August 2010
1 post
Woot!!!!
We just paid off our second mortgage. The bank did NOT make it easy, but I persevered!
July 2010
1 post
Halfway
I did it. I completed two of my intentions.
My diploma came about a month ago. I now have an MLS.
Today I ran a 5k. And I did it in under 40. 38:22, to be exact. I did not run in June, so this was the first of the year. I am signing up for one in august. There is a huge difference between outdoor running and the treadmill. My treadmill runs feel like cakewalks compared to today’s race. I...
March 2010
7 posts
Progress
We paid off the car. We have a 5 month emergency fund. We are accelerating the payment of our second mortgage. If everything goes to plan, we will have that paid off in under 2 years.
My running is improving. Two miles no longer feels like an eternity. I will be ready to run a race in June. I might not make my sub-40 goal, but I’ll be ready to give it a shot. My goal is to not get...
Book 8 of 52--Momma Zen
Definitely a reread. Learned a lot. I keep coming back to Buddhism; it’s definitely something I need to make time to study further. Have started meditation. Have also and more importantly been more mindful and less thought-full. The days where I think less are the most successful even if the most stressful.
meditation
afternoon
5 minutes
did not look at timer
eye is really bugging me; once school is done, i need to get it looked at again. i might need to go for another botox treatment.
10:15 pm
going to sit again before bed.
money update
just paid off one student loan! we’ve only got my graduate school one left.
also, figured out when second mortgage will be paid off. now, just need an hour to wait on hold with MBNA to make payment arrangements. ARGHH! I tried twice today, but after being on hold for 15 minutes each time, I had to hang up.
resolutions update--month 3
Resolutions
Ok, 11 days in and I’ve finally figured out my intentions for the year. I wanted to give it some thought and make them realistic and attainable.
1. Finish my MLS I am almost there. I’ve got three weeks and two assignments left. After tomorrow, I will have one final assignment. It has been a struggle, and I will celebrate when I’m done!
2. Eliminate back fat
I have...
keeping it in perspective
I have three weeks until I am DONE with school. It feels very overwhelming and impossible. The class I am taking is the most challenging one to date because I actually have to DO something; I am not just writing papers or talking about what I would do. I have to do it, and it’s scaring the heck out of me.
One thing that is helping is to stop thinking. I am up this late because I spent all...
Book 7 of 52--The Happiness Project
It was an enjoyable read. I got some ideas to incorporate into my post-school life. What I liked most was that she didn’t leave her life to find herself or the life she wanted. She did it through her life, which is really the only way it can actually be done. My own happiness project will begin in April, once I have finished school. I am looking forward to living my life with the goal being to...
February 2010
3 posts
Book 6 of 52--No Impact Man
Finally read this book; bought it the day it was released.
strengthening my commitment to living a morally and ethically green lifestyle
Book 5 of 52--Bel Canto, Ann Patchett
ok. nothing to write home about. predictable.
Feel very different abt book after book club. The layers and themes really needed to be talked about.
Book 4 of 52--Cheap
Highly recommend.
Excellent book.
January 2010
13 posts
Book 3 of 52--Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult
light read. reading her books is a challenge because I like to read the endings first, and work my way back through the story. I am not much of a mystery person; I really don’t like suspense.
A novel about what a mother will do for her children and/or for herself to keep her chlidren. There is a question as to whether the mother’s actions were more for her benefit or her...
18 days with no fast food. It feels great, physically and emotionally. It helps that we are doing it as a family, and that the kids are aware as well.
I have not had a donut in 18 days either. This is another step in the right direction. Eliminating that habit from my life will greatly accelerate my weight loss.
I still think I am eating too much. I really should start tracking, but that feels...
Book 2 of 52--The White Queen
Meh. Same old story.
Book 1 of 52--The Age of Innocence
I finished listening to The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. Meh. I didn’t get much out of the book. I did like the ending’s message—that sometimes keeping one’s fantasy intact is better than trying to recreate the past by reconnecting. Something has been bugging me, though. The wife, May, is portrayed as a simple character who does not want to see the unpleasantness of...
one thing
today’s one thing was to take our clothes to House by the Side of the Road, an organization that gives clothes to people in our county who need them. As long as they have a referral, they can shop for what they need. The kids both had winter coats that were still in very good shape, so I hope someone will be a little warmer this winter.
I struggle constantly with the amount of stuff we...
Went shopping today at Salvation Army for a new pair of pants. BIG MISTAKE! All the progress I thought I was making does not show up in the fitting room. I was going to take a day off tomorrow because I am getting burned out, but no more.
The day did have its highlights, though. I really, really wanted a bakery treat today. A combination of poor sleep, anxiety about school, and overall...
Misc.
So the whole fit vs. fat mom thing… My daughter asked me if I was going to lose weight now that I’m going to the Y. I said I hope so, but now I really have to. It turns out she is looking, watching and forming opinions. I want her to see her mom follow through and make changes.
11 days without fast food!
Music has found its way back into my life and that makes me really happy.
I...
Resolutions
Ok, 11 days in and I’ve finally figured out my intentions for the year. I wanted to give it some thought and make them realistic and attainable.
1. Finish my MLS
2. Eliminate back fat
3. Complete ONE 5k
4. Make two things with my sewing machine
5. Create a peaceful bedroom
No post tonight. V v sad. Tired of spouse having to travel. Mostly succeeding at not taking my mood out on kids. More benign neglect than I would like, but they are safe, fed, warm, and have books and toys at their disposal. Better than me forcing something and overreacting. Hoping little one sleeps well tonight. As much as I enjoy co-sleeping, it will be nice to get a break on Wednesday. Tomorrow...
I just read a comment where someone talks about being the fat mom in her community and how her kids have started to notice. I don’t know if my kids have noticed or not, but I definitely do. I am a fat mom. I do not like being a fat mom. Correction: I do not like being a fat mom who is not working to become a fit mom. Right now, I am still a fat mom, but am working hard at becoming a fit...
Gifts from S
I have been the recipient of many new gifts on this third Motherhood voyage. S has given her brother, sister, father, and me a whole new outlook on life. A few of the more recent gifts she has given, some of which are definitely more appreciated than others:
1. a reason to call poison control (she ate a marker.)
2. a chance to perfect my book taping skills
3. the ability to work out at the Y...
Princess Tiana and M
We haven’t seen the movie, but I found myself profoundly moved by Princess Tiana’s performance at Disneyland and my daughter’s response to it and to her overall. M liked the princesses well enough; she never saw the movies, but she liked the music and stuff. She wanted to be Ariel one year for Halloween, but I got her a generic mermaid costume instead. She had a poster of them...
counting blessings
There have been all sorts of small miracles this week that I was fortunate enough to recognize as such. They made my life smoother and more pleasant, and allowed me to move forward with my goals.
1. S went happily to Child Watch at the Y after a two week absence and a two week residence on the island of Mama.
2. The evidence of Mickey and Minnie caused me to clean my kitchen cupboards, leading...