We're alive, I promise...

We're here...its just been a hellavu week! Sarah's had the stomach bug...twice...and we've had a pretty major ice/winter storm. THANKFULLY, we never lost power, but we were expecting to. Beth hasn't had school in three days, Sarah is sick and we are all stir crazy.....

Hopefully there will be some good news...or normal news...later this week to report!

In keeping with tradition...

Beth lost her 3rd tooth today - MLK Day. She lost her first one on Valentine's Day 08, her second one on the 4th of the July...so, she had to make sure she lost her next one on a holiday, too! So, out it came after school. One tiny pluck and it was out! I'm actually surprised she didn't swallow it today with as loose as it was! I guess this tooth fairy needs to go find some quarters.....

No news is good news, right?

I'm not a big fan of the month of January. Its slow, boring and cold. Thus, there isn't a ton to blog about. Lets see what I can dig up...

Beth and Sarah had a "slumber party" on Friday night. They've been begging me to let them sleep together, so I agreed that they could have a slumber party on Friday nght. Basically, this just meant that Sarah would sleep on Beth's pull-out mattress. Knowing full well how the evening would go (thanks to several past attempts in Florida of this same scenario), I started bedtime at 7:15! After COUNTLESS trips in there to tell them to calm down and go to sleep, I FINALLY removed Sarah (kicking & screaming) at 9:15 because Beth was whining that she really wanted to go to sleep and Sarah wouldn't let her...which was totally the truth! Beth needs sleep. I knew this would be the outcome, but I held out as long as I could. I knew they were having fun being all giggly and whispering and making memories...but I also knew that Sarah was just NOT going to sleep until she has been isolated in her own room...in her own bed. So, after about 15 minutes of screaming, Sarah fell asleep....
....and no one slept late Saturday morning, either. Beth was up at 6:45...Sarah at 7:30! ugh!

Bob and I are finally getting to go to Gatlinburg in a few weeks after several failed attempts these past 9 1/2 years since our honeymoon there! He has several "business" things to do in Knoxville, so I'm tagging along and when he is finished, we're headed to Gatlinburg for 2 days, 2 nights...a much needed get-away!

I'm getting ready to dive into making bows again, to get ready for the Spring Sale the 1st week of March. Right now, I'm making Valentines bows and ponytail streamers for a few people. If you need one, let me know! Bows are $3 and $4 and ponytail streamers are $5. I have lots of Valentine's ribbon. I invoice via Paypal.

Updates

A few updates:
1) I lost 2.8 lbs this week on Weight Watchers. Yeah Me! Bob lost 6! Men......

2) Bailey, the dog is doing better - the pain meds seem to be very helpful and she is back to her old playful self! She also had her teeth cleaned last week and it seemed to help her bad breath dramatically! Hehehe!

3) Sarah is still plugging along with pottytraining. MOST days we go accident free or only have 1 accident. She seems to be doing better about TELLING me when she needs to go, but we are so NOT THERE yet! But...hey...I haven't had to buy Pull-Ups since a week or so before Christmas, so that is $15 I get to keep every other week!

4) I know I haven't updated about Bob's company in FOREVER! Sorry. Things are going pretty well! He keeps a busy schedule and is traveling more than he thought...but he goes where his clients need him to go. He'd like to pick up a few more clients, but who wouldn't?!?! AND, we don't know the full extent of damages that taxes will do, yet, either. Errr... But otherwise, his company has done very well from June-December. Things seem to be on track for a good 2009, barring any big clients pulling out. Its always scary, but believe me, I think, especially for Bob, its very gratifying to have that control over your own life. Its been NICE.

Did I forget anything?

Girls - Croc's Deal!!

REI.com has a great clearance on girls' Crocs right now!!

$9.83 for Mammoth Crocs - pink and grape sized 4/5 all the way to size 1/2, I think!

$8.83 for Pink Mary Jane's too:

www.rei.com and search Crocs! I ordered a pair of MaryJanes for both girls for next summer, a pair of Cotton Candy Mammoth's for Beth for next year and a pair for Sarah for this winter! They work out to about 65% off! Yeah! AND, if you have a REI near you- free shipping to the store!

Day 4

I'm on Day 4 of Weight Watchers...I made it through my first weigh-in and discovered I need to lose between 20-25 lbs, so I'm setting my goal at 22 lbs! Random, but I figure if I get to that point, what is another 2-3 lbs, right? The "healthy weight" range for my height is 124-155. I'm at the very tip top of that range, but REALLY want to be in the bottom range! I've got to get a move on and decide on a work-out/toning DVD. I'm torn between "Crunchless Abs" and "The Bender Ball" DVD's.
www.crunchlessabs.com
www.benderball.com

I'm leaning towards the Bender Ball because there are work-outs included with the package that aren't just for my abs...which are the MAIN thing I need to concentrate on...but I'll need to be toning other areas, too. I need to find my free-weights, too....if I kept them! They were great for arm and back toning!!

BIKINI BY JULY!!!!

I'm starting today....

I'm officially starting Weight Watchers again today. This is my fourth go-round with them since 2001, when I lost my first 25 lbs and obtained my goal weight...RIGHT before getting pregnant with Beth. And I did it again after each kid was born to get back to somewhat close to pre-baby weight. This last year or two, I've just completely let everything I've ever learned about eating healthy FLY OUT THE WINDOW! Life gets crazy with 2 kids and with craziness comes fast food, eating at weird times and a lot of candy and crap from class parties, etc.... I am now back to the weight I was when I initially started WW in August 2001. I need to lose 20 lbs. I am making 20 lbs my "official" goal with WW (depending on what THEIR scale says I weigh...then I might make my weight loss goal 25 lbs). I also need to tone up! I want to be in a 2-piece bathing suit by the 4th of July and FEEL GOOD ABOUT MYSELF in it!

So, the frig is full of fruits, vegies, bottles of water, fat-free yogurts, Smart Ones, Lean Cuisines, Healthy Choice and much more! I set small goals...like no french fries till I lose 10 lbs. I LOOOVEEE French Fries...but they are EVIL and must be given up for a while. I'll reward myself with either Wendy's or McD's fries once I lose that first 10 lbs!! I'm hoping that will be within 10 weeks!! On average, I lost about 1 lb a week with WW, which is the healthy way to lose. I'm totally fine with that. I have about 25 weeks till the 4th of July..surely I can hit goal weight by then!! I have to really stick to it this time, though...and bring in some exercise and toning.....but when????

I'll update my progress...as progress happens!!

New Years Day 2009!

We went to OpryMills today - for me to do a little outlet shopping (new Gymboree outlet!) and to eat lunch at Rainforest Cafe and for the girls to pet the stingrays at the Aquarium. I found some great deals on stuff for next winter at Gymboree and a few things at the Disney outlet, and some darn cute stuff at Carters that wasn't on clearance, but I bought it anyway! I got each girl a Disney T-shirt, Disney sunglasses and an ADORABLE Carter's nightgown for their Easter baskets! Here are some pictures from Rainforest Cafe -

And Beth took these two pictures of the things around our table:

The afternoon was spent listening to two cranky girls who missed their naps, putting away most of the Christmas decorations (the tree still remains!), and cooking dinner...which didn't turn out so well, but oh well!

I start Weight Watchers on Monday. My goal is 25lbs by June 30. That is roughly 4 lbs a month...absolutely obtainable...if I stick to it! I've GOT to figure out an excercise program, though.... 2008 was a rough year and I think I did a lot of stress eating...I gained lots of weight this year...I don't like looking or feeling this way. So, I'll go for round FOUR with Weight Watchers it is!!