Happy Birthday, Grandma!

My mom turned...another year older on Friday.  Doesn't she look great?

Happy Birthday, Mom.

Is Anyone Keeping Track?

Is this project #41 since we moved in, or #61? I've lost count, but I wish I had started keeping a tally from the beginning.  Our entry hall was finally ready for a new light after our huge gaping hole was repaired and two new coats of paints.

Occasionally, Tom gets to put his architecture degree to good use.  Because he worked so hard, I won't say exactly how long it took him to install the light Saturday.  But it does work. 

 We like the new light-

But I wasn't expecting the Pink Floyd laser show spectacular.  Still, it will do.

And since it has been almost a whole week since I painted, I started going into withdrawal. 

A trip to Lowe's cured that.

NOW,
maybe we can get this basement wrapped up.

(Maybe)

Weigh-In, Week 6

Me, falling off of this.

Weight at Beginning of this Week:
144.6

Current Weight:
146

Weight Loss this Week:
-1.4

Total Lost since Beginning WW:
5

Well, the good news is I know exactly what I did, and didn't do, to gain this week.  Starting new today and will be back at the 144's before I know it.  Just a little hiccup.

Ahhh, Nuts.

A freak morning storm hit us today that created hurricane-like winds for about two minutes.  When it was over, our backyard was covered in debris and a gazillion acorns had come loose from the surrounding trees.  Correction- a gazillion pirate's loot covered our yard.  We had fun hunting the treasure together. 
Tommy thought it was happy hour with lots of acorn appetizers. 

Patrick: Gazillion
Squirrels: Nada
Tommy: One, but I got it out of his mouth

Today was also the day I had to have the "We don't EVER put anything in our ears, nose, or butt" talk with Patrick.  Jeez.  Thank goodness he had just been kidding with me. 

Oh, today was also the first day (I knew it was coming) that Tommy bit Patrick.  Not badly enough where it left marks, but a bite.  I saw what was about to happen, but couldn't make it across the room in time.  Patrick was trying to push Tommy's arm off the piano keys and Tommy was having none of the bullying, so he leaned in for the attack.  Patrick took it in stride and Tommy promptly got a time-out in his crib. 

Hoping for sunshine tomorrow- this crew needs some more outdoor time.

Yep.

At it again. 

A Worthy Cause

Blew my diet yesterday, but for a good cause:  pool day with my best friend from college.  Cabana bed, drinks pool side (I did opt for Bacardi and Diet Coke instead of the yummy frozen peach/vodka drink on special), tons of sunshine, the kids at home with dad, and then an early dinner in casual sundresses and new tans.  I could could used to spending my Sundays like this. 

I didn't even mind that G can rock a bikini while I struggled with my tummy control one piece (ever tried to go to the bathroom in one of those then pull it back up when it is wet?  Not easy, folks).

Out of Sorts

I have been without Internet for nearly three days and it felt strange to not be able to connect.  It was almost nice to have each evening free and not feel drawn in to online shopping, blog surfing, or posting. 

I got most of my laundry ironed and put away.  I organized some things in the basement.  I did the dinner dishes instead of dealing with the mess in the morning.  I weeded outside for FOUR hours yesterday (.  Hmm.  I think I was much more productive than usual.

But I am back and promise some more posts to come. Soon.  We haven't been up to much these last few days due to the torrential, constant rains, but I'll dig up something. 

Weigh-In, Week 5

Starting Weight at the Beginning of this Week:
145.4
Current Weight:
144.6
Lost this Week:
.8
Total Lost Since I Began WW:
6.4
Pounds Remaining to Goal:
9.6
Welcome back, 144's. 

Weigh-In, Week 4

Starting Weight at the Beginning of this Week:
147

Current Weight:
145.4

Lost this Week:
1.6 lbs

Total Lost Since I Began WW:
5.6 lbs

I am starting to get excited at the prospect of seeing 144 on the scale for the first time in a long time.  Getting used to smaller portions, although I did fall off the wagon one day this week with some potato chips.  I have been exercising everyday this week by jogging with P in the stroller each evening.  Also bought some new shorts since my old ones were falling down, and dug out my favorite J-crew linen pants which FIT (size 6, although a relaxed fit). 

I am a little disappointed that it is coming off so slowly, but hopefully that means it will stay off. 

Zoo Day

I am completely amazed that God created an animal that can sleep, completely balanced, on one super-skinny leg.  Just watching them is perplexing.

Sorry, this is my best picture of the African Painted Dogs. It was about 80 degrees, and the whole pack slept on top of each other despite the heat - there must have been about 10 total.  Love these guys.

Always trying to keep up with his big brother.

Today was a much needed day for Patrick and me.  Yesterday, my usually well-behaved 3-year-old pressed his limits and I pushed back.  I yelled at him when he kept taking toys from Tommy.  I exploded when he intentionally peed nearly everywhere but inside the toilet.  I turned off the TV and he threw a fit of all fits, crying for 45 minutes.  Long, long day. 

So when I woke up today to glorious weather and now armed with a working vehicle, I decided we were going to head out to the zoo.  Patrick was absolutely perfect.  He walked the whole time, stayed right next to the stroller, helped with doors, and didn't whine or complain about a thing.  Once we were home he continued listening well and I spent the rest of the day telling him how great his listening ears were today and how proud I was of him.  Lots of hugs, lots of praise.  I feel like a different person today compared to yesterday. 

Best moment at the zoo:  As we sat taking a drink/snack break, Patrick stopped sucking down his lemonade drink box for a moment to inquire, "Is lemonade made out of lemons and ades?"

Tommy could not have been any more stimulated.  He made his universal animal noise (that just happens to  most resemble a pig) for every animal we saw. 

How NOT to start off your week:



Yet more water leaking into the ceiling of our addition.  Turns out that when you put on a new roof, the water will just come in an upstairs window frame that wasn't properly caulked. 

I haven't been in a very blogging mood.  This past Thursday, my car started overheating on the way home with the kids.  What happens you may have always wondered, when your engine thermostat actually gets into that red zone?  I kept waiting for the engine to shoot out through the hood.  Luckily, I got the car home and it was towed to the garage today (Patrick had the best time watching the guy get it on the truck).  Pleasantly surprised when they were able to get to the car today and fixed it for a lot less than what I was expecting.  Now we just have to figure out how to get it back here.  A pain, but so grateful the car never stranded us along the side of the road.

As far as the water goes, well, more painting.  This leak is in the exact same location on our addition ceiling as the last leak, but on the opposite side of the room.  Thank you, freak Fourth of July storm.  

Weigh-In, Week 3

Starting weight at the beginning of this week:
146

Current weight:
147

Weight Loss:
-1

Total to date:
4

So, I am actually not surprised, or disappointed with this morning's weigh-in since I feel like I am carrying about 3 pounds of water weight right now.   I suspect next week will show a multiple pounds loss.  I followed the plan and am feeling good.  Not nearly as hungry as I was the first two weeks.  I even went out and bought some more shorts in a size smaller.  All my other pants are falling down!

Couch Potatoes

Ever since Tommy figured out how to climb up onto the couch by himself this past month, he likes to spend a lot of his lounging time there.   Luckily, he has also finally figured out how to get off the couch by himself.

Partners in Crime