Friday Frags and Tryin' to Feel Good

Mrs4444 has been getting her vacation on as she preps for school to start back. The Girl has continued her Blogcation another week- but found a lovely hostess in 29 and Holding for this week's Feel Good Friday! I have to admit that I am kinda struggling with the Feel Good aspect for this week. It's been a stressful week so bear with me.

First, my Frustrating Fragments:

- Had a work situation that got raised to crazy higher up corporate levels and had to explain processes and defend a supplier and then it turend out that I ended up finding the solution on my own with the help of Google. I saved the day, tried to save face since I'd been defending my supplier, and there is still going to be fallout because people aren't happy with how it was handled by the manufacturer our supplier works with. But having my boss and her boss and his boss and other bosses sending snarky and strongly worded e-mails around was NOT a fun way to spend my week.

- My kitchen is a mess. Our lives are so busy and one thing I really hate about cooking is that it means I have to clean it up, too. Worst of all, we did pasta night the other night and didn't clean up immediately so the kitchen stinks of tomato sauce and garlic. Plus the trash needs to go out. I'm betting it takes 2 loads in the dishwasher to get everything done, too. I can handle a messy house but a messy kitchen hurts me and I truly haven't had the time to take care of it myself.

- Jeff is going to be gone next week. He's just going downtown but he will be pretty much unavailable to us unless there is a true emergency. There is a huge gaming convention that comes to Indy every summer- GenCon. Jeff works with a company that runs a game called True Dungeon. He's a Dungeon Director. I'm not making it up- stop laughing. I'm serious! Anyway, the game is like a real life Dungeons and Dragons. Teams go room to room in a timed sequence and have to "fight battles" and solve puzzles and so on. The Con opens Thurs. Jeff has to go down Monday with the behind the scenes crew and start the dungeon building and setting up special effects and all that jazz. It's a really cool thing he does and he's passionate about it and he spends a week with his friends doing their version of guy stuff- but I do miss him while he's gone.

- Teagan's behavior is getting better. But we aren't out of this yet. I'm concerned about upcoming changes and the impact they will have- could go positive, could go negative. First change is that Zach starts going to Little Explorers next week. Second change is Kindergarten starting 2 weeks later. It seems like at least once each day- either at school or at home- there has to be at least one big meltdown or confrontation. And the later in the day it happens, the worse it is.

- Zach is starting to act out more. I don't know if this is his natural path or if he's modeling his big sister. It isn't anywhere near what she's doing. But I don't want my sweet, laid back boy to think he is supposed to act like Teagan when he doesn't get his way. We're trying to give him tons of positive attention and affirmation when he's making good choices.

- I wasn't sure I was going to admit this but... I've gained 4 pounds in the last month. I knew it was going to happen. I knew I wasn't making my best choices. I think my running plan (meaning that I've only been running once a week and not with the same amount of calorie burn as a month ago) is part of it. I know my food choices is part of it. I need to get refocused, recommited. I do some things exceptionally well but I am identifying some serious weaknesses that need work.

Now, let's take those Frustrating Fragments, drain them out and fill up with some Feel Good Friday, shall we?

- Tomorrow is date day for Jeff and I. We wanted to find a time for a date prior to his being gone for GenCon. However, Christy was booked up pretty solid. By chance, his parents mentioned that they now have more flexibility on Saturdays that they didn't have before. So we jumped on it! Saturday date day! Jeff will take the kids over just before lunch and then he and I are heading to the art museum for lunch and then some hand holding and quiet chatting and art gazing. I'm soooo ready for it.

- I get to go to a Zumba class tomorrow morning! It's free at the Lifestyle Family Fitness Center. They are celebrating National Dance Day by offering free group dance fitness classes all day!

- That situation with my supplier... while stressful... I get a little bit of a high as the frustration leaves and the fix that I FOUND settles in. I won't feel fully confident until the product has arrived and been used in our production and proven to be valuable- but I do feel good that I was able to "fix" the crisis.

- My friend Christy is an awesome person and deserves some support. She's been my running buddy and workout buddy since the word go when we joined the gym together. She's been my friend for a decade. She commits herself to her passions- theatre being a big one. She donates blood (platelettes) regularly. She cares about her circle of friends in a very real and genuine way. She's funny- and she laughs at y jokes (especially my stupid ones). Plus, she not only shares my love of wine, chocolate, sushi and cheese but she helps me expand the field and try new things. She's going to Paris, France for 2 weeks in September and, while part of my is jealous, I'm going to really miss her.

- I love my mom. I'm glad she's my friend.

- I love my church family. It's mind boggling to me how much my faith has expanded by locking in to this family. My faith in God hasn't ever waivered but I've been unsure about the church thing. In the past few years, I've really plugged in to my church and it's simply amazing.

Alright- I'm feeling better now. How about you- any frustrations that need to be replaced with feel goods?

Feel Good Fragments: Fun Edition!

After a week filled with parenting stress, I think I need to have some serious fun today! Head over and visit our lovely hosts by clicking the buttons above. *** Driving home from church last night, the kids and I were listening to one of my Glee soundtracks. They love the remix of the Olivia Newton John classic "Physical." They sing along and dance and have a great time. As we're singing along, Zach starts yelling, "Look at me, Mommy!" I look in the mirror and he's wiggling away in his carseat. He gleefully tells me, "I make my body talk!" *** We had our weekly Ab Blast class at the gym on Wednesday at noon. This week, there were a total of 3 of us in the small class (we usually only have 3-4). We all work together or at least for the same company. We are nearing the end of the workout and our trainer has us doing this exercise. Legs out straight, lay on your back with arms extended over your head. Sit up straight and reach for your toes. Then sit up to sitting and curl back to laying down. About the 3rd time through the exercise- which requires quite a bit of core control and strength- I do the one thing that most everyone is afraid of doing in a group fitness class. Yup. You know it. I farted. Loudly. Good thing belly laughs are good for your abs! *** I've been very touched by the messages I get and see where someone gives me any ounce of credit for them making healthier choices. It started an idea. Then my friend Lety posted about an evening walk she took with her family and my little idea came to full on "must do!" Step One - Become a "fan" on my Facebook page. Step Two- Sunday evening, go for a walk. Go by yourself, with friends, with your family. Go to a park or in your neighborhood. Step Three- Take a camera or camera phone with you. Step Four- Take random pics on your walk of the things that capture your attention. Step Five- Come share your pictures on the Facebook page by posting the pics or by blogging about it and sharing the link. We'll all be taking an evening walk together! As a reminder, I'm going to post an event on my Facebook page and I invite you to join in. Let's all go for a walk, a run, a stroll, a bike ride. Get out with the family and then share it! *** In case you missed it, I blogged at Fit City yesterday about ways that my Healthier Me choices are starting to influence my family and the ways I am seeing evidence of those influences in their choices. I'd love it if you'd pop over, read, and leave a comment! *** New Feature will be starting this Sunday on Eternal Lizdom... Mothers Who Move Me. Don't miss it!! *** What are your weekend plans? We are headed to our first ever Indiana Fever game tonight! This is our WNBA team and my family is going as a guest of the Fever thanks to One2One Network. Best of all- this means a discount ticket offer for you! Details coming soon! Saturday, Jeff is out of town all day. I plan to get up early and head to the park for another 30 minutes of running form work with the Couch to 5K Week 1 workout to guide me. The kids and I plan to meet up with Jeff's parents and some out of town family for lunch. Then we have a swimming, bounce house and general fun playdate with a mom friend and her family. Other than that, we'll just be avoiding the heat as best we can for the weekend! *** Oh? Have I not talked about my new running plan? Silly me... well, it will just have to wait until I can dedicate a blog post to it now!! HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!

FGF: Healthier Me Edition

Tomorrow is the Fishers Freedom Festival 5K. I am not confident that I will be able to run all of it because of my knee concern that I wrote about yesterday. I am confident that I will be able to at least complete it and run part of it. Not to worry- I know my body and I have never been someone who pushes too hard or goes past the point of safety to total blow out. Just not my style. I'll know when I need to walk and I'll walk. I'll know if I need to stop and stretch. The Feel Good part of this post: I updated the Healthier Me page listed in the header of the blog. Go check it out and then leave me some comment love back here... I updated the progress pic and talked about where things are now with my lifestyle changes. Thank you for the support and message and e-mails yesterday afternoon. It helped to get it out and it helped to get your encouragement. I have to say that, yes, THIS particular 5K really and truly was my ultimate goal. I did not go into this thinking, "I need to lose weight so I think I'll try running" or "If I pick a 5K, I can work to that goal." or "I want to lose x number of pounds." For 2 years, I've been talking about doing this 5K but I never made a plan and never put that plan into action because it would involve running and I detested running. This year... I decided that I was going to run. I decided to start the Couch to 5K program. I pretty quickly realized that I was going to have to make some major changes if I was going to succeed with the C25K program. I was going to have to change how I ate, what I ate, when I ate, how often I exercised, what kind of exercise I did, and I even went and got a physical for the first time in a decade. So the Fishers Freedom Festival 5K goal really and truly is a significant milestone for me. When I accomplish it, that doesn't mean I quit or that's the end. I accomplish goals and victories and successes every day and don't give up afterwards. We'll see what tomorrow morning holds in terms of the race. It doesn't break me if I can't complete it. It doesn't stop me from continuing this better and healthier way of living. But boy will it feel awesome if I really could jog the entire course... Here's to my continued journey of being a Healthier Me!

TGIF

Click the buttons to go and visit our lovely hosts and maybe you'll even join in on the Friday fun!! ***** The week after vacation is a strange week. Mine was made more difficult when I picked Teagan up on Wednesday and found out she was sick. 101 fever sick. I stayed home with her yesterday, Jeff is home with her today. She's pretty miserable unless she has motrin in her system. Her appetite is good (except dairy products- those taste funny to her right now). She says her throat hurts but swallowing hasn't been an issue. The fever hung on overnight. I'll know around 10 how she's really doing (when the motrin wears off again). ***** When I brush my hair, I raise my eyebrows before pulling th ebrush down my hair. Isn't that weird? ***** When I pull up to the drive thru at the bank, I get nervous if the teller isn't at the window. I worry that there is a bank robbery and I start watching the window to try and see any sign of a problem. I grab my cell phone, ready to dial 911. I've never been needed for such a crisis... but hopefully the tellers take comfort in my readiness. ***** I got a blog award!! Today maybe isn't the best example of substance on my blog but... Peaceful Divas chose me to receive this lovely blog award and I'm rather touched by it! I've just recently been getting to know Katina and she's a pretty awesome woman. I really recommend going and checking her out. Rules of the award- thank the person who gave it to you (done), sum up my blogging philosophy, motivation and experience in 5 words, and give it to some other bloggers. 5 words, eh? That's quite a challenge! Honest, Positive, Journal, Mission, Satisfying. Passing this along to... Momza's House ... Life with Kaishon ... Away We Go ... Clean Shavings ... DesignHER Momma ... just eat it ... Mellodee musings ... see kori rant ... but I'm not going to go and tell them that I've given them an award. I'm going to hope they come and see for themselves OR what I really hope is that someone who reads this will go visit onef those blogs and tell them!! ***** I'm very excited about the rest of June. Here's why: My first 5K, a weekend alone with my husband, a family dinner that includes my grandparents, my boss and her boss are in Europe for 2 weeks, Farmer's Markets! ***** Tomorrow is the last soccer meet up through the program we've been attending through the YMCA. It's been a good experience in terms of soccer but I am unimpressed with the communication from YMCA to coach and parents. Original end date was June 26. Then June 5. We all show up last week and find out that the end is really this week. It's weird. ***** I have a ton of work to do to catch up from yesterday. I'm keeping this post positive and feel good so I won't get into my work rant right now. But I am going to sign off and get back to work! I have a 52 page fax to deal with! ***** Don't forget to share your weekend plans with me! I wanna know if you are doing something fun, special, or even mundane!