Vitamins and Getting Healthy

I have blogged on here before about the weight I have put on over the last few years. I have always gone up and down with my weight but this is different. I think stress, age and hormone changes are part of it. At any rate I complained about it, got depressed about, was disgusted about it and needed to do something about it.

I want to feel better, have more energy, be more patient and be able to keep up with my kids. Yes, I also want to fit into my clothes... not the ones I bought because I can't fit into my clothes.. the ones that sit around waiting for that 10, 20, 30 pound weight loss.

In the past I would try to do everything all at once. You know... you are laying in bed thinking about how fat you are and decide tomorrow you are going to get up early, drink a bunch of water, exercise, eat nothing but veggies and it is going to be the best day of your life? Yes sirree.. you are ready.. health overhaul is happening when that alarm goes off!

Then your alarm goes off and you are too tired. you go back to bed... when you get up 4-5 snoozes later you try to make all those changes only to feel frustrated and like a failure. It is overwhelming,... so you decide you'll do it tomorrow... yep, tomorrow you will get healthy.

I decided this time it had to be different. I decided to do one thing each month towards living a healthier life. Each month I added to my already existing change. They say it takes 2-3 weeks to form a habit. So I figure after a month my change would be routine.

I started with vitamins. I know they are crucial to being healthy... but I didn't take them. They make me sick. I have to have at least 2 good meals in my belly or I will probably throw them up.

First off here is what I take... I started off December 1st with your basic Women's One a Day. After that I added Vitamin D and B-6.

My solutions to actually taking them...

1. Easy access. They are all in a cute little sugar bowl from my Grandma's on my kitchen counter. Front and center. No opening each bottle I just fish out one of each.

2. Be prepared. I bought pill containers. I felt like I was 80 buying them... Sometimes I still do when I'm out in public, whipping my pills out after lunch but I know I won't forget to take them when I get home.

3. Remind yourself. Set an alarm on your phone. My friend does this and I thought it was genius.  I have it go off after 1:00 so I am sure I have eaten. If I'm not where I can take them or haven't eaten yet I either snooze it until I can.

I have been taking my vitamins everyday for the past 2 and a half months.  It is just what I do and I often remember with out my alarm. It is definitly a step in the right direction towards living the healthier life I want and fitting into those clothes!

My month 2 change I will share on Monday! Have a great weekend!



Blogger hiatus and a 12th birthday party

Good morning!!

I have been on a bit of a blogger hiatus for the past 3 months. Not really a conscious hiatus... life was just busy and I think I needed to decide if I wanted to continue. I have missed writing and missed posting. So I'm back!

So.. while I was away my baby girl turned 12. Here is peek at her birthday party. We went to Laser tag, then came back for a sleep over. (I really dislike sleepovers. I break down on occasion and let them have one. I like routine, and control so they make me crazy. Throw in too tired, cranky kids the next day.. not my thing.) I do prefer my house though.. all my people under one roof makes me sleep better. I never liked them growing up so maybe that's my problem. Every once and a while I cave.. and I'm usually glad I did.)

We are past themed parties here.. which makes me kinda sad.. but the teal and leopard  color choices were pretty cute! 

A crate paper curtain and a basement filled with balloons. Those polka dot ones are my favorite.

Our basement has a theater screen in it and has tons of potential. I haven't done anything down there since we moved in but I am slowly working on making it a cozy place courtesy of Target and antique stores!

I love details. We had coke with pizza after a couple rounds of laser tag.

 They disappeared to the basement only to come up for food. This is the pile of staying up too late that I found in the morning. They were super good though and this was one of those times I'm glad I let her have a sleep over.

We made a pancake bar for breakfast. I wish I had better pictures.. but I wasn't blogging. ;)  

peanut butter, mini chocolate chips, whipped cream, sliced bananas, blueberries and raspberries,  sprinkles (not shown) and butter. served with sausage and hot cocoa. 

(yes, I do believe there is a pancake under neath that whipped cream!)

She had a wonderful time. I can't believe my baby girl is 12, time flies. It's good to be back, see you all soon. 

Hot Cocoa Bar

A super fun, cheap and easy party idea is a hot cocoa bar.

Cocoa could also be done in a crock pot or carafe. I bought matching mugs at the dollar store. 

Toppings included~

colored marshmallows

plain marshmallows

chocolate chips, try, white, milk, mint or swirled

red hots

cherries

sprinkles

Don't forget the whipped cream in a spray can!

SCRABBLE ART

I have been working on a gallery wall for my stair way, it is almost ready to show you all!! I just finished making scrabble art. Scott and I play words with friends all the time so I knew this would be a fun addition. This is such an easy project. 

You will need: 

Scrabble tiles (I found a game at Goodwill)

cork (fabric would work too)

a frame

spray adhesive 

hot glue

The how to:

Play with your letters to get the right lay out. Take a picture of it to revert back to. Using grid paper works well also. Cut cork to fit the backing of your frame. Use spray adhesive to attach it to the back piece of wood. This prevents and ripples or bumps. Lay out your letters in the frame. Hot glue them down one at a time.

This cute, easy project would be fun for holidays, a babies room, or a family motto!

A Golden Anniversary

15 years ago today I married the most amazing man. I can honestly say that I am more in love with him today than ever before.  He is  my best friend, a fabulous father,  a wonderful husband and he still gives me butterflies. It hasn't always been easy, sometimes it has been harder than hard, but I know together we are strong enough to make it through anything. I thank God every day for bring him into my life and for helping us through the tough times. I am thankful we didn't give up when times got tough and instead decided to make us stronger. Scott Johnson I feel blessed and honored to be your wife.  Happy anniversary babe! The best is yet to be!

Fall Kids Art

My daughter had the most amazing preschool teacher ever. She made such precious art projects, ones I will treasure always. They are too wonderful not to share.

A finger painting pumpkin,  bat hand prints and ghost foot print.

A hand print tree with sponge leaves....

This scarecrow with her sweet little 4 year old face in it makes me smile.

Soon this turkey with hand print feathers will hang proudly in my dining room. 

I love sweet little kid art.

Halloween Decor

Things are spooking up around the Johnson house hold.  Truth be told I don't LOVE Halloween. I love fall and I like Halloween OK,  the last few years I'd just rather ignore it but it comes anyway. This year though, I promised myself to enjoy as much about Halloween as I can. I can honestly say I have gotten in the Halloween spirit.

It's not much.... but, here are some peeks at my Halloween decor.

The Halloween houses were given to me by a friend. I also acquired a bunch of Christmas ones. Score!

TJ Maxx table cloth and napkins. Yes, I own an iron I just don't like to use it. ;)

The leaves in the 2 above photos were made by my kids in 2nd grade.

I had some lovely mums in my urns.. the deer devoured them. It was probably this guy...

This dude is new this year and he makes Halloween for me, I think he is fabulous!! He isn't really holding a pick ax. The yard guy left it and apparently someone thought Mr. Bones should hold it. My friend was 50% off at Rite Aid!!

Happy Halloween!!!