Musicals Monday

Phineas and Ferb is the funniest cartoon on television.  The series follow Phineas Flynn and his English stepbrother Ferb Fletcher on summer vacation.  Every day the boys embark on some grand new project, which annoys their controlling sister, Candace, who tries to bust them.  Every episode almost always features Perry the Platypus (Agent P), acting as a secret agent to fight an evil scientist named Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz.  The two plots intersect at the end to erase all traces of the boys' project just before Candace can show it to their mother.  This usually leaves Candace very frustrated.  The series is also known for its musical numbers, which have appeared in almost every episode since the first-season.

The music is the reason Phineas and Ferb is appearing today.  The writers took the first episode of the show, tweeked it,  and turned it into a musical.  The following is a clip from that episode where Phineas and Ferb parody well-known musicals, including:

Cats
The Phantom Of The Opera
Oklahoma!
Singin' In The Rain
Fiddler on The Roof
West Side Story
The Music Man
Les Miserables
The King and I
Chicago
Cabaret

For your Musicals Monday, Phineas Flynn singing, Hey Ferb

Week One

Day One - Saturday

Well, day one is over and I'm feeling pretty good.  I exercised this morning, and wanted to die, but felt great.  I'm quickly discovering foods that I DON'T like: 

greek yogurt:  I tried, really I did, but I don't like this stuff!

curry and cilantro:  I made an egg salad sandwich that required curry and cilantro.  No thank you...I threw the whole batch out.

turkey bacon:  Not going to happen.  If I'm going to have bacon, I'll find a lower calorie version of the good stuff!

I drank 4 liters of water, or 128 ounces, double the suggested daily amount.  My bladder forgot what it's like to have A TON of water in it.  I felt like I was 9 months pregnant again.  Hopefully my bladder will adjust soon!

I found a lot of vegetables that I like and will be able to use in many ways in the future.  And I managed to stay under my daily calorie intake, ending at 1639 for the day.

Sunday

My body made it very clear to me this morning that I exercised for the first time in quite a while yesterday.  I'm feeling my abs (which is good).  I stepped on the scale this morning and was so excited...I'm already down 1.6 pounds!!

Some people say stepping on the scale every day is bad.  I do it because it helps me to know how I can make changes to what I'm eating.  If I've gained, I know what to cut.  If I've lost, I know what to keep doing.  Plus, it helps me discover the best day to weigh myself.

Didn't get as much water in....the three hour church gap made that difficult.

Monday

Stepped on the scale again this morning....another 1.2 pounds gone!  2.8lbs total lost in only 2 days!  I'm liking this A LOT!

Exercising was easier today.  Made it through the workout without completely wanting to die!

I'm finding that it's easier to fill up my stomach faster.  Counting calories is really helpful.

Salmon......LUV IT!

And I've discovered a great snack at night when the munchies want to kick in:  1 or 2 tbsp of melted semi-sweet chocolate chips dipped into strawberries.  I use mini chocolate chips, so the calorie count isn't as big, and strawberries are healthy!  It got rid of my sweet tooth and the munchies.

Tuesday

I went to bed last night excited to step on the scale in the morning.  That hasn't happened in a LONG time!  I almost fell over when I saw what the scale said:  another 1.4 pounds lost!  In three days time I've lost 4.2 pounds!!!  I realize that this won't continue forever.  I have A LOT of weight to loose right now, eventually it will level off.  But holy cow, I am LOVING this right now!

Made some blueberry muffins from a weight watchers recipe this morning:  you know it's going to not end well when your crazy, excited son who helped you make them won't eat them!  They were not good....in my opinion!

Exercising was even easier today.  It's almost becoming, dare I say it, FUN!

Another good all around day


Wednesday

Scale this morning:  only 0.2 pounds lost.  I could let it discourage me, but better to loose something than nothing at all!  Plus, it still puts my total weight loss for the week at 4.4 pounds, about a pound a day, which is much more than I thought I'd loose.

I was thinking about not exercising today, but only loosing 0.2 pounds actually motivates me more to get up and get it done. 


Thursday

Lost another 0.4 pounds!  I was really hungry today and had trouble finding good food to eat.  Exercised today.  Brandon was my cheerleader, and exercise partner for about 5 minutes.  It was really funny watching him twist from side to side and kick his legs!


Friday

Decided that I'm not going to step on the scale every day anymore.  I put the 0.4 pounds back on!  Depressing!!!

Overall a great first week.  I lost a total of 4.4 pounds!  I'm ahead of schedule and looking forward to seeing what my body does for me next week.

My Son, The Scene Stealer

Last week my sister was a substitute teacher at the last school I long term subbed for before taking on the APA job.  She was in the 3rd grade, teaching the class next to the one I was in.

When the kids found out that she was my sister, they went crazy!

The kids had always wanted me to bring Brandon to school, but that just wasn't something I could do.  With the school year ending, I sent the teacher an email and today Brandon and I went to visit the class.

When we arrived, the 3rd graders were finishing up a talent show.  We walked in as quietly as we could, but the minute the kids saw me, screams of "Mrs. Toale, Mrs. Toale!" could be heard.  They were all so excited to not only see me, but Brandon as well.

The talent show continued, with the teacher I subbed for taking the role of emcee.  Brandon was getting into it, wondering if the kids liked him.  When the teacher asked if anyone else had a talent, Brandon raised his hand and started walking towards the center of the room.  And the fun began.

The teacher asked Brandon what his name was and how old he was.  Thankfully, he answered correctly both times.  Then she asked if he had a talent he wanted to share.  He said yes and she asked him to pick someone out of the audience to help him.  All the kids raised their hands, and he picked out one of the sweetest girls from my class who wasn't raising her hand!  As the kids went crazy, someone asked if Brandon was going to marry this girl, and he said yes, sending them into complete craziness.

Well, Brandon, one to never walk away from attention, just started laughing and laughing.  The teacher asked Brandon if he had a girlfriend, and he told everyone his mommy is his girlfriend!  Right on, Brandon!!

We went back to the classroom, and Brandon ran around with the third graders who were just loving him....mostly the girls.....should that surprise anyone?!?

All the kids wanted my autograph (year book signing), and a few tried to get Brandon's.  He's working on being able to write!  They were asking him if he liked Star Wars (this class and I have a special bond about Star Wars.  They know how much I absolutely LOVE it!), and trying to get any information out of him that they could.  It was too funny.

My son, the attention loving, "pick me, pick me" shouting, four year old, stole the show.  It was the most hilarious thing to watch.  I only wish I had my camera with me.  That would have been too perfect!

Quick, Get That Dove Outta Here!!

Today I did my food shopping, spending more time (and money...sorry honey!) in a grocery store than I think I've EVER spent.  The exciting part is that I am so anxious to try some of the food I bought, and simply eat the stuff I know I like!

My weekly menu is posted, my healthy food is on one side of the refridgerator and my snacks are at eye level in the pantry.  Tonight I will take my measurements for future comparisons (I'll share them later, if I am as successful as I'm hoping!), and eat the remainder of the Dove chocolate in the house.  Because, let's face it:  Dove chocolate is a TERRIBLE thing to waste!

Tomorrow I will weigh myself and begin with a healthy breakfast and exercise.  Water, water, water, all day long, with a healthy snack every three hours.  A food journal and calorie counting will help me stay on track, and of course I'll be blogging about my progress....whether good or bad!

I am ready, I WILL do this!

Our Second, First Anniversary!

A few days ago I was probing Nick to see if he remembered what day was coming up.  (Oh wives and their silly little games!)  He says, "You mean, our second, first anniversary?"  Not only did he remember, but he came up with the PERFECT way of stating it! 

For any of you who are unfamiliar with our story, read Our First Marriage and Finding Our Way Back Home.

It's been a year since we put our family back together, and we couldn't be happier!  Moving to Utah was the BEST THING we EVER DID!  I was just offered a teaching position for the fall in 3rd grade at the American Preparatory Academy, Brandon is enjoying preschool, and being near his cousins, and Nick is working his behind off for us.  We're looking forward to the wonderful changes my new job will bring us.

This song, by Rascal Flatts meant a lot to me this time last year:



And this song, by Shania Twain, is significant today:



Happy second, first anniversary Nick!!