Spent somewhere between 45-60 minutes shoveling. Got a good sweaty workout. We got about 8" and I had to shovel the lane from the garage and a space for dh's car out front. Wildiris -I had a similar thought while shoveling. I workout so I can do practical stuff. Being frail scares me.

It is an expression my parents used. I seem to know lots of these because they were full of them.

Good snowy Sunday morning. I did 45 minutes of yoga, then made blueberry pancakes. I rushed around and got dressed only to find church was cancelled. My 11yo has a friend staying and dh is at work so I didn't feel comfortable taking off for a run so I'm walking five with Leslie with the sound turned down and music blasting. We will likely go sledding soon then ds is supposed to go to a bowling event if it doesn't get cancelled. I might try to fit in more walking later depending how many trips up the hill I make.

Crockpot or casserole/stir fry. I start laundry before bed and finish in morning. (my older kids do their own). We team vacuum/ pick up morning or when we get home before dinner. We split it up. Even my 7 yo can hit the high spots. Kitchen cleaned after dinner by all so it's quick. I shop on Thirsday evening while dd is at AHG. We listen to history or science in the car with kids reading out loud. They often do their math work in the car too. Friday is our quiz/test/stay home/write paper day. YMMV.

I'm 52 and have wild, curly hair I wear it just to the tops of my shoulder blades. Look up messy buns. Tons of ideas. Sometimes I just pull up the sides. A pony doesn't work for me because I get a " halo". If you're camping I see nothing wrong with a pony. In summer when outside I often tuck it all under a sun hat or use a visor. (I burn easily).

I'm not a big recipe girl so take this for what it's worth and move on. I tend to see what vegetables I've got on hand. Are they mexicanish( corn squash, pumpkin) italianish(Zuchinni,fennel,broccoli), orientalist, etc.? I put them in a pot or casserole dish and soften them then add appropriate spices and serve over or mix with rice, pasta, couscous, etc. I add a little meat if it's handy. I find this helpful that day before I'm shopping when we're down to slim pickins. We refer to these dishes as " Expiration Date Stew" :)

Body weight exercises! Push ups, pull ups, ab work, body weight dips, burpees. All those are under rated for strength. Very effective, very inexpensive, easily accessible. I do pull ups on our swing set and dips at our picnic table or using our counter and stove. Be creative!

Hmm, catching up. Thu- yoga and elliptical Fri-just yoga. First day of my period and I was exhausted. Today- lots of time so yoga, an hour of elliptical and kettle bells. Reishy-love my push ups. Off to see what all I'm doing wrong.

Well I was going to say push ups but you're already doing them. Maybe Google around for other ideas?

I really am sorry for you. (((hugs)))

Pretty much what I was going to say. They are old enough to understand you are DONE. So tired you're not functioning. It goes like this. They will do what they are tole the first time. They are not required to like or enjoy it. Just do it. Failure means no TV until done, no books until done, no computer or if it comes to it lunch. Do it! It will take time, they'll be cooperative, then not, and eventually they will get new habits if you stay tough. It will totally be worth it.

Ok, bear with me here. I have been in your spot. I. Just. Stopped. I learned to prioritize each day. I actually made lists which is totally out of character for ADHD me. I realized all I HAD to do was keep us alive and breathing. Much of the stuff I stressed over was minutiae. I ask myself will this matter in 10 years. Will the world stop spinning? Does it matter to me? Listen to me. Really! At a reasonable time clock out. Announce you are now going to shower/bathe/read/meditate. Whatever you want. And unless there is an arterial bleed they are all to leave.you.alone. Then after half an hour hang out with them and that means putting " work" on ignore. I spent a lot of time working myself ragged thinking I was doing it for my family. It turns out they like me better when I'm not run down and grouchy. Start small. Get your half hour bath or whatever. Oh, and any kid over 5 can be a help. Gather trash, set the table, sweep and vacuum and wipe well enough to be hygienic. Can you tell this is a hot issue for me? (((((hugs))))

Stress makes me stop eating. It's the last thing I want to do. Unfortunately I cancel this out with " happy eating". I always weigh more when things are generally going well.I just started a sort of reboot so today for happiness I had a sweet potato pie smoothie.

My 11 yo curses child labor laws. She has gone into town and sold lemonade and flowers she picked. We live out of town limits so she loaded up the wagon and drug stuff into town. She currently has been sewing and crocheting stuffed animals she sells everyplace she goes.. Church, co-op, basketball games. She also made a little helping little old ladies clean. Her next project is to sell cookies at the Farmer's market. It's like she's one of those born business people who has no embarrassment selling stuff. I quit fighting it and let it go. I'm just hoping she doesn't discover used cars or insurance.

Surprise me BUT I figure if you know me well enough to buy me chocolates you won't get gross(pbj) or weird( goji fruit) ones. For you with no surprises, break them open first or spit it out. I'm not eating ones I don't like. Ack

Well, we discovered the water heater quit working when dh showered this morning. Brrr so I did a 45 min elliptical and rushed home to call and wait on repair. I did my 30 day yoga challenge vid while waiting ( oh, and school). Thermostat replaced and should have hot water soon.

Kim- so glad for your sister. That will keep what is really important in perspective. Slache- it's a combination Zumba and Rip. Basically a lot of weight work with music. It leaves me sore the next day but it's right before my yoga class and I'm trying to up my weight work. All us old ladies are supposed to I hear ;)

Kim-I'm hoping all your stress diminishes and your sister gets the best possible news. Laura-that sounds like something I would do. Slache-you're always impressive ;) Lollie-go get 'em Winter on- it is 19 and sunny and it feels like a heat wave.narctic cold is back tonight though -sigh Yesterday I did yoga and zip. Today is sort of my rest day. I did the yoga video that is part of a 30 days of yoga thing I'm working on and I will walk and stretch later but nothing intense. Dh works this weekend and is off today and it's co-op day so no running today made more sense.

It's my age showing :) or maybe that garden thing held on longer here in farm country.

I think his advice is at least in the realm of possibility. Many here may embrace food " philosophies" but in my rurally poor area, the idea you shouldn't eat from a box, can or fast food and should cook at home is a leap. Many see cooking and gardening as some weird thing their grandparents did/do. I don't know how things changed so fast.

I drink cups of hot water with lemon and ginger ( you know, after 20 cups of coffee).

Totally agree. I also believe a passion can change as a person grows, matures and changes. I also think sometimes passions can be different. My oldest dd has always been passionate about school. She chose PS, did extremely well and now teaches. It is her thing. My #3 is passionate about physics. Not something I would have even thought to introduce. My 7 yo saw a ballet at 3, begged for lessons and loves going. She's 7. I expect that to change. Other of my kids do things they like but nothing that " defines" them. Parents should offer but not everyone is wired for a passion. I'm sure many happy people are doing just fine mildly enjoying their pursuits.

I voted nonsense because there can be no one favorite. I will say mint is my least favorite. Blech. If they come up with a Carmel pb patty lemonade I'm there.

We used this

Only water in the bottle. Most kids lose interest. Offer her preferred beverage in a cup.