Fat Tuesday!

It's Mardi Gras season and I haven't even indulged! Well, I've been indulging I guess, but not in typical Mardi Gras fashion. I've been too busy for the parades, red beans and rice, and debauchery. I've been a busy girl, getting ready to go on a three week whirlwind trip.
I'll be in Tallahassee this week for work, then the weekend I'm going to visit my sister in Alabama. I'll be home for 4 days to pack and get ready for the Hilltop Memories 2009 Cruise! Wooo hooo! Then I'll be gone for that for almost a week! Geez, I hope my leave forms are all approved!
Yesterday I had a fun and inspiring day with Marianne Walker from Copic. She gave us a wealth of information on all things Copic and some nice goodies in our bag. Check them out! Don't you love that wide marker? See the skinny little black pen, that's an atyou Spica pen, and if you love glitter, that's your pen!!
It's not like gel pens, it has tiny bits of glass in the ink. It's soo cool! I want the whole set!

 

I had a great day not only learning, but meeting people. The day was sponsored by a local online store that I didn't even know existed, Flourishes. I was so excited to learn about them! Lots of neat goodies in their store, and they design their own stamps. I'll be shopping with them for sure! They had sponsored an all weekend Stamping retreat, (again, didn't know about it). It sounded like all the ladies had loads of fun!
I met quite a few new people and a few old friends, including a girl I'd been introduced to last time I was home visiting my brother! He had introduced me to a lady at breakfast one morning, saying, "she's a scrapbooker like you" actually she's a stamper, but it's all good. Yesterday she walked by me and I thought "gosh,she looks familiar" at first, I actually thought she was an art teacher from one of the elementary schools. Then later she came up and introduced her self saying "I'm Karen W, and I'm from NW IL." My radar went up and I said, "Where in IL?" and she went on to say it was a small town on the Mississippi River and that we'd probably never heard of it. I asked her to repeat her name and she said it again. I said you're from Savanna! She was so surprised I knew and I asked if she knew my brother, she did and then we both realized we'd met! Talk about old home week!
When I went to dinner with her and a few of her hotel mates that evening, I met a girl from Punta Gorda, Kathy W, who know my KnK friends, GerriAnn and Barb!!! Talk about a small world!
You never know who you are going to meet in this world. In the end I had a great time and ended up with this.
Wanna learn how to use your Copics?? I can teach you!

 

Week Beginnings

First of all, thank you all on your posts about my shoes. I guess I need to go shoe shopping more often! For those of you who asked, they are made by Union Bay and I got them at Kohls'. You can get them here.
Sadly, the sandals, all three pair, that came home with them are going back. They aren't as comfortable as they are cute. With sandals, I need comfortable. So back they will go and I have another pair in mind. I guess I just can't wear cheap sandals.
I had a great day stamping yesterday with my friends, Cathy and Sharon. We had wine and tried a fabulous new dip from velveeta. A new twist on the old rotel and velveeta dip. It has several of my favorite foods in it. I don't have the picture uploaded, but I'll post the recipe.
Cheesy Bacon Dip
1 pound Velveeta, cubed in one inch cubes
4 oz. Cream Cheese, cubed
8 slices of bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
1 can of rotel
1 bag of fresh spinach (10 ounce size)

Throw it all in a microwavable bowl and cook until the cheese is melted, stirring every couple of minutes. I think it took about 4 or 5 minutes. Okay so that's not how Velveeta said to do it, but you're getting the down and dirty version from me.
They also said to use half a box of frozen chopped spinach, thawed. Seriously? What do I do with the other half of a thawed box of spinach. Just use the fresh, it's better for you! We ate that with Tostitos scoops and drank a bottle of Berringer's White Merlot. So good!

Today I ran to TarGET. Okay I drove, but I went. Before I left I said to my darling son, "I'm going to TarGET, need anything?" He said he needed legos. He has always told me he needs legos. I think legos were his first word right after mama. His first sentence was "Mama,legos". I told him he didn't need legos he was almost 22 years old and too grown for legos.
So off I go to TarGET! I find the Mama Mia dvd for $10, I find Jillian's Workout for Wii, and I find legos. Not just any legos, Star Wars Droid legos. I got them. Gosh new sandals and new legos in two days. The child is going to think he's welcome to live here forever...

Okay off to bed. In the morning, I'm heading to a Copic Marker Instruction class. Yes folks, I'm learning how to color. Not just learning to color, but I'll be certified to color when I'm done. Actually, certified to teach coloring. Sounds fun doesn't it? Pray and hope I pass!

Saturday Shoes

Another sunny morning has greeted me, and although it's a bit chilly, it promises to warm up and be a beautiful day!
I've a few friends coming over later for a Stampin' Up! party, so how can it get any better than this?
Did you ever have Saturday shoes when you were growing up? Maybe they weren't for just Saturday, but play shoes. When you slipped them on they were so comfy and relaxing? Shoes like that would just change your entire frame of mind, they just sighed, "Ahhhhh!"

I remember having different pairs of play shoes throughout my growing years. Just basic tennis shoes, I'm sure mine were keds. I remember a red pair that I wore out. My feet grew too big for them, and soon they were replaced by a pair of stiff new shoes that weren't quite as comfy as those old ones.
The summer that I was allowed to ride my bike to the pool alone for the first time, I had a pair of brown sandals. Nothing fancy, brown sandals with some brass rings on them. I see sandals almost like them almost every year, but never quite the same sandal. I wore those sandals out too. I remember they showed my tan line on my feet. I was so proud of that tan line. I think I was in 4th grade that year. Just starting to care about things like tan lines.

Yesterday, during Friday retail therapy, I found my newest pair of Saturday shoes. They screamed my name and told me to put an outfit back on the rack that I'd already chosen. We argued over the 3 pair of sandals I already had in my cart. In the end we both won, as the Saturday shoes were in the cart with the three pair of sandals.

 

I know of the four pair of footwear I brought home yesterday, which will be the most loved and worn. They slip right on my feet, enveloping them in an AHHHHHH! of comfort. Most importantly, they take me back to those carefree childhood Saturdays, were my biggest worry was where to play today.

Sunny Thursday

After a dreary, grey and somewhat rainy day yesterday, it was good to see the sun come out this morning. It's a bit cooler, or maybe it just isn't as muggy as it has been. We have cold winds coming through and tonite it's back down to the 30's. Snuggle weather!!!!
I've been consumed with Idol the past few nights and I picked two of the 3 keepers. I really thought Tatiana would stay, despite her drama, she has a great voice. I picked Alexis Grace and Danny Golkey. I can't remember the other guys name right now, but I'm glad he made it through too. Maybe they will pick up Tatiana as a second choice later. I think she's been on some good meds this week, she's a lot less dramatic.
I feel like I am back to my life revolving around TV, and I don't like that. But I love my shows, Brothers & Sisters, Antiques Roadshow, Idol and Greys/Private Practice. It's hard to fit in Wii workouts around them, but I am.
I need to get moving around here, off to work. Budget meeting this afternoon, we'll see how we'll be saving money.

One Long Monday

I almost overslept. Thanks to the dog who was up and down all night and wouldn't settle down. Finally, about 5 a.m. he decided to sleep so I got two and a half hours good sleep before I bolted out of bed.
It was a problem solving day. Can't find this student's schedule? Why is this student here? Have you seen paperwork for this one? All day long.
The highlight of the day was when the HS secretary and I were comparing Valentine's days and our weekend. While we were talking about all the loving things our husbands do for us on a daily basis, one of the office assistants said, "is the the same Coach S I had for football?" When I told him yes, and that really he's just a big teddy bear, he shook his head and told me that no, it couldn't be the same man that shows up at football practice. LOL!
It seemed the last 2 hours of the day drug along, but then the last 10 minutes zoomed by.
Once I got home and ate supper, I fell asleep watching Antiques Roadshow. I love that show! It's my dream to take in some of this old junk I have laying around here and them telling me it's worth a fortune! But I probably wouldn't part with it, since most of this junk is from my parents and grandparents. But if just one of those garage sale things were worht alot? Sold!
Finished my Wii workout, now I'm done blogging, now it's off to bed!
Toodles!

Springy Sunday

I know two posts in one day! What a shock!
I had to change the blog heading and get something springy there. I chose my Carolina Jasmine that grows on the east side of our upper pool deck. It's blooming like crazy right now! I only wish it were a bit warmer so I could open the windows and smell it. I love that smell! I'm glad my sister isn't here tho, she's very, very allergic to it. Thankfully, I'm not! This is the first year in the three years I've had it that it's bloomed this crazy!
I also had to share the goodies we did this afternoon at Natalee's Stampin' Up party. Most everything was made with the new Celebrations catalog stuff. My multi-talented friend, Sharon designed everything.
So first is my favorite card. A good all around card I can use for anything. I love the colors. I love the new punch we used to do the scalloped lace edge. We also used the new texture plates to put the dots. I was used to using the embossing folders so I was trying to make sure my small dots would be going out. I didn't realize the Big Dots were on that underside. But I like the big dots!

 

Next, another nice card. I always need Congrats cards for when I hear good news. This makes a perfect one!

 

Finally I loved doing this! It's a candy bar holder. When you untie the bow and pull the ribbon up, a Hershey bar pops up! I'm going to give it to my special someone....the hubby! Sharon, Natalee, Ann and I are going to make 75 of these as dinner favors for the upcoming Wings of Hope Fundraiser dinner. Wings of Hope was started by Natalee after her daughter, Ashlyn had leukemia a few years ago. Wings helps local families whose children have blood diseases. Ashlyn, by the way, is a cute 8 year old, who kept us entertained this afternoon while she did cards with us.
I'm having a Stampin' Up party next Saturday at one. Come on over! We'll have a blast. Sharon always has the greatest projects for us to do! If you want to come and spend the weekend, We have a Copic Marker Certification Class here on Monday. You can go with us! Just bring your air mattress!

 

Really, That Groundhog Saw His Shadow?

Maybe up north. But down here in the Panhandle, Spring is everywhere! It's warmed up, the flowers are blooming,and everything is getting greener!
Seriously. My azalea's are blooming, as are the Jasmine. The daffodils (the one wild one I have) bloomed last week. The rains this weekend are already greening everything up. It's been warm and muggy.
If my Lachow is any indicator, the way he's shedding all that thick, black fur, summer is just around the corner! I have black dog hair everywhere! It seems like we vacuum one room and two hours later it needs it again. Thank goodness I ordered more vacuum bags off of the internet yesterday!
I'm enjoying the warm weather. I'd take 6 more months of this weather until it gets hot. But we know that's not going to happen. It will be sweltering before we know it.
I'm off to a friend's house for a Stampin' Up party. I'm having one next week, you're all invited!! Come on over! Maybe I'll post the cards we make here later! Til then!

Rainy Day Blessings

Usually I run around here 90 to nothing. Going here, going there, doing this and that. But today is a home day. A peaceful, do almost nothing home day.
I do have a house to clean, but since we're all here at home together, it won't take long working together. After that, I can play in the scraproom with my new inchie stamps (yes Di, I bought two more packs). I can play with the dominoes and make some more pendants, I can clean up all the valentine stuff, since making those are over. I can rearrange and reconfigure and purge.
I think I'll make burrito pie for dinner, such a romantic meal. I don't need valentine's day to know love. I have a husband who kisses me hello and good bye. Who tells me he loves me first thing in the morning and last thing at night. He gets my coffee, does dishes, and tolerates my "moods". Tolerating my moods is sometimes his biggest act of love, LOL! I don't need flowers, candy, balloons or fancy dinners. This guy takes me to the scrapstores and let's me indulge things he knows I don't need and may not ever use. He lets me travel to all kinds of places with the girls and never says a word. He's there when I'm sick, or just need "a day". I don't need valentine spoiling, I'm spoiled everyday.
So on this rainy day, when we're "stuck" here together, Happy Valentine's Day Hubby!
And Happy Valentines Day too all of you too!

I've made Valentines

My friends at school know I like to make cards. Of course my friends let me know that they'd love to make Valentines for their loved ones. So here's a sampling of the ones I made. Several are for grandchildren. It was fun making a prissy one for a granddaughter, a few were for daughters, one for a son, and one for a hubby.
Speaking of Hubbys, I guess I'd better make one for mine now. Tomorrow night!
Most of the stamping is Stampin' Up! A the "I love you, I love you, I love you" heart is Close to My Heart. and one is an Inkadinkadoo inchie stamp that Diana turned me on to. All papers are Stampin' Up, except for the brown hearty paper, it's Basic grey!
So spread some love on Valentine's Day. Tell everyone you love that you love them! Love you!!!

Free Fun Stuff

Di posted a cool link on her blog, so I'm going to post it for you. It's to Lisa' Volrath's countdown to Valentine's day. She's giving free images. All you have to do is post a link and download your free art! I love the vintage valentines she has.
Here's the link

Happy Hump Day!

 

I haven't blogged because I've been a busy little beaver. In the past week or so, I've made two valentine albums, and 3 cards. This is the album I've made for Daniel and Felicia, my oldest son and his girlfriend. I used Little Yellow Bicycle Love Letters 6 x6 Paper, which I got at the new scrapbook store here in town, Scraphappy. While I was at Winter Retreat, Linda at Hilltop Memories had the matching chipboard album. So I had to get that from her! I've already given this to Dan & Felicia, all the boys were home Sunday for Lasagne, a perfect time to give their albums to them. Felicia is a scrapper, so she loved it, well they both did, but you know how guys are! Felicia took it to work yesterday and now two of her co workers want to learn how to scrap!
Other than scrapping, I've not been excitingly busy. I'm in that weekday routine, work, cook, go to bed. I'm counting the days until the cruise, again with Hilltop and a bunch of the girls from KnK So I know it's going to be one fantastically fun cruise!!!!
I've got to get into the morning routine now. Have a wondermous day!

Sunday Sentiments

I thought I'd better blog before it's Thursday again and I haven't blogged. It was a beautiful day today, in the 70's. I'd take a year of days like today. Lazy but productive.
I baked 4 loaves of banana bread this afternoon. My house smells so yummy. I put cinnamon in my banana bread, so it's got this banana/walnut/cinnamon smell going on. Lasagne sauce has cooked all day on the stove, so those smells are lingering in too, but not as strong.
I have a window or two open, airing some of the yuck out of the house. As always, it's nice to listen to the neighborhood kids play too.
I finished two valentine albums for the boys. All three will be here in a few minutes to have lasagne and salad.
I must cut short. The boys are walking in now!

Old Cartoons and Memories

Tonite we were channel surfing, looking for something to watch in between Who Wants to be a Millionaire and Grey's Anatomy. We really couldn't find anything to satisfy all three of us. Nothing was looking good on the usual channels and since football is over, there's not really any sports to watch.
We got into some of the channels we don't usually watch, finally settling on Boomerang, a kid's channel. We found the old MGM cartoons and spent the next hour watching them. There was the one on planting the Victory Garden, where the little mole eats it as fast as the farmer bear plants it. Then the one about the Bears that are forest rangers, trying to catch the little flame that's trying to start a forest fire. Another was about the little skunk stealing all the bear's cherries and every time he'd try to get the back, skunk would raise his tail in threat and get to keep the cherries.
I lounged on the couch, in my jammies, curled up with my blanket. I almost went all the way back. Back to those days when I was a child doing the same thing. All I lacked was my dad lounging all over the other end of the couch and I could almost feel his arm around me as I snuggled in the crook of it.
My dad was a jokester. He loved good fun humor. Even tho the old cartoons were also violent and full of adult innuendos, we had no idea what was really happening. They were so funny to us.
I miss those days. We didn't have a cartoon channel, but would get up very early on Saturday just to watch cartoons all morning. In the afternoon when we would get home from school we'd have an hour of cartoons, followed by Batman. My dad would watch Batman with us and read the word bubbles when the fights broke out.
I was missing that tonite.

Winter Retreat

If you asked most 30, 40, 50, and even 60 year old women if they would like to go camping in the woods, in a primitive unheated cabin, with no indoor shower, no indoor bathroom, no tv, no internet in 20-30 degree weather in January, most would tell you NO WAY! But every January about Super bowl time, 40-50 women of those ages gather from all parts of the southeast at a small, but gorgeous state park to spend three days together in those conditions. Here's a cabin, in case you're thinking I'm kidding. Yes, that's a screen door, and yes, it was the only door.

 

Why would a group of women gather together to sleep in conditions such as this, huddled under every blanket they could find to sleep under? Yep, that's your bed!

 

Well,they get together because of this woman, the speechless one to the left. This is Linda, and Linda puts on the most wonderful scrapbooking crops on this earth. She gathers us together, feeds us, comforts us, praises us, listens to all our drama, makes us feel like we are the most special people on earth. All the while we do what we want, when we want, go to sleep when we want, go on adventures when we want, and scrap in between all that.

 

Why is Linda speechless you ask? Well 40 of her friends, friends she has brought together and created a sisterhood, created a scrapbook of their memories of Linda. She was speechless! The only time most of us have ever seen her speechless! Linda has created a haven for us, for the few days we are with her, we are coddled and taken care of by her and her wonderful crew. Most people don't ever know how much they are loved until their funeral when they can't hear it. We wanted Linda to remember forever how much she is loved. She gives much love to all of us, so it's only natural karma that she gets it all back tenfold. Many, many more good times and blessings ahead for you Linda!
Lastly, the class I took put on by Di. I love Di's classes, I always learn something really neat and fun. Diana is also getting me over my freaky faces fear. Yes, I confess, I'm starting to like some of them.
In Di's class we used old dominos and scrabble tiles to create these awesome pendants. I won't tell you all the secrets of them, so that you can take Di's class sometime and learn. But I will tell you they were fun and easy to make. Di always inspires me and we were brainstorming other tiles we could make. I may have made that step into jewelry making. The one I said I'd never take!

 

Too much fun to put in one post, so I'll do another soon. I always say tomorrow, but that never happens so let's leave it at soon!
Send good thoughts and prayers to my friend Kip, who got sick over the weekend with a migrane (Kip, I think Linda is right, it may be the smoke, I've had a headache since but not as bad as yours)
Also good thoughts & prayers for the most fantastic chef I know, Jule's hubby, E. He spoils us with his wonderful cooking whenever we visit. My friend Kelsey, who is traveling to take care of her mom going in for her 8th cancer operation in 10 years. And finally, last but not least, my friend Kathy and her husband, Dan, while they are in Jacksonville going through tests for Dan's kidney transplant.
More soon, I promise!

Projects from My World

I thought before I take of for another weekend of creating, I'd better show you what I worked on last time. These are two of the projects. I will post pictures of the other project later this week.
The first project is a small notebook for my purse. I use it to make lists, write down ideas and addresses. I keep track of supplies there or things I want to buy if I run across it in my travels. You never know what I'll have written in there. But it stays in my purse. I'm sorry it's a bit blurry.
After that are the first 3 months of my 12 month journal I've been working on. Most of my friends are doing a picture a day for a year. That's way too much for me. So I figure I can do a bit every month. Like 12 things a month. That's 3 things a week. I think my life is exciting enough for three things a week. I hope you like it.
The papers, 3 ring book and alot of the accessories for it are from 7 gypsies "Savannah" line. I love this line, plus it's the name of my hometown, if you drop the "h". The metal circles are Tim Holtz. I love his stuff!!! Look for more of his trinkets in my other months. The Stamps are Fancy Pants. I bought the calendar set a few years ago, knowing I'd use it someday! I'm so glad I did!
Enjoy, hopefully I can put a big dent in April/May and June this weekend. And I'm going to sort a gallon bag full of buttons by color. Won't that be fun?

Well it's Almost Saturday!

In a few minutes I'll go to bed. In a few minutes it will be Saturday! Because it's Saturday, I have a surprise 40th birthday party to go to. It's really going to be a surprise because her birthday isn't til March! But our friend is so quick to pick up things that she would know we were up to something if we tried to plan something near her birthday.
I had to run some errands after work for the party. We're doing a Western theme, with bandanas and daisies. I'm in charge of drinks. Everyone thinks that's perfect for me. Why? But I'll take care of that in the morning.
I went tonite to get the stuff to wrap her birthday presents. Daisies, monarch butterflies and twine. One of the other girls has some red checked paper we're going to use. I got all that at HL. Except the twine. I have that here at the house.
I went to Michael's just to see what they had that I couldn't live without. Not much. Lots of new stuff, but I don't need it. Not yet. I want to see what the LSS's come out with from Winter CHA. I like to support my local LSS.
I went to Michael's because it was next door to TarGET! as we of german heritage say. I went to TarGET because my friend Kathy had a water bottle at work today that looked really cool. She got it at Target' as she is more prissy, ya know, tar gey!
Kathy knew about the water bottle because Joe, one of the guys at work had one.
Since we are on a "save the earth" kick here and at school, I've decided to try to cut back on drinking bottled water. I mean I have filter! All I need is a cup to keep it cold, that I can see through. Because I am funny about seeing the bottom of my glass and that it's clean. So I went to TarGET for a $10 water bottle.
I never go to TarGET, not that I don't like it, it's just on that side of town that I don't go to because there is too much traffic.
So I explored TarGET. I shouldn't have done that. First of all, I totally missed the $1 bins. I meant to go there. I saw a cute mailbox at the crop last weekend that someone had altered from the $1 bin. I am still kicking myself. I also totally missed the workout clothes. New workout clothes are my gift to me for being so faithful and losing 10 pounds on Wii. But I didn't even get them.
But I found Woolrich twin flannel sheets on clearance for $10. Those will keep me toasty warm next week at Winter Retreat. I found 4 towels on clearance to match the ones in Patrick's bathroom. Happy, Beachy colored towels. They match his PINK tiled bathroom. So let's see, sheets, towels, water bottle, $43!!!! But the sheets and towels on clearance justified the $10 (choke) water bottle right?
I'm rambling, really rambling. It's Saturday, I'm going to bed.

Random Things

I noticed on Ali Edwards Blog that she posted 16 Random Things. So here's mine.

1. Since beginning Wii Fit 28 days ago, my Wii Fit age has ranged from 32 to 71. I personally like the 32.

2. I really do like wearing wool sweaters.

3. Almonds really curb my midday hunger. I could almost not eat lunch.

4. My husband is really great, he's done the dinner dishes every night for a week.

5. As much as I enjoyed the few months we had alone with no children at home. I am really enjoying having the youngest one home again.

6. I think I could live on soup.

7. How big can dust bunnies really grow?

8. $5 mukluks from Kohl's are the greatest! I'm loving my red ones in this cold weather.

9. I am lucky! I won here and here in the past two months!

10. I can jog for 5 minutes on the Wii Fit!

11. I love cold weather in Florida. It really does remind me why I don't want to live back up north!

12. That son that lives at home? He cracks me up everyday!

13. I'm loving that new show, "Lie to Me". How interesting.....

14. I'm loving American Idol already. Next week, Florida.

15. Six degrees of separation....The Reverend who gave the opening prayer at the Inaugaration luncheon..Dr. Black? Used to be our Navy Chaplain. Awesome Guy!

16. I'm looking forward to camping at Winter Retreat with the Hilltop girls. 30 degrees in rustic cabins, now that's my kind of fun!

How's that for random?

Middle of the Week

It's bitter cold here, in the 20s, with windchill in the minus zeros. UGH! This is not why I live in Florida!
Sorry for not posting, this cold is kicking my hiney. I have no energy, once I get home from work, I'm done. Today, it's moved into my sinus'. Ugh! I'm over this!
I had a blast at the weekend beach scrapbooking retreat. Always a good time.
I'll try to post more later. Truly I will.

Friday!!!!!!

How do I always get from Tuesday to Friday in a snap? Gosh Wednesday and Thursday are always blurs to me. I don't know why, they just do.
I'm all packed for the weekend scrapping at the beach. This is my second crop in a row that I have not packed one single picture. Not one. I have plenty of things I want to do. If I need pictures, I'll print them there. But truly, I'd don't think I will.
I have to come back in town Saturday night for the football banquet. Can't miss that. You can tell I wasn't on the planning committee this year or we wouldn't have it this weekend! It will be sad tho, as all of hubby's DLine are seniors. We'll miss them.
Work has been just work. Same stuff, different day. Meetings on processes, you know you can't just tell people how to do something. You have to put it in writing, and every scenerio has to be explored. We have had 10 meetings on the process of withdrawing a student. How hard is it? I guess some people have to justify their job by having a meeting. Please just let me have the time, so I can do my job!
Can you tell I need a weekend at the beach scrapping?? And I've only worked three days this week!!! So ready for this long weekend.
I'll miss my Wii tho. I'll get home and hubby will have broken all my Wii records. But it's not a contest, just ask him!
I'll have the computer with me, so I'll check in on all of you. Have a great weekend and stay warm!!

Tuesday Tellings

I think I've finally broke my fever. I'm feeling much better today and can actually function without a blanket wrapped around me or feeling chilled. But I've stayed home from work just be sure and to build up some energy. My chest still feels congested, but I think that will have to work itself out. Everyone I've talked to felt rotten for 5 days. This is day 5.

On a positive note. Mii on Wii Fit is going well. I've lost 8 pounds, but more importantly, I'm still up off the sofa and doing something. Except for the past few days, I exersise every night. Last night I did a bit of step aerobics and balance, but Sunday I didn't do anything but the basic body test. I am jogging in place for 5 minutes now, I'm doing a half hour of step aerobics, a half hour of yoga, and a half hour of strength and balance training. As you can imagine with me and hubby doing this much, it takes up alot of tv time. Yeah!

I love the instant feedback the Wii Fit gives. I know my weight and BMI soon after signing in. I know if my times on my aerobics and balance tests have improved over the day before. I know if my yoga stances are better or worse. It's amazing that the Wii can tell this by Mii using the balance board.

I have to tell you about Sunday. I felt like doodoo. Really doodoo. I could barely get off the sofa, I felt so weak. But I got up and did the basic body test, weighing in, and doing two balance tests that are typically easy. I usually have a Wii Fit age around 43 which is younger than I am. But Sunday night in my weakened state I was 71! I felt 71! It was amazing to me because my balance tests were off, but not by much. My weight was down as was my BMI. But I was 71!

So besides the weight loss, I can feel some firmness in my muscles. I can see the difference in how my clothes fit already. I can feel that the exercises have gotten easier for me to do, meaning my muscles and balance are getting better. My downfall continues to be anything I have to do one legged. But, I've improved there already too. Just not as well as I would like.

I'll keep you posted on my progress, but won't obsess about it. I can see that being under 200 pounds is now a reality for me. I plan to take this down as far as I can, and hope they come up with Wii Fit II!