I was texting with a friend the other day about all of the crap that has been going on in Santa Cruz County. Burglaries, missing people, gang violence, heroin addicts along the river, tweakers walking into your home, car and business trailer thefts, delivery box robberies off of your porch, murders and the list goes on and on.
Anyway, she mentioned to me that she is now going to the gym pretty early in the morning and having to walk to and from her car in a parking garage. There aren’t always people around to help if there was a need, so she was going to go and get a pepper spray. I told her I thought it was a good idea and I know that Big 5 sold them.
I spotted this, this morning. It looks pretty great. Easy to use. I wouldn’t put it on my purse, or backpack I don’t think though. Just because, a lot of the time, that is what the asshole will go for first. Maybe carry it in your hand, or on your keys? Maybe on the zipper on your jacket? Maybe have several in different places?
I also think this would be great for kids, boys and girls. Adults as well. All humans. Safety is pretty key in our world, unfortunately.
Getting assaulted is nothing new. It has gone on since the beginning of human kind. Why not be safer in any way you can. You have nothing to lose. I may have to put these in everyone’s stockings for Christmas this year. Not a bad idea at all.
Good morning! This was my comment after watching this video this morning. You’re going to laugh!
“May 6, 2013… that’s how long I have been saving this video in my email inbox. Today is January 25, 2016! It’s about time right?!?! Yes! So, I watched this 1st wonderful video (while chopping an acorn squash in my kitchen, instead of sitting on my butt. Which is how I started it.) and am thinking… hmmmm… what kind of ritual would I like to have in the morning? Something different than I already have from my amazing life? Ha!! I’ll let you know when I figure that out. Thanks for all you do ladies! Can’t wait for day 2 tomorrow. 🙂 #Healthy #TheLifeOfAMother #JustForMe #TheSelfLoveRevolution”
I’ve been saving them for the right time to focus on “Me”. Haha, can you believe it! Focus on me? You would think I would have watched these a very, very long time ago.
The truth is, I try and focus on myself as much as I can. Yes, I have a super busy life, yes, I like it that way. Husband, Father, 4 Children, Myself… all in one house. Believe it, or not, we have a pretty damn good balance. This doesn’t mean that I don’t get off kilter from time-to-time, because, believe me I do. It just means that this wasn’t first on my list. Does that also mean that, I am not first on my list? No, I definitely try, I just get sidetracked.
After watching this video, I really feel like I need to stop and figure out a ritual that I would like to have that is different from what I already to. Take today for instance… My Husband kissed me goodbye. I got up, used the restroom, put my contacts on, combed any lasting lice eggs out of my youngest Son’s just-washed-hair, cleaned up, washed my face, flossed my teeth, brushed my teeth, put on my skincare products, brushed my hair, then got dressed. Kissed my 3rd Son goodbye for school, cooked 5 scrambled eggs for the 4th Son, ate a yogurt, powdered the two dogs with flea powder, put them in their kennel, then was off to take my 4th Son to school. There was my morning, thus far.
If I just look at that little part of my morning, I think that it was pretty productive.
I didn’t even mention everything that I did after I got back from that school drop off. Let the dogs out of the kennel, the 3 of us made our way upstairs to my room, chatted with the cable company, chatted with the sales guy, Alec, at the gym my boys want to join, cleaned my room, text with my 4 of my girlfriends and 2 of my Nieces, did Day 1 of a 30 day Squat Challenge, vacuumed my bedroom, watched this 1st video while chopping an acorn squash and putting it away for later, then made myself a yummy #LunchForOne, said good morning to my two oldest that have today off from school, had an intense conversation with my 2nd Son about his behavior towards others and how it makes them feel, then finally sat down to blog.
Phew! Haha! Yes, a pretty normal day for me. Now that I read back through all of that, what have I really done for me? Perfect reason for me to find a new ritual. Time to get my head together and figure that out ASAP. Maybe on the drive over to pick up my little Cousin from school? Or, maybe while I’m sitting in the carpool line picking up my youngest Son and 2 others that I drive home on the daily? Haha!
I’ll figure it out. I love to journal. I love to paint. I am a woman who goes through spurts and doesn’t really stick to the thinks I love, unless it is washing my face and tending to myself that way. At least I can say that I take care of myself with using amazing skincare products, having clean and nice clothes, a beautiful closet that I love to dress out of, books that I love to read and living in a town that I can never get enough of. 🙂
I love a movie that just gets your thoughts flowing… What would it be like to hike the PCT? Am I out of control in my life? Would my Boys be sad if I died? Why haven’t I bought a new pair of hiking books, I love to hike? Am I wasting my life? What is my full potential? I wonder if I make my family happy? Does Andrew still love me the way he used to? Am I boring? Am I disgusting? Am I happy? I’m so happy the weather is cool today. I’m happy I got those counters decluttering in the kitchen today. I don’t want to die. What time is it? I miss camping. I wonder how much the train is to Oregon? I wonder if I make Andrew happy? Don’t forget to ask Dad if he can pick Devin up today. Maybe I should look into posting those bikes on Craigslist. I could totally hike for miles in my Tevas. I wonder what kinds of essentials I would need for a long backpacking trip? I need to book us a trip to the Treesort. I wonder which train station is closest to the Treesort? I wonder if Andrew would be up for a train ride? I wonder if Andrew can get some time off work? I haven’t ridden my bike for a while, maybe I’ll take it over to Perfectly Pressed tomorrow. I need to start riding that hill more often to get stamina. One day it will get easier, right? Why am I so hungry today? I wonder how many points that juice was I drank this morning? I wonder how many points beets juiced are? What the hell is with all of these “national” days? I wonder who decides and creates these “national” days? They’re kind of dumb, are people that bored? I would never do heroine. Why are my eyes bothering me so much?
My crazy thoughts for an afternoon. I must say though, that movies as these get your juices flowing. I like that. 😀
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about Pinterest and how much I like it. I’ve decided to add something fun and new to blog about. Using a “pin” on my Pinterest board and actually blogging about it.
A little background about Pinterest and I. Several years ago my friend, Lisa, sent me a message and told me that I should check out her boards on Pinterest and join myself. I looked it up and, knowing how addicted I can become with catalogs and magazines, I decided against it. Then about a year ago my Bestie, Tracey, brought it to my attention again. Oh boy! So, I thought about it. Long and hard. It took me several months, but then I did it. I joined! Oh boy, the madness had begun. LOL!!
I used to keep all kinds of catalogs and magazines around, turn the pages so they stuck out the top, so I could go back and see what it was that I wanted, or to remember that idea. When I was younger I used to even tear out the pages to keep in idea files that would forever get lost and forgotten about. Needless to say, I am a giant out-of-sight-out-of-mind person. If I can’t see it then it will most likely ALWAYS get forgotten about. This is just how my brain works. I am very, very visual in many ways.
I see Pinterest as a huge magazine, catalog and reference site. I just love it!!! I can’t throw it away like I have done with my catalogs and magazines that come in the mail. Yes, I actually have the recycle can right next to me now when I am going through the mail. I just toss it is and don’t have any more huge piles. It is my method to the madness. That is why I came up with this. At least I will be showing how I have been using some of my pins that I have on all my crazy boards.
Please keep a look out for the future posts… “Pinterest and Me”. 🙂
“For this week’s project, I want you to close your eyes. (Well, after you read this.) And pretend that it’s January — of 2013.
One full year ahead.
And when you think about January 2013, think about where you are sitting. What you look like. Where you are. Think about all the things you did in 2011. How far you’ve come. The goals you’ve reached. The obstacles you faced in 2011. The things you learned. Visualize where you will be. Physically, mentally, emotionally. I know you don’t have much to go on since we’re not even out of January 2012 yet. But that’s kind of the whole purpose.
Now, ”future self” (*this is me waving to your future self and saying “Hi!!!”*), go ahead and write ”current self” a letter. Tell yourself what you’ve done in 2012 and who you’ve become. Tell yourself about all the scale and non-scale victories you’ve had. Anything that you think is valuable for your current self to know, go ahead, tell it.
Write the letter to yourself like it actually happened. No hypotheticals. Because “future-self” actually knows what went on in 2012! You have to trust her (or him)!! Channel “Future Self”. So that’s what it is this week. “Future-self,” write “current-self” a letter about what 2011 is like and what you hope for 2013.
This is one of those things you can actually hold in your hand when January 2013 comes around and you can see for yourself just what you’ve done. I am sure you will agree with yourself on that day and maybe even surprise yourself. Because you’ve got 11 more months to make it real. And you will. Because you rock and because you’re you, and ps. I already know what you’re made of. (And because future me told me so.)”
January 6, 2013
Well Kathleen, I must say that it has been an interesting year. While I sit here in our new backyard with Queenie on my lap in Aptos I couldn’t be happier. The Boys are getting ready to head back to school after the holidays after another amazing Christmas and New Years.
Last New Year we spent it at the Manning’s and boy did we miss them this time around. Skype is so great though, because we get to keep in great touch with them.
Some other fun things that we did this year…
We bought Season Passes to Disney for the family.
I started riding bikes to school with the Boys.
Alex passed me up in my shoe size.
We did 3 more run/walks. This time with the whole family.
Andrew found a new job in the Bay Area finally and we got to move back to California! Wow, I never thought that would happen. That was probably the best thing of all. Better late than never.
I stuck with Weight Watchers. Kim and I went diligently every Sunday (sometimes Mondays) and I lost 40 more pounds!! I feel fantastic!
Bikram this year has changed my life. I am flexible, energetic and happy all the time. The new studio in Aptos is fantastic too!
Paladin is doing much better with his Valley Fever and we hope to have another great year with him.
Queenie and Rogue had another litter of puppies. We found them all great home and boy was I tempted to keep one.
At the beginning of the year I started 3 new Challenges.
1) 100 ounces of water a day. I am still drinking those 100 ounces of water a day and I feel great. It really helped with getting the weight off and keeping my skin healthy. With as much Bikram and Bike Riding that I have been doing, some days I drink over 150 ounces.
2) Shrink Yo’Self 2012, which ended on February 28th. My goal was to complete all of the assignments and lose at least 5 pounds during the Challenge. I did it!! I was so happy!
3) 52 Small Changes. Each week was a new Challenge. I completed them all, which I was amazed! It is so hard for me to keep with something that long, but I did it and I feel great on the inside and look great on the outside.
Being able to walk and ride my bike to the beach has been a huge thing for me right now. I not only get exercise, but I am reading more and my depression is finally gone. The ocean does wonders for Kathleen. 🙂
On a very cool note… that bathing suit that T said that I would never fit into that sits in my drawer… IT FITS!!! Woo hoo! I will post pics when I get a chance. That just made me feel even more fantastic.
Well, it has been one amazing year and I am so looking forward to 2013 and seeing what it brings me and the family.
The Assignment… What are your Goals for this Challenge?
Goals, huh, that is a hard one for me. I am GREAT at setting goals for myself, but completely CRAPPY about actually doing them for myself.
Sunday I weighed 177.2
Today, Wednesday, I weighed 176.4
I am also not a New Years Resolution person, because of just my last of follow through for myself. Don’t get me wrong, I am reliable, plan stuff all the time, show up to all the gatherings, keep promises within my friends and family and also help meet my children’s goals… just not my own. It was coincidental for me that it just happened to be the beginning of the year that I was looking around for some new challenges to kick-start me a little bit. Since Thanksgiving I have just lacked on my exercise. I have still been going to my Weight Watchers meetings weekly though. This coming Sunday will be my 15th week. My starting weight was 185.
So, back to my goals…
#1… To lose at least another 5 pounds by the end of this challenge, February 29th. I will stick to my WW Daily Points and work hard not to dip into my Weekly points unless necessary.
#2… I will drink 100 plus ounces of water each day. I have a 30 ounce cup and also a 24 ounce water bottle that I keep with me at all times.
#3… I will exercise at least 3 times a week. I will set dates with myself to ride my bike. I will set appointments to go back to Bikram Yoga. My absolute favorite kind of exercise. I will not let myself make excuses. I will figure out how to get exercise in as much as I can. I need to stop just blowing this off.
#4… I will keep this weight OFF! I will do what is needed to stay on track and keep it of forever. This is a huge goal for me since I always seem to put it on and 10 times as fast. It sucks, but is true. It needs to be a major focus this time around.
I am looking forward to the support I know I will get from this challenge and also learning some new things about myself. 🙂
Yesterday our first Shrink Yo’Self Fitness Challenge {Annoucement} was made. It was pretty simple I thought. Well, that is if I get my ass up and do it. Exercise is pretty much the hardest thing for me. While doing it I am fine. It is just the DOING IT part that I have a hard time with. Getting to where I need to go. Turning on that video/game. Picking up a kettlebell. If you have read my past blogs at all you know that I have done many things to exercise and usually love each of them. It is just keeping going that is my problem. If I have any situation that keeps me from going,or doing it, that’s it. I get stuck all over again.
I have gotten off topic, so I will get back to what the first Challenge is. We are asked to do either 20 minutes of vigorous exercise three times weekly OR 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times weekly. Not so bad right? Nope! Soooo, I did exercise today. I did 5.01 miles in 35 minutes. Not my quickest, but wonderful never the less. It felt good to get out and bike. It was fun too since I went with my Husband and my friend Kim. We will be doing it again tomorrow. I figure I need to try to get in 4 more days this week. I like to get on my bike, so that is what I am going to focus on until I can get back to Bikram. I’m happy that I got out today! 🙂
I started another Challenge this week. Here’s the scoop…
What’s the challenge this time at the sisterhood? Happy New Year!! Our current challenge is called Shrink Yo’ Self in 2012. It’s not a teams challenge this time around because we want you to focus on YOU. We want to help you reign in those fitness and weight loss goals floating through your head and make them a reality this year! Here’s where you can find all posts associated with the Shrink Yo’ Self in 2012 Challenge.
There will also be a fitness challenge for everyone! And non-shrinkers are welcome to join in with us!
When does it begin and end? The Shrink Yo’ Self Challenge starts on January 1st and ends on February 29th.
Can I join at anytime? YES! Feel free to jump in anytime!
Must I be a woman to join? Heck, no! We welcome women, mothers, brothers, fathers, absolutely ANYONE!
What do I need to do? We’ll check-in every Wednesday. If you have a blog, write about your losses, gains, successes, frustrations. Then come back to Shrinking Jeans and link back to your weekly blog post.
Do I have to check-in every Wednesday? We encourage you to check-in every Wednesday! Accountability is good!
What if I don’t want to lose weight, and just want to hang out and exercise with y’all because you’re cool? That’s great! We welcome losers, non-losers, people new to fitness, and people training for their 52nd marathon. Join the fun!
Do I have to have a blog? Nope. But you should! They’re free and journaling while losing weight is awesome. OR you can join the ‘hood and use the nifty blogging feature that comes with every account. No excuses people!!!
What if I have information I want to share? Please share any thoughts, recipes, product reviews and meaningful blog posts with us. You can e-mail us anything. (Except pictures of chocolate or pizza) We’d love for this site to feel like your home, so get your running shoes on and get comfortable! More than likely we will share whatever you send us! Just keep it clean and pertinent!
You can also engage in conversation with your fellow Sisters and Brothers in the comments sections of posts.
AND you can now join the ‘hood, our Sisterhood social networking site!
Do you happen to have any advice for me for this challenge? Why yes we do. Take your before picture now. You will never regret it. When I look at mine, I throw my donut in the garbage and I don’t even go back and get it later. Do I have to be on Weight Watchers to join this challenge? Oh goodness no. Do whatever works for you. Can I put a button on my blog promoting this challenge? I certainly don’t want to keep all of this healthy goodness to myself! Goodness yes. Buttons with codes can be found up there at top under “Button Up“. Grab one of our logos buttons and the current challenge button for your blog’s sidebar. Go ahead; all the cool cats are doing it!
I am completely excited about it! Still learning the ins and outs of how to connect, but doing it none the less. 🙂
Yesterday Kim and I weighed in for our 7th time. I was up a pound. I was happy though. I know that sounds weird, but I had a pretty festive weekend at NASCARwith my Husband and some friends. 1 pounds was a good thing and I was so happy that it wasn’t more.
I feel pretty in control most days now, but would like to try to lose more each week. This less than 1 pound a week still seems so slow. I know it is the perfect way to lose weight, but, sigh, it just seems so slow still. 2 of my other girlfriends that I am doing weight watchers with have both lost about 10 pounds in the same amount of time, or less. I know that they have more weight to lose then I do, but I just feel like it is all relative. I haven’t been getting upset about it now though like I used to. It is always just a thought that lingers in the back of my head.
Today I did my 10th Bikram Yoga class in the past 13 days. It felt great! I am hoping that I will start seeing results over the next couple of months. I am also hoping that if I keep to a minimum of 4 days a week it will help get this weight off of me.
On December 10th I am doing a 12k with my Husband and my friend Kim. I need to start walking a bit and building up my strength that way as well. I have found that walking is funny. You can’t just get out there and think that you can walk without cramping, getting blisters and getting dehydrated. It is important that you work up to your goal. I learned this from training for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day last year. Today I was going to walk, but didn’t get to. Tomorrow I will try again. 🙂
Source: SafeSound Personal Alarm
#TheLifeOfAMother 