Still hanging in there with the exercise and the eating is so-so. I just can't seem to get a handle on it. Okay, that's an excuse. I've barely tried to eat healthy for the past 2-3 weeks. I just have been so busy that it's easier to grab takeout every other night.

I'm thinking that this blog needs a makeover, so I'll be changing some things up around here. I need something to motivate me to get back into the habit of updating here because when I did, I found I was much more focused on all the right things.

slacker

Yes, I'm one of those people who just disappear from the blog scene without a word. But, I'm back now and more determined than ever to get this weight off. Luckily, I haven't gained any back, but my eating habits haven't been the best. We've been really busy with summer things and I've just been eating whatever I wanted. I guess it's a good thing I've continued to exercise. Otherwise, I think I'd be starting from square one.

So, it's back to eating healthy and getting my workout in. It should be easier because school starts this week and my regular routine will be back in place. Summer is always very busy and chaotic here at my house. I'm actually looking foward to getting back to a normal schedule.

I'm going to try to update at least twice a week from now on. I find the longer I'm away from here the harder it is to post and update.

fair

It's fair time in my county this week.  I can actually see the midway from my kitchen window.  Fair food is so hard to resist.  So far, it's been manageable.  I'm taking Lindsay over there this afternoon to ride some rides and play games.  We'll see if I can walk out of there a second time without a sugar waffle or a funnel cake!

I can't believe that summer is almost half over already.  Seems like we've been busy with something ever since school let out.  I'm hoping that we can slow down a little and get back to a relaxed routine after today.  

Exercise is still very good for me, but my eating is crazy.  Some days it's great and then others are awful.  I'm a huge Big Brother fan and I watch the live feeds at night after the family are in bed.  Unfortunately, that's about when the housemates are having their supper.  It never faills, as soon as they start preparing a meal, I start snacking.  I'm going tot he grocery store today and I'm gong to grab some healthy snacks so I'll have something that won't end up throwing me completely off track.

Well, Lindsay just asked for the third time what time we're leaving, so I guess I should go jump in the shower and get ready.  

weigh in #6

I got on the scale this morning because I'll be gone all day tomorrow and didn't think I'd remember to jump on.  I'm happy to report a weight of 247.2 this morning.  I'm moving in the right direction again.

It's been really hard over the past couple of weeks to stay focused on my weight loss.  Keith was on vacation last week and again this week and, of course, Lindsay is out of school for the summer.  They aren't very good at encouraging the healthy eating part of this, but Keith has been great about walking with me everyday!  He's gets points for that because that is something new for him.  I think he's finally realized that he needs to shed a few pounds as well after looking at some vacation pictures.

I'm off to have some lunch and then get ready for our road trip tomorrow.

...gggrrrrrrrrrr...

I'm so aggravated this morning. Well, it started last night, but this bad mood has followed me through the night and into this morning.

My oldest daughter is driving me crazy. She has been out of high school for a little over 3 years and is no better off today than she was then. She works, but spends almost every dime she makes. She doesn't pitch in around the house unless I nag her and she just has a very selfish attitude about everything. I remember being young, but I never remember being so disrespectful and inconsiderate. Let's just say, without going into the whole long story, that last night was the final straw for me. I'm probably going to sound like a horrible Mom, but I think it's just time that she goes out into the world on her own. I don't think being at home is helping her mature and grow at all. And some of her actions have a negative impact on my 9 year old. I'm angry that she continues to make the same mistakes over and over. I'm disappointed that there is such a lack of consideration for her Dad, sister and I. But, more than anything, I want the peace in my home restored. She makes things very tense when she's around and I'm just too tired of dealing with her. Unfortunately, I think she's going to have to learn a lot of things the hard way. We've been patient with her for 3 years, but it's time things take a major change and it's making me feel very sad.

In more unpleasant news, I managed to gain 3.4 pounds over vacation. {:( But, today is a new day and I'm back on track. Although with all the tension I'm feeling right now, it's not easy.

On a more positive note, vacation was really great. We went to Gettysburg, PA. Toured the battlefields, went to all the museums, took about a million pictures and just really enjoyed ourselves. Lindsay was fascinated by all the old buildings and that she could actually stand where Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address. She had a blast and wants to go back again. I think the highlight of the trip for her was going to the Cashtown Inn. She's a huge Ghost Hunters fan and has watched that episode a million times. She was thrilled to be there and to also meet a very nice lady who had met the Ghost Hunters. They chatted for several minutes about the show and Lindsay's fave investigators.

We also took a 'ghost tour' and I took some pictures that ended up having some orb looking things in them. I'm not sold on ghosts, but Lindsay was so excited to see something 'weird' in our pictures.

Hoping to have a more positive update very soon.

on the up-swing

I'm feeling much better today. I spent a couple of days being irritated and annoyed. Then I decided it wasn't doing a darn bit of good, so I knocked it off! People are people and they are sometimes not well behaved. I guess it's just a fact of life. Time to get over it and stop fretting. I know they aren't one bit worried about the situation.

I can't believe I didn't wake up until 8:30 this morning. I NEVER sleep that late. I've been feeling tired for the past couple of days, though, so my body took the chance and caught up on some extra rest. The heat here has been awful. Up around 90 every day. I think that has something to do with me being so tired. Swimming is dragging me down, too. It just wears me completely out.

We leave for a small trip on Monday morning. We're keeping it a secret from Lindsay. We told her that we weren't going to be able to go on vacation this year. We were just going to do some day trips around Ohio. She was fine with that, but I know she's going to be completely overjoyed when we wake her up Monday morning and tell her we're leaving for a vacation. We're heading to Gettysburg. She has wanted to go there for the past 2 summers. She's crazy about history. Loves reading stories about the Civil War, so I know this will be loads of fun for her.

I'll be busy with finishing up VBS and getting ready for our trip next week, so I probably won't be around until next Thursday or Friday. Hope you all have a wonderful, relaxed weekend!!!

feeling discouraged

I'm just not very positive right now. Having some problems dealing with a few people at church. Vacation Bible School started tonight and there was a little tension, lots of whispering and tons of chaos. Whew! 8 little boys between the ages of 18 months and 4 years. What a handful they are! Cute as buttons, though.

Anyway, I know that there will always be people at any church that are difficult to like and even more difficult to work with, but it's getting me down. There are people that you think you know and think you can trust and then you find out that isn't the case at all. I'm feeling a little sad about it all.

On a more positive note, I spent 50 minutes on the treadmill this morning walking 2 miles and then went out swimming with Lindsay for about an hour. Exercise used to be a big issue with me. I just could not get motivated to get up and do it. Now, I look forward to it every day. But my eating is awful. After getting home from VBS tonight I ordered pizza. When will I stop using food to soothe my hurt feelings and anxieties? I know better than that.

I need to get a better attitude. So, right now, I'm changing my attitude and I'm going to focus on the positive in people instead of the negative. It'll be a challenge, but I think I'll feel much better in the long run.

Relay For Life

We participated in the Relay for Life Friday night thru Saturday noon. It was an inspiring experience. Lindsay has a classmate who was diagnosed with brain cancer in kindergarten. They will be going into the fourth grade this fall. She was there most of the 18 hours and spent a lot of that time walking. When we got home yesterday, Lindsay asked me if we'd be doing the Relay again next year. I told her we would continue to do the Relay until there was a cure found for cancer. She told me that she wanted to keep doing the Relay because she doesn't want her friend to die. It broke my heart to hear her say that, but that's why we do it to begin with.

This year was especially difficult because of the heat. It was over 90 most of the day on Friday. Then, around 2 am Saturday morning there was a terrible storm with lots of lightening, rain and wind. We survived though. That's nothing compared to what people go through while battling cancer.

I was able to walk more than I ever have before. I walked 7 1/2 miles during the night on Friday. And it didn't kill me! All that walking is paying off. Hubby had a hard time keeping up with me and said he was going to have to start working out.

All in all, it was a great experience. Our team was able to raise $10, 200.00 and as a whole our little county raised just under $100,000.00!!!!!!

I ate lots of crappy food at the Relay. Funnel cake, beef brisket sandwich, pizza, donuts, etc. Not pretty. But, today is a new day and I'm back on track with my eating. I know that's why my weight loss has been slow.

Wishing all you fathers a Happy Father's Day! If you're not a father, find one and tell them how special they are!!!!

weigh in #4

I stayed the same this week. 246. I know why. It's TOM and there's always that lovely bloaty, water weight to deal with. ugh. And I did eat pizza TWICE this week. It's been a really busy week and we've all been tired, so we've just been grabbing whatever is quick or ordering out. Things aren't going to be any better next week. We have VBS next week. But, I'll be using my crockpot to cook healthy suppers. Something I wish I would've done this week.

Tonight is my county's Relay For Life. We'll be heading over there later this afternoon. Of course, they are calling for 90 degree temps and severe thunderstorms to roll through this morning and then again over night tonight. Last year the weather was so horrible we ended up standing inside a field house for 3 hours. I'm hoping that it's not going to be that bad tonight. At least it's at our high school this year and we live about 2 minutes from there. If it gets too ugly, we'll just come home and sleep here. Lindsay really wants to stay all night, but I'm not promising anything. I'm a wimp when it comes to storms.

I'm looking forward to being able to walk more for my team this year. I know I feel excited to walking in the realy instead of the dread I felt last year.

weekend and busy week ahead

This weekend was nice. We spent time in the pool, went to a truck pull (my hubby's idea) and did some yard work. I spent some time getting Lindsay ready for Girl Scout camp this week. It's a day camp, so she won't be spending the night. She's so excited this morning. She's got another hour before we have to leave and she's sitting here in the living room all dressed and packed up and ready to go!

This Friday is the Relay For Life for my county. We're doing a 1950s theme, so I'm trying to figure something out for everyone to wear for the opening ceremony. After that we'll change into our relay T-shirts and shorts. I'm excited to do a lot of walking this year. Last year I struggled with walking 3 laps in a half hour. And then I was tired and out of breath afterwards. This year will be much better.

It's going to be a beautiful day today. The sun is already shining. =) After dropping Lindsay off at camp I'm heading over to the bike trail to walk and then I think I'll come home and jump in the pool. It's always nice to float around in peace when Lindsay isn't here. I love playing with her in the pool, but it's nice to just be out there by myself once in a while.