The Waiting Game

I'm an early riser. Crack of dawn, up before the birds type of person. To tell the truth I enjoy getting up early. I can get a lot done (doesn't mean that I do) before 9:00am. Just like the marines! Ha. I get the coffee going, turn on the computer and see if the paper boy/girl/man/woman has left my paper in my front door. I then sit down with coffee in my favorite cup and read the paper. Front to back. I then will check my e-mail, facebook and surf the New York Times on line (I hear that the NYT is going to start charging for their on-line version - boo).

The problem is waiting for the rest of my family to wake up. I'm hungry and need to eat breakfast now! Not 3 or 4 hours later - that's lunch to me.

They are all night owls - staying up to watch late night TV or put a movie on at 10:30. I'm passed out on the couch by then. If I want to have Sunday Breakfast with the family I eat something light and wait and wait and wait till they all get up so we can all gather around the table. It's the little connections as a family that I cherish. To soon they are all on their separate ways.

Right now I'm waiting for hubby to wake up. We need to do some running around before I go to the Chiropractor's office. I've been up for three hours just waiting. I should be exercising or laundry or something but I'm not. Just chillin out this fine Friday morning when I don't have to go in to work. Sometimes that's what we need some down time. Stop and smell the roses and all that. Recharge and renew get your mind ready for the day.

He's up and we'll be off and running today...

Deep Cleaning

I don't know why but I have the urge to clean and get rid of some of my excess around the house. When I get in this mood I go with it. So far I've cleaned, organized and shed stuff from two of the bedrooms. Threw away magazines from 2006 and started a Goodwill box. I'm the creative type. I was a girl scout leader and mom to young kids for so long that I can see multiple possibilities in junk. I need to get rid of these things. I like to pretend that my husband and I are moving to a chic downtown condo. All this stuff that we've collected over 37 years isn't going to fit. I do like the look of an uncluttered house. It makes my mind serene and we all need that.

I haven't been writing down what I've been eating this week and that leads to me overeating. Hopefully I'm back on track. I'm trying out drinking a Vinegar Tea at night. I use to do that regularly but quit for some reason. Oh I know - it TASTES and SMELLS like vinegar!! It's supposed to be good for you and my grandmother actually used this and she lived to 92. So we'll see.

It was warmish and sunny today so I took the outside lights and decorations down. Seems a little sad now that the holidays are over and the kids are back to their lives.

If you haven't seen Avatar go see it. I would highly recommend seeing it in 3D. Totally awesome. As Jeri, my friend, said, "It's a visual fest for the eyes." I agree.

Jello Shots

I'm not from Wisconsin so I don't bleed green and gold every football season. I don't have fond memories of the Ice Bowl and St. Vince. However, the Packers made it to the play-offs with a chance of going all the way to the Super Bowl. I decided to have a Packer Party complete with green and yellow jello shots to be taken after every touchdown. The first quarter so really disappointing the Pack was behind. They caught up, tied the game and went into overtime. We all were cheering them on. It didn't last because the Packers BLEW it!!! No party next week, no hope of Super Bowl. Packers - you done me wrong.

On to another topic. The week in review. I've lost 4 pounds since I started my live-it (not diet because as Richard Simmons says "Never diet because it has the word die in it. You want to live instead." Words to live by I think. I made it to the gym four days. I thought I would get to go yesterday but I had to run to the store and get cheese and beer for the Packer Party. Two items that one must have for a successful party in Wisconsin.

Dream Girls

A winter storm headed our way last night. My work friends and I braved the forecast and went to see Dream Girls. The cast was fantastic. I am pretty talented and can do a lot of things but I can't sing. How I wish I could belt out some of the numbers! I guess that is one reason I enjoy going to musicals. The worst of the weather happen while we were at the show so the drive home was slow going.

The fact is I like snow, I just don't like really cold weather. I miss having the kids at home and taking them sledding, building snowmen, ice skating and coming home and making hot chocolate.

The younger two are on their way to see their niece in Colorado. Both older sisters are there so it should be fun with all the aunties cooing over baby Jam. I've already received a text saying that they are in love with her. Of course it isn't hard to do since she is the cutest baby ever!!

I didn't exercise tonight but feel torn that I didn't. The couch won. I'm determined to over come this inertia tomorrow.

Still on

There is some kind of research that tells how long one most do something for it to become a habit. I've been on lots of diet and exercise kicks. They have lasted for longer than the research says and for some reason they never have become a life long habit. I know that one isn't suppose to have the mind set of dieting - and that I need to make healthy eating my new way of eating but that piece of fudge I had today was really, really good.

So that's what I'm trying for instead. I won't deprive myself. Instead I will eat in moderation. I stopped at one small piece of fudge and savored it. For now that's enough.

I pulled out my very old Abs of Steel VHS tape. Had a good laugh at the workout costumes and hair styles and then killed my stomach muscles. I'll be sore tomorrow.

Back to Work

Today I went back to work after our winter break. It's surprising that one can get use to not working so quickly. However, I'm not ready to retire even though hubby will do so later this year.

It's crazy time at work. The students have their mock boards. As always there is the last minute frenzy to find patients and get their radiographs taken. The radiograghs are all digital so we're busy printing the images off.

Fifth day and I'm still on track with the diet and exercising. I did need to force myself to go to the gym and might not have if my darling daughter hadn't hogged the couch and blanket. She looked so cozy all snuggled in there.

It's late and I'm hungry. I wanted to eat about 5 or six cookies but ate 2 mints instead. Not full but the craving has passed.

Jane Fonda - that bitch!

Can a 57 year old woman really get back in shape? That is what was pondering while doing an old Jane Fonda's VHS tape this morning. Jane and I go way back. I've always had a love/hate relationship with her. Love the way I look after I've committed to her for several months but hate doing those darn doggie leg lifts and those $#% donkey kicks (I'm not sure if one can swear on blogs).

I don't dream of having my pre-baby body back - just a more firmer one. I'm sick of arms that wave back, rolls around my abdomen and thighs that jiggle. Is it just a dream or can it really happen? Stay tuned for updates in the coming months. I read somewhere that it takes a month of exercising for each week that you have been inactive. It's going to be a loooong year folks.

Wii Fun

No gym today. My daughter is home from college and we exercised with the Wii. Fun. I don't want to put in my Wii me because I weigh more than last time. My Wii me will get fatter and that will make me feel bad.

It was a 7 cookie day today. I forgot that I put some cookies in the freezer for when the youngest came home. I wanted to make sure her dad and I didn't eat them all before she got home. Any how I just had one, then another. I had a late lunch so I skipped supper. I know that is rationalizing but I'm not going to beat myself up. Tomorrow is another day.

Day Two

Well, I'm sore. Those abs and glutes got a workout yesterday. I plan on going easier today. I did ok on my eating plan. I'm using weight watchers points and went over by two. Not bad for the first day. Writing everything down has always helped me stay on track. I tend to be a grazer throughout the day and often eat way more than I'm aware of.

My plan is to go to work this morning and then workout this afternoon before going to see the new Meryl Streep movie with a friend.

I have a part-time job doing wedding set ups. It's fun and gets me a little extra that I put away for my trips to see my daughters or my vacation fund. My "real" job is teaching radiology at the dental school so I'm off during the winter break. The dental school has two weeks off for winter break, one week off for spring break and two weeks off for summer break. I'm not complaining. I love the time off that most of my friends who are working moms don't get.

New Years Resolutions

Every year I make the same two resolutions - to eat less and exercise more. This year I've decided to blog my progress about keeping my resolutions. Along the way I'll talk about other things I want to share out there in cyber-space.

I've just got back from the gym and I'm really out of shape. Puff -puff. I looked at my card and I didn't go at all to the gym in December! I'm sure I had some good excuses for not doing so.

Some facts about me. I'm 57. Yikes! How did I get to be this old? I have four beautiful daughters. One who is married and now has my first grandchild. She is only four months old and a real joy. The only problem is that they live in Boulder and my husband (we've been married for 36 years) and I live in Wisconsin. Another daughter lives in Seattle and the younger two live close by for now.

I've also made a few other resolutions - to study Spanish and to downsize/declutter/organize my house. We'll see how I do in the upcoming days/weeks/months.