The Book Chicks

The first meeting of the Book Chicks was a resounding success!

What is the Book Chicks you ask??? It is a new book club K2 started up with her friends. This month they read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. It is a very serious YA book about two boys who become friends, one who is the son of an officer presiding over a concentration camp and a young boy who is imprisoned within the camp.

K2 is a voracious reader and most of her friends are too. A month or so ago I had a book out from the library called the Mother-Daughter Book Club. K2 and I talked about book clubs and she decided she wanted to start one with her friends. I told her I would help her but that I wouldn't be responsible for all the work. So she had taken care of creating the notices (they were cute too!) and setting the date and time and picking the book.

Tonight they met at a local B&N cafe...ordered their strawberry lemonades and spent an hour chatting about the book. All in all a successful first meeting. Their next book is Darkhenge by Catherine Fisher picked by another member of the group.

Revving...

I have had a great couple of weeks re-introducing my body to the BodyRev. It has gone smoother than in past reintroduction sessions mainly because I have stayed active if not revving with other Cardio and strength training exercises. Last week I almost made the goal that I set for myself... I missed by one abs session. An abs??? Hard to believe since that one is my favorite but I have a very good reason for it. I loaned my BodyRev out to my boss for the weekend.

S. has some physical ailments which prevented her from ordering a BodyRev earlier. She wasn't sure if she would be able to use it. I encouraged her to email Alden and/or Mark to discuss her unique situation but I had also been promising to loan her my BodyRev for a weekend. Finally, last Friday I remembered to take it and the BodyRev Essentials DVD to work. I gave her some tips and let her have at it.

On Monday, she had it ready to be returned to me. I couldn't wait to her her response. Well, let's just say she felt the burn! :) She couldn't do the legs or cardio segments but she could do the abs and arms. She apparently felt enough of a difference from just using it in one weekend that she had decided to order a BodyRev for herself... Hey, Alden... do I get a commission? :) She ordered it on Monday and is anxiously awaiting it's arrival.

She made the comment about bringing it to work to use in our fitness room. Since it is lined with mirrors, she thought then she would be able to see if her body was positioned correctly throughout the segments. Hmmm, something to think about.

So another Revver has been born!

Where Does the Time Go???

So here it is a week later and not only have I not posted in that time... I haven't even visited my own blog... nor the BB... and am way behind on my emails. Right now there are well over 100 sitting in my Inbox from Brigade members alone. And my husband says I spend too much time on the computer!

The kids are now done with school -- Thank God!!! This will be interesting though since I have never worked during the day with them home. First day (today) went well... however only 2 were home... K2 was at a water park for the day. We will see how long it takes before the fighting starts.

Work is going well.

Exercising... still at it. Not as great so far this week but still something everyday... just trying to keep at it.

On Sunday, after attending our newest nephew's baptism, we went to see The Lion King. I found the story lacking but I think it is because we had seen the Disney movie so many times that there was no surprise to it. So Wicked is a far better story. HOWEVER, it was worth seeing this play for the costumes alone. They were so freakin' magnificent. Loved them... absolutely loved them!

Not much going on right now... trying to figure out my travel plans for the Bad Frogs trip. I am definitely driving... spending $300+ on a plane ticket for 2 days seemed a bit ridiculous. However, I figured I wouldn't arrive til midnight... HA! I forgot about switching time zones... it will now be later. I will still leave on Thursday but may need to hole up somewhere for the night so as to not disturb the sleeping.

Hope all is well with everyone. More later!

Decisions, Decisions...

So I now have to decide... Do I fly??? or do I drive??? :)

Not Tonight, Dears, I Have to Read...

I was going to do another post but decided against it. I posted enough last night besides I just did a big one on the BB... although it might not be there in the morning... I really want to delete part of it... I posted pics... for gawd's sake, WTH was I thinking???? But I am trying to be brave... I am trying to live out loud... and if owning up to how big I was and showing that I've come a little way helps me or anyone else out there then I will leave it... We will see how I feel in the morning.

Now... I am tired... I put in almost 90 minutes of exercise today and that includes BR legs, abs and CARDIO!!!! Plus, I did step aerobics and the stationary bike at work today. Now I am off to bed to read for a bit. Let's hope I can make it past 2 pages!

Night, all!


Hmmm... now that I look back on this... I guess I did a post after all. :)

Back to Revvvin' ...

Finally, I have found my BodyRev again! For the last two weeks, I have been using it regularly. Not quite as much as during the winter but I have more to supplement it with now that it is warmer. Last week on the Revving group I started on SP, I set a goal of 5 abs, 2 arms, 2 legs and 1 cardio. I didn't quite make it. I decided to keep the same goal for this week... AND almost made it. I did everything but the cardio (don't know what my problem is with that one... it's harder to work up the energy to do it.) But I feel great anyway! I got my 5 abs in along with the legs and arms.

I have this great, easy to use piece of equipment, why wasn't I taking advantage of it? It feels so good to be revvin' again. I love... absolutely LOVE... the abs workout. It is my complete relaxer. You don't burn a lot of calories during it (but hey! I will still count those 40 or so anyway) but it just settles me... calms me... centers me. I can't wait to do it again tomorrow... I just have to make sure that I do one other one with the abs too... maybe it will be cardio...

My New Theme Song...

I was searching out other people's playlists on Yahoo Music... trying to find some great workout songs. I work so much better with music but had the same songs. Well, one I found has become my new song... I love it which is funny because I have never been that crazy about the artist... Ms. J-Lo herself... Jennifer Lopez. The song is called, Let's Get Loud. When I first heard it, I knew it would be a great workout song... I dare you to listen to it and to NOT move your body.

But it was while exercising to the song that I began to listen to the words.

Let's get loud, let's get loud
Turn the music up, let's do it
C'mon people let's get loud
Let's get loud
Turn the music up to hear that sound
Let's get loud, let's get loud
Ain't nobody gotta tell ya
What you gotta do

If you wanna live your life
Live it all the way and don't waste it
Every feelin' every beat
Can be so very sweet and you gotta taste it
You gotta do it, you gotta do it your way
You gotta prove it
You gotta mean what you say
You gotta do it, you gotta do it your way
You gotta prove it
You gotta mean what you say

Life's a party, make it hot
Dance don't ever stop whatever rhythm
Every minute, every day
Take them all the way you gotta live 'em
('cause I'm going to live my life)
You gotta do it, you gotta do it your way
You gotta prove it
You gotta mean what you say
You gotta do it, you gotta do it your way
You gotta prove it
You gotta mean what you say

Let's get loud, let's get loud
Turn the music up, let's do it
C'mon people let's get loud
Let's get loud
Turn the music up to hear that sound
Let's get loud, let's get loud
Ain't nobody gotta tell ya
What you gotta do

Life is meant to be big fun
You're not hurtin' anyone
Nobody loses
Let the music make you free
Be what you wanna be
Make no excuses
You gotta do it, you gotta do it your way
You gotta prove it
You gotta mean what you say
You gotta do it, you gotta do it your way
You gotta prove it
You gotta mean what you say

Let's get loud, let's get loud
Turn the music up, let's do it
C'mon people let's get loud
Let's get loud
Turn the music up to hear that sound
Let's get loud, let's get loud
Ain't nobody gotta tell ya
What you gotta do

Let's get loud, let's get loud
Turn the music up, let's do it
C'mon people let's get loud
Let's get loud
Turn the music up to hear that sound
Let's get loud, let's get loud
Ain't nobody gotta tell ya
What you gotta do

I'm not sure exactly why this song is speaking to me now but I think it has to do with the changes in me this past year. I have become more adventurous... flying to Atlanta and Philadelphia to meet people I only knew from the internet. This would've been unheard of just a few years ago. There was so much I wouldn't do because I hated doing things alone. And I did not live close to my college friends. Then being a SAHM, I didn't get out and meet new people. I didn't know how... I was always too scared to take that first step. Not anymore...

Then there's the whole take charge of my health and fitness. I have always wanted a quick fix before... hard work, it definitely wasn't for me! Yet here I am exercising daily... counting calories... making better health choices. How can I live my life fully being overweight (obese according to the insurance company!)? I was tired... I couldn't fully participate in my kids lives. I wasn't fully enjoying my life.. I was wasting it. But by taking charge of my fitness goals, I am "getting loud"... I am livin' my life.

I am not the same person I was a year ago. I have changed... I am changing. I am not afraid... although I will admit to being wary. I am willing to try more... do more. I don't automatically sit down and say "I can't."

Next year I will turn 40... if I don't start living my life now... when will I start?

Here's a live in concert video of J-Lo singing my song, in case you don't know it. Take a listen...

My Life Lately...

Things are going very well for me... not perfect but pretty good. So I thought I would update on some of it.

Fit and Healthy...
I am really focused on getting myself healthier. Yes, this means losing weight but it's so much more than that. In fact, the scale is moving rather slowly right now although from 5/1 to 5/31 I dropped 4 pounds... not bad. And I lost 4.5 inches that month... well, actually more because I didn't exercise very much at the beginning of the month and acutally increased in my waist but then lost it again. The biggest losses came in my bust and my thighs - woo hoo! Most of you know that I am really involved with Sparkpeople and I have been busy trying to read the articles and just learn from others what works and what doesn't. There are some fanatics on there however, but that is not me. I enjoy food way too much... I am not ready to become a vegitarian nor do all my shopping at Whole Foods. And there is no way I am giving up my Starbucks visits! But I am trying to make cut backs where I can. I use low fat or no fat wherever I can... my milk is skim, my cottage cheese is 1%. I switched to Splenda for sweetening my teas, grapefruits, etc. I use sugar-free wherever I can... my latest SF purchase was syrup for my nutri-grain waffles... K1 asked if sugar free syrup was even possible. But honestly... it's not that bad. So I am still traveling this road...fighting all the time to succeed at it. J comments on my body changes all the time.... how my tummy is becoming less (used to be right out there under the bust, not anymore. The kids comment on it ("Mom, I think you did your stair workout long enough." - this was at the 40 minute mark.) I can feel the difference in my clothes. So I know the changes are happening... I just need to learn to be patient and not give up if the scale stops moving. I am learning that there is more to focus on than just weight.

The New Job...
The job is going well. I am slowly picking up more knowledge on the health insurance business but there is so much to learn. Somedays I feel rather stupid. "Didn't she just tell me that?" However, Cheryl who sits next to me and is lucky enough to answer most of my questions, is really wonderful and patient. I don't know if I would be if the roles were reversed. I really need to learn to trust myself more. But all my life I have hated dealing with our health insurance and have always left it to J... now the jokes on me, as I have to learn it all anyway. But I will say this... damn... you smokers out there... I thought smoking was expensive just with the purchase of cigarettes... now when I work up quotes for smokers vs non-smokers... whoo-ee, I think I would quit just to save the money. Ouch! I never knew that the difference in insurance was that much.

Also with the new job comes the use of the fitness room in our lower level. Technically, I do not get a lunch but I have been going in 1/2 hour earlier in order to take a lunch with some of the ladies from the office. For the most part I do the stationary bike for 15-20 minutes and once in awhile I will jump on the elliptical. But it feels good to get some physical activity during the day. That was one of my worries with switching from a very physical job to a desk job but if I keep going down to the health room, I shouldn't have any problem.

The Kids...
School is almost done for the year... June 12th. I can't wait... thinking that it has to be better than what it's like right now. But then there's that problem of thinking the grass is always greener. Right now, however, I am getting up at 5:15 to get K2 up and going, then K1 gets up at 5:45. They leave at 6:40 and then K3 gets up. I have been trying to do exercises during that time but I swear... my oldest two need more help in the a.m. than the youngest one. K1 is the worst... he has things in the a.m. that he HAS to do (shower, brush teeth and acne control). He will not leave the house unless those 3 things are done. IF that means skipping breakfast or not making a lunch, so be it... he doesn't care. I can't stand seeing him go to school with no breakfast so I usually end up making him something (usually a smoothie or oatmeal). K2 isn't quite as bad but there are certain things for breakfast that she doesn't like making and will usually call on me to help. The littlest, K3, completely gets her clothes out, showers, makes her lunch and usually her own breakfast. I try to help her where I can, usually because I feel so damn guilty. But this is also the time when I get the most exercise in... because there are less interruptions.

Although, one day last week, I was driving K3 to school (I had to be at work earlier) and she said to me, "I am really glad you took this job." I was a little surprised because I didn't think that much had changed for her... she is still doing most of her prep work on her own. But she said that I was awake now in the morning, I never slept on the couch and I was happier in the a.m. too. It made me feel great that she was happy with all of this.

Anyway, I am hoping that with school done next week that the kids will sleep in and let me have my peaceful mornings. I still plan to wake up earlier (just not 5a.m. early) and try to get my exercise in. The kids don't know it yet but they will have a list of jobs to do during the week while I am at work. That's going to go over well... *snickers* But right now, I am exhausted by 10 p.m. and usually in bed not much later. We will see if that changes once school is done.

Reading...
Yes, I know I haven't done a Reading Update for April nor May. I did read in April... maybe I will post the titles. But honestly, in May I barely read. I had two books going, The Sunday List of Dreams (which was actually not bad still haven't finished it) but I kept losing it (one time for 2 weeks!) and The Grapes of Wrath. I picked Grapes because it was a recommendation from a Classics Book Club that I joined at SP. I have not read many (ANY?) classic books and thought this would give me an opportunity to try some. However, that one was just not working for me. I am not sure though if it was the book itself or if I was just so tired by the end of the day that I couldn't concentrate on the deep topic. I finally gave up on it last week. I missed reading! I had to find some books that I could just read for enjoyment. I have two going right now... a YA book called A Certain Slant of Light... a ghost story. And Dates from Hell, an anthology of paranormal romance stories. The last is definitely a mindless, easy, fun read. It moves fast and is perfect for my bedtime reading. The other one I am sticking to during the day when I am more awake (and quite honestly when thinking about ghosts won't freak the hell outta me!).

My Family...
I received a call on my answering machine form my sister telling me how much my phone call meant to my mom ("Who is this?" - Remember that one?). I told her I doubted it and told her about the phone call. She didn't know that's what my mom had said to me. So what my mom is saying to me and telling my sister... who knows... I will try to call my mom once a month. But that's about the best I can promise... I just find it hard dealing with her negativity.

But on a positve note... I have my sister back in my life. Well, not physically anyway seeing as how she now lives in NC. BUT we have talked on the phone 3X since Mother's Day ... and I think that might be 3X more than we talked all last year. She sounds good... she sounds stronger than I have heard her sound in maybe a decade. She isn't preachy to me but suggests or encourages. Not sure if she is still sure that she is right about everything when it comes to her health, we haven't broached that subject. BUT it feels so good to talk to her now... I am hoping that this is something that will continue.

So that's about it... my life lately. I wil try to do better about posting. It just seems like there is never enough hours in the day!

What the HECK happened???

When did it get to be June???? I can't believe my last blog was May 20... I haven't even logged into this place in awhile! Okay... need to do some more... lots of storiess... lots to say... just no time... I will be back... promise... really...