Movin' on Up

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Scentsitivity

So, this has been quite a week...

I'm going to get back on top of things (life, goals, sanity) very soon, but I just felt like sharing something very random with you today.

This isn't going to be news for some, but will probably be a little known fact for most of you... You see, I have this gift. A Spidey Sense if you will. It is be a pain, but mostly it brings a great deal of satisfaction. This give of mine is an uber-sensitive sniffer.

This gift has saved my life- GAS LEAK. It has been a tormentor- NO ONE ELSE SMELLS DEAD RAT?! But mostly it has made me happy- SCENTED PENCILS!

When I was teaching, I was infamous for having every smelly product known to man. Stickers, Pencils, Erasers, Markers, Goo... It was my THING. All the kids and teachers knew about it. I kind of miss having a good reason to buy that stuff. Although I have to admit that I still have some scented stickers and markers at my desk.

Beyond that, it is more important to me that my home smell good that to actually be clean... Strange, I know. I guess the same goes for me. I'd rather smell good than look good. LOL

Here's just some of my favorite scents:
1. Lavender
2. Celery and Onion being sauteed
3. Amber
4. Spices (ALL of them)
5. Citrus
6. Vanilla
7. My Grandmother's house
8. Eucalyptus and Spearmint Oil
9. Firewood Burning
10. Fresh baked bread

The Game Plan

Last week, I posted here about my serious need for some time management skills. I also promised to be sharing my game plan the next day, but then the most wonderful thing happened:

My husband got a job!!!

And so my game plan changed. I wasn't even sure if I should make a game plan yet because his schedule is only temporary until he is done with training. And so, I went back and forth all weekend about it, and I decided late last night that I had to start now, even if I could only make a game plan for myself day by day for the time being.

Since the hubs has to be at work by 6:30am, I have just been going into work early. Today, I used that time to update my calendar (majorly needed), look up some info., and think about what I needed to get done. I was alone with my thoughts and wayyy more productive!

Therefore, I was able to come up with a plan for the day, and I would like to share it with you:

Today's Plan-

1. Dinner will be made. Whole Grain Rigatoni with meat sauce, Spinach Salad and Squash.
2. We will have Family Home Evening during which we will finally watch the Finding Faith in Christ DVD that was loaned to us at least two weeks ago, and we will also read and pray.
3. Because of the new schedule, I have NO time in the morning for anything. So I'm going to have to bathe at night, set out clothes, and make sure breakfast and lunch are taken care of. If I don't do it tonight, it WON'T happen in the morning. Period.
4. Finally, If I have time, I need to write a grocery store list so we can go to shopping Tuesday night. If I don't get it done, I at least have to get everything together and write the list in the morning.

I'm hoping I can get to bed at a decent time. We'll see.

Happy Birthday!

On our Wedding Night. Doesn't he look happy?

Today is my husband's 29th birthday!!! And he's starting a new job today!!! He is not longer Xavier, or Havie, or the hubs... He is officially-

C.O. Ledesma

He is a correctional officer with the county sherriff's office. And boy does he look hot in his uniform. Seriously never knew I was a uniform kinda gal before, but owwww! And he was issued his own pair of handcuffs! :)

Anyway, I digress...

My husband is the kinda guy that likes to work. He derives alot of his self-esteem from his ability to provide for us. He prides himself on being good at what he does- always striving the be his best. So, the last two months haven't been so happy for him.

I love to see that man smile. That's how he won me over if you don't know that already. He flashed a bright smile at me and I was sold.

It's so good to see him happy again. I'd let him sell peanuts for $1 a day if it made him this happy.

P.S. Thank you for the comments on my last post! I got some great advice, and I'm going to be posting another blog soon with my game plan! So, stay tuned!

S.O.S.

I'm doing it again, people. Please help me out here because I don't want to repeat this pattern!

My WI was last night and it didn't go the way I wanted it to. I didn't gain any weight, but I also didn't lose any weight. Stayed just the same- to the very ounce. I was even wearing the exact same clothes! lol...

It shouldn't have been a surprise (and it honestly wasn't) but I'm still feeling all down and out. I'm getting that typical feeling that happens not too long before I just give up, and I'm not going out like that again.

No! I'm not.

The frustration I feel right now is with myself, but that isn't even productive. I know better. So, here's the facts:

We have made some AMAZING changes in our life here lately and all of a sudden, we have a LIFE. We went from the two of us sitting our lazy butts in front of the tv all evening, every evening to lessons with Elders, Family Home Evenings, Dinners with new friends, etc. And while we've enjoyed them- TRULY- it has thrown our household into a tailspin. The ONLY reason we haven't completely lost it yet is because Havie is still not working and has time to make sure laundry is done and the house is clean. If it weren't for that my friends, I would be sitting in a corner drooling. Seriously. I just can't handle this much chaos. I'm a creature of habit. I like routines and structure.

SO- I'm just going to have to make it happen.

It all boils down to one crucial thing- Time Management. UGH. I am really terrible at this folks, always have been. It is totally standing in the way of my weight loss/health goal. It's this terrible cycle of not being prepared and then resorting to eating whatever is convenient, and often being so hungry by the time that I do eat that I massively overeat.

I have got to figure it out though. Things are only going to get harder from here:

1. We were informed Sunday that we will be called this week as Co-Chairs on the Activities Committee. I am so excited because I'll get to do some event planning! Of course that also means I'll be needing to devote time to the cause.

2. I will be starting Visiting Teaching soon. Something I'm also very excited about- especially because my companion is someone I've wanted to get to know better. Again, also something that is going to require some of my time.

3. Havie is very likely going to be working again soon and then there will be no one to pick up the slack during the day. (It's actually been quite a blessing having him at home)

I know that this is not just a weight issue. It's a whole life issue. It's making the majority of my life predictable, so that I may be able to enjoy the unpredictable without devastating consequences.

So, this is where you come in- How do you do it? Are there some tricks or skills I missed out on? How do you balance all of your obligations? I will try ANYTHING you suggest!

Say What?!!

Yes, just like that...

I stared at the total in utter amazement... I guess you could call it "sticker shock". (hardy, har, har- had to throw a little WW pun in there for ya) But I honestly couldn't believe it said that I had lost 7.8 L-B's this past week.

YES! 7.8! I KNOW! I couldn't believe it either. That's alot. Even for a big ol' gal like me...

Or is it?

Because then I promptly plunked my plump personage (try saying that 5 times fast) on the eliptical machine at the gym and did sweatin' to The Biggest Loser. Isn't that one the best? (p.s. they are really turning up the drama this season)

And it got me thinkin'...

Some people may look at 7.8 lbs and be like, NO FAIR. I can't lose that much in a week! And it's true, they really probably can't because they would die. lol... But seriously, isn't it all about the percentage (ala Biggest Loser style)?

So when you break it down like that- I started out 312 lbs. this week, so my percentage of weight lost is: 2.5% which seems MUCH more reasonable.

Most importantly, I realize that I won't keep this up. My goal for next week is still just 2 pounds. I'm just going to continue to track my points and get in my work outs. (More coming on that last subject soon.)

And a final note- I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the fact that I'm really not doing this alone. Cayce and Ashley- you two may not realize just how much you keep me motivated, but I just cherish the fact that I can count on you two for encouragement and know you're going through the same things I am. And beyond that, I am been blessed by so many friends and family who are cheering me on. And finally, I am so grateful to have a husband who is willing to eat good stuff with me and go to the gym with me. What more could a girl ask for?

Hunger

The first Sunday of the month, we fast and pray about something specific. We go without food or water for 24 hours, or basically two meals. It serves two purposes:

1. It shows God how serious we are the particular subject we are praying about.

2. We then tithe what we would have spent on food for those meals we missed and the Bishop then uses it to provide meals for the hungry.

It is my favorite weekend even though it is tough for me. It has brought home just how much my world revolves around food. My first fast was a HUGE wake up call. I sat there an OBSESSED about wanting to eat even though I wasn't even hungry. And really, it's ok to be hungry. Yes it is an uncomfortable feeling, but it isn't painful. I've realized that I NEVER let myself even get hungry. I'm so focused on preventing the uncomfortable that it had been a really long time since I had even FELT hunger.

I won't eat again until dinner tonight and while I've had pangs of hunger at different times throughout the day, they have passed. At the moment I feel fine, but I can smell the lasagna in the crock pot and I'm a little tempted. It reminds me of something I heard recently:

The pain of sacrifice only lasts a short while. It's the fear of the pain that causes us to hesitate indefinitely.

I could go into a whole diatribe about how we have made a whole culture of avoiding pain and sacrifice, but I won't. I am just glad to be removing the hold food has on me, even if it's just for 24 hours once a month.