The Resolution

I have never made a New Year's resolution before.  I've never really had anything I've wanted to change.  But this year I've made my very first resolution, and it is the same as most everyone's resolution, to lose weight.  I've gained 30lbs. over the past year.  That's a lot of weight for one year! I mean, if you think about it, a pound is 1 bag of sugar at the store.  So, imagine picking up 30, 1lb bags of sugar, and adding them to your body. Yeah, a lot of weight, right?!

In my closet, I have sizes that very from smalls to extra larges because my weight has always fluctuated, and an XL at Charolette Russe is the same as a M at NY & Co (two of my favorite stores).  As of right now, my mediums from any store don't fit, which of course means there's no way in hell I can possibly get into a S.  My size 6 work pants and skirts barley fit over my hips and trying to zip them is a joke.  My size 8's still fit if I lay down to zip them.  I refuse to buy a size 10.  Not because I think a 10 is fat, because it's not at all, but because I don't want to buy new clothes when I have perfectly good clothes -and a lot of them- in my closet right now.  Also, I don't want to buy a 10 because it would mean I'm excepting the fact that I keep gaining weight and I don't mind.  I totally mind. 

So, you may be wondering how I'm planning on loosing weight.  Well, I bit the bullet and joined Weight Watchers.  It's been one week and I am loving this plan.  I have 29 points a day and I have yet to go over.  Well, that's not entirely true.  After we lost the Colts game the other night, I did do a few Jager Bombs which put me over my daily limit.  But I have 49 extra points a week, so it just took off of those points.  I track everything I eat on the new Weight Watchers website.  It's so easy and I've made it into kind of a game.  I look things up to see how many points it is and then try to figure out if it's worth having it or not.  For example, a regular cookies and cream shake from Steak and Shake is 22 points.  That is not worth it to me.  1 chocolate chip cookie from Subway is 6 points.  Also not worth it to me.  But 2 Hershey Kiss' is 1 point, so worth it.  The website also has great recipes.  I found one for chocolate chip cookies that are only 1 point each.  I made them and they are really good.  My kids couldn't tell the difference.   Last night for dinner, I grilled (on my George Forman Grill, which I haven't used in over a year), center cut pork loins and garlic bread.  I also made Lipton Chicken rice.  The whole meal was a total of 12 points.  Less than half of my daily limit and I was full after I ate.  And if I get hungry, then I can have a banana or grapes or an orange, all zero points.  It's so much easier than counting calories or fat.

I also am still doing yoga, which I love.  And I went to Zumba with my friend on Monday.  I plan on doing Zumba once a week, but we'll have to see if my schedule will allow it.  I started classes again this week too.  So bring on the stress!!! Luckily, for the next couple of months, things will be very low key.  There are no Colts games/parties to attend/have.  The holidays are over.  The weather is horrible.  I'm so glad there is nothing to do besides work, school and running the kids to practices.  I need this break, and so does my bank account, as well as my waist line. 

2010

So here is a recap of everything I did in 2010: 

Had a New Year's Eve party at my house; went to a Colts game; had a party at my house for a Colts game; had surgery; went to bar to watch Colts in the Superbowl; watched my husband cry when Colts lost the Superbowl; found out my mom has cancer; went out for St. Patrick's Day and may have drank a lot but I don't remember; went to friends house for poker party; went to the Smiley Adult Prom with friends; won my first monthly poker tournament at Bubbaz; went to the horse races for the first time; helped throw birthday party for friend; had the kids baptized; watched Kentucky Derby at friends house; watched the Indianapolis 500 from a suite at the track; turned 32 on Memorial Day; planted new rose bushes in flower garden; had birthday party at my house; took kids to Florida with extended family; went to Universal Studios; threw birthday party for friend at my house; camped out for Dave Matthews Band shows at Deer Creek; took son to Alpine Valley for his first Dave Matthews Band show as his birthday present; took kids to see fireworks; supported my husband in starting a new job; took kids to the State Fair and won 3 fish; put the fish in the pond; won a local contest for the Crown Royal race team; camped with friends for Brickyard 400; went to Crown Royal race party and lost final contest; went to Brickyard 400 and ran into brother and sister-in-law;  had falling out with friends; found out mom's cancer is stage 4; went to Wrigley Field and stood 3rd row from stage for Dave Matthews shows; hosted Colts season kick off party at my house; made up with friends; played more poker at Bubbaz; had gin party at my house; went to 3 Halloween parties dressed as a Aphrodite; helped friend throw Halloween party for kids; took kids trick or treating; had falling out with friends, again; went to a battle of the bands; went to Virgina for 2 more Dave Matthews Band shows; spent a day at a winery, bought lots of wine; hosted Thanksgiving at my house; baked first turkey, it was delicious; made ginger bread house with kids, it was also delicious; had birthday party for daughter's 12th birthday; went to 5 Christmas parties in 1 week; took a week off from work to do nothing, it was great; had New Year's Eve party at my house but ended up going to the bar anyway; went to work 7 - 3:30 Monday - Friday; went to school 2 nights a week; took my son to guitar lessons and baseball practice; took my daughter to gymnastics and piano lessons;  spent the year enjoying my friends and family and spending all my money.  What did you do in 2010?

Roses

     Universal Studios
                                       

                                 Alpine Valley DMB show, Dylan's 9th Birthday 
State Fair

Crown Royal contest piece I designed

    Halloween

Ginger Bread House

Umm..Happy New Year?

Why do we feel the need to drink on New Year's Eve?  I have a good glass of wine a couple of times a week (Thank You Oliver!), but I only drink heavily about 3 times a year.  By heavily I mean enough to make myself sick and feel like I've been hit by a truck for the next few days after drinking.  And I've been hit by a truck so I know how it feels.  How can we actually think that starting a new year with our head lying on a toilet seat -the place where we usually put our hind end- is going to make the year happy?  I will admit that I hadn't actually planned on drinking so much.  But our night didn't go as planned and by 1:00 I said "screw it, I'm drinking".  I use quotation marks because I really did say that while standing in my kitchen looking at the 15 people that I didn't invite to my house doing shots of Jager.  Ok, I did invite 4 of the 15, maybe 5, but still I wasn't planning on that many people.  In fact, I didn't think anyone was coming at all and that we were actually going to go to another party at someone else's house.  Not sure what would have been better as I didn't really want to go to this other party.  But maybe I wouldn't have drank so much had we gone somewhere else.

I do believe that if we really want our New Year to be happy we would do something we enjoy on New Year's Eve.  Now, my husband enjoys drinking so I'm sure he thinks his New Year's are always going to be good.  I enjoy being with my kids, which were at my in-law's house this year.  We always have our friends over to our house and they always bring their kids, but this year my mother-in-law called and said she wanted the kids.  After finding out that there was only one other child going to be at my house and that wasn't definite, we decided to take my in-laws up on their offer.  I will not do this again.  I really like spending the evening with my kids and my friends.  I missed them dearly this year and let myself get out of control because there was no reason not too.  I don't drink more than a glass of wine in front of my kids.  I want them to know that it's alright to have a beer or wine or even a mixed drink every once in a while, or when there is a reason.  A beer with a Colts game, a glass of wine with dinner, a cocktail when friends are over.  But there is no real reason to get drunk.  Now I know they will get drunk, but I want them to see that there are other ways to drink.  So, I don't get drunk in front of my kids.  Had they been home I wouldn't have drank like I did.  And since it's been three days since New Year's Eve and I still feel awful, I have concluded that my actions have been ridiculous and I hope it is not an indication as to how the year will actually play out.  I really don't want to be spending the next 364 days with my head in the toilet. 

Happy New Year to you ALL!

Nothing special

Well, I made it through Christmas.  And it was what it was.  That's it.  Nothing special.  My kids made out like bandits, as always.  Dylan's favorite gift is his Colts slippers that look like shoes.  He hasn't taken them off unless he's in the shower or we're leaving to go somewhere.  He says his favorite thing about them is how squishy the soles are and how they bounce back with every step he takes.  Hannah didn't really like anything I got her and I can't tell if it's because she really doesn't like it or if it's because I got it for her.  We returned half of her gifts this week and I didn't say anything about the things she exchanged them for, just in case it might make her change her mind about her new choices.  She traded that black and gray bed set I got her for a different black and gray bed set.  Then, when we were in Aeropostal exchanging a sweater for some t-shirts she decided to throw a fit like a 5 year old because she didn't want to stand in line.  Someone tell me when will this puberty thing will end, I can't remember how long it took for me to stop being hormonal.  Wait...I'm still hormonal.  This is very discouraging.  I fear that she and I will never get along and it will always be like this, us arguing over stupid things that don't really matter.  I'm sure we will always be this way and I will just have to deal with it and continue to love her.

Now I have the week off and it's been fantastic.  I watched a friends daughter and since she is friends with my kids I let her stay all night.  My kids had fun all night and I was able to sit in my Colts room and watch a movie.  The only thing missing was a glass of wine, which I decided I shouldn't drink since I was watching my friends child.  Don't worry, I'm having two glasses of wine tonight to make up for the glass I so missed last night.  But not having a glass of wine was worth the 2 hours of relaxation I got while my friends daughter played the Wii with my kids.  I have also cleaned my house, including putting away all the Christmas gifts.  I haven't taken down the tree yet though, I like to leave it up for one extra week.  This year, when I take down the Christmas decor, I am also taking everything off the walls in the living room and totally redecorating.  It's been the same for 7 years now and I'm finally a little tired of the look of the room.  I am very excited about doing this change.  I need a change.  I so feel that my life is the same thing over and over and over again.  It will be nice to come home to something different, even if it is only different for a while before it becomes the same.  If that makes any since.

I wish my holiday was more exciting.  We are hosting New Year's Eve at our house, so maybe I'll have some funny story to tell next time.  Until then, I hope your 2010 was amazing.  Mine had it's ups and downs and I have no idea what to expect in 2011, but I'll keep you posted.

Snow

Ugh, it's snowing again.  As if the 4 inches that is already on the ground isn't enough.  I don't like snow, at all.  Unless it's going to close everything down and leave me sitting next to my fireplace watching an uncut, unedited version of A Christmas Vacation, then I don't want anything to do with snow.  I have a friend who ended up in a ditch yesterday morning.  Thank goodness she is alright and no damage to her car either, but that is just another reason I hate snow.  Snow on the road turns into ice which causes accidents because people don't know how to drive on ice.  I am lucky, my dad took me out on icy country roads one winter and taught me how to drive on ice.  Best dad ever!  I also hate wearing a coat, no matter how cute that coat may be.  Wearing a coat sucks because it's bulky, makes you look fat, and makes it difficult to carry your purse on your shoulder.  And don't even get me started on snow boots.  If only some designer, somewhere, could find a way to design a stylish snow boot, then maybe I would buy a pair.  I guess it could be worse though, instead of just a few inches of snow, we could be having a blizzard that's causing roofs to cave in.  Thank goodness I don't live in Minnasota!  OK, I think I'm done with my rant on snow....for now.

Something else to discuss, Christmas.  It's a week away and I'm doing all my shopping tomorrow.  I do have to travel down to the mall at lunch to pick up my daughter's birthday present since her party is tonight.  Hey, don't judge me because I waited until the very last minute to get her gift, I've had a busy week.  Heck, I've had a busy month.  And nothing funny has really happened.  But I'm greatful nothing bad or sad has happened either.  So, I guess that's good. 

Oh, I should let everyone know that my husband is awesome.  He has a horrible cold, but still got up while I was in the shower and shoveled the drive and warmed up my car for me.  Love him...  Even if he didn't do anything inside the house this week...

A trip into the past

Now here's something ridiculous...I got home from class late Monday night and there is this box sitting in my entry way.  My sister tells me that mom told her to bring it to me and it's full of stuff from my high school years.  Now, I have to tell you that my mom has been giving me stuff from "my high school years" for years now.  So my natural response was "there's more stuff?"  As I started pulling things out of the box, I realize it's not from high school, it's from jr. high.  And not only is it stuff from my jr. high school years, it's stuff I had thrown away and my mom thought she should keep it "just in case".  There were full size wall posters of Paula Abdul, Bo Jackson (yeah, remember him?), Nelson (the hot twins with long hair), Michael Jordan, Vanilla Ice, and...get ready for it...New Kids on the Block.  There were sweatshirts from the sports I took part in as well as a pair of stone washed jean shorts that I had decorated with puffy paint.  I can't believe she's had these things all this time.  Apparently keeping them in the attic, surprisingly they were in good condition.  But here's the best part, there were three posters of black panthers.  I had these because my favorite song at the time was Black Cat by Janet Jackson (oh Janet, I don't think I would have made it through some days without you in 1990).  This is the best part because these posters are now hanging on my daughter's bedroom wall.  I know it sounds crazy, but when she saw them she said, "Mom, I have to have these, please let me hang them in my room."  So, since they are in good condition, I said yes.  Now, here's the sad part.  My daughter has changed the posters on her wall a couple times over the past few years, but there is a picture of a crown that says princess on it hanging above her dresser.  She's asked to take it down and give it to Goodwill.  I will take it down (even though it will kill me to let go of this last part of her being a child), but I will not give it to Goodwill.  I will put it in a box that will collect various items over the next 7 years -as she graduates in 2017- hold this box in my attic for 20 some odd years and then give it to her one night when I'm watching her kids (my grandkids).  I hope she will enjoy the trip down memory lane as much as I did the other night...thanks for thinking ahead 20 years mom!

Around the corner

Christmas is right around the corner and I'm so not pre-pared.  I do this every year.  Wait until the last minute to do any shopping.  I've only got a few things for the kids and that's it.  Haven't even thought about what to get my parents yet.  Or my in-laws.  Or my nieces and nephews.  Humm...what's one to do.  I think I might shop online some this year.  I've only ordered a few things in the past, but I might go all out this year.  My husband and I aren't buying for each other because we decided to get a new mattress.  We're going all out and getting something fantastic.  I'm very excited about this but also sad that I can't shop for him.  I love to shop for my husband.  I was going to get him a think pad and all the Dave Matthews Band CDs we don't have.  Then I was going to download all those CDs to his IPOD.  He would love that.  I also thought about getting him the Colts sofa he's only been asking for for years now.  But the shopping for him won't happen since we are sharing the cost of the gifts we would normally buy for each other and getting something we both need.  My concern about buying a new mattress is that we won't want to get out of the bed and therefore will be late for work much more often than we are now.  But I'm getting it anyway!

Back to online shopping.  My concern with this (I'm very concerned today, can't you tell?) is how do you return it and what if someone steels it off my front porch when it's delivered.  Also, do I really want to pay extra for the shipping?  Really?  Shipping can be expensive and since I live so close to the mall the cost of gas to go shopping isn't nearly as much as shipping can be.  Plus, as I've already discussed in the past, I love to shop.  And I really love to shop during the holidays.  I love watching people get mad because they can't find what they are looking for. I think it's funny. And I love it when someone spreads good cheer too.  For example, I was at the grocery store the other day and I had 4 items.  The man in line in front of me had about 15 items or so.  He looked at me and said, "really, that's all you have". I said yes and he let me go in front of him.  That was nice and made me feel all warm and cozy inside.  I then returned the favor by letting him use my discount card because he didn't have his.  He saved some money and I got out of the store faster.  Ahh...nice things lead to more nice things and good feelings. 
Anyway, I said I might do more online shopping this year, but I think I've changed my mind.  Yep, why would I want to shop online when I love shopping off line so much more?  Why would I pay for shipping when I live so close to every store I need/want to go to?  And why, for goodness sake, why would I deprive my shopping addiction during the holidays?  Once again I will pay a sitter to watch my kids while I head out in the cold weather to hit every store that has good deals on the things my kids want for Christmas.  I'm so excited!