And so I try again....

Awhile back I posted here about my "8-8-08" plans to start eating better (a.k.a eating less) and exercising. Things went very well for the first week - I was on the treadmill every day, making healthy eating choices, etc. But, alas, after one week passed, I was already back to my old habits. I couldn't bring myself to get on the treadmill (it's so boring and, really, I just hate to sweat. I can't help it, it's true) I was pretty disappointed in myself, but not surprised, because that's how I usually wind up when I start something like that. Fast forward to a few days ago, when I was reading one of my newfound favorite bloggers, Jen at Daily Mish Mash. Her Aug. 24 post was titled 'Looking Fine by 2009'. First of all, I love Jen's blog. She is hilarious and fun! Not to mention, she is a huge Ryan Gosling fan, so you know she's good people. But, this particular post really struck home with me. I know that I need to lose weight/exercise/eat healthy, etc. But, I just can't seem to stay motivated to actually do it. I also know that it's unrealistic to say I want to lose umpteenbagillion pounds and wear a size 0. Ain't gonna happen! In Jen's post, she talked about getting healthy and looking "better". Not to aim for perfection, but progress. That sounds do-able. And, she proposed a challenge so that we can support and motivate each other as we work towards this progress. I'm determined to give it yet another go. I'm not on a diet, I'm just going to try to make more consistent healthy eating choices. I'm not saying I have to work out everyday like a madwoman (because I certainly would never do that), but, I will strive to get on my treadmill three or four days a week. My 39th birthday is tomorrow, so this will be a good time to get started. So wish me luck again. And, be sure to check out Jen's blog, I know she will make you smile.

P.S. I'm using this handy-dandy, free website called www.myfitnesspal.com to help me keep track of my progress. It lets you record your daily food intake and chart your daily exercise. I tend to do a little better when I make myself write down everything that I actually eat, it guilts me into being a little more accountable.

I've been tagged

I've been tagged by my friend, Pina. I am to write 6 random things about myself, so here goes:

1. My very favorite song is Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House.



2. I rode my daughter's bicycle the other week ago; it was the first time I've been on a bicycle in about 15 years.

3. My favorite desserts are blackberry cobbler, banana pudding, chocolate brownies, and coconut cream pie. (It's too hard to choose just one favorite)

4. It's almost my birthday - I can't believe I'm going to be 39. YIKES! How did that happen?

5. I would love to someday travel to Italy.

6. I drive a Chevy Tahoe.

There you have it. Me and my randomness. I'm not going to tag anyone specifically, but, if you would like to play along, please do. And, post a comment with your link so I can come over and read about your randomness.

~Kari

Me, Myself, and I party

Today was the first day of school for our kiddos. Not only that, but, it was also back to work for my husband. He's had several back-to-back vacations from his fire dept. job over the last 2-3 months. Of course, he still worked some construction/remodeling jobs, but, for the most part, he has been home with us all summer. I have been anxiously awaiting this day, looking forward to having the house to myself and enjoying some peace and quiet. Don't get me wrong, I love having my kids at home, but, with four in the house, it can get quite chaotic. All of my children have close friends that live next door and across the street. So, at any given time, I may have 4-10 kids playing at my house. The noise level alone is enough to drive you bonkers. Today I'm going to relax and bask in the silence. I had jokingly said that I would be throwing a party today, and the only people invited were 'me, myself, and I." Last night, my youngest asked, "Dad, are you going to Mom's party tomorrow?" I guess he really thought I was having some big shin-dig.

Here are pictures of each of the kids before they left for school this morning. My oldest was quite irritated at having to pose for pictures at 6:00 a.m. - he thinks he's too old for that kind of stuff.












I did start my diet/exercise plan on 8-8-08. Actually, I don't want to say I'm on a "diet". The minute I say I'm on a diet, I'm suddenly starving and feeling like I want to eat all the time. So, I'm simply trying to consistently make healthy eating choices while consistently trying to eat less. I'm also trying to use my treadmill at least 4 days a week. That all seems pretty simple, no major unrealist goals to make failure inevitable.

That's all for now, I've got a party to get to. I think the main theme of this party is going to be napping, reading, and maybe some more napping;o)

~Kari

We recently spent an afternoon at nearby Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest. Here are a few pictures to share from the day....

Notes from the Homefront

Here's what I've been up to:

Obsessed with reading this book, the latest of the Twilight Saga series

Getting ready for "back-to-school". The kiddos have one more week of summer break and then it's back to school. We've been running around getting school supplies, uniforms, clothes, etc. My daughter has decided that she simply has to have these tennis shoes. She is my only child whose school requires that they wear uniforms. So, I usually let her pick out some really cool shoes. Of course, the only store in the mall that carries them is sold out. I don't want to order them online because she really needs to try them on for size. So, we will be doing more running around town trying to find them. Last night we had the open house for my youngest and we get to do it all over again tonight for my 10-yr. old. He is pretty psyched though, as a 5th grader, he is now the 'Big Man on Campus' so to speak. Plus, his 2 ex-girlfriends are both going to be in his class this year (I know he is only 10, but, seriously, he is quite the ladies man. They love him;o)





Have you ever tried the banana milkshakes from Sonic? They are soooo good! I'm not a huge ice-cream person, but, these are the best. I had my last one for awhile last night because I'm about to commit myself to some serious dieting and exercising....





Speaking of dieting and exercising, my big day to start this crazy plan is 8-8-08. You see, I'm notorious for starting a diet or exercise program and then flaking out really quick. So, I thought this date was a good sign for me to give it another go and really try to stick with it this time. I've been saying I want to lose about 25 lbs. before I turn 40. Well, I will be 39 this month, so the clock is ticking. I also have been saying if I lose the 25 lbs. I'm going to reward myself by getting a tattoo for my 40th birthday. Wish me luck! I really hate dieting AND exercising, LOL!



And, in other exciting news:


My husband and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary on July 27th

I have just about convinced myself to work on reactivating my R.N. license and going back to work

My youngest son seems to be doing well on his new medication

That's me in a nutshell right now. So, what about you? Are you a "Twilight" fan? I would love to know your thoughts on the series. What about tattoos? Yes or no? And, if you have any inspiring diet or exercise tips, I'd love to hear them.

~Kari

Back to School Giveaways

5 Minutes for Mom is hosting a fun back to school giveaway. Click on the button above for all the details and to check out their fabulous website. Good luck!

5 Minutes For Mom - Photo Contest

5 Minutes For Mom is sponsoring a photo contest and the winning prize is $500! How awesome is that! The theme is summer fun and all the photos need to be family friendly. So, with that in mind, here's my entry....It's a photo of my two youngest sons (ages 7 and 10) on a recent fishing trip at a friend's farm pond. They caught a whole bunch of fish, and later that evening, we had a big fish fry with a few of our neighbors. That was some summer fun for sure! Go over to 5 Minutes For Mom and check out all the contest entries, there are some great photos (use the link below)


http://www.5minutesformom.com/3898/win-500-in-our-summer-fun-photo-contest/

YouTube fun

I love this video on youtube! It's the couple's first wedding dance, and, boy do they have a good time. What a fun couple! You gotta watch; it will put a smile on your face.