mix & match links

I have a lot on my mind & heart, a lot of great posts read in the past couple of days & instead of not doing them justice, I am listing them w/ links, here, now.

• The first: THIS amazing selfless mama

• Next: we had a virtual 5k today @ the 'hood in honor of our sisters & Dr. Mo running half & full marathons this weekend.  I participated -there's me in the middle-allllllllll bundled up for our 8 degree run this morning.
• I am super excited to have found a fun site that focuses on simple scrapping! Time to return to my simple scrapping 'roots'. I love to look @ others' detailed pages that are full of elements but I can never get that style right.
• Edited to add: the new widget to the right! check it out! Gabe's Gifts, AMAZING project!!

ok so this is not everything I've been wanting to post about but its enough for tonight :)
  Have a great weekend!!

Weigh In Wednesday

Ugh! I was so hoping to be able to report a loss this week w/the changes we've made in our running routine, the extra work we've added & the better eating I've been doing but nooooooooooo my body is clinging tightly to that stupid same number.  Oh well, atleast is not going up!

Deeper thoughts & less whining next post :)

Power of 1

New challenge! New Year! New Goals!
cruise on over to the 'hood & check it out!

the first challenge is posted already -imagine that, they r THAT good!- so here are my goals for the new year!

• continue to grow our local running group of Eat, Pray, Run
• participate in the Fight for Air climb in March w/our group
• participate in the Healthy Iowa challenge w/our group
• work w/our group & organize & hold a successful, official 5k
• keep getting healthy-getting those veggies & dairy servings  & exercising daily
• make eating healthy a priority & natural response instead of something I have to focus on
• participate in 6 5Ks & maybe a 10k this year
• be able to run those whole 5Ks w/o walking breaks

OK, I think those 8 are a good start!
Thanks to our local running group, I am out there running almost every night! we are up to running 2 miles & walking 3 in intervals And plan to change that up after the first of the year, extending our running intervals & shortening our walks.

5 on Friday

WOW we've been busy doing lots of little things all week & not posting on the blog..sorry! today I am posting 5 things I am excited about today:

1. tomorrow: scrapping 9am-midnight w/the girls! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
2. gettting kickin' on my December Daily Twenty-Ten (its tomorrow's project)
3. the new team challenge @ the 'hood
4. amazing new loose leaf tea
5. Gus still feeling better

this weekend looks to be a bit more laid back than usual :) just hanging out tonight, Tim working & me scrapping tomorrow, & chores on Sunday... sounds DREAMY! What's on your weekend agenda??

True Confessions Tuesday

again, its been a while but here we go....

• halloween candy-be gone already! ugh.
• up 3# since last weigh in ... at least a month ago
• took the week off post race (as usual) but then took last night & tonight off too... ICK.
• dreading the dreadmill tomorrow thru Saturday!
• most of my f/v servings have been juice but IMO this time, that's better than none @ all
• have only done yoga w/the kids once in the past 2 weeks
• pumpkin cake,pumpkin cookies, pumpkin bread, time to find some healthy recipes for all of this pumpkin in the freezer
• do pumpkin seeds have healthy qualities?? pleassssssssse say yes.
• how about a warm chocolate soother?? nutritional value please :)
• coffee has been my go to weekday breakfast

ok there we have it.. seriously need to get better -again :)
what do you have to confess??

Wow....November....

Already???/ Really??? sheesh! where has Twenty-Ten gone? 

I am feeling the need to make a list (big surprise I am sure ;)) of my accomplishments for the year:

• I started running
• I completed 2 races, a fun run & have a 3rd race on the calendar for this Sunday
• I lost 15# (then gained 3 back)
• I inspired a neighbor & another friend to try the c25k program
• I got back into reading
• I participated in 2 girls nights outs
• I quit coffee in the spring, then started again when the weather cooled
• I put up alot of fruits & veggies from the garden & farmer's market for winter
• I have continued to get more positive outlook on everything, being more & more of a duck 'letting it all roll off my back' -even being dubbed (& accepting it) 'Miss Silverlining' :)
• I successfully decorated (& Un-decorated in a timely manner) for each holiday
• I organized & held weekly field trips for the local childcare providers this summer-we hope to expand it w/the Clarke county mom's group in Twenty-Eleven
• I bought myfirst stainless water bottle-a Sigg- & proceeded to beat the tar out of it LOL
• I found & stuck w/a chiro that listens, as well as believes the same things I do
• I learned to sew, can & make freezer jams
• I used facebook for constructive communication rather than whining, complaining & rumor spreading
• I organized & pulled off 2 successful crops
• I am still addicted to list making ;)
• I am boycotting alot of store bought items, mixes, canned goods, high fructose corn syrup, soy, & toxic people/relationships

ok.. done ;)  What does your list for twenty-ten look like?

True confessions Tuesday

not so 'weight oriented' this week... just life confessions in general

1. halloween candy is the devil-I can't have it in the house w/o inhaling it
2. I have totally slacked on the fruit & veggie front
3. I didn't run for a week & half after my last race then ran 2 nights, skipped a day, ran a day -sorta- skipped 2 days, now have today &  the next 2 to run then skip Friday for the race on Saturday
4. I started a new book w/o finishing the other I've been reading since April :( incredibly NOT like me but I wasn't making headway so I put it down & started this one that was brought to me & am loving it-lesson learned, don't see the movie until the book is finished!
5. I have taken a break from baking. not sure why just haven't done any. think I am back to it again.
6. I have a list of halloween crafts to do w/the kids & keep making excuses..
7. when I hopped on the scale mid day Sunday it LOOKED like I was up 4# from the last weigh in, but i am blaming it on the shoes & that I had been snacking all day
8. for that reason I have avoided the early morning weigh in all week
9. I have become the queen of half-a$$ing things.. not sure when but I just realized it this week. ugh I don't think I like it. its definately more productive than being a perfectionist & therefore avoiding doing ANYTHING for fear I won't have time/energy/creativity to do it right after all 'if you can't do it right the first time, why start it at all?'
10. my name is Kim & I am addicted to making lists.

have a great day :)

Random Thoughts.

Wow... ScrapPink is over. The food was great, the door prizes plenty, the game prizes desirable, company drama-free, and we were able to donate $750 to the Susan G. Komen foundation! NICE!! I have even unpacked, sorted thru & repacked everything, now to get the single pink tote carried to my room for storage for the next 11 months.

Next up... local fun walk/run. This Saturday, north parking lot of the Clarke County Hospital sponsored by the Physical Therapy dept.  Registration is simply a donation the food pantry & shirts are available for $5. No excuse not to enter.  :) 

Camera? what camera? I haven't used my camera since Labor Day weekend I think. YIKES. I am really hoping to put Tim in charge of it & get some shots of this race. Also hoping to spend the day w/him on a semi-local farm crawl snapping photos there too. Never been? me either. Hoping to get to go this year!

Weigh-in Wednesday: pleasantly surprised to see I was able to maintain the loss while cramming that last 2 weeks of ScrapPink prep in as well as the event where I feel like I ate constantly! oh yea & had a daily cocktail :)

Farmer's Market: Oh how I miss thee!!!  going to stop in to see you after my race on Saturday! have to get those Christmas gift orders picked up! & need some pumpkins for the front step!! :)

Running in General: I ran last night.. the whole 34 minutes. OUCH -the knee was not happy. still is a lil sore this morning. going to be using the Muscle soak lotion ALOT today.  before that I had just done a mile on the treadmill Sunday morning before the crop for an energy boost. BEFORE THAT, it had been a week to the day of a full run. yikes. not a good plan! back to it, have to run again tonight & tomorrow to take Friday night off. wonder if I would be considered obsessive if I venture to the race route & check it out... hmmmm maybe I can get Tim to walk it w/me Friday night???

Today will be a hoppin' day! full house w/lots of itty bitties = no productivity, but lots of floor time which should make the knee a bit happier.

A girl's weekend & my mouth

sorta. :)  Friday night was a group of us going to see Eclipse @ our local lil theater. SO FUN!!! Great Movie! cannot wait for Nov' 11 for Breaking Dawn to start!! :)  I haven't done a girls' movie night. EVER. definately something we agreed, we want to do more often!! After the movie we hit 2 bars.. coulda done w/o that part but it was still time w/the girls.

Saturday was an all day crop! I was afraid I'd not get my groove back after a 3 month hiatus but OH MAMA!! I pumped out all 11 pages of our 2004 4th of July!!! All between 10 & 5! GET OUT! I had to leave an hour early b/c I was out of pictures. That NEVER happens to me! lol  I had a great time catching up w/Steph, we haven't hungout since the PTCO crop in March & visiting w/some other girls I've not had the chance to get to know. we got a terrific binder & I won 3 door prizes!!! Over all, it was a GREAT TIME!!!

Sunday I was lazy! L.A.Z.Y. I hadn't eaten anything worthy in a couple of days & my energy level was an all time low. I didn't even care!!! I watched Burn Notice on the dvr :) then napped, then we watched The Bounty Hunter after Tim mowed the Ayers Property. GREAT MOVIE! I laughed so hard!!  OH & we watched the Christopher Titus stand up routine 'love is evol' Saturday night LOOOOVED IT!! but I loved his sitcom shows too.

on a good note- I did make myself get on the treadmill last night to get c25k w5d2 done! I was so close to blowing it off, putting it off until tonight, then doing day 3 on Wed, but that would put my 'training' off of my original schedule & I just hated that thought.  I am already fearful of not making the whole 5k in running/jogging mode, and having to walk the majority is so not in my 'plan'.  I have gotten so many others talked into joining me, that now I feel I have to be at my best (for the time) since they will be there. Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut & done the first one alone. hmmm a lil late now.  Tho I am pretty sure I know how.  The Keeping my mouth shut part.  When I get excited about something -scrapping, running, c25k, sisterhood, drinking water, child development studies, camping, boating, canning, eating whole foods, bulk shopping, etsy, farmer's markets, etc- I share all that I know to anyone who will listen. :)

OH, speaking of the sisterhood, there is a new challenge going on!!  Down & Dirty in 30!!  This is my first team challenge @ the 'hood & I have to admit I am more than a bit intimidated! Plus, I heard the word SHRED *gulp* I am not sure I am ready to shred while doing the c25k program. I might have to bow out of the shred & do my 10 minute target sessions from  netflix to keep from killing myself in the next 30 days, yet not let my team down.

so there you have my past weekend & plans for the week.. its now taken me 3 times of sitting to get it all typed up .. ah Monday!  some are cranky, some are tired & some are just unhappy about the rain that's coming down out side preventing us from BEING out there. time to get the play dough out!! :)   I think I'll bake some banana muffins too.  Hope you have a GREAT week!!!

Happy Hump Day!!!

YAY WEDNESDAY!!!!!!

the past 2 days have been light kid days! Monday meant I got some extra laundry & cleaning done while they played or napped.  Tuesday meant I was able to work on editing all crop forms over from the spring PTCO crop to the fall Scrap Pink crop! & to be sure that no one is wondering what I did w/the kids during all of this time, they did eat their regularly scheduled meals & snacks, played w/play dough, danced to 3 music cds, & did yoga! :)   today I will have about 8 kids & a helper so hopefully the weather will stay dry so we can WALK!!! PLEAAAAAAAAAAAAASE let it stay dry for this morning at least!! tomorrow we are hoping to visit the county fair grounds & then field trip Friday is to the animal shelter!  our summer is definitely busy!

Yesterday I went the farmer's market & spent the most I have spent this year.  I spent $17. I got a pound of roma tomatoes & 3 big ones, a green pepper, a dozen ears of peaches & cream, a splurge of a plate of snickerdoodle cookies & 2 really long skinny burp less cucumbers.  it sure didn't feel like much but those tomatoes really add up :)

the running & eating right combined to the water consistency intake has been good to me!! I am finally seeing a drop on weigh in day (usually my drop is over the weekend then Monday morning I gain it all back & it stays thru the week). I am giddy that I am down 10 since April 1!!  tonight is running night & I actually look fwd to it!

WOW it took a while to get this weekend figured out!! our normal lake is 1 foot under emergency flood level so we  checked into a different lake, going online we finally figured out that they only had one reservable campsite left near a boat ramp. SOOOO after a semi-conference call(I called Lauren who was in the same room as Hupp who was on the phone w/Nick)  & decided to go back to ole reliable & if we can boat -great- & if not we will find other ways to amuse ourselves :) trails, playgrounds, water park, water play on closed boat ramps, shopping, sounds pretty relaxing to me!!! Now we just need to get thru the week!!! OH & find some dry firewood to take LOL

back in the scrap room last night! WOW that felt good!! I even thought about finishing the project from April that's been laying unfinished. but I was too busy settling the weekend plans  to focus.  Maybe tonight after running, supper, & loading wood.

busy weekend recap

the easiest for me to type & you to read will be a list so here we go:

• bible school program for neice & 2 nephews-ADORABLE
• Farmer's Market goods-LOVE!
• Shopping in Des Moines-Productive!
• Free lunch out -YAY!!!
• week2day2 of c25k-DONE!
• new gear to wear on run-YAY!
• watching the scale drop over the weekend-WONDERFUL
• seeing it back up today-BOO!
• visiting loved camp attendant while he was visiting the lake-AWESOME
• crying while visiting (he lost his wife in May)- miserable
• watching movies over the weekend-RELAXING!!
• not a photo taken! GET OUT!!

back to work! Have a great day!!!

Hump Day=Helper Day :)

I am looking fwd to having that second set of hands, eyes & ears today!
I am looking fwd to getting to go for a walk-if the stroller isn't too wet from the rain overnight.
I am looking fwd to going thru the camping things tonight to get ready for the weekend.
I am looking fwd to trying my hand @ juicing berries for jam.
I am looking fwd to the Craft Day @ East Lake Park on Friday.
I am looking fwd to the weekend @ the lake.

I didn't even think about getting on the scale today.
I just totally forgot. Definately not intentional. but thankful I did not sure I could handle weighing in today the way I feel.
I had a good training last night on getting more fruits & veggies in the KIDS' diets. perfect timing for my life!
I think I am doing a good job of juggling the summer school, swim lessons, alternating parent visits,  along w/all of our childcare activities so far but we are only a month into summer vacation.
I am sick of the rain! hoping for a puddle stomping walk this morning!!

how about some father's day pics..

Sammy's first outing w/my family.

the boys 'haulin hay'.

 Mattie 'leading' Lady.
            Deep convers- ations.
old toys made new from a garage sale.
     cups w/name plates! loooove

croquet anyone??
mmmmmm chicken & shrimp on the fire!

Great night w/family!!!

Happy Hump Day!!

And so far its a good one!!! :) 

First: Sammy Slept All Night!!! hip hip hooooray!!!  Gus didn't but that's ok b/c he goes right back to sleep.. Sammy wants to stay up & play.

Second: I weighed in today @ the same thing I've been weighing for 3? weeks! time to get consistant w/the exercise!!!!!!!!

Third: speeking of exercise... last night I took both dogs for .5 mile walk then headed out on my own quiet mile. I decided to walk their .5 mile in reverse so I'd do the majority of the walk w/the sun in my face. GLORIOUS!!!  I ended up doing 2 full miles in total last night then came home& ran the north stretch of fence w/Sammy 6 times :) hmmmm maybe that's why he slept so well LOL

Fourth: I picked lettuce from my own garden last night! WOW!!!!!!! I washed it up & its chilling for lunch YUMMMMMM

Fifth: THE SUN IS SHINING so we are planning to walk this morning & probably play on the elementary school playground! YEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Sixth: first childcare event on Friday.. a bit nervous! but more excited :)

Seventh: crazy Saturday planned... City Wide Garage Sales, Farmer's Market, canning class in WDM, Sammy's puppy check up, father's day bonfire/weinie roast @ mom's for supper, birthday party invite to the south, wanting to visit friends & socialize the pups. thinking Sunday will be a big ole nappin day :)

offfffffffffffffffffffffff weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee goooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!

Choose You

What a neat campaign by the American Cancer Society!!!  I first read about it @ The Sisterhood today & haven't stopped thinking about it since. I am so in, are you? Who doesn't need reminded to take time to Choose You?! We all say we should, or that we do, but when it comes down to it, its usually something that bene's someone else more than ourselves right?? am I right??   Just 5 simple promises to make to no one but yourself (unless you want to go public like I am here): 1. Eat Right
2. Get Active
3. Quit Smoking
4. Get Regular Health Checks
5. Protect Your Skin

Easy Peasy right?? I thought so! So head on over the ACS site & check it out, & visit the Sisterhood site for a chance to win one of these great kits PICTURED ABOVE!!

WELL, what are you waiting for? go! CHOOSE YOU!!

busy busy busy!

a group of Thursday Threes today

 

CHILD CARE:

• setting up weekly field trips for the summer
• organizing Thursday in park
• scheduling helpers for summer

HOME:

• squeezing all we can into the weekends & evenings @ home
• getting gardens going
• keeping house & yards kept

SHRINKING:

• we walked 2.5 miles last night
• I did 18 fit minutes
• I am down another # today

SUMMER:

• local farmer's market opening day Saturday!!
• garage sales-I haven't been in YEARS
• 4th of July celebration

 *whew* off & running today!!!  have a good one :)

Tuesday that Feels Like Monday

what a fabulous long weekend!!! love spending time with our boating group! I believe we officially kicked off summer :)  it was a great time boating, swimming, cooking on the campfire, laughing-oh so much laughing!!

It was a great weekend, however, I do have some confessions:

• I did NOT get 64 oz of water any of the days F-M :(
• I did get 3-5 beers daily, I so wish that counted!
• I did NOT get 5f/v daily nor any dairy the entire weekend
• I did walk 2 miles/day -to & from the shower house
• I did have achiness in my quads enough to justify counting the daily time in the water as exercise
• I did gorge myself on chips & dip 2x over the weekend
• I did have smores more than one night
• I usually ate supper after 7 pm
• I did not do yoga as planned -forgot the mat @ home
• I was so wiped out yday that after the truck was unloaded, perishables were put away, the laundry thrown to the bottom of the stairs & dog settled, I crashed!  2  naps in 5 hrs. seriously not sure how I slept all night. = no exercise

UGH no wonder I gained a pound!*sigh* back on track!!!

doom & gloomy Monday

Oh Monday, you are such a struggle sometimes. thankful for the rainy afternoon = quiet nap time :)

first I am going to plug for a giveaway over @ the sisterhood :) (plus it earns me another entry hehe)

second a quick weekend recap: camping-cancelled due to crazy wind & very low over night temps, sad news of the loss of one of our camp attendants, movies watched & generally vegged around the house.

third, my accountability report: Friday we walked 2miles in the morning in prep for none that night, but I ended up taking Gus anyway on a mile, vitamins I remember but f/v I don't :( Saturday, we walked 1.25 mile in the evening, vitamins taken but f/v I am sure I skimped on. Sunday, I did 1.5 walk/jog on the treadmill then walked Gus 1 mile in the evening, f/v & vites acheived!

fourth, today I pulled out the retro record player & 45s & introduced the kids to it all :) "what is that black thing & why is it going round & round?" hehe way fun!! great way to spend the gloomy chillly morning.

final, I plan to get 2 miles in on the treadmill tonight since its raining out & sounds like it will be until tomorrow sometime :( blah!!

sorry all words & no photos.. it was just one of those weekends.

Thursday 3 & others...

over @ the Sisterhood they have a weekly Thursday three... I have never participated .. I have no idea why.. but I am going to start.. today :) "when I look in the mirror I like my... " name 3... here's the kicker.... POSITIVES of yourself in the mirror. OYE! why did I pick today to start I am asking myself.... ok ok.. thinking.... OH 1. my skin that is Sooooooooo much healthier, tight & softer when I drink my 96 oz of water every day :) ok that's a good start kim... only 2 more... 2. how much more alert my eyes are when I remember my vitamins (even just 2 nights in a row has helped a ton) 3. my (sometimes overly) expressive expressions :) I am not one that could talk w/her hands tied down nor can I listen or talk w/o mirroring it all in my face. *whew* I made it!! :)

ALSO over @ the Sisterhood, they are challenging everyone to do a mile.. walk, run, jog, whatever your level is do a mile :) I can proudly say that I did one this morning w/the child care .. it was almost painful, as they were C.R.A.B.B.Y. before we even left the house but we were going no matter what :) & we did & they are all sleeping now *sigh* I also plan to jog a mile on the treadmill tonight while watching the rest of Monday night's Castle online hehe

21 days: I got 96oz in yesterday YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! but only 3 of 5 f/v & then I DID remember to take my vitamins!!!!! DOUBLE YAY!!!! I didn't get any exercise all day tho as we opted for back yard time instead of our mile walk in the AM, then I had a provider appreciation dinner in the PM.

woops it is all about the sisterhood today! Not a bad thing! :)

other updates:

• summer outings are coming together!
• planning a Thursday in the Park for the local IAEYC including as many other like minded organizations/preschools/child cares as possible.
• Totally loving the new fb group! keeping me motivated to get movin'

here's to a great rest of your Thursday!!!

back on track!!

I have been playing around w/getting serious about losing this 'winter weight' & then some for a while. This is just the boost I need to quit playing & just DO it :) over @ the 'hood they issued this 21 day challenge again & we are to pick 3 things we need to make habits. Oh the list I could make!! but I will be good & just go w/3 :)



1. 30 minutes of exercise daily--the past 2 weeks I've been following in Tim's example & got back on the treadmill every day last week & saturday, missed Sunday & Monday, back on Tuesday, push mowed the back yard Wednesday & will do my best to get back on tonight.


2. 5 fruits & veggies every day--I do pretty good in spurts then I get lazy & don't pay attention.

3. Getting back on those vitamins!!


my water intake is good 90% of the time, I am making baby steps toward more exercise (.5 mile/day) & take the kids for a walk every morning that the weather is fit, & getting 7-8 hrs of sleep.


if you are ready to make some little changes, come on over!!

Happy Hump Day!!

alot going on in my world so it will be a random list today:

• I shredded on Monday :) I felt sooooooooo much better for it on Tuesday.
• I didnt' shred on Tuesday-nothign but excuses.
• I plan to shred today!
• I am in High Crop Planning GEAR today!!
• working on the crop I have confirmed 2 donations, a store to set up, 3 scrappers to register, heard from both of my AWESOME girls helping, updated several lists I have floating around, & contacted a 3rd store to come scrap w/us.
• & jsut so no one thinks I am neglecting my lil ones:
• working my job I have changed 8 diapers, danced like a crazy woman to one of their cds, fixed, fed & cleaned up 6 @ breakfast, 6 @ snack & 8 @ lunch, kissed 4 owies, fed 2 bottles, gotten 4 off to school & 3 off to & back from preschool, listened to 3 individuals sing 'you are my sunshine' & 'ittsy bittsy spider' 3x each, snuggled each of the 9 atleast once, oh & we can't forget the uncountable noses that have been wiped today!
• I am getting my 96oz of water every day!
• I am very frustrated about not shrinking but plan to kick that into gear here shortly as there are only 12 weeks until boating season starts!!! eeeeek
• my jeans are so tight I refuse to get on the scale.
• my will power to avoid snacking when I am not hungry is in full gear today YAY

HOW IS THAT FOR RANDOMNESS??? :)