Friday with my Friends

Oh it has been so long since I have had the chance to play with my paper and stamps!  I have been itching to get into my craft room, but time and a long list of projects kept getting in the way.  I was able to find an excuse to clean clear off a space to create this week though.  Football and field hockey seasons are coming to an end this week for the kiddos.  I was in charge of taking up a collection for the field hockey coaches and figured what a perfect excuse to make a card...who wants a store bought one anyway. 


So I whipped up this thank you card (twice!) to present with the gifts from the players:

The cute little birdie stamp is from the Unity October KOM, DP is Cosmo Cricket, CS and ink is Close to My Heart, and the design is based on Mojo Monday 162 (which I am linking to also).

Be sure to visit Unity's blog to check out all of the FWF blogs today (the list will be up by 9am CT).  Be sure to visit each one in order to find the hidden blinkie.  If you find it...leave a comment for your chance to win some Unity goodness...and while you are at it, I would love to hear from you too!

an 8 year olds perspective on marriage

I have some of the best conversations with my children.  They have changed over the years from them asking me "why?" to now me asking them "why?' (or silently smacking my brain around trying to figure out their reasoning).

My conversations with K are usually intellectual and she actually educates me on the wonders of the world. She is one smart, creative & talented cookie and that head is just busting with knowledge. I do have to say that every now and then she pops up with something I wasn't ever expecting...like asking me the other day if 5th grade is too young to date (yikes).  We worked through that one together and it was a special mother daughter converation that I hope she feels comfortable to have again with me.

My conversations with J are normally very entertaining.  Don't get me wrong, he too educates me by sharing tidbits he has learned in school, or about the zillion different lego characters ( he knows them all as we have graduated from Thomas the Tank Engine trivia).  But that kid's mind is unique, purposeful and extremely imaginative.  Some of the things he comes out with, you need to just stop and wonder how he ever drew that conclusion (and sometimes what myself and Mr. Olie are teaching him). 

This morning before school we were having a conversation about Dick and Rick Hoyt.  They are an incredibly inspirational father and son team.  I couldn't do justice to their story so if you haven't ever heard of them, please take the moment to visit their website and read their story...just have a box of tissues ready. 

They Hoyts are local.  As a child I knew who they were. My husband was in high school at the same time Rick was.  Mr. Hoyt was a member of the same Air National Guard unit my father worked for.  I had the privelege of experiencing their story, witnessing their story.  I also had the privelege of working with Mr. Hoyt when I became a member of that same unit, he is an incredible person.

Two years ago we were sitting as a family watching Epcot's The American Experience at Disney and lo and behold the Hoyts went running by in the film.  My husband and I just looked at each other, mouths open...I guess I live a sheltered life, I didn't know they were THAT famous.  This lead to a wonderful conversation with the kids about the Hoyts. A little internet research and a few YouTube videos later, my children had a wonderful appreciation for this family.

Fast forward to this morning. 

J - "hey mom, you know that really cool man that runs everywhere pushing his son in a wheelchair?"

Me - "yes, the Hoyts?"

J - "yes.  Mrs. P (his teacher) knows them because she used to work with his wife at Kamp for Kids (a local camp for children with disabilities) when she was in college."

Me - "really?  Did she talk about them in class?"

J - "yep.  She also had a picture of him.  I can see why he is married."

Me - "I know JT, he is a very nice man, but why did a picture show you that?"  (ok, racking my brain...trying to figure out his logic)

J - "Well, he might be nice, but he is married because man his abs are ripped".

Note to self....never try to figure out his logic.

What I Wore on this Weight Watchers Wednesday

ok, so I am back with WW Wednesdays and have decided to pair it with What I Wore Wednesday hosted by Lindsey over at the Pleated Poppy.  She decided to put a little effort into what she wore each day and created a linky party so other women could do the same and share what they wear each day.  I have to say some of those women are super cute and have some wonderful fashion sense (I on the other hand...don't).

A few weeks ago I blogged about how I have been stalking this series each Wednesday and really wanted to join but viewing the pics of me just wasn't something that I could endure.

Well,  I am still not too sure I can endure the pics, but hey, my Wednesday posts are supposed to be about my weight loss struggle journey and I guess there is no better way to document it than in pictures.

So, this week, I only have 2 pics to share, but promise to do better next week.  I must apologize for the pics themselves and the sheer ugliness of the bathroom that they were taken in.   I realized that I only have 3 mirrors that i can take pictures in front of in my home and no full length mirrors...guess I should get on that one.  This mirror has the best lighting.   So ugly wall paper in the bathroom that is patiently waiting for a full gutting and remodel aside, it is where I will be taking the pics (unless I can figure out the tripod thingy).

Tuesday - home & football practice at night

shirt & sweater - Kohl's (last year)

jeans - nine & co

muffin top - courtesy of 2 kids...but will be gone soon (I hope)

Wednesday - home & football practice at night

Argyle top - dress barn

Black layering tee - Kohl's

Jeans - Ruff hewn

On the WW end of things, I am happy to say that finally, after months of going up .2, .4, etc. etc. I have lost weight.  I lost 1.8lbs and have vowed to make that just the beginning.  I came home from my meeting on Saturday and packed a picnic lunch for the whole family to eat after JT's football game...instead of stopping on the way home at a resturaunt.  I have also had dinner on the table each night, tracked all my points, not eaten everyone else's leftovers, and made the yummiest White Bean & Sausage Soup with escarole yesterday for lunch (and about to heat up leftovers soon).  The running hasn't been as dedicated.  I told myself that I would wake up at 5am M,W,F and run...well, so far it has been raining, and I refuse to run in the rain. So, maybe Friday...we will see.

Whatever the scale shows Saturday, all I can say is I had a good week and I feel great.

Tracy

Life these days....

is a little bit crazy and a whole lot of hectic all wrapped into one pretty little package.

I guess when you have one of these

and one of these

that is the way it is.

But, I wouldn't want it any other way. 

I wouldn't want to not make a last minute lunch for my child who loves pizza day, but changed her mind last minute for fear of going hungry because the green beans look like mush and the salad is wet and contains some substance that is well, not food (her words).

I wouldn't want to not help my child wash with baby wipes in the car as the bus is pulling up to the bus stop because eventhough he showered and apparently applied deoderant his smell wasn't quite right this morning.

I wouldn't want to not load up 4 kids into the car and drive over to the school in the pouring rain because my child forget her instrument, despite warning her that morning to not forget it because I wouldn't bring it in.

I wouldn't want to not have to count to a bajillion each and every time I sat down with my child to do his homework because even before he looks at it the tears start and he just doesn't get it...eventhough once we get started (25 minutes later) he is doing it just fine.

I wouldn't want to not have to do the countless other things that come with being me; being a mom to 2 wonderful children; being a wife to an amazing man who puts in long hours so I have the opportunity to stay home and care for our home and children. 

I want to do these things because it makes them happy, it makes me happy and I love the life I am in right now.

I want to do these things because that is the kind of mom I am and I am darn proud to be.

Happy October 1st!

Tracy

PS...Melissa over at the inspired room is joining a few other bloggers for 31 days of inspiration on a few different subjects (decorating, doing more with less, cleaning/organization, photography, etc.).  I will be following along each day with them to make my home more inviting, my life more fulfilling and hopefully my photography more appealing.  Stay tuned as I will post about my 31 day journey of embracing and finding peace in my life and my home in 31 days.

Weight Watchers Wednesday...and fashion (or lack of it)

Ok, so this isn't really a post on weight loss, well maybe it is.

Last week during my obsession with reading blogs I happened upon (again) Lyndsey at the Pleated Poppy.  Besides having a cute store and fabulous blog she does a great linky party on Wednesday's titled What I Wore Wednesday.  The whole concept started when she decided to take a little more pride in her appearance and put a little more effort in her wardrobe choices each day.  She posts pictures of herself each day during the week and indicates where the clothing came from (which is great btw....guess I need to check out Target more often!)  Then other people link up and do the same thing.

Ok, bear with me...this does have something to do with Weight Watchers Wednesday, promise.

So, being the ultra unfashionable person that I am (I won't buy new clothes because I don't want to be at this weight) I thought this would be a great opportunity to start taking pictures and posting them to show a transformation in myself...until I took the first picture.  I happened to be wearing a super cute top and a pair of jean shorts (to the knee).  I felt great in the outfit and super cute...until I took the picture.  Holy Moly!  Who the heck is the fat chick and why is she in my picture?????  Honest, the top is super cute, just not on me!

I know I haven't been following WW perfectly (ok, not at all) and I have slacked on my running a bit (no time and too hot...yes excuses, but it is what it is) but my goodness I didn't think I blew up that fast.

So, I know what I want to wear, I feel my style and it is calling my name.  I have poured over catalogues, cut out pictures, dog eared, tagged and circled magazines...checked out some of the super cute moms on Lyndsey's hop and now...well, let's just say that if those styles even came in my size, I wouldn't dare wear them, because it just wouldn't be fair to the clothes!

So, I am on a mission, I have a goal...I want to join the linky party!  I want to shop for new clothes (before the Spring line is in and the Fall/winter line is out).  So this past Saturday was a new weigh in, a starting over point (I did say the school year would bring about a new me).  Wish me luck and I will faithfully update my progress.  yeah, I know I think I have made similar statements before but I never had a picture staring me in the face of what I really look like...I am scared, sad, embarrassed, ashamed...alll the above...but I am ready to change.  There is a skinny chick inside me screaming to get out and I need to quit shutting her up with cookies.

Tracy

What I have learned

The kids went back to school this week and I had grand plans to get my house in order.  I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish each day.  I spent all day Monday cleaning and got a whole bunch of laundry put away, my bedroom in liveable shape (it was the laundry dumping ground) and J's room almost cleaned...that took almost 4 hours in itself!  Then, well, nothing.  I had great intentions and I did cross off a few things, but nothing that made a dent in what I wanted to get done, just the normal everyday tasks (like bill paying).  Why?  Well here is what I learned:

I spend way too much time engrossed in other people's lives via the wonderful world of blogging.

I am addicted...seriously. 

I have wonderful intentions of just checking in on the few (well handful) of blogs that I love,  but then, when they have linky parties I have to check out the other blogs and before you know it I have 100 windows open and I am totally engrossed.  drawn in. obsessed.  HELP!

I do have to admit though that there are some amazing women out there!  Some are great moms, great people, fabulous decoraters, survivors, crafty goddesses and some super stylish dressers...the list goes on and on.  I do have a purpose in all this obsessiveness.  I am trying very hard to make my house a home, to find my style, and to do it on a very small budget.  That is where the land of blogs is great...I have found so many wonderful ideas and can't wait to try them out....when I can actually get off the computer and focus on what I set out to do.

What else have I learned?

I am not alone, there are many other women out there just like me.  I know because there are at least 4 blogs I read on a daily basis that are written as if I am sharing my thoughts, views, stories and craziness.

Eventhough sometimes I don't think so, I am a good mom.  There are many of the moms in the blogging world that I look up to that have the same views, theories and challenges that I face and they deal with them in quite the same way I do.  Plus as I write this post, I have my snugglebug cuddled up beside me in my bed.

I can't decorate to save my life (but I can copy other people, so I think that is a start)

Spray paint can fix anything

That I seriously lack fashion sense (I will get into that on Wednesday's post)

That I am not the only crazy, over extended, do too much, don't have enough time for my kids mom out there....and I am also not the only one who is trying to change that (it is all in the attitude my friend!)

That I am unique, I am special, I can make a difference and I need to find and be me.

That there is an amazing support structure of women around the world that I can connect to from my own home, who I have never met, but through their stories and adventures I can feel as if I have known them my entire life.

That I spend too much time reading blogs about what I want to do than doing it.  I can't say I will change that, but I do need to control it....starting Tuesday, I am taking the weekend to just be with my family and enjoy a semi free weekend together.

Enjoy your holiday weekend!

Tracy