Thursday, February 23, 2006

Just a Jana Update

I am happy to report that a few changes are taking place in my life this week. I am beginning a new exercise program that combines yoga and ballet. It is a tough workout, especially in the abdominal and gluteal regions (if you don't know what that is, look it up.), but I am really enjoying it. I used to be a dancer (ballet, not the other kind) and a lot of it is coming back when I do these moves. I feel much more energized and healthy already. I just hope I can stick with it.

I have also begun eating breakfast regularly, which is a big change for me. Usually I am so busy in the mornings that by the time I have a chance to eat, the hunger has turned into an empty knot and I lose my appetite. After realizing that this is probably contributing to the brick wall I run into everyday at 1 p.m. I decided to do something about it. So, this Monday I began by toasting a couple of Kashi blueberry waffles while my son ate his Mini-wheats. Bad idea. I tried to explain that these weren't the "good" waffles that I fed him sometimes. These were "mommy" waffles, chock full of fiber, soy protein and other nutrients. Unfortunately, these notations did nothing to qualm his pleadings. So, on Tuesday I ate a bowl of high-fiber cereal instead. I think I'll eat the waffles when he's not looking. They really weren't too bad, if you like the taste of styrofoam. Of course, anything is good smothered in Aunt Jemima, isn't it?

The last change I have made this week is to join a group called Flylady.net. It is a website dedicated to helping women declutter their houses and their lives. It helps you on this journey by sending you (very) frequent email reminders to form certain routines that help you stay on top of your duties as a mom and wife. It's a great idea and I have learned a lot so far. It has helped me with little things that I don't even think about but that desparately need to be done, like cleaning out my purse and taking 15 minutes to throw away/donate some things that are merely taking up space (i.e. my closet). Fifteen minutes isn't much, but when you do it everyday for a month, it reallys clears out some space. Or at least I am hoping it will. I have only been doing this for two days. The only part I cannot bring myself to do is wear shoes in the house. The idea is that wearing shoes, preferable lace-ups, puts you in a "get things done" mode and inspires productivity. However, I detest shoes and the first thing I do when I walk in the house is to kick them off. I am very uncomfortable in shoes and I don't think that's going to change. So, I am hoping you can be successful at this program without them. Anyhoo, it seems promising and I will keep you all informed of my progress. I know you are just tingling with anticipation.

Okay, gotta go shine my sink.

Just a random picture my daughter took...

Randy and I...aren't we cute? Well, he is anyway. I had to crop this one so you couldn't see my P.J.'s. I don't think I am ready to share that yet!

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

From Dictionary.com

lurker:
n. One of the `silent majority' in a electronic forum;one who posts occasionally or not at all but is known to read the group's postings regularly. This term is not pejorative and indeed is casually used reflexively: "Oh, I'm just lurking." Often used in`the lurkers', the hypothetical audience for the group's flamage-emitting regulars. When a lurker speaks up for the first time, this is called `delurking'.

The Entwistle Family Web

If you don't know the history of this case, you can read about it here.

It is just beyond the scope of human understanding to see these pictures of a loving mom and baby, and even what appears to be a loving dad, knowing that that same man put them in their grave a few weeks ago. It's obvious that the mom put this website together to showcase her beautiful baby that she was so proud of. I know just how she felt...I have done the same thing. Seeing that child in her Christmas outfit with the green headband and knowing how Rachel had picked that out just for that event and then taken tons of pictures just like any mom does just devestates me. I can completely identify with the feelings that she had. It is obvious from viewing these pictures that this child was her life and that she thought she had a wonderful family. The one of the party welcoming Daddy to the USA is very difficult to see. The table is decorated with a cake and two framed pictures of the family and of Lillian while Neil just sits and smiles. Why would a man who is obviously loved by his wife and child decide one day to shoot them as they cuddled in bed? What was he trying to accomplish? How could he be playing in the floor with his baby one day and killing her the next? How can anyone harm a baby? I just don't understand. If you don't want to be with your family, then just leave. Get a divorce. Go on with your life and allow your family to do the same. Don't deny them and their loved ones the life they deserve. They could've lived without you if you had given them the chance.

This really angers me. What a horrible depiction of human capability. What a waste of precious potential. What a devestating loss.