I am trying to lose a few pounds, ok that is an understatement. I am actually trying to lose a whole person that is attached to my backside. I feel like it is a never ending uphill battle that just happens to be through 10 feet of snow. Now don’t get me wrong I have seen progress, but just not fast enough for me. I like it when I just happen to wake up one morning and bam I am a size 6. You know kind of like when you are pregnant and you wake up one morning and have what feels like the whole planet attached to you stomach. You know what is funny that actually did happen to me, not the getting huge part but the losing it all in one night, only not exactly the way I wanted. Most of you who have kids know what I am talking about. You go into the hostpital a nice size 20, plop out a baby and then wake up the next morning about 5 sizes smaller. See it does happen, I just left out the part about all the sagging skin and railroad tracks running across you tummy. I guess next time I should be more specific when I ask for things. Ok, so let me wake up in the morning 10 sizes smaller, no stretch marks, no saggy skin, 18 year old breast, clear skin, permanently shaved legs and armpits, split-end-less hair, all gray hairs gone, and oh yeah with out morning breath. Seriously people is that really to much to ask for. Moving on, I got a little side tracked. I have been on this working out binge and am starting to feel like nothing is happening. People keep telling me “Toni you are losing weight” but I don’t see it. WHY???? Am I not the only person who matters, why when it is my body and I am the one working my butt of am I the only person who can’t see the results…….. Ok Ok I am going a little crazy, but really who isn’t. With all these diets out there and all these people telling you to do this and do this, what do you do? I feel like I am losing my mind, and all I really want is a big fat piece of chocolate cake with a big scoop of ice cream and a pepsi. Help me to get pass the madness of losing weight. Anybody……….
Butterfly Garden June 16, 2009
First on the list was the Butterfly Park and Pizza in the Sky. I think these two go hand in hand. It would be pointless to drive all the way up there and only go to one. They are close enough to each other, actually they are close to a lot of places so if you wanted to make a bunch of checks on your list of places to see, it would be a good idea to knock ‘em all off at once. I think that the butterfly park is cute and you really should take your children at least once. I just don’t think it is worth the trip all the way north if that is the only place you are going to and it will only take you about an hour at most to go through the entire park. And if your kids are terrified of butterflies like mine, it will only take 15 minutes. Good thing though kids 3-4 were only Y200 and adults Y400, so not very expensive.
To get there, you just drive towards the aquarium and it will be about a mile before it. You can’ miss it, it will be on your left but parking is on your right.
Catch up June 16, 2009
Things have been so crazy lately….Ok, so maybe it’s just me. But with all the stuff I am selling I have been working like crazy, I love it but it is still a lot. So to catch up, hubby was in the field for about a month, so the kid’s and I took it upon our selves to see the island with some friends. So the next couple of post are the places we have been to. We had so much fun. I have also had to say goodbye to some very good friends this past month. If you are in the military you know what that feels like, PCS season, it sucks. But it is what we have to do, and who knows maybe we will run into each other again. I think the hardest part is for the kids, my son misses his friends and when he asks for them it is really hard to explain to a 4 year old that he may never see them again. I think he understands but it is still hard for him, they were really close. In closing, I miss you guys and love you lots……
Dragon Boat Race 2009!!! May 5, 2009
WOW! I can not believe we are done. Well we didn’t win, but we didn’t lose either. We beat the Marines but lost to the Navy, I know that really blows. But I had a blast and can’t believe that it is over, what am I going to do every tuesday and thursday now. It was such an honor taking part in something so sacred, I can’t believe I did it. This is going to be an awesome story to tell my kiddos when they get older. Everyone was cheering us on and their was so much enthusiasm that it was hard not to get nervous and all hyped up. All and all I am going to miss all the ladies that took part, you are all great and I am so glad I met you. I am exhausted and going to bed now, but I will leave you with a few more pics. Hopefully if you are in Okinawa you will get a chance to take part in the races.
Nursing Cover Tutorial April 20, 2009
When I was nursing my daughter I ordered a nursing cover from online, and boy was I disappointed. For one it was way to short, I was always on the verge of exposure. And two, it was very thick material and in this Okinawa heat and humidity my little baby was roasting. So being the smart and intelligent person that I know I am I decided to make my own, and I loved it. I loved it so much that I passed it down to my sister who had twins. So me once again being the smart and intelligent person, and sharing person that I am have decided to do a tutorial for the nursing cover to help other mom’s out. So here is goes….
1. you will need 1 yard of lightweight fabric, quilting fabric works great.
2. 14 inches of plastic boning
3. 2 D-rings
4. duh….matching thread. I almost forgot this one. yup that is all you will need for this wonderful project.
STEPS:
1. Wash, press, and cut fabric.
- main piece, 39″ x 28″
- short strap, 7″ x 4″
- long strap, 30″ x 4″
2. Straps
- Press the straps in half, right sides facing and sew a 1/4″ seam allowance.
2. Press seam open, then sew 1/4″ seam at one end of both straps, then use a safety pin to turn right side out.
3. Small strap
- take the small strap and the D-rings.
- Place the strap through the 2 d-rings and sew snugly across bottom. I sew 2 lines just to reinforce.
and you are done with the straps, for now……
4. taking the main rectangle, fold in 1/4″ on the short side and press.
Fold over 1 more time and press again
then, sew a 1/4″ seam from top to bottom.
now do the other side the same way. Then the bottom, yup you guessed it, the same way.
5. The top
- Fold the top over 1/2″ and press, then fold over again and press again.
- Take the boning and place it in the center of the top, under the folds and pin in place. Yes, it is going to bow out abit, do your best, it is almost over.
Next we are going to put the 2 straps in place and get ready to sew.
Standing at the top of the nursing cover you are going to place the small strap with the d-rings on right side. Tuck it in under the fold, close to the boning and then fold it up, pin in place. Do the same for the other strap on the other side of the boning.
Now with everything pinned in place it is time to sew.
Sew across the top, but at the bottom of the fold, if you have the sewable plastic boning don’t worry about sewing over it, that’s what it’s for. If you don’t be careful not to hit it and risk breaking the needle.
Once you finish sewing that line do it again at the other end of the fold.
Yup, you did it, voila!!!! Congratulations you have your very own nursing cover. I told you it wasn’t going to be that hard. This is my very first tutorial and I think the tutorial was harder than making the cover, I hope it helps you and that I did a good job.
The cutiest little dress. April 20, 2009
Ha, I did it!!! Amanda and I took a trip to Kokusai on Sunday and I seen some of the cutiest little handmade dresses. Of course, being the cheapskate that I am did not want to pay the 1500 Yen for them. I told her that I was going to go home and try to make it myself, being that I do kind of sew, a little. And here it is… I took my daughters measurements before she went to sleep around 8 p.m. and by golly g george I was done by 9. It took everything I had not to go and wake her up to try it on, but I was stopped by my husband who said that if I woke her I was going to have to stay up with her….. So I didn’t. I think it is the cutiest little summer dress, and I plan to make many more. All I ended up using was about 1/2 yard of fabric and some cute ribbon ans viola you are done. I am so proud of myself!!!! kudos to me!!!!
Army Women’s Dragon Boat Team April 19, 2009
WOW, that is all I have to say. I have been on the team for about 3 months now and our race is May 5th. We finally got to actually practice on a boat this past saturday and it was amazing. I was so excited to be part of something here on Okinawa that has been going on for hundreds of years, until about an hour into practice, when I felt like I was going to puke and felt pain in my entire body. The girls were motivated and we did awesome. The picture above are our race boats, they fit 32 rowers and 3 coaches. I just think this is so cool, it makes me feel like I am part of something bigger, and yes these boats are huge. We are a good team and the girls really support eachother, I have made some great friends and have gotten to see and do things that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise. So with that being said, GO ARMY BEAT NAVY!!!!!
Yoga, our friend or foe…. March 28, 2009
So I decided to go to a yoga class, to help me out with my marathon training. To kind of spice it up. Boy, does it spice it up. My body hurts in places I didn’t know could hurt.
Don’t get me wrong, I love it. It’s just that it is so different. I have now gone to 3 classes, and my husband went with me to one. It was so funny watching him. He is not the most limber person or graceful as a matter of fact. We still had a lot of fun going together. But I think that he is going to stick to the weight room from now on.
So going to it, I thought, ok so this is going to be interesting. The picture in my head, had me thinking that yoga was just a lot of stretching. Man, was I wrong. By the first 15 minutes of the hour long class I was drenched in sweat. The music was calming, the breathing was incredible, and the instructor was also very relaxing.
I really enjoyed the pace, the instructor made sure that we were all comfortable and no matter what your skill level was you has something to do that was at your level. I never once felt like I did not belong there. Even the people who have been going awhile, were very helpful. Obviously, since I have been back twice since, I do plan on continuing with the class. I think that it is going to help me alot with the 1/2 marathon.
So all and all, Yoga is our friend. As long as, you don’t think about the pain and soreness, I believe you will be alright. The instructor kept telling me, just look at your goal and keep reaching. My goal at the time was just to make it through the class, which I did. So 1st goal accomplished. kuddos to me!!!!
Just my luck!!! March 23, 2009
I believe that I have the worst luck in the world. My daughter ran out of wipes yesterday, so I got in the car and was going to run down to the store to pick some up. I was almost there jamming to my music, when out of know where, BAM, some butthead hits me.
yes, I am not lying… I was going through an intersection, yes, I had the green light and that butthole decided not to stop and rammed right into the back of my van. I wasn’t even expecting it. Well, that was stupid, who ever expects to get hit by a car.
Don’t worry I am ok. I had to wear one of those aweful neck braces for a little while, but all is well. Just a massive headache. I was very lucky, even luckier that I was driving my big mamma van, the other car basicly bounced right off of me. I know that he was the one who ran the red light, but I kind of feel sorry for him. He was just 18 and has only been on the Island for 2 weeks.
You know what is crazy though. here on Okinawa the nationals are crazy drivers. Red lights are just a suggestion, they never turn on their lights, or use their turn signals, and are always on their cell phones, not to mention that seatbelts are not mandatory so children are always all over the car jumping around. But my point is that I have been here almost 3 years and have not managed to even get so much as a speeding ticket yet, alone in an accident. Now 3 months before I leave I get hit by an american. What luck!!!
Well all that is it for now, I need to get some rest and my head is killing me.
A New Leaf March 22, 2009
Not only has it been a while since I last wrote but alot has happened. For one, a whole new year has started, that is a big change. Ok Ok so I have just been lazy, real lazy. In January I started practice for Okinawa’s Dragon Boat Races with the Army Women’s Team. Man, did I bite off mor than I can chew. It is tough and these ladies are hard core, Ihave been practicing for about 2 months now, and it is not getting any easier. It i actually kindof funny, at first I joined because I thought it would be something cool to be part of before we leave the island. But, not only is it definitly cool, but I am losing weight to. Boy did I get lucky!! It is really tough but our practice is at 6 in the evening so well we are killing ourselved rowing we get to look at the most awesomest sunsets. I have got to say Okinawa has the most beautiful sunsets, and believe me I have seen alot of them all over the world. Don’t worry I am going to post a pic, so you can see just how awesome they are. Ok, so I have exhausted my daily limit for using the world awesom. Our actual race is on May 5th and I can’t wait. It’s a really big thing over here, the Japanese nationals take off the whole week for the race and have a couple of festivals too. I am honored to be a part of it, even though I feel like quiting every day. Enough about that, here is the picture of us practicing. The picture was taken at Kadena Marina in Okinawa, Japan.
Is that picture not the coolest thing. We were on a dock and it was probably our 3rd or 4th practice. Here is another picture of us rowing.
Well all that is it for today, got to get some rest.
Until tomorrow my dears…
