Summer plans afoot

Here I sit in front of the Super Bowl multi-tasking. Chip's out of town, the kids are playing video games in the other room, so I've got some time to myself to get planning. I've now completed the hotel reservations and mapping of the eastbound portion of our summer trip to the east coast. Not too much sightseeing is going on in either direction, but we'll do lots at various destinations.

Our first stop will be at Four Corners Monument, we'll head east through Colorado into Hays, Kansas. After a night in Kansas, we'll head for St. Louis, MO and spend 2 nights and 1 full day. For sure we want to see the arch, ride to the top, and visit the museums on the site, but we don't know how long that will take, or what else is great to do with two kids (8 & 13) in the area. If you have any ideas, let us know! From there, it's a ride to Columbus, OH for the night, then a quick ride (relatively speaking) to Pittsburgh for most of the day and 1 night. While we're there, we'll ride the Duquesne Incline, and maybe do the "Ducky" boat. Then we're Jersey bound! We'll stop in Philadelphia along the way, IF we can get an early enough start to get to Independence Hall and environs before they close at 5:00. If not, we'll do a day trip back into the city later.

We'll rest a couple days with the family in NJ, then head to see more family in Virginia Beach. We'll spend about a week there, then head back north via Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Washington, DC (depending on which friends will be around to visit). We hope to spend a day in DC (especially the Air and Space Museum we skipped last visit) and back to NJ.

Now, I've lived most of my life in the mid-Atlantic region of the country and I've never spent a day in NYC. We hope to change that this summer. Those plans are still pending, but I'll take suggestions. If you had two days and one night in NYC with 2 kids, yourself, and your mom, what would you do? I'd like to say that money is no object, but it is. We're thinking a GrayLine 2-day all loops bus pass. It should take us to most of the "must sees".

Another busy summer for us. I guess we wouldn't have it any other way. It would sure be easier to stay home...cheaper too. But where's the fun in that?

I'll post more when there's more to tell. Life just keeps on keeping on, so surely there will be something to write about soon.

New Year, new you...

It's a phrase we've heard before. It can also sound a bit trite, but as it turns out, trite doesn't make it any less true. We're now a few weeks into the new year, 2011. A chance to reflect and start fresh. Here are 59 things I'm glad to get rid of from 2010 and things I'm looking forward to in 2011.

2010 was a year for the record books. The 59 things that I'm glad to say good-bye to from 2010 are the 59 pounds that I lost starting January 1st! I hope none of you find it. It's been strange to see my new body in the mirror and know that it's mine. I'm hopeful that continued exercise will pull some of the extra jiggly places back into shape, but I don't know if that's possible. It's been hard work to lose the weight, but the benefits I've felt physically have been so worth it. I have discovered more stamina, developed more strength, felt more comfortable in my own skin, and felt less joint pain. I have my physical in a couple of months and that will give me some scientific numbers to bolster my resolve. All things to look forward to.

2011 starts well. I'm still on track for my continued maintenance. I'm looking forward to determining my own physical future. I'm looking forward to NOT developing diabetes or hypertension, getting a new bathing suit in a size I haven't worn since high school, looking good in jeans, being able to buy "cute" clothes, and feeling well and pain free more of the time. I'm thankful for my supportive family. They've all gotten behind me in this adventure. They're loving and encouraging and they've actually noticed the weight loss. I want to continue to be a good role model for them. If they can avoid some of the pitfalls I've tripped on along the way, they'll be better off. But if they can't avoid them, at least they'll know that I've been there before and that they can turn it around.

I wish for all of you health, happiness, and a zest for life. Find one new challenge to undertake this year. It can be weight loss, exercise changes, take a class, read a book you've been putting off, conquer a fear, visit somewhere on your list of wish places, resolve to live a "greener" life, learn a new language...I don't know what you should pick, but pick something. We should all keep growing and striving for greatness. Nurture yourself, show compassion to others in your words and actions, do your part to make the world a kinder, better place.

The end of some adventures and the start of others

I'm sitting here at the Atlantic City airport awaiting the arrival of the plane that will start our journey home. It's hard to believe that we have been gone for over a month! On the other hand, it will be very good to get home and back into our normal routine. The Daddy/hubby have been greatly missed. The cat as well as the fish have been talked about a lot. Our friends, and even "my own violin" have been missed. It is the end of the summer for all intents and purposes. But, it is the beginning of wonderful NEW grand adventures.

My weight loss journey has ended, but the journey into maintenance has just begun. I've been tremendously pleased with myself. I've lost over 46 pounds in 6 months! I'm down 4 clothing sizes! No adventure in life should go uncelebrated, and this one won't either. I'll be needing a new wardrobe. I'll start slowly, waiting until the new paycheck from my new career path gets started, but I'll need to replace it all.

That brings me to the next end...the end of the stay-home mommy part of my life. Now THERE'S an adventure! One I had mixed emotions about ending. It's been rewarding, frustrating, tiring, joyful, educational, and sometimes all at the same time! Hopefully, the children will transition into the next phase of MY life with ease. The beginning of my new job adventure will bring major changes for them...in fact the whole family. Monday is the kick-off of that new chapter, so wish me luck!

Where will our next trip take us? Hmmm...we've talked about a Disney Christmas, but I don't think that will be this year. Next summer, we'd like to do Bryce Canyon for a week. We'd also like to get to Hawaii, but that's going to be a little further down the road I think. We didn't get to go to Seattle this summer's trip, so that's on the short list, as is Whistler, BC. So many great places to go.

I can't say "Less Later" anymore, so a new sign-off is in order. Let's try:

Hoping all your adventures are grand,
Laurie

Just a quickie...

• Japanese Interment Camp Memorial in Poston, AZ....interesting, but don't make a special trip.
• Carved trees in Tehachapi, CA.....couldn't find them at "City Park", but may try again on a future trip. I have been assured by a resident of same that we met on the roof that they are really there. Will also try a hotel there as opposed to Bakersfield.
• Bakersfield, CA...not sure why, but we just didn't see the appeal. Won't stay there again mid-trip. (see Tehachapi)
• San Francisco, CA...Awesome city. Kids were amazed that we parked the car on arrival and never needed it again until we left. Lots to see and do. We'll come again. (see photos in link)
• Diet? Who needs one when you're walking up and down hills all day long? BUT, I have been very disciplined in my logging and that's kept me pretty well on course. The next leg of the trip will have more cooking and less dining out so that will help with the control a bit.
• Minivan vs. Tuscon...Sienna wins HANDS DOWN! Last year's trip included a cartop carrier, luggage and "stuff" piled to the ceiling in the interior of the car. This year? Tons of room, nothing on top, space for everyone.
• Sea Lions...we love them AND we decided that is what our children are. There is plenty of room for them to spread out and leave each other alone, but it is more fun to be in each other's space and nudge each other until someone jumps in the water. Then they come right back to each other and start over again.

Next stop Grant's Pass, OR via the Redwood Forest.

Less later,
Laurie

I love those lazy, crazy days of summer!

Yes all of you oldies lovers, I know I left out hazy. When we lived back east, hazy couldn't have been forgotten, but at this second, the humidity in my backyard, in the shade is 9%, with a temp of 102. I couldn't come up with haze if my life depended on it.

It's been about two weeks since my last post and that can just be credited to summer craziness. We've been doing Camp Invention, 2 vacation Bible schools, summer youth volleyball league, birthday parties, planning the big trip, reading...all around a great time.

Weight loss continues, though so slowly, it's almost imperceptible at this point. I did discover some things in the past week.

• First, I have NO jeans that fit. The last time I tried them on, my smallest ones were tight, now they fall off.
• Second, while the weight isn't going down those last couple of pounds as quickly as I'd like, the measurements all over are much less.
  
• Third, I don't hate exercise if I can be entertained while doing it. Thank God for iPods. I don't know if I can say that I love it, but it's much easier to get out there and do it now.
  
• Fourth, and this is the best of all, for the first time in over 12 years, my weight is in the normal range by BMI.

I'm ready to go on vacation with a renewed enthusiasm for healthy eating. We're going to a region of the country that we've never been to, one that's famous for good food, and I'm looking forward to being able to stay on track and still eat in a wonderful way.

Wish me luck!
Less later (from the road),
Laurie

Of Marshmallows and Other Things

It's summer break and this has been a week full of...not much! That's not a bad thing. Claire has been at Camp Invention (an annual tradition for both of our children), swimming, playing with friends, going to and having birthday parties, and Ted has been playing video games, watching TV, reading, playing volleyball and discovering the fun of Facebook. I have been getting a job for next year, reading, entertaining the kids with crafts, making plans for my new library, finalizing summer trip plans, exercising, taking Apple classes, and watching mindless drivel on TV. Wow! When it's all laid out in print, we've been busier than I thought!

So my title this week mentions marshmallows. I've mentioned them before in regards to weight-loss. Profound words at a WW meeting got me to realize that I DO need to exercise or else the weight-loss simply took me from being a large marshmallow to being a smaller marshmallow. I don't want that, so I've been conscientious about doing SOME kind of exercise on a regular basis. I've walked, added step aerobics to the walk, added the occasional sprint to the walk, done videos, done a class, used hand weights, biked, done Netflix exercise streaming, swimming, and even shoveled rocks with Chip. I'm still a little soft, but more like a day old, left out Peep than a fresh Sta-puft marshmallow. Progress is progress. I just have to keep making it a priority and it will happen.

My family has noticed a difference and Claire has developed a new appreciation for healthy stuff. She asks about the healthiness of everything and wants to know if I feel different now that I've lost weight. She has mentioned that I'm not as "fluffy" when she snuggles with me, but that it's ok since it will make me live longer. Out of the mouths of babes.

A different marshmallow avenue...a helpful tip.
Only use fresh marshmallows to make Rice Krispie Treats. Do NOT make them with even slightly firm ones. The first thing I noticed was that they took longer to melt. I figured, no big deal, they'll still be alright. Hmph...not. I mixed the cereal in, spread it out in the pan, nibbled a little while it was still warm and said to myself, "Wow, these are really good. Aren't I frugal, finding a use for stuff in the pantry?" (Just FYI, they were only two months old, but in Arizona, with very little humidity, they don't last long at all) I was very excited because I had found out earlier in the day that the treats are only 2 points each, so they are a great dessert choice for my food plan. Ate a delicious dinner of potstickers and veggies and went to get a treat out of the pan. I could not chisel them apart! They're too light to be doorstops or weapons, but they might make good styrofoam-type building blocks, or maybe insulation of some kind. Very sturdy. Perhaps NASA could find a use for them. Or BP could use them to sop up some of that oil! Anyway, they're inedible. Probably just as well. A pear is better for me anyway, right?

I'm a mere 3-4 pounds away from the weight goal I've set for myself. Tomorrow is weigh-in day for this week. We'll see how it goes. I know I've done well eating, but I've exercised a LOT more than usual and that can actually temporarily cause a weight gain. Something about lactic acid build-up and water retention. I don't think it has, but the scale will tell.

Less later,
Laurie

Correction and update

I was wrong...last week I was uncertain about what week of weight-loss I was in and posted 24. I am mid-week of week 22 right now. AND I weighed in today for a total loss of 40.4 pounds! 4.2 pounds left to go. 3 weeks until vacation begins. A conundrum. Not really. I don't imagine it will be too hard to at least maintain, if not lose more on vacation. We'll be moving around more, lots of physical activities and we don't do fast food. We're staying in our vacation club place and it has a full kitchen. We plan on preparing at least one of our meals every day there. I think I'll be alright as long as I keep track of what I'm eating. We're going to an area that has lots of locally grown, freshly prepared food, so I'm actually looking forward to lots of fresh fruits and veggies.

We survived the first full week of summer vacation. Did some crafts, read some books, discovered the joy of Netflix, and had lots of lazy downtime. Next week the social calendar gets full (at least for Claire). Camp Invention and various Vacation Bible Schools will keep her busy until we leave, and Ted will be volunteering for some of that.

We've set some reading goals and made a reading chart for each kiddo and they're actually sticking with it. Putting my new job skills to work finding books they'll enjoy is a good practice for next year.

Please see my link to my Goodreads recommendations and listings. I'd love to hear what all of you are reading! I'm always in the market for a good book.