Life is a Journey not a Destination

What is about kids laughter that makes us smile? I ended up having 5 girls over all afternoon and they had such fun together (except when Christy had a MAJOR meltdown and had to be sent to her room to cool off). It was such a beautiful day outside and I was glad to see them taking advantage of the weather. Amy set up an obstacle course outside for them and they had fun doing that. They also dressed up, played doctors and nurses, did craft and who knows what else. While I didn’t get my time sitting outside enjoying the weather (not until about 5pm anyway) I still had a lovely day and got a bit accomplished around the house - including a great workout at the gym, a couple of bike rides (to take Amy to and from singing & drama), a scrapbook page, tidying the girls craft cupboard and making some treats for my Dad’s birthday lunch tomorrow.

Urgh!! I can’t believe how full I felt after the birthday lunch at my Dad’s. I did eat more than I would have liked - cause the food was sooo yummy - but I don’t think I ate”that” much - even Mum didn’t think I’d eaten too much. But obviously it was WAY more than I’m used to eating at one meal. Definitely won’t be doing that again in a hurry.

Had a great workout at the gym this morning. Did lower body, then 10 mins on treadmill and 10min on rower. Also rode to school and back twice, plus to the park. I nearly missed yesterdays cardio cause Kevin went to the work early but since my heal has been pretty good I decided to try the Walk Away the Pounds 3-Mile DVD that I used to do. Feel like I still got a good workout and my heal was fine.

Have found a few little treats creeping into my diet the last couple of days but I’m hoping all the extra exercise will offset that. I’m not looking for a big loss tomorrow (not after last weeks outstanding result) but it would be good to see a small loss.

It’s that time of month - which probably explains my mood earlier in the week - but I had a very nice end to the week. Some of the school Mums and I went to see Robin Williams new movie “Licence to Wed” - it was so funny and rather over the top - perfect Robin Williams - plus of course there was romance and a happy ending so I was a happy girl. After the movie we went to a local Chinese restaurant and I had a delicious Vegetable Chow Mein. I then went looking unsuccesfully for a new kitchen table but I bought some new cushions and a blanket (we all fight over Daddy’s) for the loungeroom so it wasn’t a total waste of time.

Rode up to school to pick up the girls. Amy had dancing and I washed the car (which it desperately needed). Back home and the girls went next door to Nan’s. Kevin and I had planned to go for dinner but he was feeling really tired so we stayed home, had a spa and watched “Catch and Release” - another romance.

Another good day. Cleaned house this morning finally getting to the gym around 11.45am. Changed my routine for upper body so I’m sure I’ll be sore tomorrow. Did upright rows for shoulders and boy could I feel it though it didn’t seem very hard. Most odd.  Also took Rosie for a quick run/ride. Tomorrow I’m going to the movies and out for lunch. The plan is to have a protein bar and a diet coke. Lunch will no doubt be determined by whatever vegetarian choices are available. Oh, dear, just realized I’m also going out for dinner with Kevin. We’ll probably do Indian and I always have vegetable korma so that’s not too bad.

Not much to report this week. Getting in all meals (though did miss one while on Canteen today). Missed lower body yesterday. Scales are up but I refuse to pay any attention to them. I know I’m doing well and the gain is either leftover from free day or because that time of month is approaching. I am however crossing my fingers that I see a nice number on Sunday.

I’ve been feeling a bit unappreciated around here lately. On Monday I had to tidy up everyone’s stuff before I could start on the cleaning - this always puts me  in a bad mood - not the cleaning, the picking up of other peoples stuff. By late afternoon (when I’d gone to the trouble to make a family favourite dinner) I was feeling very tired and feet were very sore, then I hurt my back, and the house looked the same as before I’d started in the morning. No-one said much about dinner (and after the cleaning it was an effort to make it). I went to bed that night feeling rather sorry for myself. Kevin and I haven’t spent any quality time together since probably April - we were on holidays, then my Mum & Dad (ie the babysitters) were away for over 3 months. Lack of time together has made us a little short with one another and he’s been making little comments that make me feel unappreciated - this morning it was that I should get a job. Hello?? What am I doing? I know I have an easy life but I do work hard as well and having problems with my feet makes things a lot harder for me. I reakon I have on average 1-2 hours free a day - not too much I think. I guess in theory I could work one day a week. But as all Mum’s know we don’t really get the weekends off. On top of all this the kids haven’t been very helpful doing their routines plus Christy’s been rather rude and naughty.

Now, having said all this, Kevin’s comment this morning got me thinking and it dawned on me that I’m probably not the only one feeling unappreciated. Kevin works 6 days a week leaving home around 7am and normally home around 6pm. His wage gets paid straight into our bank account and promptly spent by myself. Now, while most is spent on our kids I sure it must annoy him sometimes that he never even sees the money he earns. While we both are very happy in our “traditional” family roles it’s become apparent that I really need to show my own appreciation more . I know he gets very stressed to come home from work to find a grumpy wife yelling at the kids - which is what he got on Monday. Maybe if I show my appreciation both for him and the kids I might get some appreciation back.

Wow, had a great week. Followed BFL really well. Got in 6 meals every day - love my ricotta desserts - and only missed one cardio session (Kevin had to leave for work at 5am). And the result - a loss of 2.4kg (5.3lbs). I even stepped on the scales a second time to make sure I had read it right. And I did. I don’t know the last time I lost that much weight in one week. I have now lost all the weight I regained in weeks 5 & 6 plus some more. I’m hoping for another great week ahead.

Wow, it’s been quite a busy few days since I last blogged. On Friday I had my friends over to scrapbook - only 3 of us this time but still lots of fun. In the afternoon I took Amy to her pediatrition and he’s ordered quite a few tests to try and find out what’s wrong with her.

On Saturday we all went for a bike ride on our new bikes (which Kevin had just picked up on Friday afternoon). Went well but Kevin and I realized our bikes had the wrong bike seats so we just switched them over. I then went to the gym while Amy was at singing then took to girls up to Sydney for a friends Bowling Party, then back to their place for a while after. We didn’t end up getting home until after 5pm. Kevin cooked us a BBQ and we watched some TV.

On Sunday we didn’t have any plans but decided to go to the Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour. Amy wanted to see the Endeavor replica again - she had been on a school excursion. We had lunch at Pancakes on the Rocks when we arrived then went on the Endeavor  - hard to imagine sailing all around the world on such a small ship with 90 people on board - still rather luxurious compared to convict ships.

We had a wander around the museum and the kids stopped to do craft. On the way home we stopped at Miranda so Kevin could spend his ABC vochure. Also went to Lincraft and got some more knitting supplies and other assorted craft items. Got a bargin to take home for dinner from a chinese place - 3 meals for $10 - I got my favourite Veggie Noodles. Another long but good day.

Up early this morning to go to the gym for cardio. Then running around yelling at the kids to get ready. Rode to school and have just got back. Not really wanting to clean the house as it’s rather messy with kids stuff. I know it won’t be too bad once I start, I just rather start cleaning an already tidy house. Best get to it so I can take Rosie for her run before lunch.

Okay, I had to return some library CDs (they got missed going back a few weeks ago) and right beside it was the mobile blood bank. I’d always wanted to give blood but never knew where to go, plus I wasn’t sure if I could with the Factor 5 gene that I have (makes you more likely to have blood clots). Anyway, turns out the gene would be okay but since I’ve had a blood clot they say it’s too risky for me to donate. But they did tell me to tell all my family and friends - so here I am asking all my cyber (and real-life) friends to please donate blood if you’re able. I’m sure you can look them up the telephone book if you don’t know where your local place is.