16 little ways to lose big pounds...I'm in!

Like most women, and especially moms, I am constantly dieting and trying anything I can to lose weight.  I start a new diet, do great for a week or so, then inevitably fall off the proverbial  wagon.

 Through this process I have learned that I need to stop looking for instant gratification, the "lose 20 lbs in 10 days" mentality.  I need to instead change my everyday behavior and realize that it is a marathon, not a sprint.  I'm not going to bore you with more "diet" info, or tell you that I am a size 2 now because of this revelation.  In fact, I still have ton of weight to lose.  But I really feel like I am finally on the right track.

Today I found this article online titled "16 little ways to lose big lbs." I really liked this article because it doesn't deal with anything "diet" like, or talk in any way about deprivation.  Instead, it gives you some simple ways to change your routine...and even if you ARE a size 2, I think everyone can benefit from these changes.  I hope you find some ideas that you like!

16 Little Ways to Lose Big Pounds

**I would love to hear some of the tricks you all have found helpful in the fight to lose weight!  I am also thinking about getting some sort of online challenge/support group together.  Please let me know if you would be interested in joining in and if so, let me know if there is a particular challenge you think we should do (ie. Biggest Loser...).  Can't wait to hear from you!

Also check out this related article:

25 Ways to Cut 500 Calories a Day

The extremely, exceedingly, excessively strong-willed child.

I am not sure why I thought there was ANY chance that two of the most stubborn people on this planet (yes, I admit it) would/could ever have a child that did not inherit that propensity.  But I did... and oh how wrong I was.

 My son is the most lovable, kind hearted child I know, but he has also taught me a new level of "head strong" that I had no idea even existed!  Even at two, he knew how to dig his feet in and not budge when he wanted to.  I spent many moments wondering how I was going to get him to listen and follow directions (not to mention apologizing to MY mom and wondering why other moms are spared this stuff until the teenage years!) 

I read a lot of books (Bringing up Boys and The Strong-willed Child, both by Dr. James Dobson, are a must for moms) and I tried A LOT of different tactics, before finally deciding to try a behavior chart.  I have to say, it has changed the way we play this game! 

I looked online and in several stores before settling on this one I found at Teaching Tools.

I liked this particular one because it had some blank labels so we could add our own, and also because it included behaviors and chores, so that it could evolve into a chore chart as he grew older.  

These are the specific ones we are working on right now.  Logan gets to pick out a prize when he earns 20 happy faces, including at least two on a couple key behaviors (listening the first time and showing respect).  Some he gets every day no problem, which I think is a good thing, since no matter what, he gets some positive reinforcement.  It can take him anywhere from 3 days to a week to earn his 20. To make it fun, I went to Michaels and bought a little box which I painted to look like a treasure chest.  It cost about $8 total and he loves it!

I fill it up with $1 items from target and Michaels.

The chart and treasure box have completely changed the vibe in our house.  I often see Logan start to misbehave, and then stop himself and say things like "no, I need to show respect."  Its amazing!  When he picks a prize out he often even plans ahead, picking out which prize he is going for next, which motivates him to earn the next 20.

I am not saying he is perfect, but the chart has helped him understand what is expected of him, and that good behavior is rewarded. It makes it much easier for everyone to stay focused on the positive. I think that every household with children can benefit from this tool.

Photoshop for dummies...and the impatient.

Last year for my birthday my husband got me the gift I had been drooling over for several years...a Nikon d5000 DSLR camera!  And let me tell you, I am in love with this thing!  It is an amazing camera.  One reason I love it is because, though it has all the "professional" features you could ask for, it has a ton of settings that are easy for beginners to use, and that make our pictures turn out great!

When I got the camera I started reading up on photography on the internet and quickly discovered that Adobe Photoshop would be something I would want to invest in.  I decided on Photoshop Elements 9 (the less expensive version with less features...after all I'm not a professional.)

Photoshop is an amazing program that can really transform ordinary pictures into extraordinary ones.  It is, however, pretty difficult to get the hang of.  There are a hundred books out there that can help teach you the ropes, and I am currently researching which one is the best (which I will share with you) but, to be honest, I am an immediate gratification kinda gal, and wanted to be able to use it immediately!

I have discovered a way to do just that....Photoshop actions!  Basically other people (who know what the heck they are doing) "record" all the steps they take to get their pictures from drab to fab.  Then all you have to do is download the action, and with the push of a button, you get the same results!  For a total novice, this discovery has let me enjoy my camera and Photoshop without spending a ton of time or money.  Just the kind of thing a mom is looking for!!

I have found several awesome sites that have FREE action downloads, which I am going to post on my Photography page. Now, I am going to be honest, its not all butterflies and roses.  The actions can be somewhat hard to get downloaded and saved in the right spot, and sometimes I do everything right and STILL can't get them to work, but I am hoping that we will be able to help each other with this.   I mean, we should be able to get these to work as a team, right?  Either way, don't get discouraged, because it is totally worth the time in the end!  If you have any questions or if you find a site with some great action downloads, please leave a comment and I will be sure to respond.

Until then, here are some before and after pics to give you an idea of what actions can do for you!


Before:

 After.  Now I could do much more, namely getting rid of my husband and dad in this pic (which you can do with PSE) but I just love how the boost brought out the green grass and the sunlight through the trees

 SOC (straight out of camera)

 After. Not totally happy with the color but I thought it was a great example of how these actions can boost an "ok" original

SOC.  Cousins. Aren't they just so darn cute????

 After. I love this result.  I know there is a way to get rid of some of the green tint to her hair, but I haven't taken the time.  I still think its pretty awesome!

 SOC.  So photogenic!

 After.
One of my favorite actions (from the pioneer woman) I just love how this turned out.

If you have any version of Photoshop, I highly recommend you give actions a try.

Crochet revolution :)

One of my biggest regrets in life is not sitting down with both my grandmothers before they passed and taping/writing down/ absorbing all their life experiences...not to mention their recipes.  Such knowledge lost!

One of my favorite memories of my beloved "Grammer Mae" is of her teaching me how to single crochet when I was around 7.  You see, there was no TV in my grandparents home, so the evenings consisted of chinese checkers and crochet. Not what most kids would consider a great time, but I loved it.  I remember those times so vividly and I feel compelled to carry on the hobby.  So a few months ago I went to Michaels, bought a book, some yarn and a crochet hook, and spent the next week trying to teach myself.  I'll just say it was a lonnnggggg week!

FINALLY, I started getting the hang of it, and with the discovery of many fun, free patterns online, it has quickly become my favorite pastime.  It is so relaxing, and one of the few times that my brain stops running on overdrive and gets quiet.  I get lost in the repetition, and often the only thing that comes to mind are moments shared with my Grammer.  Yet another gift that amazing women has given me.

Here are a few things I have made.  Sometimes I use patterns and sometimes I just wing it.  I have actually decided to open my own Etsy shop to sell my things, which I am hoping to do as soon as I make a few more items.  I will post the link to that shop when it is completed.  I am also hoping to write some of my own patterns, which I will share here on my crochet page.  So, if you want to join me in my crochet revolution but have some questions about supplies, patterns, stitches etc, I will do my best to point you in the right direction!

 "Teddy Bear" baby beanies: Newborn and 3-6 mnth

     A 2-3x wrap-around Infinity scarf

ksl.com - IMC identifies genetic link in heart trouble for pregnant and new moms

I will be sharing my story about suffering from Peripartum Cardiomyopathy in the weeks to come, but I will say that I have always struggled with the questions of "why did this happen?" and "what did I do wrong?"  The idea that those questions could soon be answered is exciting.  Please take the time to read this short article about what researchers are discovering.

ksl.com - IMC identifies genetic link in heart trouble for pregnant and new moms

Ramblings of a Novice Blogger

Probably because this is new to me, I have a thousand things I want to write about today. As a result, this post will most likely be dis-jointed. Welcome to my life!


I love my baby. He's four but still my baby. I used to worry about him not ever learning how to talk. What can I say, he's my first. Of course, he did learn, and now speaks to me like a 15 year old. I think that is God's way of paying me back a little for doubting His creation. :)
My son says things like "mommy, this banana is delightful" and "my train is being an idiot," and though it can be really hard sometimes, I try to cherish each funny, smart, and sarcastic thing he says. You see, I might not ever have any more babies (something I will write about in the days to come) and I want to remember this time when he is a teenager and doesn't talk to me at all!

I wanted to post an audio clip, but I can't for the life of me figure out how, so if you know please share!

There is one other totally unrelated thing I wanted to share. I love coffee (NO thats not it), and I mourn the loss of it in the summer months. You see, I live in hell (otherwise known as Arizona) and I just can't bring myself to drink a cup of coffee when it is 100 degrees at 9am. But the other day I came across a recipe (from the Pioneer Woman...she is my hero, and you will probably get sick of hearing about my deep love for her) for cold brewed ice coffee concentrate. Eureka!! problem solved! It is a total pain to make, but lasts a long time, and is WONDERFUL. I use creamer and Agave in mine, and I now can't start my day until I have a glass. Try it. Seriously.




thepioneerwoman.com/perfect-iced-coffee



You are welcome.

Memory maker

Blogging is something I have always wanted to do, not because I feel like I need to share my life with the world, but because I think that sometimes you miss the lessons life is handing to you unless you stop and take a minute to replay them in your head.  I believe that writing is a great way to do that.  I am also a HUGE sucker for anything that helps me preserve memories.  I attempt to surround myself with the good ones at all times, not because I want to live in the past but because I don't want to look back at the end of my life and forget one single moment.  That is why I love taking pictures (though I am not so great at it), and why I love to cook recipes handed down to me from both sides of my family.
 My goal with this blog is to record as many memories as I can, and to share some with you.  It will probably come in the form of pictures and recipes that I will post on here, and I hope that you will cherish them as much as I do.