Word Verification, and no, I do NOT need to lose weight! ;)

Okay, so, first off, it's Word Verification Wednesday, where the lovely Jillybean encourages us all to take the little box below your comment and make a word out of it.

*if you're confused, see this post*

Play along as many times as you want. It gets funnier as you go on.


And, I was looking for funny weightloss things on the computer yesterday, and found this. I thought you'd all enjoy watching it-- it made me laugh.

*clickey here*

The weightloss is good-- I'm down a bunch of pounds in the past week, which only reminds me how important diet is. Now that I'm more conscious again of my caloric intake, I can literally FEEL myself losing the extra flabby pounds of junk food. The running still isn't up to par, but one thing at a time. In the past 4 days, I've had 3 different people in this household throw up, so it's been a bit hectic.

But, today is my middle-boy's 12th birthday. The 12th birthday for a boy is pretty significant in the LDS church, because, if they are worthy, they receive the priesthood. My little Taylor will be receiving it this weekend at church, and I thought I'd take a second to better aquiaint you with him.. Besides, a proud mamma ALWAYS has the right to let everyone know what a fantastic kid I've inherited!!

Taylor is the infamous 'cuddle bug'. He will give you hugs and hugs, and never tire. He's super sweet and affectionate, and is honestly the biggest helper in the household! He will be the FIRST person to get up and assist Will or I at whatever we're doing, and he does it with joy and excitement. He wants to be just like his big brother, but has a unique identity that makes me smile. A super football player, Taylor can pretty much do ANYTHING you ask of him and do it with perfection.. He's a SUPER athlete, and will try just about anything once or twice! He likes to fish like his Daddy and Grampa, and he likes to do just about ANYTHING outside.

Happy birthday, Taylor. I love ya! You're an incredible young man and the world could use about a million more of you!

I Could TOTALLY be a backup dancer to, like, Wierd Al or somethin

You know how on some days, when you're just full of wicked awesome ideas for blog fodder and you're totally itchin' to get on the keyboard and oust all your insecurities and humourous anecdotal thoughts and, heck, maybe even your opinion on something far too ris-KAY that you inevitably KNOW will be followed with an onslaught of personal attacks in the comment section, but you go ahead anyways, because, so help me, I'm frikken a genious of literacy and intellect today!?

Yah. TOTALLY NOT ME TODAY AT ALL!

So, we're gonna play. Play the fun things we all need to play.

Like, duck duck goose. Or hopscotch. Or, what the hey, maybe even sardines. Something we can all play together. ...

Word Verification isn't until tomorrow. And, might I slightly add that not many of you played last week, so be sure to play tomorrow! And Tuesday is SUPPOSED to be musical.

ooooh, musical chairs would work, but it's hard for us all to play that.

Cards is a big one lately 'round these parts.
........hmmm.....
nope. Won't work.


Well, when I ran the dayhome, when the kids were bored, we'd turn on the computer and crank it to some good ol' youtube tunes, and then we'd boogie like there was no tommorow.

So, let's boogie. All of you, up and at'em. Groove for a song or two. You'll end up smiling, and you'll be glad you did!

Wednesday Ws- Motown Edition

Who: Will and I
What: have no more real excuses
Where: around these parts
When: anymore
Why: because the holidays are over. Other than the Olympics, which will take Will and I away from home for over 1/2 a month in February YAY!!!, there is no other real reason to procrastinate tearing this house apart. The money stresses me out-- just the thought of buying a million things that aren't cheap (floors, appliances, windows, cupboards, counters, bathtubs...). I know my house will be a hurricane of messy drywall and paint splatter (okay, NOT the paint splatter, as my painter husband doesn't splatter. Me, on the other hand, should NOT give up MY dayjob!). We have incentive to get things bought by the end of the month (tax rebates and such) even if we can't really get many walls taken down or cupboards up until we return in March. So, here's a few ideas of things and looks I like.

Who: Me. It's ALWAYS about me anyways! :)
What: Ran 3 miles
Where: in the basement, on my treadmill
When: Monday and tonight. I missed yesterday.
Why: Because I'm doing it again.... remember me talking about doing a marathon last year, and everything kinda went south once I went for a 13k run in -26 weather that kicked my trash royally REAL LIFE occurred and I didn't know how to balance pain from more pain important things? Dating and running was fun, but selling houses and driving 2 hours each way to visit the man I love wasn't conducive to long-term Saturday runs. So, I'm gonna try again. Whether or NOT I go to the marathon, training for it is the MAIN goal. That way, my WWWIIIDDDEEE LLLOOOAAADDD overly scrumptious butt will at least fit into my skinny skirt again. Don't even say it. Yes, I don't fit. I tried it on this morning, and couldn't get it past my too many glasses of eggnog, a few too many cookies, thunder thighs, lovely saddlebags. I shall be running. A lot. Thanks to Becka, who introduced me to this site a bit over a year ago, Mr. Higdon can kiss my jiggly butt will become much better of a friend soon. Him, AND my daily inspiration from my running calendar.

I'm gonna be making a 'goal' board. And pasting it to the wall above the treadmill for discouragement inspiration. Pictures and quotes and things that I love and want to be. So, when I'm running 10 miles inside, I won't be TOTALLY bored of the white wall and my iPod on repeat with this song!

And don't forget to play Word Verification Wednesday, where you make up a meaning to that nonsense word the computer makes you retype before leaving a comment.

Brad Paisley says it best!

Tuesday has occasionally been my Tunesday. Where I share music I love.

Which, today, is slightly changed.

"Santa" got me a guitar for Christmas. I have only ever learned how to play three chords-- a lullaby my mom used to sing to us that we all sing to our children. So, those three chords (D, A and G) and the finger-picking technique I know all because my sister, CC, taught them to me YEARS ago.

Now that I have a guitar, I'm learning LOTS of new chords and words. What on earth did people do BEFORE the internet had 'cheat sites' like chord-reading helps and guitar-for-dummies. Honestly, the internet is teaching me everything! it's awesome.

So, I'm sharing with you a few of the songs that I'm learning on the guitar. They're not 'rock' songs, no, because, believe you me, me + rock does NOT equal cool. More like trying too hard! As Brad Paisley said,"Guitar playing isn't for everybody". But it's starting to be for me.

I shared Brandi Carlile with you guys last year, but here's the song I play the most. (click for youtube)
The Story

And, although this song makes me a bit reminiscient of sadder days, I love singing it, and the chords aren't too tough..
Stay

This one's tougher. I haven't figured all of it out yet, but it's coming.
The Call

Another aboslutely awesome song to sing. The guitar is tricky, again, so I'm QUITE far from mastering it. Ha. Who am I kidding? I'm not mastering ANY of the above songs! lol
Gravity

This is a soft one.
Oh Boy

And, I know, you've been introduced to pretty much all of these songs already, but this one is worth sharing again.
Arms Of a Woman

And.. to end it off, a bit of Disney! Love me some Toy Story 2!
When Somebody Loved Me


There's church songs, and folk and country songs (One Tin Soldier, I Told You So, Don't Close Your Eyes).

Hopefully, anyone out there who plays guitar, you can introduce me to a few other songs I may not have on my list yet. And the rest of you can just imagine me strumming away magically. :)

Not Me Monday- X-Weighted blog posts

Although it's NOT Monday, and I totally should NOT be doing a NOT ME post, I don't know if I have the energy to do so.

I think, for a few times in the next six months, I'll NOT be 'posting' blogs that I have already posted on the X-weighted site. They do NOT have this 'blog' section, so seeing as blogging ONCE a day seems tough enough for me, I am in NO WAY blogging twice a day! :)

This weekend Will and I did NOT have another AWESOME weekend alone. We dropped of the 4 kids, then went to a movie with Sin and Vegan (Sherlock Holmes). It was a good enough movie.

Saturday, I did NOT wake up much too early, and Will and I went to a rehearsal for the community play that we are part of. I'm playing a very small role as a nun in The Sound Of Music, with a few little dancing or speaking parts here and there. Will is a German Soldier and a ballroom dancer.

Then, we did NOT spend the day going out for lunch, playing my new guitar at home, reading our book, watching movies, and just being us.

I also do NOT have difficulty walking down stairs, after the fitness assessment we did on Saturday night. I do NOT have to start running again. I am totally NOT unenthusiastic about the treadmill and me spending that much time together for the next 4 months until it's nicer outside. But I am NOT excited about getting back into a better shape than 'round'.


(X-Weighted's BLOG, posted on the Website)

Ha. Starting this challenge brings me back to the first time I stood on the scale with Paul... my fat hung out over the pants that had a busted button and I was feeling soooo yucky and sad.

So, doing the fitness assessment again this weekend, and starting yet ANOTHER 6 month weightloss regime is a bit surreal.

But this time?

I have clothes that fit me. And mostly, I am happy. This time, I don't have 50 or more pounds to lose. But I do have a few post-wedding pounds that have crept up these past 4 months and a few that stayed on with the stress of divorce. I'm not okay with being that yo-yo girl, so National Challenge or not, I knew it was time to get a move on and start losing this weight.

It's still the same as it was when I was on the show- weightloss isn't a secret. It's diet and exercise. That's pretty easy, right? No pills, no starving. Just simply living the way we already know we SHOULD be living.

UNFORTUNATELY, in marrying Mr. Wonderful, I also married Mr. Metabolism. Will can eat whatever he wants, and whenever he wants. Oh. And, he's also Mr. Sweettooth. Curses to him! :) He's going to be my biggest supporter (not because he thinks I need to lose weight, but because he knows how important it is to ME to be fit and healthy), but I also know he will be the first to unintentionally sabotage my efforts with his "let's stop for burgers' or 'let's make some nachos and cuddle' attitude. And I'm so newlywed, and he's so cute when he suggests it, that how can I say No?! ;)

The Word Of The Day

For the past year, I focused on the phrase "Make The Change". And, as you watched and read, I believe I truly did. Make the change became such a pivotal part of my life, and almost foreshadowed what the year would progress like. I remembered that making changes was usually scary, but, as time proved to me, many "NEED TO MAKE" changes bring about much happiness. I can't begin to think of what changes and happiness wouldn't have occurred had I not had the courage to change certain situations.

Like Cate, and Nikki, and a few other friends, at the beginning of the year, I try to find another word or phrase to focus my attention on. I may not make New Year's Resolutions, but I believe that goal-setting is a productive action we should all aquire often. So, this is as close to a resolution as I get.

After thinking of what I need in my life, and what I want to achieve by December 2010, I have decided that for the year, I will choose a word based on a scripture well-known to many.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth:

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Charity.

Not only in the way that it is mentioned above, but also charity to my fellow-beings through more service. I plan to give to a charity this year. I plan to support various charities in deeds. In short, I plan to serve.

When I've been upset with Will, and I pray to figure out how to fix it, the answer always comes back the same: Serve Him. I will do something, ANYTHING, that makes me feel like I'm serving him-- EVEN if I feel like I'm the one who's been wronged-- and in serving him, I have found ways to humble myself that I would otherwise have missed.

I pray that this year, I will become a more charitable person in every way.

What's your word? your goal? Your mantra?

Six Word Saturday- JOIN !!

Sign Up. Lose Weight. Too Easy!

Just reminding everyone that today and tomorrow are the two days you have to sign up for X-Weighted's National Challenge. Although you may not live in the cities that are hosting a 'registration', you can still sign up online and keep track yourselves, including the weigh-ins and measuring and even the fitness/obstacle courses.

www.xweighted.com

Hopefully I get to see some of you on the forums! Whether you have 10 pounds or 100 pounds you'd like to lose, let's get to those goals together!


*For more Six Word Saturday (SWS), visit Cate.

From Fatter to Flatter

So, remember when I told you guys about how X-Weighted was doing a "where are they now" type of thing? I guess I was a bit confusing in my explanations, because people keep asking when it's going to air. But, to clarify, it's not another TV show-- it's a website they've launched with ALL our updates.

So, if you haven't found it already, check out The New X-Weighted Website. (www dot xweighted dot com) And, while you're there, be sure to check out the link to the participants, where, under season 3, you can see what they wrote about me. And any other participants you're curious about.

Seeing as the New Year is a time when everyone jumps on the bandwagon to lose weight, you may also want to visit the link that talks about the National Challenge. Will and I were snooping around the website the other day, when we clicked on that link. Surprised the heck out of me to see that MY profile is the poster for the challenge! I was so flattered. (That's FLATtered, not FATtered!)

So, if you're needing someone to be accountable to in your own personal weightloss endeavors, join the challenge. You have to join on ONLY January 9th or 10th!!!!!! No wasting time. And look at all the cool things you can win! JOIN!!! :) I'm probably gonna join myself, just to shed these last few pounds. I'm not sure what my American Friends can do-- if they can sign up or not, but hey, commit to me here in the comment section, and we'll ALL keep each other focused.

Year At A Glance 2009

I was supposed to post this on the last day of December, and kinda did. For those few of you who noticed, Daisyhalos had a new post on December 31, as I had semi-finished this meme and preposted it so that I'd have it done by that day. Obviously, I forgot about it, and it showed up, half finished, on the blog. So, after deleting that one, here's the REAL one.

And, in previous years, I've done this meme and it's always fun to look back on. Next year could be fun to see too.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Got Divorced

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make resolutions. Every day should be a new attempt at being better, not every year. A few goals that I DID make throughout the year didn't come true, and a few ones DID. Like, I didn't ever run a marathon, let alone two, but I did find true happiness and I did figure out what I want re: religion.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
At my age, EVERYONE is giving birth. Amazingly, it was a year where NONE of my siblings gave birth. I have friends who did, and I love them (and their darling babes) to pieces, but no immediate family members. Interestingly, having babies has been a conversation Will and I have entertained, but with a sort of "If We Won 100 000 000 000 Dollars, Let's Talk About How We'll Spend It" type of mentality. It's fun to imagine, but highly improbable.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
luckily, no. Not that I recall. I think only Will's Aunt, whom I didn't know.

5. What countries did you visit?
Canada and the US.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A finished home with Will. With an uncarpetted kitchen, of course.

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
LOL.. Well, OBVIOUSLY September 7, my wedding day. And June 5th, Will's divorce day. June 12th. January 26th (day I met Will)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Marrying a man who loves me what feels like as much as I love him. Starting a life I knew I wanted to have.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I'm not sure, but I would venture to say that sometimes I've treated someone unfairly, or I've gotten angry or bitter. Not often, but it is definitely a trait that I would like to further overcome. Sarah's been a constant struggle for me, because of how hurt I felt, but I'm working on that slowly. Will and I have had some aruguments that I would like to go back and 'edit', but thankfully we're both learning how to better deal with our emotions from our previously hurtful relationships.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
nothing big, no. A few colds don't count.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Bought? Wow. I don't think I've bought much worth sharing. My wedding shoes. I know, you're all tired of them, but they made me feel sexy and sassy and I love them.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My children's. All 7 of them have been good to each other, been accepting of each other, and have welcomed the new dynamics of our family with fairly positive attitudes. We still struggle individually and as a team, but on the whole, they're well-adjusted kids who have had to deal with so many things and are still amazingly stable, given the circumstances.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and/or depressed?
Sarah's. My own.

14. Where did most of your money go?
To the wedding, mostly. And second place is clothing. Christmas wasn't too cheap either, but thankfully the Deer Incident wasn't more costly.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Marrying Will. Duh. :)

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
TOO MANY! I have almost a song-a-day kind of life.
Definitely "Fire Burning" by Sean Kingston, as it was our 'family' song and the song we heard most of the time being together, "I've Got a Feeling" by The Black-Eyed Peas, because it was the song we came out of the chapel to, dancing. And "Have You Ever Been In Love", by Peter Cetera..Will's and My song that we danced our first dance as a married couple to.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier
ii. thinner or fatter? a bit fatter. The past 3 months have put on a new 10 lbs that I plan to eliminate soon.
iii. richer or poorer? richer in life, my pocket book's a bit lighter though.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
working out, playing with my kids, travelling, eating healthier, camping, journal writing, blogging, taking pictures

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
I felt so busy this year, I don't know what I could have done LESS of. Maybe staying up so late.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Well, 2009 Christmas was spent in a million places. Christmas morning was spent at home, with all the kids and Will's parents, opening stockings and presents. 2010 Christmas could be spent anywhere, as we don't have the kids this year, so maybe we'll save up and go away somewhere.

22. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Yes. And then some. I've fallen in love in ways I've never fallen before. And, most excitingly, this one is for the last time.

23. How many one-night stands?
HAHAHAH. Seriously!? This questions makes me laugh every year.
None. I only dated Will, and Will alone. And there were NO one-night stands. There were a few nights where there was no SLEEPING, but I wasn't standing up. (at least, not the WHOLE time! :O )


24. What was your favorite TV program?
Survivor and Flash Forward, shows that Will and Em and I watched weekly. I was definitely a fan of Russell from Survivor.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No. I don't 'hate' people. I only STRONGLY dislike one person but naming her is redundant.

26. What was the best book you read?
I didn't read many books this year, but I did read the Twilight Series. So, they'll do.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Secondhand Serenade was introduced to me by Will.

28. What did you want and get?
Personal clarity to find happiness, a happy relationship, a home closer to my parents.

29. What did you want and not get?
marriage in the LDS temple

30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Out of this list I haven't seen many films of 2009. FAVOURITE?? UP. I absolutely love the humour in that movie, but above it, I love the "love story". I teared up in that movie. I have seen: The Proposal, which comes in a close second place. District 9. Final Destination 4, Couple's Retreat, Law Abiding Citizen, This Is It (Michael Jackson), Bride Wars, The Hangover, Shorts

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I trick-or-treated with the kids. Then we went over to Kay and Jim's house, where we played some games with another couple. I turned 29.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Really, there is nothing.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
I don't know that my style changed much. Will and I bought some clothes for each other, but in general, I'm about the same. I did add Crocs to my shoe pile. *grudge*

34. What kept you sane?
My friends. My family. Will.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
i don't like celebrity/public figures like that. But Michael Jackson's passing sure made me appreciate how incredible of a performer and musician he was.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I think the recession is something we've ALL been directly 'stirred' by, in one way or another.

37. Who did you miss?
My 8GVs. Friends in my old ward in Cranston. Dayhome families.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Will. Without question.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
What happens in our lives is probably 90% because of what happened in someone else's.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

To Get Me To You- Lila McCann *click for YouTube version*

Well I, I still can remember times
When the night seemed to surround me
I was sure the sun would never shine on me
And I, I thought it my destiny
To walk this world alone
But now you're here with me
Now you're here with me

And I don't regret the rain
Or the nights I felt the pain
Or the tears I had to cry
Some of those times along the way
Every road I had to take
Every time my heart would break
It was just something that I had to get through
To get me to you
To get me to you

Well I, I still can recall the days
When I had no love around me
Makes me glad for every day I have with you
And I, I look in your eyes and know
I'm right where I belong
And I belong with you
Always belonged with you

And I don't regret the rain
Or the nights I felt the pain
Or the tears I had to cry
Some of those times along the way
Every road I had to take
Every time my heart would break
It was just something that I had to go through
To get me to you
To get me to you

And if I could I wouldn't change a thing
Wouldn't change a thing baby
Because your love was waiting there for me
Waiting there for me baby

And I don't regret the rain
Or the nights I felt the pain
Or the tears I had to cry
Some of those times along the way
Every road I had to take
Every time my heart would break
It was just something that I had to get through
To get me to you
To get me to you

Another Way to Count Time

First Blog of 2010. Okay, and before we dig into the meat and potatoes, might I just say that I absolutely LOVE typing 2010. Honestly. Try it right now. It makes me smile. If even just typing it makes it a better year, then I'm already a step ahead.

But we all know (er, at least, *I* know) this year is going to be better than just being able to smile when I type 2010. *tee hee, smiled again! :) 2010 2010.

I have about 5 to-post blogs in my head, and no time lately to post. Today was the first day since getting married and living in this house that I TOTALLY cleaned the bathroom. Yes. I got married in September.

I know.

Gross.


But, today was my day to 'get er done'. I have ALMOST accomplished all my jobs of the day, minus BLOGGING and laundry, but that'll be done later tonight. And no, laundry is NOT my code word for nookie. No, nookie is NOT my code word for snuggles. And yes, thanks to Kare, snuggles IS the code word for sex.

During the holidays, Will's family likes to play a lot of cards. I learned how to play Rook and Canasta *NOT to be confused with Canesten.... trust me, vagina cream is NOT a card game. I only got laughed at a LITTLE bit when I mixed the two up. Now, Will and I have spent HONESTLY 5 hours straight playing cards at the kitchen table. This same kitchen table that sits in the middle of an unfinished room with walls half-down and carpetted floors. They'll still be there tomorrow, but playing cards with Will was worth another meal in that setting. I have never 'dated' during the day. I am TRULY developing a relationship with Will that I've NEVER had with someone I've even merely dated.; I am becoming honestly content to spend days at a time with him. Oh, don't get me wrong, we still need our space. And even when I'm angry at him or he's annoyed with me, I still find myself wanting to be near him. Because in the midst of the momentary downside, I am still honestly madly in love with this man.

We've also started reading The Blind Side together. Last week, we had no kids for a few days, so we drove down to the USofA to do some shopping and touring. Will and I had 7 hours in the car together each way, so I read out loud to him. We hope to finish the book together this week so we can catch it in the theatres this weekend. It's not something that Will has ever done with a spouse, and Chris didn't want me to read to him either, so this new 'bonding thing' we've started is really sweet to me.

We went cross-country skiing with my family this past holiday, where Will and I had a while to ourselves to ski in the beautiful mountains of Waterton. We have spent entire days in bed watching Lady Gaga serenade us to Bad Romance. *by the way, that is now Mimi's favourite song to watch on YouTube! lol*

In a month, we'll be on our way to work at the Olympic Winter Games held in Vancouver, Canada. For 2 weeks, with my Will beside me, I'll be taking in the greatness that Vancouver AND the Olympics have to offer.

We've been married for almost 4 months, or 17 weeks, or 121 days, or 2904 hours, or 174 240 minutes or 10 454 400 seconds.

But now matter how you count it, it's been nothing but a speck of time in the awesomeness that is to come. 2009 was a pretty amazing year, but 2010 ( *typing smile) is gonna be awesome!