Clay Jar People

I did a guest post for Charlotte of Life UnXpected. Check it out here.

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.

Author Unknown

so yesterday I put Elijah down on our bed…and as soon as I did I felt excruciating pain going through my lower back. I couldn’t walk or stand without pain. Turns out I have a slipped disc.. Meaning I have to rest and get Voltaren shots. Basically I can’t do anything without a lot of pain. So I am blogging off Chris’s iPhone, as I can’t sit at my laptop. Thankfully Chris is home to help me today. And I am getting a walker from my mom’s work later… It’s like being an old woman. I HATE being dependant on people, I thought it was over after the c-section. But this pain is worse… So… I may be quiet for a while. Please pray that I get better soon, I need to be able to fulfill my job as a mom and wife.

I adore singer/songwriters that write intelligent, poetic lyrics. My favorite of these, right now, is Sara Bareilles. Apparently best friends with Ingrid Michaelson, the talented lady-person writes/sings about all sorts of stuff, from the heavy can’t-deal-with-the-emotions-flooding-my-kleenex to the playful I-have-too-many-marshmallows-to-throw-around stuff. I enjoy the thought put into the songs she produces. Just thought you should know…

* Finish my gingerbread trees
* Miraculously make our house look something like this

* Make craftiness’s

* Mend some clothes that have piled up…

* Go on at least one carefree picnic with my lovely

I will also be doing tons of relaxing and having much fun, and trying to blog much more :)

I have started with my Low GI eating plan again today… and decided that since this blog is live… its a good way to keep me accountable. I will not turn it into a diet blog nor a watch-how-much-weight-I’ve-lost blog. Those are great, but not my style. I just want to document my goals, so that I have them and so that other people know about it, which should force me to stick to them… in theory.

REASONS WHY I WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT
* I want to feel more comfortable in my skin.
* I want to be able to find clothes easier… and not have to freak out at the label.
* I need to be healthier.
* My body is a temple of the Lord, and as such I need to treat it healthier.
* With PCOS, its important that I lose weight so that I don’t ruin any chances of ever having kids.
* I had my BIG diabetes scare a few years ago, and really don’t want to go there again.

GOALS
* Be able to do 20 minutes on the treadmill followed by 20 minutes on the cycle without killing myself.
* Lose AT LEAST 5kgs by our 2nd anniversary this November.
* Fit into my “Goodbye Kitty” top which Chris bought me for Christmas.
* Cut out ALL sugar and refined. processed foods.
* Attain a flatter stomach.

Check out this site, if you’d like to see the interview that Moody and Joicy had with me… Thanks guys!!

I recently emailed Sarah Mae of Like A Warm Cup of Coffee some questions on being a stay at home mom/wife… check out her answers here.

Thanks so much for that Sarah… it affirmed some things for me… its going to be hard work, but it can be done :) Lord willing!

Last weeks menu wasn’t followed religiously, as we kind of share a house with my in laws, so sometimes my MIL cooks for everyone. But will try harder this week…

WEEK: 1 – 7 June
Monday
Breakfast: Bran muffins
Lunch: Provitas with salmon cream cheese
Dinner: Was going to make Bacon Alfredo – but we weren’t hungry, so thats for Wednesday.
To Do: Pack lunch for tomorrow.

Tuesday
Breakfast: Bran Muffins and a small yogurt
Lunch: Bolognaise with instant noodles (have left over bolognaise) and pumpkin fritters
Dinner: Take Away (we have bible study)
To Do: Pack lunch for Wednesday

Wednesday
Breakfast: All Bran with milk
Lunch: Provita’s with cottage cheese and sweet chilli sauce and cup of soup
Dinner: Bacon Alfredo
To Do: Cook Butternut and pack lunch

Thursday
Breakfast: All Bran with milk
Lunch: Homemade bread with tomato and cheese
Dinner: Butternut soup

Friday
Breakfast: All Bran with milk
Lunch: Soup and roll/crackers
Dinner: Hot dogs
To Do: defrost meat

Saturday
Breakfast: Toast with egg
Lunch: Crackers with cheese
Dinner: Fondue with rice
To Do: Defrost chicken

Sunday
Breakfast: Coffee and rusks
Lunch: Chicken soup with rolls
Dinner: crackers
To Do: Prepare lunch

For more menu plans check out Organizing Junkie.

This must be put bluntly: every man who has more than is necessary for his livelihood and that of his family, and for the normal development of his intelligence, is a thief and a robber. If he has too much, it means that others have too little.
Romain Rolland