Freshman 15

   I have always heard everyone talk about the freshman 15, but didn't experience it when I went to college.  Let me just say, that freshman 15 isn't just about college--it has snuck up on me since becoming a sahm in November!  I have had problems with my weight since I was 10, but leveled out at around 150 in high school & remained there till my 1st pregnancy.  Last year I was walking & slowly getting the pounds off, then I became a 'freshman'.  I think it was so easy to do at work because we were all doing it together & kept each other accountable.  Here at home, there isn't anyone to hold me accountable.  So, this morning I took pictures for my weight loss journey, but I've decided not to post them yet.  I just can't make myself right now, but maybe after I am at my goal weight.  I have read several other stories about weight loss & am going to use an idea that I read about (not sure where saw it, sorry).  I am going to try a reward system for myself that doesn't include food!  This has always been an issue with me since I am an emotional eater.  I am already down 13 lbs since last month, so I a over 1/2 way to my first reward...yeah me!  I have changed these rewards a few times, but have settled on the following:
After 20 lb loss--Spa Pedi (I do my own every week & have always enjoyed going to the spa for it)
After 35 lb loss--Walking Shoes (my current pair is over 3 yrs old)
After 50 lb loss--Hair Appt (I've wanted to do drastic color since becoming a sahm)
After 65 lb loss--Cowgirl Boots (haven't owned a pair in over 10 yrs, but wore them everyday before kids)
After 80 lb loss--New Tattoo (once you get 1, they are addicting)
After 95 lb loss--Full Closet Makeover (shopping spree!!)
   After talking about this with DH, I decided that the freshman 15 hasn't just applied to my weight.  When I was working, I had a routine for the home--15 minutes of cleaning every morning before work, after getting home keep going because if I sat down, it was over!  I would go nonstop from walking in the door at 6 pm till dropping into the bed at 10:30 or 11.  Since i'm not working now, I have just felt like "oh, well, I have all day...no rush".  Then I do the 'crash & burn' where I clean like a mad woman for hrs & crash with pure exhaustion.  I am now working on 15 minute intervals of cleaning then rest every day & using a cleaning schedule.
   There are 2 websites that I am using for these 2 freshman 15.  I am using LoseIt for the weight loss & FlyLady for the cleaning.  Hoping I can get some control back!

Starting Over

Well, it has been soo long since I last blogged, but we have been very busy.  The last few months of school were crazy hectic, Vernon got a transfer a little closer to home (which meant a schedule change of 1 week gone then 1 week home instead of 2 & 2), & then summer was here!!  In early May, my mom asked me to start helping my grandmother with her dr appts since she had taken on a new position at her work & this meant more hours, so I have become her sidekick!  This has been a blessing, allowing us to spend more time together.  She has a scheduled surgery at the end of June, which went just as planned with only a 2 day hospital stay, but after 3 days after getting her home, I rcvd a phone call from my father-in-law that he had been feeling sick & had went to the direct care clinic here in town & they were waiting on the ambulance to take him to the hospital (45 miles away)......'GREAT DAY, what am I gonna do now?'  That was the first thought than went through my head, but then I pulled it together, went to my neighbors & begged for her to take me to the clinic to pick up his truck since that was his current concern & I couldn't very well have my 12 yr old drive!!  My mind was racing with 'We have to go out to Granny's house & take care of her; Vernon is, of course, out of state working; He can't be at the hospital by himself, alone.....' (you get the picture).  My adrenaline kicked in & we were off!!  Had the kids pack bags for the hospital waiting room (for the upteenth time), checked on & got my grandmother settled for the day & headed to the hospital.  After we arrived, the nurse informed me they were going to schedule surgery asap for an appendectomy.  She stressed to me how dangerous this would be since his blood sugar & blood pressure were extremely high & they were certain that there wasn't much time before rupture.  Guess what, a daughter-in-law isn't authorized to sign for medical consent....just my luck!!  After speaking with the drs many times they decided that not giving any more meds & having him sign consent in pre-op was the only option.  Surgery was successful, but he had a 4 day hospital stay.  He is now home & resting with me doing his laundry, cooking, & errand running.  Again, a blessing in disguise, as Vernon & his dad are now closer.
 So, after all this, we have decided to Start Over.  We really evaluated where we were in our lives--emotionally, spiritually--everywhere.  God is everything & we should do everything in His glory to praise Him.  A lot of questions came up about where we praised Him....aren't we suppose to help others; isn't family important; is one denomination better that another.  Our answers...we aren't were we feel we need to be; yes, God gave us a family to help each other; no, Jesus is the way-not catholic, baptist, lutheran, methodist.......
Starting Over in all aspects of our lives has been hard.  We are retraining our brains & I am working on retraining my body.  I began reading 'The Power of the Praying Wife' which is such a great book.  It is really hard for me to only read 1 chapter a night!  Vernon began reading the Bible faithfully with a coworker while they are at work & we began a journey of spiritual discovery with a nondenominational church.  I have began a lifestyle change of eating better & exercising daily.  I wish I could get the courage to take pictures & post here for motivation, but not sure if I could do that!!  Who knows, I may surprise myself & just do it for my own record.  I will absolutely be blogging about our changes, but not so sure about the pictures!!