Last week, the day before CLW went to the hospital, I signed up for a membership at the gym MacNCheese goes to! I was so excited, though I spent entirely too much on it. My mother gave me the down payment and I have a couple more to go to get it paid off. I chose the wrong time of year to try to barter for a good deal! Everybody and their mama is signing up at the gym to keep their New Year's Resolutions, so they weren't hurtin' for memberships or for money. I ended up having to pay 2X as much as MacNCheese said she did. Ouch! But I got four years and if I break it down to monthly cost, it's a little easier to swallow. I certainly hope I can keep it up.

I actually attended for the first time Wednesday. I was a little perturbed because I had an appt w/ a "trainer" (really the sales gal) to get me started and she wasn't available because she was working on a sale. So I went to the front desk to ask what I should do, and the lady acted all exasperated and sent me "away" to the treadmill. Then I finished w/ 20 minutes of that and went looking for someone to get me started. I met this nice older lady (well older than most of the girls that work there, but only a tad bit older than me) who set me up. So needless to say, I was having a little buyer's remorse, thinking, "if they're just gonna drop me like a hot potato now that they've got my money, I'm gonna be so sad!" But the next day was better. I just sought out my new friend and she worked w/ me again.

So today was my third day. I have been going in before work. It has made mornings a little rough for the kids, because I have to get them up earlier than they're used to so we can finish school before we have to leave. Then I have to drive them all out to my Grandma's house, because they're all contagious still, so that's adding about 30 minutes right there. I'm gonna have to talk to Cat and see if he can get them into bed earlier. That would help.

I also think I could stand to drink a little more water. I think I'm getting dehydrated. I've only been bringing one bottle w/ me and then I've not had much throughout the day either. I'm feeling pretty raggedy, and I'm sure that's why. Otherwise, things are good. I'll go again tomorrow before work.

On the diet front, I'm not. I mean, I don't officially diet, even though I did have a lot of luck on a modified (for nursing moms) Atkins diet a couple years ago. I am focusing more on portion control and eating healthier. I'm hoping my appetite will begin to diminish now that I'm working out. It hasn't yet, but I've just started. I'm sure that will help too. I have to do something. I have gained so much weight since having CLW, it's really awful! So I might just have to resort to a diet if the current plan doesn't work out.

We started something new w/ Ying's reading. She's been fussing way to much when she's asked to practice her reading. It's called a reading chain. Each time she reads a story, she gets to make a link for a paper chain. She'll write the date and the title of the book or story and tape it together, then we'll hang it to the ceiling. She'll add links to the chain until it reaches the floor. Then she'll get to choose something fun to do, just her and me.Today was our first day. She was excited about it this morning, but I don't know how long it'll last.

Yang is struggling. He needs more mommy time, so we're making a link for every story we read together, and he gets to pick something to for just the two of us. He was excited too. I hope I can keep it up!

CLW is still sick. This morning I considered taking her back to ER. She's starting to go downhill again. Please pray that she's breathing easier when I get home, or we'll probably have to take her in tonight.

Thing1 and Crispani (her beau makes Crispani at Panera) came home today w/ a Crested Chinese Waterdragon. She's such a trip. She's keeping it for him until he has his own place (Grandma P. won't let him keep it at her place). At least it wasn't the monitor lizard they were talking about getting. They were too expensive, thankfully.

I am so happy she's happy now. I think I mentioned before that I hadn't realized how depressed she was while she was dating Pierced. It's really like night and day, the difference in her attitude. She has actually returned to her old self. She plays w/ the kids, jokes with her dad and me and actually begins conversations and shares her thoughts and concerns with us. I'm grateful to God for bringing her back to us.

We need to make an appointment at Sinclair to get her started in school. She's decided to just get her gen. ed. stuff out of the way, and probably go into business or marketing.

Thing2 is as steady as ever. His finals start next week. He and AmericanGirl (his girlfriend...isn't that a great name for her?) are still having fun together. He's such a big help to both Cat and me. He has been such a blessing. Interesting that the meaning of his name is "Stand Firm". That's definitely a God thing. How cool, huh?

Well today was a special day for Cat and me. We have been married 18 years! Amazing, if you think about it.

We didn't celebrate. We didn't even see each other today. Actually, that's not true. He came in before leaving for work and gave me a kiss and told me happy anniversary. I was very groggy. I don't even know if I responded or not. That's the only bad thing about this job. I don't see my husband for four solid days...at all. I'm asleep when he leaves for work, and he's asleep when I get home. At least I only have a four day work week, instead of five days. I kinda miss him though, especially on days like today.

Well I should get some work done. Have a great weekend!