Gus-Gus and Gronk One Year Later

Last year on Valentine's Day our family adopted 2- 7 month old kittens from a friend. We had no idea what fun they would bring to our lives. 

Gronk is on the top shelf, Gus-Gus is on the lower shelf. 

The kitties have definitely developed their personalities. When we got them Gus Gus was the more timid cat. He liked to hide underneath the couch and did not like to be touched at all. 

Fast forward a year, and Gus Gus is now playfully known as "Psycho" as he runs full force from one side of the house to the other. He will run up and down the stairs jumping off of furniture and just being crazy. He also loves to be petted. He will rub up against mine and Bill's legs begging for pets and if/when we stop he will playfully slap at our legs for more. He also loves to lay on our bed and will cuddle next to me at times if I am sitting in bed reading. 

Gronk, is now playfully called "Fat Cat" as he is the heavier of the 2 cats. His favorite activities include sleeping upstairs (either on our cedar chest or on one of the boy's beds) or on the top shelf that separates our dining room from our living room. He also loves chasing sparkling balls. He also purrs very loudly. Gronk also has recently developed a curious streak. The other day he snuck down into our basement while the door was open (we don't allow the cats down there). Then later he stuck his head out of our back door as I was waving to Bill as he was leaving.  

They definitely add something special to our house. So one year of pet ownership is behind us...here's to many more! 

Weigh In Wednesday #7 of 2018

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Happy Wednesday! Happy Valentine's Day! Have a Blessed Ash Wednesday! (This year is strange for Catholics as Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday are the same day and Easter falls on April Fool's Day!)

I had steak, mashed potatoes and green beans.

Bill had a burger and fries (he asked for a baked potato but they gave him fries).

Bill and I actually had date night at home this past weekend to celebrate...having Ruby Tuesdays for dinner at home! It was super yummy!

Today I did try to make the day special. I left candy out for the kids that they can have when they get home from school. After I showered, I started with getting up early to make heart shaped cinnamon rolls for the kiddos. I also found donuts waiting downstairs from Bill.

When I left to take the kids to school, I also found a card on my driver's side seat of my van from him.

And when I got home from taking them to school, there was flowers and fuzzy socks sitting on the kitchen table for me. Makes my heart happy!

Before we began the Valentine's Day though I did get on the scale. So, let's get see where the weight numbers stand this week....

Official Starting Weight (1/3/18): 241.0

My weight last week: 233.8
My weight this week: 232.6
Weight loss from last week: -1.2 pounds! *Yay*

Total weight loss for 2018: -8.4 pounds! 

Whoo-hooo! I wasn't sure how this week was going to pan out as my schedule has been off. We have been extra busy. My stress level has been through the roof for whatever reason and honestly I haven't been making great food choices. So I am thrilled that the scale went down. I don't know why or how, but it did and I will take it.

I really need to get back in the habit of eating better (more fruits and veggies). I was doing really good for a few weeks, but I have slacked off in the last week or so.

Being that today is Ash Wednesday and the official start of Lent, I, as a Catholic, am called to give something up for Lent (or to add something that will enhance my spiritual life). I have decided that I am going to give up eating anything after dinner for Lent. I have gotten into the bad habit of snacking on m&ms or ice cream after I put the kids to bed. That is going to stop. I will allow family dessert times after dinner because that is an extension to the meal and not an everyday thing that we do (only for special occasions). I know that that will be a challenge, but will also be good for my weight loss goals.   

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On the exercise front: I mentioned in my 2018 goals post that I wanted to walk 3 days a week. Since there are 52 weeks in a year, that means my goal is to walk 156 times over the course of the year. 

Well this week was a carbon copy of last week. Nothing to report this week. I have not gotten any dedicated fitness time in and I think that is why my stress level is sky high. I really need to figure this out. 

So that means I am at 6 out of 156 workout walks completed for the year! This number may seem low, but honestly I expect it to be with winter. I am not going to let myself get discouraged.

So that was this week's Weigh In Wednesday-- diet wise, I am happy with the unexpected loss; fitness wise-- I have to figure it out. If you are trying to lose weight or get healthier, how is your journey going so far?

Happy Homemaker Monday (2/12/2018)

Happy Monday-- Happy Valentine's week! 

Sorry for the lack of posts last week. I just lost my mojo and really had nothing to talk about. It was a fairly busy, on the go kind of week so that may have let to it. Also with snow days thrown in for the kids, etc. it just really threw off my entire schedule. Then this past weekend my sister came home for a surprise visit from college, so I met her and my mom for lunch on Friday. Then on Saturday we spent the whole day out at basketball games, then yesterday I tried to get in the groove to get some stuff done at home but it seemed like everything was taking forever. This week, hopefully, will be much calmer, although today is going to be crazy busy. So I thought I would take a few minutes and get this post up while I have a chance. So, let's get on with the Happy Homemaker Monday theme hosted by the lovely Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom: 

The Weather::: The sun is out!!! YAHOO!!! It is still cold (high of 30 today I believe) but the sun is out! It is supposed to be almost 60 on Wednesday but rainy, then back to cold and snow by this weekend. :-(   

Right now I am::: sitting at the desk typing this up. Baby A, that I babysit, is sleeping right now so taking the opportunity to do a little computer work. 

Thinking::: I am thinking about what needs to be done around here. Also what the rest of my week will look like. 

    
On my reading pile:::

On my TV::: I have been watching the Olympics with the kids. We also watched "The Emoji Movie" on Friday night on Netflix. It was kind of cute.   

My simple pleasure::: Getting to have girls lunches with my mom and sister. 

On the menu for this week:::

Monday - Chili
Tuesday - Cheesy Italian Chicken and pasta 
Wednesday - Fish sticks and clam strips, baked potato, veggie

Thursday - Hamburger Helper and peas
Friday - Fish sandwiches, French fries
Saturday - Pizza and fruit
Sunday - ??? Not sure yet, maybe breakfast for dinner

On my to do list:::

For today: Kids to school, mail cards, babysit A, tutor P, Jacob to doctor, Ben to speech, all 3 kids have basketball practice

Tuesday: Kids to school, babysit A,  post office, camp meeting 

Wednesday: Kids to school, babysit A, tutor I, trash and recycling out

Thursday: Kids to school, grocery store, Battle of the books meeting with team, tutor N, S and N

Friday: Babysit A, my kids don't have school, maybe trip to SPI

Saturday: basketball games for all 3

Sunday: Teach PSR, church, 

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::

 
Looking around the house:::

It actually doesn't look too bad. I attacked some piles yesterday on the coffee table and the art table so those surfaces are clear. Clear surfaces makes everything look better!  

From the camera:::

An all too familiar scene this winter. This was from last Wednesday when we got over 5 inches in just a few hours. 

On my prayer list:::

My hubby as he begins what will hopefully start a full time career for him. My brother as he is narrowing down his college choices and is hoping to make the right decision. For all those affected by the flu viruses going around now.  

Bible verse, Devotional:::

I heard this verse quoted several times this weekend: 

Here's to a great Monday and good start to everyone's week! 

Weigh In Wednesday #6 of 2018

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Happy Wednesday! Happy Snow Day #5 for my kiddos from school. That is why this post is going up late. My kiddos didn't have school again, after we got about 5-6 inches of snow overnight last night and into this morning. I also had an extra kid here today, as I had the baby that I babysit AND her sister, who is in Kindergarten and didn't have school either. It actually wasn't too bad of a day as Rebecca played Barbies with "S" all morning and then after lunch they played with play-doh until the girls were picked up. So, I am just now sitting down to type this out. 

I had to include the picture at the top. As I was searching for a funny cartoon or quote I found this and laughed out loud. It really describes me now as we put a deposit down on a beach vacation this summer and I need to get serious so I can be in better shape than the last time we were at the beach. Hopefully, the weight number will be a lot less than when we went 2 years ago.   

Speaking of numbers, let's get on to see where the weight numbers stand this week....

Official Starting Weight (1/3/18): 241.0

My weight last week: 234.2
My weight this week: 233.8
Weight loss from last week: -0.4 pounds! *Yay*

Total weight loss for 2018: -7.2 pounds! 

Whoo-hooo! I will admit that I did not want to face the scale this morning. I have done a lot of stress eating the last few days. I had some of the insane peanut butter cup cake on Saturday. Sunday I had wings and peanut butter brownie. It just wasn't the most healthy week at all. So I was thrilled with the little loss this week.  

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On the exercise front: I mentioned in my 2018 goals post that I wanted to walk 3 days a week. Since there are 52 weeks in a year, that means my goal is to walk 156 times over the course of the year. 

Well this week was a bit fat fail on the exercise front. I didn't do anything-- no exercise or walking at all. Blame it on the weather, blame it on stress, blame it on me. Nothing to report this week. 

So that means I am at 6 out of 156 workout walks completed for the year! This number may seem low, but honestly I expect it to be with winter. I am not going to let myself get discouraged.

So that was this week's Weigh In Wednesday-- diet wise, I am happy with the little loss; fitness wise-- I am going to have to try better this coming week. If you are trying to lose weight or get healthier, how is your journey going so far?

Insane Peanut Butter Cup Cake (new recipe #6 of 2018)

Happy Tuesday everyone! Hope everyone is staying nice and warm. My kiddos are back in school today (they should have had school yesterday as the roads were fine after 9AM but who am I to say....) Yesterday in my post, I mentioned that I had tried a new recipe for an "Insane Peanut Butter Cup Cake" and a couple of you said you couldn't wait for the recipe. So today I thought I would share it with you. 

So the story of the cake is this::: Saturday night we headed over to our good friends' house for dinner. I offered to bring dessert. My friend Sarah and I have a sort of inside joke going, where we find the most delicious sounding recipes on Facebook and share/ tag each other on them. We seem to be taking turns making these recipes for each other and our families as well. Last week our families got together at our house and she brought over a cookie dough pie.

Well, this week we headed over to her house so I went through the Facebook archives and found a recipe for an "Insane Peanut Butter Cup Cake" from Cookies and Cups, that I decided to try out. (We both love peanut butter and chocolate).

Let me tell you that recipe did not disappoint. OH MY WORD! It was so yummy! The peanut butter filling in the middle is too die for.. I seriously could eat it by the spoonful! 

I made it according to the recipe, omitting the chocolate chips on the outside and using chocolate syrup instead of melted chocolate on top. When I make it again, I will make a couple more changes. I will probably only make half of the peanut butter filling and half of the chocolate frosting as there was way too much left over.  

Everyone LOVED it! And by everyone I mean kids and adults alike! I will definitely be making it again! 

Anyone else trying new recipes? Care to share?

Other new recipes in 2018 that I have tried: 

Crockpot Minestrone

Applesauce Banana Muffins

Zucchini and Sweet Potato Hash

Pork Fried Rice
Light and Fluffy Pancakes

Happy Homemaker Monday (2/5/2018)

Happy Monday-- How to describe this Monday? The first Monday of February. The Monday after the Super Bowl. Another Snow Day for the kids from school. Another Monday of cold weather. All of the above? LOL 

Today is a snow day for my kiddos from school. The roads and school parking lots are too icy this morning apparently for them to have school. That is fine by me as I feel like I lost a day yesterday. Saturday I was out of the house most of the day between basketball games for the kids and then we went to a friends house for dinner. Yesterday, Rebecca and I went to PSR and church and then home where in the afternoon I proceeded to take a 2.5 hour nap getting up to watch the Super Bowl with Bill. I need today to get back on track. LOL 


Now we are back to Monday. Hopefully a productive day for me, although I have a slight headache and feel like my nose is a little stuffy. I really hope that I am not getting sick. Rebecca said her nose was stuffy too. Anyhow let's get on with the Happy Homemaker Monday theme hosted by the lovely Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom: 

The Weather::: The sun is out, but it is cold! The snow and ice that we got last night isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Right now it is 7 degrees outside. We are supposed to have snow off and on all week with 3-6 inches Tuesday night/Wednesday apparently. Winter can go away sooner rather than later!  

Right now I am::: sitting at the kitchen table typing this up. I just finished breakfast and am trying to organize my thoughts as to what I want/need to get done today. 

Thinking::: I am thinking about what I need to get done today. I am so behind on laundry and just general cleaning especially upstairs.    
On my reading pile:::

On my TV::: I am still looking for another series to watch. I may try "This Is Us" again.  

My simple pleasure::: Being a mom.

On the menu for this week:::

Monday - I actually don't know yet. Was going to make hamburger helper but forgot to get it at the store. Might make spaghetti with meat sauce.
Tuesday - hot ham and cheese sandwiches, green bean, corn 
Wednesday - Taco pie, corn, veggies
Thursday - Cajun chicken, peas, rice
Friday - Pizza and fruit
Saturday - Macaroni and cheese for kids? Date night for Bill and I? (Dependent on Bill's work schedule)
Sunday - Ham, cheesy potatoes, veggies

On my to do list:::

For today: Laundry, clean our bedroom, sweep upstairs, Ben to speech, all 3 kids have basketball practice, Kids write out Valentine's for school

Tuesday: Kids to school, babysit A,  Rebecca has AHG

Wednesday: Kids to school, babysit A, tutor I, trash and recycling out

Thursday: Kids to school, babysit A, Battle of the books meeting with team, tutor S and N

Friday: grocery store, tutor N, Send plates/napkins to school for all 3 kids' Valentines parties

Saturday: basketball games for all 3, dinner with friends
Sunday: Teach PSR, church, Rebecca to Kenyon for Girls In Sports Day program

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
I have been trying new recipes. I made an insane peanut butter cup chocolate cake this week. I will share the recipe later. 

 
Looking around the house:::
We need to do some straightening up today. There are dishes that need cleaned up. Since the kids are home, there are toys out in the floor-- Ben is currently sorting all of his toys into piles of different colors. I don't even want to look upstairs as that has been neglected the last couple weeks. 


From the camera:::
More basketball pictures from the kids' games on Saturday. Rebecca made her first free throw ever and got another basket when she got a rebound and then put the ball back up! 

On my prayer list:::

My hubby as he searches for a new job. My brother as he is narrowing down his college choices and is hoping to make the right decision. My neighbor who is battling cancer. For all those affected by the flu viruses going around now.  

Bible verse, Devotional:::
I wrote down this quote that the pastor, at the church where the kids play basketball, spoke during his devotional during the halftime of one of the kids' game. It really spoke to me. 

"Have patience through the process. Don't give up."

Here's to a great Monday and good start to everyone's week!