Cleaning House again

Last year, I started off with this grand plan to have a clean house within 30 days.  (See that meager beginning here.)  Now, it's the first Monday of 2011 and it's time to attack the house again.  I'm so glad I saved my cleaning schedule!!!  That'll help me stay on track once again as I purge the junk and clutter from the recesses of my closets! 

Pray for me please.  Pray that the Lord will help me to be ruthless as I toss out un-needed items and junk that I've hung on to for years because, "I'm gonna use that!"

30 Days to a Clean House

Last year sometime, I had read an article about Spring Cleaning. I couldn't remember where I had found the article, so I did a search on the internet in hopes of stumbling across it. Well, I found several references to it, and even a link or two to the magazine where it had been printed. But no article!

So, I took what information I learned...the name & date of the magazine I had seen it in (Woman's Day, June 2008)...and went to the local library where I knew I would find the magazine I was searching for! Aren't I resourceful? LOL

I found the article, and made a copy of the 30 Day Spring Cleaning schedule. So, am I up for the challenge of getting my house sparkling clean? I don't know...yet. However, I invite you all to join me as I begin this lovely little project on Monday! Let's start cleaning!!!

Natchez Trace: Tricycle

Some time ago, I made a post about my bucket list. The number one item on that list is to bicycle the Natchez Trace. Lately, I have been revisiting that idea. I have spent the last few evenings researching road cycling for beginners. I've learned a few things but haven't been able to put any of it to practice yet. I will need to purchase somet things before I hit the road. First up is a bicycle and then riding clothes.

My main concern about the bicycle is comfort. If I'm gonna be on that thing for up to 6 hours at a time, I want my butt to be comfy. I prefer wide cushy seats to ride on. I also prefer riding upright in order to see the country side. So handle bars to support me in that position would be great!

Then I thought, well, heck, I'll have to haul camping gear too. How am I gonna do that AND be comfy! I can't sleep on the ground the way I used to when I was a youngster. Air mattresses are comfy but a pain to get up off of. I prefer sleeping on a camp cot. How am I gonna carry a camp cot on a bicycle?

AHA! I've GOT IT! Forego the Bi-cycle and take a Tri-cycle! Thus, my research turns towards a tricycle. I found one today while searching. It's an iZip 2008, Tricruiser Adult Electric Tricycle! I have decided that this is the vehicle for me to putt putt along on the Natchez Trace while enjoying the scenery AND there's a basket on the back for all my stuff!!

Features include a 450 watt Earth magnet motor (whatever THAT means) and a rechargable battery giving this trike at range of 30 - 35 miles per charge. It can also reach a maximum speed of 15 mph. That's good for me when I want to get a little distance on the road. It had an EXTRA WIDE seat and the basket I previously mentioned. It also has some other techno stuff that I'm glad it has but I really don't give a hoot about at this point. AND if the charge runs out, well, there's always the old fashioned foot power that'll keep it going.

One thing that bothers me is that if I get it stuck or something, this thing weighs 128 pounds. So, it won't be too easy to unstick it. The other thing that bothers me is the price. Do I REALLY want to spend $1100 on this? Just because it's got a little motor to help me along? It would certainly be more cost efficient to purchase a trike without a motor. A new Schwinn trike would only be about $300! But it will be totally human powered.

So anyway, whatdaya think? Should I try this thing on the Natchez Trace? Should I go with a trike or a bike? I'm totally out of shape but feel that I can get where I need to be physically within a few months of training.

First Day of Kindergarten

Well, we did it. We got Little Bird enrolled in public school. I had to take her to take a little test on Monday. I was both excited and relieved when the teacher enthusiastically told me that Little Bird already knows about 3/4 of what they're gonna cover this year. She just didn't know many of the sight words or her home address and phone number. Otherwise, she recognized all the alphabet letters, knew the sounds they make, counted to 30, and many other things. Plus, since she turns 6 in September, she'll be one of the older students in Kindergarten. The teacher said she couldn't begin to tell me how smart the decision to wait was/is. I look forward to a very positive Kindergarten experience for my Little Bird.

I'm a tad concerned that she may get bored with the material at the school, butI have stuff here at home to supplement her with as well as her involvement in 3 extra curricular activities this year (BTW, is 3 too much ? - choir, dance, and piano lessons).

I still have my reservations about putting her in public school since I wanted to homeschool my little ones. However, I felt that I haven't been as diligent as I should have been. On the other hand, I must've done a decent job seeing that she did so well at the testing. I also have Kangaroo at home for 2 more years also. I can still homeschool her and get her prepared. I'm also planning to allow her to play hookey for education field trips with a homeschool group that I have Kangaroo in. Hopefully, that won't offend anyone.

All that being said......on the first day of school yesterday, Little Bird was so excited that she couldn't sleep the night before! She was awake and out of bed before the alarm!

Hugging Kangaroo Bye Bye

Hugging Daddy Bye Bye
At her classroom door.
Settling in for the morning.

When I picked her up from school, she just chattered all the way home about her day. She told me how they went on a tour of the school (disquised as a bear hunt). She told me about how they played on the playground. She mentioned a red box on the playground that the children stand in.

If they're quiet, they receive a blue ticket to be used at the end of nine weeks for the purchase of treats in the Positive Behavior Store.

She also told me that for lunch they had Salad (with Ranch dressing), Fish Sticks, Fruit Salad, and Mashed Potatoes which they apparently make better than I do (according to Little Bird). She was so excited about the Salad!

When we got home for the afternoon, she didn't want to change out of her uniform and even begged to sleep in it for the night!

She's even more excited about her upcoming "cheese wagon" ride on Monday morning!

Pre Diabetes/Insulin Resistance

On Friday, June 26, 2009, I met with my doctor to discuss some blood test results. I was told that I am (along with 57% of Americans) pre-diabetic or Insulin Resistant. I have not yet developed full blown diabetes, but this is why my doctor wanted to consult with me. He wants to prevent me from developing the disease. He believes that we can head it off with lifestyle change, better food choices, regular exercise, and substantial weight loss.

And so, I embark on this journey. I have started an online food diary and exercise journal to keep track of what I'm doing to my body. The links to these along with printouts will be given to my doctor.

On Saturday, I began watching my carb limits. The doctor wants me to have 10 or less carbs per meal. This is a difficult task! On Monday, I began the South Beach diet program with the doctor's blessing. Phase One of this program requires that I eat only high protein foods. No sugars, Grains, or Fruit allowed for 2 weeks!!! This is along with drinking a lot of water and 30 minutes of exercise a day.

By the way, the doc said that when I do exercise, he wants me huffing and puffing for 30 solid minutes. If I can talk during my 30 minutes, I'm not working hard enough. My challenge right now is to find a comfortable level to keep steady before having a heart attack or something during my exercise session.

Okay, I'll sign off for now but not before saying that I am excitedly pleased to report a weight loss of 7 lbs since my doctor's visit on Friday just 5 days ago!!!! Woo Hoo!!!

If you would like to see what I'm eating, click here.