Sundresses and Sandals, Warm Breezes and Cool Waters

We are still living in the arctic zone here in Wisconsin; and there is really something wrong with thinking that 20 degrees above zero is actually a relief. That's just not right. 

Here we are however; the sun is shining and it's above 10 degrees. My energy bill is still breaking my budget (Holy smokes, it sucks to pay to heat my home when my home wont go above 65 degrees!) and I'm too cold to do anything in the house unless I’M WEARING AN ELECTRIC BLANKET. I really cannot turn my heat down too far at night because it takes all day just to get back up to a reasonable temp. The thermostat is set higher than normal for sleeping for this reason. And we are all still so dang cold!

Sigh. Deep breath. 

Moving right alone here...

That being said, I'm all about getting ready for warmer weather (if the world doesn't freeze over first). I have a few things up my sleeve, and I'm super duper excited to change my lifestyle

I started the HCG diet this week. Say what you will, it's based on a scientific theory, and I'm being extremely careful. My goal? Lose weight and be able to sport sun dresses with ease this summer.

I'll try write an account of what's happening in the diet and what I'm doing to improve my health and appearance. Maybe I'll even be brave enough to post before and after pix. :)

I'm at 156.5 today. I was about 160 or less when I was pregnant. Needless to say, I'm not pregnant, but I am carrying around a lot of extra ME.

I also joined my community fitness center today. I'm excited. Nothing fancy but it's close and I plan to work out after I drop my son off at school in the morning. 

Wish me luck! Or rather, encouragement! :D I'll need it!

PS. I'm not hungry!

I have this little son Oliver...

He is small and very funny.


Sometimes I give Oliver his dinner.

This is a hard job. Oliver is a very fussy eater. And Oliver loves tomatoes. :)



Except Oliver must have a refined, aged balsamic vinegar drizzled ever so lightly onto his tomatoes. Let me be clear, he prefers a vinegar to a vinaigrette. Each bite must have a tad bit of red onion, a tear of basil leaf and a small nugget of mild blue cheese.

And then it really must be organic.

Oliver has discerning tastes.

Can't say I blame him.



And he's still the sweetest, kindest, most loving little boy I know. Thank you God for the best gift ever.

He will be 6 next month. How did he get from a little baby...



... to this?

Adapted from from I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato.

Stronger

This was one rough Monday. I woke up angry. I have been angry at Oliver’s dad lately. I’m really really pissed at this arctic cold. I’m mad that my home is so dang cold, and I can’t stop the cold from coming in. Every time I plug a leak, another one shows up. I’m watching my dollars fly out the window. I’m angry that I can’t find anything even tho I spend so much time organizing. I’m angry that each day my home is a giant mess, even after I clean it up. I’m angry at no one and at everyone. It was just one of those mornings.

Deep breath. Let this stuff go... I told myself. Most days I do. I know I’m strong enough to handle these challenges.

I had a wonderful weekend with Oliver. He has been taking ice hockey on Saturdays, and afterwards we get to skate together. This weekend, we had a blast, twirling around the olympic-sized rink 3 times. Luckily I only fell once. He, on the other hand, fell probably close to 100 times, maybe more. I laughed and laughed and watched how beautifully and courageously he got back up, each and every time. “I’m so proud of how you get up each time you fall and try again. You don’t let falling stop you. Each time you fall and get back up, it only makes you better and stronger.” And then I let him pull me around the rink, allowing him to teach me how to skate. “You’re doing great!” he told me. “You’re getting better and better!”

Later that weekend, he told almost everyone he met that he was learning to skate. “Every time I fall, I get better and stronger.” he’d say.

Imagine my sweet and tender joy when I saw this ad.

Oliver was tucked under my shoulder watching it with me. When we got to the part where the mother takes off her crying little boy’s shirt, I started welling up. Oliver looked up at me, and with an easiness, wiped away my tears. “That’s you!” I said, kissing the top of his head several times. When the ad ended he said, “That’s the same thing you always tell me Mommy!” Oh my...

:)