I forgot

Seems to be happening a lot lately... I start doing something then go off and forget what it was I was doing, ie.. leaving the stovetop on and not realizing it or leaving the poor cookies in the oven until my S/O wakes up to the attrocious smell of burnt peanut butter cookies. Apparently one must watch the cookies like a hawk rather than....nods off into the land of fatigue....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Freedom of Place

“Freedom of Place” is defined as being able to go wherever you want and stay as long as you want without the time constraints of normal vacationers. Campgrounds usually have extended stay-limits and are quite expensive. Therefore most people cannot afford the high cost of living that it would take to truly, fully explore a National Park. Thus an average vacation lasts only a few days. It can mean warm winters as opposed to freezing blizzards, cool summers in place of blistering days, and quality time with the family.
I mention this because I am thinking of working in exchange for room and board or car camping somewhere near beautiful sceneryin exchange for waived campground fees...

sans internet + trial exercise bike + goals = 3-legged milk stool of ChAnGe

Change...this time it's for me, my benefit, not anyone else's. That is the only way one can truly make a difference in a life-long cycle of habitual disappointments.

Therefore, I take aim at living a healthier life in all aspects. So I am focusing on shedding this pregnancy weight one step at a time. During the first two weeks postpartum, I rapidly lost 30 lbs and found (still) giant flaps of skin hanging off of me. S.M. suggested that I eat to gain back some of that weight and then try and tone that area gradually losing the weight. I barely remember much of that conversation or others like it. However, I have gained a modicum of weight back, in hopes of dropping it the proper way this time.

This past weekend I tackled the clutter of clothes that no longer fit and was able to fill the whole trunk of my mom's car with an assortment of sizes and styles that no longer fit me or my new postpartum figure. Many of the clothes I tried on and they just barely fit, but the fashion aspect was horrendous or just not my style. Some I held up to my waist and shook my head in disgust... I even tried on one of those slim your belly contraptions and the damn thing would NOT close! The back brace did the same even with the extenders. I am stuck at a size in clothing I thought not possible in my wildest dreams or (nightmares). However, I will NOT reveal that number.

Clothes, nutrition, exercise, sleep, positive well-being... I think these are some of the keys to my 3-legged milk-stool (Thank you Sheldon, The Big Bang Theory) of success. Umm I forgot where I was going with this.....thanks a lot postpartum brain.... Oh yeah,

Let me make some easy goals based on nutrition. I'm really trying to focus on life-long healthy eating habits for the long haul; therefore here is a semi-realistic resolution:

1. Goal 1. Eat 2 servings of fruit and 2 servings of veggies every day. Now, I thought I was doing this already (ugh) but when I took an honest look at my diet, I found myself very lacking, especially in veggies, got the fruits down (somewhat).
2. Goal 2. Have only 1 sweet treat per day. I have a huge sweet tooth and will graze on chocolate, peanut butter cookies (that I made with 1.5 cups of sugar), Dove dark chocolates, etc... Throughout the day (but especially in the evenings) and then feel terrible about it later on, so why not just finish off the rest, that goes for kettlecorn popcorn as well... If I give myself permission to have just one sweet thing has really helped me to be more thoughtful about what I choose to eat and truly savor it. Thus there are some days where I don't even want it (just one sweet thing) at all! (Yeah right, like that could happen)...
3. Goal 3. Have just 1 healthy snack between meals. Did I mention once again, I am a grazer, so I would take handfuls of snacks here and there throughout the day, thus I often find myself not hungry at mealtimes (but I eat it anyway to avoid disappointing the cook). Planning snacks ahead of time helps me have something to look forward to between meals.
4. Goal 4. Eat several small meals instead of one giant meal a day. Nuff said.
5. goal 5. Pamper me daily. (do one small thing)

 

These goals are building a strong foundation for healthy living not a diet.

my goal for fitness.

TWO days a week of cardio (which is walking with the shopping cart at Wal-Mart right now) and one day of strength, which I really need to focus on again...I lost all of my muscles and tone during this pregnancy! I think some atrophying even began to appear from all that sedentary… However, having difficulties lifting much more than our cat...

Oh, I rode the exercise bike last night for approximately an hour, burned 381 calories, and gained a sore ASS!!!!

GNIGHT all....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 the relationship between effort and progress usually looks more like this:

focus on the process rather than your progress

 

my response to a job posting

Requirements include:
60 post secondary education credit hours
check: A.A. English, A.S. Child Development
Transporation to and from student locations (sometimes at the school depending on if group or individual)
check: I have a car, it's adequate in the transportation department
Proof of valid insurance
check: it's due again in november
Flexible schedule able to accomodate student needs and parent preference
check: all the time in the world
Able to undergo a thorough background check
 check: easy, NOT a criminal
Able to complete fingerprinting requirements with the school district
 check: not a criminal, crystal clear and squeaky clean
Positive attitude, organizational skills, and passion to assist struggling learners.
 check:

If you enjoy working one on one with students and making a difference in their educational experiences

call me ASAP

My most recent learning experience is that there are various approaches to grasping a concept or cooking. I can read a recipe, but it doesn't sink in right away and the dish usually ends up rather muddled. However, if someone takes the time to show me step by step by demonstrating their knowlege, it turns out just right. Lastly, a hands on approach seals the deal. Repetition, practice, and location are vital in the pursuit of knowledge. Some students study better in complete silence, classical music improves brain waves, and others prefer a noisy environment. The key is to finding each of my students' niche study environment and to use something they enjoy to promote lifelong learning.

zzzzzzzz long day....gnight

Affairs (not that kind)

I was attempting to straighten out all my affairs, especially the bills which have been accumulating in a pile of mail. I noticed a few discrepancies and have been dealing with customer service. After many dropped calls and transfers to different departments, I finally reached an understanding human. WOW!!! I could not believe it. When you call their 1-800-NUM-BER!, you are first greeted with an automated robot who doesn't seem to understand what you say or type in on your touch tone phone.
I was greeted with my current balance and "would you like to make a payment?" Normally, I just say agent and ignore that shit, well yesterday I was frustrated beyond all reason and after being transferred to different departments for the 7th time that day (at least) and that was in addition to the dropped calls and lost connections, I punched zero repeatedly, and FINALLY heard a soft spoken female voice. This young lady understood my frustrations and was willing to go above and beyond her call of duty. She stayed on the phone with me for a good hour and listened to me bitch about my bill and how life sucks as well as describe in brief detail what led up to my issues with nonpayment in full thus resulting in the installment plan. We spent the first 40 minutes going over each charge and fees accrued. She determined the initial cause of my problem and plans to actually call me back in 2 days when she goes back to work. Let's hope that this situation can be resolved because it is wearing my patience thin. 
Current solution: She suggested I watch a movie, be around friends, focus on family, relax, eat something and drink water and get some sleep. And last, but certainly not least, don't think about the phone's billing issues for 2 days.

Review of Matched, yes it's a book

Today's blog is my review on Matched (Book One in the trilogy). I read it from March 29-30th, 2012. The reason I am mentioning it here is due to Crossed (Book Two in the Matched Trilogy). I am currently reading this and let me tell you...I have fallen asleep from sheer lack of appeal. The author did not live up to my expectations.

I did not care for the euthanasia aspect of her grandfather's final banquet. It made me cringe when the artifacts were taken away, especially from young Bram, who wanted to hold on to something special from his grandfather. Cassia is a young woman who starts to wonder when she sees Ky's face instead of Xander's on her micro card. This sets the tone for her taking more interest and spending time with Ky. I do wonder why the Official is never named.. Xander is Cassia's childhood friend and she is thrilled to see him in a different way in light of the match banquet. The Society seems to regulate everyone and everything through threats of relocation and reassigning. Cassia starts questioning her life and other aspects of the world where she resides.

The story ended without any true resolution so I am assuming that there will be more to come in further books about Ky. I do wonder if my baby-to-be will grow up in a world similar to this... When it said that Cassia's mother had her baby at the cutoff of 31, this gave me great pause, as I will be 32 a few months after my daughter will be born.(

I feel like a truck ran over me...

Figuratively, not literally, that is.

Pain

Pain is temporary.It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever. Lance Armstrong----- This is the quote I think of when the emotional anguish manifests itself physically.