Screw average...........

If you read my last post, you saw that we all have bad days!  I have my ups and downs just like anyone.  When my husband works HIS midnight shift, I get all stressed for a little while.  One would think that I'd be used to it by now.  Seeing that he did spend the better part of six months on midnights.  He is working!  I cannot complain.   

You see I've felt "lost" for a little while now.  I continued to workout but it was without purpose.  Exercising without purpose is pretty much a waste.  I can do 100 arm curls but if they are mindless....it is just wasted time.  I've had a revelation.  I'm tired of doing things 75% of the way.  Yeah, I said it.  I don't ALWAYS give 100%.  I do well at 75% but think about what 100% would be like.  You see deep down, way deep down....I must have a little part of me that doesn't think I should succeed.  That average is fine.

SCREW AVERAGE! 

I DON'T WANT TO BE AVERAGE! 

What it comes down to right now ..... my motto scares me!

That is why I choose it.  I want it!  And honestly, I'm a little nervous of what the work that will be involved.  I'm taking it seriously.  Very seriously.  My husband is actually a little nervous because of how serious I'm taking this.  

I WANT TO BE EXTRAORDINARY! 

That is why I re-committed to myself a few weeks ago.  And today, I upped the anty.  I pulled the information and did the initial tests.  For what you ask.  Well, I stole one from MOMSWIMBIKERUN and added a few.  My challenges are 100 push ups, 150 chair dips, and 200 squats.  My initial tests were 48 push ups, 25 chair dips, and 43 squats.  I will be starting the challenges on Monday.  And I will be writing about them. 

There will be NO FAILURE or BOREDOM!  


More "Why the Food" coming tomorrow! 

In need of a challenge.........

Short and sweet!  I'm in need of a challenge.  Don't know why but right now I feel like I'm "floundering".  Really!  Back on the run thing.....just 3 miles this week.  I printed out my half-marathon information and set up my schedule.  Thinking about busting out P90X Doubles.  Then I looked at the program and pretty much that is what I was doing.  Just adding running instead of the a dvd.  Getting some new shoes this week.  Taking the hubby to get his also. 

I don't know.  I JUST FEEL LOST RIGHT NOW!  I feel like a plane circling.  Not really having any direction.  That is a weird thing for me.  UGH!  Maybe it is time for a change.  It might just be time to order INSANITY!  Why not I'm already crazy?       

Goodness ..........

My goodness, who would have thought that counting calories was such a big deal?  Not me!  A couple of days ago, I mentioned that I would be using mycaloriecounter.com.  That won't be happening.  After three days of trying to log my "food" .... I'M FRUSTRATED!  More than 1/2 of the brands that I consume are not in their database.  And apparently, in order to add them it must go through their systems administrator.  RUN AROUND!  So starting tomorrow, I will be using myfitnesspal.com.  Here is hoping that works better! 

With the craptastic wonderful weather today and the kids not having school, we dug out a few Christmas decorations.  Really, we don't have that many.  And I like it that way.  To my dismay they found the singing Reindeer.  I hate that thing.  John heard it twice and was ready to take the batteries out of it.  Only twice!!  PLEASE!  Try around twenty-five times and then we'll talk.  He glared at me and said "Let me guess where that thing came from.  That has to be a purchase by Grandma Brereton."  Good guess!  The kids like it.  So, for one month, it has found a home in the playroom.  Now the batteries are a different story.  They may not make it a month. 

The kids were in charge of dinner.  Paynes' choice .... drum roll please .... 15 bean soup.  That made Momma happy!  Threw in a ham hock for some flavor.  And let that pot simmer to perfection.  Hadley and I whipped up some beer bread.....trust me it isn't natural.  Good ole' box mix and a can of Busch Light.  Nothing natural about that.  Just a good ole' day with the kids!     



I'm thankful for the time I have with my kids.  My husband has given me over 8 years at home with them.  That is a reason to be thankful! 

Muscles and Killer I

Today the Breretons' attended their first wrestling match.  Muscles and Killer were nervous.  I know that from the countless "my belly hurts" or "don't think I should go today I'm feeling yucky".  Nothing short of vomit or a high fever was keeping them at home.  We headed out.  After a lovely conversation with a Police Officer after arriving, apparently people from "our neck o' the woods" don't know how to read, we dropped our children off at the end of the hallway.  See at no point is a parent allowed in the hallway.  We have deemed it the "wrestling sanctuary".  There wasn't a chance in this world you were getting by "the man".  Which was fine with us.  We bid them farewell and headed off to get a seat. 

Here are Muscles and Killer

Don't try to tell me you aren't afraid!  Seriously, don't they strike fear in your heart?! 

After a few minutes of figuring out who, what, where, and when things are going on....things finally started.  Six "rings" with two different weight classes in each "ring" can get a little confusing! 

Killer was up first!  We could see her down there.  Just waiting patiently.  One thing that we learned today is that when the whistle is blown ..... KILLER POUNCES!  Which is good.  I mean pounces.  She is on the attack immediately.  She took a pretty good shot to the head and a few tears were shed.  Her opponent and his coach felt bad.  But she brushed it off and went back at it.  After three one minute rounds the first match scored 10 to 4 in her opponents favor.  But we were happy!  She never stopped.  Kept moving the whole time!  Did some moves we didn't know she could do.  Her next opponent was a little stronger.  She kept moving.  She fought off being pinned twice BUT in the third round he pinned her. 

I'm done and had fun! 

When we arrived home Killer started to cry.  She told me that she really wanted to win today.  I explained to her that she will just have to try harder and work at it.  Her response was "Mom, I want to win.  I'm going to try my hardest and get better!" I know she will.  She really like seeing other girls there today.  They may have been older but it was a big boost to her that there are other girl wrestlers. 

We thought muscles was up, then he was pushed back, then up, then pushed back.  After several attempts to get his group on the mat it finally happened.  Muscles was nervous.  If there is one thing a Mom can tell from across the gym, it is that your child is NERVOUS! 

Can't you tell!  No you can't because my camera apparently stinks! 

One thing that we learned today about Muscles is that when the whistle is blown.....MUSCLES DOESN'T POUNCE!  Not at all.  And that isn't really good.  Who wants to be on the defensive from the get go?  He lost his first match by the score of 13 to 5.  When his second match rolled around there was a little more "pep in his step".  He put up a good fight for the first round and in the second committed the ultimate NO NO....he landed on his back and was pinned.  Instantly, I knew Muscles was upset. 

Trust me that blurry fella back there is upset! 

 And he has the right to be.  It is hard for me to ask Muscles about his day ... you see I'm just the annoying parent.  The parent that drives him crazy.  I know he was upset and wanted to do better.  We'll just have to see how the rest of the season goes! 

We learned a lot today.  I need a new camera.  Why should I have to put it on "night" to take a picture?  And the kids will know next time what to expect.  Have to admit that I really expected more parents to be yelling.  But there wasn't.  And it is really hard to take pics while your kids are wrestling.  You aren't thinking about it.  And I didnt' even take pictures of their ever faithful fans....... Grandma and Pap Grimm.  Grandma purchased her season pass.  Pap must miss two matches because of prior commitments.  Hugs and kisses were given on the way out!  And we look forward to next week! 

Happy Saturday!

Happy Saturday!  It is Saturday and my eyes opened this morning.  That makes today a great and wonderful day.  The Thanksgiving decorations are down and the Christmas decorations are going up slowly.  I can't remember a Christmas that I've had decorations out already, let alone up! 

I have to stop and mention one Christmas item, our Elf on the Shelf, Ralphie.  He was purchased last year by Grandma Brereton.  She thought the kids would love him.  That couldn't be farther from the truth.  My children have an irrational fear of him.  There have been tears shed.  He arrived for this Christmas season today.  He is perched in my antique glass mailbox over our leather recliner.  It was about 3 pm before either of the kids would sit in the chair.  Hadley looked at me and said "Mom, I'm afraid he is going to bite me."  WHAT!  They each have Christmas trees in their rooms.  And were excited to get them.  Now they are worried that Ralphie may venture in.  There is no way I will let that happen.  I can hear the screams now if they wake up and he is in either room! 

With the holiday season HERE, I have to be truthful and admit that my running has taken a backseat.  I feel guilty!  I've continued my dates with Tony but no running.  So here and now, I MAKE THE PROMISE TO MYSELF THAT RUNNING STARTS AGAIN THIS WEEK!  Hopefully tomorrow!  I'm a person that thinks why wait until the New Year.  Resolutions, aka changes, can be made at anytime.  I've set myself some lofty goals for the end of 2011 and throughout 2012.  I'm probably not even aware of how much work I've got to put in.  Because of the goals I've adopted the personal motto of .....

Going as far as to order a wall cling made of it.  I'm going to place it in my exercise area.  One of my goals is to TRY and lose about 25 lbs.  I will be tracking my calories, food, etc. on mycaloriecounter.com at Everyday Health.  Don't get me wrong!  I'm pretty darn happy where I am at.  But I'm thinking "getting rid of"* some excess baggage would help out my running.  Hopefully my time.  And remember I have a pretty lofty goal for my 2012 marathon time.  I've been told numerous times that I don't eat enough.  IMAGINE THAT!  Who gets told that?!  So we'll see.

* I use the term " getting rid of" because when one says I lost something it usually implies they want it back.  At no point do I want to find any of the weight I've gotten rid of. 

I'm going to try hard to track but getting on the computer all the time does get a little old.  If your interested check out mycaloriecounter.com at Everyday Health.  You can join me.  I'm under LoveLaughSweatFuel.  They also have a free app for your phone.  Should be an interesting experiment!  And lords knows, if I put it out there I'll give it my best shot!      

Thanksgiving and Black Friday.......all wrapped in one!

Two days for the price of one!  Thanksgiving....I attempted a day in pictures.  Attempted!  I handed off camera duties for a little while which means that no pics were taken for several hours!  Learned that I must man my own camera. 

Payne, Mum the cow, and I about 5 minutes after we woke up!  What was I thinking?

John and I around 7:30 am.  We miss him! 

Do I get turkey also? 

Don't bother me and my milk! 

There is Tim!  The kids didn't want to name him Tom!  He's gonna be tasty! 

We eventually clean up! 

The two cheeseballs! 

Not ready yet!  We know the table cloth doesn't go but it was my Grandma Grimms' and it gets used at Thanksgiving and Easter.  It means something to me.  The kids made everyone feathers or hats! 

Doesn't Daddy looked thrilled to be wearing his? 

I don't think these are indian feathers.  I think they are turkey feathers! 

Chief Princess Grandma wearing her Turkey Trot 2011 shirt.  She placed 1st in her age group! 

Pap rocking the hat! 

So a Pilgrim hat isn't my thing.  What does one have to do to get rid of a double chin?  I'm pretty sure there are no exercises for that! 

It was a long and fun day! 

No more pictures! 

We said "NO MORE!" 

Well after those two pictures you can see that the Brereton children will be seeing an orthodontist in their future.  Can you tell when I passed off the camera duties?  Who doesn't get pics of hat making, the turkey done, the table all ready, and everyone at the table?  What am I going to do with that camera man?  Didn't get to attend our Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning.  Hadley was up until 1 am coughing.  I didn't want to take her out.  We passed this year.  Grandma Grimm/Mom did run and placed first in her age group.  She doesn't know the time.  YEAH RIGHT!  That is what she keeps telling me. 

Black Friday does not bring bargain shopping for us.  Well, not really!  We headed out around 9:30 to get Hadley a haircut.  In the process, we did purchase a wreath for the front door, a purple Christmas tree for Hadleys' bedroom, and a huge dog bed for $20.00.  So, Dozer is happy as all get out.  He has laid on that thing almost all day.  I hope you all had a wonderful and spectacular Thanksgiving.  And if you went out today that you were able to collect some "bargains" and were safe.  No one got pepper sprayed did they? 










 

Must haves and more..........

Here we are officially the start of the holiday season!  Crazy is what that is!  Wasn't Thanksgiving 2010 just last month?  No, it just seems that way.  Those crazy Pilgrims and Indians, what were they thinking all the time ago?  Wonder if they had any idea what they were starting.  We all have family traditions and must haves.  Without them the Thanksgiving just isn't Thanksgiving.   

This is my THANKSGIVING MUST HAVE.......

That's right!  Thanksgiving isn't complete without CHEESECAKE.  Fabulous, wonderful, spectacular CHEESECAKE.  What a wonderful creation!  This is one item that I NEVER scrimp on.  I do not like boxes, mixes, store bought, or the pudding crap stuff.  I take my cheesecake seriously!  Only the best ingredients allowed here!  John was upset that I didn't make more of them.  I think one is sufficient, don't you? 

This year we added the kiddos new favorite dessert....................

 

Homemade Apple Pie!  Don't judge the crust....I'm getting better.  I can make a tasty crust but the "crimping" needs some work.  Remember, I just started making pies about 4 weeks ago.  What are your must haves? 

Even though I haven't been posting about it, trust me, Tony and I have not missed a morning date!  My day isn't complete without hearing his annoying voice.  I love him!  I feel the same way about Johns' voice on occasion.  JUST KIDDING!  I have slacked on the running a little.  My shoes are killing me so I broke out a "second" pair that has been hanging out in the closest.  I remember why I put them in the closest.  Tomorrow, we may be doing a Turkey Trot 5k.  That is a MAY do.  John has to work this evening and didn't get home until 7:30 am this morning.  And my son has been coughing pretty much all day.  With both kids, 8 am on-site registration, a 40 minute drive there, and possibly no husband I may have to forgo the race.  We could still get in a morning run.  

Wishing you and yours a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving! 



Day 8 - I'm thankful for my son, Payne.  All I ever wanted was a son...well 4 to be exact.  I love the young man more than anything in this world.  We fight, bicker, and pick at one another because we are so much alike.  He is a wonderful, sweet, smart, and caring young man.  Can't wait to see what the future brings.