Small Changes, Update #1

As I look at the calendar, I am surprised that it is already mid-March. 2013 is moving at a fast clip for me! I have been working really hard at my Small Changes. Some areas where I wanted to focus, I have completely abandoned! Other areas, I have been much more successful. I am sticking to small changes though and I am seeing some progress. I like that word, progress!

Healthy Eating

I have gone back to tracking my calories on livestrong.com and have been making very good healthy choices for meals and snacks. I have lost about 6 or 7 pounds with modifying my eating, tracking my calories and working out. Tracking calories can be difficult, but I love knowing that I am making better choices daily and that by doing so, I am also seeing a difference in my weight. Also, it is important for me to track my sodium intake, as I want to avoid developing kidney stones. {High sodium intake is associated with kidney stones}. 

Coffee Addiction

At the beginning of the 2013 (and for many years!!!)  I was addicted to coffee. The two biggest reasons for my coffee addiction are it gives me an energy boost {temporarily} and it keeps me warm during the chilly midwest winters. Are you ready for this small change? I have cut down to 1 cup a day. 1 cup, just one and no more!!! And I feel much better!! I am sleeping better and I have more energy throughout the day. I also get up more easily.

I also, have cut out diet soda (easy for me to do in the winter, not so easy in the heat of summer). If I feel the desire for another cup of coffee or a diet pop, I have something better instead....water or a hot green tea.

Spirituality

This is a very private subject for me. However, I am at a new point in my life with my relationship with God. And it is wonderful. I have a long way to go with my knowledge of the Bible, but I am eagerly seeking His word on a daily basis. I am trusting. It isn't easy for me, as I like to have a lot of control over a lot of things. I am learning to really believe, and it is so freeing. We changed churches and religions about 1.5 years ago and it was the very best decision for our family. We are now part of an awesome "Life Group" where we meet and pray for each other's children. {WOW!} Our attendance at church has  increased greatly. And we are just enjoying our spiritual journey as a family. And as a couple. I picked up this book last week and my husband and I are enjoying reading this together. Amazing book. Go get it and share it with someone you love! 

Home Organization

Nada. Nothing. Not happening here. Not yet. Maybe soon? Ski season just ended so there is some HOPE that something in the near future will be organized! Last week as I was hunting for a picture to send my mom for her 70th birthday, I had a mini panic attack as I realized that I haven't organized photos in photo boxes, nor the computer that holds upward of 9 years photos. Closets are bursting and drawers are disheveled. I am going to write "Home Organization" on sticky notes and place them throughout the house...maybe little reminders will get me going? Maybe as I see the sticky reminders all over the house I will feel the more motivated. I hope so.

Miscellaneous

When I was in the bookstore last week (a rather rare occasion now that I have a Kindle) I found this super cute series of books, Cupcake Diaries, for my little baker who is 10 years old. She hadn't been reading very much and I thought this might do the trick. Yep, she is on the second book and she is hooked on them! This would be a great gift in an Easter basket!!

How are you doing on your goals for 2013? I hope to hear from you. And if you live where spring has already sprung, go ahead an torture me with your warm temps and sunny pictures! 

Also, if you want to stay in touch, follow me on Instagram at cathymskier And we won't talk about my Instagram addiction, ok?

Hugs, 

Cathy

Chicken Orzo Soup & Other Updates

I apologize for not posting recently! I have been very pre-occupied and haven't had a minute to blog!

Personal Training: I started working out with a personal trainer last week. Ouch! It has been very good, but after the first day I came down with a stomach bug. I was couch ridden for 24 hours with a headache and fever. On top of it I could barely walk, as I was so sore from my first workout! As soon as I was over the bug, I felt fantastic and had plenty of energy, which I needed to finish planning my husband's birthday bash! (More on the bday bash later!)

Coffee Update: consistently less than 2 cups a day for several days in a row!! Isn't that fantastic? I am super excited that I have cut down so much! I really didn't think it was possible!

Sleepwalking: A new development: my youngest (age 8) has been sleepwalking the last 2 nights. One night she left her warm comfy bed & woke up on the couch. Last night she turned on all the bathroom faucets, flushed the toilet, walked downstairs into the kitchen (she seemed like she was wide awake!) gave me a hug, and used the bathroom. My husband asked her who we had dinner with that night & gave her the names of 2 friends. She picked the wrong one so clearly she was asleep! When I told her about it this morning she laughed and of course, didn't remember a thing! I know this is pretty common, but I am a bit anxious about it! My older two when they were very young, shared a room and would talk in their sleep to each other. Weird!!

Blog Button: figuring out the last little bit of code & then it will be visible on my site. Don't have a blog button & want one? Then you need to go see my friend Heather at A Lovely Mess. She does a great job & is very reasonable!! Tell her I sent you!

The Bday Bash

We had a fantastic weekend celebrating my husband's birthday. I planned the party in less than a week. I used Evite for the party invitations. It was super easy! I love sending real invites, but was under a time crunch so I decided just to email the invites. He especially enjoyed reading everyone's comments as the party drew closer! Evite.com does a great job on keeping you notified of rsvps. The only tricky part is making sure that you have the correct email for everyone. After that, it is super easy!!

We held the party at our local ski lodge where there was already a great band booked. The snow fell lightly all night long & it was super pretty to look outside and be inside with great friends. I ordered 24 latex balloons & 6 huge mylar balloons. NOTE to self: hard to fit that many in a SUV! I had friends that secured tables for the party and they decorated the whole area for me! I walked into a beautiful party. Thanks girls!!

I had a photo banner made (12 feet long) of 200 fun photos of my husband. I was sure to include all of our family (including pics with his Grandpa, "Pop Pop") and our closest friends. It is now stretched out on the living room floor and we keep looking at it and laughing about all of the good times we have shared! I stitched this photo together on my point & shoot camera:

And in place at the party:

I had our local grocery make a cake with a skier on it. It was super inexpensive. Let me tell you that it was DELICIOUS!! It was awesome when everyone sang Happy Birthday to my husband. 

The food was prepared & served by the restaurant. We had gourmet pizzas, dips & nachos. People snacked on the yummy comfort food all night long. 

I forgot to mention that just prior to the party, my son was competing in an event called BIG AIR. I was slopeside to watch him compete. The competitors ski down the hill to a steep ramp, which is about 50 feet from the ramp till they land on the downhill slope. My husband had been there all afternoon & witnessed a  lot of falls and skiers/boarders pulling out of the event. My son did 3 practice runs safely. In the competition he had 2 awesome jumps and he did not fall or get hurt. He did lose a ski on the first comp run, but was able to ski down on ONE ski. I was a nervous wreck. I found out later that he is the YOUNGEST skier to EVER compete in BIG AIR. I am still nervous. After the comp I had to change out of ski clothes into party clothes & get the kids fed & arrange to meet up with their babysitter, who took them home, after giving their Daddy big birthday hugs & greeting some of our guests. My husband made his entrance right on time. He had to run home & get my jeans. Yep, I left them in the dryer!

The best part of the party was interacting with our awesome friends in one spot. It was an amazing feeling to look over at my husband and watch him with his great friends, laughing & talking and enjoying life! We are truly spoiled by having so many wonderful people in our life. I feel very blessed. 

I didn't forget AP Here was my Anti-Procrastination list for the week of 1/10/11. I link up with Amy at New Nostalgia and you can see her button for Anti Procrastination on my side bar.  These things were done before January 10th!

• Order family photos of kids from our summer photo session DONE
• Clean 2 kitchen junk drawers DONE (so glad I did this! I can find what I need now!)
• Treadmill workout~ease back into running with a workout  NOT DONE. but started  personal training instead

Anti Procrastination List 1/24/11 (get done by Feb 1st)

Get new photos in frames

download photos from email, phone & then back up

back up kids' photos & videos

set up printer for Ana

And Last but not LEAST. A few have asked for the Chicken Orzo Soup recipe. I just made it up as I was going along. Here it is:

Chicken Orzo Soup

2 T. Wesson oil

2-3 fresh chicken breast, washed & cut into 1 inch pieces

3 carrots washed, peeled & sliced

3 celery stalks, washed & sliced

1 small onion washed, peeled & chopped 

1 cup orzo pasta

1 Large can Chicken Broth 49.5 ounces ( I used Swanson 100% Natural, 99% fat free, no MSG)

lemon slices

Sautee chicken in oil until cooked through. Add carrots, celery & onions & cook until carrots are not hard (about 5 minutes). Add can of chicken broth & bring to a boil. Let simmer for 5 minutes & then add orzo. Simmer for 10 minutes. Serve soup into bowls (with fresh warm bread!) I squeeze the lemon after I have served the soup into a bowl. Some of my clan likes the lemon, some do not. 1 slice of lemon squeezed, per bowl. Enjoy!

I am off to enjoy a cup of hot tea and watch it snow. We have had a beautiful winter and January is zipping by us! 

hugs,

Coffee & other stuff

I had coffee with my best friend, Mrs. A, this week. It was only for an hour, but it was such a treat!


I am loving this beautiful weather that is more summerlike than springlike. I know it won't last as we are due for colder weather in the next day. I had my morning coffee on the front porch today. That's where you will find me most mornings from spring to fall~ making my lists, saying some prayers & relaxing while trying to get motivated for my day. If you are in the area, stop by for a chat & a mug of hazelnut creme coffee!



*You might even hear some trumpet music from this guy:

Mr. F after last night's band concert. Photo credit to hubby~thank you!