You got nothing on me weeds!

I learned how to use the weed-eater in that past week. I don't know why I feel so accomplished because of that fact, but I do! Weed-eating is a guy thing! My brother was taught how to use it when he was young, but I was skipped over. McBone was always told to go and weed-eat and although I didn't really want to go do that chore, I did want to be included. My time has finally come...we just bought a house with .80 acres of land and it has been a wetter-than-normal season; the weeds are out of control. I felt that it was time to do something about them. I borrowed the weed-eater from my mom and Husby taught me how to start it. The first time I used it I was hit in the face more times than I care to admit and it was much harder then I thought. It jammed and Husby had to help again. After that I was cooking!

I have spent about 7 hours weed-eating at this point and I feel pretty proficient. My hand hurts from the vibrations and my clothes are caked with plant shrapnel, but the yard is looking better.  I mean it looks like I have given the yard a very uneven buzz cut, but I did it myself! I plan on passing the responsibility off on Husby, but at least I know I can do it myself and I don't have to wait for him to come home. I love the feeling of learning a new skill and being self-reliant!

Really, I care about it that much?!?!?!

I have a very weird feeling about working out...it is probably the most important thing in my day. Not that I do it as often as I should or because I want to be healthy, but because I place sooooo much emphasis on it.  If I work out then I feel like I accomplished something.

Seriously, I could finish a quilt, clean the house, write three emails, water the plants, and so much more, but if there is no planned exercise then I failed for the day...how fucked up is that? I mean it is not even about the health aspect...nope...its about the fact that I don't want to get fat. I am so concerned with my size that working out will make or break my feeling of accomplishment for the day. I wish I could get over it too! It is so annoying to feel like a failure because I didn't go the gym. It doesn't help that husby is so freakin gorgeous...I mean don't get me wrong, I am not complaining that my husband is as my mom stated "moviestar handsome," but that doesn't help me any. It just puts more pressure on me. For goodness sake, he gets up at 4:30 am to go the gym...how annoying is that???? (but I do love the way he looks)

But back to me, I want to look good and I want him to look at me and still like what he sees. But in all honesy, I have had a fear of getting fat since I was a child. I distinctly remember the day when my brother McBone, a friend the Snake, and I were all jumping on the trampoline and they called me a hippo. "Watch out the hippo is jumping," they would say.

That was 18 years ago, how and why do I remember that so vividly when I can barely remember the first time I had sex. In fact, thinking about it right, I DON'T remember it. I have never been small or skinny but I am fit. However fit I am, it is not good enough.

Day in the life....1/17/2012

I don't remember my life all that well and I have decided that once a month I am going to write a "day in the life"so that I can look back and see what I did that day...

Today January 17, 2011

I woke up at 5:21 eager to get out of bed. Husby's alarm goes off at 4:30, which primes the pump for my alarm sometimes to my chagrin.

I immediately started the bacon... and then went and dressed for the gym. I like to eat a good breakfast in the morning and get up about 20 minutes early to make sure I can have one. I gave up gluten about three weeks ago and since I have limited my available menu I take more time on prepping my food. After getting dressed I picked out my clothes for the day... jeans, brown pointy heals, brown ribbed tank top with a mustard over shirt, and my brown jacket. I placed all of these items in my gym bag and headed into the kitchen.

I put all my lunch items (sliced yellow bell pepper, hummus, potato chips, melody of a pear and strawberries, and chicken/rice/veggie/ cheese leftovers from last night) in my lunch bag. I started the eggs and flipped the bacon. During this time I watched a little "Parenthood" (I love this show and will usually watch a little bit whenever I have the chance). Bacon, eggs and applesauce make up my breakfast. It was good!!

Headed to the gym. I love and hate the gym. I feel so good about myself after I go, but while I am there I am not so happy. Today I worked out biceps, abs, and the back of my legs. After my weight lifting I did about 20 minutes of cardio (which I only do because it is 20 minutes of reading time). Showered and got dressed at the gym and headed to work.

I am 7th/8th grade science teacher, which is a crazy as it sounds. Who wants to spend their entire life in middle school...I guess that would be me. So work is barely-controlled chaos, but the kids are good.
Work ended at 3:30 and I was supposed to have a meeting with my fellow science teachers, but that was canceled. Yahhh for me...I hate those meetings.

Drove up the driveway, followed by husby. We both went into the garage to work on our projects. He is building the braces to hang closet rods and I am restoring a picture frame (idea: courtesy of B).

Plan on a little cobb salad for dinner and then maybe an episode of "Shameless." A bit of reading before bed and there is my tuesday!

The little things....

Isn't it amazing how the little things in life are a big deal?

I recently purchased a home and what a whirlwind that has been. Fixing, painting, rewiring, organizing and unpacking are only a few of the obligations I have. When I moved in all I wanted to do was hang a couple of photos, put a few candles out, set up my knick knacks and layout my quilts. I wanted to make it a home. So what if the house needed new outlets, switches, paint, flooring and what seemed like everything else. Unfortunately my timeline for making my house a home was a little off and I had to do all of those OTHER things first...well, its my time now. I have started my nesting and I love it. I walk into my home and cannot believe how much more welcoming and happy it is.

The little things that make me happy:

• The shelf above my sink with its three flower pots, candle, two soap dispensers and of course my decorative plates.

• The shower curtain I made for our new master bath. It has a quilted, asymmetrical vibe that I love.

• My console table that makes entering the house so spectacular.

• My new shabby chic furniture. I not only get a two fabulous pieces, but it is a remembrance of Paul's late grandfather. Having furniture that is meaningful and free makes it extra awesome.

• The light fixture husby so masterfully purchased and installed so that I can read all through the night. 

•  All the beautiful flowers, plants and other little details that make my home quaint and cozy. 

It is important that I  remember that little details can be a reminder of how great life is. Although issues come up, some how I will get through and until then find I can use these little things to remind me to be happy.

What to do with my time?

Everyday needs to be something of an accomplishment...or does it?

I feel like I must do something everyday. I cannot just sit there and be... no, no, no I have to do something. I would love to relax, just sit and enjoy the day and the time. I am sitting here watching old episode of Seinfeld and I cannot stop thinking about how I should be doing something else, something that can be measured. So irritating...I just want to be less worrisome. Oh well, something to work on for the future.

Last night I made an excellent dinner: pepper steak, roasted fingerlings potatoes, and kale with a cream sauce...so good! I going to try a gluten-free diet for health reasons and I think it is going to be very challenging. But last nights meal was totally compliant with the gluten-free thing and that makes me very happy.

Today I rode the horse for the first time in six months and I don't know who is more out of shape, him or I! The riding takes a whole different set of muscles and man I am going to be sore. But it was a great ride and I am happy to be back in the saddle (pun intended)!

Stress free is the way to be! That is my motto for 2012, so hopefully I can let things go that I cannot change.

The Beginning...

My sister-in-law, B, recently started a blog because remembering your life is an great thing and I agree with her. So therefore it is time to start documenting what I do and how I feel. I hope this will be the first blog of many and through this I can share my experiences. My life is important and I have a hard time remembering it. 

I think recapping 2011 is an appropriate way to start off...

• We bought a house in which we are still working tirelessly on.
• I started quilting and I have made more then ten full size quilts.
• A very important relationship was repaired and is now better then ever.
• My nephew was born.
• And so many other details that I cannot think of...

2011 was an amazing year full of friends and family and I hope 2012 will be even better. The most difficult part of 2011 was buying the house. It was such roller coaster of emotion but in the end I ended with a place to set down roots and make a home. I love the house more and more each day and my amazing husby is always improving it. 

Working on a few friendships was really important during 2011. C was moved to a different school and that was really hard to cope with because we were so close during the 2010-2011 school year, but we have worked through that. Although we don't see each other as often I still consider myself extremely lucky to have her as a friend. B and I really improved our relationship and it has a been a great part of the my life and I am very thankful for it. 

Now on to 2012, what are my hopes for this year:

• Make a conscious effort to be healthier
• Get pregnant
• Keep working on the house
• Bring Tron home
• Do a triathlon 
• Learn how to relax

My life is fairly wonderful and I hope I end the year as happy as I have started it!