October UnProsessed Challenge

I was surfing the web, on Sunday September 9, and found this awesome challenge. I think I am going to jump in with both feet. I love the idea of unprocessed food and homemade has always tasted better to me. If you want to join the challenge, go to Eating Rules and sign up. I will try to link up with them as often as possible.

I would like to have a freezer full of food to help with our new school year, making of the lunches and breakfasts, and those busy nights when there is not time to prep a full meal, but time to eat one!

So in my searching I have found some great food blogs.  I started following 100 Days of Real Food..., and found Heavenly Homemakers this summer too.  I am LOVING Laura's recipes at HH.  Over the weekend, I made my first batch of tomato soup from her site.  4 our of 5 of us liked it.  I have 3 quart jars and one pint canned on my shelf.  It was super simple to make.  Now I am hunting down tomatoes to do some more.  We have grilled cheese and tomato soup once a week in the winter, it seems.  It is an easy go to meal for super busy nights.  

Both of the blogs above have gotten me started on the clean eating and cooking process again.  Now that I am without children in the daytime, I am hoping to read more of their blogs and glean some recipes and tips to use in my own kitchen.  I am looking forward to this challenge in October, especially with it being Halloween month!

Off n Running,
AnnMarie

Now what?

Swim chick one month old, 2001

Chess Master, a day old, 2003

Dancing Princess, a day old, 2006

Summer 2012

I can't believe how big my kids are getting.  And now that they are all out of the house, I am not sure where that leaves me.  I envision time to clean up and organized my home.  I envision time to read a good book, go to yoga, take a cake decorating class, knit up some socks, start on homemade Christmas gifts.  I see myself canning and cooking for Once a Month meal planning.  I see myself taking out unwanted toys and books to share with other families by dropping off at St. Vincent de Paul or Goodwill.  I really see myself taking time to get to know who I am again.  But as we all know, the best laid plans do not always go the way you thought they might.

My DH mentioned, a few weeks ago, that he would like me to get a job.  I am currently only working as a massage therapist 3 sometimes 4 days a week at a health club in town.  I love my job there.  I get free membership to the club, I get discounts on extra classes, I get free child care when I need it, and I think my clients like what I do for them too.  I have been doing massage for almost 19 years and my body is starting to feel it.  I have been trying to trade with other therapists to keep myself in top form, but I have come to the conclusion that I can't add anymore hours to my massage practice.  If I want to keep running and doing massage, I have to take care of me, so 3 days a week it is.

I need to chat more with my husband to see exactly what his thoughts are on my new found "freedom".  Just the other day, he was all upset.  He said, "I think I am frustrated because I don't know the new schedule."  I didn't comment directly but did say, "I don't know the schedule either."  I really got the feeling that he thought I had the last week off.  Dancing Princess and I had our normal Wednesday, in my mind.  Normally we get the big kids on the bus and head to my massage job, returning around 2:30 or 3 in the afternoon.  Last week, we had her first day of school and ran some errands and were home by 3:30.  Thursday I was invited to a women's group and had something at the club at 11, I was not home for more than a few hours.  Friday, a work day, I was gone from 8:30 in the morning until 4pm.  Not sure when he thought I would be home to clean and cook.

We also have different visions of what the house should look like.  I have to remind him that we have 3 kids.  I think he forgets that they are not grown ups and expects them to remember to pick up when they are done with something.  I want them to remember having fun times being creative and playing together.  I dread that they grow up and tell their kids, "When I was your age, I couldn't have my toys out in the open.  I had to sneak them into my room or hide them!"  (OK, that is a huge exaggeration, but kids tend to do that!)

So, in my near future I see a much needed talk with DH about what he expects of me now that the kids are in school.  I have been getting excited about making doctor appointments, because this is the first time in 11 years that I get to go alone.  Since Swim Chick was born in 2001, I have taken the children with me on every doctor and dentist appointment.  As they have gotten older, they waited somewhat quietly until I am done, but they were with me.  I know some may think this is crazy, but I feel that I have nothing to hide and it can be educational too.  How many of you HATE the dentist?  I don't mind, and when Swim Chick was tiny, I brought her in the car seat carrier thing.  She watched as the dentist cleaned, flossed and polished my teeth.  She saw that I was not in pain or being hurt and we got to go home with a new tooth brush!  Because of this, I think my kids look forward to seeing the dentist every 6 months.  And they don't get anxious about going to the doctor either.  On the other side, Swim Chick is terrified of getting shots.  I had my thyroid removed in 1999, and have to "donate" my blood samples for testing of thyroid levels to be sure I am on the right amount of medicine.  Again, she has been with me since infancy.  I sit in a chair, stretch out my arm and they tie a blue band around it.  I wince and look the other way so that I don't see them poke the needle in to get the sample.  Is this why she doesn't like shots?  Maybe?  Maybe not?  But Chess Master and Dancing Princess have been there too.  And they don't scream bloody murder, when it is time for shots.  They wince and tear up, but no screaming!

Anyway, how do you fill your days?  Do you have a job that lets you put your kids on the bus and be home when they get off in the afternoon? 

Off n Running,
AnnMarie

A new school year

The first day of school for my older two was September 4.  Man were they excited.  So much so that they went to bed BEFORE 8pm.   Because I am training for a half marathon, I told the kiddos that I need them to help me out by making their own lunches this year.  Dancing Princess was a bit concerned as it is her first year of school!  I told her I would help.

First Day of School!  ChessMaster is in 4th grade, Swim Chick is in 6th and Dancing Princess is starting K5!

 A week or so ago, I started to "stock" up on lunch box items.  My kids like chips and snacky things in their lunches.  I found some lunch box sized chips at the grocery and had the extra money to purchase these.  They were excited and actually didn't touch them until it was time to make school lunch.  Over Labor Day weekend, we visited my cousin, who has a Costco card.  I picked up two cases of Annie's Bunny Crackers, one case of Annie's fruit snacks and two huge bags of Veggie Straws!  This should last us until I can save up and head there again!  LOL!!

So on September 3, ChessMaster and Swim Chick made their own lunches.  I think I may have completed #65  in my 101 in 1001.  I will keep you updated on that!!!!  Dancing Princess had a rolling start to her school year.  They divided the K5 classes in half, so some started with a Parent Orientation on the 4th and some on the 5th then they all went to school together on the 6th.  Confusing I know, but she was fine with it and we made it work. 

After one week down, I think they are all happy with their teachers and the process.  I know it is going to take us some time to get used to the new routine.  I am going to post about how I hope to fill my days tomorrow!  I am an empty-nester in the daytime now, most days, so that is a post waiting in the wings!   Dancing Princess wants to go to school EVERY day.  Friday night after getting off the bus, she informed me that tomorrow is a day off of school, and that they go the day after that.  On Saturday night, she wanted to know if there was school tomorrow.  I am glad to hear she is liking it.  :)

Getting the new routine down is always a challenge.  Chess Master is going to play soccer again this fall.  We are with the school/park and rec team for the first time, so new schedules and routines there.  Swim Chick starts a new swim season this next week.  Need to get her registered and to practice 4 days a week.  And Dancing Princess wants to go to dancing school.  Got to find out more about that this week. 

How was your first week or two of the new school year?

Off n Running,
AnnMarie

Shaklee Saturday

Joint & Muscle Pain Cream

Today I want to tell you all about this amazing product.  I love it.  As a massage therapist, I trust this product and when clients come in to see me, I ask if they would like some on the problem area.  It is safe and kid friendly too.  SwimChick and BallBoy have asked me to put it on their sore muscles after meets, practice or games.  You all know I sell the stuff, but I wanted to share a testimony from a friend of mine:

It was another Friday night at the gym watching my daughter practice and all was going well. I looked over at one of her teammates talking to her mom.  She was holding her arm and crying. I went over to see what was going on. The gymnast told her mother that her shoulder was hurting and that she could not even raise her arm to scratch her nose. I asked the mother if she would like to try what I use on my aches and pains. She said she would give it a try because there was a big gymnastics meet the next day. She rubbed the joint and muscle cream on her daughter's shoulder.   

Then, I sat back and watched this little dynamo start rotating her arm around slowly at first and then faster and faster.  She ended up going back out to the gym to finish the practice. The next morning, I asked the mother how her daughter was feeling. She said she was a little sore and stiff, so I offered her the joint and muscle cream again. The mom said "yes" and put it on her daughters shoulder again.  Her daughter went out to compete, and she did fantastic. 

She ended up taking first place on all four events and placed first in the all around while setting the scoring record of the gym for her level!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JOINT AND MUSCLE PAIN CREAM REALLY WORKS!

Bob Kofoed

Thanks Bob, what a great story.  I know my running will be easier to recover from with this on my shelf too.  

Off n Running,

AnnMarie

What are you running for?

I signed up to receive a quote of the day from RunnersWorld.com.  This is today's quote:

"I believe in using races as motivators. It's hard to keep an exercise program if you don't have a significant goal in sight."

Bob Greene, fitness instructor


I had to share and blog about it, because it still truly amazes me how much everything is connected in life, and this quote just fits with my life at the moment.

A few weeks back, I went for a run into the park near my house.  Depending on the device I am using, it is roughly a 3 mile loop from the house into and around the park and back.  It was later than my usually 5:30am run, and in my opinion the park was crowded!  LOL.  (There are about 3 people I usually see on my runs, that day there were more than 3!)  As I ran my loop I was passing walkers and saying good morning, and then up ahead I came across a lady running.  When I got to her, I said good morning, and commented on the cooler weather.  It was not 75 at 7am!  She fell in step with my pace and we chatted for the next few miles.  I found out that she has a Husky, named Jake.  She is an early riser like me and enjoys running.  She gave me her email and phone number and we decided to stay in touch.

I emailed her as soon as I got home!  I have lived in my neighborhood for 11 years, and this was the first time I found an early riser who wants to run.  I couldn't let this one get away.  Mrs. H and I have been meeting at 6am for the past 3 or 4 weeks.  During our runs we chat about our families and work and it helps the time go faster.  One day I mentioned that I would like to run another half marathon.  I have not been on a regular running routine in years. (12 years ago I was training for the Flying Pig Marathon and my running partner had to have foot surgery.  Then we found out we were having a baby and I hung up my shoes.  Bad decision, but I will have to tell that story another day!)  I had been eying up the Tyrenena Beer Run, but had not committed to it yet.  She was game, so we are now officially signed up to run the half barrel race on November 3, 2012.  

This quote says he uses races as motivation.  I am motivated to finish my second half marathon.  Mrs. H is helping me achieve the goal.   We are following this program that she found.  We need to find a 10K in September as part of our training, got any suggestions?

I am excited to be running again, for real.  I have dabbled in running for the past 11 years.  SwimChick's birth changed so much in my life.  I love my kids and they are old enough now that I can start to focus on me.  Running has been a part of me for a long time.  (My 25 year High School class reunion was this summer!)  I became a runner as a freshmen in High School.  It wasn't until I joined the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire track team in the fall of 1987, that I understood running.  I miss that time out on a run with my friends and my thoughts.  I miss the way my body looked too.  As the quote states, I need a race to keep me motivated.  Having a running partner again, helps too!

Mrs. H, thanks for being in the park that day and becoming my running partner.  I look forward to our early morning runs and chats.  Thanks!

Off n Running,
AnnMarie   

101 in 1001 Update

Well, I have not forgotten about my list, I just have not been very good at updating it!

If you go to the link at the top of this page you will see that I have crossed out the items that I have completed.  Some of them are still in the works and some I am not sure that I still want to do.  But I made this list and we will move on from there.

Here are some more photos from Brewer games we went to this year (2012): 

Outside Miller Park in May.  Just me and the kiddos.

Gotta love the Racing Sausages!

I like this shot, might have to remember it for the Christmas Card this year. 

More Racing Sausages!!!!

Practicing his pitching!

I have crossed off #39!  I took the kids to a Brewer Game with the MOMS Club on half price day, May 23, 2012.  Then my parents took us as a whole family to a night game on July 2, 2012.  Both games were fun.  The photos above are from the day game.  We walked around the concourse and did some fun stuff for a bit. 

Off n Running,
AnnMarie

How is your bucket list coming along?

Happy August to you all,

We have had a busy summer.  Baseball, swim practice, dance, ...  That is just the stuff we HAD to do.  We have been taking time to have fun too.  We have been babysitting the neighbor kids this summer too.

Just before school let out in the spring, I had the kids write down 10 things they wanted to do this summer.  We have done some of the items and since it is the beginning of August, I thought I would post some of what we have done.

They both listed swimming, visit the farm, go to Great America, go to the zoo...  Enjoy.

I will post a few photos here...

Ballboy at bat, early in the season.  Nice green grass there.

Swimchick and Dancing Princess at a Girl Scout 100 Year Celebration at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI.

In May, I registered Dancing Princess for Girl Scouts.  She is so excited.  She gets to be like the big girls now. 

At a beach on Lake Michigan, playing in the sand.

 We went to a Nature Center.  Here the kids are looking for frogs in one of the dried up ponds.   

 We ate lunch there too.

We then went on a walk to the tower, it was all enclosed so not too scary!  It was a fun day.

Playing at the mall fountain is always fun.  Especially on these crazy hot days!

Grandma & Grandpa took us to a Brewer Game.  It was great, we stayed the WHOLE game AND they won!!!

Sleepy boy!  Got up early and fell back asleep on the couch.  We have had the air conditioner running, so he was cold and snuggled into his Chess blanket.

Our latest adventure was a trip to Six Flags Great America.  We had fun, even though we spent more time in line than on rides.  Got to cross off this activity on their 10 things they want to do this summer!

Off n Running to another fun activity!
AnnMarie