friday: mysteries, victories, & funnies

Helloooo Friday! I am looking so forward to the weekend. My house is already clean, the laundry is fairly caught up, and the sun is supposed to shine. God is so good! Here's a quick recap on the last few days in the life of my chaos. 

{ONE}
Something keeps biting me. I have at least one or two new ones everyday, and this has been going on for at least a month. These are two on my hand. One right in the center and one on the inside of my wrist. This picture does not do them justice.

Since taking this picture, at varying times and on different days, two more have appeared on my hand, two above my eye, two on my cheek, two on the side of my neck, two on the back of my neck, and two on my stomach. I'm appalled. I assume it is a mosquito, but really am not sure. I know that I feel like a dog with fleas. And why are the bites coming in pairs?

{TWO}
The weather was amazing this week in our neck of the woods. I absolutely love the cooler temperatures in the morning. When the forecast is this beautiful and dry, down goes the hay, and I love the smell of fresh cut hay. 

{THREE}
I saw this video come through my Facebook news feed this week. I couldn't help but laugh. Is this not the truth?!

{FOUR}
In my quest for a healthier, lighter version of myself, I have made a concerted effort to try new foods. Foods that I most likely would not have chosen in my prior eating lifestyle. Most days, I take my lunch, but earlier in the week I needed to buy the boys some clothes, so I splurged on a solo lunch date with Panera while I was out. Doesn't my lunch look yummy? 

I had the Pick 2: Turkey Sandwich (not out of my comfort zone) and the Lemon Chicken and Orzo Soup (a first for me) with Baked Lays Potato Chips. I was pleasantly surprised by the soup. It's no potato or tomato soup (my favorites from Panera), but it was tasty enough. Especially when altogether, the meal was only 11 WW Points!

In case you missed it, operation #nomorefattyboop is under way and I have lost 18 pounds to date! 

{FIVE}
I came across this meme while perusing Facebook the other night, and literally laughed out loud. My husband asked what was so funny and when I shared it with him, he started laughing too. He said this is exactly what it's like talking to you on the phone. Oops!

{SIX}
Can we make this post Six on Saturday? Just teasing. I couldn't not also share a couple of Mommy Moments from the week. J is almost 5 and all boy. Here is one of our conversations:

J: Mommy, I have to go potty.
M: Okay, go potty.
J: You know, sometimes I pee in the trash can.
M: Do what?
J: Sometimes, I just pee in the trash can.
M: Which trash can?
J: The one in my bedroom.
M: J, do not pee in your trash can, or any trash can ever again. 

Needless to say, a cleaning spree occurred this week. My amazing Mama came over and helped me deep clean my house. While cleaning the little room that we have under our stairs, I found tucked way back in the corner a little stash of mini Kit Kats and an empty wrapper. When asked about the secret stash, J just grinned and said he was saving them for later.  

There is truly never a dull moment, and I love it!

Linking up with April, Amy, and Narci. 

Stay classy through the Chaos! 

Follow along: Bloglovin', Facebook, Google Friend Connect, Email Updates.

operation #nomorefattyboop

Around the end of May, I experienced my first extended version of an irregular heartbeat. I have on rare occasions felt as though my heart was out of rhythm, but never for more than a few moments each time. In this instance, I continued to feel as though my heart was skipping a beat for several hours. My family history (multiple generations of arrhythmia) is not a pretty one in regard to heart health, so I didn't hesitate to have it checked out. 

After some time on the EKG, the doctor revealed that I was experiencing PVCs or premature ventricular contractions. The PVCs are in most cases completely harmless, but given my family history, I should do the following: minimize caffeine (I have an addiction to Coke and chocolate), reduce stress and fatigue (I'm a wife, mom of two, work full-time, and live on a farm), and eliminate alcohol (at least one is a non-issue for me). All of the aforementioned are considered triggers and highly increase the likelihood of having more frequent and longer lasting PVC episodes.

Shortly after my trip to the ER, we headed South for the ocean. Our week at the beach was relaxing, and I even attempted to cut back on some of the caffeine. The PVCs had completely stopped by mid-week. I wonder if it's fair to say that I need a beach vacation at least once a quarter?

[credit]

Although the PVCs had come to an end, I knew it would only be a matter of time before they returned if I did not make a change to my diet. Did I mention that I love Coke and chocolate? So much, that I drank and ate lots of it, every day. Oh, and let's not mention the fact that exercise is a foreign concept to me. As an athlete all through high school and even into college, I'm ashamed to say that I never attempted to maintain that aspect of my life afterward. BIG mistake. (Insert Julia Roberts tone of voice here from Pretty Woman.) These memes below are perfectly descriptive of my attitude towards the two.

[credit]

[credit]

On our way home from vacation, despite my love affair with Coke and chocolate, I made the decision to implement the changes needed to be more heart healthy. I would begin eating better - no more fast food, consume minimal caffeine, view chocolate as a treat rather than an every meal staple, and start exercising.  Operation purge the cabinets occurred.

[credit]

A few years ago, I had successfully lost weight following Weight Watchers. So, being familiar with this program and knowing firsthand that it works for me, I chose to start the WW Points program again. We returned from vacation on a Saturday, and the following Monday was go time. 

On that Monday, I weighed in at 165.8. Today marks ten weeks since I began the program. I am thrilled to share with you how my scales read this morning.

That's 18 pounds!!! My goal is 135. I'm averaging close to 2 pounds down per week, and I'm perfectly satisfied with that loss rate. The first few weeks of the program, I was adamant about not splurging or going over my weekly points, but my inability to be flexible eventually imploded. The absence of a real Coke with shaved ice and chocolate of any sort for so long became too great that I had an entire splurge week.

In my opinion, the best part about Weight Watchers is when something like that happens, whether it be a day or a week or longer, simply start afresh the next day because all that you have worked for will not be undone. Get right back up and keep pressing towards the mark!  

Beginning with week ten, I adjusted my strategy a bit. My focus now is being exceptionally good through the week and a bit more lenient on the weekend, enjoying the foods I love while still controlling portions.

I need to say how thankful I am to God for daily renewing my strength and discipline to make smart choices in regards to what and how much I consume and to resist the emotional need to eat. The struggle is real. I hope to share more of my struggles and victories over the past few weeks in posts to come.

Now, in addition to practicing diet discipline, I need to start focusing on the exercise aspect. I had started the Couch to 5k program but was derailed as a result of knee pain. My knees have recovered, and I have a new pair of running shoes. Let's do it

T~

Stay classy through the chaos. 

Follow along: Bloglovin', Facebook, Google Friend Connect, Email Updates.

five on friday

Hello Friday, I'm so glad you've arrived! Let's take a minute or two to recap the chaos that's ensued in the days that came before you.

{ONE}

I have always wanted to run a 5k race, but have never made the time nor put forth the effort to prep for one. A few weeks ago, after feeling as though the elliptical was doing absolutely nothing for me, I decided to give the Couch to 5K app a try. I was only five workouts into the training plan (and loving it) when my knees just couldn't take anymore. I had no choice but to give them a break. Every experienced runner I spoke with on how to minimize knee pain said I had to splurge for good running shoes. So, I did. Check out my new kicks! Am looking forward to breaking them in next week when I get back to it.

Brooks Running Shoe - Women's Ghost 7

{TWO}

Last weekend, one of my favorite movies came on TV. I wasn't able to watch it at the time, so I recorded it - DVR is amazing. I absolutely love Sixteen Candles. I've watched it off and on throughout the week, and it's still as great today as it was back then. By the way, am I the only one that takes days to watch an entire movie?

{THREE}

I find shopping for clothing somewhat stressful. It is nearly impossible to shop for myself if I have one of my kids in tow. If I have somehow managed to have zero kids while shopping, I'm usually worrying about my solo outing taking too long. Does anyone else do that? Anyway, I'm happy to report that I have solved my clothes shopping woes. I fell into the GAP. The quality is great, and the clothes are delivered straight to my door. Exchanges and returns are super easy. And, the customer service folks are always really friendly. My new favorites...

{FOUR}

The weather is beginning its transition from Summer to Fall. And when seasons change, my physical reaction is a pressure triggered migraine. My headache arrived on Wednesday afternoon, and the nauseous soon followed. My only cure is to sleep it off. I am so thankful to my mother-in-law for coming to my rescue and caring for my children while I slept the worst of it away in a cold, dark room. I must admit, there is one good thing to say about a migraine... The next day, when I awake without one, I'm so much more cognizant of the fact that I don't have one and am thankful that I feel so much better.

{FIVE}

I decided to start blogging again. You're here, and I am so glad. I hope you'll read about the WHY and the WHO. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

T~

Stay classy through the chaos.

welcome to my blog

I will not tell a lie - this is not my first rodeo. I have blogged in the past, but have yet to stick with it long term for one reason or another. I venture to say this time will be different. I have a better understanding of what my goals are and what my expectations will be.

For one, it is not necessary to post several times a week if there is no true solid content worth sharing. I do not want to post for posting's sake; and frankly, my time is limited and sleep is a must.

Secondly, I truly enjoy writing and have always aspired to have one of those blogs. You know the ones I'm referring to... realistic, humorous, real, classy - content you can truly identify with and appreciate.

Lastly, and most importantly in my mind, is that life is but a vapor and my memory is too. I am convinced my brother was born with all of the memory gene and left very little for me. I am incredibly forgetful and desperately want to remember the details. A combination such as that requires actually writing down what I want to remember.

I hope you'll join me as I share my experiences from juggling all the chaos life has to offer while somehow maintaining as much class as possible.

Stay classy through the chaos.