The Fairly Odd Mother

Going Purple and Tie Dye

April 11, 2009

Purple has been my favorite color ever since I fell for Donny Osmond and his purple socks.

But, alas, my blog background is now purple for a sadder reason: to remember Maddie. The purple is for the March of Dimes, and if you want to feel some of the the love, take a look at the amount of donations raised so far in Maddie’s memory.

And, while you’re looking, make a donation yourself.

I’ve struggled this week to write a post after my last one—it seems heartless to write a post about some mundane little thing.

To get me started, though, I’ll leave you with something for Easter: our eggs.

Cool, eh? We made them using this kit, but you can also DIY with these instructions. Just make sure you get the OK on your selections with the tie-wearing member of your household.

And have a safe and happy Easter.

Filed Under: Blog Love, Fairly Odd Kids, The Outside World 21 Comments

Madeline Spohr

April 9, 2009

A little girl died yesterday. She was only 17 months old.

I have been thinking about her all day and about the pain her parents must be feeling right now.

I don’t feel like I have the right to introduce you to Maddie and her parents since there are so many others who knew her better than I. Instead, I will point you to Blog Nosh Magazine which has dedicated their front page to little Maddie and her parents Heather and Mike.

And, after you have caught your breath, please consider donating to the March of Dimes—Maddie was born prematurely and was going to participate in the March for Babies later this month with her parents.

And hug your babies a little tighter this week. I know I will.

Filed Under: Blog Love, The Outside World 15 Comments

I Just Want to Pump You Up

April 7, 2009

A day I have been dreading and anticipating has arrived: I have finished the 30-day Shred.

Anyone who has done Level 3 of The Shred knows why I couldn’t wait to finish. In fact, after every completed set of exercises yesterday, I sputtered out, “DONE!” as if I would never have to work as hard again in my life.

Ha.

So, why the “dreading”? Well, I knew I’d post photos and, frankly, I was worried about these. Did I really look that different? What’s with this skin still around my belly button area.

Oh, so you mean to tell me that I’ve got to keep working at this?

Overall, I’m thrilled to have done this program. I started it on March 2 and finished on April 6—a little more than 30 days but those selective days off were good when my knee or neck was bothering me.

OK, OK, enough writing—here are the photos:

Before from the side:

20 days in:

Day 30:

And, from the front, before:

20 days in:

Day 30:

(yeah, I know my photographs aren’t exactly the same crops, zooms and brightness; I’m working on that)

I started at 138 pounds, which isn’t bad for a 5’9″ red-blooded woman, but considering that I have “small bones” and the bustline of a 12 year old, 138 feels a little too fleshy.

About halfway through the Shred, I was startled to see that I actually GAINED two pounds and was up to 140. I reasoned that perhaps the extra weight was muscle. Or pizza.

But, after that high, I lost a bit. I’m down to 136 right now. I’d like to get down to about 130 but I’m not going to freak out about it. My weight for most of my thirties was 125, but when I look at photos from that time, I look a little too angle-y and all limbs.

Plus, now, I feel different. My arms are muscley—not in a way that anyone would notice, but I feel muscles in my forearms that I never knew I had before. My midriff is tighter and, although I have a bit of a pooch, it isn’t as thick as it used to be.

But, perhaps the biggest reason to do this? I raked all of my flower beds on Sunday (after Shredding) and didn’t hurt afterward. I can chase the kids and not get winded. I run up and down the stairs a zillion times without feeling like I’m “gargling my heart”.

And, you know, I think I’ve even warmed up to Jillian. After all, anyone who can get me off my butt for 30 days is pretty amazing.