To Open Myself Up Or Not

I notice that a lot of people now have blog fan pages on Facebook.  I know a ton of people that do and it opens a lot of readership but I don't know if I am quite ready for that.  My blog is not private and I do Google+ it a lot but I am not sure if I want to open myself up to that many people yet. 

I have thought about it and I have even started the process a few times but then I don't finish.  I'm not sure what exactly is holding me back.  It's not that I have anything to hide or that I don't want people to read my blog.  For some strange reason, it is a huge leap for me and I don't really know why. 

Maybe it is because my husband is not thrilled about my blogging.  He doesn't really understand nor enjoy the fact that I am sharing our life with other people. Nobody needs to know our business. 

I understand his point, he even hates Facebook and can't stand when someone goes up to him and talks about something I've posted.  It drives him crazy.  I'm sure he would feel differently if I were making money from my blog or Facebook page though.  

I am still considering opening up and creating that page but for now, I think I will just keep it all here and enjoy the readership I have now. 

Whirlwind Ahead

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?! 

A Passion

I worked in the local gym nursery this morning and I loved it. I have been subbing for the regular workers in there on an as needed basis and today I had a lot of fun. 

I had a total of nine kids in with me but not all at the same time, they came and went over a 3.5 hour period.  There was a good mix of kids but definitely more boys than girls. 

I got on the floor with some of them to play and went around picking up after some others.

I came to the realization that I do miss having a little toddler around.  They are so fun, so full of wonder and amazement.  They are so proud of themselves for the simplest of things and full of smiles. 

I don't miss that stage enough to have another baby though.  I will maintain my little kid fix by occasionally working at the nursery! Being around children is a passion of mine and I do want to work with kids more in the future when I have the time to do so. Right now, life is very hectic but if the opportunity arises for me, I will take it.

Our school district is looking for paraprofessionals to help out at the elementary schools but I am unable due to kindergarten being half day and my needing to drive Lincoln to school.  I would love to apply for the position though.  I think that if that flier goes out again next year, I am going to jump on the chance to do it.  I would love to go in to the schools and help the kids that need help.  To work one on one or in a small group with them, using compassion and patience. 

MAMAVATION MONDAY: 2 Week Challenge Ends, Thoughts and Wrap Up

 

 

So, I survived the Bob Harper Live 2 week challenge with Mamavation!  I have found that I really enjoy working out and it was so nice to get back into a routine of working out and living a healthier lifestyle. 

 

My stats are the same as last week so in the second week, there was no final change.  My numbers went up and down over the course of the week but I ended at the same stats. 

 

I feel like the second week was easier, the workouts were still very tough and I was always sweating and breathing heavy but I think I was getting stronger, which is always the goal.  I feel like I am on my way to a better body, a better self image and a better health evaluation. 

 

I know which exercises I love to do so I will be continuing to do them.  I find that I love when I am sore a day or two after working out because then I know that I worked hard and I am changing my muscles. 

 

I liked the two week challenge because it was like I was restarting my exercise routine and doing a 2 week challenge was manageable and it wasn't overwhelming to start off.  Had it been a six week challenge or so, I probably would have gotten bored with it.  I had fun and so now I know that I can continue to workout and enjoy the exercises I am doing. 

.“This post is sponsored by Hoopnotica and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway”

Beautiful Day

Here in western Pennsylvania, you really never know what kind of weather you will have.  We have had snow in October, 70+ degrees in February, it is just a mixed bag around here. 

Today, our temps will be 70+ so we are going to spend our day outside enjoying the sunshine and warmth while it lasts! 

What a beautiful way to spend our day of rest!  With family and sunshine!

Prepping for the Holidays

With a limited income, I am looking at ways to make extra money and so I do vendor shows and craft shows with my Scentsy business. Today, I will be at a local craft/vendor show hoping to sell some of my inventory and take orders.  It is a great way for me to get my business out there and to bring in sales. 

I am using my Scentsy money for holiday shopping this year so I hope I can bring in a good amount this year!

If you haven't checked out my Scentsy business yet, head on over and check out what we have to offer, there are gifts available for everyone, even the kids!

Four Days of Fun or Frustration

My kids are home for four days because of in service days at school.  They have a four day weekend.  This will either mean we will have fun or I will be frustrated.  I just never know how these days will go.  Will they fight all day, will they complain about being bored, will they find enough things to keep them occupied? 

I have a parent/teacher conference today and some errands to run so that will break up the day a bit for them.  I'm sure they are just itching to run to Staples with me....or not.  At least it will be a chance to get out of the house, right? 

This weekend is supposed to be beautiful, weatherwise, so they can spend some time outside getting rid of some energy!

It's Election Day!

 

Today I voted and I feel proud!!



MAMAVATION MONDAY: Finished Week 1, Working Out, Weigh-In and Moving Forward

 

 

Okay, I finished Week one of the 2 week Bob Harper Live challenge through Mamavation!  I feel great and I think I am learning some things as far as workouts go. 

 

I have pushed myself every single day to get in a workout and really put forth the effort to get as much out of each workout as possible.  I have sweat everyday and been sore everyday and that is how I know that I am doing well.  If I wasn't sore, I would know that I wasn't working hard enough.

 

I will post my stats at the end to show my progress, I am really pleased so far with my progress!

 

Bob Harper really has great workouts and I am enjoying them.  On the days when a new circuit is not released, I love going in and checking out the Team Bob workouts and finding one that I want to try.  I have found some that I plan on doing and some that I want to do again.  I also really love the recipes.  I tried one lunch on Saturday and it was good.  I hope to try several more through the next month. 

 

Moving forward, my goal is to continue on with the workouts, continue to eat healthy and just be mindful of what I am doing or not doing so that I can benefit the most from this opportunity.

 

 

STATS:

 

Starting Weight: 143.7lbs.                                  After Week 1:  141.9lbs.

Arms: L 11.5" R 11.5"                                        Arms: L 11"  R 11"

Waist:  34in.                                                        Waist:  33in.

Hips: 37.5in.                                                        Hips: 37.5in.

Thighs: L 22, R 22                                               Thighs: L22, R 22

 

I am happy with the results so far, I am actually surprised, quite frankly, I didn't think I would notice such a difference so soon.  I thought that maybe after the two weeks, maybe I would lose a pound or two but to lost almost 2 pounds after only one week.  I'm excited and I can't wait to see what the results are after the challenge is over and then again after a month!  I am motivated and ready to really kick some butt!!

 “This post is sponsored by Bengay Zero Degrees and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway” 

I Made It

Well, it is Friday and I woke up and worked out this morning. That means that I worked out with Bob Harper every single morning since Monday and that was a goal of mine for this week. I feel great, I still have a lot of work to do and I plan on working out again tomorrow morning. I had to take my Lincoln to the doctor this morning because of a pesky cough that just will not go away. I was relieved to hear that it is not pneumonia or an ear infection but it is a sinus infection. He gets to have a few weeks of amoxicillin to clear out the infection and make his way back to better. I am so excited for this weekend. I can't wait to relax and do fun things all weekend like Trick or Treating, getting together with friends and then the Steeler game on Sunday with friends. Oh and not to mention the extra hour of sleep we will get when we turn the clocks back an hour!! Woo hoo! Have a great weekend!