{getting settled}

So this describes my Sunday... More about that in a minute. I wanted to post a picture my son took of me. He just grabbed my camera and said "I want to take a picture of you!" Unfortunately my camera isn't working right now, but still. How sweet is that? I love that my twins are still at that age where they run to me when I walk in the door and want goodnight kisses. What will I do when that goes away?

So, I've been meaning to post for the last, well, since my last post! It turns out that taking over a new business while taking care of twin three year-olds is a little time consuming. Especially with your hubby a little preoccupied with getting our store reopened (still don't have a date) and trying to find a location for our second store (I think we have it!!). I'm hoping to get into a rhythm with the business side of my life this week, and maybe by the end of the weekend I'll get a home schedule??

This weekend was a little hectic with the hubby being out of town for most of it, but I did manage to bake these. YUM. I already use PB2 in my Shakeology, but now I suspect I'll be baking with it more too!

The only problem with my timing was that I baked them on Sunday and Monday I started the Turbo Fire Inferno Plan!! It's a 5 day plan (comes with Turbo Fire) and includes some serious cardio and a very specific meal plan. I'm hoping that 5 days of good workouts and healthy eating will get my body used to eating this way again. I must nix some of these sweet cravings! It's not a lot of food, but I'm not starving either, like I would be with a cleanse or a fast. For example, Day 1 breakfast includes 2 pieces of toast, a scrambled egg, a slice of turkey bacon & half a tomato. Last night we had chicken and broccoli with Parmesan cheese for dinner. Delicious!

So, all I want to get done this week is organize my inventory, decide what to sell in our neighborhood yard sale, clean our guest room for my cousin & his wife's visit and take my kids to the zoo. You know, in addition to normal "work" stuff. {sigh}

image from here

{hi}

Now that it's official, I just wanted to take a quick minute to say hi! I'm Jill and I'm the new owner of LobotoME! I'm so excited meet everyone and share my adventures as I ditch the corporate world for working from home, more time with my kids and maybe learning to cook??

First, allow me to tell you a little about myself. Yes, the two cuties above are my kids. They are three year-old twins Gabriel and Debra. They are all things sweet and difficult at the same time. I'm looking forward to introducing them to a less frazzled mommy who is not always running to work, late picking them up at daycare or shuffling them off to bed so I can open my laptop.

I also have a loving and supportive husband named Shawn. Together we own a Baskin Robbins and are preparing to open a second location. Our store was doing fantastic until we had a minor setback in the form of a small fire. Luckily, the damage is not as bad as the news makes it out, but we'll still probably be closed till October. Did I mention this happened the morning after I left my corporate job? Not the best timing!

In my spare time, I also run a Beachbody business. I love the idea of helping people reach their weightloss and fitness goals. I'm hoping that I'll be better equipped to this as I take more control of my schedule.

For now, I look forward to sharing my adventures as I learn to manage my time, build a successful home business or two, organize my house and take more control of the things that happen at home. Starting with... a meal plan for the week.

I know we all with Jenny the best of luck putting on races and enjoying life after LobotoME. I'm sure we'll be hearing from her soon!

As a final note, as the tenth anniversary of 9-11 is upon us, I can't help but worry about the time when my kids will start to ask about this tragedy or the subsequent war. I'm saving this post to help me know how to talk to them.

{ rocked to the core & back on my mat }

So...my mom was just diagnosed with kidney cancer. My mom who is a vibrant, healthy 60-year old woman. My mom who is the best grandmother any child could ever ask for. My mom who is my best friend. This has rocked ME to my core and the only thing that has kept me going these last few days is my time on the yoga mat & meditation cushion.


With each pose I've been sending strength & healing out of my cancer-free body to hers. With each warrior posed I've sent courage her way. With each sun salutation I've sent strength her way. With each eagle pose, I've sent cleansing thoughts her way. With each savasana I've sent healing energy her way. And with each breath during meditation I've envisioned the tumor shrinking. This time on my mat has given ME the strength to be strong for her.

Sometimes we need these events to happen to truly awaken us... To help us all focus on what is important and to remind us all to take care of our bodies & our souls. It is good to stop and pause and ask ourselves, "Are you truly living your life to to the fullest - in a way that reflects what (and who!) is most important to you?" If not, what would it take to create a more FULL and ALIVE life for yourself?

Needless to say, I'm going to be taking a little time off from this blog while we figure out how to get my mom well again. I'll keep you all posted.

namaste,
jenny

{ mother's day gift ideas }

Hallmark storytelling books

Cleaning belt

momME planner (couldn't resist adding this in )

and check out:
Etsy's mothers day showcase items
photojojo's gift guide
and poppytalks mothers day gift guide

MOM Job Description...

A friend sent me this funny MOM Job Description below.

MOM - JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION :Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy, Momma, Ma, Momme

JOB DESCRIPTION:Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work inan often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellentcommunication and organizational skills and be willing to work variablehours, whichwill include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitivecamping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far awaycities.Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties alsorequired.

RESPONSIBILITIES :The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at leasttemporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tonguerepeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule andbe able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, thistime, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Mustbe willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadgetrepair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers! Must screenphone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensableone minute,and embarrassed the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testingof a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, completea ccountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and all janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position foryears, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills,so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION :Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salaryscheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS :While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.