Saturday, September 1, 2012

Cookies, Exercise & 3 Wishes

I had the busiest year EVER. I'm always busy and I always figure out a way to add just a few more things to my hectic schedule when I find a few extra moments of time, but this year has been crazy busy. Well my little world is a changing. Big time changing... 

I no longer teach karate. And my big volunteer job that was really a lot of work at school for the last 3 years is over now and handed off to the new incoming volunteer. I also no longer hold 3 volunteer positions within Boy Scouts. I'm not even the hockey team mom anymore although they are trying to get me to "adopt" a new team. And the big one... my son is now off to college. See what I mean? My little world is a CHANGING!

No, this doesn't mean that I get to finally watch television and eat bon-bons. It just means that I can fill my time with a little more "me" time. What do you like to do with your time? I'm excited that Mellissa and my granddaughter, Abigail, have been coming over every day. We have big plans of what we are going to do together. I'm excited to do more with Cristin's Cookies and attempt to get caught up on the gazillions of cookie photos that have yet to be posted to my blog. And I'm REALLY excited to get back in shape. That is what I consider "me" time. 

My friend, Elizabeth, at Arty McGoo posted this fantastic post about her journey and her goals in keeping fit. I found it really inspiring. I've decided to join her in that journey. Although I'm not going to CookieCon :( (son in college remember?) I'm going to pretend to be a fly on the wall at CookieCon and so my timeline is the same at Liz's (Nov 1st). With a middle goal of when Nick comes home for his first visit from college in 42 days (that's 984 hours, but it's not like I'm counting or anything!)

So I ate super healthy today and I got in a work-out and I have some cookies to show you.
 I figured these were just perfect for today so that together we can all make three wishes. 
 Here's mine: 1. Make time for ME so that I can feel healthy and strong and confident. 2. Nicky to do well in college and enjoy the experience. 3. More days when I wake up to Mellissa and Abigail being here. And since the Genie is a really nice guy, I'm going to throw in a last one. 4. That hubby does well at work so that I can get a little me time after taking care of my family all these years before having to re-enter the workforce. 
 These magic lamps were made from a large tea pot cookie cutter and painted with gold luster dust for a little girl's 5th birthday party.
So I started September with a 46-mile bike ride. It took forever because I'm super slow and out of shape, but I feel great that I did it. It almost didn't happen. My friend wasn't able to join me. I got a last minute rush of a cookie request and had to drop everything to make 7 batches of cookie dough all morning long. It was 2:30 in the afternoon before I finally got some time to start  the scheduled "me" time. I rode by myself. I was out on a country hill and a couple guys in a big van stopped to ask me something. I just shook my head and kept pedaling. If they came after me, I knew that I could turn around on the hill and go for a fast descent. I watched him in my rear mirror clipped to my cycling glasses and it was fine. I'm sure he thought I was really rude for not answering him, but I think it's really stupid when guys think that girls are going to go near a van with guys in it or open their door when they are home alone or other things that I just don't do. I might have a black belt, but I'm not STUPID.

Hopefully you got out and got some exercise and enjoyed some time for YOU. I've asked all my friends to post their work-outs on Facebook. I'm going to need all the INSPIRATION I can get! Join in and share what you're doing for YOU time and don't forget to share your 3 wishes too! :-)

We have started a Facebook group page for those that want to join us in the healthy challenge. The group is called Sugar Army! You can join the group by clicking on the name. We will be each other's cheerleaders and offer support and guidance and even hold each other accountable if needed. The challenge runs from now through November 1st so you have an end date goal to work toward.

Oh and I have some fun pictures to share with you. First is my Nick at his new college. This was move-in day for his new dorm.
He said that when he found the Engineering classroom, he felt more at home. Just look at that smile!
 And remember how torn I was because Mellissa was due to deliver my granddaughter ON the day that we took Nick to college out of state? Well God brought her almost a full 4 weeks early. Nicky got to meet her and she's helped to fill the gaping hole in my heart. Here's my baby holding her baby and look at those smiles. You can tell that Abigail knows the best place to be is in her mommy and daddy's loving arms. We are so blessed.

Magic Lamp blog background for today:

17 comments:

  1. These cookies are super cute. Once I'm better I'm totally joining you and Liz on this journey :)

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    1. That will be great Karen, but for now you NEED to take it easy! Heal that rib and then come play!

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  2. Cristin, you have always inspired me. Like I've said before, I wish I had 1/4 of your energy! After reading your blog and then popping over to Liz's, I hereby join the cookie decorating world (and non-decorators too) on this journey!

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    1. YAYYYYY Anne! I'm so excited you will be joining this challenge! Together we can support each other and when I'm really sore, I know you guys will understand and relate! Thanks for playing along! It's ON!

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  3. Just read this and the one on Liz's page. I commented on her blog that I started back on my treadmill this last week. So, yeah ... I am in for this challenge. It is on like Donkey Kong! Let's do this! :)

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    1. It is on like Donkey Kong! Love it! So excited you are joining us! It will be so much more fun to hold each other accountable and check in and be each other's cheerleaders! Excited!

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  4. I'm with you! I've been going to the gym 3-4 times a week all summer (which is the most my schedule allows at the moment). I'm getting a little frustrated because the pounds aren't coming off, but my face is definitely thinner, so that's something, lol!
    I'm so glad you didn't stop for that stupid van! My husband is addicted to LifeTime Movie Network, so I've seen way too many movies about the people who do stop. It makes me too paranoid! What would I do without you????

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    1. You're such a sweetie Stephanie! 3-4 times a week at the gym is awesome and you're running around with kids all the time too! I'm glad you're joining us on this challenge!!!

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  5. Im in on this challenge. I can jog every morning when I take the dog out! And once in a while ill switch up and bike ride with her alongside me!!

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    1. I'm so excited you'll be joining us Alexis! Yay! Running and bike riding! You ROCK!

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  6. Love this post! I love all the things you were involved in. Reading has reminded me to enjoy the moments we have with Jude. I too try to squeeze in workouts. In fact, I am off right now before the day gets crazy.

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  7. Well, I guess I better hop on this band wagon too! I've gained 15 pounds since starting the cookie shop as a full time job! Eeeeeek! I'm very out of shape, and will have to start slow with walking and eating right, but I'm sure having everyone cheer me on will keep me strong! I'm going to commit to getting up super early to walk before my days get busy, and will add some other workouts as soon as I figure out which is the right workout for me!

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    1. Yay Susan!!! I'm so excited you'll be joining us and we can cheer each other on! Liz and I are in the process of setting up a group just for our healthy challenge peeps! And by the way, I've got you beat... I have an extra 21 pounds on me since I started my cookie journey! Those late nights sitting on our tush decorating cookies is a killer...

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  8. I have a feeling that all your (adorable genie lamp cookie) wishes will all come true.

    Best wishes to you on this new healthy endeavor you are undertaking. You will reach your goal, I have no doubt about that.

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  9. I love this idea and am so excited to get rid of some sugar!

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  10. Hi Cristin,
    Well, fate has brought me to your blog! I feel a kinship with you! My son, Austin, went away for his first year of college, last year, an engineering student! SO hard for the rest of us, and just as hard this year, when he went to live in his own apartment at school (dorm last year). My 16 year old daughter is named Kristen! I am going to Cookie Con (wish you were),and I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I love to bake, and always have. I would like to join forces with you gals, for support- but the FB page won't open for me. :( Help? Thanks,
    Nancy aka SnowflakeLady

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    1. Hi Nancy, or should I just call you sister ;-) You are going to have such a wonderful time at Cookie Con and I can't wait to hear all about it! What do you mean that the FB page won't open for you? A specific Facebook page or your own cookie page or ... I'm happy to help if I can. Click that pink contact me button over on the right hand side of the blog and it will send me an email and we can chat easier that way. Glad to have found you.

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! I love hearing from you! Cristin