Goodbye HRM

Ever since I got this for my birthday last year, I’ve been addicted.

I check the stats while I’m working out.  How many calories have I burned?  Where is my heart rate?

Sometimes this severs as a good thing.  If I’m not feeling the workout, I make it a little goal to reach a certain calorie burn.

But often times i beat myself up over it.  I’ll be in spin class, check my watch and think “Uh, only 200 calories so far.”  Then I try to calculate how many calories I’ll burn in the whole class and not be satisfied.

Even worse if I forget my watch or strap at home, the workout has been “ruined.”  I constantly check the watch and without it I don’t know how to workout.

So for one week I’m leaving the HRM at home and going back to the basics.  Working out minus the obsession.

This was prompted by me forgetting my watch and strap at home yesterday.  I was already too close to the gym and it was 6:30am on a Sunday, so there was no turning around.

You know what?  I actually enjoyed my workout much more.

Thanksgiving and a lack of shopping

Hello, Hello. I’ve been a bad blogger lately, haven’t I?  I’ve been trying to redirect my focus a little – more on that later.

I loved hearing about everyone’s Thanksgiving. I was just excited that mine included this:

Yeah, so when you had meatloaf for Thanksgiving you appreciate turkey even more.

I wish I had cute pictures of the table settings and food, but I don’t.  Mainly our Thanksgiving included this:

Our Godson, Aaron.

We alternated between holding him for about, um, seven hours.  He may have gotten a little rest in his bed while we were eating (and when he had to eat too).

We also played around with the kids at the house.  Jonathan may have put on some Buzz Lightyear wings and acted like Buzz Lightyear (there were sound effects to go along with the wings), but I might be killed if I posted those pictures.  I had to ask permission to send them to his sister.

Other than that, the weekend has been pretty unexciting.  I have to say that I LOVE the break from work.  There was no Black Friday shopping on this home front.  Jonathan and I aren’t buying Christmas presents for each other and we talked to my family about not exchanging gifts this year.  His family doesn’t exchange gifts – there are 6 siblings (plus 3 sister-in-laws and 1 brother-in-law), 9 nieces and nephews plus 3 more great-nieces.  Yeah, it’s complicated.  Can you imagine trying to exchange gifts?

I did look through the ads and it  made me covet some items.  Bad, right? I did ask Jonathan if I could go buy some workout shirts.  He said yes, and I ended up getting 2 shirts from Target – one shirt from the “official” workout department and one P J t-shirt.  There weren’t many color choices in the workout department because quite honestly seeing a redhead wearing bright yellow or hot pink would make you vomit.  (Sorry April and Therese if you wear those colors!)  Then I would be like White Pants girl.

BTW I “asked” Jonathan if I could buy the shirts because he keeps a more update to record of our account than I do (especially for it being the end of the month).  I always used to keep a running total in my head of my account before I got married.  Yeah, and then I married “receipt man.”  I have to turn over my receipts as soon as I get in the house.  I’m not very good at doing this. 

Alright I have to hit the library before it closes! I got to get books for the kiddos tomorrow so we’ll have something to do for centers!

Cookie Exchange

My late night baking was a success!  I made some crispy chocolate chip cookies and brownies from scratch. The weirdest thing is that I don’t have a craving to eat any of it.  I had a little taste of the brownies since it was a new recipe and I didn’t want to feed other people crappy brownies.  You don’t want to be that person.

I’ve also baked 2 pumpkin pies since I got home from working out (Spin class was good and sweaty).  One to stay here and one to take to our Thanksgiving meal tomorrow.  I’m just grateful I don’t like pie – less temptation that way!

I’ve always wanted to do a Cookie Exchange at Christmas.  My mom used to go to one every year and bring home a plate full of goodies.  Basically you bring a dozen to two dozen of your favorite holiday treats.  You also come with an empty plate and fill it with one of whatever everyone else brings.  You leave with some tasty food and a handful of new recipes!

This year I decided I’m finally going to do one!  I can’t figure out the best day to do one.  Here are the days I had in mind.

Sunday,  12/13    2-5pm

Friday, 12/18      7-9pm

Monday, 12/21 7-9pm

I’ll be inviting some people from work and our Christmas party is on 12/11, so I don’t know if that’s too much “work people time” in one weekend.  By Monday 12/21 we’re out of work and people have had time to breathe.  I just don’t know if that’s too close to Christmas.  What do you think the best day would be?

(P.S. Check out Mom on the Run for a magazine subscription giveaway!)

King of Pop

Hello random-in-the-middle-of-the-night-post!  I woke up when Jonathan came to bed and couldn’t fall back asleep. So I decided to get up and bake some cookies and brownies.  But I have to wait for the butter to soften, so there’s no better time for a post!

I know I’m completely nuts.  Yesterday I fell asleep at 5:30pm and got up at 5am.  My sleeping schedule is completely out of whack!

I’m so happy to have a break from work!!  Are you??  Of course I’ll miss my little buggers, especially after this conversation of Michael Jackson went down.

Kid 1: (Randomly while playing with legos)  Michael Jackson is the King of Pop.

Kid 2: Yeah, he died from too much drugs.

Kid 3: Who is Michael Jackson?

Kid 1: Dude, I just told you.  He’s the King of Pop.  I wish his name was really King of Pop and not Michael Jackson.

Seriously, this is like the fourth time Michael Jackson has come up in my classroom this year.

A little tribute to the King of Pop.

Off to read some blogs and then bake!!

Miss me?

Hello!!!  I feel like I haven’t logged on in forever.  Probably because I haven’t.  :)  I just needed to take a little break from blogging and my time on the computer (because I spend a lot of time on it!)  I finished two good books last week – Dress Rehearsal and Don’t Hex with Texas.  And I feel asleep everyday last week by 8:30pm.  Loved it!  Don’t know if my husband enjoyed it as much as me….

Thank you for your advice on the makeup! I feel so lost when it comes to that stuff.  I ended up getting Neutrogena sheer foundation as well as some eye circle concealer.  Yes, I’m old and I already need eye concealer.  Yesterday I picked up some L-Oreal lipstick because I had a coupon.  The lipstick was originally $7, on sale for $5 and I had a $1 off coupon.  Score!

Last week April gave me the Honest Scrap award.

I have to give you 10 truths and then tag 7 bloggers who I think will be honest.

Here are my truths:

1. I have to eat M&M’s in pairs.  And it has to be the same colors.  I have a plan for when there’s not an even number, but it’s really too complicated and crazy to explain.
2. I hired my husband.  Before he was my husband, of course.  Let’s just say he should have answered the “What will you be doing in 5 years?”  a little differently.
3. I didn’t eat peanut butter until I was 23.
4. I hate blow drying my hair. Even though it only takes 10 minutes.
5. My first present from my now-husband was a Dyson vacuum cleaner.  And I was excited!
6. I gave him gum and some Tupperware containers for his first presents.  Oops.  We had only been dating for 2 months!
7. I never went to prom.
8. I ran cross-country and track in high school.
9. I started running because of a Seventeen article.
10. I changed my major at least 11 times, but I still never got to major in what I really wanted to.

I’m tagging these bloggers.  If you’ve already done it – oops!  :)  My Google Reader is a little backlogged.

Homecookedem

In My Tummy

Laura Dishes

The Ups and Downs of Losing Weight

Fitting Back In

Destination Athlete

Caffeinated Cardio

Filling up the piggy bank

In an effort to cut our spending, my husband and I have decided to cut out some of the “extras” in our lives.

At the beginning of the year, we reduced our monthly spending by $600/month.  It sounds like a lot, and it is, but that still didn’t help us.  We are looking to do even more, so my husband quit his gym membership (I’m still keeping mine).  We are supposed to be cancelling cable service as well, but that hasn’t happened quite yet.  That is a hard one to do!

Over the past month I have made just over $500 by selling stuff in our house that we aren’t using.  I love Craigslist! We’ve only done 2 transactions so far, but each time we get so excited that we look around for other stuff to sell.

We are trying to make little sacrifices now so we can live debt free.  Would that be exciting??  If it doesn’t hurt it isn’t a sacrifice.  You know what my sacrifice was?

MAC makeup.

I don’t wear a lot of makeup anyways, but remember every little bit helps.  $45 every 2 to 3 months is silly when I can get these items over the counter a little cheaper.  I always went to the makeup counters in the mall because I was afraid of picking out a lipstick that clashed with my hair or the wrong eyeshadow.  So I need some advice – if you use over the coutner makeup what are your favorite brands? I need something I can’t go wrong with.

It’s a Boy!!!

No, I’m not pregnant! But our closest friend and his wife had a baby boy on Friday night.  It’s so exciting to have known someone for the 8 years – seen him go through up and downs – and then to see his new baby boy.  Words can’t describe!

I’ve been MIA since we have been taking care of our friend’s step-kids – ages 6 and 9 – since Thursday night.  Luckily my mom had brought over some space Lego’s circa 1980 (my brother’s) and that kept them pretty entertained.  Friday night my husband called me with the big news, but the youngest boy was in the shower.  I figured it wouldn’t be wise to tell the brothers separately, so I poked my head in the bathroom and told Eric that as soon as he got out of the shower he could find out if he had a brother or sister.

In 2 seconds the water was off, naked boy ran across the hall, and put on his pajamas.  He didn’t even dry off.

I counted down – 3, 2, 1 – and shouted “It’s a boy!“  Ian (the nine-year old) cheered while Eric ran off to the bedroom crying.  He had wanted a baby sister so bad.      Nothing some mac & cheese and brownies served on a tray didn’t fix.  I let him watch a movie in our bedroom so he felt extra special.

Here is an extra cute picture.  I have to brag since we are the Godparents. 

Random is my name

I have been exceptionally cranky this week.  Lesson plans + getting ready for conferences + teaching + wanting to leave work on time.  And then to top it all off:

LOL.  I haven’t had PMS this bad in awhile.  I finally realized that’s what was going on and told the fellow teacher in my classroom.  Apparently I’ve screwed up her cycle and now we’re in sync.  Two teacher + PMS against a room full of 6 year olds.  Not pretty.  JK – it’s more like a warning to each other.

Last year another friend and I decided that you actually burn more calories when you’re on your period.  You know, because your body is working harder.  So that means it’s okay when we eat a little more during the week.  OK, so I know it’s probably not true, but don’t tell me until next week.

I actually need to be at work at 7 am today.  Not because I have to, but because I left my desk a mess.  I don’t have a normal desk, but one of those kidney shaped tables that look like this:

I gave up my desk because I wanted more room in my classroom.  This means more room to spread stuff throughout the day. But it has to be cleaned off every morning so I can meet with reading groups.  And I decided to leave right after our staff meeting, so right now it is covered in papers and books.

Dang that procrastination.

I also realized that I didn’t have my recipe ready for my kids cooking class that I teach on Wednesdays.  Well, I had one planned, but I didn’t like it.  Instead of going to the gym this morning, I decided to google recipes.  I didn’t find anything I liked, so I just decided to go with one in my own recipe box that would be easy for kids to make.

We are going to make…..

CORN CASSEROLE!!!

I had this for the first time about seven years ago.  I got the recipe from a friend and it’s my potluck recipe every time.  It is simple and everyone always asks for the recipe so here it is:

• 1 Box of Jiffy Cornbread mix
• 1  14oz can of creamstyle corn
• 1  14oz can of corn
• 1 cup of sour cream
• 2 cups of cheese
• 1 stick of butter
• 1 egg

Mix together and pout into 13 x 9 pan.  Bake 30-40 minutes at 400.

I know it’s not the healthiest of ingredients, but I do try to use the lighter version of everything.  My husband and I usually fight over the leftovers.

Complete random post, I know.

Off to get ready!  Luckily it’s a jean day at work and I don’t have to think too much.

 

Don’t wear white after Labor Day

Dear Lady in White Pants,

I appreciate the fact that you are one of those women who can pull of the white pants look.  However, at 6:15 in the morning, no one really has a desire to see anyone wearing skin-tight white pants on the workout floor.  And if you must know, you are supposed to wear nude underwear underneath white clothing so it doesn’t show through.  Black thongs just do not cut it. 

I do understand that you must think that you look hot in the white pants because you are wearing them.  Wear them.  Just workout your upper body.   Because those squats that you were doing – everyone saw everything.  Especially since you made sure your booty was facing the majority of the people.  Hello, wall right behind you.  Try facing your butt towards it.

Please remember that some of us eat breakfast before going to the gym.  We would like to keep it in our stomach.

Sincerely,

Concerned Gym Member

Big Week Ahead

I’m so not ready for the weekend to be over!  I enjoy my time at home and this week is going to be a little hectic.  Tomorrow night we have an overnight visitor that’s very hairy – my parents’ dog, Annie.  Love her, but I know it’s going to involve major vacuuming after she leaves on Tuesday.

Then on Thursday our good friend Mike and his wife are having a baby!  (Scheduled induction, so that’s how we know.)  We are taking his step-kids for a night or two.  With my morning schedule, my husband is in charge of getting them ready for school.  We’ll see how that one goes!  The bonus of watching them is that the youngest likes doing yard work.  He has a toy weedwacker that he uses when Mike is working on their yard.  I told my husband to wait to rake the leaves because Eric would do it.  Child labor, baby.  ;)  Just kidding, of course.

I’ve got parent conferences this week too.  Should go smoothly, just more busy than normal.  No enrichment, no recess, and having the kids eat lunch in the classroom = fun times.

I had a good, relaxing weekend though.  On Friday night I met up with some Atlanta bloggers.

Photo courtesy of Em

L to R: Em, me, Laura, Lee, Angie, and Kelly

We met up at Seasons 52.  I had never eaten there, but the food was pretty good!  Everything was under 475 calories.  The desserts were extra cute – they came in little shot glasses.  I didn’t have one – none of them really appealed to me, but you can check out some pictures of them on the other blogs.  It was nice to meet everyone!

On Saturday I got a later start than I had planned.  I meant to go to the gym, but all of my sports bras were in the to be washed pile.  I figured I would just go later after I had done some laundry.  Yeah, that never happened.  If I don’t go to the gym right away in the morning I don’t end up doing it.  Same thing for today too…except my husband convinced me to go back to bed instead of the gym before work.

I’ve got my workout planned for tomorrow and my meals packed and ready.  Tomorrow I have to check in at the challenge I’m doing.  It’s not going so hot, so we’ll see how I compare to everyone else.  I need something to light a fire under my butt.