Enjoy Today...

I wanted to write this post at the beginning of January, being in line with starting off a New Year, yadah, yadah, yadah, but something happened...Oh, yeah! Life! Ironic.

Earthquakes in Haiti, a short family trip over a long weekend, loosing a memory card full of pictures (then finding out my sister downloaded the whole thing to her computer too so I can at least recover them!), a house full of sickies including myself, getting back to work, catching up on everything, trying to enjoy something. You know, normal everyday stuff we all are familiar with. Add a daily dose of really good chocolate and you pretty much have my 'every day' in a nutshell.

And yet, it all goes by so fast! My oldest turned 10 just a few weeks ago. Christmas seemed like just yesterday yet February is almost half over!

Now and then I will catch myself contemplating and reflecting on...life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness :) and also all of these in respect to my children. I am in a time and place in my life which revolves around the children. I could go crazy trying to give my children all the social, developmental and physical stimuli available. But, seriously, is it necessary? The 10 year old enjoys video games and building things from anything. The 71/2 year old enjoys drawing and painting and writing. The 31/2 year old enjoys being read to, jumping/running and scribbling. However, the 10 year old needs to work on reading; the 7 year old needs to work on math; the 3 year old...well, she's Three. 'Nough said.


And in my desire to give them the most fulfilled, enriched, enlightened, developed childhood, I could very well pass up the opportunity to give just what I am supposed to as a parent...Myself. And this is my struggle. I work full time because my husband can't; I am home late; sometimes I leave early in the morning; I am often tired; I try to cook healthful meals and succeed most days, but Ramen noodles and veggies is a family favorite; I have 3 beautiful children and a husband who also desperately need my attention.


So, pretty often I have to remind myself of my truest joy, my family, and what I want my children to learn from me: Make the most of your opportunities; We can't always skip school, but there are some exceptions; Organization is important but so is spontaneity; You will have your family forever so learn to enjoy them.


And, enjoy today...before it's all just a memory.

And Now We're Off...

...Off to the races!! But I have a distinct feeling I won't be running any legitimate races this year. HOWEVER, I WILL be making more time for myself. And yes, an hour at the gym every day is blissful and I will embrace every one of those 60 minutes!

As for the new year, we (as a family) have a lot we want to accomplish/do/visit. Personally, I have made a Resolution to NOT make any Resolutions this year. Not that I think resolutions are bad, or that if you have a Resolution List that you are weak. Not At All. We all need lists. I am a huge fan of lists! Lists are my life! However, this resolution business has never really worked for me. By March, I've pretty much given up on the Resolution and moved on to goals for the rest of the year. So, I figured, Why not just start with a Goal in the first place?? Then I can simply bypass the disappointment all together!! Beautiful!

Until now, I've always assumed that "Resolution" was just a fancier word for "Goal," until I actually looked it up. Resolution, as mentioned here, seems to be more of a verb behind the goal, the extra something that increases the motivation to accomplish a goal. So, essentially, these last 20 years, I've lacked Resolution this whole time instead of wanting to find it!

Now that I've set myself straight (thank you thesaurus.com) I can focus on what I really want to accomplish this year. I won't make you read them all, but I have a special place in my private room (actually, it's only private when the door is locked) where I'm keeping track of these things. I'll also post it on the fridge so my husband can see his required level of involvement. We'll see if this will work for us, but I can Guarantee You that one hour, maybe 90 minutes, six days a week, will be Me Time at our local Rec. Center. Those 60+ minutes may or may not always include a Tread Mill/Weights :)

Off to a Great Start, Everyone!! Here's to a Great 2010!!

(Picture found here)

What an Accomplishment

Notice the new widget on the left. I know, it's not for "New Moon" but I can go to my sister's site for that one :)

A great friend of mine spent the last 4 years of her life co-conspiring and doing her beautiful magic artwork for this book, a great story that needs to be shared.

Talking about accomplishments, this project I believe was the start of her gaining, slowly, more self-confidence and realizing that, "Yah, I really do have something I can contribute." Everyone has a story. She and I related well to each other. I was sad to have to move so far away at a difficult time in her life, but she is doing great, even better than just having a book release. I knew she could do it, and more :)

Many Congrats, Brandilyn!

Miss you :)

Unique 2009 Update

Waiting for lots of stuff, so i figured I'd update (mostly myself) on my Unique 2009 Goals.

The start of the year was pretty inspirational. I was training dilligently to run a 5K race (that turned into 2 different 5K races) and was quite successful in loosing some very-much unwanted weight. I was off to a great swimsuit-season-head-start! March came and really knocked me off my groove. I had the worst and longest sinus infection I ever remember having, which in turn seriously effected my training routine. Also, I had to increase my depression medication (probably because I wasn't able to be as physically active as I had been the previous 6 months). That's a love-hate relationship in itself. Then, working whily you're sick just bites and I never felt rested. The rest was a blurr.

However, I did run the 5K races (with tons of support from lots of family and friends, thank you!). As for the rest of my list...I just have to laugh and move on with life. Read this:

*Run a 5K - check and check!
*Enjoy Chocolate - That's harder than it sounds. It's not just eatting, it's having a piece of chocolate that is sooo good that you don't want to put anything else in your mouth to ruin the aftertaste of that which you have just enjoyed! Occational Check :)

*Get More Sleep - I don't even know why that is on this list. It would be nice, but...I guess there are still 6 months left in the year...

*Hide Chocolate - this referrs to hiding regular chocolate, like MnM's (when they are even in the house), tootsie rolls (possitive reinforcement treats for the kids), chocolate chips for baking, etc. This way the every-day chocolate doesn't ruin my palet for the stuff worth enjoying. :) Check!

*Marchmallows, Cheese and Crackers - Haven't done this one in a while. We haven't had cracker in the house for a long time because of L, but we have to do this one soon!!

*Send More Cards - Okay, I haven't sent one card so far :) Still have 6 months...

*Make More Cards - Yah, haven't got that far either...

*Kids Wash Dishes - Some days are better than others, but they enjoy helping. I'm just too neurotic to let them do it by themselves...yet.

*No Mis-matched Socks - Check, Check and Check! Actually, it's an ongoing process, isn't it :)

*Birthday Cards - Let's obviously not go there...it's on my "to-do" list

*Save Change - Cha-Ching! Check!

And that, my friends, is Me :)

Moving On

"Dear Plus-Size Clothing Store,
I'm sorry, but it's over between us. I realize that we've had a long and complex relationship throughout the years, and although you've seen me through many (size) changes, I feel it's for the best that we make a clean break.
For far too long, I've relied on you to outfit me for any occasion. I think my dependence upon you was born out of comfort -- I knew that I could always find something that would fit me, and for a time, it really didn't matter what that was.
Those times are over now. My closet is full of your fashions in every possible size. The things I have currently will be more than sufficient to sustain me through my weight loss, and I simply cannot justify spending any more money on clothing (especially when I have no intention of fitting into it a month or so later!)
Instead, I will be saving my money so that I can go on a *major* shopping spree once I hit my goal weight! Until then, I will wear what I have, and if I really truly *need* something, then I will buy it at a "regular" store.
It's been a good long run, but it's time for me to move on."

I couldn't have said it any better.

Let me be honest...

...Yes, I need to get my body into better shape.
...Yes, I need a goal to motivate myself.

But, why do I really do it??

To eat chocolate.

I'm an utterly uncomplex person :)

Why do I do it?

I've committed myself to run the 5K in the SLC marathon in April. I don't know why. Someone at work mentioned they were running it and I thought, "That would be fun to run it with someone." So, I got everyone else at work excited to run together, as a team. "Team Neuro." Yup, my idea. So what do I do? Add my husband to the roster!! :)

Yes, I've started training for a 5K. Now, some may be rolling their eyes saying, "Jeezz, that's no big deal." But if you were me, you would know how, yes, this is a big deal. Let me count the ways: *I'm out of shape (but round is a shape, no?). *I have hated running since I had to do it in Jr High/High school. *I'm slow. *Did I mention I am out of shape? *Pushing a jogging stroller is harder than it looks! *Oh, the burn (lungs, legs, buns)!!

So, why do I do it? I need motivation to get myself into better shape! I've tried for years to simply exercise with up and down results. I was doing really well toward the end of last year. I'm down to my pre-baby weight before L. Now I want to get back to my pre-baby weight of E and just be generally more healthy. And I'm having a hard time! So, I gave myself a goal, which, I've heard can be a good thing.

Today, I was exceited to get out, even while it was snowing. Walking wasn't fast enough. I had to run. Like my body was pushing me. That, and it was almost 10am. It's a lot easier to get out when it's not dark. :)

So, wish me luck! And for those of you who have run a 5K or a half-marathon, or a marathon, I tip my hat to you. I hear they are a lot of fun. :)

Unique New York

I know I told you I wouldn't trivialize you with a list of New Year's Resolutions, but we missed the bus this morning. :)

Stay with me for a minute...

So, I'm driving (sliding, more like) Eliza to school on the scary snowy roads and listening to a local radio morning show and they were talking about resolutions, of course. But not just the regular, classic resolutions (i.e. 'loose weight' blah, blah) but resolutions that you'd like to start or keep doing that are not so traditional. So, I've thought of a few unique ones for myself!

**Put pocket change into a collection jar to use for Christmas presents this coming year
**Send Birthday cards to all of my family members (including nieces and nephews)
**Throw away socks that don't have a matching pair
**Work with the kids so they will wash and dry the dishes after dinner
**Learn to use my mother-in-law's Criquet
**Make more cards
**Send more cards that I've made
**Eat more marshmallows and cheese on soda crackers
**Put away the chocolate (I'm just putting it somewhere so I can't always see it. I didn't say get
rid of it entirely! These are just unique, not impossible. Sheesh!)

Well, my mind is running dry, but I'd like to add to this list, just 'cuz I think it would be fun. Wanna add something? Let me know and I'll make a running list on the side! Then we can look at it all the time and remind ourselves often of our goals!! :) Because, we all know that the first step to accomplishing a goal is to write it down! Until next time...

Happy New Year!!

I'm going to spare you all a list of my Resolutions, of which I've learned a long time ago that by March they are pretty much non-exsitant. :) Besides, they were all stuff that I'd generally be working on even if I didn't have a reason like 'New Year Resolutions' to write them down. One year, I was so bold to make up a progress calendar in order to keep myself on track ... I must have lost it somewhere.

No worries. My goals are safe in my head (while I'm currently eatting toffee-covered nuts) and I can't wait to fight people for that treadmill, as soon as I find the closest 24Hour Fitness. I don't worry. They'll be all mine by the end of the month, anyway.

Best of Luck! Enjoy the random pictures!