God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman

Yesterday Catherine's tae kwon do had a Chritmas party. David and the girls got to go. I hade to work, as usual. (As a matter of fact, I am working 16 hours today.) They had a great time. The demo team showed off their skills. The instructors performed. There was plenty of food and fun. Catherine took some video. Enjoy.

Like The Sunrise

Last night, after months of hard work and dedication, Catherine received her yellow belt in tae kwon do. It's her first belt with color. (She was previously a white belt. Next comes purple belt.) She tested last week. She was so excited to get her new belt.

Here she is getting ready for testing.

And here she is last night receiving her brand new yellow belt from Instructor Tuan.

And here she is, officially a yellow belt.

In other tae kwon do news... David is starting tae kwon do tonight. He will have to work hard to keep up with the other moms and dads... and Catherine.

Fitocracy Rules!

I'll admit it, I am not thin. I have seen a scale. The scale barely survived. I get it. I need to eat better and exercise. I know this. You know this. And yet, here I sit, at this computer, because like many people I know, I can't seem to put it down.

What if I miss some important Tweet or Facebook update?

The hidden objects in Gardens Of Time won't find themselves.

And Pogo would miss me.

And my iPad... the little villagers in Trade Nations can't go on without me and the fruit needs to be sliced ninja style.

And how could I go on with my life without playing Words with Friends and Hanging With Friends?

And xbox and Playstation and Wii....

Okay.

You get it. And you do it too. It's probably you who is playing Words With Friends and Gardens Of Time with me.

So what are we going to do about this?

Get fatter?

I say no.

Let us combine our silly computer games and exercise.

Welcome to the Fitocracy.

Fitocracy is this fabulous new social media game that forces you to work out to level up. It inspires you with fun quests to try new things. David, the girls, and I have been playing it for a little while now.

And you know what... We feel better! Serious. David lost 7lbs in a month or so. My pants are looser and people at my work have said I have been looking thinner.

We have been having so much fun with this. We have been walking the dogs more. Going to the park more. We even spent some time at the park playing Frisbee with the dogs just to complete a quest.

Fitocracy is the reason David wanted this

for Father's Day and we have all been using it. Even Catherine can bench 20lbs. Yesterday, to try and complete a quest, David and I went out to specifically try to jog a mile is less than 10 minutes. And I have been doing crunches until my abs hurt to try and finish a quest to do 50 crunches in one set. I haven't managed it yet. But I am getting closer.

Because of the Fitocracy, I spent an afternoon in the park playing soccer with Catherine. David did it on another afternoon and little kids in the park joined in on the fun. And David and I have even gone to evening lap swim at the pool with Carolynn and attempted to swim laps. Carolynn smoked us, but we tried it.

Thanks to Fitocracy, my Wii Fit, which has been collecting dust in the closet, has been brought back out. And everyone has been enjoying it.

So, how about you join us? Put down the lap tops. Get your hand off the mouse. Turn off that Call Of Duty.

Fitocracy is still in beta testing, so you'll need an invite.

And guess what... I have plenty of them!

Just click on this link here and join in. Add me as a friend, user name JenCaSea. We can encourage each other to get up and move. If you have trouble getting this link to work, send me an email jencasea@gmail.com and I will send you a personal invite. Also, if we are Facebook friends or Twitter followers, look for the invites there as well.

Come on.

Do it.

Do it now.

Why are you still here?

Light and Healthy

Since the beginning of the year, we have been trying to be a little healthier. I have been keeping up on my Wii Fit. I have been taking vitamins; a multi-vitamin, a calcium, and a vitamin C. I have been trying to get more regular exercise. We have been walking to the park near our house. It’s about 2 miles. The dogs have been really enjoying it. Drizella gets upset if we don’t go. Now if I could just do better with the dieting.

The kids went back to school this week. I was sort of sad to see them go. Since I don’t often have weekends off, it was nice having them home when I am. And Carolynn acts much more like a human being when she doesn’t spend all day with her loser friends.

For those of you who were wondering, our kitten is doing better. Her cold is clearing up and the vet says that was all she had. She will stay on antibiotics for another week or so. She will stay on immune booster for a few months and she will stay on the vitamins for a couple of months. The vet had her records going back to when the shelter got her. She basically spent her whole life there. Anyway, she is doing good. Carolynn may have named her Muffins, but we call her the IBK. Itty Bitty Kitty.

Today I am off. It’s nice when I get days off. Last week I worked two 16 hour days. Tonight we have plans to eat healthy snacks and play Cranium. Tomorrow it’s back to work. I work 6am to 2pm until Saturday, the 8am to 4pm next week. The week after that I work 7:30am to 3:30pm.

I am trying to keep up with this blog. The more I work, the harder it gets. I have a few ideas for some posts in my head and I will try and do better with some Wordless Wednesday or some Thursday 13. Maybe I will try a few new videos. I used to write everyday. Now I go a week or more sometimes. At least I am not the only one who is slacking in blogs lately. (Trisha, Pam… You know who you are.)

Until then…

Big Bear

Today we took a trip to Big Bear. We had a great time. I haven’t had such a nice day in a really long time. We started at the Big Bear Discovery Center. We took a look around there and went for a hike in the woods. We stopped and ate our picnic lunch. Then we took a nice drive around the lake. We stopped in the village and walked around and looked in a bunch of cute shops. Then we went for a hike by the lake. After we left there we stopped at Lake Arrowhead and walked around there. It was cute too. It was a fabulous day. Here are some pictures.

Here is everyone at the Discovery Center.

Gibby on the trail.

David and the girls by the lake.

Me, my dog, and the girls by the lake.

Lake Arrowhead Village

The End Of An Inning

Today was Catherine’s last regular season softball game. They were playing the Red Sox, who didn’t have enough girls (again) and they forfeited. We offered to play them anyway, but they didn’t want to. I guess they forfeited 8 games this season because they didn’t have enough girls. That really sucks for the girls who do show up. After the Red Sox left, our girls took the field anyway. They grabbed some parents and some friends and played a funny little game. A couple of the Red Sox players stuck around and joined us. Carolynn’s friend, who plays in the bigger girl’s league, was playing in the game right before Catherine and she joined the game. It was the only place you would see an Astro pitching to a Red Sox with both Red Sox and Dodgers in the outfield, as well as a few parents. They played for about an hour and a half. They had a blast. Anyway, here are a few pictures.

Carly on base and Priscilla in the infield with a parent out there in the outfield.

Carolynn waiting her turn to bat while her friend Shayla from the bigger girl's Astros gets a hit and runs to first. Coach Art was catching.

Catherine playing second and Shayla at shortstop.At least I think that is what they were trying to do.

Catherine at bat. She actually got a hit. Finally, a hit! (in a fake game, but still..)

The Dodgers
Back row-Coach Jorge, Katlyn, Erin, Priscilla, Morgan, Carly, and Coach Art
Front Row-Jasmine and Jaime (I can't tell which is which. Twins are too hard.), Diana, Catherine, and McKenna.

After that, Carolynn went to a friend’s house for a birthday. They went to Scandia and they had a blast. Her friend was turning 14. She is in the 8th grade. They met on the bus. They live just down the street. I am so glad Carolynn is making better friend choices.

This morning I went to the tire store. Luckily, there was a three year warranty n my tires and it had only been two. So they replaced my tire for free. It made me very happy. Tires for my car run about $200 each. Stupid fancy rims. They had it fixed in no time too. I was in and out in just about 30 minutes.

Well, I have to go to work soon. Until tomorrow or something…

The End Of A Year

For those of you interested, I am skipping Wordless Wednesday today. I’ll make a come back next week.

I was going to give you an in depth analysis of my year gone by. I was going to give you my new resolutions. I was going to fill you with the promise of hope for a new year. Instead, I am going to give you a bit of a rant first.

I began my day in a happy little mood. In just a matter of days, I will be off to work. 2009 is almost here and all it can bring is happiness. I was expecting a check in the mail today and I planned to go to the bank this afternoon, drop off the rent check, and buy a few snacks for our celebration. I cleaned the house, read some more of my book, watched some TV and added more to my iPod. I joined the Modern Mom Challenge, I listened to the President-Elect’s Podcast, and I baked my Grandpa some Snowball Cookies.

Anyways, my mail brought me to the bank. I went to the window to deposit the goods. I then wanted to get a bank check for $995. Please note, I just deposited around $1300. I don’t see a problem with that. Part of that money came from a government funded check, but the bulk of it came from the check my ex-husband sent. He sends the same check, for the same amount at the same time every month. I have never had a problem. Today, problem city.

I bank with Wamu. Well, I used to, now I bank with J.P. Morgan Chase. I didn’t think it was a big deal. Everything pretty much works the same. Apparently, they experienced quite a few losses though recently. And much like the Chrysler people, they decided to take it out on it’s customers. They informed me that there would be a 7 day hold on the personal check. I said that was ridiculous. I have been getting that same check for over 2 years with no problem. They told me it was the new Chase system that was being more strict. There was nothing I could do. I spoke with several people. They were all just as helpful. Carolynn was with me and getting impatient. Whatever. Perhaps I need a new bank. I have been thinking about switching to Bank of America.

Usually, this is just an inconvenience. Right now, it is a problem. Without this extra money, I am just about $200 short of the rent. I had some in there already that I was holding for bills. Of course, there was no hold on my other deposit. Nevertheless, the rent is due by Monday at 4 PM. The check will be released on Tuesday evening.

The old, 2008 me, would have cried and lamented. That me would have fallen apart. The new me, henceforth known as Officer Jennifer, spoke calmly to everyone I could. I came home and called several people at the bank. I got nowhere. However, I am still calm. I will figure something out. I am a survivor. I am an officer of the law. I am tough.

That is the point of this story. 2009 brings a new and improved me. This new me comes complete with a new career and a new outlook. The new me promises to be more positive. The new me plans to be healthier, happier, and hopefully thinner. The new me has a plan.

I have made a chore chart that so far has shown some improvement. Catherine will still need to be pushed. She keeps losing her stuff. As in, I keep taking her stuff. Tonight she will be going to bed at 9:30. I made a budget and I plan to stick to it. (As soon as they start paying me) I joined several weight loss and exercise groups on-line and am hoping they will help me to eat better. I am sure my new career path will help me get the exercise.

As I start on my journey, I have friends and family supporting me as they did through the tough times. It is nice to have them.

As we say goodnight to 2008, I would like you to think of the promises of tomorrow, not the nightmares of the previous year. Tomorrow I will bring you a video of highlights of 2008. Tonight we look ahead. I know I am looking ahead at a bright future. Enjoy your evening and do not drink and drive. Finally, I leave you with this video, because, when all is said and done, all we really need is more cowbell.



More Cowbell - video powered by Metacafe

Things To Do On Tuesday

Today I did many things. First, I went to see my dad. He was having some computer trouble. I do not know who the Jepsen’s are, but their network was interfering with his. I met their housekeeper Linda, who is very nice. She cleans along with her headphones on and does a great job. Grandpa and Joe had gone golfing this morning, but they returned quickly after a mix up at one golf course and a crowd at another. I took Grandpa out to run his errands and Joe bought us lunch at Taco Bell. After lunch, Joe and I hung out with our dad until the dryer delivery people came. Then we went home. Joe is hoping for a boy too. Nephew sounds good to me.

This afternoon they finally decided to give David some hours at McDonald’s. They hired him over a week ago, sent him to training, gave him a uniform and he got his food handlers card. Then no hours. So tomorrow, he actually starts working. I have no news on my job hunt today. I got back my scores on a county test I took so maybe they will be hiring soon.

Tomorrow is Carolynn’s school open house. It will be fun to check out her classes with her and meet her friends and teachers.

I did not make it over to the track today so Carolynn and I walked about ¾ mile around the neighborhood. I took my 3lb weights, but I think they are too light. I think I will switch to my 5lb weights tomorrow.

My mom called to inform me that she was planning a trip to Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas this September. She invited the girls and me to tag along. If I am available, I would love to go. If not, the girls can go and they can have a fun adventure.

Active

Yep, that is me. I am active. I have been so busy lately. I have appointments, interviews, and kid stuff almost everyday. Last Saturday I took Catherine to Home Depot for their kid’s workshop. She made an Olympic Flag holder. Today I took her to her first kid’s workshop at Lowe’s. She got a Lowe’s apron, a hammer and goggles. She got a certificate and a patch to sew on her apron. Home Depot gave her an apron, they give pins instead of patches, and they give her certificates too. At Lowe’s she built a locker. Then we walked over to the garden center to look around. Our yard needs help. However, it will have to wait. We are still working on the weeds, the lawn, the hedges, and the immense amount of pickers. Once we get that done (and I have a job to pay for stuff), we can add new bushes and plants. I did allow Catherine to get some clearance hummingbird feeder and a little wind chime to hang on the back porch. I told her if she can keep the back porch swept up and clean, maybe she could get a little plant in a pot to put out there. She always liked outdoor activities. She grew tomatoes on the porch at our old apartment.

Carolynn started her baton class this week. There were only two other girls in the class. Neither was Carolynn’s age. Both were much younger. She is signed up for four classes. She says she still wants to go. If no more girls ever come, she does not have to do it again. She is in the band at school. Her saxophone playing sounds like an elephant mating call, but she is working on it. She learned a note.

The girls have just finished their first week of school. They have made some new friends. They can get to the bus and home. Catherine has already lost her lunch box. They have nice teachers and nice schools. They are so much better than their last schools.

Today I did 30 minutes on my Wii Fit and I walked about a mile with 3lb weights. Tonight, the girls and I are going to see a ballgame. Go Mavericks!

Motivated

I am dressed like Sporty Spice. My whole self is achy. Yesterday I did 30 minutes of yoga and strength exercise. Then I ran walked for a while. Today I have done 40 minutes of strength training and aerobics. I have every intention to run today too. (Really, I mean it.)

At Target, I have purchased 3lb and 5lb weights. Oh sure, that will make it easier. But I am determined.

I feel like I am starving. I have eaten but my body thinks Ho-Ho’s would be good. The brownies my mother so lovingly purchased from Winco baked, are staring at me from the counter. They say, “Come on fatty, take a bite!” I want to shove down chips and drown that in soda. Instead, I made fish and peas. I have water or iced tea to drink. The brownies are my enemy.

Vitamins I purchased a few months ago have been located and came out of retirement. Women’s One A Day, Calcium, and Vitamin C will now have to be an every day occurrence. Nasty, but true.

Some of the worry has dissipated. I feel confident I will soon be employed. The bills have been cleverly taken care of and soon I will have a house full of food, healthy food, thanks to more help from the world out there. David has been employed by the McDonald’s and is sure to get something even better soon. I am sure. I have to be.

That is really all I have to say today. My fish is done and I need to eat. Then later I will run. I can do anything I want to do. I will do this. While I do my yoga and such, I can see a small candle that says “Mom, You Are Marvelous.” One of the girls gave me that for Christmas one year. I do this for them. And for me. I will rock.

Busy and Fat

Okay, not that fat… but not that thin either. I need to be healthier now so I do not have health problems later. Therefore, I made it my goal to get 30 minutes of exercise everyday. So far, I got 10 minutes. That is better than nothing. I made a counter and put it at the bottom of the page. I got the counter from the blog of a girl in my book club. It was a cute idea and maybe if everyone else can see it, it will be a motivation.

I have been busy at work, so I am glad to have a break from my usual internet workings. I am not blogging here everyday and I am not all on top of my e-mail. I really should catch up because I think there is a cable bill in my e-mail that wants my attention.

I had started to read The Kite Runner, but today Jo Anna brought me Love In The Time Of Cholera and I kind of want to read that one first. After Happiness Sold Separately, I need some great romance.