Q. What do you call a fish with two knees?
A. A two-knee fish.
(For those who are slow... a tuna fish)
A. A two-knee fish.
(For those who are slow... a tuna fish)
31 July, 2007
30 July, 2007
Ten!
Yippee! After 8 weeks of working out, I'm proud to say that I've lost 10 pounds.
It has not come easy... in fact, I've been working my butt off (literally!) and eating differently, but it has all been worth it.
I don't expect the next 10 pounds (or even 5 pounds) to come off as quickly, but at least I know I can do it.
Yay for me!
It has not come easy... in fact, I've been working my butt off (literally!) and eating differently, but it has all been worth it.
I don't expect the next 10 pounds (or even 5 pounds) to come off as quickly, but at least I know I can do it.
Yay for me!
29 July, 2007
27 July, 2007
26 July, 2007
The No Spin Zone
As you know, I joined the YMCA about 8 weeks ago. And let me say, that I love it. I love working out and I love being able to drop my kids off for a 1.5-2 hours each day while they play with other kids. It is truly a WIN-WIN!
I've lost weight, I feel great and wearing a bathing suit is no longer a daunting experience. Mama's got her bounce back!
So, when I saw a class that the Y offers for people who want to learn how to do Spinning (or Cycling) Classes, called "Begin to Spin", I signed up for it! I mean, I can 'begin' to spin, right?
The first few classes we barely even got on the bike. There were about 12 people taking the class and we mostly talked about form, posture, bike set up, etc. Truthfully, I was getting a little bored.
Then, we slowly began learning skills, like interval training, climbing hills, endurance and sprinting. I noticed that the class attendance started to drop and that my bum was really sore.
Last night, we had our 2nd to last class in our training course and put all of the training skills together. Oh, and there were only five people in the class - does that tell you something?
Let me tell you that "Yes!", I survived the class, but my bum did not. I can barely walk today. I even have one of those fancy double padded gel bike seats and STILL! My rear could not take it.
Everyone tells me that once you get the butt callouses, spin class is fun. Butt callouses? Fun? Maybe another time.
So, I think I've entered the "No Spin Zone".
I'll attend the last class, because that is the kind of person I am... I stick with my commitments. But, will I attend the regular (non-beginner) spin class? Yeah, I don't know.
I'll check with my bum and get back to you.
I've lost weight, I feel great and wearing a bathing suit is no longer a daunting experience. Mama's got her bounce back!
So, when I saw a class that the Y offers for people who want to learn how to do Spinning (or Cycling) Classes, called "Begin to Spin", I signed up for it! I mean, I can 'begin' to spin, right?
The first few classes we barely even got on the bike. There were about 12 people taking the class and we mostly talked about form, posture, bike set up, etc. Truthfully, I was getting a little bored.
Then, we slowly began learning skills, like interval training, climbing hills, endurance and sprinting. I noticed that the class attendance started to drop and that my bum was really sore.
Last night, we had our 2nd to last class in our training course and put all of the training skills together. Oh, and there were only five people in the class - does that tell you something?
Let me tell you that "Yes!", I survived the class, but my bum did not. I can barely walk today. I even have one of those fancy double padded gel bike seats and STILL! My rear could not take it.
Everyone tells me that once you get the butt callouses, spin class is fun. Butt callouses? Fun? Maybe another time.
So, I think I've entered the "No Spin Zone".
I'll attend the last class, because that is the kind of person I am... I stick with my commitments. But, will I attend the regular (non-beginner) spin class? Yeah, I don't know.
I'll check with my bum and get back to you.
25 July, 2007
Some Semblance of Normalcy
Kyla has a sparkling personality!
Why do I say this? Because while Elisan was away visiting her grandparents, she shined! She was funny, bouncy, silly, talkative, happy and sweet. I've always known that Kyla was all of those things... and more! But, oftentimes, she is overshadowed by her big sister.
It was a strange and remarkable transformation on Sunday as I picked Elisan up from her week long stay. Kyla, of course, was ecstatic to see Elisan and they hugged and kissed and danced around, excited to see each other. But, as soon as the "newness" wore off, Kyla turned into a crying lump of an emotional mess... clingy, weepy, sad, etc. because they immediately began to fight and Elisan even told her, that she didn't love her anymore.
After having sat Elisan down and told her that what she said was hurtful and wrong, nothing changed. They still fought.
So! What'd I do? I cut our trip short by two days, packed up our stuff and headed home.
Five hours later, we were home and everything was back to normal. No crying, no whining, no fussing, no fighting.
I realized that the culmination of Elisan having a week of no structure OR routine turned her into a little bully. And, Kyla having had a week of structure and routine AND 100% of my undivided attention turned her into an emotional mess.
So, we're back to my little semblance of normalcy. All is right in our world again.
I'm tellin' you... I'm always having light bulb moments!
Why do I say this? Because while Elisan was away visiting her grandparents, she shined! She was funny, bouncy, silly, talkative, happy and sweet. I've always known that Kyla was all of those things... and more! But, oftentimes, she is overshadowed by her big sister.
It was a strange and remarkable transformation on Sunday as I picked Elisan up from her week long stay. Kyla, of course, was ecstatic to see Elisan and they hugged and kissed and danced around, excited to see each other. But, as soon as the "newness" wore off, Kyla turned into a crying lump of an emotional mess... clingy, weepy, sad, etc. because they immediately began to fight and Elisan even told her, that she didn't love her anymore.
After having sat Elisan down and told her that what she said was hurtful and wrong, nothing changed. They still fought.
So! What'd I do? I cut our trip short by two days, packed up our stuff and headed home.
Five hours later, we were home and everything was back to normal. No crying, no whining, no fussing, no fighting.
I realized that the culmination of Elisan having a week of no structure OR routine turned her into a little bully. And, Kyla having had a week of structure and routine AND 100% of my undivided attention turned her into an emotional mess.
So, we're back to my little semblance of normalcy. All is right in our world again.
I'm tellin' you... I'm always having light bulb moments!17 July, 2007
One is the loneliest number
Single child bliss began yesterday around 8:30 a.m., when the grandparents and Elisan left for her week-long trip back home.
That morning, Kyla and I went to the gym and she played with the kids there. She said she had a lot of fun... but, she didn't eat her snack. Must've been because Elisan wasn't there to tell her it was time to eat.
We came home, ate lunch, then headed out to the pool. We were there maybe 30 minutes. Why? Because Elisan wasn't there to play with and mommy wasn't a good enough playmate.
The afternoon slowly passed with a couple of art projects, a snack that was not eaten, and then she finally settled on watching Elisan's favorite movie. Meanwhile, she didn't quite "get it" that Elisan wasn't coming home and kept asking when Elisan was coming home.
Dinner rolled around, and she didn't eat dinner. Randy said it was like a dog who doesn't eat when it's master isn't home.
This morning, when she woke up, her first question was "Where's Elisan?" and when I told her, she said, "Why?" She did eat a little breakfast this morning and seems to be a little more like herself.
I didn't realize how much of an impact Elisan has on Kyla's little life. I think this week will be long and drawn out for her. One is the loneliest number.
That morning, Kyla and I went to the gym and she played with the kids there. She said she had a lot of fun... but, she didn't eat her snack. Must've been because Elisan wasn't there to tell her it was time to eat.
We came home, ate lunch, then headed out to the pool. We were there maybe 30 minutes. Why? Because Elisan wasn't there to play with and mommy wasn't a good enough playmate.
The afternoon slowly passed with a couple of art projects, a snack that was not eaten, and then she finally settled on watching Elisan's favorite movie. Meanwhile, she didn't quite "get it" that Elisan wasn't coming home and kept asking when Elisan was coming home.
Dinner rolled around, and she didn't eat dinner. Randy said it was like a dog who doesn't eat when it's master isn't home.
This morning, when she woke up, her first question was "Where's Elisan?" and when I told her, she said, "Why?" She did eat a little breakfast this morning and seems to be a little more like herself.
I didn't realize how much of an impact Elisan has on Kyla's little life. I think this week will be long and drawn out for her. One is the loneliest number.
15 July, 2007
14 July, 2007
As if I needed another thing to annoy me...
If you've been a reader of my blog for any length of time, you know I detest poor cell phone etiquette and people who yak on their phones constantly while driving.
If you need a refresher course on how badly it irritates me, you can read about it here and here.
My newest cell phone pet peeve... as if, there could be another one... is people who talk on their cell phone AT THE GYM - WHILE WORKING OUT.
Let me repeat... WHILE THEY ARE WORKING OUT for crying out loud.
Can you please remove that appendage... um, cell phone, from your body for one hour while you work out?
And the people who are on their phones seem to be oblivious to the people around them who are trying to have an enjoyable workout.
Leave the phone in your locker, in your car... somewhere! But, please don't bring it into the gym. Have a little respect for those around you.
There. I feel better now.
If you need a refresher course on how badly it irritates me, you can read about it here and here.
My newest cell phone pet peeve... as if, there could be another one... is people who talk on their cell phone AT THE GYM - WHILE WORKING OUT.
Let me repeat... WHILE THEY ARE WORKING OUT for crying out loud.
Can you please remove that appendage... um, cell phone, from your body for one hour while you work out?
And the people who are on their phones seem to be oblivious to the people around them who are trying to have an enjoyable workout.
Leave the phone in your locker, in your car... somewhere! But, please don't bring it into the gym. Have a little respect for those around you.
There. I feel better now.
13 July, 2007
Summer Trip
No... my family is not getting ready for a summer trip. That would mean that Randy would have to actually take vacation days AND spend money at the same time. (Sorry, hun... but, it's true and you know it!)
However, Elisan will be leaving bright and early Monday morning, with Randy's folks to spend a week with them. This is 5 year old heaven.
All week, she's been counting down the days and asking me when we can start packing up the suitcase. She's ready!
And, I'm ready! Yes, that's right. I said I'm ready.
I'm ready for some "down time" with my baby girl. Kyla has been ultra clingy the last several weeks and Randy and I seem to think that it's because KM has had to share me with her sister over the last 7 weeks since school has been out.
Don't get me wrong... KM has loved having Elisan here to play with, but make no mistake... Elisan is very dominant and demanding and I'm sure KM is getting just a wee bit tired of it. (I know I am.)
So, a much needed break is in store for everyone! And, then... let the de-programming begin.
To My Big Girl:
I'm gonna miss you!
I hope you have so much fun.
Run your grandparent's ragged, okay?
Love you!
Mommy
(P.S. Summer is more than half-way over... when Elisan returns from her week long trip, she'll only have 5 more weeks until school begins.)
However, Elisan will be leaving bright and early Monday morning, with Randy's folks to spend a week with them. This is 5 year old heaven.
All week, she's been counting down the days and asking me when we can start packing up the suitcase. She's ready!
And, I'm ready! Yes, that's right. I said I'm ready.
I'm ready for some "down time" with my baby girl. Kyla has been ultra clingy the last several weeks and Randy and I seem to think that it's because KM has had to share me with her sister over the last 7 weeks since school has been out.
Don't get me wrong... KM has loved having Elisan here to play with, but make no mistake... Elisan is very dominant and demanding and I'm sure KM is getting just a wee bit tired of it. (I know I am.)
So, a much needed break is in store for everyone! And, then... let the de-programming begin.
To My Big Girl:
I'm gonna miss you!
I hope you have so much fun.
Run your grandparent's ragged, okay?
Love you!
Mommy
(P.S. Summer is more than half-way over... when Elisan returns from her week long trip, she'll only have 5 more weeks until school begins.)
11 July, 2007
09 July, 2007
Rough Weekend
I don't know, but something went awry over the weekend and we never quite recovered from it...
You know that old sayin', "something must've been in the water" or something like that, because everyone was getting on everyone's nerves on Saturday and Sunday.
Randy was constantly telling me to 'settle down' or 'you're too stressed out', etc. and the girls were fighting non-stop. If they weren't yelling at each other, I was yelling at them. Literally.
Just ask Randy how much fun I am to be around when I start yelling.
And, to top it off, nothing was ever good enough for my precious (or should I say precocious) nearly six year old. The crafts were not good enough, the game was not long enough, the movie was not right, the shopping did not involve buying her something new, the restaurant wasn't right... you get the gist.
And, finally... the rain. But, finally... I think we're going to see a turnaround this week in the deluge of rain we've had the last few weeks. Yippee!
There's nothing more enjoyable than two kids who are literally wiped out from a day's worth of swimming. It's mom-bliss.
So! Tomorrow? We swim. And then poop out on the couch! They'll be too tired to fight and I'll be too tired to care.
Then, we'll do it again on Wednesday!
You know that old sayin', "something must've been in the water" or something like that, because everyone was getting on everyone's nerves on Saturday and Sunday.
Randy was constantly telling me to 'settle down' or 'you're too stressed out', etc. and the girls were fighting non-stop. If they weren't yelling at each other, I was yelling at them. Literally.
Just ask Randy how much fun I am to be around when I start yelling.
And, to top it off, nothing was ever good enough for my precious (or should I say precocious) nearly six year old. The crafts were not good enough, the game was not long enough, the movie was not right, the shopping did not involve buying her something new, the restaurant wasn't right... you get the gist.
And, finally... the rain. But, finally... I think we're going to see a turnaround this week in the deluge of rain we've had the last few weeks. Yippee!There's nothing more enjoyable than two kids who are literally wiped out from a day's worth of swimming. It's mom-bliss.
So! Tomorrow? We swim. And then poop out on the couch! They'll be too tired to fight and I'll be too tired to care.Then, we'll do it again on Wednesday!
08 July, 2007
Bows, bows and more bows!
My favorite "how-to" websites posted a new entry on how to make those cute little pin-wheel bows. For some reason, I was never able to figure out how to make these little hair bows with the tails opposite of each other.
My attempts at these bow always ended up looking flat and the tails were at the bottom - not diagonal of each other.... until... FINALLY, a gal named Steph submitted step-by-step instructions on how to make these super cute bows!
(You can also find the step-by-step instructions that I submitted last year on this same website!)
I made medium bows for Elisan and small ones for KM. The medium bows only required 1/2 yard (or 18 inches) of the 1.5 inch grosgrain ribbon - about $.75/each at my favorite craft store Hobby Lobby. The smaller bows are made of 1/2 inch ribbon pieces that I already had on hand.
So cute! I can't wait to make some more!
My attempts at these bow always ended up looking flat and the tails were at the bottom - not diagonal of each other.... until... FINALLY, a gal named Steph submitted step-by-step instructions on how to make these super cute bows!
(You can also find the step-by-step instructions that I submitted last year on this same website!)
I made medium bows for Elisan and small ones for KM. The medium bows only required 1/2 yard (or 18 inches) of the 1.5 inch grosgrain ribbon - about $.75/each at my favorite craft store Hobby Lobby. The smaller bows are made of 1/2 inch ribbon pieces that I already had on hand.
So cute! I can't wait to make some more!
06 July, 2007
Honky!
I'm a honker. Or, a honky... whatever suits you the most.
But, let me say, that I reserve my horn blowing for the most desperate of measures. Like... when someone is about to pull out in front of me, or merge into my lane of traffic or side-swipe me.
I never honk just to be mean. But, I am not afraid to honk my horn. That is, until today.
Today, I was at the gas station, putting some air into my nearly flat tire. As I was pulling out my my spot, another car began to zoom into my lane from the gas tank lane. She clearly did not see me as she zipped ahead of me - as she was not looking in my direction. So? What'd I do. I honked my horn. I wanted her to know, that "Hey! I just had to slam on my brakes because you weren't paying attention!"
So, what happened next? SHE slammed on her brakes, right in front me and swung her door open and hopped out waving her arms and walking right up to the vehicle.
I immediately locked the doors and put my hand up to the glass and drove away. Leaving her standing there.
Of course, as I drove away, I was completely and utterly shocked. I mean, what we her intention of storming up to my vehicle like that? To fight me? Verbally assault me? Who does that, anyway?
And, also, did she think that I was just going to sit there and "let her" accost me? Um... woman, you are out of your vehicle, I'm in mine. No brainer, there.
So, as I drove away, I thought, "Wow, this would be a great blog entry!" So, there it is, folks... I'm a honky! Are you a honky?
Share your "honking-gone-bad" stories here!
04 July, 2007
02 July, 2007
How to Make a Blog Banner
This is a great tutorial on how to make a blog banner!
Bought to you by Everyday Digital Scrapbooking.
Go forth and create!
P.S. - I just recently purchased Adobe Elements. However, I created all of my banners in Scrapbook Factory 3.0.
Bought to you by Everyday Digital Scrapbooking.
Go forth and create!
P.S. - I just recently purchased Adobe Elements. However, I created all of my banners in Scrapbook Factory 3.0.
01 July, 2007
First Date!
Randy and Elisan had their very first date on Saturday night! Randy took Elisan out to eat at her favorite restaurant, Macaroni Grill.
Elisan was so excited all week about her very special Daddy Date! They both had a great time!
Elisan was so excited all week about her very special Daddy Date! They both had a great time!
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