Christmas Movies

I've seen "A Christmas Story" and "Elf" and the other well known Christmas standards. I've never really gotten into the Hallmark movies, or even the Netflix specials though.  This year, I really needed something to try and get me into the spirit of the season, and the TV series I was watching while working out wasn't really motivating me anyway. So I switched to Christmas movies. All watched while working out.  I haven't been spending as much time in the gym, so starting and finishing a movie in a day was a bit of a challenge, even with the majority of these being around 90min in length. If I didn't make it, I'd just finish the movie the next day. As I write my little reviews and thoughts about the shows I watched ... I'll just say this upfront (as it really applies to ALL of them). Pretty predictable and formulaic.  I've seen a lot of jokes about "Hallmark" Christmas movies, and while none of the ones I watched were actual Hallmark movies, many of the memes are spot on ;)

• Holiday in the Wild. 2019 (IMDB 6.1): A brand new Netflix original this year. Who doesn't love Rob Lowe. This didn't feel as much like a Christmas movie, as a movie that happened to take place during December. Still ... being the Scrooge I am, I often struggle watching "Christmas" stuff if it isn't the holiday season. This was cute, I liked it. 
• The Knight Before Christmas. 2019. (IMDB 5.5): Another new Netflix one. While it was cute, it was a bit silly. One I was glad I was working out with, not "just" watching (which I would have considered a waste of time). 
• The Christmas Chronicles. 2018 (IMDB 7.1): One of the Netflix movies from last year. This had some rave reviews ... while I liked it fine, it felt very childish. I guess this the only one I watched that wasn't a romance. 
• The Christmas Prince. 2017 (IMDB 5.7): This one is a couple years old, has a couple sequels, and seems to have its own little cult following. I figured I had better put it on the list just to see what the buzz was about. The main gal here will always be "Zombie"girl to me (iZombie) though. 
• The Christmas Prince; The Royal Wedding. 2018 (IMDB 5.2): I only thought the first movie was okay. This one was pushing the silliness factor for me. 
• The Christmas Prince; The Royal Baby. 2019 (IMDB 5.2): Honestly, I had to take a break between the last one and this one ... but came back and figured I'd finish the series. Too over the top for me. 
• A Cinderella Story; Christmas Wish. 2019 (IMDB 5.2): So I liked this one ;)  I liked the music in it and Shazammed several of the songs. I was not familiar with the lead actors, although I know they are known for their Disney/Marvel roles. The "Cinderella" update was silly but fun. 
• Christmas in the Heartland. 2017 (IMDB 6.0): Oy ... had to push to finish this one. I actually liked the two girls, and Bo Derek was lovely (if unlikable), but many of the other characters/actors? So bad. The storyline was pretty bad too. I watched this on Netflix, but saw it was on Amazon too. 
• Snowed Inn Christmas. 2017 (IMDB 7.3): This is what I think of when "Hallmark Movie" is mentioned (even though this isn't "Hallmark"). Boy/Girl, conflict, of course they fall in love. I recognized the leading lady from One Tree Hill (not that I watched that series, but my son did and I couldn't help but see some of it) and the main man sure reminded me of the "This is Us" Manny guy. 
• Christmas Pen Pals. 2018 (IMDB 7.0): Another "by the book" Christmas romance. Cute little April Kepner from Grey's Anatomy. I liked it. 
• Falling For Christmas. 2016 (IMDB 6.1): I had a little trouble even finding this one on IMDB, I guess there was a title change. It's still listed as "Snowcapped Christmas" there. Back in the day, I really liked "The Cutting Edge" movie, and this had touches of that.  And it had "Blair" from Facts of Life! I liked it. 
• A Gift Wrapped Christmas. 2015. (IMDB 7.2): This one was my favorite. The main gal was so cute and bubbly. I couldn't help but smile, she just radiated Christmas. I did NOT care for the main guy at the start. Not an active dislike, just an "ehh ... I know they are going to end up together and she's too cute for him" but by the end he had won me over too. Even the little boy was cute (I really struggled with the kid actors in some of these, sorry to say but they weren't very good).  This movie actually made me hit the gym again because I wanted to see what was going to happen ...
• All I Want For Christmas. 2013 (IMDB 5.3): And I should have stopped with the last movie, on a high note. This one ... I struggled to stay interested. No motivation to continue on, I even ended up pushing it a couple days and finally finishing after Christmas. Just "roll your eyes" silly. Bad acting. Bad storyline. Blah and bah humbug. 

I did sneak in a few non-Christmas movies (before I made the full "Christmas" commitment and found that even without the Hallmark channel, I had oodles to choose from), so for the "month" between Thanksgiving (because NO Christmas movies before Thanksgiving!) and Christmas, 13 Holiday movies, almost 1550 minutes of walking (or ellipticaling or I even hit the stationary bike a couple of times) while watching wasn't too bad. Maybe I'll try it again next year ...

November 2019

I'm late getting this up. No real incentive to showcase my pitiful performance for the month. In addition to the leftover Halloween candy, there was Thanksgiving, two birthdays, and some baking. Hubs headed to Hawaii and #1 and wife were Mexico bound. There was basketball, snow, tooth trouble and a car accident. 

NUMBERS:  Starting weight 180.6. Ending weight 183.6. High was 184.8 and low was 179.9. Average 182.03.  No average intake, as I wasn't good at tracking it this month. I started to, then gave up. Burn average 2473. Step average 15530. Tracked miles 139.42. Cardio minutes 2349/2649. 

EXERCISE:  Only four days with a full hour of elliptical. A dozen other days where I got at least one elliptical workout in though. 16 days with treadmill time, one day with double duty. 18 Zumba classes. Two times picking up rackets ... tennis while the weather held, then pickleball. I even hit the bike once! No weight workouts though.   

Winter Watching 5x

 

I get a lot of watching in during winter. I'm not an outdoor exerciser anyway, so the change in weather doesn't affect my routine much. But ... if I'm feeling cold, or know I have to go out into the cold (mommy uber) it's a little extra incentive to hit the gym for a quick warmup workout. Here's a few of the series that kept me entertained while in the gym as 2019 wrapped up.

• Dark: I loved this, and watched all three seasons. I can't do dubbing, so I left the audio in the original German and put on subtitles. Timetravel is always mindbending, and this was crazy! I was very impressed with the casting of the individuals at different ages, some were SO spot on! It was confusing and complex, and I appreciated when they'd do little portions where they showed the people side-by-side. This was deserving of it's (M/mature) rating with language and sexuality.
• Reign: This one has been going on for a while with me. I watched the first season and then finished the second one ... but I don't know that I'll continue. It's a little over the top. I struggled a bit with Megan Follows as an evil character! She'll always be Anne to me. This ended up being my "weight workout" show ... something I didn't really need to pay close attention to or keep my eyes on it all the time (as with weights, I can't always keep my eyes on the TV). 
• The Widow: This was an Amazon original (all the others are Netflix) and I thought it was pretty good. Lots of action. It kept my interest enough.
• Unbelievable: I'd heard a bit of buzz and figured I'd give this show a try. It was challenging, not knowing who or what to believe. 
• Raising Dion: I generally love supernatural shows ... this one did NOT work for me. The acting and the story were eye-rolling. I really like to at least finish a season for closure, but I gave up on this one. On my DNF list.

October 2019

October 2019 ... no intake again. I didn't even bother to grab the graph. The month started off with some anticipated travel and fun, and ended unimaginably. Maga (Hub's mom) passed away. Completely unexpected, in her sleep. She laid down for an afternoon nap and didn't wake up. She and the cousins, and our #3 had done Disneyland at the start of the month. Hubs and #4 took a trip to Seattle to visit family there. We brought dinner in to my folks, as my mom had fallen and broken her wrist. Then #2 broke his foot and sprained his ankle badly during basketball. I got #4 in for some psychological testing ... and then Maga. Hub's and his siblings have a lot to deal with dealing with the estate (Hub's father passed away years ago) and it's been a rough time for everyone emotionally.  

I was already off schedule, with the sickness and such in September. #2 is now home all day (can't work or drive with his foot) and #1 stops by in the morning and for lunch. #3 has been working but will be changing jobs and shifting schedules to where he will be around in the day. It's very different from the past few years when all the kids were in school and I had a strict schedule and some hours alone to accomplish whatever I wanted. One day I looked around  (NOT during Fall Break, but that happened this month too) and had three of the five boys home in the middle of the day. Just an excuse ... I could still fit in the exercise if I tried and made it a priority. I am still getting some, just not my usual "back to school"  shift into gear. It's literally been back to school, as I've been helping a lot with #4's online schooling. Often doing the reading and watching the lectures, taking notes, so I can tutor him and nudge him step-by-step along the way. 

It's the eating anyway ... but that's gone completely downhill. There has definitely been some emotional eating. I tend to snack as I sit at the computer, which I've been doing a lot more of late. Add in Halloween and tons of little snack size candies (calories don't count in those small sizes, right), candy corn and some seasonal baking.   I gave up counting calories and tracking. I never got to updating the blog on my weekly reports. I've given up on lots of things.

NUMBERS: Weight started at 173.2. Ended at 179.8. Those with the high and low too. Average was 176.62.  Average burn 2487. Step average 15228, total steps 472,071 with 117.94 logged miles. Cardio minutes 2136/2569 with 15min weights. 

EXERCISE: Only three days with a full hour of elliptical. Five days had partial elliptical workouts. Better with treadmill time, 14 days this month. Still got my Zumba in, even with skipping a couple classes. 19 total. #4 and I have been playing tennis (pickleball one week), had four sessions there. One weight workout.

OTHER ACTIVITY: Tons of family time, obviously. Still have to grab groceries to keep everyone fed. Basketball, finishing up the Fall season (a few playoff games next month). Doctor and dentist, more than the usual. No lawn mowing ... the weather has definitely turned.

September 2019

In the past, September has been a good month for me. Completely on the school schedule, birthdays behind us... this year, switching to the online school for #4, and figuring that out, some sickness (just a cold that stuck around, really impacted exercise and energy) and stress. Not so good a month. I even gave up tracking intake for a few days there, but it's almost harder for me NOT to track, I'm so used to it (although admittedly I could do better at accuracy, weighing/measuring and timely updates). Some bit rainstorms, and even hail!  Had a scare with our kitty ... lost, then found! So ehhh ... Wake me up, September is over. On to October and my nemesis, candy corn! 

NUMBERS: Starting weight 171.8. Ending weight 174.5 (it was a Monday morning). High 176.5. Low 170.8. Average 174.08.  Because I didn't track some days, I don't have a monthly intake average, or a deficit/overage calculated. Average burn was 2633. Step average 17474, total steps 524,219 with 133 logged miles. Five 3000+ burn days. Just one 30k day. Cardio minutes 2153/2971 with 20 min w/weights.

 EXERCISE: Only thirteen days on the elliptical this month. Achieved my hour nine times, and less than that the remaining four days. Only seven days with treadmill time. Zumba classes 20 times. One little weight workout. Added some tennis and badminton.

OTHER ACTIVITIES: Basketball is back, with #5 playing in three leagues, two different teams. Lots of games and practices. #2 is playing in a men's league, but I haven't made it to one of his games yet (as it's a night I'm on driving duty for #5). Family gathering with the some of the Seattle Blackhams in town; hanging out with them at BIL's house, then going to see hot air balloons. A little eating out with that too. Lawn mowing may start to decrease, with the weather cooling. A visit to the doctor with #4. Not tracking the time spent on "school" helping him ... but it's been a LOT. 

TV Tuesday - Six Series Sequels

It's been a while since I've done a TV Tuesday post ... I've been watching while I work out, and have watched a number of second and third seasons for series I've enjoyed. I like to do a quick write up here on the blog - mainly for ME, so I remember what I watched and when.  So here's a rundown of six series ...

• Jack Ryan: Hubs and I had enjoyed the first season ... this second one didn't leave as much of an impact. Reflecting on it now, I can't really even remember the storyline. The girl from "What Happened to Monday" was a love(sex) interest, which just didn't click, especially as he's met his future wife in season 1. 
• Big Little Lies: Again, the second season didn't have the same impact as the first one did. I can still remember season 1, but even though my watching of season 2 was more recent, I really can't recall the storyline, with the exception of the addition of Glen Close.
• The Handmaid's Tale: Season three here. I waited until all the episodes were out, then started watching, getting through one or two episodes a day while on the treadmill/elliptical. As with the other seasons, very dark and disturbing.  I watched it down in the gym, then re-watched an episode or two with Hubs upstairs, but it might just be too depressing for him to want to watch.
• Glitch: Season three ... the final season. I've really enjoyed this series. A unique idea, a new cast of characters. Love the Australian accents. I didn't care for this season though. The addition of new "glitched" characters ... and the ultimate ending. I'm not really sure how I would have liked it to wrap up, but I didn't love the events and the closure here.
• The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Season three. I'd been looking forward to this one, and was happy when it arrived on Amazon. While I love music, and the talent is great ... I've never been one to enjoy "concerts" on television programs (or real life for that matter). There was a bit too much music. Also very sad about the turn of events at the end. Another little twist though ... right after I'd watched the first episode of season 3, I introduced the series to Hubs, and we watched the first episode of season 1. If I hadn't watched the two back-to-back, I wouldn't have realized the re-creation of the first scene. In season 1, with Joel walking down the street, into his father's company ... in season 3, it's Midge, almost identical re-creation of the street/factory set-up. Deja vu moment for me! I wonder how many others caught it. 
• Veep: Hubs and I had watched all the other seasons (1-6) together ... the final season came out, and our HBO subscriptions was going to come to an end (dropping DirectTV) so I figured I'd get my own closure on the series at least. Always interesting to see how they END a series, when it's planned (not just canceled). This was complete closure. I liked it. 

I had watched quite a few movies in 2019 too, so my series would be squeezed in-between or after. If I really liked a series, then I'd switch and just keep watching it from start to finish.  Watching while working out ...

Weekly Weigh-In #321 (174.5)

The sickness that started last weekend continued on this week. For me and #4 anyway. #3 has come down with it too, but #5 had a quick recovery. So still low steps for me. No early elliptical, in fact, I only got 30min in for the entire week! Still some treadmill time, but I even skipped a Zumba class (I didn't feel up to teaching) and had rather wimpy workouts for the ones I went to.  Not a lot of extra stuff going on this week. I've been more involved with school this week (#4's online stuff). Basketball and derbies per usual.

NUMBERS: Weight was down two pounds. Not sure why.  Average down (-1.54).  I flaked on my food tracking for a couple days, so I don't have a deficit/overage or intake average. Burn average was 2456. Step average 14967 with just 18.27 logged miles.  Cardio minutes 390/539/456/783.  I actually did do some weights (just 20 min, but still enough to be a bit sore the next couple days). 

STEPS: The only reason my ScrapJen(Versa) steps are higher is because of a funky Friday, where my steps mysteriously doubled (so it should have been about the same as the 3JenB). #2 (Cal) was bummed he didn't break 100k, but it really depends on what he's assigned to do at work, and he was on non-step stuff (as was #3). Nice to have #5 up fairly high again. 

EXERCISE: Only on the elliptical one day, under my hour. Three days with treadmill time. Just four Zumba classes (cancelled my Tuesday, not up to teaching). I did get in a little weight workout.  Here's a look at the day by day ...

• Monday (0923): Coughing woke me early. Tried some elliptical early, but it was hard. #5 felt good enough to go to school. I tried Zumba, although it was half-hearted.  Grabbed some groceries. Made dinner. #1 took #4 to a movie. I took #5 to his basketball game (loss, but the boys sure played hard).  16507 steps. 2588 burn. 1900 intake. 
• Tuesday(0924): Bad night. No Zumba - would have tried if I was just attending, but didn't feel up to teaching. Did a little treadmill walk. #4 had a meltdown over Spanish in school, after discussions with counselor and teacher, we are going to move him back to Spanish 1. That should help. My mom ended up at the ER with a broken wrist. #1 and #4 did a movie again. 11295 steps. 2164 burn. Untracked intake. 
• Wednesday (0925): Still feeling off, but tried Zumba. Store stop/errands on the way home. #5 had basketball clinic. #4 went and helped Dad on a derby. 16540 steps. 2564 burn. 2300 intake. 
• Thursday (0926): Zumba w/MZL. Cleaners came, so I walked and did weights while they were at the house. Late game (9:00 start) for #5 ... lost by one. Lots of close games! 20843 steps. 2750 burn. Untracked intake.
• Friday (0927): No school for #5 (and he's my only one in traditional school now, so ... sleep in!) Zumba w/MZL. Still school for #4, finishing up his week, and I spent a ton of time, going through the next week (he's going on a little trip) to try and plan and see what he needs to get done. Reading some of the stuff to help him. Mowed the lawn (rain in the forecast). #5 had practice in the evening. #2 and K8 did a neighborhood paint night. We are on doggy-duty, watching the pup next door. 15665 steps. 2490 burn. 2300 intake.
•  Saturday (0928) The new season of "Grey's Anatomy" started ... aired Thursday, and I finally got around to watching while I walked on the treadmill. #4 watched the MinCon2019. I tried to get him to do some school ... but it's Saturday (but he's missing three days next week!) #5 had to games back to back, won both. Hubs made popcorn in the evening. 14227 steps. 2395 burn. 2850 intake. 
• Sunday (0929) Woke feeling yucky ... dizzy and nauseous. It would pass, then hit again. Made crepes for the family. Napped. Finally started feeling a bit better. Hit Sams/Walmart to grab a few things. Hubs purged his closet then made some steak - reheated sous vide, which was really good, maybe even better? Super tender. 9694 steps. 2238 burn. 2200 intake. 

  
Five Featured Photos ...

... the temp at the basketball game ... just under 65°  Brrrrrr

... bruises from the basketball game.

#5 also had a jammed finger, and his hip has been hurting.

Bruises and Black Eyes. My poor parents.  My mom tripped and fell and broke her wrist and hit her head on Dad's tools. Dad had to go in for small skin cancer surgery. 

 Just a random snapshot of some silly boys ...

Neighborhood paint night ...

Weekly Weigh-In #320 (176.5)

Ugg... up. Not a good week. Stress for #1 as he and his wife moved from their apartment. Some sickness hit (me and the two littles). Basketball and derby. Hail. Hubs had a little weekend get-away.

NUMBERS: Weight up +1.5. Average up +.49. A deserved gain, according to the numbers. An overage of the week of +3562. Intake average 2614. Burn average 2695. Step average 18570 with 34.61 logged miles. Cardio minutes 517/787/680/982.

Stacked Steps ...

One of me (pocket One) beat my boys, but #2 was right up there too. Still want to see #4 get 100k ... I think he does, but he doesn't wear his device during his basketball games (and he had four games this week). Still working on #4 getting more steps, but this is better than it's been.

EXERCISE: On the elliptical four days this week, achieved my hour three of those days. NO treadmill! Still got five Zumba classes in. No weights.  There was some racquet stuff going on ... ping pong, badminton and tennis too! Here's a look at the day by day ...

• Monday (0916) Long day. Got in my hour of elliptical and Zumba w/Kirsten. Some shopping, and school work with #4. Intramurals after school for #5, then straight from practice to a game in the evening. Wolves got the win. Made soup for dinner. Some ping pong. Late night. 26302 steps. 3237 burn. 2900 intake.
• Tuesday (0917) Hour of elliptical, Zumba at the church, and a little badminton at the end of the day. Grabbed groceries. Intramurals after school. #5 helped Dad with a derby in the evening. Finally got through to DTV to cancel. Still getting the new computer going.  26198 steps. 3092 burn. 2000 intake. 
• Wednesday (0918) Hour of elliptical in early. Zumba w/MZL was cancelled with a church cleaning conflict, so I went to Southziders.  Stopped at a couple stores on the way home. #1 stopped by to borrow the truck - moving this week. #5 had Intramurals, and then basketball clinic. #4 and Hubs did a derby and brought home chick-fil-a after.  27528 steps. 3091 burn. 3200 intake. 
• Thursday (0919) Just 30min elliptical today. A bit distracted in the morning, as I had arranged for the cleaners to swap our house for #1's apartment. Needed a good cleaning with them moving out. Went to Zumba w/MZL but wasn't really feeling well. Coming down with a cold. Out with #4 to hit the library and try a little tennis. #1 helped #4 with Spanish. Hubs made late night popcorn. 22510 steps. 2927 burn. 2900 intake. 
• Friday (0920) Not a good night. Sniffles, sore throat. Hubs was off for a weekend of razor riding in Moab. I hit Zumba w/MZL, but it was hard, no energy. Stopped at Maceys afterward to grab some groceries. #4 wanted to try tennis again, but before we headed out, we were hit by a HUGE hail storm. Shredded my pumpkins and zucchini plants. #5 had gone to school but he wasn't feeling well, so we bagged practice. #4 not feeling well either.  I did make some banana bread. 13133 steps. 2363 burn. 2200 intake. 
• Saturday (0921) Another long night, at least Hubs wasn't around for my sicky snores and coughing. Not up for any exercise today. Didn't even get to the lawn.  #5 had two back-to-back games in the evening. Had to rush from one to the next, and was late to the second one. #3 came along to watch (and drive). Hubs got home from his overnighter. 4900 steps. 1949 burn. 2400 intake
• Sunday (0922) We did a big family breakfast, and Hubs picked up some steak for the Sous Vide for dinner. I was still feeling sick, but mowed the lawn and pulled up some of my poor pummeled plants. 9419 steps. 2203 burn. 2700 intake. 

Five Featured Photos ...

 #1 and wife helping #4 with Spanish

 What the hail? Poor duckies found a little protection against the fence.

 My zucchini plants got pummeled!

Silly #3 ... ducky balloon

 Hub's weekend getaway ... picture perfect

Weekly Weigh-In #319 (175)

I must admit - I'm a bit stuck. Not just weight, but myself, my motivation. I even gave up on tracking my food for a bit this week, stopped trying to track my fasting times. I'd forget to start/stop and then get frustrated trying to remember and input it afterward. Similar story with food. But I think I DO need to track, and I actually like having the record of what I've eaten as much as looking at the calorie count. I've been so behind at getting these weekly updates blogged as well ... is it worth the time it takes? I had been posting the updates to my social media, but gave up on that a while ago.

This is the third week of online school for #4. Our first full week (as the first two were just four days). Still figuring things out. The first few days were easy but super stressful the last couple days (need to work on timing). While online school is not the same as homeschooling, I am much more involved, and it has taken up a lot of my time too. There was a doctor's appointment, some family fun, plus basketball and derbies.  Busy week. 

NUMBERS: While weight was only up a smidgen (+.1) average was up quite a bit (+2.2).  I only tracked calories a couple days, so no intake average or deficit/overage to note. Average burn 2737. Step average 19272. Cardio minutes 633/822/692/1051.

#2 was the step winner this week.

EXERCISE: I was on the elliptical four days this week, getting in a full hour three of those days. Three days with treadmill time. Five Zumba classes. No weights.  Here's a look at the day by day ...

• Monday (0909) Got in my hour of elliptical, Zumba and treadmill time, but didn't quite get to 30k. Grabbed groceries after class. #4 finished school early, but didn't want to work ahead. Had a doctor's appointment for him in the afternoon. New pediatrician (gal I went to high school with). #4 wasn't happy about it. #5 had clinic, but also a game, so game takes precedence. Our boys kept it close but couldn't quite get ahead in the end. 27938 steps. 3206 burn. Untracked intake. 
• Tuesday (0910) Same exercise as yesterday. #4 was done with school early again. Thunderstorms throughout the day. #5 stayed after for intramurals. #4 and Hubs did a derby in the evening. 26658 steps. 2950 burn. Untracked Intake. 
• Wednesday (0911) Stormy night, noisy rain woke me up and made it hard to sleep. Lots of rain during the day too, and I had to spend a little time checking window wells, positioning buckets and towels, as we had a little water getting in the house. Got my hour of elliptical in, Zumba and treadmill time. #5 had Intramurals after school, and basketball clinic in the evening. #2 had a game, and Hubs and #3 did a derby.  30042 steps. 3292 burn. Untracked intake.
• Thursday (0912) Stressful school day for #4. He'd taken it easy earlier in the week, and now assignments and deadlines were looming. Spent most of the day helping and tomorrow will still have a lot to do. I'd done two elliptical sessions early, then Zumba, but didn't get in any more exercise. Basketball game with #5 in the evening. 18812 steps. 2750 burn. Untracked intake.
• Friday (0913) I made it to Zumba, but that was it for exercise. Helped #4 with school stuff and got everything in by the deadline. Family party in the evening, as Aunt Jami and the girls were in town. #5 had practice, but I had his skip so he could see cousins. 12355 steps. 2438 burn. 2200 intake. 
• Saturday (0914) Hubs went into work. #4 went to watch a friend play football. I took #5 in for a haircut. Got the lawn mowed. #5 had a game (two really, both at 4:00, so we could only hit one) and they won (his other team did too, even without him). Hubs brought home a monitor/new computer for me, so I spent a while in the evening getting that set up. 13264 steps. 2538 burn. 2400 intake.
• Sunday (0915) Bad night. Up early to go with Hubs and extended family to see a hot air balloon festival in Park City. Out to breakfast afterward. No exercise. 5834 steps. 1986 burn. 

Five Featured Photos ...

 Good thing ducks like water!

So much rain!

 Crack chicken - Hubs really likes it

 This sign is SO true ...

#3 - Homecoming

Balloon festival - Autumn Aloft

Weekly Weigh-In #318 (174.9)

A little up. Stuck again in the mid-70s. A bit of a rough week. Started with a holiday, which throws me off-schedule. We lost our kitty ... happily she showed up again four days later.  More reorganization (still finishing up my office, also some kitchen stuff), car registration and a switch to Xfinity. Derbies and basketball are the new normal now. 

NUMBERS: Official weight up 1.7. Average weight up 1.06.  Intake average was 2057 with burn average 2719. Ended up with a slight deficit for the week (-458) when crunching numbers ... but that didn't show on the scale (it was going good as the week started, but jumped over the weekend).  Steps average 18987 with 37 logged miles. Cardio minutes 551/782/726/911.

Stacked Steps ...

I guess #5 didn't sync himself - I'm sure he would have beat grandpa for that third spot. But the older boys were both down this week. It depends on what they are doing at work. Steps can really vary. As far as official EXERCISE: Got on the elliptical four days this week, getting in the full hour three of those days. Only one time on the treadmill. Five Zumba classes as usual. No weights.  Here's a look at the day by day ...

• Monday (0902)  Labor Day. Hubs had the day off work, the kids off school. On dog duty for the morning, so went over to let the neighbor's dog out. Hubs took off for some razor riding. I went to Zumba w/Kirsten. Got a little badminton in with #4. Mid-morning, I noticed I hadn't seen kitten around (she's four years old, we just still think of her as our kitten). We did a search of the house, and the yard (but she doesn't go out much, and we always supervise). No sign :( 18733 steps.  Burn 2640. 1600 intake.
• Tuesday (0903)  Back to the school routine. Got in a couple elliptical sessions early as the big boys left for work, #4 got started on school and I dropped #5 off. Then Zumba. Picked up #5 to take him to his orthodontist appointment. Brac eface! Took the car in to get registered, then picked up the Xfinity TV hookup. I was happily surprised I was able to figure out how to get it installed. Now just to see if the different "red zone" will be acceptable to #4.  Hubs and #4 did a derby in the evening. No Joy kitty :(  23963 steps. 2989 burn. 1800 intake. 
• Wednesday (0904) Bad night for both Hubs and I. Started the day with two miles treadmill, then got elliptical in. Full hour. Zumba w/MZL. #5 had basketball camp in the evening. Lots of computer research time today. 27647 steps. 3080 burn. 2000 intake. 
• Thursday (0905) Another bad night for Hubs, but I managed to sleep through it. He had work then a charity event. He'd prepped brisket last night and smoked it there at work (co-worker's smoker). Two elliptical sessions in early, and another later in the day to equal my hour. Zumba w/MZL.  Some shopping, then picked up Popeyes.   #1 took the two littles to a movie (IT Chapter 2). Huge thunderstorm rolled in. The ducks were quacking up a storm and Hubs went to check on them. #3 and I stepped outside to see too, and heard a "meow" ... it was Joy! Happy to have her home! Skittish and hungry, but home. 24398 steps. 2990 burn. 1600 intake.
• Friday (0906) Could have slept in, but forgot to adjust my alarm, so it was still set for the early hour. Got one elliptical session in, made sure #4 was started on school, and dropped #5 off on my way to Zumba w/MZL. Grabbed groceries after class. #5 had practice in the evening. Got some computer work done, plus 10 more minutes on the elliptical. 18533 steps. 2681 burn. 2200 intake. 
• Saturday (0907) No exercise, but I did mow the lawn. Big breakfast in the morning, then #1 was making flan and cheesecake. I made a cake too (#1's birthday today). We all went out for burgers in the early evening. 12420 steps. 2429 burn. 2800 intake. 
• Sunday (0908) Made cinnamon rolls and scones. First day with the new Xfinity/NFL RedZone  (switch from DirectTV) and #4 said it was acceptable. Whew! Rain off and on ... complete downpour as Hubs arrived home (he'd gone to work) and he pulled me out in the rain too. We were drenched! Made macaroni rosa for dinner, Hubs put some steak in the sous vide. 7213 steps. 2222 burn. 2400 intake. 

*** Five Featured Photos ***

 ... I made this memory collage when our kitty was missing. So sad!  

But happy as she found her way back home after four days. 

Happy and sad with our caterpillar too ... we thought the egg didn't hatch, but it did! The very hungry caterpillar was growing so fast and so big. Then, we don't know what happened, but it died :(

 My firstborn - 24 years old.

Burgers for his birthday. 

 Hubs pulled me out in the rain! We were both drenched!

New utensils, new tray ... love it!

TV Tuesday - Originals/Exclusives on Amazon, Hulu & Netflix

It seems like when the streaming services first originated, they were just showcasing series and movies that were already out there. Then, they started producing their own. Some of these originals are as good or better than network TV. I'm all for more choices in what to watch while I work out, although just like any series, they can be hit and miss ...

This week I'll be featuring four of the series that entertained me while I exercised in the last little bit.

• Killing Eve: This is a BBC production, being shown in the US on Hulu. I'm still on my 1-year $1 a month production. I don't know that I'll continue when it's up, but thought I'd watch some Hulu stuff while I have it (Handmaid's Tale S3 is next on the list too).  I'd heard a lot about Killing Eve, and liked Sandra Oh in Grey's Anatomy. Here ... it was a little (or a lot) over the top. A bit silly even.
• Hanna: An Amazon original, I was intrigued with the two leads from "The Killing" back together again. This didn't grab me though. I had to take a break and come back to it, and push to finish. I had watched the movie (same premise) a while back. 
• What If: This had a similar feel to "Damages" from years past, with the older woman "helping" a younger woman in her rise to power, with nefarious reasons behind her assistance. The main guy looked familiar to me ... I had to IMDB it, he was from Glee (no singing here, and he seemed much taller!) I thought it started off strong enough, but turned rather ridiculous. I finished it, but ... it was a push. It was just odd, to have these three barely related storylines (the main couple, the gal's brother and his lover, the friend and her husband). Three relatively normal couples, and they all had such crazy things happen to them (unrelated to each other). What are the odds? I was also a bit irritated when they did a paternity test on a baby in the womb with just the blood from the mother and hair from one of the possible fathers. Ummm ... didn't need the baby's blood? This was a Netflix original, as was ...
• Dead to Me: After three so-so shows, I came into this one with some trepidation and was pleasantly surprised. A mix of mystery and humor. I loved the mom's nickname for one of the sons "Boop" ... quite the cliffhanger of an ending. Second season?? I'd watch it ...

Weekly Weigh-In # 317 (173.2)

Oy - I'm behind in getting up my weekly weigh-in blog post. August ended, so I had a monthly update to do as well.  Monday was a holiday (Labor Day) which throws off the routine ... but that applies to the coming week, not this past one. Still lots of changes a we got the school stuff settled and started. Add in a couple birthdays, an anniversary and an engagement. Plus we were on dog duty, derbies started up again, I decided to reorganize my office, DTV decisions, and a family party. It was a bit of a crazy week!

NUMBERS: Official weight down (-1.2) with average up a smidgen (.26). Intake average was 2413 with burn average 2845. No deficit, over just a little (325). Step average 20,805 with 34.07 logged miles. Cardio minutes 544/790/686/916 with 20min w/Weights. 

Stacked Steps ...

#3 beat me ... all three of me!  Not sure how he got so many steps.

#5 left his Fitbit home Mon/Tues ... I'm sure he was well over 100K.

EXERCISE: Not a great week for exercise. While I hit the elliptical five days, I didn't get in a full hour any day this week. Only two treadmill times. Even Zumba was down a day ... four classes. I did do a small strength-training workout though.  OTHER ACTIVITIES: School stuff, ortho appointment, derbies, birthdays, engagement, anniversary, family party ... whew!

• Monday (0826)  Made arrangements for #5 to get picked up and off to school while #4 and I headed to the high school to discuss options, even though we'd pretty much made up our minds on the online. Nice to know there were options and that the district/schools are willing to work with kids who need it. Home in time to hit Zumba w/Kirsten. Store stop at Sam's for some storage options as I organize my office.  Made dinner. #5 had basketball clinic in the evening. Got in two 20min elliptical sessions during the day.  22306 steps. 2980 burn. 1800 intake. 
• Tuesday (0827) Online school officially started today, but we haven't had orientation (it's tomorrow) so another "homeschool" day. I got a couple elliptical sessions in, then Zumba at the church. Then two miles on the treadmill. Picked up #5 after school and it was straight to the orthodontist for braces prep.  We did some clothes shopping afterward. Hubs and #4 did a derby. 28692 steps. 3169 burn. 2000 intake. 
• Wednesday (0828) Full day! Happy b-day to #4 (16 years old). It was his orientation today, so I had to skip Zumba. I was impressed with the set-up and organization. Back at home, #4 got started on his first official online day. I made crack chicken in the crock pot - it was a hit and will be a new family favorite. I got in a couple elliptical sessions and two miles treadmill. #5 stayed after for intramurals, then had basketball clinic in the evening. #4 and Dad did another derby. I had to run out a speaker, as they were having audio issues. Store stop too, grabbing some groceries. Cake in the evening. 24608 steps. 3055 burn. 1780 intake. 
• Thursday (0829) Started the day with a couple elliptical sessions. Got the boys off, #4 started online, house prepped and off to Zumba w/MZL. Straight home after. Two miles treadmill and a small weight workout. Hubs had a late work dinner. 25349 steps. 2974 burn. 2200 intake. 
• Friday (0830) Late start ... but I can still hit Zumba. I just drop #5 off on the way.  Straight home after, and prep for #2's proposal. I hadn't realized he was doing it in our yard, so the next bit was devoted to mowing and garden. Picked up #5 after school, and everyone arrived and she said yes.  Quiet evening after that. The boys popped next door a few times to take care of the neighbor's dog. 22316 steps. 2923 burn. 2600 intake. 
• Saturday (0831) Happy b-day to #3 (19years old). Breakfast, some shopping to get a couple cakes (one for today, one for tomorrow), birthday boys out to lunch w/Maga. More office cleanup, and decision time for DTV/Xfinity (on chat/calls for a while today). Yard games in the evening. Dog duty. 13912 steps. 2558 burn. 2400 intake. 
• Sunday (0901) Weekend not-withstanding, Hubs went into work. Crepes for breakfast. Dog duty. Family party in the early evening ... my folks, siblings and extended family too. 8455 steps. 2258 burn. 2300 intake. 

 *** Five Featured Photos ***

 16 years old ... my #4

 ... we have kitties, but he loves doggies too

... she said yes

 ... our egg hatched

... another birthday (#3, 19 years old)