How Your Life Can Change and It Isn't Good

Well, as the school year got off to a balmy start. Two kids were in school for a full day finally. They were happy and we were happy. I'd started a part time job. Unfortunately, I resigned due to the fact that I couldn't handle being constantly yelled at and poorly trained. I made the decision that staying at home would be better than having my ego bruised and battered on a regular basis.

The same day that I gave my notice, August 26th, my husband called to let me know he wasn't feeling well and was coming home from work. He had the chills, body aches, and a fever. He figured he had a sinus infection. He came home and went to bed. I let him rest as I had a gentleman come look at our basement for a problem that occurred several weeks previously. I got the kids home from school and had a quiet evening.

All hell broke loose the next morning. I went to a meeting at Starbucks for our PTO's trivia night. I'd been up most of the night hearing my husband dry heave. I told my husband to get to an urgent care facility. When he stepped out of the shower, I noticed his right foot was red and swollen. I had no idea what all would take place over the next 48 hours and how serious things would get. But I knew by looking at things, it wasn't good.

Wow!

I just looked that I hadn't blogged since July 25, 2010. Sad to say that our world has turned upside down and backwards since then, but going forward things will get better. I will be blogging more regularly now. It's amazing what a spouse getting sick and having an amputation will do.

Help Progress South Elementary with Kohls Contest

I'm spreading the word about this contest and my favorite elementary school. PROGRESS SOUTH ELEMENTARY!

Best Site to Use to Save Money

I love to save money. Why? Because it's fun and I like to spend more of my money in different places. If you're a mom like me, you like getting deals and free stuff. I also like to know about deals in advance to plan my shopping. The best site to do this in the St. Louis area is STLMommy.

Kim Julian, a mother and thrifty shopper, gives the scoop on coupons, free samples, and codes to get the most of your money. She just launched a new and improved web site last week that I love.

Check it out and enjoy! I've got to go now and use one of her deals at Restaurant.com.

Funny Things I Love

I ran into this trailer by accident today. I was watching an old episode of SOAP on hulu.com and found the movie trailer for Vampires Suck. What a riot!

Too Many things Too Little Time

It's amazing on a Monday morning how few things you can get done. One of the things I normally do is check out my favorite websites. Most of my friends know I like getting free stuff. If there's a sample to be had...I'll find it.

I've been with a site called Start Sampling for years. In fact I think it's been about nine years. You do get points for visiting their site and sometimes you can cash them in if they have rewards available. The site is also good for coupons.

I've got so many sites that I check out in the morning. Yes, even with news feeds I still look. So, I'm off to see what goodies are coming today before I start the morning school day routine. Enjoy your day!

Totally Free Checking...but only for so long

Let me tell you that things irritate me from time to time. The latest is that the Totally Free Checking account I have through Commerce Bank with little to no money in it is now going to be charged a $7 a month service fee. So, the new definition of Totally Free is ... until we change our minds, if you have a direct deposit, if you keep a large balance, and if you are willing to cower to our ever changing minds.

Luckily, I found another bank that:

1. wants my business
2. won't charge me
3. was happy to see me
and
4. told me I was the 7th customer they'd seen from Commerce this week and they're happy to have all of their business.

Happy Day Everyone!

My Dining Room wants to Escape

In preparing for the garage sale in the middle of May, my dining room has now become a large receptacle for all things I want to get rid of. All the items are marked and tagged. That doesn't include the pile that is downstairs just waiting to come up.

I know it's about 2 1/2 weeks away but my dining room is going to send me a note shortly stating..."NO MORE CRAP!"

Enjoy your day!

Happy and 40? Really?

I have recently found a group of friends that I haven't seen since 1979-80. The one and only year that I lived in a very small town in Texas. If you know where Floydada is, you're one of the few. I love the look from people when I tell them I've lived there. It even beats out Effingham, Illinois, for small places with odd names where I've lived.

Back to 1979, we moved there over the summer. My dad worked for CaseIH (tractors and construction equipment) Therefore another job opened up and off we went. This was a memorable year of living in Floydada for me. My sister was born in August of 1979, but not in town....my mom drove 90 minutes southwest to have my sister at a "real" hospital in Lubbock. About 6 months later, I was getting ready for gym class, slipped during the splits on a wooden floor, and ended up fracturing my pelvic bone. This was undetected in the Floydada hospital. Was diagnosed correctly when my mother was horrified that I was walking like a duck and limping several weeks later. Back in Lubbock with "real" doctors, I was diagnosed correctly.

With the advent of Facebook, I've just gotten in touch with 4 friends I haven't seen or heard from since we left Floydada in June of 1980. 4th grade was very memorable there. We went to parties (birthday and Halloween), played outside constantly, and had a lot of fun. Pam, Angela, Ludustia, and Andrea....I'm so happy to be back in touch with you guys. We're really 40? I am and I'm happy to have you all back in touch with me.

Cleaning

You know the thing I love about Spring is opening up the windows and letting my house air out. I love to feel a cool breeze come through.

What I don't like is when you turn around and with the breeze has come dust, pollen, and fuzz of some sort that makes everything you cleaned 20 minutes ago look like it hasn't been touched for months. Since I can't get window screens that filter out everything, I guess I'll have to live with it.

Oh well, in the mean time I'll keep cleaning and cleaning and enjoy the air while I can before my allergies kick in and I have to shut the whole operation down until next year.

Spring Fever

There is not enough room in the house for me, the kids, the husband, and our stuff. I'm wanting to clean everything...paint everything...and pitch everything.

Our neighborhood garage sale might look more like a going out of business sale. I'm determined to live life more simply. New rule....If you haven't touched it for 365 Days you won't need it on the 366th day.

I'm off to enjoy the weather outside, dance at zumba class, and mow the yard for the first time this season. Who knows what I'll find to pitch or sell out in the garage. Enjoy your day!

Sick kid is frustrating me and science

I love it when my kids get sick and I mean that extremely sarcastically. There is nothing worse than trying to navigate and diagnose the problem of a tween who doesn't want to be touched, but wants help when he doesn't feel good.

Apparently, he's got a nifty virus that gives the body a low grade fever, some vomiting, stuffy sinuses, and a headache. So, my 11 year old has been sleeping for over 4 hours and refused to watch a DVD or Sports Center. I really should contact ESPN about that last one. Viewership must have tanked in our area.

We'll see what tomorrow brings...but it's not looking good for the rest of us. Yippee!

If it's not nailed down

I'm on a cleaning frenzy. As most women I have talked to recently, Spring brings a reckless abandon to clean out every nook and cranny of a house.

Over spring break, the boys and I undertook a mission...get 5 year old out of his Little Tikes race car bed and into 11 year old's twin bed. 11 year old would get the double bed that has been sitting in storage in our basement for 5 years (since youngest was born and we lost our spare bedroom).

So, we did it. We moved furniture, cleaned out closets, and gained new toys. Now what to do with the junk we don't want. Well, with big items that I didn't want to store until our neighborhood garage sale in May there is Craigs List.

In 36 hours of posting a spring horse (5 year was afraid of his eyes and too big for him) and the Little Tikes race car bed with photos, they were gone. Yippee!

Now, I am a careful screener for my stuff. I don't give into scams and schemes or ship my things to foreign countries. But these were record timing. So now I'm looking around my basement for what else goes now and what can wait. Hmmm.... if it's not nailed down I'm taking a picture of it and trying to sell it.

I know I'm too busy...

when you can't find time on Spring Break to take people to the zoo. There's too much to do in this house. I'm only one person and I'm very frustrated. Hence the title of my blog.

We've got so many projects going on at once I think I'm going to either lose trying to keep up.... or lose it trying to help my family keep up with me. Either way, it's not a good thing.

March Madness and PMS

I've determined in the past few days that I have March Madness. Now, I am a nut for college basketball and I will fill out several brackets to prognosticate a win. However, this year the March Madness is coinciding with my PMS.

Is this a good thing? Not really. I'm on an emotional bender. I've been on an eating bender. I took a Zumba class yesterday and then couldn't get full to save me. I think things are better today, but we'll see.

Time Waits for No One...or a Book Fair

It's that time of year again! Where I'm surrounded by books. I love it. I'm in charge of our school's Scholastic Book Fair. It's fun to see what all comes on the day of delivery and guessing what the kids will really like.

However, it takes a lot of time and a lot of people to make three days of sales (two after school and one big evening event) turn into a lot of profit taken in the form of books for our school. Too many times my kids are at wits end being shuffled from place to place or having to wait while I'm on the phone dealing with a problem. We get through it every year. This is my 5th year doing this and the 4th one tackling on my own.

I've juggled doctor's appointments (someone had to break a finger in their last basketball game of the season), Kindergarten registration, a visit to a PTO Expo, and my home life during the fair this year. We'll see if I come up for oxygen soon...but hopefully everyone understands. I love doing this. We'll just see if the family survives.

Roly Poly is Fabulous!

Just when you thought it wasn't safe to walk into a sandwich place, I've found my new home. Recently, my son and I went into a Subway restaurant and were surprised to find the employees fighting and cursing at each other while working. When I asked if we should leave, one employee told me that it was my choice and we did. I no longer want to go back to that location, so I've been trying to find a place that will meet my nutrition needs as well as my ethics.

Today, I decided to try out the new Roly Poly franchise in our area (St. Peters/O'Fallon). I was thrilled as what I got and how I was treated. I placed my order for a Tuscan Turkey wrap after viewing their huge menue. I was also happy that they Weight Watchers points on a laminated sheet right up front for you to look at. I had to use the restroom (you know me and the water) and it was sparkling even in the middle of the lunch rush. The employees seemed to be busy, happy, and talkative. This is such a rarity these days. When I received my order, I couldn't wait to bust into it. It was delicious! I'll definitely be stopping there again and trying some thing new on the menu. YUM!

Happy Dancing with a Scale

Well, I decided to really get my act together last week. I was really ticked at myself because I was on an eating binge. I could never get full. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands or at least keep things out of my mouth.

I decided to buckle down and do what I know works. I wrote down what I was eating, drank more water, and exercised. From Monday to Saturday, 11 pounds were gone and I love it. I'm now back in my "decade" of weight that I was before December.

Yes, Saturday morning I did my happy dance with my scale. There I was in my sweatshirt looking down and completely befuddled with the number. It was really there! I didn't do a complete dance routine, just a little happy dance to celebrate how hard work really does pay off.

I was blaming turning 40 on adding an extra 10 pounds, but it was actually my eating and not keeping track that was the problem. So now we're starting another Monday and the goal is to lose some more weight, but more importantly stay on track. It wasn't that hard and I'm much smarter than how I was behaving.

So, more Zumba classes this week for sure. Hope my workout partner is ready!

Frustrated? Don't have kids...Well, Not Really

Who knew that by just moving a hamper to empty out dirty clothes could turn my morning into a disaster. Apparently, with a moody 11 year old boy you need to watch out.

I woke my darling baby up to get ready for school. I turned around and got his dirty clothes hamper out of the closet to put his clothes with ours. This was my mistake. As I headed back to the kitchen I heard banging and slamming. When I walked in to see what was wrong, I was yelled at that he's tired of never having his hamper where it should be. My point that his clothes rarely make it there and I was doing him a favor by washing his clothes was met with anger.

So, there went my blissfully peaceful sunny morning. He was ticked. He was angry. Too bad I let him stay up last night to watch the Olympics. My answer? I drove around the neighborhood left the house for awhile. Driving away to avoid conflict was my best answer to the problem. He got the house to himself. I avoided losing my temper.

Am I frustrated? No...I have too much laundry to do. I don't know what this afternoon will bring, but it has to better than this morning. Right?

House Party Stouffer’s Toasted Sub Celebration House Party™

House Party Stouffer’s Toasted Sub Celebration House Party™

I may be frustrated but I know a good thing when I see one! I love www.houseparty.com. You can sign up to host a party. If you're selected, House Party and the sponsoring company will provide you with the goodies!

We've been selected for a Disney Cruise House Party and a Kristin Hannah (author) House Party in the past 6 months. We couldn't believe all the party favors and goodies that came to us.

I love free stuff and going through a questionnaire and following their simple rules is so easy. They even help you send out the invitations via e-mail to your friends. Take a look!

Me and My Water Bill

Today has been one of those days when I think...hmmm...how bad is our water bill going to be this month? Many reasons come to mind like laundry and dishes, but today was one of those days that water was pouring through me. I know I drink a lot of water. I'm one of those people who loves the stuff.

After running around to gym class and behind a five year old, I found myself flushing every 30-60 minutes. No kidding. So, now I wait. We normally get our water bill at the end of the month. It's scary, but this will show up on our bill that we had more than normal usage this month. How do I know? It's happened before. When my kidneys go on hyper drive I do have to pay for it literally.

The good news in all of this is that I haven't had a soda in several days. I was getting close to the danger zone of 6 Diet Pepsi's a day and that's when I know I've gone over the edge on the caffeine. My kidneys were shriveling and the water apparently does them good. My toilet though is tired of seeing me.

No, We Don't Have a Dog

Yesterday, was one of those days when you want to pull out your hair. Kids cooped up because of very cold temperatures outside, snow, and a school holiday (President's Day). Thanks to Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Washington, we were having one of those days where motherhood is pushed to its limits.

I love my kids, but whining about school projects and no one to play with amidst the mounds of toys and video games we provide was about to push me over. I did relent and let a friend come over and I went about my day dodging Nerf gun bullets regularly. Watch three boys with Nerf guns take over a house like the D-Day invasion and you too will want to know when the bar cart is coming to fix you a drink.

However, the day's excitement was punctuated by the arrival of the ADT repairman. He was kind enough to come out and check out why our keypad kept getting stuck and it took me three times of entering the code to turn the thing off. The darling older gentleman came in with a new keypad and immediately went about the task of replacing our obviously worn ten-year-old one. That's when the embarrassment started.

While he went about his business with screwdrivers and electrical tape, my intestines decided to funnel down something and growl. I knew I heard and felt it, but didn't think anyone else did. Then the repairman looked at the door next to our keypad and turned to me to say, "What is that? Do you have a dog behind this door?" After silently dying inside I answered, "No, that was just my stomach." Thank goodness the phone rang after I uttered my response and I didn't have to look at him again.

Just another day of being forty? No, just another day of my life...there's more to come and only the Lord knows what today will bring.

Aches and Pains

The fun with turning in turning forty is how even the most little thing can turn you into an instant senior citizen. I found myself taking a nap yesterday for no apparent reason other than the fact that I hadn't slept in two night. One night I was up while keeping my ears open as four 11-year-olds talked themselves to sleep. The second night I was up because I was tossing and turning.

All this makes for a very grumpy Peggy. I was irritable to say the very least. No one could hang up a hand towel in the bathroom. No one could do their regular chores without being asked. I got the eye roll and foot stomp from my two darling boys and I gave up.

Today, I woke up with pain in my left foot. I'm hoping this is not another flare up of bone spurs. I've kept them at bay for almost 3 years by taking care of myself. However, I'm now walking with so much pain that I'm about to call a doctor and I'm never happy about calling a doctor.

So, am I 70? 80? No, just forty and grumpy with all my aches and pains.

I'm Really Too Old For This...and So Not Ready For It

Nothing like having a bunch of preteen boys spend the night at your house to realize that I really like getting a full eight hours of sleep. Also, when you're getting ready to take them to the movies and you smell cologne....run!

I walked down the hallway of our house and smelled something. Now, we don't use a lot of perfume in our house. Way too many years of burnout on the nose from my stepmother's use of some of the most hideous perfumes known to mankind. So, when I sniffed something other than food or candles in my house I wondered what was up. As I was walking, I heard a few laughs and comments about "chicks" and decided to investigate.

Upon my arrival in my son's room with his three friends, most of whom I've known since they were 5, I found them basked in the glow of one of them using cologne and talking about girls. Ugggh! They're 11!!! I stopped in my tracks and asked casually, "Are you guys looking for chicks while we're at the movies?" First, I got the stare (how dare I ask) and then I got the response from all of them. A very matter of fact, "Yeah!" hit my ears. After regaining consciousness and checking for bleeding in my ears, I regained my composure and blew the situation off. The cologne could not be stopped and was slowly seeping through my house. Before the whole bottle of cologne was used and I was needing oxygen, I commented to the bottles owner that I was very sensitive and allergic to the stuff. Personal note: My mom used the same trick on one of my boyfriends since, according to her, he bathed in Polo.

Thirty minutes later we get to the parking lot of the movie theatre. I'm prepared for these four boys to sauntering in the place with some swagger. Oh, but they're still 11...they were skipping up to the front door of the place. I stood silently and just shook my head. They are still boys after all.

After the movie, I talked with a friend of mine and there was no mention of girls there. Oh boy, were there girls there! Friday night is movie night in our suburban area and wow there were a lot of girls there. I try to be the "whatever" mom, but I'm not ready for the girl thing.

We headed for home and hoped the house had aired itself out while we were gone. It did! I will be giving my furnace a hug later on today. But now that the boys were in a house where no females near their age were present, it was time to act like boys again. Stupid jokes, fart noises, baby voices...you name it we had it. We had so much of it that no one wanted to go to sleep.

Trying to make boys fall asleep when they don't want to is an interesting needle to thread. They want to talk and giggle just like girls. They don't want to be bothered by a younger sibling. The younger sibling is five and was getting his feelings hurt. Boys don't care when the sibling cries for not being included and especially when the younger sibling comes out with a Nerf gun and tells them to be quiet or he'll shoot. That's when we, my tired spouse and I, stepped in.

We want our sleep. We like our sleep. We make fun of people now who have ten year olds and then get pregnant because they're not going to get any sleep. We had already had a day of drama from work, school, volunteer organizations, preschool, and family. But now we had to make four eleven-year-old boys fall asleep in our living room. Good luck. We let them watch a movie for an hour. I finally turned it off and told them good night when I found my husband snoring in my ear. I heard them giggle and joke and finally nothing. Just peace and quiet....until each of them had to go to the bathroom off and on all night.

Yes, I'm too old for this.

Younger is a State of Mind

Just when I thought I was feeling crappy about being 40. I realized how lucky I am. Go to an assisted care living facility and you immediately get a wonderful feeling inside.

Yesterday, I went to visit one of my customers who has recently moved to one of these facilities. She's a wonderful woman and lost her husband about a year ago. She uses a walker to get around, but you'd never know that she's fought battles against breast cancer and colon cancer. She is one of the women I admire and reminds me that all things are relative.

Irma and her friends were delighted to see me. I was rushing to see another customer to make my delivery before getting to the dentist. As I walked in and said hello, Irma's face lit up that I'd come to see her. We held hands as we talked and I know she's my customer, but really she's my friend. She's a sweet woman who has shared so much of her life with me over the years that I felt like I was not doing enough when I had to rush out.

However, the activities director stopped me on the way out to ask me a favor. Since I don't know where everyone sits for lunch she needed me to hide valentine's under the residents chairs in the dining room. So, there I was with tape and big 8 inch red construction paper hearts crawling on my hands and knees taping under the chairs. That made me feel better. For the residents, this little valentine's suprise would make their day and the size of those big hearts matched mine.

A Party All Night Long

Once again I was up for most of the night. I could understand if I had a new baby. With that, you have the energy of 10 people since you want to take great care and not miss a moment of every little thing a baby does. However, this is my stomach and I've had it.

I know I didn't overeat. I handled my Zumba class well yesterday. I don't like the mirror in the workout room. I look like a squatty toad in it. I stand 5'7" and normally don't appear that squatty. I gave blood in the afternoon. I had a sensible dinner (pork chop and corn). But for some reason, my stomach decided to do flip flops most of the night.

This is the joys of turning 40. You're up all night when you really want to be in bed sleeping. So now as I get up to hit the morning routine to make school lunches and overly floss my teeth for my dentist appointment, I'm beginning to wonder when the Fun at Forty starts. I am certainly not amused in the least.

If I'm going to be up all night, I would hope I'd have something more fun to do than watch bad infomercials or even good infomercials. It's amazing what will grab your attention for 20 minutes before you realize you're being suckered in for 3 payments of $19.95 plus shipping and handling.

Back in the day before kids, my husband and I would head over to friends houses to hang out and play cards. We'd come home at 3 or 4 in the morning. And get up the next day (albeit 5 hours later) wide awake with all the energy we could muster. Well those days have sailed down the river. Now, I'm up with a stomach that wants to hatch an alien.

Oh well, enough moaning for today. Time to start making the lunches...and look at food.

Change is Everywhere

I'm a big fan of food. Yes, even weird stuff. Calimari, escargot, and chicken livers are among some of my favorites. But being a fan of food comes with a price. My weight has been an issue for as long as I can remember. Although I've been much much heavier, I've rarely been at a size that I truly wanted to be. Size 18/20 will be the smallest I ever get unless I take drastic measures.

I've seen people do great with gastric bypass surgery and I've done great on Weight Watchers. I exercise regularly...in fact, I'm about to leave for a Zumba class. But, I'm never going to be a size 6 like some of my good friends.

I had been at a pretty steady weight for over 18 months when WHAM!!! 40 hit. Apparently, much to my dismay it brought about 8 pounds with it that I can't get rid of. I'm trying, but it's taking a lot out of me. I'm not to the point of buying bigger clothes. Heck, I'm still rooting through and getting rid of things that are two and three sizes too big. But, 40 isn't just a number it apparently is a metabollic thing that changed my happy scale to a place of dread.

I get on regularly to remind myself that there is no going back to my old way of life. Where two whole boxed Entemann's danishes was just a snack. I like water now. Back in the day, a 12 pack of diet soda a day was a way of life. No wonder I was maniacal nightmare. Eek!

Luckily, I've got great friends. Most of whom are supportive. Some of them are in the same boat with me. But it's hard for me to deal with all the choices out there. Passing a Taco Bell, McDonalds, Hardees, and Steak n Shake on your way to the gym and back are pretty big pitfalls to overcome. Today I'm ready Chinese. I'm going to either have rice and veggies or get away from it completely. Not going back to sucking down soy sauce either.

One of these days I'm going to find the right trick to get my food obsession under control, but until then....I'm going to keep dancing and making a fool out of myself. Any takers to come watch?

Spots

I've always had freckles. Heck, I'm of Irish and English descent. I think it's against the law of some sort if I didn't have freckles. While pregnant with my second child I notice a large gathering of freckles under the corner of my right eye. No problem, lets cover that up with makeup. However, my mother was thinking I was getting skin cancer. My husband was willing to get a marker to play connect the dots again. Funny, my dear. Not!

Now that I've turned 40 the hormones have kicked in or at least that's my most logical explanation. Now I've got two more of these spots! Great! They're multiplying and not paying rent for the space on my face either. The new ones of course are in plain view. One just above the corner of my right eye and the other at the corner of my left eye. Anyone for a matched set of spots? Not me.

I used to laugh and think how weird it was when I was little that anyone would need to use Esoterica or any of those other creams and lotions that would supposedly lighten your skin and make it monotone, flawless, and full of blah.

So, later today as I put on makeup and yell at the mirror..."Out! Out damn spot!" We'll see what happens. Maybe all the rubbing will make them migrate into one big patch and I'll be permanently tan.

Monday Snowday ??

Well, I was good at the Superbowl gathering we went to. I didn't eat any chili. However, with the other goodies there...spinach dip, salsa, chips, fruit, and veggies, I did end up with an acid stomach. I decided to sleep it off rather than medicate it. Thank goodness. So, today will be a water bath for my kidneys. Might as well flush all the sodium out of them.

Why on earth would a school district close if there is only 1/2" of snow on the ground and only another inch expected during the day? Apparently because the roads are slick. I know this is shocking, but this is Missouri people. I know we didn't get the 30" Washington, D.C. got, but 1/2" closes a school? This isn't the south where they have no means to shovel. We have plows and shovels and sleds!

I have an 11 year old son who is disappointed that school was canceled. He needs to make up work he missed on Friday due to being sick. But oh well, the great snow gods have spoken and 1/2" will cripple the area. I hope we have enough eggs, bread, and milk to survive the dusting!

But, it is a Monday. Every other Monday brings about a wonderful task for me. Cleaning. When I quit my full time job 4 years ago, I made myself stay on a schedule. It was a wonderful thing! Get things done in the morning so I could enjoy the rest of my day. Awww. So while everyone was peacefully tucked in their warm beds this morning, I was moving furniture and mopping floors. Hooray! Now, if they track in the 1/2" of snow there will be problems. But that's another story.

Time for another glass of water to flush away the Superbowl goodies!

Superbowl Sunday Celebration?

I love football. I really love the Superbowl...the game, the commercial, and usually the halftime entertainment. I'm not thrilled with the entertainment this year. I'm not a fan of The Who. But most of all, I love the food debauchery that goes on.

This morning, my stomach is already turning. Another thing that has happened to me at 40. I can't handle large amounts of greasy food, decadent food, spicy food, or large amounts of food. Once upon I could and yes, for over 10 years I was way over 300 pounds. With the help of Weight Watchers, not putting food in my mouth, and finding a way to enjoy exercise, I got to under 250 lbs. I refuse to go back to the old way. It takes a lot of water, a lot of movement, and a lot of discipline to make sure I don't go back to my old ways....because frankly, I love food.

Now, turning 40 has brought some changes with what I eat. I now like tomatoes. I really like bacon and it should be a separate food group. But lately, I've been having a love affair with chili that's bordering on obsessive and dealing with the after effects is a risk I'm willing to take. I like them all...white, turkey, meat, bean, no bean, vegetarian...you name it...I love it. My husband is beginning to wonder if I'm making chili because it's easy (c'mon, 1 pot and dump in a bunch of stuff and you're done) or if I really like it. I really do like chili; however, it's after effect on my system after turning 40 are not what I'd call pleasing or glorious. In fact, the chili brings about a whole new realm of things that I didn't know my body could do.

Superbowl is the banner day for Chiliheads everywhere. You make a pot of the stuff and you can feed 40 people easy. Get yourself some shredded cheese, onions, sour cream, and absolutely...Fritos! Of course, you might have to open your windows during the 3rd Quarter depending on how much everyone eats and how they react to it. My grandpa used to make the comment that he was "tuning up the orchestra" and I'd shake my head and run out of the room and name what note he just hit with his instrument. Thanks Grandpa!

I didn't know when turning 40 I'd have to bring a medicine cabinet with me when I eat chili. Pepcid for the acid, Beano for the gas, Fiber Choice to help move things along, and Tums if the Pepcid has been overcome by the attack of the chili in my stomach.

So...sit down and enjoy the game. I'm rooting for the Saints since I'm in the running to win a prize at our local recreation center and I'm rooting for the Colts because I like Peyton Manning. Actually, I'll be celebrating if it's a really close game and I don't get sick or have acid reflux overnight. That is really my own little victory.

Well, here it is...Day 1 of me actually writing out a blog. I'm a 40 year old with 2 kids, a husband of almost 20 years, and yep, I'm frustrated. Shouldn't I have done more with my life? Should I have chosen some different paths? Should I have chosen not to do some things? Hmmm...it's worth a thought on most days and hours of contemplation on others.

Things just hit me the other day...I'm really 40. I just went into a different decade of my life and apparently from my observation post I'm not taking it well, lying down, sitting still, or standing up.

Several years ago I chastised my sister for doing the blog thing. However, I think this is something I can do and now want to do. I've haven't written regularly for years. It's something I've always enjoyed and was fairly good at if you look at my college transcripts.

So, here it goes... I've been 40 for over 60 days and now this journey will begin. Blogging about being Frustrated at Forty. Good luck! We're all counting on my brain and fast fingers.