Exercise Suicide

Well, I've been trying to get back in gear with working out for the new year! Yeah me. (It's much harder than it sounds.) See, I'm not a morning person, so I can't get up earlier to work out. Then, I'm typically either too tired from the day or working late that I don't go in the evening. Which means, I'm not following my goal of working out. So, I've started doing some fun classes. I work out better in groups of people, so it helps to have accountability.

I love the abs class, the pilates class, piyo strength (combo pilates and yoga), as well as other general workout classes. I've also aspired to take Hip Hop and Salsa... however my hips don't move so well these days. All has gone well, except for today....I think I committed exercise suicide. I attempted to do one hour class, short abs class, and then to try SPINNING. Now, I couldn't even finish the class, and I felt much like a failure, but I'd like to think that I would have been successful if I would have done spinning only, rather than three classes in one night.

If anything, I learned that spinning is rather difficult. I don't know HOW people sit on that small little seat without it hurting..I may have extra body fat, but not enough on my rear to make the bicycle seat comfortable.

Oh well, life goes on....regular classes tomorrow.

Until later,

What have you done today to make you feel proud?

Click here to listen and ponder the meaning...

I look into the window of my mind
Reflections of the fears I know I've left behind
I step out of the ordinary
I can feel my soul ascending
I am on my way
Can't stop me now
And you can do the same
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
It's never too late to try
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
You could be so many people
If you make that break for freedom
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
Still so many answers I don't know
Realise that to question is how we grow
So I step out of the ordinary
I can feel my soul ascending
I am on my way
Can't stop me now
And you can do the same
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
It's never too late to try
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
You could be so many people
If you make that break for freedom
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
We need a change
Do it today
I can feel my spirit rising
We need a change
So do it today
'Cause I can see a clear horizon
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
So what have you done today to make you feel proud?
'Cause you could be so many people
If you make that break for freedom
So what have you done today to make you feel proud?
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
What have you done today
You could be so many people?
Just make that break for freedom
So what have you done today to make you feel proud?

~Heather Small~
"Proud"

Massive Headache, Tree Service, & Little Miss Sunshine

I went to bed last night with a slight headache, but assumed it would be gone by this morning. However, that wasn't the case. I woke up at 6:30 to get ready for work, and it was throbbing. I hate headaches. I don't like being sick in general, but I don't like headaches at all. The pounding of one side of my head, eyeballs hurting, and the back of my neck is tight.. OUCH. So, I went back to sleep...and then I woke up to the sound of men's voices outside my window, the ringing doorbell, and the tree trimming service. Turns out they were here this morning to trim up the trees. (Just great I thought to myself.)

But, as I well know, if I take naps during the day, I usually have a hard time sleeping the next night. And, since I have three more days of work, full days at that and travel too, I figured I better stay awake. I've taken medicine every so often, and I'm watching television and surfing the internet to keep myself awake. Oh, and solitaire too...(good idea Cameron!)

On another note, you should see this movie, Little Miss Sunshine. It's GREAT. Granted, there are some pretty vulgar parts, cursewords, and the like; you should know it's a great movie about coming together as a family, despite dysfunction.

I hope you enjoy it!

The Ashley Treatment

I'm fairly certain that most anyone who reads my blog, which I'm certain may amount to no more than maybe 3 or 4 people (at the most), know that I work in Early Intervention. Now, you ask, what is Early Intervention? Well, I could sum it up, but thanks to the internet I can just ask you to click here.

In this job, I have come across many issues that are debateable. And, if it weren't for this job, I wouldn't be who I am today, with my passion to help those kids with monsters as well as the family that is supporting them and helping them grow. Recently, there has been a huge issue with "The Ashley Treatment". I'm pretty certain where I stand, and that I don't feel anyone should be able to make decisions for someone else's child, however most people would view this as drastic measures, but I choose to support the family in their desires. Had I not had this job, I might feel a little bit differently about it all. But, when I research new diagnoses that my kids have, I come across other parents of children with monsters, and I found one mom that I really enjoy reading regularly, and I appreciate the way she can sum up her thoughts here. Feel free to read and come up with your own ideas, but just remember...the parents are often the voice of a special needs child, and if they can't speak for them, who can?

Kate's Kitchen

Kate enjoys her new kitchen, apron, hat, food, shopping cart, cash register, etc...but for some reason she wouldn't smile a whole lot this morning. Granted, she's still my precious niece.

More fun times with toys after Christmas...

Big boy Will on the new slide...and all on his own. He had a little difficulty getting his legs around to go down the right way. However, he also learned how to push his big sister Kate down the slide too!



Will loves the car too.



More fun on the slide...


And, again....more fun on the slide.

This tunnel ROCKS!

The tunnel was a very cool gift. It came from my mom, but I had the joy of picking them out for Christmas. I loved it. I think it's maybe 10 feet long, and that's a lot of fun for inside rainy days in Texas.

Here's Will peeking out of the mesh window. I think this might be his favorite part...from the inside or the outside.



There's Kate, my camera happy, smiling bouncing ball of joy!



Kate (screaming) I see you Aunt Emmy. And so does Will.



Take a picture Aunt Emmy, Kate wants to see it too.



They play so well together. Ahh, it's so fun.

Elmo, Ramps Around Garage, and Leap Frog Drum

Will is a sweet boy, and he loves his Elmo's.
Hi Aunt Emmy. Look at my Ramps Around garage. It's soooo fun!
I can even play with it all by myself! I'm soooo big!
Check out this drum Kate, it's GREAT. Now we have two drums to play with. A new band.

Table and Chairs

The kids love their new chairs and table set from Christmas. What a fun time!

Watching Saturday morning cartoons with Aunt Emmy. Daddy was fixing pancakes on his new griddle at this time too! Everybody was happy!
More fun with chairs...
Will likes to climb on them more than anything...from the chair to the table...from the chair to the couch...from the couch to the table...etc...I think you get my point.

Ice Storm of 2007

ICE STORM of 2007

The weather started on Friday about mid-day when I was out and about working like normal. Here are some of the highlights:

• Driving back from Prague, Oklahoma on I-44 I had to stop 3 times to simply scrape off the ice from the windshield wipers. Along with everyone else. It was insane. I'm thankful I had the SUV that day. It also took me much longer than normal to make the short trek back to Tulsa.
  
• Ilze and Taylor were out of school early due to the weather and I met them at the Goat Barn. We went to the grocery store to pick up a few things. Apparently everyone else and their dog, their cat, and their aunt were at the store. We waited in line for over 30 minutes. Two lines of solid people from the front to the back of the store. All we bought was some junk food, but the ingredients to make salsa....and boy was it tasty. The best I've made yet.
  
• We picked up a friend of Taylor's and then a friend of Ilze's came over and spent the night. Me, in charge of four 15 year olds for the night. Late night. Fun games. Laughing all night. Lots of food. Good times.
  
• With the continuing sleet and ice, we were stuck in the house until Sunday, and I was stuck until Monday. Dad and Gayle arrived back on Saturday night from their cruise, but I was stuck there two additional days due to the weather.
  
• We were thankful that the worst of it hit the south and east of Tulsa. We never lost power. We were simply stuck together for a lot of family time. Thank goodness for good television and internet service!

Hoping that your 2007 is off to a great start!

Fun times...

It has been awhile since I posted much of anything on the page, so I'm going to sum up a few things from the last month or so.

I just returned home from taking care of my little brother and sister, both 15 years old, as well as a Junior Hockey player who is 18 and is housing with my Dad and Gayle. Now, this was a challenging week, but I survived. However, I was stuck there two extra days with the ice storm of 2007. Here are some highlights of the week:

• Assisting my little sister in the attempt of cornering her billy goat, Romeo, in order to practice walking him for the FFA show planned for Saturday. Now, imagine the following set up: A small area of a gated fence, approximately 7 feet by 7 feet, with a small goat house in the middle. Ilze is on one side and I am on the other, attempting to catch the goat to put on it's halter. Now, Ilze is a small 15 year old. She's not quite 5 feet tall and not more than maybe 90 pounds. She was able to get the goat, stradle it and tie the halter on. But then, the goat wouldn't move with the halter and lead rope on. Now, I was standing in the middle of this all, laughing histerically, harder than I have in a long time. It was fun. That goat does not like her. She knows it though, so it's okay. She's good with them though. Her first show was cancelled due to the weather.
  
• Fixing dinner in a different kitchen, with a new oven, and minimal directions. Now, there are bound to be some bad things. For instance, crescent roll weinies, also known as pigs in a blanket, that were undercooked. Burning of chicken. Not so done mashed potatoes. Etc. By the end of the week I managed to do okay, and I made some darn good SALSA! YUMMY!
• I attempted to make some basic rolls for the kids in the morning, got up early and baked them before they came downstairs. All to find out that one of the two didn't like anything other than traditional cinnamon rolls. That meant the orange rolls and caramel rolls were a no. However, they were GREAT. I ate them the next few mornings for breakfast.
  

Overall, I survived and got some really cool stuff from Dad and Gayle. They were on a cruise in the middle of the Caribbean in the nice hot weather when the Ice Storm of 2007 hit Oklahoma.

See next post for details.

Wally and Zoe's Christmas Celebration...

How cool is this? A tennis ball rawhide bone! I love it.

My new little fish toy..too bad Wally destroyed it within the first hour!

Zoe on the Christmas present, playing with the ribbons and lights!

Zoe loves ribbon. LOVES it.

Wally with his Christmas collar on...what a good boy!

Christmas at Mimi's House

Christmas afternoon and evening with Mimi and Aunt Emmy.
Last round of presents...but it was oh so fun!

Kate exploring her new cash register. It zaps, rings, and has a credit card machine!

Aw...Will is sooooo tired.

Wait, he loves his new tunnel. What a fun thing for a rainy day. Or snow. Or ice.

Check out my new apron and hat...Aunt Emmy rocks!

See, I can pose too. Aren't I cute? My Aunt Emmy sure thinks so!

Christmas at Grammy & Grandpa's House

Christmas morning was spent with Grammy and Granpa. Kate and Will had a lot of fun, opening many presents. Lots of fun things!

Will checking out his new table and chair set.





Kate feeding her new Itty Bitty Baby, Emma.





Will is easily entertained by the Christmas decorations, a little more than his stocking.





Silly Aunt Emmy and Kate. Kate loves pictures. She takes after her Aunt Emmy.





Peek-A-Boo...I see you!

Merry Christmas, with love...

Merry Christmas, with love.

Zoe, Emily, and Wally send greetings to you all.