4 weeks...28 days....One month

Can I brag on myself for a few minutes? Of course I can; this is my blog! :) One month ago, I met with my trainer for the first time. In that month, I have not had any Pepsi in a month! Wow! I have had a healthy breakfast EVERY day for 28 days. Wow! Whenever possible, I've been eating whole grain foods. My whole family is eating whole grain pasta now. (And the kids haven't been complaining.) I'm eating lots of fruits and veggies. I have only had a sweet treat 4 times during this month. None of them were excessive. And none of them were uncontrollable urges. Each time I made a decision to indulge. I have to admit, I"m getting tired of carrots and salads.

I have walked at least 15 minutes at least 5 days a week, and I've been doing resistance training 3 days a week.

And I'm down about 15 pounds so far.

And the winner is.....

Unusually Unusual Mom Critical Mistakes Most Couples Make by Dr. David Hawkins. I will be sending you an e-mail (or posting on your blog. Please contact me with your address. Thanks everyone for playing!

Win 20 Trips!

If you click on this link and win, we both win! How does 20 trips sound? (or there is even a cash option!) Please leave me a comment if you decide to enter!

Walgreens Deal

Wow! Three posts in one day! Quite a record! (and I didn't even get around to the potty training post I was going to make. Maybe tomorrow.)

I've heard about the great deals on free or almost free stuff at Walgreens, but I usually either don't need what they have or I don't have the coupons. But today I saw a deal I had to try out.

Walgreens had Jane cosmetics for buy one get free, and there was a printable coupon for $2 off each item. I was able to print as many coupons as I wanted: one per item--even the free one. The first time I went out, I only took 4 coupons. The second time I took 10. Several of the Jane products were also on clearance. They also had Sally Hansen nail polish (normally $4.99) for $1---and some bottles had $1 off coupons on them. Between two stores, I got:
* 7 SH Hard as Nails, Hard as Wraps polishes (3 were duplicate colors)
* 2 foundations
* 1 concealer
* 1 pressed powder
* 1 loose powder
* 2 large multicolor blushes
* 2 small blushes
* 2 single eye shadow
* 3 duo eye shadow

Total Walgreens Ad savings: $56.17
Total MFG coupon: $35.00
Total savings: $91.17
Total out of pocket: $ 1.35

Here's what I got for less than $2!

After the party: Introducing new friends I

After the Ultimate Blog Party we were encouraged to introduce some new friends we made. I saved about 60 blogs in my google reader during the party. I will be going through them and eliminating some. (I don't have to keep up with them all!) But I wanted to have time to decide which ones were keepers.

One blog that I discovered last month's Bloggy Carnival was Pink Paper Peppermints. M is Christian home schooling Mom. She has some great insight, such as this post: How to actually make something. You can learn a little bit about her here: Tuesday 10



Stayed tuned for more new friend introductions

Budget and menu planning

We made some decisions this week. While we do need to buckle down and work on paying off debt, we need to do some things for us. So we are working on a plan to do both. We have made a list of some things that we have putting off for a long time, for example a bed. You can read about why we need one and my attempt to win one here. Every quarter, I have the opportunity to earn a sizable bonus. I've received 6 so far, we really have nothing to show for it. So we are going to start using that money for some of the items on our list.

We recently looked up a couple of categories in Quicken and discovered we spend way too much eating out. We spent over $200 in the past two weeks--and we didn't even go anywhere fancy. John had been cooped up in the house for all of February with illness and he just wanted out. But, on average, we spend about $50-$60 a week eating out. This includes trips to Sonic or Circle K for a soda. So, I gave John and incentive. On paydays (starting Monday) we are going to put a certain about TBD (probably between $100-$150) in a cash envelope. Any eating out will come from this envelope. But here's the incentive. Whatever is left in the envelope on the next payday will go on an Apple card to help buy John's new computer (an item on our list). We are already buying at least 1 $25 Apple card each payday. This is a way we can add up the savings a bit faster.

With menu planning....I've been trying to work on setting a schedule and planning a menu ahead of time. But it's been tough to sit down and do it. We are going to work at cutting our grocery bill too. This weekend, we are going to plan the next two weeks dinners. So when we go shopping on Monday, we have a plan. Since I'm eating healthier, I need to not be just trying to pull something together at 5 o'clock.

With other cutbacks (such as avoiding the clearance section!) after we pay all the bills each time, we will take whatever is left and use it to pay off debt.

Before you go--WWII Tribute

My aunt sent this.

This is beautiful. Click on the link to listen to the song and view the video. Before You Go

The elderly parking lot attendant wasn't in a good mood!

Neither was Sam Bierstock. It was around 1 a.m., and Bierstock, a Delray Beach, Fla. , eye doctor, business consultant, corporate speaker and musician, was bone tired after appearing at an event.

He pulled up in his car, and the parking attendant began to speak. 'I took two bullets for this country and look what I'm doing,' he said bitterly.

At first, Bierstock didn't know what to say to the World War II veteran. But he rolled down his window and told the man, 'Really, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you.'

Then the old soldier began to cry.

'That really got to me,' Bierstock says.

Cut to today.

Bierstock, 58, and John Melnick, 54, of Pompano Beach - a member of Bierstock's band, Dr. Sam and the Managed Care Band - have written a song inspired by that old soldier in the airport parking lot. The mournful 'Before You Go' does more than salute those who fought in WWII. It encourages people to go out of their way to thank the aging warriors before they die.

'If we had lost that particular war, our whole way of life would have been shot,' says Bierstock, who plays harmonica. 'The WW II soldiers are now dying at the rate of about 2,000 every day. I thought we needed to thank them.'

The song is striking a chord. Within four days of Bierstock placing it on the Web, the song and accompanying photo essay have bounced around nine countries, producing tears and heartfelt thanks from veterans, their sons and daughters and grandchildren.

Bierstock and Melnick thought about shipping it off to a professional singer, maybe a Lee Greenwood type, but because time was running out for so many veterans, they decided it was best to release it quickly, for free, on the Web. They've sent the song to Sen. John McCain and others in Washington. Already they have been invited to perform it in Houston for a Veterans Day tribute - this after just a few days on the Web. They hope every veteran in America gets a chance to hear it.

GOD BLESS every EVERY veteran...
and THANK you to those of you veterans who may receive this !

Before You Go

My biggest win!

I've been entering on-line sweepstakes for about a year or so. I've won a lot of small prizes (DVDs, books, CDS, lipstick). Before yesterday, my biggest prize was a $100 gift certificate to Champion Sports. Hubby got some new shoes!! :) Yesterday, I found out that I won a new car seat (that we will still be able to use when Munchie is in a booster. It's a $200 car seat. We've only bought the less than $100 car seats so far. I also won with it a 1st Aid Kit, a 19 pack of take n toss dishes (we love those!), and some toys. Total value is about $250. Not too bad!

My list of what I'd love to win:
* Cash (of course! any amount!)
* Trip to anywhere (anything Disney, a cruise or Las Vegas are my top choices)
* Car

But I'm having fun!

Want to know a secret?!?!? Shhhh......

I'm flying to California for a weekend in April! Yippeeeeee!!!

Last May I flew for the first time (at age 37) and I LOVED it. Next month, my Momma is turning 70. My 2 sisters and 2 (of 4) brothers and a few other relations are going to be there for Mom's birthday. This afternoon (while walking) I had a sudden thought. Was there any way I could crash the party? I checked plane tickets (about $200). I mentioned it to Hubby. My sister offered to charge the ticket (for miles) and I can pay her when I get there. (I'll fly out right after payday--bonus payday!) We debated whether I should go alone, with just hubby and I, just Crunchy (who is very close to "Mommy Mamaw"), or take everybody. In the end, Hubby decided that we could definitely swing it for me to go. But it would be better if we didn't spend the money on all of us right now. It's going to be a short trip--almost exactly 48 hours. But it's going to be great!

I'll be sharing a hotel room with my oldest niece and her baby girl who I have not had the chance to meet yet. (I'm so excited to see them!) We are going to have a spa day on Saturday morning, and dinner on Saturday night.

Wooooo hoooooo!!

Meeting lots of new friends!

I've enjoyed having visitors to my house, er, blog. I hope you have too. (That is, if you are participating in the party. If not, you may not want visitors!) I've found lots of blogs that I want to spend more time in. (Now, I have to find more time to spend in those blogs!) My google reader is getting full. (Is there a limit to the number of blogs you can put in the google reader? I guess I'll find out soon!) I'll probably need to purge the list eventually, but I didn't want to lose some of these great websites.

Party on dude(ettes).

I found another party!

Christian Women Online is celebrating their blogoversary and they are giving away lots of great prizes including an MP3 Player, lots of great books, CDs, and a free blog design from Split Decisionz!! The MP3 player is courtesy of Art Bindery.

Head on over now to enter!

Party time!

Welcome to my blog. My name is Julie and I'm thrilled you have decided to visit me in the blogosphere. So, what is the purpose of my blog? And why should you come back and visit me? Because I'm begging you! No...I won't resort to begging. (Please!) My blog is about me, my family, my life, my faith, my friends, fitness, and lessons I'm learning on the journey. I don't cook much, so you won't find many recipes. I'm not a "compensated endorser", but I'll tell you about products I like (as well as those that don't live up to their claims). Sometimes I share jokes or inspirational stories.

But wait! I haven't told you who I am. I am 38 years old. I'm a recovering scrapbooker. (I sold most of my stuff to take my first plane ride last year.) I am a Christian and I'm a member of a purpose driven church. My kingdom purpose (why am I here?) is to connect women. My favorite on-line hangout are Hannah's Prayer, Parenting after Infertility, and Online-Sweepstakes. I am a full time, work outside of the home mommy. I enjoy my work (most of the time!). And I love being a mom. 4 1/2 years ago, my family moved from sunny central California to sunny (and today snowy) New Mexico.

I've been married to my high school sweetheart and best friend, John for 21 years (Valentine's Day!). John is a full time stay at home Daddy (who ocassionally moonlights as a computer network technician.) We have three beautiful, intelligent and funny (sometimes annoying) children*: Chewie (10), Crunchy (4 1/2) and Munchie (2 1/2). You can see their picture in my profile. For more pictures, look here. Why am I "Mom Two Ways"? because I'm a mom by birth and by adoption. *I recently decided to "rename" my kids for my blog. So I went with nicknames. For some reason, I've always called the baby "Munchie" (short for munchin). One day, my other kids decided that daughter would be Crunchy and Big Brother would be Chewie (short for Chewbaca of Star Wars fame).

I guess I should offer you something to eat---since this is a party after all. But, I'm working on losing 100+ pounds, so my offerings will all be healthy. I have a veggie tray (carrots, celery, and cucumbers) and some nuts (almonds and peanuts). I have bottled water to drink. There's unsweetened ice tea as well, but I don't touch the stuff myself. If you want to read about my journey, check out my newly updated "other blog": Less of Me.

How about a joke to break the ice? Why did the chicken cross the playground?

To get to the other slide.

Now, it's your turn. Feel free to share you favorite (family friendly!) joke. Or just say hello! Separate from the Ultimate Blog Party prize list, One person who comments on this post will win a book. (Title to be announced).

Speaking of prizes! There are so many to choose from! I want them all, but I don't have a baby any more :(, and my MIL makes jewelry, so that narrowed it down a bit!

My first choices (I know it's more than 3!):

1 — Rocking Horse Provided by: A Rocking Horse To Love
7 — Bead Dangle Photo Tile Necklace Provided by: Elemental Memories
48 — Story Package Provided by: Cherish Bound
34 — Custom Tutu Provided by: Live~Love~Dance Boutique
62 — Boca Beth Bilingual Beginner Set Provided by: The Boca Beth Program
72 — Webcam Provided by: Liz of This Full House
101 — Devotional Bible for women Provided by: Jubilee on Earth

Other favorite prizes (in no particular order)
Cash: 55, 59 (always welcome!)
Blog design: 24, 25, 45, 67, 69, 71 (I need the help!)
Other stuff: 17, 44, 52, 61, 64, 81, 85, 96, 100, 102. 103. 104, 105, 110, 116, 119
Gift Certificates: 9, 11, 15, 39, 49, 54, 60, 76, 107, 117

Some lessons are hard to teach...or learn

Neither my husband or I grew up with a very good understanding of the value of money. I didn't have my first job until I was out of high school (and engaged to be married.) John had to get a job to pay for many of the things he wanted, but he never really learned to save or budget. Together we made a lot of mistakes with money. Too often, my in-laws bailed him (and later us) out, when we really needed to learn a lesson about money.

We want to help our children have a better understanding of money. Our oldest is 10 now. We've tried allowance off and on. But we just started getting consistent. Dave Ramsey is big on letting kids learn about money--sometimes with hard consequences. For example, if he forgets his money and I loan him the money until we get home, he isn't learning to be responsible. If I always chip in an extra dollar or two when he comes up short, he doesn't learn to save and plan. If I pay the taxes on items, he's not really learning to budget.

Yesterday was payday. Which means allowance day for Chewie. He gets $10 (his age) for each week (total of $20). Last pay day, he spent most of his money on his younger brother and sister. (Very proud Mommy moment!) Today, he asked to go to Target while we were out. He didn't have anything in particular in mind--he just had money burning a hole in his wallet. And, like most 10 year old, he doesn't think he has enough toys. We stopped at Target and waited while Chewie checked out EVERY toy in the aisle (or so it seemed). He rejected a few things because he realized at 19.99, his few cents left over from last week wouldn't cover the tax. He finally (after being told his time was up) selected 2 toys that totaled about $16 before tax. Then came the hard lesson....

At the register, he realized, "I left my wallet in the car!" Daddy and I had to make a quick decision. Do we bail him out (again!)? or do we allow him to face the logical consequences of his irresponsibility? We chose the latter. We reminded him that the stop at Target was specifically for him to buy a toy, so he should have been extra careful to make sure he had his wallet. He cried, 'But I'm just a kid". I replied, "Yes. But some day you'll be a grown up. I'd rather you learn these lessons now than as an adult when it's not just a toy." He cried. No, he wailed, all the way home. I held held John's hand for reassurance.

Now, he is in the living room, playing very nicely with his brother and sister. He seems to have recovered from the wound.

Splitting hairs---er, blogs

For a couple of years, I've had a blog called, "Less of Me". I posted once in January, but not again until today. I'm going to start putting most of my weight loss/diet/exercice posts over there. I will put updates here too. But I don't want to bore my readers with too many details! Please check me out over there!

Training update

Saturday morning was my first (of 3) session with my personal trainer. We worked on arms. All of the exercises were things I've done before. But it was nice to have someone check my form. Most I was doing correctly, but there were a few things she showed me how to do do correctly. I've done most of them at various aerobics classes, but I never had anybody to help me with my form. The plank was tough (just on my knees so far!!) but I did it.

On Wednesday, we'll work on legs; and next Saturday we'll work on shoulders and back. Then I'm on my own! But Angie will be available by e-mail and by phone. (Plus I'll see her every Sunday night at home fellowship.)

Every day (except Sunday) I've walked 15 minutes.

As for eating.....I'm doing pretty well. I'm not perfect, but I'm doing well. I haven't had any Pepsi since Wednesday (I had 1/2 of a glass before my workout.) And I've been draining my 52 ounce water jug (former Pepsi jug) at least twice (and often 3 times!) a day. I'm eating lots of veggies: carrots, celery, salad. My snacks have all been good: protein and veggie. (Well...I did take the kids out for a chocolate custard and I had one too!)

Today, I had a real test. We had an all-day training at work. There is always lots of "bite sized" candies in bowls on the table. Guess how many I ate?!??! NONE!!! NOT EVEN ONE!!! I brought my fruit and string cheese snacks with me.

I stocked up on frozen entrees (gotta love a good sale!). I eat these for lunch at work. But I got extras this time to keep at the house for times I need something fast and don't want to give in to something unhealthy. John brought home whole grain English muffins and bread. :( (Along with big muffins and donut gems! :( )

Rough day, so far....

My day actually started pretty well. I got out of the house while everyone was still asleep for my first training session. (I'll blog about that later.)

But I came home to chaos. DH has a migraine. The kids have trashed the house. The pile of laundry is growing. (Most of it is already clean now, but it still needs to find a home.) The kids are fighting. Oh....and I got a project in the mail that has to be completed and returned in one week. Of course, it necessitates a trip to Wal-Mart. I'm snapping at the kids. (Who are not doing what I asked them to do---like get shoes on.)

I really need to spend some time on my anger verses. I have barked a bit, but I don't want to erupt on my precious (and precocious) gifts.