Instagram Photo: December 24, 2013 at 05:12PM

He gave up on the ride over #sleepyboy via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/iUocb2tiBV/

Instagram Photo: December 21, 2013 at 12:16PM

So excited about our purchases today. They all bring back tons of memories #booklove via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/iMYHz-NiLa/

Biggest Loser 2014

It's that time of year again. A group of us at work always start a Biggest Loser competition in January. It lasts 15 weeks and goes by weight loss not percentage.

I'm hoping, hoping, HOPING I stick with it this year. I did really good last time, and kept the weight off until last month. But with me not exercising since July and then Thanksgiving and all the holiday goodies around, I packed it back on fast.

I really do want a change, and I always feel better when I do lost the weight but I give up way to easy. I know I can lose it, and I know that it just really depends on me staying active. I just don't have a whole lot of motivation for it. or is the right word dedication? lol

Anyway, I can't believe I'm putting this out there, but my stats (as of today) are as follows:

Weight: 197.6 (what?! I have gained close to 15lbs since August! EEK!)
Neck: 15"
Waist: 39"
Hips: 47"

I think I'll update every 2 weeks or so on my stats just so I can keep a diary of everything. And technically our Biggest Loser contest doesn't start until Jan 3rd but I'm already gearing up for it. I'm gonna win this year, baby! lol

Instagram Photo: December 19, 2013 at 03:07PM

One of my favorite treats at Christmas time via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/iHiM1rtiEE/

Sewing Happily; Pants into a skirt

Take 2 on pants turned skirt. Yesterday's were a size too small. No way was I going to cut up a pair of her jeans that fit before a little practice. Shaye can actually fit into these so I'm excited to see what she thinks. Thinking of adding a heart or something as well. #sewhappy via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/iGCVz3tiCV/

Instagram Photo: December 18, 2013 at 06:04PM

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Instagram Photo: December 17, 2013 at 11:14PM

First attempt at sewing in 15 years. Pants into a skirt. Needs work but I'm happy. #sewhappy via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/iDQTTatiDk/

Instagram Photo: December 17, 2013 at 07:13PM

Girl Scouts awards ceremony via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/iC0vQDtiCT/

Instagram Photo: December 17, 2013 at 01:13PM

It's getting there! @msbritneywhite via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/iCLglRtiMU/

Instagram Photo: December 16, 2013 at 09:23PM

Top right: inspiration. Other three is our (mostly Brit's) labor. via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/iAexeltiHo/

Instagram Photo: December 13, 2013 at 02:27PM

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Instagram Photo: December 13, 2013 at 01:19PM

Gage and Santa 12/12/13 via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/h34__oNiBn/

Instagram Photo: December 10, 2013 at 05:58AM

Mary-Bell brought us a drink this cold morning :) via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/hvYIAVNiHK/

Instagram Photo: December 07, 2013 at 10:02PM

My new wreath that my besty made. Love it! via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/hpYJv8NiHf/

Instagram Photo: December 07, 2013 at 02:20PM

Ladies Tea :) via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/hojLmYNiFR/

Instagram Photo: December 07, 2013 at 02:18PM

Cute :) via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/hoi_lwNiE9/

Instagram Photo: December 05, 2013 at 05:16PM

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Instagram Photo: November 30, 2013 at 07:18PM

Ready for Frozen via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/hXD0hENiB5/

The Power of a Clean Sink

It's crazy how much power a clean sink has. Last night, I cleaned my sink. I hate to say it but my sink probably hasn't been completely clean in months. I've been in a downward spiral again and now I'm trying my damnedest to climb out of it.

A few weeks ago I started my kids on Flylady's '15 minutes a Day'. That lasted a week. Shaye still does her chore of taking the trash out so that helps but the house is still a mess with stuff. Finally I came home last night, exhausted as usual, and thought 'That's Enough. No More'. I'm tired of coming home to wash dishes just to cook supper. Then, of course, since I washed dishes before supper I really don't want to do them again, so they stay out over night so I can repeat the cycle tomorrow.

I stayed in that kitchen and refused to cook until my sink was CLEAN. Bleached and everything. I'm very happy to say it is now sparkling :) With the clean sink, I was then able to wash dishes, put them away and finally start on supper. I went easy so I didn't have much to clean up and the kids didn't have to wait too much longer to eat. I washed dishes again, put them away and dried my sink. When I went to bed, my kitchen in no way is what you would call completely clean. But my sink was clean so that was all that matters.

This morning when I woke up. The first thing I saw when I walked out of my bedroom was my clean sink. No dishes piled up, no gunky food that I would have to soak forever to get off. It was clean. That made me look at the rest of the kitchen and want it that way too. Starting on one countertop I took everything off, threw stuff in the trash, put other things away and gave the counters a scrubbing. So now, when you walk in, I have a clean sink and a really clean countertop. If you've ever walked into a really clean kitchen, you'll know the giddiness that I am feeling now.

Years ago when I first found Flylady and she said that a clean sink is the start to a clean house, I was really skeptical. But it truly is. It's the first thing I see in the morning and when you see that clean sink, it just makes you feel good.  After a while though, I usually get fed up with her system and give up. Mainly because of her system is geared towards stay at home moms, and even though she does have things for the working mom, there really isn't a system for us. It seems like I can never find all the time in the day to do what is supposed to be done while I'm working and it irritates me so I quit. And every time I quit, my house gets a mess and I don't want to leave my bedroom. lol that should tell me something..

Even though I've done them countless times before, I'm starting her baby steps. Step 1, I have my clean sink. Step 2, Get dressed! Hopefully, hopefully, hopefully this will be the time it changes and I won't give up. But if not, there's always step 1 again that will bring me back to where I belong. To a clean sink :-)

Instagram Photo: November 23, 2013 at 11:00AM

Really need this today via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/hEJLmQtiCw/

Instagram Photo: November 22, 2013 at 08:31PM

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Instagram Photo: November 22, 2013 at 06:08PM

Freckles snuggled up in her bed with her monkey :) via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/hCVXcztiIk/

Instagram Photo: November 07, 2013 at 06:35AM

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Instagram Photo: October 31, 2013 at 05:45PM

Toralei and Spider-Man at the spook parade. Too bad 'Toralei' forgot her mask and cape 😝 via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/gJicNgtiA0/

Instagram Photo: October 30, 2013 at 01:38PM

Another day of work halfway done. If only it were a Friday instead of Wednesday via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/gGhUTLtiHo/

Instagram Photo: October 30, 2013 at 01:14PM

My new favorite necklace via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/gGeouTNiEd/

Instagram Photo: October 27, 2013 at 07:04PM

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/f_YQaAtiIR/

Instagram Photo: October 27, 2013 at 01:19AM

Woooooohoooooo via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/f9eVl6NiFr/

Instagram Photo: October 27, 2013 at 01:10AM

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Instagram Photo: October 27, 2013 at 01:09AM

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Instagram Photo: October 26, 2013 at 02:17PM

Kosmic Karma via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/f8SlFotiAN/

Instagram Photo: October 25, 2013 at 11:07PM

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Instagram Photo: October 25, 2013 at 02:27PM

#Mosaicam via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/f5u_hhtiFh/

Instagram Photo: October 25, 2013 at 02:22PM

Bored so I'm playing with this app #Mosaicam via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/f5uaWJNiEj/

Instagram Photo: October 24, 2013 at 05:54PM

Mama doesn't feel too bueno. Think it's time for medicine and a nap via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/f3h6TxNiIp/

Instagram Photo: October 24, 2013 at 01:51PM

#tbt via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/f3GHABtiLK/

Instagram Photo: October 24, 2013 at 01:33PM

#tbt via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/f3EDtDtiHz/

Instagram Photo: October 23, 2013 at 05:34PM

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Instagram Photo: October 19, 2013 at 04:01PM

Shaye baby In honor of tech winning again today 7-0 baby ;) via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/fqc-iUtiJq/

Instagram Photo: October 19, 2013 at 04:00PM

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Instagram Photo: October 19, 2013 at 03:20PM

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Instagram Photo: October 19, 2013 at 03:20PM

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Instagram Photo: October 19, 2013 at 01:22PM

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Instagram Photo: October 19, 2013 at 01:21PM

Almost time for the Mother Daughter tea via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/fqKtdcNiD2/

Instagram Photo: October 15, 2013 at 07:24PM

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Instagram Photo: October 15, 2013 at 06:10PM

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Instagram Photo: October 13, 2013 at 07:38PM

Mr Turtle at the Petroleum Museum via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/fbZFxrNiEJ/

Instagram Photo: October 13, 2013 at 07:37PM

Gorgeous clouds out today. Love this weather via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/fbY4BitiD0/