Good Day

I had my weigh in today and I lost 3.4 lbs! Yeah, I hit the -17 lb mark. I didn't think I would ever get past 15, this has taken a while. I was so happy that I even ran on the treadmill at the gym today. Granted, probably slower than anyone else would call running, but I still did it. Unfortunately, there were places bouncing and things moving on me that I didn't even know existed. I'm sure it was NOT a pretty site. :) I just wiped off the sweat that was dripping and kept going. Maybe someday I really will run a 5K again.
Now, on to the -20 mark. Hoping to reach that soon!!

Disney Pics

Thought I would share some vacation pictures. I would say this is one of the best vacations I've ever taken. Not the most relaxing, but lots & lots of fun.

Great again

My eldest niece, Jennifer, had her baby last Friday. Amelia. She's so darned cute! I hope I get to see her before too long. She has the hair that I always thought my children would be born with! But, alas, just peach fuzz for my kiddos. Welcome to Motherhood, Jen!

So, it's official. I am Great Aunt Anne once again. Yeah!!

100 Things I've Done

100 Things I've Done
Everything that is in BOLD I've done. If you decide to post this, please comment so I can check your list out!
1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland
.8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you're not sick.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagra Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to truly be satisfied.
38. Seen the leaning tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo's David.
41. Sung karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served in a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp.
67. Bounced a check.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Been to the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the paper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had Chicken pox.
89. Saved someone's life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.

We're back from Disney! Had a blast while we were there. The weather was good all week except for a rainy Friday. But even that didn't dampen our spirits. We spent all 6 days at Disney and we did almost everything. We had to take our picture by the "L" in California of course, but I forgot to get my picture by the "a". Unfortunately, our picture with Mickey turned out all blurry, I was so disappointed. As soon as I figure out Picassa, I'll post some more. Just one last thing to say.
It sure is COLD back home!

Working on those resolutions

So, being stuck home, inside, all day, with 2 active children, hmmm, what's a mom to do? Why, start closet cleaning of course! At least, that's what I did yesterday. I started with Simon's closet since it was the easiest to do. Much better afterward. Then, I tackled the dreaded bathroom closet/linen closet/stockpile storage closet. OMG! What a mess. After about 1 1/2 hours, I got it in good shape. Only threw away 2 garbage bags full of expired, not used, old, nasty crap. Can you say EEE-UUU? I knew you could.
The next one to go is the front closet. Watch out, I'm on a mission to get them done before we leave. Carissa's in on tap for tomorrow.
I am cleaning closets, hear me roar.

Update on Weight

Someone asked me recently if I met my goal of being down another 5 pounds before the end of the year. Well, technically no. Five pounds down would have beeen -15 lb total, I weighed in at -14.8 lb. I'm choosing to round up so I feel better. A woman's perogative, wouldn't you say?Which is good because I found out my Wii age is 49 and my Mii is looking mightily plump on the Wii fit. Like I didn't know how I looked, now I have a machine mocking me??? Darn good thing the trainer didn't make any sarcastic comments because my new little Wii board may have been thrown out the window, er, I mean taken a nice little break outside. Sigh, guess I better get moving on the Wii to make up that difference.
Wish I liked to exercise, it'd be much easier.

Photo Op

Had a picture taking session today with the Princess. These were my favorites. Minnie Mouse has made a big comeback in our house recently. :)

Great Niece Holly

I got to meet and hold my only Great-niece when we visited with my Dad at the beginning of January. I always knew I was good, but now I'm officially Great (Great Aunt Annie, that is!)

Hey, I'll take whatever I can get! I loved watching my Dad interact with his great-granddaughter. My sister (I affectionately called her Granny the whole time) is the one with Holly at the end. It is exceptionally weird to call your sister Grandma. Just saying.

Tea Party Time

I found my old play tea set in the basement. So today, Princess and I had a tea party. Serving only the finest apple juice and mini butter cookies. We also had a lesson in not slurping your 'tea'. Judging from the happy look on her face, there will be many more tea parties to come.

Beautiful

I was coming home from grocery shopping and couldn't help but notice the way the trees all looked. It was as if they were dipped in white choclate and crystalized sprinkles (hmm, should I be worried that my references are almost always about food?!). The trees were just white, icey and gorgeous and it was hard to concentrate on driving. Beautiful.

Slow Cooker Italian Beef

Got a 2 thumbs up from both the kids and husband for this one. Definitely a keeper! From one of my favorite recipe blogs: http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2008/12/slow-cooker-italian-beef.html
Slow Cooker Italian Beef for Sandwiches
adapted from allrecipes.com
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon onion salt (I used onion powder)
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 bay leaf
1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix (such as Good Seasons brand)
1 (5 pound) chuck roast
Combine water and beef broth with salt, ground black pepper, oregano, basil, onion salt, parsley, garlic powder, bay leaf, and salad dressing mix. Whisk to combine.Place roast in slow cooker, and pour salad dressing mixture over the meat. Cover, and cook on Low for 10 to 12 hours, or on High for 4 to 5 hours.
When done, remove bay leaf, and shred meat with a fork (I did this step about 45 minutes before eating so the shredded meat had time to absorb more of the juices in the crockpot). Serve on crusty rolls with cheese, if desired. (Its' really tasty with some mozzarella cheese)

Countdown Continues

Only 7 days left! How do I know? Because my kids are RELIGIOUSLY watching our countdown calendar and reporting to me numerous times a day. It's fun to see their excitement.

Besides counting down, we've been having lots of fun in the snow. Sledding yesterday and today and we even got the hubster to go with us today. I had forgotten how tiring walking up that hill could be, I just kept thinking 'activity points, activity points'. The kids put me to shame with their endurance.

Wolfgang also beat the pants off me when we played the Wii. Geez, that didn't take long. Sometimes it sucks getting old.

A New Obsession

I started reading Harry Potter with Wolfgang in December. We finished Book 1 on Sunday (took the whole month) and last night, the hubbie went to the library and picked up the 2nd book. Well, Wolfgang is already almost done with Chapter 4! I think he got my reading bug and I couldn't be happier. He sat on the couch after doing his homework, snuggled up in a quilt and was reading his little heart out. I was one proud Mama, so glad the reading gene was one thing he inherited from me (keeping my fingers crossed that it won't also be the stubborn/impatience gene!).

2 weeks to go

The countdown to Disney has started. Officially, we leave 2 weeks from yesterday. The kids are excited already and would have their suitcases packed if I would let them. I'm just hoping to get all the Christmas decorations put away before then. :)