Goal Week

Copying idea from Amy's blog. Though my colors aren't as cool.

GOALS FOR THE WEEK May 18-24

Put away every scrap of laundry.
Then start all over again with washing dirties.

Organize the girls clothing, pack what can be packed

Finish cleaning out basement

Paint basement walls

Paint the kitchen ceiling

Repaint entry way

Organize "junk" drawer

Make healthful, delicious meals

Continue my awesome work out regimen, which I know I can do because I kick ass and I'm going on WEEK 10 of my awesome, super self

Take all of my vitamins daily

Meditate/ Pray/ Be grateful & in the moment: 20 minutes each day

Not worry about finding a place to live or finding a renter or buyer for this house for exactly one week

Celebrate Jamie's birthday next Sunday

All of my "regular" chores & housework

Smile at one stranger at the gym per day

Take one important test, and pass

Plan something uber cool for family night next week

Be present with the girls as much as possible

Work on work project (yes, I have a work project. I'll tell you about it later).

Start work on Colorado going away video

Read at least one non-parenting, non-educational, non-religious book

U-G-L-Y: What does that spell?

When your house looks like this, please do not attempt to advertise it as "updated". Teal carpet of any kind indicates a serious 80's fetish. It is now 2008. Your "update" needs a little help.
In fact, as a general rule of thumb, if you have WALL PAPER, your house is not updated.

It is ugly.

Thank you.

I'm doin' it!

8 weeks, 2 days of working out.
I have worked out (gone to the gym and done at least 30 minutes of cardio followed by strength training) approximately 46 of these days.

I have officially lost 20 pounds.

I bench press about 320 with my legs. (My normal routine for sets is 280 lbs).

My blood pressure returned to normal (120s/70s) after 10 lbs. Now? It's borderline low.
Resting heart rate before? Somewhere in the 80's.
Now? Resting heart rate: 64

And the strangest thing- all of the aches, pains, and tiredness have miraculously disappeared. Bizarre things that attributed to my overall ill health. I was sick. Very, very sick. I completely neglected my body. I made myself obese. And I got myself out of it. Oh, I'm still considered "obese". But my BMI has dropped from 34.7 to 31.7. I am well over half way to my goal. I'm still a long way from my pre-1st pregnancy weight, but it doesn't matter. I'm in seriously killer shape for a fat girl.

YEAH ME!

PS: Yes, I'm still exhausted, if you are wondering about the earlier post. Things are going on with my body. I know there is an explanation, but I have no proof of said explanation. So you'll just have to wait.

The Exhaustion

I am so tired.

That is all.

Labrador Retrievers: Aggressive Dogs & a Rant

I'm not in a pleasant mood. I apologize, but please don't read this blog if the f-bomb offends you. Thank you.

I have 2 labs. One pure English lab, one pure American dumbass lab.

I understand the American labs are over bred. (Though this is mostly hype and not actual fact, but whatever).

I also love my labs. Love them. My kids love them. They are amazing.

And I called a fucking landlord today and she said that Labrador Retrievers are on her list of "aggressive dogs".

Me: WHAT? You must be kidding. I'm positive that Labrador retrievers are not on any list of aggressive dogs. That makes no sense to me.
Her: Oh, yes. They are.
Me: I have small children. I researched this breed extensively and know for a fact that they are the most child friendly dogs around.
Her: Oh, no. They are far too over bred.
Me: (thinking in head) And where the FUCK do you get your information from, dumb ass? Can you cite a source? Anything other than 'I heard it from so and so at the beauty parlor so it must be true'?
Her: Oh, well, I guuuuuuuuueeeeeeeeeeeessssssss they are not on the list.
Me: Well, please check with the owners. I can't imagine ANYONE having an issue with Labrador retrievers, and if they do, it tells me a lot about the kind of people they are.


I HATE this. I hate that I am going to continue to be a homeowner, yet I have to be denigrated to the status of "renter". I hate it.

And for the fucking record, there is no list anywhere that would put Labrador retrievers as "aggressive" as a breed. (I'm sure there are aggressive dogs in EVERY breed, I'm speaking of the breed as a whole).

*$&(%&*$))%*&Y)#(*^$)*^&$()*^$

Stay the fuck away. I have an SUV and I'm not afraid to use it.

No, No, Davey: Children's books

I bought my kids a book at the book fair at Princess K's school a few weeks ago. Okay, so I bought A LOT of books, but who counts when it comes to what has to be one of the best things on earth?

The book is No David.

Little Bit became obsessed with it. She chooses it every night at story time and totes it around with her. If you ask her she will recite the entire book for you, including hand motions to demonstrate. It's about the cutest damn thing in the entire planet, bar none.

The book is simply illustrations of the author as a little boy, remarking on all of the things his mother told him not to do. The words are "No, David", "Stop that this instant!", "No, David, No!", "David! Be Quiet!" "Not in the house, David!" "Go to your room!" all with fantastic illustrations of the various activities that kids love to do that grown-ups get fired up about. At the end, "Yes, Davey, I love you" with a big giant hug from his Mom. One particular page has the little boy running down the street, commando. That's my girl's favorite part. They think anything with a naked bum is simply hilarious.

Little Bit's rendition of "No, David" (with Princess K helping a little in the background)
No, no, Davey!
Nooooooo BuDDDDDDDDDeee!
Nakey!
Rooooooom!
Wuv you! (as she hugs herself)

I have no idea why she calls David "Buddy" but I think it's hilarious. I call both my girls "buddy" so I don't know if that's where she gets it. I do not send them to their room and I try very hard not to say "no, no, no", and I do give lots of hugs. It's a sweet little book and I get a kick out of reading it- over and over and over and over and over and over and over..........

Any children's books your kids absolutely love? Any books that work for both a near 2 year old and a 4 year old?
Some books that we currently are reading again and again and again:

The Giving Tree
Little Racoon's Big Question
I Love My Mama
Polly & the North Star
Olivia forms a band (and the original Olivia)

And Mia LOVES this one.
Which I HIGHLY suggest to anyone who practices AP and cloth diapering. It's the most perfect book with illustrations that mimic life in an AP/cloth household. I was floored to read it, and it's wonderful to have a book that shows actual illustrations of the life of a cloth diapering, nursing, co sleeping family.

PS: I do know that book titles should be underlined. However, I do not have time to edit the html and there is no "quick button" for this. I apologize profusely to my English literate readers.

A Lovely Day

Sometimes you just get lucky. For whatever reason, the sky opens up and the heavens part and you are presented with a gift that you never knew you wanted and suddenly, you can't imagine life without it.

Today is a special day. I'll be thinking about you today, Amy! Thank you for being YOU. What a wonderful day it is- a day to celebrate and live the moment.

You are so beautiful, A! Big smooches.