I'm Fat.

Yep. I am fat. :) No arguments.

For all my blog peeps out there, this is what I've been up to the past 3 weeks. (You didn't really think I've just been a couch potato the whole summer, did you? )

The Girls: Madison has been sick off and on for the past 2 weeks. First a rash, then a tender stomach, then some other stomach issues, some numbness in her arms and legs. We took her to the dr. twice and did extensive blood work once, only for us to know "it's just a virus." At least both mono tests were negative. She's slowly on the mend, but still running a slight fever and tires easily. We had to postpone our NM trip due to her illness, but we're planning on going in the next few months to visit family. Avery is officially potty trained! We have seen V-I-C-T-O-R-Y! :) This is one of the best milestone's in a parent's life!!! ;)

I've started a new workout regimen. I usually run/walk about 25 minutes a day and then come home to do weights and abs for a 60 min total work out. I have discovered a new DVD that guides me through weights and it kicks my butt! I love it because it's fast paced and doesn't mess around. I first discovered Jackie Warner a few years ago on Bravo. Her tv show, Workout, revolves around her gym, her trainers, and her drama. What can I say? It's my guilty little pleasure, and greatly motivating for my own workout plan.

So, I've been doing this type of workout consistently with healthy eating for about 12 weeks. I'd really like to find some sort of supplement besides my energy drink that will help me lose fat, build muscle and pump up my metabolism. If you have any suggestions, please send me the info! I know that my body is slowly reshaping itself, but it's taking a FREAKING long time to get to my goal and the scale is my biggest enemy right now. Yes, I'm still fat compared to my own standards. I know my body, I know it's capabilities and I know that I'm not at my best yet. But I will be.

A few weeks ago, I went back to school for a week (M-F) from 9-3. One of the greatest things about teaching is that I always feel like a student myself. When I graduated I made a goal of being a "lifelong learner" and my new job has allowed me to do just that. My school district sent a few of us to a "Final Cut Pro" Training. We, basically, learned all the ins and outs of the same software that the big movie people use to make tv shows like The Monk, commercials and even movies that you see on the big screen. It was AMAZING to see how they do all those things I, as a movie goer, take for granted. We actually worked with some footage from The Monk and learned some amazing things that I will be able to pass on to my students next year. I crammed my brain with information every night and stayed up until at least 12 am. At the end of the week, we took a certification exam. Unfortunately, I did not pass, but I came within 10 points. I remind myself that 5 days before I sat down to the test that I had never opened this piece of software. I know that I did my best and will have an opportunity to retake it again after 6-9 months of actually using it on a daily basis.

I'm reading/listening to a book called Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. I began watching his program on the Fox Business Channel and wow. He is point blank honest and to the point. His thought is that many people are "financially fat" and have convinced themselves that if they "suck in" they are "okay." His ideas are simple but harder than the Jackie Warner workout! I would go into detail about why I felt the need to do this, but sparing you the details is better for me. ;) I'll just say that Paul and I have discovered just how "fat" we are financially and we've put together a plan to "lose the weight" and "live like no one else so that later we can LIVE LIKE NO ONE ELSE!" We don't use credit cards ever - and haven't since around 2003. But there are other things that we do either because we think we "need" it or because it's what "everyone else does." Paul and I have just started with this uphill battle, but I think it will be soooo worth it in the end. A few things we're thinking of doing - Paul getting another job part time to help us start our momentum for the program; signing up for Financial Peace University classes in September.

So, in a nutshell, here is my summer list of must haves - you know I never discover something and not share it with you guys! Some of the things are mentioned above and some are not......

Workout: One on One Training with Jackie Warner

Workout Season 3

Apple - Final Cut Pro 6

iPod Touch

Total Money Makeover - Dave Ramsey

A.C.T. Energy Drink

Black Gold on tru TV - I grew up around this stuff and it makes me miss home more than ever!

Homemade Crayons

Recycle!!!!

La Madeline - Mediterranean Salad! yum-o!

Edamame

I'll be in Austin for the weekend and next week for Apple Leopard Training......I'm sure I'll have something to blog about when I return form the state's top music scene!!!

Have a great week!

Tisha