Giving back

Even when things are tough we all have so much to be thankful for.  By volunteering or doing charity events it reminds me that things could be worse.  It puts alot of things into perspective and brings be back down to Earth.  My heart is filled with joy and I feel amazing!

This past weekend my family participated in the Aids Walk.  Oldest and Hubby joined me and Mom for their first 5k.  I was a proud Momma because my not so little boy kept up with us the entire time (and sometimes we had to yell at him that he was too far ahead of us).  Even though it said a 5k (3.1 miles) we walked well over 4 miles.  Let's be honest, I was dying!  But we all finished and had a blast doing it.

A special shout out to my bestest bloggy friend, Ellen, who donated money to support this cause. 

The family (minus our two little minions)

Mom, Me, Hubby, & Oldest - WE DID IT!

After our Aids Walk we drove to our second charity event for the day.  St. Baldrick's supports children with cancer.  Individuals choose to shave their heads so that kids who are going through chemo do not feel alone.  Our family was supporting Taylor who lost her life to rhabdomyosarcoma in 2005.  She was the niece of a good friend of ours.  My wonderful hubby was a "shavee" and took his job with serious pride.  When his butt hit the barber's chair, he could not wipe the smile off his face. 

The family!

The boys - Stepson, Youngest, Oldest

Mr. Clean and me

A spare moment

I don't see how you all have jobs and are able to post blogs on an almost regular basis!  Since Thursday last week I have no been able to open my computer once.  I think I may be having withdrawls.  It's been a difficult transition from being home 24/7 to dividing my time between work and family.  The laundry is piled to the ceiling, home cooked dinner has been non-existent, the dog is depressed because I haven't spent enough time with her, and let's not even talk about the kids!  That being said.....

I love my job and I'm super excited about being a working member of society again.  (not saying that being a stay at home whatever isn't an important job either)  My manager says I'm picking up quickly and he is proud of me.  It's been a struggle to understand the concept of all the paperwork, but like everything it will only take time. 

2 advantages of me working:
 - I'm not snacking throughout the day.  It's way easier when you are home to graze all day.  I bring a lunch and two snacks to work and that's it.  There are no second helpings or multiple trips to the refrigerator.
 - I'm not constantly thinking about food.  Because my mind is moving and I'm learning all the new processes, food isn't a number one priority. 

2 disadvantages of me working:
 - I sometimes "forget" to eat lunch.  Not good!  My body likes to freak out and hold on to every ounce when that happens.  Then when I get home all I want to do is eat!
 - I'm not moving around as much as when I was home.  Believe it or not, I didn't just sit around and eat bon-bon's watching Jerry Springer all day.  I miss getting on the bike or going for a walk with the dog whenever I feel like it. 

Once I get into the swing of things I will step up the blogging, but until then I'm sorry.  I'm still reading all of your blogs, but I just haven't found the time to comment.  I hope you understand!!!!

The hills are alive

Imagine me running up a moutain (without sweating and my hair completely in place), twirling with my arms out stretched, and singing in perfect pitch "The hills are alive with the sound of music".  That's pretty much how I feel.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD

This afternoon I got a call about the job I interviewed for last week.  You will never believe it....I got the job!  It's very close to home.  I will have the flexibility to take my kids to school in the morning.  I start tomorrow at 8:00 am. 

Now the biggest problem - I have no work clothes that fit anymore! 

I did it!

My favorite picture of this weekend

Saturday morning my Mom and I walked our first 5k to support the Houston's Women's Shelter; 23rd Annual Race Against Violence.  It was cold, rainy, and very windy but we finished in one hour and 8 minutes.  In the beginning, I was nervous about being the biggest person there.  Eventually I said, "screw everyone" because I was at least putting forth the effort. 

The cold front AND the rain coming in.

Mom and The Fat Mom

It felt good to finish, but I felt like I was holding Mom back.  She was scared that we would be last while hundreds of people walked past us.  I told her she could leave me; she refused.  At one point I told her that I didn't want to disappoint her (by walking so slow).  Even typing it makes me emotional.  I know she is proud of me, and I of her.  We conquered this race together and I'm glad she was by my side.

I did it! 

When I first looked at this picture all I saw was my fat roll. 

But the more I look at it the more I see my weight loss.

The more I see strength, perseverance, and power!

Cheese Enchiladas

Ingredients:
1 pkg (8 oz) fat free cream cheese

1 pkg (7 oz) fat free shredded cheddar cheese
2 green onions
6 flour tortillas
1 cup salsa

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Beat cream cheese in small bowl with mixer until creamy. Add 1 cup cheddar and onions; mix well. Spread down centers of tortillas; roll up.
3. Place, seam sides down, in 11.7 inch baking dish; top with salsa. Cover.
4. Bake 20-25 min or until heated through. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar.

1 enchilada = 4 Points Plus
2 enchiladas = 7 Points Plus

Notes:  I used Carb Balance 6" wheat tortillas.  To add some bulk, I added some cooked chicken into the mixture. 

Review:
I love cheese enchiladas and have found it difficult to find a recipe that was low in Points and good!  The family loved them so much that we ate it twice in one week (upon request).  The rice in the picture was nasty, but you can never go wrong with some fat free refried beans.

Let the booty shaking begin!

I weighed in at precisely 300.0 pounds this morning!  Why couldn't it say 299.8 so that I could officially yell from the roof tops that I'm under 300 pounds?  I'm still excited. Not only have I reached 10% of weight loss (35.4 pounds), but I'm so close to being under 300 that I can taste it. 

Today my Mom and I are celebrating with pedi's, shopping, and picking up our 5k race information.  I will definitely be doing the rump shaker all day today!

I like big butts....

I like big butts and I can not lie

You other brothers can't deny

That when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist

And a round thing in your face

You get sprung

Ok, I will spare you with the rest of the song by Sir Mix-A-Lot.  This is like the big booty anthem and if you don't know it then shame on you!  You might be asking, "Why the song Fat Mom?"  See photo below.

This is the first picture that was taken of my back side that I'm not cringing in horror.  Hubby said it's ok if you stare.  Need a better look?  

I know it's beautimous.......but you can stop staring now.  Really!  It's kinda like the sun, if you keep looking at it you will go blind!

Exercise outfits

It's been a struggle to find exercise clothes that don't cost a fortune.  I've been wearing 4x shirts and shorts that barely stay up and it's time to say good-bye.  I wanted to find something that I wouldn't be embarrassed to wear out in public during my 5k.  Today I found some pretty inexpensive clothes and bought it even if it wasn't particularly in my size. 

When I got home I squeezed my rolls and my huge chesticles into this shirt.  I felt like a stuffed sausage, but I love how my boobs aren't bouncing all over the place.  These babies are dangerous and can give black eyes if I'm not careful. 

I had Oldest take a picture of me in my spiffy new outfit thinking that it wouldn't be that bad.  (Have you ever noticed that what you see in the mirror is totally different in a picture?)

All I can say is HELL TO THE NO!!!  I will not be wearing this in public for fear of scaring all the precious children away.  That massive roll scares me and it's on my body!  One of these days I will be able to wear this without fear of others laughing and pointing as I pass.