Rare Disease Day

"Hope is in our genes"- I got the chills today when I saw this posted  on Facebook by a mother whose daughter has a rare disease,   I had this whole blog post written on why Rare Disease Day is important (education, public awareness, acknowledgement of these diseases,  fund raising etc).  I decided instead of lecture (let's face it I like to nag) I would just show you why this day is important to me and many other parents.    Look at these sweet faces, we have to have hope for them.   



Sarah

 

Ty and Ben

Addi

Seth

Charlie



Quinn

 

Daylon

 

Bella

 

If you are wondering what you can do, learn about these diseases here: 

 Epidermolysis Bullosa

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva

National Organization for Rare Disorders

 

 

 

 

Staying positive...bleh!

When the snow started to literally close in around me I thought I better come up with ways to stay positive about what we are experiencing here in Minnesota called a Polar Vortex.  Well, guess what??? When I got in my car this morning and saw this... 

 

-12, again that is NEGATIVE 12!   There was no holding back all the frustration I've tried to suppress about this weather, AHHHHHHHHHH!.  In December, January and February I expect cold weather, but this is unreasonable- who can I talk to about this?  Over 20 days we've had of subzero temps, 6 snow days (and only one of those was because of snow, the other 5 were because of the temps being so low, as in -20 with a wind chill that felt like -40)!  Last night I dreamed that I saw the ground without snow. I was so happy and woke up feeling so good (until I stepped outside that is).  So sad that green grass has become a fantasy for me. 

 

My dreams have become pathetic, I eat like I am trying to store fat for years, I am sick of my sweaters, boots, holey socks, my poor puppy has no idea what grass is or the concept of going for a walk, kids are going stir crazy, puppy going stir crazy and ME going stir crazy.... let's give it another AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

 

Now that I've gotten that out and know that I sound unappreciative for what I do have, I'll end with a silver lining. The "Polar Vortex" makes things pretty and our 10,000 lakes will be full this summer, which could be problematic and could create some serious mosquito motels, but I am staying positive.   Stay warm!

Yes those are our Christmas lights- they'll be up until the thaw...

A PLAN

I am reading this book called The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg.  I don't usually read this type of book but my husband asked me to read it to help him with some research he is doing (I'm such  a good wife).    It has a lot of interesting research and examples regarding habits.  One of the things the book talks about is how successful people are at change.  Through the research they have found that change is more likely if you have a plan.  There is a study of people who got knee and hip replacements.  Those who had a written, detailed plan were the ones who recovered faster and met their goals faster. 

This got me thinking of my list of things I want to do.  I need a plan, especially the big ones.  "Fit at Forty" definitely needs a plan, that is where I am starting.

I've started with what does "Fit at Forty" look like.

• Do 5 pull-ups -I just don't have much upper body strength so I am looking to get it and prove it to myself by doing those pull-ups. 
• Improve core strength (well improve is  overstated, really develop core strength is more like it). 
• Strengthen muscles around my back- quads, core, gluts etc.. hoping to reduce by old lady back pain.
• Run a 10K this summer without back pain or run the 5K in less than 24min. (I did 24min last summer, booya!- pretty sure I could get in the top 3 now that I'll be in the 40 and over category- hey advantages of getting old, right).   

Now I know what it looks like, what to do- my ACTION word for the year.  I am NO expert in this field but I do know myself and know what has worked for me in the past and what is realistic.   I am thinking of consulting a trainer regarding a workout plan then checking in with them every few weeks and adjusting it as needed. 

I would LOVE to hear in the comment section what has worked for you in the fitness area, or if you have written a plan and seen it all the way through!   I am not looking for comments telling me I am fine or enough the way I am.  I know that, but I really want and need some improvement in this area and I love to hear motivating stories and to know what has worked for you.   

Puppy Love

I'll share some puppy love with you on Valentine's Day. 



Willis only 10 days after we brought him home

Willis now, he's growing so fast- 32 lbs. already



SleepingWillis, I love it when he cuddles on the couch with me


Happy Valentine's Day!

80's Dance Moves

For my goal of “fit at 40” I am trying to bump up my exercise.  I do workout regularly but to be honest they aren’t that great of workouts.  Today I tried something that I haven’t done in over a year, went to a cardio class.  Working out 75 minutes, verses my 20 minutes on a machine then getting bored.  The class was the right choice.    

I love the instructor of this particular class.  She is so calm and Zen like reminding us to leave our  inhibitions, comparisons, and judgments at the door.  I decided I was going to give this class my ALL and I did leave my inhibitions at the door, for sure!  No excuses for me, especially since I opted for the back row.  I worked hard and had a GREAT work out.   

My favorite part of the class is the last 5 minutes when she calls for free dancing.  The instructor does her moves and we can follow or do our own…. 

I had some moves of my own that I wanted to bust out, why not I was in the back row and no one could really see me (at least that’s what I told myself) and remember I left my inhibitions at the door.  I did a little bit of the running man, the cabbage patch, a hyped up version of the pony and a few other 80's treasures.   A few times I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and decided to just close my eyes as I did it.  Have you ever watched yourself dance in front of a mirror? I just didn’t look as good as I thought I did in my mind. 

After class I felt so good and just happy.    Happy because it was fun, happy that I burned calories while having fun and happy that I didn’t know anyone in the class who witnessed my dance moves! 

Here is a clip I found on YouTube of the running man in case you forgot or (yikes!) it was before your time.  Hmmm, maybe I should have reviewed it before class.  Hey there’s always next Friday’s class, I’ll look sweet for sure. 

Junk drawer

My goal- to clean the junk drawer monthly.  My excuse has been that it takes too much time.... it really only took me 10 minutes and it was a mess.

 

When you go to get a pedicure do you ever trim your toenails a little or maybe take off the 4 layers of nail polish just so your toes don’t look so bad?    Well that’s how I felt as I went to take a "before" picture of my junk drawer.  I was thinking maybe I should clean it up just a little, because, let me be honest, I am embarrassed I let it get this bad BUT I am keeping it real and didn't touch it. 

 

 

 This is it folks.   You could play a serious game of “I Spy” with this picture.  Can you see the bell from Christmas?  The tooth case with my daughter’s tooth in it that she forgot to put under her pillow, but the awesome tooth fairy still came!

 

Please tell me your junk drawer get this messy.

 

What did I do with all that stuff?  Well mostly purge, purge, purge.  Tooth…gone, Christmas bell….gone.  I don’t know why I let it sit there for months.

 

 

Checked this off the list for the month of February!  It does give me a sense of calm looking at it all clean, knowing we do own pens, and pencils that are sharpened and look the tape and scissors are here (for now). 

 

What do you do to keep your junk drawer from getting overwhelmingly messy? 

 

Getting Started

This whole blog thing started as a phone conversation with Beth, one of my best friend.  I was in a pickle because I had finished my schooling, gotten a job, but then quickly realized it didn’t work out for my family situation for me to be working…and that was only part time.  I was complaining to Beth that if I didn’t work what would I do during the day while my kids were at school besides become addicted to reality TV.   She quizzed me on things I like to do.  I couldn’t think of much at the time.

Shortly after we talked again (as best friends do, even if she is almost 2,000 miles away).  I had a list for her: become a better swimmer, I wanted to take up piano again (my mom was right when she said I’d regret not practicing), I wanted to learn how to take good pictures.  As our conversation went on I decided as an adult it might be too embarrassing to start these things because I wasn’t already good at them… my crazy logic, right?  She laughed and said you don’t have to be good at it to start something. 

I did what I am good at doing (just ask my hubby) made excuses on why I couldn’t really start those things.    Why can’t I do those things?  This blog is going to be about ACTION and accountability…most of the time. 

At the start of the new year I read a blog by a friend of mine, Dr. Jean Davidson, that talked about instead of making a bunch of resolutions, pick a word for the year.  I immediately knew what my word would be, ACTION.  I feel like I am one of those “good intentions” people, but don’t quite get around to doing.  This blog is a start to fulfilling that resolution, checking things off my many lists. 

Beth and I