C25k Week 4 - DONE

So, week 4 of my Coach to 5k is done. In one sense it was terribly hard, but in another sense, it went really well. I have been experiencing leg pains (calves) when I run and my feet have been cramping a lot in the evening. Not sure what all that means, but for now I am plowing through it all!

As for weightloss...after 4 weeks of losing nothing and actually trying, today the scale showed a 4 pound loss. WooooWhooooo!

Now, on for some pictures! Last Sunday we went to the zoo...here are some pictures! Check out her cute little camo pants. My Dad pretty much insisted that she get these! Rachel loves wearing hats, so I love the one of her and Dada each in their hats. So sweet!

The Lawn B*tch

Remember the snow and me being part of the sole snow removal team (ok, Jamie helped some...), well you are thinking that I am now the Lawn B*tch because of the title. Well, that is not totally true...this is more that I b*tch the ENTIRE time I am working on it. Here is the story... Our lawn looks terrible and in an attempt to save it, Jamie and I have been raking the lawn with metal rakes trying to get some of the dead grass up. Three nights work and 6 bags of dried grass we ONLY have our side lawn (inside the fence) done. My body is aching! And to think that we have only just started. This is calorie burning, right?!? So, I will say it now...sorry Jamie for all the complaining! You are a trooper. (Does he even read this?)

Just checking in with you all. Nothing is new and exciting. Jamie finished his semester and it looks like he got As in both classes...yaaaa for him!

It's a great day to be alive...

Ok, well everyday is a great day to be alive, but can you believe this weather?!? Today is so beautiful! I have the door wall open and some windows open. I love it!!!

So, an update on running. Day 2 of Week 3 was completed yesterday! Tomorrow if finish out week 3. It feels so nice to be up and active again and actually leading a healthy lifestyle!

I Want Taco Soup!

Ever had any? I haven't but I would imagine that it would be easy to make. So, when I go to the grocery store next, I am going to get a bunch of stuff to make it. I am figuring for WW, I could probably keep it low on points!

So, for the updates! I started week 3 of the C2k5 and it went good. Tomorrow will be day 2!

So, what else is new? Nothing really! Jamie is ALMOST done with this semester. I can't wait for Monday...he can come home and not have to worry about studying or doing homework. The spring and summer can officially begin!

On another note, I have not posted a picture of my sweet little girl lately. So, here is a newer (yet still old..) one!

Oh A Scrapbooking I Shall Go!

Ok, well the title is a little off...I am not scrapbooking today. But, I did get a Cricut today! Isn't that exciting?!? I got the 12x12 one from Wal-Mart. I dreaded going in there because I hate Wal-Mart and this trip has been my best one yet!

Ok, a grip about Wal-Mart. I had heard once that they are like a super toy store...well, I went there also to see about getting Rachel a ride-on toy for outside and they only had one style. Some super store!

So, when are we going cropping again? Since last weekend, I have had an itch to keep going with Rachel's book!

Is Spring Here?

The weekend scrapbooking (Friday night and Saturday all day) was a blast and I worked on Rachel's baby book. I almost have all of the pages done from her being in the hospital! I need to get on the plan of doing one 2-page lay-out per week to get caught up.

So, what do you think of this MI weather? I love it! Yesterday, Jamie, Rachel and I spent a lot of time outside and over at our neighbors. While at that neighbors, we met another new neighbor who will be moving in 2 weeks from now after they gut the house. They have a little girl who will be 2 in May and she is a SAHM. As for today, Rachel and I were outside a ton! This morning instead of going to the gym, I ran outside with Rachel in the stroller. Then after nap, she and I went for a walk and this evening, the three of us played with some balls in the backyard. It is so nice to get out and enjoy the fresh air!

Diet Schmiet!

Rachel had a great day playing with her cousins Marissa and Annalise, and their dog Mugsie. I went to visit with my cousin Lisa today, and I took her my diet brownies...well, brownies aren't really diet food, but these are high fiber brownies.

WARNING: Yes, these do sound gross, but they are honestly really good and you would never know the difference. So, before your criticize, just try them!

Brownies - 4pts per serving on WW (Makes 20 servings)
- One can of black beans in liquid (Puree in a blender - or a Magic Bullet...Alison) - Make sure there are no chunks!
- One box of Low-Fat brownie mix

Mix the above two ingredients together. Pour in to greased pan and bake per the instructions. Do not add the ingredients listed on the box! These brownies seem hard to cut, so put the in the fridge before cutting. It helps a little.

Another recipe I thought I would share is for cupcakes.
- 1 can diet soda
- 1 box cake

Mix the two together and pour into cupcake liners. Bake according to instructions. Do not add the ingredients listed on the box!

You can mix orange pop with an orange cake, cola with choc cake...be creative. I did Faygo Red Pop with Cherry Chip Cake (my all time favorite cake!).

For the icing, I mixed one tub of FF Cool Whip with one package of FF Cream Cheese. I then added Splenda to taste. Whip it all together, frost on cupcakes and put in fridge. I think for WW these came out to 3 points per cupcake! Very yummy!

Tomorrow I start my scrapbooking weekend. I am really excited. I need to get ready for it, so bye for now!

iPod

Why did I buy this? What is it supposed to do?

Well, tonight Jamie and I attempted to get my lap top (that we keep upstairs) access to iTunes. We had some luck, but spent most of our time listening to music that you can buy off of the site. Maybe one of these days I will have this thing figured out!!!

Good night!

My Sweet Rachel!

This little girl warms my heart like no other. Just yesterday, when I said “I love you” she would respond back with “Wuv you.” My heart just melted! It is amazing how her sweet little words can do that! So, what is Rachel doing these days? She is saying phrases such as “I want cookie” and “I see you.” She is a fruit eating fanatic. Her new found favorite is grapes. She loves reading books. There is not a particular favorite book right now…so all of them win!

So, what's new today...Went to the gym and got my 5k training in. All is well there, but my shins are starting to hurt some. Went to Jo-Ann Etc and manager to get out of there for $21! How you ask....use a $20 gift card from Christmas. (This is my trip that I wanted to make yesterday, but did not want to fight the wind...BTW...we lost power for a 1/2 hour.) So, I got the stuff to make the garden stone and the jewels to decorate it. Then, I managed to buy all sorts of scrapbooking accessories! I am getting excited for this weekend!!!

Well, off to take my afternoon nap...literally. Once a week, if Rachel will let me, I sit down and hold her while she naps. And yes, I occasionally doze! Babies are only small once and she is getting so big, so any chance she and I get to snuggle I take full advantage of that. (Note to Jamie: If you are reading this, I don't really take a nap. I am visualizing how I am going to get the housework done. Its a focusing tactic on my end! :>)

Lastly, can you believe it...I wrote again!

Challange!

This is thanks to my dear friend Alison. Thank for the advice about training for more. Good thing is that I have a lot of time to prepare for this. So, since Alison said that she may join me....I challenge you to do this with me...if you are up to it!

Ok, so despite every bone and muscle in my body telling me to not exercise today, I did it anyway. I once heard that when I don't want to exercise is when you need it most. So, I did 20 minutes of an exercise video and 10 minutes on the bike. Tomorrow will take me back to the gym and doing my C25k and other cardio stuff!

What is on the agenda for today you ask? Shopping!!! Ok, not totally, but I need to get some scrapbooking stuff for this weekend as I am going to a Friday/Saturday crop. I also need to get some a cement refill and jewel pieces because for Jamie's Mom's birthday, we are having Rachel make her a garden stone with her hand prints. "Grandma's Garden: Hands Off!" And it will have Rachel's hand prints on it. Cute, huh? As for tonight, I have a meeting a church. I am on the HR Committee there....see I am still putting my skills to good use!

So, I did it! I posted the very next day. My ARM/EMCON friends will be so proud!!!