Bucket Filler

Today, we are just going to just BE.

The month is over. We survived it. It's Saturday. Let's curl up on the couch, with a blanket and a snack, and watch a movie, or read a book. Take a nap. Take a bath.

TAKE IT EASY.

Bucket Filler

Here's one last plug for your fitness. How have you been doing? Are you still out there trying to exercise? Walking? Dancing in your living room?

If you're finding yourself in a rut, and just can't find the energy, or the will power to keep doing it, then try something new, or bring a friend and commit to each other to get together everyday and do something active.

Having someone relying on you will help you be more motivated to get going. And you can push each other along.

Keep moving, and change your life!

Bucket Filler

Do you have a long lost friend that you love but haven't spoken to in a long time? Today, look them up, call them, email them. Let them know you're thinking about them.

Make a date for lunch, or dinner, or just chat with them over the phone. Reconnect.

Bucket Filler

Now that you are starting to get physically prepared, starting thinking about this. How prepared are you spiritually. I know I have room for improvement in this department. Do you take time for scripture study everyday? Do you spent a little time on your knees in prayer everyday?

I love the primary song, "If the Savior Stood Beside me." Read the words, and think about it.

If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do?
Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true?
Would I follow His example? Would I live more righteously,
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would I say the things I say?
Would my words be true and kind if He were never far away?
Would I try to share the gospel? Would I speak more reverently
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would my thoughts be clean and pure?
Would His presence give me strength and hope, and courage to endure?
Would His counsel guide my actions? Would I choose more worthily
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

He is always near me, though I do not see Him there
And because He loves me dearly, I am in His watchful care
So I'll be the kind of person that I know I'd like to be
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me.

If Jesus were to walk into your home right now, would you do the things you do? Would you say the things you say?

What would you do different if the Savior stood beside you? Start thinking about your actions in that light. And start acting He is beside you.

Doing so will prepare you to be more like Him, and to enter into His presence. And the Spirit will be with you, helping you along.

Bucket Filler

photo from myfoodstoragedeals.com

"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing" (D&C 109:8 )

How prepared are you? We have been told for many years to have and keep building our food storage. Amidst this weak economy, and global disasters, the time to get prepared is past. The time to BE prepared is now.

What would happen if you lost your job? An earthquake hit? Would you be prepared? Would you have enough food to feed your family? Do you have your year supply?

If not, start building it now. And if so, keep adding to it. Watch the grocery store ads for sales. Buy in bulk. Every time you go to the store, buy something to add to your supply.

Here are some great websites to help you build your food storage.

myfoodstoragedeals.com

myfoodstoragedeals.blogspot.com

Provident Living

Prepared LDS Family

Food Storage Made Easy

Please, Excuse me, whileI hit the "mark all as read" button

I haven't been blogging lately. At ALL. Except for my daily bucket fillers, which don't count because I wrote them all at the beginning of the month (thank goodness for the post ahead feature!!)
Life has been a little crazy lately.
Since Friday, my hubby left for California, then my sister came into town, we threw her a rockin' twin baby shower, then I spent all day Saturday playing with my sisters.
My sis looks so great! I can't believe she has two babies in there. She's just this little 5 foot 8 skinny minny, with a beach ball belly. Talk about your super model pregnant lady. I got to feel both of the babies kick. At that moment, I instantly fell in love with my little unborn nieces. And then, when I got home Sunday night, I called C up in CA and told him how baby hungry I am!
He said I always get baby hungry after I spend the day with my three pregnant sisters. Ok that's true, but still.........

Anywho, Sunday night, I had dinner with my family, time got away from me, and we didn't get home til 9:30. Then I talked to C for an hour. I was already exhausted before we talked, so I totally crashed after we hung up. This morning, I woke up at 9:00, still feeling groggy, tired, and dizzy!!! Yikes! So not only did KJ miss the bus, but she had missed the first 20 minutes of school. By the time I got myself, and all the kids dressed and fed, it was already 10:00. So, TJ missed preschool, KJ decided she needed the day off, and I was just too tired to fight with her. Plus, my sister was flying out this morning, was borrowing my crib stuff, so I took it over to her at my mom's, and just brought all the monkeys with me.
At the end of the day, I regret not sending at least KJ to school. She was driving me crazy all day, saying how bored she was. I told her then, you should've gone to school!!
This afternoon, after trying to get things cleaned out in my house, in preparation for my book club at my house tomorrow, and my babysitter coming on Thursday, my sister called saying her flight was canceled because of some major ice storms in OK, and wanted to come over to help me.
With her help we got the upstairs swept, mopped and vacuumed, the kitchen cleaned, the microwave and ovens cleaned, and one bathroom cleaned. I'm sad for her that she didn't get to go home today, but happy that I got to spend more time with her, and so grateful for her help.
Thanks so much Kris!!!

So, I haven't even logged into my blog, or my google read in several days. I logged in tonight and there are 270 unread posts. 270?!!! Seriously, you all must have so much to talk about! I feel bad, and there is a part of me that wants to stay up all night reading blogs, so I can catch up on everything you've been doing. But another part of me wants to just push the "mark all as read" button, and start over (after I get back from FL, of course). Which means, I'll only be that much further behind, because we won't get back til next Monday.
I'll probably read a few, than go read my book, because I still have 100 pages left, and my book club meeting is tomorrow.

So, sorry, if I've been MIA. I'm not trying to neglect you. I'll be back, eventually. After these crazy next couple of weeks are gone.

Go Steelers.

Bucket Filler

If you can't ignore your unhealthy thoughts completely, then work on changing them so they're more positive.

If you have something you've struggling with and its getting you down, or just can't quite seem to master that one task. Whether your trying to make it up that hill, or make it through the week, positive thinking will help you through.

You can do it!

Do you have negative thoughts that sabotage your healthy lifestyle? Share them below and tell me how you rise above them.

Bucket Filler

"Count your many blessings; name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done....Count your many blessings; every doubt will fly, And you will be singing as the days go by.....count your many blessings; angels will attend, Help and comfort give you till your journey's end."

I could quote that whole song here. First, go read hymn #241 Count Your Blessings in the LDS Hymn book.

Then, sit down, with a pen and paper, and start counting your blessings. Write them down.

Then, when you are finished with your novel (because you'll realize how many incredible blessings you have), kneel down, and give a prayer of thanks to Heavenly Father for your blessings.

Bucket Filler

Are you feeling down, or stressed or anxious?

Let the tears flow. Crying can be very therapeutic. According to Sinatra, "Crying is one of the most cleansing experiences you can go through." Here's why: Deep sobs open the chest and diaphragm, releasing bound-up energy. This helps to free your heart of muscular tension. A good cry also enhances oxygen delivery to the cells and stimulates release of specific neurochemicals in the brain that promote relaxation.

Just know when to quit, and then smile.

It's Friday...Random Ramblings...and some tunes....

It's Friday. Strangely, this week crept by rather slowly. Usually when we have a holiday on a Monday, it feels like it goes by faster. I forgot what day it was for a few days, since we didn't have school Monday or Tuesday. Typically, then Wednesday would've felt like a Monday. But, it just felt like a Wednesday.

I feel like the whole world is moving in slow motion this week. I can't quite put my finger on it. Perhaps I am catching C's sickness.

I woke up Wednesday morning, crawled out of bed, and then I, literally, fell down. My head was spinning so bad, I couldn't walk straight. The kids thought it was pretty hilarious to watch me stumbling and staggering around like I'd had a few too many drinks at 7:30 in the morning. It was all I could do to get the kids ready for school. Then KJ missed the bus, so I had to drive her to school.

I kept telling myself, well, I just need to eat, then it will go away.

Then, I just need to drink more water, then it will go away.

I drove the kids to school. Scary, while the world is spinning, but we made it without incident.
Then, I said to myself, maybe I just need to sweat it out. So, I went to the gym, and did a step aerobics class. My friend stopped me afterward, and said she noticed how many times I stopped and bent over, and wondered what was wrong with me. I didn't realize I'd done that so many times. I was just trying to get the room to stop spinning long enough for me to not fall down.

Eventually, as the day progressed, the spinning stopped, and I went on with my day. Then it came back again the next morning.

And again, this morning. It's not going away today.

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

And I'm feeling guilty, and a little agitated because I didn't get up yesterday to run, and I didn't get up today to swim. Today, I slept in until 8:20. The bus comes at 8:24. DANGIT!

Luckily, C had to go to his store up north, so he was still home and drove KJ to school for me. Bless his heart. He's a good man. Especially considering that he works 13+ hours a day, then everyday this week he's had to go keep score at the church basketball games. They had games on Tues, Wed, And Thursday at 9 and 10 pm. And games on Saturday. So C came home, ate a quick bite, then left again, and had to stay there til 11:30 every night. I'm thinking man, somebody should step up and help out, but he does it without complaint.

He doesn't take his commitments lightly. He is a very loyal and dependable person. I admire that about him because I tend to be more on the flaky side.

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

I think I have bursitis. And, no, I'm not a hypochondriac. For about the past year or so, I've had this recurring pain on the top of my bum, like on the back side of my hip bones. I always just thought it was a really tight muscle, that hurts after I've been sitting for a long time. But then, sometimes it feels like it hurts all the down in my bones. Come to think of it, it hurt way back when I was pregnant with KJ. I've always just tried to stretch and ignored it til someone suggested that maybe it's bursitis. I don't know much about it, though.

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

It's really foggy where I live today. It's been pretty foggy all week. Actually more like smoggy. I never knew there was such a thing as brown fog, but I look out my window and there it is! It rained all night last night. I was hoping that if we just got a little rainstorm it would wash away all this horrible air. So far, it's still pretty lousy outside. Hopefully, the rain in the forecast will do the trick, because all these brown clouds are putting a damper on my spirits.

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

Another strange phenomenon that happened yesterday was when the monkeys and I were driving home from preschool, and pulled onto our street, and there, on my neighbor's roof were hundreds, and hundreds of little black birds. There were all gathered on one house, lining the roof, pecking at their trees. There were no birds on any of the other houses. I wondered what that neighbor could have put on their roof to make it so attractive to the birds. It reminded me of the attack of "The Birds" Did you see that Alfred Hitchcock movie? Freaky.

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

My hubby is leaving me tomorrow. He's going to Palm Springs for a business trip. It's the same meeting he goes on every year, and I usually go with him. But the Superbowl trip is exactly one day after he gets back, and I just couldn't leave the kids for 2 weeks, so I had to choose. So, I chose the Superbowl. Which one would you have chosen?

Palm Springs, with a group of awesome people from C's company that I've grown to love after traveling with them every year, or Superbowl, in Tampa, FL with one other couple, the wife if which, I don't particularly get along with.

Now, I'm wondering if I made the wrong choice. But, Superbowl? How could I miss that opportunity? It's one of C's dreams to go to the Superbowl, and I wouldn't want him to share that with anyone but me.

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

Besides, I'm kind of glad that I'm not going to CA, because my baby sister is flying in from OK tonight. She is expecting twin girls, and we're throwing her a baby shower tomorrow. Have I mentioned this before? Maybe once or twice, or like every time I post? I'm so excited to see her, and her belly. I wish I lived closer to her, so I can help her with her 3 other children when her babies come.

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

As you can tell, there is a lot of randomness going on in my head today. Not to mention all the new stuff going with my CD. See here, to catch up. And here or here to listen to some of my songs.

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

Speaking of songs, here is my Random 10 list for this week:

1. When You Look Me in the Eyes - Jonas Brothers

2. I Guess You Had to Be There - Lorrie Morgan

3. Does Your Mother Know - ABBA

4. Weird Science - Oingo Boingo

5. Constellations - Jack Johnson

6. You Give Love a Bad Name - Bon Jovi

7. Eruption - Van Halen

8. I'm Still Remembering - Cranberries

9. Something Bad - Wicked

10. Spotlight - Mutemath

Bonus: Angel - Sarah Mclachlan

Happy Weekend, Everyone!

Bucket Filler

Pursue your passion. It will help you to beat the stress and relax.

Activities that absorb you completely will slow your brain waves and put you into that "zone" in which internal chatter is stilled. It could be bird-watching, cooking, hiking, biking or riding, painting, writing, sewing, gardening, photography, working with animals. Physical movement is important—it opens the chest, lifts your mood, curbs food cravings and lowers blood pressure.

You'll also sleep better at night.

Today, find something your are passionate about, and do it!

Bucket Filler

In our high-tech world, we are surrounded by and immersed in information—streaming in via television, e-mail, voice mail, fax machines and pagers. Information overload can become a detriment to your health, knocking you off balance and creating a sort of artificial dependence upon these stimulations. So make time for yourself, and take a break from the info-stream every day.

Beat the stress, spend some time in silence today.

New Website!

I sat at the computer all day today, and figured out how to build my own website.

It's nothing fancy, but click here to check it out.

Or for future reference: sherrieshepherdpiano.com

p.s....it has samples of my music on there, so you can go listen!

6th picture Tag

Somebody tagged me recently. I forget who, it's hard to keep track. Was it you, Melissa?

Anywho, I've done this one before, but I think it's a different #, so it will work.

Go to your pictures, go to the 6th folder, and go to the 6th picture.

My 6th folder happens to be entitled "from my phone" These are pictures I took with my phone. So, they're all really crappy quality, and really old.

Here you go:

This is little tiny Peter, two summers ago, (Summer '07) in our neighborhood pool. She would've just barely turned two. She's so stinkin' cute!!

Check out this Giveaway!!!

Have you been over to MMB lately? Mormon Mommy Blogs, that is. Are you listed on their site? They've been doing some really fun stuff with their site.
Including an incredible giveaway, which just so happens to include a pre-release copy of my upcoming CD "Solitude" (among a ton of other fabulous stuff).

So, if you want a free signed copy of my CD before it's actually released, and a bunch of other cool stuff, then go on over there and enter!!!

Bucket Filler

Eat healthily. Have your fill of fruits and veggies, eat more yogurt and cheese, but it's okay to eat ANYTHING in moderation! If you know you're eating well, you'll know your body is healthy. Eating healthily is all about getting the right nutrients.

Today, eat a big ole' salad, or a bowl of fruit. Knowing your putting good things into your body will help you feel good about yourself.

Bucket Filler

While searching google for more Bucket filler ideas, I came across a very interesting article.

Are you a Bucket Filler, or a Bucket Dipper?

Do you go through your day filling people's buckets, paying compliments, giving service? Or are your a dipper? Do you forget to think of others, focus on yourself, or gossip?

Today, be a bucket filler. Do something for someone else, to help fill their bucket.

You'll probably get your own bucket filled in the process.

St. George Half Marathon

This post echos my very first post that started my blog one year ago. It isn't my actual blogiversary, yet, but the same event that I blogged about that day.

This weekend was just what the doctor ordered! I met up with my very dear childhood friend, Christy, and her sister, who is also my dear friend, Connie, and two of their friends. We had a fun girls' road trip, chatting, laughing, and catching up.

Before the race, Nancy, Connie, Christy, Kim, Sher (me), Rachel

Saturday morning we got up to run the half marathon race in St. George. We met up with my other very dear childhood friend, Rachel, who is also my cousin. First let me just say, that this weekend reminded my just how much I love these ladies. Why we were such good friends growing up, why we've kept in touch, and why I wish we got together WAY more often.

We started the race all together, then somewhere along the line, all split up, going our own pace. Rachel dragged me a long with her. She is one strong chica! At points when I wanted to slow down, she was going strong, and kept the pace. At other points, I was on fire, and pushed her to keep up. Between her strength and her funny Twilight commentary, I thoroughly enjoyed running alongside Rachel. The day was amazingly beautiful. Sunny, and just a little on the chilly side. Perfect for a run.

I finished better than I thought I would after "cramming" for the race. Racing is so motivating for me. I don't know if it's the endorphins, or the adrenaline, but it gives me power over my lazy side and makes me want to keep going. Even if I know I'll never win. There is something very powerful in knowing that you're surrounded my thousands of people who are as passionate about something as you are.

Post race. We Did it!!! Christy and Me.

Connie, Christy, and me, after finishing the race.

After the race we met up for lunch with three of my favorite gals from my running group, then did a little shopping, eating, and went to a chick flick. Just perfect for a girls' weekend.

I did come home to a deathly sick husband, and a home that looked like a bomb hit. Of all the times for C to get sick, he had to pick the weekend I was gone. I felt so bad for him. So, all weekend, he went to bed and left KJ to babysit, hence the mess. I got home, and immediately reclaimed my role as drill sergeant, and the kids had the mess cleaned up in no time.

I'm so glad I went.

Bucket Filler

What did you do last week to stay active?

I'm not letting up on you. Physical activity has so many positive effects. For me, it's a natural antidepressant. Nothing works better for me to beat the blues than exercise. It's also a great social outlet. I've made so many wonderful friends from running and at the gym. It's great for your heart. It's good for your joints. It builds muscle, it burns fat.

There are many reasons for you to exercise, find it and then DO IT!

It doesn't matter what you do, as long as you do something.

Go walk, run, swim, ride your bike, join a gym, dance with your kids in the living room, skip down the sidewalk, do some cartwheels, play basketball. Find something and do it!

Get moving!!!!

Bucket Filler

"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." John 5:39

It's Sunday again. Are you still praying by your unmade bed every morning?

Today, take a few minutes, open up your scriptures. You could just read where you left off from last time. Or just read wherever the book opens up. Or if there is something you've been struggling with, (illness, depression, family, your testimony, etc.), look in the topical guide, or index and find a scripture that applies to your topic.

Read for 5-10 minutes. Then kneel down and say your prayers.

Sometimes the answer you've been looking for is right there on the page, waiting for you to come looking for it. Sometimes the comfort you needed is there in the scriptures.

Start doing this everyday. You can find 10 minutes a day (even if it's in the bathroom) to read.

Interview Tag

I got tagged by Mikki. I thought this was great fun. She asked me five questions about myself.

Here are the questions and answers.

1. How did you and your husband meet, and how did he propose to you? (two questions in one)

When I was in college, I went to a student ward at the U (I was going to SLCC at the time). I was called as the ward chorister. One day, I was sitting on the stand, scanning the congregation, when I spotted this guy in the back row. He was the handsomest guy I'd EVER seen in my life, and I know this sounds cliche, but I was sure I knew him from somewhere, but couldn't place him. So every week, I'd sit on the stand, and stare in awe at this mystery dream boy. It took me about a month to get up the nerve to even say Hi to him. We'd pass in the hall, say Hi, sheepishly, and then keep moving. I was afraid to say more than Hi, because he was so out of my league. One day, though, he was talking to my visiting teacher, so I seized the opportunity. In retrospect, it was really lame, and totally transparent, but I went up and started talking to my friend, until she introduced me to the boy. He said his name was Clint. We talked for a minute, then went along to class. The next week, was the NBA finals game with the Jazz vs. Bulls, so my roomies and I invited him and his roommate over for dinner and to watch the game. I was still totally intimidated, and was sure he would never see me as more than just a friend. After that, though, we started hanging out a lot, and even though neither of us could admit it, we knew we liked each other. We "hung out" for 1 year and a half. I wanted to get married. He wasn't sure. We were getting lots of pressure from everywhere around us, and I was ready to give him an ultimatum, but was afraid he'd just let me go, so I stuck around.

Finally, in February, Clint said he wanted to celebrate Valentine's day on the Saturday before. He picked me up, brought be roses, then took me out to a nice restaurant. We had a back room all to ourselves, it was very romantic. I think I was mad at him for some reason or other, maybe he was late for the date or something, I can't remember. So, somehow, we got into a fight, and he took me home. At that point, I was sure it was pretty much over. He was never going to decide he loved me enough to marry me, and I should just move on.

The next Monday was Valentines day, and I went to his house after work, made him dinner, and we were finishing up, when he said he loved me for the first time in nearly two years. I was near tears, and couldn't believe it. Then he pulled out a ring and asked me to marry him. Of course, I said yes. I was totally reeling. Later, he told me that he had been planning to propose that Saturday night at the restaurant, but didn't because I got mad. Dang me and my temper!

We will be celebrating our 9th anniversary this year.

2. When and how did you gain your testimony of the gospel?

I grew up in the church. I've always had good examples of living the gospel in my parents. And a sense of a testimony. I think the first time, I really felt the spirit testify to me was when I was 12 and getting ready to graduate from primary, and had made a goal to read the Pearl of Great Price. I was reading Joseph Smith's History, about the first vision, and an amazing feeling came over me that I'd never felt before. It's hard to explain, but I'm feeling it again now as I type these words. Feelings of peace, calm, joy, and silent whisperings telling me that what I was reading was true. I remember asking my Mom what I was feeling, and she explained to me that was the Spirit telling me it was true. Since then, that experience has always been a foundation for my testimony. My first real interaction with the spirit, something I could own, that told me I didn't have to rely on my parent's testimony anymore. I had some rebellious years in high school and college, when living certain principles of the gospel were difficult for me, but I've never questioned their validity, or the gospel's truth. In many ways, I believe that going through those rebellious years helped me to understand the Atonement, and after getting through only strengthened my testimony and my relationship with my Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ.

It's an ongoing process. I have times when I start to coast and I can feel myself pulling away from the spirit. I'm lucky to have many people and things in my life that always pull me back in, and I can say today beyond of shadow of a doubt that I know that Jesus Christ lives, and is my saviour, that we have an eternal Father in Heaven who loves us, and that the gospel is true.

3. Of all the places you've traveled to, which one has been your favorite and why?

Hmmm, this is a tough one. Do I have to pick one? My hubby and I get to go on a lot of fun trips through work. We've been to Marco Island, FL, Maui & Oahu, HI, Orlando & Key West, FL, & Cancun. We're going to Big Island, HI this March.

But, I guess my favorite was probably Hawaii. It was my favorite place to scuba dive, so far, we rode bikes down the volcano, we body surfed in the ocean, went whale watching. It was just beautiful and relaxing. But it's not far above Cancun and FL. Honestly, I think they're all pretty close because it's more the experience and the fun people we go with than the place. I do love lying on the beach, swimming in the Ocean, but love the company of friends, and the little romantic getaway with my hubby.

In case you wondered, my dream vacation is to go to Italy. I've always wanted to go there. So much history and art.

4.What would you do if you found out you had only one year left to live?

Seriously, did you have to pick such a hard question? I don't know. I for sure would slow down. Stop being in such a hurry to get stuff done. I'd probably quit worrying about how clean my house is, and spend way WAAAY more time with my kids. I'd sit down and talk to my husband more often and quit watching so much TV. I'd spend every second I could with my family. I'd tell everyone in my life how much they mean to me. I'd probably be more committed to having a real relationship with my Father in Heaven. I wouldn't neglect Him so much. I would talk to him everyday, and thank him that I'm alive TODAY. I'd like to say that I'd share my music with the world, but maybe I can give someone my music, so that after I'm gone, they'll share it for me in my memory.

5. You have a week to yourself--no hubby, no kids--what would you do?

I probably do this all too often. I'm actually doing that this weekend. I'm running a half marathon down in St. George. Every weekend away I EVER take is for a race. And I LOVE it! I love getting away, and the exhilaration of running a race, spending time with the girls, but I always miss my little family and wish they were with me, and I'm always excited to get back home to them.

Sorry, my answers turned this post into a novel. I figure you'd want the details. If not, again, sorry.

So, if you want to be tagged, and do this interview, let me know in the comments, and I will come up with 5 questions for you.

Bucket Filler

Today, gather your kids around, and make a big batch of cookies. Then take them around to your neighbors. The kids will love helping you with the cookies, and the chance to do something for someone else.

Here's our favorite easy recipe:

Chocolate Chip cookies

1 C margarine

3/4 C sugar

3/4 C brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 1/4 C flour

1 tsp baking soda

2 C chocolate chips

Mix butter, sugars. Add eggs, vanilla; mix. Add flour, soda. Mix. Add Chocolate chips. Mix.

Bake at 350 for 10 min.

Random Psychobabble

This will have to be quick because I've forgotten, again, everything I was thinking about, and I need to be packing and doing laundry, cleaning, etc, instead of blogging.

I'm not taking my own advice on the bucket fillers today. I know, I'm so bad. I'm leaving today to go down south to run yet, another race. The St. George Painter's half marathon. The same race, in fact, that started my blog. I needed something to get me motivated again. I was having a hard time getting back into running through the fall and winter. And I've gained like a zillion pounds because of it. There's nothing like working your body to beyond its limits, then stopping abruptly, but still eating like your training for a marathon to gain lots of fat and lard.

My running group started doing a weight loss contest. I went to my first weigh in on Thursday. Talk about the most humiliating moment OF. MY. LIFE. It was very eye opening for me. For one, I had no idea it was even possible to gain that much weight in 3 short months. Not even when I was pregnant did I gain that much weight that fast. I've started to wonder if I have some kind of freaky tumor or something. In fact, sadly enough, since I'm the most active and in the "best shape" of my life, it makes absolutely no sense, whatsoever, that I am now at my very heaviest without being pregnant. Ever. The only time I've ever been this big is directly after giving birth. And the weight just melted away.

What is the deal?!!

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

So, I had something of an epiphany this week. I realize, first of all, that DUH!! You can't keep eating 5000 calories a day, like your training for an ultra marathon, while not training for anything, and expect to lose weight. Secondly, I was looking at some of my friends, and ladies at the gym, and thinking how are they so skinny? This is crap! I exercise HARD freakin' 6 days a week. Why are they skinnier than me?!! That's when it hit me. They probably don't eat chocolate chip cookies for breakfast, chocolate cake for lunch, and a banana split for dinner, all of which washed down with 44 oz. of Cherry coke.

So, for the last few days I've started counting calories. For the first time in my life. I was always blessed with a fast metabolism, so I've never really watched what I ate before. Welcome to my 30's. I read an article in Runner's world about runners trying to lose weight. It gave me a few formulas to figure out how many calories I should eat, and what time of day I should have my carbs, and protein, etc. I've been trying, and it's been really eye opening for me.

My goal to get at least get rid of 5 pounds before our Florida trip in 2 weeks. Then get rid of the rest (and then some) before our Hawaii trip in March.

Ok, I'm done ranting now. Sorry 'bout that.

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

Another epiphany I had this week was regarding my mental health. First, I was to thank everyone who comment on my little Depression post after Christmas. Thanks for all your thoughts, and advice. There were many people who were big advocates of me going back on my pills. I haven't taken them for about 4-5 months now. And I was looking back, thinking about the darkest times in the last year. The times when I just wanted it all to end, and stop existing. It sounds weird to say that now, because I'm in a good place at the moment, but I do remember feeling that way. And it dawned on me that those moments happened while on the meds. I think the suicidal thoughts were an actual side effect of the drug I was on. So, if and when I do decide that maybe I'll need to take something, I'll probably talk to my doc about taking something else.

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

I also paid attention to the timing of my last "crazy episode" after Christmas. I'm sure it had something to do with post holiday blues. I thought back to the last time I was feeling down, and it occurred to me that maybe these episodes were actually just PMS. Really, really, really severe PMS. So, I'm going to be paying attention this month. Unfortunately for me, that last week of the month, my hubby will be out of town on a trip I wish I could go on with him, so I hope I don't get too crazy. On the bright side, though, while he is gone, my baby sister, who is preggers with twins, is coming for a visit from out of state, and we're throwing her a baby shower.
I'm excited to see her giant belly!

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

I got the lab results back yesterday from the doctor about my knee zit. I tested positive for staph infection. I don't know how in the world I got staph. C asked me if I peed on myself? What? What kind of weird question is that? But I started thinking, I first noticed it about the time of the Ragnar relay back in June. We were in a car with a bunch of stinky, sweaty people for 36 hours. Maybe it came from there, I don't know.
But, don't worry, I'm on really strong antibiotics!

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

Here's my playlist for the day. Enjoy! And Happy weekend!

1. King for a Day - Thompson Twins
2. Chiquitita - ABBA
3. The Name of the Game - ABBA
4. I Miss You - Miley Cyrus
5. Romeo and Juliet - Dire Straits
6. Candy Everybody Wants - 10,000 Maniacs
7. Constellations - Jack Johnson
8. Sorry - Daughtry
9. Thank You for the Music - ABBA (sorry, ABBA gets played alot around here)
10. Dreaming with a Broken Heart - John Mayer

Bonus: Love is Here to Stay - Harry "Sweets" Edison

Bucket Filler

Tonight, let's just stay home and spend time together as a family. Drop all your plans. Rent a movie. Pop some popcorn. Dish up some ice cream.

Cuddle up on the couch, and just enjoy being with your family.

Relax.

My OTHER Blog....

Did you know I have another blog?

One dedicated completely to pimping my music? If not, well go check it out!

Okay, okay, there's not much to see there, yet. So far, I've just been updating my progress on my album production, but I just want to get the word out now, so that when this whole crazy process is done, you can come over and buy a CD, or book a show.

And, please, please tell your friends!!

p.s.... I may or may not include something to do with my music for my blogiversary giveaway coming soon.

So, go check it out!!

Bucket Filler

"No one will ever win the battle of the sexes, because there's too much fraternizing with the enemy."

I think sometimes we forget how important our significant other is in our lives, and take him/her for granted.

Many times we find ourselves being courteous to complete strangers and inconsiderate with our spouses.

Starting today, let's turn that cycle around. Your spouse is the most important person in your life. Start treating him/her that way! When talking to him/her, smile and be polite. Say please and thank you. Ask him/her how their day went. Consider his/her feelings when you have to tell them something.

And most of all, say "I love you" often.

Today, do some small random act of kindness for your spouse. Then give him/her a big hug and smooch, and tell them how much you love and appreciate them.

Petalina Ballerina

For the last few months, my little Peter has been going to a ballet class. She loves it. She asks me every day if she gets to go to dance. Her little cousin (that is also her best friend) is in her class, too. So, she loves to go and get her groove on.

So, last night was her Winter Recital. We got her all dressed up in her leotard and pink sequined skirt. The dance people (whatever you call them) like their hair to be all the same, so Peter was supposed to put her hair in pig tails and curly. Peter's hair is the exact opposite of mine. It is STICK STRAIGHT. So, no matter what I try, it will NOT go curly. So, I was trying my darndest to curl her pig tails with my curling iron, and trying to spray each curl with hairspray, so it would stay, when I dropped the curling iron. It was still attached to her hair, so it bonked her little forehead before I caught it. But, unfortunately not quick enough. My poor little Peter got a curling iron burn on her forehead.

I tried to put a wet rag on it to cool it down for her but she wouldn't have it. She was completely ballistic! Screaming, stomping, going full boar into what we affectionately call "the mad dance." I tried comforting her, but once Peter goes into tantrum stage, it's like she is in a zone, there is absolutely nothing I can do for her, but wait for her to calm down.

I gave up on the hair, put her coat on her, and loaded her into the car (all the while she is still kicking and screaming).

We got to the recital (10 minutes late), I took her back to where her class was, said goodbye and went to sit with KJ & TJ who were trying to save seats for our family by themselves. (C was hurrying home from work early to come to the show, but hadn't made it yet).

Anyway, just as we settled in, my SIL came and found me, and said "Peter is freaking out. You better go help her."

So, I went backstage again. Sure enough, Peter was screaming "mama, mama." Broke my little heart. She was screaming so hard, you could see the blood vessels in her forehead. She had a bright red nose, mascara running, snotty face. You know, the epitome of the beautiful ballerina.

Finally, after trying and trying to console her unsuccessfully, I took her in the bathroom, wiped her face, and told her she could a) keep screaming, and get a spank, or b) stop screaming, go dance, and get an ice cream after.

She chose b. And stopped screaming. (If you haven't tried Love and Logic before, you should. It works....sometimes)

So, I was able to take my seat just before she went on. Here is a little video of her dance. The girl in the front in the middle is my neice. Just behind her is Peter. The one just standing there doing nothing. That's my Peter. The nut doesn't fall far from the tree, I guess.

Sorry about the shaky video. I was laughing uncontrollably, and couldn't hold the camera still.

After the dance, C asked me how much we are paying for dance lessons, because he doesn't think it's catching on.

Here is a picture of Peter in her costume. She looks happy because I took this picture before her dress rehearsal, the day before.

So she "did her dance" and came home and crashed at 7:30, while the rest of the family had ice cream for her.

Bucket Filler

Do you have an Astroburger where you live?

I recently discovered this great little burger joint. My hubby swears that whenever he eats their bacon-egg-cheese breakfast sandwich, he never has a bad day.

So, go to Astroburger, and order yourself up a breakfast sandwich. It IS delish!

If you don't have an Astroburger, then go to your favorite breakfast place and treat yourself to a breakfast sandwich, or make yourself one.

And apparently, it will make your day! ;)

Bucket Filler

It's so cleansing to the soul to get things cleaned out around the house. Now the holidays are over, and hopefully, you've got all your Christmas decorations put away.

Today, clean something out. A room, a closet, a cupboard, or even a drawer. Take a load of old toys, or clothes to the DI, or your local Good Will, or Salvation Army.

It has a purging effect when you get something organized. And you will feel so good afterward.

New Toy

KJ on the inversion thing-a-ma-jig

C got a new toy last week. Honestly, I just don't get it, but he is so excited!

I don't even know what it's called really. It's an inversion-hang-up-side-down-to-stretch-out-your-spine thingy.

He loves it. Apparently, you just lay on it, then lift your hands above your head and it turns you upside down. Then, you're supposed to just hang there. And it's supposed to stretch your spine, and your muscles.

TJ on the upside down dilly-wop.

Maybe I did it wrong, because I didn't feel any kind of stretching. I just felt like my head was going to explode, or maybe my eyes were going to pop out of their sockets.

And there's nothing like a bad photo of yourself to get motivated to lose weight. Seriously, this is embarrassing:

Note to self: lay off the bon-bons.

Bucket Filler

Are you staying active? Are you keeping up with doing something active everyday?

They say after doing something for 2 weeks, it becomes a habit.

This week, let's step it up a notch. Try to run for 1 minute, or walk twice around the block. Do 25 more jumping jacks. Find sometime everyday to get your heart rate up. Even for just a 5, 10, 20 minutes.

Don't think of it as exercise. Don't think about losing weight or fitting into a size zero or whatever. We're exercising to get happy. Getting in shape is just a nice bi-product.

Bucket Filler

How often do you talk to God? Regularly? Rarely? To be happy, we need Him in our lives.

Starting today, let's try to improve our relationship with Him. Through prayer.

My grandmother always used to say a great way to start the day is to make your bed first thing. It gives you the momentum to get things done. But first, Pray.

When you get up in the morning, and you see your unmade bed, kneel to pray. Then make your bed. That way, if you ever see your bed unmade, it will remind you to say your prayers. You will pray more often, and make your bed more often.

Try to do this everyday.

Cleaner house, happier You.

Giveaway!!!!

No, not me...but Mina over at the World According to the Little Fish is having a celebration for her 100th post, so she is having an awesome giveaway.
Go over there and check her out!
She totally rocks.

Bucket Filler

Laughter is the best medicine.

"The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache."~Marjorie Pay Hinckley~

Do you have a friend, sister, co-worker, or someone who just brings out the silly in you? Someone that no matter what you do, when you are with them you can't help laughing your guts out?

Today, call that person, go visit them, or make a date to get together, and have some good old fashioned fun. Giggle, be silly, let loose. Forget your worries. LAUGH.

p.s. this is a straight arm pic of me and my sis, being silly, taken about 11 years ago.

Random Friday...finally

It's been like 47 years since I've done a random Friday post. Well, you know how well I can stick to a schedule. I just had to not to it for awhile being the rebel that I am. You know me. Breaking all the rules!!

**********

Ok, on January 1st, I sat down and wrote like 15 Bucket Fillers and scheduled them to post every morning. I wrote as many as I could think of. Now, the 15th is coming quickly, and I've a little freaked out because I'm fresh out of ideas. So, sorry, if the bucket fillers suck the last half of the month. That said, is anyone interested in catching the bucket for February? I'm taking volunteers, now, so you'll have some notice.

**********

I went swimming this morning. Some of my crazy friends have talked me into doing a triathalon. So, this morning, I woke up early (not as early as yesterday, thank goodness), and went over to our local pool, and joined the other crazies for a little lap swimming. Can I just say: before I got in the water I was terrified. I'm not scared of the water, per se, but I have like zero endurance when it comes to swimming, and I know I don't do it "right" with breathing and flotation, etc. But the master's class instructor was there and gave my friend and me some great pointers and our other friend, who is like a pro, helped us out, and I'm so glad I went.

I could barely make it doing one lap, but I realized what a great workout swimming is. My heart was pounding the whole time.

I'm going to start swimming regularly now, so I'll have a rockin' body for summer!

***********

It must be the season of blogging awards, becaue I've been so honored as to receive several over the last few weeks. I already posted the New Years one I got from Debilyn.

Here are the others, I've gotten.

"The Friendship Award" from Melissa

"For mixing the right amount of sour with the sweet" from Mina

"The Marie Antoinette Keeping it Real award" from Mikki

Thanks so much you guys! It means a lot! Now, I am award any and all of you who want to grap it! Because if you are reading this, then that means you are my friend, and deserve to be awarded for putting up with me!

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

It occurred to me recently that my blogiversary is coming up. It was one year ago this month that I started my blog. Where did the time go? It's funny because my first post was about running my first half marathon. The same half marathon, in fact, that I'm going down South to run again for the 2nd time, next week.

I was hoping my CD would be done by now, and I could use that for a giveaway. But, not to worry. I'll come up with something good to celebrate. So, be on the look out in coming weeks for a Happy blogiversary to me! giveaway coming your way.

***********

And now, some tunes!

p.s. I need some new tunes for 2009. Any suggestions?

1. Ready to Run - Dixie Chicks

2. Lies - Thompson Twins

3. Popular - Kristen Chenoweth (Wicked)

4. I'm the One - Van Halen

5. Galileo - Indigo Girls

6. Good As I Was to You - Lorrie Morgan

7. Since I've Been Loving You - Corinne Bailey Rae

8. Oxygen - Colbie Caillat

9. Keep the Faith - Bon Jovi

10. Violent Love - Oingo Boingo

Bonus: Buy Me A Rose - Kenny Rogers

Bucket Filler

A child's laughter brings pure joy to the soul. Children are easily entertained, and find the simplest things funny.

Today, sit down with your kids (if you don't have any, then borrow some), and just talk to them. Ask them what's going on in their lives. Listen to them tell you what makes them happy. Spend an hour, or two, or four with your children. Play a game, watch a movie, play beauty shop, play super heroes, build a fort, play pretend.

Today, be a kid with your kids. Let loose, and enjoy these precious fleeting moments you have with your children.

Surgery *Warning* This post is not for the faint of heart!

I underwent a little minor surgery today. Nothing major.

I intended to take a before picture, but I forgot. It dawned on me while I was sitting on the "operating" table at the doctor's office.

For the past six months I've had a little lump on my left knee. I noticed it sometime last Summer, thinking it was a bug bite. It was tender to the touch, and about the size of a dime. Then it went away.

A couple of months later, it came back. Same place. This time it swelled up to about the size of a quarter and really hurt to touch it. I figured it was a spider bite or something, and had gotten infected. So I took a safety pin and tried to poke it, to drain it out. Got nothing out but a little blood. A week later, it just went away.

Fast forward to last Monday. 5 months later, with no occurrence with "the bump", when suddenly it starts to swell again. And hurts. Like the dickens! It's GARGANTUAN, and turning a purplish-red color. I can't even stand to have my pant leg touch it, it's so tender. I've started to feel the circulation cut off in the back of my knee and down my leg.
This morning when I got dressed for my run, my running tights rubbing on my knees KILLED!
So, I decided it was time to get it checked out.

I imagined to myself all the crazy possible causes of "the bump": a spider really did bite me, and then planted it's spawn under my skin, and the swelling is all the baby spiders trying to get out.
Or, it's a malignant tumor, and I have some kind of weird bone cancer that presented in my knee, but is now spreading through my whole body.

Or, it's just some weird infection, caused by who knows what. Shaving my legs? Bumping into a table? Falling down? Or a spider bite? That's what my doctor thinks anyway. So, his solution was the drain the fluid out of my bump. So he took me into this sterile room. Has his nurse unload all this sterile equipment onto a sterile tray. I got a little nervous when I was needles, scalpels, scissors, and other stuff scary doctor stuff. So, my doctor numbed the surface, then took his scalpel, and cut open my bump. Then he proceeded to squeeze.

The squeezing was COMPLETE TORTURE! Apparently the anesthetic only worked for my skin and not underneath. HOLY CRAP it hurt. Massive amounts of puss and blood came oozing out of my knee. What, TMI? I warned you this post would be gross, so Wah.

So, after all is said and done, I can only surmise that what I had on my knee was just a completely freaky, huge, ginormous ZIT.

Bucket Filler

Music heals the soul. Music is a MAJOR part of my life. It is therapeutic for me to play, and to listen to music.

Today, whatever you are doing, take a time out, and turn on the radio. At home, or in the car or where ever. Turn on your favorite song, and crank it up as loud as you can. AND SING!!!

It doesn't matter if you were born with Broadway pipes, or if you are totally tone deaf. Singing is therapeutic.

For today, who cares what you sound like? Just jam out to your favorite song.

It will make you happy!

Perhaps....

Perhaps we've been playing a little too much MarioKart these days....

Yes, that is a Reese's Peanut Butter cup 'stache.

Bucket Filler

Today's bucket filler is brought to you by a genuine bonafide sugar addict. If they had an SA (Sugar-aholics Anonymous), I'd be the club president.

Sugar has some serious side effects. Some even compare to the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Did you know that? Elation, then deflation. It is so bad for you! Why does it have to taste so good?

I'm not crazy, I know I can't go the year, or month, or even the week, without my fix of chocolate. But, today, let's try to go the whole day without any treats. No candy, cookies, doughnuts, and yes, no Cherry Coke (or whatever flavor soda you're addicted to). If you have leftover Christmas candy, hide them away, or better yet, just throw 'em in the trash. Your kids don't need it either.

We can do this for ONE day. And we'll feel much better for it at the end of the day. And make the start to healthier eating habits.