2011

2011.....

What a year. A year a lot of people couldn't wait to end.  It was economically tough.  It was emotionally painful.  It was humbling.  I am glad it's over.  Not sad to see it go.  But what I can tell you is that I learned a lot.

I learned that I can run, and I actually love it.  I also learned that one small moment  can take that away.  

Jay and Lisa Forever...

I have learned that my marriage , although imperfect at times to others is perfect to me.  We love each other for who we are, despite our imperfections, we are perfect to each other.

I have learned that I really like my 15 year old daughter.  She is a teenager, tough, intelligent and learning.  She is kind, reliable and helpful when I really need her.  She's not perfect, neither am I, and that is o k.

Stevi Loves her Aunt Liz

I have learned that my Mom is my best friend in the world and always has been.  She loves me regardless of who I was, who I am and who I am turning into...(her) .  And I am thankful for that.

I have learned that behind every good man is a great woman...my son has grown into a man I am proud of. (Thank you Guoda)

I have learned that when my husband and daughter are gone, I do get lonely, despite all the times I wished for time to myself.

Karaoke at the Pirate Crawl

I have learned that some friends merely take up space and some people who you think of merely taking up space are really your friends.

Our 2nd Annual Gingerbread build off!

I have cried a lot this last year, and had some laughter too.  But I have learned that despite being broke, we still have each other and that is good.

I have always thought of myself as being optimistic, but lately I haven't been so much, I will get that back.  Life is what YOU make it, it doesn't make you.

I have learned this year that taking care of me first helps me take care of every body else much better.

So 2012 is for me, I will learn to love me.  Despite my broken ankle and spirit, despite my empty bank account and my muffin top.  I have more love than is imaginable  within my family.  That is who I am, that is who I chose to be.

Thanksgiving, Jay was sick so they sent us this pic.

Yup, those are my kids and I love them!

Weight Watchers, the beginning to a life long lesson......

We may not need to lose as much weight as most of the Weight Watchers, but we all joined as a family last night. Jay needs to lose around 30 , I could lose around 15, and Stevi 15 to 20. Dr. Fenwick 6 months ago said she needed to lose around 40 but she had such a growth spurt that she is balancing out. I'm sure a lot of you think I am crazy, but you try to teach your husband and a 12 year old about good vs. bad choices and portion control. I think that if we all follow this together, it is a principal that will stay with us for life. It is easy to follow and basically teaches you about portions and choices, such as if you know you want to splurge on dessert, eat healthy and light before.

The point system goes by your weight and activity levels and age. I get a measly 20 points because I am older and weigh the least, Stevi gets 27 points because of her age, but she also gets to add points for different activities, for instance, today she will have an hour soccer practice so she gets an additional 3 points to use, or not. Jay gets 41 points, he has the most weight to lose, but also because he is a construction worker and a man, he gets an additional 6 points a day. Jay and I both get additional activity points, today while Stevi is at soccer, we will run/walk for 30 mins, I get to add 3 points if I would like and Jay gets 5.5. In addition to the daily points, you get 35 flex points, kind of like a savings account, in case you go over a couple extra points, or you can store them for a special occasion, Stevi is keeping hers for a Monday sleep over because they are having pizza, which is 6 points a piece, I hope to use mine at the family reunion. Every week at weigh-in, your flex points start over so they don't accumulate. Stevi is really excited and now has the tools to make her choices without me hovering over her. She hopes to lose at least half by the time school starts, which I think will be great, me, I am doing this for her. I do the shopping and menu planning, I could lose weight on my own, I have done it before, but to get the whole family together on the band wagon, it will be much easier and hopefully start Jay and Stevi off on eating healthy for life..........

Dinner with the kids, my mom and Martha

As you know my new obsession is Martha Stewart's web site but so far every recipe I have done through it has been fabulous so tonight it is Beef Tenderloin with endive slaw, (I can eat those low carb dishes) and Lemon and Thyme Potatoes Au gratin and no bake cheese cake.  I just love love love her recipes!  If I make it up this week Chrissy we have to play around and make some fabulous meals for the boys!

Since there is snow all over the ground looks like our hike is off, but at least I will get some house cleaning done.......mark set go!

No laughing matter.......

I didn't realize I was such a comedian, my mom kept laughing at me hysterically and my sister too.  Willow said " Auntie Beautiful, I like your stocking, it's soft and pretty."  Yes, the dreaded "Ugly Stocking" is coming along.  Let's put it this way, Guoda is not getting it, but I am finishing it to see exactly how wrong this whole project went.  It looks more like a funky dress with a tutu rather than a Christmas Stocking.  I added so many extra stitches, the heel will be bigger than the whole foot of it.  The opening, well, anybody need a basketball hoop?  Not kidding, it is certainly big enough and has enough holes.  Sage told me it was soft and pretty too.  Thanks girls,  as a matter of fact, as we were having our living room picnic, Willow suggested we turn our backs to Grandma and Mommy cause if they can't see us they can't laugh at me.  GOOD IDEA WILLOW! So Willow, Sage and I promptly grabbed out sandwiches and turned our backs to my mom and my sister as we ate, for some reason they only laughed harder..........It's hard being Bubba........... And to think, I am just trying to get acceptance from my Mom and my Sister......

Yoga Basic Class a success.......

Well, we made it through the first class successfully, my Mom admitted that she actually enjoyed it and that is was relaxing, the next day she was actually sore!  She said, "But we didn't really do anything!"  Of course we did.   Anytime you stretch and pose you are using your muscles and when you are learning your breathing techniques it releases toxins from your muscles, it is not unusual to feel nauseous the first few times you do yoga, but you do get used to it.

Above are  a few of the poses we learned................

8 Months to go.....

8 months to go, 

till the family reunion, I am so excited.  My mom is starting a 6 week  yoga series with me on Saturday, Jay says he is going to start working out with me this week as well.  My sister?  Well she is a fashion model, so she doesn't have to do a thing. I am hoping we get Jack for the week as well.  The last couple of weeks have been horrible on my work out and I am hoping to start my running schedule again, May is coming awfully soon but the weather has been pretty icy. For Christmas Stevi got me a Timex Ironman watch that charts your progress and  keeps track of your calories burned.  I want to wear it today while I paint the salon, but I will have to go off of the Self chart and say that I will probably burn on average 100 calories per hour ( I don't want to get paint on my new watch!). Not that great of a work out but at least I am getting some stuff done, as well as a workout, Stevi and I will try to make it to the Energizing Yoga class tonight at 6:30 and it will probably feel good after painting and pretty much doing nothing for the last 2 weeks.  So for all you family members out there planning the reunion in 8 months, please remember, Aunt Pat is coming and she teaches Yoga all the time, we don't want her running circles around us!  Plus bring your hiking shoes, I plan on bringing all willing victims on a fun hike or two!

Sky Tavern 2009!

So we got Stevi signed up for Sky Tavern, Snowboard program.  The season starts the beginning of January of 2009.  I was going to get her a bus pass for Saturdays but while we were standing in line waiting, they were asking if anyone wanted to be a snowboarding instructor.  I asked what was required and Jayson met all the requirements so I called him and he said he would do it.  He needs to complete an instructors course which they provide, and commit to Saturdays during the season, he can also go any Sundays that they need an instructor and Stevi can go for free.  I saved $75 on the bus pass as well because she will be riding up with brother.  After this season, he will be certified and be able to get a job as an instructor at any of the ski resorts.  This is a good deal for me, Stevi and Jayson.  Also Jayson has a job a Zumies so if we use his discount, we can get a snowboard, boots and bindings for around $25 more than we would have rented them for the season at Mogul Mouse.  Busy, busy,..... but now we will have Sundays to ourselves from around 8-4 and that is relaxing me just thinking about it, I just have 3 more months to go............

I can't believe I am doing this........

Hmmm. Never thought I would give in to modern technology, but after reading my Baby Sisters Blogging and actually enjoying it I thought, what the heck, I will give it a try. This last year has been very trying, sad and sometimes confusing, but we all survived. With the loss of my Dad in March after a lengthy illness we all had to adjust and try to discover what life is really all about. Fortunately we all had precious time with my Dad before he passed which I understand alot of people are not blessed with as we were. My sister also gave birth to another beautiful girl and that is such a wonderful blessing. I think enlight of the trying year we had, it gave Thanksgiving and Christmas a calm and peacefulness that wasn't really there before, you know how chaotic family gatherings can be, I have to say it was very mellow and I loved just being with family, that seemed to be all that mattered to me this year, brings it back to reality and makes you realize just what the holidays should be about. This year, my resolution is to love myself enough to give myself time to not work so much and spend that precious time with what is important, FAMILY, I will value and cherish every moment I am blessed to spend with my loved ones and true friends because as we all know, life is way too short. God Bless