Struggling for motivation...

I have a fairly long list of things to do today.  However, I cannot seem to get motivated to get moving.  I have started the laundry, worked with the budget a bit and payed bills.  Now all I want is a nap!  I think I am going to take one.... NOW.

Maybe more later.

Friday - Freezing - Free of Kids...

TGIF...

The lowest in MN today was -40.  That was without windchill.  I guess it isn't really surprising, we always have 1 week of hideous cold. 

G is up at Timber Ridge camp, near Pine City, MN.  It is with the church (Grace Fellowship) junior high group.  I hope they have a wonderful time, but I am praying that the frigid weather overrides the teenage fashion mindfulness and that full winter gear is worn for the outdoor activities.

M is overnight with a friend who is kid sitting for the weekend.

I have found a new, hot drink... Chai Tea Latte from Caribou.   YUM

Well, I am off to warm up under an electric blanket with my knitting and watch some TV.

Getter Done

Well, if I have any followers, you will note that I am completing construction.  I have my FPU baby step 3 tracker, weight loss monitor, etc.

Please feel free to check up on me to see if I am sticking to my 2011 goals.

Teenagers...

First I will start with the thought that I have some pretty great kids.

However, it seems like they go into hiding somewhere in their teens and are replaced with a selfish, self centered, snotty monster.  I know I wasn't the perfect daughter, but when I was young, there were certain things you knew never to do.  Here they are:

• Don't sass if you are asking for a favor.
• F's are just not acceptable - avoid or be VERY scared if you come home with one.
• Stomping and slamming = grounded - period.
• When the answer is "no", and you have dared to ask for a clarification and get "no" again - stop asking or you will get a previous "yes" turned to "no" as well.
• Having a car, paid insurance, designer wardrobe and a paid membership to a club are not necessities and are not expectations of your parents - get a job!
• You go to school unless you are throwing up, fever over 101 or are dead.  If it happens to be canceled - thank God - it doesn't usually happen more than once in your educational career.
• All toys (even expensive electronic ones) can & will be taken away if they are being abused, you are not meeting your grades or if they are causing distraction of any kind - parent's determine what is distracting (like not listening to "no" the first time).
• Just because you "want" something, be it clothes, a ride, money, etc. does not mean you are entitled to it.
• Carpooling - learn it, do it.  Parents didn't sign up for a 2nd job of your personal taxi.
• Never come home pregnant.  Don't even consider putting yourself in a position to become pregnant - it is not socially acceptable in your household no matter what the media advocates.

Thankfully, my kids haven't really pushed the envelope on all of these, but there just seems to be a different attitude among today's teenagers.  I wasn't perfect, far from it, but I understood the basic ground rules and respected the fact that the consequences wouldn't be pretty if I stepped out of line on these basics.

Today is a banner day...

I have has such a great day!  My reasons for today being GREAT!

• Scale shows I have lost 25+ pounds.  That is since 10/28/2010.
• I am wearing a size 14 pant (down from a VERY tight 16) today and it is not cutting off circulation!
• A very special offer I was hoping for came my way today... more on that later...
• FY12 budgets for work are in and I think I am done with that stuff until at least March.
• I have no predefined plans for this evening.

Praying for a few more days like this!

Can house cleaning be counted as exercise?

I think so!  At least for today where I was pulling down all the Christmas decorations.  Feels nice to have it done, but now I need a shower and a nap.  I don't think my family will let me get away with that. 

I have gone "Cold Sheep" for a new years resolution.  That means I don't buy anymore yarn for some pre-determined amount of time.  I have enough yarn to knit for quite a while (100k yards).  I am official a member of SABLE (Stash Accumulated Beyond Life Expectancy).  The weirdest thing is now that I set that goal, all I am doing is perusing yarn de-stash pages (for sale), on-line yarn sales, etc.  I do get to buy one thing of yarn for a sweater for my sister - that has been in the plan.  Hopefully that will help.

Off to clean-up and hopefully sneak away to somewhere unnoticed for a nap.

Baby it's cold outside...

So I slept until 9am.  G-boy was skiing today.  He moved up a group, that means that he will have hit the top levels of this new group this year as well.  We are hoping Marissa is keeping warm at Camp Fred - what a name!  Really haven't accomplished much for home and hearth, after getting some "take home work" done, I had little energy left to do much more than change a laundry load every hour or so.

My niece Norah got her ballerina sweater today and according to Stephanie fits & looks great - YEAH!

Listening to a book on tape, but will have to start over soon - keep falling asleep.

Feels like Wednesday today...

Today I am dragging.  Not that I didn't get where I needed to be on time or anything, I am just really sluggish.  Lots of yawning.  Exercise this evening didn't even help.  Off to bed!  Big morning ahead of me.


Fun happening for the day:  neighbor KKS brought over a Christmas gift for me - loved it!

Freezing!

For some reason I just could not warm up today!  I have been a slug under my electric blanket.  Thankful for Pat doing the kid running today while I vegged.

Happy 2011!

New Years Resolutions:

1. Blog more frequently
2. Exercise minimum 5 days/week (hopefully 6)
3. Continue the healthy eating
4. Continue the downward trend in weight & meeting my mini-goals
5. Shop for yarn from my personal stash
6. Complete at least 12 knitting projects
7. Read/listen to 100 books
8. Continue Diet Dr. Pepper free
9. Fully fund our emergency fund
10. Knock of at least 6 household projects
11. Enjoy this wonderful year God has provided