My Decision on Crossfit

Let me start by saying I absolutely loved my Crossfit experience! I felt empowered and had the confidence to do anything in the world after my one workout session.

The bottom line came down to the actual bottom line, though. I was really struggling with the idea of adding another fixed expense to our already huge pile of bills that we owe. I knew I couldn't afford to do month to month and I was scared that I wouldn't be able to handle a year commitment.

The real decision maker came when I checked the mail.

I recently went from being a part-time student with six credits (working on my Math endorsement) to only taking one class last semester and one class this up coming semester. That means that my student loans from my Master's Degree are no longer in deferment. And now we have an extra $50 a month bill that I can't do anything about put pay it off.

So that's my decision -- I really liked Crossfit, but due to financial obligations I am going to have to wait until we have our budget more under control.

Now for the meantime I am going to work out at home. I bought a jump rope, I have my exercise bike, I have the Wii and some various exercise DVDs. And of course I can always go outside for a walk, run or bike ride.

Thank you for all of the comments, suggestions and advice. I really appreciate it and they all played into helping me make my decision.

StuCo Layout

Stop the presses!

Hold the phones!

I completed a scrapbook layout! 

I tend to do a lot of scrapbooking of non-major events. I think it's because I don't feel the stress for it to be perfect like I do when I'm doing a layout of a birthday, major holiday or milestone.

On the last the quarter my student council had a little Christmas party where we had food and exchanged white elephant gifts. It was fun and I thought a perfect time for us to grab some photos of our whole group. The kids were great and wanted to do some nice photos and some silly ones. 

When I decided I was going to scrapbook these I went to the Internet to find a sketch that would work with a couple of 4 X 6 photos. I came across this one that is from Sketch Savvy and figured it was perfect for what I wanted!

I'm not sure of all of the supplies I used on this layout because a lot of it was just stuff I had from around the house. 

What I do know is that the letter stickers are Doodlebug Designs and the varsity letters are American Crafts Thickers. 

The stars I bought when Ben Franklin was going out of business up by my mom's house and I think they were Kaiser Kraft. 

The blue Chevron paper is from a LSS, but it says Scrapbook Customs on it. It looks like they have some pretty cool stuff on their website.

Oh! And I almost forgot -- the stitching is by hand with some help from Sew Easy tool by We R Memory Keepers. I love most everything they put out!

Thanks for stopping by and looking! Now off to do another layout! 

Another Project Finished

It is sad when I look around and realize how many unfinished projects I have laying around. Since I have a bit of time off from work I decided that I would remedy some of the unfinished projects and put them to good use. 

This is a shelf I bought off of the local yard sale Facebook page. When I got it it was black and had a black ribbon with white polka dots on it. I probably should have taken a before picture, but I didn't.

I knew I wanted it to go in EM's room so I spray painted it pink to match most everything else in her room. And then I had to wait for it to dry. I think that is where I end up with unfinished projects. I'm all excited and then my enthusiasm dies down during the drying process.

Anyway, I put the hooks back on it and then I added the cute pink ribbon (by American Crafts) and I have my beautiful new shelf to go in EM's room so she can hang up her hats and have a place to set a few small decorations.

I Love Vinyl -- It's Very Non-Committal

We have lived in our house for about 4 years. I think part of what makes a house a home, though, is having images of our family up on the walls and other decorations.

The thing is, hanging up those frames and shelves means putting holes in the wall. I have to worry about if I want that frame in that exact spot for an extended period of time and if I've hung it up straight (for the record, the one set of frames I have hung up are NOT straight and I even tried to hot glue part of the frame to make it look straight!).

In comes my friend vinyl. I absolutely love vinyl and I think there is some of it up in every room of the house except EM's. I guess I have to work on that.

Vinyl is very non-committal because if I decide I don't like that phrase anymore or if I hung it up wrong it can just come down without any consequence.

There is a place in our mall (Vinyl 4 Decor) that has a weekly special where you just have to like it on Facebook and then you get a $2 deal. I have been buying them off and on for the last year and when I went to the mall yesterday it was no exception.

Inspired by the events that took place in Connecticut the phrase for the week was very sweet and perfect for a piece of tile.

 

So the vinyl was $2, I found a piece of tile at Home Depot for $1 and I already had the stand at home from when a scrapbook store closed a couple of years ago.

I love my new decor and it is sitting in a cubby on my entertainment center!

And for the record -- you can still get this exact phrase from Vinyl 4 Decor by either going into the mall if you are local or by ordering it from their website.

To Crossfit or not to Crossfit -- that is my question

I'm a very determined person -- when I want to be.

I've done numerous things in my life that have surprised even me that I was capable of doing them. Like I have mentioned on previous posts -- natural childbirth (twice!), completing a half marathon (I didn't say running, but just completing it) and surviving shingles and a near drowning as a child -- just to name a few.

I tried Crossfit yesterday.

It was good and I already feel like I've learned a ton of information. I have another meeting scheduled tomorrow morning, but something keeps nagging at me. Is Crossfit really the right thing for me to do at this point in my life?

I desperately, desperately, desperately want to shed all of this extra weight I'm carrying, but I feel selfish joining another costly adventure in my journey to lose weight.

I know. I'm worth it. I'll be happier when I don't weight as much and I'm able to run around with my kids. But the money thing weighs heavy on my mind and we barely make it as it is.

I already pay $45 a month for weight watchers and my doctor has me on a medication that costs $50 a month. If I do join Crossfit that is another $55 a month with a one year commitment (it's a lot higher if you just do month to month).

Am I just making up excuses? Am I being lazy and not wanting to wake up at 5:30 to go to the gym on my day off? Am I really just scared to death that I'm not cut out for Crossfit?

The answer to all of the above is probably yes, but I just don't know what to do.

 Honest advice anyone?

Friend Making Monday (on Thursday) -- Fill in the blank

It has definitely been a busy week. I was hoping to play along with this on Monday, but I was out and about with the kids and my mother-in-law and I just haven't spend much time on an actual computer. Better late than never, right?

 

 

 

1. I want to...be able to run a half marathon without stopping.

2. I’ve never…sat down and watched the movie It's a Wonderful Life.

3. I believe…I can do absolutely anything I set my mind to. I have definitely proved it to myself more than once -- finishing the half marathon, having two children without drugs ...

4. My mind often wonders…Why I waste so much time on Facebook. It seems so pointless, but then again it seems necessary at times. I just can't seem to pull myself away.

5. Last night I dreamed that… About where I can find the cell phone that has disappeared.

6. This morning for breakfast I ate… Nothing yet, but I'll probably either have some pancakes or cereal.

7. My love life is… good because I share it with my wonderful husband.

8. I enjoy…having a nice break from work.

9. When I was a child I used to…play with my Barbies. Now it is funny to see EM playing with Barbies of her own.

10. When I’m in the kitchen I…feel accomplished. We have been doing much better eating at home and I like the accomplished feeling feeding my family a healthy meal gives me.

11. My favorite exercise is...walking. I also enjoyed the rowing I did yesterday at crossfit.

12. When I travel I… always forget at least one thing that I was suppose to bring.

13. My friends would tell you that I am…crafty, dedicated and a worrywart.

14. If I had to eat at a fast food restaurant today I would choose…Chick-fil-a. The one here is suppose to open soon. I can't wait!

15. My favorite… colors are pink, black, and purple.

16. My home is…messy, but getting more organized each day.

17. I read… before I go to bed. Right now I am reading Created by Cindy M. Hogan. It is the third book in a series about a girl named Christy and her adventures after witnessing a crime while on a school trip in Washinton D.C. It's pretty good, but I can't wait to be done so I can move onto other books on my list.

18. The last movie I saw was…Brave. We put it on for the kids last night while I was making cookies and cleaning up in the kitchen. It was good, but I think it spooked the kids a little before bedtime.

19. Music makes me feel…like moving around and dancing!

20. All I want for Christmas is…to get my life more organized. We had a really good Christmas and the kids were spoiled rotten. I don't think I'm going to buy them anything next year -- the grandparents and aunts and uncles seem to take care of them pretty well! LOL!

What I Wore Wednesday

Today's outfit isn't too exciting, but I'm definitely wearing it with pride! San Diego State is playing BYU Thursday in the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego so I'm trying to wear my SDSU clothes each day leading up to the victory. 

This is a super old SDSU sweatshirt (seriously -- I think it's at least 10 years old!). I was going to wear a different one, but it was too short. GRRRR!

The black "skinny" jeans are from Maurices and pretty much the only pants I wear with these Old Navy boots. 

I have to try to stay warm today because when I got up this morning this is what I saw outside:

You have to understand -- we don't get snow here! A few years ago they cancelled school when it snowed slightly more than this because the buses didn't have proper tires. I'm sure it will all be melted by the end of the day, but it is fun while it lasts!

12 Days of Christmas -- DAY SIX

When I made up these cards I was especially excited for this one because it is really something I should do on a more regular basis! 

I just left six sticky notes with I love you messages around the house at places that I thought would surprise DC, but that he would definitely see.

I did the milk, a mirror in the hallway, the mirror in our bathroom, by the chain lock at the front door, DC's pillow and inside the shower with the kid's tub crayons. It was fun and now I just need to remember to do this on a more regular basis!

12 Days of Christmas -- DAY FOUR & FIVE

I have the card for this one, but I never set it out for DC because I forgot. He was actually home from work on Sunday night when I went to bed and I just didn't set it out. The next morning I sent him a text message saying that he was receiving four loads of dishes that he didn't have to do.

I actually don't mind doing the dishes and I've been doing them a lot more recently, but DC definitely does the lion's share of them (I think mostly because he is home during the day and I'm not).

I guess when I sat out last night's card I forget to take a picture of it (which doesn't surprise me with how today is going -- I also didn't set my alarm and woke up 20 minutes before I needed to leave!). Anyway, I set out five little candy bars for DC for a sweet treat for the 5th day of Christmas.

Magazine Christmas Tree

For some reason our school gets this magazine and they don't want to put it out with the others so they give it to me. Score! I received it about a week ago, but hadn't done anything with it until this morning. My students were taking a test so I decided to flip through it and saw a cute page about how to upcycle an old magazine into a Christmas Tree decoration.

I didn't have the topper here with me at school, but you get the general idea and I have to say I think it is pretty darn cute! 

So now for some quick instructions ... 

Take an old magazine that you were probably going to throw in the recycling and open it up to the first pages. 

 

 You are going to fold down the right page by taking the top corner and folding it to the center of the magazine. This reminds me of when you are trying to make an 8 1/2 by 11 piece of paper into a square.

Next fold the rest of the page over to the center of the magazine. Now you should have a little overhang and the bottom that you are going to deal with in the next step.

Finally fold up the bottom so that it is flush against the rest of the page. Once you have done this to all of the pages you are going to fluff it up and it makes for a cute easy decoration that you could definitely do with your kids! This one took me about 20 minutes to do while watching the final episode of Gossip Girl. 

12 Days of Christmas -- DAY THREE

I have the absolute best husband in the world! Without him I would probably have to go buy new underwear all the time because I just can't seem to find the time to do my laundry. Because of this I figured the best thing I could give to him was a little break.

He was super happy with this surprise and I hope I can actually follow through with it.

Friend Making Monday -- 2012

Twelve in 2012

1. What was your greatest personal accomplishment in 2012?  I would have to say my biggest accomplishment of the year was completing my first 1/2 marathon. I did it just the other day and I couldn't be prouder of myself!

2. What’s the best thing your did for your health? I gave up soda in February for Lent and I haven't gone back. I think that is definitely pretty important for my health. I also started going to Weight Watchers again in September and I'm more determined than ever!

3. Share one thing that caused a significant change in your life this year.  I think realizing what I really want in life has caused me to make some big changes. I no longer want to be poor and overweight.

4. List a few things that you experienced for the first time at some point over the last twelve months.  

- I went to Europe (best thing ever!)

- I did my first half-marathon

- I did my first mud run

- I sent my baby off to kindergarten 

5. What was the coolest place you visited? I absolutely fell in love with Paris! I loved the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. I also really loved being in Vatican City. It was such a religious experience for me and something I will never forget.

6. If you could change one thing about the last year what would it be?  I would spend more time organizing my life at home. I feel like it is often times such a mess (physically and in my head). 

7. What is the best meal you ate this year? Honestly? The first night in Europe we went to dinner and had this pizza-like dinner that had cream cheese and sour cream -- NOT MY THING! Jami and I went around the corner from our hotel and got a kebob and fries and it was the most delicious thing every! 

8. Tell us about a new friend you made.  Because our sons were in the same preschool class, I became really good friends with a woman I've named C. She is super sweet and we can just sit and talk with each other. It is always nice to add someone new to your life! And our boys love playing together! 

9. What did you hope to accomplish this year that you did not?  I wanted to shed a lot more weight than I did. I'm not going to dwell too much on it though because I have lost 10 pounds and I am on my way to a healthier me.

10. Share something you learned in 2012.  I learned that I really can do anything I set my mind to.

11. Share an odd and unexpected thing that you experienced this year. I'm not really sure. I tried to think and I really can't come up with anything off the top of my head.

12. How do you think 2013 will differ from 2012?  I think I will be more organized in 2013 and that will help me achieve my financial and physical goals.

I absolutely LOVE FMM -- if you haven't done it go check out All the Weigh!!!

12 Days of Christmas -- DAY TWO

When DC received his card the first night he was excited and surprised about my little treat I was leaving him. But then he kind of made fun of me saying something about how I was going to be done on the 23rd. I was frustrated at first that he pointed that out, but then I decided to skip a day and then get on track to finish at the correct time.

Ironically, Friday was the day I was suppose to start again and I had already planned to print out a couple of photos of our cute kids. I think it meant even more in light of the elementary school shooting in Connecticut. It was such a difficult day and just being able to hold our children meant the world to us.

12 Days of Christmas -- for my hubby -- DAY ONE

So DC doesn't read our family blog so I think I am safe posting this and not spoiling anything. 

DC is VERY hard to shop for. He doesn't want to much and usually when he does want something it is so obscure or expensive I'm likely not to get it. 

I did buy him one thing for Christmas, but I wanted to do a little something else to make him feel special. I had pinned a couple of 12 Days of Christmas things and decided to go through them last night. I really liked this one and the ease of it, but also how I was able to customize it for DC.

I printed the template out on cardstock and then matted it on some really cute Echo Park scrapbook paper I had from last holiday season. 

So here is day one. We had an argument the other day about how I had taken the kids to work with me taking money at the school basketball game to give DC some alone time. Somehow in my mind I kind of expected him to do some things around the house, but he really did take it as time to do what he wanted. I was upset because I feel like I spend all of my time doing other stuff and I never do stuff for myself (like scrapbook -- when was the last time I did a page?!) Anyway, I thought this was appropriate and something I could follow through on doing.

Hopefully I can keep up on this and post each of the days (in a timely fashion). I plan on leaving them out on the counter for DC so he has something to look forward to when he comes home from work. Some are material and some are donations of my time or "talents."

What I Wore Wednesday

When I recently cleaned my closet I came across this cardigan that I hadn't worn in a while. It's a little big on me width wise so I thought adding a belt would help and I think it did.

The best compliment of the day was when one of my students blurted out in the middle of class that she thought I looked great in yellow! I guess I might need to add more of it to my wardrobe.

My shoes are Foxy and I've had them forever! They are comfy and go with pretty much everything. My jeans are from Deb and the black undershirt is the wonder tee from DownEast Outfitters. The yellow cardigan is from Target last spring and the belt is from Maurices.

I have my rosary bracelet on from the Vatican and my earrings are just little studs from Old Navy. 

Friend Making Monday -- Christmas Questions

1. How will you celebrate the holidays this year?  We will be staying home. It is suppose to be our year to go to Southern California, but because we went there last week we decided that it was best to save some money and celebrate at home. With that being said, DC's mom is coming up to visit and possibly his brother and our sister-in-law. I'm looking forward to the break and some time with family.

2. What’s the weather currently like where you live? It's recently taken a colder turn. Just last week we were in the 70s, but now it's in the 50s. It's still not awful, but a lot colder than it was.

3. Do you decorate your home for the holidays? If so, share a picture please!  We finally got our decorations out. It's not all up yet, but it's definitely looking more festive at home. I don't really have a picture of many of the decorations, but I did snap this one of EM the other day after we decorated our tree.

4. What is your favorite Christmas movie? I'm not sure. I'm not one to really have a favorite holiday movie. I guess I enjoy watching National Lampoons Christmas Vacation because DC finds it so funny and I enjoy spending the time with him to watch it.

5. What is your favorite Christmas songs? Again, I don't have a favorite song, but I do like the style of Michael Buble.

6. Do you have an advent calendar?  Yes, we do! And it is actually on the right date right now. 

7. Do you prefer color lights or white lights?  I thought I liked white lights and we put them on our house one year and I just didn't really LOVE it. So I guess I prefer colored lights. I can definitely tell you I don't like the icicle lights! We call them pizzerias.

8. What is your favorite food to eat over the holidays?  I really love those little melt-a-way mints that they sell at the booth in the mall.

9. Do you display a live tree, or do you prefer fake trees?  We have a fake one. It's not the most beautiful thing in the world, but it does the job. I can't imagine spending a ton of money on something that we only keep up for a month at the most.

10. What would you need to make your holiday perfect this year?  I think just surviving will be enough. I have everything I need so I just want to sit back and relax and enjoy the spirit of the holiday season.

FRUSTRATION!!!

I think nothing gets a momma more upset and frustrated than something dealing with her children! I was messing around at work and finally decided to look at the proposed boundary changes for next school year for LD's elementary school. I figured nothing would change, but I was wrong.

Instead of going to the school he is currently at, the boundaries propose that he goes to another neighborhood school.

I'm not having that!

I understand about numbers and all, I do, but he absolutely loves his current school. He knows the school motto, wears his school shirt with pride every Friday and I want him to be part of the dual immersion program next year.

I'm sure the other school is fine (although I've seen some of the data and it's not all that positive), but I really want LD to finish at the school he started at. I love everything about the school is is currently at and we will do everything we have to do to keep him going there, including driving his butt to school every day.

Am I being crazy and getting upset or nothing? I'm in near tears and I want nothing but what is the best for him.

What I Wore Wednesday

I've missed a few weeks because of things here and there, but I'm determined to get back on track. I thought I would show off a couple of different outfits I have worn recently, starting with some very casual school attire.

These are some jeans I got from Deb right before I went to Europe in March. They are skinnier at the bottom, but I think they were probably too big for the boots from Old Navy I tried to tuck them into. The shirt is just a school shirt from last year and the sweater I believe is from Old Navy or Target. Nothing too exciting, but I thought I looked kinda cute on this day.

We recently had to head south for the funeral of DC's grandmother. It was definitely a sad trip and we miss her dearly. I didn't really have any funeral appropriate clothing, but I happened to spot this dress at Target right before we left and I couldn't pass it up. I absolutely love the look for this dress and how I felt in it. I added some red earrings from Old Navy as an homage to grandma because she was buried in a beautiful red dress. They tights are from Target and the shoes are from Express. I'm definitely getting better at walking in the shoes, but they are still a little out of my comfort zone.