And so this is Christmas...

I kept forgetting to post these photos!! Geez! Here's Christmas (a little before and after) with the Platos.

Fabulous at 40 Campaign

Yes, yes. 2009 is, indeed, the year I turn 40. Embracing that reality, we have decided as a family to also make it the year we look into a healthier lifestyle. I seem to have gotten my work life in check... well, in better check than it was. Now, it is time to work on my basic physical well-being.

As part of this campaign, I decided to be more realistic than any of the "food plans" I have tried in my life. They had one main focus: lose weight. Don't lose weight? You failed. Failure and I are not friends. It has been quite discouraging. My "aha!" moment came with this last bout of losing and gaining the same 30 pounds. I have reached the goal, but I have not embraced the habits.

So, throughout the next 8 months, I will post here things I have learned from past experiences, from "hearsay," and from research. My plan is to take one concept of good health at a time. If you choose to read this... fine. If you choose to ignore it... fine, too. It is important that it is helpful to my family. If it helps others, that's an extra-added bonus.

So, a happy 2009 to all! Good luck and good health in this new year.

Pretzel Hugs

One of my FPFA (Favorite People From Afar) is Becky Higgins. She's a contributing editor for Creating Keepsakes magazine, an author, a mother, and a designer. Her blog also shares some quick, simple, and GOOD recipes. I am making one right now from her Pretzel Hugs recipe. Mine are being baked with Rolos. I had some the other day that my friend, Krystal, made and they were sooooo good. Rolos seem to take a bit longer to melt than Kisses, however.

Gotta go check on them then commence with wrapping and card making.

Ciao!

Ice Ice, Baby

Ah, yes. Ice. So powerfully beautiful. Stopped us in our tracks today. Here are some photos from earlier this AM. Ignatius was given the task of clearing off the patio so Otto would actually go father than 5 paces to poop. Max was his supervisor. They did a great job!

Deep Thoughts by Ignatius Plato

Driving in the car with my eleven year old is never, ever dull. Even if you wanted a quiet moment, it would not happen. Lately, I have been "torturing" him with what he calls "vampire music," aka the soundtrack from Twilight. It's really good, but, alas, I listen to it mainly through my iphone. Scott likens the experience to an AM transistor radio. :) Hey, I'm probably getting one of those little iphone stereo hookups in my car for my perseverance! Wise move. But I digress.

So, this morning I was torturing him for saying, "I didn't know you wanted me to get in the car," at 7:25 AM. Yes, we get in the car every morning at this time, yet this was his excuse for not having his shoes or coat on as his brother fought me over a Pop Tart that he did or did not want in a Zip Lock bag. (I KNOW it sounds confusing... it's my life, people.)

So, torture, anyway... I played the song, "I Caught Myself" by Paramore. After a moment, he comes out with, "I think this is a metaphor for addiction." Just about peed my pants with glee, being the English geek that I am. We had a brief discussion on his thoughts on this. So, here are the lyrics. You decide if the prodigy has a point. I think he brilliant, but I am a tad biased.

Don't worry. His next question of, "How did you push babies out?" was far more "sixth grade." Whew.

From Metrolyrics.com:

Down to you
You're pushing and pulling me down to you
But I don't know what I

Now when I caught myself
I had to stop myself
From saying something that
I should've never thought
Now when I caught myself
I had to stop myself
From saying something that
I should've never thought

Of you, of you
You're pushing and pulling me
Down to you
But I don't know what I want
No, I don't know what I want

You got it, you got it
Some kind of magic
Hypnotic, hypnotic
You're leaving me breathless
I hate this, I hate this!
You're not the one I believe in
With God as my witness

Now when I caught myself
I had to stop myself
From saying something that
I should've never thought
Now when I caught myself
I had to stop myself
From saying something that
I should've never thought

Of you, of you
You're pushing and pulling me
Down to you
But I don't know what I want
No, I don't know what I want
Don't know what I want
But I know it's not you
Keep pushing and pulling me down
When I know in my heart it's not you

Now when I caught myself
I had to stop myself
From saying something that
I should've never thought
Now when I caught myself
I had to stop myself
From saying something that
I should've never thought of you!
I knew, I know in my heart it's not you
I know, but now I know what I want! I want! I want!
Oh no! I should've never thought!

[Those who know Ignatius, how funny is it that the lyrics of this include "I had to stop myself from saying something that I should've never thought?" Life is colored with irony.]

Red Belt Boy

Ignatius completed his duration as a purple belt in TaeKwonDo on Saturday. He tested and is now a red belt. It's so hard to believe how far he has come. The instructors at Victory Academy are so dedicated and talented. He has learned a ton in the three years he has practiced with them. The slide show has many, many pics of his big day. Note well: He was the only purple belt testing. This meant he had to complete his purple belt form in front of everyone by himself. Those who know Ignatius know how big of a deal that was.