Power of the Mind...

Good grief! Where did my willpower go?

I LOVE SWEETS----simply said. Could it be genetic I wonder? Give me a hot chocolate chip cookie with a BIG OLE glass of milk and I'm in heaven........[my mouth is watering]

The latest fetish of mine is dark chocolate covered almonds. Yum. I found some at the store the other day and quickly grabbed them and put in my basket. I figure--almonds are good for you and dark chocolate is good for you.....how can I go wrong?!? Well, I could eat the whole can in one sitting...that's what I could do!

I'm doing well with my exercise. I started doing "2's" on the treadmill...two minutes running following by 2 minutes walking, etc. I'm also focusing on strengthening my quads as that will help with my knee problems.

Well--better get back to work.
fondly,
fit

Determination!!

I've decided it's time to get serious. Serious about my diet, that is.

Initially, I lost about 60 pounds (7 years ago), but it's been slowing making its comeback. In reality, I need to lose about 15 pounds to be where I feel good, look good; optimum performance. I think if I get back to exercising like I was, it should be attainable. But, therein lies the problem. Getting back into the groove of exercising seems to be difficult for me! Either way.....it's gonna happen!

My goal is to lose 15 pounds. How I'm going to do it? Establish accountability and get busy.

Wish me luck!
fondly,
fit

MFFL

Dirk is the MAN!

Long time; no type

Seems like I've been gone forever.....okay, maybe not forever---but definitely a while. I've been a tad busy with my new job (promotion). I really like it, so far....[knock on wood].

I have to say, though, that I REALLY miss the guys I worked with before I moved up the ladder. They (except for one!) made my day fun. Even when things were extremely stressful, I could always laugh it off with them...or better yet--laugh AT one of them. Fortunately, this position is within the same business unit, so I can "watch out" for them (I report to the BIG boss now).

I've decided that I miss blogging.

I'm going to do better.

I'll start Monday.
fondly,
fitafter4

Something's in the air.......

Something that's making me feel awful! I'm not sure if it's Mountain Cedar or some other tree or grass; but it's taking its toll on me.

I wanna go home and get in bed!

Fit

Storms make trees take deeper roots.
- Dolly Parton

I found the above quote and really liked it. Feels like it describes the continuation of my life! Kinda goes along with, "What doesn't kill ya makes you stronger..." which I've heard countless number of times. If that's the case, then I'm the female Hercules! Just kidding...Honestly, I am very blessed. God doesn't promise His children a life void of problems, just the support and love to make it through them. {I like that quote much better, thank you.}

Well, today is our official 5 year anniversary. Whew! There were a few times I didn't think we'd make it to this point, but I'm glad we did. I referred in my post yesterday about how difficult our journey has been up until now, so I don't want to repeat myself other than to say that I give God the credit for bringing us together and keeping us together. I have learned so much in this marriage; much more than I learned in the 1st! Maybe it's maturity; maybe it's personalities; maybe it's timing---I don't know. All I can say is, I have discovered that I am a very difficult person to live with! [just being honest] Fortunately, my husband has learned how to get through all my issues and help me learn how to be realistic with myself.

New subject. . . . . .

*****

I found this picture this morning and thought it was funny.

Have a wonderful day, world!
Be blessed and give blessings.
Fondly,
Fit

Got a major headache today! I attempted to go without my caffeinated coffee this morning and BAM! ...headache central. What was I thinking?!?!? How pathetic am I that I have to have caffeine to jump-start my day?

It probably doesn't help that I've been dealing with condescending jerks today either. I normally have patience for "that type of person" but NOT today.

I can't wait until tomorrow! It's our 5th anniversary and I'm taking a vacation day on Friday so we can go to our special anniversary spot. No kids, No stress, No work....BLISS. I will miss the kids, especially Nicholas, but parents have to take care of their marriage, right?

The last five years have been extremely difficult but extremely fulfilling at the same time. My husband and I have handled unbelieveable stress, including custody battles (FOUR), loss of employment (for 3 years!), foreclosure, health issues, etc. There is NO DOUBT in my mind whatsoever, that most marriages could not endure the trials and hardships we have been through. I can't say I haven't thought about just "walking away" when things seemed unbearable, but I knew that God was ultimately in control of our lives and our situation. I cling to the promise that "all things work together for good..."

Actually I try to remember that every day.......
Fondly,
Fit

Countdown to Lobsterville

Welcome to Lobsterville!

It's our 5th anniversary next Thursday (Feb 1st) and our tradition is to "get away" (NO kids!) and relax. We have found a quaint little cabin in the woods in Oklahoma with absolutely no one around---and it's WONDERFUL! The cabin is fully equipped, including large t.v. and DVD player and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, a hottub on the back porch. We usually sit in the hottub just about the whole weekend and drink wine. The best time is at night with all the stars shining above--that's our favorite. When not in the hottub, we take a bunch of DVD's and chill out on the couch.

However, one of the biggest highlights of the weekend is our traditional lobster dinner we prepare. We bring live lobsters with us (we usually name them--haha) and on Saturday night, we boil them up and enjoy!! I would venture to say this is one of our biggest highlights of the year. All I can say is...bring it on, I'm ready!

"The moment of victory is much too short to live for that and nothing else."
-Martina Navratilova

Well....I've got my class tonight at the gym. 60 minutes of intense cardio-fitness. Ugh.

It's hard while I'm going through it, but I feel great afterwards!! This class, called "Team Weight Loss", meets three (3) times a week and includes a Nutritionist (aka Summer) and a Personal Trainer (aka Rob). There are about 6 consistent people in my class, one of which is my "buddy", Gretchen. She's seems to be really nice, but I'm starting to see a chip on her shoulder. The first few classes,I thought her negativity was most likely attributed to the difficult regime we were being put through; however, it has certainly intensified and I don't think it's far from her normal state-of-mind. Here's why I say that: One of our other classmates is "cute", "blond", and "thin" [not to mention airheaded]. Our Trainer, Rob, tends to show her alot of attention, much to my buddy's dismay, who is NOT "cute", "blond", and "thin". This scenario has caused much discussion on her part, and I seem to be the likely listener, since I am her buddy and work along side her. I try to be a good listener and show her I care...but the fact is---I DON'T. Get over it already. I'm so done with the "I'm-not-cute-so-anyone-who-is-stinks" attitude!

Truth is, I'm there to get in shape and feel good (and hopefully lose some pounds along the way!). I'm not there to win a contest or compete with others while I'm gettin' sweaty!! Puleez!

Well, I've gotta run for now......

Fondly,

Fit

"Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you

are a good person
is a little like expecting the bull not to attack you

because you are a vegetarian."

-Dennis Wholey

[I've decided to try to have a different quote every day.....we'll see how it goes!]

Today has been a really weird day. After arriving to work and do my normal, every day kinda things, I came back to my desk to see a group of my teammates standing around, arms folded, giving me this "what-do-you-know" look. [You see--I'm the "Administrator"--which means I have the inside scoop to many things...] It turns out, my boss was F-I-R-E-D this morning. Yep. Gone. I was asked to pack up his office and send his things. As you can imagine, it came as a real shock to everyone; not because there wasn't just cause, but rather surprise that management FINALLY did something about it!

It's my belief that said-boss is bi-polar. He had extreme temperments and you never really knew which boss you would see at any given time! He had made MANY enemies and I think it finally caught up with him. It's sad to see anyone get canned; but sometimes you have to come to the conclusion that someone brought it upon themselves.

Either way, it's been a strange day!
Fondly,
Fit

Mom Desiring Normal Routine!

Thank goodness school started back today! My kids were going stir-crazy. Whether or not they will admit it or not, they were glad to be back at school. At least--I was. There's only so much television and PS2 that's good for them, ya know [although they would beg to differ].

I'm not sure our new PUPPY likes that he's back to being all alone again. [pic below]

I was able to download a few pictures from Christmas and New Years. Here are some of them:

I will post some more tomorrow.

Fondly,

Fit

Random numbers for the Day!

Random numbers:

2 - Extra kids at my house right now. My friend's kids, Alex, 16, and Emily, 14, decided to stay with us a couple extra days;

5 - days until my children return to school!

19 - people in my family that gathered on New Year's Eve to play games and bring in the new year;

19 - people who were in a family photo shoot. This is the first time we've all been present for a family picture.

200 - dollars spent on our cat, Simba, who had an abcess in his leg when we returned from vacation! Yuk!

0 - pounds lost over the holidays...even though I'm in a contest to lose weight! Weigh in is next Tuesday--doesn't look too good, huh?

2 - days until my in-laws come to visit.

Happy 2007!

Happy 2007!!!

It seems that every year I say, "I can't believe it's 200_!" Well, in order to fulfill the prophecy, here goes..."I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S 2007!" Seriously, this past year literally FLEW by. It's pretty much a blurr; although that's not necessarily a bad thing. 2006 was a very difficult year. In fact, probably the most difficult I can ever remember. Welcoming in the new year is really a blessing. It signifies a "new beginning". I pray that God will bless us this year.

Not to be "clique-ish" but it IS the time of year for resolutions. I'm not real good about keeping my newfound commitments, but even if I can keep them for a little bit, that's good, right?!?!

1) I resolve to work on reading my Bible every day. I'm not going to commit to a certain time, but rather just the act of reading itself.

2) I resolve to be a "half-glass-full" person and look at the blessings of life rather than the trials.

3) I commit to making sure my children know EVERY DAY that they are loved more than words can show.

4) I commit to being a good friend.

5) I pledge to learn to love myself - good and bad.

6) I pledge to be a faithful person in ALL things.

7) I will strive to read more!

I don't want to overdo it, so I'll leave it at the seven above.

I'll go for now....

fondly,

fit

Get in my way and I WILL throw an elbow.... but Merry Christmas anyway!

It's time to brave the crowds and get some Christmas shopping done. Ugh! I'm not a big fan of shopping, mostly because I don't have any money to spend and I want just about everything I see! I DO enjoy buying gifts for people, but it's the shopping part I have an issue with. I simply cannot stand people who think "it's all about them". [Examples: those that take their time walking down the CENTER of the aisle or those that allow their children to run lose throughout the store, etc.] I'm NOT a scrooge, I just don't have patience for inconsiderate people. I have four children, so I feel I can confidently give my opinion----Parent, control your kids or get a babysitter! I have done that plenty of times. In fact, it's quite relaxing to just be able to "stroll" around and shop (never minding those that I've knocked over...).

Anyway, this weekend we are going to try and get most of our shopping done. I've written and re-written the "list" numerous times. Actually, the list isn't as long as most people's (from what I hear), but when you ain't got money....well, you know how it goes!

Hubby and I are not going to exchange gifts (as usual), but that's no big deal. The older kids will be at their dad's over Christmas, so we don't give them their gifts until we pick them up on the 26th at noon. I'm off work the WHOLE WEEK between Christmas and New Year's and I'm very excited. We've got so much traveling to do, that I'm sure the time will whizz by.....

Well, I'd better sign off. So much to do, so little time!

fondly,

fit

Can I go back to sleep?

Ever have one
of these days?!?!?

Random Numbers:

100 - percent sure I'm tired today!

3 - Times I had to go back home to get things I forgot on the way to work.

4 - times I've had to fix my make-up because my eyes won't stop watering!

50 - dollars we are giving each of the kids to buy Christmas presents for family. Last year, we gave the kids money and a list of each person they were buying for and set them loose in Target. It was very interesting seeing them budget their money and their creativity in their choices of gifts! It was FUN for all! They are already looking forward to doing it again this year.

13.5 - ounces of Olay Body Quench lotion my husband bought me to keep at my desk at work. My skin gets SO dry during winter!! ouch.

The heat will kill you...

Funny!!

Random Numbers for the Week

Here are my random numbers for the week (so far!):

41 - Number of minutes I was late to work! Left the house late and had a parking lot on George Bush Freeway.

2 - Weeks until Christmas!

3 - number of gifts bought...

1 - paycheck left until Christmas.

99 - dollars spent on new Christmas tree. HAD to buy one this year. Fortunately, we found a great deal at Lowes for a pre-lit tree.

10 - number of loads of laundry I have to do tonight!

0 - number of my niece/nephews' basketball games I've been to this year. Gonna try to make one very soon.

2 - helpings of dinner I had at our ABF Christmas party last night. The food was catered and was DELICIOUS!

41 - percentage of space used on TIVO; I must catch up on all my shows!

670 - miles to travel at Christmas to see family!

Weirdness galore...

In another blog, I noticed an interesting topic:
List six (6) things about yourself that might be considered weird or unique. This prompted me to contemplate what I would consider those 6 things to be and quite frankly, I don't know! Regardless, here is my attempt:

1) I love sushi; however, I can ONLY eat it in the evenings. Why? I don't know. How do I know this? My husband took me to have sushi for lunch one day and it just didn't taste good. I eve felt a little naseau. Had it the next day at dinner---loved it. In fact, that's happened a couple of times. Weird?

2) I CAN'T STAND to unload the dishwasher----but I can load it all day!

3) I am a "coffee snob". There--I said it. I prefer only high quality, artsy-fartsy coffee. Basically, you'll never see me drinking coffee out of the office coffee pot. Yuck. No can do. Maybe I'm this way because I didn't start drinking coffee until I was 34 years old!

4) I could travel around basically every weekend! I love making little road trips and staying in quaint little hotels. I love finding neat little out-of-the-way places to tell others about.

5) I want to go back to school, but I'm too chicken. I've been considering it for several years, but I'm so out of practice as far as studying and retaining (key word), I'm afraid of failure.

6) I'm scared to death about forgetting people's names in public! For instance, I'm introducing my husband to someone I work with and, BAM!, their name is totally lost! I would almost say I am somewhat compulsive in my fear of it. Not sure where it stems from...

****************

Well, that was my stab at it. Who knows, I might add more as I contemplate longer.
Fondly,
Fit

Whew...it's FINALLY Friday!

It's almost party time!

AND----------

Arrived to a CLEAN HOME last night....pure bliss! I was actually able to just "sit" on the couch and relax with no visions of the list of house chores to be done. I could REALLY get used to that feeling..........

I realized that I forgot to upload pictures from our Thanksgiving "Turkey Bowl". It's our family tradition to have a football game every year. We always have a lot of fun.

The gang!

One of my favs...my son and nephew gettin' some height!

Me and my neice! (I'm the older one)

Here's another picture of my neice (and nephew), all dressed up for her Christmas choir concert.

Seems like they were just toddlers running around the house!

I see pictures like this and I feel OLD! But, completely blessed.....

I have a great family. A family that knows how to love each other and have fun, too. I'm so thankful that my kids have such a great relationship with their cousins. They LOVE spending time with them and look forward to holidays, especially, because we have extended time to get together.

Well, better get to work! I'll post more later!

Fondly, Fit

Is it Friday yet?!?!?!

Why does this week seem to be dragging on and on?

Maybe because I have an AWESOME weekend planned! It starts with TONIGHT... I have the housecleaner coming today--so I will be going home to a CLEAN HOUSE! Yippee! Tomorrow night is somewhat uneventful (see previous statement re: clean house!).

Saturday afternoon, hubby and I check into a really nice hotel and get ready for my work Christmas party (at the hotel). Party starts at 7:30pm and ends at 2:00am! Lots of food, fun, dancing, casino games, etc! Getting all dolled up (I'll post a pic later) and going to party!! Whew hoo! Our favorite babysitter is coming over and have a slumber party with the kids. I think they may be more excited about the evening than me!?!

Check out time is noon on Sunday. Then, that evening is the Christmas party for our ABF (adult Bible fellowship). It will be fun! So..................you can see how much I'm looking forward to the weekend and WHY this work week seems to be dragging on and on! *sighs*

I've gotta get back to work......post more later!

Fondly, Fit