Blast from the Past!

It's a snow day... I sat down at the computer {the one I don't use often} and started looking at pictures.  I came across these and I just sat in amazement.  This was the first time I let the boys go down a BIG ride by themselves... the were 8 and 6 {respectively}.  Look at how little they look.  They loved it... I remember this day vividly... the entire time thinking and wondering if I'd done the right thing.  I stood in line with them until I had to let them be on their own and then I headed to the viewing area.  Listening to them scream all the way down the drop was scary... the smiles and joy on their faces... PRICELESS!

Week 1 -- FAIL

So much for my daily list... but I'm not giving up... I'm determined to make it happen.  Now if everyone would give me some time to implement my new system all would be grand.  HA!  With family, work and Bike First! commitments I was lucky this week to hang on for the ride.  I've "rejected" 3 teaching assignments for today in order to spend some time on my home duties (should the Christmas tree come down yet?)

Here's to another week of TRYING!

It's the first week of January... have you heard?

The first week of January always brings about change... get organized, lose weight, etc. And it's no different around here.  Some major changes need to happen.  Our life is full, and we love it like that, but we are at a point with the ages of our kids to help teach more responsibility.  If we can get organized together, it will help them in so many areas of their lives as they grow (physically, mentally and emotionally).  Normally, I'm a pretty organized person, yet, lately my house/garage seems to prove otherwise... yikes!

I'm aiming to do a project a day... I found a great site with a free printable that is keeping me focused (for the moment). I'd love to share it with you, but I can't find it... even with pinterest, I can't find it.  This is what I'm talking about... organization.  I think it's saved on my other computer... frustrating!

This week's organization help:
Sunday:: Think about who you want to be this year
Monday:: Set up a donation station
Tuesday:: Declutter the top of your cabinets and dust
Wednesday:: Declutter the top shelf of one of your cabinets
Thursday:: Go through your spices to discard expired and old ones
Friday:: Put all your cans together on a shelf
Saturday:: Go through your freezer to let go of old, freezer burned food

Simple and focused... just what I need.

So along with organizing this blog may become all about weight loss... it's that time of year to!

I found a blog I'm really enjoying and exploring daily... I can't do it all at once, but I'm incorporating ideas daily.  I want my kids to understand the importance of food and how it makes them feel and move.  I didn't ever learn this and I've paid for it.  Most of 2011 I felt yucky (for a very technical term)... I've realized that I'm the only one that can help myself so I'm starting in the food department.... one day at a time...  I also love visiting this blog for inspiration.

Simple & focused... I think I just found my 2012 motto!

My Night

I snore... or so I'm told.

Over the last 6 months I've become increasingly tired (and I'm always tired, so this is bad).  I'm not rested.  My poor husband complained quietly and now loudly.  It was time to do something.

Last night I headed in to the doctor's office for a sleep study.  Kind of crazy to show up at the doctor's office at 8:30 at night! 

I was led to the "Spirit Lake" room where I was met with a cozy bed, pillows and tv.  Lying across the bed were a MASS of wires.  It took about 30 minutes for the technician, Natassia, to hook me up.  She then told me to sleep normally... yay, right... with all of these wires. 

Surprisingly enough, I fell asleep quickly... I was tired, had dealt with a headache all day, hosted a party the night before and run like a crazy person all day.

Imagine that this is me!  I wanted to take a photo of myself, but I chickened out!

Are you ready?

There comes a time... often for me... when I get discouraged.

Right now I don't feel healthy.  I'm doing some things to help myself {and my family}, but it can be a slow process, especially this time of year.

I found this blog {it is now in my blog roll} which has re-inspired me.  It just makes sense!

97. health... my cousin just had brain surgery... she's doing great, but something like that really makes you think about your life.
96. my growing children, particularly this new pre-teen phase... woah!
95. my ability to be independent and get things accomplished
94. my dependence... I can't quite do it all
93.  our puppy... she is just too cute and fun

92.  my big dog... you can't beat a gigantic snuggler

Living in the moment...

I've realized that I need to better about living in the moment and enjoying each moment as it happens.

For example... Fall is my favorite season and.it's.gone.

How did I celebrate it? (Besides celebrating Thanksgiving.)

Did I embrace the beautiful changing colors of the leaves?

Did I enjoy the texture, the chill, the sun breaks, the crinkling leaves?

The big answer is... no.

So, now that Winter is almost upon us and Christmas is rapidly approaching I'm realizing that I'm not living the experience. 

Living Today... my countdown...
100. I stood back to admire our Christmas tree.
99.  I watched proudly (and cramped) as my son sang in his Winter concert (and cracked his knuckles the entire time).
98.  The warmth of the pellet stove.

A day of snuggling

It has been a long few weeks... transitioning to working a lot more and looking at working even more. Yesterday was filled with snuggles, movies, jammies, puppy love, etc.  It was just what the family needed.