A word to the wise about Plyo (or P90X, Day 60-ish)

If somebody tells you..."you should definitely do plyo instead of cardio"...watch the dang video before you attempt it the first time.

You'll learn before you go in that eating anything (even a harmless banana) an hour or less prior to beginning the workout is stupid. You will feel the need to...umm...lose said banana within the first 10 minutes of the workout. And approximately five times thereafter.

Also, if you get 15 minutes into the workout (because the beginning is the worst part to get through...and I say "worst" meaning "you will want to die"), and you feel the need to bend over to catch your breath...don't.

You will likely pass out. Or at least, the room will spin and go dark and you'll see stars and you'll have to pause the dvd, even if you've never had to pause any of the other dvd's except to rescue your child who is doing penny drops from the chin-up bar onto a pile of couch cushions (I'm kidding. That didn't happen while I was working out (though it did happen)(yesterday)).

Now, all of that said? It will probably rank up there with my absolute favorite workout in the program. Something about knowing that your body can actually accomplish a full hour of jumping...that just pretty much rocks.

Oh, and chest and back?? All push-ups and pull-ups, all the time?? Yeah. Divebombers? Bring 'em on.

Day 60. Still loving every minute of it (even the ones when I hurt).

Weekends

I work through each week with the constant goal of Friday afternoon. Well, usually evening. If we can survive all the school, horse lessons, gymnastics practices, karate practices, rehearsals, meetings, unexpected trips to the store, expected ones, occasional appointments (when I don't forget I made them ;) ), cakes to bake, and work to plow through...Seth being out of town, Seth being back in town, remembering the schedule he thought he actually wound up having, rather than the one he planned at the beginning of the week...if we can get through all that, pick Laine up from the gym at 6:30, and get everyone settled in...

...we've survived till the weekend.

You may think that because we stay home, homeschool, and choose all of this staying-at-home business, the weekend would feel kind of relative to us.

You would be wrong.

And the thing is...an ideal weekend for me does not include running all over, either accomplishing something or finding something interesting to do. I would so much rather spend the weekend jumping on the trampoline, doing something to the house, tearing a project apart and putting it back together (or not. he he), cleaning like crazy so I don't have to catch up from the chaos of the weekend on Monday, planning and preparing delicious meals, maybe having a family of friends over Friday or Saturday evening...and not doing anything remotely productive for a large chunk of time somewhere in the process. If I have to spend the weekend thinking or planning or doing...or especially thinking and planning and doing all at the same time...I think I'd rather have the week back, thank you. The weekends when I wish it could just get to Monday already...not my favorites. And I have lots of favorites.

Can it just be Monday? Actually, can it just be next Monday?

Pretty please, with a cherry on top??

Moments

I look at my life in snapshots...quick glances...unanticipated clicks...those are my favorite moments. The ones where the camera catches something I didn't necessarily expect to see. I'm always struck by those moments.

So much of my life is planned...expected. I live it that way intentionally, so that I make the most of each second, deliberate not to waste an opportunity, miss an appointment, look past a minute where something meaningful happened. I live it that way on purpose.

But sometimes, the moments I catch surprise me. Sometimes I'm struck with something I didn't expect to see. Something off in the corner of the shot catches my eye...and I realize it would have been just as easy to miss as to catch...

...and I'm so grateful I didn't miss it.

P90X, Day 50

Ohhh, I like how that looks. Day 50. More than half-way through Round 1. That makes me happy

OK, now for truth. I love the workouts. Still. Even after not being here to tell you that for days and days and days. When I'm eating like I should, according to the diet guide (minus about 400 calories), I feel good. But. And here's the big "but" for me...I'm not losing weight. I did at first. Then I put it back on. And I gained 2 more. No joke. Now, last week, I decided enough was enough and I dropped down my calories and I lost a pound. But. To technically be up a pound from when I started...that just kills me.

I have made contact with my coach through teambeachbody.com, and he has been incredibly supportive (and encouraged me to throw away the scales entirely and go by how my clothes fit and how my measurements are changing)...that has been a blessing. He basically told me this happens all the time. That I have probably gained muscle along with whatever fat is there, and for a while, I'll have both. Then the muscle will get efficient, burn the fat, and the muscle part of things will replace the fat.

I have a couple of theories. First off, my body fat percentage is low-ish for being in the shape I'm currently in. Which I didn't realize until I bought a set of calipers. About 21% or so--within normal range for a female. Second, I have big muscles. I'm a little irritated by the size of my arms and thighs, frankly. But they're solid. Third, I am just not small. I mean, I'm small, but I'm not tiny like my sister. I have to accept that and move on. Fourth...I'm working through the Lean Program with P90X. I may not see results that I would see if I had chosen to do Classic first. I don't regret that move--I think I'll be happier with myself at the end of this round and have something to look forward to in the beginning of June as a result of doing that. And maybe it will take 120 days for me to look like some of these people look a the end of 90. I think I'm ok with that. Frankly, what difference does it make? This is a change I plan to continue after 90 days, so if it takes longer than that to achieve maximum results...I guess it doesn't really matter much.

I guess over halfway through, there are points of the program with which I'm irritated...the whole concept of eating 2000 calories a day at the beginning seemed wonderful...but when I battled through each day to get that many calories in, then gained weight at the end of the week...it just didn't work for me. I really expected to see monumental changes in my body at the end of 30 and 60 days...and I really haven't. I mean, don't get me wrong, my muscles have changed...my measurements have changed...but...well, I thought it would be seriously noticeable in photos. In 10 days, I'll let you know what I think. At this point...I don't know.

Overall, I love the workouts. I love being conscious of how I'm eating every day. I love the accountability of logging workouts on teambeachbody and calories on sparkpeople.com. I can't believe how much stronger and more flexible and more fit I feel and perform. I'm less than thrilled with the physical, visible results...but that could change and balance out in the next several weeks. This is a recovery week for me--week 8. A welcome change in the routine. And then next week, it changes again, and I look forward to that as well.

We'll see.

Ahh, the truth about homeschoolers...

One of my favorite blogs to follow every day is titled Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers...and the author, Kris...I think she and I would be friends (although, I think she has many, many blogoshere friends, and I might be juuuust obscure enough that she has no idea who I am. And that's ok. :) ) She just has so much great stuff to say, and she says it well. Actually, she has so much great stuff to say that she says it in at least 3 blogs that I know of--if you read her Eclipsed blog a couple of weeks ago when I sent you there, that's her, and the Homeschool Classroom blog is her collaborative effort with other homeschooling moms. Anyway, I'm referring you to her blog today, and it's especially appropriate if you're homeschooling (and super funny, even if you're not). She talks in today's entry about the "Top 5 Ways to Ensure that Your Homeschooled Kid is Weird and Unsocialized," and being that this is honestly the most frequent question that I receive from people who find out that I homeschool ("how do you make sure they're socialized??" asks the parent at the gym where my daughter spends 10 hours a week working out with 25 other girls her age), I think it's incredibly appropriate. I'd love to hear what you think.

I'm still giggling (and when I read it to my kids...they were too).

Tagged!!

I have, once again, been tagged...but I have to say, I've never actually been tagged this way--actually, she said...it's an award!! :) My friend, Amy, one of the women whose blogs I read daily (and yes, she writes nearly daily...if you're looking for somebody who will inspire you, encourage you, and is consistent about it...she's your girl. :) ), tagged me in this blogging game. Check her out here. She's pretty wonderful.

So, here's the deal...I have to blog seven things about myself in this post, and then tag seven people who get to do the same. Read to the end...you might just find your name. Don't have a blog yet?? Good time to start one!! :)

Seven things. Can I just mention how hard this is to start??

1. I have a mild obsession with fondant and gumpaste. I look at a flower and think: "I'll bet I could make that out of gumpaste." There are times when I never want to try it again after doing it once, but I always want to try. Want to read something funny? Check out this really old post.

2. I was much better at mothering toddlers than I am at mothering tweens. I adore them equally, but I'm pretty sure I'm ruining them for life at this stage of the game. I'm fairly certain that every mother feels this way at some point in the mothering process. If your forte is tweens, I want to be your friend. Please.

3. I procrastinate. With proficiency. As a matter of fact, I'm sitting here right now procrastinating. Want to know what I'm avoiding? Here's the short list: planning this weekend's worship, calling members of the worship teams, calling the sound man for our all-church event, formalizing decoration plans for the event, building mediashout presentations for said event, putting my children to bed, folding the load of laundry that just buzzed in the dryer, cleaning the rest of the kitchen from dinner, letting the dog outside again, looking over the kids' math, unpacking boxes still in the garage...and yes. That's the short list.

4. I can always find the missing tv remote. And the car keys. And the wallet/cell phone/shoes/belt/hair tie/webkinz/blanket/bink (as long as their not mine. That's different.). I take great pride in this. I have no idea how this ability developed, but I like having it. It always creates awe and wonder in the item's owner. You know, the one who stormed through the house for five mintues yelling, "Has ANYONE seen my (fill in the blank) ???" after looking calmly for about 20 seconds then resorting to panic. You've met him/her before, haven't you?

5. I also have magic powers with laundry and stains. Ask my kids. They have nearly stopped having fits when they spill ketchup and tomato sauce and mustard (ooo, that's a hard one) or skid across the lawn in their favorite capris (or jods. ugh). Because they realize that "mommy is magic" (their words, not mine). It makes me giggle, frankly. I mean, I'm good with stains, but magic? Wow.

6. I used to be a perfectionist. Now...I'm a realist. I still have my glitchy perfectionist tendencies when it comes to certain things (my bathrooms, for example. Swished and swiped daily. And my son cleans the mirrors. :) ), but other things have gone by the wayside (WHERE is my desk???). Someday when my kids are grown and out of the house, and my pets are all house broken, and school doesn't take place in my house on a daily basis (and no room holds the title "classroom"), and the only books I need to keep on hand are for the grandies and whatever I intend to read all by myself, I will, once again, concern myself with vacuuming daily and making sure the couch pillows don't have tears, and clutter all has a home and the dishes are in the right cupboards. For now...I have bigger fish to fry. Like...making sure there are sheets on everyone's beds each night. And that everyone has at least two pairs of clean underwear at any given moment. And that the fridge and pantry contain edible food. And that we're not more than 5 minutes late to any given sport or activity.

Sigh.

7. I actually care about politics. Sadly, I don't have time to keep track of them. Other than the 10 minutes I spend reading the top stories on foxnews.com...or listening to the random tidbits I catch in the car with Seth on the weekends...Seth always says, "Min, you need to listen to the news or read a newspaper or something." I know he's right. But, dang. Priorities. Some day. Right about the time I have my house perfect. Then I'll actually have a clue what might be in the healthcare bill. In the meantime, I'll take his word for it.

Phew!

OK...now for the tagging...Kendra, Amy, Stacy E., Heather, Kim D., Paige, and, umm, Mom. :) GO!

I don't want to blog today.

I want to sit here and just think. I want the world to shut up around me. I want the hamster to stop banging against the cage with her wheel, and Seth's computer to stop making Starries sounds, and the dog to stop ringing the bell to go out. I want to breathe deeply. I want to yell a little bit. Maybe cry for a while. But I don't want to blog.

Have you ever noticed how when you're completely engulfed all the time in something you cherish and adore, you tend not to notice other things that are pretty great too? But then...out of the blue, for a day or two, you're suddenly surrounded by those other things and you remember...oh, man. I want that. I love what I have, but I. want. that.

And I'm not talking about stuff. And I'm not talking about someone else. Sheesh.

I am blessed. And fortunate. And spoiled. And loved. I have no right to ask for anything more. I'm not asking, really. I live in reality. But.

But.

sigh.

Ultimate Blog Party!

Happy Blog Party!!

You know, I could use a party today. I think a virtual party will do nicely. :)

(Since I can't make that little button link to anything, here's the link: http://www.5minutesformom.com/19667/ultimate-blog-party-2010/)

Today, I stumbled on a new blog through another "friend's" blog...and this is what I found. A party! Right in the middle of www.5minutesformom.com (which I intend to digest fully in the next several days). So, in party-fashion--you know the kind...where you don't really know anyone and nobody really knows you--let's get to know one another!

I'm Mindy (well, technically Malinda, but nobody calls me that. Except my dad. Since he gave me the name, he's allowed.). I'm a stay-at-home, homeschooling-for-the-last-8-years mother of 3, very part-time Worship Arts Director, cake designer/maker, "soccer" mom (although none of my kids play soccer ;) ). I love my life almost every single moment. My kids--Reasa (11), Laine (10) (yes, they're 11 months apart), and Bryson (8)--are my joy...and we pray every day that someday there will be one more. My husband shakes his head (and says, "you're all nuts." My blog is nothing more interesting than a gathering place for my often scattered thoughts...thoughts that 15 years ago, I would have put on paper, and now simply don't have time to physically write down. Before I had Reasa, I taught in a classroom. Several, actually. I never intend to do that again. I also had big dreams of finishing my masters degree, and eventually earning my PhD in Children's Literature in hopes of qualifying myself to become a children's author. Since then, I have learned that children's authors...are more often just born, not educated. And I may never have what it takes to write books. And I'm ok with that. Instead, I blog. Sometimes regularly, sometimes not so much. And if you're looking for a theme...well, "random" is about as close as you'll get.

My current adventures: My Father's World, Creation to the Greeks is our curriculum of choice, with a smattering of additional resources including Singapore Math, Spelling Power, readers and read-alouds from the Sonlight book lists, and other things that we incorporate here and there. Gymnastics, Karate and Horseback Riding top our activities list, keeping us extremely occupied every single night. We jumped into Awana (which just ended for the year two weeks ago) for the first time last fall, made our first trip to Disney last October (and next time, we'll do it better), and we adopted our sweet Golden Retriever Puppy, Maisie in November after losing our 12-year-old Chelsea (we also have a 3.5-year-old Cairnoodle, Chani, whom we adore). We also keep giant fancy teddy bear hamsters, little white mice, ants, and sea monkeys, and are game for just about any small animal other than snakes. Or cats. I started a journey with P90X (the workout program you see on infomercials--yes, it works) about 38 days ago, so if you scroll down through the archives, you'll find I've lived there a lot lately.

And that's a lot of who I am.

I started blogging about 4 years ago. I blog about everything. And I honestly don't expect anyone else to be interested in any of it (especially this whole P90X thing!!). Since it's so scattered and not remotely focused, I don't actually expect anybody else to even read it, but I am assured that I have about 10 faithful readers. Mostly family members. :) What I have discovered since starting to blog, however, is just how many other people blog like I do...and I love to read their writing. Since my husband works out of town...a lot...blogwalking while he's away gives me an opportunity to occupy my mind when I can't sleep. So if you're reading my blog...I'm probably reading yours too. ;) Welcome to my little piece of insanity! Thanks for stopping by.

So enjoy the blog party! Off I go...maybe to find you in the blogosphere!!

Per UBP guidelines...I'd absolutely love to win...

1. #11--$100 gift certificate at restaurants.com

2. #39--free 2-night's stay at the Hilton Garden Inn

3. #51--lilebaby EveryWear carrier

4. #72--Your Shape for Nintendo Wii

5. #105--Get Fit Pack with Jillian Michaels

Remembering...

Well, life has taken over, and when that happens, updates become sparse. It's holy week...which means, of course, worship insanity. Honestly, this is not meant as a complaint. I have gone through years when it struck me on Saturday morning, after a day I would traditionally give at least a brief pause to consider the crucifixion and the death of my savior...for me...that I had not even realized Good Friday had come and gone. I don't attach any superstitious value to the day, and realize that I should be living every single day in remembrance of that mind-boggling, life-altering event, but there is something to be said for a moment's reflection. Even a day's reflection. This year, instead I have been allowed to help plan a Good Friday worship service, and an Easter worship service...and reflection has happened as a natural part of the process. While planning the rehearsal and thinking about the special music I'll sing, and making sure my heart is in the right place to sing and to lead and to even participate in all that will happen this weekend...I have spent much time thinking on holy week and it's significance in my faith. In my redemption. In my eternity. And in the midst of baking a giant cake for Awana, carting kids to their practices, planning rehearsals and transitions and desserts for family gatherings, and working out...this year, I am remembering.

It is overwhelming to do so much remembering.

Four or five years ago, Seth and I left our kids with their favorite babysitter and went with our home group to see The Passion of the Christ. I will never, ever watch it again. I don't need to watch it again. Once those images flashed on the screen, they were etched in my brain forever. I guess, if at some point, my memory fades, I should watch it again so that can't happen. Frankly, I'm not worried about that. What I did do, however, after sobbing through the movie to the point of throwing up, was block it from my mind. It hurt to realize the graphic reality of what my Jesus went through. I pushed it away. After talking with my home group about how eye-opening it was, and shaking my head and saying how much it made me think whenever it came up in conversation (which happened less and less often as time passed) it became really easy to just not think about it. Conveniently. As I have planned this year, those images have flashed through my memory. Over and over and over again. In my mind, the face of my Jesus will always resemble Jim Caviezel. Because I have continually seen his face this week. The garden. The betrayal. The trial. The beatings. The screams. His mother, watching. His Father turning his back on his Son.

A Father's love and mercy and sacrifice. A Son's willingness to obey, and also to love. To love me.

This year, I'm remembering.

Are you?