I got a little trip to the ass-kick-atorium by 3 people about my last post: my mom, David, and Cristy. After contemplating their words I'm ready to quit bitchin', accept what God has given me, and move forward. So today I'm going to take my son for a walk around the park, proudly wear my best-fitting inbetween jeans, do my hair, wear a shirt that looks good on my body type, put on some funky jewelry, not eat more than one piece of Halloween candy, and make the best of it. I'm going to keep working toward my goal but also celebrate how far I have come and be grateful. And I'm done comparing. Tell me if you see me doing it. I have great eyes, hair, waistline, boobs, and legs. It's time to start focusing on those things and forgeting about the rest!
And by the way I'm moving my goal of being in the 120's back to March. And if it doesn't happen by March I'm letting it go for good. I've put so much pressure on myself the past few weeks because I stupidly set the deadline at the 1st Birthday mark. So my body takes longer to lose weight than most. Who really cares besides me? It's all becoming too much of a distraction to my true mission right now: to be present and love a little boy that probably likes it more that his mommy has a little chin fat to grab and shake. :) So new plan is 129.5 by my sister-in-law Callie's wedding on March 15th. That would be one year from when I started working out again anyway. And in the big scheme of things---not that bad. Sorry for my obsessive nature about this whole topic. I really am working to move past it and hope for baby #2 I have a much better perspective.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Weight Loss Update
Here's the only picture I've allowed myself to be in as of late. Getting closer...although I'm stuck again at 136.5. So sad. I've thought about doing something extreme before Tommy's Birthday like not eating carbs or fat, but I know I can't maintain that and will feel like crap for the next few weeks. And so I continue my quest to be balanced and reasonable and lose exactly 7 more pounds to be back in the 120's. Funny how it only took me about 2 weeks to put on 7 pounds while I was pregnant, and it will probably take me 4 MONTHS to get it off now. And PS-I'm kind of pissed lately at all of you ladies who gain weight in your legs and arse but not on top. I'd rather have a huge butt than gain all my extra weight in my face, arms, and boobs. If anyone wants to trade just let me know. At least you bottom heavy people can take good pictures even when you are at your worst. Jackasses.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Are You a Blog Slut?
This is a little shout out to my buddy Amy who apparently NEVER posts blog comments. I thought maybe a personal tribute to both Amy and her crush, Ryan Gosling, might force her to move her mouse to the comment link. I also have to admit that I find Ryan Gosling VERY attractive. He looks just like David, don't you think? :) If you, like Amy, are just using me for my musings but never post comments consider yourself a blog slut. Don't deny it. You come to this site, read all the thoughts of my imagination, but don't commit to really help me on my questions and therefore are just using me. I'm not fond of being an indirect pimp.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Question
If you have to pin your son down with both arms and then wrestle him until you are dripping sweat while saying, "You WILL be a lion for tonight's party!" does it ruin the spirit of wearing a costume? Happy Halloween!
Monday, October 08, 2007
Confessions of an Average Woman
I watched a so-so movie called 'Catch and Release' a few weeks back. The storyline and acting were lame, but the music and setting was great. There is also one scene that has stuck with me. Jennifer Garner admits to all the bad things she has done that no one knows about, like stealing library books. I think my confession list would look something like this:
1. Sometimes even when I smell a poopy diaper I pretend like I don't so David will have to change it.
2. I have a secret addiction to buying mid-sized bags. Not purses, but mountain-type day packs.
3. I'm starting to come to terms with the fact that I got the wrong Master's Degree. I should have gone to art school and done creative writing. I am afraid to tell my husband and parents (who helped us pay for the counseling degree) that I look at the Kansas City Art Institute website drooling about once a week.
4. I think I might end up being an Episcopalian even after making fun of my parents and grandparents about their faith being boring for the past 10 years. I confess that I now love the tradition of the Epsicopal Church and David does too.
5. I have little white-head zits all over my arms that I pop before I go to bed.
6. I've lied about my weight on my driver's license in 3 different states: Kansas, Texas, and Colorado.
7. Everytime I bake something I say it is for David but really it is so I can lick the bowl.
8. I'm almost always 10 minutes late to kickboxing with my mom. As I walk in I usually mutter something about Thomas not getting his nap or fighting getting dressed to come, but really I am late because the class is too hard for me and I'm embarassed that my mom is in better shape than I am.
9. In 6th grade I lied and said that I didn't call Adam Carey a "penis wrinkle" on the playground, but I actually did.
10. Also in 6th Grade (bad year) I skimmed a book in the car on the way to school at least 5 times and added it to my reading list so I could beat Katie F. in the "Most Read Books" contest.
11. I've always wanted to smoke pot and even confessed this to David and friend Kari when I was on painkillers one time.
12. Sometimes I wonder if I was/am too young and selfish to have a baby.
13. Sometimes I don't want to have any more babies because I don't want to go through the whole weight-gain/loss thing again.
14. There is a woman in our church that I can't stand. She bugs the hell out of me. I avoid her at all costs, but when I got trapped by her last week she told me we looked more rested as a family, held up her hands, and said "Praise God." I didn't know we were tired.
15. This is one of David's (I don't think he reads this so we'll see if he minds). David used to plot to kill our old neighbors in Denver. He literally would think of ways to kill them (such as poison) because they were so annoying to him.
1. Sometimes even when I smell a poopy diaper I pretend like I don't so David will have to change it.
2. I have a secret addiction to buying mid-sized bags. Not purses, but mountain-type day packs.
3. I'm starting to come to terms with the fact that I got the wrong Master's Degree. I should have gone to art school and done creative writing. I am afraid to tell my husband and parents (who helped us pay for the counseling degree) that I look at the Kansas City Art Institute website drooling about once a week.
4. I think I might end up being an Episcopalian even after making fun of my parents and grandparents about their faith being boring for the past 10 years. I confess that I now love the tradition of the Epsicopal Church and David does too.
5. I have little white-head zits all over my arms that I pop before I go to bed.
6. I've lied about my weight on my driver's license in 3 different states: Kansas, Texas, and Colorado.
7. Everytime I bake something I say it is for David but really it is so I can lick the bowl.
8. I'm almost always 10 minutes late to kickboxing with my mom. As I walk in I usually mutter something about Thomas not getting his nap or fighting getting dressed to come, but really I am late because the class is too hard for me and I'm embarassed that my mom is in better shape than I am.
9. In 6th grade I lied and said that I didn't call Adam Carey a "penis wrinkle" on the playground, but I actually did.
10. Also in 6th Grade (bad year) I skimmed a book in the car on the way to school at least 5 times and added it to my reading list so I could beat Katie F. in the "Most Read Books" contest.
11. I've always wanted to smoke pot and even confessed this to David and friend Kari when I was on painkillers one time.
12. Sometimes I wonder if I was/am too young and selfish to have a baby.
13. Sometimes I don't want to have any more babies because I don't want to go through the whole weight-gain/loss thing again.
14. There is a woman in our church that I can't stand. She bugs the hell out of me. I avoid her at all costs, but when I got trapped by her last week she told me we looked more rested as a family, held up her hands, and said "Praise God." I didn't know we were tired.
15. This is one of David's (I don't think he reads this so we'll see if he minds). David used to plot to kill our old neighbors in Denver. He literally would think of ways to kill them (such as poison) because they were so annoying to him.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Five Big Mistakes...Still Inspired?
A few people have told me recently that my blog is inspirational to them. I have a love/hate relationship with this idea. I love it because I need quite a bit of inspiration in my life and am glad I can provide that for others. I hate it because after you hear about the past 12 hours you may not be inspired anymore.
6pm: It is decided that Thomas and I will not be going to the cabin with my parents for the rest of the week because T has a fever and bad poops. I am disappointed to not have the chance to get away and breathe the Colorado Fall air for a few days. Due to this disappointment (I think) I decide to make brownies (really for David, right?) and decide that because I did so well at WW this week I can have a few licks of the batter without writing down my points. A few licks turns into many licks and suddenly I realize that I've eaten 10 points worth of brownie mix, which is almost half of my daily point allowance. Crap.
Licks= Big mistake #1.
1:30am: Thomas is up with his teeth hurting and the brownies allure me toward them asking me to just take a nibble. A few bites as I make a bottle and find the Tylenol leave me feeling wired as I try to fall back asleep.
Nibbles=Big Mistake #2.
4:30am: Thomas and I decide to get up for the day after several off and on attempts to get back to sleep. I am hungry and frankly don't see another option than the brownies. One more 2 inch square in the belly. Thomas and I do the laundry together and I cuss 31 times in a row after realizing I put my only well-fitting bra in the dryer. Yes, there is a strong possibilty that my son's first word could be "CrapBag." Not getting out cereal,
Cussing=Big Mistake #3
As I am doing the dishes from last night I see a poof of yellow dust out of the corner of my eye. My little engineer has figured out how to open dry mustard and has spilled it all over the carpet. He is laughing at the magical fairy dust on his clothes, but I say a few more crapbags as I go get the vacuum. I also decide to write a mean note to my husband telling him to do his own dang dishes at night and to please take the brownies to school with him, as if it is his fault I've eaten so many. The Costco box of mix, the brownies themselves, and the note are set on the stairs where he will see them promptly upon awaking.
Mean note, leaving the mustard out, and buying the never-ending box of brownie mix in the first place=Big Mistake #4
At this point I'm feeling like poo about myself and drink some water and decide to go for a walk to try and rectify the brownie situation. I evaluate the status of the strollers since Baby Tom is still crawling around in circles at a high rate of speed on search and destroy missions. We have THREE strollers. ONE baby. THREE strollers. None of them are available for a morning stroll. Stroller #1 has a flat tire. Stroller #2 is in the trunk of my car, a vehicle to which the keys cannot be found. Stroller #3 is at my parents' house. I go find the hiking backpack and put the squirmy little monkey in it as we head out the door.
No organization regarding strollers or keys=Big Mistake #5
It is 5:30am, and knowing that sometimes other people with kids are also up at these strange hours I decide to walk by all my friends' houses. I need another woman to dwell in my woes with me. There are lights on at Angie's and Tiffany's from church, but I decide I don't really know them well enough to knock on their doors so early. I trek on to Allison's as Thomas pulls my hair over and over again squealing at the top of his lungs to wake the entire neighborhood up. On the way to Cloudville I start to get very tired and overwhelmed by the hair pulling and exhaustion from running only on brownie fuel. I decide that since it is almost 6:00 it's ok to knock on Allison's door and tell her what a terrible person I am for eating so many 2 inch chocolate squares. But as I walk up to her house and there are no lights on I am confronted by the idea of Kevin in his underwear as well as the fact that Allison has 3 kids and is thinner and more organized than me with one kid. I've climbed into bed with Al in the past but probably shouldn't do so with her husband in the bed and a backpack/baby on my back. I decide against waking up all the villagers in Cloudville and press onward around the corner. The last person I know on the route is my friend from 8th grade basketball who doesn't have any kids. Since I have only seen her at the grocery store a few times since moving back to the area, I decide waking her up is not an option.
When we get home I am relieved to see that David is still in bed, and I cross out the mean part of my note about the dishes. I keep the part about taking the brownies away and add some Oreos to the pile that I know will be my next temptation. I resolve to go to the grocery store this morning and stock up on healthy options. I post this blog, realize it's not too late to start my day over, and go back to bed, hoping for a fresh start around 8 or 9am. Goodnight.
6pm: It is decided that Thomas and I will not be going to the cabin with my parents for the rest of the week because T has a fever and bad poops. I am disappointed to not have the chance to get away and breathe the Colorado Fall air for a few days. Due to this disappointment (I think) I decide to make brownies (really for David, right?) and decide that because I did so well at WW this week I can have a few licks of the batter without writing down my points. A few licks turns into many licks and suddenly I realize that I've eaten 10 points worth of brownie mix, which is almost half of my daily point allowance. Crap.
Licks= Big mistake #1.
1:30am: Thomas is up with his teeth hurting and the brownies allure me toward them asking me to just take a nibble. A few bites as I make a bottle and find the Tylenol leave me feeling wired as I try to fall back asleep.
Nibbles=Big Mistake #2.
4:30am: Thomas and I decide to get up for the day after several off and on attempts to get back to sleep. I am hungry and frankly don't see another option than the brownies. One more 2 inch square in the belly. Thomas and I do the laundry together and I cuss 31 times in a row after realizing I put my only well-fitting bra in the dryer. Yes, there is a strong possibilty that my son's first word could be "CrapBag." Not getting out cereal,
Cussing=Big Mistake #3
As I am doing the dishes from last night I see a poof of yellow dust out of the corner of my eye. My little engineer has figured out how to open dry mustard and has spilled it all over the carpet. He is laughing at the magical fairy dust on his clothes, but I say a few more crapbags as I go get the vacuum. I also decide to write a mean note to my husband telling him to do his own dang dishes at night and to please take the brownies to school with him, as if it is his fault I've eaten so many. The Costco box of mix, the brownies themselves, and the note are set on the stairs where he will see them promptly upon awaking.
Mean note, leaving the mustard out, and buying the never-ending box of brownie mix in the first place=Big Mistake #4
At this point I'm feeling like poo about myself and drink some water and decide to go for a walk to try and rectify the brownie situation. I evaluate the status of the strollers since Baby Tom is still crawling around in circles at a high rate of speed on search and destroy missions. We have THREE strollers. ONE baby. THREE strollers. None of them are available for a morning stroll. Stroller #1 has a flat tire. Stroller #2 is in the trunk of my car, a vehicle to which the keys cannot be found. Stroller #3 is at my parents' house. I go find the hiking backpack and put the squirmy little monkey in it as we head out the door.
No organization regarding strollers or keys=Big Mistake #5
It is 5:30am, and knowing that sometimes other people with kids are also up at these strange hours I decide to walk by all my friends' houses. I need another woman to dwell in my woes with me. There are lights on at Angie's and Tiffany's from church, but I decide I don't really know them well enough to knock on their doors so early. I trek on to Allison's as Thomas pulls my hair over and over again squealing at the top of his lungs to wake the entire neighborhood up. On the way to Cloudville I start to get very tired and overwhelmed by the hair pulling and exhaustion from running only on brownie fuel. I decide that since it is almost 6:00 it's ok to knock on Allison's door and tell her what a terrible person I am for eating so many 2 inch chocolate squares. But as I walk up to her house and there are no lights on I am confronted by the idea of Kevin in his underwear as well as the fact that Allison has 3 kids and is thinner and more organized than me with one kid. I've climbed into bed with Al in the past but probably shouldn't do so with her husband in the bed and a backpack/baby on my back. I decide against waking up all the villagers in Cloudville and press onward around the corner. The last person I know on the route is my friend from 8th grade basketball who doesn't have any kids. Since I have only seen her at the grocery store a few times since moving back to the area, I decide waking her up is not an option.
When we get home I am relieved to see that David is still in bed, and I cross out the mean part of my note about the dishes. I keep the part about taking the brownies away and add some Oreos to the pile that I know will be my next temptation. I resolve to go to the grocery store this morning and stock up on healthy options. I post this blog, realize it's not too late to start my day over, and go back to bed, hoping for a fresh start around 8 or 9am. Goodnight.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Skinny Jeans Here I Come!
I just got back from my Weight Watchers meeting and lost 3 pounds! Yahoo!! So this means 4 pounds down and 6 to go until the potential pre-pregnancy jeans fit. I only have 6 more weeks until Thomas' First Birthday, so I'm hoping for at least pound a week. If anyone wants a box of Costo brownies that have been a huge distraction for me, let me know. A brownie is 5 points!
Friday, September 28, 2007
WARNING! ADULTS ONLY!
This afternoon I was feeling sorry for myself on our new tight budget and really wanting to pay someone to do some yardwork David can't get to and clean our house (because I sometimes spend more time feeling sorry for myself then just cleaning the stupid toliets). So I found myself on Craigs List looking at options and found this:
I'll clean your house for FREE ladies!! But there's one little catch..
I'll perform light house-cleaning, absolutely free, although only under the following guidelines:
1. I work in the nude
2. Only adult females may be present during my visit
3. I don't expect sex, I just have a fantasy to do this.. and you only live once, so....
4. No pictures
* I'm 26, attractive white male about 140lbs and 5',9"
Oh, it's 8-inches ...just in case you're wondering.
Here were some of my initial thoughts...(just to be totally honest here). "Dang, this guy is skinny!" and "8 inches...I wonder how long my husband's wazoo is?" and "I wonder if he is a good cleaner."
So there you have it. I'm going to go clean the toilets now and try to get over the hump of desire to have someone else do it.
I'll clean your house for FREE ladies!! But there's one little catch..
I'll perform light house-cleaning, absolutely free, although only under the following guidelines:
1. I work in the nude
2. Only adult females may be present during my visit
3. I don't expect sex, I just have a fantasy to do this.. and you only live once, so....
4. No pictures
* I'm 26, attractive white male about 140lbs and 5',9"
Oh, it's 8-inches ...just in case you're wondering.
Here were some of my initial thoughts...(just to be totally honest here). "Dang, this guy is skinny!" and "8 inches...I wonder how long my husband's wazoo is?" and "I wonder if he is a good cleaner."
So there you have it. I'm going to go clean the toilets now and try to get over the hump of desire to have someone else do it.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
One Pound Down/Mom's Club/De-Cluttering Questions
I went to my 2nd Weight Watchers meeting last night and after Tara's 5.5 lb. weight loss in ONE week I couldn't help but have high expectations. I lost one pound and was disappointed until I talked to the more experienced WW women in the meeting. Apparently I made some pretty big rookie mistakes...
1. First of all, they said, never wear jeans to a weigh in. Jeans weigh at least 2 pounds.
2. If I really want to see results, come in the morning having eaten nothing, with a tanktop and shorts on.
3. Never eat dinner before your weigh in. (I was hungry!)
So I'm hoping these tips will get me a 2 lb. loss next week, and I'll be back on my way into the 120s. Oh and just in case you are wondering, I do plan to post my progress every week until the Cabana Boy party. It keeps me motivated to have to share.
On another note, I went to my first mom's club meeting last night. We played Bunko in at least a $750,000 house. I was the youngest mom there by 5-6 years. Most of the women went to schools like Duke and had high powered careers before having kids. Hmmm. Frugal Fiona, De-cluttering Diane, and Weight Loss Wendy was a little out of her element in her K-State t-shirt and 10 year old jeans she was really proud to fit into for the evening. There were at least 2 moms there that are probably a little more my speed. And of course I love the sorority feel of the whole experience. I was basically rushed last week. I will keep going in a quest for new mommy friends and hope to meet at least one or two women that will understand this blog, value education, and desire creativity in their lives. And I'm hoping to meet someone with a little cultural flare too.
De-Cluttering is starting to get more grey than black and white. It really is awesome to have LESS. I can clean up my whole house in about 15 minutes now and picking out an outfit is nothing after streamlining my clothes. I have some questions for you guys about a few items I can't decide about. I'm getting down to the nitty-gritty details.
1. Ice-Cream maker---keep or sell? My mom had one when I was a kid, and I really liked it. It's frugal, but everytime I've tried to use it the ice-cream tastes like total crap and we end up throwing it out.
2. Waffle Maker-will I want this when my kids are 10 on a Saturday morning?
3. I've given away TONS of books to the library book drive, but there is a stack or two I can't decide about. How do you decide about books to keep or toss?
4. Candles. I just have so many, and love them, but I can't really light them while Thomas is awake because as a boy he is drawn to fire.
5. Things I bought for comfort during pregnancy. A body pillow. A foot spa thing. An aqua jogger. All used 2-3 times, but will I want them again when I'm huge?
I've already decided to keep a couch,desk, and patio furniture I thought about selling, but to let go of a few more small things that were collecting space instead. I've also decided to keep all baby stuff even that Thomas didn't like for number 2 just in case. And speaking of my young lad, I usually save stuff about him for Life With the Lisenbys, but I couldn't resist a quick shot of him on here. This is about as far as we get in the getting dressed department most days.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Some Sunday Night Thoughts
These are my Sunday evening thoughts in random order. Read at your own risk. This post contains 2 cuss words.
1. We've been tossing around the question lately about whether churches should be part of a denomination. We've gone to both kinds and see pros and cons to both sides. The pro-denomination side would be the accountability and structure the leadership has since they are part of something bigger than just their own congregation. The con would be some denominations don't allow for the freedom and creativity of thought that you find in non-denominational churches. What has your experience been? Thoughts?
2. Frugal Fiona is still doing well although she did keep her Curves membership. They wouldn't let her out of the $36 a month without a doctor's note which Fiona could not come up with. It is probably good for her to be doing weight training along with her other gym too, if she can make herself get there twice a week. And that is a big IF right now without childcare. Fiona is still selling a few things on Craigs List, but her husband did have to reign her in a little to not be extreme.
3. I'd like to post this headline in a newspaper for SAHMs: NEW MAGICAL CLEANING TECHNIQUE FOUND! CUTS TIME AND EFFORT IN HALF!...HAVE LESS STUFF! This really has been true for me. It is so much easier to clean and for the house to look clean really quickly now that I've gotten a better handle on clutter and have let go of just a few pieces of furniture that I didn't like that much anyway. And those damn trinkets. I hated dusting those. Solution: only save the ones you love and give the rest away. Last thought on clutter: Why do I have 23 bath towels? 23! I think I'll be going through those tomorrow.
4. Weight-loss stuff is going better, I think. I started Weight Watchers again this week (not very frugal, but so worth it if it helps). I've been drinking more water and eating less fat. And I like the points system. It helps me feel like I'm in control about what I'm eating, and I'm not putting anything in my mouth without thinking twice. I'll be curious to weigh in on Tuesday. And the great thing is that my parents are watching Thomas on Tuesday evenings while I go to my meeting and then to a new Mom's group that I joined last week. It's called Mothers and More and has a great chapter here. More on that later.
5. It has been suggested that I give my size 2 pants and small tops away by Tommy's First Birthday if I'm not close to back in them. The idea is that women who have had children probably just are not going to fit in size 2s anymore and my boobs are probably not going to go into size small tops. It some ways this feels really good to think about just letting go of the idea and being ok with my body being different, but in other ways this seems like giving up. Those of you who have had children, what do you think? And those of you jackasses who can fit in a size 2, I may have some really hot jeans for you in November.
More to come...A
1. We've been tossing around the question lately about whether churches should be part of a denomination. We've gone to both kinds and see pros and cons to both sides. The pro-denomination side would be the accountability and structure the leadership has since they are part of something bigger than just their own congregation. The con would be some denominations don't allow for the freedom and creativity of thought that you find in non-denominational churches. What has your experience been? Thoughts?
2. Frugal Fiona is still doing well although she did keep her Curves membership. They wouldn't let her out of the $36 a month without a doctor's note which Fiona could not come up with. It is probably good for her to be doing weight training along with her other gym too, if she can make herself get there twice a week. And that is a big IF right now without childcare. Fiona is still selling a few things on Craigs List, but her husband did have to reign her in a little to not be extreme.
3. I'd like to post this headline in a newspaper for SAHMs: NEW MAGICAL CLEANING TECHNIQUE FOUND! CUTS TIME AND EFFORT IN HALF!...HAVE LESS STUFF! This really has been true for me. It is so much easier to clean and for the house to look clean really quickly now that I've gotten a better handle on clutter and have let go of just a few pieces of furniture that I didn't like that much anyway. And those damn trinkets. I hated dusting those. Solution: only save the ones you love and give the rest away. Last thought on clutter: Why do I have 23 bath towels? 23! I think I'll be going through those tomorrow.
4. Weight-loss stuff is going better, I think. I started Weight Watchers again this week (not very frugal, but so worth it if it helps). I've been drinking more water and eating less fat. And I like the points system. It helps me feel like I'm in control about what I'm eating, and I'm not putting anything in my mouth without thinking twice. I'll be curious to weigh in on Tuesday. And the great thing is that my parents are watching Thomas on Tuesday evenings while I go to my meeting and then to a new Mom's group that I joined last week. It's called Mothers and More and has a great chapter here. More on that later.
5. It has been suggested that I give my size 2 pants and small tops away by Tommy's First Birthday if I'm not close to back in them. The idea is that women who have had children probably just are not going to fit in size 2s anymore and my boobs are probably not going to go into size small tops. It some ways this feels really good to think about just letting go of the idea and being ok with my body being different, but in other ways this seems like giving up. Those of you who have had children, what do you think? And those of you jackasses who can fit in a size 2, I may have some really hot jeans for you in November.
More to come...A
Monday, September 17, 2007
Stuck.
Dear Friends,
Ok so the weight loss was going really well all summer and since actively trying starting in March I've lost 26 pounds. I feel really good about this, but the problem is that I still have about 9 more to lose before my clothes (especially tops) fit again. I know women don't usually do this, but I think it is time to talk numbers. I'm sure you have figured out by now that modesty isn't exactly something I value very highly. Here are the stats:
High School Weight: 128
College Freshman Weight: 148
Normal College Weight: 135
Wedding Weight: 122
Lowest weight since 6th grade about 2 years ago: 118 (I've let this idea go, but this is the one and only time I was wearing 2s)
Pre-Pregnancy Weight: 130
Current Weight: 139.5 was hit about 2 weeks ago but not since.
Keep in mind that I am 5'4" so any flux of about 6-8 lbs. is a size. Also, I might as well admit in case you don't know me that I have been described by my oh-so-loving-brothers as a "Bowling Ball with Legs" meaning I am pretty top heavy and have short little legs and no butt. So right now I can fit into my size 6 pants (a little tight but not obscene) but small shirts may be a thing of the past. Unfortunately it appears that Thomas also has my body-type since he grows out of his shirts long before his pants and all his jeans are far too long.
So here is where you come in. I need your help getting these last 10ish pounds off by November 13th: Thomas' First Birthday. I've stayed right around 140 for several weeks now and am sad to admit that I've lost some motivation. But I really need to go for about 1lb. a week if I want to have my Cabana Boy Party coincide with T's Birthday. Will you push me on this? I need some accountability. I've thought about doing Weight Watchers again or a very structured diet like "The South Beach Diet" or Denise Austin's "Lose Those Last 10 Pounds", but for some reason I'm having a hard time getting determined about those. I workout 3-4 mornings a week and usually have a weak spot in my eating patterns after dinner and around 2pm when I really want something sweet. For those of you that have had to lose weight before any tips/advice? If you are naturally skinny you may offer advice but it may not be noted.
Sincerely,
Every Rose Has Its Thorn in Kansas City
Ok so the weight loss was going really well all summer and since actively trying starting in March I've lost 26 pounds. I feel really good about this, but the problem is that I still have about 9 more to lose before my clothes (especially tops) fit again. I know women don't usually do this, but I think it is time to talk numbers. I'm sure you have figured out by now that modesty isn't exactly something I value very highly. Here are the stats:
High School Weight: 128
College Freshman Weight: 148
Normal College Weight: 135
Wedding Weight: 122
Lowest weight since 6th grade about 2 years ago: 118 (I've let this idea go, but this is the one and only time I was wearing 2s)
Pre-Pregnancy Weight: 130
Current Weight: 139.5 was hit about 2 weeks ago but not since.
Keep in mind that I am 5'4" so any flux of about 6-8 lbs. is a size. Also, I might as well admit in case you don't know me that I have been described by my oh-so-loving-brothers as a "Bowling Ball with Legs" meaning I am pretty top heavy and have short little legs and no butt. So right now I can fit into my size 6 pants (a little tight but not obscene) but small shirts may be a thing of the past. Unfortunately it appears that Thomas also has my body-type since he grows out of his shirts long before his pants and all his jeans are far too long.
So here is where you come in. I need your help getting these last 10ish pounds off by November 13th: Thomas' First Birthday. I've stayed right around 140 for several weeks now and am sad to admit that I've lost some motivation. But I really need to go for about 1lb. a week if I want to have my Cabana Boy Party coincide with T's Birthday. Will you push me on this? I need some accountability. I've thought about doing Weight Watchers again or a very structured diet like "The South Beach Diet" or Denise Austin's "Lose Those Last 10 Pounds", but for some reason I'm having a hard time getting determined about those. I workout 3-4 mornings a week and usually have a weak spot in my eating patterns after dinner and around 2pm when I really want something sweet. For those of you that have had to lose weight before any tips/advice? If you are naturally skinny you may offer advice but it may not be noted.
Sincerely,
Every Rose Has Its Thorn in Kansas City
Thursday, September 13, 2007
What Not to Wear
I found this great book at the library last week and have devoured it. For someone like me that has zero fashion sense it is very helpful. These tips combined with having my mother-in-law's personal shopper tell me what my color scheme is (red, brown, blue, and green) should make me look like hot breakfast even in sweats.
Here is what it said I should be wearing for my body type, which includes big boobs, big arms, short legs, and short neck. Doesn't sound like a very pretty picture, does it? But the book gives pictoral examples about why things look good or bad. I've already gone through my closet and put the stuff they say looks bad on me in a seperate section to possibly give away at a later date.
What I should wear:
No high neck, turtleneck, cap sleeves, and/or sleveless tops. Go with wide-open necklines, v-necks, and corset or rouge shape tops with 3/4's or flutted sleeves.
No boxy, shortwaisted jackets. Go with fitting through the waist and cut to the hip.
Never haltertops or speghetti strap dresses. Wrap dresses with 3/4 length sleeves look best.
Don't do a chunky knit, tight sweater. Go with a wrap, light-weight cardigan.
For jewelry, big bangle bracelets make my arms look fatter and chandelier earrings make my neck look longer.
To solve the short legs problem, don't wear cropped or capri pants (crap!), but do wear two layers of shirts and long skirts and jackets.
The other categories they help with (which thankfully did not apply to me) in case you are interested are: no boobs, big butt, no waist, flabby tummy, saddlebags, and thick calves and ankles. It's worth the read!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Calling Myself Fiona
I've been calling myself Fiona lately. There are really three direct reasons for this. #1: One time a kid in our old neighborhood told my dad he looked like Shrek. Let's face it. I look exactly like my dad. This makes me Fiona. #2: I really like Fiona. In Shrek the Third she is an example of a strong woman, not caught up in the throws of body image or materialism (she's an ogre with confidence), and appears to be a good mother to her triplets. #3 As a name, Fiona goes with the word FRUGAL. So really the full name I've been calling myself is Frugal Fiona.
Frugal Fiona has been hard at work trying to save money and simplify the Lisenby household since coming to the realization this summer that her husband is in school and she does not work. Watching the savings account dwindle has also encouraged her to make some big changes. Not buying things and getting trapped in the cycle of consumerism are difficult for Fiona, but she knows this is the next step for her in both her relationship with God and as a wife/mother. Here are some of the decisions Frugal Fiona has made lately:
1. Gone are the days of help with housecleaning, car detailing, eating out without a coupon, ordering drinks when eating out, and buying whatever comes to mind to buy. Fiona admits $200 mall trips and the things listed above.
2. The Lisenby's grocery budget used to be (embarassing, I know) $650 a month. That included formula and special dietary items. By shopping at 3 different stores to get their Loss Leaders, Frugal Fiona now has the grocery budget, including Hypoallergenic formula, lactose free food, and glutten free/low sugar products to $250 a month.
3. Frugal Fiona has switched gyms. As you will note in Fiona's picture she really needs to workout and knows belonging to some sort of structured gym is best for her. Curves cost her $36 a month and was approximately 5 minutes away without childcare. The church gym by Fiona's parents' house is $25 a month with classes, longer hours, and great childcare. Thank you to Fiona's buddy Kristin for help finding this place.
4. Fiona had a garage sale this past weekend where she made $175 off of stuff that was simply sitting around the Lisenby's home. She confesses she has not missed a single item she sold.
5. Fiona's husband has encouraged her to look into selling a few Pottery Barn items for more than she paid for them. If you didn't know Fiona used to work at Pottery Barn and got a little obsessed with purchasing things at 50-60% off. This week alone she has sold a chair she bought for $350 for $500 and has a couch and a few random items pending. The empty space in the basement has allowed Fiona's baby to make a fort out of a sheet in order to crawl in and out of it squealing several times a day.
6. Fiona has downgraded the Cable and Netflix services because she has rediscovered the Public Library. The Library, which takes 3 minutes to get to from Fiona's castle, has tons of movies, Baby Einsteins, books, and CD's to check out and is FREE. Total savings here: $25 a month.
7. Several returns have been made. Fiona bought some computer equipment last week that her husband already had in the bottom of a drawer. Total Savings: $100. Yesterday she took back a pair of men's shorts to Old Navy since her brother gave her husband 3 pairs of shorts he didn't want anymore. Total savings: $7.
8. Frugal Fiona has been wanting to buy a shelf for her bathroom to store towels on since her castle does not have a linen closet. She had been looking for awhile at Bed, Bath, and Beyond at chrome shelves that cost $80 and go over the toilet. Instead she refinished an entertainment center that did not sell in the garage sale and put it in the guest room closet. It has 2 shelves for towels and a drawer for washcloths. Perfect!
9. Fiona has finally taught herself to cook and has found some recipes that only cost a total of $2 to make on www.betterbudgeting.com. She is also cooking meals for her friends that work and making $40 a week.
10. This morning Fiona sat down to order an egg shaker from her baby's music website. She had noticed how much he loves the shakers in class and figured it was only $5.99 to order two. The idea then came to Fiona that she could make a shaker out of a plastic container, tape, and rice. Baby likes it just as much and Fiona saved $6.
11. Fiona has learned to decorate with items that have been given to her, not things she has to buy. For example, she has been thinking about a wall in her kitchen for several months. Instead of buying a picture, mirror, or something that has no sentimental value to her, Fiona has decorated with her grandparents' china, finding plate racks at consignment stores for $3 each. She replaced a mantle full of previously purchased Pottery Barn items with her Grandma's doll collection and her shelf in her room with her musicbox collection from childhood. All of these things were in boxes before, and selling the other items has made space for more valuable things to come out.
12. Finally, Frugal Fiona admits to completely falling off the bandwagon at Children's Place on the Plaza last week when she spent $38 on new sleepers and onesies for really no reason. Her baby gets many wonderful clothes from his friends Nick and Lou, so Fiona isn't sure why she felt the need to make these purchases. She also confesses to spending $20 on an unnecessary dress and shirt for herself at Old Navy later that day. As a final admission, Fiona has dramatically refused her husband's ideas of cutting costs about where she gets her hair done and having internet in the home. With these two things in tact, she will keep her composure and keep trying to tackle consumerism $1 at a time.
If you have any money saving tips, Frugal Fiona would love to hear them ASAP.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Shelfari
Hey check out all my favorite books on this cool new site my friend Allison taught me about. You can go on and see what your friends are reading and what they rated each book. Only do this if you have some time though, because I swore I would only log on for 15 minutes and now I'm still sitting naked on the couch an hour later updating my shelf hoping Thomas doesn't wake up before I can jump in the shower. :) I can't wait to go to the library now!
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Thursday, August 23, 2007
How Being a Stay at Home Mom is Like Guiding at Wilderness
I worked as a backpacking guide in the San Juan Mountains for 3 summers during college. When I started many more experienced mountaineers told me guiding would be the hardest thing I would ever do. Up until carrying a child, pushing him out of me, recovering from pregnancy, and then caring for a tiny person I would have believed them. The past 18 months have been much more difficult for me than guiding at Wilderness ever was. They do have their similarities, however:
THE TOP 15 WAYS BEING A STAY-AT-HOME-MOM IS LIKE GUIDING AT WILDERNESS:
1. Both experiences involve a lot of POOP. On the trail it was fart tennis, the biff, being constipated, altitooties, and the Hook. Now it is yellow, then green, then blue, then black, putting fingers in it and smearing it in hair, pooping in the tub, having a blow-out-the-diaper poop in the middle of the mall, and for me two toilets full of tar 5 days after labor.
2. BARF: the smell of puke used to really bother me. not after wilderness and not now. while it used to be holding girls' ponytails out of the way of the stream of vommit, now it is knowing that tommy is going to puke by reading his face and then cringing when he reaches toward me to be held while he throws up down my shirt.
3. No SHOWER for a few days? No problem.
4. Both experiences were/are very ISOLATING for me. I remember craving Mexican food, a latte, a trip to Target, or a movie by myself. All the same now. When I came home from WR in the falls going to the grocery store was like being in a foreign country. Also the same now. When we finally get out of our 5 mile radius long enough to notice people, colors, reality, and shapes, it is like a breath of fresh air.
5. OUTSIDE THE BOX THINKING: What do you do on the trail with 15 high school kids besides hike all day? Sing, play games, have contests, make up outrageous stories, give awards, have Christmas, go swimming, throw things off mountains, fully utilize a water-ballon launcher, tie knots, etc. What do you do with a 9-month-old besides look at each other all day? Sing, play games, have contests, make up outrageous stories, give awards, have Christmas, go swimming, throw things off the deck, fully utilize Baby Einstein and our exersaucer, tie knots, etc.
6. Both experiences have given me "glorious and inexpressible JOY."
7. WEIGHT GAIN: A good friend of mine recently told me that she did not gain the freshman 15 in college, but she did gain the Wilderness Ranch 15 each summer. I can totally relate. I came home each year with such strong legs that I looked like one of those mythical horse/man creatures. Also true with pregnancy although a more accurate description might be the "Statepuff Marshmellow Man."
8. CHAFFING: Both experiences unfortunately involve this. Not pleasant. At WR it was usually the top of my boots rubbing against my legs. Recently it is my chubby inner-thighs rubbing against each other on a post-partum walk/jog.
9. One time a friend asked me when I have felt the most BEAUTIFUL. My answer was about day 4 on the trail. Completely natural looking (including armpit hair), usually bonded with kids by this point, and aren't so bad you are craving a shower yet. I had the same feeling when we got home from the hospital and I got out of the shower for the first time. I looked in the mirror at my 2-day post labor body and couldn't believe how BEAUTIFUL it was. Knowing that I had given someone else life was indescribable.
10. GRACE: In both cases, a ton of this is needed for myself and for all the people trying to tell me how to do it.
11. LOST: More than once at WR I looked at my guide partner and said, "SH*#@@! We are lost!" David and I have said the same thing to each other as we navigate this whole parenting thing.
12. DIFFERENCES WITH DAVID: Most of you know that when David and I went on the trail together it was not a firework show of loving feelings. We are so different that we would argue quite a bit about which way to go, what to do next, how I was fun but not responsible, and how he was responsible but not fun. All the same disagreements have come up in having a baby (highlighted by me wanting to listen to Lyle Lovett during labor and him saying that might not be the most "centering" labor music). The big difference though this time around is that we are able to laugh at each other and celebrate the ways we are different b/c we compliment each other so much. David is the perfect dad for Tommy and I am the perfect mom. I wouldn't want to be on this particular trip with anyone else.
13. ALPINE STARTS: Getting up consistently at 3 AM is only something you only do on the trail and as a new mom. (I hope).
14. DEPENDENCE: Both times I have thought, "God I can't do this!" "I can't hike anymore today or deal with this annoying kid or be so isolated from reality" has changed to "I can't put my whole career on hold or change one more poopy diaper or not talk to anyone for one more whole day." I found dependence on God and more specifically the Fruits of the Spirit scripture absolutely imperative.
15. PEACE: When on the trail with kids I remember stopping every once in awhile in a beautiful place like Granite Lake and thinking, "I am doing exactly what I was designed to do right now." I'm getting there in being a mom too.
THE TOP 15 WAYS BEING A STAY-AT-HOME-MOM IS LIKE GUIDING AT WILDERNESS:
1. Both experiences involve a lot of POOP. On the trail it was fart tennis, the biff, being constipated, altitooties, and the Hook. Now it is yellow, then green, then blue, then black, putting fingers in it and smearing it in hair, pooping in the tub, having a blow-out-the-diaper poop in the middle of the mall, and for me two toilets full of tar 5 days after labor.
2. BARF: the smell of puke used to really bother me. not after wilderness and not now. while it used to be holding girls' ponytails out of the way of the stream of vommit, now it is knowing that tommy is going to puke by reading his face and then cringing when he reaches toward me to be held while he throws up down my shirt.
3. No SHOWER for a few days? No problem.
4. Both experiences were/are very ISOLATING for me. I remember craving Mexican food, a latte, a trip to Target, or a movie by myself. All the same now. When I came home from WR in the falls going to the grocery store was like being in a foreign country. Also the same now. When we finally get out of our 5 mile radius long enough to notice people, colors, reality, and shapes, it is like a breath of fresh air.
5. OUTSIDE THE BOX THINKING: What do you do on the trail with 15 high school kids besides hike all day? Sing, play games, have contests, make up outrageous stories, give awards, have Christmas, go swimming, throw things off mountains, fully utilize a water-ballon launcher, tie knots, etc. What do you do with a 9-month-old besides look at each other all day? Sing, play games, have contests, make up outrageous stories, give awards, have Christmas, go swimming, throw things off the deck, fully utilize Baby Einstein and our exersaucer, tie knots, etc.
6. Both experiences have given me "glorious and inexpressible JOY."
7. WEIGHT GAIN: A good friend of mine recently told me that she did not gain the freshman 15 in college, but she did gain the Wilderness Ranch 15 each summer. I can totally relate. I came home each year with such strong legs that I looked like one of those mythical horse/man creatures. Also true with pregnancy although a more accurate description might be the "Statepuff Marshmellow Man."
8. CHAFFING: Both experiences unfortunately involve this. Not pleasant. At WR it was usually the top of my boots rubbing against my legs. Recently it is my chubby inner-thighs rubbing against each other on a post-partum walk/jog.
9. One time a friend asked me when I have felt the most BEAUTIFUL. My answer was about day 4 on the trail. Completely natural looking (including armpit hair), usually bonded with kids by this point, and aren't so bad you are craving a shower yet. I had the same feeling when we got home from the hospital and I got out of the shower for the first time. I looked in the mirror at my 2-day post labor body and couldn't believe how BEAUTIFUL it was. Knowing that I had given someone else life was indescribable.
10. GRACE: In both cases, a ton of this is needed for myself and for all the people trying to tell me how to do it.
11. LOST: More than once at WR I looked at my guide partner and said, "SH*#@@! We are lost!" David and I have said the same thing to each other as we navigate this whole parenting thing.
12. DIFFERENCES WITH DAVID: Most of you know that when David and I went on the trail together it was not a firework show of loving feelings. We are so different that we would argue quite a bit about which way to go, what to do next, how I was fun but not responsible, and how he was responsible but not fun. All the same disagreements have come up in having a baby (highlighted by me wanting to listen to Lyle Lovett during labor and him saying that might not be the most "centering" labor music). The big difference though this time around is that we are able to laugh at each other and celebrate the ways we are different b/c we compliment each other so much. David is the perfect dad for Tommy and I am the perfect mom. I wouldn't want to be on this particular trip with anyone else.
13. ALPINE STARTS: Getting up consistently at 3 AM is only something you only do on the trail and as a new mom. (I hope).
14. DEPENDENCE: Both times I have thought, "God I can't do this!" "I can't hike anymore today or deal with this annoying kid or be so isolated from reality" has changed to "I can't put my whole career on hold or change one more poopy diaper or not talk to anyone for one more whole day." I found dependence on God and more specifically the Fruits of the Spirit scripture absolutely imperative.
15. PEACE: When on the trail with kids I remember stopping every once in awhile in a beautiful place like Granite Lake and thinking, "I am doing exactly what I was designed to do right now." I'm getting there in being a mom too.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Great Weekend/Writing
This weekend was one of the best weekends I can remember. I feel awakened culturally and creatively! Friday afternoon I had cooking club, where Allie and I made casseroles, soups, and cookies for our families. We even branched out from our easy, practical menu and picked up ingredients for some Costa Rican dishes next week.
Saturday David, Thomas, and I journeyed on over to the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art near the Plaza, complete with lunch at D'Bronx Deli. Thomas loved the big paintings with multiple colors and is learning to clap when he sees something he likes. Today (Sunday) our family outings consisted of going to hear my mom's band play, time to myself at Starbucks working on my sermon for next week, and dinner with friends from Spain. I love Paella! Yum. Thanks Dani and Belen for a wonderful meal.
Two other random thoughts:
1. Please pray that my grandpa passes peacefully and without pain soon.
2. I have entered some of my writing (children's books and personal essays) in contests. This was a big step for me as I usually shy away from claiming my identity as a writer. I don't care if I win, but I am hoping for a good experience that will encourage me to keep pursuing publication. Hope that I meet some helpful people that are willing to work with me to better my skills. Writing has always been just a hobby that I have enjoyed for myself, but it's time to start seeing if it will go anywhere. I wish I was as confident as Jane Austen (or Anne Hathaway playing Jane Austen in "Becoming Jane") when she says, "I will live by my pen." While making money via writing is a longshot for me, I do highly recommend the movie to any aspiring writers, creative spirits, or artists like myself. It's worth the $6 to go see in the theatre.
Saturday David, Thomas, and I journeyed on over to the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art near the Plaza, complete with lunch at D'Bronx Deli. Thomas loved the big paintings with multiple colors and is learning to clap when he sees something he likes. Today (Sunday) our family outings consisted of going to hear my mom's band play, time to myself at Starbucks working on my sermon for next week, and dinner with friends from Spain. I love Paella! Yum. Thanks Dani and Belen for a wonderful meal.
Two other random thoughts:
1. Please pray that my grandpa passes peacefully and without pain soon.
2. I have entered some of my writing (children's books and personal essays) in contests. This was a big step for me as I usually shy away from claiming my identity as a writer. I don't care if I win, but I am hoping for a good experience that will encourage me to keep pursuing publication. Hope that I meet some helpful people that are willing to work with me to better my skills. Writing has always been just a hobby that I have enjoyed for myself, but it's time to start seeing if it will go anywhere. I wish I was as confident as Jane Austen (or Anne Hathaway playing Jane Austen in "Becoming Jane") when she says, "I will live by my pen." While making money via writing is a longshot for me, I do highly recommend the movie to any aspiring writers, creative spirits, or artists like myself. It's worth the $6 to go see in the theatre.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
First Day of School
This morning David began his 2nd Semester of Graduate Work at KU. He is off to explore the depths of Literature written from the Spanish and Latin American perspecitve. We're so proud of you, Senor!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Book Review
I'd like to recommend this awesome cookbook for anyone who is culinarilly-challenged like me. My cousin sent it to me, and it has really helped to get easy, healthy meals on the table. I've also enjoyed my cooking club with my new friend Allie. We make 2-3 meals a week together while we talk. We trade off who gets the ingredients each week and pick recipies both families like. Both things have made cooking more enjoyable!
Creative Endeavors
When you live in a cookie-cutter suburb house you have to get a little creative with decorating sometimes. Most of you know that I really struggled with staying at home last Spring, which makes me a little nervous for David to start school tomorrow. In an effort to make staying home good for me, I've decided to do one creative thing around our house each week. These Mexican cabinet knobs I found in Taos this summer for $2 each. Something different to look at while I attempt to make a healthy meal each evening! Next week...Tommy's baby book.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Ticker Factory
This cool site I copied from Cristy. You can do tons of "tickers."
www.tickerfactory.com
To see my weight loss ticker click here:
www.tickerfactory.com
To see my weight loss ticker click here:
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