Today is Julie's "Sweet 16"!

And it makes me giggle...  All these years I've been trying to sweeten her up!  I love her so much... for all of who she is.  She was born with her mind made up.  She would not let her older brother learn ANYTHING without her.  They were my "dynamic duo"!  She had to test me every.single.day. during toddlerhood.  She watched us... studied us... she knew what buttons to push.  She was 1-1/2 and could have her 3 older siblings in tears!!!  I'm laughing now, but, sometimes it wasn't fun and I wasn't laughing during those moments.  But, the girl's got spirit.

From an early age she had an eye for "fashion".  She would walk through Gottschalks and glance at the shoes, pass through the purses and then tell me what would go with each outfit.  And I'd stand there, amazed.  Because I have just about no fashion sense myself.  I love it when we are out together now and she points out what would look good on me!

We had some rough times and stood toe to toe many days.  I can actually find things to be thankful for even in that!  Her determination can drive me batty or I can let it inspire me... And to mothers of daughters out there... you know when they hit about 12?  They wake up and take you on!  It's like, they realize they are a woman and for some crazy reason think that they know what's what and criticize you.  I have been picked apart now by 3 different daughters...  But, there's a beautiful end to it.  I realize not all daughters go through this with their mothers, I just happened to have 3 that did... each in her own way.  And I am okay with it.  I had lessons to learn with each one... and Lord knows they had some lessons to learn, too! LOL.  All that to say that here, on this day, her sweet 16, she IS sweetness in my life.  We can hug!!  We can sit close together and chat away.  We can get all excited over some song.  And laugh.  Oh, yeah, bring on the laughter!!

I had a beautiful weekend with her and here are our special birthday celebration photos...

It all began Friday... Scott took off work early and called me up to go out shopping.  He wanted to get a special gift from him to Julie.  He found just the thing... (in the little girl's section... which is where we have to shop for Juile and Rebekah because they are size 12-14 in girls for things like pj's and shoes and socks, etc. God made me a couple of little girls...).

We decided that Julie could open one gift Friday night.  Her good friend was over for a while, too.  It was high excitement when the box was opened and the contents revealed... talk about squeeling!  And a very loud, high pitched, "Yippeeeee!"

The next evening, Shasta came over and we opened more presents...

First... the card... she's a smart one, she is!



Then some gifts...

Then the premier gift from mom... ha ha...

Followed by the cake!!  It was a lot of fun to make.

Then the little thing needed to go night-night... lol



The girl loves her Frodo dog.



The next day (after all, you only turn 16 once... the celebration should never end.. right?)  Back to what I was saying... the next day we got Julie's eyebrows waxed.  She and Rebekah talked me into getting my upper lip waxed, too.  Oh, wow!  OUCH!  After screaming, I asked, "Is there blood?"  And when we went through the salon, a lady asked me, "Oh, was that you I heard scream?"  To console myself, I bought toe rings for us girls.  And Julie scored on an outfit.


 (We certainly don't have the prettiest toes... but the toe rings are lovely!!! lol)





Happy Birthday, Julie.  I love you bunches!!!!

Time for some tasks!! Anyone? Anyone at all??

I will just list all the tasks that need to be done from this Monday until next.  If anyone joins in or just wants to leave a comment and share what you've been doing around your home to tidy or organize, please, knock yourself out! I'd LOVE to hear from you!

Here are pictures from last weeks tasks:

I can't find my "after" picture for my desk... I took one, but I also took a gazillion pics of my daughter's 16th birthday (tomorrow's blog!).


Let's see... I currently have 19 tasks that need to be done and  19 days until my target finish date of November 5th.  The goal here, if you didn't know, is to get the house really cleaned up and maintain it, one or two tasks at a time in order to prepare for the holidays.  So far I have cleaned out all kitchen cupboards and appliances, two desks and 3 sets of shelves.  I have maintained the kitchen!!  No small feat.  I need to dust again at the desks and shelves... I need to wash the mantle.

So, this week:

To maintain:  dust two desks and tops of shelves and wash the mantle.

New tasks (and a couple that I didn't get to last week!):

Couches!  In, under, behind!!
Mirrors and writing board
Tidy kids bathroom cupboards
Clean my personal dresser - 3 drawers and dust the shelves
Clean night stands
Clean big dresser... a few more drawers...
Clean out my closet
Clean out hallway closet
Clean under my bed
Vacuum bedroom
"handle" bedroom clutter
Make sure bedroom is dusted/polished

And as a reward, I hope to get new curtains purchased and post pictures of my "new" room!  (I painted it this summer, made some decorations and now just need the curtains)

Hey - Have I said lately that I am just crazy about my kids???

Sometimes I sit here and look at each one of the pictures of them and each one of these people is so very special to me.  Thanks, God, for creating each child of mine!

Fitness Friday! Have you been getting any exercise?

Fitness Friday

What level? What week?  I don't do "details" very well... but I think I am on week 4 and I think I'll be at level 2 for a few more weeks.... I am still using The Biggest Loser's Cardio Max "6 week" plan.

It's been a very good exercise week! I got in 4 workouts... two of which were intense and left me dripping with sweat. The first one of the week I was excited! Really! That was nice because last week I really did not want to exercise. Today's workout was a bit lazy, though I did work up a sweat. I have been doing level 2, but a bit toned down because I am just not full on yet with it... have a way to go.

I have experienced the energy level with these workouts... After showering and dressing for the day I feel like I can take on life and really don't get sleepy during the day anymore. I wish I could say that I was sleeping great at night, but that's a whole other issue!

The best part of working out right now is listening to my music playlist! That makes all the difference to me. Enjoying the music, letting my brain go other places rather than being stuck in the living room bending, stretching, jumping, lunging, doing squats.... Yep, my brain needs that music outlet or I'd be bored and would not stick with it.

How about you? Have you been doing anything physical for your health?

Wordless Wednesday? Try Speechless!

***I cannot bear to post a new post and interrupt this sweet little girl showing up when my blog is clicked, so I am announcing my next tackle-a-task jobs: clean in, under and behind couches, clean hanging lights and clean bathroom cupboards.  For the weekend, clean kids bathroom cupboards and all mirrors I can find!***


Chris and Sonia invited me to join them at the NICU today, where I was able to gaze upon this tiny, beautiful life.  Chloe was 14 inches as birth.  I am not sure what she is now, but mom and dad say she looks longer!  Not only that, but her tiny face and tummy have filled out a bit.  I am ever so thankful to be included in these times with Chris and Sonia.  And since you would rather look at pictures than read my words... I'll get them put up now!




These preemie diapers are actually huge on her!









And here is a brief video clip of this precious little girl!

Wordless Wednesday

What's More Important?

Sometimes that's the question begging to be asked.

There are seasons that come and go during which my husband travels... a lot...

They are balanced with the weeks that go by during which he works somewhat locally and is around often!

We are currently in a “traveling” season. With his current employer, he doesn't always get much notice... usually that means he finds out within 24 hours of his next flight out of town! Sometimes he is sent for one or two days and when he arrives on location, discovers that he is needed for two weeks!

That makes it difficult to plan dates!! Sometimes the children miss out... he is out of town for a planned party or athletic event. Other times I just want to plan something important that he will “BE” at.

So, this past week he'd been out of town for several days, the second week in a row, and called to say he was flying home! I excitedly rattled off the menu for that evening's dinner then not so excitedly and with much lower tones reminded him that it was choir night for me. He was instantly disappointed. You see, he knew that after flying in, it would be a matter of a few days and he'd be flying back out and that he would have some “things” to tend to while he was in town and he really, really, really wanted to get off the plane, drive home and see me for the night.

There were several times in the past two weeks when we thought we were going to connect... for a dinner out or a lunch date or something... and the plan fell by the wayside because one of us had something else that pulled us away.

Getting off the phone, I asked myself, “What is more important?” And I knew. Tonight belonged to my husband. I grabbed a son and my purse and headed to the store for some fresh bread and Scott's favorite drink. I had taken a few minutes to pop in at a favorite forum to plead, “Quick! Someone tell me what that dipping stuff is for the fresh bread in nice restaurants!” Then I added balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and garlic to my shopping list! Back at home I prepared a dish from many years ago... Mandarin Turkey.

Thankfully, it did not require extensive kitchen labor! Cody worked diligently beside me, tossing the salad with our garden fresh tomatoes, setting the table (complete with candles!) and making sure the dishes were washed, dried and put away.

That was also the evening I picked up some fashion magazine for my daughter-in-law who was in the hospital having a baby and I glanced through it and saw that straight bangs with curly hair was a fall trend... so, I cut some bangs and got a fresh look... complete with skirt and top and my favorite black heels!

Scott came in looking weary. And saw me. And he smiled SO big and we hugged! He noticed all the effort put into his homecoming dinner and we had such a beautiful evening together!

This week's Tackle a Task! Just what you've been waiting for!

Tackle A Task Fall 2010

It is Monday and once again, my tasks slid down on the priority list over the weekend! That's okay, though, because I kept up with the kitchen and it still looks nice and tidy and clean.

For detail people, I have 27 household tasks left and how many days? 26 Yikes! That puts it in perspective for me... I will have to do more than one task a day each week to hit my target day of November 5^th.

Here's my list for this week, Monday through Wednesday:

clean mini blinds in each room

clean my desk (includes 3 piles of papers and sorting through my filing drawer)

clean out the cubbies above the fireplace... set up the xbox 360 there for family time...

and my extra task to keep on track for the target date:

clean the bookshelves (2 of them), taking off books and dusting, too, sorting and organizing.

Now, honestly, this does not sound fun at all. And these tasks are going to take up a good bit of time. Sigh. But once they are finished, it will look grand, I tell you! The only fun part of this whole process is before and after pictures... and putting on some fun music... I think it'll be the Go-Go's this week...

Baby Chloe - 1 day old

Here she is!  It's absolutely amazing to see such a tiny baby.  To give you perspective, she is laying sideways at one end of the bassinet/isolette.  She is as healthy as can be at this time.  I will send out alerts if there are any changes or concerns.  Right now it's important for her to grow and continue to develop.  Thank you, so many of you, who are praying regularly for Chloe, her parents and our family.

Baby Chloe has been born!

 
She was born today at 12:18 at 1 pound, 14 ounces. Sonia is in recovery from the c-section. Chloe breathed on her own just fine and when they were wiping her down and getting her "needs" taken care of (oxygen and iv) she kept fighting them with her arms, hands and legs, so they had to strap her down a while! So, she's a fighter. We're looking forward to updates... Dr. says the first 2-4 hours are really important...

Thank you for the continued prayers!

Fitness Friday

Fitness Friday

Level 2, Week 1

Day one.

First, I thought level 2 would be it's very own complete workout. So, when I clicked on level 2 and it was level 1 with extra cardio at the end, I was disappointed. Mostly because I get bored after a while. However, since I was still having little bits of difficulty with level 1, I'm okay with it after all.

Second, level 2 kicked my bootie! They don't misname Jillian Michael's workouts “Death by Jillian” by chance. I felt like I'd enlisted into the Army. And if you know me, you know how funny that would be! I sit here with sweat dripping down my neck, no joke. I wont pretend that I kept up with half of what Jillian did... yet, I am excited!! It's a new challenge! Now I am off to shower... ick!

*** IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ***

I'm going right back to level 1, weeks 1-2

I broke the end of my middle finger, right hand and took two days off. Today I got back to exercising and level 1 kicked my bootie! I added in the 4 pound weights and got an incredible work out and realized I am not ready for level 2 right now. I am thinking that the 6 week program would work better for me as a 3 month program... one level per month. After all, this is for heart health and is not a race.

Phew. Feels good to not pressure myself! Go ahead, pat me on the back... I could use it!

And just as I typed that I heard Steven Curtis Chapman sing, “I will be here so you can cry on my shoulder... when the mirror tells us we're older, I will hold you.” Yep, I am getting older. And with that, I am SO glad that my husband is back from out of town... I have sore muscles that need a good rub down... and his holding me will bless me as much as this song.

Tackle A Task - C'mon, You know you want to!

Well, the past few days have gone by and I almost finished my recent goals.  The stovetop is spic and span, but the oven remains to be cleaned... thanks to the stovetop slipping and slamming down on my middle finger, which is turn protested to any further cleaning for a couple of days.  My windows did join the company of clean yesterday!  I am amazed at the difference sparkling windows adds to the room.  It reminds me of a story we read when the children were small.... about a lady who received some pretty flowers and sat them down by the window.  Then she noticed the window was dirty, so she cleaned it.  The the clutter and mess at the little table in front of the window was much more noticeable, so she tidied it as well...

My great helper, Cody, followed me around outside setting up the ladder, handing me my scrubber and squeegee and collecting the paper towels.  Here he sits, relaxing before dinner.   

What's next?  Today I will do triple duty... 1) watch my grandson, Christopher, for a couple of hours 2) catch up on previous days' tasks, which translates to cleaning the microwave, dishwasher and oven and 3) get those cobwebs out of the corners!

Then tomorrow and Saturday I hope to add in the following tasks to stay on track for my target date:

Clean in, out and on top of my upright computer cabinet, turning it into a sewing and craft cabinet

Scrub down the table and table legs

Clean mini-blinds throughout the house

I wish I wasn't playing catch up.  I suppose a good way to do this is with some happy music!

Update on Baby Chloe

Last night was scary for dear Sonia. Her blood pressure shot up high, she started vomiting, they gave her magnesium and she got super hot and had ice packs on her... she is stabilized and they have scheduled a c-section for baby Chloe on Friday.  It is now confirmed that she will deliver at 11am Friday, Oct. 8th.  Sonia is nervous and scared for the baby.  She is afraid that she will have a panic attack during the c-section.  Thank you for joining me in prayer to keep this time covered.  They will be doing all the prep for the surgery starting at 9am, expecting delivery at 11am.  Baby Chloe has not really gained much in the past few weeks and is expected to weigh in at just over 2 lbs. 

Thank you for the prayer support. Thanks very much!!

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday!

This has got to be one ironic post title for me!  My goal in the kitchen is to get out of the kitchen!  When I has 8 years old I had a horrible "accident" in the kitchen and although I know it's past and not going to happen again, I have never liked being in the kitchen much....

I have gone through many different seasons with cooking.  I have studied through an authentic Mexican food cookbook, learned how to roast peppers and made one of the most fabulous tortilla soups you can imagine!  Another time I tried cooking through a Moosewood cookbook.  I tried the cooking once a month program.  Then there was the time I enjoyed recipes online.  Once in a while (as in about once or twice a year!) I might watch a portion of a cooking show on tv.

The fact is, we have to eat.  Food has never been a big attraction to me... just a necessary part of life... I have made monthly menu charts, weekly shopping lists and still the day comes when I stop and wonder, "What are we going to eat tonight?" I'll be walking in a grocery store in a bit of a daze, uninspired, not knowing what to buy.  Now, if I got as excited about meals as I did creative crafts....

So, I recently decided that I want to try something new once a week... or even recall a meal that turned out great in the past and make it again... I watched Julie and Julia and was quite entertained.  Much more by Julie's emotional ups and downs and blog than by the cooking!  I don't want to try cooking through a book.  Nope.  I don't want to try something new every day.  So, I hope to have a wonderful meal experience once a week... and I hope that means it tastes good, too!

This week, I present to you.... stir fry!

This was something I enjoyed doing years ago... as in about 17 years ago!  I like the veggies cooked more rather than crispier.  I start with the carrot and broccoli and get those cooking in real butter or olive oil on a medium-high heat (I was out of oil).  Then add in onion and baby bella mushrooms, then some snap peas and bean sprouts.  I sprinkle garlic salt and lemon pepper and turn up the heat, stir away and drizzle in about a tablespoon of Italian dressing.  One night I served this over rice as a side dish.  Last night I served it with strips of steak that had been marinated and stir fried prior to the veggies, then added back at the end.

So, tell me, how would you stir fry?  What do you do differently?  If this is a side dish for you, what would your main dish be?

Tackle A Task! Week 2

Now that 3 days tasks have been tackled, I will plan out another several days.

This weekend I did not be tackle any tasks. I had my oldest daughter's baby shower and was very busy enjoying that and Sunday was a full day with an early morning Bible study and working until night. I hope that you had a blessed weekend, too!

For Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday my tasks will include:

Thorough cleaning of the stove and oven – behind, beside, below, beneath (hey, how about those prepositions!)

Cleaning the microwave and dishwasher (these will be easy, they are mostly clean anyway)

Sweeping the high corner cobwebs in every room!!

Washing windows inside and out, including the sills...

Here is a tip for windows that I LOVE! It has been well worth the investment and window washing happens for the entire home in less that half an hour...

Buy these two items! Don't go for the cheapest... buy good quality and they will last for years!

I love these. I keep them under my bathroom sink and they keep my mirrors spotless and lovely!

One day I was on the phone chatting with my mother-in-law, Katie. (I love talking on the phone!) While we were talking, I washed and squeegeed every window, inside and out (in less than a half an hour).  Now, I do have a few high windows and they get power washed and I pretend that they are just as clean and lovely... ha!

So, I squirt a little bit of dishsoap on the scrubber and add a touch of water to it and wash the window. You can use a bucket to put the scrubber into and carry around so it doesn't drip on anything.  The cloth on mine does a fabulous job of getting the outside dirt handled! I do take a moment to pop off my screens and spray them, but mine are super easy to go on and off. I keep paper towels handy, but not for rubbing the windows... no, no! I use the squeegee from left to right, top to bottom and use the paper towel to wipe the far right side and then wipe the sills. I only do the entire household windows a couple times a year... you'd think since it doesn't take too long I would do it more often. And, if I have on some loud 80's music, maybe it will be a little fun this time!

So, am I a lone, lonely loner? Is anyone out there tackling some tasks ? You don't have to copy mine! Let me know what household tasks you are working on... c'mon, misery loves company! Lol.  

I'll check back in Thursday with some tasks for end of the week and maybe a weekend task... we'll see...

The Baby Shower!

I don't know that if I sat here today I could come up with a more creative title... Yesterday was high time fun and today I am exhausted!  Shasta and Bek arrived in the morning.  We hurried Shasta to the back room because I hadn't taken the party items to my van yet and we didn't want her peeking around!  After a couple quick trips to load up, Cody called out, "Can we let her out, yet?"  LOL

After a bite of breakfast and saying goodbye to Scott and the boys (they were headed out on the boat for the day!), Rebekah got restless and we said our good-byes to Shasta, who was waiting for her friend, Glenda, to pick her up for a hair appointment.  Bek and I had some laughs at Baby'sRUs and picked up the song cd, the cake and some toffee coffee... I forget what all we were doing to laugh so much, but we had some fun.  Then we stopped by the house once more for some forgotten items and headed to Heidi's to set up for the shower.  Heidi is Chris's mom.  Chris is Shasta's fiancee.  He is also daddy of the baby.  The baby.  I have banned myself from any and all baby sections of stores.  That's that.  LOL

We had lots of blue "Baby Boy" balloons and most of them popped outside in the heat.  We hung decorations and set up and were so thankful that Bek was with us... there was plenty to do and it all came together!  It was lovely to meet Heidi's parents.  I was super extra blessed by Aunt Debbie, who drove the baby's Great Great Grandma, Great Grandma Cathy and my sweet Julie from Santa Cruz to our baby shower!!!  Trust me on this one... I was SO excited when I got the news that they were driving up!  And what a blessing Julie was.  She had been working and making purchases to put together a large gift basket for her nephew and it was fabulous.  She brought a baby washcloth lined basket of bread cubes and the most delicious hot artichoke dip, too.

In between snacking and visiting we played a couple of baby shower games and I think the one that went over the best was dividing up into small teams with onesies to decorate.  Competition was fierce.  Just kidding.  I looked around the room to think of how to divide up guests because if you tell folks to divide up themselves and some of them don't know others... well, sometimes it feels awkward.  So, I looked over and said something like, "I know!  Let's have the great-grandma's team up together!"  And those dear ladies let me have it, I tell you!  They figured I was singling them out as elderly, but I put them together because I know that they didn't know each other and each one is lovely and special.  So, they cooperated and each group had a terrific time.  When I went to take pictures of the Great-Grandmothers one of them called out, "This is NOT the Senior Center!"  LOL  I love each one!

Soon we were watching Shasta open gifts and pass them around!

My three daughters!



The 4 generations... soon to be 5



And one last photo... the cake that I could not watch being cut...  And a special thank you to those who could not be here, but sent lovely thoughts, gifts and love our way.  We missed you!

Week 2 Fitness

Week 2 Fitness:

Half way through this week, I added hand weights to the work out. I thought it improved my balance, actually. I enjoyed the difference, but it wasn't really “harder”, so I am thinking of moving up from 2 pound hand weights to 4 pounders. I did have some slight soreness in my shoulders and chest, so it must have done something.

It was VERY difficult to exercise a couple of mornings this week. I did NOT want to. I made myself anyway... probably because I am writing about it and I don't want to write that I quit or didn't do it. So, I pressed on.

At the end of week two, I did 8 push ups!!! This was no small feat! Really, because you don't just down-up-down-up on this video. You HOLD push up position, go down a few inches and HOLD and come up and then hold and OUCH! My tummy hurts every time. I only did 8 of them on the last day. I did 6 of them the day before that and 4 the day prior to that... so... progress... and stickability! But, like I said, I didn't really want to do any of this. Sitting around reading or relaxing would have been much more enjoyable.

THEN, guess what?? I picked up the measuring tape! When I began a couple of weeks ago, I measured my upper arms, thighs, chest, hips and waist.

I will post before and after measurements at the end... but for now I will say that I lost two inches off of one thigh and 2-1/2 inches off of my waist!!! My “problem” area isn't the waist, though, it's the two inches below the waist... my lower tummy “pouch” and that's probably a problem area from pregnancies... But, I am excited! I don't like doing this very much, but I love the results so far. Sometimes I wonder how all those “fitness” gals out there do it... week after week, month after month, year after year. I'd get so bored! I'm very glad that there are so many different dvds out there now... if I am going to keep up with cardio, I'm going to have to have a variety of options!