This wasn't going to my post for today, but as I was writing my other post (which I will now save for later today or tomorrow) one of my brothers called me. His wife was diagnosed with ALS about 2 years ago and she has been getting progressively worse. Just before Christmas she fell and I am not sure if she broke anything at that time, but yesterday she fell again and broke 2 disks in her back. My brother is scared. The doctors are basically telling him this is the beginning of the end. They have 5 kids ranging in ages from 25-12. My brother was telling me that they are probably going to have to have hospice care in the home or possibly put her in a home. The home they own is a 2 level and she hasn't been able to go up or down the stairs for about a year. My SIL is in denial of the whole thing and does not realize how bad she has been getting. My brother said when he talks to her about it she says she doesn't think she is any worse than when they first diagnosed her. She has also become very angry -- outbursts of anger at my brother and the kids. The younger kids are having a hard time understanding that she isn't mad at them and that it is just the disease causing this.
My heart is broken today for their family.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
The end of holiday vacation
Well, yesterday was the last day of the holiday break. I think overall the kids were ready to go back to school. They enjoyed being out and of course enjoyed the holiday hoopla, but all-in-all I think they are ready to get back to routine!
Yesterday, Lefty was so wound up... not really doing anything that terrible just wound up! He pulled Lady Bug's Petnet from the wall and so all her stuffed animals were all over the floor. He sat on a lego container and broke it. He was spinning and spinning and ended up falling and whacking his head on the wall (large gooseegg to prove it!) I mean, nothing terrible, just wound tight and driving us all nuts!
I know this sounds mean, but I was so thankful to drop him off at school today! I know he will have fun with his friends and seeing his favorite teacher again!
Monday, January 7, 2008
What a weekend we had!
It all started Friday when I got off work. I rushed out of the office so I could get home and shower. While I was showering Mr. Man went off to pick up the babysitter. After I got out of the shower I got on the phone and ordered pizza for the kids. Then rushed around and got my hair done and makeup on. Then the pizza came and I paid for it. As soon as Mr. Man got back we explained some rules to the babysitter and left our numbers, where we would be, etc. Then we dashed off to Mr. Man's company party (they always do the company holiday party in January which is so cool I think). We took the light rail transit system downtown to the party. The party was from 7 pm to 11 pm and they had a raffle every hour on the hour for lots of really cool prizes (you had to present to win) -- we finally won a prize at the final drawing of the evening.... we won this, which also came with this and this! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO incredibly excited!!! You all know how badly I wanted a new camera for Christmas so even though it was Mr. Man's holiday party and technically it was his raffle ticket that won he has graciously given me the camera. I said he could use it too, but in reality he never thinks to take pictures so it is usually me who takes all the pictures anyway!
Oh, I sort of got off the subject.... I was so excited to tell you about my new camera I forgot about the rest of the weekend!
Ok, so after we won we headed out to catch the light rail home.... missed it. The next one was 30 minutes. So we called the sitter and told her we would be late. Waited in the cold for the next train and finally got home at 12:35 am!!!! Fortunately for us, the sitter's mom is a friend of ours and she happened to be in our area (long story.... the shortest version is she is working part time for her old boss and so she goes in nights and weekends to do work for him) so she came over to pick up her daughter and she wasn't even mad that we were late! phew! We always pay her daughter pretty well so I hope that helps! LOL
Then Saturday morning, Mr. Man had to work (hee hee) then he did his usual breakfast with a couple of his buddies. When he got home he immediately left again with the boys to go to Home Depot for a kids workshop. When they all got back we went to the store and picked up some essentials to deliver to a family that we found out was in desperate need of some food. Then it was off to deliver that to the family. After we did that, we headed home for some lunch. While Lady Bug and Mr. Man napped the boys and I went to the grocery store for this weeks meals. Saturday evening we all bundled up in layers and went to the zoo for Zoo Lights since this was the last weekend for it.
Sunday, we got up a little later than normal. I made waffles and then we went to church. After church we went to lunch with a group of people (21 of us total!!). We got home about 3 and Lady Bug laid down for a nap so the boys and I went for a bike ride for about 45 minutes. Then I made Ham and scalloped potatoes for dinner. Mr. Man got called to work so he left about 7:30 pm and the kids and I watched a movie. Then I put them to bed and crashed myself!
It was a good weekend, just busy!
Oh, I sort of got off the subject.... I was so excited to tell you about my new camera I forgot about the rest of the weekend!
Ok, so after we won we headed out to catch the light rail home.... missed it. The next one was 30 minutes. So we called the sitter and told her we would be late. Waited in the cold for the next train and finally got home at 12:35 am!!!! Fortunately for us, the sitter's mom is a friend of ours and she happened to be in our area (long story.... the shortest version is she is working part time for her old boss and so she goes in nights and weekends to do work for him) so she came over to pick up her daughter and she wasn't even mad that we were late! phew! We always pay her daughter pretty well so I hope that helps! LOL
Then Saturday morning, Mr. Man had to work (hee hee) then he did his usual breakfast with a couple of his buddies. When he got home he immediately left again with the boys to go to Home Depot for a kids workshop. When they all got back we went to the store and picked up some essentials to deliver to a family that we found out was in desperate need of some food. Then it was off to deliver that to the family. After we did that, we headed home for some lunch. While Lady Bug and Mr. Man napped the boys and I went to the grocery store for this weeks meals. Saturday evening we all bundled up in layers and went to the zoo for Zoo Lights since this was the last weekend for it.
Sunday, we got up a little later than normal. I made waffles and then we went to church. After church we went to lunch with a group of people (21 of us total!!). We got home about 3 and Lady Bug laid down for a nap so the boys and I went for a bike ride for about 45 minutes. Then I made Ham and scalloped potatoes for dinner. Mr. Man got called to work so he left about 7:30 pm and the kids and I watched a movie. Then I put them to bed and crashed myself!
It was a good weekend, just busy!
Friday, January 4, 2008
Lemon Lime Chicken Breasts
Now, just because I am on a diet does not mean I have to post a diet-y recipe.... does it? I don't have any so I sure hope not! LOL
Actually, I didn't get this one from a diet book or anything but I enjoy making this and the chicken is quite tasty.
I serve this with steamed rice and a veggie of some sort (usually something green to add color to the plate -- I am wierd that way) This is one I can safely eat on my diet (I think) and my family enjoys it too!
Lemon Lime Chicken Breasts:
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 c lemon juice
1/2 c lime juice
2 Tbls extra virgin olive oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces
Italian seasoning to taste
Seasoning salt to taste
In a large ziplock bag, mix together the lemon juice, lime juice, and oil. Place chicken pieces in the mixture, seal bag and let marinate for at least 45 minutes to an 1 hour in the refrigerator.
Preheat the oven broiler. Line a cookie sheet with foil and arrange chicken pieces on sheet. Season chicken with Italian seasoning and seasoning salt. Transfer remaining marinade to a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Broil chicken 10 minutes in the preheated oven, basting frequently with the boiled marinade. Turn chicken, season again with Italian seasoning and seasoning salt, and continue broiling and basting 10 minutes, or until well browned and juices run clear.
Actually, I didn't get this one from a diet book or anything but I enjoy making this and the chicken is quite tasty.
I serve this with steamed rice and a veggie of some sort (usually something green to add color to the plate -- I am wierd that way) This is one I can safely eat on my diet (I think) and my family enjoys it too!
Lemon Lime Chicken Breasts:
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 c lemon juice
1/2 c lime juice
2 Tbls extra virgin olive oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces
Italian seasoning to taste
Seasoning salt to taste
In a large ziplock bag, mix together the lemon juice, lime juice, and oil. Place chicken pieces in the mixture, seal bag and let marinate for at least 45 minutes to an 1 hour in the refrigerator.
Preheat the oven broiler. Line a cookie sheet with foil and arrange chicken pieces on sheet. Season chicken with Italian seasoning and seasoning salt. Transfer remaining marinade to a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Broil chicken 10 minutes in the preheated oven, basting frequently with the boiled marinade. Turn chicken, season again with Italian seasoning and seasoning salt, and continue broiling and basting 10 minutes, or until well browned and juices run clear.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Dieting in 2008
I started dieting yesterday in hopes of losing about 20 lbs before my niece's wedding in August. I figure that is plenty of time to lose the weight. I actually would love to lose more like 30 lbs to get down to my pre-marriage weight, but realistically I want to set a goal that is reachable!
In the past when I have been dieting and exercising, I lose about 10 lbs and then I hit a brick wall. I still diet and exercise but no weight comes off. That is when I get discouraged and give up. I spoke with a friend who used to be a personal trainer and she said when that happens I should change my exercise routine and/or go back and do like I was at the beginning of the diet and take out a lot of things, go low carb high protien type thing or reduce the calorie intake for 5 days, those types of things. She told me that sometimes when we get down to a weight we have been at before our body gets comfortable as if to say "Oh. We've been here before. We're good." so what you need to do is jump-start the metabolism again to start losing weight.
This morning I did a workout video at home and then had a half of grapefruit for breakfast. Then I will have a small morning snack of a low fat yogurt. Then for lunch I have some low fat Progresso Chicken Noodle Soup with bottled water. Then my afternoon snack is a few almonds. Dinner is a low fat turkey chili (without crackers and cheese *wahhhh*).
I am feeling like I am off to a good start and I hope I can maintain this! Dieting is so hard with kids -- AND A husband who can eat a stick of butter and not gain a pound! I can do this and will feel better about myself for it!!! *fingers crossed*
I just read on Money Saving Mom about a website similar to weight watchers only it is FREE! It is SparkPeople.com so I signed up there and maybe that will help keep me motivated?? Maybe!!
In the past when I have been dieting and exercising, I lose about 10 lbs and then I hit a brick wall. I still diet and exercise but no weight comes off. That is when I get discouraged and give up. I spoke with a friend who used to be a personal trainer and she said when that happens I should change my exercise routine and/or go back and do like I was at the beginning of the diet and take out a lot of things, go low carb high protien type thing or reduce the calorie intake for 5 days, those types of things. She told me that sometimes when we get down to a weight we have been at before our body gets comfortable as if to say "Oh. We've been here before. We're good." so what you need to do is jump-start the metabolism again to start losing weight.
This morning I did a workout video at home and then had a half of grapefruit for breakfast. Then I will have a small morning snack of a low fat yogurt. Then for lunch I have some low fat Progresso Chicken Noodle Soup with bottled water. Then my afternoon snack is a few almonds. Dinner is a low fat turkey chili (without crackers and cheese *wahhhh*).
I am feeling like I am off to a good start and I hope I can maintain this! Dieting is so hard with kids -- AND A husband who can eat a stick of butter and not gain a pound! I can do this and will feel better about myself for it!!! *fingers crossed*
I just read on Money Saving Mom about a website similar to weight watchers only it is FREE! It is SparkPeople.com so I signed up there and maybe that will help keep me motivated?? Maybe!!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
2008 Goals
I don't make resolutions.... because I won't keep them....., but this year I have several goals I want to accomplish. (I know this is the same thing but people always break their resolutions so I am thinking if I call them goal instead then I will be able to accomplish them!- dumb logic I know!!)
- Lose 20 lbs before niece's wedding in August
- Be a better housekeeper
- Live in a house that feels welcoming
- Set aside more money into savings
- Own a china hutch to display my crystal
- Not let things get to me so much
- Read more
- Get a family photo taken
- Spend more time with family (meaning in-laws, cousins, etc.)
- Be more organized for Christmas 2009 ;0)
My First post in 2008
Here we are in 2008. Doesn't seem that long ago that we were all worried about what 2000 (Y2k) was going to do to us and here we are 8 years later! WOW!
We didn't do much on New Years Eve, watched some movies, started taking down Christmas stuff, made cookies (and ate some dough!) and I think that is about it. Yesterday we slept in and then cleaned house. Pretty boring!
Our house looks a little bare because some of the stuff I had taken down to put up Christmas decorations I didn't put back out. Since we are moving in the spring I just decided to start packing up some stuff that we don't need. The last 2 moves we made I didn't get packed up soon enough and so moving day I was up at 3:00 A.M. to finish packing which makes me pretty worthless for moving anything later in the day!! So this time I want to be more prepared!
Not much else to report today! I hope everyone is safe and had a great New Years Day!
We didn't do much on New Years Eve, watched some movies, started taking down Christmas stuff, made cookies (and ate some dough!) and I think that is about it. Yesterday we slept in and then cleaned house. Pretty boring!
Our house looks a little bare because some of the stuff I had taken down to put up Christmas decorations I didn't put back out. Since we are moving in the spring I just decided to start packing up some stuff that we don't need. The last 2 moves we made I didn't get packed up soon enough and so moving day I was up at 3:00 A.M. to finish packing which makes me pretty worthless for moving anything later in the day!! So this time I want to be more prepared!
Not much else to report today! I hope everyone is safe and had a great New Years Day!
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