This & That [Kids]

1. Emma emphatically said, "William you are NOT my best friend.  Just for today though, not forever".

2. While we are on Emma ..one snowy morning, before school, I wondered aloud to the kids ~ "I wonder if the pizza shops will get their deliveries to the schools for lunch today".  Looking surprised, Emma replied, "I thought the MOMS made all of the pizzas!"

3. Just in case you were wondering -- Henry told me that if we ate human meat it would taste like beef. {I guess I'm glad he is becoming a bookworm}

4. The other day, the security alarm in our house went off.  I raced home to find out what was going on.  The police were in my yard and driveway.  Upon entering the house, I realized William's ENORMOUS Lightning McQueen balloon set it off.  I can't begin to describe my embarrassment as I told the officer who the culprit was.  Ka-chaw!!

5. Speaking of William..the bugger didn't want to go to school on Friday.  As I dragged him out of my minivan in front of teachers and the entire drop off line, he whacked me in the head (actually three times).  After getting back into the van, I commented to Henry how much my head hurt.  Henry says, "No wonder mom, he had his Thomas the Train in his hand".  {duh to me}

Over and out for now.

Tricia

MISC

Nothing specific to chat about tonight sister, but here are some thoughts:

1.  Thought it was cool how the NFL presented a reading of the Declaration of Independence before the big game.  With SO many people watching ~ not only in this country but around the world ~ very clever.  Think about it, how many people have never heard those words or have completely forgotten them.  Those words are pretty powerful stuff.

2.  At what point is it appropriate for a parent to stop disciplining their kids? Note sarcasm.  Especially when a kid is consistently beating on a younger, smaller kid (let's just say 7 & 8 years old).  Is it ok for this age group to "duke it out" themselves?  Or is the older kid considered a bully?  And did I mention both parents are usually in the vicinity when this happens.  Someone help me out here.  I'm not buying into a parents response of "just hit him back".  And I have heard those words a hundred times before from the same parents.  Really?  I wonder if they would have the same attitude if my 11 year old clobbered their 8 year old?  Hmm.  Note that my 11 year old would never do that because he is NOT a bully.

3.  Had a really fun day skiing ~ just me and Jack (11 year old).  From 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.  Eventually joined up with some friends and became a posse of three kids, one mom and one dad.  I think it is great that the kids are not too cool for us.  We try like heck to hang with them.  I got knocked over by a snowboarder once (well twice actually ~ same dude ~ same time).  And then somehow did a sidewards face plant while stopping (ski caught an edge).  It was funny but I have a sore ars!

It is late, I am tired.  Here is a random picture from a quick shopping trip yesterday.  And no, the hats did not come home with us.

Tracy

   

Woman vs. Winter

I have hit the wall - not the brick wall, but the snowy one in my town and the perceived one in my mind.  Running in the winter has become a challenge to me.  I see runners in sleet, snow, and rain, just like the postman.  Nothing stops these diehards (and I applaud you!!).  I once thought I had what it takes to join these ranks, but lately, I feel uncertain.

Here's the thing .. wearing two coats, two pairs of pants, hats, gloves, and neck warmers make it hard to move, let along run.  Next, once one starts running, the icey/slushy roads/sidewalks present danger at every turn (I pray if I fall, nothing important breaks).  Last, my face is frozen, no matter how I attempt to cover it.  Misery.

Now, here's the funny thing .. after I do all of the aforementioned, I feel GREAT!!  Truly.  It is a tug-o-war between the mind and body.  The body wants/needs/misses all of the good that exercise provides.  The mind dreads the numerous unsavory aspects which may occur.  With the temps in the single digits and low doubles, my tug-o-war will continue.  I need to remember the Nike slogan and make it my new mantra this winter -- just do it!

tb

PS check out the site "Road I.D." : get a personalized I.D. tag or bracelet to wear for running, cycling, skiing, etc.  It includes your name and emergency contact info.  Great for the kiddies too ~ school, camp, field trips, etc.  At 19.99 - priceless.  Check it out.

Photo Friday No. 12

Snowman in

New Jersey

Snowman in

Pennsylvania

Behind the Scenes..

As with life ~ things don't always go the way we plan.  Sometimes there are hiccups and other times roadblocks.  Well, me&t t&me is no different.  After reaching the magical number of 100 posts (!), I enjoyed reflecting on our blogging collaboration.  Here are a few "behind the scenes" tidbits and bloopers...

1. On day 1, I discovered I couldn't post photos from my computer. (too much security on my computer it seemed?)  How could I write and not include the photo part of the story?? Well, you know how we solved this problem.  I email you ALL of my photos, which you add to my text, and then post. Kudos to you super sister for the extra work!!

2. Around Christmas, the festivities, stress, and eggnog made a few posts a little dicey.  I teased you about your new piano, you teased me back about my new handbag, and maybe, some red thongs.  Yikes!!

3. It was bound to happen..our mother found our blog!!  Now, I get frequent feedback, especially about things like #2 above.  "Don't you think you teased your sister a little too much about her piano?" and more recently, "Wow! The posts the husbands wrote were really long."  I guess everyone needs a critic!

4. ALL of my photos are taken with my iPhone camera.  True.  This has become a challenge and an accomplishment at times.  Best of all, I am never without a camera when a photo opportunity arises.

5. Technology is NOT my middle name.  While I initially got the blog ball rolling on the computer, I still rely on you to be the techie.  Being more savvy when it comes to all things electronic is a personal goal of mine, but good things do take time. (or maybe I'm just an old dog?)

Happy 100!!!  And many more..

Tricia   {continue below for some photos ~ as posted by t}

№ 100

LBS

How is it that out of nowhere the scale can just jump up 5 lbs? Especially if you weigh yourself every day (except for Saturday & Sunday of course).  I can see an increase of a pound or two but five!  So I analyzed what I've been eating lately and I guess the writing is on the wall.  A little bowl of ice cream with caramel and sprinkles more often than not, popcorn with some freshly melted butter (yum) and floundering to find a satisfying healthy lunch at work.  My fave deli closed so I have been frequenting Saladworks.  I definitely like their selection and the salads are good.  At a glance the salad looks to be low in calories.  But then you add on dressing, maybe an extra topping and yikes!

Other obvious issue ~ lack of significant exercise.  Yoga once a week for an hour.  Skiing once or twice a week (but that is all downhill).  What is a girl to do?

So my plan is to drop 5 pounds.  I think it is best to start with small goals.  It is much easier to see success (i.e. If you need to lose 20 lbs. attack it in 5 lbs. increments.  If you set out to lose 20 and lose 2 there are 18 more to go ~ much more inclined to quit.  If your goal is 5 and you lose 2 you are almost there ~ genius).

In the past, I have had success counting calories and found a great program to assist.  This was several years ago inbetween baby 1 & 2.  I lost 25 pounds.  This "method" of weight loss really highlighted portion sizes and calorie content in certain foods that I was blind to.

So technology has changed over the years and I have been looking for a new calorie counting assistant.  There are many out there.  I searched and stumbled upon an iPad app that is free and it is great.  It is called Lose It!  I like it based on its simplicity and ease of use.  It cuts to the chase ~ tracks weight (and hopefully weight loss), logs your food (has a great database and you can add your own food) and it tells you how many fewer calories to eat to reach your goal.

Wish me luck sister ~ 5 pounds in 30 days.  Easy, right?

Tracy

who needs ice cream when you have bananas

(banana split???)