Please dont ask me if its hot enough for me, please......

IT IS HOT!!! We do not have central air. For 3 days I had 3 window units working over time and my house was at 85 degrees. I took sheets and I closed off as many rooms as I could, I covered as many windows and darkened them even more than their curtains did. I finally got the temp in the house below 80. Then my son remembered we had another window unit in the garage. So we got that one in and now we are at a nice 74 in the house. I'll take it!! My kids are happy because it was getting pretty close to me walking around in a sports bra and a pair of Dave boxers. I was hot, I was sweaty and I was miserable. My legs hurt from lack of exercise and my chest hurt because the air was so thick and heavy I couldn't breath. I was stuck in a fat chicks catch 22. All the more reason to lose this weight.

I found out today that my boss is looking to hire someone at work. This irks me because I really want my hours back. I want to be re-trained and I want to get back into the swing of things. I want to work with the horses not clean cobwebs and sweep the office. I want the physical part of it all. I told her all this in a text because she didn't call me back. Hopefully she gets my drift, my point, my hopes and dreams, my wants and desires, my wishes. Hopefully she understands how very important this is to me and she gives me a second chance. I want to get back to the real stuff.

This week I turned 35. My husband and kids forgot again! But they didn't forget for long. This time it was only half the morning. All day I wasn't bothered by my age. I was happy that so many people said Happy Birthday. It wasn't until I was lying in bed that night and the house was quiet that I felt something inside of me break. I felt sad. I felt broken, defeated, deflated. I felt like I had lost something and I was never going to get it back. I sat up and I said I am old. I accidentally woke Dave up. He wasn't thrilled because it was 12:30. I went and sat on the couch and cried. I don't know why. I don't even know what it is I have lost or I missed only that it was gone. The next day I was fine.

I did celebrate a little to much though. I had anniversary dinner with Dave and the kids at Ryan's. Then there was Birthday take out. Then there was Birthday dinner with Dave at Aurelios. We topped it off with a cookie pizza ice cream thingy. OMG so very yummy. A big ass cookie hot out of the oven topped with ice cream, like a half a pound and whipped cream and chocolate chips. Its HEAVENLY. So I ate a lot this week. And I barely exercised. But when I did get out and exercise I did it right. (Oh, I still lost too. I'm 238.4)

I took the kids to the beach twice this week. Once we went at night. I stayed in the lake for over an hour playing with my kids and watching the sun set over the water. It was beautiful and powerful. It made my heart fill up with love. We went the next day after it rained and the water was totally different. That day the waves were crashing in and I spent an hour in the water body boarding. Now let me tell you. That is a full body work out. Your body crashing against the water. Legs kicking, torso turning, arms holding you up. I felt so good. We stayed at the beach for 4 hours. I swam and played. I relaxed and read. I enjoyed the sun. I took it all in. I think the body looks so healthy when it has some color to it. Not brown leather color. But the light sun kissed blush of summer. The kids and I all had it. That night I looked at Alexis and I could see the beach in her. I could see the warm tones in her and the blue of the sky. I was happy.

Today I played a different way. Today we went out back and made a camp. Dave made a fire and the kids collected wood. At one point they cut down weed trees with hand saws. But the fun came when we started chopping wood! Yep you heard me, chopping wood. We loved it. To the left is the maul that the kids and I used. and here is a video of Lex. Some how the video of me disappeared. Once we got used to it we kind of "fought" over whose turn it was. Austin had to switch to a smaller maul. The one we were using was a little to heavy for him. So he used the smaller one and he was rocking it. You would not believe the calories you burn splitting wood! 45 minutes burns 503 calories. This is according to http://www.myfitnesspal.com . Check this site out!! If you like it look me up as lexnaj.

CANCUN here I come. It has been a hot sticky week. Mileage has been low on my end. Sorry bout that. Dana of course has been bringing it. I haven't heard from Stephanie to get hers in so that will add up for next week. But we made progress. We are 546 miles from home in Newport, AR. Newport is home to 8,000 people. It is also home to the Arnett Doll Museum. Over 5,000 dolls collected by Virginia Arnett are displayed in a private museum adjacent to her home. A rare and complete set of 'Gone With The Wind' character dolls highlights the exhibit. While some might find this creepy, others might find it cool. 215 miles til Louisiana.

Well I think it is time to say a little prayer.
Dear God, Thank you for today. Thank you for the gifts of love you surround me with. Thank you for the ache in my muscles after a long day of learning how to use them and the calm in my head that come with honesty and hard work. Please God lead me down the right path with work. If I am not meant to work harder and closer with the horses than help me to accept this and not be bitter. Please God guide me in your ways. Show me the path I am supposed to follow so I may be your faithful servant. God please be with those who are suffering. Please be with the families of those who were in massacred in Norway. May they find comfort in your arms and peace in your words. Please be with those who are battling addiction. Those who have been touched by the words and the death of Amy Winehouse.  Please be with the family of little Gavin as they try to put the pieces back together again. In your name we pray. Amen