Tonight I did The FIRM Supercharged Sculpting with Pam Cauthen (BSS4 - TransFIRMer) - 38 min.

Workout for Thursday, December 4th, 2008

Tonight I did The FIRM Supercharged Sculpting with Pam Cauthen (BSS4 - TransFIRMer) - 38 min.

Workout for Wednesday, December 3

Tonight I did Cathe's LowMax (First 4 intervals Pre-Mix) on 4" step (45 min.). I know I could probably go up to a 6" step on this one, but I always seem to chicken out!

Monday, November 24 - Tuesday, December 2

Monday, November 24 - Cathe Push Pull

Tuesday, November 25 - The FIRM Not So Tough Aerobic Mix

Wednesday, November 26 - Core Secrets Full Body Challenge w/Gunnar Peterson

Thursday, November 27 - Thanksgiving (off)

Friday, November 28 - off

Saturday, November 29 - off

Sunday, November - 30 - off

Monday, December 1 - WATP 2 mile walk (High Calorie Burn)

Tuesday, December 2 - off

Workout for Sunday, November 23, 2008

Cathe Basic Step on 6" step (30 min.)

Motherhood = Suffering?

Okay, I know it's been a looong time since I posted about childfree issues. This blog has become a place where I've been recording workouts and not much else. But I have several things I wanted to share, and this particular incident will be the first.

DH and I attended a neighborhood party last night. As I think I've mentioned before, we live in a small, fairly affluent neighborhood where there are mostly empty nesters, childfree couples, singles, and a few families with kids. We get together several times a year for parties and the like. Because most everybody knows most everybody else, the neighborhood is an interesting place to live. When we attend parties, DH and I tend to split up so that we can take in as much news and gossip as possible, then we compare notes afterwards.

So, I was sitting with this one girl (well, she's a few years younger than me) chatting away while we dived into the most devine food. She has on occassion complained to me about motherhood, and last night was no exception. She told me her two boys (I believe one is 4 and the other is 2) were being babysat by her husband's cousin. She then started complaining about the cost. Apparently, this cousin charges $10/hour to watch both the kids. So last night cost them $50 just to walk down the street for a party. She said that she hasn't been out to eat in forever because it's usually a $200 deal by the time she adds in the childcare. Then she went on to say that childcare is so expensive that she has to be a stay-at-home mom. Her exact next statement was, "I would love to get a job and have a real life, but with the cost of daycare, it's a wash. So I just have to stay at home with the kids and suffer!" Hmmm....doesn't sound like it's "all that."

Prior to that, I was talking to another young stay-at-home mom who also isn't shy about telling me her trials and tribulations. She has two young girls who are about the same age as the two boys in the previous pararaph. Her childcare arrangements had fallen through, so her DH had to stay home with the girls. While I certainly have no problem attending parties on my own, I'd much prefer to have my DH with me. But at least she didn't have to pay $50 or more for childcare! Anyhow, she told me her younger child is into having meltdowns. Good times! Apparently, they were at the post office the other day and she was having a mega-meltdown. My neighbor was mortified as she tried to placate her daughter enough to get through what needed to be done at the post office and get her out to the car. As she was buckling her kicking and screaming daughter in her car seat, a stranger approached her and bitched her out for being a terrible mother and letting her daughter control her! More good times!

As DH and I were walking up the hill to our home after the party, I relayed the stories. He said, "boy, it must be parenthood bashing night," and then told me he had a similar experience. He had been sitting with "Al and Barb." Barb is an extremely outspoken woman, and some people find her a little abrasive. I always got along with her because I don't mind direct people. Anyhow, she was telling DH that her son and his wife had just had a baby. Instead of gushing, she was DISGUSTED! She said to DH, "these two had the perfect lives.....now they just go and ruin it by having a baby. Why on earth would you do something like that?!" When her husband Al stated, "well, we did," she said, "Yeah, and admit it....it was no picnic. Parenthood is a crock, and I challenge anyone to tell me otherwise. It certainly wasn't a positive in our lives!" Al just laughed, but he didn't disagree.

Three "not so positive" stories in one night....that might be a record!

Workouts Tuesday, November 18th - Saturday, November 22th

Tuesday: Tom Holland's Total Body Workout

Wednesday: OFF

Thursday: WATP Express 2 mile Brisk Walk

Friday: OFF

Saturday: Firm Volume 4

Workout Journal for Monday, November 17, 2008

Tonight I did Leslie Sansone's Walk Slim 4 Really Big Miles - except I only had time for two of the four!

This actually was a pretty intense workout for Leslie. I had to stop after the first mile for a gulp of water. Usually they are for really easy days.

Workout Journal for Saturday, November 15 and Sunday November 16

On Saturday, I did Cathe Friedrich's Pyramid Upper Body (Pyramid Up Premix) from the Intensity Series - 30+ min.

Sunday - off

Workout Journal for Thursday, November 13 and Friday, November 14

Thursday: 2+ mile walk around the neighborhood (45 min.)

Friday: 2+ mile walk around the neighborhood (45 min.) + Mari Winsor Bun & Thigh Pilates (20 min.)

Workout Journal for Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Tonight I did Cathe's Muscle Max (Hardcore Series) - 68 min.

Holy crap, that wears you out. I can already feel my biceps bulging.

Workout Journal for Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Tonight I did Cathe's Step, Jump, and Pump - Step Only Premix on 4" step (1/2 hour)

Workout Journal for Thursday, November 6 - Monday, November 10, 2008

Thursday - Sunday: Off (but I did a lot of cleaning!) - mostly off due to TTOM and getting ready for weekend company

Monday, November 10th: Tom Holland Total Body Workout - 45 min.

Workout Journal for Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Tonight DH and I took a walk to Boston Market for dinner. Probably 70 min. total.

Workout Journal for Tuesday, November 4

Election Night!

Tonight I did The FIRM Maximum Body Shaping with Tracy Long (aka Tri-Trainer All Weights) - 45 min.

Workout Journal for Monday, November 3, 2008

Tonight I did Cathe Low Max - Intervals 1 - 4 Premix on 4" step (45 min.)

Workout Journal for Saturday, November 1st and Sunday, November 2nd

Saturday - off (in PA)

Sunday - The FIRM Body Sculpt w/Jen Carmen from BSS1 (45 min.)

Workout Journal for Thursday, October 30 and Friday, October 31

Thursday: 45 min walk around neighborhood

Friday: 1 hour walk around neighborhood

Workout Journal for Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Tonight I did Cathe's Low Impact Step on a 6" step for the first half, and 4" step for the second half (45 min. workout). I know this is supposed to be one of Cathe's more easier workouts, and I guess the choreography could be considered a little more basic...but it ain't easy! I always get a good sweat going with this workout.

Workout Journal for Tuesday, October 28th

Tonight I did Slim Series Tone It Up with Debbie Seibers (60 min.)

Workout Journal for Monday, October 27

Tonight I did Cathe's Low Max (Intervals 4 - 7 Premix) on 4" step - 45 min.

Workout Journal for Sunday, October 26

Today I did The FIRM Cardio Sculpt w/Allie Del Rio (from Body Sculpting System 1) - 1 hour

Workout Journal for Wednesday, October 22 - Saturday, October 25, 2008

Wednesday - Cathe Basic Step on 6" step (30 min.)

Thursday - 45 min walk

Friday - The FIRM Aerobic Body Shaping

Saturday - Cathe Low Max Premix (1st 4 intervals on 4" step) - 45 min.

Workout Journal for Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Tonight I did The Firm Basics Fat Burning Workout with Jen Carmen and Stacey Milner Collins.

Workout Journal for Monday, October 20th

Tonight I did Firm Basics Sculpting with Weights with Tracie Long

Friday, October 17th - Sunday, October 19, 2008

Friday - 45 min walk around neighborhood

Saturday - 1 hour (total) walk to/from Panera in Brecksville w/DH

Sunday - 1 hour walk around neighborhood (south loop + 2 cul de sacs)

Tuesday, October 14th - Thursday, October 16th

Tuesday - 45 min walk around neighborhood (south loop + bike path return)

Wednesday - off

Thursday - The FIRM Sculpting Ball Workout w/ Tina S. (30 min.)

Workout Journal for Thursday, October 9 - Monday, October 13

Thursday, October 9 - 45 min walk w/DH (south loop + return on bike trail)
Friday, October 10 - 45 min walk w/DH (south loop + return on bike trail)
Saturday, October 11 - 1 hour walk total to/from Panera (Brecksville Reservation)
Sunday, October 12 - 1 hour walk total to/from Ruby Tuesdays (bike trail)
Monday, October 13 - 1 hour walk around neighborhood (south loop + 2 cul de sacs)

Workout Journal for Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Leslie Sansone WATP High Calorie Burn 2 mile walk (30 min)

Workout for Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Walked approx 1 hour around the neighborhood.

Workout Journal for Monday, October 6th

Today I did Ramp it Up from Slim in 6 with Debbie Seibers (45 min.)

Sunday, October 5th

Did Leslie Sansone's WATP Brisk Walk - 2 Mile (35 min.)

Saturday, September 26th - Saturday, October 4th, 2008

DH and I took a road trip to New England for our 15th Anniversary vacation, so I didn't have much structured exercise. A few days we did a lot of walking, but for the most part, it was a more sedentary vacation. Here was the itinerary:

Saturday 9/26 - took the loooong drive to Newport, RI. Ate at the Clark Cooke House on Bannister's Warf.

Sunday 9/27 - Toured 5 of the mansions in Newport. AMAZING! I have a good childfree tale to tell about this, but that will be another post. We had dinner at a local restaurant (nothing too wonderful, but the dessert was great!).

Monday 9/28 - Went to Cape Cod and toured the Sandwich Glass Museum, the Plimouth Plantation and the Mayflower II. Then we took a loooong drive to the very tip of Cape Cod and watched the sun go down (kind of funny to see the sun setting over water when you are in the East, but you can from there!). We had a great dinner at a restaurant near the tip of the cape (although you couldn't see the ocean).

Tuesday 9/29 - This was kind of a stressful day (at least in the morning). We had to drive through Boston in order to get to Salem, MA. I freak out driving in cities that I don't know, and the traffic was terrible. We kept getting off route somehow and ended up in a parking deck (really!). Finally, we got situated, but we had to go through a bunch of tunnels and take some back way in to Salem. Not fun. Although I'm glad we saw Salem, it was not my favorite spot of the vacation. Too touristy, and the many of the tour guides were burnt out. We saw The House of Seven Gables (really enjoyed that--the hidden staircase was the best!), The Salem Witch Museum (not all that impressive), and several other smaller Salem Witch Trials "attractions." Most of them were reinactments or tours which really weren't all that great. One of the best finds, though, was The Derby Square Bookstore. I've never seen anything like it. (The link takes you to someone else's review of the store...it's very accurate.) Better yet, here is a picture. The entire store is like that. Crazy! We ended up having dinner at a small local tavern right by our motel....nothing too exciting. Motel was even worse. I'll never stay in a motel like that again. UGH!

Wednesday, 10/1 - DH's and my 15th year anniversary!!! DH planned our anniversary and took me to Mount Washington Resort in New Hampshire. GORGEOUS!!! It's pictured in the photo above. Our dinner was a four-course affair, and simply wonderful. Yeah, it's not cheap. But it was worth every penny! It was an unforgettable experience.

Thursday, 10/2 - We drove through Vermont and enjoyed the fall leaves. They were at peak in most places. We toured Ben & Jerry's and indulged in some of their wonderful concoctions. I have a new favorite flavor....Half Baked! It's one half chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream and one half fudge brownie ice cream. AWESOME! That was just plain fun. We drove into upstate New York and had dinner at a chain restaurant that we've never been to and really enjoyed it.

Friday, 10/3 - We drove the looooong way to our parents' homes in PA and had dinner with my parents.

Saturday, 10/4 - Watched the local hometown parade with my sister, BIL, niece, her DH, and 18-month-old great-nephew. He actually did pretty well throughout the ordeal! We then had dinner with DH's brother and SIL.

Sunday - Had breakfast with DH's parents, and then drove home at last!

Workout Journal for Monday, September 22 - Friday, September 26, 2008

Monday - walk to/from Boston Market (over an hour total)

Tuesday - walk around the neighborhood (50 min.)

Wednesday - walk around the neighborhood (45 min.)

Thursday - off (getting ready for vacation)

Friday- 55 min. walk on towpath

Workout Journal for Thursday, September 18 - Sunday, September 21, 2008

Thursday, September 18th - 1 hour walk (total) to/from Panera in Brecksville

Friday, September 19th - 45 min walk around neighborhood

Saturday, September 20th - off (weekend trip to Catawba Island Club)

Sunday, September 21st - 1 hour walk around neighborhood

Workout Journal for Sunday, September 14 - Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Sunday, September 14th - off (TTOM)

Monday, September 15th - Firm Body Sculpt Blaster (BSS1) - 30 min.

Tuesday, September 16th - off (girl's night out)

Wednesday, September 17th - Walk around neighborhood (50 min.)

Oh, the money you'll save PART 2

I did a lot of copying and pasting in this post, and somehow the formatting got really screwed up. I'm not sure where all of the arrows and some of the bolding came from!

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So, recently I posted a poll on a board I frequent regarding the cost of private school tuition. The answers were mind-boggling. Over 25% of the respondents voted that they spent over $10,000 per child per year for tuition. This doesn't include books, fees, or extra curricular activities.

I understand wanting to give your kids the best start. If, despite all of my precautions I became pregnant, our child would most likely be going to private school, too.

POLL RESULTS:

What is your current yearly tuition per child? (Total Votes: 89)

$10,001+ (23 / 25.8%)

My kids go to public school, but I wanted to vote anyway (15 / 16.9%)

I don't have kids at all, but I wanted to vote anyway (14 / 15.7%)

$8,001 - $9,000 (10 / 11.2%)

$5,001 - $6,000 (5 / 5.6%)

$3,001 - $4,000 (5 / 5.6%)

$4,001 - $5,000 (4 / 4.5%)

$6,001 - $7,000 (3 / 3.4%)

My kids are not school-age, but I wanted to vote anyway (3 / 3.4%)

Other (2 / 2.2%)

$9,001 - $10,000 (1 / 1.1%)

$7,001 - $8,000 (1 / 1.1%)

$2,001 - $3,000 (1 / 1.1%)

$1,001 - $2,000 (1 / 1.1%)

Up to $1,000 (1 / 1.1%)

But think about how much money this costs! For a child going from K - 12, it could easily be $130,000 (BASE TUITION!). Then comes college. How do you save for college when you are paying this much for private school?

Here is a tuition schedule from a local private school (admittedly, one of the more expensive ones:

Tuition for the 2008-2009 school year:

Grade	Tuition
K	$14,740
1	$16,180
2	$16,570
3	$16,970
4	$17,220
5	$17,760
6	$18,540
7	$18,870
8	$19,660
9	$20,300
10	$20,880
11	$21,290
12	$22,180

The tuition covers instruction in all courses contained in the regular program of studies. The tuition does not include fees for lunch, instructional materials, and the use of technology.

YOWZA! Over $14,000 for kindergarten?!?!? $22,180 for Grade 12?

I look at DH's and my lifestyle, and I am so thankful for our childfreedom. First, we are able to make well over the national median household income simply because we are able to have more demanding jobs. Second, we have no debt. Nada. There's no way we could do that (regardless of our current incomes) if we were paying for tuition like that. Add on the fact that having kids cost a lot more than just those tuition costs, and you really start to realize WHY those childfree couples can go on awesome vacations, afford better homes, nicer clothes, etc.

Workout for Saturday, September 13,2008

Today I did Cathe's Lowmax - First 4 intervals Premix on 4" step (45 min.)

Workout for Friday, September 13, 2008

Tonight I did FIRM Super Body Sculpt from BSS1 with Stephanie Corley (45 min.)

Workout for Thursday, September 11, 2008

45 min walk around the neighborhood

Workout for Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Tonight I came home from work and got right to my workout...I rarely do this (I usually sit around surfing the web and procrastinating!). It feels so good to just get it done.

I did The Firm BSS 1 Body Sculpt w/ Jen Carmen (50 min.)

Workout for Tuesday, September 9, 2009

I had to drive to one of our satellite offices and meet with several people (individually....just to chat and see how things are). The meetings themselves don't bug me, but driving into this particular town does. I know it seems weird, but I always, always get screwed up in that city. There are one-ways everywhere, stop lights that seem to pop out of the middle of nowhere, and construction all over the place.

Unlike most people, I can easily (well, relatively easily) get up in front of a crowd of hundreds and talk. I can typically deal with the most difficult of people. There's not much I'm afraid of. But I just hate driving in strange cities. I also loathe driving on freeways. I do it because I have to....but if I could avoid it, I would. I tend to get disoriented easily in strange cities when I'm in a car. If I'm walking, I have a great sense of direction....all that changes when I'm behind the wheel. Add to that the fact that maps completely confuse me, and it makes for a pretty miserable time.

But recently DH and I borrowed his parents' GPS.....love, love, LOVE it! It makes traveling in strange places soooo much easier! Yeah, I still hate driving on the freeway (pesky merging!), but this makes finding places pretty simple. I know, I'm kind of behind the times as GPS's have been out for awhile. We actually had Microsoft Streets loaded onto my laptop so I could use it while I drove, but it was really hard for me to watch it when it was on the seat next to me. The little GPS hickey-doo just sticks onto your windshield and is easy to see and hear. The technology simply amazes me!

Anyhoooo, today I took a walk with DH to/from Panera (1 hour total). It was a beautiful night!

Workout for Monday, September 8, 2008

Tonight I did Crunch Burn and Firm Pilates with Ellen Barrett - approx 45 min.

Workout Journal for Saturday, August 30th - Sunday, September 7, 2008

Saturday, August 30th - Off (in PA)

Sunday, August 31st - took a tough hour long walk with DH around farm (lots of hills)

Monday, September 1st - 45 min. walk around neighborhood

Tuesday, September 2nd - off (was cleaning to prepare for "Girls' Night In" at my house

Wednesday, September 3rd - off (Girl's Night In)

Thursday, September 4th - off (just being lazy, I guess)

Friday, September 5th - off (again, just being lazy)

Saturday, September 6th - Liver Walk (did a charity walk around the zoo....not too hard)

Sunday, September 7th - 45 min. walk around neighborhood

Workout journal for Friday, August 29, 2008

I'm excited that I'm starting to get back in my workout habit. With it getting darker earlier, I'm not so tempted to be outside. And since it's a little cooler, my workout room isn't quite so stuffy.

Tonight I did Cathe's Low Max (Premix - Intervals 1 - 4) - 45 min. on 4" step. I could probably do a 6" step, but I still get a great workout on 4".

Workout journal for Thursday, August 28, 2008

Tonight I did Cathe's Push Pull from the BodyBlast Series. (44 min.)

Workout journal for Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Tonight I did Cathe's Basic Step on a 6" step. It's only 1/2 hour, but I always get a nice workout with this one.

Workout Journal for Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Tonight I did Cathe's Supersets from the Body Blast Series (54 min.)

Workout Journal for Monday, August 25, 2008

1 hour walk in Brecksville w/DH (to/from Panera through woods)

Workout Journal for Thursday, August 21 - Sunday, August 24

Thursday, August 21 - off

Friday, August 22 - off

Saturday, August 23 - walk around neighborhood w/DH (45 min) - south loop + return on bike trail

Sunday, August 24 - off (Bill and Judy visiting)

Workout for Wednesday, August 20, 2008

The weather has been so wonderful lately. Beautiful blue skies, nice cool breezes....perfect walking weather.

DH and I walked Brecksville Reservation to/from Panera (1 hour total)

Workout for Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Tonight I took an hour long walk around the neighborhood.

Workout for Monday, August 18, 2008

Tonight I did The FIRM Aerobic Body Shaping with Allie from BSS4 - approx. 1 hour

Diet - not great, but not terrible

Lazy Sunday

Things have been a little crazy this last month, and this weekend has been the first in awhile where we had absolutely nothing planned.

Today we did a little summertime cooking and prepared some chickens in our rotisserie oven. I made California Cole Slaw and Grandma Ople's Apple Pie for dessert (modified slightly). I've made the cole slaw before, and we both liked it. The apple pie was a first and it was wonderful! It would have been even better with some vanilla ice cream, but who could complain about warm homemade apple pie?

I've been really a little lazy with my workouts lately. Still getting some activity in, but a lot of it is walking. I did a Firm workout on Wednesday and was sore for days! I will start back up tomorrow. I always take off a day or so when TTOM comes around as I'm just so achy, crampy, and uncoordinated. Today was that day.

But it gives me some time to read, and I've been doing a lot of that lately. Today I started reading The House at Riverton, and I can tell I'm going to love it. I'm also (finally!) buying my own MP3 player so that I can download lots of audio books and enjoy them at my leisure. DH had bought me one for Christmas a couple of years ago but kind of took it over. I figured I'd get one that is easier to use and I know I'll love listening to books on it as well as music while I'm walking, doing housework, getting ready in the mornings, and right before I go to sleep.

Workout Journal - Friday, August 15 - Sunday, August 17

Friday - off (extremely sore)

Saturday - 3 mile walk in Hinckley around lake (dirt trail) ===>

Sunday - off (it's TTOM)

Workout for Thursday, August 14, 2008

Well, despite the many unsavory things I had to be involved with today, the day went as well as could be expected.

The termination went fine. The employee was not surprised, and he left without any drama. The girl having the "very, very, very close" relationship with her boss was cooperative (although of course "nothing is going on.") And I didn't have to have the disciplinary meeting with the other employee as his supervisor said he would talk with him instead of getting me involved this time. The rest of the day was busy, but non-eventful. Still, these are the kind of days that exhaust me.

So tonight I just wanted to get outside a clear my head. DH and I went to the nearby National Park (CVNP), and took an hour long walk in the woods. It such a great way to relieve stress and wind down. I love that we live so close to such a beautiful place. The picture above is of one of the overlooks in the fall.

Workout for Wednesday, August 13, 2008

I don't know what is going on with me, but I have soooo much energy today. I had three meetings in one of our satellite offices, and they all were extremely positive. I came home and did a some more office work until 4:30, then I started cleaning the house.

I scrubbed toilets, washed bathroom rugs, mopped the master bathroom and scoured the sink, washed/changed the sheets, vacuumed the downstairs, cleaned furniture (cat hair central), weeded our landscaping beds, and got rid of our outside cobwebs. On top of that, I made a good supper for DH and me, balanced the checkbook, and had a great workout.

I did talk to my mom while I was making supper, and she said my dad has been doing really pretty well for the last couple of days, so that is a huge relief to me.

It's now 9:30, and I feel like I'll be able to sleep good tonight.

I know I have a rough day ahead of me, but that's okay. I have a meeting at lunch time to plan a termination (which will take place late tomorrow afternoon), and I also have a separate disciplinary meeting with another person regarding their (lack of) performance. Worst, I have to confront another person about the fact that they are having a less-than-platonic relationship with their supervisor (the supervisor has already been confronted and conveniently denies it). Then, the termination of the first person takes place. Ugh. But that's all in a day's work, I guess.

WORKOUT FOR TODAY: The FIRM Better Buns and Body (Tri-Trainer) - 45 min.

Workout for Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Took a long walk around neighborhood (1+ hour) - south loop + return on Hickory/bike trail + north loop.

Workout journal - Saturday, August 9 - Monday, August 11, 2008

Saturday, August 9th - off (wedding in PA)
Sunday, August 10th - couple of leisurely strolls around mom and dad's property
Monday, August 11th - long walk around neighborhood (approx 1 hour)

Workout for Friday, August 8, 2008

Took a long walk around neighborhood (1 hour)

Workout for Thursday, August 7, 2008

Tonight (at 10:00 p.m.!) I did The Firm Cardio Sculpt Blaster w/ Lisa Kay (30 min)

Workout for Wednesday, August 6, 2008

It was a nice (but kind of humid/sticky) night, so DH and I walked the Brecksville Reservation (1 hour total to/from Panera Bread).

Workout for Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Tonight I did Leslie Sansone's WATP 3-Mile Advanced Walk (45 min.).

I will be in PA again this weekend (and next Monday), and I know I won't get much in the way of working out. I'm trying to workout every day this week until the weekend.

Workouts for Thursday, July 24 - Monday, August 4, 2008

Thursday, July 24 - walk in Brecksville, to/from Panera (1 hour, total)
Friday, July 25 - off
Saturday, July 26 - wedding/off
Sunday, July 27 - off
Monday, July 28 - walk in neighborhood (south loop + 2 cul de sacs / bike trail) - around 1 hour
Tuesday, July 29 - walk in neighborhood w/Dan (north loop) - 40 min?
Wednesday, July 30 - off
Thursday, July 31 - off
Friday, August 1 - off
Saturday, August 2 - off (PA)
Sunday, August 3 - off (PA)
Monday, August 4 - Dad had surgery in PA (off)

Workout for Wednesday, July 24, 2008

Well, I didn't blog my food today (and I didn't do so good there), but at least I got in a good workout: Cathe Body Fusion on 6" step (50 minutes). This is an "easier" Cathe, but I was really sweaty afterwards.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Took approx. 1 hour walk around neighborhood.

Today was DH and my 19th year anniversary of being together....we've been together 1/2 of our lives!

Monday, July 21, 2008

Okay, I've been lazy for far too long. And I've been gluttonous. Today was no exception on the gluttony part. As far as exercise today, I didn't have anything formal, but I did do a lot of work outside (weeding, cleaning / scrubbing the porch and some areas on the house, carrying heavy lawn furniture around so DH could spray them off, etc.).

I guess it was better than nothing!

Journal for Monday, July 14 - Sunday, July 20

Well, as expected, the food intake hasn't been good. Haven't done much in the way of workouts either. They have been as follows:

Monday - long walk w/DH around neighborhood (probably 1 hour)
Tuesday - 1 hour walk (total) to/from Ruby Tuesday's on bike path
Wednesday - Off
Thursday - Off
Friday - 45 min walk around neighborhood
Saturday - 1 hour walk (total) in Brecksville to/from Panera
Sunday - off, but I really wasn't feeling well (TTOM)

I really need to get back at it. DH bought me a large fan for my workout room to make it a little more bearable temperature-wise.

Food and Workout Journal for Thursday, July 10 - Sunday, July 13, 2008

Okay, I pretty much have completely fallen off the wagon for the last few days. I didn't track any of my food, and my workouts have been as follows:

Thursday, July 10th - Off
Friday, July 11th - Off except for a very short walk
Saturday, July 12th - 1 hour walk in Brecksville
Sunday, July 13th - long walk around neighborhood (past Calvin Park)

I'd like to say that I plan on getting right back on the saddle, but I know this week is going to be extremely tough. Tuesday is DH's birthday, Wednesday night I have a dinner to go to, and Friday night I have a baby shower (oh yea!). I know my workouts will be minimal, and my food intake will be maximal! Hopefully the week afterwards I'll start to get my act back together.

Oh, the money you'll save!

Kids are expensive. We all know that. But what makes raising them isn't just the obvious (diapers, formula, baby clothes, kid clothes, tuition, etc.). It's the other stuff, too.

First example of cost savings: On Friday, I saw my neighbor outside. This is the one with the enormous jungle gym and two kids who don't play on it. We had an altercation last May because she had the monstrosity placed less than two feet away from our property line. She refused to have it moved because, says she "technically, it's on my land!" I just want a peaceful existence, so I didn't fight it any further. Anyhow, we do talk to each other when we see each other, and I stopped to say hello.

She started to talk with me about how expensive everything is getting. Now this chick is a pseudo single mom ("ex" husband is listed as co-owner of the house even though he never lived there and he definitely continues to be the wallet and babysitter). The kids have the best of everything, and I don't see her sparing too many expenses.

Anyhow, she starts talking about her electric bill. She asked what ours is running. I told her it was about $70. She gasped and said that something must be wrong with her bill then because hers was close to $300! So I said, "well, DH and I don't run our air conditioning a lot....only when it's really humid. Otherwise, we love having the windows open." I said this because I know she runs hers 24/7, and that's probably why the bill was so high. She said, "oh, well, when you have kids, you can't always do that. Sophie is afraid that spiders will get in through the screens." Huh? You mean you'd rather spend $300 so your kid doesn't have imaginary fears about tiny spiders? We live in the north, for god's sake! I wanted to ask her what her excuse was in the winter, because even on the warmer days, her gas meter is going gang busters.

Our utility bills in the winter are also fairly low as we keep the temperature down and just wear layers. We're never uncomfortable. I'm sure, though, if we had kids (especially babies), we'd have to keep the temperatures a lot closer to 70 degrees. Thus, our utility bills would most likely skyrocket. As it is now, we're comfortable, but we also are a little frugal when it comes to stuff like that. ESTIMATED COST SAVINGS PER MONTH FOR US: $230.

Second example of cost savings: Yesterday, DH and I ate breakfast at Panera Bread. I love that place because it is usually a calm oasis inhabited by quiet adults. DH and I are sitting there with our bagels and fruit chatting about what we're going to do for the rest of the day. All of the sudden, a "mother" (I put "mother" in quotes because she sure as hell wasn't much of one) sits nearby with her two brats (and I call them brats because that's how they were behaving). The kids were running around like lunatics. "Mom" totally ignores them. On the table, their food lies getting cold. I can easily guesstimate that each of these meals would be at least $7/piece. They both ate perhaps two bites. That's $14 down the drain! ESTIMATED COST SAVINGS PER BREAKFAST OUT FOR US: $14.

Third example of cost savings: Vacations. I was just browsing the Sunday paper and came upon an ad in the travel section for New York State. The caption on the ad was as follows: "Good thing the third night's free, because your kids weren't about to chip in." That is almost poetic. Parents and the childfree alike might laugh about that, and the real humor is in the truth. Do people realize how much more it costs when you have four people traveling as opposed to two? Granted, you may all share the same room, but the food, admissions to events, airfares, etc. all add up. However, the biggest price is the cost of your sanity. ESTIMATED COST SAVINGS PER VACATION FOR US: ???? But I know it's priceless.

Food and Workout Journal for Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Work has been crazy busy. I'm beat.

Breakfast - small bowl organic granola + raisin cereal w/ little bit 2% milk, small glass OJ

Lunch - Caesar side salad, 1 piece pepperoni pizza, diet coke

Dinner - Breaded chicken patty on bun w/light mayo, few pickle slices, handful reduced-fat chips, small glass vitamin water, 2 large sugar cookies, 6 Dove chocolate caramels

WORKOUT: Walk around neighborhood - 45 min.

Food and Workout Journal for Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Breakfast - small bowl organic granola and raisin cereal w/ little bit 2% milk, small glass OJ

Mid-Morning - few pretzel nuggets

Late Lunch - Quizno's w/Kathy: Small Baja Chicken sandwich, small bag chips, diet coke

Evening (this it where it got a little bad) - total of 6 Dove chocolate caramels, 2 Hershey Kiss caramels, 2 sugar cookies, small glass 2% milk, few peanuts

WORKOUT: 45 min. walk around neighborhood