Moderation

So, a lot of my friends that know me know that I have been trying to lead a healthier lifestyle.  One of the ways I have been doing this is substituting.  I will take my favorite things that I eat or drink and switch the ingredients with healthier alternatives.  For example, the other day I went thru the drive thru at my fav local coffee shop.  I ordered a 1/2 caf, (yes, half the caffeine) sugar free black and white,(dark chocolate and white chocolate) skinny, (skim milk) and no whip. (no whip cream) Oh yeah, and iced, not blended mind you, ICED.  After I spit my order out at the poor girl at the window who had to get it straight, I sat back with a sense of accomplishment.  It takes a lot to get that order right ya know!  I started my usual banter with the girl while my drink was being made.  (I love the customer service at this place, they usually have one person stationed at the window to be face to face with you while you wait.)  After a bit, I noticed the girl was giggling to herself.  I asked her what was so funny?  She said she was happy to see I had ordered my drink the right way.  Most people come in and order all the 'diet' stuff, (sugar free, skim milk, etc) and then top it off with a huge thing of whip cream.  I laugh because that is probably the thing I struggle with the most.  To whip or not to whip?!!!  Ha! I am reminded of a Simpsons sketch where Homer orders a huge order and a diet coke.  At the last second he orders everything deep fried, including the bag and diet coke!  So, I say, "MODERATION!"  We find that if you go 'hard core' into one end or the other one will crash and burn but, if we slowly make changes they tend to stick a bit longer.  So, here's to the big dollop of whip cream on my next coffee.  Just maybe when that girl isn't working at the window.  ( I don't want to look like a quitter) LOL!


In his hands,
Lisa

The Rain Finally Cometh!

FINALLY!  The rain finally came thru and actually hit our home!  It has been a long long drought in this area.  I know the farmers are praying that it is enough to bring back their crops.  We were just tired of the excessive heat and the brown lawns.  You would think, being so close to a river, we would have extremely moist ground but the plant life can only take so much!  Since, it has been awhile for the rain...  I actually saw that they had updated the fire danger to Extreme!  I honestly don't think I've ever seen it to that level!  Well, I really pray that the rain will continue for awhile.  Of course after 3 or 4 days of non-stop rain, remind me that I said that!  Ha! 

I'm holding my first vendor show for Tupperware and I'm just a bit on the nervous/excited side of things!  I've always just been a shopper at these shows so I'm trying to think on those lines of things.  My bags are packed with products I believe in and use, I have wonderful deals and gift baskets, and my schedule is ready for bookings.  I think this should be a good show!  It kinda has to be.  Our family now depends on my success here and in my future parties.  As the economic tide turns, my home based business friends and I have been seeing our businesses turn from something fun to do and meet new people, to a viable income necessary to our familys' survival.  While they may only bring enough to pay for one household bill, it's that one bill that the main income doesn't have to cover.  Well, I pray the rain actually makes you smile today!

In his hands,

Lisa

I Love our Library!

Ok, so it's late and I didn't have a moment to write at all today.  So, I know I've said how much I enjoy our library here in La Crosse already but, seriously; they are amazing!!!We signed up for the summer reading program this year and the kids are flying thru it.  It's an adventure in space.  Each week they have a checklist of things they need to do.  Starting with at least 5 items being 10-20 minutes of reading time.  Next they have something like check out a funny book, or a book about animals, etc.  Then it's something creative like make up a story and tell it to your folks, or write a letter to your favorite character.  Next there is do an activity at the Library.  There are many little stations, from picking an ice cream stick with a call number on it and finding the book wtihout help, to picking out a wrapped up book and not seeing what it is until you have checked it out.  Finally, there are activities planned specifically for the summer that the kids can participate in.  After they have done so many check lists they get to pick out a free book at the end of the summer!  Love it!  Anyway, today we participated in an amazing field trip at the library and with the exception of no a/c on the school bus, it was great!  We went to the planitarium at the University.  My kids were a bit nervous about being in a dark room but once we got there and the professor started telling us about our own sky that we can see from our house, they couldn't stop with the questions!  At the end of the show we climbed back on the bus and then spent about an hour picking out new books on stars and planets, etc.  It was a great thing to witness my children in active learning and applying mode.  So, I hope you have a library near you.  Take advantage of what they have.  While they may not have field trips, I bet you'd be surprised at the amazing things they do offer.  Check it out!


In his hands,

Lisa

Back Home

So, why is it that going home to our parents' homes is so relaxing and feels so good?  What is it about crashing on a couch or eating a few pieces of toast that just calms all of the outside world? 

This weekend I traveled for Tupperware and I ended up at my folks' home for the night and to join them for church the following morning.  As wonderful as it feels to be in my own bed, have tons of choruses of "mommy, mommy you're home," and a hug from my DH; it felt good to lay on my parents' couch and rest.  I think it's the ability to come to a place where I can help if I want to (which I DO try to do), talk to adults without being interrupted for the umpteenth time, and relax in a comfortable setting as myself.  (ya know, not in a spa where there are tons of strangers all around!)
We laugh when I'm home because as I tell my folks of everyday life, they laugh and add in things that myself or my siblings did that was similar.  We discuss important things like what new cleaning products we've all tried or which new coffee flavoring at the coffee shop we've tried recently.  Ya know... world changing things! In the morning, there are no knocks on the door while I'm showering, breakfast that I like waiting for me, and no TV shows with more color than the rainbow itself on.  Finally, there is church.  A time for seeing people that knew you as a teenager, noticing new things in the old building, and most importantly, seeing how God's word is the same rocky foundation it was as a kid. 
After all of that, why come home??  Well, it's the choruses of "mommy, mommy," and the hugs from a husband that 'could really use a break after a night' that brings me back home.  One day maybe, and hopefully, my home will be the home that has the comfy couch and the restful conversation for my children.  Filled with laughter and love.  Thanks Mom and Dad!

Party night

I am hosting a house warming and 31 party tonight so my blog will be lacking for today and tomorrow.  My beloved Sister in Law took my kiddos so I can finish the final touches on my home and the food for tonight!  Can't squander a gift like that so I will leave my readers to wait for my next post hopefully on Monday!  If you are getting rain today... which is a rare thing in these parts this month, take a minute to dance in it.  You'll be glad you did!

In his hands,


Lisa

7

I am reading a book with a group of women called "7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess."  The author takes 7 areas in her life that she feels needs some whittling down and assigns them a month.  During those individual months she focuses on an area, like food, and cuts out the excess.  For example, the waste chapter talks about the amount of garbage they throw out, the nonexistence of a recycling habit in her home, and the use of two large SUV type vehicles.  How can she cut down?  What can they do as a family to honor the concept of getting along with what you need not just what you want.  Anyway, thru the month's time she comes to realize what her family has verses what they can really get along with.  One car instead of two, two bags of garbage a week instead of 15, etc.  I love her writing as it really sounds like we are holding a conversation and she's telling me about her day.  I highly recommend this book, not to make you feel guilty about how you are living but to give you ideas on how you can change these areas in your life. 

I think my first chapter I'll tackle is waste.  I have a lot of items to go thru and ask myself, "do I really need that?"  If not, off it goes!  Next will be the finances thing.  They whittled it down to 7 different places that received their money.  (bills were all one place) ;)  It cut down on eating out, impulse buys, etc.  I'm really looking forward to that one as I just did our family budget for the month last night.  Yuck!  Bills!!!  It's only going to get tighter everyone!  Hang on to your wallets. 

So, if you are looking for a fun and helpful book, or you want to put it into your list of 7 books you just have to finish before you pick up another one... (mom) check it out.  It's an easy and fun read.


In his hands,

Lisa

The Little Things

So, today my DH leaves for his business trip.  We joke back and forth about how he will handle himself without me and vice versa.  It's during these little times away from each other that you learn to appreciate your spouse even more.  Things like keeping the kids occupied in the play room while I make supper or taking the dog out because I had to leave extra early for something.  Or on his end, finding an extra 50 cents in his pocket for an afternoon pick me up can of pop, or a new bar of his favorite soap when the last one had run out.  These little things that we do for each other are like little extra pieces of tape that strengthen the relationship even more.  Again, it takes these times apart sometimes to realize it. 

How will we get along without him you ask??? By keeping busy of course!  Our kiddos have swimming lessons (a fact I shared yesterday, ha), the library is our second home, (another fact from yesterday!) there is always the friendly neighborhood Barnes and Noble train table and legos, the kids movie series is playing at the local theatre, and I haven't even started about the awesome cousins nearby.  We will also be spending a large amount of time at home because I am hosting an open house/31 party on Friday!  What fun!  I actually sell Tupperware. (yes, it is still around and awesome!) Thru these parties I've done I have had the fun and pleasure of learning about a lot of at home businesses.  Some of these products are amazing!  I am all about supporting my neighbors and friends rather than the international monopolies out there.  What better way to support than to purchase what I need from my pastor's wife, or the friend of my sister in law.  A lot of the products are higher quality and better for you and the environment anyway.  I highly suggested looking at a vendor fair or webpage near you!!!  You never know what you are going to find that will save you money and support your next door neighbor. 

Take a few minutes today to recognize the small things your spouse or even parents do for you.  Say thank you and return a favor if you can.  Check out an at home business' products.  Pick one and see how they have changed over the years! 

In his loving hands!


Lisa

Well, it has been awhile!  The kids are growing, we are no longer in our beloved farm house, and we are starting our new adventure in a new location.  Yes, we have moved back towards our old home in La Crosse.  We do enjoy it here just a bit out of the city.  It's nice to not be in the mix of the city but still close enough to utilize it's resources.  The kiddos have begun swimming lessons and we make weekly, hour long trips to the library.  For my kids it's like a trip to the amusement park!  My daughter gets her reminder of my rules and then it's "how fast can I go on my own?"!  Meanwhile, my son and I walk throughout the children's section slowly picking up a few books and items along the way.  Each week we seem to find something new that my little guy can get all excited about.  Lately it's the Spiderman easy readers.  My daughter has started the Magic Tree House series as well as the Rainbow Magic Fairies.  I try to get her attention toward other classic series but am only met with the shoulder shrug that means, "yeah right mom!"  I'll give her this; she knows what she wants!  To the point of having the librarian reserve an item almost every week thus far.  hahahaha   We are all looking forward to the 17th as we are taking a trip with the library to the local university's planetarium.  The summer program at our library is about space and so this is a special trip that doesn't cost a thing!  I love our library!!!

So, we have almost everything unpacked and my DH is working at a new job that has wonderful flexibility.  He really enjoys it.  I enjoy being able to have him here when I need him and gone when I don't!! Just joking, I love my husband immensely.  He is leaving for a trip and I will miss him.  Not just to help with our energetic children either.  lol!

As I said before, the kids have started swimming lessons again.  It has given me the time and ability to start to work out also.  I sure need it!  I have been extremely sedentary these past few years!  ha!  So, I have set a long term goal.  I will be signing up for the Warrior Dash next year.  For those that don't know about the Warrior Dash, it is a fundraiser for St. Jude Hospitals nation wide.  It is basically a 3 mile obstacle course that people get muddy, dress up for, and have a lot of fun.  I am not a runner.  I am not even a walker!  So, I thought my first attempt at a race/event should be a lot of fun!  If you have any inkling to do this event check out their web page for a location nearest you!  ( www.warriordash.com)
Hope you all have a great day!

In his loving hands!


Lisa