Quite a week!

I forgot to post my weight loss update Monday. Well, I probably forgot on purpose because I didn't lose anything! I didn't gain either, so that's okay. I did a little celebrating over the weekend that involved fried appetizers (twice!) so I was not surprised. But you know, since I ate pretty well the rest of the week AND exercised, splurging like that once in awhile is ok. Previously, I ate like that on a daily basis and never exercised. So even though there is no loss in numbers on the scale this week, I know I've gained so much for my own health that I'm giving myself a break. Next week will be better. :)

What was I celebrating? I'm glad you asked! My amazing husband and I, along with another couple, are official business owners! Buying or starting a business is something Todd and I have wanted to do since we were first married, and now we have finally jumped in with both feet and done it! Todd will be losing his job some time within in the next year or so due to the plant closing. We knew we had to find something for him to do and this opportunity just fell into our lap. It was like God opened up the door just for us. The business isn't exactly the dream I had early on in our marriage (which was a bridal shop!), instead, we purchased a slaughterhouse. Glorified? No. Necessary? Yes. We live in a farming community and there is a constant need for the butchering of cows and pigs, so that's what we're going to do. The owners before were a couple from our church, and the husband passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack a little over a year ago. It's just too much for his wife and she is ready to move on from it. She's helping us get things started, and we are keeping the 3 other employees that are working there. I was able to quit my job in the school kitchen (praaaaise!!!!!) and will be working at the slaughterhouse part time. Tues & Thurs 8-2 and Wed. 10-5. I'll be doing all the bookwork and scheduling as well, and that will be done on Mon & Fri so I can work from home. We are very excited and just hope and pray that things continue to go well! Wish us luck!

We went to another women's Illini basketball game Sunday (they won! Go ILLINI!). The game was shown on the Big 10 Network and guess who they showed in the crowd? US! :) Maya and Evan are jumping up and down cheering right after a 3 point shot, and Todd and I are sitting down cheering. It was awesome to see ourslves on TV! :) In case you don't remember, Evan was given a basketball by a cheerleader during the last game. And this game, Maya was given a pink Illini t-shirt by another cheerleader. How lucky are we?! I told the kids that in two games, they have been picked out of a crowd of thousands. They must be pretty cute. ;)

Tonight Evan has family night youth group, and Todd is leaving for a ski trip with his buddies. He'll be back Saturday afternoon. And when the guys all get home, the wives are taking off for a night out for ourselves. :) We figure it's only fair, considering the big dorks planned a weekend getaway for themselves on Valentine's Day! Boogers! Maya won't have youth group since the youth minister is one of the guys going on the ski trip. I'm not sure what she'll do tonight. Probably hang out and play Sims on the PC. I tell you, that kid is addicted to that silly game and sometimes plays it for HOURS! I don't get all the hype about it, but to each his own.

Oh, I forgot to tell you! Sunday when we went to the game it was C-O-L-D!!!!! The walk from the parking lot to the ticket office and then the stadium is quite a distance, especially in the cold. Well, we RAN! Yes, I was running. 2 years ago, I NEVER would have considered that. And, I wouldn't have been ABLE to run that far without completely losing my breath. But this time, I was running all the way and was just a little short of breath when we got there. I could still talk and order our tickets so it wasn't bad at all. And, during the game, of course we had potty breaks and drink breaks, etc. and I was jogging up the wide stadium steps. I was so proud of myself. Those kind of things remind me why I'm pushing myself to work out 5 or 6 days a week and TRY to eat better. Go me! :)

I wish I didn't wait so long between posts on this darned blog. I always have so much to say, and by the time I finish saying everything my post is 2 miles long. Sorry! So if you've read this far, THANKS! And *mwuah!*!!! Have a good one!

Oh, and a layout to share. Credits can be seen here. You HAVE to read the journaling. I may have posted about this story on my blog last summer. Not sure. Journaling: Betty Crocker you are not. On this summer day, I was across the street at Grandma & Grandpa’s watching Evan swim. You came over expecting me to come home to fix you a TV dinner. Now, Maya, you are 12 years old. I am certain you should be capable of reading the cooking instructions from the box and setting the microwave timer. You huffed off home and I thought nothing else of your little tantrum. Shortly after this, Daddy came into our house to the scene of smoke rolling from the microwave and a terrible smell crawling through the house. Evidently when you read the directions you set the timer for conventional oven cooking time instead of microwave oven. Ugh, our house smelled for DAYS! Of course everyone in the family has gotten quite a kick out of your cooking skills, or lack thereof. Your response to the whole thing: My bad! Oh, and by the way, you have since learned how to cook properly in the microwave. You go girl! July 2007