BINGO! B-I-N-G-O!!!

We interrupt this blog's new found drive to post for a night of B-I-N-G-O!!!!!

Yep, bingo!

Instead of writing an awesome post, I spent a lovely evening playing bingo!

Yep, bingo!

During the week my mom is residing at Grimes Lodge - or as I call it, The Cancer Dorm - and tonight was bingo night!

Yep, bingo!

Guess, what! I had a great time! With no distractions, my mom and I shared some broth soup for dinner, chatted with other residents, started a puzzle in the games room and then participated in a hot game of bingo!

It was fun... and we each won a round!

I never imagined I would spend a weeknight playing bingo with my mom (emphasis on "My") ...I never imagined my mom would ever have to battle cancer...I never imagined a little game of bingo would be so enjoyable, relaxing, fun and valued...I never thought playing bingo could or would feel so normal, so grounding.

Yep, bingo!

Well, at least it was calming, relaxing and normal until I jumped up and yelled BINGO!

Yep, BINGO! B-I-N-G-O!

Thanks Mom, I had a wonderful time!

Love you so much, hate cancer!

XOXOXOX

Menu Monday - Sept 28

Ok - I am getting back on track with my blogging...and I am getting back on track with my WW point counting. I have been a little lazy - training for the half marathon really impacted my eating habits. That ends today! Today I am planning, organizing and counting points for the week.

I need to get back on track...just look at my running total on the right sidebar...yep, up 6 pounds in 4 weeks!!! YEEK!

Monday
Breakfast - Greek Salad Tuna (4) and a banana (2)
Snack - Baby apple (1)
Lunch - Wrap with cucumber and tomato with lite cheese and chicken soup with crackers (6)
Snack - Homemade rice cookies (4)
Dinner - Indian style chicken with veggies and pita (8)
Total points - 25

Tuesday
Breakfast - Steel cut oats, PB and a banana (5)
Snack - Baby apple (1)
Lunch - Salad with light dressing, and leftover chicken (4) Ryvita cracker with tomato and cream cheese (2)
Snack - Yogurt and granola (3)
Dinner - Shrimp and veggie stir fry with rice (7)
Snack - Hot Chocolate (2)
Total points - 24

Wednesday
Breakfast - Toast with tomato and cheese (5)
Snack - Green Monster (2)
Lunch - Greek salad with olives and left over shrimp (5)
Snack - Apple and almonds (2)
Dinner - Soft tacos with grilled veggies (7)
Snack - Popcorn (1)
Total points - 22

Thursday
Breakfast - Steel cut oats, PB and a banana (5)
Snack - Green Monster (2)
Lunch - Scrambled egg whites with veggies & taco beef and hot sauce and 2 Ryvita crackers (5)Snack - Apple and almonds (2)
Dinner - Dinner - Pineapple chicken in the crock pot with squash and carrots (7) (Recipe stolen from Chubbie Chica)
Snack - Popcorn (1)
Total points - 22

Friday
Breakfast - Green monster with berries, yogurt and protein(5)
Snack - Wrap with cucumber and lite cream cheese (2)
Lunch - Salad with light dressing, and leftover chicken (4) Ryvita cracker with tomato and cream cheese (2)
Snack - Apple and almonds (2)
Dinner - Seafood pasta(7)
Snack - Green monster (2)
Total points - 24

Saturday
Breakfast - Green monster with berries, protein, and yogurt (5)
Snack - apple and cheese (3)
Lunch - Grilled cheese and salad (6)
Snack - Cranberry scone and tea (4)
Dinner - Beef stir fry and rice (6)
Total points: 24

Sunday
Breakfast - Steel cut oats, PB and a banana (5)
Snack/lunch - Post-race breakfast celebration ! (unknown!)
Snack - Apple picking and LOTS of apples!
Dinner - Apple and walnut stuffed pork with potatoes and corn (9)

Check out more September 28th Menu Plan Monday entries at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Everything old is new again!

So, I am chatting with my Mom, and she asks me the address of my "new blog".

My new blog?????

"Ya, your new blog, you know, since you have not been posting on your old blog, I figured you had a new blog."

A new blog? Nope, no new blog. Just a dusty one!

Not posting. Yep. That is the case.

Why not?

I am not sure. I have had lots of stories I have wanted to share...but I have just not made the time.

I did not even summarize our amazing cross-county drive! Oh, I wanted to tell you all about the "sign from above" and our laundry. Or how we drove home through the US and visited Old Faithful - how cool is that?!?!?

Oh, I had a hilarious condemnation of our house sitters. You know, the ones who not only drank copious amounts of alcohol in our backyard, but drank OUR alcohol, leaving all the empties by the pool deck, and whose MOTHER threw a pool party and got busted by my parents! That is a story to share, for sure!

I took lots of photos of the "While-you-were-out-Clean Sweep" my wonderful parents did while we were on vacation - HOLY CRAP did they do a great job...though I still need the sticky notes on some drawers to know what goes where!!!!!

Oh, and I wanted to write about my last few training sessions for the half marathon, and my amazing (and surprising) mental state going into the race. I also wanted to spell out a few race stories and surprises.

I wanted to bitch and complain that my Mom has cancer. I wanted to shout out how proud I am in how she (and my Dad) are handling this challenge. I wanted to update on her condition and how her treatments are going. I wanted to sing the praises of the doctors and entire medical team, and I wanted to tell you all about her "cool-cancer dormitory".

I wanted to tell you about how I have been battling the same 2 or 3 pounds at the scale for WEEKS now. I also wanted to share my funny experiences in finding a new WW meeting. Oh, and I really wanted to post my Monday menus to help me stay accountable and organized. My fitness program, oh, ya, I am changing things up and I wanted to run some ideas past you wonderful readers.

I wanted to update you on the kids and how they are adjusting to the new school year. Heck, I wanted to post about Madigan and her 3, yep, THREE first days of school.

I wanted to complain about how I had to reapply for my own job. My ridiculous hours. My crazy co-worker. Oh ya, lots of good material from the office to share!

I wanted to write about all our extra-curricular activities such as soccer, swimming lessons, Beavers, gymnastics - you know all the regular juicy content of a Mommy-blog!

Oh, there has been so much going on...lots of material...I just have not made the time.

When I mention my blog to friends, it kind of annoys me when they comment about not having time for stuff like that...I usually reply, "Well, it is important to me, so I make the time...it helps me keep sane." And, well, sadly, I have not been following my own words of advise.

Having the time, is not the same as making the time. For whatever reason, I have not made the time. That is sad, especially since I really enjoy blogging. I love the outlet, I thrive on the comments and idea sharing and I enjoy keeping up with all my bloggy-friends.

I have been a bad Mommy-blogger, a bad weight-loss blogger, basically, a bad blogger, all round. I have neglected the Fringe! But that changes today. Everything old is new again! New attitude. New commitment to the old Fringe.

Oh, ya, baby, Laura from the Lunatic Fringe is back again!

I did it - a PB!!!

I did it!!!!!
A half marathon!!!!!!
2:19:21.6

My runners!

Left foot: Over 80 lbs gone!

Right foot: Only 21km to go!

Moments before lining up at the start line.

It was amazing. It was the Army Run - so, lots of soldiers, and brave, injured soldiers started the pack. Read THIS amazing story about a double amputee running this race!

I felt strong the entire race. I kept with my plan and never "lost it emotionally".

This wonderful cheering squad met me at 7km, 17km and at the finish line. Each time giving my encouragement and strength. My heart swelled with their yells of, "GO MOMMY GO!"

I finished very strong and felt great!

I had realistically figured I COULD finish in the 2:30s. I had privately hoped to finish in the 2:20s...and was ecstatic to clock 2:19:21.6!!! A Personal Best, you know, since it was the first time I ever ran a half!

We headed off to Chapters - the kids played with Thomas the Train and read books, and I enjoyed a nice coffee, and admired my dog-tag medal!!!!

(Believe it or not, yes, I was able to get up! AND, after running the half, I took the three kids to the local pool for some fun. We then went out for dinner...it was an amazing day!)

Check out my Senior Bunny

School supplies carefully stored in a new school back pack. Check!

Fancy clothes. Check!
(apparently, a belt, makes it "fancy, fancy!)

Smile on your face. Check!

Quick pose with Mommy. Check!

A big yellow bus. Check!

Ready to tackle senior kindergarten. Double check!!

Anderson,

Today you start senior kindergarten; today you are a senior bunny! How exciting! You are so ready for this new challenge. I cannot wait to see what the new school year brings for you. This year you will be one of the leaders in your split class. I know you will help and coach and befriend many junior and senior bunnies. Your infectious smile, crazy antics and sincere caring nature will help you make many friends. I hope that you continue to love writing, reading and drawing. May your level of confidence grow, and your success be many. I hope you allow your cute, cuddlely personality shine, but that you also pay attention, stay focused and most of all, that you have fun!

Every day at 11:47am I will be anxiously waiting at the bus stop for you - excited to hear about your newest adventure and fun. I cannot wait to see the zoodles and zoodles of art projects and work sheets you bring home. I cannot wait to see you excel and totally enjoy your last year of kindergarten.


Good luck my crazy, funny, Pander-Bear!

Kissies and huggies,
Mommy

Grade One

Supplies bought, new back pack packed...

First ever school-lunch packed...




A quick pose with Mommy...




Cool dude, ready to take on the world...



A quick wave and glance back...

... and DJ is off to grade one!

DJ,

May you have a wonderful first day, and a brilliant year in grade one. I hope that you make new friends, reconnect with your old pals, and have the time of your life. I hope you enjoy school, step up to all new adventures and challenges like you usually do - with a smile and a sense of determination and pride. May you make peace-maker decisions. May you be true to yourself. May you seek knowledge, fall in love with learning and have fun. May you accept your challenges, tackle any difficulties, take pride in your successes and use each experience to learn and grow into the person you are meant to be.

Best of luck in grade one, Buddy. I love you.

Mommy

(I miss you already!)