Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

Summer Health Challenge – Week 2 Plan

June 9, 2014

I sat down before bed Saturday night and decided to come up with a plan for the rest of the month. It goes something like this:

Week 1 – Pffft (That’s why I forced myself to come up with a plan)
Week 2 – 10 minutes of exercise, 6 glasses of water (6oz each), vitamin
Week 3 – All of the above plus – 2 glasses of fruit juice, 3 servings of veg
Week 4 – All of the above plus – protein of some type at each meal

I haven’t gone beyond that because I think making goals for one month at a time is more sustainable for me personally. And as you can see Week 1 was a washout. Well, not a total washout – I did drink a lot of water which resulted in a one pound weight loss. Go me!

I decided this week my exercise will be marching in place for a minute 10 times each day. It’s not all at once but it is 10 minutes of exercise. My hope is the bursts of movement will help keep my energy up throughout the day too.

So, that’s the plan for the week. Let’s go!

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Midweek Update

June 4, 2014

Okay, I’ll be honest, I’m off to a rocky start. On Sunday I had a soda (it’s something I have only a few times a year), a coffee, and trail mix from Target. Monday, I was really tired so I ordered pizza for supper. Oh and there were ice cream sandwiches involved as well. Oops. Yesterday morning I started crashing, but I knew it was due to not taking my synthroid two days in a row. I completely forgot Monday night, so I took the missed dose Tuesday morning and felt better by afternoon. I also avoided a complete meltdown that was starting by remembering about that and going with the flow. Yay me!

Today, I’m feeling less tired and more in the groove. I’ve got a menu plan going for the week and today it’s chef salad for lunch and a pasta casserole for supper with vegetables on the side. I bought a variety of Bolthouse Farms juices on Saturday so I’m cramming my fruits and veggies in that way this week. It’s spa-ish.

I’m reading Lessons From Madame Chic by Jennifer Scottand that is giving me food for thought too. I realized that I have no particular style in fashion anymore. It used to be very eclectic when I was younger, but also I tried to emulate so many other women’s styles that mine never evolved. I also found a book that’s more geared to the women of a certain age called Forever Chic by Tish Jett. Maybe that will help me find the style that suits me. More on that later.

So, what I need to do TODAY is write down those very specific goals for each week and try to meet them. I need to take it up a notch and do a challenge that really is a challenge. I need to say to myself, “Self, this is how we’re going to do it – are you with me?” And do it. Roll with the changes baby.

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Summer Wardrobe – A Plan

May 31, 2014

Yesterday I posted about my spa-like plans for next week and eating plans for…well forever. Today’s post is about the wardrobe plans I had scrawled at the top of that piece of paper. It went like this:

12 Piece Summer Wardrobe
1 pair jeans
1 pair shorts
2 pair capris – 1 khaki, 1 denim
2 skirts – 1 denim, 1 print
2 button down shirts – 1 print, 1 solid
2 tee shirts
1 cardigan

Well, that seems like a good start and I do have some of those items now. I also remembered what Clinton Kelly had said as well, “Neutrals on the bottom, colors and prints on the top.” That makes it easier doesn’t it! So I looked the list over and revamped it thusly:

10-12 piece summer wardrobe
1 pair jeans (check)
~~1 pair shorts~~
2 pair capris – 1 khaki, 1 ~~denim~~ navy or black
1 skirt – 1 denim, ~~1 print~~
2 ~~button down shirts~~ shirts/blouses – 1 print, 1 solid (white)
2 tees
1 cardigan (check)

As you can see I got rid of the shorts (I am a woman of a certain age after all), and decided on different colors instead of denim on the bottoms. I also thought of places to shop: CJ Banks, JC Penney (I’ve seen a lot of great separates there), and Dillards (Westbound).

I already have the jeans, tees, and cardigan, but I still need the capris, the skirt, and the blouses. One thing I have found is that classic, tailored clothing never goes out of style so that’s what I’m after.

The capsule wardrobe concept is really making a comeback these days and it is truly a good thing. A few coordinated pieces can yield days of possibilities by mixing and matching them. And it works for all budgets. However, I will say that spending more money on a few quality pieces can really extend the life of your wardrobe, make it easier to add to it, and all that will save you money in the long run.

I found a couple of places that have good visuals of the capsule concept: Fifty Plus – the link will take you directly to the capsule wardrobe info. Then there’s this blog: Wardrobe Oxygen – this link takes you directly to the posts about capsule wardrobes, but I think her blog has a lot to offer in the way of planning your wardrobes in general.

Well, I could go on about all this stuff for awhile, but I’ll let it rest here for now. I’m feeling good about the summer and the challenge – I hope that not only the feeling lasts but that it IS a good summer this year because I could really use one.

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A Plan For My Health Challenge

May 30, 2014

I was looking through a book the other day and I found a piece of paper that I had stowed away in it. It was a plan – a summer wardrobe plan and a “spa” weekend either at home or away. As I looked this information over I realized that it is just what I need to jump start my Summer Health Challenge!

Here’s what I had originally written down:

*Water – Lots of it
*Good food – not complicated, fresh
*Lotion every day – weekly body scrub
*Pedicure
*Manicure
*Get hair done (including brows)
*Spend time outdoors soaking in nature
*Reading books and magazines
*Yoga and quiet for the spirit

A good start, but I went ahead and tweaked it just a bit in the food area so I have a definite plan of eating. Here’s what I put down tonight:

*Whole grains – brown rice, oatmeal, best wheat bread, whole grain tortillas and flatbreads, whole wheat pasta
*Fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables – no canned (except for tomato sauce)
*Yogurt (regular or Greek), almond milk, organic butter/Earth Balance spread
*Chicken breast, lean beef, lean pork, salmon, beans (I will allow canned here – easier)
*Olive oil, honey, nuts & seeds, dried fruits
*Herbal tea, water, juices (best quality)

Those foods will be the basis for meals for awhile. Tomorrow I’ll do grocery shopping and then I’ll make a meal plan from there. I’m excited and scared all at the same time. Oh, and yes, the beauty things are part of this health challenge too. It all goes together and I need some of those pampering things right now.

One more thing – the exercise part will be under the getting outside in nature (I can go on walks) and doing yoga for the quiet for my spirit. Goals are supposed to be specific and this list really hit that just right.

So, that’s the plan. Tomorrow I’ll talk about the summer wardrobe part – I’m trying to go with the capsule wardrobe concept. Apparently there has been a huge amount of interest in this of late and I feel good to know that I was in on that when it started back in the 80’s. :-)

So, tune in tomorrow for that and in the meantime wish me luck. I have lots of good ideas that always sound great, but then I’m terrified to actually do them sometimes. However, this time needs to be THE time to change. I won’t get healthier by doing nothing.

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Summer Health Challenge

May 28, 2014

Last week my husband Mike had a health workup as part of the company’s wellness program. He’s in far better shape than I am – I left the room when he started talking about how all those sit ups had helped. :-/ Me? I struggle on a daily basis with eating healthy, with stress and stress eating, with being overweight. I already watch things like salt and cholesterol, and my last cholesterol test was good. But lately, I’ve fallen off that wagon and need to get back on and make more changes. I go back to the doctor at the end of July for another blood workup so I need to get back on. In a big way!

So, I decided to have a Summer Health Challenge just for me. Here are some of the things I will be working on:

Eat healthier – I need to be very specific here and I know that increased fruit and vegetable intake will play a big role.
Exercise – This means actually doing something like walking for 15 minutes, or a dvd each day.
Limiting sugar and caffeine – I’m on a coffee kick again and also have been under extra stress so candy has been making it’s way into my home again as well. While I won’t kick out sweeteners altogether, the extras will need to go.
More Water – I struggle with this most days so I bought some really pretty tumblers to make it more attractive.
Journaling – I plan to track what I eat to find where my weaknesses are (although I pretty much know) and to help keep me going. Moods and feelings will go here too.

That’s what I have so far. I haven’t set any goals yet, but I need to probably set a goal for each week to give me something to shoot for. It is supposed to be a throwdown of sorts to once and for all get on the path to better health. It’s not going to just happen. Also, because right now giving up and eating whatever sounds really tempting and I really can’t do that. My health coaching calls ended yesterday as well, so now I’m really on my own.

So, my first goal will be to make a goal for each week of the summer – June through August – and challenge myself to meet them. Maybe I should have a reward system as well for meeting those goals. We all need an incentive right? Although you’d think better health would BE the incentive. *rolling eyes”

Okay, I’ll leave it at that. Here’s to the Summer Health Challenge of 2014!
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Music Monday – Summer Albums

May 27, 2014

Okay, so it’s not Monday, but it feels like one because of the holiday weekend and that means I can still post a Music Monday!

Last week I posted what I put on my Summer Mix 2014 cd and it really isn’t a complete summer mix, but for me it’s perfect this year. I seemed to have pulled out the songs that identify the summers of ’83 and ’84 the most for me. However, some of you were wondering where the REO songs were and of course Duran Duran and the Go-Go’s as well. This post explains that.

Those groups have albums that were complete in and of themselves as summer music goes. I could not pick and choose just one song (well, with the exception of “Vacation” and “Holiday”) from any of them – especially not the two REO albums. So, I’m giving them the honor that belongs to them as my summer album picks of all time. Well – my time. :-)

1. Hi Infidelity – REO Speedwagon – One of the best albums ever! And, despite the title, cleaner than a lot of the junk out now.
2. Good Trouble – REO Speedwagon – I want to note that these two REO albums really go together. Even the cover art was a tie in.
3. Madonna – Madonna – Her first album and probably the best. The one thing I realized though, that two songs of hers that aren’t on here really belong to the summer mix group – “Into the Groove” and “Crazy For You”. Sounds like a trip to the Amazon MP3 store is in order.
4. Rio – Duran Duran – All summer, all the time in my opinion. Even the videos, which were shot in exotic, tropical places, screamed summer. Loved the Rio video especially – so much fun. Favorite song – “Save A Prayer”.
5. Vacation – The Go-Go’s – And no summer would be complete without this music to listen to. What I love about this one is the 60’s retro feel to it. Every song on here is summery and makes you think of going to the beach and hanging out with your friends. Love it!
6. Make It Big – Wham – Again – very summery, very retro. Although this is more 70’s while Vacation is more 60’s. I devoted an entire Music Monday back in 2011 and you can read that here…if you dare.

And there you have it – my summer album tribute. If you want to see my really long list of summer songs go here.

I doubt I will ever have a “complete” summer mix cd but, you never know. It could happen.

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Music Monday – Summer Mix 2014

May 19, 2014

That’s right folks – it’s almost Memorial Day which is the unofficial official start of summer! And, as I’ve probably shared before, my musical tastes are seasonal for some odd reason. And it’s been awhile since I’ve made a summer mix cd so I made one yesterday and I’m loving it already! Of course I already loved the songs anyway so…ahem… In case you’re wondering where the Go-Go’s, Duran Duran, or Madonna are, I have albums with all their great summery stuff so I didn’t want to duplicate. Not to mention I only had so much space. I know, I know, I could burn the cd in audio, but was just too freakin’ lazy. Maybe another day.

Anywho – here’s what I put on the disc – see if any of your favorites are here. :-)

Stand and Deliver – Adam Ant
Everybody Wants To Rule the World – Tears For Fears
White Wedding – Billy Idol
Cuts Like A Knife – Bryan Adams
Drive – The Cars
Wicked Game – Chris Isaak
Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
Photograph – Def Leppard
The Boys of Summer – Don Henley
Wishing (If I Had A Photograph of You) – Flock of Seagulls
The One Thing – INXS
Everytime You Go Away – Paul Young
Sara – Starship
Oh Sherrie – Steve Perry
Panama – Van Halen
Only In My Dreams – Debbie Gibson
Rock Lobster – B52’s

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A new restaurant just opened up in town…

March 8, 2014

…it’s called My Kitchen. :-) Saturday lunches are usually DIY around here so I can catch a cooking break and also because Saturdays are usually grocery shopping days. But, I did most of the shopping yesterday because today was going to be cold and rainy (and indeed it is – bleh), so I needed to make myself a good lunch. None of the prospects thrilled me, so I kept looking around and looking around and found: frozen shrimp, tagliatelle nests, mascarpone cheese, and parmesan cheese (a wedge of the real thing). And I made this awewome meal: shrimp alfredo! I even added some basil for added color and pizazz. Was it good? YES – I’ve learned enough cooking skills to pull this off. To say I was stoked would be an understatement. Of course, I was also stuffed after finishing it too. Now, if I just had some raspberry sorbet for a dessert.

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Worry

March 7, 2014

I was thinking yesterday (probably after reading something about it) how I worry way, way too much. And my next thought was that all this worrying is not productive at all. So I decided to look it up, worry that is, and here’s what I found on Wikipedia:

Worry refers to the thoughts, images, and emotions of a negative nature in which mental attempts are made to avoid anticipated potential threats.

Whew – let’s look at two of those words – anticipated and potential. These words mean I am worrying about things that haven’t happened yet. They may or may not happen, but I am worrying about them nonetheless. That seems…a waste of time and mental energy.

What else, oh here:

As an emotion it is experienced as anxiety or concern about a real or imagined issues, often personal issues such as health or finances or broader issues such as environmental pollution and social or technological change.

Mostly I worry about the small stuff – sometimes really small stuff.

And this is the thing – worry does nothing to help anyone – unless we turn it around into something productive. For me, the bigger stuff can be prayed about, but I also can do something like giving money to causes I believe in to help other people with basics like food and water, and kids who are suffering from cancer. Of course some stuff is completely out of my control and I have to know what those things really are.

Most experience short-lived periods of worry in their lives without incident; indeed moderate worrying may even have positive effects, if it prompts people to take precautions or avoid risky behaviors.

So if I am worrying about those potential threats without doing anything about them, well, as I said, it is a waste of mental time and energy. Time and energy I can use somewhere else in my life.

Excessive worry is the main component of generalized anxiety disorder.

Is that what it’s called? Actually, my doctor and I did talk about it and I realized that he was right. I have to say since being on my meds I have a lot less anxiety, but I still worry too much and that causes stress and long term stress isn’t healthy so it’s time to nip it in the bud. Hmm, how to do that. Oh yeah, here:

“Toxic worry is when the worry paralyzes you; good worry leads to constructive action.”

The above quote is from a book by Edward M. Hallowell called, “Worry”. There are things you can do to help reduce worry, he says, like: never worrying alone, getting the facts, make a plan, taking care of yourself (physically), and letting it go. That last one is the hardest for most of us I’d say.

So, you can read the rest of the article here, hah, don’t worry it’s a very small article. :-) I just wanted to hit the highlights. And I was right – worry is not productive at all. Unless you do something about what you are worrying about or let it go. So I’m going to read the book but I’m also going to start taking the five steps Dr. Hallowell suggests to keep worry from getting out of hand. Little by little, step by step I’m getting to a better life.

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Lent 2014

March 5, 2014

Hey, long time no see! Well, it’s time to pay less attention to Facebook and put more attention on my blog because this is really the space I had wanted for a long time and Matt was so generous in giving his time to make it for me. So I’m resurrecting it in time for Lent and Easter. :-)

I saw on EWTN an app for a 40 Day Read the Gospels Challenge. I didn’t want the app, but I thought that was a doable spiritual practice for Lent so I found this instead – a checklist to keep me on track.

Today, I also found a Lenten Spring Cleaning challenge that went around the blogosphere (mostly among mommies) a few years ago and I probably poo-poo’d it because 2009 was already a rough year for me. However, this year I can do it – I need to do it. You can either follow other moms’ lists here and here to start, OR you can do what I’m going to do: look around in each room to find what needs to be deep cleaned and make my own list. Either way, you can get the job done. A little each day adds up to a lot in the end. This can also apply to giving and saving money, exercise, eating healthy, etc. I think you’ve got the idea.

So, that’s what I’m doing. Facebook fast, Read the Gospels in 40 Days, and Spring Clean in 40 Days. Happy Lenten Season to all of you and let’s pray and fast and make the most of this glorious season. I love Christmas, but I love Lent even more.

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