Monday Checklist.

1.  Get up in time to get the kids off to school.  Dang, did anyone else have a issue with the whole time change thing?  Mark called me at 8:30 and I was dead to the world, still sleeping, all cozy in my bed.  I had to rush down, wake the kids and send them to school with a handful of dry cereal.  Great mom, right?

2.  Laundry.  Again.  We potty-trained Teddy a year ago, but for some reason, the kid's still peeing the bed at night...every night.  I tried just not having him wear pull-ups, in the hope that maybe he'll wake up while he's peeing and realize, hey, I should do this peeing thing in the toilet.  Did he?  No.  Has he ever?  No.  Have I washed a lot of peed clothing and bedding?  Yes. 

3.  Edit more photos.  I love this.  I do it daily for hour on end, and the kids know if they're looking for me to check the office first.  Is this a little pathetic?  Maybe.

4.  Beg for your help.  I have 'pre-paid' for the hugest, coolest, metal mural at WPPI.  I''m going to use it for my Bridal Show booth.  But the thing is, I can't decide which picture to use...because my favorite shot is not always the one I  probably should use.  So, here's the thing.  I shot super cool Nettie, a great lookin' gal, last night...and I wanted to use her on the metal mural.  (when I say mural, don't think lots of images...it's just one image cut up over one giant metal poster-ish thingy) I put the shots up on my photo blog.  Can you go there and vote for one please? 

5.  Go get screaming Teddy out of the tub. 

Have a manic monday too.  Luv, erin

P.s.  I didn't spell check or grammar check because it's 8:55am and one of those days.  Feel free to critique.

Ghetto. Candy.

So originally I was just going to disband this little ghetto blog of mine, and focus on the new shiny improved blog.  But then I realized, why give up my ghetto-soul?  I can have both.  So now I'll post all the weird randomness that comes to mind here, and the cool photos and class info on the blog!

OTHER NEWS:  Today I went to the Walmart.  Yes, I got out of the sweats, and actually left my home.  The thing of it is (thank the Good Lord that I live in PG and picked up that sentence starter.  What would my life be like with out that.  Seriously.) . . . Yeah, so the thing of it is, is I found Peanut Butter and Strawberry M&M's. 
For. Real. 

And, the weird thing is, I LIKE THEM A LOT! 


ASK THE AUDIENCE:  Do You Like Candy?  And if so, please indulge me and tell me what it is?  I'm always looking to expand my Candy tasting portfolio...ha ha...but really.  I LOVE CANDY.   

The thing of it is...

A older grandpa-ish man in my neighborhood always starts his sentences with that, and I love it.  But in a time like this, it starts my sentence perfectly. 

The thing of it is, I don't like it when the chocolate in my cupboard speaks to me.  "Erin, I'm in here, waiting for you.  Come and eat me.  Oh la la, baby.  You know I taste like creamy, rich goodness.  No one will know.  Just one bite . . ."

And on, and on, and on.

But I know it's not just one bite.  Yet still I'm drawn to it and then two days of chocolate bingeing later, I feel like a giant slug and my pants don't fit. 

Know what I'm talking about? 

Since a few friends and I just started a Fitness competition, I'll be danged (another lovely Utah-ism) if I don't get over this food talking issue. 

Suggestions?  Oh please, tell me what you do.

Ask the Audience: Games?

Hey all, so for the last eight or so years, my hubby and I have been lovers of the game:  SETTLERS OF CATAN.  I have recently decided to expand our gaming horizons...and no by gaming I don't mean we dress up in dungeons and dragons costums and...(you get the point).

Anyway, my question is, what games do you love?  And why? 

A Serious Question for You.

Ok, so recently I have been studying the vernacular of the average teen. It has come to my attention that I don't quite understand all the ins and outs of the modern lingo. One phrase in particular is anything that ends with " . . . much?"

I hear kids say this all the time. It ends with sentences like "skanky much?" or "ghetto much?" And to be frank, I really don't know what they're saying or what it means.

Ask the Audience

If you know, could you please explain it and then use it in a sentence for me so I can have an example to go off of?

Thanks,

erin

Just Wondering . . .

So, lets say you have a particular friend who has been working night and day on writing a novel. Perhaps this well fashioned, and clever friend finishes her novel and asks you to read through it in hopes that you'll offer helpful advice.

If it's a terrible read, a full-on piece of crap, and a complete waste of your time do you:

A. Return it without any edits and say, "just perfect."
B. Never answer the phone again, and avoid your writer friend like the plague.
C. Suggest small changes but never really attack the heart of the problem.
D. Call up and say, "Yo, your book fully sucketh, it'll never get publsihed as is, and you need to re-write 90% of it. Plus, you use the word "gaze" way to much for the protagonist not to be an ALIEN!"

Please answer as honestly as possible.

Monday's Fit Tip Mania...on Tuesday

A day late? Of course. Isn't that how life is sometimes. I figured since I didn't get around to posting yesterday, that could be my inspiration for today. Today, I am an on the ball blog poster.

Fitness goals always lingering in the back of your mind? Are you putting it off till . . .? Yeah, I've been there. I've thought, I'll start my fitness routine on Monday. And then sure enough, Monday rolls around and its 'not such a good day' and I end up waiting until the next Monday.

I say, why set that starting time at all? NO, I don't mean throw in the towel all together, I mean just become what you want to be.

Remember, you are who you are right now. Cheesy, corny...who gives a flip. It works for me. I am not the couch potato, m&m eating, Pepsi guzzling gal I was yesterday. Today I am the in shape, healthy eating, fun mom I want to be. (Sure, I may still be downing the diet Peppsi, and not look like the in shape mommy because of my actions from yesterday...but I can fake it.) As the greatest saying in the world goes,

Fake it Till You Make It

Shake off the chains of who you were yesterday and the day before that and be who you want to be today. Pretty soon, being who you want to be will show through!

ASK THE AUDIENCE: WHO are YOU today?

PROM

No, I didn't go to prom...Yeah right. ok, so I wasn't asked...and Mark's not into crashing the high school proms around here anyway...go figure. I did, however, get to take fun, wacky, crazy, prom pictures for Sidney (my perma-model, most of the time). I thought they turned out great, and are an excellent reprise from the typical gross stand like a mannequin shots you get after waiting an hour in line for prom pics.

Aw, sweet Prom memories. I had a blast the few times I was able to go to prom. I remember being so keyed up to go, and planning out my outfit for weeks in advanced. I like to say that in my glory days, I ROCKED the dance floor...but that is my side of the story...hopefully my dates didn't think I was a total drag.

ASK THE AUDIENCE: How was your prom? Did you go? Did you have fun? Memories?

me Me mE ME meeeeeeeeee ME

The best part about teaching a photography class is:

1. The shots my students take, tend to be better than mine...I learn something from them.

2. I have a raging good time hanging out with a dozen or so people that love photography as much as I do!

3. PHOTOS OF ME!!! Ok, so when I was short a model for our final shoot, I became the model for my students. Here are the first of the shots that have rolled in from some of my students.

Ask THE AUDIENCE: I decided to make it a contest to my students. I am going to pick a picture and make it my new facebook photo...because in the facey book world you can never have too many photos of yourself.

Which one do you like the best? I will be posting more over the next few days, so please check back to give all the students a fair shot.

thanks, luv erin

Monday's Fit Tip Mania

Remember me? Ms. Fit Tip. Yeah, I know, Long time no see eh? I'm back and in force. I'll try my best to be here every Monday for your fit tip needs and to rejuvenate the YEAR OF THE GREAT SLIM DOWN...don't think I've forgotten about it because I've been a little preoccupied.

FIT TIP OF THE DAY: Turn the T.V. OFF!

If you are anything like me, you wanna munch while you veg out to the boob tube. Yes? No? Either way, wasting that much time saturating yourself in idle gazing is no good for anyone. Yep, that includes me. Over the last few months I have tried to cut down my t.v. watching habits to one night a week. FO' REAL! I know, you're like 'whatevers'. But I am totally serious. I noticed that when I'm not lounged out in front of the media box after the kids go to bed, then I am also not MUNCHING--one of my big downfalls.

ASK THE AUDIENCE: What do you think? Agree? Disagree? What T.V. shows are you willing to kick to the curb? What must you still see?

Ask the Audience: Drinking?

No, of course I'm not talking about the alcohol type of beverage. I am talking bout' the good ole' SODA POP (Joann, if your reading this, I don't mean Soda Pop and Ice cream...he he he).

I'll be the first to admit it, I may...or may not...have a bit of a drinking problem. I like- no, I LOVE my diet pepsi. In fact, when the weather is warm I don't like to go a day without running down to Harts or Walkers to grab my 32 oz. Diet Pepsi with a squirt of vanilla and cherry flavoring. Yum! Just writing this post is making my mouth water for the thirst quenching, biting sip of DIET PEPSI.

See what I mean? I may...or may not...be an addict.

How much soda do you drink a day?

What would you say is an acceptable amount?

p.s. If you are my dear loving hubby, or my thoughtfully opinionated mom, this may not be a good post for you to comment on.

ASK THE AUDIENCE

Showers. We all take them, the question is how often? I recently attended a women's get together where the subject was discussed. After much thought, I realized that last week, when I was working furiously to meet a deadline, I actually went an entire week before I showered. That may sound gross to you...or, it may not (depending on how often you lather up).

So, How often is too often? How long is going too long? (And, if you are secure enough in your stinkiness...How long is the longest you've gone without a shower?)

ASK THE AUDIENCE: Costco

Just wondering what y'all think. I am a bargain die-hard, and if I'm not getting a great deal, then I hate it. So, as I checked out at the Costco today I was amazed to see the 5 items I bought totaled $74.89! Can you believe that?!? I was shocked. If I'm dropping that much dough at the grocery store, I have a cart full. So I got to thinking...WHAT REALLY IS THE BETTER DEAL?

ASK THE AUDIENCE:


1. What do you buy at Costco? and Why?


2. If something is really cheapest at Costco, can you let me know?

ASK THE AUDIENCE:

In a 1 hour period, how many HIGH FIVES from another given person is too many? (verification: This is the same person of which you are vaguely familiar)

and,

If you feel you have exceeded the High Five limit, how do you politely withdraw?

hmmmm...IT'S KILLING ME!

ASK THE AUDIENCE:
Has anyone ever told you anything and then asked you not to tell anyone? A secret so great that you feel you might burst from the intensity/overwhelming wierd greatness of it? AAAGHHHH!

I am going to burst.

But I promise I won't tell until the time is right...

To the person who entrusted me with this secret, will the telling time be anytime soon?

tap, tap, tap, tap TAPPING (cant sit still...need to tell)

Ok, logging off now before I break my word.

U G L Y: you aint got no alibi...

Let me preface myself by saying that I in no way consider Jessica Simpson to be Fat, Ugly, or even merely unattractive...quite the contrary; however, could you design an uglier, more unflattering, muffin-top accentuating pair of Jeans. These jeans are an outright disgrace to jeans the world over. Perhaps it is pictures like these that keep Saudi Arabian women clad head to toe in mute covered garb...for the mere idea that if there was a woman's movement it would only lead to the confines of these BUTT UGLY JEANS! Need I say more? Come on, Jessica. What is with the double Peg Bundy Belt, Mile high crotch and rejected barbie shoes? I looked the other way when the skinny leg jean returned, but high waist I will not tolerate. Take it back I demand...take the offensive lady pouch pants back.

ASK THE AUDIENCE: Yay or Nay on the High Waisters? If Yay, where in the world would you where them?

You Wanna Put that WHERE?

Disclaimer: If you are of the faint of heart, against controlled family planning, or simply (to the one guy reader) don't want to talk about 'girly' issues...then this post is not for you.

I took a little trip to my Doc (I see one doc. for everything, no matter what...I am not the type of person who likes flaunting my junk all over the county for each and every doc. to scrutinize...no, I am a one doc. shop!)
Because I've felt strongly that we've been so graciously blessed to have Ruby, a darling beautiful baby girl, as our last...hm hm...(I mean, I hope to be our last) baby, I've decided one of us (me or my hubby) needed to put a stop on the ole' baby making factory. Since Mark is utterly convinced altering anything in his neck of the woods would deplete manhood, the ball was rolled to my court.

Ladies, (and one faithful guy reader) I went for it today and got the IUD! (I know, totally gross right? or are you thinking TOO MUCH INFO?) Either way, I just wanted a little feedback. I've never had one, so I am feeling a little leery about my choice.

ASK THE AUDIENCE: 1. Do you feel secure enough in your 'girly'-ness to share if you have an IUD or not? 2. If you have one, don't have one, heard of them, or haven't heard of them, can you please share what you know?

I would greatly appreciate your info tips. Luv, erin

THE GREAT SLIM DOWN: Monday's Fit Tip

WEEK 4: If you haven't jumped on board yet, that's ok, whenever you are ready just join in. This party train is for anyone at anytime. Start adding your points up and start finding little successes every day. And when you have an 'off' day (because really, we all do) keep moving on and do better the next day (this applies to when you have an off week too...and I know I have had those too).

PRIZES: If you have found little rewards to help motivate yourself along the way, that is excellent. If you need a little something more in way of an external reward then I met this awesome gal Jenny who teaches a great zumba class at the rec center that I work at (rambling...I know...I'm getting to it), well this awesome lady wrote a cook book. And, she has added it as a prize. So now for your effort, energy, points earned and lifestyle changed you have the chance of winning a family photography package from me (check it out here) or you can win an awesome cook book from Jenny (check it out here).

TIP: (This tip is spurned off of my own horribly disastrous week). A week and 1/2 ago I was so excited that I was already down 5 pounds. So excited that, I BOMBED last week. Really, I am talking all out bombed..probably gained back all that I lost. Have you ever had a freakishly bad, you wanna hide in a hole, type of week like that? UGH...IT SUCKS! So my tip for today is to start fresh. I know that if I berate myself and feel like a giant sludgy poop, that I will never move on and recommit. So drop the guilt, and start fresh. Today can be the first day of your better life, the first day of making healthier choices...it will be for me at least.

ASK THE AUDIENCE: How did your week go? Do you have any tips for success or great low cal recipes? Please please share and help me out...I really would like to have a good week.

Forgetfulness?!?

All in one Day:

1. After working out, I took my bag out to my van and pulled the van up to the front of the rec center. I left it running as I ran back in to grab Teddy and Ruby. Ruby was crying when I picked her up from the daycare, so I sat down to feed her. 25 minutes later I realized my car was in front of the rec, still running, and unlocked with my purse in it!

2. I went to Costco because they have a new set of coupons out. After I spent an hour shopping for everything I needed, I took my items to the register. When it was time to pay and hand over the coupons I couldn't find them anywhere. I pleaded with the cashier, "I just had them. I walked all over the Costco finding the sale items and now I have lost my coupons!" He gave me a sideways glance, gestured towards my hand and said, "You mean the coupons you are holding?"

3. In the frying pan, I grilled up a crunchy bean and cheese burrito. I took it into the office and ate it as I blogged yesterday. 20 minutes later I noticed the house seemed really smoky. I walked back into the kitchen and found that I had left the burner on under the pan!

4. Because I had a class last night, I pulled a lasagna out of the freezer at 2 and popped it in the oven. I needed to take it out of the oven just before 4 because it would be done then and I could run the boys over to their chess class. At 4:35 I realized it was still in the oven.

5. At 7:30 at night as I drove home from my class I also realized that I forgot to take the boys to chess class at 4:00!

ASK THE AUDIENCE: Ever have a day like that? Or have you forgotten about it? hahahaha

THE GREAT SLIM DOWN Q & A

Here's the answer to your deepest questions:

Question: What do you mean by 'no sugar'?

Answer: This one is for you to decide. I personally spent 3 months a couple years ago totally off of sugar. I made all my own bread, and ate oatmeal for breakfast. I only ate fruit with natural sugars in them. Personally, I don't intend on being that extreme for the great slim down; however, if that floats your boat, GO FOR IT. Either way, you can interpret it to mean: NO CANDY, COOKIES, CAKES OR JUNK!

Question: What is the prize? What do I get out of this?

Answer: This is up to you! I want you to choose your first goal mark and then reward yourself when you make it. I am going to be totally candid and honest here. I am 5' 6" and I currently weigh 151. I normally weigh about 135. I feel good anywhere between 135 and 140. I have set my first month goal to drop 7 pounds. By the end of January, my goal is to be 144. When I reach that first goal I am going to buy myself a sweet awesome new pair of SHOES! (I love shoes more than any other thing I could put on my body)

So, not only will you get a rockin' awesome body, you will also get your own reward...

However, for those of you who need more of a substantial reward, I am offering a grand prize reward of FREE PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION (a $225 value). The overall winner at the end of 12 weeks gets the prize.

Question: How will you pick the overall winner?

Answer: Easy, you will post comments along the way and track your success! The person with the greatest success in points earned and weight lost will be my winner! If it is a close call, I have a back up team of fitness professionals who will decide.

Question: What do I get if I live out of state?

Answer: If you pay for the travel, you will get the great photography session for you and all your family. Or you can simply use the offer for whenever you have the time to come to Utah.

Question: Do you have an easy Excel Spreadsheet I can use to track my points?

Answer: OF COURSE! A great wonderful reader, Faith, created one and sent it to me. If you would like your own personal copy, please email me and I will send it to you. My email is erinsummerill(at)hotmail(dot)com.

Question: Does shoveling snow count for 30 minutes of cardio?

Answer: If you worked up a sweat, exerted yourself and kept a consistent pace for 30 minutes, SURE!

If you have any questions that I left unanswered, please email me and I will get them answered.

ASK THE AUDIENCE: How did you do yesterday? Was it easier than you thought it would be or harder...or are you just not participating, but want to comment on the blog?