Does my new style look spiffy?

Last night I decided to change the appearance of this blog. I got a picture (tot he left) from G1. G3 picked the template and G2 said it looked "cool". Everyone seemed to approve and I think it makes a statement. Let me know what you think! I would love to hear comments of any kind.

I am keeping it short today. I have lots of work to do.

Take care !

And again, busy, busy, busy

So, I had a really long meeting last night. Luckily, just prior to that I went to visit my Mom. I have been giving her medicine to her on Mondays and Fridays. Over the past two years or so she has aged quite a bit. She moved into an assisted living facility, which by the way is a wonderful place and recently it was decided that we needed to make sure she was taking what she needed.

Her short-term memory has been compromised and she also doesn't retain some other items like where I work or what I do. It's amazing though, what she does remember. She knows my kids birthdays. She remembers taking care of G3 - which she really misses. She is also very clear about my kid's individual personalities - but not what grades they are in. All in all still really is still very much my MOM. She is a very strong, loving and intelligent woman. I always believed that because I was her daughter I could do anything. This is the biggest reason that when things got hard I hung in there. Regardless of all that, I feel absolutely blessed that I am able to visit her. I am also grateful that I can finally help her.

So, I visited Mom, I went to that meeting, I cashed my check. It was about 9:00 before I was even at home. I did get a chance to chat with G2 and G3. I spoke a little to G1 but she and I tend to not need a lot of words. She did have a wonderful day off.

"What's his name" did take G2 to her sports registration which I really should give snaps for. I could be bitchy and complain about all the things he did last night that irritated me but as my Mom likes to "Your the one who married him"

Bless you Mom for your wisdom, guidance and above all your sense of humor!

I came to a great conclusion

I think I finally figured out why my work has been so mediocre. I have always considered myself to be fairly intelligent. There is really no other explanation for my kids being as sharp as they are.

The thing is, I make a lot of silly little mistakes in my work. Looking back, I don't think I ever thought I could get better. I remember when I was young I don't think there was a whole lot expected of me. Before I continue I do need to say that I have always felt loved and valued. I had wonderful parents. My Mom has stood by me through many, many things that others would not have. My Mom and Dad loved each other very much. I also need to say that I am not blaming anyone for anything. The point is that reaching for the stars was not what I was geared for. I guess I got into a really bad habit of expecting to screw up. Not anymore.

Recently, I have taken on an "Expect the Best" mantra. My work is error free. I am confident that when I enter journal entries or A/P item it is right. To be real honest with myself, for a long time when my errors were pointed out and my boss would get frustrated, I would think to myself "but do you see the errors others make?" This is a terrible way to look at things. It doesn't matter what others do. They don't have the same responsibilities I do and quite frankly it is none of my business. I can only deal with my stuff. And now I am. It will be a fabulous feeling during the upcoming month end to not have to answer the endless questions about why I did the wrong thing.

But, getting back to the blog title, here is my schedule today:

Work til 5:30
Go to Mom's to give her medicine
I have a volunteer meeting
I need to deliver some TS that was ordered (week's ago)
I need to pick up and cash my check from my second job
I need to pick up some groceries
if there is some extra time, I want to take a walk with one or all of my daughters. We'll see

OK, where's the cat??????????

Ow, Ow, Ow

I don't have much time and it hurts to move but I just need to say that I hope I can keep this exercise going. I know if I stop the pain would be for nothing.

G1 - G3 have been very encouraging. The night I was doing my cardio, G1 came in and said "could you fill this out for school?" and "Hey, are you watching 24". When I went to use some hand weights, G3 (always the encouraging one) said "Those are only five pounds". And, G2, nods her head in agreement (and I am assuming encouragement) when I tell of my accomplishments.

When they were little I would get positive reinforcement from them by saying "let's have a yay Mommy! " it was great and very enthusiastic. As they have gotten older they want to know why I deserve it! Ok, how about I feed, clothe and house you? It's never enough!

OMG - I can't believe I promised to do this!

So, it's been two days since I said I would investigate this "Make your body ten years younger" plan.

The first night was ok. I did 20 minutes of cardio. I have had a Gazelle Elite leaning against my wall ever since we moved into this house so I thought this would help me with the cardio activity. I must say though, I miss my coat hanger. The fun part about this is that I discovered that 20 minutes on this contraption equals half an episode of 24 (on dvd). So, when times got tough I would think WWJBD (what would Jack Bauer do). It got me through so I do have to thank Keifer Sutherland and all the crew at 24.

I am in no shape to be doing this without getting exhausted but it's a good feeling to sweat a little and feel like I am doing something for me. So, ultimately, the cardio I will keep.

Now, I made the mistake of mentioning to a friend that I am starting to work out (again). I'm not sure if she has lot of faith in me or has a great sense of humor but she lent me a pilates video. This of course was to address the "core" workout portion of the plan. This is indeed a person I trust so last night I popped in this dvd. The tone was very relaxing and there was not a lot of ra ra from the instructor (or is she a model). Anyway, I lay down on the floor expecting to ease into the abdominal workout that was promised in the introduction. Don't get me wrong, I didn't expect it to be easy, I just didn't think the people who made this routine were insane!

I do think that if I could have stopped giggling long enough, I may have had a really great workout. I wasn't laughing because it was funny. It was funny though, the things they expected my body to do:

"Now, ease your shoulders upward while keeping your lower back flat. Now, walk your hands up your legs and grip your ankles HOLD, HOLD, HOLD (stop crying) HOLD and great, you did it!" OH, really, did I?!?!?!?!?

Now I have a new goal. I am going to work my way into doing this 10 pilates business. I know I can do it. It may take. It may take sweat and it may take determination but I can do this.

Or, I might just take a nap. Honesty, who knows what I'll do.

I said I would start today

Well, first thing in the morning is never a good time to start anything. I did have pastry for breakfast. Let's move on from there.

I grabbed a magazine from home in order to investigate one article on weight loss. I was drawn to one: "Take 10 years off Your Body". Ok, not necessarily weight loss as it is body improvement. Since this is what I am really after I decided to take a look. Now, since I am sitting at a computer, I thought "Hey, I'll look it up online". So, I went to this mag's website. I was drawn to an article about Valerie Bertinelli, the adorable teen star of the 1970's sit com, "One day at a Time". She sure seems happy, bless her heart. And, indeed she has done some wonderful things weight - wise. I read some of the text but still do not know how she did it. I am assuming Jenny Craig helped (I saw the commercials).

OK, back to my quest. How can I take 10 years off my body. I seriously wouldn't mind it. 10 years ago I was XXX -50 pounds and I had a lot more energy so, I dug a little deeper. But then got interrupted by a floating survey which I answered and then floated over to the results. I don't even remember what they asked me or what the results were but I did have to find my way back to that article.

I didn't read all of it but from what I gather I should:

"Do moderately intense cardio for 30 minutes, five days a week, or vigorously intense cardio for 20 minutes, three days a week."

But wait, there's more.

In addition to the cardio I should:

"Work your core muscles -- which include your abs, back, and pelvis -- two to three times a week."

OK. Is that it? No, don't be silly! We are erasing age!

"Gently stretch all your major muscle groups at least twice a week (but ideally every day)."

One more thing:

"Do eight to 10 strengthening exercises (eight to 12 reps each) twice a week."

Ok, so here is how I see it:

In addition to working 40 - 48 hours a week, raising my three daughters (and everything that entails) and heavy sighing because of "what's his name" I need to fit in 2.5 hours of cardio, 1 hours of core training, stretching every day (hey, I may as well go for ideal) and 40 minutes (approx) of strength training. Hmmmm.

I love working out five days per week and strengthening my core two to three times a week (and stretching daily and strength training also
I love working out five days per week and strengthening my core two to three times a week (and stretching daily and strength training also
I love working out five days per week and strengthening my core two to three times a week (and stretching daily and strength training also
I love working out five days per week and strengthening my core two to three times a week (and stretching daily and strength training also
I love working out five days per week and strengthening my core two to three times a week (and stretching daily and strength training also

I can start this tomorrow, right?

I really should lose some weight

I have said this a lot in my life. It used to be (when I was in my 20's) If I gained a little weight I would lose my appetite. It sure isn't that way anymore.

When I was going through my divorce I lost 50 pounds in a month. In fact, when we reunited and went to our marriage counselor, he asked "What's his name" if that was why he wanted to get back together.

This time, it would not be for anyone but me. My daughters think I am fine the way I am. G2 did say that if I was unhappy she would be willing to encourage me to exercise more or even work out with me. I think that this is something I need to do on my own.

But, what the heck am I going to do? Here are a few ideas:

Replace my snack food with healthier items (veggies perhaps)
Take a walk with one of the girls at night
Sit ups (ha ha ha ha)
I could also buy a variety of women's magazines as they always seem to have helpful hints about how to lose 10 pounds a week
Or, I could actually read the women's magazines I have purchased in the past to see if there are any good ideas.

Ok, I have a great idea!!! I am going to share these ideas out here. I will try these helpful hints and let people know if they are effective and as easy as they profess to be on the covers!!! Unless of course I don't feel like it.

To keep my motivated, I will report my results out here.

I will start with admitting my weight. Currently, I weigh XXX pounds. I will let you know how it changes as time goes on.
Also, I wear a size **. As soon as that changes, I will let everyone know.

Ok, I will start

Tomorrow!