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Today was a little bit better maybe. I don't really trust my own estimations though, because I am starting to suspect that this DVD is designed to cause you to fall victim to Stockholm Syndrome. That article says there are three main components in developing Stockholm Syndrome: A severely uneven power relationship in which the captor dictates what the prisoner can and cannot do The threat of death or physical injury to the prisoner at the hands of the captor A self-preservation instinct on the part of the prisoner First of all Jillian is in a position of total power. When she says "Jump" you literally jump, and she says "jump" a lot. She is also inflicting pain on you through the tasks you must preform, but there is always the promise that if you can perform the tasks as well as Natalie and Anita you won't feel the need to cheat, and it won't be hard for you anymore. Basically if you can learn to please Jillian, your pain will be taken away from you. She...

I have decided that Jillian doesn't have a script writer, or she does have one who is just really bad. She has this surprise rant during the workout: "So often, people think that they're not strong enough; you guys are always told, 'just take the stairs', that is a false message of lethargy that is not doing you any favors.You are capable of working out." This is the third time I have heard it and I still cannot be sure what she is trying to say. Taking the stairs is lethargic? Taking the stairs is not a workout? I am not strong enough for the elevator so I should take the stairs instead? What does it mean? Here's the thing though Jillian, it doesn't matter what you mean, because of this workout my legs are so sore and tired that they are like two huge bags of pudding I have to haul around all day. I can't take the stairs. The best I can do is drag myself to an elevator and hope someone kicks me in and out of it.

Today was harder, because I started the workout already feeling sore from yesterday. But Jillian says that is good, because that aching in my muscles in just fear leaving my body. Jillian, I just would please like to know which fear it was that left my body, because I did an inventory and they all still seem to be there. And to be honest I don't really want to lose those fears. It's a good idea to fear bears I think.

I could do most of the exercises without the modification, but it was highly unpleasant. I think Jillian is trying to encourage me, but I think she is mean, so her encouragement comes across more like someone poking your chubs with a stick. I have never been so sweaty in my life.

It is an exciting time for us right now! Handsome Bryce is going to be starting a new job in July. We are really excited about it, we have both felt best about this job all along and we are so happy that they felt good about Bryce too! (Seriously though, how could they not.) McBaby is still the best toy that we own. He is so fun, and he doesn't know how to talk back yet! Also, we are also in the process of buying a house, hooray! We still aren't sure when we are moving, but we know it is coming soon. I have a lot of projects planned for this house once we move in. More on that later. Also also, I have decided to try the Jillian Michaels 30-day shred, since it is on youtube. I know this is probably an ill conceived idea since I hate to exercise, but it seems like everyone else is doing shreds and insanitys and things like that so I decided to give it a try. I still have some baby chubs that I could afford to be rid of. To motivate me I will post an update on here every day...

My siblings and I all love reading, and we are all good readers. I think this is due to a combination of things. First, my mom, a school teacher, taught each of us to read herself. I remember thinking it was annoying to have to go over "sound cards" over and over until I knew them all backwards and forwards, and being annoyed when my mom wouldn't ever let me guess on any words without sounding them out. I also remember it was nice to spend time with just Mom, even if it was to go over stupid sound cards a hundred times. Second, my dad always read fun "chapter books" to us every night after dinner. My mom gave me the ability to read well, but I think this time with my dad helped inspire a love of reading and discussing books. Talking about the books as we read them also helped teach us reading comprehension, which never occurred to me as a kid, it was just fun. Third, we always had a bunch of books in the house, big tall shelves with hundreds and hundreds of book...

Savory Campfire Snack Peppers Our good friends, Lauren and Sam, invited us over to make s'mores with their new fire-pit. I really like s'mores, but after I eat one I am so overloaded with sugar that I feel like a languishing s'more-slug-beast: Also known as "Smore the Hutt". I need something savory to counteract the sugar-rush before I can consume anymore of the melty marshmallowyness. That is why I invented "Campfire Pepper Poppers" behold: I do not love jalapenos, but I know other people do, so I got five of them. For me and the people who like to eat food that does not ignite your mouth on fire I got a bag of those adorable party peppers. I also used an entire block of cream cheese, and about 1 cup of grated sharp cheddar cheese (I wouldn't use less than sharp, because the cheddar flavor will get lost). I was worried that cooking would cause the cheese to become a melty slurry that would run out of the peppers so I crushed up half a package of sa...