"Who is that dangerously unbalanced woman?"

Today my Wii Fit told me that I am unbalanced. It also said that I'm overweight (who would have guessed?!) and gave my Mii some lovely love handles in the hip area to remind me. It also asked me if I find myself tripping when I walk. I guess this means I need to work harder to get into shape.

I must say, though, that in spite of the little digs at my fitness, it is a very enjoyable game. Bud got it for Christmas, and we've all had fun trying to ski, snowboard, hula-hoop, do yoga and a variety of balance games. I even find I have sore abs...probably from trying to do the jack-knife ab workout in the strength training.

So, in order to get into better shape, Ben's talked me into running (or jogging, in my case) a New Year's Eve 5K. (That's 3 miles, for those who don't know.) I'm so very slow at it. Several years ago, ('98 to '99) we ran a "Beat the New Year" 5K in Salt Lake. It started at 11:30pm, giving you a comfy 30 minutes to finish the race. Only, it wasn't so comfy for me as I didn't beat the new year. I was about 4 minutes slow. (But I wasn't the last finisher--I think I was 2nd to last.) My time hasn't improved since then, but I guess I'll give it a try. This one isn't officially a "beat the new year" race. It starts at 10:00pm. I figure I should be able to beat it anyway. ;) If anything, I figure it'll be a great way to start a New Year's resolution of excercising more regularly.

Oh, and 5 points if you can name the movie my title line is from.

Family Christmas Party

Last night we had our family Christmas party with Ben's family. It was so much fun. All 3 of his sisters were able to come this year. Ben dressed up and played Santa again this year, though he didn't stuff his costume. He was a very under-nourished Santa! He passed out presents to all the kids, and even adults, too. It was great fun seeing his bros-in-law sit on his lap! Little J. couldn't get enough of Santa--had to sit on his lap about 4 times. It was so cute. His twin sister A. was too scared to even look at him. About half way through handing out presents, Mister (who had been the first to jump into Santa's lap) turned to me and whispered "That's not the real Santa." I acted shocked and said, "Who is it, then?" "Daddy!" he exclaimed. At which point Lemur (who had been more reluctant to sit on his lap) took a better look at him and realized who was in the Santa costume. It was so funny. My SIL got pictures of everyone. I'll have to steal them from her, or you can look at her blog--Allreds--from my blog list at the side.

Triathalon....

I'm tentatively letting a friend talk me into a triathalon in May. (Yes, laughter is appropriate at this point. Please, don't try to hold it in!) Here's the thing, though: I'm not a swimmer...or a biker...or a runner. (Remember, I'm a jogger--a very slow jogger!)

So, here's what it includes: swim 13 lengths of the pool, bike 11 miles, and run a 5K. I've been running 3 miles a day this week (see Dec. jog log), but today I decided I needed to see where I'm at in the swimming department. I think I swam a total of 18 lengths--and I think I did 13 lengths in about 15 or 20 minutes. This is probably a laughable time, but I was resting in between each length, so I wasn't really trying for a great time. Here's my problem (well, one of them, at least): I can't swim with my face in the water. I don't know how to breathe doing it--I can't exhale and inhale without sputtering and coming to a dead stop in the water. So, I do a lot of backstroking, and a fair amount of some weird side crawl. This is definitely going to be a challenge for me. I'll need to hit my friend up for some pointers, as she is practically a fish.

I haven't attempted the biking yet. Maybe I need to hit those spinning classes which have always put a fair amount of fright into me. But I really need to find some brave soul who wouldn't mind coming with me so I don't make a fool out of myself all alone in front of all the hard-core spinners.

We'll see what comes of this. I guess at the very least I'll be improving my health, providing I don't drown, of course.

Jolly Old St. Nicholas

If you look closely you can see Bud just to the right of the white screen.

Jingle Bells

Missy is 3 or 4 kids from the front. (When I pan over to Bud, you can only see the top of his head, just to the left of the conductor's stand.)

Orchestra

Last night my big twins, Bud and Missy, had their very first orchestra concert. They were so excited, and they did a great job. Missy plays the violin, and Bud plays the viola. They played Jingle Bells, Jolly Old St. Nicholas (I think--I'm having a momentary memory lapse), and Carol of the Bells. They played with students from 4 other elementary schools, and last night was the first time they had played all together. I thought it was pretty good for only taking lessons since the end of September. When I have more time, I'll try to post a couple of clips of the video I took during the rehersal.

Christmas Lights

Didn't I just take these down from last year?! Bentley keeps telling me it's time to put up the Christmas decor. I seriously feel like I just did it or, rather, undid it. He told me he keeps forgetting it's Christmas until he goes to work and sees all the decorations. Okay, honey, I got the clue! So, today Missy helped (well, more like watched) me string 1000 lights on the Japanese maple, plus more lights on the bushes, and wrap the pillars on the front porch. It took a while, but the house looks nice! I wasn't about to go on the roof this year to hang the icicle lights. Though, Lemur said that I needed to so that Santa would know where to come. Here's a picture Buddy took of the house.

I also went to my quilting class today. We need to practice, practice, practice the machine quilting before attempting our quilt projects. Here are my first tries. It's really fun to do. But, as you can see, I really need lots of practice to get it even and consistant, and I need to practice doing one thing so it looks good. I just did whatever, wherever--star here, heart there, a snowman, a little flower or leaf.

December jog log

12/30--3 miles
12/27--16 lengths of the pool
12/24--3 miles
12/18--18 lengths of the pool
12/17--3 miles
12/16--3 miles
12/15--3 miles
12/9--2 miles
12/4--3 miles
12/1--2.4 miles

I petered out last month, thanks to a nasty cold I caught. It wiped me out for 2 weeks, and I'm still coughing up junk. Hopefully it's the worst of the season and I don't get another one (or worse, the flu--the shots better work this year!). I'm committing to doing better over the holidays--I need to do better.

Ugh, I think I'm fighting the sickies again. I just need to wear a surgical mask and get a Costco-sized dispenser of hand sanitizer.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Here's a (very short) list of things I'm grateful for:

The Gospel of Jesus Christ
My family--husband, parents, sisters, children, and in-laws
Our health
Great friends
My country and those who fight for it and have fought for it
My education.
That I am able to stay at home with my kids

I should have done this earlier in the month so I could have had a list of 100, but I didn't have the idea till just now, and of course, I don't have a lot of time.

I hope everyone reading this has a great Thanksgiving and finds many things to be grateful for!

Anonymity

So, lately I've been thinking about anonymity on the net, and about going private, and about posting pictures of my children and their names, etc. You know, it is kind of weird that here I am, keeping a journal where everyone and anyone can read it. And posting pictures that anyone can copy. But, I really love being able to share things online like this--and I love reading others' blogs, too. In the beginning I was careful about not using my children's names, and I still wonder how harmful it is. I mean, even though just about everyone reading this knows my last name, I don't post that for every Joe to know. And I don't post my street address. I don't think I've even really posted the city I live in, though the state might be kind of obvious. I think for the most part, people visiting here are doing so for benign reasons, but you never really know for sure, right? Anyway, I guess my point in all these rambling, paranoid thoughts is that I'm not going to use my kids names (or family members, too, since they might not want their names used). I'm not so paranoid that I'm going to blur the names on my kids' birthday cakes or go private (yet), but I am going to edit some past posts. And, if you want to know the nicknames I'll use for the kids, take a look in the previous post of their school pictures.

Going to put on my tin-foil cap now....

Birthday Party pictures

Have I complained about my camera here? Well, it's so stupid I'm gonna complain again. I can take a dozen pictures and only 2 or 3 will turn out. Something about an "unrecognized file format". What the hey? Why is my camera taking pictures in an unrecognizable file format? I don't get it. Supposedly it has to do with a problem with the memory card, but even when that is empty, I still get this message. I've tried reformatting the memory card and using a new memory card--all to no avail. I need a new camera. I took tons of pictures of the boys opening their presents, but only two of Lemur turned out. None of Mister. :( That's why pictures of him opening presents are lacking. Stupid Kodak camera.

School Pictures

My Wonderful Kids:

Buddy (6th grade)

Missy (6th grade)

Bug (3rd grade)

Lemur (preschool)

Mister (preschool)

family pictures

We had some family pictures taken today. Lemur was being "shy", as he later told us. We had a devil of a time trying to get him to even look at the camera. Oh, well. It captured how he was feeling at the moment!

Birthday Cakes!

This year the boys wanted rocket cakes for their birthday.
Mister and his cake

Mister wanted a traditional rocket cake.

Lemur and his rocket cake.
Lemur's was a "Little Einsteins" rocket cake.

(Pictures of opening presents and blowing out candles to come.)

Photoshop

I've been playing with Photoshop today, and it's been tons of fun. My sister told me about her friend who had created all sorts of neat things using the same version I have. She pointed me to the tutorials on Bloggin' with Bobbi, and I have to say, it was very easy and fun! If I can do it, anyone can!

Here's what I created (and in much less time than it would have taken to do with paper scrapbooking!):

There are a few little things I need to tweak (like the size of the scalloped paper, etc)but I'm learning the ropes and loving it!

Yum!

A couple weeks ago, when we were in Dugway, my dear SIL made the yummiest Carmel Crunch Bars. These things are delicious! I made some last night, and they didn't last long. Something about caramel, peanuts, pretzles, marshmallows, and chocolate. (And graham crackers.) Yum!

Books

It's been a long time since I've read a really good book--the kind of book that keeps you thinking for days or weeks after you've finished it. The Kite Runner was such a book for me, as was A Thousand Splendid Suns, by the same author. The Good Earth and Uncle Tom's Cabin are a couple others that come to mind. Recently I've re-read several books that I've enjoyed in the past, and I'm always reading (or re-reading) books with my older kids.

But, I just finished The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, and that book has been on my mind for days. For anyone who has not read it (you should, it's great), it is about a young foster girl living in a village outside of Munich, Germany during WWII. I've though a lot about the courage of people who survived WWII--the Allies who fought, the Germans who resisted the Nazis, and especially the Jews. I wonder if I would have had the courage to stand up for my beliefs in the face of so much danger and uncertainty. I can't even imagine the hardships people went through during WWII. This book has given me a renewed sense of appreciation for all those who fought for the freedoms of others.

If you feel so inclined, post a comment about your favorite book. I'm always looking for great books to read.

Ready to Quilt!

I guess, technically, I need to sew the backing before I can quilt. But, soon enough!

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Last night we had our traditional Halloween dinner at our friends' house, which consisted of soup, bread, yummy bread dip, and cookies. And Halloween candy, of course. We had a delicious chili, and broccoli cheese soup that I made for the first time yesterday. It was surprisingly easy, and turned out very well. (I blended the broccoli and onions together after they were cooked, before adding the cheese.) We had a great time eating and giving out candy to trick-or-treaters!

November Jog Log

11/15--3.5 mile jog

11/13--3.63 miles on the elliptical

11/12--2 miles on the elliptical

11/8--4 mile jog/walk

11/7--4 mile jog

11/5--2.75 miles on the elliptical

11/4--2.5 miles on the elliptical

11/1--3.86 mile jog

Previous Jog Log

So, I was thinking my jog log is getting kinda lengthy--which is a good thing, right? So, I've come up with a plan to post a new log every month and add to it. This way it will archive and won't be just a run-on list at the end. So, here's what I've done from August to the end of October. From now on I'm gonna try the monthly thing. If that doesn't work, I might start a separate exercise blog. We'll see.

10/29--3.75 mile jog *wow*

10/28--3 mile jog

10/23--3.37 mile jog

10/17--5 mile (?) hike

10/16--2 mile jog

10/15--3.2 mile jog

10/13--2.5 mile jog/walk

10/9--3 mile jog

10/7--2.8 mile jog

10/2--2.5 mile jog

9/30--2.83 mile jog

9/21--2 mile walk

9/19--3.5 miles on the eliptical

9/18--jogged 2.5 miles

9/17--jogged 2 miles (yes, on my birthday...had to cancel out the cake I was going to eat!)

9/16--jogged 2.5 miled w/ Ben

9/4--biked 4.5 miles w/ Ben

9/2--biked 4.5 miles w/ Ben

8/28--biked 3 miles to the school and back with Ben (for Back To School night)

8/26--biked 3.5 miles

8/25--biked 2(?) miles w/ Melissa

8/17--walked 1/2 mile w/ the family

8/14--jogged 2 miles w/ Ben

8/8--3 games of racquetball w/ Ben

8/6--biked 4 miles w/ Ben

8/5--jog/walked 1.8 miles w/ Ben

8/4--jogged 2 miles w/ Ben and walked 1.5 miles w/ Melissa

Some of my trick-or-treaters. (I don't have pictures of Buddy because he didn't decide until today what to be, and then he went to a friend's house for trick-or-treating and a sleep-over.)

Bug was a bat, for the 3rd year in a row. Mister was a cat, and Lemur changed his mind from Batman to a cat, so we talked him into being a "cat-bat". Missy was a clown, and this was the third night this week I did her clown make-up. The first time was for trunk-or-treat, then she had a Halloween party last night (which this picture is from--she was a "scary" clown), and then tonight for trick-or-treating. The kids had a blast, though the little ones pooped out early--which really isn't a bad thing--means less candy in the house.

Today I went to the next quilting class. I got the borders sewn on (though not during class--I just got the basics of sewing borders on and then did them at home).

It's so fun to see how it turns out. I almost wish I had done the smaller border as the "focus" print (where I have the stripe), and the green as the smaller border, since it is a dark color. But, I really like how it turned out, and then next step, I think, is actually quilting it. The back of the quilt will be the solid blue from the rail fence block.

I'll post pictures of Missy's when I get it done. I'm still working on it, since Halloween interrupted my sewing.

cousins

Leaves

Waterfall

I mis-labeled this video as playing in the leaves. It is really Waterfall Canyon. Missy took this video.

Haircuts

This weekend, while visiting Auntie hair-dresser, we took advantage of her and got some fabulous haircuts. Here is Missy before:

Her aunt talked her into bangs. I've always loved Misy with bangs, but she rarely lets me cut them. The last time she had bangs like this was the summer before 2nd grade.

And here's the big shocker: we got Buddy into the chair for a haircut. He was very reluctant. This picture was taken after she had cut his sides and back. (Look how much hair is already on his on his shoulders.) We told him long hair is out and the cool kids have short cuts...and that his aunt knows because she just came from Florida--where things are happenin'.

WoW! I still can't believe he let her take so much off! He looks awesome! Look at those eyes!
We had fun for a few minutes in the middle of the haircut. He also had a sweet full mohawk for a moment.

Mister also got a haircut--a "scissor-snip," because he doesn't like the clippers. I didn't get photos of him, though.

Autumn

Cousins playing in the leaves

Blue room

This week we got new blinds in Missy's room and the little boy's room. I wanted to paint in the boy's room, because it really needed it. I was wanting to paint another coat of the yellow they have had since they were babies. I picked that color, and I still love it. It's such a warm, sunshiney color. But they did NOT want yellow. They wanted blue. Here are a couple of pictures of the yellow:

Lemur in his PJs. Notice the one foot out and one foot in. Classic Lemur quirk. I don't know why he always does this, but it's how he prefers to wear his PJs.
And here's a picture of the blue. I like the blue (though not as much as the yellow)--but it is such a cool color. And seems so much darker. Oh, well. It's their room. I was sad to cover up the yellow, but I guess that's what happens when they grow up and form their own opinions!
I have to put a plug in for the kind of paint we used. It was "green", as in environmentally friendly. It came in a post-consumer recycled plastic bucket, and had no VOCs. Which stands for volatile organic compounds. In other words, it has virtually no fumes going on and has no "emissions" when dry. Very neat. The boys slept in the room the same day I painted. There wasn't a huge variety in color choices, and it was slightly more pricey, but the coverage was even better than I got with the yellow.