Exercise, the weekend and prom pics, oh my!

This weather is sucking the life right out of me. Going on day 3 of rain. Blech. I wanna crawl back into bed and pull the covers over my head.

This weekend will be super busy with recital, but I am hoping that I can exercise at least Saturday. For those readers not connected with my Facebook page, I did indeed make 2.013 miles in 30 minutes the day after my last blog. I did, however, wheeze like the dickens after I was done and I am considering making an appt. with my GP. I seriously think I have some sort of exercise induced asthma. After 2.5 months of almost daily exercising, I would like to think that my lungs would be better conditioned than they are. Slow & steady on the exercising though. I'm proud of myself for keeping it up even when I let it go for a few days. It's funny because I find that I get the urge to exercise now even sometimes after I've already exercised. Perhaps it won't always feel like work?! One can only hope.

On other fronts, my eldest attended Jr. prom last weekend. He looked very handsome in his tux and he said he had an awesome time. He surprised me by dancing the night away. I'm SO glad because he can be so shy and reserved. He then went camping with his girlfriend and her family for the weekend in Rhode Island. He had a good time until the very end when he found out that his girlfriend's parents think he doesn't "help her" enough. Apparently they felt the need to discuss this among their friends as well. One friend works for a neighboring town and does business with my husband. NICE. As my hubby's sister said, "Have they met their daughter?"

A. is so independent. She has even gone as far as telling J. that if she says she can do something to let her do it. So he does. And then gets slammed because he's not "helping her". Grrrrrr. To say that I wanted to give them a piece of my mind was an understatement. I told him that he wasn't going ANYWHERE with them again. Nowhere. I know my son is not perfect and I'd be the first one to get on his case for being rude, but he is nothing if not totally polite and helpful. If someone asked him to help out, he'd do it willingly. They assumed that he didn't want to help his girlfriend and ended up making asses out of themselves and hurting his feelings. He then fought w/A. the rest of the afternoon because she was angry he talked to his father and I about it. He told her just because she had a crappy relationship with her parents didn't mean he couldn't have a good one with his. I have to admit I was happy he said that and I am even more pleased that he feels comfortable enough to talk to us when he doesn't quite know what to do. Isn't that what parents are for? To help guide when asked (or even not asked sometimes....)?

Well, better get going and get my exercising in before the little boy comes home from school. Poor boy has a field trip to the dairy barns up at UCONN this morning and the rain is pouring down. He was so cute though. He told us he had to wear his rain boots in case there was poop there. Hopefully they will be inside and not out in the rain and I also hope that they might get to visit the dairy bar and get some homemade UCONN ice cream. It's some of the best CT has to offer.
A quick hug when we got to A.'s parents' house.

Pretending to know how to pin a boutonniere on. I ended up pinning it on his lapel after!

A.'s mom had a bunch of poses she wanted them in. I just stayed in the background and snapped a few. Personally, I like the ones I took near the garage because they are candid (and they looked happier...lol)

Personal best!

I had to write it down because I was so stinkin' proud of myself. 1.75 miles in 28 minutes. I jogged for the first 12 minutes and then slowed up while I put the incline up to the highest setting - gradually bringing it down from 10 to 8. Then I jogged again for the last 5 minutes. My goal is to work up to a full two miles in 30 minutes. I am almost there...almost.

May 20, 1930

That was the day my Dad was born. I wonder if the day was sunny & warm like it is today or if the air smelled like blooming lilacs like it does today. I wonder what my Dad's older siblings thought of him and wonder if they missed their Mom since I'm sure her hospital stay was at least a week.

My Dad was born in Manchester, CT during the Depression. He was the the 2nd born son and also had two older sisters. He and his siblings (which eventually numbered 7) lived in a 3 bedroom cape style home on Spring Street in Glastonbury, CT. The house is precariously close to Route 2 now, but before the highway went in, it was all fields that one of my aunts used to walk the cows across. I know the boys shared a bed because my father once told me that he had gotten in trouble and switched places with one of his younger brothers so that they would get the spanking when their Dad got home. It did work, the other brother got the spanking although I'm pretty sure my Dad got one too once my grandfather realized what had happened. My father also worked on a farm as a young boy. He, ironically, drove my grandfather to his first AA meeting at the ripe age of 12. I don't know much more about his childhood. He didn't really share that much. He was dutiful to his parents although we weren't close to them as children. My grandfather died in May of 1976. I remember the day he was buried because it snowed. My grandmother died on her 76th birthday in July 1986. My father died on Pearl Harbor Day (December 7th) in 2006. We buried him on a cold, gray day (December 9th) while a bagpipe played. I thought I had cried every tear I had that day, but apparently I still have plenty left.

My Dad and I shared a birthday month with my birthday being 4 days before his. He often teased me that I should have waited the extra 4 days, but he always told me I was a terrific 40th birthday present. I know my Dad loved me. Despite the alcoholism and meanness that could come out of his mouth during drunken rants, he always treasured me and was proud of me. I was his favorite. There wasn't much out there that I couldn't have if I asked.

While meeting with a minister before his funeral she had told all of us (my siblings and I) that if we had anything to say that we should take the time to say it during his funeral service because that would really be the last time we could. She told us that she thought it was a good way to start getting some closure over the loss. The following is the piece that I wrote and read at my father's funeral through more tears than I care to remember. While I was sobbing through much of it, so were the people who loved and knew my Dad.

Dear Dad,

I'd like to think that I took care of mourning you when you stopped remembering my name, but it hit me all of a sudden that I didn't. Your passing has, instead, reminded me of all the things I miss most.

When I teach my kids the pizza pie song or teach them about the peepers on a warm spring night, thoughts of my own childhood always come flooding back.
I remember all the silly games and songs you played with me and the weekend trips to Aetna where you would work and I would have the run of the place. Oh and the vaults...remember? "Diana, put your hands in your pockets and don't touch a thing!" I wonder if I am still the only kid who was ever in those vaults...
I remember when I was in elementary school, I could always count on a bowl of hot oatmeal and that I didn't have to ride the bus to school because you would drive me every day. I had fibbed and said that riding the bus gave me a headache.

I remember our Saturday trips to the cleaners to pick up your shirts and all the other "Saturday" errands. I don't think I missed many of those Saturdays. I always thought of it as my time with my Dad.

I remember my rebellious teenage years and now that I'm a parent, I realize how much pain I must have put you through, although you never let on. Instead, you chose to always be there when I was ready to talk. I didn't say it then, but your opinion meant a lot to me and has shaped who I am today.

How many times I have wished to call you and tell you about something my own children have done...
About Jeremy's love of baseball and how he yells at the TV during sports like you used to, Rebecca's love of dance and music and how much pride I feel when I watch her perform, Thomas' sweet demeanor and loving spirit, Daniel's zaniness and his absolute love for life, David James' dictator like attitude...I know for sure that he has Bill Cone in him, and lastly, Emma's sweet smile which can light up a room (and a parents' heart) no matter what is going on.
I wish all my kids could have gotten to know you, but for the ones who never did, they will have to know you through my own dear memories.

Dad, I know you are in a better place and the jail that your body had become to your spirit is now lifted. I hope your first Christmas in heaven is well spent. Say hello to all the people I've already said goodbye to, would you? I know that they will rejoice at having you there even though those still here mourn your passing. I'll see you again someday. I'm glad you aren't suffering anymore.

Love always,
Your Daughter, Diana

Good measure?

Nah, not really.

I took the advice of a dear friend and measured myself last month. Yesterday was the day that I brought the measuring tape out again. I managed to lose 1.5" except not where I really wanted to. D'oh!

I lost 1/2" on each thigh and just over an inch on my bust line. I gained in my waist, but AF hasn't arrived yet so when she does, I'll re-measure. I'm hoping that's bloat. Yep. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. As far as the scale, I have not been able to get lower than 158 and fluctuate as high as 163 (although that was after this weekend which included LOTS of food and very little exercise). I am hoping that this next month shows better progress with the measuring.

On another front, I planted most of the garden yesterday. I have 42 tomato plants left. Um, I think I over did it? lol We have some topsoil left from a tri-axle dump a month or so ago, so I am going to plant some in pots and leave them in the garden area (within the deer fence). I hope we have armloads of tomatoes. Nothing at all beats a homegrown garden tomato. I also will have to plant the herbs in buckets as there will be no room left once I'm done with the veggies. I still have more radishes, more sunflowers (I may plant the sunflowers up near the house or along the circular drive in a bed or two), turnips, peppers, 2 kinds of cukes and zucchini.

Obviously from the pain I feel this morning, I worked some muscles I didn't even know I had! I am moving like a snail and if I don't start to get the kinks out soon, I think a couple of Advil liquigels will be advisable. Sigh. Did I mention that today is dance class? And that I will have to stretch. And dance. Gotta love "Mommy & Me" classes. If Chris wasn't so busy, I'd ask him to be the Mommy for the day. There have been lots of Daddies in class over the course of the the past 9 months. Perhaps I'll go easy on the tread this morning since I have to face the garden again today after lunch. I will say that being busy certainly cuts down on the stuffing your face phenomenon. I ate 3 square meals and had just two pieces of German chocolate w/hazelnuts after dinner last night.

Off to coffee, breakfast & tread although the way this morning is going, I see a nap in Em's near future so dance may be off....

The Birthday Weekend

You've all been waiting with bated breath, haven't you? Hah! ;)

I awoke Saturday to sunshine (which we all know makes everything better) and I decided that I wasn't going to worry about my weight or exercise or food for the rest of the weekend. I was taking the next two days off and I wasn't going to feel guilty about it. Trust me, I didn't feel guilty about ANYTHING and today I jumped on the treadmill with maybe not *enthusiasm*, but without dread either.

We got on the road around 3:30p armed with J's Garmin and the hotel address plugged in. I actually dressed in something other than jeans and a hoodie which you know is my usual garb. Nothing terribly fancy, but it did involve heeled sandals and one of my most favorite dressy shirts. :oP

We got stuck on the Pike in the "cash only" lanes at the last exit. Let's just say that the first thing I did when I got home yesterday was to order a Fast Lane pass. I am hoping that my trips on the Pike are more plentiful this coming summer as I have dear friends in the Boston area that I would very much like to see on a more regular basis! You all know who you are! Natick for lunch anyone? Heck, I'll invite myself to Watertown if I have to....

When we exited out of the tunnel at Government Center/Faneuil Hall, I could see S & J waving to us from the balcony of the hotel we were staying at. How lovely was that?! We pulled into the porte-cochere of the hotel, paid the parking fee and left the keys with the valet. S & J brought us up to our room (which also had a wonderful flowered balcony). I think my chin dragged on the floor at the whole sight of it.

The bathroom was, to me, the most marvelous part. It was a fully tiled walk in shower that was bigger than a regular tub space. It had a rain water type spout along with a handheld spout and both could be on at once. I, of course, being the raucous type of girl I am, commented on it being a good shower for sex. (I don't know why we have 6 children....) The bathroom vanity was a rich dark wood with a bottom shelf that held thick, fluffy white towels and it was all enclosed by an opaque pocket door. Just outside the bathroom there was a vanity area and closet (which held a white, fluffy, thick bathrobe, I might add). The bathroom was luxurious and something I would love to have in my own home for sure. It felt like I was at a spa (but where the heck was the facial and massage, I wonder?)

The rest of the room was ok. The bed was comfy with lots of pillows and the TV was a large flat screen that sat on a armoire which held the way overpriced mini bar. The bathroom and balcony were definitely the highlights for me.

While chatting with S & J, S handed me a homemade card from her daughter, M. It was made with yummy smelly markers and I was in heaven. M is known for her awesome crafting/drawing ability and anyone who thinks I'm a rock star with pink hair is pretty awesome in my book!!!

S also gave me another card which ended up being from one of my besties, J. She had wrote a poem for me that made me cry. There are not any words to describe how much I love her back and one of the best things about Saturday was that she took time out to call me and wish me a happy birthday. She is one of the best...truly. My life is better for knowing her and I told the hubster later on that we definitely needed to plan a trip to Toronto as a family.

S then gave me a box and another card. This was from her and J and in the box was a very pretty silver bracelet with pretty & interesting beads. My SIL and MIL told me yesterday that if I ever got tired of it, they'd love to take it off my hands! :) The best part? S bought herself one too! We matched :)))))) YAY! There was also a hot pink Birthday Girl crown that I wore happily until after dinner when it really started to pinch my head. I have a feeling my girls will be fighting over wearing it on their birthdays as well. ;)

We parted ways w/S & J and the hubster and I changed into our dinner wear. The four of us decided to grab a drink before heading out to dinner. We actually sat at the fake Cheers at Faneuil Hall although it did bring back lots of lovely memories of June '08 and the first meet up of the LFFs. S and I pointed out to our hubbies where J. and I got lost (me lost with hot pink hair - go figure) and took lots of fun pictures with the Cheers cut-outs in the basement. It was apparent that it wasn't as funny to them as it was to us. Good memories of chugging $12 glasses of wine and the Croc store too. It seems like a lifetime ago....

We headed onto Hanover St and met C, B, R & baby S. There were pictures and gifts and laughs and a cute baby (who for the record was UBER good) and more pictures. After dinner there was a short walk and a slight wait for the cannoli. MMMMMMM....well worth the wait at Mike's Pastry. Did I ever mention how much I *LOVE* cannolis? I would probably knock down an old lady for one if it were the last one on earth. Yep. That is how much I love them.

Funny side story - long line at Mike's. Guys get into line and soon disappear into Mike's. J and the hubster finally emerge and the hubster is laughing because apparently J has loudly commented on the way out that he is so glad that they got the last 4 cannolis. Waiting customers - not laughing. Nope. ;)

We said our goodbyes to C, B, R and baby S and headed back to our hotel for a quick pit stop. We visited some bars and had a round or two in each. After closing down Todd English's restaurant bar, we hit the sausage street vendors and there were a few to choose from all within a hundred feet of each other. So there we were, four well dressed adults scarfing down a sausage in a bun topped with lots of peppers & onions. After drinking beer all night, it did seem rather fitting!

The next morning hubby gently woke me a bit after 8 (ahhhh, sleep). I generally do not sleep well in hotel rooms, but I was out like a light! We took our time getting up, showering and then grabbed a coffee at the Dunks next door. We headed into the lobby to wait for S & J and then we went to breakfast in the restaurant attached to the hotel. After that we retrieved our bags, checked out and headed home. The hubster and I toyed with stopping in Wrentham, but both decided we'd just go home. The kids did GREAT! Both the ones who stayed home and the ones who stayed at the ILs.

Around 3p we headed over to the ILs for a family get together with pizza & Dairy Queen ice cream cake. OMGOSH...YUM! Way better than Carvel. I opened my gifts and cards and enjoyed my time with everyone (although I was pretty tired by the end of the night). The stainless steel mandolin and the iPod docking station were the gifts from hubby and the kids and I was pleasantly surprised. I now have a way to listen to my music without the ear buds and it should make cleaning MUCH more fun! I also will be able to make potato au gratin a bit quicker and my potatoes will def. be more uniformly cut! My ILs gave me a hundred bucks to blow on myself (Wrentham anyone?) and my SIL and I are planning a trip to Whole Foods (LOVE that place) and lunch (her treat) so that is also very cool. I was more than thoroughly spoiled with everything by everyone!

While the birthday was everything I had hoped and more, I will say that when reality set in today, it was almost too much to handle. The best thing is that I know we will be doing it again and I'm guessing sooner rather than later. While the hubster is not a city lover, he even had to agree that Boston was "pretty cool". :)))))))

I loathe my birthday - there I said it!

I have a love/hate relationship with the month of May. It isn't ever what I envision it to be - what I long for it to be.

Mother's Day is generally pretty nice whether we are home or on Cape like the last couple of years, but my birthday has sucked since my sister moved away. Why? Because my sister is the planner and she would always make sure people celebrated my birthday.

I go overboard on birthdays. I make sure that the person having a birthday feels like the center of the universe for the day. They decide the meal, the cake, are sure to get the gifts they want (within reason) and have a day to do whatever they want with whomever they want to do it with.

I have not had a party or get together since my sister moved away. Most of the years, I've been lucky to have had some unwrapped gifts thrown my way before going out the door for baseball & softball games for the kids. Never cake. Or a meal that was prepared because that is what I like to eat. Honestly, it sucked. I think it hurt even more that every other birthday in hubby's family is celebrated. We all get together for my MIL's, FIL's, SILS', BIL's, kids', etc - everyone's but mine.

The last couple of years I've made it known that this behavior bothers me. That I would love to know that people wanted to come over and celebrate my birthday or that my family wanted to make sure I had at least a cake. Things did get better and hubby really tries to make things right, but he just doesn't "get it". The kids have baked me a cake the last couple of years and hubby always tries to make sure he buys me a great gift, but it isn't about the gift. It's about the time and energy someone puts into it. Hubby is a last minute type of guy - not a planner.

This year I threw caution to the wind and planned my own darn birthday and made sure I surrounded myself with people who make me laugh and that I have fun with. I planned an overnight away from my children in a place that *I* wanted to go, but yet, my tummy is queasy and I'm feeling very nervous over the whole thing. I can't wait to see everyone, yet part of me wonders if it won't be what I expect. I know this is my issue. I own it. I'm trying to work past it.

I also have fallen off the good food and exercise wagon. This is day two of no exercise. The day isn't over by any means, but when I get out of my routine, I just can't seem to put the pieces back together. I also ate a whole lemon blueberry cake by myself in two days. A WHOLE CAKE! I want this to stop. It became obvious to me that eating the cake was a totally emotional thing. I am trying to make my birthday worries go away by sticking food into my mouth. How sad is that? How sad am I? On top of that, a quick glance at the calendar shows that the witchy aunt is due to arrive on Sunday. Oh the joys. Or lack of joy.

Gah. Off to go watch a recorder concert that I don't want to watch especially not with a 2yo in tow. And because I needed to write this stuff down, we'll be late on top of it all. Just need the strength to pull myself up by my bootstraps and stop wallowing in the pity of it all...I know. I know. Thanks for reading, dear friends.

Weekend fun - past & future

Not much going on here...or rather too much going on here? I never know which. The days all seem to blur together this time of year.

Mother's Day weekend was really nice. We were at the Cape staying with the hubster's brother in Chatham. My SILs, B & I enjoyed a nice visit to P-Town on Saturday. We browsed the shops and had a late lunch. Ended up buying my niece a birthday gift (she turned 19 that day) and bought myself some half price Merrells. I also bought the hubster a new wallet while I was there. Made my purchase of shoes feel better. :) There was lots of laughter and fun and great people watching!

Sunday we did some last minute shopping at the greenhouse in Harwich and then my SIL and I hit downtown Chatham so I could pick up a thank you gift for our German neighbors who had nicely offered to take care of the dogs for the weekend. The guys bought & made dinner for the girls and then cleaned up. It was a good day. My kiddos ended up getting me some iTunes cards which was a nice treat. The littlest boys also brought me home potted flowers in hand decorated pots on Friday along with cards and other little notes & treats they made me at school. I know when they are all grown up, I will miss those the most.

This time of year is busy for all of us. The hubster has been working crazy hours, we're in the last stretch of dance (recital is in 3 weeks) and we have J's first prom coming up. I also am looking forward to my first 39th birthday this weekend. The hubster and I are going away over night and leaving the kiddos. The two drama queens (T & Em) will be at the ILs and the other 4 will be home. I know J & B will be fine with the two littlest boys and now that J has his license, we have a bit more freedom. Our neighbors will also be home keeping an eye out for us. I'm really looking forward to staying in a nice hotel and not sharing my bed with anyone but my hubby! I am also looking forward to eating good food that I didn't have to make. Simple pleasures....

Exercise front - not so good. I've been moving every day, but my shins are getting progressively worse. I'm not sure if I need better sneakers or if I've actually hurt myself. Yesterday I barely made it through 30 minutes of my usual workout. Once I took all incline off and slowed my speed way down it wasn't so bad. Today I've decided not to push myself so hard on the treadmill. Maybe keep the incline at 5 and the speed around 3mph. Some movement is better than none, right? I also will do my ab & arm work. Almost time to measure myself again. I hope I see some change. Seriously. If I don't, I may make an appointment with my doctor to discuss what I can do differently. I also have a feeling I have undiagnosed asthma, but that is another story all together. Oh well...slow and steady wins the race - that's my story & I'm sticking to it!

Happy Sather Falkerhood

ROFLMAO

For those who are not familiar with the Cake Wrecks blog, please take a moment to check out the following link and be sure to watch the video. This site makes me laugh until I cry. If you have extra time, I suggest reading through the most popular entries on the site. They are listed on the right hand side and are guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and maybe even pee your pants. Seriously - you can't make this stuff up which is what makes it so funny!


Cake Wrecks - Happy Sather Falkerhood

Saturday - Glorious Saturday

I did not have to bring J to the park so he could coach t-ball today. No, I did not! My big boy got his license and brought himself in his own car, thankyouverymuch. I did however have to say good bye to the hubster who is working all day. And also told me that he likely has to work tomorrow too. Gah. He has been SOOO busy lately and I'm not complaining really since work is a good thing and will pay our many, many bills, but I still miss having him around.

Last night I picked up a good friend and hit a flip flop party at my SILs house. (www.toegoz.com) It wasn't like a typical "in home" party for the fact that there wasn't any sales pitch. The product was out, she had catalogs and you could try on what was there and buy or not. It was rather nice, actually. I ended up buying two pairs, but only for the fact that my feet are small enough to buy the youth sizes (which were $11 cheaper than the adult sizes). Unfortunately the youth sizes didn't have the best selection, but they did have one style that I really, REALLY liked and the adult sizes didn't offer it. Here are the ones I chose:

http://www.toegoz.com/popup.aspx?productId=2312&category=tweens
http://www.toegoz.com/popup.aspx?productId=2309&category=tweens

Tonight we have plans to head to another one of hubby's high school friends' get togethers. These are so much fun and I look forward to them almost more than hubby does! I have really hit it off with so many of the women that graduated with him and count them among some of my best friends. I'm torn on whether I will want wine, beer or if I want to pick up some tequila and have margaritas. I had a nice Shiraz last night so maybe I'll drink Corona tonight. Before the day gets much later I will also need to make some empanadas. They have become my "signature dish" among these get togethers and I would hate to disappoint my loyal eaters of said cookies.

Tomorrow is church (unless of course hubby needs to work in the morning) and I've been told that the congregation voted and we will be going back to having sunday school during the sermon instead of after church is over. I'm relieved. I may even stay beyond this summer. Again, change is so often tortuous for me. And the thing is that when I am put on the spot about change without having some time to mull things over, I more often than not do not speak my displeasure. I need to work on that. Either I need to learn to digest things faster in my brain or I need to start telling people that I will have to think it over. I'm guessing the latter is likely the right choice.

On the exercise front, I've been averaging about 15 miles per week on the treadmill and am still doing pilates and stretching after. I haven't lost more than a couple of pounds, but I keep going. J did show me a P90X exercise for my abs yesterday that is so simple yet burns the hell out of my abs. I am supposed to get up to a count of 25. I barely got to 8 or 9 today. I love to change the pilates/ab stuff up so I was thankful for that. Someday I hope to be able to start P90X and follow the program, but for now I am proud of myself for making exercise part of my daily routine...especially those days that I want nothing more than to skip it. Baby steps & every day is a new day have become my motto. I may even start leaving myself love notes around the house telling myself that I am worth it! hahaha I also got a great email from a friend the other day telling me about a great new diet plan. It's the Dawn Keye diet...it shoes a picture of a donkey in the 'fridge with a caption that reads: "Dawn Keye Diet - Keep your ass out of the 'fridge!" Uh, yeah....I need to remember that one!

And on that note I bid you all adieu for another few days. I'm off to make my cookies, shower and enjoy the sunshine and beautiful weather (all while using proper sunscreen...this peeling stuff sucks!)