The Adventures of The Merschmans

I LOVE LOVE LOVE...

...my new lease on life.  It has really made me feel so much better.  I am doing a mind, body, spirit kind of life change.  Can I just say....it is amazing.  The way my body is coming together, in a few short weeks, I am already in the next smaller size pants.  I joked about fitting into a really cool pair of jeans I have and I will not take them off until they stand on their own.  Now, really, if anyone really knows me, that would NEVER happen. 

I think the real reason things are working for me this time is two fold.  I NEED to get in shape and lose weight before I have, a knee replacement and I just simply want to get healthy and feel good about the way I look in a bathing suit.  Yes, there is a little bit of vanity to it but it is not the only reason.  I have completely changed the way I eat...we are eating VERY clean.  Yes, we do go out and even have margaritas and Mexican food, like last night.  Which I think really helps because you are not depriving yourself either.  It doesn't hurt when you get a compliment either....it just motivates me to do more.  My Fitness Pilates teacher even complimented me on my technique last week...that really makes me feel good...and my stomach is going down....YA!

Yoga, is a BIG thing too.  When a person does yoga, it helps every facet of your being.  I eat all the time..literally, I am always putting something in my mouth...another thing I do, I eat dark chocolate EVERY day!  We all feel so much better.  It is amazing! 

OK, now I feel like this was a narcissistic, boastful blog about ME!!!!  So many people have asked me what and how I am doing this...so I thought I would share it here.

Trip to the Doctor!!!

Just when I least expect something...I get it all..lock-stock-&-barrel!  So, I go to my Orthopedic appointment yesterday afternoon.  I have been in so much pain since I have started exercising again.  They first started with x-rays...ya, not good, getting worse!  Then they drained fluid in both knees, steroid shots in both knees and an ultra-sound to check for blood clots.  Needless, to say, I was a mess when I finally got home at 530.  I still had to make dinner and off course, Eddis was no where to be seen!

My knees feel so much better today...I was told to lay low today.  No gym, try not to go up and steps much today....it is literally killing me...I am already addicted to my exercise. So, I have my appointment at the Mayo Clinic on March 22. 

I CAN'T take this cold weather anymore!  I am getting way too old for this!  Thank God for spring break and being warm and smelling the beach.  I am going back in April to the Sarasota Film Festival...that I cannot wait for...it is going to be so much fun.  I have always wanted to go and now I have my chance..and I am taking it!

What Can I Say....

...my son the "rock star".  If anyone reads my blog on a regular basis, you know, I am the LEAST boastful parent that writes a blog.  BUT, Nicky did so well at his game on Monday night that everyone, players, parents, parents from the other team kept telling us and Nick how great did.  He really looked like he was a basketball star.  It was a great game...I guess, we won by +20 points once again!

OK, I am done!  We are having so much fun this basketball season and the boys are playing really well.  They come together as a team, there are no "ball hogs", they play as a team and it shows. 

We had a sad event this past week with the passing of our dear sister in laws mother.  It was so sad, she was a wonderful person and will be missed all.  The funeral was lovely and the visitation was very nice as well.  She was well thought of in the community.  I pray for Lori's father Louie daily.  It is going to be very hard on him.  He looked great and even had a sense of humor at the visitation.  I lost it at the funeral when he started sobbing when a song about being in the garden was sang. 

Off to exercise.  We are doing a little competition with the Merschman family...I don't really care if I win...I just want to get into shape...I am not a competitive person, so I just don't understand that way of thinking. 

I Can't Believe...

...this weather.  Stuck at home with the kids again today.  We have had so much ice for 2 days.  The temps are suppose to warm up tomorrow so hopefully, the kids can go back to school.  This is getting a little old!

My grandmother, at the Kahl Home is not very happy with me right now, she wanted me to bring her some things today...I am just not going to risk life and in my case limp to take her things she wants.  Her needs are completely taken care of but she would never let anyone think that.

Nicholas was not too happy about not having school today.  The two Lourdes teams were playing each other tonight and he was more than "fired up" for the game.  He was one one team last year and they switched another player with Nicholas.  He loves both teams and last night he was telling us that the reason he was switched was because he can tend to be a little bit of a smart A*#!!!  NO...not my Nicky!!!  Of course, my Nicky...the apple doesn't fall far from his father's tree!

We had some very sad news yesterday, my dear sister in law, Lori's mother passed away very unexpectedly.  I feel so horrible for the entire family.  It is so hard to lose someone so fast like that.  I have been praying for their family, they really need peace and resilience at this point. 

So, here we are....going to another college visit this afternoon.  It is not until 3pm so I am praying the weather warms a bit.  Another night to stay home and enjoy the family.  Eddis is not feeling well, so that means a lot of crabbiness.  Fun, Fun!

Where Does The Time GGGOOOOOOO........?

Ican't believe we are in the middle of January and this is the first time I have blogged since the new year.  I know exactly what we have been doing in one word...BASKETBALL...every single day, someone has a game or practice or both. 

Nick is keeping busy with his social life as well as Teddy, but with Teddy that is a given. 

MaryElizabeth has finally been to Iowa City to see a GI Specialist.  She is very small for her age and it is time to finally get things figured out.

I have been exercising and eating well for over a week and I can tell, I feel so much better.  Today, I am extremely tired. 

We have spring break planned and can't wait to sit in the sun for over a week.

We are busy trying to get this house "shaped up" and Eddis is gearing up to build a new one.  When he actually said it...it made me a little sad...this has been our home for 11 years; I have always LOVED this house...but I must remember...it is just a structure where we built memories...that is all.  We have our memories forever.  Besides, it will probably take at least a year to build. 

Time just seems to be getting away from me and it really bothers me...Teddy will be 18 in less than a month!  I have a graduation party to plan...

Well, enough for now...I at least have that off my chest!

WELCOME 2010!!!!

For some odd reason, I have always like "even" years...I know, weird!!  I was married on an even year, had all my kids on an even year (leap year to be exact), so maybe, it is leap year that is my favorite year! 

We rang in the New Year with the Merschman's it was so much fun.  We have spent the last 3 years with Tom and Amy and the kids and the years have been great!  This NYE was full of Merschman laughs. 

***yummy steak and "lobster"

***the kids, the kids, the kids

***watching "Hangover" and Georgia asking if people really wear underwear like that...Ummm.....did you ever buy a jock strap for your boys?

***watching the coyote in our backyard

***Ndamukong Suh

***Mimi's first basketball game was like watching paint dry

***VonMaur is closed...NO really, let's try every door...they need to let her in

***"snack" after shopping

***I think I have bruises from by punch, kicked and pinched

***peanuts flying through the air...sometimes, he just needs to know he is being an A#*

***lunch at The Circle

***The Biggest Loser

***freezing cold house...what's new

***last but certainly not least....."can I put my damp, smelly socks in your dryer for just a minute"?