"I'm a mother, I'm a lover, a chef, a referee. I'm a doctor, and a chauffeur seven days a week. I ain't asking for a medal, yeah I know you work too. I'd just like a little credit where credit is due. It's the hardest gig I've ever known. I work my fingers to the bone. Yeah the dishes and the diapers never stop. Lousy pay, there ain't no 401K. I know this may come as a shock, but this here's a full time job!"--Full Time Job sung by Gretchen Wilson

Friday, March 25, 2011

Fill In The Blank Friday

TGIF huh!??!  I sure mean that this week.  It has been pretty rough, but I am feeling a whole lot better and am so happy.  My wonderful Mom came up and hung out with me last night and today so that has been really nice.  It was a lot of fun.  Thanks mom!!

I usually do 5 Question Friday over at My Little Life, but she has a super sick kiddo so I don't think putting together some questions was top on her priority list, as it shouldn't be.  So, instead I found Fill In The Blank Friday at The Little Things We Do.  I hope you enjoy it as much.  Feel free do to your own and then go link up!  Have a great weekend!!



1. My most prized possession is a glass vase that my cousin Greg gave to us for our wedding.  He had it custom blown just for us.  It is beautiful and means so much to me.  I have many things in my house that I treasure and other than my family and pictures and stuff, this would be one of the first things I would grab in a fire.
2. If I could be one age for the rest of my life, I think I would pick right now.  I really like my early 30's.  I am comfortable for the most part.  I don't have the craziness of college or the newborn babies I had in my late 20's.  I like the 30's. I'll stay here.  Thank you!

3. The best way to spend a weekend is with my family, football, pretty weather, and then some knitting time built in.

4. My outlook on life is that it doesn't hurt to smile at someone.  You never know who's day you just might make a million times better if you just smile at them.  This world would be SO much better if we were just kinder to each other.

5. If you want to annoy me, tell me I do not have a job and that I don't work.  I might not talk to you again.
6. I am completely defenseless when it comes to pretty yarn and chocolate.  I have to be very disciplined around either!  That said, I did buy some yarn today.  But, I had a gift certificate for Hobby Lobby from my beautiful cousin Ashley.  That's like free money, right?  Right?!?

7. When dressing for the day be comfortable.  Even if you are dressing up, at least be comfortable.  And if you aren't really sure if an outfit works, throw on some hot shoes.  No one will care about the outfit!!

With Love!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss...

But one stuck in the bladder causes a lot of pain!  The first question I always get when I mention I have a kidney stone and that I have a history of them is "Is it worse than childbirth?".  I always want to laugh.  I have pretty much lost count of the number of stones I have passed in the past couple of years.  When pregnant, I apparently am very subject to them and now I have the experience of getting one while not pregnant.  It is not fun.  This is the longest I have ever had to deal with one and I have had it.  I am tired of feeling bad and not being able to do the things I am used to doing.  After 2 1/2 weeks of travel, the stupid thing has settled in my bladder and is now stuck.  I am trying awfully hard to pass it here at home as I have NO desire to go to the doctor's office or the hospital.  But, if it hasn't passed by tomorrow, I might be left with little choice.  The pain is awful and I'm not sure how much more I can take of it.

So, to answer the question, "Is It worse than childbirth?"  Yes, yes it is.  And coming from someone who has had them DURING childbirth, I feel that I am experienced enough to answer that question.  At least with childbirth, you can have an epidural and at the end you get a cute little baby to take home. On the other hand, with a stone, no one spits up on you and there are no diapers to change.  Hmmm....Nope, stone's still worse.

With Love.

Monday, March 21, 2011

When kids get sick, we all suffer!  Yesterday M got took a 3 hour nap.  E went in to wake him up at 5pm and he was just lying there.  He asked him, "You OK bubby?"  M shook his head no.  E picked him up and M promptly barfed all over him.  I don't know which to be more thankful for, the fact that he threw up on E and not me or that E kept the vomit from getting all over the floor!  If M had thrown up on me, there would have been a whole lot more to clean up, I can tell you that for sure.  I do NOT do well with throw up.  Grandma always wanted me to be a nurse, but between the sympathetic puking and the passing out at the sight of blood, I don't think I would make a good one.  Well, anyway, the poor little man had a fever and slept through the night pretty well last night, although I was scared to death to leave him alone in his room.  He still had a fever this morning, but has finally been able to keep some tylenol down so the fever is almost gone and he is eating and drinking again.  He must be feeling better as he and J are wrestling each other all over the place!

Where am I going with this?  I am SO tired.  I don't even think I can comprehend how tired I am at this point.  I just don't sleep well when my kiddos are sick.  Does anyone?  Why is that?  I mean, our bedroom is right next to the kids.  I can hear just about every noise they make.  Yet, I lie there scared to death that I am not going to hear the one noise I need to hear.  It is just so scary being a parent.  I hope that all I am doing is what the kids need done.  Are any of us ever doing this right?  Am I the only one that feels this way?  Please tell me I'm not alone here!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Getting To Know You...Is Back!!

After taking a bit of a hiatus, MannLand5's Sunday's "Getting To Know You" is back and I am very happy to take part!! :) Feel free to join in. Read my answers and then go see her to get your own. Make sure you link up!!

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1. if you won the title of Miss America, what would your platform be? I think it would depend on the point in my life. If it was when I was younger and actually eligible for Miss America, it probably would be something like World Peace. But, if it was now and they changed it to Mrs. America or something (seriously, where is THAT title?), I would say my platform would be implementing a tax break for families with a stay at home parent. I'm not much for politics really, but this is something that I can see myself getting involved in one day.

2. outdoorsy or indoorsy? It really depends on the weather. I don't like to be too cold or too hot. Considering what the weather is like in Indiana, it completely depends on the day. I do love spring and fall and really enjoy being outdoorsy then! Especially if we can add a football game in there!

3. pajama's out in public..classy or tres tacky? I wouldn't exactly call it "classy", but I don't think it is necessarily "tres tacky" either. I think that if you are wearing stretchy pants and a T-shirt or something that is OK. However, thread-bare pajama pants, a T-shirt that you can see through, and slippers...not my idea of a good look!

4. what's your favorite room in your house? I'm sure someone will laugh at this, but usually the bathroom. If I get the chance to go by myself, it is the only place that is quiet. If E is home, I have no guilt about spending more time in the bathroom than I really need, just for the peace of mind!

5. nook, kindle, or book? Book, all the way. I love the way a book feels and smells. It is something that I can relate to people a hundred years ago. As much as the idea of carrying several books around in one convenient spot (on a nook or kindle), I just can't get into it. Now, if someone wants to buy me one to prove me wrong, I am very willing to put it to the test! :)

6. would you rather wear the same outfit for a week or not brush your teeth for a week? Wear the same outfit for a week. I'm a mom, there are plenty of days I have worn the same outfit in a row, making it a week wouldn't be too much of a stretch! :) I think my teeth would feel like they have grown fur if I were to go that long without brushing them! Eww!

7. what's your favorite blog at the moment? I love the Yarn Harlot. She cracks me up so much. The only things we really have in common is a love of knitting and 3 children, but she is hilarious. I check her site every day for a new post. Her books are awesome too and have read them each a couple of times. Her talent for writing is only outdone by her talent for knitting.

8. lately I've been daydreaming about.........? Our eventual new house. How I want things to look, the colors I want, what kind of style I have/will have, what kinds of knitted things I can have there, what kinds of sewn things. I have a lot of ideas on this matter! :)

I hope you all have a great weekend and a wonderful Sunday with your family. We had a WONDERFUL birthday party yesterday for J's 3rd birthday. It was a super fun day and I think all three kiddos had a blast!!

With love!

Friday, March 18, 2011

Five Question Friday

It is time for Five Question Friday from over at My Little Life!! Yay!




1. Have you ever testified in court? For what? No, I haven't. I prepared to testify if I was needed in a child neglect case, but was never called.

2. Do you still have your wedding dress?
Yes, It makes me happy that it is too big. :) I don't know what to do with it. Any suggestions?

3. Is there a special place you like to go when you're happy, sad, stressed, etc.? Happy-with my family just about anywhere. Sad-curled up in my chair after the kids are in bed with a heavy blanket and my knitting. Stressed-Nine Irish Brothers with my friends for Stitch and Bitch (and my knitting of course!)

4. If you have kids, do they sleep with you? If you don't have kids...will you let your kids sleep with you when/if you have them? Yes I have kids, and NO, they do NOT sleep with me!! The only time they were allowed in our bed was when they were babies and I was nursing. As infants, they were in co-sleepers in our room, but as soon as they were moved to their room, that was it, our bed was ONLY for nursing then they went right back to theirs.

5. Do you watch late night TV? As in Letterman or Leno? No, I don't. Now if I am up I do watch TV late at night, but not late night TV.

So, that is a little about me. Do some of your own and go link up!! :)

Have a great one!
With love!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Can't Help Thinking About Me

I had a lot of very positive response to this post, Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of your support and encouragement. It makes me really happy that it touched some of you and let you know you are not alone!

So, since some of you read the last post and might read this one, I issue you a challenge. Tell me 5 things you LIKE about yourself. They can be ANYTHING that you think is great about YOU! If you are reading this on Facebook, please feel free to post a comment. That is one thing I figured out a couple of days ago. We focus on the negative too much. Let's focus on something positive. The only ground rule is this: It MUST be about you!! We all know you love your family and friend and if you are a Christian, I am very glad that you love God. But, I want to know what other things you like about yourself. Make sense? List Away!

Here are mine to get you started!

1) I love my HEIGHT! That is one thing about myself that has never changed. I absolutely love being tall. My husband is tall and I've always had a thing for tall men. I enjoy being one of the highest people in the room.

2) I have a pretty good voice. Whether it is singing in the choir at church or my pretty much once a year trip to the Neon Cactus to see Bruce Barker, I LOVE getting up and sharing my vocal abilities with others. There may be a pretty big difference between "Silent Night" and "Me & Bobby McGee", but I love singing both with all my heart!

3) I am strong. I didn't appreciate this when I was younger. It has taken me being an adult to learn that it is a cool thing for a woman to be strong. I love that I can hold my own in the weight room.

4) I really am glad I have an ability to easily make friends. This is something that has always come easily to me. My dad used to joke that we could go anywhere I would know someone. He was almost proven right when on two different family trips, one to Cedar Point and one to Disney World, we ran into someone I knew. I know that I am very lucky in this, as not everyone has this gift. It is one I treasure!

5) I really love that I have an artistic side. I know I mentioned the singing, but this goes beyond that. I knit and I write and I love all things "artsy". I really enjoy writing this blog when I have time, but I also write a lot on my own. One day I really hope to have a novel published. Obviously, most of you know how much I knit. It is one of those skills I am SO glad I learned and hope and pray I never get arthritis in my hands!

So, there are mine. What are yours? There is no shame about being proud of yourself and liking things about yourself. I love this quote, it means a lot to me and I hope you will take something from it!

"When you give yourself credit for something, when you take pride in what you do, that doesn't mean you think you're better than someone else. It just means that you value who you are and you send that message to the world." -Jillian Michaels.

Just FYI: "Can't Help Thinking About Me" is a song written by David Bowie in 1965 and released as a single under the name David Bowie & the Lower Third. This was the first single released after he changed his name from David Jones to David Bowie. The single was the first David Bowie record to be released in the US.

With Love!

My Angels

Children grow so quickly don't they? I know it is totally cliche, but it really does seem like just yesterday I found out I was pregnant with L. And now, I have this beautiful five year old who is so smart, funny, entertaining, compassionate, empathetic, and kind.

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Our baby boy M, well he just keeps growing and growing. He is a bulldozer who is a little detective, finding even the smallest toy in the house. He is quick with hugs and kisses. He is already speaking more than his big sisters did combined at this age. He is a loving boy and I am so happy that God saw fit to bring him to us.

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In between those two came our little J. She has come so far this past year. When we figured out that she wasn't speaking as well as she should be for her age, we started her in Speech Therapy and she has just flourished! J is so smart. When she was evaluated for acceptance into "advanced" speech therapy, the evaluator was asking questions to determine how much language she was understanding. I thought the questions seemed a little difficult for a 2/3 year old. I asked and she said that she was asking J the 6 year old questions. She finally stopped after the 7 year old questions so she could move onto the other sections of the evaluation. She even did really well on the section to determine how much language she was saying. She did qualify for extra therapy, but it was only because of her pronunciation on words. She is very funny and caring. She is so close to both L and M. She is quick with a hug and a smile. Mostly, my favorite things about J is the JOY she finds in life. I often joke that if you looked up the word "joy" in the dictionary, you would find J's picture. You can simply look at her face and see her eyes light up about all the little things in life. She turns 3 on Saturday and I just can not believe that! She is very excited about having a "pajama party" and wants blueberry cake (muffins) and Ding Dongs instead of an actual birthday cake. I will gladly have them for her. I can not wait for those big green eyes to light up when she sees her present, a big doll just like her big sister has.

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I really love those three angels. I look at them and see myself in them so much. And, not just me. I see E, and my mom and dad, and his mom and dad, and my grandparents. It is so amazing when L says something just like my mom would say, or J laughs and has the same smile as E, or I see the 18 cowlicks on M's head just like every male on my dad's side and I just smile. Our children really truly are such a mix of all of the wonderful things in our family members. I can not WAIT to see who these little people become as they grow up. I pray that I am raising to be the best adults they can be. I pray I am raising them to be good Christians who care about all those around them. I pray they will grow to continue to show true compassion for our world and those in it. I pray all three of them will learn to love their neighbors, be kind to their enemies, and always remember that daddy and I love them no matter what. Nothing they could do in life would ever take away that love.

Take a moment and think about what YOU love about YOUR children. Say a big Thank you to God for allowing you to have them in your life. I have a couple of friends that have been trying to have a baby (you know who you are, and if you are reading this, know that I am praying for you daily!). I constantly pray for them to know the joy I know. It isn't always easy, but it is always wonderful. God Bless.

With Love,
Theresa

Monday, March 14, 2011

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

I have decided that I need to make some changes in my perspective of myself. I don't think it is a secret that I am working really hard in the gym (this past week excluded, but give me a break, I have had a kidney stone). I have been trying to watch my diet. I try to be a kind person, a good mother, a great wife, and a constantly learning child of God. But I realized something about myself yesterday. I was determining my self-worth by my appearance. I can not even begin to express how much this bothers me. I have 2 daughters and I do NOT want them to determine their self-worth by the way they look. I have a baby boy that I do NOT want to him view a woman's self-worth solely based on her appearance. I know that if I am viewing myself this way, then I am just teaching them that it is appropriate. This is absolutely NOT okay.

Yesterday, I completely broke down on my mom. I started crying and told her how I was feeling and the I just was so tired of stressing about how I looked and what I weighed and I just don't understand why it had to be this difficult. She lovingly reminded me that I am a kind person, a wonderful mother, a good wife, a great daughter and granddaughter, and that everyone likes me (these are her words, not mine). My mom is a pretty blunt individual. She doesn't lie. If she feels that way, I know that that was how she felt. Well, I then had a 2 hour drive home while the kids watched movies and slept to think to myself about what I was doing. I thought about my diet, my relationships, and myself. I came to these conclusions:

My diet is just not working. I think the biggest problem is that I am working out so much and I am just NOT getting enough food following Weight Watchers. Also, to be honest, I HATE counting all the time. I have become obsessive about it. And I find ways to cheat. I don't like that because then I feel badly about myself. SO, it is just not working. I couldn't sleep last night once I got home. I broke out my South Beach Diet books and gave them a read through. I remember why I LOVED the SBD. It was easy, I didn't have to count anything, it got rid of the belly fat us moms have problem with, and I got to eat meat and eggs. Those are two of my favorite things and I miss them. I can also drink milk, which I love. The only things I really missed on it were pasta and sweets, but you just find other ways to eat them. I decided that I am going back to it. So, starting tomorrow (I have to get to the store tonight to pick up some things!), I will be back on it and I am really excited. Besides, it could be my body needs a jolt because it is just used to the Weight Watchers and the food I eat on it.

My relationships don't really need work, but I really don't think that I enjoy them as much as I should. I have an amazing husband, incredible kids, and wonderful friends. I need to revel in them, enjoy the time I spend with them more. And although my relationship with God has improved SO much, it can always improve and I am very excited to work on this. I am using the Lenten season to help me with this.

Now myself, I think my view on it could use some work. I need to give myself some slack. I am what I am (Did anyone read that as Popeye? Because I certainly said it in my head as Popeye!). I need to learn that that is OK and good enough. Not that I can't improve, but I need to be happy with what I have and what I am. I am NEVER going to be a size 2. It is just not going to happen. I am never even going to look like my mom. I am built like my dad, I just need to get over it and be happy with who I am. I am never going to be a genius, I'm just not. I am never going to be the world's best cook. I am most likely never going to be a marathon runner. I have the goals I have and those goals are OK. I might be a knitwear designer one day. I might be a published author one day. I might be a size 8 one day. I hopefully will be able to run a 10K one day. I will enjoy my friends as we transition together from mommy, to mother, to mother-in-law, to grandmother, and hopefully great-grandmother. I will hopefully watch my children graduate and then eventually walk down the aisle toward the love of their life. I will hopefully enjoy my grandchildren the way I know my parents enjoy theirs. I will hold hands with my amazing husband until the day God calls one of us home. I don't have to be perfect. I'm the best that I am. To quote my mother, "I am a kind person, a wonderful mother, a good wife, a great daughter and granddaughter, and that everyone likes me."

To anyone that reads this, I am going to pay this thinking forward. Be happy with who you are. You are wonderful! God loves you. Your family loves you. Learn to love yourself!

With love,
Theresa

Monday, March 7, 2011

Random Monday

1. Had a great anniversary with my husband yesterday. We went to dinner Friday night so yesterday was pretty uneventful. But, it was a great day together with our kiddos. Happy 7 years my dear!

2. M has green sludge coming from his nose. It is gross.

3. I have a kidney stone moving I think. It sucks. It hurts. I feel like throwing up.

4. Started a hat for myself yesterday. It is going to be too small. I guess one of the girls will get to enjoy it.

5. I'm not seeing a workout in my future today. Weigh in is tomorrow, but a last chance workout is not looking like it is going to happen.

Friday, March 4, 2011

5 Question Friday

It's been a while since I've done one, so here you go: 5 Question Friday over at My Little Life. Check out my answers then go do your own! Make sure you link up!




1. Have you ever forgotten your child in a store or at school?
Not Yet, but it won't surprise me when I do. Three kids is a lot to watch after. I really hate taking them to stores by myself.

2. Where did you go on your very first date? (Like...first first, not first with your spouse or current significant other!)
Hmm...I'm trying to remember. I remember WHO it was with, does that count? I think we just went to dinner and maybe a movie. Nothing spectacular. He was a nice guy though.

3. What's your "silly" fear? (We're not talking water and heights.)
Spiders. Insert full body shiver here!

4. Confrontation: do you cause it, deal with is as it comes, or run far far away?
It completely depends on the situation, but most often just deal with it as it comes. If it is with my children though, I try and get on it quickly. I used to run from it, but figured out that that doesn't solve much!

5. Wood floors or carpet?
Both. Wood floors in the great room, linoleum in the kitchen and carpet in the rest of the house.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Safety

Normally I do not forward on forwards (sorry all those that forward me things.). I usually read them, but do not pass them on. This I felt was worth another read. But, I didn't want to forward it, so I am posting it here. Thanks mom! I hope you get something out of it!


THIRTEEN THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU

1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it..

5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.

7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom - and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door - understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.

9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)

10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.

12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it athttp://www.faketv.com/)

8 MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:

1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again... If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.

4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?

5. I love looking in your windows.. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.

7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.

8. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina, Oregon, California, and Kentucky ; security consultant Chris McGoey, who runshttp://www.crimedoctor.com/and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job

Protection for you and your home:

If you don't have a gun, here's a more humane way to wreck someone's evil plans for you. (I guess I can get rid of the baseball bat.):

WASP SPRAY

A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead.

The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection... Thought this was interesting and might be of use.

FROM ANOTHER SOURCE

On the heels of a break in and beating that left an elderly woman in Toledo dead, self defense experts have a tip that could save your life.

Val Glinka teaches self-defense to students at Sylvania Southview High School . For decades, he's suggested putting a can of wasp and hornet spray near your door or bed.

Glinka says, "This is better than anything I can teach them."

Glinka considers it inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The cans typically shoot 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, Glinka says, "spray the culprit in the eyes" It's a tip he's given to students for decades. It's also one he wants everyone to hear. If you're looking for protection, Glinka says look to the spray.

"That's going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out."

Maybe even save a life.

Put your car keys beside your bed at night

Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr's office, the check-out girl at the market, everyone you run across. Put your car keys beside your bed at night.

If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won't stick around. After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.

P.S. I am sending this to everyone I know because I think it is fantastic. Would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone. My Mom has suggested to my Dad that he carry his car keys with him in case he falls outside and she doesn't hear him. He can activate the car alarm and then she'll know there's a problem.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Take It Off Tuesday

I haven't posted one of these in a while, but thought I would let you know. I think I have mentioned that I am running a Biggest Loser contest of Facebook. Well, so far in two weeks, I have lost 9 pounds (6 last week, 3 this week). Not bad. I feel better, and my pants are fitting good again, so that's nice. I can look in the mirror and feel like my body is reconfiguring itself if nothing else. I need to take some measurements so I can see what I am losing inch-wise. I think that will make me happy even on weeks when I don't lose much weight wise.

This contest has been really great. I am enjoying the discussions going on on our Facebook group and everyone has been super supportive of everyone else. It's a contest, but a real morale booster too! If any of you are reading this, thank you so much for participating!

Since my last post was pretty negative (although I was glad I wasn't the only one with some of these pet peeves!), I decided to do 5 things that I find super helpful in my battle against the bulge! I hope you find maybe one thing that helps you.

5. Hershey Bliss Dark Chocolates. They really help keep my sweet tooth at bay. One piece is one point and I make sure I save a point for the end of the day!

4. Brooks Tennis Shoes. They rock! I do like Mizunos too and have went back and forth. But, right now I am wearing Brooks.

3.Progresso Soups. I really like soup as it is and these are low in calorie and they taste excellent. I really like the Vegetable Barley and the Santa Fe Chicken.

2.Pandora Radio. So awesome! As much as it pains me to admit, I put it on Christina Aguilera station and workout until I am exhausted.

1. Jillian Michaels. Ok, did anyone really not know I would put her first?!?! Seriously? I LOVE her, she inspires me so! I really dig her 30 Day Shred and her Yoga Meltdown. Thanks to the wonderful generosity of a friend, I received Ripped in 30 today in the mail. I can't WAIT to give it a try!

What are some of YOUR favorite things to fight the battle with?

With Love,
Theresa