Blog Name Change!!

NO NO NO! Purple is still making me so happy! However Diet Coke is not and I have given it up!!!! :{ I have had 2 in the last 4 weeks!! I am still amazed by that statistic because I used to have 2 or 3 or4... a day! I do SOOOO miss it and given the fact I can have all I want at work for free, it hasn't saved me much money. But I do feel better although I can't contribute it all to giving up Diet Coke, as I have cleaned up my diet tremendously and now eat very healthfully, the achievement has been a huge mental boost to my self-esteem - I've done something I thought I would never be able to do!

Works for Me

I'm pretty sure I have posted this before in Works for Me but I keep coming back to it when my life has gotten out of control and best of IT WORKS!! A To-do-list! I have lists for everything -

• books to read
• groceries
• other shopping to be done
• goals
• menus and recipes to try
• projects
• holiday preperations
• what goes in Jim's lunch (so I don't forget his spoon or his favorite chips to go with his cheese for snacking)
• chores to be done (by me or even better by someone else who lives in my house!)

Wow and that was just off the top of my head with no thought going into it! One of my best used lists is my daily to-do-list - what needs to get done everyday or the day goes all haywire. It keeps me on track so I am not sitting at the computer at 11:32 am still in my jammies - OH WAIT that's what is happening RIGHT now! See what happens when I don't follow what I preach! Although in my defense MOST of my list was completed earlier! Now I got to go workout and get dressed!

Maybe in this: LOL

Gratituesday!

As much as the first day of school breaks my heart every year, along about the second week of school I start really liking it - long uninterupted hours of productivity .... or not! I get to chose which! And this year with Kolby clear over at Irving and having to ride the bus home, I get one more whole hour till the first child hits the door in the afternoon. Happiness!

My Tackle it Tuesday this week was the window sill in the living room - we kept the blinds down most all of the summer so I will never admit to all the crud and gross stuff I found on the sill and in the window tracks and I lost count of all the dead creatures I encountered! Now it is so beautiful I don't want to close the blinds even in the afternoon when the 95 degree sun is pooring in!

Almost September

MONDAY - Kolby's day - Spagetti and corn on the cob
TUESDAY - Koltin's day - Taco Salad
WEDNESDAY - KFC baked Chicken ala Annette and salad
THURSDAY - Chad's day ? Hamburgers?
FRIDAY - EMFH
SATURDAY - the State Fair starts!
SUNDAY - see above!

New here inspired by Shamae! I have to brag and thank Jim for doing the dishes the last 3 nights in a row! Usually I'd feel guilty when I hear him in the kitchen doing something but I (we) have learned that marriages are enriched when the husband does something nurturing for the wife. And last night he finished and came in and gave me a foot rub WITH lotion! Thanks honey!

MONDAY - Legs & Shoulders - DONE!
TUESDAY - Chest, Triceps & Butt - Done!
WEDNESDAY - Yoga - DONE!
THURSDAY - Back, Biceps & Thighs - DONE!
FRIDAY - Core -DONE!

MOTHER's DAY Band Practice!

Jess and I went to see Star Trek on saturday - we even went for the adventure and went to Idaho Falls - had lunch at Olive Garden first and even stayed and watched the movie a second time. My rating - LOVED IT - and I am so not a Trekkie! Live long, and Prosper!

I am scheduled for a root canal later today which I am not looking forward to, but I can come home and lay on the couch and watch the Braves play so I am taking comfort in that! Our Marriage relations class starts on Friday so we will be preparing for that - with spring hitting full force at the store it should be very interesting this week!

MONDAY - Kolby's Day Chili & Fritios
TUESDAY - Koltin's Day - Swiss Steak
WEDNESDAY - Enchilada's
THURSDAY - Chad's Day -?
FRIDAY - Ribs and Twice Bakes Potatoes
SATURDAY - EMFH
SUNDAY Steph & Jake in Charge

WORKOUTS:

MONDAY - Run - DONE!
TUESDAY - Chest, Triceps & Butt - DONE!
WEDNESDAY - Run
THURSDAY - Back Biceps & Thighs
FRIDAY - Run

MONDAY - Chicken Cordon Bleu
TUESDAY - ? Koltin in charge
WEDNESDAY - Swiss Steak
THURSDAY - Potato Soup
FRIDAY - Ribs and Twice Baked Potatoes
SATURDAY - EMFH (Every Man For Himself)
SUNDAY - Mother's Day at Becky's

WORKOUTS this week:

MONDAY - Back Biceps and Thighs - DONE!
TUESDAY - Run - Week 5 day 2 of couch to 5 K - DONE!
WEDNESDAY - Core + Yoga
THURSDAY - Run - Week 5 day 3 -DONE!
FRIDAY - Legs and Shoulders
SATURDAY - RUn (optional)

I'll give a report on the workshop I attended on Saturday - it was based on the teachings of the Arbinger Institute and a book titled The Choice. Not being AT ALL familiar with any of the concepts I was going into it blind and while I enjoyed and learned I would have to give the facilitater a D+ MAYBE a C- if I was feeling generous. Here is a review from an Amazon reader: (Which is a lot clearer than the seminar I went to on Saturday!

People problems are at the root of most problems. Self deception affects every aspect of life; it is the central problem of leadership.

More than your external behavior, people respond to how you feel about them. Do you see them as full persons or as objects or problems? They can tell. When you see others as less than full persons, you are "in the box" toward them.

The box is a metaphor for our resistance to seeing and honoring others as full persons.

Self-deception is caused by:

1. Self-betrayal (an act contrary to what you feel you should do for another)
2. THEN self-justification of the self-betrayal. The fundamental self-betrayal at work is: failing to do what you are hired to do - failing to fully help your organization achieve results.

Self-deception causes us to be "in the box":
1. inflating others' faults
2. inflating my virtues
3. blaming others
4. being self-centered

Being in the box feeds self-deception making a vicious cycle.

How to get out of the box: You are out the moment you desire to be out of the box -- the moment you desire to see and treat others as full persons Nothing will get you out without real desire to be out. not trying to change others not coping with others not leaving not communicating not skills or techniques not new behaviors

Summary: 1. Be out of the box: desire to see and honor others as full persons 2. THEN stay out of the box: really DO what you feel you should do, doing the best you can in your circumstances. This must include: really focus on results, solutions and what you can do to help, be accountable and responsible, really be open to correction, really seek to learn, and actively seek to teach.

I learned that I am "in the box" way more than I thought and I can very much see how much happier and more joyful my life will be as I actively chose to do the things that will keep me living "out of the box". And I will probably look for the other books in this series to read. As for Saturday the best parts of the day were enjying my new friend Darci and getting to know her, lunch at Olive Garden, and talking about and discussing another life skills type of organization we are both involved in called Discovery Trainings - I'll post more about that another time.

FROM THE BOYS!

1. What is something mom always says to you? Hanging from the light bulb - when asked a dumb question. I love you.
2. What makes mom happy? purple and when she is all alone and getting sleep and her family.
3. What makes mom sad? no sleep, Ted Turner selling the Atlanta Braves and getting sick - she would rather be sick for 3 days than throw-up.
4. How does your mom make you laugh? When she laughs about stupid things for about 8 days. And the joke - Why do cows wear bells - cus their horns don't work! And her pitching.
5. What was your mom like as a child? I don't know - I wasn't there - short & nerdy and had a best friend named Jo.
6. How old is your mom? 19, 25 no 46.
7. How tall is your mom? not very. 5'2 and 3/4
8. What is her favorite thing to do? scrapbook, read, watch baseball and watch Twilight.
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? scrapbook, sleep and makes piles of stuff.
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Spelling and scrapbooking.
11. What is your mom really good at? scrapbooking, tole painting, running people around to their activities and making calenders.
12. What is your mom not very good at? spelling and pitching baseballs.
13. What does your mom do for her job? serves other people food.
14. What is your mom's favorite food? steak, Mexican and green smoothies and Wingers.
15. What makes you proud of your mom? everything, she works at Wingers and teaching.
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Mighty Mouse or Super Woman.
17. What do you and your mom do together? Go to lunch, eat and watch the Biggest Loser
18. How are you and your mom the same? we like to read, we're both pretty stylish!
19. How are you and your mom different? Heights, I'm taller and mom is a lot more responsible
20. How do you know your mom loves you? I just do, she cooks me food and she tells us like, everyday.
21. What does your mom like most about your dad? that he is devilishly handsome.
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? her bedroom and the scrapbook store.

MAY DAY MAY DAY!

Judging by my posting habit the last two months I AM sending out a distress signal! Really, it's May 1st and I am recommitting to my blog! I had the day off of work and got some house cleaning done, ran some errands, and have been browsing around some new and interesting blogs, which has inspired my re-found blogging love. I also tried the new grilled chicken at KFC and LOVED it! Tommorrow I am attending a workshop in Rexburg with my friend Darci and will make a report.

New SpringWidget

Get this widget!

New Month!

My count is 17! And is tied with my Top Gun Viewing from 1986!

Workouts for the week:
MONDAY - Total Body Lite - DONE!

TUESDAY - Yoga
WEDNESDAY - Flex-Posture
THURSDAY - FIRM Yoga
FRIDAY - Biggest Loser Yoga
additional 3 20 minute walks

MONDAY - Ham and Scalloped Potatoes
TUESDAY - Taco Salad
WEDNESDAY - White Beans & Ham
THURSDAY - something with ham!
FRIDAY - EMFH
SATURDAY - Date Night
SUNDAY - Chicken Enchiladas

Weekend Review

Friday, Jiim and I went out to dinner, we had a gift card to Texas Roadhouse but quickly realized that it would be 10 or later before we ate because of the crowd there so decided to go to our favorite mexican place - it has had a lot of diferent names the last few years but right now it is Puerta Vallarta - YUM!

We had a great day Saturday - we woke up and surprised the boys with a walk to Kolby's basketball game - at Hawthorne! Although they complained a little, it was a lot of fun for everyone and Koltin and Chad had some bonding time as they walked together - starting a minute or two later than we did and also making a pit stop for hot chocolate.

Kolby's game was intense - but they pulled it out in overtime 21-17. Everyone came to the game but Jason who had to work and Jess who met up with friends in IF. We all then decided to treat ourselves to lunch at Sizzler and Kindra made two trips - one with her family and one to come back and get us so they wouldn't have to wait while we walked!

After lunch it is our wards month to clean the church so we stopped there on our way home and cleaned for a while - then home for naps and other projects - Jim went up to 47 acres to cover the hay - I napped! We spent the rest of the evening going to see Twilight!!! and doing the Wal-mart shopping for the week.

Sunday seemed calm compared to Saturday even though it was the usually "chaos and destruction"! although we did have a bit of excitement - we came home from church and realized we were locked out - I didn't drive so I didn't have my keys so I went next door to Michelle's to use her phone but realized I didn't know anyone's phone numbers - just their speed dials! I do know Chad's but he didn't answer - I then remembered Kindra's # and had her call Jay to come and save us! We celebrated Kolby's Birthday - finally! He got a boombox. some CD's, sweats, a basketball, a football and flags and goal markers and for dinner he had chicken enchiladas and cinnomon rolls!

Here is this week's plans: - Blogger is not letting me add pictures so this post is a little boring today!


MONDAY - Stir fry
TUESDAY - Spaghetti
WEDNESDAY - Burgers
THURSDAY - Chicken Divan
FRIDAY - Pork Roast in Crockpot
SATURDAY - Leftovers
SUNDAY - Steph & Jake in charge


WORKOUTS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY - Rock Solid Buns - DONE!
TUESDAY - 2.75 mile walk +extra stretch DONE!
WEDNESDAY - Yoga - DONE!
THURSDAY - 3 Mile walk + Hit Every Muscle Workout - DONE!
FRIDAY - Slim & Trim - DONE!
SATURDAY - optional walk

Bonus - 2 - 20 minute walks

Taxes!

Yes, as much as I want to deny it - It is TAX TIME! Jim brought home his W2 last night, so after work today I"ll get started - wish me luck! Maybe I"ll bring home take out for dinner as a reward!

What a Weekend!!!

Jim and I attended a workshop put on by Bill and RaNae, titled Discovering the Power Within You. And WOW! I learned so much about me and why I do the things I do and think the way I do. It was mind opening and while most of the ideas taught were not anything new, the way they were introduced and the place I am in life and the things I have been searching for all came together and I GOT it! My intention is to continue to learn and understand myself and to apply to things I learned in all areas of my life. During the workshop Bill and RaNae mentioned that the things we learned would be put in use Monday morning, they wanted us to understand the principles so that when we went back to our regular lives we could take our knowledge with us.

Well I didn't have to wait until Monday - my proving of these ideas came on Sunday morning as the phone rang and it was the Relief Society President saying that the teacher scheduled for today was in the hospital and would I teach today with basically no notice!! Wow and WOW Now in the past I would have died a thousand and one deaths but after this training what did I say....I would LOVE to! And truly mean it. And not only that but I didn't skip Sacrament meeting to do my hair better and I didn't skip Sunday School to "cram" for the lesson. I did go over some notes and look up a few scriptures but for the most part I relied on the spirit and "winged" it. Jim even came in to class, something I have NEVER let happen in the past, thinking that I would not be able to teach with him in there hearing what I was saying. It was wonderful, the feeling in the room was amazing, the comments and questions flowed well and the Holy Ghost was definitely in that room helping to touch the sisters. This experience has become a defining moment in my life!

Back to the routine:


MONDAY - Tortilla Soup and Turkey BLT Sandwiches
TUESDAY - Spaghetti
WEDNESDAY - Taco Pie
THURSDAY - Quesadillas
FRIDAY - Leftovers
SATURDAY - Date Night - EMFH
SUNDAY - Hawaiian Haystacks - we are celebrating Kolby's Birthday

THIS WEEKS WORKOUTS

MONDAY - Pump, Jump & Jab - DONE + 20 min.walk!
TUESDAY - Walk - DONE!
WEDNESDAY - Yoga - DONE!
THURSDAY - Walk + Ab workout - Done!
FRIDAY - Power 1/2 Hour -DONE
BONUS - SATURDAY - we walked to Kolby's Basketball game at Hawthorne! - DONE!!

Bonus - add 2 additional 20 minute workouts - DONE!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOLBY!!!! ILOVE YOU!

Stephanie's Birthday!

STEPHANIE!



For her gift I got her a Twilight shirt! And then just had to get one for myself - I saved on shipping!

MONDAY - Taco Salad
TUESDAY - KFC Chicken - we skipped this last week
WEDNESDAY - Sage Chicken
THURSDAY- Soup & Sandwiches
FRIDAY - Spaghetti
SATURDAY - leftovers
SUNDAY - TBD

YEAH! ME!!! I got all my works in for the week with an ADDITIONAL one!! Here is this week:

MONDAY - TransFIRM your Trouble Zones - DONE!
TUESDAY - 2.5 Mile walk - DONE!
WEDNESDAY - Yoga
THURSDAY - 2.5 Mile Walk -
FRIDAY - Punch, Jump & Jab

Preparing to teach Organizing!?!?

Yeah, that would be me on this fine MLK holiday Monday - well, in-between changing diapers and feeding the babies! Steph called to see if I could be sweet talked into doing emergency baby tending for a while this morning - she didn't have to talk too hard! But man!! I have forgotten just how much WORK the little munchkins are! So I have spent most of the last two hours browsing through my files of organizing articles and internet bookmarks with Emmett snuggled on my lap!

So back to Organizing - a truly great love of my life -(but in the interest of full disclosure - there may be some areas where I am woefully inept of ever (never) being organized - there I said it!! Which may be why when I told Jason I was teaching a class to the sisters in our ward he about choked to death! No really - it was mildly insulting to me. I have already confessed my sins (see above) but there ARE several areas of my life and home that run like clockwork! But do I get credit for these from my family - NO! Just mocking and eye rolling - you know who you are - and don't deny it!

I have the most delicious smell going on in my home right now - under the candle warmer in the living room is a vanilla & lime Yankee candle and burning in the kitchen is ginger lime from Gold Canyon - thanks Brook!

On tap for tonight - deciding on how much of myself I want to reveal at the class tomorrow, FHE, the bachelor and 24! Thank heaven for a DVR! Do you think we could count watching 24 together as a family FHE??/!!!! We would still have treats!!!!LOL

For Shamae: Here is the original, my changes are at the end in purple!

Original Kentucky Fried Chicken Coating Secret Ingredients

2 envelopes tomato soup mix, preferably Lipton cup-o-soup brand
2 envelopes Italian dressing mix
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons dried chervil (optional, but makes a huge difference in taste)
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 teaspoon instant chicken bouillon powder
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon tarragon
1/2 teaspoon sage
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 cups pancake mix, preferably Bisquick brand (self-rising flour can be substituted, but won't taste as good)

Instructions for Making the Original KFC Recipe
Blend all of the Kentucky Fried Chicken ingredients for the coating in a blender.
The fried chicken coating is enough for a whole chicken, cut up. Soak the chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least one hour in the refrigerator. Remove chicken from buttermilk and roll in the chicken coating mixture above. Let chicken sit at room temperature while waiting for the oil to get hot.
Deep fry if possible for the most authentic copy of the original Kentucky Fried Chicken recipe. If that is not possible, use a cast iron skillet. Do not crowd the chicken when placing into the skillet. Use lard or shortening if you really want that original Kentucky Fried Chicken taste. If you're making this chicken recipe, chances are you weren't looking for low-fat, healthy recipes. ;)
Brown the chicken in the skillet on high heat. Then turn down the heat and cover the pan. Cook until the fried chicken is done, about 30 minutes. During the last 5 or 10 minutes, uncover the pan and turn up the heat. This will crisp up the fried chicken. Be careful not to burn the chicken during this last step.
Remove the fried chicken and drain on paper towels. Serve while still hot.
I used one bag of chicken tenders and halved the recipe and left out the salt as the first time it was too salty and I added 1 Tbl sugar. I did not blend it the 2nd time - I did not notice any difference. I also laid out the tenders on a sprayed cookie sheet and sprayed the tops with cooking spray before putting them in the oven - 375 for about 30 min. I could not find the tomato soup ANYWHERE and ending up ordering it on amazon - I have extra if you decide to make this. My whole family loves it!

I'm Back!!!!

Well after a little prompting from friends, I have picked up the blogging torch again! A quote I found recently - "Sticking to my plan with the steely resolve of a Kamikaze pilot on his 37th mission." Well that describes me! But isn't it a blessing to know that each day we have a new start - we can restart our goals every instant if needed, all we have to say to ourselves whenever a choice is placed before us - I may not have made the best choice before but RIGHT NOW I choose___________. And make the choice we want - and not stay with the same mediocre behaviors from the past. We can make the future be whatever we want it to be - just by making a new plan and deciding to stick with it right now - at this moment.

MONDAY - Burgers & Oven Fries, Apple & Walnut Salad
TUESDAY - Poppy Seed Chicken, Yams & rice
WEDNESDAY - Porcupine Meatballs & Salad
THURSDAY - Swiss Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Corn
FRIDAY - KFC Oven Chicken, Rice, Green Beans
SATURDAY - Leftovers
SUNDAY - Steph's Birthday Dinner - Fried Chicken &
Lemon Pie

WORKOUTS FOR THE WEEK!

MONDAY - Speed Slimming Sculpt - DONE!
TUESDAY - Walk -DONE!
WEDNESDAY - Yoga - DONE!
THURSDAY - Get Chisel'd - DONE!
FRIDAY - Walk - DONE
BONUS SAT - Walk - DONE!