Seriously! Was it not gorgeous?

I love snow.  With that being said how often do we get 60 degree days here in Ohio on January 31st?  Really?!  I can't think of any.  So, I trotted my little self outside and enjoyed the day.  Did a little 4 mile run.  I truly have NO CLUE the time or anything.  I wanted to take the day in!  Seriously.  It was spectacular! 

I brought up a little challenge to some of my Facebook friends for February.  Only water in February!  Milk and juice are allowed also.  No tea, coffee, pop, etc.  I'm planning to drink a cup of hot tea this evening as a "going away" party present for myself.  How sad.....  I had some takers and we'll see how this goes.  All on the honor system of course.  Anyone up for challenge?  The rest of the day was spent making a grocery list and figuring out calorie counts.  Do I need to go grocery shopping!  UGH!  I hate to shop but at times we must.  And I make so many homemade things that I need to add things to myfitnesspal.com.  BTW, if you want to log on over at myfitnesspal.com, I started a new account as LoveLaughSweatFuel.  Look me up!   

Here is a picture of two of my favorite things.......  

Wasa brand "crackers" and flatbreads.  Not every ones "cup of tea"!  But I love them.  Topped with tuna, chicken, cottage cheese and fruit, a little veggies, and sometimes as a treat a little flavored cheese wedge.  They come in many flavors and varieties.  I know in our neck of the woods you can find them all the time at Big Lots at a discounted price.  Give them a try and let me know what you think....

Also, I'm going to share a recipe here.  This isn't the healthiest recipe in the world.  But I guarantee you it is good and you WON'T eat a lot of it.  At least not a second time!  We'll leave the issues that can be caused out.  Use with veggies, on top of baked potatoes, with chips, anything really.  This is a Grimm family favorite!  My Aunt Lil shared this recipe with the family when I was around eleven.  Dear lord, that was twenty seven years ago.  Boy, oh boy ... do I feel old. 

Here is the recipe....take one packet dry Italian dressing mix, 1 cup buttermilk, and 1 15 oz. jar of Hellmans mayo ... mix, let sit overnight, enjoy!  This is a recipe that brand means a lot with ... stick with Hellmans!  All others have been tried and it changes the taste drastically.  As I mentioned earlier, not the healthiest.  But it is good and you won't eat a lot!  I don't eat it very often so the 93 calories and 16 grams of fat per tablespoon don't scare me that much.  It doesn't scare me because it makes me ill.  As you can imagine, my extended family isn't necessarily the pictures of health and wellness.  If the calories and fat don't scare you off .... let me know what you think of it! 

What a year can do, part 1

Here we are already!  Month #1 is in the books.  This first month was a little experimental.  Getting back into the swing of things and try to watch my nutrition.  Let me just say here and now, my nutrition sucks!  I don't eat enough.  I absolutely detest tracking my food.  Along with measuring it.  But sometimes we must do things we don't like!  So, I went out and purchased ......

My trusty new scale.  If food passes my lips it will either be weighed or measured in a cup.  No exceptions.  Again, I detest weighing my food.  DETEST!  But for this .... I'll make an exception.  As I said earlier .... sometimes you have to do things you don't like to get to your goal.  Next purchase....

Notebook where I plan to log everything.  I track my stuff online also.  Sometimes it seems like I'm always on the computer.  So, I will be jotting down and then at days end logging on.  Over the past month, I've logged 52 miles through today.  And did an additional 19 workouts ... mainly P90x.  Those miles will increase in the next month.  Here is my workout schedule for February....... 

It is pretty blurry.  I follow as closely as I can.  I did have issues with making a few excuses this past month.  I mentioned the other day that a fellow bloggers post pissed me off.  I know it was because I used excuses and felt guilty.  Won't happen again!  TRUST ME!  I'm ready.  I'm willing.  And I'm able.  Nothing is in the way.  Here is my today.......
 

Goodness, I take the worst pictures.  I know the photographer doesn't help.  But my double chin isn't that big in real life.  At least I don't think so!  I had to wear my new Nike pants.  I had asked for the orange ones at Christmas but my family thought blue was more my color.  I have not gotten to wear them yet.  They are for cold weather and have a thin layer of "fleece" in them.  It hasn't been cold enough for me to wear them.  And I feel guilty!  And yes, I'm rocking slippers with them for this picture. 

So here are the down right dirty details for January.......

Measurements

12-28-11 ..... Neck 14 3/4                                 1-30-12 .....  14 5/8
                      Arm  R 14 1/2 L 14 1/2                                    R 14 3/4 L 14 1/2
                      Thigh R 23 3/4 L 23 5/8                                   R 24 L 23 3/4
                      Calf R 16 1/4 L 15 5/8                                      R 16 1/2 L 16 1/4
                      Waist 38 1/2                                                      37 7/8
                      Weight  190                                                       188


I'm not really worried about the weight.  It is just a number.  I know my pants fit a little differently.  Which is good!  I have a hard time with pants.  My legs and waist don't wear the same size.  Very frustrating.  I haven't forgotten my motto for 2012......

I just have to figure out how to do it!  This month will bring some more changes.  I plan to be much more diligent with my nutrition and workouts.  Also, my hubby has decided to come along on the ride.  I did take before pics but he doesn't want me to share them.  He makes me laugh!  I told him it will take me a year to show a real change.  While with him, he'll be there by April!     
  

The Muscles and Killer finale.....

Today concluded Muscles and Killers wrestling season.  The Medals Tournament was held this morning in Canfield.  They were both excited.  Muscles REALLY, REALLY, REALLY wanted to win!  Did I stress REALLY, REALLY, REALLY wanted to win?  I really mean it!  Killer doesn't quite understand yet.  After this morning, she gets it!  Muscles, on the other hand, has a little stash of medals from other sports.   

Here are just a few pics of the day...................

Only time I've ever contemplated long hair.  She blends right in with the boys! 

At least she doesn't have to wear a bonnet! 

Waiting patiently for his second match! 

There are times things don't go as we had planned.....

He was excited that they pronounced our last name right! 

Like a mug shot.....

What a season! 

Muscles shed a few tears between matches.  It is good for him to learn that not everything goes as planned.  As in life, we have to work hard toward our goals.  He was a little disappointed in the color of his medal.  But it meant the world that Pap Grimm told him how proud he was.  At the end of the day, they enjoyed themselves and gave it their all.  Both said next season will bring different spots on the podium.  We were just happy to hear them continue to speak of next season. 

With wrestling over, we will work on a few things and prepare ourselves for the next sports season.  Summer track has been chosen by Muscles and Killer.  Should be interesting.  Muscles is older now and will be able to compete in a few new events.  And he just happens to have a Momma that knows a thing or two or three about one of those events.......

Check in tomorrow for my "What can a year do" monthly update........UGH! 

Something has been bothering me!

I know you're worried the complaints are going to start!  Nothing like that.  In this world of blogs, there are a few that I follow daily, some weekly, and some I just check in on occasionally.  On Tuesday of this week,  MomSwimBikeRun had a blog post about excuses.  I believe it was Excuses are for Dummies.  Don't hold me to the exact title.  Let me say .... it really got under my skin!  That blog post has been lingering in the back of my mind ever since. 

Guess one could say it made me think?  Or I agree with it?  Or maybe it bothered me because I've used some excuses myself.  Oh who am I kidding!  It pissed me off because I've used excuses myself.  Now, I had just come off of four days of doing nothing when I read it.  The first two and a half were justified.  I like to be able to breathe out of my nose.  The rest.  Well yeah.  Um.  I could have done more.  I guess a thank you is in order to MomSwimBikeRun for that post.  It put my a@@ in gear! 

I have this on my motivation wall.  I urge people to not make excuses.  What is your excuse?  Too tired?  Kids have activities?  Too busy?  Not enough time?  And the list goes on.  Trust me, I've used them all.  Really and truly, I do believe in the power of good nutrition and exercise.  It may not cure all but it sure the heck isn't going to hurt.  I'll admit to using it as therapy.  I mean after a craptastic conversation or encounter where you just want to scream.  What is better than a little physical exertion to get the anger out?  I just imagine that my weights are hitting them ever so gently upside the head.  Or maybe, I'm running over them.  During Kenpo, I have to aim for something when punching and kicking.  Right?! 

Do you think I would ever do that?!  So next time you are thinking of using that lame excuse.  You know the one.  The one that even you don't buy.  Just think about how much better you will feel after even 30 minutes of movement.  Really?  Won't it make your day better? 

Because you know what?  It comes down to .......

Pretty much this applies to every single thing in life.  Nothing is going to be handed to you. 

Get up off your a@@ butt and work for it! 

     

   

Let me tell you a story about a man.....

He has been part of my life for over fifteen years, a little over eleven of those have been in marriage.  Over that span of time, I've seen him do many things.  We'll just end that there.  He has his interests.  I have mine.  Of course, we share some.  The one thing that I haven't really seen him do is exercise.  That is right my husband DOES NOT share my passion for movement.  I can count on my two hands the number of times I've seen him workout.  I've never bothered him about it. 

This is John..........just being himself

That is my LOVE acting goofy!  I wouldn't want him to be any other way.  Don't be jealous....JK! 

Over the years, he has supported me in whatever struck my fancy.  He has watched me go out the door for numerous miles.  Listened to me talk about P90X.  Purchased my much loved dreaded hamster wheel.  Listens to me complain about needing heavier weights.  Doesn't care that I purchase heavier weights.  Only questions the date and time when I tell him I've signed up for something.  And told me at the height of my marathon training how great I was doing. 

Along, our journey he has thrown in a 5K or two.  Both with none to very minimal training.  Completed them in under 28 minutes each.  Trust me when I say ... that makes me SICK!  I work daily at it and then he comes along ..... oh, I'm getting off track.  Last October, I ran the Wineglass Marathon in Corning, NY.  Now, no race would be complete without family there.  The day did not go as planned for me.  I struggled.  But when I came across that line ... there was this man.  Big smile and open arms.  And he said "I'm so proud of you.  The only thing that tops this was watching you have our children."  On the ride home, he told me of families out there running together.  Couples crossing the line together.  He looked at me and said "I want to do that with you."  Now, I knew he meant it BUT .....

The following happened this week, not once but twice.......

Yes, he did get a hair cut.  He was on the treadmill!  Now, it is like a car wreck for us.  The kids and I just sit there and stare.  I've taken numerous pictures.  At one point ... no joking ... the dog was sitting there just watching him.  I don't know that our kids have ever seen him workout.  Maybe a couple of push-ups or crunches but nothing else.  I find it nerve racking having him on there.  I worry more about him falling then I do the kids!  And that he is going to break it.....he is a bit accident prone. 

Today, he asked me if I would take official before pictures.  He wants to join me on my "What can a year do" challenge!  I will be including him in my post on the 28th of each month.  After eleven years, I've inspired him to MOVE!  See what persistence can do.  I WISH!  Now not only will he be joining my on my challenge but also in a 1/2 marathon in April and a full marathon in September.  This should be an interesting challenge.  Follow along as John goes from "Couch Potato" to Marathoner in under a year!           

The end of the regular season.....

A little of my LOVE today.....

Today was the last "regular season" wrestling matches.  Now, both Killer and Muscles have enjoyed themselves this season.  That is not saying there haven't been a few tears shed.  It has been a learning experience for both of them.  Going into our first wrestling season, I wanted my kids to learn a few lessons.  For Muscles ....  needed to learn that being physically strong doesn't always insure wins and that you are in charge of the outcome.  See wrestling is different for anything he has done.  With football or baseball, it is a team effort.  This is you and you alone.  Yep, your teammates may be cheering you on but there is no one else in the circle with you.  And for Killer ....  needed to learn that she is capable of  many things and that no matter others opinions if you like something DO IT! 

Pit stops have been made.  Uniforms have been checked.  Can we go already? 

Off they head into the unknown...at least to us it is unknown.  God forbid a parent without proper papers walk close to the officer! 

They are over there.....trust me! 

TRUST ME!  Killer really wants that IPOD touch.....

.

  

Killer was up first!  UGH!  Killer, Killer, Killer.  Where do I begin?  It has been a long season for Killer.  She really loves it.  But we really have had our ups and downs.  She was ready for practice daily and LOVED Sundays.  You couldn't tell either once we got there most times.  BUT, she did.  Her first match of the season was great!  Then after that .... well let's just say she was like a turtle when it flips over on its back.  If you remember a few weeks back, I resorted to bribery.  My deal was if she WON ONE MATCH during the rest of the season .... I would buy her a IPOD Touch.  Now, even my husband said that a snowball had a better chance in ..... You know the phrase.  But secretly we really wanted to pay up on this deal.  It is all she has talked about for the past two weeks. 

Last week there were no matches in her favor.  So, it all came down to today!  The last regular season match!  I told her the night before and this morning...REMEMBER I'M PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD....to just go bat-shit crazy today.  Work like she had never worked before.  Push those little boys around.  Don't, don't, don't leave with anything but a win.  I know pretty harsh for a six year old but I REALLY WANTED HER TO WIN ONE MATCH THIS SEASON!  We headed into the first match.  Looked pretty even size wise.  I could tell the coaches were pulling for her.  Apparently, all other girls that have went out for the team in the past have never finished a season.  And there were other fans in the stands!  It was back and forth.  TRUST ME...NO PICTURES WERE TAKEN!  I was on my feet, hiding my face, breathing heavy, and going crazy.  First round....no pin either way.  We made it to the second round....no pin either way.  WTH, she made it to the third round!  No pin either way.  It scored 14 to 6 in her opponents favor.  NOW, we saw this as a win!  She didn't get pinned and made it the entire match. 

So, we waited for the second match.  Amazing how like twenty minutes can seem like hours!  She was up!  First round....no pin either way.  We made it to the second round....no pin either way.  WTH, she made it to the third round again!  Again!  There was so much heavy breathing, panting, and sweating!  You would have thought I was at the end of my marathon.  Pap Grimm was screaming!  Grandma Grimm was screaming!  Dad was screaming!  Her friends family was screaming!  Her coach was on the floor screaming at her.  There were so many OMG's said in the stands.  I heard her name being yelled from another part of the stands.  The time ran out and there was no pin either way.  The scoreboard read 10 to 7.....

In her favor!  Did you hear that?  IN HER FAVOR!  She won!  She won!  She won!  She won!  And I have to purchase and Ipod Touch.  I've never been so happy to part with money.  I can't tell you how happy she is.  And how ready for next year!  Isn't it amazing what one little ribbon can do?

After a long wait!  Long wait!  Long wait!  Muscles was up.  He was ready.  My deals with him were if he won two matches during the rest of the season I would purchase two DS games for him OR if he finished his last two meets with all pins (total of 4) then I would get him a IPOD Touch.  I had to make his deal harder!  He didn't think the IPOD was within his grasp.  And I told him as long as he thought that ... he would never get it.  I explained to him that when we doubt ourselves, we beat ourselves.  Told him of entering many competitions in the past knowing full well I wasn't the best.  But knowing that the best was going to have to beat me.  I wasn't going to give the win away.  He will learn this more as he gets older.  Last week saw one win for Muscles.  So, going into today, he only needed one win.  I told him that the pot would be sweetened if he got two pins today but he doubted himself again.  So, I wasn't worried.

He's over there patiently waiting!  The first match came around.  First round....no pin either way.  Second round....no pin either way.  Muscles was down many times.  Pap Grimm yelled, sometimes under his breath "Stand up!".  Muscles did.  Pap then replied, under his breath, "Damn that boy is strong."  Third round....Muscles was down many times.  Pap Grimm yelled.  Grandma Grimm yelled.  Dad yelled.  Hadley yelled.  I yelled.  Others yelled.  The match was called at 16 to 3 in the opponents favor.  We don't know why it was called.  There was no pin.  But hey, one thing is for sure, the score may look really loopsided but that boy worked for each and every single one of those 16 points.  Muscles watched me from the stands.  I nodded my head and shook my fist.  He nodded his head and smiled.  I knew in my heart of hearts ... Muscles wasn't leaving without some type of a win.  After another wait....we were up again!  First round....no pin either way.  Muscles was getting mad!  Pap Grimm yelled and said, under his breath, "Get mad and take this boy down."  Second round....PIN.  Yeppers, Muscles pinned his opponent!  It was great.  He was so excited!

I mention the comments from my Dad, Pap Grimm, for a few reasons.....1.  I have been really afraid of how Pap would be with Muscles when it came to sports.  Pap was a wonderful athlete and not just in his mind.  And he had a tendency to really push and be annoying with my brother and I.  and 2.  I love to hear the little comments under his breath.  I don't usually sit beside him and love to hear that he is amazed by my child.  So, here we are at the end of the regular season.  We may not have come out with as many wins under our belts as wanted but we learned what it takes.  And that bribery works.  Lord knows my wallet is going to be lighter!.  Now next weekend there might be a small tournament but we aren't sure.  I will be more than happy to report any wins that may come.  As of right now, Muscles and Killer are looking forward to next season.  Can't wait to see what it may bring!     

What do you do when.....

When it FINALLY looks like this outside?

Just for the weekend.  They say high 40's next week!


We do a little of this......

 Kreos ... he quit right after this picture! 


And this.......

 Backpack clips and headbands....YEAH! 



Then this.....

 Tortilla chips and "cheese" dip



While watching....

Gotta love Winter Wipeout! 

Just your typical snow day in the Brereton house!  Well with a special snack.

Snacks were Mission brand tortilla strips and cheese sauce.  We love Mission brand snacks because they are not greasy or salty.  Almost like when I make my own.  I went all out and purchased the fake cheese.  You would have thought it was Christmas morning!  And I had a glass of hot tea.  Wonderful evening!