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?
DUE TO THE FACT THAT today my little Ruby-Doobie is 4 months old, I will depart from my normal Monday's Fit Tip Mania, and dedicate this blog post to the secret joys of motherhood.
Today Henry was noticably early for school, so to burn time I had him practice writing and drawing. Once I got him going on an activity, I left to get the two youngest ready for the day. When I returned it was nearly time for Henry and George to leave for school.
As Henry pulled his coat on, I happened to look at the paper he was working on. Next to a cute picture of a dinosaur/half man I read:
I see lundin
I see Frantz
I see
Normally when I decipher his writing and I can figure out what he's written, but this time I was baffled.
"Henry," I called, "what does this say?"
He rolled his eyes at me (of course I should have been able to read it).
In his so totally annoyed voice he said, "It says I see London, I see France, I see..."
Of course this is where I stopped him.
It's always nice to see the great things my boys are learning!
Can you believe that someone...or a few someones built an entire company off of a fist size fruit and a funky cool bottle? ...No, I'm not talking Noni, (OK, I give, it's been done before, but still pretty cool huh?!?)
The boys and I took a trip over to the Xango Headquarters in Lehi, UT today. No, don't worry, we didn't stop at a random business and request to be let in. Mark, my hardworking happy hubby, so happens to work there.
1. First I was drawn to the Xango flag, only second in greatness to our national American waving beauty. 
2. Then upon entering the building, I couldn't help but notice all the Xango Art Arrangements, and when I say art arrangements I mean Xango spot-lighted in a floating wall of total coolness...not to be misconstrued with over the top, look at me, and remember who you work for type of display...(you get the point)
3. Of, course we were there to eat lunch with my hard workin' hot hubby. As seen below with three of his four seedlings. 
4. And then I had quite a bit more fun taking pictures of all the Xango art. These pretty sparkly shiny glassy balls are supposed to be an artistic interpretation of Xango drops....hmmmm, yah ok, whatever...still, pretty cool, and very enticing to look at.
5. I couldn't help but love the casual, but retro/futuristic cafe style sitting area...really, I just wanted to ask, do people really sit here, and when? If so, your custodians are super awesome because they were spotless. (I'm a cleaner by heart, so I had to give props to how pristine they were)
6. And then, our last stop on the tour, Mark's fun loving super cute co-worker! Isn't he charming? P.S. When you read this Dustin, please don't be too mad...I couldn't resist posting this shot!!!
What week are we on? Can you believe we started this the beginning of January? If you are anything like me and my attention deficit ways, then I am sure you have had your ups and downs.
For some, this is the easiest time to stay on track...they've already fought past the first few weeks of committing to a making lifestyle changes, and now they are on a roll.
Or, you could be the other end of he stick where every day seems to steam roll you before you are even past breakfast...is this whole healthy lifestyle change a little too daunting?
FEAR NOT! I like to remind myself that each day is a new day...and when that doesn't work, I try other things to pick up my mood.
1. Go on a walk - the best thing to fight the winter blues is to get out side and get moving...even if the sky is cloudy and gray. Just the crisp air and the rush of endorphins can help you get on track.
2. Eat a grapefruit - why? well besides the fact that they taste great...they are packed with fiber. There is nothing like getting the whole 'system' moving to make you feel a little better.
3. Call your buddy - I have a certain buddy that I like to call for motivation when I'm lacking it. Sometimes she is doing just as bad and we commiserate together...and sometimes she has the awesomest pep talk. But, either way, it's always just what I need.
ASK THE AUDIENCE: What do you do to get past a lull? A Plateau? A Down Day...week...month?
I just broke rule #1 in harvesting a great friendship with another couple:
Today I am going to a writing conference with my dear friend Peggy, who inadvertently or advertently used my maiden name in her upcoming great novel, hmmm....not sure if I should use her name too (insert evil laugh). I am so excited to go to this writing conference because since I was young, I have always prespired, no I mean, aspired, to write a Young Adult Novel.
I hope today that I will learn much more helpful tips to further the book that I am currently working on....please please please make it more than just a giant load of crap where all the characters have to die in the end because I can't think of anything better.
oh, and Dear Diary, for your eyes only, the theme of my outfit today is 'brown' nosing...I have the cutest brown top on, matched by brown shoes and a darling brown head band.
TTFN,
luv, erin
Try not to think too much less of me when you watch this You Tube Clip. Mark's boss sent it to him at work...hmm...I wondering what he's trying to say about our kids.
Happy Valentine's Day to you too! I am convinced that Poor St. Valentine actually concocted this day of love because he was having a hard time fighting the winter blues, feeling down in the dumps, and not very lovey dovey at all. So what better way to feel great, than SHARE THE LOVE!
We (Mark and I) spent our Valentine's Sharing the Love with:
-My Mom, and My Boys. We headed over to BYU and took my mom out to lunch. She was a pretty cheap date, only ordering $2 worth of tacos from Taco Bell. In fact, I ended up with the better end of the date when she bought me two new books: Deeper and The Hunger Games
While we were at BYU, we had a Love Date with our boys. We took them bowling! I personally hate bowling...I have no talant for it what so ever! But, the boys loved it. Henry sure has my flare when it comes to bowling...
George is a little more methodical about the ball placement.
Mark cheered from the sidelines with my little Valentine Ruby
And then at the end of the evening, when we returned home from our day of Love, I found the most delectable treats on my doorstep:
And, if you know me, you know that I can't be stopped when it comes to digging into great treats...SO, Mark, my happy hubby, was so over-joyed when he found a special treat addressed specifically to him.
Happy V-Day, luv, erinI saw this on my totally awesome friend from Hawaii, Doretha's, Blog...IT IS TOO FUNNY!
Here I am again, going nuts because I am way to busy, but really, never to busy to read a GREAT book. The other night I read till 2:30am, (and paid for it the next day when I felt like an alcoholic with a killer hang over)
Book 1: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - This book is for EVERYBODY...well except for the younger kids. This Sci-Fi suspense YA novel will have you on the edge of your seat. Once I dove in I literally couldn't put it down, and I finished it that night. Such an easy read, but so clever. 5 out of 5
Book 2: Sabriel by Garth Nix - To be honest I felt the novel was heavy in description...almost too heavy. It took me a good 100 pages to finally commit, but once I did the novel picked up pace and action. I ended up really sinking into the characters and enjoying this Fantasy YA. Great read if you love Fantasy...if you are not a Fantasy fan yet, then hold off, read something tamer and then jump in. 4 out of 5
Book 3: The Dark Hills Divide - Easy fun read for Middle Grade. I enjoyed this quick adventure fantasy. It is a light fantasy perfect for your younger teenagers...but not a boring read for adults too. 4 out 5Disclaimer: If you have any ounce of belief left in my parenting skills, or trust that I have any sense of social etiquette, skip this one.
I quickly become entranced by the rows of books and spend my time combining my two current obsessions: Books and Photography. Just as I'm snapping the picture below, I hear Teddy cry out. The sound is distinct, and I immediately know he needs to go to the bathroom. His potty training has been going so well, I dressed him in big boy undies, so I know he only has moments to make it to the potty. 
I roll to my back, and my eyes meet Mark's. I plead with him to take him, and Mark, the great helpful hubby that he is, scoops up Teddy and rushes to the bathroom. 
Tip 1: Be Bold
When your fellow co-workers ask, "How are you today?" Your outfit will do the talking for you, "GRRRRRReat!"
Nothing lures in those around you like the bold statement of a striking Leopard print thigh high dress and Baby Ugg boots to match. Remember fellow bloggers, its a jungle out there...so dress for success. (Are you digging on all my puns yet?)
Tip 2: Pretend like whoever is talking to you is the FUNNIEST PERSON ALIVE.
Ruby has this down tight, and I'll tell you, I'm putty in this little vixen's hand. She really knows how to keep your attention and make you feel warm and fuzzy.
Since it's the season of LOVE, go ahead and take a tip from Ruby. Dress like a wild and crazy Cat, and laugh like you've got nothing to loose.
Did anyone out there happen to catch last week's episode of THE BIGGEST LOSER? To sum it up, Joelle, (who in real life is probably a very nice woman) spent the entire week moseying around the gym, and making excuses about her obvious decrease in workouts. She ended the week with a 0 pound weight loss, and was then kicked off the ranch with her not-so-best friend.
I sat on my couch, eating popcorn, and booing Joelle for her lack of ownership in the 0 pound weight loss fiasco. Come on Joelle? Are you really that surprised you didn't lose anything? You practically couldn't get of your rear the entire week.
EPIPHANY: And then it hit me...uh, what exactly had I been doing all week? My kids were sick, I was about to get sick any day so of course I couldn't work out. And tomorrow, when I go to weigh in at my friendly WW meeting, I'm probably going to be the spittin' image of Joelle living in her alternate reality bubble...UGH!
WHAT HAVE I BEEN DOING? (right now, is when we all sit back and realize making excuses never helps us get anywhere...then some of you click off my blog because your happy excuse making...and the rest read on, maybe a little hopeful) Today is the day to take some ownership.
Mark's always hating on me because I love to say, "You either do it or you don't...there is no TRY." So, to be blunt, I didn't do it last week. I dropped the ball on my own GREAT SLIM DOWN. But, no worries, I'm no depressed blob of sucked out motivation...NO WAY, today I'm owning up to my slack off week and I'm getting right back on it.
REALITY CHECK: OWN IT! Own up to the success you've had or the failure...then move on, and DO better.
Fit tip of the week: For an at home kick butt workout, you could do this
Or for a little bit of money, buy P90X.
P90X is the best at home workout you can buy. Because there are quite a few different 1 hour - 90 minute workouts that come in the package, you almost never hit boredom. Also, the workouts are pretty intense, so you can knock down the intensity level to something you can manage, and as you increase strength, you'll have something to work to.
Get on it, work it out at home and OWN IT! (This blog is in no way affiliated with p90x...I'm just an X junkie)
ASK THE AUDIENCE: What have you been up to? Are you doing it or not? ohhh, and by the way, I loved all the tips people gave last week. Post a physical activity tip this week to help me beat the winter blahs.
