Come on Irene...

Irene was in the area but nothing came of it for us anyway.  I put the Hurricane ready kit in the garage for the next time storms are in the area. We went swimming and watched the clouds circle around the pool.  I was hoping for it to blow away all the crabbiness in the house away.  But no.  The girls lost their pool rights for the week which sucks not only for them but for me.  I like to chill with them at the pool for an hour after school a couple of times a week.  It tires them out and they sleep better.

We have been doing better this week so far.  Hopefully that continues. Les has training with Ms. Sarah today.  She has been working really hard.  I am proud of her.

'Til the next adventure...

Phase 2...

So I have been struggling more than normal about eating right and working out. So, I called in my reinforcements. Drill Sargent Sarah. Tomorrow starts "Phase 2".  I have not been gaining weight by any means I have just been staying the same and I don't want to stay the same.

My weight has always been an issue with me and I go through phases.  Since I moved to Georgia, I have been more honest with myself then ever.  I think that it came from the last flight on the last leg of all my travel adventures in 2010 when I was siting next to Little Bug and I could not get my seat belt buckled.  I was so embarrassed and Little Bug was trying everything to help me out. She wanted me to be safe and that plane was not going to take off with her mom not wearing a seat belt. So I had to ask for an extension. It took everything in me and I was so super, super embarrassed.  Little Bug relaxed because her mom was safe.  I on the other hand was crying inside trying to look so brave on the outside. 

So, I thought and thought about what I needed to do and I made a pledge to myself, no more seat belt extensions. But I have to be honest with myself always.  In January of 2010, I weighed 283.  The sad part is that was down from the heaviest that I had been and could still fit in my size 24 and most of my size 22 clothes. 

Getting ready to go scuba diving in Jamaica.  I almost did not go because I was scared that they would not have a belt that would fit me.  Good thing for my Garrett, he said that we were going to go and to suck it up.  It was my very favorite part of the vacation. Well that and seeing my little bro tie the knot.

So, when we got to Georgia, we joined the YMCA and I started working out.  It sucked.  I hated it.  Every moment but I just keep seeing Little Bugs worried face of me not buckling up. So I endured.  After a month, I had lost about 5 lbs.  but was busting my ass to do so.  I went to the doctor to get my yearly check up and had a bit of a break down in the doctor's office and we put together a plan.

I started a food journal and kept going to the Y.  I have made most of my friends from the Y and I am glad to be a part of it.  I drop the kids off at school and head into the Y for my workouts.  I even worked out over the summer just not as hard.  The girls and I swam even on vacation, did yoga and had a hard time sitting still.  I did not lose very much weight but I was able to meet some goals, I did an open water swim practice of 2000 meters, swam in a swim meet and am flexible enough to paint my toes again.

 Just finished my practice swim at the lake.



The lake in Pooler, GA where we practiced for the open water swim. 

It was beautiful but it ate the enamel off of your teeth.  That's what it felt like anyway.

So, it is time for phase 2.  I need to step back up and keep better track of what I am doing.  However, I am very proud of what I have done so far.  I am at 253 lbs as of yesterday morning and all my size 22 clothes are too big.  I had to go buy some new shorts awhile back and am in a very comfortable size 20 and even a few size 18.



Getting ready to go to the pool.  I sometimes need a check to make sure that I am making progress. 

Not sucking it in either.

I had to fill out some paperwork for Sarah about what I really wanted to accomplish and so I figured that I should share some of my goals with you... don't laugh, some are a bit silly...

1. I would like to be able to genuflect at church without having to hold on to the pew for balance and to get back up.
2. I would like to run/ walk a 5K with an focus on running.  I was going to try to do it on Sept. 10 for my friends at the Zoo but... I won't be ready to run it by then just walk, Little Bug has an away soccer game that day, and there is not a race that I know of around here for that day.  I did pick the race I want to do... it is Purple Stride on Nov. 12 at Tybee Island.  It is on the beach at low tide and for Pancreatic Cancer research.  Since Garrett's grandma died of this I think it is a really good fit.
3. I would like to be able to get out of the pool without using a ladder. 
4. I would like to lose an additional 50 lbs.
5. I would like to fit into my black polka dot skirt! Size 16 by Christmas...





So there you have it...

'Til the next adventure...

Pray for me tomorrow that I survive...

 

What Have We Done?

I was getting super frustrated and crabby today because I could not get my pictures off of my cell phone.  I tried a month ago and got frustrated after an hour and then quit. So after we went to a friend's birthday party, we went by Verizon to see if they could help.  Next thing you know we have purchased a phone for Bug.

I did finally get all my pictures off of my phone and found many that I had no idea were there.  This is what I found...

All pictures that were taken by Bug when she was bored and sent to friends or family. Something fun for you all to look forward too. I know I am... (Where is that sarcastic font when you need it)

'Til the next adventure...

We Made It...

We just finished our first full week of school with soccer practice in Savannah.  However, it was a little bittersweet. Little Bug was tardie today. We were all so tired this morning and Little Bug would not get up.  So naturally consequences, we were 5 minutes late to school but we were dressed, clean and feed. Today, I was taking what I could get.

Little Bug loves her new teacher Mrs. Blake and has been doing very well on homework and behavior so far this year.  We even got a 5 on our coconut. (Don't really get what that means besides behavior is rated daily on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best.)  After long discussions and many tears, we are even riding the bus home from school with Ms. Glenda. You see I was being selfish and did not want to sit outside in the hot sun for 30 minutes parked on a highway waiting for her to come out.  After the first day of bus riding everything worked out and now we love it.

First day of 3rd grade.  No we did not need a sweater as it was already

85 degrees out at 7 a.m. but it was new and we "needed" to wear it. 

Bug's first week went pretty well also.  We got the inhaler permission slip in the nurses office for use before PE this year.  Bug was put in the Sopranos for Choir this year and is totally nervous about tring to reach the notes.  We will get it down.  I have no doughts.

And she even made a new "Buddy" who is in ALL her classes and rides the bus home, too.  Oh! Thank goodness for Autumn.  The way Bug describes her is kind of like Earnest from the movies.  I can't wait to see what kind of impressions come from this "Buddy".

Bug ready for the first day of 7th grade.  She is supper stoked about getting to dissect a frog and many other fun things in Science this year and she even has a "Cool" Social Studies teacher. 

I can't wait for the stories. 

Super Girl poses for the next year of school!

'Til the next adventure...

41 Years?

Could my parents really have been married for 41 year?  I guess so.  When I was little I remember all the crazy stories of them growing up, dating and their time at KU. Hippie House or not.  How hard it was when they started out trying to finish school, get through basic training and starting a family. Then I look at where they are now with 4 kids, 2 son-in-laws, 1 daughter-in-law (thank God because I don't know who could put up with my brother) and 8 beautiful grandchildren.

My mom told me something that I find to be really true.  "Days are long but years are short". Sometimes I can't wait for the day to be over and the Bugs and Garrett to be tucked safely in bed and I have my quite time to do things like blog or wrap presents, whatever. Then days go by and I catch pictures of my Bugs when they were little and I wonder where did the time go? 

I have always admired my parents and their ability to love, to give and to communicate with each other.  I know that things for them have changed as they have grown from this...

Nana & Papa at around 20 or 21.  Who knows but I have always loved this picture.  My dad's glasses rock and Mom's hair is awesome.  I have a picture of Garrett and I around the same age and I wonder if the Bugs will like it as much as I like this one.  

To this...

I guess that sometimes you just have to "get the umbrella" for your spouse to help make the marriage work.  I look up to my parents and I hope that if I follow my moms advise of "Pick your battles" that Garrett and I will have as many years of a happy marriage. 

Happy 41st Anniversary and we wish you many more to come.  Just don't fall asleep in the parking lot and miss your movie.

'Til the next adventure...



Everyone Needs a Laugh...

Bug  has the ability to listen to different people, take note in her head and impersonate them at a later date.  She can get going and make us all laugh so hard that some of us even pass out or pee our pants.  I'm not naming names because I don't want to admit what I have done. 

Since we have moved down south, Bug has had a bit more material than in the past.  See I know this might come as a shock to most of you but Savannah has a bit more ethnicity than all of Kansas put together.  Here is a little taste of what we have done to send summer out on a good note since school starts in the morning.

But first you need to check out our friend.... Bon Que Que.  And below is Bug and the rest of the gang.  I have not really figured out how to edit so bare with me... and thank Garrett for the great filming job since he was to chicken to be in the film.

After watching my backside for a bit I am glad that I will start Phase 2 in the morning.  Back at the gym in the morning and a little piece and sweat.

'Til the next adventure...

Bug as Bon Que Que at OneTrueMedia.com

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com