Just wanted to say for the record, I've switched to CORE.  So far, so good.  I'm feeling satisfied with my food choices.  We'll see if I'm doing it right on Tuesday, during WI.

We had a nice 4th of July. We went to a pool party/bbq. No joke, the kids got out of the water for dinner and then back in the pool and then out for dessert and then right back in the pool and then finally managed to get out for fireworks.

Fireworks. Well, they're illegal here in L.A. County so if you wanna see them you have to go to a big public display. Dh's friend says he knows the best spot on this hill (just a little walk up this path) where we could see fireworks all over the valley. So, we all go and it turns out the little path is a very long, uphill path that has been totally overgrown with weeds (uh, make that dried twigs) that are taller than me! The kids were real troupers, but we could have used a machete to find out way through the path. Finally, we come to the "spot" and yes, we could see fireworks but they were no bigger than a postage stamp. Not very exciting. After ooohing and aaaahing at our postage stamp fireworks display (the adults made a big show if it for the kids who were whining "This is booooring") we had to wind our way back down through the twiggy mountain (as Julian called it) in the pitch dark, back to our cars. Next year, I think I'll set my sandchair on the lawn in the park and enjoy the fireworks as they were meant to be watched. Overhead, in comfort!

I've thought about things to write ... if only my ideas could work their way from my brain all the way down to my fingers and then onto the keyboard.  If that could happen magically, then I'd be all set.  Then I would have written my article for BabyZone and my blog would be current.  Then I'd get rid of that feeling that something dark was hovering over me.  Unfinished business.  I hate that feeling.

 

Easter candy is kicking my butt.  Yes, it's true.  I raided my children's Easter Baskets while they are blissfully sleeping, totally unaware that mommy is snaking their robins eggs.  The fact that I haven't been to the gym in two weeks is not helping the situation.  Luckily, this is the last day of Spring Break.  That is not to say that it's been a bad time.  I've enjoyed having my kids home with me.  I've enjoyed spending time with them and the fact that we haven't had to rush around.  However, kids back in school = me back at the gym.  I'm looking forward to it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mollie's Brownie Troop is donating clothes to a Women's Shelter as a service project.  This morning, I went through my drawers and closet in search of items that either don't fit or that I just don't like to wear.  I ended up with two piles of clothes, most of which were too big for me.  Pants that I can remember being uncomfortably tight now look ridiculously huge.  Skirts that once fit comfortably now turn around my waist or sit too low on my hips.  I even got rid of every XL top that I owned.  No need to hide behind baggy shirts.  Cleaning out the larger sizes was extremely liberating.  It reminded me of how far I've already come on my weightloss journey.

 

We've got a house guest through the end of the week - our neighbor's little dog, Mimi.  Mimi has made herself quiet comfortable here.  She especially likes to perch herself on the back of our living room chair so that she can look out the front window. Meanwhile,  Chula's nap schedule is all out of whack because she feels the need to monitor Mimi's activities pretty much every moment.  Click on the pics to enlarge them. 

Well, it was a fun night at CEC last night for Mollie's bday dinner.  Both my parents and dh's mom joined us.  Boy, that place was crowded for a Hump Day!  I had a big salad and two slices of pizza (one cheese, one veggie) but had saved up points for it.  My Dad called me skinny (LOL) and my mother told me she was going to call WW today to see when she can go to a meeting.

 

Every summer we go to Cabo for a week with my parents - we own a timeshare there together.  This would be our 8th year going (the first year we went I was just pg with Mollie).  Anyway, with all of my Dad's health problems my parents have decided that it would be best not to go out of the country.  When I told dh, he suggested that we trade our week for someplace closer to home.  He said that the important part of our vacation is the kids get to spend time with their grandparents, not "where" we go.  Isn't he the best?  We tried to get a place in San Diego at the beach, but at this late date it's impossible.  We're probably going to trade our week in Cabo for a week in Las Vegas this summer. 

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have low extroversion. You are quiet and reserved in most social situations. A low key, laid back lifestyle is important to you. You tend to bond slowly, over time, with one or two people. Conscientiousness: You have medium conscientiousness. You're generally good at balancing work and play. When you need to buckle down, you can usually get tasks done. But you've been known to goof off when you know you can get away with it. Agreeableness: You have medium agreeableness. You're generally a friendly and trusting person. But you also have a healthy dose of cynicism. You get along well with others, as long as they play fair. Neuroticism: You have medium neuroticism. You're generally cool and collected, but sometimes you do panic. Little worries or problems can consume you, draining your energy. Your life is pretty smooth, but there's a few emotional bumps you'd like to get rid of. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is high. In life, you tend to be an early adopter of all new things and ideas. You'll try almost anything interesting, and you're constantly pushing your own limits. A great connoisseir of art and beauty, you can find the positive side of almost anything.

The Hotties challenge has gotten ... hot!  There are so many women who have joined, it's a bit overwhelming.  I wish them all success in their weight loss journey.

 

At the same time, I am a little sad that our cozy little group is gone.  I do miss the ability to connect with each of the hotties, personally.  And then today, Kim posted that she's leaving the challenge because it is too overwhelmingly huge.  I do sympathize.  And, I don't want Kim to leave!

 

I'm wondering if there is something else we can do ... start a new thread of the original hotties?  That way we can have our small group, yet at the same time those that thrive on a busier thread can post there, too. 

 

So, what do you think hotties?

 

I missed my workout at the gym today.  Woke up with an ear infection.  So, instead of exercising, I stayed home and fiddled with my Ipod, filling it with all sorts of fun music.  Now I just have to remember to not sing aloud when I'm using or people will run away in horror.  My humps, my humps, my lovely lady lumps ...

During today's Brownie Meeting, one of the mom's approached me and asked me if I've been losing weight.  She made my day.

 

Actually, that's not true.  She made me feel great, but what really made my day was taking Mollie and my niece Samantha out for a late lunch.  The girls laughed so much, they just about wet their pants.  As I looked over the table at these two beautiful, soon to be seven year old girls, I couldn't help but think that just yesterday, they were infants.

and I can't sleep.  I went to bed around 11:10pm.  I wanted to watch the news story about Brittney driving around with her baby in her lap.  Can't help it.  I'm a gossip.  Anyway, 45 minutes later I was still wide awake.  So, I put the kettle on and made myself a cup of Sleepy-Time tea.  Sleepy time.  Sigh.  I'm still wide awake.

 

Just updated my What's for Dinner list.  My points for dinner are creeping higher and higher!!!   This is not good!  I gotta nip that in the bud.  Sheesh!

... at a restaurant can be quite challenging for someone (me) on Weight Watchers.  Tonight, we took the family to Chuy's.  The kids love it because they can raid their piggy banks of quarters and get stickers and little toys and candies out of the machines.  Lee and I love it because we can sit and eat while the kids are busy.  And I especially love it because they have a bar.

 

Since joining Weight Watchers, the food choices I've made have really changed.  Tonight, I had grilled Mahi Tacos (soft tortilla), whole pinto beans and only half of the rice.  No chips.  Not a one!  But, I did indulge in a lite beer.  When I came home I estimated that I had eaten about 14.5 pts. I dipped into my AP's and FP's.

 

For the past three (four?) weeks, I've been avoiding using my FP's and had no AP's to speak of and my losses have been very small (and rather dissappointing).  Yeah, Hotties ... I hear you.  Any loss is a good loss, but you and I know that a bigger loss feels a whole lot better!

 

So, this week I'm trying something new.  I've been eating those FP's (not all but some ... ok, most) and I'm exercising and racking up AP's.  It'll be interesting to see how my body reacts when I step on the scale on Tuesday.  Yup, I said Tuesday.  I just realized that I won't make my regular WI on Monday morning because Julian has a Dr.'s appt at 10am for his 5 year check-up and  Chula has a 9:15am appt at the beauty salon groomers (poor dog is a hairy beast).  My usual WI time is 9:30am.  Screwed that up pretty good, didn't I!  Oh well, that just means I have one extra day to pound the water.

 

Here's a pic of my beloved Chula, Chula-doo,  Choo-Choo, Challah-doo ... call her what you will. She's my third baby.  Mwah!

The planets must all be aligned properly.  I had a great workout at the YMCA this morning, remembered to pick up a few things at the supermarket that we needed, I'm having an awesome hair day ... and behold, the Laundry Chair!

 

There is one dark cloud looming in the horizon -  I've got to take the kids to a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese later this afternoon.  Whatever.  At least I'll have nice hair.

It's well after midnight, and I'm still plugging away.  I just finished the monthly newsletter for my Brownie Troop.  Five hours of work for two pages?  Yikes.  Please tell me that the first one always takes much longer.  If that isn't the case, this just may be the first (and last) issue!

 

For the past two days, I've wanted to sit down and write a decent entry but I haven't had the willingness to think.  That takes too much concentration.  It's been too difficult to rope it all in. 

 

In the meantime, I thought I'd add a new exciting feature for all of you Hotties!  I present to you ...  the Laundry Chair!

 

Nightie Night.

This morning we went to the Super Star Assembly at school to see Mollie receive her Character Award.  We're so proud of her!  I posted a few pics of the morning under Blog Photos.  I tried to post them here on the blog, but as you can see they come out teeny-tiny.  After the assembly, Lee took some photos of me for my "before" pics, although I was actually 6.4 lbs. heavier when I started Weight Watchers three weeks ago.  You can view these pics by clicking on Photos.  I also managed to get in some exercise today.  I took the pooch for a 3 mile walk.  It was such a beautiful day, I actually enjoyed it.  Ha, me ... enjoying exercise.  Miracles DO happen!