It's been almost a year since I've blogged. WOW. Slacker. Yeah. Life happened.
Want to know what's on my mind today?? Child-bearing.
Apparently inquiring minds want to know if another little one will be added to our family...I know this because I get asked on an almost daily basis. I get jabs and pokes fairly consistently, all in dialogue form.
Sorry friends, that's just not a topic I discuss; I have too many dear friends who CAN'T have more children and it's in poor taste for me to act like it's simply a decision that can easily be made...merely a switch that can be turned on and off...
I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but please respect my privacy regarding the topic and the feelings of my friends who don't have a choice!
Quite frankly, it's none of your beeswax.
And if you'd like an awesome article, read HERE. I especially like Response #2.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Monday, August 22, 2011
Quick Update
This weekend I didn't get all my water in nor did I eat all that well or exercise. So imagine my surprise this morning when I was down another pound!!
I've made progress in lots of other areas though. My MIL sent back with my son a box of her super delicious sugar cookies yesterday. I've had a total of 1/2 of a cookie. Go me! I usually devour these, so that's major improvement.
Last night, I laid out my workout clothes and set my alarm for 6:15am. Those of you who know me are probably laughing (I am NOT a morning person!) So I actually got out of the bed when my alarm went off, went to the bathroom, took a peek out the window and to my horror, realized it was pitch black outside. That walk soooo did not happen! But I did make up for it tonight by walking over 1.5 miles and I'm proud that I made myself do that.
I also ate fairly well today so overall it was a good day on my journey! Hoping for another one tomorrow...
Friday, August 19, 2011
Unexpected Culprit
So I've had terrible heartburn for the last week and a half. Literally all day long until I have gone to bed each night. TMI? Maybe, but I'd advise reading on. This is info you might want to know!
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I've been meeting my water intake goal everyday. I've been consuming approximately 100 oz. of water per day. I use the Crystal Light To-Go packets, but I split each pack into multiple cups because I find the flavors far too strong. I use only (1) To-Go packet per day, so really it's very little per cup.
It's not that I dislike regular water, but our City's water has an odor and tastes terrible! Filtering the water doesn't help very much and consistently drinking bottled water isn't quite in the budget.
So back to the heartburn. I began having heartburn at 10am this morning and started thinking how crazy that was. I'd only had a glass of milk, a granola bar, a cup of coffee, and 24 oz. of Crystal Light water by that point. I'm not sure what made me think of it, but it occurred to me that the Crystal Light might be causing the heartburn. I sort of laughed it off, but just to be safe, I didn't drink anymore water. Mid afternoon, I got to a computer and did what I do whenever I need valuable information: I Googled. Sure enough, I wasn't alone. Apparently Crystal Light contains Citric Acid and Aspartame, which are both causes of intense heartburn and upset stomach. Who knew?!
Needless to say, I've taken a brief hiatus from water this afternoon. I'm going to look into different filtering options and until then just drink bottled water!
What did I learn from this? READ THE LABELS!
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I've been meeting my water intake goal everyday. I've been consuming approximately 100 oz. of water per day. I use the Crystal Light To-Go packets, but I split each pack into multiple cups because I find the flavors far too strong. I use only (1) To-Go packet per day, so really it's very little per cup.
It's not that I dislike regular water, but our City's water has an odor and tastes terrible! Filtering the water doesn't help very much and consistently drinking bottled water isn't quite in the budget.
So back to the heartburn. I began having heartburn at 10am this morning and started thinking how crazy that was. I'd only had a glass of milk, a granola bar, a cup of coffee, and 24 oz. of Crystal Light water by that point. I'm not sure what made me think of it, but it occurred to me that the Crystal Light might be causing the heartburn. I sort of laughed it off, but just to be safe, I didn't drink anymore water. Mid afternoon, I got to a computer and did what I do whenever I need valuable information: I Googled. Sure enough, I wasn't alone. Apparently Crystal Light contains Citric Acid and Aspartame, which are both causes of intense heartburn and upset stomach. Who knew?!
Needless to say, I've taken a brief hiatus from water this afternoon. I'm going to look into different filtering options and until then just drink bottled water!
What did I learn from this? READ THE LABELS!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Journey to Weight Loss
So I started weighing in again last Wednesday. I say again because I've done this on and off for the last 5 years or so. But I'm now the heaviest I've ever been (not counting pregnancy) and am the same weight I was when I was about 7-8 months pregnant with my son. Now there's something to brag about...
I'm calling this a journey because I think that word is more applicable than diet. I don't want to call it a lifestyle change (though I am hoping for that) because that seems overwhelming and impossible at the moment. A journey is more like a road trip. It's attainable, though I don't know when I'll get there.
My plan had originally been to be neck deep in my weight loss journey by my 30th birthday. That was 2 months ago. So I'm regrouping and reminding myself that it's not too late to lose weight. EVER.
I have used some birthday money over the last couple of months to get various pieces of "workout gear." More on the clothes and gadgets later.
I usually work at night after my son goes to bed, but yesterday I made a commitment to journal my weight loss journey. So I'm trying to get my thoughts down tonight. I'm hoping if I can do it consistently for a week, it will get me in the habit. Ultimately I think journaling about efforts towards weight loss is an extremely valuable tool.
If you are on a journey also, I highly recommend following Sara's blog: A Weight-y Life. Sara's journey is wonderful motivation!
My daily goal is meet my water intake amount. For the last week, I've made it each day! Now to work on getting a regular walk in...
And ending on a positive note, my increase in water has led to a 2 lb loss in one week! YIPPEE!!
I'm calling this a journey because I think that word is more applicable than diet. I don't want to call it a lifestyle change (though I am hoping for that) because that seems overwhelming and impossible at the moment. A journey is more like a road trip. It's attainable, though I don't know when I'll get there.
My plan had originally been to be neck deep in my weight loss journey by my 30th birthday. That was 2 months ago. So I'm regrouping and reminding myself that it's not too late to lose weight. EVER.
I have used some birthday money over the last couple of months to get various pieces of "workout gear." More on the clothes and gadgets later.
I usually work at night after my son goes to bed, but yesterday I made a commitment to journal my weight loss journey. So I'm trying to get my thoughts down tonight. I'm hoping if I can do it consistently for a week, it will get me in the habit. Ultimately I think journaling about efforts towards weight loss is an extremely valuable tool.
If you are on a journey also, I highly recommend following Sara's blog: A Weight-y Life. Sara's journey is wonderful motivation!
My daily goal is meet my water intake amount. For the last week, I've made it each day! Now to work on getting a regular walk in...
And ending on a positive note, my increase in water has led to a 2 lb loss in one week! YIPPEE!!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Soap Box
I'd like to get a few things off my chest today...
I just had a customer pick up an order and tell me about an idea she had for the teachers at her school. She finished her thought by saying, "Well, you probably don't want anymore business. I know you're a Stay at Home Mommy. That's what I'll be in my next life."
Wow.
Really?
Just because I don't go someplace outside of my home to work everyday does not mean that I don't work. And even if I did stay at home and do nothing else but be a Stay at Home Mom, there is nothing wrong with that. I work three hours in my home office in the morning while my son goes to preschool. I work again for about 2 hours in the afternoon while he naps. (That's 5 hours so far...are you counting?) Then after supper gets cleaned up, my wonderful husband bathes our son and puts him to bed while I work for another 3 or 4 hours. So there's my 8-9 hour day. (Apparently I need proof.) In busy seasons it could be a couple more hours per day. Oh and I often work weekends...as in both Saturday and Sunday for a few hours.
I'm not bragging or complaining. I'm just saying that let's not judge each other. Period. Ever. At all. Every one has different parenting styles....should we judge that? No way.
I get SO tired of hearing the battle between "working mom" and "SAHM mom". Really ladies, is it really a rite of passage or an accomplishment to be able to do one or the other? Are you "neglecting" your child if you are not home with them 24/7? Are you spoiled and lazy because you are home all the time?
I was a SAHM for 2 1/2 years before I started my business. Before that, I was a Corporate Workaholic. I graduated college in three years and immediately went to work when I was 20 years old as the Furniture Buyer for AmSouth Bank (now Regions Bank.) I traveled and worked all the time. For a good while, I was only home 4 days a week. I can't imagine doing that and raising a child at the same time. Serious kudos to Mommas who do that. I also can't imagine being a SAHM for at least 5-6 years and never having a break from the monotony. Kudos to Mommas who do that too. Wow.
After I had my son, I battled with mild PPD. I physically and emotionally couldn't go back to work after I had my son. My decision to be a SAHM was made for me. It took me a very, very long time to adapt to life without a corporate job. I felt like I had lost my identity. With the help of antidepressants, family and friends, I was able to overcome my anxiety and deep rooted sadness. I learned to enjoy being at home with my son and get to know him. We formed a bond...one that we didn't get to form when he was an infant, as most mothers and children do. Most importantly, I had come to accept that being a SAHM was OK!
I've been on both sides of the spectrum, which is why it infuriates me for mothers to talk about the choices that others have made. Bottom line: NONE-YA. It's none of your business what others choose to do because, more than likely, you don't know the whole story. I do what I do because it's what works for me and my family. And I really don't owe anyone an explanation for it.
I actually had a Working Mom from my child's preschool ask me earlier this year if I worked. I told her yes, that I owned an embroidery business. Her response? "Well, I knew you did that little thing, but...."
News Flash: I run a business. I have a business license from my city. My business is a Limited Liability Company (LLC.) I file and pay monthly State Sales Tax. My office just happens to be in my formal dining room within my house. Why? Because it's free and no one charges me to rent this room.
Let's get this straight. As long as a mother loves her child, takes care of him, and provides for him, then she is a good mother. That may mean that she goes to work everyday, leaves her child with a caring individual and brings home a paycheck. Or that could mean that she stays at home and tries to manage entertaining a small child all day while trying not to lose her sanity because there's been no adult interaction for 10-12 hours straight. I applaud both efforts because regardless of where you physically are each day, you love and care for your child.
Working Mom, SAHM, WAHM....we are all good mothers. Just because you wear the hat of one of those titles does not give you the right to judge someone with a different hat. It's no different than comparing childhood milestones. DO NOT EVER DO THAT. Children grow and learn at different rates. Just because one decides to walk and one decides he likes to keep crawling does not make one child better than the other. We all have our struggles. Let's support each other instead of criticizing one another.
I'm going to leave it at that. Talk amongst yourselves...
I just had a customer pick up an order and tell me about an idea she had for the teachers at her school. She finished her thought by saying, "Well, you probably don't want anymore business. I know you're a Stay at Home Mommy. That's what I'll be in my next life."
Wow.
Really?
Just because I don't go someplace outside of my home to work everyday does not mean that I don't work. And even if I did stay at home and do nothing else but be a Stay at Home Mom, there is nothing wrong with that. I work three hours in my home office in the morning while my son goes to preschool. I work again for about 2 hours in the afternoon while he naps. (That's 5 hours so far...are you counting?) Then after supper gets cleaned up, my wonderful husband bathes our son and puts him to bed while I work for another 3 or 4 hours. So there's my 8-9 hour day. (Apparently I need proof.) In busy seasons it could be a couple more hours per day. Oh and I often work weekends...as in both Saturday and Sunday for a few hours.
I'm not bragging or complaining. I'm just saying that let's not judge each other. Period. Ever. At all. Every one has different parenting styles....should we judge that? No way.
I get SO tired of hearing the battle between "working mom" and "SAHM mom". Really ladies, is it really a rite of passage or an accomplishment to be able to do one or the other? Are you "neglecting" your child if you are not home with them 24/7? Are you spoiled and lazy because you are home all the time?
I was a SAHM for 2 1/2 years before I started my business. Before that, I was a Corporate Workaholic. I graduated college in three years and immediately went to work when I was 20 years old as the Furniture Buyer for AmSouth Bank (now Regions Bank.) I traveled and worked all the time. For a good while, I was only home 4 days a week. I can't imagine doing that and raising a child at the same time. Serious kudos to Mommas who do that. I also can't imagine being a SAHM for at least 5-6 years and never having a break from the monotony. Kudos to Mommas who do that too. Wow.
After I had my son, I battled with mild PPD. I physically and emotionally couldn't go back to work after I had my son. My decision to be a SAHM was made for me. It took me a very, very long time to adapt to life without a corporate job. I felt like I had lost my identity. With the help of antidepressants, family and friends, I was able to overcome my anxiety and deep rooted sadness. I learned to enjoy being at home with my son and get to know him. We formed a bond...one that we didn't get to form when he was an infant, as most mothers and children do. Most importantly, I had come to accept that being a SAHM was OK!
I've been on both sides of the spectrum, which is why it infuriates me for mothers to talk about the choices that others have made. Bottom line: NONE-YA. It's none of your business what others choose to do because, more than likely, you don't know the whole story. I do what I do because it's what works for me and my family. And I really don't owe anyone an explanation for it.
I actually had a Working Mom from my child's preschool ask me earlier this year if I worked. I told her yes, that I owned an embroidery business. Her response? "Well, I knew you did that little thing, but...."
News Flash: I run a business. I have a business license from my city. My business is a Limited Liability Company (LLC.) I file and pay monthly State Sales Tax. My office just happens to be in my formal dining room within my house. Why? Because it's free and no one charges me to rent this room.
Let's get this straight. As long as a mother loves her child, takes care of him, and provides for him, then she is a good mother. That may mean that she goes to work everyday, leaves her child with a caring individual and brings home a paycheck. Or that could mean that she stays at home and tries to manage entertaining a small child all day while trying not to lose her sanity because there's been no adult interaction for 10-12 hours straight. I applaud both efforts because regardless of where you physically are each day, you love and care for your child.
Working Mom, SAHM, WAHM....we are all good mothers. Just because you wear the hat of one of those titles does not give you the right to judge someone with a different hat. It's no different than comparing childhood milestones. DO NOT EVER DO THAT. Children grow and learn at different rates. Just because one decides to walk and one decides he likes to keep crawling does not make one child better than the other. We all have our struggles. Let's support each other instead of criticizing one another.
I'm going to leave it at that. Talk amongst yourselves...
Sunday, July 24, 2011
30 Blog Challenge: Day 30 (It's OVER!)
What's Been Going on Recently
July has been busy for me! We celebrated with my mom's side of the family for the 4th of July. My husband and I went on a 5 day trip to St. Simon's Island for his work convention, while my mom kept our kiddo. The past few days I've worked, attended a baby shower, and gone to Wal-Mart. Exciting, huh?
Well, this has been fun...some days were far more entertaining than others. Now, you'll get to read more about my random thoughts! LOL! I do have some workout gear I want to post about..stay tuned.
July has been busy for me! We celebrated with my mom's side of the family for the 4th of July. My husband and I went on a 5 day trip to St. Simon's Island for his work convention, while my mom kept our kiddo. The past few days I've worked, attended a baby shower, and gone to Wal-Mart. Exciting, huh?
Well, this has been fun...some days were far more entertaining than others. Now, you'll get to read more about my random thoughts! LOL! I do have some workout gear I want to post about..stay tuned.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 29
My Wish for the Future
Longterm wish is probably just like anyone else's.....the hope for my family and me to always be happy and healthy.
Short term wish....well, telling that would be like telling a wish before you blow out your birthday candles!! ;-) I will say that whatever happens, I wish that it's what's best for me and my family.
Longterm wish is probably just like anyone else's.....the hope for my family and me to always be happy and healthy.
Short term wish....well, telling that would be like telling a wish before you blow out your birthday candles!! ;-) I will say that whatever happens, I wish that it's what's best for me and my family.
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