Austin and Beyond

I reminded Marshall today as we went for a walk that we've been in Austin now for 1.5 years. We're fairly confident we'll be moving from here in another 8-9 years. Some of the places we're considering and are going to look into are:
*Spokane, Washington
*Colorado
*South Minnesota
*Southern Missouri
*Iowa
*Nebraska
*Coure d'Alene, Idaho

Of course these are just places that we want to look more into over the next few years. We obviously don't need to make a decision any time soon. We just want a town with good schools, that has a low crime rate, beautiful surroundings, potential to grow and jobs for both of us.

Vacation Ideas

We have some vacation ideas that we'd like to see through before we start expanding our family in 2013. Marshall's school schedule gives us limited windows so he doesn't have to miss classes. Here is what's on the table:
2011
*Trip in mid-August to Salem, Oregon to see my parents, youngest sister, Sherri and our nephew Kyan. My brother Matt will make it if he can.
*Trip to the Int'l Balloon Festival in New Mexico during the first weekend in October. We'd travel mostly by train.
2012
*Trip to Washington, DC for at least 4 days.
*Trip to Marshall's family cabin in NW Wyoming.
2013
*Trip for youngest sister Rachael's graduation party.
*Trip for youngest brother Eric's graduation party.
*Trip to northern Europe in June/July to celebrate Marshall's college graduation.
20??
*Trip to North Dakota.
*Alaskan Cruise out of Seattle.

We know a Europe trip would be fairly expensive, and as much as we'd like to go while it would be just the two of us, I'm wondering if it is a good idea to spend all that money as we TTC. I really want to see Denmark; Marshall wants Germany; and we'd like to see Stockholm too.

2013 sounds so far away to be planning trips, but considering that we have two graduations to fly/drive to within a few weeks of each other that year, we really do need to start thinking of some options. We'd like to take a "hurray, Marshall's finally out of school" trip before he would start a full time job (if that's the path he takes). If his business takes off and is earning enough income, well, maybe we wouldn't have to take it right then. *shrug This is what happens when you're a planner by nature.

Package O'Fun

My brother Matt, who is currently deployed overseas right now, should be receiving the package we put together for him. It has a lot of silly gag stuff in it like plastic gun that shoots ping-pong ball sized amo and fake tattoos. We put in their a package of fortune cookies, a window paint marker, some rabbit ears for Easter, a mesh laundry bag and some cracker jacks. His package is going to have some coffee in it that is made in Austin. I look forward to hearing about what he does with all the stuff made for pranks. It should bring a smile to his face, plus make Matt the most popular guy in camp because he has fake tattoos.

Health Update

I had another successful week with WW. I'm down 6.8 pounds in 4 weeks. I only have another 4 pounds to go until I hit my 5% body weight loss goal. I'm also going to participate in Austin 5K Bun Run on May 1st. I'll walk and jog it, and am looking forward to being a part of this event. Marshall is going to go with me. :)

I'm seeing great results in Marshall from his efforts put in at the gym multiple times a week. His upper arms feel rock hard to me! He's feeling better about himself, and is so glad that I suggested we start going back to the gym.

Cats still chase each other while playing, so they're getting their exercise too. :) Everyone is happy in the Reeske household.

#60 Expanding My Vocabulary

Number 60 on my 101/1001 list is to expand my vocabulary by 100 words. I have recruited the help of Savethewords.org, which is a website dedicated to bringing English words that are on the brink of extinction back into everyday vernacular. You "adopt" a word and promise to use it as often as possible, essentially sharing it with others.

My first word is "prandicle," which I had never heard in my life. It means "small meal." For example: My morning prandicle consisted of a banana and half a bagel.

How would you use prandicle in a sentence? ;)

*update*
I've adopted two new words! I'm adding to my brood. "Icasm" means 'figurative expression,' sort of like a metaphor. Here's a good one for Scrabble--quaeritate--which means 'to ask.'

Marshall, Inc

Marshall is officially self-employed !He started his company Delphi Innovations this week, and he's super pumped. His first venture is going well. He had prototype metal plates cut out this week and sent them to his mom, so she could fit them on her bike. If everything lines up, then he's going to do order one sheet, which can hold 86 individual pieces, cut out. These will include the spider web design. He's also in the process of getting a quote from the company that will be plating the pieces. Right now his current obstacle is how to set up a means of processing credit cards when the parts are sold at Spyderfest in April. He's doing lots of research, and I'm confident in him that he's find a solution.

Getting Closer

I've lost 5 pounds in since my doctor's appointment on December 17th! I'm so excited. Also this week, I did a 7:36 mile on the eliptical machine; my goal is 7:30--I'm almost there! I couldn't contain myself and had to post. :D

Legends and Dreams

It has always been a dream of Marshall's to dive into the creative world of inventions. He enjoys finding an alternative solution to improving things or products. He's very close to making his first prototype of the spyder grills he's creating for his mom's motorcycle. He's so close in fact that last night he set everything in place for him to create his own business! He chose Delphi Innovations as the name, which is a broad enough name for him to use with all of his future productions as well. Delphi was a city in Greek mythology where an oracle of Apollo lived and was able to give answers about the future to people of all walks of life who presented her with questions.

The website is now his; however, nothing is on it yet. That will change within the next few weeks. More details to come as they become available!

New Neighbors

Our neighbors had an emergency foster care placement on Thursday night. They are a sibling group of one girl who will be four in a week, a boy who will be two in March, and a premature girl born last Monday who is still in the NIC unit at the hospital. I haven't seen the youngest baby yet, but I'm hoping Amy and I will get to go soon.

Even though they aren't mine, I will still get to practice being a mom by helping out. I've never dealt with the responsibility of an infant before, so I'm looking forward to this experience.

Gambling on Progress

Someone thought of doing a weight loss contest at work to see who can lose most percentage of their way from now until April 4th, when everyone will weigh back in. 16 people signed up, each of whom contributed $25 to the pot. That's $400 to the winner!

Most of the players are guys, and there may only be 2-3 ladies including myself who are participating. I think I have a good chance at winning for two reasons: 1) I'm on a program (Weight Watchers) that has me so motivated, and I won't slack off; and 2) I don't have extra responsibilities like kids who have to be driven in all different directions for sports, etc. I'm going to the gym for group classes at least twice a week, hopefully more often in the near future. I weighed in on Saturday and lost 1.8 pounds (!). If I can keep up this rate, I will lose about 9% of my body weight by April 4th.

Wish me luck!

Our Newest Fur Baby

Meet Maggie! She was a homeless kitty hanging out on our neighbor's porch for a few weeks when we decided to take her in our home because she was so loveable. We brought her in the week of my birthday, and she's been doing great ever since. Marshall took her to the vet to get her checked out. Her belly was poofed out on the sides, and we didn't have the time for a pregnant cat. Turns out she was not preggers, just had worms. She tested negative for all the other tests cats normally checked for as well. We went ahead and scheduled her spaying for the following day. She's done remarkable. She was pretty mellow the day after her surgery, but after that, she was back to exploring our house and her new big sibling cats.

It took awhile for Santa Ana, our orange cat, to not be scared of this new creature, but now we catch them playing and cat chirping at each other frequently throughout the day. Misti on the other hand, who is Daddy's girl and doesn't want to share his love, is still a bit jealous. Instead of keeping a 10 foot space between herself and Maggie, it's down to about one foot now. They like to look out the windows together. We haven't caught them playing yet, but one day it will come.

In fact, right now, Santa Ana and Maggie are playing hide and seek with each other around the couch in the living room. It's so cute!!

Here's another picture I snapped of Maggie after hopping down from the chair. Below is my attempt at catching her playing with a toy mouse.

One Single Resolution

On December 29th I joined Weight Watchers. I've promised myself so many times that I was going to lose weight. Well, now I am taking control and making myself successful. My final decision was a phone call to my mom, who has done WW over the years. She said I would do great at it. It was just the boost I needed.

I went to my first meeting yesterday. The leader brought up the topic of what makes a good resolution. She said it should be positive, specific, within one's control, and a good fit with your life. I didn't write down my resolution on the notecard during the class because I really wanted to ponder what I really wanted to accomplish. I was thinking about it the rest of the day.

I think this is it: I want to lower my BMI through tracking points via weight watchers and email my best friend about my exercise results every day. It's positive, something I can accomplish, and is going to fit in my new lifestyle. I could make it more specific by saying what I want to lower my BMI to, but I don't know a realistic number, so I'm leaving it open ended.

I was weighed at a doctor visit on December 17th, and two weeks later I had lost 1.8 pounds. What changed in those two weeks is I went to two group classes at the gym each week, plus eating healthy. Just knowing I've lost weight has given me a huge confidence boost. Marshall is very proud of me, and I'm very proud of myself.