Most of us, by the time we are in our forties (some even earlier), have discovered that losing weight or even maintaining our ideal weight can be more difficult than when we were younger! Metabolism starts to slow, exercise routines become routine, and even our attitudes need revamping as we age. In other words, most of us understand the meaning of hitting a plateau when it comes to our weight. However, knowing what to do when this happens can be confusing. There are lots of diets out there claiming to be the answer as well as plenty of promising new exercise programs designed to recharge our system. It’s hard to know where to turn. [Read more…]
Recap of the Last Few Days at Lovejoy Pond…Time Flies When You’re Having Fun
August 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment
I liked Gracie’s idea of posting with pictures and since we are off to Boothbay (the coast of Maine) this afternoon…it’s the quickest way to do it! We only have one full day left at Lovejoy Pond and we are trying to fit in as much as we can. The weather has been gorgeous here these last few days and we have taken advantage of all there is to do. … [Read more…]
Day Five at Lovejoy Pond…A Picture Perfect Day
August 18, 2012 by 2 Comments
Hi, I am # 6 (Gracie) and I am writing today’s post about our adventures in good, clean fun at Lovejoy Pond in Maine. Instead of telling you about our day, I will show it to you with photos since I think it was a picture perfect day!
While Peter and his dad went for a run, my mom and Annie (and Sammy kind of) did P90X Yoga to start the day…
Day Three at Lovejoy Pond…Rain, Rain Go Away
August 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Shoulder and arms workout with #4, #5, #6 and #7. All eyes on the dvd playing in the laptop. I’m breaking my electronics pledge already. It does come in handy, however!
Day Three at Lovejoy Pond, August 16, 2012
Thought of the day: Rain, rain, go away…come again another day (like late next week maybe).
This morning I woke at 6:25 a.m., not to the sound of loons, but to the sound of rain…and it didn’t stop until after 7 p.m.! Somehow we could tell very early that it wasn’t going to let up and so we decided to forget the morning run and do P90X inside the cabin and then head to Freeport (L.L. Bean country) and do a little shopping. Four backpacks, two pairs of shoes, and a few shirts later…still under umbrellas, we finally left Freeport. [Read more…]
Day Two at Lovejoy Pond…The Way Life Should Be
August 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Peter (#4) diving off the high platform at Lovejoy Pond, Maine.
Day Two August 15, 2012. Thought for the day: “The Way Life Should Be…”
As I write this it’s the end of Day Two of the Hetzel Adventures in Good Clean Fun. I find my eyes half closing at 10:20 p.m. and, considering all that we did today, I’m surprised they don’t simply rebel against me and shut on their own for the night. We just finished playing the second round of Phase 10 and it’s still not a completed game yet. I have figured out, though, that personalities are revealed through card games and you can learn a lot about your children by playing a few games with them!
I noticed while driving into Maine on Monday that the welcome sign said, “Maine…The Way Life Should Be”. I realized that today was the way life should be as well (although the perfect day would have included our three older children too). Since I am too tired to write much, I”ll simply highlight today bullet-point style. [Read more…]
Day One at Lovejoy Pond…Keeping the Main Thing The Maine Thing
August 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment
On the dock
Day One August 14, 2012 Thought of the Day…”Keep the Main thing the Maine thing.” This morning I woke up to the sound of Loons (a woeful, high-pitched, almost song-like cry) at about 6:40 a.m. Some of the kids got up about 20 minutes later and quietly raced down to the lake where we are staying (there is a quiet hour rule in effect here from 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.) We are staying in a cabin that long ago was a part of Camp Menatoma and is now owned by my brother-in-law’s family. It’s a lovely peaceful area right on the water with two docks…one for swimming and one for fishing. About 15 other cabins dot the area where we are located and everyone shares the docks, a few lodges, and a laundry outhouse. [Read more…]
The Hetzel Adventures in Good, Clean Fun
August 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment
We arrived late last night at Lovejoy Pond in Readfield, Maine…the destination of our 10-day summer vacation. Maine is a long way from Charlotte, North Carolina and I had plenty of time to think on the 997 mile journey. Somewhere around mile 797, while simultaneously popping M&M’s and gulping down Diet Dr. Pepper’s, a thought occurred to me. This thought would become the impetus of an idea which grew into a sort of challenge, actually, during the next 200 miles, and which has resulted in what I am calling the Hetzel Adventures in Good, Clean Fun. The thought was this…”Hey, we haven’t listened to the radio for the entire ride”.
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Congratulations Michael Phelps! And By the Way…Do You Remember Me? (I Hope Not)
August 7, 2012 by 7 Comments
I love the Olympics. This last week my family has gathered to watch many of the swimming events and it has been a thrill to watch Michael Phelps earn his 22nd medal during these Olympic Games. It makes it even more fun for me since I had the opportunity to meet him while he was in Charlotte, NC about seven years ago. Although he was extremely nice, I am still embarrassed when I recall that introduction to Michael Phelps (but not embarrassed enough not to tell you the story). [Read more…]
After a Diagnosis of Cancer, We are Left Feeling… Hopeful
May 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment
James and me after the birth of our 9th child, Sam.
Quote of the Week: Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
On February 29th my husband, James, was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer of his throat. I suppose there was some point in my life when I wondered what it would be like to hear the words from a doctor that someone I loved had cancer. But, I never thought it would be my husband, 48 years old and healthy, the father of 9. [Read more…]
MIT’s Help to Keep me From Spinning my Wheels
March 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment
I have not had a lot of energy lately and I have gotten stuck spinning my wheels. A bug (flu-like) hit our house and some recent health news about a family member have kept me from a goal oriented attitude daily. But spinning my wheels is not getting me anywhere! I need to rethink my daily tasks to get me back on track. One way to do this is to think about my MIT’s each day. I remember reading about this and implementing it in my life a few years ago…but since then I have lost sight of this practical habit. What are MIT’s? Most Important Tasks of the day. By thinking about two or three MIT’s every morning and writing them down, I am telling myself that no matter what else I do today, these are the tasks I must accomplish. [Read more…]
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