Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Whatta Wednesday!

     Greetings halfway through the work week...I can't believe it is already Wednesday!! Time is just going by really fast this year, and I think it probably has a lot to do with being a coach for cheerleading.
     Just last night Rick and I were talking about my schedule, and how even though this time right now is busy, it seems so much better since I have cleared many other things off my plate. As well, we know that when cheerleading ends life will be slower, indeed.
     Really I am proud of saying NO to things and making choices of what I really want to do and what is really important to me!
     Speaking of clearing plates...I am so excited at how healthy we have been eating in the past few weeks! We are all feeling tons better and that we have more energy.
     This week our little one is not with us, so we are eating at my house, which works out nicely in the lunch leftover department.
     Last night I made yummy "fried" chicken. It tasted like fried chicken, but really it was baked. I soaked (also know in cooking terms as marinated) chicken breasts in fat free ranch dressing. Then I crushed up a bunch of cornflakes, and then rolled the chicken in those to coat them. When the chicken came out of the oven, it seriously tasted fried and very delicious :)
     SO, to go with dinner I made a superb salad. This leads us to today's lunch: Cut-up chicken in my salad. Perfect lunch!
     I have been working in a walk on most mornings, usually just for 20 minutes or so. I know I need to rev up the workout, if I want to really make this healthy eating change more positive and effective.
     I am very excited for the Okanogan vs. Omak football game this Friday! It's just so much fun to have tons of people there! And, I am impressed with the cheer coach at Omak, as we have decided to get our girls together to do some cheers. It should be tons of fun!
     Well, I am definitely enjoying my Wednesday!! Hope you are, too!

Monday, September 24, 2007

ANOTHER marvelous Monday!!

     Life is starting to fall into a comfortable pattern and routine. And, I am very thankful for that!
     We had a busy and relaxed weekend. I know that's an oxymoron of sorts, busy relaxed. But, it's the best way to describe it!
     Friday was football! We lost by a heartbreaking point. However, it was VERY nice to finally play a home game.
     The cheerleaders did a good job, and I am proud of their debut in front of a home crowd.
     Saturday we headed to the soccer game, which was a complete blow-out. Go Dawgs! But, it was fun to hang with the cheerleaders, and watch our talented athletes.
     Then, Jordie left for Wenatchee and to his dad's for the Seahawk game, so we just did little things here and there.
     You know...some chores, painting fingernails and toenails, grading papers, watching movies, running errands, etc.
     Right now I am at my house enjoying lunch. It's so great to be able to buzz home, grab a bite, and blog.
     I am also glad that we are starting to find balance and routine between our two houses. That was a bit crazy for a bit. And, of course, now that we are comfortable, it may not be too long before we change again :)
     Jordie will be home today, Yeah! We have dinner planned, and Prison Break is on, so it's all good!
     We have been working hard on planning very healthy meals, as Rick is pre-diabetic. So, the nice result of that is that I have definitely lost some weight in the past two weeks! My BIG pants are TOO big! LOL.
     Well, that's all for now...happy Monday to you!

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Like David Letterman, no more!




     I love David Letterman. He is a quirky, eccentric, goofball. Sometimes I feel like we have a lot in common.
     However, one of our major physical characteristics in common (definitely not the hair department) changed drastically. I had my teeth worked on.
     I am SUPER happy about the end result. I just can't believe I waited this long to have it happen. Why? Why did I not do this so long ago?
     The really great thing is Dr. Greg Grillo is all about making beautiful smiles with the least invasive (and consequently, least expensive) way as possible. I am all about that!
     I could not stop smiling yesterday afternoon, and I imagine people who watched me drive by thought I was a WEIRDO!
     And, thankfully I was not in a lot of pain. My gums were a little sore later in the evening, but that's to be expected.
     I really am in shock at how something that took such a short while (I watched March of the Penguins during the procedure) can make such a big difference.
     OK, so to the pics. The top one is my teeth after the procedure. The middle one is my teeth before the procedure but I did have them whitened. The lower pic is before whitening and the procedure! Incredible difference, huh?!!
     I am really proud of myself for making the choice this summer to start changing things that I wanted to change in my life, and fixing my teeth was one thing on my list.
     I feel really lucky to have found such a great dentist in our area. I have a confession to make...I had not been to the dentist since I was pregnant with Jordie (and, he is 15).
     I think it matters greatly when you find a dentist that you like and trust. In addition to that, the entire experience and atmosphere is important, too. I love Dr. G's assistant, Sher, and it helps that she is a friend :)
     I used to joke around about how David Letterman and I had our front gaps in common...NOT ANYMORE!!!!!

Monday, September 17, 2007

MARVELOUS Monday, Darling!!

     To finish off a lovely weekend, I punctuated it with a MARVELOUS Monday!!Today was SUPER!
     The weekend: Friday, fun at the football game, although we lost. My Jordie had a BEAUTIFUL reception! Crazy ride home, tons of laughter :)
     Saturday our plans changed, and we stayed home. We ended up doing things on our "to do" list, and in actuality it felt good to just stay home. We have been on the go so much as of late!
     Then Sunday, Ricky went for a horeseback ride up in the mountains with a friend, and I worked on a gi-normous list I have been wanting to conquer.
     The list was 20 items long, and now only two remain. Mission definitely accomplished!!
     Cody has been writing lots, and I just love receiving his letters, and I often find myself in tears (happy) in the post office because I just can't wait to open his letters in the car!
     Today he actually sent me a shell from his recruit depot. VERY cool, and it ended up to me in one piece! He is so thoughtful.
     He also wrote our little one her very own letter! She was so excited because he even drew her a picture!! It's so funny how something that seems so little can make people so happy! She can't wait to go visit him for his graduation and go to Sea World! She keeps reminding us that we are going after Halloween! LOL
      I am anticipating and exciting day tomorrow! I will take a picture before I head to the dentist, and then after, when my teeth will look so different! This is something I have wanted to do for around twenty years now!!!
     Rather than describe what they are going to do in detail, I will just show you before and after pics tomorrow or Wednesday.
     Speaking of teeth...we had a MOMENTOUS event today!!!! Our little one lost her first ever tooth!!! She was so tickled to put it in her special tooth box that her Grandma gave to her. She actually wanted to go to bed early as she could not wait for the Tooth Fairy to visit her!
     You know what??? Our babies give such meaning to our lives. If we can all just remember the simple pleasures, we can have a MARVELOUS Monday every Monday!!!

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Good Morning!

     Hey! I did not go for a walk this morning, and actually I set the alarm for 30 minutes later than normal, and I feel like I have extra energy this morning.
     I plan on waking at my normal time tomorrow and walking, but I was just feeling a little droopy last night and like I might be trying to get sick.
     Knock on wood! So far this new school year I have had not had any sniffles or cold creeping in. I have only had a little allergy stuff happening.
     I don't know if the not getting sick (I always do the first or second week of school) is related to exercising in the mornings or eating well or because I was with kids a couple of days a week all summer.
     But, when last night I felt a small tickle in my throat, you know the feeling, I just figured I would take it a little bit easier to hopefully not catch a cold.
     I do have a busy weekend ahead of me, so I am going to try to go to bed really early tonight, right around the time our little one does!
     The other thing I need to focus on is water!!! I need to drink lots of water and I know that helps to flush out the icky stuff, too.
     Tomorrow night we already have our third football game! I can hardly believe it!
     Then Saturday we are headed over to Seattle. We are going to go check out Emerald Downs and see the horseracing. I am REALLY excited.
     We will crash at my sister's house, and then shop a little on Sunday before heading home!
     Well, I am outta here for the day! Keep smilin'!!!!!

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Geez Louise!

     Wowser! GEEZ LOUISE, it has been far too long since I last blogged. I cannot believe how busy I have been!!
     I have gone for morning walks this week, so that is GOOD! That is really part of the reason that I have not been blogging...walk or blog in the morning?!
     Then at night time, I have just been pooped out! Plus, I have been somewhat busy at night even.
     School is starting to settle into a routine, and I will be glad when EVERYTHING is in its place!
     Cheerleading has been a good time! My step-daughter just LOVES everything about it, but especially the girls :)
     The fair ROCKED this year!! We were there on Saturday from 12-8:30!!!! I kid you not.
     What a fun day of family, friends, and food (ahem). Then we went back on Sunday from 12-5!
     I especially loved the horseracing, and my favorite race was the Pony Express race on both days.
     Yes, last weekend was a whirlwind. Friday night we had a football game in Liberty Bell (and my little one came with us on the bus), then we had a sleepover at my house, then off to Chelan so Jordie could meet up with his dad to go to the Seahawks game on Sunday, then off to the fair all day.
     We finished our Deadwood series on Saturday evening...it was depressing that it is over. I wish they would keep making that show!
     Sunday morning we did take it easy and just relax and then headed off to the fair.
     I did NOT eat healthy at the fair, but I am OK with that. I also did a ton of walking there!
     Last night we went on a date to the movie to see the new western. It was OK, pretty predictable, I thought, but fun to go out without the kiddos. I ate popcorn and Junior Mints for dinner.
     I can hardly believe that it is already Wednesday evening!! And, this shaping up to be another busy, but fun, weekend! I will keep ya posted!
     Have a SUPER day!!!

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Roller Coasters

     Well, it's hard to believe that we are finishing our first week of school!
     I have dealt with many emotions this week from happiness to melancholy and everything in between.
     I love my new classroom. I love the kids. I am excited for my step-daughter and my youngest son, as they, too, have had a good start to school.
     I really miss my oldest though. I knew it would be hard when school started and he wasn't here, but it just seems harder than I thought since I can't even talk to him.
     We have a busy weekend ahead of us. We have a football game tomorrow night in Liberty Bell, and I can't wait!
     Then we have the Fair... WOO HOO! I can tell you right now that I will be eating something not good for me. I can feel the funnel cakes calling me.
     I have been eating well this week, as I have been packing my lunch and snacks each day.
     Water..I definitely need to drink more! I feel dehydrated.
     I have not been exercising this week at all. Grrrr... I am planning on starting next week in the mornings. Right now, I am just trying to swing into a schedule of sorts.
     Well, off and running. Have a SUPER day!

Monday, September 3, 2007

Giddy up!

     Greetings!! I am giddy with anticipation for tomorrow! I dearly love the first day of school, and I always have since I was a little girl. How lucky that I am to continue living that tradition!
     In addition, this year I have a kindergartner!! I am sooooo excited! It is definitely one of my favorite years of school to experience with my kids.
     Giddy up works for this weekend, too. It all started with our first football game on Friday night.
     Giddy up! We won. Jordie played an outstanding game with lots of tackles! And, the cheerleaders did great for their first game.
     For many of my girls, it was their first game cheering EVER. I had to remind them that we are a team of newbies and to not be so hard on themselves. I mean REALLY...just imagine if we were a football team with only three kids who had ever played before!
     The bottom line is that they had FUN, looked good, and I am SUPER proud of their positive attitudes and how much they have learned in such a short time. We are, no doubt, going to have a great season!
     Saturday we drove to Odessa to watch an endurance horse race! It was a totally GREAT experience! GIDDY UP!
     I think Rick might have the bug now. We both helped (also known as crewing) for a teacher friend of mine. Everyone there was so nice and friendly. We just had a super time! NEAT-O!
     I could see us going to these races. He would race, I would read a book and crew for him. Fun!
     Then Sunday we headed out on our iron horse and went over the North Cascades Highway, one of our absolutely favorite rides! We have a little place we love to go to and eat over in Marblemount.
     The ride was perfect. Good company, weather, food, scenery, thoughts, etc. Giddy up, GIDDY UP!
     I spent time off and on since last Wednesday preparing my new room for the kiddos. I am not finished, but amazingly, I am OK with that.
     The control freak in me would've spent my entire weekend making sure everything was in its place, but I am working on letting go of the little things and realizing what really matters, and ultimately letting go of the fear of being judged for not doing something.
     No, my room is not decorated. No, I am not completely unpacked (I still have MANY boxes to go through). YES, I am ready for kids. I am ready to teach. I LOVE MY JOB!!!
     Reality is that I can unpack and decorate as I can, and next year will be better and easier.
     And, really I am VERY proud of myself for giving that stress away. That's a major improvement for me. Honestly I had one of the best weekends I have had this summer, a summer of many good weekends!
     GIDDDDDDDDY UP!