!!!

Weigh in was today. Down 4 lbs. I’m going to continue with the bland diet next week because my stomach is finally starting to feel normal again. I’ll add a few more calories then I was having but they will still be bland. I was having such stomach pains and heart burn and all it has felt awesome to not being having that. It also makes a difference I am back on my tummy meds but just OTC stuff, same brand but less dosage. As long as the pain is gone and the weight is heading in the right direction.

Tomorrow starts my triathlon. 2.4 miles in the pool which is 85 laps (up and back) in our pool at the gym. I am figuring 3x a week, 15 laps each time and I’ll have this down in just under two weeks (I’ll try for more) The will come 112 miles on the bike. 3x a week for 3 weeks will mean I have to ride a bit over 12 miles each time. This I will hate each time because …. well Michele knows what I think about riding bikes …. bike riding isn’t my favorite sport. Then will come 26.2 miles walking/running, 4x a week for the last week at just over 6 miles each time. 7 weeks to complete. I’m not positive why I signed up for this other than I know I needed to kick start my exercise again and what better way then to try and win something in the process.

So it’s onward and downward with the scale and upwards to a new week, new challenges and learning some useful life skills in the life of a thinner person. Not a skinny minny, that’s not for me but a healthy chunk of a woman.

Blessings my friends.

Hungry, hungry….hippo….

You know that hungry dude on the commercial, that cute cuddly orange guy? Well my hungry dude doesn’t look at all like that mines more like this:

Go ahead and piss this dude off. You should hear him, he growls, screams, farts and wants to eat…not just now but all the time. I have been ignoring him since the 1st about noon time and boy is he upset. Now I’m doing my damnest to just ignore him but he’s loud, really really loud.

I have been following the plan, to the letter…no cheats at all… and plan on keeping it up. I have packed my lunch and supper already. I have a basketball activity this afternoon/evening so won’t be home to fix anything and I know better than to think I’ll wait until I get home to eat. I am leaving at noon and getting home at 8 so I’m planning. Here’s what I got…

8 oz of fruit. Banana, cutie and apple.

 

Eggs and tomato.

For Breakfast it’s SF instant breakfast and 1% milk. And to keep the hole full it’s 100 oz of water.

I’m going to go and work out but nothing to stressing with these few calories, just enough to get me moving again. I’m thinking 30 minutes walking and 30 minutes swimming which according to the activity calorie counter it’s about 400 calories used up.

My fingernails are gold. I had to paint them with something and since I only have some very bright fingernail polish from a project, I picked a color that didn’t scream look at me, but covered them up so I hopefully will just keep them out of my mouth. You know, when you think about it, putting my fingers in my mouth to chew on a fingernail is really, really gross but for some reason I’m not thinking about that when I’m chewing. YUCK!!!! Gotta think, GOTTA THINK!!!

So all this means I’m on track. Working hard and getting back into what really shouldn’t of been left behind. Can’t change that, can only plan for the future and live in the day. So that’s what I’m doing.

Today I found a plane ticket for $311 to get Mike home the end of February. I am still hoping to find it a bit less and than with a rebate Mike got because his flight missed his connecting flight I can afford to get the Lakes Express to bring him home from the airport. They have a 1/2 off thing going on right now so for $45.00 they will pick him up in the cities, bring him to Brainerd, pick him back up in Brainerd when it’s time to go and take him back to the airport. I can’t drive down there for that plus he’s coming home while I’m working and don’t want to take a day off if I don’t have too. He will get to celebrate his 21st birthday at home with friends and family, the way he wanted to (me too).

So it’s onward and upwards (except for the scale that better be downwards, –2 this am so far). I’m heading out the door shortly but wanted to stop and check in. Hope that the new year is treating you kindly.

Take care and God Bless!!

These are not on my can eat right now, but later maybe….

We’ve all been there: hunger striking before the dinnertime clock, a sudden craving for something sweet, the need for a quick energy boost before working out. The solution? A small and satisfying snack that won’t tip that calorie count over the edge. The problem with snacking is when a quick nibble turns into enough calories to count as a meal, yet our list of healthy, low calorie treats can please any palate.

This list is filled with sizeable options enjoyable enough to devour guilt-free without any diet damage. And while most of these snacks pack a nutritious punch, a few are clearly set out to satisfy that sweet tooth (see #23!). But hey, at 100 calories or less, it’s worth the splurge.

1. Mini PB&F: One fig Newton with 1 teaspoon peanut butter.

2. Chocolate Banana: Half a frozen banana dipped in two squares of melted dark chocolate.

3. Frozen grapes (any color): 1 cup (about 28 grapes), stuck in the freezer for 2+ hours.

4. Honeyed Yogurt: ½ cup nonfat Greek yogurt with a dash of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon honey.

5. Spiced Orange: One orange— about the size of a tennis ball— sprinkled with cinnamon.

6. Grilled Pineapple: 2 ¼-inch thick pineapple rounds (about 1 cup), grilled (or sautéed) for two minutes or until golden.

7. Berries n’ Cream: 1 cup blueberries with 2 tablespoons whipped topping.

8. Stuffed Figs: Two small dried figs with 1 tablespoon reduced-fat ricotta stuffed inside. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

9. Oats n’ Berries:  ⅓ cup rolled oats (cooked with water), topped with cinnamon and ¼ cup fresh berries.

10. Dark Chocolate: One block, or three squares.

11. Nut-Stuffed Date: One Medjool Date filled with one teaspoon natural unsalted almond butter.

12. Chocolate Milk: 6 ounces skim milk mixed with 2 teaspoons chocolate syrup.

13. Cinnamon Applesauce: 1 cup unsweetened applesauce. Or, try this homemade version!

14. Citrus-Berry Salad: 1 cup mixed berry salad (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and/or blackberries) tossed with one tablespoon fresh-squeezed orange juice.

15. Maple-Pumpkin Yogurt: ½ cup non-fat regular yogurt (go Greek for extra protein!) with 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree and 1 teaspoon maple syrup… like this!

16. Chocolate Pudding: One 4oz package. Try a fat/sugar free version or a homemade one!

17. Chocolate Covered Strawberries: Five strawberries dipped in two squares melted dark chocolate.

18. Tropical Juice Smoothie: ¼ cup pineapple juice, orange juice, and apple juice, blended with ice.

19. Vanilla and Banana Smoothie: ½ cup sliced banana, ¼ cup nonfat vanilla yogurt, and a handful of ice blended until smooth.

20. MYO Banana Chips: One sliced banana dipped in lemon juice and baked.

21. Baked Apple: One tennis ball-sized apple, cored, filled with 1 teaspoon brown sugar and cinnamon, and baked until tender.

22. Fruity Waffles: One 7-grain frozen waffle toasted and topped with ¼ cup fresh mixed berries.

23. Skinny S’more: Two graham crackers with one roasted marshmallow and one small square dark chocolate.

24. Cinnamon Graham Crackers & Peanut butter: Two graham cracker squares with 1 teaspoon peanut butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

25. Cereal and Milk: ½ cup rice krispies with ½ cup skim milk.

26. Milk n’ Cookies: Five animal crackers with ½ cup skim milk.

27. Warm Spiced Cider: 6 ounces apple cider with sprinkles of cinnamon and nutmeg, warmed.

28. Citrus Sherbet: ½ cup lime sherbet (about one standard-sized ice-cream scoop) with ½ sliced kiwi.

29. Café Latte: 8 ounces steamed skim milk with 1 shot espresso.

30. Jelly Beans: 25 of ‘em! Although we don’t recommend these.

31. Marshmallow Pear: ½ pear diced and topped with 1 tablespoon marshmallow fluff.

32. Protein Shake: One scoop protein powder with 8 ounces water (choose from tasty powder flavors like cookies n’ cream and chocolate peanut butter!).

33. M.Y.O. Popsicle: 8 ounces lemonade frozen in an ice pop mold, or use a small paper cup as a mold.

34. Apple Chips: Munch on ¾ cup of kinds like these, or use this recipe!

35. Carrots n’ Hummus: About 10 baby carrots with 2 tablespoons hummus.

36. Pistachios: A couple handfuls— about 25 nuts (Crackin’ them open will take more time and avoid grabbing 25 more).

37. Cheese n’ Crackers: Five Kashi 7-grain crackers with 1 stick reduced-fat string cheese.

38. Dippy Egg: One over easy egg with ½ slice whole-wheat toast, sliced (to dip in yolk!).

39. Cheesy Breaded Tomatoes: Two roasted plum tomatoes sliced and topped with 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

40. Curried Sweet Potato: One medium sweet potato (about 5 inches long) cooked for six minutes in the microwave and mashed with 1 teaspoon curry, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

41. “Cheesy” Popcorn: 2 cups air-popped popcorn with 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast— it’ll taste like real cheese!

42. Guacamole stuffed Egg Whites: Halve a hardboiled egg, remove yolk, and stuff the empty space with 2 tablespoons guacamole (avocado, lime, cilantro and salt).

43. Grilled Spinach and Feta Polenta: 3 oz polenta (about the size of a deck of cards) cooked with 1 ½ cups water and topped with 1 teaspoon feta cheese and a handful spinach.

44. Soy Edamame: ¼ cup boiled Edamame with 1 teaspoon soy sauce.

45. Dijon Pretzels: Two pretzel rods with 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.

46. Crunchy Curried Tuna Salad: ½ cup canned tuna with 1 teaspoon curry powder, 1 tablespoon chopped red onion, and two ribs celery (chopped).

47. Greek Tomatoes: One tomato (about the size of a tennis ball) chopped and mixed with 1 tablespoon feta and a squeeze of lemon juice.

48. Shrimp Cocktail: Eight medium sized shrimp boiled and served with 2 tablespoons classic cocktail sauce.

49. Smoked Beef Jerky: About 1 ounce— look for low sodium versions!

50. Cheddar and Tomato Soup: ½ cup tomato soup with 1 tablespoon shredded low-fat cheddar cheese.

51. Kale Chips: ½ cup raw kale— stems removed— baked with 1 teaspoon olive oil at 400° until crisp.

52. Sweet Potato Fries: One light-bulb sized sweet potato sliced, tossed with 1 teaspoon olive oil, and baked at 400° for 10 minutes.

53. Cucumber Sandwich: ½ English muffin with 2 tablespoons cottage cheese and three slices of cucumber.

54. Turkey Roll-Ups: Four slices smoked turkey rolled up and dipped in 2 teaspoons honey mustard.

55. Mixed Olives: About 8 olives.

56. Antipasto Plate: One Pepperocini, a ½ inch cube of cheddar cheese, one slice pepperoni, and one olive.

57. Pumpkin Seeds: 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds, sprayed with oil (just a spritz!) and baked at for 400° for 15 minutes or until brown. Sprinkle with kosher salt.

58. Choco-Soy Nuts: 3 tablespoons soy nuts with 1 teaspoon cocoa nibs.

59. Wasabi Peas: About  ⅓ cup of these green treats.

60. Balsamic Veggies: 3 cups raw peppers (any color!) dipped in 2 tablespoons balsamic reduction.

61. Cheesy Roasted Asparagus: Four spears (spritzed with olive-oil spray) and topped with 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, baked for 10 minutes at 400°.

62. Cucumber salad: One large cucumber (sliced) with 2 tablespoons chopped red onion and 2 tablespoons apple-cider vinegar.

63. Spinach and Feta Egg-White Scramble: Three egg whites scrambled and mixed with ½ cup raw spinach and 1 tbsp feta cheese. Cook in frying pan or zap in microwave until egg whites are no longer runny (about 1-2 minutes).

64. Crunchy Kale Salad: 1 cup kale leaves chopped with 1 teaspoon honey and 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar.

65. Chick Pea Salad: ¼ chickpeas with 1 tablespoon sliced scallions, a squeeze of lemon juice, and ¼ cup diced tomatoes.

66. Grilled Garlic Corn on the Cob: One small-sized ear brushed with 1 teaspoon sautéed minced garlic and 1 teaspoon olive oil, grilled until tender.

67. Pretzels & Cream Cheese: 15 mini pretzel sticks with 2 tablespoons fat-free cream cheese.

68. Bacon Brussels Salad: Seven brussel spouts thinly sliced and mixed with one piece lean bacon, chopped.

69. Rosemary Potatoes: ⅓ cup thinly sliced potato tossed with 1 teaspoons olive oil and a teaspoon of chopped rosemary.

70. Spicy Black Beans: ¼ cup black beans with 1 tablespoon salsa and 1 tablespoon non-fat Greek yogurt.

71. Caprese Salad: 1 ounce (hockey puck sized) of fresh mozzarella with ½ cup cherry tomatoes and 2 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar.

72. Goldfish: About 40 fishies…try the cheddar kind!

73. Chips n’ Salsa: 10 baked tortilla chips with ¼ cup salsa.

74. Mini Ham Sandwich: Two slices honey-baked ham with 2 teaspoons honey mustard rolled in a lettuce leaf.

75. Lox Bagel: ½ whole-wheat mini bagel with two thin slices of lox.

76. Chocolate Trail Mix: Eight almonds, four chocolate chips, and 1 tablespoon raisins.

77. Apples and Cheese: 1 non-fat mozzarella cheese stick with half of a baseball-sized apple (any variety), sliced.

78. PB & Celery: 1 medium celery stalk with 1 tablespoon peanut butter.

79. Cottage Cheese Melon Boat: 1 cup melon balls with ½ cup non-fat cottage cheese.

80. Carrot and Raisin Salad: 1 cup shaved carrots with 2 tablespoons raisins and 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar.

81. Tropical Cottage Cheese: ½ cup non-fat cottage cheese with ½ cup fresh mango and pineapple, chopped.

82. Blue-Cheese Stuffed Apricots: Three dried apricots with 1 tablespoon crumbled blue cheese.

83. Rice Cake and Almond Butter: One rice cake (try brown rice!) with 2 teaspoons almond butter.

84. Sweet n’ Spicy Pecans: Five pecans roasted with 2 teaspoons maple syrup and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.

85. Apples n’ Peanut Butter: ½ an apple, sliced and dipped in 1 teaspoon natural peanut butter.

86. Chocolate Hazelnut Crackers: Four wheat thins dipped in 1 teaspoon Nutella (or other hazelnut spread).

87. Strawberry Salad: 1 cup raw spinach with ½ cup sliced strawberries and 1 tablespoon balsamic.

88. Cacao-Roasted Almonds: Pop in eight almonds like these!

Mike is gone…but for 58 days…

This really was a different kind of good-bye today. Jim came with us today, the first ever, and it really was awesome. He took us out for breakfast at Cabala's which used to have a wonderful breakfast buffet but now just a grill but we still have a good lunch and conversation. We made it to the airport and where I usually go in and sit with Mike and one time even got a gate pass to go with him until boarding, we dropped him off at the front doors. IT WAS HARD!!! I thought since I knew Mike is coming home in 58 days this wouldn’t be as difficult, well I was wrong and I cried and cried. It was just as hard as the first time, more so since I was leaving my son at the front door of an international airport. And then after he gets his boarding pass and all, they tell him his plane is an hour late, which makes it so he won’t be making his connecting flight in Denver. UGH!!! Want to make for a panicky mama. Damn those airplanes. He’s still not home, but he is being taken care of. He talked to customer service and they have him on the next flight to Cheyenne at 6:50 and he should be home by 10:00 or so. However he heard that yesterday all the flights to Cheyenne were cancelled because they got lots and lots of snow so now he’s worried about getting to his suburban and getting to drive the hour drive back to Laramie. However, for all this mess that’s going on, they are giving him a $50.00 rebate on his next flight which will make getting him home for his 21st birthday just that more easier. I have saved $200.00 for this flight and the tickets are going for $320 or so this should help me get them just a bit faster. So we’ll just keep hoping and praying this flight works out, when he gets to his suburban it’s been snowplowed to so he can clean it off, lock in the 4-wheel drive and head home safely.

Mike had some concerns about his 21st birthday. As much as he loves the fact he’ll be able to have a drink legally he just didn’t want to spend his 21st birthday with a bunch of college students looking for a reason to get hammered. He’s not a drinker, though he will have something at a party once in awhile even though it’s not legal yet. He wanted to have his first legal drink here at home with his dad and I. So for his birthday I am flying him home one more time before he graduates in April. There’s also the hidden agenda of the mama not having to wait 4 months to see Mike again.

My guy.

Mike and Scott this past week trying to go sledding. We borrowed two snowmobiles from a daycare parent and like most sledding experiences we’ve had you ride for a couple of hours, you work on the sled for 30 minutes and repeat and repeat and repeat.

So that’s that my friend. I’m missing Mike but will survive and keep counting down the days until he’s home again. And then it will be 60 more days until graduations. I will be driving out for that in April to watch him graduate and my nephew will be coming too and on the way home we will take Scott to Mount Rushmore, the black hills and I am hoping we can see the Terri Redlin museum.

But 1st, the 58 days now.

Blessings!!!

My goal for 2012 and my partners….and now 2013

Remember my goal for last year? And my partners? Well I wanted to check in to see how everyone did. My goal was to run/walk 650 miles for the year and I was able to get in 1055 miles. How did you do? After you check in I will do a random pick and I have a goody to send you.

Care to join me this year? My goal will be 1500 miles, walking, running, hiking, biking, swimming, anything that makes you move. If you’d like to join me, I’d love to have you.

And my partners for 2012 goals were….

• Melanie at upinthecosmos.
• Angela at adayinthelifeof ang.
• Debby at debsdailylife.
• Pam at Emptynest
• Corey Loree at cupcakestocardio

This year, lets use this picture for our reminder….

And my partners are:

Coming……

BLESSINGS!!!!!

2013

 

So it’s a new year. And with it always comes some new thoughts and ideas. I will be the first to say last year wasn’t the best year for me but it also wasn’t the worse. I did one super great thing in the fitness part, I made my goal of running/walking 650 miles which I changed to 1000 which I ended up at 1055 miles. Now that was a huge goal busted and I am very proud of me. I did terrible in the weight loss part. I am at the exact same weight I was 1 year ago. I’m back above the 200 lb mark and at one point in 2011 I made it to 180. So that means I gained back almost 1/2 of my weight I had loss and that just isn’t going to fly. I can look back and see just exactly where it all turned, it was December 28th when Mike told me he was leaving for Wyoming for college. Now that isn’t a bad thing, in fact it was an awesome thing….for Mike, for me it was like losing a huge part of me. But in this year of change I have learned a few things. I can exercise alone. I can go hiking and fishing and biking alone. I can almost enjoy my own self (I’m still learning that). I can do lots that I didn’t figure I could. So now that it’s 2013 I’m going to take myself into a new phase and learn to move forward. You can’t go back and really why would I. It really wasn’t a terrible year, so many wonderful things happened too so we’ll just move forward and just start over.

I have 3 goals I’m going to set for myself.

1. Lost 25 lbs before Mike graduates on April 25th and than keep it off for the remainder of the year. If I can lose more on Allan’s challenge, I’m game for that too.

2. Take my running/walking goal to another level and set it for 1500 miles. I am going to sign up for at least 3 5K and I will try to have a better time of 44:12. That was my time for my last 5K this summer.

3. I am going to quit biting my nails again. I quit like back in 1995 but for some reason I started back last year and my hands are ugly and old and the nails look like crap. I have very small hands with short fingers that right now look like Vienna sausages. Not my best trait at all and I see my hands all day long on a steering wheel and hate seeing them like that.

So everything I have set for myself are reasonable and doable as long as I get my brain in the right place. I will be honest and say my challenges will start on the 2nd, not today. Today we are taking Mike out for one last buffet  breakfast at Cabala's in Minneapolis before we put him on his plane back home. I will not over indulge I will eat wisely and when we get home after our trip I will get my butt out and get a walk in. I will start Allan’s challenge on Wednesday along with signing up for a Triathlon at our local gym. It’s called Tri-Hallett. It will be 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, 26.2 miles of running. It starts Monday January 7th and runs tell February 17th. I thought both Allan’s challenge and this triathlon will get me back on track and headed in the right direction for my loss before Mike graduates.

This blog will still be a bit of this and that. I won’t have much for daycare goodness any more, in fact I am pretty sure daycare is just going to be more of a baby sitting service now and then or on an as needed basis. So that will also bring with it another job of some kind. So maybe there will be goodness to share there. Of course I have my bus driving and the challenges that come along with keeping 56 students ages 5-13 happy, safe and corralled. I want to share some crafts, some baking, some pictures, lots of family and more.

So join me as I learn to move forward as an empty nester. Join me as I learn to lose this weight and keep it off. Join me as I push my body to just see what it’s capable of. Join me as I learn from you and share with you and enjoy this wonderful community we have in blog land.

Take care my friends. May this new year bring you lots of goodness. The Lord doesn’t promise us easiness or all roses and warmth but we can do this. We can make life good, happy and healthy and when it doesn’t go that way, you guys are out there to give me a boost or a kick in the butt when I need it. I promise to do my best to give you the love, encouragement, support and praise and also the kick in the butt when needed. Blessings my friends!!!