This week always seems like the first week of the holiday season for me. The week where I start paying a little more attention to the sales ads, when I am finalizing my shopping lists and really thinking about the things I want to get done fore the holiday season.
The weeks seem to rush by even faster and we all try to keep up. There are only 5 weeks left before Christmas so the next few weeks will be a whirlwind of shopping, baking, wrapping, decorating, stressing and delighting in the season.
While this year is less than cheerful for me, I'm trying to remail positive and not let on to the kids that I am miserable and not really knowing how I'm going to buy them gifts but I do know that somehow things work out in the end, they always do.
I am still going to get a job and I found one that doesn't work for me but I would love for my husband to do, even though he already has a job. This one would be so perfect for him but he is really liking his current job and he likes his coworkers.
So, I have been applying for jobs and hoping that maybe I will get a call this week and I can begin my holiday shopping.
So, to get back to my original point, (I'm so good at getting off topic :P) I love Thanksgiving and getting together with my family.....we are loud, we are fun and we laugh a ton. I know it is going to be a stress reliever for me to just relax and enjoy the time together. At the core of my life, is my family and it always has been and always will be. I think we are planning a dance off using Just Dance for Wii. We did this at our family Easter gathering and we had a blast. If we are doing this, I'm wearing comfy pants instead of jeans and I'm stretching! We have a few good dancers in our family so it's on, like Donkey Kong!!!
Besides the food, Thanksgiving is a mix of family, football and fun. Who doesn't love all that?!
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Monday, November 19, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
MAMAVATION MONDAY: Week 1, Day 1 Thoughts
Today marks Week 1, Day 1 of the 2 week challenge and I just finished my first workout provided by Bob Harper, trainer on The Biggest Loser. I really didn't know what to expect. I looked at the circuit outline and watched the demo videos to make sure that I would do the exercises correctly. I made it through the entire workout but it was tough!!
When you look at the exercise, they arent' anything complex or not crazy enough to confuse you, they start off pretty simple...looking. By the third set of the Part B workout, I was exhausted and not sure if I could pull it off. I did and I feel great. I know, for a fact, that I will be sore later or tomorrow but it is well worth it. I am worth it.
I am doing this challenge for me. I want to change my body, my life, my health. I don't have any health problems right now but I am not getting younger. I want to work hard now to live a lifestyle that leads to problem free health. I want to show my kids that it is important to take care of ourselves and do what we can to stay healthy and fit.
I took my starting weight and measurements and I'm hoping to see improvements at the end of the next two weeks. I know I will feel better.
We aren't required to announce our starting measurements but I am:
10/29/12
Weight: 143.9lbs.
Arms: L 11.5, R 11.5
Waist: 34
Hips: 37.5
Thighs: L 22, R 22
I can't believe I just did that!! Ack for accountability! ;)
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Stepping It Up
When I quit working full time back in June, I had an online job lined up and it was going to be awesome, I was going to work and make great money and well, I was excited.
It didn't work out. Ever since then, I have been looking for a part time or full time job that I could do from home so that I would still be able to take Lincoln to school everyday and also be there for my older kids. That was my number one job, mom.
I finally found something that is going to work well for me, at least I hope. It sounds promising and I didn't have to pay anything to start this job, like many of the other proposed work-at-home jobs I found. I will be working from home as a call center agent for a company that helps with higher education.
I start training today and will start my actual job tomorrow....on the first day of the new pay cycle so it works out well.
This new job will be 25 or more hours a week so nothing too overwhelming. It does mean that I will be staying home more in the evenings and Chuck gets to do more of the kids taxiing! Which is totally fine with me!
I really hope this works well for me. I have to split my work day up into two separate sections since Lincoln is in half day school but I think to next year when I can be working during the day, uninterrupted and actually add hours to my days. Yet, I will still have the flexibility to be there for the kids and go on field trips or help at holiday shops, etc. Living my dream.
Aside from all of that, my Scentsy business seems to be picking up. I have had more shows, more events and parties lately and I am happy about that. I joined Scentsy 2 years ago and I haven't worked it the way I wanted to until lately so it is nice to see it taking off a bit! Anyone need anything Scentsy, let me know, I got you!
Life is looking up....slowly but surely, it's looking up!
It didn't work out. Ever since then, I have been looking for a part time or full time job that I could do from home so that I would still be able to take Lincoln to school everyday and also be there for my older kids. That was my number one job, mom.
I finally found something that is going to work well for me, at least I hope. It sounds promising and I didn't have to pay anything to start this job, like many of the other proposed work-at-home jobs I found. I will be working from home as a call center agent for a company that helps with higher education.
I start training today and will start my actual job tomorrow....on the first day of the new pay cycle so it works out well.
This new job will be 25 or more hours a week so nothing too overwhelming. It does mean that I will be staying home more in the evenings and Chuck gets to do more of the kids taxiing! Which is totally fine with me!
I really hope this works well for me. I have to split my work day up into two separate sections since Lincoln is in half day school but I think to next year when I can be working during the day, uninterrupted and actually add hours to my days. Yet, I will still have the flexibility to be there for the kids and go on field trips or help at holiday shops, etc. Living my dream.
Aside from all of that, my Scentsy business seems to be picking up. I have had more shows, more events and parties lately and I am happy about that. I joined Scentsy 2 years ago and I haven't worked it the way I wanted to until lately so it is nice to see it taking off a bit! Anyone need anything Scentsy, let me know, I got you!
Life is looking up....slowly but surely, it's looking up!
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Reclaiming Me
If you are a mom, you know how easy it is to lose yourself. We are so busy taking care of everyone else that we get lost in the bottles, diapers, preschool, projects, sports, activities, running errands and 4372980432 other things that somehow we forget who we are.
I am no different. I have been a mom for 12, almost 13 years and the sense of myself has ebbed and flowed a few times. I have lost myself, found myself and lost myself again. I have been lost for a few years. I was busy working full time outside of the home and being a taxi driver, nurse, teacher, cook, therapist, etc. You get the point.
I have been watching my friend, Kat, for awhile now through Facebook and Twitter. She has found herself in a huge way. She has been working so hard and so diligently to lost a lot of weight and live a healthier lifestyle. She is a true inspiration to me and I want to follow in her footsteps.
Four years ago, I started going to a gym and working out. I was dedicated and my husband joined me in working out and with his help and guidance, along with some great classes at the gym, I lost 22lbs in six months. I was so happy, I was so proud and I was in the best shape I had been in since high school....maybe even better shape than high school! I felt amazing.
Then, I started working full time and was going to the gym less and less. I was eating more and more and working out maybe one day a week. A drastic drop from the 5 days a week I was going.
My husband just started a new job and in six weeks, he has lost a total of 27lbs. and he looks good. He hasn't been working out but apparently, the job itself is enough of a workout to help him lose that much. Another factor is his drinking. He wasn't an alcoholic by any means but he drinks waaayy less now that he needs to be up extra early and works long hours. There just isnt' enough downtime. Anyway, he has lost this weight and he is going to start working out soon so that he can tone up his muscles and maybe even bulk up a bit. He is going to look amazing.
I need to get there too. I need to get some weight off and tone up. I need to feel good again and be healthy and show my kids what it means to life a healthy lifestyle and remain active so that I can keep up with them!
I have some goals already, nothing too extreme or unrealistic. In fact, they are very atainable.
My goals:
* Lose 11 pounds to a goal weight of 130lbs.
* Tone my arms and legs
* Strengthen my core and feel those abs again
Nothing too crazy, right?!
I can do this. I have done it before and I know I can do it again. One thing I have this time around and I didn't last time was Pinterest. Yes, I said Pinterest. I have found some really great workouts on there that I can do at home and that only take out a half hour of my day! I will have a membership to my gym again so that will also help. I will be able to workout and run at the gym when the weather is bad. I can go there while Lincoln is in school in the afternoons.
So, if you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, please excuse all the workout or fitness posts you will be seeing. I know it can be annoying but honestly, for me, it is a way for me to stay accountable and posting about it helps me.
I'm on my way back to being me, the me that I can be proud of and show the world. The me that is important and confident. The me that can walk around with my head held high and maybe even inspire others.
I am no different. I have been a mom for 12, almost 13 years and the sense of myself has ebbed and flowed a few times. I have lost myself, found myself and lost myself again. I have been lost for a few years. I was busy working full time outside of the home and being a taxi driver, nurse, teacher, cook, therapist, etc. You get the point.
I have been watching my friend, Kat, for awhile now through Facebook and Twitter. She has found herself in a huge way. She has been working so hard and so diligently to lost a lot of weight and live a healthier lifestyle. She is a true inspiration to me and I want to follow in her footsteps.
Four years ago, I started going to a gym and working out. I was dedicated and my husband joined me in working out and with his help and guidance, along with some great classes at the gym, I lost 22lbs in six months. I was so happy, I was so proud and I was in the best shape I had been in since high school....maybe even better shape than high school! I felt amazing.
Then, I started working full time and was going to the gym less and less. I was eating more and more and working out maybe one day a week. A drastic drop from the 5 days a week I was going.
My husband just started a new job and in six weeks, he has lost a total of 27lbs. and he looks good. He hasn't been working out but apparently, the job itself is enough of a workout to help him lose that much. Another factor is his drinking. He wasn't an alcoholic by any means but he drinks waaayy less now that he needs to be up extra early and works long hours. There just isnt' enough downtime. Anyway, he has lost this weight and he is going to start working out soon so that he can tone up his muscles and maybe even bulk up a bit. He is going to look amazing.
I need to get there too. I need to get some weight off and tone up. I need to feel good again and be healthy and show my kids what it means to life a healthy lifestyle and remain active so that I can keep up with them!
I have some goals already, nothing too extreme or unrealistic. In fact, they are very atainable.
My goals:
* Lose 11 pounds to a goal weight of 130lbs.
* Tone my arms and legs
* Strengthen my core and feel those abs again
Nothing too crazy, right?!
I can do this. I have done it before and I know I can do it again. One thing I have this time around and I didn't last time was Pinterest. Yes, I said Pinterest. I have found some really great workouts on there that I can do at home and that only take out a half hour of my day! I will have a membership to my gym again so that will also help. I will be able to workout and run at the gym when the weather is bad. I can go there while Lincoln is in school in the afternoons.
So, if you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, please excuse all the workout or fitness posts you will be seeing. I know it can be annoying but honestly, for me, it is a way for me to stay accountable and posting about it helps me.
I'm on my way back to being me, the me that I can be proud of and show the world. The me that is important and confident. The me that can walk around with my head held high and maybe even inspire others.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Finding My Groove
It seems like I am just now getting back to the "old me" that I was years ago. I have been at home with the kids since the end of June but I think that the school year has gotten me back to a familiar spot. I am back to being organized, having a routine, wanting to do things at the schools, etc.
I think that the best me is the one that runs a tight ship at home, is there at school for the kids, sees them off to school and is there when they get home. I enjoy this life. I enjoy being mom before anything else. I was always mom when I was working full time outside of the house but I am a better mom here at home. I am not overly stressed, I am not exhausted every single day and I just have more patience. I think it is because I have the time to enjoy the little moments.
The kids definitely enjoy having me home as well. Lincoln and I are back to being buddies again. When I was working, he was home with Daddy and they were two peas in a pod and there was no time for Mommy. Now, we have our moments when we lie in bed and tickle each other or when we take walks to the horse stables down the road and he tells me crazy stories.
I am finding that I am getting involved in the schools and it feels good. This is where I am supposed to be. I was happy when I was first back home with the family but I am even more so now that I am involved and things are running smoothly. I am finding my groove again.
Chuck is working long hours and I miss him terribly while he's gone but our family dynamic is back. It feels so good.
We've had some rough few months with so many downfalls but we are on the upswing now. We are crawling out stronger than we were before which is a positive side effect from struggles in life, right?
I still feel a lot of guilt for not being at home with the kids for the three years that I was working full time and more guilt about not being here for Lincoln, in particular, but I'm here now and they say it's never too late so I'm hoping that that is the case. I hope he knows that even though I wasn't here during the day, everyday, I still love him just the same. That I had to do what I had to do for our family.
I can't even say how happy I am that I got my groove back. It feels so good. Just call me Stella! ;)
I think that the best me is the one that runs a tight ship at home, is there at school for the kids, sees them off to school and is there when they get home. I enjoy this life. I enjoy being mom before anything else. I was always mom when I was working full time outside of the house but I am a better mom here at home. I am not overly stressed, I am not exhausted every single day and I just have more patience. I think it is because I have the time to enjoy the little moments.
The kids definitely enjoy having me home as well. Lincoln and I are back to being buddies again. When I was working, he was home with Daddy and they were two peas in a pod and there was no time for Mommy. Now, we have our moments when we lie in bed and tickle each other or when we take walks to the horse stables down the road and he tells me crazy stories.
I am finding that I am getting involved in the schools and it feels good. This is where I am supposed to be. I was happy when I was first back home with the family but I am even more so now that I am involved and things are running smoothly. I am finding my groove again.
Chuck is working long hours and I miss him terribly while he's gone but our family dynamic is back. It feels so good.
We've had some rough few months with so many downfalls but we are on the upswing now. We are crawling out stronger than we were before which is a positive side effect from struggles in life, right?
I still feel a lot of guilt for not being at home with the kids for the three years that I was working full time and more guilt about not being here for Lincoln, in particular, but I'm here now and they say it's never too late so I'm hoping that that is the case. I hope he knows that even though I wasn't here during the day, everyday, I still love him just the same. That I had to do what I had to do for our family.
I can't even say how happy I am that I got my groove back. It feels so good. Just call me Stella! ;)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)