comfy is the key!

I LOVE this store! It's my new favorite. The clothes are cute and comfy and the underwear is simple and comfortable with just the right amount of sexy built in. My favorites are the boykinis.

My husband has said this store is too young for me because they call their clothes "dormwear". Dormwear...loungewear...what's the difference. It's just a name! Why wouldn't a person whose day consists of chauffeuring kids to school, going to the gym, running errands and cleaning the house wear the same kind of things as a person who walks to classes and sits around all day in their room watching TV and doing homework? Same thing! Plus...I'm not that far off from the dorm years (okay, I am, but I don't feel it).

I've only bought a few things there so far (some undies, a comfy varsity night shirt and a bulky cardigan sweater to throw on when I'm feeling chilled) but I have my eye on much more! Stay tuned!

back to it...

Tomorrow it's back to 6:30 wake-ups and my kindergartner's denial of them. Back to packing lunches and double-checking backpacks. Back to carpool lines and assigned parking spaces. Back to running errands. Back to the gym (wah!). Back to the routine.

I hadn't realized how wonderfully pleasant our Christmas break has been until right this moment. Until now realizing that all the sleeping in (which is 7:30 at our house woohoo), the all-day pajama wearing, holiday treat eating, couch potatoeing, no daily commitmenting is about to come to an end. Until right now I hadn't cherished it enough. I hadn't realized what I had.

So I will go now and treasure my last day of Christmas vacation. Go and revere my husband, my daughters, my freedom. And tomorrow I will get back to it. Back to the grind.

I resolute

My New Years Resolutions:

1) I will work to become a fit person through healthier eating habits and regular exercise. HOWEVER, I will not obsess about it realizing that I have eyes that work, 2 ears, a nose and a nice set of lips. My complexion is good and I have great hair. My body could be much worse-- so I will continue to take care of the one that I have and work on judging myself on other things besides my looks.

2) I will be working to live a little more simple this year -- and get rid of some of this unnecessary junk. I have always gotten a thrill out of organization, and clutter has always gotten me down. Now I just need to get off my butt and get things the way I want them around here.

3) Meanwhile, I will not forget about the little people in this house that don't care if the beds are made or the laundry is done. I owe them my time and attention!

4) I won't waste my time with negative people. Instead, I will spend my time with the people that I enjoy and make me feel good.

5) I will try not to freak about the economy. I will use this time as an opportunity to become more efficient and resourceful. Things may get a little tough for a bit, but it wouldn't be a bad thing to learn to be a little less indulgent. I'm hoping when things get better, my news ways will stick!

To a great 2009! Cheers!

dear santa...

Dear Santa,

Here is my wish list this year:

1)Health and safety for all of my family members and friends throughout the holidays and beyond.

2)Respect, love and appreciation from and for my husband.

3)Confidence and courage for my daughters in all of the new experiences they encounter.

4)Patience, wisdom and strength as a mother.

5)Forgiveness in my heart for those who I have begrudged and tolerance of those who continue to show disrespect.

6)Help in the realization of what it is I am suppose to be "when I grow up."

7)Willpower: the strength to do my best at eating right and the energy to continue exercising regularly.

Thanks, Santa, Merry Christmas!

improvising...

Today is going to be a crazy day so I was concerned where I would fit in my exercise. I have a Christmas party to go to with my three year old today and tonight we are taking my 6 year old out for dinner for her birthday. There was no time to get to the gym and I just wasn't up for an exercise video. However, since both of these events will have food as a component (and probably not all of it very good for me) --I knew I shouldn't skip a workout.

So I improvised...this morning I decided to crank up the music and my three year old and I had a little dance party for 30 minutes. Since all of the rooms on my first floor open up to each other, as a part of our activity we ended up running around the house's circle about a hundred times to the music. She had a blast -- even the dog got involved and now I can go on with my day without the guilt I feel when I don't get up and do something. My heart rate monitor told me that I burned 500 calories and maybe my little one will actually take a nap!

a little restraint...

Last night, I had a meeting up at church. We always have snacks at our meetings and when we adjourn, we gather around the food table and snack together. Social eating has always been a weakness for me. I talk, and shovel things in my mouth that I don't even realize that I'm eating. Last night there was cheese curls, sun chips, chocolate chip cookies and peanut m&ms for goodness sake. I didn't touch a thing. The smells tried to reel me in -- but I declined. I felt really good about it when I got home. And I actually felt good going to bed on an empty stomach -- it's been a while since I've felt that rumble in the tummy feeling. I need to feel it more often!

"5 minutes for mom" interview