A Healthy Start!

Hi It is almost the exact middle of summer. We just ended a week of, I would say, the most uncomfortable hot and humid streak in my recent memory. I was, again, VERY glad to have a pool of my own. We also became very popular with the kids friends! (That is a good thing!!) So, what do I decide to do during this heat-wave? Yes – I begin a new eating and exercising program – and by exercising I mean start running. Yes – I have always disliked sweating – and yes – I have been known to call running ‘how to be bored while moving’ but – there it is. I visited my doctor and he gave me very specific instructions. YES, he said, you are healthy enough to run. (Bummer) And, he said, I want to see you at least 20 pounds lighter when I see you next year. I responded that I’d like to be 45 pounds less and he and I laughed together. I had already decided to go back to my sugar free, low carb, no gluten eating program since I have always felt better when eating that way - why not start running? Two friends had shared with me, a long time ago, that they used an app called ‘couch to 5K’ to help them jumpstart a plan – and they were not into running either! Now they were runners – and one friend had also begun the ‘bridge to 10K’ plan and she was surprised that she was enjoying it! Since I do not have an IPod Touch or an IPhone – I was unable to use the apps – however – I did find a great program in MP3 format called personalrunningtrainer (www.personalrunningtrainer.com) and I found more options – I started with 4 weeks to 1 mile. It is much easier than I expected – and having the music play (techno noise) while the trainer’s voice let me know when to walk and when to run – I am hooked. I found week one to be very easy – so week two has surprised me with, what seemed like not too much more running to, for me, to be much more challenging. I will continue to run week two until I am comfortable with it before beginning week three. I’ve been trying to go 4+ times per week - along with some push-ups and crunches. Cutting out the sugar and carbs has been much easier this time. Maybe because it is summer and so hot – and I just wasn’t too hungry I did not get my usual sugar crazed cravings for the first three days. I have not physically missed the sugar or flour at all. (Until the family had waffles for dinner last night – I had a moment of regret!) BUT I persevered and ended up enjoying my cheese and bacon omelet as much or more than they did the waffles. I was rewarded this morning with a good size weight loss – five pounds this week. This is a great boost for the beginning of a change. I plan to continue with my running (today it is only 75* and not humid) and keep off the sugar! Trying to get myself to a healthy weight may be a challenge – but the benefits will be worth it. PEACE. JESS

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Hello all - About Grace - Grace has been feeling SO MUCH better since the homeopathy. I am so glad we did it!!! I wish I had done it a long time ago. She had been having stomache aches EVERY morning for over a year. She even had an upper endoscopy - and fortunately - her esophogus, stomache and upper intestines were perfect! Not even reflex! However - STILL stomach aches daily. Abdominal migranes was the prognosis - so a year later - we went to Maine Homeopathy in Kennebunk! After her first remedy - NO PROBLEMS. Now we have issues with making up her homework! If its not one thing- it is another. Ben, Ken, Grace and I have been SO busy with work, drama HS, band, color guard, parades, drama Jr High, pie selling, candle selling, magazine selling, outdoor soccer, indoor soccer, FORGET all the work selling I am doing today. ~ but Saturday I'm volunteering from 8.30-3.00 at our church fair and Ben has a soccer game at 10.00pm (yes PM), and Sunday my brother and I are doing our monthly evening church service. I am so tired. I haven't been sleeping well - I don't know how people do it- not sleeping! I'm glad Benny has been easier this year - except in Math - his math teacher thinks he has a behavior problem because he talks too much. I wonder where he gets that???? He has his school play next month - Grace's school play was early November.... busy busy busy! I'm also trying to catch up on MY doctor appointments that i put off like my mammo (skipped two years - going tomorrow at 8.00am (WAS FINE) - . Also scheduling my annual which I've missed last year - (had that too - they wouldn't wait since it had been over 2 1/2 years) For work - I FINALLY finished a brochure, a binder (which I had to mail in the most ghetto looking box cause I couldn't find one that fit it!!) I hope everyone is doing well for this holiday. I've only got Grace mostly done - and this is because she only wants one thing - a laptop! I have Ben's list and will hit that hard this weekend! I'll be on-line shopping again this year! For Ken - I've gotten a few small items but I know what his big gift will be - Civilization 5 - he loves that video game! (so do the kids!) If I get everything ordered online this weekend- I'll have only the really small easy fun stuff! I did get the christmas lights out last night - but still need to decorate the house! Soon soon soon! I love christmas - wish we had an artificial tree - ONLY so that I could put it up now and have it still look good next month! Merry Christmas!

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my life in photos.... a picture is worth way more than 1000 words. PEACE. JESS

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Well, its been a long time since I have written - and I have missed it. So much happened it 2009 - that I can barely remember. Grace had her 13th birthday! Ben turned 12 - both remain soccer players (Grace's coach put her in an office role and she played quite a bit more than last year.) Ben still loves soccer. BOTH were in the 7th and 8th grade play - Velveteen Rabbit - Grace had the title role and did a great job. Ben and Zach were in it too- as a boy and 'THE BOY' respectively. We all enjoyed the pool again last summer - so glad we got the bigger one - and just hoping it lasts throughout the entire summer this year! And the firepit - still a huge success! There really is nothing as beautiful and sitting around the fire with freinds while the kids play flashlight tag or 'man hunt' and swim with the happy kids swimming noise - and the zillions of stars twinkle above.... I have such a rich life - I am so blessed. All in all - 2009 was great! Thanks to my family and friends for making it wonderful! PEACE. JESS

December 2008

HELLO! Well, it's one of my favorite times of the year again. CHRISTMAS! I love it. Since the Abel family has Christmas in August - it is easier to enjoy this season - with less stuff to do - and people to DO for - I try to relax and enjoy. As I have mentioned before - being a mother during the holidays is like being a movie producer / director. So I am still very busy. Now that the kids are older - and I thought they would be easier (haha) they are busier. Grace is at drama practice everyday after school and Ben has Odessey of the Mind practice. So we have two different buses or pick ups to schedule (thanks to other mothers who are invaluable with ridesharing too!) Let's just say - its not the relaxing joy I thought it would be a few years ago but still - my favorite time! I got the house decorated, and Ken helped with the outside lights - very nice. I still have the christmas cards to get done - but the shopping is almost all done - just a few odds and ends - I think I'll wrap next week to get a complete grasp of what I really have done. We are on top of that - but still need the tree- which I love to decorate. (Not take down though) I even got the Christams plates out this year - I think I missed last year. I'll post photos of the tree next week when we get it - after Grace's play. YIKES- its already 10.30 and I need to go to bed - and its raining ice. YUCK. PEACE. JESS

I AM - A poem by Ben

I am a positive person who likes playing soccer I wonder if I'll get credit in Art class I hear a crowd I see a wave I want to get a new video game I am a positive person who likes playing soccer I pretend to be a comet I feel a ball hitting me in the face I touch the sky I cry when I think of my first dog and my Great-Grandparents I am a postivie person who likes playing soccer I understand that I won't live forever I say let kids drive I dream that I will become a pro soccer player I try to be a better person and a better person I hope my parents will let me bake cookies tonight I am a positive person who likes playing soccer