Week One

So, it's been 1 week without TV. I'll be honest, it's not suer easy to go from TV to no TV, but we are trudging along. The first three days were great. The last 4 more of a challenge keeping Ruby entertained and helping her to answer the question, "what should I doooooooooooooooo?!" This mostly tells me that we made the right decision as it would appear that Ruby cannot "function" without the presence of some TV cartoon or show. Nevertheless, it added A LOT more work to my load this week than I'd realize it would. We'll see what week 2 has planned for us. Ruby goes back to school after Winter Break and she begins her extracurricular activities as well so I'm thinking we should be golden. I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, here are some fun photos I took of Ruby and her sisters while at an outing at the Crocker Art Museum today.

P.S. If you have some ideas about how to transition out of TV Mode, I'd love to hear 'em. Let's have a great week everyone!

growing pains

Lately, I can't seem to make her happy. I'm not sure if I'm missing the mark or if it's just being 6 years old. Either way, I miss being her Ultimate Happy.

My Love

Today I am missing my other half. He is a traveling man and while he's usually never gone for too long, sometimes, one day is too much.

cHiCkEn SoUp

Making chicken soup for my family makes me feel good. (Making ANYTHING for my family makes me feel good!) That's why today's Picture of the Day #2 are the special ingredients I will be using for this meal. They are beautiful and bright and packed with good stuff. They represent the spirit for which I want to start this year: healthy. It is 41* outside but in my home we will be warm and cozy. Come by for a bowl if you're around!

2013!

Welcome 2013! I am so looking forward to you. I welcome you with big, warm, open arms!

2012, while not a bad year, came with it's set of challenges. Most notably, a very busy life style that left us feeling worn, with little time to recoup and, of course, the loss of our loved ones: my Tio Nacho and most recently, my sister's Grandmother-in-law, Dorothy. They will live in our hearts and in our memories. Needless to say, I think our family is ready to start with a clean slate and move forward in remembrance. Thank you 2012 for all the good and for all the challenges. We tried to learn from it all.

As usual, I begin to make a mental (and sometimes written) list of my goals for this year. Mostly, my goals have to do with being healthier in mind and body. The usual eat healthier, exercise, get outdoors etc. This year though, our family made a very big decision. We got RID of our television. That's right folks! No TV. We still have our computers and iPads etc where we can partake of Netfilx here and there, but for the most part we have been spending a lot more time with each other, going for walks, reading, sketching, playing, listening to lots of music. It has truly been glorious. It's been about 3 days and already we feel like our time together was more productive. I had a hard time letting go, I'll admit, but it was the best decision we've made as a family in a long time. I am thankful for my husband's insight and gentle nudge.

Today being the very first day of the new year, I will begin my daily posts on this blog of mine. The focus will be more on the Picture of the Day at times, but the point is to feed my creativity and help oil my brain's writing wheels (they are rusty). So, without further ado, here is the Picture of the Day for January 1, 2013. It reminds me of what's important in life and to let go more rather than to hold on. Much love and health to you all.

xo

NYC Therapy

I just got back from a wonderful trip to NYC with my husband and I truly feel alive again! I could feel the stress actually start melting away as we boarded the plane and continued as we sat there, just the two of us. Uninterrupted. At peace. For several hours, it continued to feel like it was just the two of us again, as we sat on that plane. Obviously, we love our family and neither of us would change a thing about it, but connecting on that level is difficult to do at home when you're surrounded by commitments and expectations and household chores. For three and a half incredible days, we reverted to looking out for one another more consistently; to holding hands, sneaking glances and flirting. We complimented each other more and spoke about the other with great pride, as if to show off a little. We sometimes sat next to each other in silence, but still connected, and other times we just talked. About nothing in particular or things we were enjoying. We were close again. And it was nice to know that it was all still there, underneath the daily grind of it all. It was like breathing fresh air for the first time, again. He's my fresh air. It's easy forget our spouse's little nuances that truly made us fall crazy in love with them. But I saw them all! Together we saw many beautiful, amazing and interesting sights in that Big Apple. We ate till our hearts' content and drank wine, enough to make us giddy! We visited an old friend and laughed like crazy. We had an incredible adventure. But the best part of all was seeing my husband again, in that light. And reconnecting again.

Motivation

I struggle with motivation when it comes to exercise. And I know I'm not alone. I seem to be on a roller coaster where I'm pumped and high about working out for a while, but slowly lose steam and find it difficult to get up off the sofa. I even clean my house rather than go for a run if given the choice. I also have what I like to refer to as OCD tendencies. In this case, it means that if I don't start a workout routine on, say, Sunday, then starting on Monday already seems out of order for that week. As a result, I may end up putting off beginning said work out until the following Sunday. This is the place I find myself in TODAY, late Sunday evening. My plan is to get up and do my short cardio and weights DVD in the morning which would be the best time for this as the rest of the day tends to zip right by. Did I mention I wasn't a morning person? Anyway, this IS my plan. My long term goal is to lose another 10-12 lbs. and to do it by eating healthy foods and exercising. I don't want to end up being like many of the patients I see daily with a list of health issues as they get older. I want to be a positive example for my daughter and I need to do this by setting the example to begin with. I also want to look hot in jeans! Cross your fingers for me and stay tuned...