Alexis is here!

Well, Alexis made it in last night. Sure enough, despite my communication about bringing warm clothing, her mother packed capri's, tank tops and sandals. Come on, she lived in Michigan. She has access to weather reports. I sent two emails plus talked to Alexis about how it is going to be cold this week. She KNOWS it is never warm enough at spring break time in Michigan for shorts and sandals. So now I have to spend money on clothing for her, which is her mother's goal. But, I'm also taking pictures of what she sent so when Marty goes back to court one day, he can show them. Alexis also informed us that while her mother and her man-friend are in Florida, they will be visiting with Marty's parents for a few days. Ok, bad enough that they do it with Alexis, even worse that they don't even have Alexis with them. I was so angry. I even cried. It's hurtful that they are so diliberately stabbing us in the back.
Alexis is so sweet and I just want to enjoy our time with her, but it gets harder and harder because she is getting this attitude. Yeah, she's 9, but it's different. She is turning into a mini-version of her mother and lies about silly things because her mother is teaching her to lie and manipulate. What makes me really upset is that Alexis sees and understands her mother is manipulating the elderly at the nursing home she works at. She claims to be this single mom struggling to care for her two kids. Whatever, she lives with a guy who is 51, works on a farm so all living expenses are paid for, she drives a nice truck that belongs to this guy and she gets about $700 a month in child support between the two kids, not to mention she pawns the two of them off on other people all the time and is rarely with them. Alexis told me that on a couple different occasions these elderly folks have given her jewelry, money (we're talking $500-$1000 cash)...if you didn't read an earlier post this is something her family did while she was growing up. They'd get close to people who were very elderly or on their death beds and convince them to leave money and stuff to them. This is so frustrating for me! Plus, we really work at teaching Alexis values, morals, Christian living, and teaching her Bible stories. She came up not even knowing what Resurrection meant. It is so discouraged. I'm feeling sad and depressed, so keep me in your prayers. Alexis, too. We need a miracle FAST.

The latest

It's been a little while, I know. You are all on edge waiting to hear about the lastest trip to the Y. Well, nothing really exciting to report. I went last night around 7:30, after Sammy went to bed. I did 35 minutes again on the treadmill, the last 5 being cool down. I burned 200 calories this time, which was about 1/4 of what I took in for the day. I just don't get how I will ever loose this flab! Anyway, I was totally sweating it up after about 10 minutes. I was so embarrassed! I don't know if they had the heat cranked or maybe I'm getting sick, but when I say I was dripping, I mean like middle of July in Miami wearing a black sweatshirt. Like I said, I don't really run, so I don't know what was going on. It was good though, I guess. It means my body is releasing yucky toxins but goodness! Then I got really winded and thought I was going to have an asthma attack, but I took deep breaths and sipped my water and made it through the 35 minutes.
I worked on the weight machines, too. I don't do too much of the arms because I'm really focusing on my lower-half. My booty aches to sit today! I think that might be good, but it doesn't feel it! I don't get why working out and losing weight has to be so difficult! Why can't I really just pray it off? sheesh!
Alexis is coming Thursday night. I'm so excited and nervous. I always get nervous. She always has something to tell us that gets us all irritated at Crystal. Usually it's something like being left home alone at night, or her mom telling her not to tell us something really important, or her mom teaching her that Easter is no more important than Valentine's Day. Yeah, they didn't do anything this year for Easter. They went to KFC for an early dinner and Alexis played alone all day. We didn't talk to her until evening and she told us all this. She did get an Easter basket, but she gets baskets on V-Day, too. She didn't call us or her grandparents in the morning like she normally does on holidays. When we asked why, she just said her mom wouldn't let her because there wasn't any need. Now, it's no surprise that she couldn't call us, but she ALWAYS gets to call her grandparents! It's just weird. And it hurts so much to know she is living in a house of sin and being taught that sin is not really that big of a deal and she has to go along with her mom and she goes from guy to guy. It's really disgusting and I can't believe a father would have to fight so hard to get his daughter out of something like that!
Ok, vent over. I'm glad Alexis will be safe with us for 10 days and we can always pray over her. I know I have plenty prayer warriors praying for her, too. One day, we will have victory and all glory will be to God!

Tales from the Y....

Did I write about creepy guy at the Y? I don't believe I did. I went to the Y Saturday afternoon and yes, some creepy dude hit on me. It was very uncomfortable. You know, it couldn't be one of the muscle bound young guys whose sweat actually smells good, no....it was this scrawny, long haired weirdo.Even after I flashed my ring several times, he still kept standing there watching me. I was on the machine that you kneel and press your leg behind you one at a time, the one that is really good for your glutes, the one that your butt is up in the air? Yeah...talk about creepy! I didn't even finish, I just got off and moved to something else. I didn't fancy the idea of this guy staring at my booty. gross.
So I went to the Y again last night. I was feeling PRET-TY good. I always start with cardio--just the treadmill. I'm much too much a wuss to attempt the stairclimber or anything harder than a brisk walk on the treadmill. Anyway, so there I was on my treamill, feeling hyped. I had my MP3 playing, a good shuffle of praise, worship and beats. OK-side note....I can't figure out how to put my songs in any kind of order so it goes from Casting Crowns to Dixie Chicks to Nelly Furtado, then Natasha Bedingfield to Michael Buble back to Darlene Zschech? Makes for a strange workout!
Back to the treadmill. If you do the random workout for 35 minutes at an average of 3.8 for speed, you will burn approximately 138 calories. Tell me how that is worth the sweat and pain. I don't get it. Ok, so I'm about 10 minutes into my brisk walking and you guessed it, creepy guy plopped down on the arm machine directly across from my treadmill. We are talking 4 1/2 feet in front of me. Facing me. Staring at me the whole time. I was SO mad. I pretended I didn't see him so I focused on my music and tried reading the captions for CNN, which is virtually impossible not only because I'm on a treadmill, but also, I had my glasses on and I can't see so good with those...he sat there for 20 minutes! Half the time he wasn't even working out and when he finally got up, he kept walking by, really close to my treadmill, and pausing when he got in front, probably hoping I would smile and wave, but I'm not that dumb....or nice.
After my 35 minutes (last 5 is cool down at a speed of 2.6) I could barely get off the treadmill! I don't know if my butt was numb from my muscles getting such a good workout, or if it was numb from all the bouncing and jiggling. Either way, it felt twice as big and jelloey. I felt like it could knock out anyone who got too close. Luckily, no one did. And creepy guy was nowhere to be found, thank GOD. I was able to do all my machines without him eyeballing my booty. I spent an hour on the weight machines. And I didn't even reward myself with a sweet treat afterward!
I think I did good. Not sure I'm going tonight. I like the cheesy show on the CW "One Tree Hill" and it's going to be a good one tonight!
On another note: Alexis is coming next Thursday! Keep praying all goes smooth! She is so excited about coming.

I DID IT!

That's right. 5:45 am I pulled into the YMCA parking lot. Bright and early. Well, dark and early. I feel so energized and empowered!
Best thing about AM workout? Although the mornings have a surprisingly good crowd, the machines and treadmills are available and you don't have to stand around waiting. When I first got there, for a moment I thought I entered the geriatric unit of some rehabilitation center, but then the fitness "expert" from the YMCA greeted me in his YMCA t-shirt and I realized I was indeed at the Y. Those wee early hours are a great time to meet your next Sugar Daddy, if you are looking at the 70's-80's age rage. I gotta give it to them though, those older folks will give you a run for your money. It's pretty humbling to be on a treadmill next to someone's great-grandma and they've been on 25 minutes and still going strong and I'm worn out at 15 minutes and debating if I should finish my workout or leave and get some Tim Horton's.
I finished my workout at 6:45, took a wonderfully hot, long shower (a rareity in my home), got ready for work and yes, stopped at Tim Horton's for an everything bagel with light garden vegetable cream cheese and a small English Toffee Cappuccino. Hey, I had a good sweaty workout, I needed to refuel!

OUCH

I worked out last night with Laila. Yep, my boss. Whew...I'm am BURNING today. I think it's supposed to be a good thing, but my inner upper thighs are killing. I never realized those are the main muscles that help you move your legs when walking. I am trying to sit most of the day. Occasionally, I sneak into our file room and do a few squats and lunges to stretch it out. Feels so GOOD to stretch. I'm not going to workout today. I think my body needs to heal a little!

Oh well....

I didn't make it this morning to the Y. Nope. I got up at 5:30, went potty, and thought to myself, "This is crazy! It's pitch black out! I'm not getting in my car and driving to the Y to workout this early! I'm not diehard!" So I went back to bed and got up at 7.

Alexis's mother continues to cause issues for nothing. I am stronger about it now. I know that the enemy operates through her. Marty is getting pretty good with it, too. The enemy knows your weaknesses and that is where he will attack you. Your weaknesses are the areas you have troubling trusting the Lord, and he wants to make it harder for you to put your full faith and trust in God. Our areas of attack? Finances and Alexis. We are strapped and stress and there isn't much we can do about either. Ok, we aren't totally strapped financially, but we've been there, and we could be doing better if we had more, but really, that's everyone! We need a new car, two really, and it causes a lot of stress. I know that in these two areas, major changes need to happen but yet, seem impossible. BUT, our God is the God of the impossible, and as I repeat to myself everyday--"He is able to immeasurably ALL that we are able to ASK, SEEK or IMAGINE." I had a good time in prayer yesterday about it. I started just a quiet prayer in my car on the way somewhere, and by time to I got to where I was going 15 minutes later I was shouting, claiming victory over the enemy!

When you pray for Alexis, pray that God will shield her from the lies and manipulation of her mother. Marty did not cave to Crystal's ridiculous demands, which means she is going to retaliate and when that happens, we are cut off from being able to talk to Alexis and she fills Alexis's head with garbage. I pray that Alexis will hear nothing when her mother lies to her and manipulates her, and teaches her to lie and manipulate. Alexis will NOT learn the con-artist ways of the Robert's family. She is a child of God and God performed a miracle in her when she was born so sick and God has a great plan and call on her life. I'm praying that either Crystal is going to get saved very soon, or it's time for Alexis to be removed from that home and all the negative influence that is in it. I pray for a totally complete seperation of Crystal and Marty's mom, so no more problems can be caused by their relationship. That relationship is a huge part of Marty and Crystal's problems. Crystal is told information that no mother should say about her son, things that are lies. Hurtful things are said to Alexis about my family (saying that because they are "step" they aren't real family...). Alexis is so young, so sensitive, and I know it is hard for her. To be told that calling my mom "Grandma Freddie" hurts her other grandma's feelings and that since she isn't her real grandma, she shouldn't call her that, is so WRONG. It hurts my mom when Alexis has an attitude because of the confusion, and it hurts Alexis, who chose on her own to call her Grandma Freddie. My mom is such a better influence on her, and is so good to her. She doesn't treat her any different just because she is a "step" granddaughter.
Thanks for the support my blog buddies.

Workout Bloopers

I went to the Y again last night. I was determined to put some variety in my workout, so I hit the treadmill for 15 minutes as a "warm-up" and then I tried out this eliptical/stairmaster looking thing that I thought I'd know how to use, but I'm not sure I was doing it right. There were five diehard fitness guru's, or so they thought, behind me on the real stairmasters and I kept thinking, "You're going to look so dumb"....yeah, I got off after 4 1/2 minutes. It was KILLING my knees! I thought my knee caps were going to pop out! I'm not going to attempt that again, I'll stick to the treadmill for now, and the circuit.
I did some of the circuit last night. They had this ab machine that I recognized from Curves, so I was comfortable with that. Did 5 reps of 20. Felt pretty good. Abs are killing today, so that's a good thing. Then I tried this other machine for your arms. Let me give you a visual...the circuit I was on faces about 20 treadmills. All those people are watching the people on the circuit because really, there is nothing else to look at, unless you want to watch CNN while jogging. Course, you can't hear the TV, you have to try and read the captions...while jogging. Ok. So I sit down feeling confident, and I read the diagram on how to use the machine. I reached up for the handles, and nothing. Hmmmm....so I read the diagram again and I know the machine works because someone had just used it. Course, I didn't think to ask someone how to use it. I just kept trying to figure it out. Then I realize all the people are staring at me (not really all of them, but it felt that way)....anyway, so I gave up and did the walk of shame to the other side of the circuit so the same people wouldn't be able to see me mess another machine up. So embarrassing. I need a workout partner! I found the chest press machine, similar to the one in high school and I figured that one out. Did 5 reps of 10 at 33 lbs. Yeah, 10 years ago I could do 5 reps of 20 at 75 lbs. I also did the leg press, which I like. 10 years ago= 5 reps of 20 at 200 lbs. Yep that's right. Now= 5 reps of 10 at 45 lbs. Whew...I am SO sore today. After that, I was ready for a cool down so I walked two laps around the track and ran for one. 10 laps is one mile, so don't be impressed.
I kinda wonder what Coach Leighton would have to say today about my endurance. He'd probably laugh at me!
I can't go to the Y tonight. Marty car is in the shop, big surprise, so I don't have a vehicle because, of course, I'm the one who gets put out when one of our cars breaks down. Hopefully they can get it done tonight because then I will attempt....THE 6 AM WORKOUT. That's right. Check back tomorrow to see if I made it.

Snow Patrol

So, did anyone else have a ridiculous time out there this morning? Ok, so maybe it would have been fun if I didn't have Sammy in the car. Or, if I could afford to wreck my car. Instead, I had to drive quite slow and I got stuck a few times. For those who don't know, I have a 1997 Plymouth Neon. Yep, that's right. It's 11 years old and still kicking, only by the grace of God. It sits about 5 inches off the ground so I risk stalling out in a mirage. Today I had to drive in 2 feet of snow! My normal 10 minute trip took about 30 minutes. Crazy.

We joined the Y on Friday. It's something I've been really wanting to do, knowing that if I spent the money, I'll force myself to get "my money's worth". Then I can be a sexy babe by summer! Then I wonder, is getting skinny really worth it since I'll be getting preggo again, Lord willing, sometime within the next year? I'd rather start at 20 lbs less and gain it back, then gain from where I'm at! Saturday was Sammy and I's first trip to the Y (marty was working). After my quick 20 minutes on the treadmill (Child Watch closes early on Saturdays), we went into the pool. Don't worry, I wore a t-shirt over my swimsuit so not to scare off other patrons. I still felt quite awkward since I was playing in the children's area with Sammy, which is about a foot deep. Sammy had a blast though, and he wasn't embarrassed in the least by my unsightly figure!
The really impressive day was Monday....35 minutes. Yep, I got on a treadmill for 35 minutes! Ok, so really I was ready to get off after 10 minutes, but pride and fear of looking like a loser, I stuck with it. The place was packed with amatuers trying to impress and I didn't want to be the one who couldn't hang! Boy, I was sweating after that, and I didn't even run. I just walked really fast. I was afraid if I jogged or ran, I would A) fall off, B) wimp out after one minute like I do at home, C) my butt would jiggle so much I would lose balance.
Now today my goal is to go and actually use the circuit. It's not worth my moola to go and just use the treamill, considering I have one at home! But, at home I have a million excuses like, it's too cold in the basement or man, that's a lot of laundry that needs done! The circuit is intimidating though. All these people milling around, flexing their wimpy muscles, oh, that's just me. The circuit is the middle of the workout room, and some of the machines I've never seen, and I'm afraid I'll look stupid trying to figure out how to use it. So I made an appointment with a trainer! You get one free, so I have to make it count, because I'm not paying for any more. I pay enough to be a member! So wish me luck. I'm just hoping I don't look like a fool.