*Fitness Update and a new Challenge*

Well, I think we have again switched gears and decided that Fred is going to try the gym instead of me quitting and us buying a piece of equipment. I'm spoiled regarding the equipment that is available to me at the gym...top of the line Precor ellipticals, treadmills, circuit machines, free weights, TRX, and to try and even come close to replicating that at home for ONE piece of equipment, we were looking at a miniumum of $2500 for a elliptical machine, so I'm going up to the gym Monday and talk to Chris about a trial membership for Fred. We have given ourselves this weekend to motivate ourselves into committing to a fitness routine that we both will like and continue with.

We're also going to do a little food challenge over the next few months. The first weekend it was out, I went and saw Julie & Julia (side note: I adored it, loved it, didn't want it to be over....I do not know what the critics were talking about who slammed it)...anyhoo, Julie cooked her way through Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" and blogged about it. Well, Fred and I have decided to do our own healthy version of that challenge....which brings me to another sub story of this post.

Neither Fred or I have ever watched the reality show The Biggest Loser, but my thinking is....{{insert evil laugh}}...that we start to watch the show (who's contestants have a hell of a lot more weight that either of us have to lose) and it may help with Fred's motivation. I know from my co-workers who do watch that some of it isn't realistic because they are at a camp where all they do is try and lose the weight, but they have also said that there are good tips and things regarding getting healthy. We like some reality TV, so this might be fun to watch for a season and see if we like it.

So how does all of my rambling tie in together? well, in anticipation of watching, I've purchased a copy of The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook and we are going to cook our way through all of the recipes in the book and I'll blog about it, or at least when I remember to...lol!

I don't know how many recipes we'll do each week, this week we're only doing one, Pineapple Teriyaki Pork Chops, but some weeks we'll try more than one. We may prepare a recipe for breakfast or lunch also. I think it will be fun!

Today I completed a MAJOR PURGE of my scraproom and did some rearranging. I was unhappy that I couldn't easily access my homemade clip it up over my workspace. I love my table, but it is wide and hard to reach across especially to the things I had clipped up above it, so I did some moving things around and I loving it....I need to clean it up some more before I'll take photos. It felt good to purge and reorganize.

Those of you that are attending the crop in Perry that Judy is hosted are going to be able to take advantage of my purge.

Have any of you did any major purging or reorganizing of any area of your home? I really feel good about what we got done this summer, from the installing of the long awaited garden shed out back, the guest room redo, Connor's headboard redo, rearranging and reorganizing the family room and cleaning out the garage (a ongoing task that will never die.)

No more projects until after the first of the year. Then I may tackle a new kitchen island.....but shhhh....I don't want to tell Fred yet, he'll just roll his eyes.

Here's the last layout that I entered in the Iowa State Fair in the two page division (I see that one of the borders is crooked, but it wasn't like that, must have happened when I pulled it out of the protector, too lazy to re-photograph):

Last Day of Summer Vacation

and all that it implies. No more late nights, sleeping in, lounging around, lazy days at the pool...bummer for Connor....lol! I, on the other hand am glad to be back on a regular schedule and that I am home for awhile. No more work travel until late October.

To commemorate the day, Connor and I spent a couple of hours at the pool. It was a gorgeous day and reward for getting all of the household chores done.

Spent some time outside in the yard this morning as it had been neglected while I was gone, picked a butt load of tomatoes, yellow squash and cucumbers. My peppers plants aren't doing to well and my zucchini died. Can't figure out what happened there, but oh well, I'm planning a trip to the Downtown Farmer's Market next Saturday for some green beans (I want to try and make dilled green beans), a zucchini or two and an eggplant. I want to make a eggplant parmesan recipe that I found. It's heart healthy and good for you and if it's any good, I'll share it with you later.

Today is also the last day of the Iowa State Fair. I have to run out to the fairgrounds tomorrow to pick up my scrapbook pages.

Here are the pages I entered:

Fair Themed Pages. This is the category that I had never entered before, but this one obviously didn't wow them. Each side has flaps that you flip out to reveal more pictures. The pages highlight our 5 favorite things about the Iowa State Fair.







One Page Layout. This is a page I did of my nephew Gunner. I've won this category in previous years, but nada this year.


Use of Embellishments. This is another category that I've won a couple of times in previous years and the only one that I received a Honorable Mention ribbon this year.



I thought I had taken a picture of the two page layout I did for that category, but I didn't, so until I get them back I can't share that one with all of you.

I've actually sat down over summer and completed some pages. Not a lot, but I was trying to do at least one a week. I've also just started working on Christmas 08 and I don't like to do Christmas, but I got some really good photos that will make great pages so I'm sorta forced to do them.

Here's some other things I've worked on over summer...


My niece's 8th birthday. Used some really old Reminencse paper. It felt good to use a bunch of that.


I page about my hubby. The colors in the photo lended themselves perfectly to the Basic Grey Granola Collection pack that I've had sitting around.


Here's a two pager of Gunner's Miracle League baseball team. He has a blast at this!


I loved these photos of Oreo and Connor. I think I finished this page in about 20 minutes. It was pretty simple.


Here's some photos of some boys that some of you may recognize. They don't have kitty doors at their house and when they came down for dinner with their parents one night, they were fasinated with the door. I've got some hidden journaling behind one of the photos to identify who, where and what.


A photo of Kirby being naughty under the tree. I used Basic Grey's Figgy Pudding for this page.


Have a full week of work and errands, but looking forward to the Little Feat concert that Fred and I are going to a week from tomorrow night!

Fitness with Hubby Update

Since we were doing so much walking Friday at the fair and yes, I know we probably ate at least the calories we walked off if not more, we didn't go any formal exercise until today. Fred and I went on a 35 minute bike ride after dinner tonight.

He grumbled a bit and started the "come on, let's get this over" crap he does, but he went....I decided to ride out for 15 minutes on the bike trail and then turn around and ride back, that way we were far from home and HAD to ride back, thus forcing at least a 30 minute ride....{{{evil laugh}}

Do I have any takers for a bet that he won't do ANYTHING the 5 days I'm gone and will have every excuse in the world why he couldn't??? Any takers??? I thought so.

On the iPod playlist today:
First Snow - TranSiberian Orchestra
Remedy - Seether
Stand - Alice Cooper
Two Sides of Love - Sammy Hagar
Crazy - Seal (covered by Alanis Morrisete - which IMO is far superior to Seal's version, no disrespect intended, I just like it better)
Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
Wasting My Time - Default
Kiss Me Deadly - Lita Ford

Later.....

So what have we been up to?

Mostly gearing up for school that starts next Monday. It's hard to believe that Connor is going to be in 8th grade. We're ready, clothes, shoes and supplies bought, locker located at school, lunch money deposited in account and backpack ready to roll!

Today my guys are taking in a movie without me. They both wanted to see District 9. It's not my kind of movie so I passed, besides that will give me some time at home ALONE.

I've got our home project 95% done, so I'm ready to show photos of before and after. I've been wanted to give this room some attention since we moved in 5 years ago.

Here's a couple of before photos:




and here are the after photos (now before anyone comments, I know the pictures are crooked in the photos, I've fixed the wall since taking these photos, just too lazy to retake the photos):



I've been collecting things that I wanted to go on the wall for several months. Some of the things I made, some I found at IKEA and others I already had and just repurposed on to this wall. I think it's fun!





We've had this armoire forever. Purchased it long before Connor was born at an unfinished furniture warehouse in Oskaloosa. We never did finish it until now. It's pretty bold, but that's why I like it so much. The room is painted Valspar's Green Gardens.



This is a wall decal that I found at Target and it was almost exactly what I was looking for and it was cheap...$11.99



The other side of the room and the door to the private bath.



The perfect body pillowcase and a cheap find at Walmart.....$6.99



The lampshade I picked up at IKEA when we were there in May. I'm not happy with the lampbase because the shade doesn't quite fit it, but it fine for now. The nightstand with marble top is another piece that we've had forever. That piece actually was already painted red, so I didn't have to do anything other than clean it good.



I'm so glad to have this project done and now it looks like a guestroom rather than a catch all room. Now, if I can just convince Fred to get started on the basement.....hmmmmm????

I've been done some scrapbooking this weekend also and will share sometime later this week if I get a chance.

Leaving for Fort Worth in the morning and will be back Friday night around 6:00. I'm glad it's not later than that.

Have a good week!

Bad Bad Blogger

Don't really have time to update, but wanted to say that Fred exercised with me 3 times this week with no complaint....and may be rethinking the gym....YEA!

It is a hot SOB today!

I think I've finally made a breakthrough.....

with my dear loving husband who I've been begging, nagging, sweet talking, cajoling, screaming, crying and a number of other methods in trying to wake him up regarding his health and fitness.

As you that know me, know I exercise pretty regularly. I have my bouts of not feeling well or can't get motivated, but for the most part, I'm doing something at least 3 times a week, but the love of my life does NOTHING. Now, when he was a carpenter and younger, it wasn't such a big deal, but he's now a computer programmer and just turned 50...things have to change.

I am super proud that he quit smoking cigarettes 2 1/2 years ago (I'm not totally convinced that he doesn't have one once in a while with a buddy, but he's not buying them, smoking them here or smelling like smoke, so I'm good.

What I'm not good with is his eating habits or his lack of exercise. He has no desire to go the gym and he acts like taking walks with me is the biggest pain the ass he's ever had to experience. He like to bike ride, so that's good and I can get him on the bike.

This last weekend I handed him a couple of books to read...one was a book put out by Prevention magazine about walking and fitness and the other was one the Biggest Loser books. Now, neither he or I have the kind of weight to lose that the contestants on the Biggest Loser have to lose. We both would be THRILLED with 30 pounds, but I thought the recipes in the book sounded good and the fitness goals of 30-40 minutes of activity 6 days a week is doable. Believe it or not, he sat down and read both of those books and he's now on board!

He adamant about not going to the gym, so we are considering buying an elliptical machine and I will suspend my membership to the gym for awhile. I'm willing to do that if it means that he will get active with me!

Tonight I got him to go on a 25 minute bike ride with me and he didn't even fuss when I asked. That's progress!

Stay tuned folks......

Finally......

I am actually sitting here in my scrap room working on a few pages and it feels good. Other than the pages I finished for the Iowa State Fair last night, I haven't done anything in about a month. It's too damn hot to do anything outside, I don't want to go to the pool, so we're all chilling at the house today.

I have been working on finishing up the home project I did and I am going to share it but I'm just not done yet and when I do show you pics there won't be any window treatments because I haven't purchased those yet and it will probably be a couple of months before I do.

I showed you the before picture (now you know it's the guest room I've been working on)...





I'll hopefully have it back together by the end of this weekend. We were going to go the the Valle Drive In tonight to see G.I. Joe and Transformers, but it too hot, so we'll do movie night here and maybe go see G.I. Joe tomorrow at matinee.

Have a great weekend!

I'm such a shopper.......

Those that really know me, know I like to shop, but that said, I'm also the biggest "Bargain Betty" that you'll meet. I like to get the most for my money....I watch the ads, clip coupons, watch for 3 hour sales, etc. Going to an outlet mall is like nirvana for me especially when I know I have to spend money on things like school shopping or wanting something new for either Fred, me or the house.....like flatware...or new dishes {{hint hint}}

Well, we definitely got our money's worth out of that trip, it was definitely worth the $25 bucks in gas it cost us, plus we had a great time together hanging out at the water park, in our hotel room, eating out and shopping.

Big savings at Old Navy, Tommy Hilfiger, Bass, Rockport, Rue21 and I found the PERFECT white capris that I was on the hunt for and only had to pay $9.00 for them....SCORE!

Fred scored on two new pairs of work pants, a very cool Pink Floyd T-shirt, a new belt, new sandals, new sunglasses and he got to eat at Steak and Shake....lol

Connor got a butt load of school clothes.....3 pairs of shorts, 1 new hoodie, 5 new t-shirts, 2 new shirts and new skate shoes..all for less than $150 bucks.

I scored on those white capris, a really cool graphic top with cats (cool, not cute...KWIM), a bitching all season black blazer (perfect for work) that I can pair with a million things....for $19 bucks, a new pair of Rockports and a couple new workout t-shirts.

We also found our flatware after searching for several months. We looked at IKEA back in May but didn't like anything we saw there, then we checked out JCPenney, Target, Kohl's, etc, but neither of us liked anything we saw or the price wasn't right. We were at the Corningware/Revere store and they had a bunch of flatware sets on sale for 20% off, plus I had a coupon for another 20% off any item in the store. We found a 45 piece set that we liked and went to pay for it and after she rang it up, she said "Hey, for only $4.00 more, you could buy the 65 piece set, would you rather do that?"....uh...yea....no brainer....and bless your heart for mentioning it, so we walked out of there with a $129.99 set of flatware for $46.00 bucks....SCORE!

Since we saved a bunch of money, I decided to look at the FiestaWare that I've been wanting forever. Our everyday dishes are Longaberger (purchased when I was a consultant) and to be honest, I'm tired of a bunch of it and it looks dated as I chose a woven design and not a solid like they have now. I've been eyeing Fiestaware for quite a while, but waiting until I could get the best deal I could and coincidentally, it was on deep discount at Younkers. 5 piece place setting that are normally $48 dollar on sale for $27 and a free mug with every place setting and I had a couple of coupons they were honoring, so I purchased 7 places settings. The only reason I didn't buy 8 was I didn't like the colors that were left....I bought a place setting in the following colors - Scarlett, Lemongrass, Shamrock, Cobalt, Sunflower, Peacock, Tangerine, but I didn't like the evergreen (retiring) or the chocolate of ivory, so I will wait until Fiestaware introduces another color to get the 8th place setting. I also picked up a large pasta bowl and two smaller bowls in Peacock and a vegetable dish in Scarlett.

Here's my new dishes all nice and organized in my cabinet.





But back to my old Longaberger....never fear, it's going to a good home...my brother LOVES the stuff (I let him keep all of our mother's - she had quite a bit from buying from me or gifts from me), so I gifted my brother with 5 dinner plates, 5 luncheon plates, 2 soup bowls, a pasta dish and some mugs. He was thrilled as he has busted a few dinner plates recently and was down to two.


Here's a couple of picture of our upstairs hallway. I've moved some art around from the family room to the upstairs hallway and at the end of the hallway is a framed poster of a Stick's print called "What We Love About Iowa" that was a fund raiser for the Downtown School when Connor attended. I'm so glad a bought it, because it's unavailable now and I love it where it is. The hall table holds Connor's school portfolio and a couple of family bibles (yea, can you believe it? - but I hate to get rid of them), my precious "angel baby" photo of Connor when we was 6 months old and some other favorite things. The wrought iron 2 tiered stand has had a home in my scrap room and the kitchen and found it's way here where I believe it's going to stay.





We finished up Phase #2 of the home project today. I'm not ready to share pictures yet because I need to get everything cleaned up and I'm too bushed to do it tonight, but I have one more day off and I'm hoping to get things put back then. There is a Phase #3 of the project, but more about that later...