Trash Cancer!

What a great weekend!

Saturday was my #Trash Cancer party!  We had a blast, tried some delicious food and then learned how to lessen our chances of getting cancer.  Reduce toxins, make our own cleaning supplies and great recipes!  I got my kit from Trash Cancer for free for being one of the first 1000 people to sign up and let me tell you, they did a fantastic job.  Everyone went home with a goodie bag with some toxin-free cleaners and LOTS of information!

The gang (minus Robin, she had to leave a little early)

The food

Pumpkin Brownies, white bean hummus w/ veggies, sparkling apple cider, Kale soup

YUM!

The goodie bags and our homemade cleaner supplies

Sunday was spent in Grove with the in-laws.  While it is hard to see the decline, we treasure each and every moment we can spend with them.  You just never know when your time is up on this beautiful earth!  Then last night my dear friend Doris was driving through town and she stopped to see me.  We met up and all I can tell you is - I MISS THAT GIRL!  So glad we got to spend a few minutes together!  We decided that we haven't see each other for 2 years. That is horrible!!

Today is the first day of October.  This means fall, this means a new challenge for Missouri Fit Club.  If you want to join in the fun, let me know.  This is a private group on facebook and we offer encouragement, support and fun challenges and of course, accountability.


I started a new workout program today - Tai Cheng.  I think it is going to take a little getting used to, a MUCH slower pace than I usually do.  No jumping around like a wild woman, slow movements, but my legs were shaking.  Static holds mean muscle use in a different way for me!  This is going to be good, absolutely NO impact!  Perfect for this time in my life!

I've also decided that since I have a cookbook addiction ( I may need an intervention, I ordered 2 more last night...) I need to use them more often.  So, since there is 31 days in October there will be 31 new recipes I will try.  One per day....  Could be as simple as a juice/smoothie or a full meal deal!  This will be fun! I'll share with you each day what recipe I choose so you can play along if you want!

This is just one of my bookshelves in the kitchen.  I have another one in the kitchen and another one in my library and one at the lake..... see I DO have a problem!

Happy October!

Princesses for the day!

It was a GRAND day!   We got to see princesses, be princesses and have fun ALL day long!

Madelyn and I headed out bright and early to meet Memaw and Virginia at the Tulsa State Fair for Disney on Ice!  The best part - featuring Rapunzel!  Oh my, Rapunzel, on ICE SKATES!!!!

We weren't there for two minutes without having to get a Rapunzel sno-cone.  Who cares that it is only 10:00 AM, a sno cone is NEEDED!!

We HAD to get our picture in the lego Cinderella carriage.

She made out like a bandit - Miss Virginia bought her a light up wand, she got the program guides to take home, her Rapunzel cup and of course, the Rapunzel braid.... how can you not get that one?

I think my favorite part of the whole day was watching her face when she saw the princesses for the first time!

At one point, I asked her if she needed to go to the bathroom.  She insisted she did not, I was not convinced so I asked her a second time with a "Are you sure?"  She looked at me and said Nona, I am singing with Cinderella, I don't have time right now.  LOVED IT!

She was in awe of the whole thing.  We saw Tiana first, then Cinderella and then Rapunzel.  At the end all the princesses came out in their beautiful dresses and there were even fireworks.  The minute it was over, she told me she wanted to see it all again!

After the show, we headed out to get some lunch and check out the fair!

This is one of my favorite pics from the day!

We went to the petting zoo, got to pet a LOT of animals.  The deer tried to eat Memaw's shirt, twice!  Madelyn told her that her shirt was just too tasty!  Madelyn got to pet a kangaroo, goat, sheep, pig and she looked at the llama, but he was WAY TO BIG!  She didn't like him at all.  I didn't get any photos of her with the animals because she had a death grip on me after the goat poked his head between her arm and her body right after we got in there.  She liked them, but just wasn't sure enough to let go!

We checked out the expo building, saw the Indian dances and drum ring and then she wanted to go to the sheep barn.  It was a wonderful day and I can't wait to take her again!

On the way home, all the excitement caught up with her and she napped for a while.  Then she had to try on her new braid.

Everyone should have their own Rapunzel braid!

I just love that girl!

Wiggle Cars and Tai Cheng!

Miss Madelyn was here to play yesterday.  We were having a good morning, but got a call and off we went for a play date!  Wiggle cars, playing with someone else's toys and lunch in town always makes for a fun day!

By the time we got home, Mads was worn out!

We had a good day and she is so excited for Disney on Ice tomorrow.  Rapunzel on ice skates - it doesn't get any better than that!

I'm really missing my workouts.  I  LOVE, LOVE ( til my Daddy takes the T-bird away) Les Mill Pump.  But for now it just isn't doing my body good to be working out hard and steady.  So, I'm taking a break.  However, just walking isn't really doing it for me.  So, I ordered Tai Cheng.  It came in today and I'm going to play around with it over the weekend and start it on Monday.

I've not ever done Tai Chi, so I am really looking forward to this one.  Another thing I am looking forward to is that Brian MIGHT do it with me. This is a no-impact workout.  He can do that!

I'm looking at a few other workout programs, but will be keeping it simple and easy for now!  I must listen to my body first, not what my mind is telling me I should do!

So things are slowly getting better, I am having less fatigue and having a few good days!  I'm so excited.  I'm ready to feel like myself again!!!

Do you have a new workout routine?  A favorite workout program?  A wiggle car?

It's Fall Y'all!

The weather is getting cooler, the leaves are starting to turn and of course, the pumpkin spice latte is back.  It's definitely Fall Y'all!

Does this make you happy or sad?

I'm a little of both, I LOVE summer, but I do like fall too!  What I don't like is what comes after fall - winter!  But for now, I'm going to enjoy the cooler weather, the opportunity to wear my favorite scarves and boots and get some wonderful outdoor activities in.

Brian has started playing golf every morning.  He walks 9 holes and gets his exercise in as well as some "guy" time!  Since I am still resting my adrenals, I am doing a lot of walking.  I so enjoy watching the seasons change.  The trees are just getting started changing here.  Some trees are so pretty and others haven't even started to change.  I will try to get some photos today of the pretty foliage!

Another thing I love about fall is soups and stews in my crockpot.  I absolutely love using my crockpot.  It just makes everything so much easier.  Just put all the ingredients in and forget about it until the house starts smelling sooo good!

This week I made lentil stew and today I am making black bean soup.  I usually make the black bean soup in a pot on the stove, so I thought I'd see how it turns out in the crockpot.

What is your favorite part of Fall?

Blue September

As many of you know, Brian was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January.  We are in a holding pattern and if you want to read more about our journey, click on the link above The Fight of Our Lives.

I recently found out about Blue September.  Please take a moment to read through their website and if you feel like it, please donate to prostate cancer research.

Blue September is about men facing up to cancer in men!

The idea behind the use of the color blue is simple – blue is for boys – so it’s time to Get BLUE America!

 
Blue September is a campaign created to get the message out about cancer in men. It aims to raise awareness among all Americans about this devastating male cancer and urges men to take preventative action by improving lifestyle choices and getting a regular check with their GP.

• In 2012, more than 240,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer

•  In 2012, more than 33,000 men will die from prostate cancer
•  One new prostate cancer case occurs every 2.2 minutes

• A man dies from prostate cancer every 15.6 minutes

So let’s face up to prostate cancer this September! Show your support by painting your face blue and raise awareness and funds to save lives!

Blue September on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube.

Every Friday in September is "Blue Friday"!™

On Blue Friday we encourage you to paint their face blue, wear something blue and fundraise to face up to cancer in men.

I will be posting my blue face as soon as I get to the store and get my blue!!  I only wish I had found out at the beginning of the month.

This weekend is also my Trash Cancer party.  I'm excited about this one!  We are going to learn how to make our own cleaning supplies, avoid chemicals and even get a new recipe to try out!  I'm looking forward to sharing it all with everyone!

My kit came in the mail over the weekend.  It looks so cool!

Check out Trash Cancer! on facebook, twitter and on the world wide web!

It is so important to educate ourselves about how to prevent cancer.  Eating right, exercising and what we put ON our bodies is just so important.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.  I will help in any way I can.  We CAN win this fight!

School Days!

 Kids have been back to school for a while now. Even though I don't have kids in school anymore, I thought I'd share a few memories of my kids school days.

When Chase started school, we lived in Joplin.  As our first child and as we were soooo young, we were all nervous together.  Chase was such an easy-going young man.  He was excited to start school, but a nervous Nellie!  He loved school and he got to walk to school since we lived so close.  Luckily, Stephanie ( an older cousin) lived nearby and they could walk together to school.  He LOVED school and couldn't wait for the weekends to be over.

When Nick started school, we lived in Carl Junction and he wasn't so sure about going.  He wanted to stay home and have fun playing all day.  But, he had friends in his class and decided that it would be okay if he went.  I do remember that some of Chase's friends had told Nick that his teacher was a witch.  He was so scared and cried and cried one day before school and said he didn't want to go.  I couldn't understand what his problem was and of course, MADE him go to school.  I was in tears before the morning was over.  Luckily, one of my friends was a teacher and called me later in the day to let me know that he was doing fine.  I didn't find out about the friends telling him about the teacher for a few days.  Those rotten little boys!

Jake's second day of kindergarten was pretty funny.  The first day, we took the boys to school and helped them find their new classes, the second day, they rode the bus and Jake decided he was NOT going to get on the bus.  The other boys just hopped on and Jake started running around the yard, refusing to get on the bus.  Chase jumped off and was going to walk Jake to the bus, but Jake kept running around the yard.  It was so frustrating at the time, but now I can laugh about it.  I finally told the bus driver to go on.  We lived on a pretty busy road and the traffic was backed up and we were all chasing Jake around the yard.  I can only imagine what that excitement looked like to someone else! Luckily, we had a VERY understanding bus driver.  God bless all the bus drivers!

I can't forget Miss Madelyn's first day of preschool.  She is growing up so fast!

I don't really remember my first day of school.  I do remember walking to school with friends and that I made some lifelong friends even in the first year of school.  I'm so thankful for those people in my life now!

Do you have a favorite school memory?  Yourself, your kids or your grandkids?  Please share with me!

Golf Groupie for a day!

It's been a busy couple of days!  Fun too!

Madelyn was here on Wednesday and we had a good day!  Baking, shopping and playing!  Doesn't get much better!

Madelyn and Grumpy playing Doctor!

I love it when she asks for a shake for lunch!  Shake Break!

Cupcake Time!

Then yesterday was my monthly massage appointment.  Oh how I love those days!  I sooo needed it.  I highly recommend you find a good massage therapist and take advantage of  this wonderful treat for your body!  If you are in the Joplin area, go see Connie Brown at The Right Touch!  AMAZING!

After my massage, I got to be a golf groupie for the day!  Brian was playing in his office golf tourney and I tagged along for some fun!

Off we go to have fun with friends on the golf course!

The Pro 100 Gang!

I'm so not a golfer.  But, I had fun cheering them on and They ended up in 4th place!  YAY!  It was a fun day and I was worn out when the day was over!

I'm really missing my workouts at this point, but I am listening to my body - that is still part of being fit!  BUT, I am so ready to get back to my Les Mills Pump!  It's weird to miss a workout isn't it?

I am eating healthy, going to make kale chips today to take to the lake this weekend!  I'll post a photo and a recipe! I'm sure you can't wait!