We are all just Tin Men trying to Find Our way back home~My exercising story!

Hey Everyone.

Hope your 2016 is off to a great start!

I guess you could say mine was off to a "creaky" start...

Let me explain.

A few weeks ago, my back had been giving me problems!

I had brought the kiddos skiing and the chair lift was broken, so I had been carrying them up the hill.
(Snowpants, boots, skiis and all!)
That led to a few back issues for me.

To make a long story short,
I decided I needed to stretch my muscles and see if that would help
As I was stretching, my body made this sound....
it was like a creaking sound.

A sound that would be made if you opened something old.

Like a door in a scary movie....it went....
CREEEAAAKKK!!

I was like oh my gosh, that was my bones making noise!!

The best way I could describe it:

My body felt like the Tin Man out of Wizard of Oz. 

Help, I need some OIL to ungrease these bones.

I knew something had to change and that was me.

This 2016, I need to regain some strength in my body.

I only have one body, I need to take care of it.

And then, not a few hours later.

The intervention.

~my friend Julie gives me a text~

(Hey I'm heading to the Y to workout)

Without hesitation, I beg her to take me along.

I tell her about my creaking body and she immediately invites me.

I warn her I am a newbie.

She assures me she is new to all this too.

I am worried and hesitant.

What do I bring?

What do I wear?

I better go shave.

 Within a hour, she is in my driveway picking me up.

Hi ho, hi ho...Off to Y we go!

We arrive and she flashes her membership card...

It so happens to be bring a friend week!

Now, that's coincidence.

I head into the locker room to change.

Within minutes I am all set.

Old tenner shoes, yoga pants, and a t-shirt.

I don't even really own workout clothes, so I had to do my best to throw something together.

Julie introduces me to the machines.

I have to admit, I have never operated or ran on a treadmill.

It's intimidating and stressful.

She punches my numbers into a machine and I start running.

After that, she introduces me to the weight machines and one by one I try them.

I can tell my body is confused.

What the heck is going on?

Is she actually working out?

I keep going and going.

Within an hour, we are done.

I SURVIVED.

Not only did I survive, but I actually enjoyed  didn't mind it.

In the car, I beg Julie to take me again.

She said we can head back tomorrow.

Fast forward a week and I'm still surviving.

My favorite classes have been:

Pilates

Body Strength

Zumba

and 

Yoga

..the only problem is that I can't do half the moves in Pilates or Yoga!

I practically popped out my hernia.

Did you just say Plank?

Laughing my butt off :)

http://www.refinery29.com/how-to-do-a-plank?crlt.pid=camp.eVRn5Y60ni3u#.r9umnu:RBK9

..I guess that above picture is what I should have looked like :)

All I know is I'm just going to keep trucking.

Keep Trying.

I look silly and awkward, but I don't care

I love the fact that the others in the classes just cheer and support each other!

I am encouraged and inspired by all the people working out and trying to improve their health!

We are all just little Tin Man's Trying to Find our Way back Home :)

Enjoy your Saturday,

Shelby

Hey! Wait for me...I'm coming!

It was Christmas Eve day 

and

 the excitement of present opening and Santa was filling our home!

I was prepping for dinner at my in-laws (making manicottis)

 and 

making sure the presents were wrapped and the finishing touches for Christmas were complete.

The wrath of everyday laundry, dishes, and clean up was staring me straight in the eye.

It was set to be a busy day.

Around 1:00 my husband had a great idea, He announces:

"hey kids...let's go sledding, I'll pull you behind the wheeler!"

(Yes, I know very dangerous~but very fun! #don'tjudgeourlaziness)

The kids got their snowpants on, even our 16 year old boy joined in the fun.

(After begging and convincing of course).

 They got their stuff on and headed out the door.

Just as they were headed out I yelled, 

"Hey, wait for me...I'm coming!"

The boys looked at me as I started putting on my snowpants.

"Your coming mom?"

"Yes!" I replied..."Is that okay?"

"Yes mom, yes, yes....this is going to be sweet!"

In that moment, I was a little taken back by their shock.

I started to think back to how many times, I may have stayed in.

It has just been assumed moms staying home...

 to make sure the "chores" of everyday life were completed.

I had ,in the past, missed out on probably some super fun experiences trying to

 "make sure all the inside chores were done"

I think this is pretty common.

I hope I'm not the only one.

I believe that our days get filled up fast with tasks to complete.

However.

                           I have been... carefully opening my eyes,  to not miss out on experiences like this.

I have been trying to be present.

I found that by being present that Christmas Eve day, I received the best Present.

I was part of the laughs.

I was part of the fun.

I was part of the bumps and bruises in the snow.

This year, 2016....I am not setting high expectations for myself.

All I'm hoping...is that I am present and participating.

Present in the stands.

Present in the home.

Present in their relationships.

Present in everyday Life.
..Not only present, but participating!

Yes, the laundry and chores need to get done.

Yes, their will be times I get sucked in to the house & technology (facebook)

I will get distracted, I will forget, I will make mistakes.

BUT,

I am aware and I'm watching.

I will be Present in 2016!

 Happy New Year to you all,

Shelby

Getting Ready to Deck your halls..."Oh wait, A Lifetime Movie is on!"

...Getting Ready to DECK your halls!

This weekend, I am starting to decorate for Christmas!

Yes, you heard me right....

I know, I know..early right?

Well, this year our home is part of the Essentia Health Festival of Trees Home tour.

So...that means, by Nov. 20th...My house needs to be "decked".

This is a hard task because this year, I don't have a decorator coming in.

You are looking at her.

This girl is taking it on...HELP!

 For my brain, this is a hard task because I very often find myself distracted.

This is a TYPICAL Christmas decorating day for me!

I get everything out and then:

"Oh wait, I need Christmas music"

"Oh wait, I need some hot chocolate!"

"Oh wait, where did I put that one sign from last year?"

..So, I head down stairs to find it..

"Wow, it's messy down here!"

"I better clean up in the basement!"

"Wow, these floors are sticky...I better mop down here!"

"Wow, I'm tired..let me sit on the couch and watch lifetime for a minute!"

""Oh wow...it's dinner time!"

"What are we having for dinner?"

"I better run to the store and get us something!"

"Time to eat our late dinner!"

"I might check facebook quick!"

"Wow kids, you need a quick bath!"

"I better throw in a few loads while I'm up here!"

"Kids, time for bed...okay, I'll lay with you for a few minutes!"

Okay, mom's OUT!

 I get easily distracted when I am doing a task I have a hard time with or don't know where to start.

Does this ever happen to you guys?
Am I the only one stranded on planet distraction?
...anyone, anyone?

 

 So, I made myself some tips to make decorating more enjoyable.

Hope you enjoy!

Three ways to Make "Decking" your halls more timely

#1. Make the hot chocolate & put on the music BEFORE you start.

#2. Cancel your cable ahead of time so you don't get sucked into a Lifetime movie. 

#3. Don't go "tuck your kids into bed"..ZZZZZ!

 

All in All, I am looking forward to this. It's going to be fun!

I just need to get started.

Look at me now, I'm being really productive...I'm blogging about how unproductive I am,while trying to be productive.

Ha, ha...I'm shutting the computer off and getting going!

Bye Everyone!

Peace and Love!

WISH ME LUCK...I need it!

If you didn't have a chance to read yesterday's blog, check it out!
It was a little dedication to dear daughter:
http://altobellipetersonconstruction.blogspot.com/2015/11/there-is-this-girl-she-kind-of-has-my.html

There is this girl. She kind of has my heart.

There is this girl. 

She kind of has my heart. 

She is my daughter.

At night, she falls asleep sandwiched between her dad and I.

I could lay by her forever, just to smell her sweet scent.

When my daughter was born.

I gained a friend for life.

Thank you my little lady.

I love you until eternity.

...Spooooky Fun Drinks for you Halloween Night!

...Happy Halloween

Hope you have a spoooooktacular Halloween tonight!

Just wanted to share with you some easy, kid friendly drinks for your Halloween night! 

#1. The Green Eyeball:
~This one looks super fun..I spy with my little "eye" a fun night!

http://www.agirlandagluegun.com/2014/09/easy-halloween-drink-with-peep-straws.html#_a5y_p=2415829

#2. Fanta Jack O' Lantern Floats

http://belleofthekitchen.com/2014/10/20/fanta-jack-o-lantern-floats/ 

3. Gummy Worm Punch 

http://bitzngiggles.com/2015/04/gummy-worm-punch.html 

  

...And for the over 21 crowd, 

The Purple People Eater!

http://guestofaguest.com/new-york/halloween/spooky-cocktails-for-a-halloween-monster-mash&slide=3 

Be Safe Tonight Everyone!

Enjoy your Halloween night, hope you get a good fright!

Shelby

Just a throw back on this Halloween!

My Austin, you make me smile and fill my heart with so much joy!

Love you buddy!

15 day Cookie Making Challenge!

The 15 Day Cookie Making Challenge...

Last week, dear daughter, politely stated the following statement:

"Mom, you never make cookies..like ever!"

.So, I politely responded, "Oh honey, yes I do!"

She responds, "Not the ones you have to make by yourself!"

I laugh...

She laughs...

Then, we both Laugh!

This continued &  repeated for 15 minutes, until I finally said.

"Fine, I will make you cookies every day for 15 days!"

Her eyes popped open!!
"Really MOM? For 15 days!"
"Yes, 15 days in a row we will make cookies!"

Now, I must follow through....

Yesterday was day #1 and we made cookies!!
(They may or may not have come out of a frozen box, already shaped into perfect balls)
~She didn't notice...shhhhh!
They were "Goblin cookies!"

I have 14 days Left of Cookie Making and I am pumped
~a little nervous, because baking is not me!

I am taking the challenge...
want to come along on the 15 day cookie challenge with Me?
Come on you guys...I need a team to support me!

If you have any easy fun cookie recipes, please share them with me!!!!

Also, if you are looking for Affordable ways to decorate for Halloween:
Click this link:
:http://altobellipetersonconstruction.blogspot.com/2015/10/halloween-decorating-all-for-100now.html

Hope you have a "great cookie filled day!"
Shelby

Does anyone really need an office? How about a secret mommy room! NO KIDS ALLOWED!

Happy Monday Everyone!

~hoping your  Monday is Magnificent so far!

On the blog today, an office turned into "the secret mommy room"

When you enter our home, to the left..we have an office.

I used to have a desk there

 however,

 I have found we really never "do work in the office!"

I wanted to make the space a little more functional!

Found this adorable couch at Anderson Furniture 

and

 matched it with a colorful rug from Firelight Galleries!

Plan of action is to:

~add a secret tv that only mom knows about

Yes, this is my room..I claim it...all of it!!

NO LEGOS

NO DOLLS
NO PUCKS
NO STICKS
NO BATS
NO BALLS

..Just me 

Okay, there can be pictures of the children but no actual children in here!

..Can you picture it?
Relaxation, ya...me neither!

Thanks for stopping by everyone!

Looking forward to decorating this room for the Festival of Trees House Tour

Happening November 20th and 21st!

Hope you enjoy the little office turned "mommy room" tour!