tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58675162491729062952024-03-05T11:33:41.121-08:00color me crazyRoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.comBlogger199125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-41026270000974986462012-05-02T10:15:00.002-07:002012-05-02T10:15:46.391-07:00guess what I did today?Guess what I did today, well, besides realize it's been forever since I've posted here? I visited with a nutritionist. <u>I. Know.</u> Big step for Roo. But to be honest I'm tired of ignoring the obvious - that my health and the health of my family pretty much sucks right now.<p><p><u>Short version</u>: My mother was just diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. My mom and I both suffer from hypertension. My dad has heart problems. My triglycerides are too high. And someone I know who is the same age as me (35) just had a major heart attack. Talk about a bit of a wake up call, huh?<p>So I made an appointment and off I went. I'm glad I went. I really like her. She's very easy to talk to and she's not throwing me so much information at once that I feel like it's too much to handle or that I'll throw my hands up and say <i>"ayo gotta let go"</i>...oops, sorry I started singing.<p>At this point she said that I'm not eating regularly enough and my body is confused. I can't say that surprises me. She also said I'm not eating enough during the day and overloading at night (again, no surprise) but that we can fix this.<p><i>Step 1: Keep a food journal.<p>Step 2: Eat 3 balanced meals a day (protein/grain/vegetable), note the time of the meal and the what, why and how much.<p>Step 3: Balance my caffeine ounce for ounce (my body is dehydrated so if I drink 32 oz of Diet Coke I need 32 oz of water) and drink more water if I can manage it since I've been slacking on the water.</i><p>Once I get me figured out then and only then can I pass on the good habits to my family. So that's where I am right now.Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-4410619174650801122012-01-01T14:22:00.000-08:002012-01-01T14:22:04.772-08:002012Surprisingly I don't have a long list of resolutions or things I plan to do in 2012. There is one thing and one thing only that I am going to work on and that is ME. I always put everyone else's needs above mine and while there are days that I may still need to do this (sick kids, as an example), I will continue to do my best to take care of ME. <br />
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If you know me well (and some of you do) you know that I am a giver- 110%. Those that I am closest to and love get me and then some. I will bend over backwards to take care of them. But I don't do the same for myself. I've known this for quite some time but I've continued to ignore it. I'm tired of ignoring it.<br />
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<font size="5"><font color="purple">The one word I have chosen for 2012 is <b>REVIVE</b>.</font></font><br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revive">re·vive</a> verb \ri-ˈvīv\<br />
: to return to consciousness or life : become active or flourishing again</i><br />
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I need to flourish again. I need to bring me as an individual back to life. I actually started doing this over the last few months slowly but surely and am starting to feel better.<br />
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I will not be a slave to the scale.<br />
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I will stop emotional eating.<br />
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I will hydrate daily.<br />
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I will take time for me each day - some days it may only be 5 minutes. Ideally, I'd like it to be 30. I'll take what I can at this point.<br />
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I will say no to extra obligations and commitments without the guilt.<br />
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I will not allow work to take precedence over my needs or the needs of my kids.<br />
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I will love myself 100% and will not talk negatively about me to me.<br />
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I will smile. Every day.<br />
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And this is how I will <b><font color="purple">REVIVE</b></font> and bring Roo back to life as an individual and not as a mom, wife, sister, daughter or friend. Just me.Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-7232571801331248202011-12-19T11:29:00.000-08:002011-12-19T11:29:12.481-08:00hey party peopleWhy YES I *am* still alive! I don't have much to say here except OMG I AM CRAZY BUSY. I just now caught up my October and November daily pictures on my family blog. It feels good to finally be caught up over there but I do miss posting over here. My new year's resolution is to take more time for me - physically, mentally, etc. That includes posting here at least once a week. Let's cross my fingers that I can do it for more than a month.<br />
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Have a wonderful Christmas, loves!Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-3345595933747769792011-10-12T09:01:00.000-07:002011-10-12T09:01:37.408-07:00shrinkvivor challenge week 3<a href="http://shrinkingjeans.net" target="_blank"><img src="http://s725.photobucket.com/albums/ww255/shrinkingjeans/SHRINKVIVORbadge1-01.png" border="0" alt="SHRINKVIVOR CHALLENGE"></a><br />
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We're back for Week 3 of the Shrinkvivor Challenge over at Shrinking Jeans! I'm hanging out over at Exile Island after <a href="http://www.color-me-crazy.net/2011/10/shrinkvivor-challenge-week-2.html">last week's gain</a>. <br />
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<i><u>Official stats</u>:<br />
Joining WW weight on 9/21/11: 210.4<br />
Challenge Starting Weight: 206.2<br />
Change This Week: -3.9<br />
Change for Shrinkvivor Challenge: -2.6<br />
Total Pounds Gone since 9/21/11: -6.8</i><br />
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Activity towards this week's mini-challenge for exercise has been lacking this week. The herniated discs in my back are really aggravating me. My new doctor is waiting on a copy of my MRI from last summer to decide how she wants to proceed with fixing my back. Apparently there's a new laparoscopic procedure that has a quick recovery time that she is hoping I'm a candidate for in lieu of more steroid injections or the dreaded invasive back surgery with weeks, if not months, of recovery. Until then I'm only to walk and only if I'm not in pain. I do still plan to do my 5K and <a href="http://shrinkingjeans.net/run-the-hood-2011-race-central/">walk the 'hood on the 22nd</a>. For the time being I'm resting.Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-90811264480130338012011-10-11T18:11:00.000-07:002011-10-12T07:08:27.273-07:00surprisingly, it's not all in my head<a href="http://shrinkingjeans.net" target="_blank"><img src="http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww255/shrinkingjeans/TrueConfessions.png" alt="True Confessions" border="0"></a><br />
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<i>Disclaimer: This is going to be a different confession for me. It's very open and was very hard for me to type. Be gentle with me. My heart is heavy and I'm struggling.</i><br />
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I don't have a difficult life. In fact I am very blessed. Yes I've had my share of tragedy and disappointments and hardships but for the most part life is good. I survived a horrific first marriage and life as a victim of domestic violence and now am a proud survivor. I have two beautiful, healthy children. I have a husband that is a good provider and treats us well. I have the option to stay at home and raise our children. I have a house I adore and live in a town that I love as well. <br />
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But me? I'm not happy. I'm not sad but I'm not happy. I'm just here. Existing. I try my best to hide it behind a smile because most days that's the only way I can cope. Besides, I've been doing it for so long now that it's become normal for me. I know this isn't normal by any stretch of the imagination but sadly it's MY normal. And it's no longer acceptable. When I am always exhausted that the only reason I get out of bed in the morning is because I know my children need me something needs to give. When I'm on so many medications that I have to put reminders on my phone so I remember to take them and utilize one of those ridiculous pill sorters that my parents use something needs to give.<br />
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I finally found a new doctor and realized what I knew deep down for a while now. My last doctor was an idiot (and that's putting it nicely). The new doc came highly recommended by a few neighbors that use her and she gave me a complete physical and sat and talked to me for about 40 minutes. I never felt rushed and I felt like she actually cared about me and my entire well being not just shoving more pills at me to fix whatever is wrong. <br />
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I explained how I feel like I don't actually "feel" anything anymore, how I'm always exhausted, that the only reason I get up is for my kids and that I've gained a whopping 40 pounds over the last few years. I broke down and cried and told her that I feel like a failure in everything - mom, wife, to myself, etc. There are things that I should be able to "fix" (at least in my mind I should) - like getting dinner on the table most nights (which I seriously struggle with) and other things that for most people are simply what they do every day and it's not hard but for me it has been hard and IS hard. She looked at me and said, "Honey, you can't fix it. It's not in your head, it's your meds." And then she proceeded to explain that this medication makes your mind foggy and this medication causes excessive weight gain and this medication makes you feel numb and you're too young to be on all of this (I'm 35). She then smiled and said, "You WILL feel better. I promise. We're going to fix this."<br />
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Some meds I need to be weaned off of, others have been stopped immediately and today some of the withdrawal/changes I've experienced have been pure HELL and my nerves are shot. I literally broke down and sobbed in my husband's arms because I'm so overwhelmed but I'm confident that I WILL get better, I WILL feel again and I won't be so numb to everything around me. <br />
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I follow-up with her in two months and in two months I hope to feel somewhat better because at this point I will take ANY improvement I can get.Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-29219529802148172112011-10-07T18:39:00.000-07:002011-10-07T18:39:27.239-07:00not perfect but worth itSo there's this song I heard the other day by <a href="http://www.sugarlandmusic.com/">Sugarland</a> (I love me some Jennifer Nettles...). ANYWAY, it's called Every Girl Like Me. And while the lyrics to the song are about being the right fit for a partner, etc., the words that just kept sticking out to me were these two lines:<br />
<br />
<i>Because I am not perfect<br />
But I know I'm worth it</i><br />
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And nothing else in the song matters to me but those words. Who's perfect? None of us. But we are so worth the effort - whether it's in being healthier by eating right and exercising, taking time for ourselves or splurging on a Starbucks coffee once in a while.<br />
<b><br />
YOU </b>are totally worth it. <br />
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<b>I </b>am totally worth it.<br />
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Let's remember this, m'kay?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfRDOBfhF93UrJc4FEh524V8uhUIfGQKCpgDQWgcoK0t91s16zUnmiNJE6XYqbauhldflkl7ps1vHBI6RTsQDKvkNIk_d1xb0v7PCAzPn7ZzhTHfGjvhrhDB7lWaeVtH9vCqV2HhChQj6/s1600/worthit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="165" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfRDOBfhF93UrJc4FEh524V8uhUIfGQKCpgDQWgcoK0t91s16zUnmiNJE6XYqbauhldflkl7ps1vHBI6RTsQDKvkNIk_d1xb0v7PCAzPn7ZzhTHfGjvhrhDB7lWaeVtH9vCqV2HhChQj6/s320/worthit.jpg" /></a></div>Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-67341148716665608402011-10-06T19:05:00.000-07:002011-10-06T19:05:17.424-07:00shrinkvivor challenge week 2<a href="http://shrinkingjeans.net" target="_blank"><img src="http://s725.photobucket.com/albums/ww255/shrinkingjeans/SHRINKVIVORbadge1-01.png" border="0" alt="SHRINKVIVOR CHALLENGE"></a><br />
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And we're back! Week 2 of the Shrinkvivor Challenge over at Shrinking Jeans! I will lay it all out here - I had a bad week. From Friday-Tuesday I didn't watch what I ate and the scale showed it on Wednesday with a <u>gain of 1.3 pounds this week</u>! Very disappointing for me but how can I be upset when I know what the reasoning behind it was? Because of my gain I was lowest % for my team so I have been moved over to Exile Island. And you know what? I'm okay with that. My team - Team Pink - AKA the Pinkbury Dough Girls - is an amazing group of ladies who didn't make me feel less than for my not-so-good week. And in past challenges or life in general when I screw up I give up. Not this time. As <a href="http://www.twitter.com/annsgonnablow">Ann</a> (LOVE ANN!) texted me this evening - "...this isn't for prizes it's for health!" And you know what? Isn't the biggest prize of all being healthier for me and my family? For me? Absolutely. So yes I gained. Yes I'm okay with it. And yes I'm back on track this week. And it's a great place to be mentally.<br />
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This week's physical challenge is exercise minutes again - time devoted to exercise specifically. So I will be working on that and continuing to keep track of my foods and staying within my daily Points Plus target for Weight Watchers. I did well in the exercise department last week going from zero to 195 minutes which is substantially less than some but an improvement for me.<br />
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This next week will be better and I will keep plugging away. I'll check in with you again on Wednesday.<br />
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And this? When I'm feeling down I remember this. I will not let the number on the scale define me any more. It's not worth it. I am worth more.<br />
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<a href="http://operationbeautiful.com"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6099/6218654655_5559484090.jpg" width="373" height="500" alt="operation beautiful scale"></a>Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-11840871772598406802011-10-04T03:00:00.000-07:002011-10-04T03:00:08.732-07:00a failed kitty face pancakeSo I thought I'd be all Martha Stewart-like and make a "fun" pancake for my daughter one morning for breakfast. Instead I made this. An angry bear. I really did TRY to make a cat face. And failed miserably.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47895550@N07/6205896282/" title="angrybear-cmc by mama_monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6015/6205896282_c5fbda2bc4.jpg" width="500" height="492" alt="angrybear-cmc"></a><br />
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After texting this out to some friends I got a few replies that are worth sharing:<br />
<span style="font-style:italic;"><br />
"Quick! Eat it before it eats you!"<br />
"Please don't quit your day job and go into pancake making as a business."<br />
"Eat it and let's never speak of this again, ok?"</span><br />
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And then there were those that called in hysterics or replied with LOL (laughing out loud) or ROFL (rolling on the floor laughing). <br />
<br />
At least my pancake was good for something (brightening the day of my friends) because he was just too scary looking to eat. Even the 3 year old agreed.Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-64575379938105194822011-09-28T13:14:00.000-07:002011-09-28T13:14:31.259-07:00shrinkvivor challenge week 1<a href="http://shrinkingjeans.net" target="_blank"><img src="http://s725.photobucket.com/albums/ww255/shrinkingjeans/SHRINKVIVORbadge1-01.png" border="0" alt="SHRINKVIVOR CHALLENGE"></a><br />
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This is it! Week 1 of the Shrinkvivor Challenge over at Shrinking Jeans! I almost wish I had waited and started back to Weight Watchers a week later since I'm <u>down 4.2 pounds this week</u>! <br />
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I am teamed up with some great gals for this challenge including <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/annsgonnablow">Ann</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/arcticmal">Heather</a>! We are part of Team Pink - AKA the Pinkbury Dough Girls! Cute, huh?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrAyyzsJH4D15ugUES-Wnmx-nyVknHgNBkDdkEs-ws5XA4VDT1AmPxKOqDEONqAmMcucAJkOZUC4qwM0pto-lSGlboUUi171CReoYfGKXmr05zhW_0gAuRedNCJJX5d8UHW-QS8ZkXjdS/s1600/pink-dough-girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrAyyzsJH4D15ugUES-Wnmx-nyVknHgNBkDdkEs-ws5XA4VDT1AmPxKOqDEONqAmMcucAJkOZUC4qwM0pto-lSGlboUUi171CReoYfGKXmr05zhW_0gAuRedNCJJX5d8UHW-QS8ZkXjdS/s320/pink-dough-girls.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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This week's physical challenge is exercise minutes - time devoted to exercise specifically. So I will be working on that and continuing to keep track of my foods and staying within my daily Points Plus target for Weight Watchers.<br />
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The best part about this past week? (Excluding a nice loss on the scale, of course.) Energy. I actually am not dragging my butt, exhausted all the flippin' time. Guess my body was trying to tell me something. Obviously I'm hard headed occasionally. Or all the time if you ask <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/2whlegr">my husband</a>.<br />
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I am really looking forward to seeing what I personally and the Pinkbury Dough Girls as a team can accomplish not only this week but throughout this challenge.<br />
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Until next Wednesday...Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-45978438478119944182011-09-20T03:00:00.000-07:002011-09-20T03:00:00.457-07:00i confess...<a href="http://shrinkingjeans.net" target="_blank"><img src="http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww255/shrinkingjeans/TrueConfessions.png" alt="True Confessions" border="0"></a><br />
<br />
...that most of my days are so busy I have no idea what time it is until the alarm on my phone goes off and reminds me to walk to the bus stop to meet my son.<br />
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...that when it comes to being healthy and doing what I know I should be doing I've not been doing it.<br />
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...that I am overwhelmed with life and I have let that stop me from, well, a lot.<br />
<br />
...that the excuses need to stop and I need to figure out my game plan. I'm meal planning. Now I need to either count calories or go back to Weight Watchers. Whatever I decide to do I need to do it and not look back. Period.*<br />
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<i>*I wrote this post over the weekend. I re-register at Weight Watchers on Wednesday morning. Wish me luck!</i>Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-31943281872256828562011-09-18T09:20:00.000-07:002011-09-18T09:20:11.034-07:00menu planning<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/albums/ww255/shrinkingjeans/?action=view&current=menu-planning-01.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww255/shrinkingjeans/menu-planning-01.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
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I have a love-hate relationship with menu planning. Okay, it's a mostly hate relationship, but it must be done. If it's not done we eat out, we eat crap and spend money that could better be used in other areas. <br />
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I love the idea of linking up our weekly plans and sharing them with our friends to keep us accountable and give us ideas for future meals. Because I, for one, need both the accountability and ideas!<br />
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Here's our meal plan for this week in no particular order. I try to decide the night before what we're going to have the next day. If I forget then I pull from something easy on the list (example - the Cheese Ravioli Bake, because it's quick to make from frozen). Side dishes are listed in parentheses.<br />
<i><br />
Country French Chicken & Veggies (garden salad)<br />
Cheese Ravioli Bake (tomato ranch salad)<br />
Shepherd's Pie (broccoli steamed for me and with sour cream sauce for the rest of the peeps)<br />
Balsamic Pork Chops (rice pilaf & cantaloupe)<br />
Taco Burgers (warm ranch potato salad)<br />
Pizza Loaf (garden salad)<br />
Grilled Turkey Tenderloin (green beans & baked cauliflower)</i><br />
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I will say that one thing I really need to start doing is planning breakfast and lunch. We always just wing it with those meals (leftovers, salad, sandwich for lunch and breakfast is quick with lots of options). If you have any ideas to help me get into a groove with those meals I'd love to hear them!<br />
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<a href="http://shrinkingjeans.net/2011/09/menu-plan-your-butt-off-september-18/">Now go visit the link-up over at Shrinking Jeans and see what everyone else is eating this week!</a>Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-22861290518839614802011-09-13T18:27:00.000-07:002011-09-13T18:27:51.717-07:00my boyMy little guy, commonly referred to as K1 on Twitter, had his first baseball practice tonight. He's never been the kid that plays in the dirt, mud, etc. That would be my 3 year old girl. Heh. But tonight? Sweaty, dirt everywhere and a big smile is how he ended his first practice. He's been looking forward to this for weeks and apparently it lived up to his expectations.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47895550@N07/6145889048/" title="baseball-cmc by mama_monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6076/6145889048_ffa965105b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="baseball-cmc"></a>Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-34045096418018192322011-09-03T18:51:00.000-07:002011-09-03T18:51:25.253-07:00goodbye, summerGoodbye, Summer. Hello, school, baseball, preschool and back to being on a schedule!<br />
<br />
I have to admit - Summer spoils me. I enjoy not having to be anywhere at any particular time. We don't really have a routine and I like it. But I also like routine. (I know, I totally contradicted myself in one paragraph.)<br />
<br />
Here's the thing...The ability to do whatever, whenever, spur of the moment is fun. Sun shining and warmth? Pool time! Rainy day? Let's play board games and read books. Rough night? Let's stay in our pajamas until 3:00 the next day! But the lack of routine <strike>almost always</strike> sometimes makes me crazy.<br />
<br />
Enter September. School starts on Tuesday for my 2nd grader and my 3 year old starts preschool the following week. Getting up and doing the same thing on the same schedule is actually easier on me mentally. I don't have to think about it I just get up and do it. Hence the reason I like routine. <br />
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I will REALLY miss having my oldest at home. My little one's preschool is 2 mornings a week and I will be volunteering at the elementary school during that time so while I will miss her (of course) I won't be coming home to a quiet house (which would totally feel strange).<br />
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We're finally settled. The garage still needs to be unpacked and organized seeing as it's handling the overflow. However, the inside of the house is done with the exception of hanging pictures and placing "little things" here and there. I've started on my standard room makeovers that I do each time we move. My son's room has one teeny tiny thing for me to finish and then it's done. The rest is still a work in progress (mainly because I am not sticking to one room at a time and jumping here and there).<br />
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Have I mentioned the husband LOVES his job? Yeah. He has a pretty amazing boss and seems to be working for a really good company. Neither of us have that same warm and fuzzy from our relocation company but the new employer and new position we're definitely giving "2 thumbs up!".<br />
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The kids have made friends with our neighbors kids that are the same age. They seriously beg to play with their friends every. single. day. And from my conversations with my neighbor her kids do the same thing! It's such a good feeling for me because friendship with other kids is so vital to my kids happiness. I love seeing them laughing, running, playing, screaming (okay, not the screaming so much but the reason they're screaming) with other kids their age.<br />
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So while Summer is fading away too fast, Fall is almost here and a new chapter in our lives is starting. It's exciting and it's scary. <span style="font-style:italic;">How many times have we done this???</span> But we're together as a family, Daddy is home more and loves his job (bonus!) and it's starting to feel like "home"...<br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORD9qTi6__Xx84l-0sxoToLiQBrpCz7Y0oOD-octj8Zrqc5g3KiKPuJk1ZHU1TMyggw1tYJT6desizurTzTZ29VVxCPqETLRoXVGj3-cHvoqqrvyYUCUQkOz0VOQxrAKbqqcCOECwzmXq/s1600/home-is-where-the-heart-is.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORD9qTi6__Xx84l-0sxoToLiQBrpCz7Y0oOD-octj8Zrqc5g3KiKPuJk1ZHU1TMyggw1tYJT6desizurTzTZ29VVxCPqETLRoXVGj3-cHvoqqrvyYUCUQkOz0VOQxrAKbqqcCOECwzmXq/s320/home-is-where-the-heart-is.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648313982301775730" /></a>Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-74210492290437407042011-08-25T08:23:00.000-07:002011-08-25T08:25:07.110-07:00recipe: black bean chickenThis recipe originally came through on my email from <a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com">sparkpeople.com</a> a few years ago and whenever I'm short on time this is a go-to recipe for us. (I can't believe I haven't posted it here before...) I love that I can cook it with frozen chicken and I always have these things on hand, it seems. Everyone loves it including my super picky children.<br />
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<b><u>INGREDIENTS</u></b><br />
2 cans black beans, undrained<br />
16 oz jar salsa<br />
1/2 cup brown rice, uncooked<br />
1 lb frozen chicken breast<br />
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<b><u>DIRECTIONS</b></u><br />
Place frozen chicken breasts in slow cooker. <br />
Pour beans, rice and salsa over chicken. <br />
Cook low 8-10 hours and serve.<br />
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That's it, people! It doesn't get any easier than that.<br />
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Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-48245790715280162502011-08-15T03:00:00.000-07:002011-08-15T03:00:09.812-07:00what mommy needsAccording to my oldest, there are things that I will need once he's back in school. This, specifically:<br />
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<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/EdCNY2LgOn0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-90844583231259764492011-08-10T13:09:00.000-07:002011-08-10T13:09:10.367-07:00a case of the tiredsOh. My. Gawd. People. I cannot seem to get over being exhausted all the time. I have increased my water and sleep and it hasn't helped. I know it's a given that one should be tired when they move but I backed way off on the unpacking and tried to "chill" and just get to things as I could but it hasn't seemed to help. Why is that? And when will I catch up? Or at the very least feel rested up? Any tips or tricks for overcoming extreme exhaustion when going to bed earlier and increasing water doesn't help? Help. Before I collapse in a heap in the middle of the floor and my husband comes home to find me passed out.Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-39520338098853874422011-08-03T17:47:00.000-07:002011-08-03T17:47:15.451-07:00updateWe finally have internet and home phone service as of this evening. I am tired, my back is giving me a fit and I feel like I could sleep for a week. I miss my friends, tweeting, and reading blogs. I have 848 items in Google Reader. I don't want to hit "mark all as read" because I want to catch up. If I've missed anything super exciting or important please let me know. Love & hugs to my hookers. You know who you are. :)Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-91572942359408676332011-07-29T07:52:00.000-07:002011-07-29T07:52:42.102-07:00no newsNo news is good news, right? I mean, if I'm not on Twitter much (my home away from home) you KNOW that means I am busy. So busy and tired, in fact, that my eyes burn and I'm wearing my glasses because my eyes are so tired. How did I manage to squeeze in a few minutes to write now? I'm sitting at the car dealership waiting on my oil change and tire rotation. My new car (purchased at the end of May) has a whopping 7,800 miles on it. I. KNOW. That's a lot of driving, yo.<br />
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We closed on the new house on Monday and the old house (or at least the contents of the old house) are en route to the new place for arrival on Saturday. I can't believe it's already time to move and start the next chapter of our lives. I will miss being close to family but I also know that 4 hours is NOTHING compared to half a country away and for that I am very grateful.<br />
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We still need to sell our house in Pennsylvania. We've had a half dozen or so people look at it but the biggest factor in no one wanting to buy it is too much yard upkeep. And, well, there is a lot to upkeep in our yard so I totally get it. I just wish someone with a green thumb would fall in love with the place because THEN I think we could sell it. Keep praying. We don't want to be stuck with it for too long.<br />
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School registration is taken care of and both kids are super excited about the pools (yes more than one) in our community. I can't wait to get their rooms decorated and post pictures. They are going to be so flippin cute. But for now I'll leave you with a picture of our new house from the outside. Inside pictures to be shared later. I know. I'm such a tease.<br />
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Have a great weekend!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47895550@N07/5987884172/" title="newhouse by mama_monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/5987884172_34740728d2.jpg" width="500" height="411" alt="newhouse"></a>Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-56685004924442861472011-07-11T03:00:00.000-07:002011-07-11T03:00:17.714-07:00recipe: lemon-glazed chickenThis is pretty yummy. My son and I enjoyed ours cut up and mixed with rice and veggies. My husband and daughter ate theirs with traditional sides. It's great both ways.<br />
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<u>Lemon-Glazed Chicken</u><br />
Serves 4<br />
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<span style="font-style:italic;">1/2 cup brown rice bread crumbs<br />
2 garlic cloves, minced<br />
1/4 tsp salt<br />
1/4 tsp pepper<br />
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts<br />
1/4 cup lemon juice<br />
1/4 cup honey<br />
1.5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil</span><br />
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In a shallow dish combine the bread crumbs, garlic, salt and pepper and blend together. Dredge both sides of the chicken in the crumb mixture.<br />
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In a small bowl combine the lemon juice and honey. Set aside.<br />
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In a large non-stick pan heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken, cover and saute until browned on both sides and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan.<br />
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Add the lemon and honey glaze to the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the glaze becomes syrupy. Return cooked chicken to pan, flipping the chicken once to coat with the glaze.<br />
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Remove from pan and serve.<br />
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<span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.active.com/nutrition/articles/fiery-lemon-glazed-chicken.htm?cmp=11-1524">Modified from this recipe on active.com.</a> My version is not spicy.</span>Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-36787803577714670912011-07-09T19:39:00.000-07:002011-07-09T19:39:20.495-07:00funny how this time is different...He walked out the door today and I cried. Do you know how long it's been since I've cried because I <b>don't </b>want him to go? I honestly can't remember. <br />
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We've been married for almost 10 years and for the latter half of it we have drifted apart. So far apart. Kids, jobs, moves, life, different wants, different needs, etc. It all kept putting a wedge between us. I wondered where the man I married had gone. I wondered where the girl I used to be had gone. I wondered if we would ever be those people again. <br />
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I have never stopped loving him. Not once. But most of the time it felt like we were roommates. We didn't really fight. <strike>Except for that one earlier this year where I honestly thought one of us was going to leave.</strike> <br />
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Last month we went out of town to look for a house for yet another move (yes, I have been bitter over moving as frequently as we have; I won't lie). We went without the kids and it was nice. We spent time together, I performed karaoke in the car for him (his favorite - snort), we had real conversations over meals and we talked. We cuddled. And it felt like we were a couple again. The day we came home I sat in the hotel room and literally sobbed and told him that I felt like I finally had my husband back. Words cannot express how much I had missed him/us.<br />
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He was different and has been since that trip. It is probably because he had finally been able to quit the horrible job he'd been at for almost 2 years. I can't imagine the weight it lifted off of his shoulders because I know how much it lifted off of mine. I am different since that trip. I feel like we're in a partnership again. I feel like a couple and parents and not just roommates. <br />
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We are actually a really good mesh as a couple. Yes we drive each other crazy sometimes but all marriages are like that <strike>and if you tell me yours isn't I won't believe you</strike>.<br />
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I'm glad we reconnected - not just for us but for the kids as well - but I have to admit I'm scared. I don't want a repeat of the last job. I don't want him to shut down and keep me out (and vice versa). I want him back. This time for good. And my heart is so heavy and so sad knowing that I can't be with him right now.Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-7182630182016772782011-07-06T03:00:00.000-07:002011-07-06T03:00:12.156-07:00hope you had a great 4th!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47895550@N07/5907063016/" title="4july2011 by mama_monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6025/5907063016_aee9161dc7.jpg" width="400" height="500" alt="4july2011"></a>Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-84902397661555345222011-07-05T18:28:00.000-07:002011-07-05T18:28:03.356-07:00fessin' up<a href="http://shrinkingjeans.net" target="_blank"><img src="http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww255/shrinkingjeans/TrueConfessions.png" alt="True Confessions" border="0"></a><br />
<br />
I realize confession is good for the soul and all but I'm not really feeling it. I don't participate like I used to on the weekly stuff at <a href="http://www.shrinkingjeans.net">Shrinking Jeans</a> and I actually miss it. I do spend a good bit of time over at <a href="http://thehhood.shrinkingjeans.net">the 'hood</a> now that I'm a Social Sister and all but I feel like I'm not being a good role model by not participating. Am I just making myself feel guilty when I really shouldn't? Eh, probably. I'm good at that. So there's confession #1.<br />
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Confession #2. I haven't been listening to my body with the whole intuitive eating thing and I've been stress eating again. I know I have because I recognize it when I do it. It needs to stop. I know this. Why the heck is it so hard to stop though? Lots of head knowledge here but not a lot of following through.<br />
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And last, but certainly not least, confession #3 is I stopped walking/running/jogging. I was feeling really good and I stopped. Life, as <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/momswearcapes">Christie O.</a> mentioned in her post "<a href="http://www.averagemomswearcapes.com/2011/07/3-reasons-you-should-never-wait-to-work.html">3 Reasons You Should Never Wait to Work Out</a>" has derailed me. But life won't be getting easier any time soon. In fact, after Saturday when my husband moves to the new job, I will be doing the single mom thing until we move. I gotta make it work. Period. If for nothing but my sanity.<br />
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And there you have it...Roo's confessions for the week.Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-48214445908701932372011-07-05T03:00:00.000-07:002011-07-05T03:00:04.548-07:00the loves of my lifeI love taking pictures of my kids although I rarely show their precious faces here. When I upload pictures like this that are just perfect (in my mind) with little to no editing (I added a vignette and then black and white in the last set) I think WOW if I can do this without really knowing my stuff I would LOVE to learn photography more in depth. Use manual mode. Have a few different lenses. <br />
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Capturing them is so much fun. Sometimes I just don't think I do it justice. In these pictures though I think I did pretty darn good.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47895550@N07/5871053429/" title="gymnastics1_c by mama_monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5146/5871053429_dc8e564929.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="gymnastics1_c"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47895550@N07/5871057345/" title="gymnastics2_c by mama_monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/5871057345_bcaf2c767f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="gymnastics2_c"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47895550@N07/5871059455/" title="gymnastics3_c by mama_monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5319/5871059455_51cd637e25.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="gymnastics3_c"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47895550@N07/5871066129/" title="gymnastics4_c by mama_monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3051/5871066129_60d18eefc3.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="gymnastics4_c"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47895550@N07/5871625268/" title="gymnastics5_c by mama_monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6018/5871625268_918a768df2.jpg" width="500" height="251" alt="gymnastics5_c"></a>Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-53215018521466194022011-07-04T03:00:00.000-07:002011-07-04T03:00:03.495-07:00recipe: italian spinach & chicken skilletI love one dish meals. They make my life so easy. This one is amazing. And if my 6 year old will eat it you KNOW it's good.<br />
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Original recipe can be found here: <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Italian-Spinach-and-Chicken-Skillet">Taste of Home</a><br />
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<b>Italian Spinach and Chicken Skillet</b><br />
Servings: 4<br />
Total time to table: 30 minutes (bonus!)<br />
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<i>2 cups uncooked yolk-free whole wheat noodles<br />
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms<br />
2 tsp olive oil<br />
1 garlic clove, minced<br />
1 can (14-1/2 oz) no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained<br />
1 can (10-3/4 oz) reduced-fat reduced-sodium condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted<br />
3/4 cup spaghetti sauce<br />
2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast<br />
1 package (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry<br />
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese<br />
1-1/2 tsp Italian seasoning<br />
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese</i><br />
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Cook noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute mushrooms in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the tomatoes, soup, spaghetti sauce, chicken, spinach, Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Cook for 5-8 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.<br />
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Drain noodles; toss with chicken mixture. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.<br />
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ENJOY!<br />
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Nutrition info: 1-1/2 cups = 389 cal, 12 g fat, 38 g carbs, 7 g fiber, 35 g protein.Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867516249172906295.post-35969617122097424132011-06-30T17:53:00.000-07:002011-06-30T17:53:44.680-07:00a bucket listSo I've decided I need a bucket list. Off the top of my head, must-do's for that list include:<br />
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A visit to Ireland.<br />
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A tattoo. I know what I want. I just have to be brave enough to get it.<br />
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A cruise.<br />
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Vegas, baby!<br />
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Learn to ski. Even if it's on the bunny slopes with my kids.<br />
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Ride a zip line.<br />
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There is more but I'm in bed thinking about it (or I was when I wrote this on my phone and Blogpress refused to post it) and just wanted to write a quick post while it was fresh in my mind. (Yay for local drafts on my phone so I didn't have to try and actually re-write this.)<br />
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Tell me. What's on YOUR bucket list - completed or not. I might get a few ideas! Yes I very well may copy you. Imitation IS the sincerest form of flattery, you know. {wink}Roohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634529124909618588noreply@blogger.com5