The Magical Ice Cream Man

Here in Southern Georgia, we have some strange cultural practices which mystify children. One is The Ice Cream Man. (I'm mystified mainly that he comes in February...)

One of our neighborhood friends, a 7 year old Matthew, has an unending supply of money to buy overpriced mystical ice cream from the musical mogul. Grace has become fascinated with how indescribably exciting it must be to actually purchase ice cream from a stranger in a musical truck. So, she started asking about a week ago if we could buy some. I put her off with short answers like, I don't want to pay that much for ice cream, etc.

Until one day, she persisted. So, when I had no more clever answers, I pulled out the old let's-wait-until-your-Daddy-gets-home-and-ask-him. So, as soon as our endearing Patriarch comes walking in, "Daddy, let's talk about ice cream now. Daddy, can we please talk about Ice cream now?" With raised eyebrow, Royal gives me the old what-the-heck-is-she-talking-about look.

So, we sat down together. While I expounded the virtue of prudence and thrift, and bargain ice cream from the grocery store, Grace listened patiently. She answered questions and responded in a demonstration of her deep appreciation for such principles. When I had imparted all my motherly wisdom, she sweetly said, "May I buy some ice cream from the ice cream man tomorrow?"

Daddy understood and said this, "Grace, Mommy is saying that you could buy ice cream for less money at the grocery store, and I think what you're saying is that you would like to have the fun of spending the extra money just so you can get ice cream from the Ice Cream Man, right?"

Grace eagerly nodded.

"Okay. How about you get to buy one ice cream from The Ice Cream Man next time he comes. Then, Mom can help you buy ice cream from the Grocery Store. Then you can see for yourself the difference."

So, here is Grace's first successful purchase from the Mystical Ice Cream Man.

8 Minutes in My Morning

I have found a quick, simple exercise regimen that has reshaped my body in 10 minutes a day, 6 days a week- at my home.

For any of you who have ever wanted to change the shape of your body, I challenge you to try this!

Its called 8 Minutes in the Morning. But first, my story....

I grew up feeling my body was okay. I have never had strong feelings about my weight or size. From age 15, I have been a steady size 12, weighing between 130-145 lbs. I have maintained a very minimal, but regular, fitness level. In other words, I'd walk about 2 miles 1-2 times a week, and do beginner pilates once a week. My goal was to be "fit"; not slender or tiny or even beautiful. No exercise regimen I had ever been on changed the shape of my body. I had never dieted, I usually ate too much sugar, and I ate whenever I was hungry.

At age 21, one year after my first baby was born, I weighed 140 lbs. I was still a size 12, still maintaining minimal fitness and very content with that.

However, around the time I conceived my 2nd child, I stopped exercising. As I gained weight, I started feeling blob-like. Too soft around the edges, if you get my drift. Six months later, I was well-rounded. I decided that when this baby was born, I was going to do something about my large horizontal stature.

I found Jorge Cruise's 1st book, 8 Minutes in the Morning. I read it cover to cover and decided this was the exercise routine for me! It is only 2 exercises a day, with Sundays off. Since I can do 10 minutes of anything, I decided this was something I could maintain.

I got up to 187 lbs that pregnancy. The birth was perfect, leaving me at 170 lbs.

About a month later, I began my 8 Minutes. I bought a copy of the Book myself. (I should mention, the fitness plan includes an eating plan that is very simple, good nutrition. It involves portion control. However, since I was breast-feeding, I decided not to reduce my calorie intake. I did try to follow the general principles, though. So, basically, I ate a few more veggies, and added some Omega 3 to my diet. I still ate everything else as usual. If you follow the eating plan, you'll have results much quicker than I did.)

I was back into my size 14 jeans in a few weeks. I seemed to lose about 1 lb/week, or slightly less. I couldn't have been happier to wear those jeans, either! I kept up my 8 Minutes faithfully.

In November, (I had been doing 8 minutes for 2.5 months, so I weighed around 155-160) Royal took me clothes shopping. He wanted me to have some attractive jeans. (I've never been good at having clothes that fit well.) I was shocked when size 10 fit me. I was sure it was just the badly sized generic brand. I had never worn a size 10 anything that I could remember. So, we took home my first size ten, and I was pretty skeptical about it.

By December, I needed more small jeans. I got some "expensive" used jeans in size 10 that fit pretty well. I also had to buy a dress for my Sister's wedding. And again, it was a size 10, and a bit loose.

In February, I went back to the consignment store for more, since my size 10s were too loose. (I was back down to about 140 lbs now.) I brought home two pair of size 8 jeans.

Finally, around July (after 8 minutes every day for almost a year.), I was out on a wild, random shopping spree (long story, but it was Royal's orders), and I tried on some size 6 jeans "just for fun". Not only did they fit, but they were comfortably loose. Dumbstruck, I brought home that victory!

Here's me in June- 11 months after baby number two.


Now, I weigh 135ish, I wear a size 8 on bad days, and I do my workout no matter what. 8 Minutes of strength training. I still have too much sugar most of the time, and I eat what I want.
I have to tell you, it is pretty fun being so small! I like being in my ideal weight category. I like being small, and still having plenty of muscle.

Someday I'm going to start an 8 minutes challenge with my whole family, so we can all get fit together. When I do, You'll see the post, and I hope you'll join the challenge.

For more information, or if you want to try out 8 Minutes, please email me! I'd love to hear about it and encourage you. royal.spamcan@gmail.com Happy Slenderizing!

8 Minutes is a fitness plan designed by Jorge Cruise. His first book, 8 Minutes in the Morning (the original), has been the basis for my routine. If you buy it, I recommend getting the "Kit". It has all the exercises on separate, easy to use Cards. (So, you don't have to hold a book open to see the exercises. That's what I use.) The next version of the same book: 8 Minutes in the Morning for Extra Easy Weight Loss has been the basis for my improved eating habits (it has a simplified eating plan.)

Grace's Quiet Time

This evening Grace was explaining to me what kind of treat she'd like for being reverent during church,when she interrupted herself and asked, pointing, if she could wear my "headphones." She was pointing to the hearing protection I wear when I mow the lawn. I consented and she explained that she needed some "quiet time." After a few seconds of jumping up and down with the headphones on, she proceeded to sing gibberish at the top of her lungs. Apparently her quiet time was noisy time for the rest of us. Then Grace sat down and read Sienna a book. I had to take pictures. She's been dancing the whole evening. I love being a dad.

Walmart Prediction

Wal-Mart is going down, folks! You can say that you heard it here, too. Taking an Edward Deming perspective of the business, it becomes obvious that Wal-Mart has been watering their soup for over a decade. From store to store, the only thing that is consistent seems to be the HUGE size of the buildings, and the lack of knowledgeable help. The help in some stores does seem to at least care about the customers. I haven't found that to be true in any walmart near me (Southeast Georgia.), but my Brother in Warner Robbins (middle Georgia) claims to know of a store where it is true. I am embarrassed to admit that I shop there to save on groceries. They usually have about 4 out of 5 things I need on days when I have the stamina to stay long enough to peruse the entire store looking for them. The last straw-the beginning of the end- came on the day they hung televisions from the ceiling every 20 feet, blaring unwelcome advertisements in my general direction. Yes, that was the day I began to hate spending my time, energy, and money at Wal-Mart. And, in my opinion, Wal-Mart will not be able to maintain their status in the US economy for too much longer. They are alienating customers, suppliers, and employees. Hello, Target!