Jenny Craig, Day one

I decided I needed a little outside help (sounds rather interventionist, doesn’t it?!) to lose this pesky 20 pounds.  So yesterday, I signed up for a free trial of Jenny Craig offered through our insurance company.  It seems like this will be a good fit for me:  outside accountability, structure, meals planned, lower calorie intake, planned activity, etc.  I am actually really excited to do this!

So, I had my first Jenny meal this morning.  Banana crisp cereal and one glass of fat-free milk.  Plus a vitamin. ;)  The cereal was very good!  Not a lot of it LOL but good.  On the plan, I get to eat 3 meals and 2 snacks every day.  Plus I have unlimited foods to choose from if I get hungry in between (veggies, fat-free sugar free jello, certain fruits, etc). 

I can’t wait to track my progress here!  Here’s to seeing less of me next week!

Proclaimers Whole Wide World

There’s a song by Wreckless Eric called “Whole Wide World”.  Some of you may know it.  Anyway, my favorite group The Proclaimers did a remake of this song.  And it’s brilliant!

 Take a listen:

Pink pumpkins

We went to Target last week to pick out Halloween costumes.  Mr 12 wanted to be a StormTrooper.  *check*  Mr 8 wanted to be a Ninja warrior. *check*  Mr 3 wanted to be a Fireman with a fire hat.  *check*  Mr 10 wanted to be a bloody ghoul?! Nope, try again.  Okay, how about a glowing grisly skeleton?  Nope, try again.  Okay, how about a scary vampire?  Nope, try again.  We compromised on an unkown phantom.  Black robes, black facemask, and glowing eyes (which he offered to remove in the presence of his 3 year old brother).  *check*

 So, then we’re off to select pumpkin baskets for trick or treat candy.  Each of them select the basic 99cent orange plastic pumpkin.  All of a sudden, a wondorous gasp fills the air coming from Mr 3’s open mouth.  His eyes are wide in delight!  He is amazed!  He says “Mama, look my favorite.  A PINK pumpkin!  That’s the one I want”.  Yes, folks, the bright neon hot pink pumpkin will be walking the streets with my fireman-outfitted boy.  There was just no way I was going to say no or even attempt to redirect him.  He was so delighted.  And the time will come soon enough that he won’t want to walk with a hot pink pumpkin anymore. Until then, he’s enjoying his pink pumpkin and that’s that. LOL

(It’s just like the above only….Pink!) 

 

Southern front porches

Our new home is blessed with a wide front porch.  The rocking chair type.  Most of the homes in our neighborhood have some type of front porch.  Some have two! 

 Last night I was treated to a Southern front porch chat.  My sweet new neighbor down the street invited me over for an evening of Wine on the Porch at her home to celebrate her birthday party.  It was such a fun night.  There were 5 ladies present and we talked, ate birthday cake, laughed and of course, like most women getting together, solved most of the problems in the world in under 3 hours. 

 I am so glad we moved here.

Fried snickers and Flying Bobs

This last Friday, we took the children to the State Fair.  It’s right in our town and close by.  We love State Fairs…something about all that fried food, rides, animals, and atmosphere brings out the child in all of us.  My children were thrilled with the day.  Here it is in highlights:

*Fried snickers bars:  Ok, here’s the deal.  If you haven’t had one of these yet, you. have. not. lived.  Period!  These little babies are a bit of fried heaven on a stick.  Basically it’s a Snickers bar (and who doesn’t love those?!) on a stick, lovingly deep-fried in a golden doughnutty batter.  Lots of powdered sugar and a plate and you have the picture.  Yumm-o!  I restrained myself to one.  grudgingly. LOL

*Flying Bobs:  This little ride is amazingly fun…also very nausea-inducing for the carsick crowd.  But if that doesn’t trouble you, it is Fun Fun Fun.  Picture yourself in a free-swinging little 2-seater hooked to a large circular frame.  It’s spins around and around.  Not upside down or anything (thank goodness!) but around … fast!  Mr 12 and I LOVED it.  Mr 10, Mr 8, Mr 3, and Mr Amblin all opted out. LOL

*The Ferris Wheel:  This was definately a favorite of Mr 10 and Mr 3.  I went on it with them.  For those of you who know me, I’m sure a collective audible gasp just went up from all!  Yes, me.  I went on a ferris wheel.  And not just any old little ferris wheel.  Oh no!  This was a HUGE one with circular bucket seats that sat 4 each.  Now, for those of you who don’t know me as well, I cannot stand ferris wheels.  I haven’t ridden one (before this weekend) in 23 years.  Yes, you read that right…23 YEARS.  But my little ones wanted to ride and Mr Amblin gets motion sickness VERY easily.  So, I volunteered, thinking “It’ll be fine.  I’m sure my fear of ferris wheels is a thing of the past.”  Well, I am here to tell you, my fear is not only alive and well but it’s now a full-blown phobia.  I was mildly okay when starting the ride.  Mr 10 and Mr 3 were loving the view and exclaiming over all they saw.  I *calmly* kept a death grip on Mr 3 while trying to speak rationally about the view.  Not happening (the rational part).  So, I just stared at the floor of our little circular seat.  THEN, yes…you know it.  We reach the top AND the ride breaks!  Yes, folks, I was on a ferris wheel at the TOP no less, and the ride stops.  I about died.  Trying to still remain calm, I begin to call *quietly* on the name of Jesus to get me off this ride.  Mr 10 begins to pat my hand saying “It’s okay mom.  Things will be fine.  Just don’t jump.”  Finally, the carnie down below *pulls and pushes* the ferris wheel frame and we back up slowly a few feet only to…stop again!  I’m sweating buckets at this point and I can see Mr Amblin, and my other 2 children looking up at me with looks of “mom is freaking out”  concern.  We finally get started again and I propelled myself out of that bucket as soon as it stopped.  Pausing only to collect my children.  NEVER NEVER again will I ride a ferris wheel.

 *Cows, sheep, and pigs:  We watched our first cow judging exhibition.  Like a dog show only with cows.  Kind of slow but funny when some of the cows decided to be less than cooperative with their handlers.  LOL

*Fun House:  Mr 8 and Mr Amblin loved this ride.  It’s basically a walk-through fun house.  Mr 8 loved the moving stairs, rolling walls, and changing floors.  It was cute to see him navigate his way through the house.

*Jumping Jalopy:  This little ride was perfect for Mr 3.  It was an old time car that went around a circular track.  He thought he was driving and absolutely loved it. 

 *Huge produce:  A 1, 178 lb pumpkin, squash the length of my arm, baseball sized tomatoes, and anything else you can think of.  Lots of it and yummy to see!

We had a great time.  It was neat to see the produce, the animals, eat the food, and ride the rides.  Looking forward to next year…minus…you guessed it…the Ferris Wheel!

Where have I been?

Many of you (okay, maybe a handful of you ;)) have been wondering where I’ve been. 

Long story short, we moved many many miles away.  Like about 1000!  We’ve finally arrived, settled, and are beginning the process of unpacking hundreds of boxes.  So, I haven’t been able to post here.  I plan to change that now that the computer is out of a box! LOL

 Our new home is wonderful!  I really really love this house…it’s probably my favorite house we’ve lived in.  It has good light, great flow, beautiful spaces, and just feels right.  It welcomes you into it.  When we moved in, before the furniture and everything arrived, we went through the house and prayed over every room.  We asked God’s protection, blessing and presence in all this spaces of this home and on all who are in it.  It was very powerful and I truly believe it has made this home a place where you can feel God’s spirit.  At least, it feels that way to me.

“green” bedding giveaway!

There is a “green” bedding (environmentally, healthy friendly) giveaway over at 5 Minutes for Mom.  http://www.5minutesformom.com/2443/kukunest/#comment-409197

 The company Kukunest looks like a great company and their products look really neat.  Environmentally friendly and incredibly cute! 

Winston Grammar

Well, we’ve started the homeschool year about 4 weeks ago.  So far, everything I chose for this year has been going well and Mr 12 is enjoying the curricula…except for Winston Grammar.  I thought it would be a huge hit.  It’s hands on, quick, painless, etc. 

BUT, Mr 12 prefers Shurley English.  That’s a total surprise to me!  I thought it was too much, too workbookey, and just ….well….Too. 

 Just goes to show you that even after 12 years, your children can still surprise you~

Mama of potty training 3 year old gains weight!

The headlines here at the Amblin household should read “Mama of potty trainer gains weight”.

 Yes, that would be me.  Apparently my bright idea of giving Mr 3 an M&M everytime he uses the potty succesfully is a hit.  He is really doing very well.  Unfortunately, I have taken to eating a few M&M’s each time he successfully goes as well.  NOT such a great hit! 
Off to hide the M&M’s …. from myself! LOL

New haircut

Yes, I am succumbing to the blogging no-no and writing about my hair today.  But seriously, you will be amazed! 

I’ve been growing my hair for the last 2 1/2 years out from a 3 inch all over cut.  By last week, it was down past my shoulder blades.  While I love the idea of long hair, on me it got to be a bit of a pain.  So, I went to the hair stylist with a photo of a bob that I love and some ideas of color.  She and I came up with a wonderful cut/color.  Instead of brunette, I am now a warm auburn with copper highlights kinda gal! :)  And I have a chin length in front angled up to the back bob with sideswept bangs.  I’d post a pic but I don’t do that online….

I am thrilled with it though!