Yes we Can (part two)

I was talking to my mom on the phone last night and I said that I loved that I could call her and say "vote for Barack" and she would say "Okay!". Now, my mother is college educated and very smart...she is not a sheep (my dad may be!) and is capable of making her own decisions, but it's kind of fun that she jumps on board and is willing to listen to her kids' passion.

She also has NEVER voted for a democrat in her entire life!

Way to GO MOM!!

Science Fair 2008

Today I got to be the Science Fair judge at our Kent View Elementary Science Fair. Normally, I sit in my office, looking out at nature (there were FIVE deer out today) and play with my eco-sphere, lady bug hut, or ant farm. I do work, but I don't see kids as I work in administration.

So today was a lot of fun for me. I got to see the kids that are the reason we exist! I was a judge for the grades 2-4 science fair projects. I loved, loved Japandeep's experiment with hot water and plastic bottles. What a sweet little girl she is and it was c.l.e.a.r. that she did her own project - no help from mom & dad.

I also loved Cole's birdnests. He found them on the farm he lives on (see mom's blog here: www.dianesfarm.blogspot.com)

I really liked Michael's project. He was very proud to present the balloon filling with vinegar and salt. His mom is a single parent who wants him to go to Christian School and she struggles to make her payments every month - but does it...and then helped him with his science project! Way to go!

Also, there was Nai - a new kid this year - has hella anger issues but you wouldn't know it when he presented his parachute project. He did not have one report written but when he presented it to us, it was GENIUS! He even MADE the parachutes....himself...I hope he gets honorable mention.

People think that Christian School is for the rich or the holy...but today I saw the reason that I work there and truly the real reason I hope to continue to be there and that is to make sure kids are loved and that this kind of education is open and available to ALL regardless. I know that is why I'm there.

A chubby girl's guide to hiking (always bring T.P.!)

The past two weekends the kid sister, her dog Griffey and I have gone out on nature hikes around the Puget Sound. Last weekend we hiked the Preston-Snoqualmie trail all the way to the end. There was a lovely view of the Falls and the Lodge and I couldn't help but wish I was inside, eating a 4-course country breakfast with a Chocolate Pot. If you've never been...GO!!

Anyhow, that was a three mile - two hour jaunt and the last forty minutes was all up hill. My rear-end was sore for three days. Being the novice hikers that we are, we failed to bring any water or peanuts with us.

Today, we went to Cougar Mountain and hiked Trail W1 - four miles round trip. This time we brought energy drinks and water. So about 2.5 miles in I had to stop and made the mistake of drinking my entire energy drink all at one time. I made it about another .5 of a mile and then all hell(or should I say all my bowels) broke loose! I ran into the woods, asked the kid sister if she could see me, grabbed a branch and squatted! Whew...

Needless to say I left a piece of myself behind on Cougar Mountain. I need to always remember to bring a small bit of t.p. with me on each and every nature hike. Words to the wise.

Next weekend...it's a surprise, but I get to pick the hiking spot.

I got tagged

I knew Missy Ortiz (Melissa Baldwin from beediva.blogspot.com) in college and it's been fun to "confess" who I was in love with back then - people we knew!! So, she tagged me - which to be honest, I don't really know what that means. However, according to her rules...I have to put up 7 things you may not know about me. As Melissa, I'm pretty open with people so it will be hard to come up with things that won't make my mom faint dead away and things you actually may not know. Then I have to tag people - so beware! You may be next!

Well, here goes...

Thing #1 - I love...love...love football. Not just a passing fancy. I am addicted to football so please don't schedule board meetings, work, family gatherings or anything else near a football game. I need plenty of time to get my "game face" on.

Thing #2 - I have four tattoos. I have a tramp stamp of flowers, a ladybug, the Chinese symbol for forgivness and on my upper back...my very favorite QUEEN BEE - with a little bee wearing a crown.

Thing #3 - Following Melissa's lead...I'm an Open Theist and think evolution is cool (o.k. my friend Diane just had a small heart attack). I love to dialogue with others about Jesus. HE IS why I live and HE IS who I want to serve-the other stuff is all debatable!! I have strong opinions about a lot of things, but, for me, it all comes down to Jesus and knowing him better and understanding his Kingdom commands. This has not stopped me from having several faith crises during my journey. Those are fun to talk about as well.

Thing #4 - I would love to take a road trip cross country. I dreamed about this with my middle sister and she went and got married and had babies. Now we're kind of old and involved...but I would still love the chance to visit places in this great country of ours.

Thing #5 - Once, while in China, I ate...sheep vagina. There...I said it.

Thing #6 - I probably have, in my closet right now and overflowing onto the bedroom floor, at least 70 pairs of shoes.

Thing #7 - I really like beer and do not think that has any bearing on my spirituality or love of Jesus. It does have a bearing on my waist. Sadly.

That's it. Really random and strange. I'm sure that everyone knew all that already - mabye except #5. There is more I could say...but some is just too embarassing!!


OK...here's the rules:

- List 7 random things about yourself that people may not know.
- Link the person who sent this to you, and leave a comment on their blog so that their readers can visit yours.
- Post the rules on your blog.
- Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, linking their blog. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog. Sadly, I don't have 7 blog friends. Is it bad to love those I do have??

So, I'll tag Theologymom (theworldaccordingtochrista.blogspot.com) & Lori (lorifelder.blogspot.com). Sorry, my blogspot "insert link" feature is not working on my work computer...so I'm 100% ghetto and proud of it!

RLG

Babysitting Weekend - it's what us single gals do

This weekend the kid sister and I have been babysitting and currently, instead of minding our two charges...we're blogging and watching Food Network. The kids are fine. They're around here somewhere.

I love kids. I really do - even though the hard candy shell would say otherwise. I especially love these two. For some reason, they crack me up. Will is very much a boy and loves to play trains, Optimus Prime, and Pokeman. He is also very loving and loves his booty spanked (in love of course). He climbs all over you and then says "can I kiss you?" What could be better?

Then there's Lora. She is hilarious and loves to play dolls, or just sit in your lap. She has the mind of a steel trap and remembers everything you ever said to her EVER. This can be good and bad. It's hard to put her off because she'll remember it and then you're on the hook. Christa once said that due to her lack of sight, the enormous amounts of information she takes in and processes would boggle our minds. Since a lot of our sensory information is processed through vision, we can only imagine what she must do simply to make sense of her surroundings. She is so fun and funny and it's never a dull moment with her. She loved her Valentine Barbie and is now taking a bath with it while I still blog and still watch t.v.

Don't worry, the kid sister is down there. I'm glad to be part of these kids lives and maybe...just maybe...make an imprint on their hearts.

They make me get on the scale and I say NO NO NO

So, I guess if you're a drugged out singer with bad hair and bad eyeshadow you win a grammy - who knew! Anywho...

I don't want to weigh tonight. The scale has stayed exactly the same all week - which is not a good sign as the WW scale weighs heavier than my home scale. So, it's not good. I logged 240 activity minutes this week too. I cheated only on the weekend - maybe two meals. I'm at the frustrating (a.k.a. quitting point) as I'm doing the "right" stuff and it's not showing up anywhere.

That's where I'm at.

Great Purge & Weight Loss of 2008

I watched Oprah the other night and the show was about organizing your clutter. This was a novel concept until the author (Peter Walsh) on the show suggested that the clutter in my house could be contributing to why I am fat. His book is called "Does this Clutter Make my Butt Look Fat." Catchy...real catchy. You gotta love a book that features the author's full picture on the front cover.

This was an interesting concept. Therefore, if you declutter, it would stand to reason then that the weight would come off. Lo & behold, the family they featured decluttered and started the weight loss journey.

I see some of that in my own home. I have clutter. Not bad clutter but a lot of crap that needs to be either removed, stored, tossed, donated or re-purposed. I have taken inspiration from my blog friends to do this but didn't make it very far. Yet, if it's contributing to my weight gain (or making me fat) then I want to get rid of it pronto!

Pop psychology? Maybe. However, I now have two huge Rubber Maid tubs to take to the Goodwill next time I go to Seattle!

Get taxes done...check

I filed my taxes today..while at work. I was bored and turbo tax sends me my sign-on name like every two days...so I thought "what the heck...let's see how much I will owe the IRS this year."

Lo & behold...I don't owe anything! I'm actually getting money back. Now, mind you I took an ungodly amount of money from every 401(b) I've ever had just to survive this year and had to pay some equally ungodly penalties..but I'm still getting some money back...just in time to spend it in Paris! It sucks to change jobs, leaving behind the comfort and security of a high paying State job to be able to do your taxes in the middle of the day and leave at 3:30 to go work out.

On another note...

I am excited that Barack Obama is coming to Seattle tomorrow! I have friends who are going - but alas, I will be "working" or something resembling work. I've heard predictions that there may be upwards of 10,000 people at his rally. Amazing!

Then Saturday, I head out to caucus for the first time. I even talked to my mom about it and may have convinced her too, if she wasn't babysitting my 100 year old granny. I told her she'll still have a chance if she wants. I was proud of her for stepping outside of the "red" zone and into the fray. She is awesome.

It kind of looks like Barack is looking at Lady Elaine...they look good together. Possible running mate?

Super Tuesday

For many years, I could have cared less about the presidential race. I didn't even vote in the last election as I was flying home from Kauai. Mostly I have not been passionate about anyone running and I don't think the Commander in Chief really gives a rat's arse about my issues...bra..bra...bra.

That's all changed.

Today 24 states cast votes in the closest thing to a National Primary we've ever had. I am so excited that I want to sit by a t.v. from 5:00 PM until it's over. I'm not even going to WW tonight (well, going to weigh in, and come back to theologymom's house to watch).

It helps having friends who are into it too. You've heard of Oscar parties, Survivor parties, American Idol parties...well this is a Super Tuesday party! Kick the kids downstairs, grab the butter-free popcorn and let the votes be cast!

It's predicted that if Obama can win MA, MO, & California he will have enough to secure the nomination. That's a tough road. BUT, there's also a chance if he only wins two of those states. And the double digit lead by his opponent has diminished.

Stay tuned...it's going to be an exciting road!!

P.S. for some reason...blogger's spell check is not working so that is my disclaimer!

Cheater cheater bread pudding eater

For the first time since January 8th, 2008...I cheated. I really went all out and cheated. I went to the Ram with a girlfriend from work and ate fajitas and bread pudding. It was soooo good and we shared and didn't eat the whole thing. Still, according to WW - it's 13 points. So, add that to the fajitas and the rest of the stuff I ate yesterday and a whopping 10 extra points were used. I did work out...but still....

I am not sure how today will end up - so far so good however. I'll have to wait until game time to see if those Sweet Maui onion chips will call my name.

I still feel good about the whole experience. I don't feel horrible about it - I planned the cheat meal and knew what I was going to eat. I went in knowing...and had some semblance of a plan. Plus, it's still three days away from weigh in. I can always resort to two-a-days to get down a few pounds.