Back on Track

Currently, I'm trying to lose some weight (and no, those aren't my feet on that scale). I'm down about 27 pounds so far but I have 35 left to lose before I reach my goal. One of my short-term goals was to lose a total of 40 lbs by the end of November. So far I'm on track to do that so long as I continue my routine.

I have a confession. I fell off the wagon last week BIG TIME; mostly because the little man has been sick and I haven't had much time to think about exercising or planning healthy meals. When your toddler is running a fever and has almost constant diarrhea, your own health goes right to the back burner.

But I'm not one to be beaten! The Bible says "The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger." (Job 17:9) I know that I can do ALL things through Christ, so I'm gonna keep working at losing this weight and getting healthy and continue to look to the Lord to strengthen me and help me to stick it out.

If I can get it to work, I'm gonna post my weight loss ticker on this page so my readers (whoever you may be) can see how I'm progressing. Please pray for me in this endeavor.

P.S. The little man is much better today! Fever's gone and his stomach troubles have greatly diminished.

Home Blessing Day

Monday is Home Blessing Day, or so says the Flylady. I spend most of the day on Mondays cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. The following is what I've accomplished today:

1. Dusted living and dining rooms
2. Vacuumed
3. Cleaned kitchen counter tops
4. Cleaned guest bathroom (sink, toilet and tub)
5. Wash all rugs
   

I've also gone grocery shopping, started dinner (pinto beans, brown rice, corn and home made cornbread...YUMMY!), packed and put away clothes that the little man can't fit into anymore, walked two miles, and started crocheting a table runner with a really cool variegated yarn in autumn colors.

As you can see, I've been a bit busy.

Basically I'm trying to catch up from this weekend. Little man and I went to visit my parents, which is always a blast! He has so much fun with his Marmie and PawPaw and I love getting to see him interact with them. It's so cute. The downside to these trips is because they live so far away (2.5 hour drive) it's an affair that literally takes up the entire weekend. Which, of course, puts me behind on my cleaning.

Tomorrow's agenda is as follows:

• Vacuum little man's room
• Mop floor in guest bathroom
• Scrub tile (with machine)
• Dust office
• Little man's laundry

The cleaning never ends. I try my best to follow the Flylady's system. My mother-in-law was even kind enough to pick up the Flylady calendar for me as a gift last Christmas, which is really nice. It came with a pen and some neat stickers and has been a life saver.

Anyway I'm sure that I've bored you to death rambling on about my cleaning routine. I'm off to finish my beans.

Doggie Days

When you have a toddler- especially one who is in the full-blown "terrible twos" phase- the rest of your life needs to be as simple as possible, or else you're liable to have a meltdown.

Lately my patience is continually tried by my dog, Ein. He's an 8-year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Don't get me wrong; I love him unconditionally and he's about the sweetest, most good natured dog I've ever known. But there are days when the barking, the walking, the shedding, the constant in and out of the kitchen (which is gated off for toddler protection), etc, gets to be a hassle.

Today has been an especially trying day. The little man and I are going to my parent's house for a visit this weekend. I've got some errands to run while I'm in town so I plan on getting an early start on the three hour trip tomorrow. I've attempted to spend most of today making sure my house is in order as well as packing for the trip. Attempted is the appropriate word because try as I may, I didn't quite succeed in my task.

Between constantly corralling my son away from household hazards (and there are ALWAYS hazards, no matter how much you "baby proof"), keeping him entertained, etc, and having to deal with my dog who apparently woke up this morning with an overwhelming need to be constantly touching or rubbing against me, I haven't managed to get too much done.

When hubby gets home, I'm hoping I can get him to watch the little man for a bit so I can get the bags packed, the kitchen and dishes in order (ie, washed and put away so hubby can put his dishes away instead of piling them in the sink), and the house vacuumed. All before 9pm, hopefully. I'm looking forward to watching Palin in the debate. That is, if I'm able to sit down long enough to do it!

The Bible says that the Lord will provide. I'm praying that he provides me some patience right about now.

Me, in a nutshell

My name's Mandy P. First and foremost, I am a Christian. God is the number one priority in my life and I intend to keep it that way. I am also a wife to a wonderful husband and stay-at-home mother of a rambunctious toddler. The will of my God and the needs of my family are the most important things in my life.

I'm also a very conservative/traditional lady and I do my best, with the Lord's help, to live out my values every day. Some days life is easy. Some days it's a struggle.

I intend to use this blog to chronicle the goings-on in my daily life.