Wow! December already?! What the...?!

20 days to Christmas.
Yes, you hear me right.
TWENTY DAYS.
Are you done shopping? Because I am NOT. This year has been different for us in so many ways.
And getting back on track has been a challenge all on its own.
Changes are good they say, well some changes just plan suck.

So, in the holiday spirit, I am trying to lose 15 pounds by Christmas. I am watching the calorie intake and trying to get in as much calorie burning time as possible. Where am I in my goal so far... well, I have only 15 more pounds to lose! LOL!! Yeah, it isnt looking to good. HOWEVER, my FAVORITE JEANS finally got a hole worn into them, and not in a good place. So, do I spend money on another pair or do I work harder on the weight so I can ACTUALLY wear the huge tot of jeans and pants I have in the basement? I am going for weight lose.
PLUS- In 6 months and 22 days, I turn 30. So, I WANT TO LOSE THE WEIGHT!!
The goal is 50 lbs by that day.

Also on my goals list... A full marathon BEFORE my 30th birthday.

On the family front,
BigGirl is playing basketball now. It is so fun to see you learn, and yet so hard to not want to jump in a teach her when she makes a mistake. (But I dont. Good mommy, keep your big butt on that bleacher during practice)

LittleMan is still struggling with potty training, and is needing to get a bigger bed (those tall genes he gets from his daddy are annoying sometimes, will when money is concerned.)

We have the tree up, but we dont have the swingset up yet. My poor kiddos.

The Hubby is still working the job he started in August, he is just trying to make it through this first year, which is learning EVERYTHING. We are keeping our fingers crossed for that bonus this winter.

Me, well, I am on the verge of a NEW path very soon. More to come when it is confirmed. :)

Until then, I am still here, I am not dead. I have goals that I am determined to meet. And I am thinking about actually having a birthday party this year. THEMED AND ALL. More on that as it progresses too

ON A SIDE NOTE---
My great friend, Gunn, ran her FIRST HALF MARATHON THIS WEEKEND!!!
Las Vegas Rock and Roll!!
3:12:13
YEAH BABY!!! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK SEXY LADY!!!

Melting Icicles

Yesterday- I complained.
I spoke to Lemons and Apples.

Today- I am going to watch the Icicles Melt.
Yep- Large, dripping Icicles.

I had a couple suggestions yesterday for my Lemons.

#1- Chuck the Lemons back at someone.

I must say, this is my favorite. Just chuck them back! Demand they be returned! Refuse to be bearied in the pile!

Chuck the Lemons. (Thank you Cnyther)

#2- List my Graditudes.

ok- I can do that. So while the Icicles melt- let me reflect on the positives....

We will call this the "Apples"

APPLES:

-The Hubby is in his last semester of school and has yet again received the VP Honor Roll!
-BigGirl is an over achiever in Kindergarten and is only half way through it. (she asks me every few days when she can move to First Grade)
-LittleMan is finally over the worst of all the illness and has a plain old cold currently. But he's HAPPY!
-She have helped out a good friend this past 3 weeks by keeping his huskie. (thought is the apple-situation has become a big lemon)
-I may not be the happiest in my current work, but at least I DO HAVE A JOB.
-I have great folks that are always there to help anyway they can. (emotionally, or whatever way)
-My oldest brother has moved back to the area to find a "new" start. And I keep finding out in new ways, just how much he respects and looks up to ME, the little sister.
-My father-n-law #2 (if confused by this, just ask me, a little story) is doing small improvements lately and I have volunteered my time no less than 1 saturday a month to keep him company.
-I have found ways to laugh at the small things again. (Like when LittleMan decided to cover the kitchen floor in 2 dozen fresh eggs while daddy was moving snow, sissy was in next room watching TV and I was at work-- sadly daddy forgot to take a picture until halfway thru clean up.)
-The 1 night a week that I get to watch 3 hours of (semi-non- interupted) Television with my hubby.
-How the hubby and I have gotten better at talking about everything... still a work in progress, but wont it always be
-how even though I dont enjoy my job, I DO enjoy my co-worker and how we talk about ANYTHING and laugh a lot most days.
-I have WONDERFUL BFF's, Rach who just moved from 3.5 hours away to 30 mins away!! And Gunn who has always lived a few blocks away, but she is almost ALWAYS available to trips to shop, eat, a drink or a movie.
-I have a AMAZING hubby who is always supportive with knowing I need my outtings with Gunn or my day with the Father in law.
-I have a hilarious and supportive Sis in law that I believe God wanted me to be connected to for life.

So I guess there is a lot of Apples in my basket. Sometimes it just takes someone special/important in your life to remind you to look for those. (Thanks Shana) So, for today, while I watch the Icicles melt out my window at work, I will think about the Apples. And just how blessed I am to have those.

Halstead Old Settlers Run

So I brought Liz to the Old Settlers run on that Saturday morning. Well, that crazy gal medaled-getting second in our age group. And I got 4th!

(Nevermind that I think that was last in our age group. LOL!!)