My Week At A Glance

February 19 - 25

This week can be summed up in a few phrases:

1. Tax preparation
2. 30 Day Shred (click to read more)
3. Trip to Jo Ann Fabrics to buy material for next sewing project.
4. Call from Sampy-June telling me she was in a car accident.  My first question was "Where are you calling from?"  Thankfully not the hospital as she was unhurt, unfortunately the same can't be said for her car.
5. Being asked yet again to run for Town Clerk/Treasurer this year.
6. School, housework, sewing, phone convos with kids, warmer weather.

That about sums it up.  

What your list for the week?

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Day 5 of 30 Day Shred Challenge Success

Day 5:  2/26/12
Sunday is usually my day of rest.  A day when I don't involve myself in my normal daily activities. This has probably followed me from childhood.  I remember Sunday's as being the day we attended church services in the morning, came home for a nice dinner, relaxed in the afternoon (I recall Sunday afternoons sitting on my mom's bed with her as she read, wrote notes or we just chatted.) then back to another church service in the evening.  A day much different then all the other days of the week.  


Today was a similar day from my childhood.  Attended church services, enjoyed a relaxed meal then sat around chatting with the kids.  AWWW....love these days!  


As we were talking about various topics I asked the kids if I should just skip my shred routine, silently hoping they would say, sure mom, why not!   NOPE, they both immediately said NO!  


OK, OK....so away I went, locking myself privately in my bedroom ready for another torture session.


The torture is becoming less and less.  I can 'feel' myself getting stronger!  It really is a good feeling.  


Today I woke not quite a sore, more energized and feeling pretty good.  


Reaching day 5 for me is an accomplishment and I feel successful.  I can continue this, but I am realizing that it will definitely take me more than 30 days....yea, much more.  


If you want to continue to follow my daily shred routine I will continue to post daily updates under the tab at the top of this page titled "30 Day Shred Challenge".  


Until tomorrow! 

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Day 4: Well on my way to being SHREDDED!

This is how I feel, 

but

 I don't think Jillian means this kind of shredded

Day 4:  2/24/12

Every day I try something a little different to make this challenge a little easier. I know, I know, I'm delusional.  Nothing will make this easier except to keep at it.

Today I thought, 'why not exercise before I do anything else'.  

Can you say total failure?  

Note to self:  Never ever try to exercise first thing in the morning!

Let's just say that I couldn't even make it through the first circut.  I had NO energy at all.  

My best time of day is 2 - 3 o'clock.  It gets me through that afternoon slump.  Therefore, that is my goal.  To shred daily from 2 - 3 in the afternoon.

After coming home from a  birthday party I got right to it.  

I was interrupted twice.  Once for a phone call and once to take a potty break.  If you've had children and/or are over 40 you will understand the NEED for a potty break! ;)  

I'm still sore in many of my muscles, but that is improving.  

Me and my arnica gel have become best friends.

Fast relief for muscle pain & stiffness. Relieves Pain, Swelling, Stiffness and Bruising. Topical Gel. Natural Homeopathic. Safe & Effective. Arniflora Arnica Gel relieves the pain, bruising and stiffness of injured muscles due to accidents, oral or general surgery, falls, overexertion of muscles or sports injuries

You can read my complete Shred challenge journey by clicking here

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Day 3 of 30 Day Shred Energized!

DAY 3:  2/24/12


I did not sleep well at all last night.  I think it was because I did my shred workout right before bed time.  I will not do that again.


When I woke this morning I was hungry.  I never wake hungry and rarely eat breakfast, not today though.  I had to eat something before I could even function.  I had 2 toast and a scrambled egg.  Then I was hungry again a little over an hour later.  This is very strange, because I rarely feel hungry and don't really eat all that much.  Must be I am really using up the energy I have and need to refuel.  


Not only was I hungry, but sore, oh so sore!  It was tough walking down the stairs.  At noon when hubby came home for lunch I asked if he thought I should skip today's shred session....he told me NO, of course not.  So I had some spaghetti with meatballs for lunch and 2 hours later I got to out the DVD groaning and moaning  excited to get going!


I am improving...I moved throughout the whole time,  no 5 second breaks.  I even picked up 1 pound weights for the strength part.  I'm working my way up to the 5 pounds that is recommended.  The only exercises I just couldn't complete were the abs, the place I need the most.  But I am improving.  I've got to ask someone to watch and make sure my form is correct because I am still straining my neck.  It's a bit embarrassing to have an audience, though.


I'm proud of myself for actually doing this 3 days straight.  Let's hope I can continue for another 27!

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Follow Friday Four Fill In Fun

This week’s statements:

1.       I never ___ on a ____

2.       ___ is my favorite holiday

3.       I think my ___ is/are ___.

4.       When there is a ___ I ___.

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Lived through Day 2 of the 30 Day Shred Challenge

My motivation is having to confess to my daughter that I gave up.....NOT gonna happen!

I think every muscle in my body hurt today and that is NOT an exaggeration.  So this program certainly does work all your muscles.

With a couple modifications, day 2 went better than day 1.

First, I changed location.   Yesterday I was on a carpet and a pad on a cement floor which is probably why my knees hurt so badly...that cement floor had no give.  My hubby suggested I move to the 2nd floor which is wood.  Much better.

Second change was I put on sneakers instead of exercising in my socks.  This was at my daughter's suggestion.   Very good idea, can't believe I didn't think of that myself.

I like this program because I can do each exercise at my own pace.  Jillian is not counting how many you do, just how long you keep moving.  This is good, cuz for now, I'm working on doing the exercise properly instead of trying to do a lot of reps.  The reps will come later once I get my form correct.

It is surprising how quickly the 27 minutes pass.  Before I know it, Jillian is saying, "ok, now onto circut 3, we are almost done". 

Now I need to figure out how to do the ab exercises without straining my neck....any suggestions?

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I survived day 1 of the 30 Day Shred Challenge......barely!

30 Day Shred Challenge

Just about the time you think your kids love you, they ask you to join them on a weight-loss/get-in-shape-for-the-wedding journey.  


Yeah, Sampy-June has asked me to join her for a 30 day Shred work out with Jullian Michaels. 
 I think she is trying to kill me so I won't be there to cry at her wedding.


I did say I would 'attempt' to do this with her....you've got to understand---I am allergic to exercise...last time I tried to do an exercise program I ended up in the hospital with a brain tumor (I'm told the exercise and the tumor were unrelated....I'm not so sure ;/)


So I've ordered the DVD and started this page on my blog to keep me accountable.  


Sampy-June has also started a blog during this 30 day torture workout.  You can follow her at

http://shreddinwithsam.blogspot.com/

I'll be back when the DVD arrives....that is IF I live through the first session.

2/21/12

I did it and I'm alive to talk about it :)

I am SO out of shape....or this is a very tough DVD....OR maybe BOTH!!!

I completed the 1st session with a couple of breaks.  I couldn't complete all the jumping jacks or jump roping-my knees couldn't take it.  

The cardio is a KILLER.  I am sure this is where I will see the most improvement as I continue.

The strength training is my favorite part.  I like the way she works the upper and lower muscles at the

same time.

The abs workouts are tough and the area I most need it.  I had a very tough time with the last exercise in 

this section (can't remember the name).  Jillian stated it was her favorite because it works whole ab area at the same time.  Probably why I found it the hardest.

After the 27 minutes I was BEAT!  I was shaking! My knees were hurting! I was sweaty! I felt like puking! 

 I had a hard time climbing the stairs too.  It took about an hour before I began to feel better.

To think I have to do this all over again tomorrow!  Oh boy!!

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Robby Wash laundry ball review & giveaway

Laundry, laundry, laundry....does it EVER end?  This is one of many chores that seems to take on a life of it's own.  Sometimes it feels like it takes over life!  Anything that can make this seemingly endless chore easier is a PLUS in my book.

Enter the Robby Wash Laundry ball!  Not only is it easy, easy, easy, BUT it will also save you $$$$.   A year's worth of wash for less than $40.00.  One ball is equal to 70 lbs of powder detergent.  All that is needed to use it is to toss it into your washer with your clothes.

 BUT the question remains, does it get clothes clean?

I've used  my Robby Wash ball for 4 loads of laundry so far...whites, darks, towels, and my hubby's work clothes.  My clothes came out as clean as when I use my usual detergent that costs almost $10.00 a bottle and needs replenishing every couple of months.  

Here's the facts from the Oransi website:

The Robby Wash ball uses a unique and patented worldwide technology to clean your laundry even better than the powder laundry detergents it was independently tested against.  Its activated macromolecules are gradually released through the wash, dissolving dried-in stains by generating ions which activate the water molecules.  This increase in the pH enables the activated molecules to penetrate deep into the fabrics and attach themselves to the stains. As the motion of the drum agitates the clothes, the stains come away easily from the fabric and dissolve in the water.  Of all the systems on the market, Robby Wash's effectiveness is tested, proven and guaranteed.

More details about this innovative laundry product:

- 10 ounces of Robby Wash ball replaces 75 lbs. of traditional laundry detergent - environmentally friendly.

- One Robby Wash ball lasts up to 12 months. The ball itself will last 3 years.

- One Robby Wash ball will save more than $100+ over 120 washes

- One Robby Wash ball is only $32.95 and lasts one year. This includes refills and free stain stick.

- It is eco-friendly, hypoallergenic and safe - commonly used in Europe with baby laundry (as well as adult's laundry).

- Third party tested, proven and guaranteed to clean better than traditional powder laundry detergent.

I recommend this product as I feel it does what it says it will do...clean your clothes for a fraction of the price of using regular detergent and is eco-friendly.  

You can purchase one at Oransi  if you don't win one when you enter the giveaway below.
Giveaway ends 3/5 at midnight.

*I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Mom Blog Society. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. (http://momblogsociety.com)

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A successful Pinterest find

I was hesitant to join Pinterest...I really don't have time for it at all. BUT I caved in and finally asked for an invite.  Yea, I really don't have time for this, BUT I have made time :)


One of the first things I pinned was this:

Source: melissafallistestkitchen.blogspot.com via Cindy on Pinterest

These are meals for the crockpot that are bagged and frozen.  In the morning, you open the bag, maybe add a couple of easy ingredients, set the crock pot and go.  I thought this was BRILLIANT!!!  




I hate having a  mess in the kitchen...I'm a bit OCD about it.  It was tough having my kitchen look like this:

While I was in the kitchen my 14 year old daughter asked me if I thought spending all day in the kitchen to prepare these meals instead of an hour a day for each was worth it.  AHHH...YEAH!  And it only took me 3 hours not all day.


Today I bagged my crockpot meals.  In approximately 3 hours I made 7 meals for the crockpot.  I also made 2 chicken pies.  My idea was to freeze both pies, but hubby asked if we could have one for lunch....ok, I guess so :/

ready for the freezer

Success thus far...the real test will be in the taste...I'll let you know what we think.

I'd love to see your Pinterest finds...so go ahead and

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My Week At A Glance

February 11 - 18

Not much to report this week.....

My hubby was sick in bed all week with the flu bug.  By Wednesday he was beginning to feel a bit better.  He really needs to go back to work.  

I gave him a winter vest on Valentines Day.  When I handed it to him he said, " Does this mean I have to go out and get you something?"  My answer?...."Don't bother."  Let's just say that he doesn't DO holidays....ever!

Thursday morning the phones rings. On the other end I hear a voice saying, "Cindy, can you come over right away, I've fallen."  I quickly say, "I'll be right there", hang up the phone, grab my coat and speed  drive ever so carefully the 5 miles to my elderly friend's house.  Before I get to the door she opens it and says, "I'm fine."  As I enter, I can see she is shaken up a bit.  She explains that while loading the wood stove she fell backwards off of the one step to the stove.  

She bares her naked back to me (can you say 'awkward?') and asks if she is bleeding.  I quickly raise my eyes to her BACK and see that she has quite a scrape that is just oozing a bit.  I clean her up and stay for a couple of hours until the home health nurse arrives to assist with her shower.  When I arrived home, I felt all out of sorts.  It was a bit of a scare for me too!

After a weekend of below zero temps, the mercury rose to 40's by the middle of the week.  I love the warmer weather, but it is very strange to have such extreme temps!

Anything exciting to report from you week?

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