Homeownership Wows and Woes

Now that we have our own home, I feel more stressed. (don't get me wrong, I feel very blessed to own our home, well... maybe that we have a bank that let us pay them monthly over it.)

I feel more stressed because there are MORE:

-space to fill and make cozy

-storage to fill but with what

-problems due to more space and areas to maintain

-careful planning of how to make space sing with personality and style

-corners to miss in cleaning and organizing

-walls to paint and architecture to update

-competition on which room to do first

-home age-related issues to deal with as opposed to calling the apt mgr to send someone

-bills to pay out since even the garbage is in your name

Also because there are LESS:

-money to deal with problems as they arise

-time to do it all when you have school-age children

-patience in keeping up with problems that pop up

-ideas to run through when home value vs. style clashes

-opportunities to get things done due to lack of time and money

But I guess in the end, it all balances out. (good thing, too since I practice Feng Shui and a balancing act goes a loooong way) We love our home and can't wait to realize its potential.

I'm busy designing closet shelving ideas to maximize storage and built-in cabinetry to lessen the impact of bare walls and add more storage in the living areas. Designing the kids' rooms so they'll want to study in there (and not just use it to text their friends in private). Researching the garden ideas for this part of Texas (aka still waiting for my thumb to turn green). My hubby's busy bringing home the bacon to repair the walls, air leaks, keep cooling and heating and the materials to maintain the house. The kids, they have their chores... (if they ever get to them!)

It may take a few (fingers crossed) or several years before most of our projects are realized, but at least they are our projects...

Side note:

Tonight's BTS Brain Menu:

Pork Adobo (complete protein)

Steamed Rice (niacin, zinc, selenium, manganese and almost complete protein)

Asparagus and Tomatoes (vitamins and minerals)

Melon and Grapes (vitamins and minerals)

It was delicious! And I didn't have to beg the kids to eat it! (winking until you notice)

Good night and later!

BTS- Prepping The Brain Menu

Now that summer is almost over in the sense that school's almost back in session, I am quite curious as to how we as parents prepare our children to go back to school mode.

I guess I can share that I have three children who love to learn and go to school (ok, they like hanging out with friends mostly, but we can pretend, right?). Honestly, they love school and learning. Since reading, art, science, history and practical knowledge are covered 365 days a year, my main focus is on what they put in their bodies.

Summer is wrought with temptation! (Eating out, bbq's, shakes that are fatter than a whole cow, fruits that no one eats because there's ice cream waiting in the freezer; did I mention eating out?) Of course we balance it out with swimming, touring vacation spots on foot, walking the dogs in the early morning to escape the heat (alright, you do that)

Well back to my reality. I love to cook and the cooler months seem to entice me into that love more than Summer or Spring. So I get creative and don my invisible scientist coat and delve into the latest research on children's good health in relation to food choices. I cook for their brain, a whole week before school starts. They just don't know it (yes, I'm Dr. Sneaky McSneakypants! mwahhhhahahahaha! (booming thunder in the background))

So tonight is 4 days left before school starts on Monday, the 22nd. Here's what I made to beef up their brains... (no, I didn't feed them beef brains... what were you thinking?)

Baked Pacific Cod with Mixed Summer Vegetables

Steamed White Rice

Ice Water

Blueberry Lemonade Smoothie

What, you didn't know that Fish and Blueberries are good for the ol' noggin? Yes, yes they are!

Omega 3 & 6 helps your heart and brain while blueberries...

"Blueberries have compounds that boost neuron signals and help turn back on systems in the brain that can lead to using other proteins to help with memory or other cognitive skills." (James Joseph, Nutrition Researcher) http://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/health/article/Living-Well-Blueberries-trigger-neurons-that-1153313.php

So now you know just how easy to feed the buzzing and budding brains in your children, even if they don't like fish, just find the nutrients that can help their brain and your next school year can be that much better... Not to mention the other nutrients that a healthy menu provides for their behavioral and emotional needs. Love the B family for that!

See you next time!

Hello and Welcome Back!

To all passersby... I'm back! Got so many pics to post, updating and all that good stuff.

The DIY projects list is still long, but at least we had two great vacations!

Quick Update:
1) Vacations- California and Utah
2) Met newest members of family (Jernon & Garrison)
3) Found termites in back door wall (hot fun!)
4) Sorted old clothes (too many, too long!)
5) BTS shopping (coupon filled)
6) Lots of OT (to fund the DIY projects)

(What, you thought extra $$$ for fun, I wish!)

School's almost upon us, so that means another BTS Fashion Show in our house! (makes this the 6th annual one.)

Can't believe how Summer's almost done. (thank goodness! not my season! funny, being tropical and all!)

Ok, see you all soon!

MIA for a While...

Hello... Though I know no one bothers to read this, thought I owe it to those that may happen to wander and ask, "Oooh, a new blog to explore, I wonder if it's worth a visit or two", I will be MIA for a while.

The hubs and I have decided to do as much DIY projects to finish before summer hits and we all melt from the heat and humidity that is the Mid-Southwest.

We have the Master closet finishing, downstairs bath moulding, foyer & LR painting and frontyard gardening to tackle. Vacations and visits to plan. Stocking up to do. Backyard maintenance to monitor and fireants to put under control. But best of all, we have a Cub Scout to help finish off requirements while having fun.

So with that long of a laundry list, which by the way, laundering of big comforters is one of the big projects, I will not be in the blogging circuit for a while. Not that I ever truly was.

Thanks, and see ya'll later with pictures!

A Healthier Me: Day 5-7

I didn't think I'd make it to ONE WHOLE WEEK. I battled fatigue, flu-like symptoms, backache, leg cramps and insomnia. But I wanted to finish.

I DID IT. ONE WEEK. Now, just two more weeks and I can reset my attitude, lifestyle, and body to continue working out and eating healthy.

WORKOUT: Average 1 hour a day

Wii Fit- Basic, Advanced and Free Steps/ Basic Boxing/ Hula Hoop Challenge/ Ski Jump

Stairs- Average of 7 sets of up and down on 16-step plight

Dancing-Waist and Hip gyration/ Salsa Combo

Stretching for warm-ups

MEALS:

I enjoyed pasta, rice, garbanzo beans, barley, veggies, nuts, milk, cheese, bread, fruits and beef, salmon and scallops. One medium portion, chewed slow and tons of water.

I feel great; I'm not as sluggish nor prone to light-headedness lately. Thank goodness. Enduring my caveman-like slow movements were harder to endure during the day than when I put in an hour's worth of non-stop aerobic exercise.

I also find myself being more discerning with what I will serve my family. We've always eaten sensibly, but I'm a believer of "there's always room for improvement".

I can't wait for tomorrow!

A Healthier Me: Day 4

Insomnia hit me again this morning and I didn't fall asleep until 3:30 AM. Grrrr!!!

Woke up @ 6:15 and stayed up until 9:30. Fell asleep and didn't wake up until 2:30, just enough time to meet my son at the front door. Also had a bit of a stiff neck.

IT BEGINS... Every year, I start to be more active. But the first two weeks are a real pain. Literally! But it goes beyond pain for me. I get sick!

Stiff necks, sniffles, muscle aches, light-headed, fever, cold sores, coughs. The yucky stuff!

So, just like always, I have to stop the workouts and rest until I feel better. In other words, no difference.

But this time, I want to get to three weeks, at least and know that I've conquered something.

WORKOUT: (1 hour total)

Wii Fit: Basic and Advanced Steps, Hula Hoop Challenge, Basic Boxing

Stair-Climbing: 5 sets

Upper Arms: Mixed with both arms for tonight's menu

BREAKFAST:

Honey wheat toasts-2 slices

Laughing Cow cheese- 1 wedge

Milk

LUNCH:

Leftover- Mushroom & Onion couscous- 1 cup

Grapes- 1 cup

Water- 4 glasses

SNACK:

None

DINNER:

Two-egg cheese omelette

Steamed broccoli

Strawberries- 3

Water-4 glasses

DESSERT:

2 choc chip cookies (I splurged... :-D)

(The recipe yielded 5 doz since I used a small scoop, but don't worry; I have the hubs sharing most of it at work and the kids bringing some to school tomorrow. )

My BMI is 24 at 119 lbs. I need to be at 22 BMI at about 109-110 lbs. I have a looong way to go!

I hope I can keep this momentum despite the oncoming symptoms. I will have to take Tylenol to head them off. Wish me luck!

A Healthier Me: Day 3

Today was very exciting! The treadmill didn't work. Wait, no... That wasn't the exciting part.

I tried the Wii Fit again today and you know, it's been 569 days since I last been on it. No, that's not the exciting part either.

It said the following:

BMI= 24.04 Normal

WEIGHT= 119.3 lbs.

DID YOU READ THAT?!!! I thought I was in the 130's! Last time I had a BMI of 27.41 OVERWEIGHT

But I guess between this last move, hauling boxes from the storage, home repairs and having a staircase, working for a couple of months of graveyard shift, I must have lost weight.

Well, the exciting part continues... I was so happy to know that I lost so much weight that I only have 6 lbs. to lose, I managed to work out for 2 whole hours!!!

WORKOUT:

Wii Fit-Basic Step 3x, Hula Hoop Challenge-3x, Basic Run

Staircase-5 sets (up and down)

Netflix- Crunch Salsa Combo

Stand-up Stomach Crunches

BREAKFAST:

Special K Oatmeal Crunch

Milk- 1 glass

Water- 2 glasses

LUNCH:

Beef Barley Soup- 1 bowl

Oatmeal Wheat Rolls- 2

Water- 2 glasses

SNACK:

Water- 2 glasses

DINNER:

Rotini with Mushroom Cheese Tomato Sauce

Oatmeal Wheat Rolls- 2

Red Grapes- 1 cup

Water- 3 glasses

I wasn't hungry, I wasn't beat, I wasn't craving any sweets. I didn't get tempted looking at all the ice cream tubs we got at our Albertson's store that's closing, (if not closed already) last week.

I can't wait to workout again tomorrow! I feel great!

A Healthier Me: Day 2

Since today is Sunday, no workout for me, but rather I made sure that I baked my own bread to exercise my arms.

One thing I'll definitely won't do is to do anything drastically. No too small portions, and definitely no skipping meals. No one food diet- I will have the whole pyramid covered in sensible meal plans and enough portion so I'm not sneaking any sugar packets in the middle of the night.

BREAKFAST:

Cereal

Milk- 2 glasses

LUNCH:

Honey Wheat Bread- 2 toasted slices

Laughing Cow Cheese- 1 wedge

Honey

Water- 3 glasses

SNACK:

Blackberries-1/2 cup

DINNER:

Oatmeal Wheat Dinner Rolls-2

Beef Barley Soup- 1 bowl

Water- 3 glasses

DESSERT:

Fusion Smoothie(fruit and veggie)- 1 glass

I know it takes about a week to lose all water weight, another week for muscles to rip enough for reformation and about a zillion months to shed tummy fat, but if I can get to three weeks of uninterrupted workout-filled, good eating, and water-chugging habits, I know I can reach my goal of going to size 4, fitting in my dream dress, and that much closer to my dream date:

Going to an opera and a fancy dinner

Dressed formal and in heels

I CAN'T WAIT!!!

A Healthier Me: My Fitness Journey

Today, I decided that I will make that BIG leap into a more active and proactive healthy lifestyle for myself. I normally eat sensibly and do my obligatory chores as my workout, but I know I can be better.

I'm about 136 lbs and barely under 5 feet tall. I am currently size 6/8 and have been since December 1999. I AM OVERWEIGHT.

For my height, my max healthy weight is 112-115 lbs and max of size 4.

I AM OVERWEIGHT. I need this as a reminder.

We got this treadmill for FREE, so I am determined to use it everyday to help whip my body into a lighter version.

(excuse my LR/Library walls, we're still figuring out paint color.)

Starting today, I will take you with me as I journey into this mostly painful, obviously funny and hopefully not empty attempt at reaching my goal. I have no set time to reach it, but rather I wish to get into a habit of wanting to be healthier.

DAY 1-- 30 mins

TIME: 8:00 AM

WALKING-25 mins/2.0 mph
RUNNING-05 mins/4.0 mph

CALORIES BURNED: 166 fat/cals
DISTANCE: 1.5 miles

BREAKFAST:

1. Water-3 glasses
2. Strawberries-7 whole
3. Eggs- 2 sunny-side up/no salt/pepper

LUNCH:

1. Water- 4 glasses
2. Spinach Salad w/ Craisins & oat crunch cereal & homemade dressing
3. Hershey's Kisses- 3 dark chocolate

DINNER:

1. Water- 3 glasses
2. Baked Salmon (cumin, garlic, lemon, evoo)
3. Spinach & Strawberry salad
4. Mushroom & Onion couscous

Extra Workout:

Walked around the grocery store before getting and carrying mushrooms, a gallon & a quart of milk. NO cart or basket.

Ice and Snow Storm of 2011 in North Texas

This is not the first snow of the year. That was back in January. But this time, it is longer and colder.

As of today, we are now on our 4th Snow Day... It started with a freezing rain and sleet. It left roads iced over and enough packed ice that I was able to stand on my grass, literally on top of the blades of them!

It wasn't windy, so the kids were cold, but not freezing. As for my un-gloved hands, they were beet red after 10 minutes of being exposed. Ouch!
We had mini icebergs that trapped water hoses,
and roads that glistened and made cars groan.
the sidewalks were literally higher by an inch or so and perfect for electric slides, if you have proper padding and helmet on.
Of course, the snow wouldn't be outdone. Early morning today, it dumped over 6 inches of snow and as I type, it has started to snow again, making driving, once again, a little bit more difficult.Our backyard wasn't immune to it, between the heating vents and the snow, icicles formed on the gutters.
The kids had to bundle up this time because the snow storm is more biting than the ice storm. The winds were strong enough to dislodge packed snow from tree trunks!Driving is still happening, though avoided as much as one can. Who wouldn't avoid it?

All the while, we enjoyed making crayons, singing, playing online games, doing puzzles, reading, cooking and taking pictures. We celebrated the Year of the Rabbit with a nice table and dinner centered on rice and veggies. We enjoyed chocolate, both hot and in pastries and even in a pie. We enjoyed having a marathon viewing of the Merlin show, Season 2. We enjoyed our gas fireplace and basked in the relief that we have enough toilet paper and training pads for the puppies. We all, pets and us, had enough of what we needed and wanted as in chips, sodas, cheese snacks and marshmallows, you know, the important stuff.

We made sure that we didn't succumb to cabin fever and started the redo of the Master Closet, aka, mine. As of today, it has been gutted, sanded, vacuumed, re-textured and primed. Overall, we just enjoyed being together, safe, cozy and wanting for nothing while it's bleak out.

And so, as of today, we are inside, nice and warm, comfortably living off our stores and enjoying the quiet majesty that is winter...

How's the weather where you're at?