Back to Work

Today I'm going back to work. I'm not sure if I mentioned this last week or not but I received a call from the woman I interviewed with about a month ago. At the time, she said she wanted someone with more Excel experience. She called me out of the blue last week to offer me the position. Apparently the woman she hired didn't work out so well. I'm curious what went so wrong. How can someone quit/be fired in less than a month?  I guess it's no matter, I get to have a go at a much-needed parttime job.

My eldest isn't too happy with my going back to work. Mind you, I'm only working two nights a week; a total of 7-8 hours...just enough to fill a gas tank (HA!). I've broached the subject of my looking for work a number of times in the past, he never liked the idea. Now that it's here? He hates it. I explained to him that it's only two nights a week and I will see him everyday before he gets on the bus. I won't get to tuck him in but I will (as I always do) kiss him and his brother when I get home.

I'm going to have to buckle down and meal plan a bit better. As it is, three days a week are spent on the pool deck while my eldest swims for the swim team. Those afternoons are nothing short of hectic. Adding in my work schedule is going to get dicey.  And yes, I realize people work and manage a household all at the same time. It's going to be an adjustment but one that I can handle.

As far as the weight stuff goes, I hopped on the scale this morning (a day early) because I was feeling light and my skin looked so healthy (I'm told I have "nice skin" all the time, but I'd beg to differ). Well, I shouldn't have looked! I'm up 9 pounds. I guess I best get to drinking some water today. I am very dehydrated. I know it's *mostly* water weight because I certainly didn't eat an extra 31000 calories last week!  I probably had an extra 3, maybe 4 thousand over the weekend (that would be a pound or so)....not 9!  I'm not going to stress out about it. I know what I need to do to get the scale back on track.

Off to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Mid-week catch up

This weekend sure got away from me!
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and are recovering from your food coma.  I know I am. It's back to the grind for sure today!

I've been running around too much this last week or so. Too much to do, too little time. Hopefully I can come up for some air soon. Until then though, I'll play along with Kenlie's FMM: Dear Santa

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Dear Santa:  List at least ten things that you may or may not need that you’d love to find under your tree this year!   

I'll preface my answers with we don't exchange gifts for the adults in my house. The gifts are strictly for the kids. Maybe someday, when we are independently wealthy, that will change. Until then, it's all for the kids. BUT, if Santa should happen to let a few things fall off his sleigh, these things I wouldn't mind taking off his hands:

1. A laptop. I would love a MacBook but will take just about anything. My computer in my scraproom is dying. I just "need" something that I can troll the intertubes and run my scrapping software on. Nothing fancy. 

2. Gift cards to online scrappy stores. I've had to cut back on my scrappy goodness buying so I could put those to good use! 

3. Time. Wouldn't it be nice to have a few extra moments during the day to sit back and take it all in. I hate how fast time goes by! 

4. Patience. Oh how I could use a little patience sometimes! 

5. Attention Span. I seriously think I have adult ADD.  I started this post on Monday. It's now Wednesday!  YIKES! 

That's all I can think of. I don't really need or want anything. I have the best family a gal could ever ask for and that is all I really need. 

.....

OK. Sorry I've been so spastic with my writing. The holiday season tends to get me off of track. There are always 100 million things to get done and hardly enough time in the day. Amazing how you can go from having nothing to do to having too much to do!  It will all get done and I need to learn to stop to smell the roses a bit along the way. 

My workouts are getting rough. Damon had me try a few new-to-me exercises today. I rocked them and will probably feel it tomorrow but that's OK. If Damon is turning up the heat though, I'm very afraid of what Friday will look like when I train with Rudy. Someone hold me. 

I'm getting better and back on track with the eating. I've resorted to stocking up on daily lunches of the frozen variety.  I've done that because I need a little stability and something easy to follow right now. I think having the connivence foods is going to help me stay as close to on track as I can be for now. Trust me, I don't like eating nuke-a-meals on a daily basis, but I honestly feel it's going to be a big help with getting through the holidays. Once things calm down, I will go back to prepping and planning. 

Holiday Week

I don't know about you, but this week has just gotten away from me! 

Did you go out shopping today? I went out last night. Stood inline at Toys R Us for a few hours with my friend. We had a great time! I think I bought out the store. The kids should be happy!  I also popped into Michaels and grabbed some fun crafty stuff among other things. My friend also wanted to hop over to Wal-Mart (if you know me, I don't "do" Wal-Mart)...anyway, we're driving down the road and see that the parking lot is total mayhem. I pulled in thinking we'd be pulling right back out. We did manage to find a spot though and ventured on in to find the item she was looking for. Only had to stand in line for 30 minutes or so to check out. It was worth the comedic and entertainment value to watch people go nuts over crap just because it was on sale. Oh, so much fun! 

As far a the food goes, things went really well yesterday!  I didn't go too far off the deep end. Today? That's another story. I can't believe all the garbage I ate today. Wasn't supposed to be that way, we were supposed to take the kids someplace today but we were all wiped out. At least I'll be in the gym in the morning!  Working with a new-to-me trainer. Should be fun. 

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

Monday, Monday

I cannot believe that it's Thanksgiving week already!  Doesn't seem possible. Alas, we are here. I have a million-and-one things I need to get done before Wednesday and then Wednesday will be straight out with baking. 

I'm also feeling a little sad that we are entering this week...we were supposed to be leaving for Disney on Wednesday afternoon but I had to cancel that trip. I'm a bit depressed about it but am working on a budget so we can go sometime next year for sure. 

Time to play along with Kenlie's FMM: Thanksgiving Edition

1. Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions?  If so, please share them.  The tradition is that I host. I DO NOT cook Turkey though - I hate turkey!  My mother will cook it in her oven on her side of the house and I'll do the rest....although hubs says he's doing it this year because I hate Thanksgiving. (Well, I love the premise of it, I just hate all the prep and the cleaning and the cooking and the cleaning again). 

2. List at least three dishes that are on your family’s table every year. We're pretty basic...mashed potatoes, stuffing, fresh bread 

3. Do you prefer pumpkin pie or pecan pie?  Pumpkin!!

4. Will you watch football on Thanksgiving Day? I would love to this year because my Pats are playing but I will be doing a bad thing...I'll be inline at Toys R Us.  I live in a state (only 2 left in the nation ) that has blue laws so I'll be popping over the border to NH to stand in line with other black Friday freaks.  Now, don't hate on me. I don't agree that the stores should be open on Thanksgiving but I would never, ever get up at an unruly hour to go stand inline...so, I'll go at night. But, if there was a petition to stop all that nonsense, I would sign it. I'm just going to participate while I can because I can. 

5. Do you plan to exercise Thursday?  I’m hoping to. Hubs, make me get on the treadmill, would ya?

6. Do you prefer ham or turkey?  HAM!  I HATE Turkey!  (Hey, haters gonna hate)

7. Will you shop on Black Friday?  Thursday night - TRU and Walmart but only because my friend wants to go there. My feelings about Walmart are right up there with my feelings about turkey. 

8. Do you take a nap on Thanksgiving? I wish!  I will be sleeping a lot of Friday though! :) 

9. Share one dish that probably won’t be on anyone else’s table. Well, if I decide to make potroast....other than that, we are pretty standard people over here. 

10. What are you thankful for today?  I'm thankful to have a warm house to live in and food on the table. Times are rough out there. 

Weigh in

Down 8 pounds this week (5 was the water weight I gained last week)
Total is 18.9
Just 10 pounds left before I hit my first important milestone....and 15 from where I was last Christmas. I would love to lose 15 between now and Christmas but I won't hold my breath. I know how slow I lose so I will be happy with whatever I can get!

Had a great workout today with Rudy!  He really pushed me and I realized that I am a lot stronger than I think. Love how the brain takes a while to catch up to the body. That's not so say I won't be back in doubt on Monday though. HA!

Sorry, but that's all I have energy for today. My kids had us up before the crack of dawn today. I'm wiped out!

Distracted

I can't believe it's been well over a week since I've last checked in!

Here's the scoop:

• Weight loss is at a stand still...well, that's not entirely true. The scale did move last week...in the wrong direction!  I was up about 5 pounds. I checked this morning and most of those 5 pounds are gone! Yeah! 
• Workouts at the gym are great!  I usually want to cry, so I know they are working! :)
• I need to work on getting the workouts done on my "off days" - too many excuses! 
• I met with my "paid friend" (as my real friend so eloquently puts it) this week. We discussed how I'm having a hard time getting the daily stuff done. Not in a depressed, I don't wanna do it sort of way....it's hard to explain but through a bit of chatter, I figured out that I'm bored. My kids are getting older now, it may be time to look (seriously) for some work. 

So, that's it from here. I will get back to the regularly scheduled program very soon, I promise!  And to all who's blogs I frequent regularly, I'm sorry I haven't been around to support you (you know who you are). Know that you are in my thoughts and I will catch up soon! 

Now, time for some shut-eye. 

Election Day

Good morning!
I'm writing this post at 4:30 am. it's unprecedented for me to be up at this hour. I'm on my way into Boston to stand up for what I believe in. I'm being a part of history today and for that I'm proud. I've been called a lot of names as of late and am tired of it. I hate how one sided people can be.

No matter your political beliefs, I hope you'll do your duty as an American and will go vote!

And please remember that we are all American's first. It doesn't matter if you are a Democrat, Republican or other party. In the end we are all on the same  side and want we feel is best for our country.

So, for today, my only exercise will be a fight; a fight for what I believe in.

Go vote! And be nice to one another!

Monday, Monday and FMM

Is it really Monday already?  Monday's are so busy around here. I guess it's a good thing, keeps me out of trouble. I'm getting ready to leave the house to hit the gym. I'm looking forward to my workout with Damon today!

I'm keeping it simple today and am just going to play along with Kenlie's FMM: 10 reasons to be thankful...

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Ten Reasons To Be Thankful

1. I have a wonderful family. I love my hubs and kids more than anything in the world and without them, I would be nothing. 

2. I also have wonderful and supportive extended family (hey Cuz and Brother-in-law whom I know read my blog!). Without family support in whatever we do, it would make the road that much more rough. 

3. I'm blessed to be able to participate in something that I feel strongly about on election day. I'm not getting into it because I have been beaten up enough about my political views and I'd like to be civil because I believe in civility. 

4. I have terrific friends. 

5. I'm thankful for Damon (my trainer) who fought for me to get into the gym (being able to afford it)

6. We were saved from Sandy. I pray every day for the people who were affected and hope they have some relief sooner rather than later. 

7. I'm thankful and grateful to all who come to read what I'm talking about. And am especially thankful to those who stick around and banter with me. I appreciate your time. 

8. I'm able (just barely sometimes) to stay home with my kids and watch them grow. 

9. To live in a country where I am free to speak my mind. 

10. I'm also thankful to be finding my way back to God. It's all through my son as he's getting ready to celebrate his first communion, I've been relearning the prayers with him. I won't get all religious on you, it's just a great feeling. 

Will you play along with Kenlie?  I'd love to see your answers! 

Liebster Award

I woke up yesterday thinking about my weekend post. It was going to be about how mean people suck. I had a "mean" encounter last week (it was online and about politics, when will I learn) and I really wanted to talk about how words can really hurt. I had the post all planned out in my head and logged on to begin writing when I saw that I had a comment on my last post from J.D. over at 700poundsisasbadasitsounds.blogspot.com/. J.D. Notified me that he was nominating me for the Liebster Award. 

Wow. 

Something nice just happened. 

My mood and thought process just changed all because of one person's thoughtfulness. 

So, now what?  Well, first I have to thank J.D for nominating me. Second, I have to find out just what the Liebster Award is.

I Googled "Liebtser Award" as well as other variations like "Liebster Blog Award" and things of the like. It seems the award is given to bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Some say it's like a chain letter...and I suppose that in a way, it is. Unlike a chain letter though, I am going to play along with this one. What better way to recognize "the little people". 

One of the other things I've noticed in my travels is that everyone is playing by similar, yet slightly different rules. Because J.D. paid it forward to me, I will go forth with the rules he stated on his blog. 

The Rules:

1. State 11 personal facts. (Yikes!)

2. Answer the questions from the person who nominated you. 

3. Nominate 5 bloggers who have less than 200 followers (no tag backs) and ask them random questions.

4. Complete your post.

5. Link up your post on the originating bloggers post. 

Just the Facts:

1. I'm finding this part to be extremely difficult because I am an open book. I guess fact one should be: I am an open book. I find it therapeutic to not bottle stuff up and keep it to myself. 
2. I'm not very creative when it comes to naming my pets. I once had a guinea pig named "Pigus" and a cat named "Kitty". Ok, Kitty wasn't her real name, it was originally Mineu (mee-noo) because that's what my grandmother called every cat she saw (she wasn't French, my grandfather was- go figure). 
3. I take things too personally. I will let things eat at me and eat at me. I have a really hard time letting go of the negative and focusing on the positive. 
4. I dream about going to Disney on a daily basis. 
5. Wishes I established more of a career for myself to go back to when my kids are older. I worry about getting back into the work force. 
6. I've always wanted a large family. If I could, I would have 6 kids. Hubs would like only 2 but has agreed to have a third. Now that my youngest is almost 4, I'm not sure I want to have that third child. I know I will never regret having another but I know I will always wonder what life would be like with a third. 
7. Speaking of kids. I always wanted to have just boys. And I have 2 beautiful boys. Lately though I've been tearing up when I see girly things and think I may want to try for that girl (but would love another boy). I think I just heard hubs run for the hills -haha!
8. Hates Thanksgiving. Really. I do.  No joke. I like the premis of it, but I hate the actual day. We have a small family and I feel like it's a whole heck of a lot of work for a whole lot of nothing. Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with the family.  I really do. Again, it's just a lot of work for a big meal for a small family. 
9. Would love to start a home cake business. I love making cakes. 
10. I act as if I'm outgoing, but in reality I'm afraid of my shadow. 
11. I feel like I live a less-than-ordinary life. Don't get me wrong, I like my life, I just wish (sometimes) that it was more "eventful". Then again, when things turn "eventful", it's usually of the drama variety and that I can do without. 

J.D.'s Questions to me:

1. How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?

That one is easy; 26! I loved being in my 20's. Especially my mid to late 20's when I met my husband. I felt like I was just beginning my life. I loved it. 

2. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?

Hrm...Well, I would probably not put off til tomorrow. Seriously, I am a procrastinator by nature. I always feel like there is plenty of time and get frustrated when time is up. 

3. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?

Well, I always tell my kids to be themselves. Never let anyone try to change them or make them feel less than a person for who they are. 

4. If you had a personal motto, what would it be?

Yikes!  That's a tough one. I would have to say "Hakuna Matata" Which is a little odd because I do worry a lot but I know in the end that everything will work it self out. 

5. What was your favorite Christmas gift between the ages 5 and 17?  What makes it so special?

It was a swatch watch that my grandmother gave me. It looked close to the one pictured above. It was special because she was special to me. She passed when I was 13 years old. She adored me. She spoiled me. I wanted a swatch watch more than anything else on that particular Christmas and she got one for me. I believe it was her last Christmas with us. I still have a little piece of that watch hidden away in a safe place. 

6. What would you differently if you knew nobody would judge you?

I would dance. Seriously. I used to love going dancing but I was always the subject of some cruel joke so I stopped going. 

7. What is your least favorite quote?

It's not so much a quote but I hate it when people say "you people". Gets my blood going every time and yet I've found myself saying it a few times. Yikes!

8. What day of the week do you hate the most and why?

This is a tough one. I would probably say end of the day Sunday because it's almost Monday. Hubs goes back to work, the kids get back into school, and the week takes off. Monday's are busy around here...I don't hate Monday's, I just hate that Monday is coming. 

9. If you could choose your "last meal" what would it be and why?

Hmmmm....I guess it would depend on my mood. If I'm looking for comfort food, I would have to say Macaroni and Cheese from a local restaurant that makes the best mac & cheese I've ever had! If I was looking for a meal though, I would have to say prime rib served on the rare side with mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans.   

10. (Here's a hard one) If you could only save one person besides yourself, who would it be?

Wow. This is a tough one. And it brings a tear to my eye. I would obviously save my kids but to have to choose, I don't think I would be able to. I guess the only way out would be to save my husband so he could save both kids. :D 

11. How many pets have you had in your lifetime?  Names and descriptions please. 

I've had too many. Mostly cats and dogs but I've had a few guinea pigs and fish as well. 

My current cats are Sabrina and Boo. We rescued them from a shelter. Sabrina is a long haired tabby and Boo is a short haired black cat. Sabrina chose me and hubs chose Boo. Seriously. When we went to the shelter, there were a number of cats roaming around the room on their own while others where in cages. While I was searching the room, this one cat kept following me around and she'd tap me on the back while I was playing with other cats. I realized that she really wanted to come home with us, so the rest is history with her.  Hubs chose the other cat. Not sure why. He's not a fan of cats, or animals in general, but he felt the cat shouldn't be alone...so we got two. 

We also had another cat named Rachel. She was a long-haired black cat. I "surprised" my hubs with her. Again, he's not a fan of animals and I can't live without them. Rachel sadly died rather suddenly. We aren't sure if she had a heart attack or something like that or if our dog Drew sat on her until she stopped breathing.

Oh, Drew. He was a crazy dog!  He would tear apart the house while we were away. He was very high maintenance so we found him a new home that could handle him. He's living with a friend of my mother's and we couldn't be happier that he's a happy boy with his new family. 

Questions for my nominees (I am changing this one to 5 questions)

1. If you were president for a day, what would you do/change and why? (sorry, the political stuff is on my mind...I wonder why? ;-))

2. Who do you admire the most?  And why? Can be someone living or deceased, real or imaginary. 

3. What is your favorite holiday? How do you celebrate that holiday?

4. What are you most afraid of?

5. If you could choose a new profession, what would you do?

And my nominees:

Unfortunately, most of the blogs I read are ones that are fairly established. There is no rhyme or reason for it, other than maybe I am lazy and only have the attention span to read a few blogs a day. That all being said, I will work on finding a few new blogs to read this week.

SO, if either of you decide to participate, please pay it forward to someone else for me and I am going to work on finding another blog or two to add to my blog roll. :D 

Marion

Nina

Oh Sandy

Sorry I haven't posted but know that we are OK.

Sandy came to visit us here in the Boston area late on Monday afternoon. She brought with her some rain and winds which knocked out power (ours was out for 29 hours, some in town are still out as of this writing). Shamefully, I was complaining a lot about the lack of power. The kids were at each other's throats and I was losing my patience. Once the power came back on and I saw the devastation on the news, I would have gladly given up my power to give some of these people their homes back!

So, to start November off, I'm thankful that we came out of Sandy relatively unscathed.

Sandy has left me with poor eating habits and no trips to the gym thus far this week. I WILL be going tomorrow and can't wait to get back into better habits.