Me me me me me me me...

(check out that eggplant....)

I will quote from my "100 things about me" and say "I am a know-it-all (this can swing both ways)". For those who know me well, you know that I like to know and sometimes even excessively research whatever my heart and mind is set on. I have a wealth of knowledge on many things and enjoy sharing it on occasion. I have, however, decided that people rarely listen to what you have to tell them and need to learn lessons on their own turf, time and through consequences whether good or bad. We have free agency and some people, even people that I love will one day be bit in the butt by their free agency choices. Sad but true. I have experienced this as well and will probably continue to learn lessons the hard way, but I am set with many important issues and for that I am glad. I attribute this to prayer and my habit of research and study.

I want to live a long and healthy life. My recovery robbed my entire body of muscle and replaced it with fat. Being that I have reached the magical age of 40, it is much harder to rid myself of all that fat and build muscle. I will say that I am trying and feel very good. I just wish I looked as good as I feel, but that will come in time. Patience is a virtue and one day I will reach that goal. Not only am I exercising A LOT, but I am trying something that I really love and that is changing the way I look at food and eat. A good friend of mine told me about "clean eating". (something this "know-it-all DIDN'T know about....I love that!!) She has always been very lean and fit but lately she radiates health and I asked her why. She told me about "clean eating" and set me up with a website, book etc. I have been doing the 80/20 version of this and feel WONDERFUL!!! Basically it is giving up processed foods and incorporating all types of healthy substitutions. I am a healthy eater. I eat organic. I eat local. I have never indulged in trans fat yadda yadda. I would have considered myself a good, healthy eater. Wrong... mostly!! I am a healthy eater, BUT I could be better and am currently improving this and am LOVING it sooooo much!!!

So..... if you are interested, there are some good websites and a couple of books that you can also use as a reference. I still want chocolate and Wheat thins, but I am losing my desire for all the other crap I was tempted by. My taste buds are changing and I believe my insides are changing too. This is going to be a life change for me and I hope to bring my family on board by the end of summer. I need to figure it out first and then... WATCH OUT!!! I am happy and excited. This came at a perfect time, summertime when all the earth is covered with yummy fruits and veggies! The possibilities are endless!! Stay tuned for more, because there will be lots. If you don't want to listen, don't. I really don't care!! (O;

http://www.cleaneatingonline.com

http://www.eatcleandiet.com

http://www.thecleaneatingmama.com

http://eatingcleanworks.com/what-is-eating-clean.html (this site has the books etc..)

Every human being is the author of his (or HER) own health and disease.
~Buddah

Sometimes it is just all about ME!!! Life is good!!

Summer summer summertime....

3 1/2 more days of school!

Hallelujah!!

Music to my ears

Coleman and Tate had their recital on Saturday. They played very well. We were also in the same recital time as Nicholas, Natalie, Mitchell, Jamie, Jack and Match. It is such a wonderful experience to be able to see them play as well. We love and adore them and are so happy to see them grow up, develop their talents and be positive influences on our boys. I am very happy that the boys play piano. Their teacher, Jeanne Wernly is amazing and knows how to patiently challenge the boys while still making it all fun. It has added so much joy into our home.

"If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in terms of music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music. I get the most joy out of music."
~Albert Einstein

A pantry problem

Caught... but NOT in trouble!!

The top step is 32 inches so this in not a short ladder.

My happy, brave, climber/problem solver!!

I am short. I realize this is not new nor interesting news, but there is a reason for the season.... My parents bought me a step ladder for my pantry and kitchen help. Being short, I was always having to hop up on counters or move around chairs to get things in a short person's no man's land (that would be anything above 5 feet tall). My parents could see the danger in this reckless behavior (hee hee) and got practical on me. I love them for it and frankly I LOVE my ladder. It is so darn helpful. What was I thinking all these years of not having one?

One cute problem.... Finn. Finn has turned into a grazer and a snacker. I cannot stand this. I am not a fan of grazing and will go to great lengths to eliminate it. While I was recovering, it was anything goes... but now, I must take control.

We have a well stocked pantry. It is pretty organized and has lots o' good stuff. I make the kids' lunches so I have to have snackie food on hand. Finn is VERY independent. He goes in there, gets something, opens it up and eats it.... A HUNDRED TIMES A DAY. He is a good eater, but the excessive snacking is getting in the way of real healthy eating and it is driving me crazy. On Saturday, I began the process of moving things up to a higher level. He is not a climber so I don't need to worry about shelf scaling... Most of the yummy and tempting stuff is up high, almost to high for the short mom (I need a little less tempting too!! Ick!!).

So, problem solved. Wrong. Finn goes in the panty, shuts the door and I can hear moving. I do not fold up my ladder. I just wouldn't use it if I had to constantly fold and unfold it. Call me lazy and I will agree. I peek in there and here is what I find. He certainly solved his problem. Oh boy....

Eric and I constantly talk about how smart Finn is. I think we have another Coleman on our hands and I am happy with that. Finn has an amazing vocabulary for a 22 month old, can say anything you want him to, fixes things, spends a lot of time looking at books by himself, loves to draw.... needless to say he is a well rounded, intelligent toddler. I should have known the height trick would be a no brainer for him.

I am not sure how to proceed other than folding up the darn ladder. It is a three day weekend and I am probably going to give it a whirl. I am sure he will find another way to reach the cookies and goldfish. And that is another day, another post!! It is always nice to have something fun to talk about and I definitely do like to talk about my kiddies!! Until then....

My tree climber

Tate is such a good tree climber. Sometimes he climbs higher than my comfort level, but I think this makes him happy. So I am happy too!! 9 years and no broken bones (knock on wood!! hee hee!!)

Busted

Here is a life lesson... just for me!!

Gabe: Is sh#t a bad word? (he actually says the word.)
Me: Yes it is. It is a cuss word.
Gabe: Then why do you say it?
Me: (feeling very guilty) I don't know. I shouldn't say it. It is bad.
Gabe: No, you shouldn't. You are going to have to go to the bishop. (yikes!!)
Me: (feeling REALLY guilty and scared... we have a new bishop!) I know. I know.

Oops! I think my days of truckdriver, naughty, foul mouth are OVER. I am rethinking myself in so many ways. This has to be a priority and a real change. I don't like to be BUSTED by my 6 year old!!

Shoot!!

The Gramps

Yesterday was Memorial Day and Eric wrote a sweet tribute to the Gramps on his FB wall. I really liked it and wouldn't change a thing so here it is.....

The Gramps....two years on the Korean peninsula in the beloved Corps, riding a Sikorsky helicopter fighting for our free world. Spent six months in an iron lung and came back a service disabled American Veteran. Thanks Gramps.... for your service... and teaching me how to be a real American!!