Intended Harm

It's been 6 months since my book was published. 

Have you bought your copy yet?

Jurney Eve

Treadmill for Sale

So I have this treadmill, which is something I never thought I would own, let alone spend almost $1000 on it, because I am a self-proclaimed lazy person. 

I loath exercise. 

See, I have been blessed with a high metabolism which didn't require exercise when I was younger to maintain my girlish figure. 

(Take note of "when I was younger" please) 

Now, I am a 36 year old mother of 3. My metabolism isn't quite what it used to be and, I unfortunately spend WAY too much time in front of this computer. 

I blame technology. 

So anyway, I bought this treadmill thinking if I plant that puppy right in front of my tv I might just become one of those people who exercise. 

I might even start to like it. 

I wasn't especially trying to lose weight. I was mostly trying to get healthy.

Weeeeellllll....that's not entirely true. 

I am 5'4" and, at the time of the treadmill purchase, I weighed 126lbs. I was considered a healthy weight. What I truly wanted out of my new treadmill was the confidence to sunbathe at the pool that upcoming summer. 

Now before you go all "boo-hoo. She weighed 126lbs. What was she a size 6?" Let me just paint a picture for you.

I live in a HUGE apartment complex FULL of 20-something, perfectly sculpted, scantily clad, freakishly tanned, college kids who spend their entire summer hanging out at the pool. 

I swear. I don't think any of them had jobs. 

While I am a 36 year old, mother of 3 with the stretch marks to prove it and absolutely no muscle tone, who is forced to spend her entire summer at the pool as well because of her kids.

I was simply hoping for a little muscle tone to boost my self-esteem but something strange happened about 3 weeks after purchasing the treadmill.

I received a license to chill.

Not an actual license but it was like, having that treadmill gave me permission to eat whatever I wanted. 

"Should I eat those donuts? 

Yeah! I'll just get on my treadmill later."

"Yeah, give me a BIG piece of cake. 

I'll just get on the treadmill later."

But "later" never came.

Now my treadmill is my coat/purse/kids' backpacks/junk food... hanger.

Every once in awhile, I'll dust her off with the intention off getting on her but then I'll look at the mound of crap I have on her and decide it's not worth it.

Sad! I know.

So, flash forward a year and a half...it is the summer of 2010 and I weigh 146lbs. I've gained a whopping 20 lbs in 1.5 years...AND THERE'S A STINKIN' TREADMILL IN MY LIVING ROOM!!!!!

Oh, treadmill. What have you done to me?

BUT...There is a a happy ending to this story...I have discovered a new way to lose weight. 

It's called "Getting a Day Job". 

My youngest started school this year, which freed up my days to get a job. I have been working days for about a month now.  I have also been eating a lot healthier this summer and I'm sure that has contributed as well, but the day job has been a TREMENDOUS help because it forces me away from my beloved computer. It stops me from eating all day while sitting motionless at my beloved computer and it just takes my mind off of food in general.

Well...I just weighed myself this morning and...drum roll please...I now weigh 127lbs!!!!!

YAY ME!!!!!

Does anyone want to buy a treadmill?  

Jurney Eve

The Great Pumpkin of 2010

Every fall, my mother-in-law thinks it's necessary to give us a giant pumpkin that she has grown from her garden especially for my kids. She always decorates it. 

This year she chose a pirate theme. 

The kids love the pumpkins. What I don't love is the fact that she lives 4 hours away from us, and in my mind, driving 4 hours for a giant pumpkin isn't exactly my idea of a good time. But it would be nice to see them.

So, we compromised. They drive 2 hours and I drive 2 hours. We meet in the middle, exchange the pumpkin and then spend a few hours with them.

We are finally home now. 
The kids got to see their grandparents and I got to eat at the Olive Garden. 

 Operation Great Pumpkin was a success.

My son's new hobby.

My Poor Baby Girl Update

Just a quick update on my poor baby girl.

Their Facebook status' have them listed as "married" again.

I asked her if that was what she really wanted and her response was, "I was so sad when we were broken up."

I told her about a time or two, when I was younger, when I wanted to break up with a boyfriend but when I did I felt so guilty and sad that I went back out with him just because I hated feeling that way. 
It didn't take long before I realized that, yes I was sad but I still didn't want to be his girlfriend.
 
She said they didn't get back together because she felt guilty. She said it was because she loves him sooooooo much and it hurt too much.

Aww! How sweet! 

Maybe...if those words were coming from someone else's 14 year old daughter.
Letting out the leash on your kids has got to be the hardest thing about parenting...so far.

Jurney Eve

My Poor Baby Girl

Today I received a phone call from the school nurse...which is always cause for near heart failure.
It was from the high school's nurse, telling me that my daughter's stomach was hurting her and if I wanted to come get her I could.
So I did.
She had been complaining about her stomach last night too. She even went to bed at 6pm. I told her she could have stayed home from school today but she said she felt fine.
So she went to school.
After I picked her up, she confessed to me why her stomach has been bothering her.
She broke up with her boyfriend yesterday.
I asked her what happened and she said that she had decided they were too young to be in a relationship for that long and that they never got to see each other.
When I heard this I had mixed emotions.
My first emotion was immediate concern for my daughter's broken heart. I knew she loved him...or so her 14-year-old self thought she did...so I knew she must be hurting.
My second emotion...was relief.
I know that sounds horrible but she's too young to be this serious over a boy! I mean, their Facebook status' had them listed as "married" to each other.
My BFF always thought I was overreacting. She kept reassuring me that my daughter was NOT going to end up a pregnant, married teenager living in a trailer.

(My apologies to anyone who lives, or who used to live in a trailer. I grew up in a trailer myself. The comment was just for comedic reasons.)

So, now my baby girl is hurting and I just want to hold her and hang out with her and make sure she's ok but all she wants to do is listen to music and text her friends.
I even tried to take her out for some retail therapy. She just wanted to go home.

My poor baby girl!

Jurney Eve