Happy Saint Patty's Day!!

After a long, nice nap (nice for mom and Mirian), Mirian was ready to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day, complete with a lovely green dinner and Shamrock Cookies!

Family Challenge, Last week

Well we are in the final week of the family challenge. To date during the challenge, I've lost 30 lbs. To hit my ideal weight, I still have another 15 to go, but it won't happen during this challenge.

The challenge has been a tough one. As I've mentioned before, it isn't just a diet (in fact I wouldn't call it a diet at all) it's a personal challenge to change your life for the better. Since starting the challenge, I've exercised ALMOST daily except for Sundays, I've read books (yes plural), I've updated the blog as part of my journaling, I've looked for opportunities to serve, I've lost a bunch of weight, and I have increased my energy level. I'm super-pleased with my efforts and the goals I've set. My goals were not simple, but I felt GREAT when I was able to accomplish them.

Thank you Mom and Dad Carter for inspiring me to be healthy and a better person!!!!

Tiling the Kitchen Floor

Well, when Em's parents came to visit over Christmas time we remodeled the kitchen. Uncle Walter also flew up to help. We are SOOOOOOO appreciative for their help and the help of other family and friends. One of the things we weren't able to do was to tile the floor. So that has taken me about 3 1/2 months thus far . . . . .

Well yesterday I was doing some tiling, and it turns out, I had a little helper. . . . . .


Here she is helping to lay some spacers


What a cute little helper!!!

She just loves to do what mommy and daddy do. Mirian loves to work along side us, she loves to clean the house along side us, and she even loves to do exercises right along with us. We always have a fun little chuckle when she stretches and does her exercises with us. It's just so cute!!!!!

We just love our little monkey!!!!

Peanut Butter Jelly Time

With a side of "Cheese!"

As if I didn't have enough going on in my life . . . .

I really do enjoy working with youth, it inspires me to be better. And that is probably the main reason why I will be adding "Certified SUA Umpire" to my repertoire. Our good friend Steve Lawson has umpired for YEARS!!!! He started officiating in high school and has even officiated college softball games. He is VERY GOOD at what he does.

Steve convinced me to become certified as an umpire in order to help out the community and help some youth. It does "pay" but not enough to be considered "an income". There is training that we undergo at least 2 times/week with no pay, so, yeah, you don't do this for the money.

Needless to say, I will probably get some of this

And yes, I'll admit, I might do a little of this

Nevertheless, I am excited for this opportunity. I don't plan on changing professions (even though MLB umpires make around $300,000/year), but this will be a good opportunity for me to learn (I have to read and understand the 50 page rule book. I even have to memorize about half of it and take tests for the certification) and grow and work with youth.

Wish me luck!!!!!

SF Trip Vs. Family Challenge

Well I accomplished some major exercise milestones this week. I walked 6 miles in one day through San Francisco. I walked from Union Square all the way down Market Street to the Pier and back, then I walked from Union Square all the way to Ghiradelli Square/Fisherman's Warf. And this was through the VERY steep hills of San Francisco. The view was great but that combined with the steep hills, and this is what you get.

It was cool to walk by Lombard Street. I haven't been there for probably 15-20 years.

My weight loss has slowed. Even though I didn't eat too much and I exercised like I was supposed to, my exercise wasn't a lot of running, it was pretty mellow since most of it was done in a suit while heading to meetings. I hope to get back into the extreme weight loss category again, that feels really good and provides a lot of motivation!!! We'll see!!!!! Wish me luck.

Russ

SF vs. Family Challenge

Well I have a business trip to San Francisco starting this Saturday that will carry though Wednesday. I have been nervous about figuring out how to find time for my exercising and making sure I eat right and don't lose points on this challenge.

Discipline will be the name of the game. I'll be very busy and typically I don't sleep well on trips, so all that combined will make for an interesting trip.

We shall see . . . . . . .