Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I survived another session of Fit Camp. This one was five days a week for an hour each day. I did pretty well, but did have to miss several classes due to children being sick, having conflicts in my schedule, etc. I must have done something right, though, having lost another 1.6% body fat! Okay, I'm getting grief about "what fat do you have to lose?" Well, I did have three babies, and together, they weighed 25 lbs., plus the weight one normally puts on during pregnancy, as well. I have what I like to call "muffin top syndrome." I used to be able to hide it under my "mom jeans" but those aren't exactly in style anymore and have been donated. Not to mention that I had to suck it in an awful lot to actually fit into them. New jeans = sweet relief and the ability to breathe again!

My friends are I are skipping this session and will attempt to buoy one another and go to classes together and have our own fit camp sessions in one of the unused room at the gym. I am really quite proud of my new shape, especially my arms, and I don't want to lose the progress I've made, but I also REALLY hate to leave the house in the cold weather, and would much prefer to stay home, have a cup of hot tea and read! I've been reading like a crazy woman over the last couple of weeks, typically reading at least a book per day. My husband gives me a hard time because I don't read EVERY word on the page. Well, what's the point of that? I get the general gist by skipping sentences and get through books quicker. I read whenever I have a minute, for instance, stirring the pasta for dinner, sitting down to eat a bowl of miniwheats, giving the kids a bath, etc. My husband has been playing Guitar Hero III for hours after the kids are in bed and I've been spending the time reading. Uh, perhaps this is why our Christmas stuff is still sitting on the kitchen table? I love paperbackswap.com for trading books. Tell 'em TNMomof3 sent ya! I've been catching up on all the good smut reading and learning a few new ways to get rid of the body, so I'm good.

The kids did have a great Christmas. The eight and five year old both got the "Buy One, Give One" computers. "Eight, I'm Almost Nine" said it was the best gift EVER! Sure beats my Speak and Spell I got at her age, but I did play the heck out of that thing! I had the Speak & Math, as well, but I credit the Speak & Spell with teaching me how to spell "rhythm" and "bureau" in second grade. "Two" also got a "waptop" to carry, so he wouldn't feel left out. I haven't uploaded the Christmas pics from my new camera (yeah!), yet. I was having to tape and sometimes use a band-aid to hold the batteries in because I dropped the camera and the battery compartment closure broke. Doh! So, I love my little white Casio and it is doing a great job so far. My big gift is a wonderful, super comfy office chair. Of course, I've only been able to sit in for a little while, since I'm usually called away to break up and fight and it is easier to sit on the sofa and act as referee, instead of yelling across the house "hey, what are you doing? Leave your brother/sister alone!"

The sad news is that my wonderful Grammy died on New Year's day. She had lived a good life and was suffering from Alzheimer's. I really didn't expect to get a call saying she was in the hospital and was near death. It sounds like it was an "easy" passing, but I will still miss her. It was almost amusing when she first started losing it several years ago. She would just do silly things and not remember doing them, or repeat herself more than a reasonable amount and the like. It got sad very quickly, however, when the car keys had to be hidden because she would drive somewhere and not know how she got there. She broke her hip and didn't remember doing it. So, Grammy, rest in peace! I hope they have Chardonnay and Tott's in heaven for you and you and Poppy and Mom are having a good time, as well.