Fitness Friday: Fitness Challenge Starts in Two Weeks!

It's GO time! With school closures due to ice and snow, it's hard to believe Spring and Summer really are right around the corner! Forget about New Year's Resolutions, which may or may not have already been broken. Let's not beat ourselves up about it!

Instead, let's join forces and get into an accountability group! I am looking for FIVE people to join me in a Turbo Hotties Challenge group. My long time friend and Beachbody Coach, Korri Nelson, will spur us on through 90 days of concentrated dedication to our health and well being.  There will be prizes along the way too! Water bottles, Shakeology Samples (the most nutritious meal of the day), and more!

This is a preview of the program we will use transform our bodies over the next 90 days:

It's time to Decide, Commit, and Succeed!

Why I chose Turbo Fire as the challenge workout program:

Chalene Johnson - Chalene is the instructor and creator of Turbo Fire, Turbo Jam, and ChaLEAN Extreme. She is positive and upbeat without being a barbie doll cheer leader. She kicks your butt and she knows it. Chalene knows exactly when you need to be reminded that you are NOT dying, your legs are NOT falling off and to keep PUSHING yourself! I simply love her and I think you will too!

Challenging Workouts - You WILL feel like have two, maybe three left feet at first. BUT, there is the option to learn the moves at a slower pace first using the Fire Starter class.

It's proven, it WORKS! I've personally lost inches in the past and I know I can do it again. This time I'm getting my diet in order too in order to guarantee my success!

Challenge participants for this group are required to commit to 90 days of Turbo Fire. Results are Guaranteed. If you don't like it, simply return it after 30 days. You've got nothing to lose but the weight.

Connect with me on Facebook. Send me a message that you saw this post and want to join the challenge and Korri or I will invite you to the accountability group. Watch for an invite called Turbo Hotties Feb. 2014

Make Something Monday: Hello Kitty Hats

I learned to knit and crochet when I was a young girl. I don't remember exactly how old I was, but I'm pretty sure it was under the age of 10. I learned some from my mom and some from my grandmother on my dad's side. Back then I didn't know how to follow a pattern. I didn't really make anything, I just kept knitting or crocheting.

About 10 years ago, I started knitting scarves. I wore them to work and people admired them so much they wanted me to make scarves for them. Some were for my friends/co-workers, others they wanted to give as gifts. I kept pretty busy knitting scarves for a few months!

Down the road, a friend showed me how to use DPNs (double pointed needles) to make hats. I made a few hats, but that was about it.

Then I had a baby and put away my knitting needs for a few years. I was afraid she would either poke her eyes out with the knitting needles, or pull one of my DPNs out of a project and unravel whatever I was working on.

A couple of months ago I decided to make Hello Kitty hats for my munchkin and her cousins. I got some white yarn and started knitting. It was taking a long time, but I knew the girls would enjoy the hats, so I kept at it. I had hoped to have the hats done by the time the family gathered in Carlsbad, California to celebrate a belated Christmas. That didn't happen.

Thankfully, Jenni from I'm Dancing in the Rain, shared a little secret with me: Crocheting goes a LOT faster than knitting! Man on man! She has a free pattern on her site that I used and got the last two hats cranked out in just a couple of hours each. Whew! I wish I'd know that secret when I started the project. Lesson learned!

I still have to finish embellishing all the hats and get them in the mail this week, but here's what they look like pre-embellishment:

This is the knitted version. 

This is the crochet version

If you're interested in making a Hello Kitty hat of your own, here is a link to the pattern I used for the knitted hats and embellishments. You could probably use just about any pattern for the white hat, then embellish it using the tips used on this blog. Obviously, that's what I did when I decided to crochet the hats!

Word for the Year 2014

Hard to believe January is practically over already!

Now that I'm back home from my whirlwind trip to the West Coast, I am finally getting around to solidifying my agenda for the year. Last year, I wrote some commitments on a white board. I had my picture taken with the list and posted it on Facebook. I then checked the items off as I accomplished them. I missed a couple of targets, and one of them became obsolete (don't need to paint the outside of a home I no longer own). My PLAN is to do that again for 2014 by January 31st. I don't have all my commitments decided on yet.

In the mean time, I've read a couple of posts about a word for the year, such as Jennifer (Jenni) at I'm Dancing in the Rain. She's also a long distance friend whom I only recently met in person at another Jennifer's (Jen) surprise party. She is an amazing woman. In my eyes, she's an incredibly strong woman.

My word is: Stronger

 Photo credit: http://www.pixabay.com

My goals this year are around getting stronger, inside and out.

Physically, this involves strength training in addition to my regular cardio/Zumba. Strength training enables me to burn more calories when I'm working out, and when I'm not. It also makes me, well, stronger, of course!

I'm also committing to getting stronger and stepping (literally) outside my comfort zone by completing a 5K! It's called Color Me Rad. I haven't decided on the date and location yet. Probably Waco in March, hopefully before it's too dreadfully hot here in Texas!


Emotionally, getting stronger involves assuming positive intentions (sorry, co-workers, I couldn't help it!) and don't blow things out of proportion. I ask for clarification instead of letting my mind run wild in the wrong direction.


Spiritually, I plan to grow stronger by attending church regularly, including Sunday morning Bible Study, and reading my Bible throughout the week. I am so blessed that my family has found our new church in Texas!

I Can Blog Again!!!

Wow! Where do I even begin???!!

I have  been absolutely paranoid to post anything on Facebook, Twitter, my blog, etc. for fear of spilling a HUGE secret I've been holding since shortly after Thanksgiving. Around Cyber Monday, I got a text from my BFF's hubby, Joe, asking if Miss M and I would fly out for JHo's (aka Jen's) 40th birthday hurrah. Are you KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW???? OF COURSE!

It helped that we were already in the state, celebrating belated Christmas with my husband's side of the family. Instead of flying home on Monday, we flew up to Sacramento. My parents picked us up and we hid out with them for a few days. I had the whole family on Facebook lock down! NO PHOTOS! No tagging! It felt like we were in witness protection or something! We had a few close calls, but we made it through.

We had a nice visit with my folks. My brother came up from the Bay Area and we got to see my other brother who lives near my parents, too. He works out of town, so we don't always get to see him when we're there. We had a little celebration for Miss M's, my, and my mom's birthday as they are all in January. 

On Thursday, Mom and Dad drove us over to the Sacramento Airport. We met Joe at the cell phone lot and transferred all our luggage over to his truck. We said our tearful goodbyes and got in the truck. Jen's other BFF's, Jenni, Hilary and Mr. Hilary were also flying in. I went to terminal A to meet up with Jenni, he went to pick up Hilary and Mr. Hilary.

The timing was perfect and everything was falling into place. Jen and her friend, Erika were shopping at Ikea while we were rounding every body up. He had given Jen a gift card to Joe's Crab Shack that morning to ensure she would have lunch at the right place!

We were approaching the restaurant just as Jen and Erika were walking in! We couldn't believe we had such a close call! Thankfully, Erika spotted us and quickly ushered her through the door. Whew! We got parked and headed to the restaurant. Joe went in, gifts in hand. The rest of us waited impatiently outside. Jenni's gift was in her luggage, which was delayed, so we sent her in first. We decided to have her call Jen as if to be checking on how her birthday shopping trip was going.

Jenni walked in to greet Jen while they were talking on the phone. It was PRICELESS! That had to be the absolute last thing she was expecting to see! Joe then handed Jen a present, which she set down to take it all in. Joe told her to go ahead and open it. Meanwhile, he's texting me to go ahead and come in with Miss M. She just got done opening it, wheels spinning in her head, when Miss M and I started walking toward her. She let out a big "NO WAY!" and gave us the biggest hug ever.

Jen was just getting used to the idea that Jenni, Miss M and I were there when we moved to a bigger table to accommodate every one. Joe then handed her one last present. This was the grand finale! It was a picture of Mr. & Mrs. Hilary!!! Hilary is another BFF from work, whom Jen has actually never met in person. Now that she'd been through this routine once, she had an idea of what the photo meant. In disbelief, she said "NOOOOOO!" as they walked to the table. At the same time, a waiter was asking if everyone in the party had arrived. He saw Hilary and hubs walking toward us and said, "Oh, I see you have two more." That was seconds before Jen opened the photo and I was about to step on his foot for blowing it! I don't think she heard him though.

We had some lunch and a couple of drinks at Joe's Crab Shack. We laughed and talked about all of the fibs we'd had to tell her to cover up for what was really going on. Will she ever trust us again? I hope so!

Then we headed back to Chico for some more partying. We had Chinese and Japanese food and cake that night, where Jenni and I gave her some craftiness we had been collaborating on. More on that later. She also received a "boat load of cash" for the cruise she and Jenni are taking in March. I thought that was pretty clever! It was a toy boat with various cash bills sticking out of the various openings.

On Friday, Miss M and I got to visit her peeps & teachers at her old preschool. It was so sweet to see all her buddies come over and swarm her with love and hugs. One teacher even shrieked when she spotted Miss M! After that, we headed to a tea bar to visit with a few of our Chico friends. I had the opportunity to connect up with another special friend back at Jen's house before we all headed out for apps and drinks downtown.

I'm still pinching myself that this all happened. It was such a huge blessing for me to be able to go back home after moving to Texas just a few months ago. It felt good to see the people I miss so much. On top of missing our old friends and family, now I miss our new friends: Mr. & Mrs. Hilary (Mr. Hilary's name is actually Brett, by the way!) and Jenni as well. Even Miss M said she was going to miss them on our journey home.

Check out the events from Jen's and Jenni's perspective on their blogs.

2013 In Review

I started this blog as a way to consolidate and blog about all of the things I am into: fitness, knitting, quilting, scrap-booking,crafting in general, reading, and of course, my family! Like a lot of things in my life, I got sidetracked and didn't stick with it. Hopefully I will be more "faithful" to my blog in 2014!

Before we head into the new year, though, let's look back at 2013. I was inspired to do this by Jennifer, who is an amazing, incredibly strong woman, IMHO!

 Let's wrap up 2013 and put a bow on it, shall we?

  

Gained or lost weight? Yes


Predominant feeling in 2013? Up and down!

Predominant feeling for 2014? Anticipation! New state, new home, and so many new possibilities!

Something you did for the first time in 2013? Became a licensed Zumba instructor and taught my first class. I continued for a few months until we moved.

Something you did again in 2013 after a long pause? I'm knitting and crocheting again! Loving it!

Something you unfortunately did not do in 2013?  Two things did not get crossed of my goals list from 2013: size 9 and paying off bills. I made big progress on both, though! Mark my words, I WILL achieve these two in 2014! Watch me!

Word of the year? Changes! We waved bye bye to Chuck, our 50 year old mental patient and moved from California to Texas, to name a few1

Hair longer or shorter? Longer and more red.

Hospital stays? I didn't stay, but I did end up in the ER the night before my daughter's birthday due to getting oils from the world's hottest pepper in BOTH of my eyes.

(Fallen) In love? Still very much in love with my husband!

Most called person? I don't talk on the phone much these days. I guess I talk to my mom the most.

Whom did you spend the most beautiful time with? Wow. That's a tough one. Most of the moments with my daughter are beautiful! I also had a very memorable night out with my BFF, J'Ho of Mom Rocks Mealtime!


Song of the year? Overcomer by Mandissa


Book of the year? 1, 2, 3 Magic


Movie of the year? Frozen. Proabbly cuz it's the most recent one we saw and the only one I can think of right now.


TV Show of the year? SCANDAL! Hands DOWN! I don't even want to wait and play catch up on DVR. I HAVE to watch it as soon as it comes on!

Insight of the year?  It's never to late to become the person you've always wanted to be.

Three things you totally could have done without?

• The whole oil of the hottest pepper in the world in my eye thing.
• Ugliness from someone I love. 
• Escalation of Charlie's condition.

The most expensive thing you bought? A new to me Chevy Traverse

The most delicious meal or food you ate? Wasabi Crusted Tuna with Ginger-Soy Sauce!

The best party? Girls Night Out with J'Ho! It was EPIC!

The most important thing you wanted to convince somebody of? Myself: That I can accomplish anything I set my mind to!

How will you celebrate New Year's Eve? At home. Nothing exciting.

What will you have for dinner? I need to check the menu and get back to you.

What drinks will be in your glasses to clink? If I know my hubby, he got champagne.

Will you ignite any fireworks? No.

What are you going to wear? Comfy or glamorous? Comfy!

Did you have any resolutions for 2013? And how about 2014? I prefer to call them commitments. I sure did for 2013. Wrote 'em on a white board and posted it on FaceBook. I then checked 'em off (almost all of them anyway) and re-posted it each time I accomplished something. Definitely going to do it again!


What are your wishes for the new year? I really hope to start teaching Zumba again. And get plugged in to a church that feels as much like home as our church in Chico, California did. That's a pretty tall order.

In one word, 2013 was... Dramatic.

Now it's your turn. Pick a question or two or all, and tell me what your answer would be!

Fail to Plan or Plan to Fail Part 2

When I posted Fail to Plan or Plan to Fail Part 1, about two weeks ago, I had another post planned out in my head. That post was going to include how clever I was to plan my NaBloPoMo in advance. I used a calendar from Calendars That Work and plotted out all my topics. Ok, not ALL the topics and not one for every day...

And there en-lies the problem!

Life just up and got in the way. Between sickness in the home, searching for and buying a house, on top of a sudden influx of actual work to do at the jobby job, my lack of planning for NaBloPoMo really kicked me in the backside. I didn't actually complete the plan. I didn't plan for contingencies like sick kids or sick me or deadlines piling up.

That's what I get for being smug! 

As we stare down the countdown app which currently reads "8" days, and January 1st hot on the heels of Christmas, I find myself setting some lofty goals. I had some pretty good ones last year, and I've crossed all but one off the list! I didn't even really have a plan when I set those goals. That may explain why that last one is still on there.

I have goals for my own health and fitness, reading goals, and business goals. What will determine whether or not I achieve them? What is the difference between crossing one off the list and checking them all off completely? You guessed it...it's whether I: 

Plan, Schedule, Plan Some More

Plan: This involves taking each of my goals and breaking them into mini goals. For example, take the amount of weight I want to lose over the next 12 months and break it down into monthly and weekly goals. 

Schedule: I can vow to exercise more and eat healthier, but unless I get my workouts on the calendar and plan some healthy meals ahead of time, life is guaranteed to come up again and get in the way. I will put my workouts on my calendar and stick to them like I would a meeting with my boss, a doctor's appointment, or a date with my husband! 

Plan Some More: Once I've got my goals figured out, broken down, and scheduled, I also need to review it all now and frequently. I'll check my progress and make sure I'm on track. These check-ins will go on the calendar as well, or they won't happen. 12 months will slip right by and I'll weigh the same and not have read any more or gotten any scrap-booking done! 

There you have it. That is my strategy for 2014. What about you? Do you have goals? Do you have a plan in place to make sure you'll get there?

Fail to Plan Or Plan to Fail Part 1

Last night was supposed to be ballet night for the girls (my almost 5 year old and her 5 year old 2nd cousin). Unfortunately, time got away from us adults. I picked up my kiddo after work with cousin in tow. After the pre-k pickup, we headed to the pharmacy to get antibiotics for the cousin. This task took way longer than I had counted on.

By the time I was in the drive through line, it was determined it was too late to get the girls home and fed before ballet. Hubs had gotten waylayed and dinner wasn't started yet. A flurry of miscommunication ensued between hubs, niece, and myself. We decided to cancel ballet and just go out to eat. That plan eventually got canned to. In the end, niece and daughter went home and I took my munchkin to ballet on an empty stomach.

This story plays out every night in a kajillion households. There's nothing to eat, so we make a bad choice: let's eat. This rash decision is often costly and not very healthy.  We plan our dinner menus for the week with the help of my bff, J'Ho at Mom Rocks Mealtime, and a variety of other recipe sites to inspire our taste buds. Unfortunately, life happens and plans get changed.

Jen posted an incredible blog about freezer meals this week. I am definitely going to check out the book it is based on and get some of those puppies in my freezer ASAP so we don't push the dining out emergency button again.

I have more to say about the topic of "Fail to plan, or plan to fail," so stay tuned for part 2!