New Direction

So since I started this blog and subsequently abandoned it due to lack of time a lot of things have changed. My hubby has taken a job working out of state which has him gone for 2 weeks and then home for a week off. While this move has been an adjustment, we are all working through it admirably. The new position at a new company has doubled his income thereby allowing me to work much less out of the home. Some of the other perks have included a recent purchase of 10 acres south of town and the dream of living in the country has finally reached the realm of reality. The children are now back in school and while some may think new year's resolutions are hardest to keep, I believe the "once the kids are back in school I will...." resolutions are hardest. Never-the-less, I have set certain goals for myself this year and hope to chronicle more of them on this blog. (Thus killing 2 with 1 stone by reactivating and updating this blog). Let me start with my newest vices. I have defeated the Facebook gaming monster. You can only feed so many imaginary pets and grow so many imaginary crops before you realize the lost potential of time and energy. I have however discovered Pinterest and in the ensuing months have mapped out an imaginary life in the form of numerous boards which I hope to start actually living this year. There are SOOOOOO many wonderful recipes and craft ideas and with the thought of a new house in the future I find that I am inspired to actually start TRYING these new recipes and creating new things and really appreciating what I have accomplished. I have a board of all the great pllaces i have traveled to or seen and one for all the places I want to go. The site is in a way our very own expanded "Bucket List". So why wait till it's too late? I'm going to start being the person I want to be and trying new things. My hope is to by residual effect, enhance my family's life as well. So my new direction is going to start with the recipes. For those of you that have seen the movie "Julie & Julia" it will be something like that. In the movie Julie decides to take Julia Child's cookbook and make everything in it within a year. This could very well be an expensive feat, so I have decided to try at LEAST one new recipe a week. My hope is to actually do more, but I'm trying to be realistic. I will be mixing it up (pun intended) by alternating main dishes, sides and desserts at the whims of my family and their taste buds. So wish me luck! Another direction I am taking is with the current house we are living in. After 14 years we have started and abandoned many home improvement projects, but if we are ever going to start building a new house and sell this one, they must all be completed. So far I have repainted the vaulted entryway stairwell which I would strongly recommend anyone else intending the same to make sure they have a sturdy and TALL ladder. We have also remodeled the downstairs bathroom.

I have to finish putting on new triim and install a new fan and light fixture, but the new tile, toilet and vanity are done as well as a fresh coat of paint. Progress feels great and hopefully will beget more progress.....I will keep you posted. Finally, the inevitable resolution that we ALL stuggle with....getting healthy and losing weight. I have discovered that I am more motivated to either workout or eat better when I have a buddy. This is a good lesson for all walks of life. Everything is easier with the buddy system. So I have tried several different classes. Zumba is lots of fun once you overcome the awkward stage of learning the different steps and dance moves. Pillates was easier than I thought for a woman my size, and although I didn't leave the class winded and aching, I certainly felt the pull of unused muscles 2 days later. I also have gotten the mini trampoline out for 6 minute sessions throughout the day. This is good for all over impact and time constraints. I use it while watching TV and waiting for water to boil or for when I'm baking cookies and can jump around while batches are baking. Just stay close enough to hear the timer go off. I will be updating more frequently and sharing any tips, successes and of course the failures. I look forward to contructive comments.