WW Week 28 Update!

I lost 2lbs this week, but only 1 "new" pound. I've officially hit 20lbs lost! I also got another +5lbs award. I have no idea what to use as my "prize" anyone have any ideas?

WW Week 27 Update!

This week I gained 1 pound. I'm not sure why other than I gave blood, so I had to eat a bit extra on Monday at the drive. Also since I was giving blood I missed Zumba on Monday and again Tuesday, so I only got 1 workout in.

A Nanny's Diary...Uno...Two?

I babysit for a family that has 2 little boys and a brand new baby girl. In order to keep their privacy, but still share the funny things they say,  I will refer to them by Mr. Green(5) and Mr. Blue(3) and Miss Pink(1m) here on my blog.

Uno...Two? 

While playing Uno with Mr. Green and Mr. Blue...

Mr. Green shouts out "Uno" when he is down to his last card.

Mr. Blue responds with "I have...I have...well I don't know how to say two in Spanish?"

Me - "Dos is how to say two in Spanish." 

Mr. Blue - "I have dos cards!"

Weight Watchers Month 5 and Month 6 Updates!

Month 5 Update (As of 7/14/11)
Monthly Weight Loss: +2lbs
Total Weight Loss: -11lbs


Month 6 Update (As of 8/14/11)
Monthly Weight Loss: -5lbs
Total Weight Loss: -16lbs

WW Week 26 Update!

This week I've lost 3 pounds! Woo Who! One more pound I will hit the 20lbs mark! Yesterday was my 6 month anniversary. I will type up the monthly update and post the picture this week as soon as I get a chance. I never got a 5 month picture (it's hard to get someone to take it sometimes) I will post the 5 month update with month 6 when I get to it.

Lord Today I Thank You For...Gifts 23 - 28

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." -James 1:17

23. Running into a High School friend I haven't seen in years.
24. The announcement of a friend's pregnancy.
25. A phone call from my aunt and uncle "to catch up".
26. An unexpected gift.
27. Sleeping with the windows open after a hot, hot summer.
28. Clean water to drink.

You Know You Work At A Public Library When...

You get text messages asking you to renew materials.

Letters From God...Isaiah 1:18b

ISAIAH 1:18b - "...Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Lord Today I Thank You For...Gifts 18-22

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." -James 1:17

18. A relaxing dinner with friends.
19. Peace in uncertain times.
20. Losing 5 pounds in one week after 2 months of a plateau.
21. Songs playing on the radio that speak exactly what I need to hear at that moment.
22. Cool refreshing weather after several weeks of extreme heat.

WW Week 25 Update!

I have overcome my plateau!!!! I lost 5 pounds this week!!!!!! I'm so excited. I didn't really do anything different, so I'm not sure what happened but I'm glad it did. I got another "+5 pounds" award! I am now on the next level down of points I can eat. YAY! I get 37 points per day to eat now along with 49 extra weekly points. When I workout I also get activity points which I can eat or not. They want you to eat all of your daily points, because if you don't eat enough your body holds onto the fat stores, but the weekly points you could either eat or not. Once you eat your daily points they start subtracting from your weekly points. I usually don't eat many of my weekly points at all. I think I only ate 10 of them last week and the majority of that was on the weekend. I hope I continue in this direction for the next several weeks (although I know I probably won't lose 5 pounds each week). I am pretty short on funds at the moment so I'm not sure what to do for my "5lb Challenge" reward, anyone have any ideas? Sunday is my 6 month mark on weight watchers! I will be sure to get a picture this month! I can't believe it's been half a year!

P.S. I walk/jogged once this week in addition to 3 zumba classes.

Make Your Own Monday...Taco Seasoning!

I've been making my own taco seasoning for quite awhile now. It's SO simple and I prefer the taste over the pre-packaged kinds. Plus I know exactly what's in it, no added salt or msg, or any other funky chemicals I can't pronounce. My sister makes a different version, I haven't tried hers yet. I'm going to include both of ours and a couple other versions I've come across for you to try out.

Brittany's Taco Seasoning
6 tsp Chili Powder
5 tsp Paprika
4 1/2 tsp Ground Cumin
2 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
2 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1 1/2 tsp Cornstarch
1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper

Just mix everything together and store in an airtight container I use an old spice container (one of the taller ones). 2 tbsp plus 1 tsp equals 1 packet of seasoning. This recipe makes 3 "batches" you can multiply it to make more if you wish.

Kayla's Taco Seasoning
1 Tbsp Chili Powder
1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp Onion Powder
1/4 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1/4 tsp Dried Oregano
1/2 tsp Paprika
1 1/2 tsp Ground Cumin
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Black Pepper

Kayla said she just mixes everything together and then just sprinkles some on the meat to taste.

Taco Seasoning
1 tbsp Chili Powder
2 tsp Onion Powder
1 tsp Ground Cumin
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Paprika
1 tsp Oregano
1 tsp Sugar
1/2 tsp Salt

Mix together. Entire recipe is equivalent to 1 packet of seasoning.

Taco Seasoning Ole'
3/4 c. Dried Minced Onion
1/4 c. Salt
1/4 c. Chili Powder
1 tbsp Dried Oregano
2 tbsp each: Cornstarch, Crushed Red Pepper, Dried Minced Garlic, Ground Cumin

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container. To Use: 2 Tbsp Seasoning, 1/2 c. water and 1 lb meat.

Mexican Seasoning Mix
1 c. Minced Dried Onion
2/3 c. Beef Bouillon
1/3 c.Chili Powder
2 Tbsp Cumin
4 tsp Ground Pepper
4 tsp Oregano
2 tsp Garlic Powder

Mix all ingredients and store in a jar. Use 3 Tbsp mix and 1/2 c water for each pound of meat.

I've only tried "my" recipe, if you try any let me know which one and how it was.

Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Miss Prior! She won the CBD Giftcard Giveaway! I used RANDOM.ORG to pick the winner. I tried to put a picture of the screen on this post but I'm not sure how to do that. Miss Prior I sent you a message! Have fun shopping!!!!

Diamond Baby Blanket

This is a afghan I made for the family I babysit. Their little girl was born in late June. I'm not sure if you can tell from the photos but there is a diamond pattern in the blanket. I used Simply Soft Yarns: Watermelon and Chocolate.

Close Up of Pattern

Frugal Friday - Sunburn Relief

Have a sunburn, but out of aloe gel? Use Vinegar! Vinegar has a cooling effect on sunburn. Splash it over the sunburned area, then lightly rub into skin. Or simply cool sunburn with diluted vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray on affected area. I usually like to try out everything before I post it but haven't tried this one. I'm not going to get sunburnt just to try this out, a coworker told me about this tip and then I also came across it in a helpful hints book. If you try it please comment to let me know what you thought about it.

A Nanny's Diary...Overheard While Babysitting! - Future UFC Fighter?

J(2 1/2) while "boxing" with a balloon turns to his best friend H (1 1/2) and says "You didn't know I was such a good fighter did you H" H looks at J like he's lost his mind.

Lord Today I Thank You For:...Gifts 12-17

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

Gifts 12-17 

12. Hymns of praise to sing to you each night before I sleep.

13.Feeling energized after exercising.

14. A cold glass of milk.

15. A visit with a friend I haven't seen in a few months.

16. Sweet baby laughs.

17. A friend's beautiful wedding.

WW Week 24 Update!

This week I gained 1 pound :( I thought with the extra exercise I'd have lost some! It's quite discouraging. Someone suggested maybe I gained muscle and it just doesn't show that on the scale. I don't know! I've been on a plateau for about a month and I'm really getting discouraged. Anyone have any tips?

Habit Of The Month...August

FLY Lady's Habit of the Month for August is Laundry! The goal is to do a complete load each day. From sorting to putting away. Some of you may have to do more than 1 load per day, others may only need to do one every other day. By doing it a bit at a time it is less overwhelming then having a weeks worth to do at once.