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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Getting my groove back

Holy cow! Where has this month gone?!?! I feel like November completely flew by and the holidays (meaning Christmas and my birthday) are already upon us.

Sometime in November, I decided to recommit to myself. In my mind, that meant getting in the running groove again, paying attention to what I'm putting in my pie hole and generally just getting back into a healthy groove.

I did really well for my recommittment week and then the week leading up to Thanksgiving. Then all hell broke loose.

I started out counting my points on Wednesday - the day before we celebrated everything that we were thankful for during the year.

At 1:00 in the am, Lucas ran into our room screaming, "I B-A-R-F-E-D!!!!!!!" Like any sick and pathetic six year old would do. That one small event was the game changer.

By the time that 10:00 am rolled around on Thanksgiving day, Justin and I had been up for 24 hours, washed roughly 12 blankets, gave Lucas a shower and was just plain cranky.

Thank goodness that we cleaned the majority of our house the week prior.

Anway. Lucas was sick and miserable until Friday. Which is no good, because that just means that Ellie is going to get it at some point.

And that my friends is exactly what happened.
At 2:00 am on Saturday morning, Ellie started with the incessant puking.

Again, another sleepless night, laundry at all hours of the morning and two cranky parents.

I'll spare you the details, but the bug ran rampant through our house. *sigh*

Fortunately, it helped tame my temptation to over induldge at Thanksgiving and the days after. Although I'm not going to lie...I did put away almost an entire cherry pie. Mmmmm.......pie.

Needless to say, I was a little nervous about checking in at the Fat Farm today. I mean, I didn't count points for a week, I ate a cherry pie and woofed down a 3 Musketeers yesterday. And might I add that it was the best 3 Musketeers....ever!

Anyway.

I went to the meeting today and weighed in. To my surprise, I lost 1 pound! I can't even describe how excited I am to be back on the losing streak.


Normally, I would be all sorts of bent out of shape about losing only one pound, but this picture totally puts it into perspective.

With today's weigh-in, I've lost a total of 21.7 pounds.

Not only am I ridiculously proud of myself, but I feel so much healthier. Plus...I have a race to train for in April.

................gotta run!
 
 
Lorie

Monday, November 19, 2012

Iced Pumpkin Cookies

Okay...so as you know, I signed up for a cookie exchange on the SITS Girls forum of bloggers.

I decided that I wanted to try something different this time instead of making traditional chocolate chip cookies. According to Lucas, I should have stuck with Grandma Gert's chocolate chip cookie recipe.

Anyway.

I decided to make Iced Pumpkin cookies. These cookies remind me of fall. Our house smelled of spicy scents yesterday while I whipped up pumpkin, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Lucas helped me mix the incredients and decided that mid-way through mixing the "dough" that he didn't want to try one. "Pumpkin just isn't his thing." Um.................it's a cookie. Who cares what it tastes like!

The dough was a little more like thickend cake batter and I for sure thought that I messed something up. I dolluped dough on my cookie sheets and baked for 20 minutes like instructed.

While I waited, Ellie helped me make the glaze. She actually tried eating it out of the bowl once it was finished. lol. And I would too. I mean...who doesn't love confectioner's sugar, milk, and vanilla all mixed together?

So...we pulled the cookies out when the timer went "ding" and we placed them on our cooling rack. After 15 minutes, the cookies were cool enough to drizzle with the glaze. This is how they turned out:


They ended up being more cake-like than cookie-like. These little buggars were super moist and soft with just the right hint of fall spices and sweetness.

I'm not going to lie...out of 36 cookies, Ellie ate four, Justin ate one, I ate one and Lucas smelled one and said, "I'm not eating this!"

I packaged them up so that I could get them shipped off to OR today, but when I checked on them before putting them in the box, they were soggy. :( The moisture from these bad boys was trapped in its container. So...I'll be taking my original box home and swapping them out for the cookies at home that I was going to save for Thanksgiving.

Oh well. Lesson learned - do not put these cookies in an air tight container. They will get soggy! Let them sit out on a plate for a day or two. I promise...they will still be moist and melt in your mouth.

______________________________
Servings: 36
Serving Size: 1 cookie 
Calories: 89
Fat: 3.2 g
Carbs: 14.1 g
Fiber: 0.5 g
Protein: 1.2 g
Points+: 2 pts
_________________________________________

Here are your ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup light butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp. Stevia (or 1 1/2 cups sugar)
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Glaze

2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 Tbsp milk
1 Tbsp melted light butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves and salt; set aside.  In a medium bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of butter and Stevia (or sugar).  Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 tsp. vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy.  Mix in dry ingredients.  Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven.  Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork. 

To make the glaze, combine confectioners' sugar, milk, melted butter and 1 tsp. vanilla.  Add milk as needed to achieve drizzling consistency.  Enjoy!   
 
 
Lorie

Friday, November 16, 2012

The cookie exchange is here! The cookie exchange is here!

Okay...so here's the deal. I decided a while ago that I should start a blog. I would chronicle my weight loss challenge and be completely transparent in my road to gaining my health back.
 
For a while, I was a consistant blogger. I wrote something every week and wondered how in the world people blogged every day! I have a lot to talk about, but come on.
 
Then...I started to slack off. I'd write when I felt like it - which was almost never. lol. Then I found a little inspirtation on the SITS Girls website.
 
 


I find myself blogging more, getting involved and even participating in random conversations! I know...who am I?

Anyway...I noticed that the SITS Girls were having a huge upcoming event and I wanted to be a part of it - a Cookie Extravaganza! I mean really...who doesn't LOVE cookies???!!!!!

So...I took a chance and signed up.

Today, I received my email with my cookie exchange partner - the ever fabulous Sara Llyod from The Undomestic Goddess!! And yes folks...because I gave you her URL...you should totally check out her page! I'm sure that you can relate to what she's dishin' out - I know that I can. lol. I mean really...she had me at "Burning Water".

Anyway...we are participating in a cookie exchange together! I'm super excited to be exchanging cookies and recipes with a new friend from Oregon. Although...I'm pretty sure that poor Sara should be scared. We all know how well I cook and bake.

Fortunately for her, I'm not going to spoil the cookie fun here, but I promise to make something delicious (hopefully). I'll probably send nutrition facts too - and WW points values. Just in case.

Let's just hope that Grandma Gert's recipe comes through for me. It would be unfortunate to make my new friend sick - hmmmmm.


Lorie

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

What are you thankful for today?

It's Wednesday, hump-day and day 14 of my "30 Days of Thanksgiving" project.
 
I decided to take a break today from all the serious posts and be thankful for something totally trivial - shopping. And not just any shopping my friends...Christmas shopping.
 
Recently, I've been on this kick about getting all of the kid's Christmas shopping finished and out of the way relatively early. And by early, I mean anytime before December 23rd. I mean...there's nothing like waiting until the last minute to shop, stressing out, missing shipping deadlines, finding yourself actually in a store fighting with people and then having to find solace in a bottle somewhere. Which in most instances, it's in the bathroom of the store that I'm in. Listen...don't knock airplane vodka until you try it. They make it pint sized for a reason.
 
Anyway. I accumulated $20 in Kohl's cash and decided to get Ellie's last present with it. I mean...I was going to Kohl's at lunch to purchase one item. It should have been a safe decision, right?
 
Fair Warning.......the holiday madness has already begun.
 
Thank goodness that I wasn't there to shop. I was there for one item and one item only: Gymnast Dora.
 
 

Ellie is all into gymnastics at the moment. And Dora. So...combine the two and you have a win-win Christmas present. Plus...I figured that if she doesn't like it, we'll just blame it on Santa.

Now...here's the best part of my trip. Originally, Gymnast Dora was $32.99. Ridiculous - I know. She was on sale for $23.09 - lucky me. I had $20 in Kohls cash, so Dora only cost $3 plus change!!!

I heart Kohls!

Anyway.

Like I said earlier, I'm thankful that I was able to finish up my Christmas shopping for the kiddos. I mean...if I waited any longer, it would have been a disaster. lol.

What are you thankful for today?
 
 
 
Lorie

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Day 13: Finally caught up

It is with this post that I am finally caught up! Woo hoo!
 
Today's thankful post is about friends.
 
Friends come into our lives for reasons beyond our understanding. They may stay for a life time or only for a short time. It totally depends on the purpose of the relationship.
 
Throughout the years, I have made and lost a lot of friends for reason both within and out of my control.
However long the stay, my life has been touched in numerous ways by all of my friends that have come, gone and stayed in my life.
 
Thank you for sharing your life with me - no matter how long the duration. ♥
 
 
 
Lorie

What day are we on anyway?

I know...I know. I've missed a few days. To be honest, I'm not really sure where I left off, so...I'll just pick up here.
Day 12: Today and everyday, I am thankful for my Ellie Bean!
Ellie is my three year old, independent, strong-willed child. She is a complete mini-me: fiercely independent, wild, absolutely hilarious, very opinionated, doesn't know a stranger, full of sass and doesn't really mind putting you in your place when need be.
My mom just laughs and says that she is me through and through. I didn't know if I really believed her until I saw her give me a look that I know that I give. Then it hit me, "Shit! I'm in for a world of trouble!"
And then there are those moments, like this morning, where she comes bouncing into our bedroom at 7:04 am singing, "Mommy! Mommy! Mommmmmmmmmmmyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!" With one swift scoop of my arms, I picked her up, swung her around, and listend to her full belly laugh. A laugh that I hope that I will remember forever.
She is my sunshine, my Ellie Bean and everything in between. I love you Bean and I am so thankful that you chose me to be your mommy.
P.S.  She totally laughs just like me. Can't you almost hear her?
 
Lorie

Friday, November 9, 2012

Okay...so I skipped a day

I know...I know. I skipped a day. I was thankful for something - promise! I even wrote it on my FB page. Unfortunately, I just didn't feel like blogging about it. So...in case you were wondering, on day eight, I was thankful for the ability to ask for strength. Lucas' parent/teacher conferences were last night and I needed all of the strength that I could summon.
 
ANYWAY...on to Day Nine!!!
 
Today, I am thankful for the ability to own my own business - Persnickety's Resale Fashion Boutique. There is something magical about owning your own brick and mortar store.
 
I'm completely enchanted with the color scheme. I fall in love with our window display every time that I look at it. Over the past year, we've come to know and love our customers like our own family. And of course...I heart that adorable "boutique boy" that knows everything there is to know about our business.
 
I am uterly thankful and blessed that we are able to live the American dream and show our children what owning a business is like - the good, the bad, and the ugly that comes with it. It's so important for Lucas and Ellie to know and understand that with hard work and persistance, owning a local community establishment is totally feasible.
 
I feel blessed that we able able to connect with our community by offering the trendiest and funkiest children's clothing and accessories at affordable prices. What I find humbling and truly amazing, is that in turn, we have been bleesed by the members of our community. We have been welcomed with open arms and have become a "family" of sorts.
 
And for that...I am truly thankful.
 
 
Lorie

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Day Seven: A re-commitment to myself

I can't believe it...I've made it seven whole days of giving thanks for lots of different people and things in my life.

Today, I'm taking a moment to be thankful for fresh starts.

It's not really a secret - I've been quite the slacker the past few months in regards to my eating habits and my exercise activity. There's no excuse really, although I'm sure that I could blame it on my vacation in September.

Instead of continuing down the road of unheathy heating, oversized portions and a sedintary lifestyle, I decided to re-commit to myself today. I deserve to be healthy and fit...dammit!

So...I checked in at FF Anonymous, have logged everything that I have put into my pie hole, and have committed to going out for a run this evening.

While searching Google today for a little inspiration, I ran across this:

Every time that I run, I always feel like I can't breathe and that I'm going to die. lol. This just proves that running is as much of a mental sport as it is physical.

So...I've psyched myself up and I'm going to "keep going". As a matter of fact, I've decided that the only way that I would really push myself was to sign up for a race. On April 7, 2013, I am running my first half marathon.

Duh, duh, duh......dunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

I want to do it. I know that I can do it. I just need a little motivation.

Well...lucky for me, my motivation comes in the shape of a little oval sticker that says 13.1. That's right folks...I want the fucking sticker for my car. I don't care what my time is or if I have to crawl across the finish line. I am going to finish and I am going to put that stupid sticker on my car!

So...here's to training for the next four months. Let's hope that I don't croak in the process!
 
Lorie

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Day Six: The March of Dimes

It's November 6th and most people are captivated by the election and exercising their right to vote. While my constitutional right is important to me, I decided to be thankful for an organization near and dear to my heart: The March of Dimes.
 
As you may or may not know, premature birth runs rampant in our family. Lucas was born eight weeks early and Ellie was born six weeks early.
 
I remember those days incredibly clear. My water broke while I was at work - January 10, 2006. I remember calling the hospital and the woman asked me if I was positive that my water broke. She then asked me if I "peed" on myself. Um.......................pretty sure I wasn't sure what to say to that one.
 
My hospital stay was horrible. I received antibiotics because my water broke early and Lucas needed to stay put for as long as possible, I was allergic to the antibiotics, I received an amniocentesis to check his lung function (which wasn't good), and to top it all off...Just wasn't allowed to spend the night with me because I had a roommate.
 
On Friday the 13th, I remember crawling to the bathroom so that I could get sick. I was also bleeding and 5 cm dialated. Thank goodness my mom decided to come early for breakfast. She found me on the floor and called the nurses. Thus began the delivery from HELL.
 
I'll spare you the gory details of his birth. lol. You can go ahead and thank me now...or later. Which ever is convenient for you.
 
Anyway. When Lucas was born, he was blue. Or so I was told. I didn't see him. All I know is that he was wisked off to the NICU and I received some much needed pain meds.
 
I remember the nurses telling me that he was the fatest baby in the NICU - he weighted 6 pounds 1 ounce when he was born.
 
When I saw him for the first time, I didn't even recognize him - he was attached to a vent, had all sorts of tubes connected to him, was under the bili lights and was being extensively monitored. I couldn't even touch him - his body was too sensitive.
 
I remember feeling hopeless and helpless. Why was this happening to my baby? When I look back...he was the healthiest baby in the NICU - I just didn't see it at the time.
 
Fortunately for us, we had a great support system with the NICU staff and the local March of Dimes chapter. As a matter of fact, Lucas only spent eight days in the NICU and was finally able to come home on January 21, 2006. One of the happiest days of my life.
 
Then three years later, our sweetie girl decided to make an early entrance to the world.
 
I went for a massage on March 21, 2009 and was told that they didn't have my appointment on the books. I remember feeling completely heartbroken because the girl that I was talking to booked the appointment the week prior.
 
I got in my car and cried the whole way home. Stupid hormones.
 
I called my mom in the afternoon and told her that I thought that I was having contractions, but that I wasn't positive. Like any amazing mom, she told me to call the doctor. And like any stubborn daughter that didn't want to have a baby in March, I didn't.
 
Justin was working that evening and I decided that I wasn't going into labor. She wasn't due for six more weeks.
 
I watched the same Discovery Channel special about Abraham Lincoln six times. I paced, and paced, and paced some more.
 
Finally, Justin called the doctor at 5:00 am and we were told to get to the hospital! Naturally, that meant that I should take my time. lol.
 
When we arrived, I was 7 cm dialated and the nurse asked me if I was having the baby naturally! Um...HELL NO!!!!
 
Again...I'll spare you the details of her birth. I know...I know. You're welcome.
 
When Ellie was born, she was so red that she was almost purple. Her bilirubin was through the roof and her sugar was low.
 
Despite those facts, she was sent to the regular floor and I was able to take her home two days later.
 
Unfortunately, that didn't last. She was re-admitted to the hospital and placed in the NICU.
 
Her liver wasn't expelling blood platelets, her bilirubin was still through the roof and she had a broken clavicle.
 
Again...I felt helpless. I couldn't fight this battle for her. And yet we had a support system that helped us through her hospital stay.
 
Her dedicated nursing staff was amazing. They always took my calls, answered questions, and took the best care of her when I couldn't be there.
 
And for a second time, we were re-acquainted with the local March of Dimes chapter. It's amazing to feel the support of others that have a passion for helping babies and their familes fight the fight.
 
With a little help from our friends and family, we made it through five days of what seemed like an eternity. Ellie was released from the hospital on March 30, 2009.
 
 
Lucas, age 6 and Ellie, age 3
 
 
Everybody's story is different. Yet we all share one common denominator - our children didn't get their full nine months.
 
With the help of the March of Dimes, babies are getting their full nine months, families are receiving much needed education, and support is being offered to all of those who want and need it.
 
The March of Dimes helped my family through those dark days of uncertainty in the beginning. I encourage you to check out this article and learn more about how they are helping those who need it most. http://newsmomsneed.marchofdimes.com/?p=12353
 
 
Lorie

Monday, November 5, 2012

Day Five: You had me at...rubber bands/

Holy hell...I've made it to day five without missing a day or a beat. That's a small win in my book!
 
I decided to write about rubber bands today. I know...why write about rubber bands when I can write about the love for my children, husband or the like? Well...I'll tell you why.
 
My hair is out of control.
 
Justin asked me to try some new shampoo. Instead of getting my shampoo and conditioner separately, he got the all-in-one kind. Unfortunately, his attempt to be frugal backfired. Instead of saving time and money, it left my hair staticky and stuck to my face every single day.
 
Now granted...the all-in-one shampoo and conditioner might have worked if my hair were shorter. You see, I haven't gotten a haircut in almost six months. To be totally transparent, it's driving me bat shit crazy!
 
Anyway...I digress. Back to rubber bands.
 
As life would have it, my hair was sticking to my face - due to the static. I couldn't handle it one more second.
 
So...I rummaged through my desk drawer and found an oversized rubber band. I pulled my hair back into a ponytail and secured it with said rubber band.
 
 
 
And there you have it folks...a ponytail
 
I guess I did learn something from the Girl Scouts afterall...use your resources wisely! Pulling my hair back out of my face was most definitely a resouceful decision.
 
So, here's to rubber bands for saving the day and my hair crisis!!!
 
 
Lorie

Day Four

Day four was yesterday - Sunday:Funday.
 
Justin, the babes and I headed down to the Lucky Dog yesterday afternoon to have lunch, watch the Browns and Bengals games, and see my Bets.
 
The kiddos were super excited to see "Aunt Betsy". I'm pretty sure that they didn't care about what the Browns or Bengals were doing on screen. To be honest, it was probably a good thing that they weren't watching. Instead, they were running around, making new friends and trying to win stuffed animals with the "claw" game.
 
I mean...I totally know that the "claw" game is a money trap - nobody ever wins! Yet, I stood there with the kiddos feeding it dollar bills. Finally, the kids got bored and decided to walk away - empty handed.
 
Fortunately for Ellie, one of the Browns Backers was sitting by us and decided to give her the white "bengal" tiger that he won. You would have thought that it was Christmas! She beemed and carried that tiger around with her all afternoon, evening, and at bedtime too. "Tigie" has found a great home.
 
As day four came to an end, I found myself thankful for football Sundays with my family and bestie.
 
 
Lorie

Day Three of Thankfulness

Well...the weekend hit and that is the reason why I didn't blog my days three and four of thankfulness. So...I guess I'll go ahead and take care of that now.
 
On Saturday, I was getting ready to head to the shop. You see, Saturdays are my only days that I get to work my shop and be hands-on with the everyday happenings.
 
Anyway...before I left, I was sitting on the chaise in our bedroom - talking to Justin. As I was getting ready to stand up and head out, he grabbed my hand.
 
Now...I'm not going to get all sappy. He wasn't holding my hand, but rather challenging me to a thumb wrestling match! And like any over confident person...I took him on!
 
I will have it be known that I WON the thumb war wrestling match!!! I even beat him with my left hand...and no, I didn't play dirty either and entrap him with my index finger.
 
I beat him fair and square.
 
And with that in mind, here is day three: Today I am thankful for thumb wresting on Saturday mornings with the best husband ever. Btw...I won!
 
Lorie

Friday, November 2, 2012

Day 2 of Giving Thanks

Well...we've made it to day two of giving thanks. Not going to lie...most years I don't even make it this far. lol
 
However, today's day is dedicated to my favorite little boy...
 

Lucas is my six year old, my baby and a complete Momma's boy. He has my Type A personality, talks non-stop, is completely hilarious and could pick-up your spirit in five seconds with only a few words and a hug. He is definitely a lover, people pleaser and wildly sensitive.

While he is all of those things that make my heart (and anyone else that is near him) melt, today....he was my alarm clock. And for that...I am truly thankful and grateful.

At 7:48 this morning, his boundful energy popped into our bedroom and yelled..."I MISSED THE BUS!!!!!!!" lol

Not sure what happened, but apparently I didn't set the alarm.

Despite the chaotic morning of quickly getting dressed and sprinting out the door like an Olympic athlete, I still find it easy to be thankful for those treasured moments with my sweetie boy.

Lucas...thank you, for choosing me to be your mommy. Love you to the moon and back.
 
 
 
Lorie

Thursday, November 1, 2012

30 Days of Thanks Starts Today!

It's November 1st and I am starting my "30 Days of Thanks". Far too often I take for granted all of the things that I am thankful and grateful for - it's part of the busy lifestyle that we have all grown accustomed too.
 
I find myself getting in the car and driving with the babes without checking my sugar first - just because I have faith that my sugars are fine. I complain that I have nothing to wear when I search for an outfit in my walk-in closet. I never worry about how I am going to put food on the table so that we can nourish our bodies with healthy food.
 
While I am thankful and grateful that I make it safe and sound to my destination, that I "have" clothes to wear and that my family doesn't know what "going hungry" means, I have a tendency to just "gloss" over it. So, instead of "glossing" over the months where candy and the bird run together, I wanted to take the time to share what I am truly thankful for.
 
Here's to Day One: I am thankful for insulin.
 
When I was five, I was blessed with Type I Diabetes. I remeber going to Diabetes Camp when I was six and receiving an oversized "Pigs are Precious" t-shirt. You see, back then, my insulin came from those precious little oinkers.
 
At the age of six, I took a small stand and decided that since pigs were keeping me alive, then I wouldn't eat them. lol. I'm sure that Wilbur and all of his piggie friends were relieved.
 
Fortunately, modern medicine has made enormous growth and I no longer use insulin derived from pigs, but rather insulin developed in a lab.
 
No matter where my insulin came from, it has always kept me alive and for that...I am truly thankful.
 
 
 
Lorie