Weight Loss Wednesday

Two months in, and still going strong.

I don't think I've lost any of my start-up motivation, knock wood. Don't know how long that will stay with me, but I'm hoping it's with me the rest of my life!

Because of the hospital ordeal this past week, I couldn't find much time for exercise and my food choices were less than stellar. Still, I managed to lose a teeny tiny bit of weight. Better than a gain, right?


So here's your food for thought this week:

Probably any one on a weight loss journey has seen this by now, but in case there are a few who haven't, here it is again.
It's a visual for keeping track of how much weight you'd like to lose, and how much you've lost.



I have to tell you it's very satisfying to move things over into the "pounds lost" jar.



As far as new exercise tips, I don't have one for you this week, as I'm still doing my squats challenge (see last week).
When I've completed that, I'll start something new, and share it with you here.

Point is, keep movin'!


Anyway, sorry not too much of a post this week, but I'll have more for you next week.

Keep the faith!!!




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Worst. Hospital. Care.

We had to take poor Julie to the E.D. on Friday.

We decided on a children's hospital with a good reputation that we've been to for a lot of outpatient things. We've always been pleased with them.

This time? Not so much.

They admitted her in order to try to figure out what was going on.

Great.

But in terms of working her up?

Never ran any labs.

When I realized on Saturday night that we never had any blood drawn, I asked the resident about it.

He said, "What do you need labs for?"
Ummm, to make sure we're not dealing with infection or electrolyte imbalances or dehydration, or.....

"Well that's not necessary. If we did labs for her we'd have to do them on everybody."
Orrrr (follow me here) just the kids who need them. Just a thought.

Can we just get them done anyway, I said? I'd really like to clarify that piece of things and it's not like it's an invasive procedure or anything.

"Getting blood drawn has its risks", he told me, somewhat angry now. And then,
"I feel like I've been very patient with you and now you're attacking me!"
"And besides, it's 9:00 at night now!"

I'm thinking, what, do all the nurses in the hospital go home at 8? Damn, I wish I had been aware.

So he finally told me he would ask the attending in the morning to write orders for labs, so I consented to that.


Another issue was that they did an EEG on Saturday, but not an MRI or CT scan, even though two of her doctors (from outside the hospital) said she needed one. Resident just kept saying it wasn't warranted.

I had two docs on the phone explaining why it was, indeed, warranted, plus my husband echoing the same, but we just kept hearing it wasn't justified and that it was too risky.

They finally consented (on Sunday) to run a CT scan, after much begging and pleading on my part, plus an intercession from yet one more doc. But as it turns out (b/c little do I know) they did a CT with no contrast, which is kind of worthless as a diagnostic tool. I found that out a couple hours later, but when I asked for them to do it again with contrast, you guessed it, another brick wall.

My sister Veronica was there with me from Saturday afternoon onward, and she was a GODSEND. When my own cojones were feeling a little shriveled up and wimped out, I borrowed hers. On Saturday night I was lying in bed with Julie, and Veronica was wandering the hallways looking for some course of action, and finding none. She was frustrated and at wit's end, when a little old man named Cornelius happened by and asked if she was alright. Turned out he was a volunteer pastor, and he offered to say a prayer, which she gladly accepted. He came into our room and laid hands on Julie as she slept, and said a wonderful and heartfelt prayer over Julie, and Veronica and myself, praying that the staff would listen and act, praying for an end to Julie's troubles, praying for help and praying for peace.

I love Cornelius.
Veronica loves Cornelius.
We all love Cornelius.




We finally left on Sunday afternoon, not really feeling like much had been figured out.


Image source



But tomorrow we have an appointment with a guy from CHOP. 

And I'm hoping 
**fingers crossed, knocking wood**

That we'll get a little further with this guy.


Keep those prayers going, Cornelius!!


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Family Bonding

I have a guest post for you today from the lovely and talented John Dyer. Enjoy!



Family Bonding From Trampoline Fun!

Any parent knows that what their children need from them is always more- more personal time, more energy, more quality family time. In fact it has been noted by one pediatric psychologist that just being under the same roof hardly qualifies. Most kids see their parents on their cell phones, or in front of the T.V., or on the computer. While being in the same room, these activities hardly qualify as quality time. She finished her research by saying how parents who make a full commitment to being present and spend precious time with their kids benefits all in the family beyond measure.

But let’s face it, we live in a society where work is pressed harder and harder, schools push kids to continue education, and often times both parents have to work. So what can be of help to organize time and spend it with your family? What can help increase the family bond and yet be fun for all? Why don’t we take a look at the answers to those questions and see just how a trampoline can add loads of fun, and hours of family enjoyment and coming together.


By: JeHu68[/caption]


Fun In The Sun!

What child who is walking by a trampoline does not get the sensation, urge and desire to climb up and soar through he air. It goes without saying that kids of all ages love trampolines, and even for those hyperactive types, it is a perfect way to keep them engaged. There is no age limit for these jumping wonders, and in fact in a recent study it is actually recommended for use of individuals between 3 and 60 years of age. Kids can build their muscles, improve jumping skills, and in the world of athletics even have a bump above others.


Benefits Even For The More Mature User!

Kids having fun is far from the only reason to invest in a trampoline. When it comes to trampolines, while it is quite enjoyable no matter how old you are, it has quite a few health benefits connected to it. Owning a trampoline is a sure fire way to good health, fitness, and great stamina. Your cardiovascular system as well as muscle coordination are greatly improved, and muscle toning as well as weight loss are no small deeds. In fact with cardiovascular diseases being the number one killer in the United States alone, and with the ever increasing risk of osteoporosis and bone fragility, trampolines serve a dual purpose in the prevention of both.


Family Time!

The goal and joy of any true parent is to see their family laughing, and closely bonding together. Well, trampoline fun is truly a neat way of combining both. Even during the dreaded “teen or tween years”. There’s something completely unique and special about putting together friendly sport, fresh air, and a nice physical activity for the whole family. And since you don’t need a lot of space, a trampoline can be just the thing you need and desire to bring your family together and have good old fashioned fun.




Author:
John Dyer is a fitness writer. He loves to workout and share his fitness experience in his writings. He is currently working for Sportspower Trampoline Parts


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Farm Friday: I'm a Baby Killer!

Ohhhh, what has become of me? **gnashes teeth**

Who am I? **drops to knees and pulls hair**

I killed babies today.

They were baby rats, but nevertheless, they were babies, and I killed them!

Well, truth be told, I didn't actually do the killing. I had my hit man, girl, rat terrier do it.

See, Julie and I were doing some work in the barn, and we moved this big honkin' metal thing that weighed a ton if it weighed an ounce, and out scurried this big ol' (ewwww) rat. Cindy (the rat terrier) gave chase and, well, I'd rather not say how it ended for said rat.

Then she ran back over to the big honkin' metal thing and quick as a jack rabbit, out she came with this tiny little thing in her jaws. It was a baby rat, probably not more than a few days old. Dead, of course. And I actually felt sad. These barn rats are the scourge of my existence, but I'm so screwed up I felt SAD that this widdle biddy baby was killed.

But before I could generate any tears, off Cindy ran back behind The Thing again, and I went over and looked and there was a whole nest of them. Probably close to a dozen. Did I call her off and place them all in a shoebox with some cotton wadding?



Image source

(I didn't take this picture, but this is pretty much what they looked like)



I'd be lying if I said the thought didn't cross my mind.

But for once in my life I did the smart, responsible thing when it came to animals.

I sicced my dog on them.

I figured, one crunch to the head and they're gone, pretty quick.

I didn't know what else to do.

I mean, I certainly couldn't facilitate baby rats growing up into adult rats to be killed by me or one of my kids another day.

And left to their own devices with no mother they would die anyway, only it would take a lot longer.

But I killed babies, oh my GOD!



Anyway, I will have to find a way to live on. 

One foot in front of the other, as they say.



And I do have some LIVE babies on the farm that I am not killing.

And they are extremely cute.

I will show you a picture when my phone camera and my computer decide they can talk to one another again.


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Dear Mr. Clooney,

Dear Mr. Clooney,

It has come to my attention that you and Miss Stacy Keibler have parted ways.
Such sad news.

But time heals all wounds, as they say. Take a little down time in your villa and be sure to engage in some fun activities to get your mind off your heartbreak.

Then, when you're ready (and only when you're truly ready), jump back into the dating game.

Although I am protective of my little sister Mary Birdsong, I do approve of you as a would-be suitor, so feel free to call on her.

Since you worked with her on The Descendants, I'm sure you already have her contact information, but if you've lost it, please feel free to email me and I'll get that to you (farmbeachgal@yahoo.com).

Might I remind you that you have several things in common? You've both lived in Kentucky, you're both actors who have a great sense of humor. You can both do impressions. You're both Democrats, you're Irish/German/English, Catholic, you were born in the same decade, the list goes on. I mean honestly, you were made for each other.

Plus she's cute as a button, see?


Image source

and you're just handsome as all get out and I have a huge crush on you myself but my husband won't give me a celebrity pass.

And just think, if you went out with my sister, and things ended in matrimony, you would get me as your sister-in-law, and my six kids would be your ready-made nieces and nephews. Fun, right?

You could come visit us on the farm sometimes. You could go fishing in our pond. Only watch where you step because you know we never rebuilt that spillway very well and we wouldn't want you twisting an ankle where it's all eroded.

You could gather eggs in the barn, wouldn't that be quaint? Just keep your eye open for rats. And manure. You probably wear expensive shoes, so be careful, I wouldn't want you to ruin them.

Maybe you would be better off swimming in our pool. It's one of them fancy in-ground ones. A "see-ment pond", as Ellie May used to say. Just give us a little warning so I can get the kids to clean it. It's been known to get murky if we don't stay on top of it. And it sometimes has frogs in it, so we'll pick them out ahead of time if you just give us a little notice.

It'll be just like spending down time in your villa.  Except we don't have any servants or anything and there's a lot of screaming and yelling and crying all the time and there's dog hair in every corner and sometimes really gross stuff gets tracked in the house on peoples' boots and there's a lot of dogs barking and tripping you up and there are a few temper holes in the walls and like I said we have frogs in our pool and you've probably never been swimming in a pool that had frogs in it.

But other than that, you won't know the difference.

So yeah....

Mary Birdsong.  She's for you.



Most sincerely,
Your future sister-in-law,

Anne







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Weight Loss Wednesday

OK, I'm back.

Couple busy weeks there, so I didn't have time to post anything on this topic last week.

And I'll admit (and if you are a regular reader you'll already know this) that I had a less-than-perfect stretch of a few days when I visited with my sisters in NYC about a week and a half ago.

But I'm back on track.

And I have a few tips I'd like to share.

The first two are just "food for thought" as it were. A couple of things that help me with my perspective.

The other is an exercise tip.

Food for Thought
If you went to the doctor, and he told you you only had six months to live, what would go through your mind? You would probably think of your loved ones, of how you wish you could have more time with them.  I doubt there is anyone who would think to themselves, "Geeze, I'm really going to miss eating!" Because food would not be something you would miss. And yet we give it so much thought and attention day by day, moment by moment. Doesn't add up.

Another thing. If someone told you that you had to lose all your senses but one, show of hands, who would choose taste as the sensation they couldn't live without? Why don't I see any hands? Because taste is just not that imortant to us in the grand scheme of things. And yet, again, we give it SO much importance in the moment.

To me, both of these thoughts go to show that we need to live more in the moments which make up our lives. Figure out what is important to us and let the way we live our lives reflect that.

Exercise
I haven't had too much time to exercise in the way that I want. But while I'm waiting for my schedule to slow down a bit, I've started an exercise program that only takes a few minutes a day and can be done anytime, anywhere, with no equipment needed.

It's a squat challenge I found on Pinterest. I'm currently up to 175 squats, and by the end of the month I should be doing 200.

It's easy while at the same time being hard.
I feel stronger already.

Roarrrr.



Image source



So in summary, although I allowed for some special occasion eat-drink-and-be-merry-time, I did well on the plan, losing an additional three pounds, and bringing my total to just under 18 pounds.

I added in exercise and have been sticking to it pretty consistently, and I feel the difference.

I pulled some of my old shorts out of the dresser, and they FIT! They are a size smaller than my usual, and considering my usual was getting tight (who'm I kidding, I had ditched my usuals and had gone whole-hog yoga pants), it's really more like two sizes down.


But enough about me and my journey to getting fit, how about you?  Those of you who are on this same path, what's working, what's hard?  Share your epiphanies.

Because misery's not the only one who loves company.

So does success.
And joy.
And damn proud of yourself.










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Circle of Moms plug!

This is the LAST DAY to vote and I'm hoping to keep a place somewhere in the Top 25.

Will you help?


If you'd like to vote for me, just click on the image below, then scroll down till you see my blog, then click on the vote button. If I can keep in the top 25 I can get a cool badge to wear proudly on my blog!





XOXO!


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The Conjuring

I saw The Conjuring on Saturday night with a few kids.

If you like good old-fashioned ship your pants kind of scary, go see this movie.

Scary.

Scary.

Scary.

Oh my gracious.

Good times.

Here's a trailer.

If you like scary, go see it.

And be ready with a big bucket of popcorn.



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Circle of Moms plug!

There are only two more days to vote and I'm hoping to keep a place somewhere in the Top 25.

Will you help?


If you'd like to vote for me, just click on the image below, then scroll down till you see my blog, then click on the vote button. You can vote once a day till the contest ends on 7/24. If I can keep in the top 25 I can get a cool badge to wear proudly on my blog!





XOXO!


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It's a No-Post Post

Even though I don't have a post for you today, I would still really appreciate a vote if you have a second.

There are only four more days to vote and I'm hoping to keep a place somewhere in the Top 25.

Will you help?


If you'd like to vote for me, just click on the image below, then scroll down till you see my blog, then click on the vote button. You can vote once a day till the contest ends on 7/24. If I can keep in the top 25 I can get a cool badge to wear proudly on my blog!





XOXO!


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Advocating for Education for Special Needs Children

Today I bring you a guest post from Virginia Cunningham, who has written a wonderful post about advocating for special needs children within the school system.
Take it away, Virginia!




Advocating for Education for Special Needs Children

Any given school district will set itself up to provide the optimal amount of attention and education for the highest number of students possible. This means that a school’s budget will be primarily focused on what it can bring to a collective group of kids, and will give little (if any) attention to the needs of specific individuals within their own school system.

This becomes a problem when you have kids who not only learn differently than other students, but who fall into the category of learning disabled or special needs. These kids do not often benefit from the typical classroom setting and require special, individualized attention from teachers and school staff to be able to learn effectively.



Image source

Things get messy when you throw in laws that require school districts and systems to provide specialized education for all children who have a need for it. This means that if there is an individual who isn’t being provided with the right kind of learning atmosphere, their parents, by law, have the right to question the school system and pursue a more amicable situation for their child.

This can happen in the form of simple dialogue between parents and school officials, and it can escalate all the way to litigation.

Often times, a school will capitulate with the parents’ request before it gets to that point, but schools are always trying to walk a fine line between their budget and having to provide education for a mass number of children, both specialized and non-specialized.

Sometimes, a school will simply run out of resources, in which case specialized classroom environments and individual attention will be some of the first things to go.

Budget Cuts

Due in part to the financial state of our public sector and local governments, school districts all across the United States have been forced to undergo deep and sustained budget cuts. This means that in most cases, schools are having a much more difficult time providing specialized education plans for individuals or small groups of kids, though still being required by law to do so.



Image source

This means that the climate is ripe for conflict between schools and parents, with no real identifiable solution.

Advocating as the Parent

If you’re the parent of a special needs child, you’re probably the only buffer between your child and whatever the school system wants to do. If you believe that your child isn’t getting an adequate education, regardless of their disabilities, you have a right to question your school district and, if necessary, get legal help from an attorney.

While you never want it to get to the point where you must hire an attorney to get your child the education he or she deserves, it’s a necessary step to take if the school is refusing to do anything about it.

Your Involvement

You pay taxes that fund the school system directly, so there’s no question that you have a say and a right to be involved in what goes on there.

Sure, it takes time and energy, but you’re probably one of the only advocates that your child is going to have in the entire system. It’s simply too big and overreaching to voluntarily give individualized attention to any one child.

That’s going to be up to you as the parent.






Virginia Cunningham is a writer for www.northwestpharmacy.com and mother of three. As a mother of a special needs child herself, she often educates other parents of special needs children about special needs law and inclusion.



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If you'd like to vote for me, just click on the image below, then scroll down till you see my blog, then click on the vote button. You can vote once a day till the contest ends on 7/24. If I can keep in the top 25 I can get a cool badge to wear proudly on my blog!

ONLY FIVE MORE DAYS OF VOTING, AND I'M LINGERING NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE TOP 25!




XOXO!


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Farm Friday: Allergic?

The chicks and ducklings continue to grow.

The chicks and ducklings continue to be adorable.

I can't hardly stand it.


Here is a picture of the chicks that I promised you from last week.

The goldish ones are the Buff Orpingtons, the whiter ones are the Cornish Rocks.

Don't get too used to those Rocks, they'll only be with us another six or seven weeks.

Well, they'll still be with us, but in the freezer or on the table, not in the barn.





And here is a picture of the ducklings. See the one on the right with the afro? That's the crested runner I was telling you about that I got by accident.

I love her.




Her days might be numbered, though. This morning I put them in the kiddie pool for the first time.

I no sooner put her in then she started flopping all around, twisting and writing like she was possessed.

I think she confused exercise with exorcise.

So I immediately picked her up, and her head continued to spin around.

I put her back in her hutch and she started flopping and twisting and spinning in her bedding.

But I turned my attention to another duckling that had gotten out of the pool and wedged into a little impossible to reach space, and by the time I got her squared away, the crested was upright and looking pretty OK.

I think maybe she had an anaphylactic reaction to water.

I have a duck that's allergic to water.

Figures.



Here are the other three ducklings acting like normal ducklings do when they are placed in water.





This one saw her sister freaking out and just said,

"Really?"

It came out sounding more like a little quack, but I knew what she meant.













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If you'd like to vote for me, just click on the image below, then scroll down till you see my blog, then click on the vote button. You can vote once a day till the contest ends on 7/24. If I can keep in the top 25 I can get a cool badge to wear proudly on my blog!




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Sister Treat 14

My sisters Mary and Veronica and I go on a sister's retreat every year. It's the brilliant brain child of Mary, and we've been doing it 14 years now, ever since my baby Daniel was about a year old.

When my kids were little, they always called it our "sister treat", so of course that's been it's official name for years.

I just came back from Sister Treat 14, and I shall go into a year long period of mourning till we can do this again next year.

A few times we've pulled out all the stops, whatever that means, and done things in grand style. Last year for instance, we flew to Mexico and stayed at a lovely resort for a few days. Once we went to Puerto Rico, and once to LA. Usually, however, we stay pretty local. Someplace we can get to within a few hours drive, and a few times we stayed right at Mary's place in Manhattan.

This was one such time.

We decided we would make this a Jerry Seinfeld treat. Much as Jerry Seinfeld was a show about nothing, this was to be our treat about nothing. We went into it without an itinerary and just flew by the seat of our pants all weekend.

And it was lovely.

On our second Treat, we had a waitress that could double for Julia Child in appearance and voice that would ask us, "Would the ladies care for some winnnnne?"





This year we had our first dinner at the Italian restaurant downstairs from Mary's apartment. The food was gourmet and delicious and carried us through several hours of talking and reminiscing and home-grown therapy.

Next day we had the most amazing brunch at a place we just happened to be passing by near Times Square. I had French Toast that was sitting in some kind of maple-infused cream and it had caramelized apples and I thought I was in heaven. Weight Watchers can just back off for a couple days. We got massages at a little spa that we almost passed right by and it was serene and cheap and utterly transforming. We laughed ourselves silly at "Avenue Q" off Broadway and finished off the night with another round of therapy, talking till 2 or 3 in the morning.

On Sunday we had high tea, did some upper East side shopping, got mani-pedis, and took in a movie with lots of buttered popcorn and cold drinks (stand down, WW, I'll be back soon, I promise).







Monday brought a few more hours of shopping and little surprises and more talking and laughing.

I didn't want to leave!!!

But all good things must come to an end, I suppose.


At least we have next year to look forward to.

And the year after that,

and the year after that,

and the year after that.....





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My blog has been nominated for the Top 25 Moms With Big Families - 2013 list on Circle of Moms!
If you'd like to vote for me, just click on the image below, then scroll down till you see my blog, then click on the vote button. You can vote once a day till the contest ends on 7/24. If I can keep in the top 25 I can get a cool badge to wear proudly on my blog!




XOXO!


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Wordless Wednesday

Sorry, no time for a Weight Loss Wednesday post today. Back to Wordless Wednesday for now. Returning to more weight loss tidbits this time next week.

And now for some wordlessness....









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My blog has been nominated for the Top 25 Moms With Big Families - 2013 list on Circle of Moms!
If you'd like to vote for me, just click on the image below, then scroll down till you see my blog, then click on the vote button. You can vote once a day till the contest ends on 7/24. If I can keep in the top 25 I can get a cool badge to wear proudly on my blog!




XOXO!


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Movie Pass Giveaway!

Hey there readers!

I have a giveaway for you!

Two movie passes for The Conjuring (click the link to see the trailer).

Have you seen the preview/trailer yet? It looks REALLY spooky and awesome.

I can't wait to see it.


If YOU'D like a chance at seeing it for FREE, leave me a comment below.

I will pick one winner at random, and will have two movie passes for The Conjuring sent to you asap.



Let the commenting begin!


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My blog has been nominated for the Top 25 Moms With Big Families - 2013 list on Circle of Moms!
If you'd like to vote for me, just click on the image below, then scroll down till you see my blog, then click on the vote button. You can vote once a day till the contest ends on 7/24. If I can keep in the top 25 I can get a cool badge to wear proudly on my blog!




XOXO!


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Farm Friday: Preparing the Nursery

The feeders and waterers were scrubbed and shiny.





The duckling room was prepared.




The chick room was prepared.







And they're here!!!!

I say ducklings, you say cute.

Ducklings
CUTE!

Ducklings
CUTE!














I got two White Pekins and two Fawn Runners.
Runners are funny things. Bowling pins.
And it looks like they sent me one Crested Runner by accident. She's adorable. She looks like she's sportin' an afro.

These ducklings are just hilarious. Hilarious I tell you.
And cute. SO cute.

Pippin's dubious. He says, "They're no cuter than I am."

Yes, Pippin.
Yes they are....






I have chicks, too, and they are almost as cute as the ducklings, but the pictures didn't come out.
Poop.

Did I hear someone else ask what types of chicks I got?

I got 18 Cornish Rocks (meat birds). 12 for me and 6 for my friend Theresa.
And I got 5 more Buff Orpingtons to supplement my older layers.

Buff Orpingtons are awesome sauce.

They're nice.
They're good layers.
They're hardy.

Did I hear someone ask what possessed me to get ducklings?

Well, I heard it told that ducks will lay all winter, where hens (over the age of about two) will slow down in production significantly. Mine certainly did this past winter. Lazy good-for-nothins.
I also heard it told that while duck eggs may not be as good for eating breakfast-style, they're perfectly fine for using in recipes.



I got the call from the post office that my chicks were in.

This was 7:30 Thursday morning as I was on my way to Lancaster to get my Summer Son Obrin to his bus to take him back to New York.

So I called my friend Theresa and asked her if she would schlepp two towns over at 7:30 in the morning to pick up my poultry (truth be told, some of the order was hers).

And she did.

Everyone should have a Theresa in their lives.




************

My blog has been nominated for the Top 25 Moms With Big Families - 2013 list on Circle of Moms!
If you'd like to vote for me, just click on the image below, then scroll down till you see my blog, then click on the vote button. You can vote once a day till the contest ends on 7/24. If I can keep in the top 25 I can get a cool badge to wear proudly on my blog!




XOXO!


*************

And don't forget Top Mommy Blogs! You know the drill by now. Just click the juggling chick and you've voted. You can vote every day till like, forever.



Thanks!

Weight Loss Wednesday

Stress.

High blood pressure.

Sleeping poorly.

Gaining weight.


Ugh.


Time to get serious

REALLY serious.




Image source



To that end, I've gone back to Weight Watchers.


I did the program years ago, and had great success, but then I let life get in the way of being faithful to the program, and I ate with abandon, and surprise, I gained the weight back and then some. And THEN some.

Recently I tried to cut back on my own, but I wasn't really taking it seriously enough, and wasn't getting anywhere.

I think I was afraid to make any kind of real commitment because I thought it would just be one more source of stress and that was the last thing I needed in my life right now.

But I finally decided to just do it.

And I am so glad.

I've been doing well with the weight loss (about 15 pounds so far), but more importantly, I'm at a place in my head where I feel like food doesn't control me. Like it just doesn't matter if I can eat the whatever-it-is-that's-in-front-of-me-at-the-moment.

I don't know if that feeling is with me to stay or if it's temporary since I'm all eager-beaver right now and all.

All I know is that getting fit and healthy right now is important to me.

Very important.

So I thought I'd do a weekly thing on my blog that shares thoughts, tips, progress, set backs, etc.

And I have a before picture, but I'm not ready to share it yet. Maybe in a few months when I have a decent after  in progress picture to put up.


If anyone else is going through something similar, I'd love to hear from you. Maybe we can form our own little support group.






************

My blog has been nominated for the Top 25 Moms With Big Families - 2013 list on Circle of Moms!
If you'd like to vote for me, just click on the image below, then scroll down till you see my blog, then click on the vote button. You can vote once a day till the contest ends on 7/24. If I can keep in the top 25 I can get a cool badge to wear proudly on my blog!




XOXO!


*************

And don't forget Top Mommy Blogs! You know the drill by now. Just click the juggling chick and you've voted. You can vote every day till like, forever.



Thanks!

4th Festivities

Obrin (our Summer Son from the Fresh Air Fund) is diggin' the corn.




Finnegan says "Where's mine???"



Crope says "I got some."



Kickin' back.




Lightin' Up



Success!



Sweet.




Very carefully....



Run!



Awesome.




All done.












************

My blog has been nominated for the Top 25 Moms With Big Families - 2013 list on Circle of Moms!
If you'd like to vote for me, just click on the image below, then scroll down till you see my blog, then click on the vote button. You can vote once a day till the contest ends on 7/24. If I can stay in the top 25, I get a badge to wear proudly on my blog!




XOXO!


*************

And don't forget Top Mommy Blogs! You know the drill by now. Just click the juggling chick and you've voted. You can vote every day till like, forever.



Thanks!