(43-158) HAPPY New Year 2011

Welcome to "The Bumpy Ride" 2011.  I hope that you all had as wonderful a New Year's eve as my family and I did.  We spent a perfect evening with Mari and her family...  Good friends, Good food, GOOD TIMES!!!  And now, I'm writing my first blog of the new year, as I sit in my car, 40 miles or so south of Flagstaff, Arizona.

Although it typically doesn't snow in Phoenix, Luis and several of my friends, reported seeing snow flurries on Thursday; as Northern Arizona got pounded with about two feet of snow.  We usually try to take the kids up north to play in the snow at least once per winter; so this New Year's day seemed like a terrific opportunity to do so. We waited till after noon to begin our drive up north; which turned out to be a really good thing to do because it had warmed up quite a bit.  It wasn't long before we started to see snow; and just past Sedona, people were pulling over on the side of the road to take pictures and let their kids play.  We drove a little further north, before doing the same.

To be honest, snow wasn't high on my list of ways that I wanted to spend my day; but my family's enthusiasm was contagious.  The joyous expressions on their faces as they crunched their way through the snow tracks that Luis had made for them, was priceless; and we just couldn't take enough pictures.

It wasn't nearly as cold as it had been in Phoenix the past couple of nights, so I didn't even put my coat on.  The snow glistened as if someone had poured glitter over it; and my kids were beaming. 

After icicle hunting and horsing around, I got back in the car to warm up and start writing my blog.  I was hard at work; but I lifted my head out of my notebook, and I felt a smile spread across my face as I noticed Luis building a snow ramp, so the kids could use their sled.  Is he the BEST dad or what?

Nicky and Lyndzi made arsenals of snow balls and Kelsie ate the snow, Luis built his ramp up higher and I HAPPILY took it all in.  I remembered my winters in New York; hours of sledding and rosy red cheeks; and I couldn't help but think to myself "life is good!"  With that thought in mind, I couldn't let an opportunity to play with my family pass; and I got out of the car so that I could take my turn on the sled.  I told Luis that I was going to go down on my stomach, and he said "well, you're the pro," and with that, I took off down our little slope, giggling all the way.

The kids took a few more turns on the sled and decided that they were ready for hot chocolate; so we piled back into our car in pursuit of a warm, sweet treat.

Even though it's not what I thought I wanted to do; it turned out to be an amazing day with my family and a wonderful way to start our new year.  I wish you all unexpected pleasures as well.

Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

                                                 

(43-124) Yes Wii Can!

In "Happy Birthday Luis!!!" I mentioned that one of the reasons that I LOVE, ADORE and CHERISH Luis is because "He loves to stay up all night and shop on Black Friday."  I think it was about four years ago, when Luis first started spending Thanksgiving night in Wal-Mart.  Although he can't explain it; there is something about Black Friday that Luis loves.  Even though we weren't shopping for much this year; Luis still wanted to spend the night at Wal-mart so that he could buy a wireless printer that was on sale for $44; and, he always likes to get the Norton antivirus; which this year he bought for just $9.99.  I asked Luis to look into buying Wii Fit Plus.  I told him that it's typically $99 (which I would have paid anyway;) but he was able to purchase it for just $67.

Our weekend didn't go as planned; but I think that it all worked out for the best in the long run.  On Friday we were supposed to go to the lake; and for a multitude of reasons, we decided not to go.  Instead, I ran a couple of errands and asked Nicky if while I was gone he could figure out how to work the Wii Fit Plus; because falling under the heading of I'm NOT the Queen of TECHNOLOGY; I would have had no idea how to set it up myself. While I was out and about, Nicky called to inform me that he'd set the Wii up and that he'd already burned 53 calories.
Nicky and the girls, immediately started using the Wii Fit Plus and they were really enjoying it.  Kelsie was anxious to teach me how to use it; but I had other things to take care of and had to postpone my tutorial.

On Saturday, as you know; we were supposed to go up to Sedona for the Red Rock Light Fantasy; but sadly, my friend Jen got a migraine; so we decided to re-schedule.  Now you know me; I'm A make lemons into lemonade kinda gal; and when things don't go as planned, I just punt; so I had no problem re-arranging our day.  FIRST, I told the kids that I now had time to do the Wii Fit Plus with them and they were happy to help me get started.  The kids had already made a Mii for me.  They even gave me glasses and a purple shirt.  The Wii asked for some personal information; but not my weight and it then informed me that my Wii age was 65 and I was obese.  OK, well, the facts are the facts; given my present weight and physical condition, I don't blame the Wii for thinking that I'm 65 but I'm definitely going to do something to change it.
The kids showed me my various exercise options, and the first thing that I wanted to do was box, which I found very gratifying.  Next I did some hula hooping, followed by step aerobics, some marching exercise, and a game that involved math and mushrooms.  I repeated the hula hoop and step aerobics routines at least three times each; and I boxed countless times.  Within an hour I had burned 446 calories, I felt terrific, and I'd had a lot of FUN!  The kids did the hula hoop and step aerobics right along with me and they encouraged me EVERY step of the way.
Today I went back to the gym, AND I worked out a little with the Wii as well; so all in all, that's day 5 of exercising in a week.  I can honestly say that I feel great and I'm extremely optimistic.  I'm going to continue going to the gym, but it's comforting to know that if for some reason I can't make it to there; I can exercise at home, and we can all benifit from the Wii.  Yes Wii Can!!

In the interest of (say it with me;) "The greater good;" I have to highly recommend that you purchase Wii Fit Plus, if you have a Wii.  Trust me, exercising has never been so much fun, AND it's something that you and your family can do together.  Even if you have to pay regular price for it; I assure you that it's well worth every penny.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING