I'm so proud

My sons make me proud all the time, but this time, I'm proud of myself! I can't remember when the last time was that happened. I wouldn't say that I have low self esteem, but I don't really like to be the center of attention. However, this post is about me.

I'm not lazy, but I haven't been good at taking care of myself. Not until recently. I turned 37 last December and bought some new jeans a couple weeks later. I wasn't happy with how they fit, and refused to buy a bigger size. Years ago after the birth of both boys, I lost the baby weight that I had gained, but then as I got older I put a few pounds back on. I had wanted to lose it for a couple years, but didn't stick with anything I started. But back in January, I became "friends" with Jillian Michaels. I bought a DVD of hers and gave it a try. It was very challenging. The next day every muscle in my body ached. Muscles I didn't even know I had! It felt great. It felt even better a couple weeks later when I noticed that I was getting smaller. I bought a couple more of her DVDs and kept going. I thought Jillian would annoy me, but she did the opposite. She motivated me.

Six months later, I was 14 pounds lighter and wear pants two sizes smaller. I have muscles with definition and much better endurance. Not to mention, I feel so much better mentally and physically. So I started to run. I've never been a runner, but with the new mind-set that I have, I knew I could do it. Jason and I go out together, but he's faster than I am. I'm fine with that. We both have our fast-paced playlists to listen to. And I also have the words of Jillian Michaels going through my head... "You're not going to die"... "Things change when you get uncomfortable", etc.

We've been running three times a week for about a month. We want to run a 5K next month, so we're trying to push ourselves. It's hard because we can stop and walk whenever we want. But the last few times we've been out, both of us have found that we feel better when we don't stop. It's quite a rush, actually. Maybe that's the runner's high.

This morning, we went to a nearby lake that has a paved path around it (I think there are actually three lakes there with three paths). It's a popular spot on a nice day for walkers, runners and bicyclists. That also encourages us since we don't want strangers to see us walking in between running! We ran there last week, but I stopped a lot. Today was different. In my head I had goals for myself. I was going to stop at the first curve, but didn't. Then I was going to stop at the bottom of a hill, but didn't. Then I decided to complete the 1.25 mile loop without walking. I did it! I couldn't wait to meet up with Jason at the end and tell him that I ran the WHOLE way!!! I might have been tired and sweaty, but I couldn't help but smile and be proud.
After that, we went to the car for a Gatorade break and decided to run some more. We only went another quarter mile or so.

I can say for sure that I'll never run a marathon like my brother does. I don't even think I could do a half-marathon. But I'm running that 5K next month! I know I can and it'll feel great!

Hello, again!

Boy, have I neglected my blog! I've given it a new look and hope to post more often.

It's already the end of summer break and my boys are getting ready to go back to school, well, more like dreading it. Justin is back in cross country. They've been practicing for two weeks now. He's had a couple of timed runs around the course. He has really improved since being a 6th grader! He's running the two mile course in 14 minutes 16 seconds! His first meet of the season is on Tuesday.

Justin isn't the only one back to running. Jason and I have started. Yes, I am running! Jason has run off and on the last few years, but it was never really my thing. Earlier this year I began working out and have really built up some strength and endurance (not to mention lost about 14 pounds!). Even though Jason is faster than I am, we go out running together about 3 times a week. I can't see myself running a marathon, but maybe there's a 5K in my future.

I'm happy to say that my three old lady cats are still doing well. Henry turned seven this summer. And Kyle has a new pet betta sharing his room.

I'm hoping I still have some followers out there. As I said about a year ago, I'll try to keep up!

Catching up

I just can't keep up! I said I would post more often and I failed. My last post was exactly three months ago!

Since then, Justin finished his cross country season. He went to Sectionals as an alternate. As a 6th grader, he never ran a 6th grade race (a one mile course). He opted to run with the 7th and 8th graders at every meet (a two mile course). It was fun to cheer him and his team mates on. Justin improved greatly throughout the season. His time at his first meet was 22 minutes and his last was only about 15 and a half minutes! He is now looking forward to running track in the spring.

A couple weeks ago, Jason scored some free tickets to a Chicago Wolves game from work. Turns out that his company has their own private box at Allstate Arena. It's nothing fancy, but you can sit behind glass or out in the arena. There's also a private bathroom which was nice. There was a menu in there as well that we did NOT order from. You could order a $38 cheeseburger or a $95 appetizer tray. We chose to visit the concession stand for nachos and a pretzel.

Wolves games are pretty fun. They have pyrotechnics at the beginning and lots of fun music. Justin and Kyle really seemed to enjoy it and hope to go again!

As for Halloween this year, the costumes chosen were not my idea. My input was not welcome. Justin wanted to dress up, but wanted a mask so no one would recognize him. Kyle won't admit it, but he wanted to do the same thing Justin was doing. He's also very indecisive. Justin wound up going with the character from Scream (which he hasn't seen and wouldn't even watch if I offered to let him!). Kyle went with an unknown phantom. I guess the days of cute little pumpkins and clowns are over.

And before I go, I have some bragging to do... I met with Kyle's teacher today for the annual conference. He may be older, but the review was the same as the past couple years. She said that Kyle is wonderful and a cutie. His behavior is great and he's a good student. She also loves his red hair.

She also went over his report card. Kyle is in 3rd grade, but in the gifted program so he is doing 4th grade work. He received mostly E's, which means that he is exceeding the 4th grade standards of the district. How awesome is that?

Time sure flies

I can't believe it's August! Summer break is over in about three weeks. School registration for Justin is next week and the week after for Kyle. They both start school on August 24th. Justin as a 6th grader and Kyle as a 3rd grader. As I've said before, I'm glad Justin is excited about beginning middle school, cause I'm nervous!

We were at Justin's school today for Cross Country try-outs. It's actually not a sport you officially try-out for since they don't cut anyone. If you want to run distance you can be on the team. Justin has those crazy running genes from his dad and Uncle Tony. Both of them ran track and cross country all through high school. Maybe someday Tony will help Justin train for a marathon!
Today was kind of a cross country orientation, no running. The coaches (two female teachers that look like they're about 15!) expressed that it's important for the kids to run even on days that they don't have practice. So when we left the school Justin told me that he wanted to go running today. He's really serious about this! He's really growing up and this is important to him.

Other than that, two of our three cats have been diagnosed with old cat issues. Emma and Yoda our sister cats that are 14 years old.
Emma was first. She has mass in her liver that is most likely cancerous. It is causing a few of her abdominal lymph nodes to be enlarged and her intestines to be thick. She had lost some weight and suffered from diarrhea. I opted to treat her with steroids and pro-biotics. She's still a happy cat with a good appetite who loves to be pet. Her stools have been normal since starting the pro-biotics. We'll be doing a recheck ultrasound this week to see if her steroids are helping. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Yoda was diagnosed with chronic renal failure (kidney failure), which is VERY common in cats. Her current treatment is a prescription diet for kidney patients and subcutaneous fluid therapy twice a week. I'm very familiar with this treatment and she very cooperative about it. She is also going about her normal activities and not letting her illness affect her yet.

I'm going to try to update my blog more frequently once again. I hope I still have some followers! I'm sure I'll have news to share especially with Justin's athletics. Take care and I'll be back soon! :)

My Montage 4/12/10 at OneTrueMedia.com

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My kitchen makeover

This is really exciting for me! I paint walls, etc. all the time, but I took on something bigger this time. I decided to paint the kitchen cabinets. I knew it would be a major pain, which it was, but I couldn't get the idea out of my head. Our kitchen isn't real big and the dark cabinets made it dreary. I also decided that if the cabinets were off white, that I'd have more options for wall colors. I always have a motive...

This took five days, which I guess isn't too bad. (I had lots of help from my mom as well.) The process consisted of removing the doors, sanding, priming, painting, and varnishing. Not to mention all the time spent waiting for drying of all the different coats. Oh, and the mess! I moved the dining room table out of the way so I had a place to work on the cabinet doors. I will say that it is pretty convenient to work in a kitchen with no doors to open and close.

Thanks again to my mom for all her help and to Nat for the advice she gave me!!!

Merry Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends!!!

Christmas past - the first year Henry was with us (2005) :




Christmas present :




Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season!