Tough Times

ALICIA MINTON
     
     I know that I normally weigh in about health and fitness, but today I want to talk about a friend of mine.
     Lots of times it just takes some perspective to realize and appreciate what we all have.
     My friend, who lives here in Omak, is a single mom to three kids, and she has had some tough times.
     But, most heartbreaking is the current situation in which her sister, Alicia Minton, a mother of three who lives in Arkansas, has been missing since June 1st.
     I cannot even begin to imagine what my life would be like if I was going through something like this...if any of my family members were missing.
     So, I want you to do two things today. I want you to appreciate who is in your life and how good your life really is.
     I also ask that you keep my friend, her missing sister, and their family in your hearts, thoughts, and prayers.
     If you want more information, you can check out this site: http://www.missingaliciaminton.com/.

Good news!

      I am sooooo excited!!! I have lost 10 pounds since the beginning of June! I just weighed this morning at the club, and I was absolutely freaking out because I didn't believe the scale!!
      I did cancel my membership, but I have the rest of this month still, and I wanted to use the scale that I had used at the beginning of the month! HAPPY news!!
      I have been working out with the cheer girls since school has been out, and I have only missed one time because we had appointments in Wenatchee.
      I can't believe how I already am able to do things better. Today I jogged around the track twice with no breaks in each lap!!
      What I am doing right now is bleacher workouts, and we do 10 sets! And, then we also walk or jog a mile.
      My water has really improved this week, as has my eating!
      Anyhow, it just feels good to make progress. I have a friend who has recently started walking, and I am really excited for her, because she just feels better, more positive.
      I can't believe how when I don't exercise that I forget how GOOD it feels when I do!! You would think for that simple fact that we all would exercise all the time!
      Today I am signing off with a big smile!!

Blog Burnout?

     Hello, old friends! I have lots of news for you, which would only seem logical since I have not blogged since last week.
     Last week was a bit busy, but I really don't know why I didn't blog. It's almost like I was suffering blog burnout...I dunno.
     The good news is that I have been making really positive choices in the health department! And, I have been accomplishing my rather large "things I want to do over summer" list.
     I am working in a cardio workout every day! I have mostly been walking, but I have also been working with the cheerleaders jogging bleachers and strength training.
     The really cool thing about the cheerleader workouts is that we have moms coming, too!! We are spreading the joy and love for fitness!! Very fun :)
     As well, I have been eating better for the most part. Definitely my portions have decreased and fruits and veggies have increased!
     I am still working on the water intake. Some days I hit my mark easy, other days I am not anywhere near the target.
     I am back on my thyroid medicine which is making a big difference in many ways.
     I am not drinking coffee daily (which wasn't even one of my goals, but just sort of happened), but I did have a yummy Starbucks yesterday because my good friend Joe brought me one back from Chelan! What a treat :)
     I did finally cancel my gym memembership, and NOT because of anything about the gym. I do love the people that work there, and they offer everything a person needs!
     For whatever reason, I was just not motivated to go in. And, since I am working out this summer outside, I am going to stick with that and save the money.
     I am thinking about swimming at the morning lap swim to add in some more cardio each day.
     I am feeling good. So far summer is happening..SIGH!

MY oh MY

     Wow! It has been what feels like FOREVER since I last blogged. Life has been hectic, but I am now on SUMMER schedule!!
     Yesterday, HOLD ONTO YOUR PANTS, I worked out!!! I have started a summer conditioning program with my cheerleaders, and let's just say that it even hurts to type :)
     We are working out three times a week with 45 minutes of cardio, and starting next week adding 45 minutes of weights.
     Our cardio workout yesterday ROCKED! We jogged bleachers, and had stations of push-ups and jumping throughout.
     Then we walked a mile around the track! It felt soooo good! And, even the pain today feels good :)
     I drank tons of water yesterday, and I ate well, too. I bought a foot-long sub, and I ate half for lunch and the other half for dinner.
     I also had to pack up my classroom, and that was MAJOR work and sweat, too, but it is all finished!
     Everything at school done, CHECK. Son graduated, CHECK. My birthday, CHECK. Son off to Boston, New York, etc., CHECK. Bills paid, CHECK. Sleeping in, CHECK. Working out, CHECK.
     I am liking it!

Rain, rain DON'T go away

     I love the rain. I love thunder and lightning (especially when it doesn't cause any wildfires). I love the smell and color of everything after the rain.
     I am not a huge fan of the humid, sticky air, but really it is worth it if rain comes, too!
     This weather reminds me of Texas so much. I started thinking about our road trip to Texas what now feels like MANY moons ago!
     The summer before I moved up here the boys and I drove down to Texas to visit family.
     We left in June (the weekend after school was out) and returned in the middle of August.
     We were on a tight budget, so we didn't eat out, and because at the time Jordan was "plump" I actually made the decision to eat healthy (no processed foods, no sugar, etc.).
     Jordan lost thirty pounds that summer, and I lost twenty, mostly with our eating changes.
     We really didn't exercise too much, well at least not purposefully. We were VERY active all summer doing lots of fun things, but to go for a walk would have been miserable.
     Anyhoot, yesterday made me excited for this summer. I am going to have a Texas summer again, but adding in the purposeful exercise and surviving in much milder weather!
     I can't believe that counting today I only have 3 1/2 days of school left!! I can't wait!

Sweat and Tears...

     This past week has been filled with sweat and tears, LOTS!
     Last Thursday we went over on 2 charter busses to Seattle for the senior trip.     We stopped in North Bend to eat, and I ate yummy teriyaki food, and then we were headed into the big city.
     First, we played hard at the Family Fun Center. And, that is definitely where the sweating began!
     I have never played Laser Tag before, and I can tell you that I am completely addicted! That was such a blast, and such a workout!
     I was joking around about how if we had a Laser Tag place here that I would workout every day for sure!!
     Then we headed off to the Mariners!! Seattle won the game, and we did lots of walking and exploring (lots of burning calories!!).
     I took Friday off as a personal day to ready myself for the next couple of days, as well to catch up on sleep since we arrived home at 3:30 in the morning!     Friday consisted of sleep (not as much as I wanted) and LOTS of errands (way more than I wanted).
     Saturday ended up with lots more sweat! I was with the cheerleaders at Okanogan Days, and we were in the parade for which we baked in the sun for WAY over an hour before our float even started moving.
     I just seemed hot and CRAZY busy on Saturday running from one place to the other!
     Graduation was VERY hot, but VERY nice. I am so proud of all of those kids :)
     The reception following was cool on all levels. I loved the slideshow and the collages of the kids, but I couldn't stomach any of the cake because I was just too hot.
     Yesterday we had our party for Cody, and it was just wonderful. He is a very loved young man!
     So, I cried tons, all happy tears, of course. But, happily we all survived, and right now I feel like I have lived two months in the last five days!!

Things are crazy!

     This is a shortie, and probably it will be the only blog this week. I promise to pick up next week.
     My list of everything to do is just growing. I swear it seems like when I mark one thing off, two more things take it place!
     Just as I was getting ready to write this, I kept typing in blooger.com, instead of blogger.com, and I couldn't figure out what was going on. THAT is a sign for sure :)
     I am remembering to have fun this week, and I can't wait until our trip to Seattle tomorrow!!
     How lucky am I to be going with these incredible kids for the day over to Seattle??
     Well, sorry this is short, as I am off and running. I have to get the grad gown to the cleaners before I go to school.
     Go Bulldogs! Come to the graduation on the football field this Saturday at 4 p.m. with a reception and slideshow following in the cafeteria!

What a weekend!

     Good MONDAY morning! Ahhh...what a pleasant morning I have truly had :)
     I slept in, SIGH. Then up with a cup of coffee in my favorite mug (Husky Mom), and I sat out on our porch listening to the wind chimes, and enjoying the sunshine.
     As I sat there, I was thinking about how nice this past weekend was and I wasn't thinking about everything on my "DO NOW" list!
     Nope instead I was breathing in the moment and taking a moment to just breathe.
     What a SUPER weekend! We started it off a bit busy, running home and then off to the soccer BBQ.
     I was sort of stressed about going because I knew what else I had to accomplish on Friday, but BOY, it was nice to just sit down and enjoy the company of nice people.
     As well, the coach gave us a framed picture of senior night. It included a pic of Cody and me, and then a pic of all the seniors. NICE TOUCH.
     Then, once we left we took off to Republic. I was dropping off Cody for the weekend at my brother's, and it was a nice visit with my sister-in-law and niece.      So, finally when I came home Friday night after 10 p.m., I was definitely pooped.
     Saturday morning I woke up and roused Jordie, as he was leaving for Seattle with Grandma Pat.
     Then Rick and I (totally kiddo-less) took off on the bike. We had one of the best rides we have ever had!!
     We went up to Republic and visited with everyone there, and then we headed off around to Curlew, Danforth, into Canada, and around through Greenwood, Midway, and back into Osoyoos.
     What a beautiful ride. The weather was GORGEOUS, winding along the river was serene, and we saw lots of wildlife.
     It was so strange...we would see these dark clouds off in the distance that we were headed, but it was like the sun gods were with us, as everywhere we rode, the clouds would open up and the sun would shine down on us. CRAZY.
     We saw lots of wildlife, including a hawk who tried to swoop us, and a couple of deer that we had to actually stop in the road because they wouldn't move.
     We came back through Oroville and took the old highway down past Tonasket (Janis Bridge).
     It was so nice and relaxing. Then, when we came home we crashed out on the trampoline, perfect ending to a perfect day.
     Yesterday, we worked in the yard, cleaned house, did a little of this and that, and then BBQed with our friend. REALLY nice and laid back day and evening. SIGH.
     And, that brings us to today. I know that the week is going to rev up and out of control, but I am going to hold onto this calm as long as I can.
     It also makes me very hopeful for this summer. I am excited to relax a bit and accomplish some of the things I want to do.
     I already have a workout set up for my cheerleaders starting June 11, and I plan to attend my first Weight Watchers meeting on June 13.
      AND, I plan on relaxing and having lots of time just like this weekend!

Woot, Woot on the Weather

     So, I am a weather watcher at the moment. I am checking out to see how graduation's weather will be since we are going to be outside.
     Looking nice, so far! And, then next Thursday we will be in Seattle for the Mariners, and that weather is looking pretty sweet for the Seattle area...Roof open at the game, for sure!
     SO, everybody out there, think HAPPY thoughts for good weather for graduation.
     Summer is creeping in, and I LOVE it. Last night it was light clear after 9 p.m. NICE.
     The other thing I love about summer is all of the good fruit. It always seems so much easier to eat healthier in the summer and to drink more water and to workout.
     I am a summer baby both literarly and figuratively. My birthday is coming up (two weeks from Sunday)!!
     And, I live for the summer to be OUTSIDE all day long and well into the evening and night, too.
     Gotta love it.

Good, better, best

     Yesterday was a GOOD day! I ate good, drank some water, squeezed in a little exercise (tell you more later), and had a good soak in the hot tub.
     I'm loving the tub! It's so nice to end the day. And, yesterday, I actually decided to do hot tub exercise!!!!
     I did a million leg lifts and scissors, and it made me think about how I want to swim this summer once the pool opens, lap swims and even water aerobics in the shallow end.
     I did not have a headache yesterday, and really right now, it's been a couple of days sans pain in the head!
     I do have a ton on my plate right now, and I will until probably a week from this Sunday, after Cody's graduation party.
     As well, I know the end of the school year is going to be busy with a BIG move from one classroom to the next.
     But, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel...and, it feels GREAT!
     The other great thing, and I have NO clue how it happened, but this upcoming LONG weekend is FREE.
     Yes, ladies and gents, freeeeeeeeeeeee! We don't have any obligations. NO meetings, no games, nada!
     And, we may even be kid-less! YIKES! We are planning a motorcycle ride around the North Cross loop, and maybe some camping, and I might try a hike in there somewhere, too.
     I am looking forward to this peaceful calm before the storm.