7 Weeks: I can't believe I'm on the final stretch

Oh, I know Jon has 2 more official weeks of fitness camp, but between him gone, these projects at work, my house, kid's school work, winter upon us, and so forth, I've felt a bit buried.  However, I can now see a beaming light at the end of this tunnel. I see that my work deadline to release the guide is this coming Friday, it's starting to show signs of spring, Jon will be home before I know it, and hopefully with Jon home we can make a better offensive and defensive team on getting kid's chores and projects done.  It's so refreshing to see the pressure lightening up.

So, what have I learned from this experience?
Well, I have many more people behind me than I thought.  Family has called to check on me not to mention help me out with the kids and house.  Even people at church check in on us.  There probably hasn't been a week at church where at least 2 to 3 people haven't asked about Jon and those of us at home.  I'm stronger than I think, and yet not as strong as I thought (figure that one out).  I learned I couldn't do it all without anyone's help.  I've been humbled and left grateful that I didn't have to.  I've continued to learned that some things just don't matter, no matter how embarrassing they might be.  I've gained a strong belief that taking some time off is valuable to sanity, even if it's a walk around the block.  I've also realized that I can still eat and live healthy BUT I have to schedule it.  Letting each day take me on unprepared was never good.  But if I took a few minutes to decide what I was going to eat and when I was going to exercise, I did pretty good.

I'd like to say that I've learned it can't get much worse, but I won't tempt fate by saying so, because I'm sure it could.  I look at my visiting teacher and this last year she's had to do her daughter's wedding, send her son on a mission, get her son through his final eagle scout requirements, found out her 15 year old son has cancer and get through that, and then her husband lost his job of 20 years.  That's a lot coming at ya in just a year.  Talked to her today and she said it's made her a grateful person and she wouldn't trade it for anything. She was blessed through each step of it and each challenge/trial prepared her for the next one ahead.  She said she never had to say, "why me?"

I've also learned that we need to make good choices from the beginning to avoid some of the harder challenges and choices later on.  Sometimes the best and smartest path to take isn't nearly as easy or fun.  The path of least resistance is paved with pleasure and indulgences that always require a large toll at the end.  You can't back out easily without paying that toll, and how far you do down that path increases that toll.  I just hope I can be smart enough and wise enough to recognize the right path each day when it's presented to me, and strong enough to choose that path.  I know better, but the other path seems so much easier and fun....at least at the time it does, never at the end  Regrets are heavy to carry. It's time to stop being stupid.

So, am I in the final stretch? Oh, probably not.  But, I know I get to make a pit stop here soon, refuel and start back out for another adventure. But hopefully I've gained a greater respect for obstacles life sends me and don't shrug them off.

6 Week and 6 days (2/27): Saturday is a special day

I know Saturday isn't Sunday, and usually Saturday is "the day you get ready for Sunday" but after the weeks I've been having, it almost felt like a day of rest.  First off, I got to sleep in.  I didn't have to get up until 7:00, and that only because Ben had a merit badge clinic he was suppose to be at at 7:30.  That gave me 3 more hours of sleep. Sweet.

After he left, I  went back to my room and leasurely read for a while.  I then got Jacob and tried to tackle the boy's room.  Ben supposedly cleaned his half the other day, but it still needed some work, and I knew if I wasn't there nothing more was going to happen. We got the closet cleaned out and got stuff out from under Ben's dresser. Found a book that I've been looking for.  The bar in their closed came down the other day, so Jacob and I hung that back up and hung up all their church clothes that had been so neatly spilled in a wad on the floor.  We then fixed their hamper, which had a bar come unscrewed.  Thank goodness grandma B gave Jacob a tool box for his birthday.

I then tried to get the kids to straighten up before Shawn and Nichole came for over for piano lessons.  They got the main floor presentable at best, still needing work to be realistic.  I called mom while I was waiting and found out the neighbors (the Weiders) lost their house.  John, who lives there now, got it from his mom probably close to 15 years ago after she lost it, and his parent had been there since my preteen years.  Sad to think that someone could still lose a house that probably only originally cost $30,000 to 40,000 to begin with.  Apparently mom is letting them stay there for a while until the kids get out of school in June. Yikes.  I hope she doesn't go crazy(ier) in the mean time.

Nichole showed up with one of her school counselor tests (the one's school psychologists and counselors adminiter to kids to see their intellegence or learning abilities compared to kids their age.) This is part of her masters program.  She started testing Dani and they're not quite down, but I learned that Dani is running on a Sr in high school/college freshman level. The lowest she scored was at a 13 year old level.  Good, now maybe I can put her in charge and get some rest.  It will be fun to see how the others score and in which areas.

I worked in my room for a while, but didn't make much progress. My goal is to actually have all the laundry put away this week and have more than a walking path through the room.  Still have the Christmas wrapping box in my room and 2 baskets of laundry that only got half folded, not to mention the laundry I did today.  I'll get there.  It's amazing how getting one monkey off your back is just so freeing, even though you still have like 6 more there.

6 Weeks and 5 Days: I made it!!!

Holy shmollies.  I finally got the last of my final draft out for review.  The guide goes to production next week and even though I could probably nit pick it for another month, it's at a point that if I died over the weekend, the guide is pretty much ready to go.  YEAH!!!!!!!!!  It makes me so happy.  It's like a load has been taken off my shoulders (although it's not really officially over.  Still lots to do to get it ready for production).

My poor kids probably think I don't exist anymore.  I'm going to go spend some time with them.  Jillian was in with me a good part of the day, talking my ear off.  Whew, that girl can talk. and talk. and talk.  How can someone bring you so much joy and so much headache at the same time.

Well, I just got off the phone with Jon. I'm nagging him to start posting again. Hopefully he will tonight.
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So funny story.  I didn't post it because I thought Jon would but he stopped posting about this time.

Last week Jon called to say that he's finally starting to notice a difference for himself.  He said he was at the pool, working out, when his thumb caught the side of his suit and it split down the side, top to bottom. Fortunately the seams held it on him until he could get out (carefully).  He then tried on a suit he didn't like because it was hard to put on but realized it wasn't hard to put on anymore. 

I had to laugh because what he was telling me is that something fits now that didn't used to, but what I was hearing was "yeah, I had to split my pants out to realize I was losing weight".

Okay, maybe you had to be there, but I thought it was funny.

6 Weeks and 4 Days: Really?

I can't believe it's been almost 7 weeks now.  Before we know it Jon will be home and hopefully there will be less of him.

Quiet today. Jillian was at grandma's, the others at school, Kristin had work. My visiting teachers stopped by briefly this morning, but other than that, I've been up to work.

My work deadline is approaching and I have very mixed emotions about that.  I still have 3 more lessons to go, and I'm behind the schedule I had set for myself, but I feel pretty good that it will get done, and that excites me.

Had to pick up Sam at 3:00 for an orthodontist appointment.  She was there longer than usual. Guess she's lopsided. One side was doing really well, the other developed a crossbite.  Then we picked up Jillian and headed home. So I didn't get home until 5:00.  Then it was back to work. I really need to get my last three lessons out tomorrow, early would be best, so the instructors have time to review the lessons.

Getting the kids to do some cleaning. Ben has a good motivator so he can play his new games.

By the way, I have heard from Jon, so he is alive. Maybe barely.

6 Weeks and 3 Days: The day after

So Ben's birthday ended up covering 2 days.  Jon was able to get the evening off to take Ben out for his birthday and Ben ended up staying the night there. He got back at 6:00 this morning.  I must say, he came back a motivated individual. He got home, got all the kids up, took out all the garbage, and was ready to go before 7:00.  That gave us time to open the presents he didnt' get to open last night.  So I don't know if he was motivated by the stack of gifts, from Jon's talking to, or from his parent/teacher conference results from yesterday (which could use some improvement).

The rest of the day was work, work, work.  Grandma B invited Jillian over but I didn't want to take the time to run over there, so she stayed here. I actually put her on Nickjr.com and I have to say, I'm pretty impressed with how well she navigates the computer. I was noticing that "hand/eye coordination" is different than when I was a kid.  It used to be you'd go out to throw or hit a ball around to get that, now it's move the mouse to click the button.

6 Weeks and 2 Days: Happy Birthday Ben and International Pancake Day

Back to early days. Sammy had temple this morning at 4:00 so I just stayed up and started working.  Probably a good thing too because it seems like I've had to cut off early lately and I really need to get this project done for work.  I'm on the home stretch now, so I'm seeing a little light at the end of the tunnel.  Still way behind, but I'm feeling better that I'll get there.

Did a little decorating for Ben's birthday and wrapped up a candy bar for him so he had something to open this morning.  If I'd thought this threw, I should have let him open all his presents this morning because it's been crazy and I don't know if we'll get to do it tonight.  He and Sam have play practice stuff after school, then I had to run to the bank, Sam had to take some books to the library, and I still hadn't done a cake.  By the time I got home we had parent/teacher conferences for Ben and Sam at 4:30 until almost 6:00.  Jon got the evening off to take Ben out for his birthday and he picked him up from the school.  So, here we sit with a cake, cheese cake (cause that's what he asked for), and presents, but no birthday boy.  The home teacher also dropped off a tub of ice cream and brownies for him.  Fat galore.

It's free pancake day at IHOP, so I took those that wanted to go: Dani, Jacob, and Jillian (Ben was gone and Sam and Deanna didn't want pancakes).  Plus, we took one of the neighbor girls.  Jillian apparently loves strawberry syrup.

6 Weeks and 1 Day: Much better

I had a tough weekend.  I was getting really frustrated with work come Friday and I think I let the stress boil over into the weekend.  I was really dreading working this week, but after finally dragging myself out of bed, I'me feeling pretty good.  Still lots to do, but my mind feels a lot clearer today that it has in days.

It will be busy this afternoon.  Tomorrow is Ben's birthday so I still need to do shopping. Plus, I promised the kids something like a movie for family night tonight.  And, I haven't been shopping in a while, so I guess it's time to replenish the TP, eggs, and who knows what other staples.  How does one fit it all in to one day.

6 Weeks: Hum Drum

Wow, it's almost hard to believe Jon's been gone 6 weeks. Of course I talk to him fairly often and I've seen him occassionally, so I guess it's not as big of an absence as it is for the kids or others.

Sunday was a slow quiet day.  Suggested we do some family movie, but it didn't happen.  I feel like I'm ignoring my kids these days.  It's just nice to truely have quiet day and not have to do anything, but I find myself hybernating in my room reading when I get those few moments.  I'll try and be better this week.

5 Weeks and 5 and 6 Days:

I feel like it's more of the same day after day.  I should have worked today, but I'm burnt out.  That means more long days this upcoming week. Hope I can rest well this weekend.

Friday night Dani and Sammy had friends over to stay the night, Ben went on a campout.  So plus 2 (3?), minus 1, it was fairly quiet. Couldn't get the kids to bed, although I tried several times.  I'm just not destine for sleep. The night before some neighbor dogs were barking all night long, waking me up.  Usually I don't wake up to that stuff, and usually I can't hear our dogs at all, so I think it must have been other dogs where the sound just carried to my room.  I got up several times to see if it were our dogs, but I didn't see them out, or they came out of the house when I came out. Last night it was humans.  I'd start to node and then I'd hear the kids or the phone would ring or something would happen that brought me awake.  Oh well.

Saturday was a lazy day. I got breakfast in bed at 8:00. Ben got home early from the campout and main me an omlette.  It was pretty good too.  I'd gather the kids together throughout the day to work on small projects, like the frontroom, dining room, and car.  The frontroom is clean and the car is clean.  That's about it.  Working on the dinner mess now, but we'll see if they finish or stop just shy of done.  As for the car, gross.  There was so much garbage in there from our trip and other times things didn't get completely cleaned out.  I hope it stays clean for a while but I won't make any wagers on it.  Plus bonus, found one of the missing library books in the car, so that worked out well.

5 Weeks and 4 days (2/18): Are we getting anywhere?

Kids were at school today and grandma B picked up Jillian around 10:30 or so to spend the day with her. I wish this meant I could take it easy, relax, read all day, but work still calls.  Although I finished my draft deadline, my final guide is due in less than a week, and the guide goes to publish the first week in March.  So it will be continuing my March Madness well before March hits the scene and I'm hoping March will actually bring me a reprieve.

I actually managed to get most of the kids to stick around and finish their dinner chores.  Some came up with homework excuses and such to try and get out of it, but those who didn't completely finish will be getting up nice and early to get that done.  Most everyone finished fortunately. 

I'm having a hard time with the eating healthy and exercising stuff this week.  I'm still trying to get better, but I'm still not doing great. I'd better get back on track before the whole week gets away from me.

5 Weeks and 3 Days (2/17): Time to rethink this

It's become apparent to me that my kids are very aware that with everything I've got going on,  I can't be there to follow through with everything. So I ask the kids to do something and rarely does it get done.  Looks like there will be some changes here because it's getting really frustrating being ignored.  So over the next day or so I will be coming up with a plan to try and get the kids on task, be responsible, and maybe get some things done around here.

Wednesdays are always crazy days: play practice, Activity days, Mutual, life.  Jon's mom offer to take Jillian for the day but wanted me to drop her off.  I decided to just keep her here for the day rather than spend more time chasing in the car.  She wasn't too bad, although she must be having a hungry day because she ate 2 lunches and had thirds for dinner.  My little hobbit.

5 Weeks 2 Days (2/16): Happy Anniversary to Me and Jon

Today seemed so short in compared to some days. Maybe it was because I didn't work a 14 hour day.

I was up at 4:00 to make sure Ben was up for the temple, but I must admit, I went back to bed and slept until 6:00.  Some of the kids had Valentine parties today so they were taping pencils to their cards before they left for school.  Kristin called to see if I had gas at home because she ran out of gas up the street, but the neighbor happened by while she was talking to me and so I can only assume she helped her, because I didn't see her out there after I dropped the kids off at school.  Plus I drive on Tuesdays and the neighbor girls said their mom was helping her.

Got a call around noon from the school saying Jacob and another boy ran into eachother during recess and he got a nice shiner from it.  They didn't know if I wanted to pick him up and let him come home or now.  I took some Motrin over, cause I thought they said he hit is head, but apparently it was just the eye.  He kept asking me if it really got black or just stayed purple.  I'll have to get a picture up soon.

I left for Jon's place about 3:30 so I could be there for dinner and the evening workout.  We had baked salmon, broccoli, and grapes.  We then headed over to the gym to do water aerobics.  They have two new guys (actually 3 but one stay because he was too tired).   The guys said they'd never joke about water aerobics being sissy again.  It was pretty fun but it sure is a challenge to keep it up and keep your balance.

5 Weeks and a Day (2/15) : It's been a long day

Today was travel day.  And what  long day it was.  The first part wasn't so bad, and the kids were pretty good, but when we stopped to get something to eat they wanted to eat there, so that took more time out of the day.  Then we had to make another emergency stop for Jillian about 2 hours later.  The weather was misty; not enough to have the wipers on much, but enough to get the roads wet so that when you got behind a truck it splattered you with mud and you couldn't see anything. The 9 hour trip ended up being closer to 10.5 by the time we got home. Glad that's over with.

Talked to Jon when I got home.  They invited me to come work out with the group tomorrow and eat dinner with them for mine and Jon's anniversay. Romantic and Sexy.

4 Weeks and 6 Days and 5 Weeks: Happy Valentine's Day

I just can't seem to stay up with my days this week.  Maybe it's the hours I'm keeping, who knows. 

I picked up Sam and Ben from school Friday, had to run some errands, and didn't get out until 4:30ish.  We took the southern route and it went pretty good.  The weather was great until we hit Vail around 11:00 at night.  It was only snow flurries but the road was covered in snow and it made it slick and hard/impossible to see the lines.  I wondered why they didn't just bring out the plows but about 10 miles into it I noticed the wind blowing snow into the road and creating whiteouts in patches.  Fortunately that only lasted for about a mile, and the snowy roads about 30 miles, but I took that area really slow. Figured why push it.  Plus, Ben and Sam woke up about midnight and kept me company the rest of the trip.  We got to my sister's at 2:00 AM.

Saturday was nice and quiet. Slept in until about 8:00 or 9:00. Katherine and I went on a hike, and I've discovered that I'm not a trained hiker.  I should have told her that if she killed me doing this she'd have to keep the kids.  The hardest part was the snow and mud. It was after 10:00 when we got out and the mud was a mess.  I thought the way back down would be easier, but it wasn't.  We were slipping and sliding.  I even took a dump at one point and manage to cover my shoes and the left side of my leg in mud.  Good thing I didin't go butt first. Katherine probably would have made me walk home.

Saturday late afternoon we took the kids to the mall to play. Dave stayed with them while Katherine and I did shopping.  We took much longer than expected and I think Dave will make sure he's busy next time we go shopping.

Saturday evening we went to a pops symphony and the Three Phantoms were there performing.  They played and say show tunes all night.  I was so great.  Sammy came with us and when it was over she leaned over to me and said, "We need to do this more often." I agree.

Sunday was church and pretty quiet. Deanna is running a fever again and complaining of a sore throat. Today Katherine, Dani and I also worked on Dani's indian costume for her play. I'm so glad Katherine was able to do this because it turned out really cute and I don't think I would have done it as quickly or nicely.

I was down on the scale today, which makes me happy.  Of course, it wasn't my normal scale, so that could play into it, but I'm down 3 pounds, so I doubt my scale is off by that much.  Guess paying closer attention to my eating and fitness this week helped.  I'll continue to stay within my 1600 calories and exercise every day.

4 Weeks and 4 and 5 Days (2/11 and 2/12): A breathe of fresh air

I don't know what it is about this week, but I can't seem to remember to post the day of.  It's always the next morning.

Well, I made my iniatial deadline for work.  Unfortunately it was just the draft of the book so I still need to get the guide in finalized format and get that out too soon.  But at least there's something there, so if worse comes to worse....they've got something.

I can't get over how quiet it is around here.  Even Kristin has been picking up more shifts, so often times it's just me.  Kristin was real ambitious yesterday.  She finished up some laundry and got it put away, did the dishes, and started cleaning the kid's room (that they were suppose to have clean last week-only Dani got her's clean before she left).  So, the house still  needs lots of work, but now I have that much less to stress over.

I know today hasn't happened yet, but I figured I wouldn't be here this evening and ought to post now.  This morning I'm going to work. I probably won't work a full day.  I figure the 60 hours I worked prior to today should allow me to skip out a little early today.  Then I'll pick up Ben and Sam from school and we're off to Colorado.  On the whole the weather looks good, but regardless of the route I take, north or south, there will be some place that is expecting light snow showers.  I'll flip a coin before I head out.

It will be nice to see the kids again.   I talked to Jacob and Jillian last night.  I asked Jacob if he was being good. He said, "Sometimes I fouyt".  Thinking this meant 'fight' I said, "well, why are you fighting?" He said, "I keep fouyting."  I reminded him to be good and try not to fight. He said again, "I just keep fouyting sometimes. But then I go in the bathroom and turn on the fan so others don't have to smell it."............Oh, farting.  Now I get it.  So, I guess if I had a choice between my kid fighting or farting....which would I chose. 

Sounds like Deanna's sick now.  I sure they're all over this before we have to drive home.  I'm starting to think I fly a plane instead of drive a car, always carrying puke bags around with me.  Good thing they're good travelers in all other respects.

Back to the grind. Lots to do today before I go. I'm praying for a good trip.

4 Weeks and 2 and 3 Days (Tues 2/9, Wed 2/10): Already?

Well, it's amazing how much you can get done when it's quiet around the house.  The place is still a mess, but I'm getting a lot done for work.  Still pulling 12+ hour days this week.  Managed to get my exercise in during Biggest Loser.  Hey, I recognized where they were. Hey Jeffrey family, why didn't we see you on the show, I mean they were right there.

Wednesday night is Mutual. Already dropped off Ben and Samantha goes at 7:00.  Wow, a quiet day and then a quiet evening?  What's with that?  Just as well.  I've got a deadline for work today and I still have 2 lessons to go.  I hope I can get it done without incident.

4 Weeks and 1 Day (Monday Feb 8): It's been a long day

I'm running behind on a work draft deadline so I was up by 3:30 this morning. Got Sam and Ben up by 6:00 or 6:30 so they could get ready for school, and we're back to family time at 7:00 (prayer, breakfast and scripture reading).  As soon as they left I was back to work and stayed there until 5:00, when I took a break to do some interval training on the treadmill.  I worked a bit longer and then wrapped up for the day so we could have family time and dinner.  The table has laundry on it, so we sat around the counter for dinner, and for family night we gathered a few items Jon needed dropped off.  Didn't get to bed until like 11:30.  I'm doing okay now but I'm sure it's going to catch up with me soon.

4 Weeks: ..................

It was strange only having 2 kids to get to church today.  Ben's meeting didn't start until 7:30 today so we got to sleep in some.  When you're used to taking up a whole middle bench and it was just me and Sammy until Ben joined us after passing the sacrament, it was very strange.  Ben and Sam weren't feeling very good during church and I took them home after sacrament meeting.  Kristin was up sick last night and this morning, so maybe the "car sickness" wasn't just that.

The kids called this afternoon and we chatted for awhile.  I didn't talk to Jillian, guess she's running a fever today.  Chatted with Katherine for awhile and we talked about the kids, goals and getting in shape.  Ran back over to the church at 4:30 for the kid's parent/teacher conferences for Scouting and Personal Progress.  Ben is very close to his Eagle and I've challenged Sammy to finish the Virtue value by the end of the month.  I'm going to do it with her.

3 Weeks and 6 Days: What a thrill ride

So today was the big exchange.  Katherine and I left around 7:30 this morning to meet up in Grand Junction, CO (halfway point for trading off the younger kids).  I was hoping to leave by 7:00 to give myself some leway but as life happens we didn't really get on the road until closer to 7:40.  According to mapquest, this would get us in at exactly 12:00, if there were no delays....there were no delays, there were no delays (I feel like a Gilligan's Island episode).

First we were driving down I-15 and were several miles past Provo, having a nice visit with the kids, when I suddenly thought, "We should have seen signs to Price by now". I decided that instead of driving much further I ought to pull off right away to see where I needed to turn off.  Only problem, the next exit had no civilization, so I went to the next exit.  I found out the turnoff was 2 exits backs, so I literally just missed it.

We were about 20 mile-ish from Price and I passed a road that said "Starvation Road".  I joked about it and shortly thereafter the kids started puking. Jillian then Deanna then Jacob. I said just because it said Starvation Road it didn't mean they had to empty their tummys. So, at this point I decided that making a stop would be wise.  When we got into Price I stopped at Kmart to get some ziplock baggies and to give the kids a chance walk around.  Usually when we travel we keep baggies in the car.  They're great for dividing treats and passing them around, and also they make good containment bags for when the kids get sick.  Later Jillian had another scare and then Deanna followed it up with the real McCoy again.

We got to Grand Junction about 12:15 and we stopped at Wendy's to get lunch. Katherine showed up while we were ordering around 12:40ish and I filled her in on the happenings.

We didn't stick a round long, gassed up, and headed out.  We were on the road by 2:00. Sam and Ben fell asleep and I had 2+ hours of peace and quiet.   It was so nice.  Although there's been some snow flurries and snow on the road earlier, it was clear now and quiet pleasant.  We passed Price and Ben woke up.  I saw the "Starvation Road" sign again and noticed Ben rolling down the windows.  Apparently I wasn't going to have a "car sick" trip back either.  We pulled off after his episode and got stuck in some slushy snow/mud.  A man and his wife came by and that time and pulled us out (thank goodness we carry a tow rope in the car).  It didn't take much.  I may have been able to wiggly us out of it, but this was faster and easier.

We got home by 6:00 and I called Katherine.  Apparenlty Jillian got sick 5 more times and Deanna a few more.  I can't believe this.  She'll probably think twice before offering to take the kids.

THANK KATHERINE AND FAMILY.  Sorry about the inconvenience.

Also, got 2.7 miles on the treadmill before I left, and just finished the last 2 miles when I got home to complete my marathon.

3 Weeks and 5 Days: Too much to do

I feel like I'd been going since 6:00 Friday morning until 10:30 at night.  Between getting my miles in, work (which has been very difficult and I'm having trouble with my files), and reigning in the kids, it's been insane.  As it is, I only got 2.5 miles in for the day when I try to shoot for 4 or 5.  I worked a long day at work but don't have much to show for it. It's very frustrating and my deadline just gets closer and closer.  I'm trying not to stress.  It is what it is. But, there are moments.  Spent the evening chasing.  Out of milk so had to swing by the store, plus the girls were invited to a birthday party on Saturday and sleep over from Friday to Saturday.  They won't get to do the party, but at least they got to go to the sleep over portion.  I think they were the onlys invited to that.  Had to fill up the car before heading to CO in the morning and stop by Jon's mom's place to pick up the kid's things they left from the previous week (she's hoped to have them over some this week and wanted me to leave their clothes, but it never happened).

Dani had already pack, and Kristin, bless her soul, spent the day doing laundry and sorting socks so the kids had things to take, so packing wasn't too bad.  However, Jacob is missing one of his church shoes and Jillian one of her tennis shoes.  Great.  So Jacob will have to where either boots or tennis shoes to church and Jillian will have to wear sandals or snow boots for the week.  I finally had to call the shoe hunt to an end at 10:00.  If figured my time was worth something and at this rate buying shoes, if necessary, would be easier and less stressful.  An besides, once I buy new stuff, the old stuff will show up, right??

3 Weeks and 4 Days: Ouch?

Busy, busy day.  Another 12+ hour day at work and still so much to do.  Jillian managed to empty the game cabinet on the TV room floor. What a mess.  I basically told the kids no dinner until it was clean.  We still haven't eaten, but I think they're done now.  I just wonder, what does it take to motive someone.

Still completing my marathon. Only 2 miles down so far today, but hope to do a few more before bed.  Here's proof that I'm still going.

PS- 9:00 PM, just finished another 3 miles to make 5 for the day.

3 Weeks and 3 Days: Which path do I take?

This may sound funny, but I feel a bit enlightened after last night.  I put in a long day at work and didn't think I'd have time to finish my miles for the day, but I just did it.  Then I watched Biggest Loser and for some reason I started thinking about what I would say if I was sent home.  They always say stuff like, "America, the next time you'll see me I'll be a smokin' 140 lbs" or silly stuff like that.  This got me to thinking. Unless they're not factoring in that we get to see them in their "How they look today" spotlight halfway through the show, pretty much none of there.

So, what would I say?  I realized that, although I want to GET thin and in shape, really what I need to think about is BEING fit (thin) and in shape.  This may not make sense to the reader of this, but it really hit me.  My journey is ongoing, I'm always going somewhere. It's the path I choose on that journey that matters. Sometimes that's the 'fitness path' sometimes it's the 'lazy path' sometimes it's the 'unhealthy path' and so on.  Now here's the problem with us being on a path.  We're like a car or back/muscle out of alignment.  If we've stayed on a path for too long, our vehicle (us) keeps wanting to veer in that direction or go back to where it's been. Like a back/muscle, putting something back where it should be doesn't just fix it forever.  It takes time and realignment over and over and over again until finally the muscle is willing to let the back stay where it should be.

I've known this all along of course, but last night it just hit me harder than usual.  I have to make the choice, a conscious choice, all the time to bring myself back into alignment with where I want to go (be on the right path).  I can't just say, "I'm going to get in shape" or "get thin".  Those are all part of the journey (not the destination), and I must choose the journey's path all the time (to BE not GET..and BEING doesn't make it the end).  For example, getting in my miles today seems even harder, but I thought, I'm either doing this or not.  It's not going to happen unless I just DO IT.  I shouldn't have to think about it, I just follow the path of fitness and health.

So I've probably rambled enough.

Still lots of work I've got to get done and Samantha has New Beginnings tonight the parent's are invited to, so my time is limited.

Good luck to each of you on your journey.  May the path you choose introduce you to things you never thought imaginable (see my comment on the prevous post).

PS-14 miles down. Over halfway there, and I've got the blisters to prove it.

3 Weeks and 2 Days: Groundhog Day, I think I'm under the shadow

Today wasn't much different from the rest except that it looks like I'm back into the long hours at work mode. Started around 7:30 and ended around 7:30.  Long and and too much still ahead of me.

However, I did manage to get in 5 miles on the treadmill, spread out over the day of course.  That puts me 9 miles into my marathon.

3 Weeks and a Day: Caught up in the chaos

Got up today and got a mile on the treadmill before I had to get the kids up. Got another mile in before I had to take them to school (my week to drive). Focused on work today.  Grandma B talked about getting the kids today, but they all wanted to stay home a bit more since they'll be gone to the Jeffrey's next week.  They were pretty good.  Jacob and Jillian trashed the family room, but I guess that's life.

For family night tonight we had a bit of a breakdown again. Not sure why I try sometimes.  I'm just wondering if it's possible to have all six kids (of different ages) sit quietly for 30 seconds at the same moment.  Probably not.

Well, I guess it was a good thing I still had a few more miles I needed to get in.  Time to cool down.  Can't remember if I mentioned that my goal for the week was to walk a marathon (26.2  miles). 4+ down, 22 more to go.