Distract...

June 30, 2020

I used some heavy distract skills today.  Governor announced the plans for the fall.  Currently, Kalamazoo is in the phase 4 section of Michigan yet Grand Rapids is in the phase 3.  If we continue in phase 3 in Kalamazoo, we can return to school as normal.  It will be interesting how it plays out as with everything in life, I'm not too sure where I will be.  It's slightly nerve racking but I will see how it will play out.  My friend is going to quiz me on the way up to GR on Thursday as she's a hiring manager at the hospital so it will be great practice.  I'm bailing on lunch with a friend as I don't want to be in GR twice that day.  We are figuring out when I can have lunch with them again.  Maybe the week of the 13th? I haven't seen them since Ian's birthday back in March but it's good.  I kind of got sick of the crap they were giving me back in December so space is good.  We co hosted a huge Christmas party that had about 50 people and the next weekend after our party, that had another one but smaller and didn't invite us because well....I was struggling at Christmas time.  I always struggle at Christmas. Argh...

Today I'm in an Ann Taylor Loft sz 16 curvy pants and a XL Lauren Conrad shirt. Found both at Goodwill. I love thrifting.  I am really digging Ann Taylor Loft.  I've recently discovered their clothing after a phenomenal $8 sale per top and $12 per dress.  Picked up a few items. Scent of my day is Vanilla Anise by Jo Malone.  I'm obsessed with Jo Malone.  Mercari is helping me pick up some instead of paying full price.  I need to stop but I love this distinctive scents.

Eating is kicking ass.  I am doing better than I ever had.  Why did I not try this years ago is beyond me? I'm at the lowest I have been in months.  241/228/170  

Geocaching today!

June 28, 2020

Great weekend!  We went out geocaching today at Yankee Springs.  Chris and I haven't been there since 2005? 2006? So we decided to do some hiking, geocaching, and biking out there today.  We had an absolute blast.  The cache's were unique and Ian had a blast finding the caches.  We hiked about 3 miles and biked about 6 so not a bad day at all.  I appreciate that there's shade and it's a tad cooler out of the sun.

We have been doing more geocaching as Chris picked up a new GPS when we were supposed to be in Europe so at least we are making some use out of it.  I can't wait to show Ian some mountains.  He would love it.  They are still going on Weblo's camping coming up so he may get some experience there in August but we will see.  Any exposure to elevation, Ian is on it.  If we didn't have Covid times, I would so have him into some climbing.

Things are doing great with the weightloss.  I'm digging the variety as I'm actually eating fresh fruit now.  I am totally addicted to fresh cherries.  The Washington cherries from Costco are perfectly ripe and juice.  I look forward to my fruit time! Tonight we are having some dinner with our friends who are professors at Western.  She is Chinese some dumplings are coming my way!  I have it computed how many I can have so I'm mindful to not over do it.  She knew that Ian loves her dumplings as when he was last hanging with his friend, he asked her if she could make him some.  She's like "come on over for dinner some Sunday!" and so after biking yesterday, she invited us.  Ian has known them since he's been 1.5 so it's nice to watch their kids and Ian grow up together.  The little girl has such a crush on Ian.  It's adorable.  Also it's nice that we can maintain the relationship even through they are in different school districts. 

I'm having some non scale victories and I'm enjoying it.  I slid on a dress I last wore for my birthday and it looks terrific.  I can zip it up with no issues!  Woot Woot though I have no place to wear it. 

240/228.8/170

Progress!

June 27, 2020

Happy Saturday!  We are going out biking with our friends this morning and tonight we are social distancing with some friends around a camp fire tonight.  Which will be awesome.  We haven't seen our campfire friends since January but it doesn't feel like it's been that long.  Crazy to think how time is flying lately.  Everyday seems to be bleeding into the next.  I don't feel like I have earned this 6 month break.  It's definitely something.  There no normal here yet.  Everything feels so darn odd.  I'm longing for some camping as we haven't been since last year.  We are going in a few weeks to Saginaw so that will be nice.  I'm stalking the Michigan DNR site for camping next weekend but I don't think we will be successful.  We were supposed to be in Europe so we have zero reservations.  Arg!

Things are plugging away with the weight loss.  I'm seeing some major results.  I love the program and seeing the scale going down.  The check ins with the nutritionist 3x per week is wonderful.  It's time for me to reflect on my choices and discuss if I had any struggles.  So far, so good!  I'm doing my measurements on July 2nd so I'm excited to see the progress.  I will soon be able to button these pants!  I cannot wait!

240/229.2/170

Almost 10 pounds down...

June 22, 2020

Woot woot, down a total of 10 pounds almost!  I am loving this program.  I was able to push through some pressure of not eating cake this past weekend for Fathers Day.  Proud of myself for not eating it or drinking one of my brother in laws tasty dirty martini's.  We headed north to see my folks and stayed the night with my sister.  We met up at a park, had a picnic, and then my sister and I sat with my mom on her back porch while Chris and the guys went fishing at the local dam.  A good time was had by all!

I swear, IUD's are the biggest pain in the bottom.  I've been spotting for 7 days now.  It's so irritating plus the hormones.  It's like "oh my goodness".  I'm so sensitive today.  I hate it.  I also notice that a week prior to spotting, I retained water horribly.  I miss the days where my cycle was a short 4 days and in/out as this is the total pits.  I'm wondering if I will have my full blown period or is this the new norm now.  Grrrr….hopefully this will stop soon as this is the total pits.

It was a quiet day today.  I slowly attacked our room and put things away.  I'm going to work about an hour a day to get things done.   I've had 3 months and I've been totally unmotivated.  Ian got his haircut today at Sport Clips and it is looking quite awesome.  I am super impressed how the stylist cut his hair.  He is really looking good!

240/231.4/170

Woot woot!

I’m officially the smallest I have been in months.  I got an IUD back in the fall and since then, I noticed the weight was creeping up slowly.  The plan is awesome so far, I feel full and zero leg cramps.  Typically my legs will cramp up when I attempt to lose weight but not this time.  So win win!  Last night I chilled with my friend at her place.  We typically hook up once a week to visit.  We used to have drinks but she had a tall glass of ice water waiting for me yesterday.  She’s lost 80 pounds so she knows how it goes.  She’s super excited too that the gyms are opening up here in Michigan next Thursday.  I’m still doing my zoom workouts until they don’t offer them.  I’ve been Uber protective of Chris as he has diabetes and severe asthma.  Last spring I almost lost him

from double lung pneumonia. He passed out in Detroit when we were at the state championship for Ian’s pinewood derby.  All I have to say is that was scary as hell so he’s only been out a few times during the past 3.5 months.  He’s supposed to be in the office possibly in July as the hospital has kept their IT department home.

I bought my first miniskirt.  It’s a Good American skirt sz 16 and Madewell XXL shirt. It’s adorable!

We are heading north later for Fathers Day.  We are staying with my sister and brother in law.  His dad is dying of cancer so they went to see him this morning.  It’s sad.  He worked his whole life and right after his retirement he found out.  They are trying to maximize their time with him.  Chris’s parents are in Detroit like usual.  His parents are enmeshed with his sister so nothing new there.  We had a fallout with his sister at Christmas two years ago so I have no time for her.  It was over us inviting our best friend over for Christmas Eve night and dinner.  They had a meltdown and berated us for hours.  Chris sat silent and I was direct with all his sister and her family.  It was bound to happen, it was building for years.  I door shut so I have zero room in my life for bullshit or fakeness. 

240/231.8/170

Indiana....

We just got back today from Turkey Run in Marshall, Indiana.  I have to say it was an amazing trip. We were able to do about 6 miles on the trail there.  If it wasn’t for my Boot Camp, I’m sure I would’ve been toast. Bear crawls are never my favorite when we have to do them and I typically balk But I was able to maneuver around with no issues. After all of that hiking, I wasn’t even sore today. This is a huge gain for me!  All that dedication for the past three years have paid off. Chris and I originally went when we were first married. Somehow I blocked the memory of the trails, and just remembered him falling down a ravine and the hotel itself.  The kids really enjoyed it too. Chris noted that it brought back family memories of when his parents brought him there as a child. It’s a must go back to place.  It’s only a four hour trip down there from Kalamazoo so it’s easily accessible. I did well at food logging the whole time.   Though,  I’m not too sure how much I weigh today.  We will see tomorrow at weigh in!  Originally we were going to pack and food and I was going to cook on the air fryer but we decided to just eat at the lodge for the convenience. I made great choices and counted everything. I even contained myself around gummy bears from when we stopped at the Albanese factory outlet.

I’m still dragging my feet on my resume and plan on getting that done next week. I just needed to take a step back from it because I hate doing resumes.  I’ve been doing some junking at the beginning of the week and found some more treasures. It’s amazing what I’ve been finding antique wise in I’ll be able to have my she shed mastered soon. I’m going to put an antique table out there and have some other items in there. It has electricity so I am completely hooked up.  I also found some stuff to restore such as a record table and a wicker chair. It’s such a blast finding treasures for myself and others. I found a light for a friend and a chest for another friend. I also found a retro Christmas tree for another friend. To see the joy on their faces is such a delight!  

Below is my first goal outfit.  It's a pair of sz 34 Paige Jeans and a size XL on the top that I picked up cheap from Nordstrom.  I'm hoping to fit into this prior to a party in August that I'm going to with Chris.  We are seeing some friends that I haven't seen since January.  Miss them and it would be awesome to be a tad slimmer.

June 13, 2020

This year did not end the school year with the usual amount of closure.  It's always so rewarding to give those

 last goodbye's for the school year but yesterday wasn't like that at all. That's okay, it is what it have no idea how the fall will flow.  I have no clue on what to expect at all.  There's three choices Michigan and I have no idea how two of them will be sustainable.  

We went to a drive in movie last night and it was rewarding.  Trying to get the kid out of the house was like pulling nails.  We got to the park where they were showing the movie and they greeted us with popcorn and had us park in the soccer field.  From there we travelled out and got some time down at the lake and played some baseball for about an hour.  The kid loves baseball and seeing how he has improved since the winter workshop is exciting.  We joked about him playing for the local high school when he got older and he loved that idea.  We sat and watched the movie then joked on how corny it was.  Every time it broke out in song, we busted out laughing.  Tonight we are heading to another drive in movie to watch The Lion King where our local baseball team plays.  We figured for $30, why not? We will see how this goes.

I got to spend some time with a friend and we did some shopping together.  It was great to be back in a store.  I was impressed with how they did the temperature checks and informed us on how to shop.  I picked up a few things for 30% so I'm going to see if they will work.  It's worth a try at 30%.

We are leaving for Indiana next week.  Looking forward to it.  We are leaving when we were supposed to be on a plane to Rome...yeah...missing out on our 2.5 Italy and France trip totally blows.  Maybe eventually...but man, that would have been awesome!  Maybe next year on in 2022.

241/235/170

Head hunted and another day of junking...

June 5, 2020

Whoa...got head hunted today.  Wasn't expecting it as the school budgets are being cut next year in Michigan.  It's for a district where I can be with my friends who left my school as we were part of a dream team.  We will see.  It's worth checking out even though I hate change but yet change is the only constant, right?!  I need to work on my resume though this weekend as the job will post on Monday.  Went out walking with my friend who works in the district and weighed the pros/cons with her.  I've been at my school since the 2014-2015 school year and I am one of the individuals who have the most amount of seniority as my staff can rotate between 30-50% each school year.

I went out junking again today and found a hose plus a hose reel box.  I'm amazed by what people throw out.  The hose reel box is selling for $100 at Lowe's.  It's in perfect condition and the hose works too.  Yesterday, Chris was like "Kellie, go find me a hose".  I didn't know if I would find something but I did right away.  It was like, SCORE!  I'll take a $120 savings.

Eating was terrific today.  I'm down a total of 6.2 pounds.  I ran the calories in My Fitness Pal and it's around 1200 calories/125 protein/76 carbs/8 fiber/31 g of fat.  I don't feel hungry right now so I'll take it.  I did my zoom workout and walked for an hour with my friend tonight.  

Looking forward to weekend to do some more hiking and getting ready for next weekend when we are in Indiana.  I feel pretty confident with the hiking but I like to feel fully prepared.  Chris and I haven't been there since 2005.  We figure the kid will get a kick out of it.

240/234.8/170

Oh the love of junking...

June 4, 2020

You know besides a great garage sale what my favorite thing to do is for free? Junk!  The great thing about living in Kalamazoo is that they do periodic clean up days where you can throw anything out and it will  disappear!  I've been junking since I was young.  Growing up in metro Detroit when you no longer wanted an item, you would just toss it to the curb where someone would pick it up possibly on trash day.  Truly one person's trash is another's treasure.  Today I found pure joy in finding 4 pots of pansies, 2 shutters, a chair, and two bright blue chairs.  I threw them in my front to create a front yard oasis.  Part of the appeal of our neighborhood is the amount of walkers that our neighborhood has.  It was a nice change of scenery tonight to pull Chris out and just chill.

I had a pretty active day.  Did my usual zoom workout and then met up with my friend Shannon for a walk.  Prior to COVID, I saw her every day Monday - Friday.  Not seeing her for almost 3 months was awful.  I chatted with her the other day and I asked her if she wanted to walk and she was game.  While we were on the trail we ran into another gym friend and it felt terrific to meet up.  It's like our crew is almost back together again. That family feel gets me to the gym everyday faithfully.  Next Monday they are having workouts at the park so I'm looking forward to that.  I'm ready!

Today I went into the clinic and got to learn the program a tad more.  It actually makes since that I have been eating wrong essentially my whole life.  They are going to have me eat more veggies/fruits and simple starches.  So far I'm down 5.8 in water weight since Tuesday.  I felt I was retaining water....now I know!  It will be different pushing a ton of veggies and fruit but this is the time of year to do so since everything is in season.

241/235.2/170

Daily Ramblings...

June 3, 2020

Trying to keep my focus today.  I've learned that I cannot bounce between school and work very well at home.  Chris is in IT as a DBA at the local hospital and he's in his glory.  He is hoping that he doesn't need to go into the office ever again! He is a true introvert.  Me on the other hand...I've always viewed myself as an introvert...oh, hell no.  I just need my battery recharged when I've been around too many others.  Lately, I've been walking our neighborhood with a friend, then social distancing visits with other friends, and patio sessions with my bestie on the weekend.  Last weekend my bestie and I went up to Grand Rapids to help clean up the riot mess.  I drove by the old house there and it looks terrific.  It was therapeutic as I haven't seen it since 2016.  I love my current old home and it's been the best choice we have made.  Our son gets the Kalamazoo Promise, Chris moved into IT at the local hospital, and I'm happy to be in an old home with soul.

Only one more week of school until I can pack up my office for the school year.  The sad thing about this year was COVID and the lack of closure with the students.  They will be doing pick up for the students next Wednesday.  We picked up our son's items from school yesterday in a large school trash bag.  The teachers were able to give waves in the car to him.  This totally stinks.  I'm sad for so many things as remote learning was a challenge.  I was tied up doing socio-emotional learning.  His schedule got confusing as all heck.  

Day 2 of the structured eating plan.  I met with a dietitian on Monday.  I needed a change.  I'm at my highest ever.  I've been doing Boot Camp for 3 years so my measurements are better than in the past but still, I got sick of just getting bigger since last summer.  I got an IUD in last fall and since then my weight continues to inch up.  I started tracking my calories back in May but despite eating between 1300-1500, I was gaining.  That was so irritating.  They are putting me on a structured eating plan.  I started on Tuesday and so far so good.  I excel at structured eating plans except when we socialize so I'll need to work on that.  I am going to maximize on this time of limited socialization.  We have been talking walks in the local nature preserves to get some movement because we have a mini trip planned next week, as we are hitting a park in Indiana to hike and stay in their lodge.  We need to get away as we were supposed to be on a plane to visit Europe.  We were going to do 3 weeks in Italy and France.  We had some major fun planned.  Maybe next year?  It was going to be a trip of a lifetime.  It was going to be our family and Chris's best friend Karen.  So here's to things calming down.  241/237/170

 

 Why hello there...missed you.  I’m 44 now...far from the 22 year old who started this journey back in 1999.  Life is amazingly good despite COVID...so much to chat about.  Lots of adventures, way too much fun. 

Delay...Delay...Delay...

The kid room

The kid room

There's been a long delay of moving into our new home.  We had to do a whole re-wire of the home because the former owner placed insulation on the knob and tube.  We contracted with Bradd who turned out to take our money after doing 50% of the job (we gave him two partial draws) and he took off for 3 weeks.  He kept on noting that "I'll be there tomorrow to work".  This went on for 3 weeks.  Completion date got moved 3 times so we ended up firing him.  While in the firing process, we found out that he was only a journey man who did not have liability insurance and he didn't pull a permit.  Our new electrician is on board but he is busy.  He's going to try to work on two rooms this week so we could move in and work around the mess of the rewiring.  We have been staying out at my in-laws home about 20 minutes from our new home.  Luckily they are in Seattle for a month.  I can't wait until we are in our new home though.  I'm tired of living out of a suitcase and the kid needs a routine prior to school.

The kid wanted a "red, white, and blue room" because he noted "I love my country".  I love how the blue turned out.  It's stunning.  It's a Sherwin William's Cashmir paint that matched Behr's Compass color.  In the room we are having some red and white curtains from Land of Nod along with curtain rods from Target that he picked out because "they have crystals on them".  What can I say, he has a great eye!

Our room is going to be a Copen Blue from Sherwin Williams.  We are going to have to refinish the floor as when we pulled the carpet, the floors were not finished in our room.  It just had some stain that was haphazardly placed on it.  We want it to shine and to show the beauty.  The curtains are going to be a french rod from Target.  Curtains are a Sullivan Khaki from JC Penny because those mini builds have to go!

I really like how everything is turning out.  We have the downstairs and kitchen repainted so I will add those pictures soon.  I love how my kitchen turned out!

Things are moving along...

Well, we are set to close on our old home this Friday and we are set to close on our new home on the 18th of July.  We decided to place our home back on the market and go after a home in the neighborhood that I have been stalking for 4 years.   I just gave up on living there because it was impossible to find a 1920/1930s home because we limited our search to 3 streets.  I found out that someone was selling and we were able to link with the man.  We are doing a FSBO with him and we went with our agent to sell our home.  Our home sold within 5 days at the price we were wanting.  So out with the old, in with the...well old but new to us!

I'm really excited about the house.  It was built by a doctor in the 1920's.  The neighborhood is filled with some beautiful gems.  Plus the kid will be able to take advantage of the Kalamazoo Promise where 95% of his tuition will be paid for at a Michigan college because he is starting there in 1st grade.  No college debt for him.  The other positive thing is that Chris can take any job once his company leaves Kalamazoo as we are not doing another move with them.

Front of the home

Kitchen where my retro table will go in

Formal living room

Double ovens and wine (beer fridge!) 

Farm house sink

Bedroom

Oh and Fit Body Bootcamp is amazing!  I'm still going strong and almost 30lbs down :) Woot Woot!  Here's a current pic of me vs. when I was 17 that I came across while moving.

And just another link to add to the chain...

Argh....it's been a rough 9 days.  We were this close getting into our dream house.  Sellers accepted our bid, we had people bidding on our house, and then I get a text from Chris which noted "Call me ASAP".  This has never happened before.  I called him to find out that his office is closing in two years.  F*** me.

Yup.  They are pulling everyone into the hubs.  They can either ride it out, get a sweet ass severance package, or relocate to one of the hubs in Phoenix, Atlanta, or Dallas.  Another F*** me. 

Chris's team is going to Dallas or actually Richardson, Texas.  We could do another relocation with the company but the thought of living in Texas does nothing for us. 

Bah...no more words to express my disgust right now.  This is the second time in our life that this is happening.  Except that before, I lived in my dream home and had my dream job.  Now, I have my 2nd dream job and my second dream house is *POOF* plus we have a six year old who we already are pulling from one school...now to go to another...then a cross country move...I don't think I can do it or want to do it. 

Now Chris has to figure out...does he find a new job, do we ride the wave to the end and get a years pay plus cashing out his vacation time, and do we move.

Yup...

Despite the stress, the workouts and weight is doing great.  I'm down 22 pounds since March 20th.  I'll keep plugging.  The most recent picture is on the left...

One chain of events...

It's funny how one chain of events can lead into something.  We love(d) our son's school.  It was amazing.  Things were rolling great.  He was going to be there until the 8th grade.  The next years teacher strived to create a relationship with each student.  Then right before spring break the head of school pulls us into the office.  It appears that the school struggling financially due to prior administration.  They will be letting go of a teacher and combine 1/2nd grade plus staff has to take a mandatory 10% pay cut.  He noted that it would be awesome for the 1/2nd grade teacher to already have a relationship with the kids.  So we ASSUMED (you know about ASSUME) that it would be the current teacher whom we adore (she is so amazing).  After spring break, we found out that they are letting the first grade teacher go.  Then the current second grade teacher will teach both 1/2nd, though parents just put up with her.  We were not happy. Then the pending 1/2 grade teacher announced her retirement.  Then we found out other information which made us more unhappy and ethically we could not go back to the school next year with a clear conscience.  We didn't want the kid to go to the neighborhood school.  Even though it's rated one of the "best" by state standards, we wanted something different for our son, such as STEM but that was our option.  Then last Saturday, the kid started AYSO in a neighboring district.  Just so happens to be the community where Chris grew up.  The kid was playing on the same field that Chris did as a kid.  Chris did a lot of volunteering with the organization to prep the fields.  He was really impressed with the people.  We get out there and everyone was amazing.  Warm, welcoming, etc.  The kids played well together, they worked as a team and they compliemented the kid at the end.  That night we were sitting in bed and processing the day together.  Chris noted "I might have to eat crow about my[hometown].  The kids and parents were amazing and I want [the kid] to go there".  Funny because when I observed that last week.  I thought the same way.  The schools also offer STEAM for all the children and they have a partnership within the community and companies to have robotics, coding, makers space, etc.  This is what the kid had at his private school but now we can get it at public? Yes please!  This sent on a Zillow search of the area.  We both looked at a home that caught our eye.  It just so happened to have an open house that next day.  We drove out to the open house and it was breath taking.  It had everything I wanted and it even looked like a modern bungalow.  So we called Chris's parents and they came out.  They loved it to.  So we grabbed the relator's information.  She noted that her clients would be okay with a continegency, which would help us.  We discussed the pros/cons of moving after we left.  We are just currently "staying" in our home.  When we moved from GR, we could not really enjoy the transition.  It was stressful, quick, etc.  Nor did we have the time to pick out a house as we had to just pic up a spec home from the builder.  Don't get me wrong, my current house is very beautiful but it's not what we wanted for our forever home.  We called up the relator and noted we were interested.  She made an appointment with us for Tuesday but we cancelled because the kid had his first T-ball game that night so she met with us on Wednesday.  She walked through the house and noted "We can sell this one fast" then we discussed the new house.  We offered a price but knowing we had another price in mind.  She presented the offer to the dream house owners and they countered at the price we had in mind plus threw in the kayaks/paddles, lawn mower, all the sun room furniture, and all the spare bedroom furniture.  Deal!  So our house is slated to list about 1.5 weeks later.  We then start to prep our home.  Yesterday there is a knock at the door and it was a realtor.  They just happen to ask if we are open to selling our house and Chris noted "yes and we are working with a realtor".  They chatted for about 10 minutes and then took our agents number then called her.  Showing on Monday, even before it listed.  Our house is currently in a majorily desired neighborhood and most houses sell within 4 days.  Decluttering is happening this weekend.  Showing on Monday, listing on Friday, and hopefully selling quick.  Here's to new adventures and hopefully getting my dream house!

Amazing....

We loved Fit Body Boot Camp so much we are no official members.  I'm down a total of 14 pounds for the month, 6" in measurements, and over 3% in body fat.  I work out a total of 5-6 times per week too.  I love the program because it never gets old.  It's 30 minutes and you are out the door.  

In part of doing the Fit Body, I incoporated The Whole 30 plan.  So far, I'm 100% following the plan.  I made it through Easter with no issues.  I can walk through Costco and not stop for samples which is impressive. Woot Woot Woot!  I'm planning on doing the plan until school gets out and then add some foods in.  Here's to the next 30 days!

Day 12 out of....

Wow, this Fit Body Bootcamp is amazing.  I cannot believe the results that I am getting from doing their program and incorporating #thewhole30 in the program.  I'm on day 12.  I have to weigh in for the challenge portion of the Fit Body and last week I was down 7lbs...yes, that is 7lbs in one week!  I have no idea of how much I weigh right now but I'm feeling terrific.  I have never, ever, ever had results like this and I'm eating real food which I love to cook.  My favorite meal so far has been the chicken-shawarma.  It takes a marinating time so I marinated the chicken for 24 hours.  By far it was the best tasting chicken ever plus it fits with the program.  The leftovers even tasted delicious!  The second favorite is the homemade spaghetti sauce with roasted spaghetti sauce. I tried using zucchini noodles but I wasn't impressed.

The beautiful thing about being a school social worker is that I get spring break off.  I'm so excited and this was a well deserved break.  Paperwork is done and I have nothing to do except look at a behavior plan while I am out.  I have to say, I have the best gig ever.  I feel so fortunate to be at the school.  This past week, I got to visit some fellow social workers who I clinically supervise in Detroit.  It was neat to visit them in person as I've been Skyping with them since the fall.  I'm just in a great place now compared to where I was 4 years ago.  I always think about April's Fool day of 2013 where I gave my notice to my boss who I didn't click well with.  It was the best decision to get out of that situation.  Nine months was way too long for me to work there.  The next job was good but the commute was just long.  Now I have quality time with the kid.  I think over spring break, I'm going to food prep for the next six weeks.  The kid starts T-ball after break which is two nights a week, he's in lacrosse, AYSO soccer, and he's a lion scout so we are going to be non-stop during the week/weekends.  I haven't put a halt on the activities as he loves all of them so we haven't made him choose yet.  We will be running until June so it will be a quick 9 weeks.  Then summer break!  Can't wait!

Day 5 of Fit Body Boot Camp....

I'm on day 5 of fit body boot camp and things are going terrific! I'm caffeine/ dairy/ processed food/sugar (processed) free this week.  I'm really digging the food and the variety.  Yesterday, I made a homemade turkey tomato sauce with spaghetti squash and it tasted amazing.  This was my lunch today featuring a lovely kale, cabbage, and brussel sprout salad.

The plan is amazing and it's working.  It's the first time ever that I am losing weight when hitting a gym and doing a new meal plan.  The meal plan is similar to the Whole 30 Plan and my body is really responding well to it so far.

The gym is fabulous.  It's nice because my co-workers go and our friend is meeting up with us.  She's 57 and she really rocking it out.

The only thing challenging about the program is that I will probably need to think ahead as the kid has spring sports.  He started lacrosse on Thursday and it will run every Monday/Thursday.  Then tball starts next month sometime. Then comes soccer on Wednesday/Saturday in late April.  It will be an uber busy spring! I think Sunday will be a food prep day and when we get home, we will reheat.  The kid loves sports and he's actually good at it.  His favorites are these three.  I know eventually we will need to narrow them down but right now it's good to expose him to these sports and he loves being active.  He's the type of kid that would be outside non-stop with sports if he could.


It was 76 degrees out today.  The sun was out and there was a perfect wind.  I'm ready for summer.  I have to say the amazing thing about working for school is the breaks.  Never in my life would I have dreamed of having a summer off.  I'm going on my third summer and words cannot say how amazing it is.  We hope to go camping a lot this summer around Michigan so I'm super excited of what's to come.

Fit Body Boot Camp is...

Fit Body Camp is Awesome!  Day 3 of the 28 day challenge and I've been caffeine free for 3 days.  No processed food for 3 days and have been eating clean.  It's pretty similar to the Whole 30 program.  To the left is my yummy dinner from yesterday which was a turkey burger with grilled onions, cauliflower rice, and spring mix salad.  Below are turkey tenderloins with squash/zuchinni with a salad.

The workouts are fast paced but good.  There's a huge amount of support when you are working out.  Today there were two coworkers there and a friend.  Chris had a last minute meeting so he went to the 5:30 meeting.  I'm sore as all heck but I know I'm doing good!

Tomorrow, lacrosse starts for the kid.  It goes from 5:45 - 7:15 so I cooked tomorrow's dinner tonight so that we will be set up for success.

Fit Body Bootcamp Challenge...day 0

I'm getting back on the band wagon.  My coworkers have been extremely successful with Fit Body Bootcamp.   Fit Body Bootcamp is like Curves but no machines, just weights and some equipment.  It's 30 minutes total so you are in and out. I start on the 20th of March. I've been watching my coworkers lose a ton of weight since August.  One coworker lost 50 pounds and even one who is extremely fit lost 10 plus she is getting ripped.  I've wanted to join but I didn't get my motivation until recently because it was impossible to put this first.  I signed up for the little black dress challenge that is a 28 day program.  Chris and our friend signed to try the place out on a groupon deal so we will see what happens!

The interesting thing about my body, it's clung to about the same weight for the past six years.  I did go down when I got sick with my embolism last year but it went back up slowly,  I packed on a few pounds around Christmas time where I went from 215-222 quickly.  I don't know what happened but I gained quickly.  I started swimming again for about 3 weeks and I grew frustrated about the gain.  I ended up hovering about 225 after that, which totally sucked.  Eating wise...well...been eating out a little too much so I am welcoming the change and the challenge.

Life has been awesome in some areas and a bummer in others.  The bad: we had to put our cat to sleep a few weeks back.  He was slowly getting worse since fall and we found out the week of his death after doing multiple tests that he had cancer.  I loved that cat so much.  I also found out that my uncle is dying of liver cancer so this stuff has weighed heavily on me for the past few months.  The good: the kid is doing well in kindergarten.  We love the school and it was the best choice ever to send him to the school.  He has 12 in his class and the teacher is amazing.  We adore her.  Chris is on the PTO so it's nice to be involved.  We are also keeping busy with sports for the kid.  He's in lacrosse, soccer, tball, and hockey. Luckily the hockey season just ended but lacrosse, soccer, and tball will keep us busy.  He really enjoys doing it and it's entertaining to watch.  Work is awesome.  I love being a school social worker.  It's the best job....EVER...I love my team of coworkers.  They are the best.