Random Acts

First of all let me begin by saying a big THANKS to all of my peeps out there...thanks for the words of encouragement, for the offers to help me, for the advice on eating, for the websites, and most of all, for simply praying for me. I know I can do this ~ especiallly with wonderful people like you on my side.

So I check my mailbox at school today and there is an interoffice envelope, addressed to me [Thanks Captain Obvious - you just said it was in YOUR mailbox] but it did not have a return address. I opened it up to find a simple hand-written note: "Hope this helps you get motivated" that was attached to a gift certificate to the YMCA that is good for a two month membership! [Can you say, "WOW!" with me?] What a cool surprise...and better yet, I have NO idea who sent it. And really, that isn't important. [I mean it is because I would like to say thank you but not because this person did this because they wanted to help me out.] I appreciate this one simple act more than you know...thank you.

Random Acts of Kindness....are they really that hard? My guess is no. I mean think about it - it doesn't take much to make someone's day now does it? [Even those of you that are picky, ornery, and otherwise hard to please can find something to smile about] Just think how far one random act might go...it would be so cool to track it somehow.

Even more than this, we owe it to the children we are raising to TEACH them how to perform random acts of kindness. We spend way too much time [I am raising my hand] worrying about ourselves. Spend some of that energy doing one small, kind deed for another person. You will feel good :)

In Short news, Gabe [aka The Preschool Bully] had a much better day at nursery today. [Does it get any worse than nearly impaling another child's eye with squirrel food?] He even gave Molly some advice on dealing with some drama: Sissy, just run your mouth back to him. Can't argue with that can you?

However, we've gone to performing DAILY exorcism on Emma. For some reason, getting out of bed and getting ready for school is simply overrated and NOT on the Diva's "To Do" list. [Like EVERY day] Seriously, Short and I are ready to pull our hair out. [And bless him but he doesn't have much to pull out] My suggestion is to put her in the bed, dressed for the next day, and just let her roll out, brush her teeth, and get going. [Don't think I won't try it people]

And I have but two tiny complaints tonight: I sat in the freezing cold on Saturday night to walk Molly play ball. The "nice" man at the concession [I mean armed robbery] stand ran out of hot chocolate at 7pm. Really? The coldest night of the year and you are out of hot chocolate? EVERYONE is outside - it's SOFTBALL. Ok, fast forward about two hours later, and Molly, Emma, and myself just want a cup of hot chocolate from McDonald's. Oh no - they close up the McCafe at 9pm...OMG. Seriously? You serve food all night but you can't mix up some hot chocolate after the hot chocolate witching hour of 9pm? Is there some hot chocolate wizard that will zap your privileges if you make it after this point? I was not a happy camper [Technically I was not a camper at all but you get the picture] I yelled, as I drove past the drive thru window, "You Suck!" [I am such a great role model for my children]

My other is this: I love teaching. I love everything about the job. I don't even look at like a job [most of the time] and I certainly don't do it for the money. If I could go into further detail I would [but as you know someone is always watching what you type] so I will leave it at this:

You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It is a weakness to get caught up in either one ~ John Wooden.

I look forward to keeping you in the loop on the getting in shape thing. As always, life is good :)

Fattitude

Tonight's post ain't about the Short children...it's about me. [I know that some of you, after that one statement, googled "How to make a turkey puppet" - to heck with ya....] I am fat. Not just gained a little weight around the middle - I am F-A-T. [As in: Give me an F! (F!) Give me an A! (A!) Give me a T! (T!)] I am so mad at myself....why did I let myself go? Really...is there an excuse good enough to justify this?
1. I don't have time to exercise. [I really don't but I could rearrange some things and make time...but I haven't]
2. I don't have anyone to exercise with me. [Well poor pitiful me....]
3. I like to eat. [Well who doesn't?]
4. I'm lazy. [I don't consider myself a lazy person - I don't mind working - but I've gotten lazy since the tri...well, really before the tri....]

So my list of excuses is out there for you to see. [I'm vulnerable now.]

I am writing this to ask for your help. I need some champions in my corner. I need some peeps that are extremely good at motivating others. I need some of you that are good at working out on a regular basis to get behind me and help me out. I need ideas, encouragement, ALOT of PRAYERS, and someone [or some people] checking on me. Will you help me out? [Don't make me beg.....] Of course, you can comment here, on Facebook, via Twitter (@Pigskinchick), or through email (pigskinchick@gmail.com). I really, totally value any comments, suggestions, ideas, etc. that you have for me.

I like to run and I have made myself a promise to get going with that again. I enjoyed the tri but right now I don't have the money to pay $4 to swim daily so I'm going to try to swimming at least twice a week, and I got my bike fixed up so I can ride alot. My first order of business is to get back out there, running, and to STOP drinking diet Sundrop. [For fear of complete embarassment I will NOT share how much DSD I consume on a daily basis - but it's a lot - like an IV and a pole would be better than what I'm doing....my kidneys hate me] Addiction is hard - maybe I should try an Intervention...or a bottle of water.

Weird thought, but when Molly is with me, around other people, I fear that people think she will end up looking like me [FAT] since I looked just like she does when I was her age. I never used to worry about gaining weight or being FAT...now I worry I'll be this way forever. She is so athletic and fit and I need to be a better role model for her and Emma.

I just don't want to feel this way anymore. I worked so hard three years ago to lose weight. I've run in 5ks and done a triathlon. I earned my National Boards and a Master's degree with four kids. I can get a plan and stick to it....I have to...for me...for my family...for my health. [I want to be around to drive my kids crazy in my old age]

Thanks, in advance, for your prayers, your encouragement, and your suggestions. I'll let you know how it is going.