A bear, however hard he tries, grows tubby without exercise. -- Winnie the Pooh

As do people! I am sore today. I am not sure why, perhaps it is the gym, but I didn't really do anything out of the ordinary yesterday so perhaps it is just me. I am now on day 5 of no processed dessert at all and I have lost 2lbs! It is sad to me that dessert can make that big of a difference. I am still having coffee and tea and one dark chocolate dove piece after lunch and dinner. But nothing else, no jelly beans, no cookies, ice-cream or cake for a full two weeks. I am mostly doing this because I felt it was a part of my life that was falling out of control and that is never a good thing. I eat good, healthy meals and I feel I am pretty good with portion control. My downfall is dessert! So that is where I am cracking down. I am also working hard to go to the gym twice a week (the only days I have the car) and do an hour of cardio and a few weights. It feels nice, I love it when I can do this for a week and already feel a difference in myself. That, and it goes along with hating it when people are un-happy with their weight/body/health and yet they never do anything to change that, just complain. I will NOT be one of those people, so off desserts I go! The gym is so therapeutic to me. I am in a better mood the rest of the day when I get an hour just moving and sweating. Love it!

Well, it has finally happened. My mom used to say she wanted to raise kids that have opinions (I suppose it is a shared pet-peeve of ours, those that can never make a decision). She just didn't realize that in so doing, she would raise kids that had different opinions from her! Well, I am not sure when this realization hit her, but my almost 4 year old has declared this to be her time. Taylor has started giving me fashion advice. Now, of course my first thought as she gives me the "look" taking in my clothes for the day is to point out that for herself she has chosen to wear a white shirt with green flowers covering it, matched with brown pants with pink polka dots...but no. HER clothes go apparently. "Mama, you are wearing a white shirt and almost white pants. You should wear a different color pants. You shouldn't wear those together." Or "mama, you need new pants. The ones you are wearing are too small on you." Well fine then! More motivation to take it easy on the jelly beans? Perhaps she just has something against pants?

Well, so far I am proud to announce that the girls sharing a room have been a huge success! Taylor's sleeping has gotten better, and they are playing with one another more. All toys being in one room has cut down on clutter in my house and did I mention they are playing better with one another? I will turn around to no kids in the room with me and immediately run to find what danger they have discovered...only to find them playing happily! Oh the sense of joy and relief is overwhelming. And I hold on to that feeling every time I have a weak moment wondering if any other baby is in our future. The thought of starting all over makes me tired - they are finally getting easier. Easier is good!

All right my dears - it is a short post today due to a lovely friend coming to visit me this morning. I shall close with (and everyone together now) My stoutness exercises. I try to do these at least 12 times a day. Ready?

When I up, down, touch the ground,
it puts me in the mood.
Up, down, touch the ground,
in the mood for food.
I am stout, round and I have found,
speaking poundage-wise,
I improve my appetite,
when I exercise!

I am short, fat, and proud of that,
and so with all my might,
I up, down, up-down to
my appetite's delight.
While I up, down, touch the ground,
I think of things to chew.
With a hefty-happy appetite,
I'm a hefty-happy Pooh!