Thursday thoughts

Just some random thinking for a Thursday:
1) Band season is in full swing. We experienced our first Friday Night Lights late week when we attended the Homecoming game. Band was great; football was awful. Hoping it was just a bad week for the team.

2) Sean made the 'A' team for 8th grade football. He is pretty excited about it. We are proud of him and all his hardwork. Rolling out of bed at 6am for early morning practice is gnarly but at least it isn't in the blazing TX heat. His first game is Monday and we can't wait!

3) Yesterday was 9/11.....I really need to stop watching all the dedications and such. I had no idea 12 years ago how sad the entire history making episode would still be. I have never been to NY; didn't know anyone in the towers; cannot even grasp the enormity of it all (still!). And it still makes me cry. We will never forget.

4) And as 9/11 passes, it means Amanda's birthday is approaching. I remember being a month away from my due date. How is she almost 12?

5) And that means Christmas shopping is upon us. (It's been Christmas season at Costco and Hobby Lobby for a month!) I will admit I have one small gift and three stocking stuffers so far. But that hardly makes a dent in reality. Sean is easy - he just wants Beats headphones and a pool table, um what????

6) On Sunday, Fritz was SICK. Poor little thing could hardly walk and barfed projectile vomited on the carpet. He didn't move for hours and could barely lift his head to his bowl for water. Then after about 6 hours he started emerging back to life. So weird; wonder if he ate one of the baby (one-inch long) lizards we keep finding in the house. Side note: vinegar and water works wonder on carpet!

7) Currently we are going through about three loaves of bread a week. GAH! That's 25 sandwiches for lunches (Sean has two) + any I might eat and random toast for breakfast. Good heavens.

8) I added on another merchandising job. So currently I'm up to sunglasses for two stores and jewelry at one, all Targets. With other small projects added on here and there I am making about 65% of what I did in CA; not bad on 15hrs. or less a week. I worked about 28/week in Irvine.

9) Ian got his cast off yesterday. Woot! He is in a boot for a short bit though. Based on what was under his cast (leaves, grass, etc.), the doc thought we should give him a reminder that he is nursing an injury and that he can't go crazy again just yet.

10) And one final note, it's not hump day, but the commercial still makes me laugh everyone single time!

Hoping your Thursday is filled with something that makes you laugh too!

Monday Morning Musings

Not sure I'll get to this every Monday morning, but ideally I'll stop and take the time to jot down some things that I'm thankful for, commitments of the week, maybe some recipes, and whatever my brain dumps out.
Today I am thankful for:
-free coffee Monday at Dunkin Donuts (and I didn't even know about it!). I got free coffee in a travel mug no less. That's like winning the lottery for me :)
-warm spring breezes
-Direct TV installation (if they would just get here already!) Need to program Deadliest Catch.....new season starts tomorrow.
-time to sit and a read a few blogs and laugh at the world. If you don't mind a little bad language, you must check out http://www.peopleiwanttopunchinthethroat.com/ and laugh with me
-strangers that are willing to extend a hand to someone totally new and they help you move in AND bring you food.
-a working washer and dryer
-school busses
-a Sprout's within minutes of my house

Anyone have any favorite spring recipes that are relatively healthy? I need to meal plan for the 2nd half of the month and I would love some new ideas. I can't figure out Pinterest to save my life and it leaves me feeling inadequate anyway. Guess I am not an overachiever.

I need to read Catching Fire before the movie comes out. I enjoyed Hunger Games but am dragging my feet on this one. The movie trailer was intriguing so I guess I'll get sucked into the madness.

Still on the to-do list - exercise. Gonna have to 'schedule' it because I am not self-motivated. It's on the list with a sports physical for Sean, IEP update mtg. for Amanda, DMV trip for car reg., camera repairs, unpacking, and grocery shopping.

Enough computer time for this Monday, bed to be made and boxes remain......

Much ado about the Game On! Challenge.........it's on my brain constantly so I thought it would be the perfect time to shed a little on light on my latest bit of madness.

Recently I began to notice that my clothes were getting snug and once my birthday came and went, I really realized I HAVE TO LOSE WEIGHT. To some folks, I may look just fine, but when you aren't comfortable in your own skin and you are the heaviest you have ever been NOT pregnant it's truly eye-opening. And wouldn't you know, a group of awesome women from community theatre were starting this challenge so I asked if I could join. With a little info., I was GAME! And apparently it's just what I needed.......a bit of friendly competition to make the world go round.

The basic routine: 5 small meals a day (on a schedule --carb,protein,fat), 3 liters of water, exercise daily, and adding a new habit while abandoning an old habit. No alcohol, no soda, no artificial sweeteners. You get points for meeting goals and penalties for others. There is more to it but that is it in a nutshell. Sign-me-up; I can do this. We all have good things we SHOULD be doing and things we SHOULD not be doing and you are telling me I get points for it. Awesome. Time to come clean: for good habit-- I'm taking a daily multivitamin and have to have an empty kitchen sink when I go to bed (no dishes, utensils, etc.). In other words, stop being lazy. For ridding myself of a bad habit I chose no more falling asleep in front of the tv.  My teammates are doing a variety of things as goals ranging from bible study time to no more snooze alarm. You make it want you NEED it to be. And the best part, smack talking is allowed!

In recent years I have tried to eat more healthy overall and have done a bit of meal planning here and there. But now, it helps SO MUCH. Not only are my family dinner meals planned for the next two weeks, but now I am writing down what I plan to eat during the day so I can pack my lunch w/o thinking about it. I have to get two meals in during my work day schedule so it's easy to have it in my bag and not have to worry about what might be tempting me in the staff lounge. I usually eat what my family eats at dinner for my meal 5; I just revise it a little b/c I'm not super hungry. Example: tomorrow night is turkey burgers, french fries, and fresh berries. I'll have the burger (my carb and protein) with lettuce, tomato, mustard, a tsp. of mayo (the fat). No fries or berries for me.

Here's my day tomorrow:
Meal 1 -- scrambled egg (protein&fat) with spinach and mush.; 1/2 grapefruit (carb)
Meal 2 -- Mini Babybel Light, 7 walnuts, apple (protein, fat, carb)
Meal 3 -- Blend of lettuce with carrots/bell pepp/cucumber add small amt. of chicken, sliced almonds (no dressing);  kiwi on the side
Meal 4 -- non-fat greek yogurt with fresh berries and 7 crushed walnuts
Meal 5 -- turkey burger on whole wheat bun with lett.,tom.,must.,mayo
I'll count my coffee creamer for calories and the mayo and I'm under my 100 allowed extra calories.

You can do this too. I swear it's super easy. Well, until the exercise part. At least that is the REAL challenge for me. Four kids keeps me busy enough but add in a commitment to exercise and my brain goes a little wonky. BUT I have been doing it (except for my one allowed day off) so far and I must say I think I'm rockin' it. I hate the making time and getting-ready-to-go part of changing my clothes, etc. I would much rather sit on the couch and read or play on Facebook or even clean the house. When I am out there walking/jogging pushing my lazy butt across the pavement, I don't hate it. Well, sometimes I do, but it's not like I can quit half way and call Collin to pick me up. All I can say is.....if the scale doesn't go down, I'm going to be a little  completely peeved.

Weigh-in for the week is on Wednesday morning; you have been warned.

So, it's the first day of October.

• Thought I could like of something profound or at least entertaining, but I got nothing. Nothing but strange, red blood shot eyes......they don't hurt, I got good sleep the last few nights, not painful, only slightly itchy. Things that make ya go hmmmmmmmmmm.
• Worked Volunteered in the library for a few hours today. I think that puts me at 10hrs. in there for the week. I find myself wanting to read lots of random kids' chapter books now; I might even try the Kingdom Keepers series.
• Ian is about to lose one of his top middle teeth. Catch-22 for me -- PLEASE lose the tooth b/c it is so gross; please don't lose the tooth b/c it is all big teeth and growing too fast from here on out.
• Amanda's birthday is quickly approaching. She is difficult to shop for.....she IS Punky Brewster. Ugh.
• Sean survived his history test; hopefully he'll have the grade soon.
• Maggie isn't thrilled that after back-to-school night I now have met her teachers and I know how to retrieve assignments and grades. That girl. Ay-yi-yi. (shocker (not!): her music teacher thinks she's going great.)
• We are having the strangest weather...........it was 110 over the weekend; has cooled into the 80s and daily there are random thunderstorms in the area; YET, it hasn't rained at my house. Loving that fact that I actually have to check the weather.

Oh lookie, I just created a blog post, albeit boring. Maybe I need to give you my opinion of Survivor this year. Maybe not.

So ----
in case you were wondering:
1) yes, we are moving. The house is on the market. Where we will end up is unknown at this point? For today I am focusing on maintaining the house and just enjoying the rest of the summer.

2) Amanda's MRI is Monday (8/23) with doctor follow-up in the afternoon. THANKS to everyone who has been so supportive over this time.

3) Football is in full swing. It's all football all the time with some travel baseball and Oklahoma theatre stuff thrown in.

4) The Pacific Ocean was 59* yesterday. Cramp-your-feet kind of cold! But the beach was still awesome. Even better that Sean packed the food/drink bag and all the beach stuff while I finished getting the house ready for showing. Planning more beach time next week b/c that's how we roll.

5) Book suggestion --- Five Little Monkeys Go Shopping --- great little math problem solving book while still being about that silly monkey family. Fun read aloud.

6) Another trip to Goodwill today -- that's five in about two weeks. I feel ten pounds lighter. Why is my butt still big?

I've really never really been an avid reader. When I was a kid, ready for pleasure was not something I would ever choose to do. My brother read a ton and I just never understood WHY he would enjoy it. Fast forward the college and reading for pleasure never happened b/c I was constantly reading for school and holy cow did that make my brain hurt. Then I discovered children's literature.....it was magical. I loved that class and I had a whole new appreciation for where stories could take you - Dear Mr. Henshaw and Bridge to Terabithia opened my world. And Charlotte's Web! Good stuff.

So, I thought I would try to expand my closed mind and READ for pleasure. I read a few true crime books and a couple from Iris Johansen. Not a bad start, but not really hooked. Then I had kids. I absolutely wanted them to learn to love books. We read a lot --- The Big Red Barn and Barnyard Dance are burned into my memory banks. We visited the library often and participated in storytimes, etc. It was just that having four different reading levels had made reading a chore again. I have always read to the kids but it really tapered off b/c I was burnt out, bedtime routine got SUPER LONG, and how many times can you really read Hop on Pop (same story, different kid)? Yet still made library trips b/c I wanted them to love books. We listen to books on CD when we travel, even. (you MUST listen to the Hank the Cowdog series, so funny and clever!)

Fast forward to school age.........and I feel defeated. All my elementary school struggles came raring back with having to READ for homework and read BECAUSE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO. Add in book reports.........boom, all the fun got sucked out. AND my kids feel the same way. They all love to be read to, but to read for pleasure or to get through an assignment is pure torture.

So, I made a conscious decision about a year ago, I need to set the example by reading for pleasure MYSELF. Bah, but who has the time??? I found the James Patterson 1,2,3,4 Women's murder club series at a garage sale---I snagged all four for a $1 total. I buzzed through the first three and then was introduced to the Twilight series. I read Twilight in a week, HUH, me??? I finished that series, read a few assorted chick lit. books, a true crime book, and now I'm back into the Women's Murder Club series. I started book 4 in February and now I'm up to book 8 -- how'd that happen??? AND I stopped and read The Time Traveler's Wife and Suzanne's Diary for Nicolas (while I was waiting for book 7 at the library).

I think my plan is working. The kids were stunned when I picked up book 8 this week. "Wow, Mom that was fast. What's happening in this one?" We all have been reading daily. I've been told that more practice will help with their reading struggles. I'm trying. Currently, Maggie is reading Dream Factory; Sean is reading Babe Ruth & the Baseball Curse; Amanda is reading Night of the Ninjas (Magic TreeHouse series); and Ian's two books from today were The Gardener by Sarah Stewart and Hot-Air Henry by Mary Calhoun. I read with Sean and Amanda so I can review comprehension with them. Ian is working on Dick and Jane stuff, too. BUT I am still working to find reading time for myself. I have become the creepy, book lady --- I carry my book in my purse all the time. I read during breaks at theatre, waiting for doctor appts., baseball practice, and occasionally when I have a few minutes and I'm not too sleepy.

Still waiting for the day when my kids become readers-for-pleasure. I can only keep trying. It only took me 40 years.

If you want to be touched, read this book. If you want to see the innocence of a child, read this book.
It was a quick read for me (two days on vacation); not many books are a quick read for my slow self. But this one was.

Now I want to see the movie at some point. But I have to be ready to watch it.

FAVORITE THING FRIDAY
This is the COOLEST book out there and it truly is invaluable. So imagine my surprise when the book arrived in my mailbox as a surprise gift from my mother-in-law. She's a gem and knows how much I love Eat This, Not That (the fast food version).

I truly do my best to provide healthy options for my kids. I already buy whole wheat bread, brown rice, and whole wheat pasta. I read labels and spend time picking the best options. But his book breaks everything down easily and keeps it real.

For example: Sweet Cereals
EAT Apple Jacks, Not Apple Cinn. Cheerios, who knew?
EAT Fro. Flakes Gold, Not Post Golden Crisp
They are basically saying 'Hey, we know your kids want this stuff so here is the better choice.'

It compares random things and tosses out surprises all the time. It recommends Nature's Own Whitewheat bread. Again, who knew? I've always skipped the 'whitewheat' stuff but this could be a great option as a chance-of-pace selection for the kiddos.
Ragu vs. Prego --- "Ragu wins over Prego in nearly every matchup". Even Hamburger Helper has a page (um, no thanks!)

I think everyone can benefit from this book. Everyone. The kids have even been scouring the pages and telling me that Funyuns & SunChips are on the Eat This page for corn chips.

It's tough b/c I am a sale and coupon shopper, but at least I know what I really want to stock up on when I can.

Now I'm going to eat some leftover See's candy while the kids are at school.

All's quiet on the western front......
Kids are in school; car is at the shop; working on packing up decorations/filling in the calendar/laundry/typical Mom stuff.

But I wanted to share my reading list for the year (as many people are). Amy linked me up to The Library Thing and it's really easy. I'm just going to log in my reading as I go and I hope to surpass my reading for 2008. Hey, I read ten books (not including the numerous selections for the kiddos) and that is a HUGE accomplishment for someone who never read for pleasure. I'm getting there..........my '08 shelf

(that's supposed to be a picture of the covers from '08 but I can't link it correctly, grrrrr)

Tapping the microphone......is this ON?

Lots to update about since the last time I posted --- I sorta got caught up in the Twilight zone, literally. I channeled my inner high-school girl and jumped through Twilight, finished it in a week(HUGE for me), and saw the movie last weekend. I'm crawling through New Moon, but I'm not diggin' it as much and it's slow-going.

Since it's late, I just want to let you in on my little gift find. I'm soooooo excited about it. I got THIS at Kohl's today for my dh (aka Mr. Griswold). It's mostly a silly gift that I know he will enjoy playing with Sean but my brother had one as a kid and we LOVED IT! We played it for hours. I laughed out loud when I found it today.

I REALLY need to go to bed. In my quiet home, that is almost fully decorated outside thanks to Clark.

The week in review ---
we've all been battling colds in one way or another. I still have a lingering cough that is just plain annoying. Now tonight, Maggie is throttled on the couch with a fever (????) - no one else got a fever and such. UGH! (apparently the Motrin is working b/c now she right this second she is making music with her straw and annoying the heck out of the others)....fingers crossed....

The girls and I had assorted rehearsals and there was tons of sports practice(s) as usual. However, next week will be different b/c Sean's football team LOST this afternoon. It was a smoke-filled, ash-laden game that was miserably HOT and we could just see that our boys weren't there. It was a hard fought game but in the end our season was done. As parents, we were so proud of the League Champs, but that didn't make them feel any better as many of them sobbed through the coach's game speech. Moving on to basketball.

On the book-reading front, I'm happy to say that I'm 240 pages into Twilight. I did complete 3rd Degree, so this has got to be some sort of reading record for me. Somebody flip me a fish? Anybody? Fine, I'll just grab some chocolate and go read some more.

And, last but not least, I am happy to report that I have begun Christmas shopping. Got any good suggestions because you know time keeps on tickin'.

So I've been trying to read a lot more lately. A long time back I got the first four of the James Patterson series starting with 1st to Die. After finishing a couple of other fun chic/mom books I started them in summer. I'm almost done with the 3rd one and am going to break to jump into Twilight. I'm mostly reading b/c many people have told me they are really good despite being labeled 'teen' AND I would like to read it before seeing the movie (if I get that chance).

As of today I am starting a list to keep in my car so I can grab whatever the library has without waiting for things on hold and such. My list so far --The Shack; The Secret Life of Bees; and Peeing in Peace.
What 'cha readin'?