Ten Blessings

I am so blessed. It's been far too long since I've paused to reflect on my blessings.


1. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband who loves me and believes in me. Seven and a half years of wedded bliss. It hasn't always been a bed of roses, but he is my soul mate and I am so thankful that God choose him for me.

2. I am blessed with a smart-as-a-tack, beautiful daughter. She constantly amazes me. She surprised me yesterday by telling me her WHOLE name, without prompting. She charmed the pants off everyone at the pediatrician's office. She can spell her name (well, the nickname part of it, since it's a long name), say how old she is, and tell you that she is excited about going to school in the fall.

3. I am blessed with good health. Really. I'm healthy. And my family is healthy. I am so thankful for that!

4. I am blessed with the support and encouragement of family and friends in the process of getting fit and losing weight. The encouraging words of others are my fuel.

5. I am blessed that God provides for our needs. In the last two years, I have learned A LOT about the difference between needs and wants, and how to be content when our needs are met.

6. I am blessed with amazing friends. 'Nuff said. I big puffy heart my friends.

7. I am blessed that my husband and I can be in ministry together. We love working as a team for the glory of God!

8. I am blessed that this is Ladybug's first year to participate in Vacation Bible School! Oh my word, I cannot tell you how excited I am for this! I accept Christ as a child at VBS and I love, love, love Bible School!

9. I am also blessed that Ladybug will be attending preschool this fall. She is so ready! And this Mama is ready to have some time to get things done.

10. I am blessed that I live in a country where I enjoy modern conveniences. I am blessed with dependable electricity, air conditioning that works, refrigeration, my coffee maker, my smartphone, and being able to put gas in my car when I need it.


So, those are the blessings that I can think of right now. I know there are more! What blessings are you thankful for today?

For more Top Ten lists, visit the lovely OhAmanda!

Mamavation Week #26

Twenty-six weeks. That's half a year. While I want to celebrate that I've been committed to healthy living for six months, I can't rest on my laurels. (A laurel sat upon soon wilts!) And, I think I have officially hit a plateau. I've lost 20 lbs and I haven't seen much progress this month. I'm a bit frustrated, but I'm dealing with it by being proactive and looking for ways to bust through it!

Here's my week in review:

Exercise: 7 days out of 7 for cardio. Exercise bike most days, one day of water walking at the pool. Ladybug (3 years old) and I go to the pool early enough that we can move around a lot. I'm giving her informal swim lessons and I get exercise in the process! I also got to go for a "wun" on Sunday! Yes! It's been so hot and humid with heat advisories that I haven't wanted to venture out to run. But Sunday afternoon, we had a good thunderstorms that lowered the temps, plus I was stressed and needed to work that out.

This past week, I challenged myself to get 10,000 steps every day. I didn't make it 7/7, but I did make it 6/7. That is definitely something I'm proud of! You'll see me on Twitter calling out for pedometer checks, so if you have a pedometer, wear it and be ready to tell me your step count. That helps me stay accountable too! And don't worry if you're not up to 10k steps a day. As a stay-at-home mom, there are days when I really have to push myself to get there!

Food Journal: I did good with staying away from sugar, although I did allow myself a small brownie on Saturday and one cookie at church on Sunday. But I stayed within my calorie range every day. I'm taking a short break from menu planning because we'll be traveling. We'll be visiting my mom, so we'll have good food around, but the challenge will be portion control. I will be taking healthy snacks for in the car: carrots, apples, bananas, homemade granola bars and our favorite healthy snack mix.

The Scale: I lost .5 lbs this week, for a total of .5 lbs in the month of June, and 20.5 lbs lost since Christmas. Am I right about this being a plateau?

My goals for this week are: watch portion control; exercise 6 days out of 7; and get 10,000 steps as many days as possible (when we're in the car, I can't promise that I'll reach that). When we get back home, I'm going to step up the exercise. I know I don't usually have 60 minutes at a time to workout out, so I'll have to break that up into 20 minutes segments. I'll be adding strength training and extra Pilates.

Inspiration: This song by Natalie Grant TOTALLY inspired me on my run yesterday! Love it!



Thanks for all of your encouragement and support! I can bust through this plateau because I have such amazing cheerleaders!

Saturday Stumbles

Some great things I've read recently that might be of interest to you too!


Making the Most of Your CSA from Modern Alternative Mama

10 Habits of a Clean Home from iDreamOfClean - I need to do these!

What Will You Teach Your Children? from Mrs. Fussypants

Dry Erase Activity Book for Preschoolers from Feels Like Home - I haven't made one yet, but I love this!


And for more Saturday Stumbles, visit Mandi @ It's Come 2 This.

Follow Friday

Last Friday, I had the chance to meet some wonderful people that I know on Twitter. They are all definitely worth the follow!

@RealLifeSarah - I think her blog was one of the first I started reading when Ladybug was born three years ago. I love her!

@onemomsworld - Jen is a true Carolina girl. She's so sweet, always has a kind word about others, and it was a pleasure meeting her!

@CarolinaMama - The quintessential social butterfly and another true Carolina girl. She brightens the room with her smile!

@MissLori - entertainer extraordinaire and social media maven. Really. She knows her stuff when it comes to Twitter parties and social media etiquette. I learned so much from Miss Lori!

@CheleChestnut - I actually met Chele at the CreatSouth conference in April. She's awesome and so down to earth.

@OceanIsleInn - I met all these wonderful tweeps as part of the Miss Lori weekend at Ocean Isle Inn. OII is so close to us and I've never visited before. It was great! Thanks so much for inviting me!

Cleaning the Closets

So this morning I decided to go through some clothes I haven't worn for a while. Well, more than a while. Years. Why have I held on to some of these clothes? Who knows.

My mission today was to determine whether clothes needed: a) tossed because they are falling apart; b) given to charity, or c) kept.

There were a few things for pile A. Including a pair of boxer shorts from college. Yes, back then there was a trend to wear boxer shorts as shorts. Don't ask why. I don't know.

There were a few things for pile B. If they are still in good shape, I love knowing that someone else can use them.

And there were a few things for pile C. And the most exciting thing about that? I haven't been able to wear these for since pre-babies. That, my friends, is a GREAT feeling. I haven't worn shorts in public for at least four years. After Ladybug was born, I started wearing capri pants. I actually found a few cute ones.

But now that I've lost 20 lbs, I feel a little more confident in wearing shorts outside the house. I found a few pair in the drawer that I haven't tried on recently. And they fit!! Can I tell you how exciting that is to me? It's like going on a shopping spree without spending any money!

I still have a few more drawers to go through. I wonder what I'll find.

Mamavation Week #25

I gave myself a bit of a break this week. I treated myself to an iced mocha on Saturday and took a break from food journaling. I did watch my portions and I was still active. Time to get back to business!

Here's the week in review.

Exercise: Cardio 6 days out of 7. I am alternating between the elliptical trainer and exercise bike for now. The mornings are hot and humid, and I really don't like exercising outside when it's like that. So I'm keeping my workouts inside, if I can. I did mow the yard on Sunday, and I totally count that as exercise. And I turned off the power push for half the time so I got some upper body workout as well. (Hubby loves it that I'll mow the yard now. If I count it as my workout, I don't mind at all!)

Food: As I said, I took a break over the weekend from writing down everything that I ate. Just for the weekend. I did my weigh in on Saturday but also checked my weight Monday morning and I maintained over the weekend, so I feel good about taking that break. I still ate good foods, kept processed foods to a minimum, and watched portions. But time to get back at it!

I am loving the grill right now, especially for grilling veggies. Yum! Here is our healthy menu plan for the week.

The Scale: No loss, no gain for the week. It was the Week of the Visiting Relative (WoVR) so I'm not worried about that. (Y'all know what I mean by "visiting relative," don't you? The dreaded one.) I've lost 20 lbs in 25 weeks and am very happy with that! And the scale isn't the only indicator of how I'm doing. My clothes are looser, and clothes that I couldn't wear a few months ago fit now. That's a great feeling!

This week, I'm focusing on writing down everything I eat, cardio 5 days out of 7, and 10,000 steps every day. Every day! Feel free to tweet at me and ask me how my steps are. I need the accountability in that!

One more thing. I was at a tweet up on Friday and the other bloggers were so impressed the Mamavation campaign and the Sistahood. Y'all ROCK! And you are known for your mutual support and encouragement! Yay for the Sistahood!!

The Tire Swing

Oh, my did we have fun at the playground yesterday! Ladybug (3 years old) loved the tire swing. When I was growing up, our neighbors had a "happy little tire swing." Nothing fancy like this one, just a tire and a rope. I loved that tire swing. I think Ladybug loves the tire swing too!

Wordful Wednesday at 7 Clown Circus
Wordless Wednesday HQ
5 Minutes for Mom

Restoring My Sanity

There are days that I feel like I'm losing it. Is it my age? Is it my nature? Is it that I have a strong-willed 3 year old? Maybe a combination of all of the above.

Whatever it is, I have found little things that help me feel "normal" amidst the crazyness. Some days require just one or two of these, other days require all ten.


1. Exercise. Really. A good sweat is great at restoring my sanity!

2. Getting a shower and getting dressed, helps me feel like a human being.

3. Putting on make-up. Even if we're not going anywhere, I try to put on make-up every day.

4. A good cup of coffee. Even if it's decafe, or iced, there is something about coffee that picks me up and tells me that it's going to be okay.

5. Twitter. A good conversation on Twitter goes a long way in restoring my sanity.

6. Chocolate. Does this need any explanation?

7. Remind myself of God's promises. I have a spiral pack of index cards and glued some of favorite verses on them. I just have to read a few of them and I feel my mind returning.

8. Get some alone time. I can't always get time alone in the course of the day, but if I REALLY need time alone, I will turn on the TV for Ladybug and I'll go into another room. Gotta do what you gotta do!

9. Hugs and kisses. If Ladybug is willing to give them, hugs and kisses always brighten my day!

10. Go for a walk. Different from exercise, sometimes just a short stroll will clear my mind.


Please tell me I'm not the only one who has days that I feel like I'm losing my mind! What are your coping strategies to keeping your sanity?

For more Top Ten lists, don't forget to visit ohamanda.com.

Mamavation Week #24

What a week! I decided I needed a kick in the pants and did a #NoSugar week. No refined sugars and no artificial sweeteners. There are some natual sugars in the very few processed foods that we eat, and I did treat myself to a Crystal Light lemonade on Saturday. But I made it through the week.

By day 4, I felt great, my thinking was clearer, I had no headaches and the cravings were gone. I use honey in all of my baked goods and I reached for fruit any time I had a sweet craving. I did this before to jump start my weight loss this year, and that's when I discovered the connection between my migraines and refined sugar. So I generally try to avoid it. But after Ladybug's birthday, I need to really discipline myself and get rid of the refined sugar again. I feel so much better for it!

Here's my weekly recap:

Exercise: 5 days out of 7 for cardio. I alternated days on the elliptical and the exercise bike, with a little bit of Pilates thrown in. On Saturday, Ladybug and I went to the pool early and had it to ourselves! She is doing great with treading water and doggie paddling. Plus I got some water walking in while pulling/pushing her around the pool. That was a great workout!

Food Journal: It was a great week of eating clean! Lots of fruits and veggies, whole grains, good proteins. Watermelon was my best friend this week! I tried a few new recipes, including gazpacho - yum! I also made fresh salsa, which was a huge hit with the Hubby. Here is my healthy menu plan for the week. It's HOT here so I'll be doing some crock pot cooking so I don't have to use my oven.

The Scale: Down .5 lbs for the week, bringing my total weight loss back to 20 lbs. I'm sure that would have more if I wasn't coming into PMS week. But, I've very happy with my week. And my new swimsuit (that is my reward for losing 20 lbs) arrived this weekend, so I'm really looking forward to using that!

This week's Mamavation blogging carnival is being sponsored by Flatout Flatbread. I haven't seen these in stores around here, but I would LOVE to try them!

Thanks, as always, for your continued support and encouragement!!

My Girl

It's been a while since I've shared pictures of Ladybug. She is growing up before our eyes!

She wanted a firetruck for her birthday cake, so I bought fire fighter hats for her and her friend. She didn't want to wear it during the party, but here she is cheesing it up before our guests arrived.

And we are trying to go the pool a couple of times a week. She is doing very well with swimming, holding her breath under water and kicking her feet. She loves to swim! We went first thing this morning before anyone else was there. It was great! I bribe her with a snack so that we can take a break. And I remembered to put ice in our water bottles so that we would have cold water while there.

The Cat Came Back

As kids, we learned this song at 4-H camp. One of the counselors would sing the verses and the kids would join in on the chorus very loudly. My sister and I were singing this song last week on the phone as I told her about our cat who came back.



Oh, the cat came back, the very next day.
The cat came back, they thought he was a goner.
The cat came back, he just wouldn't stay away, away, away.


Well, the cat came back. Her Majesty Ruthie was adopted for a whole two months. But. The cat came back. Today.

She's a wonderful cat, really. But she is Siamese. And if that doesn't mean anything to you, you've never been around a Siamese cat for any length of time. They are not like other cats. There is a very good reason that I refer to her as "Her Majesty." She thinks that she rules the roost.

Siamese cats are very vocal and they need more attention than most cats. They also like to be solo cats, unless they have been raised with another cat.

As a single person, a Siamese cat was a great choice. Now, married and with a strong-willed child, a high-maintenance pet is not a good fit. She needs a new home. But the cat came back.

She would be perfect for a retired person or couple who stay home a lot. Or for someone who understands that Siamese are different than other cats.

If you know of someone who can adopt Her Majesty Ruthie, please let me know! I don't want to be singing this song again. The cat came back.

Ten Things in Our Pool Bag

When I was growing up as a Yankee, going to the pool in the summer was a special treat. First of all, it was a thirty minute drive and both of our parents worked. And second, it cost money. Instead, we would set up the garden hose as a sprinkler, or swim in someone's pond, or go down to the creek (pronounced "crick").

Now, living in the hot suburban South, we go to the pool quite often. Does my child understand how lucky she is? (That's another post for another time!) So we keep a pool bag ready to go. Here are Ten Things in Our Pool Bag.


1. Sunscreen, or as Ladybug (3 years old) calls it: Sun-scream. We actually apply sunscreen before we even leave the house, but I like to take extra with me in case we need to re-apply.

2. Towels, of course!

3. A snack. This is helps me get Ladybug out of the pool, because if she had her way, she would be there all day. But I can persuade her to take a break if I have a snack.

4. Water bottle for each of us. Note to self: put ice in them next time so they stay cold!

5. Pool toys. Currently, we have a few floating balls, a boat (I think), and a toy watering can so LB can give us a "shower."

6. LB's flotation device. Not actually in the bag, but it is an essential pool accessory!

7. Pool noodles. Again, not in the bag, but a fun accessory to have.

8. The pool access key! Can't get in without it!

9. There is a can coozie in our bag right now. Left over from a family pool get-together when LB's great-aunt & great-uncle were visiting.

I had to go look in the bag for #10.

10. Sand toys, a rake and two shovels. Just in case we go to the beach instead. (We also have a TON of sand toys in the back of the van.) (Not that my fearless child would actually sit and play in the sand at the beach. She wants to be in the water!)


How often do you get to go swimming in the summer? What essentials do you take to the pool? (I omitted "swimsuits" from our list because they are not usually in the bag, but on our bodies before we leave for the pool!)

Happy Swimming! For more Top Ten lists, don't forget to visit the lovely Oh! Amanda.

Mamavation Week 23

It's been a rough week. Coming off Ladybug's birthday, then she shared her cold germs with me. I've felt like a slug and eaten like one too. Blergh.

Exercise: 4 days out of 7 with cardio. Three days of EASActive workouts. I love the custom workout feature! But we were borrowing the Wii and the owners needed it back. We'll be looking to get our own Wii soon! We did get an elliptical trainer so I did a short but tough workout on that as well. Wow. That was definitely a workout!

I did 10,000+ steps on 3 days out of 7. I went to bed early a few nights because of this blessed cold. I'm still not feeling up to par yet. Lots of coughing, little energy. Again, blergh.

Food Journal: I really slacked off with logging my food through out the day. I tried to sit down at the end of the day but I'm getting old and my memory failed me. My goal for the week is to log my food several times during the day so I keep myself accountable. We've eaten fairly well, especially since our CSA has delivered some wonderful yumminess the past two weeks. Zucchini, squash, cukes, corn, potatoes, onions, peaches, etc. Yum, yum! Here is my healthy menu plan for the week.

The Scale: Like I said, it was a rough week. Up .5 lb from last week. So I hit the 20 lb mark last week and slid back to 19.5 lbs lost in 23 weeks. I did check my measurements, and I was very pleased. I lost another 3 inches in the month of May! I'm down a total of 10 inches since Christmas! Yes!

Goals for this week are: 6 days of cardio, 10,000+ steps on at least 5 days, cleaning up my diet (again) by avoiding refined sugars and eating 7+ servings of fruits and veggies every day.

Thanks, everyone, for your support and encouragement! I couldn't do this without you!!

Saturday Stumbles

Here are some great things I've read recently.

from Modern Alternative Mama - Affording Real Food

from thediaperdiaries.net - The Wisdom of Children

from iDreamofClean - Cleaning Your Grill with Aluminum Foil (grilling season is upon us!)

from Southern Plate - Mexican S'Mores with Katy

and from my recipe blog - Homemade Hot Dog/Hamburger Buns


Thanks to Mandi at It's Come 2 This for hosting Saturday Stumbles.

I Be Talking

Tonight, as I was putting Ladybug (now 3 years old) to bed, she was talking a blue-streak. I usually let her tell me a story after we turn the lights out, but she continued to talk. I reminded her it was time to be quiet.

She says to me, "I don't want to be quiet, I want to be talking now."

Yeah. Obviously.

Mamavation Week #22

I did it! I reached the first major goal that I set - 20 lbs GONE! TWENTY! It's almost surreal. My reward: a new swimsuit! Ladybug (3 years old) loves to swim and my old suit is worn out, so it's a perfect reward for me.

I'm posting my recap late because of Ladybug's birthday this weekend. We were SO busy with yardwork, house work, and party prep. I made most of the food from scratch, including strawberry frozen yogurt and homemade cake. I did allow myself a treat but kept the portions small.

Here's the weekly recap:

Exercise: 6 days out of 7 with cardio, mostly EASActive workouts (I figured out how to make a custom workout!). Saturday, I counted push mowing and shoveling dirt as my workout. And I did over 10,000 steps EVERY DAY. My legs are finally accustomed to all the extra activity of reaching 10k steps.

Food Journal: I did great with eating, until Sunday. It was a crazy day & I didn't track throughout the day, so when I sat down to fill in my food journal, I couldn't remember what I ate! It was an unusually busy weekend, so I'm getting back in the habit of working on my food journal several times during the day. As I said, I did allow myself cake & frozen yogurt for Ladybug's birthday. Portion control was the key! I actually kept the portions for myself really small.

The Scale: Down 1 lb this week for a total of 20 lbs in 22 weeks!!! I forgot to recheck my measurements, so I'll do that for next week. I am focusing on the next 5 lbs for now, with another reward when I reach the 30 lb mark. I haven't decided what that should be yet.

Someone asked how I lost 20 lbs. My response: daily exercise, portion control, and the support of friends & family, especially my Mamavation sistas. I know I would not have stuck with it this long without your support - thank you!!