Benefits of eating healthy

Ok, so after a week of really trying to eat healthy, really trying, not pretend trying I have found:

Increased fruits and veggies, increase digestion-in not always a good way, yep a little more organ rebelling

It is nice when the scale moves, in the right direction, which provides motivation through results.

No wine for a week really makes a difference come Friday, you feel like a 16 year old again, with a first-time wine cooler. Or purple passion, take your pick

A whole new meaning for "cheat day". All the quality research recommends a "cheat day". Now I am sure my definition of cheat is not their's. I am thinking, they ARE thinking, a hersheys kiss, a banana, an extra portion of peas. But really isn't a mini DQ blizzard the way to go? You know the word "mini" is a huge advertising ploy to make one feel like you are so not cheating! It is mini after all!

So after a cheat day thank goodness I have boot camp AND invited to a bike ride tomorrow. Stupid Mini blizzard, oh and wine.

Just a few FYI's

1. Deer season has ended. With no deer. Well not exactly. There were 9 deer in OUR yard the day AFTER hunting season. Who says deer are stupid.
2. I was so desparate to help Big Fry bag the deer I offered to take him. ALONE. I didn't really relish the thought of him actually GETTING something with no man-help there. But when he decided sleeping in was more important, I have to admit I was more than a little disappointed. I like man jobs. I like proving I can do man jobs-like taking apart the dishwasher. Which I did. And killing spiders, which hubby calls me to do all the time when the real big ones appear.
3. I am trying to jump start a little weight loss. I hate to even type that. Ok so really I am trying to jump start eating healthier. Here is what I found out. There is a pattern, EVERY time I do this I get a cold. No really. I know it is hard to believe, but its true. I don't know if my body rebels or what. Because what do I want more than carbs or comfort food when I have a cold? Nothing, just carbs and comfort food. So far I have resisted. I am even going without my wine Wednesday. Enough said
4. My new clip bike shoes came, Hubby replied, "Can't wait to see you practice those". You watch it buddy, just let me put my padded body suit on first.
5. School, what can I say we are "hitting the hump", moving towards, "march madness", budgets and political actions in our state with education are/will cause morale to plummet. I am not a big worrier at work about things outside my circle of influence, but sometimes one just can't help but get fired up.
6. Bagels-Small fry found a new food. Thanks goodness. Whole wheat bagels with butter and cinnamon and sugar. For breakfast, for snack, and snack again. Maybe it will help him put a little meat on him. Yeah lucky him, he gets carbs!
7. Small fry and school, for a change of scenery not going well. We have scratched our heads, given feedback, asked questions, guilt trips and threatened. The little stuffer finally tells me what is going on. It breaks my heart. BUT either I am getting wiser or becoming a slacker mom. I don't fret, it's all fixable. That's what I tell him. A day later we already see a little renewed resilliency.

Well there they are, a few random fyi's.

Oh and I am sad. Hell on Wheels had its season finale. I am perplexed. What will happen?Will our troubled hero come back? Will he roam the prairie alone? Will the "fair maiden of the west" Lily Bell ever find him? Oh and does the railroad get built? Sigh next season

Oh, oh, oh

Another obsession. I am sooooo easily inspired... This catalog rocks. If I was rich I would buy you all a personally chosen gift that is PERFECT for just you from this catalog. It is a new fave...I think if you click on pic you can read itThis would be not for work-but I loved it.

Doh, how did that get there. Like I said, easy to inspire.

Oh and yes....

This is my third post for the day. I have a feeling that as crazy as November and December was in the workplace (which is usually a calm time) that January through March will be unimagineable. So here is another post, in case you don't hear from me until April.

Here is my new obsession, almost like hair magazines. I have weird obsessions. I have weird taste in TV shows. Luckily my hubby shares this. Here is our new show:

It is on AMC, a post civil war drama. I do love history. Here is the lead character...

Did I mention I like history. I really do watch it for the story line...

Oh there he is again.

I don't even like cowboys.

I wonder what hubby would look like with long flowing hair and a duster?

Toddlers and Tweeners

When I had TODDLER children and my older and wiser friend Sara had TWEENER/TEENS she would tell me how similiar they were in brain functioning. I laughed at the comparison. Really? Who could reason with a 2 year old-no one. But I was sure a 12 year old could be reasoned with. A parent expected a 2 year old to do weird zany things. All the books said so.

NOW I am wiser and older and I see the connection.
Artifact A: New Years's Eve-12 year old is with us at a friends house. He and best friend come down laughing hysterically, almost peeing their pants to show us duct tape. Duct tape with hair stuck to it. Self waxing with duct tape-the few armpit hairs they actually had. Kind of reminds one of two year olds with hair and scissors.

Artifact B: Post New Year's Eve, first born has been at sleepover with duct tape friend. As he comes home at 11 he informs us they were up until 2:18. We cautiously mention "nap". We get a big fat no and "I'm not tired, I won't be grumpy". Well grumpies, surliness, over tired sets in. I use my toddler experience and promptly bribe him to ride in the car-I mean go on errands-in the car. And just like it was 10 years ago, MAGIC! I have one sleeping child in the car and quiet.

Now if I could just lay him down with a sippy cup, because of course the car nap wasn't enough.

Yummy

I don't usually post food or meals. Who can compete with Karen and Bobbi in that department? I am pretty proud of this version of pheasant stew with dumplings. As hubby and big fry try to to become mighty hunters, emphasis on try, I try to find recipes that I will like. Being from a non-hunting childhood, cooking and eating wild game is not a strength.

I would have to say this one is a winner!

Peace and Joy

As much I am a tree/Christmas Nazi, I am equally a scrooge when it comes to New Year's resoloutions. Not sure what it is. The fear of failure? The goals we set for ourselves at the start of the year that are meant to motivate but are usually very lofty in nature, and end up discouraging. And what is it with this beginning of the year thing? Do we really need a "date" to change-can't we do that on a daily or even minute by minute basis? Is it a stubborn streak in me that says "Darn it" I am good enough (most of the time) just the way I am? Is it the perfectionist in me who shudders at he HUGE list of resolutions I could make if I wanted to be perfect at everything-which I have worked hard over the years NOT to do? I think the last one is the answer, if I actually sat down an analyzed it, as maybe we all could, the list would be indefinite and each resolution could have a counter one (ying/yang thing going on):

Eat better but worry about weight less

Exercise more, but be happy with the 41 year old body I have, its not that bad

Give my fry's better feedback, and yet lecture them less

Limit technology time, but try to communicate more with people I love

Swear less-ok there is no yang for that one

Praise my children more, but be more consistent-higher expectations

Clean my house better, but don't let it consume our free time

And the list goes on...

So here it is the list that won't be happening...for whatever reason. Not that I can't choose do some of those things when and where I want, I will.

What I do know is I wish you all a new year of peace and joy. They are a little ying and yangish. Peace from whatever it is that weighs on you, bothers you, makes you sad, annoys you, frustrates you and on and on. And then there is joy. Joy in what excites you, motivates you and makes you laugh. While you are clearing your mind clear it for the joyful things that your brain should be full of. Maybe having one peace or joy will give you the other. I think it will.