Yay for a new bathroom!

Day 1 - Exciting!

Day 2 - I think it already looks way better than it did before!

Day 2 1/2 - Feeling the "spa" feeling

Day 3 - No turning back now!

Day 4 - Zoey told Frank, our tile guy, the walls looked "cute."  He agreed.

Day 5- Almost finished!

Day 6 - Everything back together, minus glass shower doors.  They're coming soon :)

Favorites so far: the built in cubby, the bronze fixtures, and the decreasing dust by the day :)

To leash or not to leash?

As I was spinning this morning, I looked out the window at the Farmer's Market spot and started daydreaming about this spring/summer...taking my family to browse the booths, listen to live music, get honey ice cream (or a breakfast burrito for Joel)...

My thoughts came to an abrupt halt when I pictured Ali -- big enough to walk on her own -- but oh my, what a mess this will be!  Us chasing her in and out of lettuce and watermelons, her running faster and faster, into the parking lot...ok, may not be worth the trip.

Then I remembered...



Yes, I make fun of parents who put their kids on leashes.  I'm sorry.  If you put your kid on a leash, I've made fun of you at some point.  Maybe I should stop if I'm considering doing the same thing.

This one looks happy enough, right!  A cute, puppy leash...






Eeek...this kid looks too old to be on a leash, don't you think?  That's pretty bad...

Even worse!  Maybe a kid on a leash is not that good of an idea.

Got it!  Just give Ali a balloon and she'll be golden!

Just precious.  Zoey helping Ali along...on a leash.  Joel and I can walk the Farmer's Market sans TWO kids. Genius! 



(Don't worry, Mom, I'm not being (too) serious)

"...aaaaand she shuddered."

Truth be told, I made the 2nd-worst meal I can remember last night.  Joel thought it was as bad as what we thought was the worst meal I made since we've been married.  The original "worst" meal was this skillet meal that had turkey, stuffing, corn, diced tomatoes...basically it looked and tasted like dog food.  Horrible.

Last night, I made a recipe Joel picked out; one I was actually excited to try: Avocado Pasta!  My kids love avocados, we all like pasta, should be a win-win.  Not so much. 

First -- I have to publicly confess one of my most stupid moments, mainly for our roommate, Anna.  "Anna, remember that time Joel wanted to see if the blender would work better if he took the top off?  All those blackberries on the kitchen ceiling?  I thought I learned my lesson just by watching.  Guess not.  Last night, the avocado sauce met the blackberries on the ceiling.  STUPID."

Ok, back to the story.  Ali took a bite and shuddered a little.  I chuckled; it was kinda funny.  Zoey tried to be brave and actually ate a few bites until she said, "Mom, I don't like the lemons in it."  Ali took another bite, cringed, and pushed her plate away saying, "Don't like it."  Joel came home, took a bite, and said, "I can't do it."  I actually ate my whole portion, but more out of curiosity than enjoyment...

Oh well, 2 horrible recipes out of a few hundred is ok by me.  Plus, Joel picked it...not me :) 

Here it is...before it went in the trash

Perhaps my best deal to-date: nearly new Asics for $15!!

Yep, it has begun

"Age and weight, please."

I wonder if I'm getting old(er).  I say this because I never feel any different on my birthdays.  I still feel 12.  With a husband and 2 kids. But lately, I just haven't been as "with it" as usual.  I typically have a very high tolerance for stress and activity, multitasking to a degree of danger according to some (most).  These days, though, I get reaaaal tired.  If I sit down on the couch after lunch, I almost always think about taking a nap.  Sometimes I do.  I put off household chores longer than I normally would.  I daydream about going to bed at night.  Sigh.  Maybe life is just catching up with me...finally.

I achieved a big goal I set for myself in January: I worked out, did some kind of intentional exercise, 6 out of 7 days every week for 4 weeks.  I feel great.  I counted calories on every day but Sunday, and even though I probably gained all the weight back I lost each week on Sunday, it was worth it.  (For now). 

As far as actual weight loss goes, I decided I'm not going for a #.  My weight stayed exactly the same for 6 months in 2012.  Then I started fluxuating by 2 lbs.  2 lbs. up, 2 lbs. down.  Blah.  I never made it to my "goal."  But, I didn't have to buy new clothes.  So I started thinking. 

Screw the scale.  What's 2 lbs. in the grand scheme of things?  Sure, it's exhilerating to reach that goal weight,  and believe me, I'd LOVE to.  I weighed the least I've weighed in adulthood after I had Zoey, and that was a major accomplishment to me.  But really, when I feel hungry, and start denying myself food that my body probably needs to refuel - all for a couple pounds - I don't think it's worth it. 

What is worth it is a lifestyle change.  Health is the goal.  Longevity is the goal.  Being in shape and feeling great is the goal.  Not having to suck in my stomach to wear my favorite jeans is the goal. 

Want to join me in the quest for a realistic, attainable, timely - but definitely not measurable or specific, therefore "unsmart" goal?  Here's a great way to start!