7 Quick Takes: January 8, 2010 (Vol. 26)

~ 1 ~

As I already mentioned earlier this week, Brenda and I have been busy the last few months working on two sites that launched earlier this week -- The Homeschool Classroom (which is not new, of course, but moved to WordPress) and then Homeschool Lifestyle Media.

If you haven't stopped by the big giveaway at The Homeschool Classroom, definitely make a point of stopping by before Saturday night!

~ 2 ~

Have you read the blog Awful Library Books yet?  If you haven't, you must.  (This is fresh in my mind after just reading there about the book Latawnya, The Naughty Horse, Learns to Say "No" To Drugs.)

After the first time I read just a tiny bit of it, I had to immediately add it to my Google Reader.  It is one of those blogs that just doesn't cease to make me laugh.  Not only are the books they find in libraries a hoot, but the comments people leave are usually an added bonus.

~ 3 ~

Speaking of guilty pleasures, I have been enjoying driving our to clients' houses for therapy lately.  The reason?

The soundtrack of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.

(If you're familiar with Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, then you may realize what I just realized -- it's kind of funny that a quick take that mentioned a naughty horse was followed by one that centers on someone trying to impress Bad Horse.)

~ 4 ~

We really have been exercising and eating better!  WooHoo!

We kept saying that come January 1st, we were going to buckle down.  We eased into it during the last week of December, and then jumped right in on the 1st.  I know, it's only been about a week, but both Eric and I have been doing really well with eating better and exercising daily.

I've been inspired by Kris, and I keep thinking that I need to start a blog about the journey toward weight loss and a healthier life.  Well, honestly -- I already started it in November, but then abandoned it.  I keep thinking it might keep me more accountable.  Who knows -- maybe next week I'll be able to link to it, huh?

~ 5 ~

On the exercise front, we have primarily been using our elliptical trainer (that Eric got a great deal on in December) and recumbent bike.  But, today, I tried out EA Active for the Wii that I got from Eric for Christmas.

Oh. my. goodness.  That was a workout!  I did day one of the 30 day challenge.  Let's see if I can continue with it.  But, at least I can say that I still managed to do our 20 minutes of elliptical/bike later in the evening, plus some crunches.

~ 6 ~




How in the world is Blissdom less than a month away now?  Why didn't I start trying to lose weight about a year ago to get ready for it?


At this point, I am horribly ill prepared.  But, on the up side, one of my very best friends is coming along with me.  She won't be going to the conference, but will enjoy quiet time (she has six kids), go swimming, and work on her novel.  She just let me know this week that she is coming, and I'm thrilled.  Road trip!

Are any of you going to Blissdom as well?

~ 7 ~

It has been so much fun watching the snow today!  Granted, I didn't have to go drive in it at all, so that makes it a little better, I suspect.  But, still, there's just something fun about watching big, fluffy snowflakes fall for hours on end.

This post is linked to 7 Quick Takes Friday and Weekly Wrap Up.

snow flake photo by CaptPiper

Four Months Makes a Big Difference in Our Backyard

It's hard to believe that in just four months, our backyard and vegetable garden will look very similar to the above picture.

This is the picture that Eric took of the same general area of our backyard tonight while he went out to fill our bird feeder:

Today, we had a more hands on school day (after our math was done) -- baking zucchini muffins, playing games, checking out the window at the constant snow fall, and gleefully keeping an eye on the full bird feeder becoming empty by the end of the day (having fed many, many feathered friends today).  It was also a day where we all stayed in our pajamas, only changing out of them in the evening to put on new pajamas for bed.

So, while it's hard to not look at the green picture a little wistfully, today was a really nice day.  Without a doubt, I would say it was definitely one of those finer things in life.

Looking for Great Low Calorie Meals

The first Wednesday of the month is always a themed edition of Works for Me Wednesday.  This month's theme is the backwards theme, which means that we can ask a question instead of saying what works for us.

Eric and I are both trying to eat better now, as well as adding exercise in everyday.  But, we'd love some great ideas (especially for lunch and dinner) for some great tasting, lower calorie options other than salad and water.  (Oh, okay.  You can add salad -- maybe give us a great idea for a fabulous salad.)  If you don't have one really great recipe, you could also share information about a particularly great cookbook.

Thanks -- I can't wait to hear some ideas!






This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday.

photo by size8jeans

Where Have I Been Lately?

I know that I haven't been around as much as usual during these last few months.  And, then the last week, I just haven't been here at all.

While it may seem like I probably haven't been on the computer, I actually have been on the computer quite a bit.  (More than I probably should have been, honestly.)  But, I am now happy to say that we have had a site redesign, move, and re-launch of The Homeschool Classroom, as well as the launching of a new site Homeschool Lifestyle Media (which is the umbrella company for The Homeschool Classroom and Curriculum Choice).

It has been great working on these sites, but I am very glad that some of this ground work has been laid.  I'm hoping to be back to writing here now.  I've missed you all!