End of November

HELLO ALL!!
WOW! Time has gotten away from me these past few months.

I completed my first ever MARATHON in October. It was going really well until mile 22. Yeah, I was GOING to finish around 5:30:00, however, my calves decided that they would rather lock up so tight that it sent me screaming to the ground. Luckily, my sis-n-law had joined me at mile 17 to keep me company until mile 24. So, short ending, 6:29:23. And I now have to do another one to redeem myself. Ugh! Why is this sport so addicting?!

Big Girl has been back swimming for a couple months. She loves it! She is just darn cute!!

Littleman has been busy at preschool and cuddling with mommy (or driving me nuts). He even got himself a new haircut from the salon for men. He got to watch cartoons during the cut. LOL!

The Hubby and I have enjoyed a few K-State Football games this year. Wish we could afford to go to the Bowl Game.

And we have filled our freezer with half a cow for the year. LOL!! For a family that loves their veggies, I will have my hands full coming up with new dishes to make.

 The kids both decorated the tree this year, and they did great! I only had to move a handful of ornaments this year. It made it a lot faster!

Happy Holidays to all!!

SEPTEMBER

Yes, I am still working on the weight and marathon training. Still sitting at 23 pounds lost and many miles run. Moving on....

I know if has been a while, and since I have just been busy, tired, busy, exhausted, busy.... you get the idea. Here is a fast slide-show of the past month, in no particular order.....

LittleMan has been trying to hold out for preschool to start...

Made from scratch bread has been checked off my bucket list... so yummy!

LittleMan and I have had a few mornings at the local coffee shop.

The kids finally got to see a calf being born, total surprise btw- we were just out feeding the cattle and tada!

College Football season has started and we took our new neighbors to their first game (and bought their first KSU gear)

I have been keeping this quote close by on a regular basis, and The Hubby assures me that if i can't walk it anymore, he will carry me. Ohhhh.

We made a fast trip to Dallas to see B-I-L and stopped to see the MonsterTruck First. (btw, had to wake littleman up for it too)

I found a new use for the bondibands that never stay on during a run, the ANTI-rubbage band for under my ipod arm strap.

Santa stopped by the coffee shop on his summer vacation (isnt this pic awesome, my camera caught his magic i guess!)

And I made my first costume, THOR, from scratch (without a pattern!) I made 2 for a friend of ours littledude too.

 

 

 

Day 87 & 48

Things have been crazy as usual. Weight lose is still going well. I have come to a complete understanding that it takes time.
Weight: 187 lbs. (minus 23 pounds)
S2F plan is up to the 12 mile long run this past Saturday. It was AWFUL! It was so humid that I was not the only morning runner that found themselves walking more than not.

Here is a fast breakdown:
Plan: 12 miles
Non-plan: horrid humidity at 530am. REALLY?! I got up at the butt crack BEFORE dawn and I could drown in this air!
Outcome:
Mile 0.1-3 fight with drifit shirt.
Mile 3.1 strip shirt-becomes sweat towel.
Mile 4-refill water and take a Gu
Mile 5-9 completely off pace and really not pretty.
Mile 9- refill water
Mile 9.5 getting blustery on back of one ankle (new for me)
Mile 10 stop at SIL house for bandaides
Mile 11 try to keep moving
Mile 11.2 inner thigh rubbing (seriously?! I totally glided up!)
Mile 11.5-12 a lot of walking
Results 12 miles in 2hrs 45mins. Omg! My average half marathon is 2:40. SO HUMID!

Kids:
This mommy is SO counting the days (10 days) until my oldest is back in school from 8am-3pm daily. And then the youngest will be in preschool twice a week in the afternoons. Oh, the time I will have to complete tasks again.

Life:
I was not renewed my Assistant Coaching Contract the local Private College. They needed to hire a Pitching Specialty Coach and needed my salary to do it. So, for a couple weeks, I was a coach without a team. However, I then became the HEAD COACH for my High School Alma mater! I am excited for this change again. I will have more time at home again, and my Fall and Spring weekends back. Sometimes change is good.
The Hubby is still looking for good work, and since that hasn't happened for him yet. I will be sacrificing my Wonderful Tahoe for a 4 door car in a few weeks. (That is the plan anyway) I will miss my favorite Tahoe, but the bank account will like the Car better. So, more to come on that later.

Finding Myself Again:
I have decided that I will take new pictures when I hit 185lbs. And sit it side by side with the Day 1 pictures. So, stay tuned for that too..............

Day 76 & 37

Good Morning and Hello Again!

Wow- it has been 15 days since I last posted. Guess I have been a little busy.
Sorry.

Let me see, a little recap...

BigGirl is on break from Swim Club until beginning of September.

BigGirl is the 5th from right front row- the head-leaning sweetie.

LittleMan has had a summer haircut. His first ever. I love his surfer wavy hair, but he was just so hot, so this mommy got out the clips and away we went. It looks very nice, but he looks so grown up.

My littleman becoming a man.

They also enjoyed a hot morning parade over independence day. Lots of tootsie rolls for those two.

Then we had some movie time,

Some costume dress up time,

Some painting of bird houses,

   LittleMan had his first trip to Build-A-Bear,

And Superman Invaded the house.

I have been dealing with the house falling apart. It seems everything happens at once.
I have also found myself a softball coach without a team. Hopes are that will be changing very soon. All prayers welcome.
The Hubby is still dealing with his highschool pay job while applying to everything else in site. Still no luck. Prayers welcome here as well.
The pool has sprung a huge leak, so the pool is no more in our backyard. :(
BigGirl has helped me clean out the front closet, and I have been trying to sell/give away some items that are no longer needed. It feels good to move things out.
We have been to the Salt City Water Park a handful of times and we still don't get significant amounts.
It is 105 degrees regularly, and while we have been watching Wheel of Fortune lately, they are in Oregon, and I find myself dreaming of living there. 

So, on to the things you all really checked my blog for. LOL!

Weight: 189lbs (that is down 21 lbs people!)

S2F Training: I am doing what I can with the temps I have been dealt. Ugh. I did my 8 mile long run this past Saturday in 1 hour 36 minutes. Nice 12 minute/mile pace. Not my fastest, but I will be doing 26.2 miles, so lets be realistic. 12 might be just fine.

I put on a pair of jeans last week, for the FREEZING nursery at church. And I got dressed, looked in the mirror and said to the hubby "hey! I look pretty good!"
Now, my goal was to be in size 10 this fall/winter. BECAUSE I have a tote full of really nice items that we hand me down from my mother. I know, my mom, but hey she lost enough weight that she is like a size 2-4. I am not aiming for that. But size 10 is  GREAT START. Maybe a size 8 some day, but I am happy to get to Size 10. (Currently a Size 14 right now)

I went to my first ZUMBA class last week. It was killer! First, my body doesn't move like that, even though I pretend that it does. LOL! I was dripping sweat after that hour of salsa, aerobic, dance moves. I must say, TRY IT OUT! It is a new experience and a fun way to cross train.

Stay tuned................

Day 61 & 22

Sooooooo,
After I posted yesterday, I started to notice that the house was a little warm. So, I checked the thermostat and watched it for a while. Outcome- broken A/C... again... times 4. SERIOUSLY?!

The facts:
1) when we moved in 4 years and and 2 months ago, we knew the A/C needed to be replaced soon.
2) we have done something too it every year to fix it up
3) the hubby went to school for HVAC and is now able to diagnosis and/or fix at a lower cost
4) after the hubby looked at it last night, he has diagnosed the problem and possible outcome.
5) we are hesitant to "fix" again- since we have put in so much money already
6) now awaiting A/C guy to double check the issue and possibly price new units.

UGH, we do not have the finances for this. But, I guess most people don't usually plan for their A/C units to die.

What I didn't plan for was the hot house last night and today. AWH. Two kids alone with mommy that is stressed out, upset, trying to work and HOT.
Not good, totally not good.

Weight: 191

S2F: slow and steady

Stay tuned and see if this mommy pulls all her hair out this week...............

Day 60 & 22

Weight: 191

Things are busy. To say the least.

36 days until school starts back up for the kiddos. (Momma is getting a little too excited.)

BigGirl ends her summer swim club this week. But, we are now trying to decide if she is going to move on to the Year-round swim team. Decisions Decisions Money.

LittleMan is starting his new part-time preschool next month too. Can't wait to have something for him to do a couple hours a day, twice a week.

The house is falling apart left and right. I have been researching the new items we need, and of course, praying for a new job for the hubby. So we can afford to finish the house.
Here is what is needed to get the house done of the outside:
Front door (steel & top window) - to be painted too
Front Storm door (full glass and half screen, heavy)
House to garage door (solid, steel) and another for garage to backyard.
Three insulated garage doors
One garage door opener
Third garage extension to existing 2 garage
Remaining Rolox Triple Panel Windows & Slider (4 regular, 1 small, 1 bay, 1 slider)
Fix gutters
Strip front half brick
Install Fiber Cement Siding
Build new front Porch
Complete Finish Gate
Build Swingset
Cement slab for A/C
New A/C
4 Escape basement windows

*** And this is just to outside***

for the Inside:
ALL Three Bathrooms redo
Kitchen from scratch
Gut Basement- make 2 bedrooms and open hallway
Redo Basement stairs covering
Then DECORATE! Paint, curtains, bedding etc.

Now, who has the money to donate?! LOL!

S2F~
I am getting back to my usual speed... 11 minute miles. Not fast, but at least it is movement.

Changes... Days 51+

Good Morning Y'all!
Yes, I am still here.
Yes, I am still tracking my food and my exercise.
Yes, Yes, Yes.

But, what is happening is I don't have all the time in the world right now.
So there will be changes.
I will blog, but not daily and with only the morning weigh in.
To be honest, it takes away from my little family to blog throughout the day.
But feel free to comment any questions you may have about food our whatever you like.

Day 54

Weight: 192

S2F Day #15
3 miles

Holiday WEEK,
yeah, since when in Independence DAY a week long celebration. I am already tired of hearing fireworks every night. And we watched a town fireworks show on Saturday night. AKA JUNE 30. What the!?
Seriously, this is crazy weird.

BigGirl is really taking a liking to summer swim club. She wants to stay in it year round... can we say $$$$. We have been talking about it and trying to see if we can figure it out. One of the teenage coaches she has had lately is the tough guy she needs. She didn't want to jump in the pool, so he tossed her in. Needless to say, I laughed, the head coach laughed, she did her swim and she then jumped in the next times around. Tough love for my BigGirl is needed. But in the end, she LOVES it. I told the head coach, that he needs to push and be tough, if she comes home crying we will talk then, otherwise, go for it. And mommy was right, she thrives.
Until next time....