A Day of Change

Today is my quit date. No more cigarettes for me. I will update later. Right now I need to go and get a drink.... LOL

Send me positive energy, prayers, thoughts, strength and determination... Please!

Emails and comments giving encouragement would be awesome. My email is faeriecastle at yahoo dot com


UPDATE- That's so weird that this posted with yesterday's date. February 1st is today, right???

Blazing Saddles

I am back in the saddle and raring to go! We have all mostly recovered and are healthy once again. I hate sick kids, they are so whiny and pitiful! LOL

In the midst of the sickness, we purchased (with a helpful loan from a good friend of mine, Thanks Julia!) a new (to us) van. Our old van has been having issues and our mechanic said it was time to retire the old girl. To get it where it needed to be would cost more than it was worth. So, I checked out a few vehicles and looked on Craig's List. I found a van for sale that sounded to good to be true and went to check it out. Long story short:

It's a 1999 Plymouth Voyager Expresso. It has about 154,000 miles on it. It has 4 new tires (less than a year old) and has had the water pump replaced recently. It is in good condition both on the body and the interior. The AC and heat both work, the stereo is great, it has dual airbags, anti lock brakes and cruise control. It has only one minor flaw.... it is missing one of the center captain's chairs. That's why he was selling it as cheaply as he was. Even without that chair, the van still seats 5 or 6.

We paid $1600 for it. Blue book value for a private sale for this van is $2400. ANd my mechanic is looking for a new chair for me now!

I am happy with it and will post pictures one day soon. It's purple!

I have to take Braeden to a therapy session today. He has been having some issues with his potty training lately and we need to discuss them with his therapist. Hopefully we will get some great ideas on how to get him to actually USE the potty at home instead of peeing wherever he happens to be. He also has an appointment with a psychiatrist in February for evaluations. I am keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well there.

Malachai is .... being a toddler. He has had some of the worst temper tantrums lately! It makes me crazy. I am trying to come up with a plan to help him deal with transitions better. And I am about to institute a "naughty spot" for both boys. I am tired of fighting with them all the time! They need to learn consequences and I am turning to the Super Nanny for some ideas ont his.

Jenna is having some issues about her future. She is young. She is scared. And she is feeling pressured to make decisions that she does not feel ready to make. About college and career fields and the future. Poor baby. Feel free to pop over to her blog and leave her some encouragement!

I am trying to set up my lenu plan for the next week or so and then get on the ball with cleaning and getting my house recovered from being a sick house. But I am also working on my knitting and getting a very nice gift basket of goodies together for a giveaway!

I am off to visit all of your blogs now and see if I can catch up on my reading!

Sick House

I promise to come back and post regularly again soon. Right now, my house is a sick house. I thought Braeden was better but had to go pick him up from school. Poor baby, his stomach hurts and he is running a temp again. Steven (hubby) is sick. Malachai is sick. Jenna is back at school but I had to pick her up yesterday after her third bloody nose.

Now I feel sick. Sigh.

Last night, Braeden burped and told me he had farted from his mouth. Boys. Gotta love em!

Boys Will Be Boys

I have several posts floating around in my head.... but I have been in a funk for the past few days. I am still trying to get around it. For now, I leave you with this....


Today, I was driving to pick Jenna up from school and I turned on the radio. After a few minutes, I heard Braeden holler something from the back seat. I tuened off the radio and asked him what he said. He said "Turn music back on!" so I did but turned it down so I could hear him better. Then he told me he wanted me to "go fast, Mommy!". Turn the music on and go fast.

I am in trouble when that boy turns 16.

Haiti

I'm having a rough day. I have been trying to find ways to focus more on the positive but today is just not helping. Case in point:

Haiti. Those poor people! Already living in poverty with political unrest and horrible situations, now an earthquake comes along and flattens them. The outpouring of humanitarian aid is nice. But you know what bothers me? The fact that the people of Haiti may end up better off after this recovery process than they were before the earthquake. Countries around the world are sending medical help, food, clothing, shelter, aid for rebuilding their homes and their infrastructure. And it took the deaths of who knows how many poeple, the destruction of businesses, homes and a way of life to get the rest of the world to really care. Yes, I know that there have been peacekeeping missions and Doctors Without Borders and other charities trying to help them for years. But. But.

How many Americans really paid any attention to the situations these people lived in prior to this? I will be honest and say that I really didn't. And we are just one country. How many people the world over have been more concerned with buying a better iPod than with feeding other people, making sure they have potable water, helping to provide health care for people with NO OPTIONS and keeping children from starving to death?

I have in the past said that I am more concerned with American children who are poor. That I am more worried about healthcare in America. That I don't have any way to help others until I am in a better situation.

Wow.

How incredibly asinine and isolationist of me.

I have no idea how to help. I have no idea what to do. And I realize that my feeling guilty and horrible for past thoughts and behaviors does nothing good for anyone. I have no money to send.

But at least I can send my thoughts and prayers to the people of Haiti.

I Knitted!

Not a great pic but you get the idea! It's a washcloth. Knitted by me. My very first knitting project!! I took a class on Saturday and worked on this a bit over the past few days. Now I just have to practice and learn more advanced things and I am on my way! I really enjoyed the actual knitting. Which is good. So, look for occasional updates on what my knitting needles are up to...

Onto a completely different subject...

I signed Malachai up for school today. Well. I turned in his application for the Early Headstart program. His speech therapist and I are in agreement that he really needs some socialization. His speech delay appears to be because of learning to speak from his brother (who has a speech disorder) so we hope that being around other children who speak without the issues that Braeden has will push Mal to speak more clearly. Clearer. Whatevs. You know what I mean, right?

There is a new program about to start for infants in our county which he may qualify for. Otherwise it would be next year before he can enter the 3 year old program. IF he gets accepted. Please keep your fingers crossed for us!

I am exhausted. Again. It seems to be a recurring thing with me lately. Like for the past 4 or 5 years. HA! *gigglesnort*

I am planning out my giveaway and I know that it will include several handmade items and some special little things.... but I am not giving it away yet! I will probably plan on getting it ready to go and posting the official giveaway announcement in a week or so.

For now... off to watch some trashy TV, start knitting another project and put my feet up.

Tomorrah is anothah day......

Soup, Snow and Sauce

No snow yet. But the schools are all closed tomorrow because of the possibility of icy roads. No one here in MS has snow tires or whatever. Icy roads = dangerous. No school for any of the kiddos tomorrow! But, I do have to venture out to take Steven to work around noon. Hopefully by then the roads will be okay.

I made soup for dinner. My famous (in my own head) pantry cleaning soup! I used the leftover turkey carcass I had in my freezer from Thanksgiving and made some stock. Picked the bones for meat and added carrots, onion, garlic, a can of diced potatoes from the cabinet, a can of diced rutabaga, a can of tomato with chilis and some frozen green beans. Lots of herbs and spices, an imerssion blender and lots of cooking and I have a fab soup. I served it with a brown and red rice, barley and rice mix that I made. Yummy. And perfect for this icy night! And really.... pretty damn healthy too!

I got an order from Eden Fantasy today and one of my items is defective. Hate it when I have to do any kind of returns!

I am about to go and fix myself a drink... Jack and Coke for Mama. Steven is closing tonight and will not be home until around 1 AM but has a ride home so I do not have to venture out. So, time to have a drink, take a bath, read some trashy novels and relax!!!!!!

Hope you are all safe, warm and happy on this cold winter night!

Fitness Goals

Before I get into the meat of this post, I want to say thanks for the suggestions on giveaways! I will think it out, plan it and probably try to have it set up and running in a week or two. Have to decide on item and get it first! LOL SO, make sure you keep an eye out for that post so that you can enter to win something cool! Now, on to today's post...

One of my major goals for this year is to get in shape. I have mentioned that here before but I want to lay out a few of my goals and plans. Writing them down should, hopefully, help keep my accountable.

#1 - Wii Fit! We got a Wii with Wii Fit for Christmas. Jenna and I used it every day for more than a week. And then I crapped out and have gone a few days without any exercise. My goal is to do the Wii Fit every day for at least 30 minutes.

#2 - Yoga. In addition to the Yoga on the Wii Fit, I really want tto start a daily yoga program. I really need the quiet time. So, my goal for this is to get up about 30 minutes early each day and try to get some yoga in before the kids get up.

#3 - I got new shoes! Sketchers Shape Ups to be exact. Here is a picture of the pretty pretty shoes:

These shoes are supposed to help with posture, toneing and weight loss. They were a gift from my MIL. As of right now, I am only supposed to walk int hem for 25-45 minutes each day. That is for the first few weeks to get used to the way they feel and make your body feel. Then it is no holds barred. Once I have worn them for a bit I will review them so y'all can know how they work! So far, I really like them. They almost force your body to hold correct posture.

#4 - Water. Lots of it. My doctor told me that in order to avoid dehydration and help with weight loss I really needed to be drinking 1 ounce of water for each 2 pounds that I weigh. Well, damn. I have been drinking nowhere near that amount! I need to be drinking at least 110 ounces of water a day for right now (Yes, I am fat. That's why I want to get fit!) and that is a little less than a gallon of water a day. Wow. So, my goal is to work my way up to a gallon of water each day before 5 PM. That way I will not be up peeing all night long! Think I can do it?

#5 - Weight loss. I really would love to lose a lot of weight. My ultimate goal is to be about 135 pounds. But, I would settle for 150. After three kids, I don't know if my body will get back down to where it should be without a major struggle. For right now, my goal is to drop a pound a week. And keep it off. If I can do that then I will be a happy camper!

So. I will be trying my darndest to stick to these goals and update my progress on this blog weekly. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed..... Any suggestions on other fitness goals or how to stick to these?

100 Followers Rock!

Wow! I have finally made it to more than 100 followers! I am totally shocked actually. You guys rock. The supportive and understanding comments have made my last few years of blogging just wonderful. Thank you to all of you for reading!

So, as a great big sloppy kiss of a thank you, I am planning to host a giveaway soon. But I am having a horrible time figuring out what to give away. So, what say you? What are your favorite things to see on giveaways? What would you love to get from me? (hehe) Let me know in the comments and then keep your eyes open for a giveaway in the near future!

Also, I am cleaning up the blog roll this week. If you want to be added to my blog roll, let me know. If you are following me and do not see your blog on my roll, let me know..... etc etc etc..... Also, feel free to grab my button (lol) from the sidebar. If you do, I would love to know!

Catchya later and thanks again for following!

Happy New Decade!

Happy New Year and a New Decade to all of you! I had a nice day yesterday, did some relaxing, did some reading, had a nap.... basically I used yesterday to do some thinking and reflecting on the past year. And planning on the coming year. Thinking about what I wantt o accomplish and the steps I need to get where I want to be.

Very nice.

I hope all of you had a wonderful new Year's Eve and that yoru New Year has started off peaceful, joyous and sweet.

As part of my resolutions and goals for the New Year, I will begin posting here on the blog about my struggle to lose weight, get healthy and quit smoking. Hopefully, if all goes as I plan, I will post once a week with an update on what I have accomplished and what my new goals are. In addition to that, I am jumping back into menu planning. I have hated not knowing what I am cooking for the past month or so! We have eaten more junk food over the past month than in the 3 months prior. I hate that. So unhealthy. AND expensive!

I will be trying to pop over to visit everyone's blogs soon and I will be cleaning up my blog roll and following list over the next week or so. If you are following my blog and I am not following back, please post a comment so that I can come check out your blog! Sometimes, on Google Friends, you cannot follow the link back. I am trying to streamline my blogging to accomodate the new writing I need to be doing.... and still be able to enjoy what all of you have been writing!

Off now to work on my first article for Examiner.com. I need to get it done today!