So far - so good

Ok, day 1 of the challenge was ok. I had 2 apples at work, then had to go to Biz's mom's house for dinner but I did ok. I had 1/2 of a pork steak, some brussell sprouts and a few fried potatoes - I turned the pie down. When I got home I had some grapes before bed. This morning I weighed in at 168.4 which is a 1.6 loss from yesterday. That may sound like a lot but it's not. With me, I've found that the first 5 pounds comes off really quick when I stop using salt. I didn't have time to do tae bo last night because of the dinner but I plan on doing it tonight. I've also parked at the far end of the parking lot these past two mornings so I have to walk a litter further to get into work - every little bit helps (I hope).

Christmas Dress Challenge

I also am the type of person that sometimes needs a little push.  Or a challenge.  Last year I dropped 17 pounds by joining a "biggest loser" group at work. This year I am taking a part in the   Christmas Dress Challenge over at Thursday's Child. Here are the rules:

• The challenge will run from Mon September 19th - Mon December 19th.

• You must define a goal(s) at the start of a challenge.

• There will be a check-in once a week, everyone must take part in the check-in. 

1.  My main goal is to get back into this dress. 

This is the dress I wore for my daughter's wedding two and a half years ago. I bought it in February - the wedding was in June and I had to drop 63 pounds to get into it but I did it. My profile picture is of me wearing this dress, posed with my daughter and my son. Since that time I have put 40 of those pounds back on-but I did it once - I can do it again.

2.  I will exercise - Tae bo got me into this dress once so I'm hoping it'll do it again.

3.  I will stay completely away from salt as it tends to be my worst enemy. I will also stop using the flavored creamers in my coffee - I drink a LOT of coffee and those calories add up fast.

My starting weight is 170 pounds I need to be at 150 to even be able to get this thing zipped - and 136 to actually wear it (and be able to breathe).

So I guess that's it - we're off! Good luck to all of us and I look forward to watching everyone's progress!

Remodeling pictures

 

 This is where I used to live- pretty much out in the middle of nowhere - I loved it but due to a lot of issues, had to move

This is the house I bought - in a small town - it's the same distance to the town I work  in but 40 miles closer to my daughter - but it is IN TOWN - hard to get used to.

I miss my truck!

 This was the kitchen when I bought the house.

 This is the kitchen now- stripped all that awful paint off the cabinets and this is what I found. I still need to do something with that backsplash.

 This was my bedroom.

This is my bedroom now

 This was the other upstairs bedroom

This is it now

 The stairs

Those stairs now

 The living room before

And now

 Dining room/entry before

Dining and entry way now

 And this is the computer room - actually another bedroom. It's next on the list to do.

 Here is the bathroom - it will be after the computer room

And this is the built in cabinet in the entry - it didn't get painted because I want to strip it. I can tell that it is supposed to open from both sides but the kitchen side is walled over with this knotty pine paneling (last picture) - I will be pulling that off as soon as I get brave enough - Any suggestions on how to go about stripping it?

Why I haven't posted for a few days

• September 12, 2011

• 12:00 PM Module 3 due

• September 13, 2011

• All day Quizzes 1-4 END (& DISAPPEAR) TONIGHT MIDNIGHT!

• September 14, 2011

• All day Group Discussion 1 ENDS TONIGHT MIDNIGHT!

• September 15, 2011

• 8:00 AM Unit 1 Exam

• September 16, 2011

• 11:00 PM - 11:59 PM Server Maintenance Window

• September 17, 2011

• All day Unit 1 Exam CLOSES 8 pm tonight!

I think that about sums it up. This "getting a Masters degree" thing at my age, while working full time and trying to do some remodeling on my house is starting to wear a little thin. Seems like all these upper level classes want you to do is: write papers; read countless articles, books, etc.; watch documentaries; discuss said articles, books, documentaries; and take exams (which usually consist mainly of essays). I'm tired!

Chats on the farmhouse porch

1. Are you a morning person, someone who does best in the middle of the day, or a night owl?
2. Do you take vitamins or supplements?
3. If you were a dog, would you be a) a Poodle, b) a Retriever, c) a Sheep Dog, or a d)Chihuahua?
4. Please tell us about what you're reading now.
5. Okay, here I go with that magic wand! If I came to your house and could fix up one room with the wave of my wand, what would you have me renovate/redecorate/refurnish? (BTW- If I only could! That would be such fun. Then we'd sit on your porch and visit.)

My answers:

1. I guess I'm definitely a morning person. I'm always at work an hour and a half early so I can get things done and even have a hard time sleeping late on the weekends. I think it comes from the 8 years I spent working a weekend job as well as my full time job. I would open the local convenience store at 4:30 a.m. As soon as my daughter graduated college I said "enough" and quit, but I still get up early.
2. I only take supplements if I'm trying to lose weight - which is scheduled to begin again next week.
3. I'd be a sheep dog - just because I have always loved them.
4. The only thing I have time to read these days in textbooks - right now that includes "Riding the Waves of Culture" and "Management." For pleasure reading my favorite author is Sharon McCrumb. Her ballad series is set in the Appalachian Mountains, right around where I'm from originally.
5. I'd have you redo the bathroom. I have 2 rooms left to do in my house and it is one of them; at this point, I'm not real sure what direction to take so it's all yours!

Check out Patrice's porch to see everybody answers.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. What do you do at the first sign of a cold? Will you get a flu shot this year?

It doesn't usually matter what I do - if a get one sniffle, I can pretty much count on two weeks of misery. I will definitely get a flu shot.

2. What advice can you give about how to conquer fear?

I usually just jump in with both feet - sink or swim.

3. Share two good things about your life right now.

I'm going to be a grandma!!!!!!!!!

and

I have a job - whenever I have a bad day at work, I try to think back to when I was unemployed 

and didn't know what the future held.

4. A hot fall fashion trend for 2011 is a return to sixties style...tunics with pants, shift dresses, pencil skirts, cinched waists, bold prints, high necklines and short lengths to name a few. How does this fashion trend fit with your wardrobe and personal sense of style?

I don't do short short anymore either but I absolutely love tunics, especially the ones that help 

hide your midsection (if you know what I mean).

5. Were you involved in scouting as a kid? How about as an adult?

I did Brownies for one year when I was a kid. My only involvement 

as an adult came from my kids' participation.

6. Apple, pear, plum, pumpkin...your favorite fall flavor?

Pumpkin, although I do love apples, and pears, and plums.

7. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher?

I think teachers should actually like children. I've seen some people get their teaching degrees and decide they just couldn't deal with the kids.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Fall is here! Temperatures in the 60's, lows in the upper 30's. The leaves will soon be turning to beautiful colors, then they'll all turn brown and fall to the ground, and we'll have to rake them up.:(

Head on over to Joyce's to see the rest.