The Workout

What is it about waking up at 5:00 am, finding workout gear, braving the Michigan COLD morning, and standing in line waiting for the doors to open that I find so appealing? Absolutely NOTHING. I am going to have to pray for some momentum and inspiration in order to continue my resolve to develop good habits or else I will start sporting an unwelcome second set of breasts.....YIKES! And that would not be pretty. No es muy bonita. (although I hear there are men out there that are into that sort of thing, I don't wanna be "that girl"...ya know?) Motivated by a friend who informs me that YES, you do gain weight while going through menopause, I figure I better start a healthy routine or else I will end up looking like Jabba-the-hut (spelling????) by the time I reach my 50's. Proactivity is not my strong suit, but I am going to try it on for size and attempt to do something good for the future.

The Cross-training machine poses its first challenge----How to turn it on?

After the ever-so-embarrassing moment of standing on the thing, pushing all the buttons and getting off the thing (a definite work out faux-pas) I try the next one, and repeat the process again. Now I start looking for a large rock to hide under because I am certain that everyone is laughing at me. I find an open treadmill that I am certain works because someone just stepped off it, and try to act like that is what I really wanted to do anyway. Upon close observation, I realize I have to start peddling and then push all the buttons in order to use the cross-training machine. Not rocket science, but embarrassing nevertheless. I guess time will tell if I can make this habit stick. Don't make fun of me if you catch me in Marshall Fields conspicuously purchasing bras in matching sets of two!

Jessie's (Almost) First Boyfriend

They met in church...BONUS! He gave her flowers and chocolate for her 14th Birthday....Double Bonus! They have yet to hold hands.....I LOVE this guy! Well, the romance was very short-lived (almost 2 weeks). I am not certain what led to the demise. Jessie doesn't seem the least bit affected. But she won't discuss it. She did mention that she wasn't going to "do" anything she didn't want to do. I have to admire her strength and lack of drama. I guess I can breathe a sigh of relief. I thought this one might stick, and I would finally have my opportunity to bring out the incriminating "blackmail" baby pictures I have been saving for the first boyfriend.

A Woman's Place is in the Garage

Empty Pop cans.....(and some not-so-empty). I feel like they are laying in every nook and cranny in my home....I even found a 2 liter empty next to my husbands' side of the bed yesterday! They are taking over my house. I have always been pretty OCD (doesn't stand for Over the Counter Drug, it is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) about them.....used to rinse and dry each one before placing it in its respective box....now, they lie around,waiting for their next destination, hopeful they will never meet their doom in the "crusher" at the grocery store. I found two in the bathroom last night when I came home from dance...one half full the other 1/4 full....many have fallen down the stairs, staining the wall and carpet. The saddest part, somehow, these have ALWAYS been my responsibility. Perhaps because I always pick them up? I am not certain. Often times, they get unruly and piled up mainly because of this one truth....I HATE TAKING SODA CANS BACK, I HATE THE WHOLE NOTION OF EMPTY SODA CANS......my big question, why can't my husband share in the dreadful task??? especially considering he drinks the majority of the soda in the house? (we are talking to the tune of 5-7 cans per day or sometimes a full 2-liter bottle)!!!
Anyway, my dilemma is as follows, yesterday, I pulled a muscle in my back attempting to get to my van from the garage while dodging scads of pop cans and other miscellaneous garage items. To make a long story short, I used this injury as my motivation to clean the garage.....the kicker, my husband made FLAN and watched TV while I worked. The good news, the FLAN was incredible! It was a nice end to a busy, cranky, all out bad day.....

You Can Lead A Horse To Water, But You Can't Make Him Put On His Socks!

EXCERPTS FROM MORNING EXCHANGE OF WORDS
Mother and Daughter (Jenna)

Time to wake up Honey.....Are you up yet?.....You need to get up and get dressed....OK, now you have only 10 minutes to get ready!!! Get moving!

Did you bring your SOCKS down? check
Did you get your lunch packed? check
Where are your shoes? Unknown, unremembered
Will you eat some breakfast? check
Do you have your homework? we didn't have any...
Brush your hair. heavy sigh
Lets go, we should have been on the road 10 minutes ago!
(while in car) Did you brush your teeth? (always NO)
OMG, get in there and brush your teeth! We are going to be late for sure this time! Why are you wearing flip-flops??? It is only 47 degrees today! shoes might be in school locker....
DID YOU BRING YOUR SOCKS??? YES, Jeez
Remember you have gym today.....

The drive home was so peaceful. The turbulants have calmed down, my upset stomach begins its climb to relief. Ahhhhhh.....breathe......
Something tickles the back of my neck....look BEHIND you......
Unbelievable! There, in the baby seat are Jenna's socks. Did I forget to mention them??? Am I just a really horrible mother??? What more do I need to do? Funny how she has yet to tell me of the fun she must have had wearing her flip-flops in gym today....wonder why she hasn't mentioned it......