Project Home

Tonight I did something very difficult but very rewarding at the same time.  I volunteered for Project Home, which is an overflow homeless shelter for families sponsored by the Saint Paul Area Council of Churches.  
I wasn't really sure what to expect going into it.  The only thought I had was from a recent movie we watched at movie night called "Where God Left His Shoes".  An amazing movie about a family who becomes homeless and the difficulties they face living daily life - somehow they work through it as a family, and are stronger for it.  I highly recommend it - with a box of kleenex next to you.  Let me know what you think if you see it.


Anyway, I arrived early and one of the coordinators for Project Home met me at the location - we had a chance to talk a bit, then when the others arrived we went inside and began setting up cots and air mattresses for each family.  We were expecting 3 families (4 adults and 10 children) and then another family was added (1 adult 1 child), so we ended with 5 adults and 11 children!  


We prepared some snacks for when they arrived and went over some rules for the evening - the coordinators leave the volunteers and "residents" there.  The families started to arrive and seemed to know the routine.  They each got some snacks and began to eat.  We had some games on one of the tables and one of the little girls walked up and started poking at the play-doh in a ziploc bag.  She asked me what it was and then if we could play.  I said I'd love to play, but thought she should finish up her snack first!


After what seemed like a few akward moments, people started to move around and interact with the 3 volunteers.  I started working with a few of the girls picking out crayons to color with, and found just the right picture for them!  One of the little boys who was probably 3 was very lively and full of energy.  He grabbed my thumb and just wanted to walk around the hallways - he sure did love to talk!.  Although I really didn't understand much of what he said, it was important for both of us to share that time together.  I hope he got as much out of it as I did.


The night went on, and we played tic tac toe, made lots of things out of the play-doh, played "Sorry!", and even "duck duck goose."  I haven't been on the floor running around like that in quite some time!  It was good for me to feel like a kid again.


But then I remembered I'm an adult, and as I look into the eyes of each of these kids - it set in.  As innocent as they are, as much promise as they have for their future, they have no place to call home.  They are shuttled from place to place to place.  I can't help but think what more could we do?  What would these families do if they didn't have a place like Project Home to help?  Would they be subject to foster care and taken from their families - or be placed in regular shelters that could be much more dangerous and not a place for children.


I will be returning to volunteer on Thursday night once again and will probably see some of the same families.  The kids will again be full of life, full of energy, and just looking for some sense of normalcy in a world that is anything but.


As I get ready for bed tonight, I am grateful for what I have and am very humbled. I will no doubt see each of their faces as I close my eyes - haunted by their reality, but hopeful for their future.

My lamp

Back in November when I was getting ready to move one of the cats knocked over my glass bedside lamp, and I have been searching for a replacement since.  Yesterday my friend Joanna and I went to a few vintage resale stores and ta-da, I found my lamp.  

It was kind of weird looking though - it had these leafy metal things on them.  I asked the worker if they came off and she said I don't know.  Well, then her husband came over and starting looking and sure enough, they came off!














Here it is in the store - they were like, "wow, that looks so much better, we could have sold that a long time ago"... so, I took my new vintage 1950's lamp with the ugly leaf things home.

Here it is in my bedroom!  What do you think?

It's been a while... goal update

It's been a while... I guess I haven't been in the mood to blog, but I have enjoyed reading your updates and commenting.


Today marks the 3 month mark for my credit card debt reduction plan.  My 12 month goal is to reduce my cc debt by 15%.  I'm pleased to say that after 3 months, I have lowered my cc debt by 5.2%!  That puts me on pace to reach 20.8% for the year.  That would be great... but, more good news...
I'm getting my pay reduction back starting next week!  That's great news.  The really great news is that I've gotten used to the lower salary over the past year, and have made a lot of changes to lower my expenses (lower cell phone plan, lowered cable plan, got a different car with a lower payment) So.. those things combined, I should now be able to contribute even more to my plan!  I'm thinking 25-30% or more may be more realistic.


Hmm... that's a good feeling.  I better not get too far ahead of myself though.


How are you coming along with your goals?

A Few of My Favorite Things

I wanted to share a few of my favorite things.  I have a chip craving...more of a problem I guess.  Tortillas, corn chips, chips, Cheetos, etc...you name it I love it.  In my quest for improving my choices, I've found a fair replacement for those chips...and it's much more healthy!  Yes, that's right, I'm saying these chips are healthy.  (Ok, healthier anyway).

Trader Joe's Soy & Flaxseed Tortilla Chips!  Here's how they're healthier - each serving (7 large chips) has 6 grams of protein, 500 mg of Omega 3's, and 4 grams of fiber.  Also, they have only 50 mg of sodium per serving. 

I'll admit, it took just a bit to adjust to not having the high salt, high fat, greasy taste of those other chips.  But now that I've had them, I'm in love with them. (ok, maybe that's a bit much).  But they are really great!

I love pairing these chips with Trader Joe's Organic Tomatillo and Roasted Yellow Chili Salsa.  This salsa has such great flavor - it's not spicy at all.  The consistency is a bit thin compared to the chunky salsa's I usually like but the flavor more than makes up for it.

It's become quite fun for me to try to find healthier alternatives to my favorite foods.  I still get the overall effect of the normal food, but I pay less of a price later.  Now, I just need to find a good substitute for pizza.  I have made pizza's before on pita bread, and used ricotta cheese, some low fat mozarella, and some turkey pepperoni - oh and some chunks of canned diced tomatoes!  Yummy!  But, I don't always have those items around, and it would be much easier to have one pre-made and frozen for me already.  Hmm....  maybe that's a project my dad and I can do next time I'm home!

A Monday Mile...

What a nice and relaxing weekend.  Lots of food, family, sleep, some exercise too.  Unfortunately it seemed every bit of food I love was available (except for pizza, tacos, lasagna, and... LOL, so maybe not everything).  I ate and ate and ate.  I even picked out all of the mini Twix candy bars from the bag of candy!


All in all though, I think I still did pretty good.  I got some walging (walking/jogging) in with Amber on Saturday and we both did our ab workout.  Then we walked the dogs for a short time that night through the park.  Heidi and I then took a few of the other dogs out on Sunday for about 45 minutes.  Those both qualified for enough exercise for my workout plan.


I did eat a lot of sodium this weekend, so I felt really bloated.  I was determined to change that.  I drank a ton of water at work today.  So much that I was running to the bathroom quite a bit.  One time... my zipper even broke!  Thankfully that was at the end of the day!


I didn't deviate from my eating plan today, I had no chocolate, no chips, no snacks other than my apple and orange that I had planned.  Woo hoo, it's been a while since I've done that!


At the gym, I was determined to make the most of my cardio today.  The plan was for 15 minutes cardio...I wanted to push myself.  I warmed up for 5 minutes and then jogged what I thought would be a 5 minute interval.  Then I thought heck, let's try for 6.  6 turned to 7 minutes, and soon I was at 10.  I figured I would just go for it and finish off 1 mile in 12 minutes.  I know, for those of you that run a lot 12 minutes may seem lazy but for me being just short of 250 pounds (down from a high of 312 in October 2005) and not used to running at all, I was proud of my accomplishment today... my first non-stop mile of this short spring season.  Time to build on that and work my way up to 2 miles then 3.


Every success starts with a small gain... What were you successful at today?

Vestry

Today I was elected to serve on the Vestry for Saint Mary's Episcopal Church in charge of Hospitality and Fund Raising.  First, what an honor.  I was very humbled by this nomination, but also excited to explore another angle to my re-emerging faith.  I do have to admit I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at all of the tasks and responsibilities that lie in front of me, but I'm sure that will go away as I get started.  This is a 2 year position.  I will be in charge of overseeing various committees and events, as well as being accountable for a portion of the church finances and budget.  I even have to write an annual report.  I am excited, looking forward to getting started and hopefully bringing some new ideas to the table.  I will keep you posted as I go!

Fitness Update

One of my recent goals was to lose 7 pounds over a 3 week period... and not step on that scale at all during those 3 weeks.  Well.... drum roll....  I did it!  7 pounds exactly!  Woo hoo! That's a good feeling to reach a goal and know I'm on track.  Before I would always have one goal...that was my end goal, and it always seemed so difficult and so far off, it became discouraging.  I think I like the short term goals better! :)


My next goal will be to lose 15 pounds over the next 6 weeks (by April 29).  I think I can do it! I have another tough workout plan from Thomas that I will start next week.  It's important to change your routine every so often so it keeps your body from slipping into a routine and seeing decreased results.  Thanks to Thomas for encouraging me and supplying the knowledge and routines!


With that said, I'm so excited the spring weather has arrived.  It was in the 60's a few times this week and it's great to get outside!  Although it's only in the 40's today, I plan on getting out into that sunshine and walg (walk/jog intervals) along the river.  It should be fun, the river is high and moving very fast.  It will be fun to look at.


Anyway, wishing me luck as I start the next 6 weeks!  Just think, if I achieve this 6 week goal, I'm only about 10 pounds away from what I feel is a real good healthy weight for me.


Here's to a good week!