Pinewood Derby, results!

Just thought I would update about the Pinewood Derby results!  The boys in my den did so well.  I was really very proud of them.  They had some really cool cars.  We even had a fourth place over all finish from our den. 

The car on the very end is my son Lou's car. 

He came in second in this heat,

and then in first!

My middle son Lou, he is the official cub scout.

My oldest son Ian.

My husband and daughter

Me trying to get a picture of the cars racing.  The number one car in this race is my son Ian's car.  He ran in the sibling race, along with his sister, who happens to be the last place car.

The coveted trophies!!  We didn't get one this year, but there is always next year, and I am so going to build one next year.  I have plans on painting it pink with purple flowers, and glitter and all shiny!! 

MJ

Drum Roll please!!

So this Saturday, I had my official way in!!  My husband took all my measurements for me, at the beginning of January.  And the results (insert drum roll here)......

I have officially lost 7lbs.
I have lost 3 inches off my belly (I can totally tell)
I have lost one inch off my hips!!
I also lost an inch from my breast (hubby was a little sad about that)

My arm and leg muscles have gotten bigger!!! Let me clarify, they have gotten more muscular. 

Yeah me!!  Slowly it is working!

I was also supposed to be working on more tangible goals.  So here they are for the month of February.  I want to loose 5 more pounds.
I want to loose 2 more inches off my belly, and another inch off my hips.
I really want to feel comfortable in my size 12 jeans.  I can wear them, but I want them to feel roomy.  I have a tendency to pull on my 14s, cause they just feel a little more comfy, although they are getting too big.  Doesn't that sound nice rolling off my tongue... too big!!  Love it!!  I am not sure what my 'prize' will be for meeting these tangible goals?  I have my JCPenny gift card, from Christmas, that I am holding onto.  Maybe I will go by myself something?  Although, I might hold onto it for a little longer, and wait for summer clothes to come out.
I do have a Victoria Secrets card, maybe I will get a new bra??   Since my breast size has changed? 

I am still working on staying motivated and pushing myself while exercising.  Not so easy.  I am linking up to Fit Club, check it out, if you haven't yet!  I really think being accountable to everyone is pushing me.

Hope everyone else is doing well, and seeing some results!
MJ

Self Portrait, from a 4 year old

Self portraits.  That's this weeks theme over at my3boysbarian, and the weekly photo challenge, P52.  So far, I am enjoying these weekly challenges.  I am trying to think outside the box, and try some different things with my camera.  I was going to try using a timer to get a picture of myself, but my not so cool camera, apparently doesn't have one.  Or, one that I could locate without finding my manual.  I didn't really want to use my bathroom mirror (I would have to clean too much for that, ha). So I decided that you could all get an accurate picture of me, via my 4 year old daughter! 

I think I look pretty good!  Although, I am not positive, if I have a purple nose?  Or if I am eating a purple grape...  Don't you just love this age of drawing.  It totally cracks me up.  I am seriously thinking about framing this picture, I just love it so much.  My daughter is such a sweet girl. 

you know, I just realized this is a self portrait too, but it isn't one I took for the challenge.  This is my daughter and I, we are at Lego Land in Orlando.  Fun place, totally worth going to!!

I am in the process of looking for a PreK program, for her in the fall.  I confess I am having such a hard time.  She is my baby, and I just don't want to send her to school.  I know she will love it, and just grow and blossom into an even more beautiful little girl.  If I am honest, I think my fear is of what will I do with me?  What becomes of me, when she isn't home to care for all the time?  I will still be a mom, but maybe not needed as much?  My husband is like, look at all the free time you will have.  But I am not sure I want it.  I guess, I still have a little while to figure it out. 

MJ

Vanilla Extract anyone??

Saturday, I got my much anticipated vanilla beans in the mail.  My good friend Kimmy, has got me involved in many things, that I said I wasn't doing.  Facebook, twitter, pinterest, blogging, I wonder what the future things will be??  Mostly, I start them, because I want to support what she is doing, and then I secretly fall in love with it, haha! 
So she got me onto pinterest (my friend Dorrie, was also involved with pushing me into this), and I can say that I like it, but I don't think I am obsessed with it as they are.  Clearly, they have pinterestitis.  I think I have a handful of boards, and only like 20 things pinned.  However, one of the things pinned, was this idea to make home made vanilla extract.  I totally fell in love with the idea.  My husband loves to bake, and he is constantly using vanilla.  So after further research, I decided to just try it.  I ordered my beans from here, vanillabean.com.  I went with the Madagascar beans.  They seem to be the go to bean.  I also decided to try Rum, and Vodka.  While researching, they said you could use either of those alcohols, so my husband and I decided to experiment, with both.  Then I opted to just stick the beans into the alcohol bottles, instead of finding the right size jars.  Although I did save a tiny wine bottle, and did a small bottle of vanilla in that.
Seriously, all you do is slice open your beans, and put them into the alcohol.  That is it!  Then you wait, and wait and wait, until at least 2 months have passed by.  But the longer it sits the better it gets.  I am hoping to get some jars, and share my extract.  I think it will make a neat gift at Christmas time.
Here is how you do it:
1. Get some vanilla beans.  I learned that vanilla is so expensive because it takes a lot of man power to get the beans.  They hand pollinate the vanilla plant, and then they also have to hand pick them, and add in the time it takes to make extract from it...  Lots of time involved. I bought 10 beans, and my husband had received 2 from someone at his work.  I paid right about $10 for the beans, so not too bad, they were on sale. 

2.  Find some bottles, I saved this tiny wine bottle, and I also just used the alcohol bottles.

3.  Get your alcohol.  Most of the sites I read, said go with vodka, because it has the least amount of taste to it, so that your vanilla flavor will shine through more.  But rum can be used as well, and I also believe bourbon (but not 100% on that).  I have also discovered that rum comes clear, just like vodka does.  Go figure, I thought it was always an amber color, but apparently that is just food coloring.  Well at least according to my local beverage store employee ( I suppose he could of been drinking some of what he was selling, ha).  I just bought the cheapest of these.  I also read that you really can't use water to make extract, because it doesn't penetrate the beans like the alcohol does. 

4.  You will need 2-3 beans per cup of alcohol.  2 beans if they are of good size and 3 if they are kind of skimpy.  From the calculations that my husband did, we had 3 cups of alcohol in each of  the bottles that I bought. 

5.  Take the beans, and slice them open. 

6.  Stick them in your jars, with the alcohol.  Make sure the beans are completely covered by the alcohol.   

7. Place in a dark place and wait.  Shaking bottle, a couple times a week. 

I also read that you can just keep adding to your bottle of vanilla, never running out.  So when you take so much off the top, add more liquor and another bean.  It stays good for a very long time, like 10 years.  I can't wait to try it out, and to try the rum vs the vodka vanilla. 
Some sites said you can strain the extract through a cheese cloth before using it, and some say don't?  I think I am going to strain it, just cause you can see the floaties in the bottle now, and I am not sure how I would like that in the dessert that I am making. 

MJ

Exercising... a hate relationship

This weekend kind of snuck by.  It was rainy where I live, and because of this mild weather, the temps have been so nice. So even though, I don't enjoy rain, it was tolerable.  But enough about my too fast weekend!!  Today is Monday, and do you know what that means??  FIT CLUB!!  Time to weigh in, and check on every one's progress!  I have confessions...

I confess that I haven't been as on top of my exercising as I should be!  I missed two days last week.  I would of missed like four, but dragged my A$$ down the stairs to do something!!  I don't know why I hate exercising so  much.  I just hate everything about it.  Even while I am actually doing it, I am thinking to myself, this sucks, and I can't wait for the tape to end.  When I am done, I am glad that I actually did it, but never to the point, that I want to do it again. 

Then I think to myself, that I am not cheating anyone but myself.  The guy on the tape, (most of the time it is Tony Horton, sometimes Bob or Dolvette) isn't being cheated.  My husband isn't being cheated (ok, maybe he is cause he won't get to see me in that slutty nurse outfit), but really and truly, I am cheating myself.  If I don't do the exercise, I won't get in shape.  I won't loose the weight, and I won't get healthy.  No one else, but myself. 

I also find that if I have any excuse, I tend to use that to get out of things.  Like me knee has been hurting just a little.  Nothing to keep me from really exercising, but I am all over my sore knee.  Thinking like, I shouldn't use my knee, I guess I can't do this or this.  Maybe I should really just rest my knee, and not exercise.  Thankfully, I had enough will power to push through those thoughts, but I did still ease up more then I should of, while exercising.  I do think that it would benefit me to see a personal trainer.  It would help to have someone show me the correct forms, of some of the exercises.  I think I am doing them right, but then I am not sure.  Maybe they could help motivate me to exercise!! 

I was reading over at the fit club, this morning. And the guest writer really said some interesting things.  I think I do need more tangible goals.  Not just a weight goal.  I would love to get down to a size 8.  So I think this week, I will be making some realistic, tangible goals, and when I hope to accomplish them by. 

As for the exercising, I will keep at it.  I will (not try!)  push myself just a little bit harder, while doing them.  Maybe someday I will find an exercise I enjoy???  Anyone else feel like me??  Do you hate to exercise? And if so what do you do to get into it?  Did you ever get to the point that you enjoyed it??  Please tell me there is hope for me =)

I also confess, I finally got that cupcake, and it was good!!

MJ

I Dreamed a Dream

Today I am linking up to P52 challenge.  Where you take a picture every week for a year.  You also get a theme for the week.  This week was 'I Dreamed a Dream'.  I instantly knew the dream, but wasn't sure how to embrace that into a picture.  Mostly, because at the moment, I have fulfilled my dream, and couldn't get the obvious picture that I wanted.  My friend actually gave me the idea to take a picture of my socks, so that is what I did. 

Socks?  You wonder?  How do socks embrace a dream? 
Well let me start at the very beginning.  First, I love dreaming. I often have brilliant dreams, and many times I am sad that I have awoken.  So when I had this dream, it was unusual as many of my dreams are.  However, it would prove to be much different.  I dreamt that I was having a baby for another couple.  Mind, you at this time in my life, my middle son was only about 6 weeks old.  So I awoke from this dream, and thought it was strange, and then tried to forget about it.  Only to find that I just couldn't.  I just couldn't stop thinking about my dream.  After about two weeks, of trying to put this thought out of my head, it occurred to me that the Holy Spirit was telling me something.  So I started doing research about it, and discovered that surrogacy was something I could do.
I am proud to say, that I have lived my dream, not once but three times.  I took the step and made it happen.  My first match was with a great couple who reside in Italy.  They are great people. 
Since, they lived over seas, I tried to come up with some ways for them to be connected with the pregnancy.  I decided we needed lucky socks.  It took me a while to find them, but I settled on these socks.  I decided that the Chinese symbols meant luck!  So I bought a pair for her, and one for me.  The day of the transfer (which is when the RE put their embryos, into me), we both wore our panda socks.  I am not sure what it was that day, but it worked.  We were pregnant with their son.  We wore those socks, whenever we had something important going on.  She wore hers over seas, and I wore mine here.  It was really special.  After that journey, we worked together one more time, and they have a beautiful little girl (we wore the socks for that transfer too). 
I also helped another couple, just as special as my first couple were.  We attempted a transfer in August of 2010, and it didn't work.  I also didn't wear my panda socks.  So the next time we transferred, I wore my lucky panda socks, and it worked.  Their little girl was born at the end of September. 
I literally did dream a dream.  It was simply one of the most amazing things I have ever done.  I have thanked God so many times, for allowing me the opportunity to help others.  It was amazing. 

MJ

Zombie 101

Who out there watches The Walking Dead?  I just got into it this year.  I really wanted to start last year, but then I missed the first episode, and kept forgetting, blah blah blah.  So I picked it up at the start of the second season.  Lucky me, my very good friend Kimmy (check out her blog here), was up to date on this series, and was able to answer my questions.  Then on New Years they decided to run a Walking Dead marathon, of the first season!!  So I was able to record all the episodes.  This week, my husband and I have finally been able to sit and watch the shows together. 
My husband is all about zombies.  He totally wants to make a zombie movie.  He even has a plan for if a  zombie apocalypse, were to happen.  Seriously, he has it all worked out in his head.  First, we all survive, what ever it is that turns people into zombies.  Then he has plans on how he would secure our house.  He's pretty sure he can seal off the bottom level.   It really is kind of fun to ask him what if questions.  What if, we have to go into town and get medical supplies?  What if, one of us gets bit...  (he has informed me that if he gets bit, to go ahead and just shoot him right then).   What if, we are on vacation when it hits?  I love that you can actually see his brain thinking about possible scenarios, lol. 
Anyway, we are watching this show, and if you haven't seen it, let me explain just a little.  The main character, is a sheriff.  He got shot right before the apocalypse happened, and was in the hospital in a coma. Note I don't understand why he was in a coma, after he was shot kind of in the lung?  I digress.  So he is sleeping through all the mayhem.  Then he awakens from this coma, to find himself all alone, except for zombies that try to eat him.  We fast forward, and discover that his wife, and his very best friend (also a sheriff, and a very good looking one at that), have hooked up together.  We also know, that his wife and friend believe he is dead.  So my husband is watching this unfold, and he is so mad.  I mean seriously upset that the wife and best friend have hooked up.  He was like "I hope you wouldn't hook up with another guy so soon after you think I am dead".  In fairness, I think it has only been a couple months, so you would think the wife would still be mourning the loss of her husband, but I am honestly surprised at his reaction.  First, because most things don't bother my husband, and second he is truly irritated at this.  So I am like look, if you died and the world is coming to an end, and there is another person there to comfort me, then yes, maybe I would hook up with someone else.  It's the end of the world, pre-world rules don't apply!!  I don't have time to mourn, when I have dead people trying to eat me, just saying....apparently, I would have time for sex!
I really do enjoy this show, but I always have zombie questions.  Like why is it that the ones who survived the initial infection, can get bit by a zombie and turn into one?  Why are you not immune to that, since you were immune to what caused the infection in the first place?  I asked my husband and he said it was basic zombie 101, if you get bit you turn into a zombie!!  Stupid rule if you ask me, lol. 
So if you are stuck in world, where there are walking dead, what do you do??  What do you take with you??  Where do you go?  And most importantly, do you sleep with your significant others BFF?? 

MJ

Making Calories Count

Ok, I am linking up to Fit Club, today is our weekly check in, to see how we have all been doing.
I am happy to report that thus far, I think I am doing pretty good.  I have managed to exercise everyday, but 2, since the beginning of the New Year.  So that is pretty good for me.  I was hoping that I would start to enjoy working out, but not so much.  Does anyone know when that will hit??  I have decided to drop the P90X Yoga, because I absolutely hated it.  Not a fan!  I really don't care about Downward Dog, or Warrior poses.  So I added another Cardio day.  I did do the Just Dance workout.  My oldest son joined me and we had a competition.  He clearly won 7 out of the 8 dances, with his awesome moves, I manged a win with the Cee Lo Green song, Forget You.  But I did mange to win the sweat score.  So I was working it.  The next time, I am going for at least 10 songs.  I was sweating after 8, but I could of easily of done a couple more. 
I have really been keeping track of my food.  Last week Kim posted this app, called Lose It,  on Fit Club, and I decided to download it.  It really is so very helpful.  Just keeping track of everything and seeing what the calories are, really is making me have better decisions.  I am surprised at how many calories are in things, and just how quickly those calories can add up. 
I can proudly say, that I am feeling a difference in my pants, and shirts.  Just feels good!  I am not supposed to be keeping track of my weight, per my husbands orders, but I sneak on every now and then =)!.  I have lost about 6 pounds, yeah me!! 
So with the knowledge of how many calories I can eat, and the fact that what I am doing, is working, I am feeling more motivated to keep with it.
This weekend was a bit of a challenge, because I had not one but 2 birthday parties that I (my kids) had to attend.  It was just AWESOME!!!  Nothing like being trapped for almost 4 hours at a skating party.  Let me tell you, that brings back memories... But I didn't have any cake, or pizza or soda!  I was going to allow myself one chocolate chip cookie.  They were home made and I thought I could have one.  Well, let me tell you first, that my husband likes to bake. He is really pretty good, when it comes to cakes and cookies.  So I took one bite of this cookie, and it just wasn't good.  So I thought to myself, I am not going to waste my calories on this yucky cookie, so I threw it away.  Go me!  Making my calories count =).  I did get some ice cream at the party on Sunday, but it was only a bite or two.  It sure was yummy though! 
This next week, I really need to up my work out efforts.  I need to push myself more, because I have a tendency to let up when it starts getting hard.

MJ

UGLY... No Beautiful

Ok, so I am linking up to the second photo challenge, of Project 52 Week.  Theme was 'Made With Love'.  Well, the obvious one to me, was my children.  They are perfect gifts from God, made from the love of my husband and I.  You can't get more 'Made With Love' then that.  However, I wanted to think a little outside the box. 
I have this gold shoe that my oldest son, Ian made for me, for Mother's Day one year.  I believe he was in PreK, so that makes it from 2006.  His PreK teacher told me to please send in an old shoe.  I happily obliged, and sent in an old white tennis shoe.  Come Mother's Day, there is a small brunch they provide to the mothers and we are presented with this old shoe, that they have transformed into a vase of sorts.  Not just any vase, but a gold one, and one that holds pretty pink silk flowers.  The thing is just ugly, no beautiful.  Every time I see it, I think to myself, just how ugly, no beautiful, it really is.  I have kept this ugly  no beautiful,  Mother's Day present, on the top of my dresser, for almost 6 years.  I don't have the heart to pack it up, because Ian made it for me, and he thought it was the most beautiful gift ever.  He made me that present with all the love a 5 year old can have.  So even though I think it is rather ugly no beautiful, it makes me smile every time I see it.  Someday, I will give it back to Ian with a lot of love.   
The Ugly- no Beautiful Shoe Vase!

My other picture, cause I wasn't sure which one to go with, is of these candle holders that my Aunt Tish made when she was a little girl.  She made them for my Grandma Peg, for Christmas I believe.  They represent her, my Uncle Jeff, and my dad (they were born in that order).  When my Grandma Peg passed away, they were given to me.  Because I also have two boys and a girl.  Ian, Lawson, and Adeline (in that order).  They are easily over 50 years old.  I know that these candle holders were made with love, and my grandmother loved them.   She took them out every Christmas, and put them on display.  I proudly have them on display in my living room, every day.  I even put them in order, two boys and then my girl.  They really even look like my kids now.  These really do mean a lot to me, because both my grandma and aunt have now passed away.  When I see them, I always get the opportunity to remember them.  I tried working with a different angle with this photo.

My kids, Lawson, Addy and Ian

 Ok, so those are my  'Made With Love' entries. 

MJ

The things that boys love!  I mentioned before that I am the den leader to my son's cub scouts.  Well technically they are Wolf Scouts this year, working hard to become a Bear Scout.  So today, I came up with this recycling craft.  Ok, I didn't really come up with it, but took it from the hand book.
First, you take used cans, like vegetable cans. 
Then you use the can opener that will poke a hole into it.  So you make a whole on both sides (across from each other). 
Then you thread the string through the holes, and tie it.
 Tada!  You have can stilts. 
The boys step on them and use the strings to pull the can tighter to their foot, and they walk on them.  My boy scouts just loved it, and mastered them pretty quick.  We even ended up with a walking contest.  It just humored me that two cans and a pieces of string can make boys happy.  Here is a picture of what the can stilt looked like:

Seriously, the easiest project ever!note the other can lost its string, my son broke it, while playing with them
Not sure what other fun project I am going to come up with, but luckily I am off the hook, cause Derby time is almost here!

MJ

Just Dance

Ok, today is Fit Club link up!  I have come to the conclusion that I need to record things.  I need to have it written down, so I can visually see my progress.  My husband and I have been doing the P90x thing, and there are 7 days of exercise.  Well, some of those days, you have reps that you do, and I need to know that I am beating my old record!  I didn't record my first days, and I wasn't sure if I was any stronger the next time I did it.  Anyway, I am now writing it all down, so I know.  I am also going to start writing down what I am eating, and keeping better track of that information. 
I also need to add in more cardio.  There are two days of cardio on the P90x videos, and a day of yoga, one of stretching, and 3 with weights.  I just don't think I am getting enough of the cardio.  So I think I might pick up another cardio DVD, or I am going to pop in my new Just Dance 3, Wii game I got.  I noticed they have, a just sweat section.  I can go downstairs, and put that in, and my daughter and I can rock it out =)!  If I had a video of me trying to do these dance moves, I think I would become the next big YouTube sensation.  Let me just say, this girl has NO, and I mean not even a little, rhythm.  I can not for the life of me keep a beat.  I can't move my arms and legs at the same time.  Just not gonna happen!  I would love to dance, I envy the people on the dance floor that can just move and shake and not look like a fish out of water.  Honestly, I have a hard time even keeping a beat.  For example, if everyone is suppose to be clapping in unison, I will often have to stop and stare at the person next to me, to find the beat again.... it is that bad!  Anyway, a small part of me is hoping that me copying the dance moves on the Wii game, I might actually get good, haha!
I am also reminding myself, that it isn't going to happen over night.  I just have to keep at it.  Keep pressing play! 
I hope everyone else has been doing well. 

MJ

What a game!

Oh my, what a game!!  I love football!  I grew up in the north, Ohio to be exact, and NFL is what we watched.  I come from a family of Browns' fans, and let me say that it is hard being a Browns' fan (no one likes to suck all the time).  My husband is a Pittsburgh Steelers' fan, and if you know anything about football, you will know that Browns' fans and Pitts' fans don't like each other.  I mean we just don't.  Although, I am pretty sure if he was a Raven's fan, I would never of married him, because I hate the Ravens even more then Pittsburgh. But because my husband is really an awesome guy, I over looked his Steelers love.  We have been married for almost 15 years, and because the Browns have been so horrible, for a very very very long time, it really hasn't been a problem. 
I now live in the SEC country, and that is collage football, for those who don't know.  Collage ball was never very big in Ohio.  Don't get me wrong, the Buckeyes rock, and I grew up hating Michigan, but it isn't looked at, as the same as it is down here.  Down here, collage ball is more important then pro ball.  So two things going on today!  I am rooting against Pittsburgh, and I am rooting for Tim Tebow (we tend to follow the Gators at my house).  So tonight's game was so very sweet!  I just love to see Pittsburgh loose, except when playing the Ravens, and it was really great to see Tebow do so well.  I am a believer!!  But I think I like him so much, because he is really a man of God and he isn't afraid to show it.  He reminds me of David in the bible, and how David's love for God was so in your face.  David just wasn't afraid to show his love, and neither is Tebow.  So refreshing to see.

Hope you all had a blessed weekend

MJ

and for those who are Steelers fans, I am sorry, ok not really, but you can take a page from a Browns playbook, wait till next year....

1st Photo Challenge

Ok, I am trying this photo challenge over at 3boybarians.  I don't have a fancy camera.  It is just a plain old digital camera.  No bells or whistles.  I do have 10x zoom =)!  Anyway, I don't think my photos will compare to any of the photos in this challenge, but thought it would be fun none the less.  I admit I had a harder time trying to figure this challenge out, and then on top of all that. I ran out of time to actually get a picture.  So my obvious lack of an idea and rushed time, really didn't leave me with much.  Next week I shall do better!!  I am almost embarrassed to post this... 

My Resolution, well one of many, is getting healthy.  So I opted to take a picture of one of my favorite fruits, strawberries. I could eat them all the time! 


As for my for my resolution.  I think I am doing pretty good.  I don't really feel like I have lost any weight, and besides from the sore muscles from working out, not really feeling all that different.  However, I know I have to give it time.  As the saying goes, Rome wasn't built in a day, so I can't think my body will get healthy in a week.  It did take me many many years to get this way! 
I do think that I need to keep better track of every thing that I am doing.  So I have a better idea, of what I am putting into my body.  For example, I would like to know just what exactly I am eating, how much water I am drinking, and how much exercise I am doing.  Then I will know which areas I can tweek.  Overall, I think my first week has gone by well. 

And I just had to post a picture of the creepy little Naked Mole Rats, that my daughter just loves.  We went to the zoo today.  Side note: I am in love with this super nice weather!!  So it was a perfect day to go to the zoo.  Anyway, here are the Naked Mole Rats!

Hope every one had a blessed week

MJ

As Seen On TV... Eggies

Ok, have you ever made hard boiled eggs.  My kids love deviled eggs, so I tend to make them more then usual.  However, these last few months, I have lost my deviled egg mojo.  I seriously can't not peel the darn egg.  I mean by the time I get the shell off, I have lost half the egg.  So I did some egg googling, and discovered, that the older the egg is, the easier they will be to peel.  With this new found knowledge, I made sure that the eggs I had, were at least 3+ weeks old.  Sadly, I still ended up with a massacre of eggs. 
Lucky me and some late night TV (ok, maybe it really wasn't late), I see the infomercial for EGGIES!  The perfect way to make a hard boiled egg.  It looked simply amazing!!  How could I resist getting those??  Well, I can say that I have never ordered anything off the TV, and wasn't going to start with EGGIES.  I would just never make deviled eggs again.  Then my husband texted me that he bought me a surprise, and super excited me, asked if it was a cupcake.... He said it was better than that!  So I instantly thought two cupcakes, haha!  No, it was my EGGIES kit.  There is an 'As Seen On TV' store, at the mall he works by, and he bought them for me. 
So tonight, before my workout, I thought, what the heck, and let me try them.  Here are the results!

this is what they are.

in the pot to boil, I couldn't get the 6th one in there.

the finished product.  Yeah, not sure what to really think about that?

Anyway, I haven't yet tasted one.  I just got done with my workout, and am all out of calories for the day.  But tomorrow, is another day, and I will let you know how they taste.  They looked so much nicer on TV. 

As for the working out.  We did Yoga yesterday, and I am not a fan.  It was seriously, toooooooo long, and I couldn't get in the 'zone'.  Although, after 90 minutes, I did find a favorite pose....  dead corpse =)!  Today was back and legs.  It wasn't too bad, I actually enjoy working on those. 
I am also working on my cleaning schedule.  I have a list out, and I am hoping to really stick with it. 

MJ

Four days in

Ok, so I am four days into this diet.  It isn't too bad, but let me tell you I was totally craving a cupcake from the bakery by my house!  I could just about smell and taste it, and so close to swinging into their parking lot.  And I also dreamt last night that I was eating Chick-Fil-A.  If you have never had their chicken sandwich, it is soooo very very very very good.  Seriously, it is good.  So I am dreaming about that sandwich, smothered in mayonnaise.  I ate every bite in my dream.  Other then those two crazy cravings, I am doing well =)
The exercise, isn't so bad either.  I am not as sore today as I was yesterday, so I am thinking we are making some progress.  I am doing 90 minutes of Yoga, and I can say, I am not looking forward to 90 minutes, 45, yes, 30 would be Awesome, even 60 would be tolerable, but 90??  It is all part of the P90X routine.  Needless to say, that my mantra for today is just push play... just push play!!  I am linking up to my friends page, for her Fit Club!  I think it is a great way to help keep motivated.  It helps when you know you are not alone.
I don't think I spelled out all that I was going to be doing or why.  Basically, it is eating a better diet.  More fresh fruits and veggies, more protein, and less carbs.  And then of course all the exercise too.  It is cardio, with strength training, and yoga (which I am not sure if that falls under something or is separate).  Why am I doing this??  Well, I am just plain old frumpy!  I am tired of my pooch, and would actually like to have a healthy body.  I can't remember a time where I have ever really been at a decent weight.  I would love to shed about 40 pounds, and honestly would be thrilled to get into a size 8. My husband is being my own personal trainer, and is helping me do all this.  His motivation... I promised if I could get off those 40 pounds, I would put on one of those slutty nurse outfits (the kind you buy from Party City at Halloween time).  He can't wait to get those pounds off, haha!  I figured if I actually loose those 40, I would probable wear all the slutty costumes =). 

So if you made a New Years Resolution to get Fit, or have been getting Fit for a while, then link on over, and share your tips!


MJ

Sore

Sore!  That is what I am!!  I am fearing what tomorrows work out will bring.  My husband said it was arms and chest.  Seriously, I thought I did arms and chest on Sat.  And when I mentioned this to my husband, he said " No, that was shoulders and back".  So why do my arms hurt so bad???  Today, was a lot of legs, with jumping.  Let me just say, that after giving birth to 6 children, 2 that were at least 9 lbs, my bladder isn't as strong as she used to be.  I will just leave it at that.  But I snuck onto my scale (b/c I am not supposed to get on it until Feb.  Yeah, my husband thinks I will do that, lol) and it says I lost at least a pound, so yeah me!!  Although, I think it is mostly from not eating so many Christmas cookies, and not drinking any pop. 
I just got done recording achievements for the scouts in my middle son's den he is in.  Because I am the worlds best mother, I stepped up to lead his den.  His former leader had to step down, and my son was left with no leader.  Apparently, the 'dads' in the group are all too busy to do it, including my husband.  So thankfully, another mom said she would do it with me.  I am really trying to make it a great year for the boys.  It is really hard to keep them motivated.  There really just isn't that much camping out or anything until they get to be older.  Anyway, I recorded all these things, and tried to come up with some things to do at our meetings.  Although, this month is the exciting month, because it is Derby racing time!!  Last year my son came in 1st in his den, and 4th out of all the scouts in his pack.  He did really good. 
Was thinking I should of worked more on some of my other resolutions, but didn't.  Like making a cleaning schedule for my house.  One of my main goals of the year, is keeping a cleaner house.  Maybe tomorrow...  (thinking this will end up on my 2013, list, ha!)

MJ