SLEEPOVER

Last night Cole and Gracie each had a friend spend the night. They had alot of fun eating pizza and licorice, watching movies, playing games and just hanging out. The girls went to bed around 10pm, but the boys stayed up until nearly 1am. This morning they had to be up early to go to Cole's pinewood derby. I think they ended up with about 5 hours of sleep!! We were all tired this morning....

BASKETBALL GAME

A few pictures from the Greenacres elementary vs. Liberty lake elementary staff basketball game. Fun times! We were all decked out in green to support our school! Gracie was a cheerleader and Cole participated in the boys "Stomp" club. Our staff won the game, and Greenacres won the spirit award! Go Roadrunners!

WHAT'S A GIRL TO DO?

AHHH...Mom's neverending "to-do" list. I took a vacation day today just to catch up on everything. Interested in the fascinating day of Denise? Here's today's list:

• breakfast for the kiddos, pack lunches, send them out the door to school
• make beds, clean up, etc
• meet my darling friend Amy at the gym for a butt-kicking
• pick up the Hungry girl cookbook I had reserved at the library
• drive all over town looking for green accessories, for the Greenacres vs. Liberty Lake staff basketball game tonight. Greenacres rocks! Did you know its the place to be?
• return 2012 to the video store. You know, the one I searched and searched for all last weekend...finally found and then never got to finish? Yeah, that one. Grr.
• print photos at kinkos
• come home. laundry, vaccuuming and dusting on the agenda
• pay bills, balance checkbook and organize kids' papers
• purchase junk food for Cole and his buddy Sean who is spending the night tomorrow
• watch the Biggest Loser before the kids get home from school. Yes, I actually have to put this on a to-do list. Maybe I'll get to watch last weeks episode too, but not likely!
• help kiddos with homework, eat a bite of dinner so I don't eat junk at the game tonight
• go to game, watch my little cheerleader and drummer perform at the game
• come home after we win the game, tuck in little people, get stuff ready for tomorrow
• collapse into a giant heap in bed

And, here I go!

FUNNY BUSINESS

Notice in this first picture*** (taken by my boss at yesterday, as I was modeling an Elmer Fudd hat at a tradeshow) that I have what appears to be cheekbones AND a jawline?? WHOA! Who knew?

***No, I was NOT blowing kisses to my male boss, no matter how lovable he may be. I sent the picture to my husband who was laid up at home with a sore back! Just clarifying...

I DID IT!

Yes! Finally! 50 pounds! Well if that process wasn't painful, I don't know what is!

My new short-term (which, these days seems to be loooooooong term goals), is 225 pounds. I can assure you that when I get to "Onederland" (a term borrowed from Keelie) its gonna be a big, big deal. I haven't been under 200 since Jr. High. That, my friends, will be a happy happy day!

HYC UPDATE

Oh for goodness sakes. I STILL haven't hit 50 pounds. I remain ONE POUND AWAY. Irritating. Annoying. Discouraging. Motivating. And so on. This has been the hardest plateau I have EVER hit. Yes, I've tried all the "mixing it up". More excercise, less exercise, high calorie day, blah blah blah. My eating has been fine, no cheating! Really! Nothing is working. However, I will not give up. Of course! We are one month into our 2nd "Biggest Loser" contest at work (do you remember who won the FIRST BL contest? Oh stop. I'm blushing). We have periodical weigh-ins every month for people to see where they're at, but I'm opting out and waiting for the big weigh-in at the end. I've lost about 5 pounds so far this go around, much slower weight loss than what I'm used to, but, I'm still celebrating!!

I do have a few NSV's (non scale victories) though. First of all, I've started running. The first day was torture. Actually the day AFTER that was the real torture as I felt the effects. However, the day after that when I ran, I could tell it was easier! It's amazing how many different muscles I was working. I don't even hurt after an hour on the elliptical anymore, which tells me it's time to find new ways to torture ahem...challenge myself. I've got the "only fools run at midnight" and Bloomsday races coming up. Can't wait! Do you remember that running a 5K is on my list of "to-do's"? One day....

I also had a great 6 mile hike with girlfriends on Sunday. It was supposed to be a family hike with all our kiddos, but Cole was sick and my friend Amy's youngest two stayed home. Then Gracie ditched us. In the end, it was just Amanda, Amy, her son Sean and I. We actually ended up on the wrong trail, but still had an amazing hike. My victory in this is that I could have went another 6 miles! My body is so much lighter and stronger now. Denise is proud! Here's the three of us...

Oh yeah, another NSV. I ordered T-shirts for a big basketball game we are going to this Thursday. I always used to order a XXL for myself, but this time I got an XL, and it fit perfect!!! WOOT!

PORTOBELLO PIZZA

Found this one in the Biggest loser 30 day jumpstart book. OMG. SO GOOD! Yes, it tastes EVEN better served on a Christmas plate that someone was too lazy to pack up this year.

PORTOBELLO PIZZAS

• 4 whole portobello mushroom caps, stems removed
• 1/2 cup low-fat marinara sauce
• 1/3 cup lean turkey Italian sausage, cooked, drained and crumbled (or meat substitute if preferred)*
• 4 tbs shredded fat-free or low-fat mozzarella cheese
• 2 tsp freshly granted parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil*

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wipe the mushrooms clean of any dirt. Place them on a baking sheet, gill side up. Spoon sauce over each cap, then sprinkle on the sausage and cheeses. Place the mushrooms in the oven and bake for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.

**I omitted the sausage....ordinarily I would use soysauge or soy crumbles, but just didn't feel like messing with cooking it up today. Also, I forgot to pick up basil and used cilantro instead. It was wonderful! I baked this much longer than what the recipe calls for....more like 20 minutes. Hope you love it!

97 calories, 10g protein, 7g carbs, 3g fat, 2g fiber

ME

I thought it would be "fun" (or not) to take some pictures of myself for before/after references. Obviously, the time to do this would have been about 50 pounds ago when I was at my heaviest, but, quite frankly....I don't want to see what I looked like 50 pounds ago ever again. EVER. AGAIN. So, here I am at my current weight...

A COUPLE O' BARGAINS

Friends, I'm here for you. That's why I wanted to share a couple more great deals. First of all, click HERE to print a $1.00 coupon for Skinny Cow truffle bars. You can print up to two coupons. These are divine.

Also, if a girl was to wander over HERE, she could sign up for a free Kashi sample of her choice. I chose the coconut fruit and grain bar. Free stuff? No way! My favorite kinda stuff!

BEYOND PINK BARBIE PARTY

Today, Gracie was lucky enough to go to a "Beyond pink Barbie party" held at Gonzaga University. She went with her friend (and our neighbor) Carollynn...and these two sweet girls had the time of their lives! Carollynn's mom did the girls' hair and took them to the party. There was a dj, fashion show, barbie crafts and dancing with "real barbies". All the tables were decorated in pink, pink, pink! There were pink balloons everywhere.  Each table had their own Barbie who sat at their table and visited with them. They also made their own perfume, had their nails done, and rode in a limousine!! When they got home Gracie said "I just had the best day of my life"!

This is a "kids-helping-kids" fundraiser where all proceeds support local children's programs. You can't beat that!We will definately be back next year!