The New Me Challenge

Ok... the "New Me" is going to be a slow transition. I'm loaded with good excuses ..none of which I will bore you with. I did walk 4x for 30 minutes this week, I did increase my water intake and cut back on portion size. But.. eating after dinner, not so good. Making my girls meals.. I snacked less.
As for lifting weights.. I am sticking with calisthenics for now until I get my body a little more conditioned. I just got over an injury in my back.. and something is $^%@ wrong with my shoulder. So I am going to build slow - so I dont back step into not being able to do anything again!

Im disappointed in myself. I need to work on my will power... I've got it, its just a bit buried under all my chubbiness! I just NEED to do this.. right?! RA RAH WOO HOO!

Recipe of the Week: Balsamic Steaks with Gorgonzola-Tomato Topping

I made this tonite and was wow'd! Yum YUM! I think any thicker cut steak would be ok. Serve with balsamic vinegar type dressing/salad and bread sticks and you have a winner! Fresh spices/herbs/etc are a must!

BALSAMIC STEAKS WITH GORGONZOLA -TOMATO TOPPING

MARINADE:

2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp. chopped shallots
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
Freshly ground pepper
2 filet mignon steaks, 1 inch thick (about 6 inches around)

TOPPING:

1 (8 oz.) tomato, cut into 1/2 inch cubes (about 1 cup)
2 oz. Gorgonzola cheese, cubed
1/4 c. shredded fresh basil
2 tbsp. thinly sliced chives or scallions
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Prepare grill or heat broiler. In a small bowl whisk together all the marinade ingredients. In a non-corrosive baking dish place steaks in a single layer. Coat evenly with marinade; set aside.

In another bowl, combine topping ingredients, stirring gently until blended. Grill or broil steaks 4 inches from heat, 4-6 minutes per side for medium-rare, sprinkling each side with salt after searing. Spoon topping over each steak.

CLICK HERE for PDF version of this recipe

Tuesday's Tribute

Yet Another Jay and Deb Production.
Tuesday Tribute... a new idea, tradition or agenda item for me! I thought it was unique and it would help me figure out what the direction or feel my blog will take on! What is it? It's a tribute to whatever or whomever I decide to blog about! But.. not me! So stay tuned... one week it could be YOU! Click on the logo above to know more, or would like to join in!

So here goes... STACI, my neighbor, my friend. She is the person that first popped into my head, why? Because I feel blessed to have her in my life these days! She has seen me at my best, worst.. and just plain ole everyday boring self - yet she accepts and loves me whenever I see her! And if you have toddlers, or remember when yours were young, the fact is I do not get out much! So my visits with her (and her hubby!) are sometimes the highlight of my week!

I must say she is an amazing cook! She is one of those ladies from the old school who need no recipe! Her "sauce" (for spaghetti, ziti, etc) takes 1-2 days to make and it's tastier than anything I've ever had! We enjoy sharing awesome recipes and I often times run up new things for her approval/taste testing! Otherwise you can often times find me visiting in their kitchen when the kiddies are fast asleep. We have solved many world problems during our long chats! It's so fun to have her as my neighbor!

She is generous, gracious.. and both of my girls love her/them dearly. It's a joy to watch a relationship grow between her and my girls, especially since we do not have any family in our state. I value her more than she could possibly realize. My youngest daughter is the luckiest of all - she is her God Daughter! The picture below was taken 9/9/07 at Sophie's baptism.
In 3-5 years our family plan is to build a home in Dacula. We are excited and full of anticipation about it. But... I, nor my girls, want to think of the day that Staci is not next door. STACI I LOVE YOU! Maybe.. just maybe you might consider moving too one day? :) Just dang... had to end that with a tear.. sorry! HugZZZ

MondayZ Memorable MomentZ 1/5

Just cuz I like the letter Z... I had to stem off ... stupid? ok, so what. best I got right now!
So this is another attempt to create a memorial blog.. even if for myself.. or better yet for the girls. That is if there is such a thing as saving an archive of this for YEARS to come?!
So you need to stay tuned because Tuesdays will be : Tuesday Tribute! Anyhoo.. MondayZ I am going to attempt to be as regular as I have the ability to give a short blog about all the Memorable MomentZ of the week's past that I experience with my girls. Whether they are UpZ or DownZ! So here goes....

• Every night Scott puts Sophie to bed, not because I do not want to, but becuz Caroline will only let me put her to bed. Shared responsibility is what you call that! So.. the ritual is heading to brush teeth - first her sucking tooth paste, then it's my turn to do the real deal. She's graduated, she now knows how to spit! yeahh.. now if I could get her to stop sucking the toothpaste.
• On the note of bedtime.. we move into chasing her for the change into PJ's. Not so fun. Most of the time I get kicked where I don't want to be kicked and she laughs. Not funny. But she is cute. God bless her. Now if we havent read a book downstairs, now is the time to pick 1-2 books. Thereafter that process the ritual gets a little cute! First we must sing Twinkle Twinkle (together)... and then Itsie Bitsie Spider. Then finally her prayers. I have hung on her wall an embroidery that my mom made me for my room (!) that has a short prayer (see photo).. then ...AMEN! We've been saying it for 2-3 months and she is starting to help say it - so proud of her! Ok.. thereafter.. I give (on demand) 2-3 BIGGG hugs.. and BIGGG kisses, and I might escape w/o another trip to her room. Whew... I count my blessings that I do not have to lay with her, but that is a lot of work!
• Sophie... wow she is SUCH A PEANUT. Petite thing she is. Her hair is getting so friggin long. She tries to repeat every word - and it floors me! She is our baby! It truly blows me away. But her red head scares the crap out of me and I cant sugar coat that! Her tantrums are not far off of Caroline's - so I am scared of her getting into her 3's.. Very. God help and bless me!
• Caroline's tantrums. Did I mention God help me? I'm reading books, they give me some hope... and little help. I guess I need to read more. A whole lotta whiny and screaming. Yo sisters... your curse came true: my daughter is as bad as you described me. #^%@! thanks.
• Speaking of blessings, we get them all time from Caroline. If anyone sneezes or coughs, even HERSELF - she says BLESS YOU. Not sure how... or if I should correct that one. It's the one thing she does that is wayyy wrong and still friggin cute.
• Not sure if I mentioned it before, but wow Sophie is growing FAST. She knows about 75% of her ABC's.. and she sings it! If she doesnt know the letter, she says the sound. My gifted child .. obviously. Many thanks to Leap Frog - you rock.
  
• Speaking of Leap Frog.. I love it. Only because he is WAY better than Teletubbies - I did begin to think I was going to lose my mind if I had to listen to Teletubbies with both girls! Sophie is on the fast track now... so I am spared. So are they, they just don't know it. Hey Dipsie.. Po.. LaLa.. and Tinkie Winkie... go find a hole, I mean HOME.. somewhere else! FYI: I have a 16 DVD set for sale!! whoo hooo! And hey.. in case you are Chinese, they are broadcasted in both languages! All yours for just $75! Bargain of the year, no doubt about it. Wait... I might pay you to take them..
• Caroline again.. she is cute beyond belief. She now loves to play house, dress up or anything else that mirrors me. God Bless her again. These days I find myself saying... "there's a reason he makes 'em that cute" ! She has 5 pairs of heels - almost more than me!
  

Ok.. so that's it for this week.. feeling lame, but I just came up with this idea! Next week I promise to be more fulfilling and meaningful .. maybe. Until then I hope and pray that I find more JOYS in the Memorable MomentZ my girls deliver in the week ahead!

Got SNOW ?!

Now those who live where it snows and does not stay can have snow too! This system is too cool! If you have a air compressor and a pressure washer, you can have snow for us $448 more .. bargain? ugh.. I think I will keep my eyes open on www.craigslist.org! For now I will dream the possibility of making some snow angels, building a snowman and riding saucer! It just might freeze once more this winter in HotLANTA! whaaaHOOOO!!
www.snowathome.com

The New Me Challenge

I'm joining a group of women via blog and taking the challenge/vow! My 20 year high school class reunion this year, so this is a fabulous start! My goal is to drop at least 20 lbs and get back into a size 8! I will blog my results every Sunday, starting 1/11/08.

1. I will walk or do aerobics at least 4 days per week.
2. I will weight lift at least 2 days per week.
   
3. I will eat smaller portions.
4. I will NOT eat after 7pm.
5. I will drink water like it's going out of style.
   

BETTER ME.. here i come! Click here if you want to join in!

New Year's Resolution

So what is in a "New Year's Resolution"? When I think back to all the resolutions in the past, I find myself feeling disappointed - other than 2002 when I FINALLY quit smoking! I'm irritated with the word "Change", but.. alas, I do want it ... just not in the way it's been proposed in the media! I dont want this to be about politics... that's another day.. and another over due post in the near future.

Last week it came to me: 2009 I will get my life back! First I wanted to rethink "resolution" - so I turned to Wiktionary and found it's definition: A statement, a vow, intent. I like the VOW part... it helps brings the concept of the resolution to deeper meaning for me. Just as I believe dreams turn into goals and goals turn into reality .. my resolution/vow shall turn into reality too! Now I'm going to stand up on stage and spill it, for the world to see.

The last 7 years I served as a volunteer with a business association the National Kitchen & Bath Association at the State Chapter level - I held positions as Secretary, Programs and President. I put my ALL into it. I was benefited with great friendships, valuable networking, great educational opportunities and even some fun travels. While I am a true believer that "you get what you put into it" .. I think I took it a bit too far, and more importantly, too long. To the point it was integrated deeply into my life; it became personal, and my family took the back burner .. and I could blame no one but myself! 2008 was a wake up call - I was faced with challenges that simply burned me out. I find it sad that it had to end in that manner, but I think it may have been the only way for me to wake up and move on to the next stage. Now I am looking forward to being in the shadows at NKBA events and be honored as the Immediate Past President with no obligations or responsibilities!

So the next stage is what? Whoops I'm late! When I think of all the time I now have for myself, my family and my career - I really do not know where to begin. For starters I need to start with me. My health, both mental and physical, have taken a serious toll trying to balance out life with career, NKBA, marriage and having babies. And as I hear my DH say "If momma ain't happy.. no one is!". While it's harsh, it's real, and I know it!

So... I am going to take baby steps - and some of it needs to be away from my computer! Since my design work has me on a computer, it's easy to fill those open hours with blogging, and searching the web. And being my computer is right in the middle of our living space in an armoire, I can have it any time.. any minute. So #1 is shutting off my computer for a few hours during the day. Afterall, I have my Blackberry that delivers anytime/any place! I would love to work out more, do more activities with my daughters, spend more time with my husband (who has probably paid the biggest price!), and give more time to my personal friends.

As for ME.. that is probably the easiest part. Working out is something I really enjoy, and the benefits are huge! But what about the others? Many times I have felt like I only shuffle my girls around, letting the TV do the teaching. What kind of MOM is that? But where do I begin? Really.. what should I be doing? These baby/toddler years will fly by (I hope! haha)... so what can I do to make the most of them? I will blog about it.. I will reach out to other moms for guidance - I desperately need it! Got any? .... I would love to hear from yoU! Then, there's my dear husband. We've been stressed out at times figuring out this whole parenting thing, and our marriage has really been put on the back burner. I know it's common with kids at this age, but that doesn't mean we/I can't do better. Reality is we have the time, we just need to dedicate some to one another. Shut the tv off and just be together, go back to talking more. Loving each other more. And lastly.. my family and friends old and new. I plan to keep in touch better, show that I DO care... and grow together. Don't let life slip by without sharing it! I have been blessed with some new friends who have children the same age - and I will not take that for granted! In fact... I may lean on those friendships now more than ever! :) Ready? :)

I'm tenacious .. I am shining example of SISU. Success is the only option! I dont have any serious checklists or agendas .. I am just going to give the time, and take it slow. I WILL figure out who and what I am these days. I will be happier, and so will my family. We will laugh more and cry/scream less!! Getting my life back will be the healthiest choice I've made in a very very long time! Here's to ALL of our dreams, goals, vows or resolutions to come true in 2009!