Too Much Girl Stuff

I have three children--two girls (ages 14 & 15) and one son (age 8).  My son has been pulled everywhere since he was three days old and in a kindergarten classroom for show-n-tell.  My husband used to travel, so all he knew was girl stuff.

I drug him with us to shop for my daughter new cross country running shoes.  We walked out of the running store, and he was smiling from ear to ear.  "Hey mom!" he said.  "Did you know that 75 to 80% of women are wearing the wrong size bra?"  He learned this from a sign above the sports bras (A sign which I did not see).  He giggled.

Daddy took him to the park to play basketball this weekend.  Ahhh!  Testosterone!

Will New Batteries Help?

My sister left for the Biggest Loser's Utah ranch/resort today.  She wanted to lose ten pounds before she left--which she said she did.  She wants to lose a minimum of twenty pounds the month she is there (just her and her weight loss plan--no kids, husband, etc.).  She hopes to lose another ten before school starts.  In total, she would like to realistically lose 75 pounds.

To show camaraderie with her, I have been eating better (and logging my food) and exercising.  For every ten pounds she loses, I hope to lose one (or two).  So in the past three weeks, I have gained 1.5 pounds (up three pounds from my lowest weigh-in).  I think our cheap, 10-year-old scale is askew, so I have moved it to a thousand different locations in our bathroom--same results.  So I asked my daughter to weigh her tiny self.  According to the scale, she's gained five pounds in a week (not possible).  My husband shouted out the "muscle weighs more than fat" crap to me--I shot him a dirty look.

I changed the battery in the scale; I gained one pound (vs. two) for the week.  My daughter's weight seemed more in line from previous weeks.  My husband then shouted, "What is this?  Change the battery until you get the weight you like?"  I off to buy new batteries--ha! ha!

SPIDER!!!!!

A couple weeks ago I was cleaning the front porch area.  I moved the two planters that flank the door to sweep behind them.  Next I went to the . . . EEEEEKKKKKK! . . . lights.  For a brief second I thought I was going to pass out.  SPIDER!!!!!!!!!!!

I hate spiders.  Arachnophobia--maybe.  Probably.  It is difficult to tell in this photo, but on that light fixture is a large, fake, black spider.  Obviously, we rarely use the front door--this "spider" was left from Halloween.   After my heart rate returned to normal, I had to chuckle at myself.  The spider went straight to the garbage can.

A New Low

Since October, I have put on ten pounds.  Fortunately, I have a thinner frame; however, I'm more disgusted at how out of shape I am--of which the weight is only a symptom.  I'm trying to recommit (AGAIN!) to a regular exercise routine.  Yesterday, I went for a walk (with a few running minutes) on a three mile loop.  I, for the first time in my life, could feel my belly bobbing up and down.  Eeeewww!

My sister (who will be going to the Biggest Loser Ranch in a week) is trying to make some serious lifestyle changes (she reports wanting to lose 75 lbs.).  Perhaps I can show my support for her by eating better and exercising more--we both win.  Having the same genetic make-up, I cannot let this current weight gain become a trend.  Let's hope my last three mile loop before the end of summer is jelly-belly free!

Homemade Granola

I love granola, but it is expensive.  I also like controlling the ingredients (two of my children do not like dried fruit in their granola).  I make a batch every other month or so.  Makes the whole house smell yummy!

Recipe is as follows:
4 cups old-fashioned oats  (NOT instant oatmeal!)
1.5 cups of almond slices (or slivers)
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon (I use closer to one teaspoon since we LOVE cinnamon)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla

Oven = 300 degrees F
In a large bowl, mix oats, almonds, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
In a small bowl, warm oil and honey (I use the microwave for 30 or so sec.).  When warm, whisk in vanilla extract.
Pour liquid over the dry ingredients.  Stir to coat all.  I use two parchment-paper-covered baking sheets.  Spread granola out.  Bake a total of 40 min., tossing the mixture every ten minutes.

When cooled, you can add dried fruit.  Store in an air-tight container for a couple/few weeks . . . if it lasts that long.

First Day of Summer Break

Yesterday was the first day of summer break.  I actually exercised (three mile walk/run), cleaned, volunteered at the high school, geocached (for the first time), made granola and several loaves of zucchini bread.  I took a shower right before bed and fell asleep immediately.  

The bread is very tasty (and I did not need to waste my CSA zucchini!).  Below is the recipe:

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

2 cups sugar

2 cups shredded zucchini (do not peel--you want the skin)

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

lemon zest (this really makes a big difference)

My family prefers no nuts; however, you may want to add a cup of chopped nuts

Mix flour cinnamon & nutmeg, baking powder & soda, and salt in one bowl.  Combine sugar, zucchini, veggie oil, eggs, and lemon zest in another.  Combine (and add nuts if desired) ingredients from both bowls.

Bake in greased/floured pans at 350 for 55 minutes--until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.

Makes TWO 8 X 4 X 2 loaves (or six mini loaves--less baking time).

This recipe freezes very well!

It Is Summer!!!!

I have finally checked out of my classroom.  It took longer than expected since I was told at the last minute I was switching classrooms--Uggghhh!  My 8-year-old son came with me to school for two hours and helped me finish up.  He works for Legos--win! win! for everyone!

I was hoping this summer would be MUCH quieter than last.  I think (and hope!) it will be better, but not quieter.  One daughter starts summer school P.E. on Monday.  The other starts four times a week cross country practice.  I need to look into starting at least one daughter with the orthodontist.  Same daughter turns 15.5 at beginning of July--needs driving school.  I'm doing "S.A.T. prep" with the older daughter and friend (aka--skill refresher for sophomore year); forcing the other daughter to join.  Vacation bible school.  Reading novels for 8th grade class I'll be teaching for the first time next year.  Visit to see family for a week or two in Illinois.  I need to start (again) to exercise.  I also use summer to deep clean and reorganize our home so we can systematically destroy it through the following school year.  Good thing I stopped at Sam's on my way home from school so we can eat well through the process!