Auntie Mandy's Good Choices Blog

I Faced The Scale

2011-09-05T10:45:00.001-04:00

It was scary. I didn't know what it would say. It had been 45 days since my last weigh in. EEK! So I got myself on that scale and it said, after 45 days, with a road trip, a wedding, surgery, and very little exercise, I was +2.6. I am bummed because that puts me at 162.3, but on the other side, it could have been a LOT worse.

It has been really hard for me not being allowed to run, or walk long distances without a crutch. I see my son running morning and night, and I so desperately want to join him. I am signed up for a half marathon taking place in two months. Will I be allowed to even train? I go back to the doctor in a week, and I hope he at least clears me for PT, that way I can at least know what I am allowed to do as far as stairs, running, walking, strength exercises, etc.

Have a happy Labor Day! I am off to make me some corn meal mush. It is perfect for a day like today, high of 65, cloudy.

Long Hiatus?

2011-09-03T20:28:00.000-04:00

It is one of the longest I have had yet. So much has happened since we last spoke. First, I found my niece's father/my brother after 12 years of no contact. My mom and I took my niece to where he lives for his wedding, so she got to meet her daddy in person. Very exciting. Two days after we got home, August 18, I had knee surgery. I had a tendon snipped, arthritis scraped out, and holes drilled into the marrow to produce new cartilage. It was pretty painful, but the doctor is pleased with my speed of recovery. He told me on Monday that I shouldn't even try stairs until the 12th of September. I will have been doing stairs for two weeks by then.

So two weeks post surgery, I am feeling pretty good. I am still experiencing some pain, but it's really not much worse than before I had the surgery. Since I am still healing, I am noticing my knee giving way some times, but I still use a crutch when I will be doing a lot of walking.

Yankee has started running cross-country. I want so desperately to be out there running with him, but he is keeping it up. He ran 24:16 for two miles the other night. It was 97 degrees at the time. Today, he ran two miles in 20:12. I am really proud of him.

Dimples is on a new ADHD medicine that has turned him back into the funny, witty boy he used to be. He doesn't seem to get angry as fast, and his moods have improved greatly.

Brown Eyes is a stink pot. He is in second grade now, mainstreamed for most of the day, and improving beyond anyone's expectations (well, except mine).

I have not weighed myself since they put me on the bed at the hospital, and that was in kilograms, so I'm happy being 70 something K. I noticed that my size 12s are a little snug, but I am sure that will fall away as I am able to start moving more.

Today, I had the first day of my Horsemanship class. I dare anyone to do something like that 16 days post surgery! It was a little rough. First, I have only ever ridden a horse. I have never had to do anything besides ride the beast, never ever groom, put on the saddle or any of the other stuff I did today. I even had to clean her hooves! That was really tricky. I would lean on her so that I could lift her foot, and she would lean back over on me and almost know me over. We finally came to an understanding. I would only clean one hoof, and everyone got to laugh at me.

Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired!

2011-07-19T18:11:00.002-04:00

Last week, I figured that I was getting a migraine from the Celebrex. So I stopped taking it. It took a few days but the skin itching stopped, the migraine went away and everything was peachy. Then Friday, I started getting stuffy. I have a full blown cold that is causing some phlegm in my throat and chest. Our water heater went out last week, too. Oh! And my oldest ran his bike into a light pole, needed three stitches in his face and broke his toe. In all of the confusion, I have been not paying attention to my health the way I should be. But, I decided to weigh in this morning. 156.9!!!! That gives me a BMI of less than 27! I was shocked, and happy. Now I am making sure I don't let it creep up on me. I am ready for bed and it is only 6:15.

What a day!

2011-07-11T17:01:00.003-04:00

I had to take Pumpkin home yesterday. I love getting her and taking her away from her less than ideal living conditions, but I hate taking her back. She just thrives when she is here. So yesterday was a bad day as far as that goes.

Last week, my sister-in-law's van broke down. She drives a rural route for the P.O. So does Hubby. Anyway, the engine is shot, needs to be either rebuilt or replaced. She borrowed our van last week and we were a one car family with 6 people and 5 seats. We didn't go anywhere together for a few days. Then we got our van back last week on Friday night, had two nights of late baseball games and a noon game yesterday. Yankee's team lost all three. It was pretty sad. The team had a losing season, but it was the most enjoyable season we have had for many years. Yankee has been playing baseball since 2004. He has had some good coaches, some not-so-good coaches, and one really horrible one. I can say, that hands down, we had the best coaches this year. And because of those good coaches, we had some great fans, and great games. The sportsmanship and grace these coaches taught our boys made this a winning season. I am SO happy!

I have started making gluten-free chocolate chip waffles. Everything is 100% gluten-free as Dimples seems to be allergic to most kinds of grains, so I am very careful of cross-contamination. I will post the recipe another day, though, because it is somewhat involved, and I don't have exact measurements.

Hubby called me today while he was out on a mail route to tell me that the van was running hot. Then he called to tell me it was overheating. Then he called to tell me that the van wouldn't run anymore. So I went out to the rural backroads to find him. I pushed his van for two miles in the rain (by nudging the bumper of the other car to his van).

Sister-in-law drove Poppy's truck to get me and the brakes went out. She put it into park to stop it. A very kind member of our church family brought a vehicle to us to use for hubby to finish his route and then he borrowed a vehicle from a co-worker for tomorrow.

The meds are not helping my knee, but I've only been on them since Friday, so we shall see.

Doctor Visit #2

2011-07-09T15:37:00.002-04:00

This week, Brown Eyes went to the doc to get his stitches out. He has been cleared for pond swimming! YAY!

I went to the same doc on Friday. I had more x-rays and the doc decided to try first with Celebrex, a knee brace and some physical therapy exercises. I go back in a month. If that hasn't helped, I will get an injection of some sort. If that doesn't help, I will have arthroscopic surgery. If that doesn't help, I will have a partial knee replacement.

The doc did tell me that I am cleared to run! WOOT! I can resume training as usual. I am thrilled. Anyways, that's my news. Pumpkin has to go home tomorrow. So we will go back to a five member family with no little girls. *sigh*

Enough With The Excitement Already!

2011-06-30T19:17:00.002-04:00

I have spent more time visiting with doctors, nurses, physician's assistants, and the like than I care to mention, but nonetheless, I have spent a LOT of time in the last two weeks. I finally had my MRI last week on Thursday. Sunday night, Brown Eyes slammed his pinky finger in the door near the hinge end causing his finger to be severed from the base of the nail bed (removing it from the bone) to the fat pad. It was gruesome! The kid made it through the reattachment phenomenally and watched the whole time. Monday, I had to take him in to make sure that the nail bed had been successfully attached to the bone, and it did. They changed his dressings and rewrapped his finger only for the wrapping to come off the next morning. We went back to the doc to have the finger rerewrapped and it has stayed. I have been given all the stuff to do any rewrapping that is necessary.

Today I went to see my doctor to get the results of my MRI and the results of Dimples' IgG test. Dimples has some major allergy issues! He needs to be completely nut free, gluten-free, yeast free, mostly dairy free (he can have yogurt and cottage cheese), and melon-free. We are hoping that with the elimination of these foods, it will reduce some of his agitation and anger issues. We shall see!

Now for the results of my MRI. I have no tumors! Yay! That is the good news. Now for the bad news: I will most likely need surgery. there is a severe loss of hyaline cartlage at the lateral facet of the patella suggesting advanced chondromalacia. There is a large joint effusion; a Baker's cyst that measures approximately 4 cm in diameter. I see a orthopedic surgeon a week from tomorrow.

What a Week!

2011-06-25T16:00:00.002-04:00

Summer is busy! I feel like I have been going non-stop all week!

On Tuesday night, I hosted a girls' night sleep-over at my in-laws' for my niece, my fake niece and my husband's niece. We were having a great night of swimming when fake-niece yells to me, "Look at the sky!" I yelled back, "What guy?" She said, "The sky! Behind you! Up in the air!" I did pick up some eye rolling in her voice, but there was a scary storm coming from behind us (the southeast) when the storms usually come from the west. Well, all I can say is that I'm glad I've been running lately, because that superpower came in handy. I ran around to the other end of the pond to get the girls out and get them into the house just before the storm really started going. We ended up losing power for a couple of hours which gave us the opportunity to play Mad Libs, charades, and 20 questions.

I got the girls to sleep and I slept on the couch. Well, "slept" is too strong of a word. I had one nightmare that I was being sucked up by a tornado and woke myself up doing that moan scream that you do in your sleep. Apparently I woke up my mother-in-law who woke up my father-in-law and very little sleep was had by any of the adults after that. I also at Bis-kit sleeping with me and every time I moved, I disturbed her. Now in my exhausted stupor, I forgot who was the human and tried not to bother the poor cat anymore.

The girls got up bright and early Wednesday morning and I made them some awesome waffles that also happened to be gluten-free. The recipe was my mother-in-laws and I don't know that I can recreate it. Anyway, we then went back outside where the girls gathered eggs. They swam some more and then we went back inside for lunch. Then the girls went out to collect mulberries. Then parents came to pick up two of the girls. Fake niece went back out to the pond to show her parents how she can jump off the pole on the rope swing.

After the girls were gone, I grabbed my niece to take her to Yankee's baseball game. On Thursday, I cleaned my house as much as I could because my cousin was coming to visit and I wanted my house clean for her to see it for the first time. We never made it to my house. On Friday, we went to the hotel where my aunt and uncle were staying. They have an indoor pool there. We swam for about 5 hours with a lunch break in the middle and then took the whole clan over to my in-laws for a cookout. I also rode the elliptical and the recumbent bike while at the hotel. My niece and nephew were there, so there were 8 kiddos and 8 adults there at one point. We cooked brats on the grill, went for a hike in the woods, went fishing and roasted marshmallows. Yankee caught a bass over 20" long!

Oh yeah! On Thursday, I had my MRI. I will know the results early next week and will update when I have them. I am tired just going over my week! Time for another nap... (still under 160!)

New Friend!

2011-06-17T19:34:00.002-04:00

I made a new friend this week. Her name is Molly, but she is known by her pen name M. L. Gardner. She wrote a book that I just loved. It is called Jonathan's Cross. It is historical fiction set in the aftermath of the stock market crash of 1929. I loved this book. Did I mention that I loved this book?

She has a sequel coming out sometime in the next few weeks. I have been dying to read it. So I friended her on Facebook and asked about it. We started chatting through Facebook. I told her about my schooling, my dream to be a famous writer, and a little about my blog. Then, get this, she asked me to preview her new book! Of course I said YES! How exciting is this???!!!???? So she emailed it to me, I downloaded onto my Kindle and will dive into it tonight.

I picked up my niece, Pumpkin, today. She is so stinkin' cute! We have already had so much fun, and I get to keep her for almost a month!

I did some working out yesterday at the Y. I walk/ran for 2.18 miles and rode the recumbent bike for 6.8 miles. My weight has leveled out under 160 (yay) and now I am working on getting below 150.

Doctor Visit

2011-06-10T11:53:00.002-04:00

I went to see my family doc on Wednesday. He took a look at my knee, and noticed swelling (when I thought there was none). He then started moving my leg around. He frowned at the grinding behind my patella. Then he frowned at the pain I experienced when he tried to twist my leg in a way it's not supposed to twist. He then ordered an MRI, told me to stick to riding my bike, and we'll go from there. I am REALLY disappointed. I want so much to run. I am noticing a slight increase in my weight (which could also be from AF).

I am still waiting to find out when my appointment is. It needs to be precertified by my insurance which could take a while. The doc is concerned that there could be another tumor (benign) causing this pain and grinding. I'm not too worried, I just don't like anesthetics. I get really sick. It's another allergy thing. Anyway, we'll see what happens. I'll let y'all know.

Very Disappointed

2011-06-02T19:04:00.003-04:00

I tried to run tonight. "Tried" is the working word in that sentence. I started walking and then picked up the pace, my knee was THROBBING! I ended up walking just one mile and my body thanked me profusely when I got home. Dimples has an appt. with the doc next week and I think I'm going to see if I can get in also. Of course, I have convinced myself that I have cancer in my leg and just when I get to where I can be ultra healthy, another injury/disease plagues me.

One thing I DID notice is that my little running girl is over half way to the finish line!

Today was the last day of school for two of the kiddos. Brown eyes doesn't want to go to second grade and Yankee is ready for Jr. High. Dimples is done tomorrow. Next year, they will all be going to the same school so I don't have to worry about who gets home when.

Motivation?

2011-06-01T14:23:00.002-04:00

Where are you? I can't find you anywhere! You are such a good hider! Or am I a bad seeker? The last two days were horribly hot and sticky. I didn't want to move at all, let alone move on purpose. I am still down in weight (another .2). Today, I got on my bike and rode. I really need to run again. I think I am afraid of mosquitoes. They are really nasty here. I know that mosquitoes have some kind of purpose, but do there have to be so many? Last time I ran, I spent a lot of time swatting my arms and legs. Anyway, Yankee has a baseball game tonight here in town, so I will be either running there or riding my bike. Probably riding my bike.

Dead Camera

2011-05-30T11:29:00.003-04:00

I realized that our camera died at Yankee's 12th birthday party. It is not the time for us financially to get a new camera, so I couldn't take pictures this morning at our town's Memorial Day service. I also can't take pictures of the crazy flooding! So if anyone would like to donate a digital camera to Auntie Mandy, I think that would be a GOOD choice!

I am down another 1/2 lb! I can hardly stand how excited I am! 158.7 is lower is only 3 lbs away from my wedding day weight!

I hope everyone is safe today. Let's remember!

Dreary Day

2011-05-28T11:25:00.003-04:00

It may be dreary, but I am positively thrilled! I am in the 150s! I am lower than I have been in YEARS! I have not weighed 159.2 since the Ides of March 2002! I still have 30 lbs to go, but I am going in the right direction. Consistent exercise, Good Choices, and hydration have been the key. I am elated! EEEEEE!!!!

Okay, so Yankee had a baseball game last night. He had made an out playing third and scored a run. It was not enough for our boys to win, but it was still a good game. We rode our bikes to the game and back giving us a short mile and a half bike ride.

Becoming gluten free has been a bit of a challenge, but I am really liking the results. I don't have anymore crazy skin rashes, I seem to have more energy, and I don't make music in my sleep (if you know what I mean!).

Here's the psychological aspect of the whole thing. You know when you get to a point in your life and you think, "I will NOT allow myself to get over 200 lbs." or whatever number you are thinking about. I have been moving mine down. I will now not allow myself to get over 160 again. This past March, when I got a little crazy and gained 10 lbs in a month, I said to myself, "I cannot be over 170!" So I got below 170. Then I said that I couldn't get above 165, so I got below 165. Now I am below 160. Being a shorty mcbutterpants, I still have quite a few lbs to go, but I am over half way there.

Rain Rain Rain!

2011-05-27T09:49:00.002-04:00

We have had our share of it! The nice thing is that USUALLY, we have days of sunshine in between, except today. That's okay. I'll be alright. I refuse to turn on the h eat. Last time I said that, I turned it on about five minutes after I said it.

Anyway, we have had a LOT of rain! The water really has no where else to go. Our back yard was flooded (something not seen by anyone who in the recent past). Our basement was running water into the sump pump. It actually sounded like water was running, which I guess it was. We didn't have more than a steady stream, but my neighbor across the street had 13 inches in her basement.

I enjoyed the Biggest Loser finale the other night. I was wondering why so many looked so good so long before the end of the season. Well, Allison said at the beginning of the show that this was the longest season ever. Well, there you have it! I could not believe how good so many people looked! Here I thought they were fine when they left the ranch, now they look even better! Some of them have even reached my goal! :D

I have been having some pain down the front of my right leg. My knee has been getting very swollen as well. Well, I decided that I would forgo running last night. Instead I went to the Y with the kiddos and swam for about an hour. Well, for the week, I have lost 1.1 lbs. I am very pleased with that. I was hoping to increase the amount of time I could run to 4:00. I am up to 3:20. I will extend this week's training to two weeks to get up to 4 minutes.

Less Gas, More Movement

2011-05-24T16:52:00.002-04:00

Not THAT kind of gas! I mean gasoline! I am doing my best to drive as little as possible when it is nice out. That means more movement. Today, I didn't drive at all. I rode with the youngest to and from school today, rode my bike to the store to get 7up for Yankee (who is still not feeling great), and rode my bike to the library to get a new book to read and some movies.

I am planning to do a 30 minute run/walk tonight, then go to my mom's and watch the season finale of Biggest Loser. I hope she doesn't mind me being stinky. Maybe I'll stop at home, get a change of clothes and ride my bike over there. That way I won't make her furniture stinky.

What I am really excited about is that I am down to another low. I am at 160.7. I feel like I am back in a groove. I also think that running is a big part of it. It takes a discipline to keep it up. If you don't continue, you have to start from scratch. I have learned that and will do my best to keep on keeping on.

Last Monday of the School Year!

2011-05-23T12:21:00.003-04:00

The kids are excited! Me, not so much. I have been staying on track with eating, and my weight hasn't changed, so things are good. One thing that has changed is my time! I did a 5K on Saturday benefiting Conquer Childhood Cancer Now, a local organization to raise awareness for childhood cancers. Yankee was supposed to run with me. The idea was that on Friday, I would wear him out as much as possible so that I had a chance of beating him on Saturday. On Saturday, he could barely walk, let alone run. So, I WIN! Well, he didn't even go with me. That's okay, though. My mom went and she did all of the data entry stuff for the event. I have really enjoyed having my mom close by.

Back to the race. So the race starts and I am jogging along. I am thinking, "Wow! My body feels great! I am not experiencing any pain, I might run the whole way! Wait, I can't catch my breath. What? Why can't I breathe in?" So I slow down to a slow walk. I catch my breath and then my right knee starts hurting. I make it to the half-way mark at 24:30. I was okay with that! That would have me finish at over two minutes faster than the last 5K about a month ago. Then I am still walking and this group of women start running past me. One woman is about 60 and says, "Guys! Stop running! I don't run!" Well that got me thinking that I could let the old lady beat me! I mean really, I've been training to run and this old lady who doesn't run is going to finish before me?" I don't think so!

So I picked up the pace and started running. When I would get tired, I would walk for a while, and that pesky lady would come upon me again. So then when I started passing her on the home stretch, I said, "Pick up the pace, Lady!" And then I said, "Not THAT much!" Anyway, I finished the race in 46:20. The race I ran in April was 51:08. My friend who organized the race this past Saturday wants me to race with her this Saturday. If I can find a sitter, I will go again and try to finish even faster!

I have been trying to drive as little as possible, so I will be riding my bike to the library, and then walking to pick up Brown Eyes from school today (if it doesn't rain by then).

So Stephen, at Who Ate My Blog, said, "You will never lay in bed at night regretting that you ran, just that you didn't run." Well, that is true, my friend, but I might regret it the next day ;). I am sore!

Brrr! Supposed to be Spring?

2011-05-17T09:20:00.002-04:00

It has been too cold! Last week was so hot, and last night, I was wearing long johns, leg warmers and a stocking cap!

I was down another .4 today! Since it is supposed to be spring, I am trying to get outside and consistently get some moving of my body done. Yesterday consisted of tearing down the garage sale and shivering during Yankee's baseball game. Tonight, we plan to go to the Y.

I figured I should update you on the ducklings that were my charge over Mother's Day Weekend. They're dead. AND it wasn't my fault. Lucy, the black lab, killed them Thursday night. She knew what she did was bad because she opened the door to the house, opened her crate and "hid." A little while later, my mother-in-law found yellow fuzz all over the yard. Father-in-law cleaned up the remains before she had to see anymore. Well, after all of that work, I decided to take some of my garage sale money and buy more ducklings and a couple of chicks for her. She had all the stuff, so I figured I would help her along the way.

Well, time to wrap up in a blanket! Have a splendid day!

Such a SLACKER!

2011-05-16T09:16:00.002-04:00

I am so sorry I have not been on to update more. I really am! But, I am doing really well! I had a garage sale last week and made enough money to gas up the van, buy some ducklings and chicks for my mother-in-law and get the two younger boys new sandals. I also logged 15.129 miles 14.2 of it were walking/running, the other .9 was riding my bike.

I have hit a new low in my weight loss. I am down to 161.6. The thing is that I feel stronger. I can run for over a minute and a half outside! I find the treadmill easier, but you don't sign up for 5Ks on a treadmill. I am running a 5K this weekend for childhood cancer research. I am really looking forward to it! I am also supposed to model clothes again that same day! Whew!

I have done really well on my eating as well. I did cheat a little yesterday and had some garlic and soy sauce, but those are really low on my allergy sensitivity chart thingy, I had no adverse reactions.

I have really been enjoying reading some Lucy Maude Montgomery. I found some free books of hers that I had never heard of before. I am reading The Story Girl right now. I read the sequel to that last week called The Golden Road. Oh how I enjoy her stories. I long to someday visit Prince Edward Island and experience the wonders!

My Crappy Weekend...

2011-05-10T09:16:00.002-04:00

The weekend was really fun, but there was a lot of poop involved. Not human poop, but I will tell the stories. You have been warned.

My in-laws went out of town for the weekend. They asked if Hubby and I would take care of the animals. It's really not supposed to be that difficult. I agreed to stay at their house while Hubby stayed at our house. So, after a nice Mother's Day dinner on Friday night with my boys, I took Yankee with me to spend the night. I got there and first let the dogs out. I made sure the cats had water, and then went to check on the ducklings. The ducklings were out of food and water, and their bedding was soaked. So I put down some new bedding, fed and watered them, then went out to put the chickens to bed. All of the chickens were already in the coop, or so I thought.

I started counting the chickens and every time I counted them (they had already hatched) I only had nine. I called my mother-in-law and asked her if she was sure she had ten chickens. She was sure. Shoot. I locked the chickens I had in the coop and then walked all over the property looking for chicken remains. I had no idea what color chicken I was looking for, just that I needed a hen. After about a half hour of wandering, I went back to the coop to recount. When I got back there, there were only SEVEN! How did I lose two more chickens when they were locked up? I stuck my head back in the coop and counted. Still SEVEN. I hung my head and tried to figure out what this city girl was going to do next. Then I heard this sound that resembled "BwaaaAAAAAAAaaak" I looked up, and there were three chickens (one rooster and two hens) up on a bar that goes across the top of the coop. I counted again, and I had TEN! I counted again, and I had TEN! I counted one more time, and I still had TEN! Whew, what a relief. I called my mother-in-law back and told her the good news. She was happy. I was happy. We slept great.

Saturday morning, I got up, let the dogs out, gave them breakfast, let the chickens out, and then fed the ducks. Oh these are not normal ducks, these are pig ducks! What a mess they made! I had to get home to get take care of the kiddos so that Hubby could get to work. Once I got everyone dressed, we went back to my in-laws. I had to clean out the duck tub.

I had a brilliant idea, I would put the ducks in the shower while I cleaned out their tub. I got them all in a row, stuck them in the shower, then dragged the tub out to the woods to dump the bedding. I hosed everything out, washed everything else down and brought it back into the bathroom. I then put down new bedding and then chased the ducks around the shower to put them back. Haha! That wasn't so bad!

I decided then to do laundry. I walked into the laundry room and one of the cats had pooped between litter boxes. My in-laws are very frugal and don't have paper products (except toilet paper). BUT! I had gone to the store to get stuff for Yankee's birthday party we were having at the Y later that day. I went out to get napkins and cleaned up the poo. I put in a load of laundry. About 10 minutes later, I started smelling something really nasty. I went to the laundry room and a cat had liquid pooped all over the laundry room floor. Thank goodness for the napkins! I cleaned that poo up and we had to get to the Y for the party.

I had one RSVP for the birthday party, but 14 kids showed up. It was one hour in the gym, one hour in the pool, one hour in the activity room. The kids had a blast. Hubby showed up half-way through pool time, so I was able to set up the activity room for the party. Yankee and I stopped at Wal-Mart on the way back to the in-laws to get some food and spend his birthday money.

We got back and the pig-ducks had messed their tub again. It was nasty! So Hubby helped me clean it out. I put the ducks in the shower again while I washed everything else up. I put the tub back in the bathroom and the ducks had crapped all over the shower. It was so nasty! I chased the ducks all over the poopy shower, got them in their tub and then cleaned the poop out of the shower. Have I ever mentioned that I'm living the dream?

Now I am exhausted! Hubby says he'll get the chickens in. He comes into the house and says, "I got all but one in." Um, not acceptable! He chases down the stray hen and then leaves taking two kids and leaving me Dimples. I got him in bed by nine and tried to stay awake later. I wasn't being successful until Lucy, the black dog, kept whining in her sleep. I put her outside and waited for her to come back in. It took her a very long time to come back. Finally she is back in. I lay down and was asleep before my head hit the pillow. I get up the next morning and get ready for work. I go feed the pig-ducks, give them new bedding, let the chickens out of the coop, feed the dogs, feed the cats, and take Dimples home on my way to work.

My in-laws got home later that day. When I told them of all the poop stories, my father-in-law says, "Things like that never happen until we ask someone to watch the house. Then everyone's bowels loosen." Good to know!

I am DOWN!

2011-04-29T07:57:00.002-04:00

I weighed in on Tuesday and it showed me to be down 2 lbs for the week. I figured it was a fluke. Today, I weighed in again, and it STUCK! I am back down to 162.5! That is down 7.5 from when I found out my blood work results. I have just been trying to make good choices based on what my body can tolerate. I feel like I am back in the game again! I need to get to 159.7 before I am at my lowest. I know I can do that. With just some perseverance and a lot of good choices, I can do it!

I did all of my training this week that I had planned. I ran/walked a mile on Sunday, I ran/walked hard on Tuesday for 3.25 miles, and then ran/walked 2.25 miles last night. That is only 6.5 miles, but I am finding that I need to be purposeful about my exercise and keep track of it for three days a week to make it stick for me. I can do a lot of other things, but I'm not keeping track.

Grade update: I will more than likely have 3 As and 1 B for the semester. The B is a for sure as well as one A. The other two classes, one being Math and the other being Creative Arts, I still have finals to take. I am pretty confident I can get an A in Math as the paper I turned in last week was an A+ (can I get a WOOT?), and the test I took last night was a 93%. I am worried nonetheless. I am waiting for grades on two projects, a test and then the final next week for creative arts. It is my favorite class, so far.

Today will be a day of getting organized and regrouped. I need to get his house in order so that I can get a routine going before the kids get out for summer!

Saturday Morning Sunshine!

2011-04-23T12:48:00.003-04:00

Okay, technically, it's Saturday afternoon, but it has been a beautiful morning so far. I have folded a few loads of laundry, got some more started and am pleased to announce that my windows are open! What a gorgeous day! It will be sunny and 70! What more can you ask for? Oh, how about a new low on the scale? Well, Okay! I was 164.5. Lowest I've been since before I shaved my head!

I am starting a new running program tomorrow that I read about in Runner's World. You have a one day rest between runs. Anyway, I will start tomorrow with a 1 mile easy run. Then Tuesday, I will run 2.25 miles where I jog easy for one mile, run moderately hard for 1/4 mile, walk briskly for 1/4 mile etc. Then on Thursday, I will do a two mile easy run again.

Since I only have two weeks of school left (WOOT WOOT) I will have to figure out how I am going watch Biggest Loser on the treadmill. I guess what I'll do is go to the Y and then watch it the next day online.

Good Choices Yesterday:

Made laundry detergent instead of buying it at the store.
Rode with my mom to the store to save on gas.

No School!

2011-04-22T12:45:00.002-04:00

So the kids are home and it is just yucky outside. So today they will spend the day inside watching movies. I might see if I can get them to play some Just Dance II with me.

My papers are done and turned in. I got an A+ on one of them! I am sure I did well on the other. It was just about my math class observations. Pretty basic stuff. I have two tests next week, and three finals after that, two projects and I am done for the semester! I am looking forward to having a few weeks to myself while the kids are still in school. I plan to have a garage sale, get my house the way I want it, and get ready for summer, if it EVER gets warmer.

I weighed in this morning at 165.1. I am staying right between 164.9 and 165.1. I ran 1/2 a 5K last night on the treadmill, but that was all my legs would handle. I am working on getting faster and faster so that I can run a 5K in just over 1/2 hour. Last night, I did 1.55 mi in 24:17.

Good Choices Yesterday:

Went to the treadmill even though I didn't wanna!
Worked steadily on my Math paper and got it turned in on time.
Ate only when hungry.

Not So Good Choices:
Drank a LOT of calories in the form of dairy free smoothies.

You Are NOT Helping!

2011-04-21T09:49:00.002-04:00

I need everyone to be posting on their blogs. Instead, I have nothing to distract me from my last paper of the week. C'mon people!

Good Choices Yesterday:

Finished my research paper!
Ate only when hungry.
Had a limited amount of sugar.
Didn't yell at the kids! '

Today, I have one more observation to do and a paper to write about that. The kiddos are off school tomorrow so we are going to sleep in. I have nothing exciting to report. My BFF is MIA! Must.find.her.

I Don't WANNA!

2011-04-20T09:23:00.002-04:00

I know have work to do, but I don't wanna do it! I would like to have one of my paper's done by the time I go to the school today to observe a math class, but the way things are going now, it's not going to happen. I had to organize my school books! I had to count the change in the change jar! These things are important? I don't think so! BUT I do feel a little better knowing that all the quarters are safe from my kiddos and all the pennies that are 1982 and older are separate from the chump change!

I can really tell a difference in myself since I have been back on the meds. I am so much slower to anger! Dimples can really get under my skin, and since he's not able to make me fly off the handle as easily, he's not pushing me as much. Last night, one of my classmates said, "You seem so calm! I liked you better off of your meds!" Well, my family didn't, so on them I am.

I stayed at school last night to watch Biggest Loser and do the treadmill. My goal right now is to do a 5K faster than the last one. So, I did last night's 5K in 50:32. I will do a 5K every other day and try to increase my time a little each go. This is about making good choices, not obsessing about food and what I'm NOT allowed to have!

I was at the grocery the other day and realizing all that I CAN eat and it was so empowering! I can eat strawberries, grapes, kiwi, avocado, eggs, BACON, beef, spinach...the list goes on! Who cares if I can't have some bread, there is still so much more out there. Instead of getting upset when people say, "What DO you eat?" I now say, "Oh, I manage!"

Now, I need to get these papers done. I DON'T WANNA!

Keep on Keepin' On

2011-04-19T13:13:00.003-04:00

That's my motto for the week. All kinds of things happened yesterday to interrupt my plans for the day, so I ended up decided to ride the recumbent bike at the Y at 6:00 last night. My original plan was to go for a swim in the morning. Then I was going to ride the recumbent in the afternoon. Then I was going to go right after the kids got out of school. Then I finally got the chance and I took it. 7.2 miles in 32 minutes. I plan to do a walk/run after class tonight.

I am really working on making choices more than eating everything that sounds good. It seems to be working a little better for me. I want to get stronger more than anything.

I have two projects due tonight and two papers due Thursday. I'm off to get some work done.

Whoda Thunk It?

2011-04-18T07:57:00.003-04:00

I was signed up for a half-marathon that took place yesterday. I opted to go to the 5K. I was really disappointed in myself, but at the same time, I would have been miserable had I done the 1/2. Hubby and I took Yankee and Dimples to the 5K. Hubby stayed with Yankee, and I stayed with Dimples. I wasn't sure that Dimples was going to make it with the way he was acting. When we got to the one mile mark, he shrieked out, "We're NEVER going to finish!" But he kept putting one foot in front of the other. At one point he fell way to the back with a stomach cramp. I went back to walk with him and then he decided to start running. The little snot ran the rest of the race and I couldn't catch him! He ended up finishing 6 seconds ahead of me.

Now, 6 months ago, you wouldn't have caught me running for anything! Yesterday, I ran! Not the whole 5K, but I ran! I averaged 3.6mph/hr. My time was 51.06 The next 5K May 21. My goal is to finish in under 45 min. The next one after that is in July. I hope to finish in under 40. I am determined to be a runner if it kills me! (And it might.)

I made a good choice in not doing the 1/2. I would be miserable and my spirits would be really low right now. But I feel energized! I feel like I accomplished something! WOOT!

GOOD CHOICE made!

What a Difference a Day Makes!

2011-04-15T09:12:00.002-04:00

I did not go to class last night. I have had an emotional week and just couldn't bring myself to go.

When I was at the doctor yesterday, he asked, "Is there a history of depression in your family?"
I said, "I don't know if my dad is depressed, but I'm sure he's a carrier!" *ba dam-chee"

I feel a lot better this morning, like I can take on the world! Well, maybe not the world. I could take on my living room! WATCH OUT LIVING ROOM! I'm coming to getcha!

Ha ha! I got my drugs back!

2011-04-14T14:18:00.000-04:00

WHEW! (That's what my family says)

I Want My Drugs Back, DARNIT!

2011-04-12T11:55:00.003-04:00

I know everyone has problems. I know there are many out there that have problems way worse than mine. I read a blog every day that the mom of a little girl I shaved my head for writes on. Her problems are way worse than mine! I get it. But I cannot get out of this slump. I miss the Mandy that could get a load of laundry done. Instead I'm stuck with the Mandy that sits and cries because the laundry isn't getting done.

I have been totally gluten free for 2 1/2 weeks. I have been Pepsi-free for 2 1/2 weeks. I have been yeast free for a week (again). My weight is down .2 from the last time I posted. I started exercising again this week. My exercise has consisted of taking the pooch for a walk. Have I ever mentioned how sweet that guy is? LOVE HIM!

Now back to me. A good choice would be to get out of the chair and get something done, but then that would be counter-productive as I need to sit here and get stuff done on my computer. Ugh...too much work to do this week. I am overwhelmed. I only have one project and one research paper left to do for the week. UGH!

My baby is 8 now and that is NOT babyish sounding at all. *sigh*

Frustrated!

2011-04-06T12:40:00.003-04:00

I was so excited because I found these gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free muffins and cinnamon rolls. Well I ate the muffins. They were very very yummy. But the cinnamon rolls? Yummy, yes, but they have yeast in them! DUH! I had to read the ingredients four or five times before I caught it. ugh

So day 12 starts all over again with going yeast free and all my other stuff free.

Rest of Day 6 and Beginning Day Seven

2011-04-01T09:39:00.002-04:00

This morning's weigh in was not an indication of yesterday's pig out, that's for sure. I ended up taking food with me to school last night for dinner and I am glad I did! Those girls love to pass the snacks! I was satisfied by my dinner, so I didn't need that stuff.

I ended up being down 5.1 for the week! I still miss garlic. Oh, how I miss garlic. My mom is taking me and the boys out for lunch today and I am really nervous. I know I'll be alright, but still nervous, nonetheless. (I love the word "nonetheless")

I was going to post earlier today, before I weighed in, then I changed my mind when I went to stand up and my bottom stuck to the sticky chair in the kitchen. KIDS FOR SALE!

Day 4, 5, and The First Half of 6

2011-03-31T11:46:00.002-04:00

So, I'm still off of Pepsi, but I did have a cup of tea that had some caffeine in it last night. Wow, did I feel good!

So for Tuesday: I had a hard day. It was the first day of school since the diet change. I made it harder on myself than I needed to. I had vegetable beef soup for dinner. I had way too many macadamia nuts for a snack, and I ate popcorn (not so much of a fan as I was allowed to eat it). I did have a chance to get to the gym in the morning and ride the recumbent bike for 64 minutes going 13.1 miles. Then, after class Tuesday night, I walked very slowly on the treadmill for 52 minutes and went 2.27 miles. OH! I also am down to taking my happy pills every other day. Tuesday was not a day.

Wednesday: I had a hard boiled egg and mush for breakfast. I had a banana, a hamburger patty and V8 for lunch and a bowl of beef vegetable soup with a small bag of potato chips smashed into them for dinner.

Today, so far, I have way overdone it on the food. I went to the Wal-Marts last night and got some hamburger patties as the one I had yesterday for lunch was so yummy! So I fried one up and had it for breakfast with two corn tortilla shells that I had fried in coconut oil as the "bun." Then I hard boiled some eggs. I had to have one to make sure they were okay. Then I sat down at my computer and decided to have some macadamia nuts. TOO MUCH FOOD! By the way, it isn't even noon yet!

I was down this morning making the grand total weight loss for the week (since Friday) at 4.7 lbs. Not too shabby.

Day 3 Avoiding Allergens

2011-03-28T13:19:00.003-04:00

I decided yesterday to NOT take an Excedrin Migraine. I have a low grade headache right now, but I think I will try to fight through it. Since Friday, I have lost 4.2 lbs. I attribute that to drinking more water and not having gluten. I also notice I am not as bloated. We shall see what happens next.

All in all, these last two days have been really hard. I know that it will get easier, but not before it gets harder. I have class tomorrow, and we usually eat like pigs. I might bring some kind of healthy something as a snack for us. I will let you know how that goes.

I took a bath in baking soda to make my body more alkaline. I plan to talk to my nutritionist friend/reiki lady later today to get some more pointers. Hopefully, I can kick this stuff out of my system, and get through life feeding my body what it needs. I just don't know how I will get by without garlic. I am really mourning that loss (along with the Pepsi).

Anyway, I am happy to be back on track weight wise. I am extremely tired. This week is spring break for the kiddos, so I don't think I'll get much alone time at the Y. I am hoping to take them with me at least two days this week, maybe leaving the littler ones with grandma another day.

Day 2 of Avoiding Allergens

2011-03-27T15:07:00.003-04:00

I'm only half-way through the day, but today is harder than yesterday. I really want a Pepsi. The day started at 5:00 a.m. with Dimples throwing up all over the stairs, hallway and bathroom. Even though I had to go to work today, I had to also clean up the puke. Once I got him back to bed, I went to sleep for another hour, got up and went to work.

I had two hard boiled eggs before I left. I LOVE EGGS! At work, during snack time, it was VERY tempting to grab a bunny and pop it in my mouth. I think that is what I am going to miss the most. Crunchy cookies, candy and cakes.

I had chicken the day before yesterday. It was YUMMY! I just sprinkled it with salt and pepper and paprika, cooked it in the oven, and that was it. I am making a pot roast for dinner. We will see how that goes. Haven't had a roast for almost two years.

I am trying to avoid the Excedrin Migraine, but I really need a caffeine boost. Maybe I will just take a little nap! I am supposed to be at a birthday party, but someone had to stay home with the sick one. I am kind of glad because I don't know if I could pass up the yummy stuff so early in the game.

Day 1 of Avoiding Allergies

2011-03-26T16:38:00.002-04:00

It has proven to be an interesting day to say the least. I have not had my Pepsi. I did take an Excedrin Migraine to ward off the caffeine headache. I had eggs for breakfast! I have not had eggs for almost SIX years! I cannot tell you how exciting it was! I mean, I know, it's just eggs, but I really enjoyed them. I am going to hard boil some to take with me as snacks to school. LOVE EGGS!

I think the fact that I can now eat eggs makes the idea of not being able to have wheat, yeast, rye or milk products that much easier. I mean, I can have EGGS! WOOT! love.love.LOVE the chicken embryo.

When I got on the scale this morning, I was down 2.2 from yesterday. I went to the Y last night with the kiddos, and all I did was "run" back and forth in the shallow end of the pool with Brown Eyes.

Today, as the day has worn on, I am noticing pain in my shoulder blades like nobody's business. I have heard many stories that while I am getting all of the yeast out of my body, I am going to experience some pains, but wow! This is intense! Otherwise, though, I feel great!

Candida - And Other Food Sensitivites

2011-03-25T14:25:00.002-04:00

So I had my blood drawn on February 15. It took until February 28th for the lab to "run" the blood test, which then took another three weeks to do all of the testing and scoring? Who knows, I just know that I had to overnight my blood and it took forever for them to do something with it!

Anybaldy, I tested between the .200 and .299 range on apple, cabbage, cantaloupe, cheddar cheese, garlic, gluten, milk, rye, soybean, black walnut, wheat and yogurt. I had nothing between the .300 and .399 range. I tested over .400 on cottage cheese (.741), swiss cheese (.519), peanut (.624) baker's yeast (.605), brewer's yeast (.508) and coffee (.860).

What does all of that mean? Well, I am apparently not allergic to eggs anymore (which I had a sneaky suspicion), but what was probably causing me problems when I thought I was allergic to honey was actually the bread, the peanut butter, or the coffee (I had honey in my coffee once). The problem with eggs was probably the yeast in the muffin part of the McMuffin. Who knows, although I did have an allergy test in 2005 telling me that I was allergic to eggs. So, who knows.

Anyway, I haven't had any eggs yet, but I will, oh I will! I also haven't given up all of the other garbage yet. I am still doing more research, but I think I may be giving up my vegan ways. I will still avoid milk (at all costs!), but I might go back to meat. I will definitely be going gluten free and yeast free. I will also avoid coffee like the plague!

Yay me!

I'm Back!

2011-03-21T10:56:00.002-04:00

Okay, so this has been a crazy few weeks. I was not eating mindfully. I was not exercising. I was not eating veganly (not a word). The scale showed it. I gained 7 lbs over the last few weeks. Yesterday, my BMI was over 29. It was a real kick in the pants!

So I started eating mindfully and veganly again yesterday. I drank more water. I did not get to exercise, but I was down a little this morning. Today, I had a breakfast of walnuts and a banana. I had a small glass of OJ. For lunch, I will have some steamed veggies. I was planning to go to the gym this morning, but my SIL called and needed me to watch my nephew. So I will go to the gym later. I have two tests tomorrow and a couple of projects due as well. I really need to take care of myself

Not only was I up on the scale, but I felt like garbage. Really! I do not think there is any nutritional value to a shamrock shake. Just sayin'.

Sporting A New Do

2011-03-15T21:36:00.002-04:00

I am really proud of my kid. Yankee shaved to find a cure! There is a cool news story about our event on this link. You just click 2011 St. Baldrick's event. So.Much.Fun!

One More Day...

2011-03-13T15:28:00.003-04:00

OF:
Using a lot of shampoo
Having a warm head
Worrying about my hair-do
Waking up with bed head
Being called "grandma" (I hope!)
Going over "the event" details in my head

The thing is, I am so blessed to have healthy kids. I cannot imagine going through what these parents have to go through, the decisions they have to make, and watching their children suffer. Until there is a cure, I will shave my head in solidarity and to raise money. I have 100% support and participation from my family this year. I cannot wait to share pictures!

Donate here

Monday is THE Day!

2011-03-12T10:24:00.002-05:00

I beside myself with the generosity of the community. This week, I have gone from business to business asking for silent auction donations. The response has been overwhelming! I have had over $800 donated to my head and our event is over $5000.

Here is the video of the local high school kids making a difference! Maybe by Tuesday, I will be able to sit at my computer for more than 30 seconds at a time and be able to get a blog post done in less than 4 hours. I hope also, to get around and see what everyone has been up to! I want my life back!

MIA Too!

2011-03-11T07:27:00.003-05:00

Since the St. Baldrick's event is happening on Monday, I have been busy getting things together. The show of support for this event from my friends and the community is overwhelming. I am exhausted and will prolly not get any sleep until I lay my bald head on my pillow Monday night. I will give more updates when I have time!

Donate here

Spring Break!

2011-03-07T07:42:00.004-05:00

WOOT! I am enjoying the fact that I don't have schoolwork to do! I have been going to the Y most every day. I missed Friday, but was there Monday through Sunday otherwise. I am ready to go again today once I get kiddos to school.

I have been struggling with my eating, but at the same time, I am okay with that as I have been putting in a LOT of time in the gym. I will get back to myself shortly. I am registered for the half marathon happening on April 17th. I am hoping I have the endurance to do it. I am working towards it steadily, and we shall see!

Fundraising for the St. Baldrick's event is going well! I am 66.1% of the way to my goal. The smallest donation I have received has been $2. I was just as thrilled with that as I was with the highest donation of $101. Please consider donating to my bald head!

Sick Husband and One More Midterm

2011-03-03T12:03:00.003-05:00

Oh my GOODNESS! What is worse that being sick? A man being sick, of course! When hubby is sick, he is sicker than anyone has ever been! Okay, granted, he was severely dehydrated, was given some medicine for nausea (stomach flu) and something for his cough.

Yesterday, my brother-in-law and his wife had their first baby. He is a so cute! I am growing weary of being asked if I am "Grandma"! Two different nurses called me grandma. I am OVER it! I am only 8 1/2 years older than my brother-in-law. I am going to start saying, "I had him when I was 8...and a HALF!"

My exercise has been great this week. I still need to work on what I eat, though. I am just not caring if what I eat is going to make me sick, I eat it anyway. The thing is, I have been working out at least an hour and 15 minutes a day, so while I'm waiting for my food attitude to change, I can burn off as much as possible.

I have one more midterm exam and then I am done with school until March 15th, which happens to be the day AFTER I shave my head! I am 29% of the way to my goal of $1,000. Please consider donating to this cause.

Long Time No Blog!

2011-03-02T07:32:00.003-05:00

It has been a crazy week! Everyone has been sick, but worst of all, hubby has been sick, and he is sicker than anyone else has EVER been. I am doing everything I can to avoid being around him.

So I have spent a lot of time at the Y. Monday I walk/ran 1.75 miles in 23 minutes, rode the recumbent bike 6 miles in 35 minutes and swam 11 laps in the pool. Yesterday I walked 2 miles at the Y and then 2 miles last night after classes, rode the recumbent for 32 minutes and 7.4 miles, and swam 6 laps. I am officially signed up for a half marathon that will take place on April 17. I had best get myself trained!

This week is midterms. I took one last night, I have one tonight and one tomorrow. I also have a research paper due tonight. So, after I get the last kiddo to school, I will be going to the Y and then to school to get this paper done and study for this test. I hope to be back before next week! OH! And I am getting really near the St. Baldrick's event! EEK!

ANOTHER Snow STORM!

2011-02-25T09:58:00.003-05:00

ARG! The kids are home, yet again. In the last two weeks, I have had ONE day with all of the kids at school. This week, school was canceled Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. Wednesday, Brown Eyes was home sick. Last week, Dimples came home on Monday, Yankee went to the doc Tuesday with strep, was home Wednesday, Thursday all went to school and Friday, Dimples was home because of teacher in-service.

So, today is not so bad with the kids home. I had big plans to go see my BFF, but we figured those would be canceled. But that was all I had planned. There was no stressing about projects or papers that needed to be done. I don't have any appointments that I need to go to with my babysitter being out of town. Oh yeah! My babysitter has been out of town!

I am really excited! There is a really nice feature story being written about me in our local paper for the St. Baldrick's event in less than three weeks! When the story is posted. Also, if anyone would like to donate to my bald head, you can just click on the link and click "Donate Now!" I have a goal to raise $1000 and I am 27% of the way there. You can donate using your debit card with as little as $1. Thanks everyone!

Sleeping With A Monster!

2011-02-23T10:21:00.002-05:00

The man is making all kinds of monster noises in his sleep and making it extremely difficult for me to sleep. When I wake him up (as he does me) to let him know he's snoring or whatever, he yells at me! JERK!

The baby (Brown Eyes) was up all night coughing on top of it. The poor kid feels lousy. He has a croupy cough. I gave him a breathing treatment and he feels a little better. The kiddo sat on the chair crying this morning missing his grandmother. I let him call her and he was really pathetic! I was a little teary from the whole ordeal as well.

I stayed at school last night after class to watch Biggest Loser. I walked at 2.3 miles an hour (still really weak!) for an hour. Then I went to the store to get some groceries. I agreed to do this on the condition that hubby would let me sleep in this morning. Here's a big surprise: IT DIDN'T HAPPEN! Now I am trying to do a project that is due tonight in my instructional technology class with the help of a seven year old.

I have knee pain. I am still waiting for the results of my blood test to come back. Apparently, it takes up to two weeks for those to come in!

MIA

2011-02-22T11:48:00.002-05:00

We have all been sick sick sick at my house. The oldest had tested positive for strep on Tuesday. Friday night, the youngest got home from school and went right to bed. Then on Saturday, I took him to the doc. While I was there, I started feeling a little scratchy. The doc looked at me and said, "How's Mom?" To that, I whined, "Puny" He felt my glands and prescribed me an antibiotic as well. Then Hubby got home from work. He had been "sick" for two days. So he went to the doc and took Dimples with him, even though he was feeling fine. Hubby tested negative for strep and Dimples tested positive. The poor kid doesn't understand why he feels fine, but has to take nasty drugs to make him "better."

I have not exercised since Friday. I have a bad headache today, but came to school to get away from the group. On top of everyone being sick, we have had another winter weather advisory and the kids have been off of school. I threatened to duct tape them to the school if it got cancelled again today, but decided against it.

The scale has been moving down, mostly because I am sleeping instead of eating. I am hopeful that I will be able to watch Biggest Loser tonight while I walk on the treadmill. I plan to take it really easy. I feel really weak still. When I tried to get into the building, my arm wouldn't make it around the door and I almost fell. If that had happened, I would have gone to the security office to see if I could get a copy of the video!

Sonic KILLS!

2011-02-17T14:36:00.002-05:00

Okay, I admit, I tried to sooth myself with food. It didn't work. I feel sick. I went to Sonic. It was right there! In the parking lot! Of THE WAL-MARTS! I couldn't find anything to spend money on that I wanted that would make Hubby angry, so I went to Sonic. So instead, I have made my intestines angry. I mean REALLY angry! Like POMA (peeing out my arse) angry.

I ran for 1/7 of my 35 minute walk/run last night, and was down 2.2 from yesterday's up 3.5.

I am going to school, then I plan to work out on the treadmill until I can't walk again. That way I can get this yucky feeling to go away.

Doctor's Appt. Etc.

2011-02-16T16:48:00.002-05:00

I originally had a doctor's appointment set up for this morning, but Yankee woke up on Tuesday with a really sore throat. I called the doc and got in a day early. Turns out, the kiddo has strep. I also talked to the doc about all of my suspicions. He decided against a celiac panel and decided to do an IGE. He also gave me a script for massage therapy for my "hump." I think the Reiki worked wonderfully, though, and a follow up massage with my favorite massage therapist IS in order.

Anyhiggle, I had my blood work done. They took one tube at 3 CCs and one tube at 10 CCs. Then she (the nurse) told me that if Fed Ex couldn't come up to get my blood, then I would have to go back tomorrow (today) and have the blood drawn again. I told her that I would drop it off at Fed Ex on my way home. First it had to sit for 10 minutes then spin for 20. So I went out to eat with my mum and son. We went to a little diner where I ordered biscuits and gravy with bacon. I had it in my head that I was going to be told that I wasn't going to be allowed to eat a whole bunch of yummy stuff that I thought I'd live it up. Then, for dinner, I had a wrap with ham and cheese and cream cheese. I ran for 10 of the 70 minutes on the treadmill and did the elliptical for 8 minutes.

I was up 3.5 today. Oh well, I'll be better tomorrow. I hope to have the results very soon. I wonder if I will have to go in to go over the results or if I can get them over the phone. I'm really excited to see.

I have my car back so I will be staying after class to do the treadmill again.

The Scale!

2011-02-14T08:27:00.002-05:00

I hate it. I mean, it's honest and everything, but I wish it would move DOWN! For crying out loud! I find that when school is in, I don't exercise with the Wii as much. If I am home, I am doing stuff that needs to be done, like homework, dishes or laundry. When school is not in, I am doing dishes, laundry or exercise! So, I make it a point to exercise Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, but I need to do something Friday through Monday. When we have a Y membership, things will be better. I will go on Mondays and Fridays with the kiddos.

Okay, so this year's Valentine's Day "fun" involved me telling my husband on Wednesday, "Look in the school supply cabinet and see if you can find Valentines in there. We had 2 extra boxes left over from last year." So, last night at 8:30, he looks in the cabinet and can't find the Valentines. He says, "Well, I guess we shouldn't have waited until the last minute." So he went to the Wal-Marts to get Valentines for the kids. I was really ticked. Everyone was up this morning filling out their Valentines at 6:30. I think I'm going to remember things like that to tell my doc on Wednesday when he tries to tell me to go be done on my meds. I just don't think it would be a good idea when I am married to so much stress. OMGoodness! The screen saver on his computer has LOUD MUSIC! ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe I'll go off the meds if he will prescribe me a tranquilizer.

Howdy!

2011-02-13T18:11:00.002-05:00

I thought for sure I updated yesterday, but I guess I didn't.

Yesterday was the day of the big fashion show. I met some really crazy ladies and a fun woman in her 70s. She had me laughing so hard! She is looking for a man no younger than 70 who likes to polka.

I was gone all day yesterday. I ran into some of my CCCN buddies. We talked a little, and we are looking forward to the big St. Baldrick's event! I really can't wait to have no hair again.

I am REALLY considering going gluten-free. I have found some yummy alternatives, but I am going to wait until after Wednesday when I request a celiac test. The more I read about the side effects of untreated celiac, the more I diagnose myself!

I Cheated!

2011-02-11T20:12:00.003-05:00

I went to the Y tonight. All alone! Anyway, I was walking to the track and I saw the scale. I thought I would just take a little lookie. It wasn't too bad, but I have no clue where I really am because it is night time, I was fully clothed and shoed. So, I did a walk run mile. There was one woman running who was obviously an experienced runner. I asked her later how long she had been running. All.Her.Life. Seriously! So I decided today that I plan on living to 76 and when someone asks me how long I've been running I'm gonna say, "Half my life!" Hollah!

Then after my walk/run, I went to the pool. I swam for 30 minutes. Well, I was either swimming or treading water in the deep end. I am ready for bed! Swimming wears me out. I cannot wait for summer when we can all go swimming in the same pond I broke my arm ice skating on!

Oh NO!

2011-02-11T08:04:00.000-05:00

So I started reading a book by Elisabeth Hasslebeck about gluten free eating. My mother-in-law recently went gluten free to diminish migraines. As I am reading this book and the symptoms of celiac disease, I am thinking of asking the doc to take blood from all of us to see if we have it, especially middle kiddo. UGH!

Is this something that I can do? I know if I had to, I would. I never thought I could get rid of milk, and I did, so what's so different about gluten? Well, it's bread. That's all I got!

I ran for 5 minutes straight last night! The only discomfort I felt was the sweating. Not a fan of sweating. I also got fitted for running shoes yesterday. I will be getting them at the end of the month.

This has been a long week. I will enjoy my Friday and I hope you all do the same. Still haven't looked to see what I weigh.

No Weigh In?

2011-02-10T09:41:00.002-05:00

Okay, Suzi! This is really getting difficult. I have my kids helping me do my daily body test. I stand with my back to the TV. Today, my kid says, "Wow Mom, you went up!" Now he's been saying this every day. So I don't know if I should believe him. Then he says, "What should I give as a reason?" SHOOT! That means I REALLY went up! I blame my husband who made me miss my workout last night! Jerk.

I slept great and the pain at the base of my neck is just a dull soreness as opposed to tight burning. Reiki freaks me out, but at the same time, I LOVE it!

I have class tonight, and I'm trying to get in touch with my BIL to see if we can carpool. Have a good one everyone!

Grumpy Grumpy Grumpy!

2011-02-09T19:58:00.003-05:00

Nothing today went as planned. Hubby kept me up all night with his moving and nudging. Then he woke me up after about 4 minutes of sleep saying, "I slept AWESOME last night!" Then it was cold. And by cold, like -10 before windchill. I went to see my Reiki lady and all of the toxins are released and have settled in my attitude. I went to school early today to get my work done since Hubby is really annoying when he is working at home.

So I'm at school, working on the computers. I can't focus at all because there seems to be a LOT of noise in the library. I could hear a whole conversation between two faculty members about the pros and cons of private/public schools. Then, these guys come in and tell everyone to move to a different set of computers so that they can update the printer. Then they tell us that we have to switch and move to the other set of computers since those are fine and they then need to work on the ones we had moved to. Agitated, I went to class.

During class, I get an email from Hubby, "On my way to pick you up" JERK! He wasn't supposed to pick me up until after 8:00 so that I could work out! I had reserved the treadmill for 7:00. Oh, I forgot my cell phone when I left today. So he gets there to pick me up at 7:15 and wonders why I am upset. I SIGNED UP FOR THE TREADMILL FOR 7:00PM WEDNESDAY NIGHT LAST WEEK!

I'm going to take a big pill and go to bed.

Assignment

2011-02-09T14:27:00.002-05:00

For my Instructional Technology class, I am required to design a blog. I had no idea how I would do this (not because I don't know how, duh). I wasn't sure I was ready to let my real life cross over into my web life. I was going to make a new blog, under a new name, but then I would have to make a new gmail account. So, I decided to put myself out there, let them merge and see what happened! Afterall, I have the option to not approve posts, right? So welcome (I think) class!

A Wee Bit of Pain

2011-02-08T08:04:00.003-05:00

So we had a free pass to the Y. We took the whole circus to town! We get there and hubby takes the boys into the mens family locker room while I went all by myself into the adult only womens locker room. We all got changed and met at the basketball court. That was when I saw that Mr. Brown Eyes didn't bring any shoes with him. He only had his snow boots. He wasn't thrilled about this, but he had to sit on some bleachers while his brothers did some playing. Dimples and I ran walked around the track while Hubby and Yankee played basketball. Then we headed for the pool.

They keep the pool at a comfy 84 degrees. We swam for about an hour. Hubby took the circus back to the family locker room and I hit the sauna. I never realized how awesome a dry sauna could feel. It's like laying in the sun without the squinting and the sunburn. I could live in that thing (if it weren't for dehydration)! Everyone was in bed by 8:30 and asleep by nine last night.

We will be getting a membership towards the end of the month. I am thinking about applying for a scholarship, but that would require working.

Suzi's Challenge is Going to be HARD!

2011-02-07T07:15:00.002-05:00

The challenge is to not weigh yourself every day. Now for the last 18 weeks, I have weighed myself every day. I know this, because yesterday, my Wii Fit told me that I hadn't missed a day in 18 weeks! So, as to not ruin my streak, Suzi told me I could do the body test every day with my eyes closed. I decided I would just stand on the board with my back facing the TV and have the kids push the buttons. They are not allowed to tell me anything that it says. So this morning, I did my body test, and i have no idea how I'm doing. I guess I am going to let this work on my psychologically!

Here's my plan, for this full week, I will live every day like I've had a 2 lb gain. That way, when I weigh in on Sunday, it will have to be down, right? If this gets me under that plateau that I've been farting around with, I will owe Suzi BIG time, and I'll end up keeping this up!

We had a good weekend here. Hubby had to work through the stupid snow storm that we had on Saturday. It was also his birthday. He was all excited about all of the presents he got for his birthday. He got his own EA Active Trainer 2 so that we can do that together and both have our movements tracked. He got an autographed picture of Zach Thomas (former player for the Dolphins) that said, Happy Birthday, Joel! Zach Thomas. He got a couple of books that he has been wanting. We had a party at the in-laws yesterday where they went sledding all day. Hubby's mom made him a chicken and dumplings soup for his birthday and I made a gluten-free (MIL gets migraines from gluten) vegan (FIL doesn't eat meat) potato bean rice soup for everyone else. I had made my own vegetable broth and added no salt. Everyone added their own salt when they ate it. I had used red and white potatoes, kidney beans, black beans and great northern beans, and a rice variety that had black rice, brown and red. It was a very appealing dish! We also had mustard greens. MIL made cakes that had eggs in them (THANK GOODNESS!) so I had none.

OH! I tried something new yesterday! It was Amy's Gluten-Free vegan Mac and Cheese. Now, mind you, I haven't had real mac and cheese for over 4 years. So the review may be a little skewed. OMGoodness! DELICIOUS! I was shocked at how good it was. Even though the noodles were rice noodles, they were pretty good! I felt all warm and comforted inside. I will definitely be getting this again!

This week will be busy, but I plan to keep up with all of my studies. Have a good one everybody!

Oh For Crying Out LOUD!

2011-02-05T14:23:00.002-05:00

or silently. This snow is making me crazy! ANOTHER winter weather advisory? If my back wasn't so sore, I'd be out there right now shoveling. ugh

I'm still going down, little by little on the scale. I have spent the last two days working in the kitchen on all kinds of yummy goodness! I made kale yesterday, more vegetable broth today, and Dimples asked me if I would make him some cooked broccoli and put French dressing on it. You betcha!

If I could find the camera, I would take some pics of the snow, but who really wants to see it? It's white, it's everywhere, and I am sick of it.

You Know I'm a Model!

2011-02-04T16:46:00.002-05:00

You know what I mean? And I do my little turn on the catwalk. Yeah on the catwalk, yeah on the catwalk... So, I'm going to be modeling in a fashion show next weekend. It should be tons of fun. The best part is I will get 40% off of my clothing that I will be wearing for my TV interview on the day of the St. Baldrick's event. I just found out that the little girl I am honoring has had a relapse. They found leukemia cells in her spinal fluid. Her marrow is clear, which is good news, but this little girl is seven years old! That is WAY too young to have fluid pulled from her spine. UGH!

I have been pretty grumpy the last few days, but I am feeling a little better now. I think I am extra irritable because of this pain at the base of my cervical vertebrae. It has been bothering me for a few weeks now. I have a doctors appt in a week and a half and hope to find out it is a simple fix with a prescribed massage.

Eating has been good, exercise has been good, not as good as last week, but I'm on it!

One Tired Girl!

2011-02-02T19:16:00.002-05:00

It stopped snowing around 10:00, so I got on all my snow gear to go and play in the snow. Well, play is a bit of a stretch, I shoveled. For more than 45 minutes. Then I warmed up some soup and had lunch. Hubby and I got in a doozie of an argument, then decided to go to the in-laws to do some snowshoeing. Now I have not worn the snowshoes since 2000 shortly after we bought them. The shoes have a weight limit of 175. I weighed 170 when I got them, then got pregnant with Dimples. There was just a short time that I was under the 175 weight limit, and I don't think it was in the winter.

So 2011 it is! Also, the last time I wore the snowshoes, we were walking on snowshoe trails that had been driven on by vehicles to pack the snow a little. We went down in the bog and then to a creek that wasn't quite frozen, more like a slush. Then we were in some drifts that were as deep as two feet! We went up banks, down banks and across the pond. We only went about 3/4 of a mile, but it felt like 2 or 3! I was sweating so bad and my heart was really pumping! MIL's camera battery was dead so she couldn't get any pics of us in our gear.

Woot! On My Way Down

2011-02-02T10:26:00.002-05:00

I weighed in this morning at 160.6. I am very happy about that as I have been farting around between 159,4 and 163.4. I am making sure I am getting plenty of fruits and vegetables, I have decided not to have any pasta for at least a week, and I have been trying to move for at least 30 minutes a day.

All school has been canceled, mine and the kids'.

Oh! I forgot to tell you! Last week, I started noticing my right knee was swelling. Let me tell you about my right knee. In 1987, I had surgery to remove a benign tumor from the posterior of my patella. They drilled a hole through the top of my patella, scraped out the tumor, and replaced it with bone from my hip. I was almost 15 at the time this took place. The physical therapist told me to continue the exercises for a while. To a young teen, a while means a couple of weeks, not six months to a year. Well, the muscles in my right leg atrophied terribly and I had issues of dislocation for years! After Yankee was born, I had joined Curves. Immediately, my right knee swelled up a ton and made it difficult to wear my knit pants that made me look so hot! This was 1999-2000. The doctor drained the fluid off of my knee (I still hate him for it). The next day, it was just as swollen. He also had given me a cortisone shot, which I will never have again. I went on Vioxx, which has since been taken off the market. I was also told to not do squats as that was aggravating my knee.

So anyway, last week, my knee started getting swollen. This has not occurred since 2000. I had stopped the squat challenge around the time of my arm injury because it was too difficult to put my arm the way it needed to be. So the swelling wasn't from that. My knee didn't hurt, it just felt tight, prolly because of the swelling. I was mentioning this to Lanie and she asked, "Have you been getting your omega 3s?" Since I don't do animals, I get my omega 3s from walnuts, and we had been out for about a week! So I went to the store, got some walnuts, have been having between 1/4 and 1/2 a cup a day, and the swelling is gone!

Word to the walnuts!

I am NOT going snowshoeing!

2011-02-01T17:47:00.005-05:00

This is what it looked like when I thought I might go for a walk in the snowshoes! Not so bad, kind of pretty!

Look at all the pretty snow! Kind of like a snow globe! Pretty!

ACK! What the heck! I'm NOT going out there!

Soup's ON!

2011-02-01T17:17:00.002-05:00

I got the call at 3:09 telling me classes were canceled! WOOT! WOOT! Earlier today I cut the florets off of the broccoli and had these huge stalks left over. I decided to throw them in a pot with some water to make some vegetable broth/stock. I also added an onion, some really wilted celery, a couple of cloves of garlic, and half a bag of spinach that has maybe another day. I simmered it all day covered. When the call came in, I decided to make soup. I had about 6 sweet potatoes that needed to be used.

I sauteed some onion and garlic in a very small amount of olive oil. Then I added the potatoes. I strained the vegetables, adding all of the broth to the potatoes. Then I added 16 oz of tomato sauce. I added a bag of frozen corn, some frozen snap peas, a 16 oz can of garbanzo beans, can of black beans and a can of butter beans. SNOWmyGOODness was it delicious! Sweet, yet savory. The only "spice" I added was a tablespoon of black pepper and a teaspoon of kosher sea salt. That is it for the entire pot! It didn't need anything else. The flavors were distinct and popped!

It is really coming down right now. I might get all of my gear on in a little bit, put on the snowshoes and have hubby get a picture for Polar's Mom. (I think she digs me!)

SnowMyGoodness!

2011-02-01T11:28:00.003-05:00

This snowmaggedon garbage is snow ridiculous. I am getting snow tired of hearing how we are going to be buried in snow and ice. I know Patrick is calling it "Snowmagator" because he likes alligators. "Snowmapuppy" doesn't have the same ring to it, but I do love me puppy! Snowmechaun? I like little bald leprechauns. I think this may be getting out of hand. We can't just go around making up our own names to storms! We are not qualified to do that!

We only have a few inches of snow here so far. The blizzard is supposed to start around 1:00 and be making our lives miserable until tomorrow night at 7:00. My hope is that they actually cancel classes for me so that I don't have to deal with it. We shall see.

We did an hour of Just Dance 2 last night. I am really itching to do some running on a treadmill, but I won't be getting to one anytime soon. Hubby did break out the snowshoes, so I might walk to my mother's in this crazy snowmapuppy storm we get.

Monday Monday

2011-01-31T14:41:00.002-05:00

Kids will be home any minute. I am waiting for the big giant snow to get here. Got some water, greens and fruits to hunker down and enjoy the snow! I also got some more posters out for the St. Baldrick's event.

I was down this morning on the scale. I haven't done anything differently than before, just down. I'm still in the middle of the 4 lb yo-yo I've been riding.

I had a dream the other night that the pain I am experiencing between my shoulders is my developing hump.

Ha! It's NOT Simple Math!

2011-01-29T10:21:00.002-05:00

I have been exercising a LOT! I have been eating sensibly. I have been getting my fruits and veggies. I have been the same weight (or within the same four pounds) since September. I am going to keep on keeping on. I know when my body gets out of hibernation mode, things will come around again.

I went around town yesterday and hung up posters for the St. Baldrick's event. I think I will hit another town each day next week. Then I will go to all of the businesses who have agreed to hang posters and ask them for donations. I really need to get some funds raised!

I am off to get myself together for the day. I plan to do three miles today, bringing this week's total to 14.

I Love Fridays!

2011-01-28T09:29:00.002-05:00

More than Mondays! Why? I know you didn't ask, but I'm gonna tell you! Because I have no classes on Fridays. WOOT! Because I do my best to really enjoy the day as I know I have my kiddos all day tomorrow, with no help from Hubby (his guaranteed full day of work). I jumped out of bed this morning, took a shower and got dressed just so that I could enjoy this day to its fullest!

We got a bunch of snow again yesterday and last night, but there were no school delays or cancellations! I just had a yummy breakfast of cornmeal mush, caught up on all of my blog reading and am off to enjoy my day!

The Good Choices

2011-01-27T13:14:00.003-05:00

So far this week, I have walk/ran over 8.5 miles in three hours, and done 16 minutes on the elliptical. On Tuesday night, after my workout, and watching Biggest Loser (...to be continued ... BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!) I went to the grocery store. The same grocery store that has the really yummy wraps with cream cheese, cojack and ham. Anyway, I went to the grocery, and my tummy was hurting just enough to make me not even go over to where they have those wraps. I got the groceries I needed and was on my way.

Yesterday, I did homework, went to class and did the treadmill. I started out at 15 incline at 2 miles per hour. I decreased the incline .5 every minute while increasing my speed .1. I also watched part of the Coal Miner's Daughter. I never got to see any singing, though. Anyway, I got home and the kids were at Awana. Hubby was home and playing Just Dance 2. I was on the phone with my muddah and told her, "I need to go dance with hubby!" She prolly thinks I meant something else, but oh well. So we did a few duets and a few singles. So after a half hour of dancing preceded by a half hour of walking/running, I decided to read.

I started the book Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella on Tuesday night. I LOVED it! But, I also love her other books, the Shopahollic books. I finished it this morning and I REALLY need to get my math homework done. I don't know what I'm waiting for, and open invitation?

Dearest Auntie Mandy,

You are cordially invited to do your math homework at 1:45 p.m. EST. I hope to see it finish by 2:45 EST.

Lovingly yours,

Auntie Mandy

THERE! Now I must go finish my math homework. I have two minutes before it starts!

Last Post Was LAME!

2011-01-25T10:06:00.003-05:00

Indeed! I was distracted and just wanted to get done. I am very easily distracted. I know this and I embrace it...Ooh! Look! AIR!

I had my five servings of fruits and vegetables in Suzi's challenge. I prolly had more! Way more! For breakfast, I had a banana with walnuts. When I went to in-laws yesterday, I decided I was totally craving soup! When I got home I was starving! So I had one of those bags of steam fresh veggies while I waited for soup to get done. I don't even remember everything I added to the soup. It was so yummy though! I started with a little olive oil, onions, garlic and celery. Then I added a bag of frozen mix veggies that had green beans, peas, corn and carrots. I added two cans of tomato sauce, six yukon gold potatoes, and a box of vegetable broth. I also added a can of black beans, black eyed peas, and kidney beans. I cooked it for a couple of hours and YUM!

Then I started getting a headache. I don't know what it was from, but it was a doozie. I ended up in bed at 7:00 and lights off by 7:10. I slept great and woke up feeling fine. I took the kiddos to school and cleaned out Yankee's locker. Talk about appetite control! NASTY!

I have classes tonight and lots of homework due for them. I am going to head to the college to get ahead of the game and get tomorrow's work done as well.

Izz All Good!

2011-01-25T07:56:00.002-05:00

Workouts have been good, eating has been great (since Friday night's sabotage buffet). I will be working out after class tonight while watching Biggest Loser. Hopefully I will get out soon enough to watch the show before the State of the Union Address. Sinkin' presidents.

End of a Beautiful Monday

2011-01-24T14:30:00.003-05:00

The first one is due home in about 15 minutes. Then I will go pick up the other two. I thought I would use this quiet time to reflect on my day so far.

This morning, I went to the in-laws to use their equipment. This is the first time I had done that. The rule is that you let out animals and let them back in while you are there. So I got there and let out Molly girl. Molly is a 14 1/2 year old Brittany Spaniel. She was Grandpa's dog before he died almost two years ago. Molly is both deaf and blind. She still has her sense of smell and she uses it. Then there is Lucy. Lucy is a mischievous black lab. She is about 30 lbs overweight (like me) and is always binging on something she shouldn't be (she's the one that ate the Thanksgiving turkey). Then there is Tim. Tim is a big black and white tom cat. He is always bringing special treats that he found in the woods. Biscuit is a black cat that used to get beaten up by all of the other cats that Grammy and Poppy used to have. She's now the oldest, but the smallest. There are two small tabby cats named Max and Erma. They are usually hiding. Then there is Sparky. Sparky is a 16 lb tabby cat. All of these cats followed my in-laws home while they were out walking, usually training for some 1/2 marathon.

So after everyone went out and came back in, I went to use the elliptical. SIX minutes straight! That is twice my high score. Then I went to the treadmill. I ran for 4 minutes, walked for two when Sparky and Tim saw something in the snow that they needed to get to. So I stopped the run/walk to let them out. I accidentally turned off the machine finding it necessary to restart and lose all of my data. So I got back on the machine and ran for about two minutes when Sparky decided it was too snowy for him. So I got off the machine again, accidentally reset the machine AGAIN and let him in. So I started again and figured out how to pause it without resetting (and NO! There is NO pause button). So I ran walked (mostly walked from this point forward) for 3 miles. If I was going 3.5, I was at a 1.5 incline. The slower I went the steeper the incline. I sweated a lot!

So, for breakfast I had a banana with walnuts, for lunch, I had some steamed veggies and for dinner, I will be having vegetable soup that I made when I got home. I am back to the basics to get Friday night out of my system.

I will be hearing the thud thud thud of giant feet in a few minutes.

Ugh!

2011-01-24T08:34:00.001-05:00

I slept LOUSY last night. I was awake a lot of the night. I am now tired and feeling blah because of it. I am thinking the only way to turn this around is to work out. I am thinking I will go to my in-laws and use the treadmill and elliptical. That should get me out of this funk, and will probably make me sleep better tonight!

My Epiphany and My Grandfather

2011-01-22T18:59:00.002-05:00

First, I had read a couple of blogs last Sunday morning before I went to work, had an epiphany, put it someone's comments and then couldn't remember what it was. Very Auntie Mandy of me! Anyway, here it is: It's hard to remember that as we lose, we need less fuel. Ah ha moment! Right this minute! Ack! that is why I have been fighting with the same 5 pounds for over 2 months! When I get down to my lowest, the same workouts are not doing the same for me! They are actually doing LESS! HAHA! Thank you! So, now that I found it, I am going to change my workouts a little. I'll get back to you on that.

Now, I'm going to tell you a story about a man that would be the worst food role model, ever. I mean really, ever. My grandfather was #8 of 9 kids. He saw my grandmother eating a chocolate bar, asked her for a bite, she said, yes and the rest is history. My grandfather was a big man. He really wasn't overweight. He was 6' 2" and weighed in the 240s. He had a big barrel chest, and I used to love to lay my head on it and listen to him sing. I remember him having a beautiful voice.

I mostly remember my grandfather being sick. He had quadruple bi-pass surgery when I was 8. He was, shortly after, diagnosed with leukemia. Then he was in a really bad accident driving a delivery truck, which they did exploratory surgery, found a mass of cancer, and it spread. He also, at some point during this time, was diagnosed with "sugar diabetes." He was raised in Kentucky, so you have to say "sugar" diabetes.

My grandfather also loved to eat. He would make all kinds of appreciative moans and other noises whenever he ate. When he was diagnosed with sugar diabetes, he had to change his diet. Well, my Italian grandmother was a nurse. She loves to help people (run their lives). She fed him only what he was allowed to eat. He didn't change because he decided that was what was best for him, he did it because she made him. Everytime we went to see them, my grandfather would see us eat a cookie and say, "You keep eaten' them cookies, you gonna get sugar diabetes! *whisper* Now give Poppa a bite." Then I'd hear my grandmother yell, "POPS! You stop eating those cookies! I can hear you enjoying them in here!" And she was always so curious as to why his blood sugar was so high!

Around this time, my grandfather also spent a lot of time in the garage "shining his shoes." My grandma was in the garage, doing laundry one day while he was at work and she noticed a spoon hanging in the garage. She didn't think much about it, so she grabbed it so it could be washed. When he got home from work, he went out to the garage to shine his shoes. He came right back into the house and said, "Mother! Where is my ice cream spoon?!" BUSTED! No matter what she did, she could never change him. She thought she was changing his diet, she thought she was helping him, but really, he hadn't changed at all.

My grandfather died in 1994 at the age of 68. It was the cancer that got him. At the time of his final diagnosis he had pancreatic, prostate, liver, leukemia, and lung cancer. He treated all of his grandkids like each and every one was his favorite. I miss him. But I will always remember him, and his spoon.

Childhood Cancer Awareness

2011-01-22T10:43:00.002-05:00

I am a member of a group called Conquer Childhood Cancer Now. Every month, there is a meeting, and usually it is on a night that I have classes. So, last night was the meeting. There were only 11 people there, which was a little disappointing as the last meeting I was at, there were over 50 people there. I was hoping to get some more volunteers for the St. Baldrick's event happening in March. I have a couple of people willing to hang posters, but that is as far as it has gone so far.

Well, there was enough food for 50 people, that's for sure. I decided to just have some fresh veggies. But then, the other stuff looked so yummy! Self-control? Have none! I just stuck to the stuff that had just a little of the stuff I couldn't have, like the spinach artichoke dip. Then I moved on to the salami (WHY CAN'T I FIGHT THE POWER OF SALAMI?). Then, as we were cleaning up, I had like 6 chocolate covered Boston Cream Pie puff thingies. WHY DO I DO THIS TO MYSELF? My tummy is not happy right now. I'm sure I'll be ridding my body of these poisons for days to come and it's my own stinking fault.

I have got to get my body moving today. I feel better after I move. So I will.

Friday Afternoon Brrrr!

2011-01-21T15:02:00.002-05:00

FREEZING!

Enough of that! Last night, after class, I did 3 minutes on the elliptical machine and 30 minutes on the treadmill running and walking. When I got out to my van, it was covered with snow and ice. I went looking for my handy dandy ice scraper and found bean bags and a sled. So, I turned on my van, opened my laptop and waited for the ice to melt on the windshield. I approved a few posts, read a few more and then took off.

I got home and I was so mad about hubby taking my ice scraper out of the van! I didn't know how I was going to let him have it, I just knew I was going to let him have it. So, as I'm gathering all my stuff from school and workout, I try to lock the doors. It won't work. GREAT! He prolly broke the lock thing, too. So I get into the house and go after him about the ice scraper.

As a way to make it up to me, Hubby tells me I can sleep in this morning. Ahhh! How lovely! When it's time for Yankee to go to school, Hubby can't find van key! I get up and look around everywhere...can't find it. I look out the window and Hubby is backing out of the driveway. I was furious! He could have at least told me he found it, right? So he gets back home and says, "I found the key, in the ignition of the van, with it running." DOH! At least the van was nice and warm! UGH!

So while I was at school last night, I signed up for the treadmill for today. What was I thinking? So I went to work out today. I didn't want to run. I didn't want to do anything really, so I put the incline at 5.5, the speed at 3.0 mph and worked out for 30 minutes. My legs were burning, but it felt good.

Kids Say the Darndest Things!

2011-01-21T08:19:00.002-05:00

I had mentioned on Carb Tripper's blog, that I, too, was on Romper Room when I was little. We were living in Lincoln, Nebraska and I was four years old. I was adORable! I don't know all of the details of why I was on the show, or how I was chosen, but I remember some of the details, like sitting right next to Miss Linda, holding the flag, Miss Linda holding up a mirror like thing that she could not see through, and exchanging it with one that she could see through in the desk, and cameramen laughing. My mom did fill in some of the details, like WHY the cameramen were laughing.

The year was 1976. I remember my parents arguing back and forth, one night in particular. What they said made me giggle, so I remembered it. The next day, while sitting at Miss Linda's table, I said, "Miss Linda! Miss Linda! Do you know what my mommy said to my daddy?" Miss Linda, clueless lady that she was, said, "What did your mommy say to your daddy?" Well, my daddy was sitting in his office with his black and white TV watching this, trying not to poo his pants wondering why Miss Linda would ask me such a stupid question! So I said, "My mommy said to my daddy 'Up your nose with a rubber hose!' and them my daddy said, 'in your ear with a can a beer!' Isn't that the silliest thing you've ever heard?" Everyone was ROARING!

In the viewing room, all the mothers were asking, "Whose little girl is that? She is so cute!" My mother said, "I have never seen her before in my life."

So when Dimples, age 9 says things like, "There needs to be some disciplinary repercussions for my brother's antagonistic behavior!" I can say, "I have never seen you before in my life!"

Ahhhh!

2011-01-20T14:21:00.003-05:00

I know I've used that title before, but ahhhhh! All of the kiddos went back to school today. I went and did a quick grocery run with the mother. I went to Aldi. I haven't been to Aldi for probably a year. It's a bit of a trek, and then there is the whole buy the cart thing, buy the bag, bag my own groceries, and so on. Anyyummers, they now have pita chips, and veggie chips! And I got a really nice enameled dutch oven for $20! Usually, those are minimum $50! So, I'm making soup. I'm also making collards. I have been really digging the collards lately! Dimples said to me yesterday, "I would like you to make some potato soup like Grammy makes and some collards to go with it." Well, you don't have to ask me twice!

Funny Story Time:

In 1999, I was married with a baby. He was the CUTEST baby, EVER! We also had an Old English Sheepdog named Jack. We were living in some apartments that allowed dogs, had a pool that I didn't take advantage of, DARN IT! Anypuppy, I digress. So I was going into the building and it stinks really bad in the hall. I mean like someone's dog ate something, pooped it out, and then died. It was rancid! So I carried my MOST ADORABLE HUGE baby (he was born 9 lbs 10 oz and was 20 lbs at six months) up the stairs and called the property manager. So they sent out the maintenance guy to see where the pile of poo was. When he couldn't find it, he knocked on doors. Come to find out, Gladys, on the first floor, was cooking collards. So they called me to tell me that she was cooking collards. I said, "Oh GAG! Can you make her stop? The smell is putrid!" Well they couldn't and I vowed that day to NEVER eat something that tasted like dead dog poo.

So, 11 years later, I'm cooking collards and my puppy is laying on the floor while I'm cooking. All the sudden he gets up and leaves. I say, "Brutus! Did you just toot and leave me to smell the mess while I'm cooking?" He said...okay, he didn't say anything, but then I smelled something coming from under the lid of the pan. You guessed it! COLLARDS! ugh. I'm Gladys.

Well, I know one thing for sure, Gladys had regular bowels!

Wednesday Night...

2011-01-19T20:46:00.002-05:00

In spite of the fact that I am getting really anxious for the kids to go to school, I had an okay day. My oldest had a follow-up on his wrist today and a first time well check-up with our doctor. Well, Yankee is in the 95th percentile for height, and 97th percentile for weight. It has actually been a couple of years since he was in for a well check. The last time he was in, he was 75% height and 104% weight. That seems to be leveling out. The doctor told him that he wants him to be careful with what he eats and eat more vegetables. I asked him, "How many vegetable servings do you eat in a week?" He said, "2?" That has got to change! Anyway, he is going to do it because he knows what's good for him.

I had class tonight. I had some major computer malfunctions that angered me, but I got through it. After class, I had the treadmill reserved. So I got my happy arse down there and walked a mile and a half. I did run for one tenth of a mile, but I am still recovering from that EAAT2 workout! Then after my 30 minutes on the treadmill, I went over to the exercise bike for 15 minutes and rode 2.5 miles. I feel really good! I always like my hubby a little more after I work out. He doesn't get on my nerves quite as much.

Way Behind!

2011-01-19T09:03:00.002-05:00

Monday was MLK day, so the kiddos were home. Yesterday, I watched my niece and nephew and Dimples had the day off because of bad roads and weather. Today, all three have the day off because of inclement weather. I am not getting nearly as much stuff done as I need! I have been neglecting the blog world, but I will promise you, I have not been neglecting my health!

Monday night, hubby and I worked out with the EAAT2. We were exhausted afterward! Yesterday, I did a cardio workout on EAAT2 went to school, and then after class last night at 8:30, did 25 minutes (1.6 mi) on the treadmill and 2 minutes on the elliptical while watching a half hour of Biggest Loser. FYI 2 minutes is my all time high!

8:30 pm on campus is a quiet time in the fitness center! There was one other person working out while I was there. He was lifting weights and using the bike. I asked him if he needed the treadmill, and he just wanted the bike. I think he was also secretly enjoying BL as well since when I offered to change the channel, he said all cool like, "Nah, it doesn't matter." After going into the locker room and getting ready to leave, I walked by the fitness center, and he was watching BL intently! HAHA! Who's the biggest loser now!?!

Another Trip to the ER

2011-01-17T17:23:00.002-05:00

Yankee decided to sled down the 50 foot 45 degree sled hill standing on his sled. He made it all of the way to the bottom before he fell on an outstretched hand (FOOSH) and sprained his wrist.

Today, I am feeling lousy, but I am getting ready to do my EA Active Trainer 2 session.

So I have been given this award by FOUR bloggers!

Thank you to:

Lanie
Boo
Stacy
Rejecting 300

Now what to do:

Link back to the givers.

Share 7 things about yourself:

1. I am always having some sort of an epiphany and then forgetting what it was.
2. I am allergic to everything (not TOO much of an exaggeration).
3. I didn't used to be allergic to everything.
4. I LOVE to be the center of attention.
5. I am shaving my head 8 weeks.
6. I am the lead organizer of the head shaving event in 8 weeks.
7. I am really bad at time management, always have been.

Pay it forward: I'll get to that in a little while and then contact y'all.

Fun Day

2011-01-15T19:00:00.003-05:00

Eating has been "right on" sistah. I went to get my haircut and thought to myself, "Self, why not do something drastic, something different? I mean, if you hate it, it will be shaved off 8 weeks from Monday and you can start over." So I went to see my sister-in-law. She gave me a cute hair cut and a COLOR! I can't believe how much I like it! Lanie will see me in the morning and will prolly turn her nose up at it, but I like it, and it will be back to "normal" in 8 weeks. I will post pictures later, but for now you'll just have to imagine. It is a honey brown with some blond highlights and a lot of my gray still shows through. It looks tons softer!

Okay, I went back and added a pic.

Happy Saturday!

2011-01-15T08:50:00.003-05:00

Well, this morning, the boys are getting themselves registered on the EA Active Trainer 2. After they are done, I plan on figuring out how to play games on the thing, and not necessarily training so much.

This semester is not going to be like last semester, either. I will not let it get away from me! I have started going through my syllabuses (I really can't believe that is a word!) and recording them in them in my planner so that I can stay abreast (I said breast). *teehee* It really helps that this semester, all of my classes are TWR at night. It gives me my days, while the kiddos are at school, to get my reading done, and work on my projects. It also gives me the days so that if I get a call from Dimples Teacher, I can focus without wondering how I am going to get out of class to go get him, or get out of class to take the phone call, or whatever. Less stress=happier family.

Hubby is working his first full day today at the P.O. I will miss our fun Saturday afternoons, but we will adjust. We will be seeing a lot of hubby's family tonight and I'm looking forward to it!

EA Active Trainer 2

2011-01-14T17:49:00.002-05:00

I know! I am such a sucker! I was so disappointed and I really wanted to find something that I would have fun doing. So I went to the Wal-Marts and got the EA Active Trainer 2. A couple of weeks ago, I was at a Wal-Mart about 30 miles from the ones I normally go to. I took a little trip through the electronics department and saw that their EA AT2 was $100! I about freaked out! I started panicking (huh, I didn't realize that panic added a "k" when you added an ing) thinking that I would end up spending $20 more when the time came to get the game. So I took a little trip to the Wal-Marts to the south of me today. I got the game and it was marked $80. WHEW! Well, when I checked out, it rang up $60! Can I get a "HOLLAH!"

So I tried the game tonight. It has three settings, easy, medium and hard. I thought, "I've won Walk It Out! I can do hard! No, that's stupid, I'll do medium." So I chose medium. It was HARD! I chose the 9 week training program and did the first workout that lasted about 25 minutes. I was sweating! BIG TIME! Hubby's playing it now and really sweating. :D I LOVE IT! I never would have dreamed when we met and got married that we would be one of those athletic couples. He has always been an athlete, but me, not so much.

What A HUGE Disappointment!

2011-01-14T12:29:00.002-05:00

I finished the Walk It Out game. I bought every single event capsule, every single route, song, constellation, vehicle, you name it. The game is complete. So I was waiting for something awesome to happen. You know what happened? A big fat NUTTIN! I am not very happy about that. I feel a huge let down. Now what? I loved that game. It was so much fun until it ended. *sigh*

Epiphany

2011-01-13T09:52:00.002-05:00

I have had some moments of clarity in the last 24 hours. My Reiki lady and good friend Lynne just reinforced what I have been thinking today on her blog. Specifically this post.

Feeling So Much Better!

2011-01-13T08:08:00.002-05:00

That short run last night, and the water, and getting that garbage out of my system is really making me feel so much better. My tummy is getting back to normal. I have no headache this morning. It has got to be from straightening up and living right. I don't have to do THAT again!

I just finished the book This Is Not The Story You Think It Is. From the very beginning to the end, I found this book to be encouraging and to remind myself that happiness comes from within. Yankee has been very upset since our most recent move. He really liked where we were living and has had a difficult time finding his groove at the "new" school where his grandparents graduated. My mom, whom I love and also makes me crazy told Yankee the other day, which is so simple, "Grow where you're planted, Buddy." We can't always control where we live, or our environment, but we can make the best of it!

Hubby asked me if I wanted pancakes this morning (meaning he would make them egg free). I thought about it and I remembered how I felt over the last few days. I said, "Go ahead and make them with eggs." That way I wouldn't be tempted to make myself feel like garbage. I may be vegan, but I try to get my carbs from fruits and vegetables. I am back to making good choices!

Squats today along with sit-ups and finishing Walk It Out.

I've Turned It Around!

2011-01-12T19:55:00.002-05:00

Wow! I think I just needed to confess and move on! I went to class tonight and sat there holding in my gas. Then I went to the fitness center at the college and calibrated my Nike+ so that it is accurate now. I only went one mile, but I was SWEATING! It felt great! I ran and walked. I almost fell off the treadmill once. It was quite humorous. I was talking to the girl next to me about the Nike+ thingy and she was showing me her iPhone. I looked over and was almost a gonner!

I am planning to work out tomorrow night after class again. This time it will be a good 45 minute work out that will include making the elliptical my bee-och. I have got get all of this garbage out of my system, so I may as well sweat it out!

Changing the Name of My Blog

2011-01-12T16:19:00.002-05:00

To Auntie Mandy's Bad Choices That Make Her Feel Like She Has Eaten Rocks And That She Later Has To Poo Boulders!

Okay, so my choices have been really bad lately! REALLY bad! Ever since I had all that salami last week. So, Monday, I ran to the store real quick to get the boys lunch meat. While I was waiting at the deli counter FOREVER, I walked over to see if they had any hummus or fruit containers that I could eat on the way home. They did not. BUT, they had these ham wraps with cream cheese and cojack. I decided to get them for my husband. I can't even type what without laughing! Anyway, I got to the checkout and there was the Puerto Rican kid from my Spanish class who knows I don't eat meat because he brought in awesome tamales that I didn't even try because I read that chapter of 50 Ways To Sooth Yourself Without Food. So I said, "Hey! I'm buying meat! But it's not for me. No, not for me. I don't eat meat, remember?" He just looked at me really strange with those dreamy brown eyes. What is wrong with me? He is like 18! Anyfatty, I got out to my van and inhaled the wrap. It was on a whole wheat wrap. It was probably only half of one cut into 5 slices. OMG it was SOOOOOO yummy! They had all kinds of yummy herbs on it too, and a dark green leafy lettuce.

So I get home and everyone is happy about the meat that I brought them. About 15 minutes later, I feel like I'm gonna hurl. We were supposed to go to the nursing home for a church service and I thought I had the flu. I don't know why I didn't make the connection. I thought I even had a fever! So, we don't go. I go to bed and I was hurting really bad. I had these jagged rocks moving all through my torso. I tooted a few times and still didn't feel better.

The next morning, I got up and had actually lost weight. HA! That is a huge joke, too, because I know I had rocks in my bowels. I tried doing Walk-It-Out which usually does the trick. Nope. So my mom calls and says, "Let's do breadsticks!" Oh yeah! That will do it! Especially if I get nacho cheese (it's my cheese). It worked! So then I go to class last night. I know it's going to be a long night, so I go to the bookstore and get a bag of fresh veggies (good choice) and a Pepsi (bad choice). I eat and drink both in less than 5 minutes. Class gets out early because of the roads, even though I have another class after that lasts 2:45. So I go to the snack bar before they close for the night. This is afterall, my last chance to eat, and I could starve to death! So I get a soft pretzel, lightly salted. She says, "Cheese? Oh that's right, you are vegan." I said rather loudly, "So! What of it?" She just laughed in my face, which I thought was rather rude.

Then I crashed at my mom's last night. I felt miserable. This morning, I woke up at 3:00 with a headache. I had a really hard time falling back to sleep, especially after the dream I had, but that's a whole nother blog post. My tummy was hurting really bad again, like I was full of gas and water and air. Then I got up, did my Wii Fit and am down .8. WHAT? I'm still feeling lousy mind you.

I had a meeting this morning about the St. Baldrick's event. On the way, I figured I would get myself a soda. While I was in the gas station, I got a Pepsi and some ibuprofen. I also decided to get an apple fritter. I am obviously way out of control. I get to the meeting at a cute little cafe and get home fries and ...wait for it... BACON! I also had ANOTHER Pepsi! Then I came home and had a clementine and a piece of kiwi fruit. Hubby says, "I'm kinda hungry. Should we get the $2 breadstick and pop deal?" I say, "You betcha!" So I go, have breadsticks, with nacho cheese (my cheese) and ANOTHER soda!

So, SURPRISE! I feel like garbage! If I don't snap out of this eating frenzy, I'm going to have to change the name of my blog for SURE. I'm off to class!

SNOW!

2011-01-11T20:34:00.002-05:00

It has been snowing here non-stop since about 8:00 this morning. We have gotten quite a few inches of snow and NOTHING was canceled that I had to go to. I went to school and had my math class and my creative arts tonight. I did get out early because of the horrible roads. I am nice and toasty warm snuggled up at my mommy's watching the Biggest Loser. Yankee came over here to shovel her driveway and stayed. We're going to have a big slumber party!

Enjoy the snow!

My First Blog Post EVAH!

2011-01-11T07:24:00.002-05:00

Since this is my 200th blog post (on this blog), I thought I would post my first blog post ever. This was back before I was so concerned with my weight and more concerned about what the heck I was going to do with these kids! So here it is!

Here's the story...Feel free to laugh! We were having problems with our cable internet, so I call Comcast to come to the house and check it out. The guy informs me that he has to go into the crawl space. The opening to the crawlspace is in the office room closet floor. There's a "door" that covers the hole, and a dresser on top of that with a box of stuff on top of that and another rolling cart in there with more boxes. So I move everything out of there. I run over my toe with the dresser and removed some of the skin. I was in pain, but because I'm tough, I didn't complain. Then the guy goes under the house and comes back out after he's done what he needs to do. In the meantime, I'm trying to clean my house because the in-laws are coming on Saturday (yesterday). I sign all the paperwork, and finish a few more things in the kitchen. I go into the office and the hole is still not covered. I really wanted to get that room put back together so I start by putting the door back over the hole. I push on it with my hands, and it seemed secure. Just to be sure, I put my foot in the middle of the door and with all of my weight, I push.

Let's just say that half of the door was secure. Two corners of the door (the top left and the lower right) were secure. When my foot went through, the top right corner flipped up and caught my pajamas (yes, I was wearing my pajama pants with the cable guy there, but I was wearing a bra and a regular top on top). I'm pretty sure that's the only thing that stopped me from getting hurt more than I did. My left foot was firmly planted on the floor while my right leg was dangling under the house. When I fell in, I heard all kinds of popping and grinding right before my head slammed into the closet wall.

I was in so much pain and I had no idea how I was going to get out of the floor. I ask Wesley (who was in the room at the time on the computer) to bring me the phone. He says, "Just a minute, Mom; I'm in the middle of a game." You've got to be freaking kidding me! So he finally brings me the phone as I am using my arms to pull myself out of the floor. I look at my ankle (always a bad idea! Don't look down! That's what I say to someone who is going for a mammogram, and now for someone who falls through the floor). My ankle bone looks really weird and is sticking out funny. I finish pulling myself out of the floor and I lay down on my back. Wes brings me the phone and I call my husband at work. I say, "I need you to come home now. I have hurt myself. I fell through the crawl space door. Get home fast." He says he'll be right home. While still laying on my back, I start to look around. I realize I am kinda trapped between the closet doors, a desk, a dresser, a tub, a pile of boxes and a rolling cart thingy. I had Wes bring me a pillow and I balanced it on the plastic lawn mower and rest my foot on it. I then had Wes bring me the ice pack. Just then, the phone rings. It's my husband. "Is there anyone else you can call? I have to leave early tomorrow night for my doctor's appt, and I don't want to leave early two days in a row. I hate to ask them to do that for me." WHAT???? So I call my cousin, and she's on her way to her yearly OBGYN appt and her mom is watching her two kids. How do I ask my aunt to come over to a house that is a virtual booby trap and then take me to the doc with 5 kids ages 6 months, 2, 4, 6, 8 (of course we would have to wait another hour for the 8 yo to get off the bus since he had a half day.

I call dh's boss. I say, "Hi, it's Mandy. Oh, okay, I guess. Um, listen, I just fell through my floor, well half of me did, and I am in a lot of pain, and I really need Joel to come home and help me get to the doctor. He didn't want to ask you, but I thought if you knew, you wouldn't want him sitting there, selling steal while my ankle goes from having two swollen marks, one the size of a golf ball and the other the size of a tennis ball turning into a big giant medicine ball....You'll send him home? GREAT! I knew I could count on you!"

Two minutes later, the phone rings, "I'm on my way home." Now, what do I do with the kids. I started scooting myself across the floor with the mower under the bad ankle and doing a crab walk with my other three limbs. I decide I'm going to go to the front porch and yell for my neighbor across the street so she can take Wes and get Logan off the bus. I was halfway to the couch (remember, it's an obstacle course) when I remembered the little girl across the street invited Wes and Logan to her birthday party. So I send Wes to find the princess invitation. He comes back with it. I call the neighbor, she is glad to help. I call my aunt and ask her if she would mind just adding one more to her day care roster. She says fine. Just then DH pulls in. Debee (neighbor across the street) comes to the driveway and asks dh if I want Barry (neighbor's husband like figure) to look at my ankle since he's a paramedic. I didn't care, I really thought I needed X-Rays, though. So I say sure. I finally get myself up to the couch. DH says, "Come here! Barry wants to look at your ankle." WHAT???? So I tell dh, "You're gonna have to help me." DH walks in and looks at my ankle and says, "That doesn't look good." (He's a smart one! I didn't just marry him for his car).

So I finally get towards the door to the garage, and Barry says, "I'm not going to look at it. I'm an EMT, not an X-ray machine." *eye-roll* I look down at my foot again and realize there is a HUGE tear in my pajamas. All I see is the cellulite on my thighs and my orange and pink striped panties. I decided to change my pants before we leave. I turned the laundry basket over and sat on that. Bad idea, it crumpled under my weight. So DH gets Gavin in the car, Wes is at the neighbor's and Logan will go over there after school. Two and a half hours later, my x-rays come back that NOTHING is broken. They give me some good drugs, crutches and an ankle brace and send me home.

I tell one of my friends in Indiana what happened, she says, "How much weight HAVE you gained? How OLD is your house???" So we get home and Logan says, "Did you fall down there?" Wes says, "She was like this, let me show you!" DH and I yell in unison, "GET AWAY FROM THE HOLE!" So, dh puts the room back together.

He cleaned all night Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to get the house looking the way he wanted it for his parents. I did my best to get the kids taken care of. Logan woke up Friday with a little cough and I kept him home so he could get Gavin and Wes on and off the bus. (Gavin gets on at 7:30, off at 10:50, Wes gets on at 11:05 and off at 2:20). Thank goodness the bus driver agreed to drop Wes at the house. She was already picking him up at the house.

I call my in-laws to tell them it's still okay to come out and my brother-in-law answers the phone (26). He says, "I'm tired. I just got done working all day." I say, "I'm tired, too. I know what you mean." He says, "Like you worked today." ****IDIOT**** I said, "I know you don't think I work because I don't get a paycheck, but I do work really hard. It doesn't seem that way since I'm so good at it!"

Anyway, I don't have a remote for the TV in my room (which is closest to the bathrooms since BOTH are at the furthest end of the house from everything else), I am watching CBS all day long. If anyone wants to know what's on the Price Is Right, Young and the Restless, Bold and the Beautiful, As the World Turns, Rachel Ray, Judge Judy, or Dr. Phil, let me know. That is, unless, my remote control doesn't go to school again.

Quick Walk

2011-01-10T14:20:00.003-05:00

I took a quick walk today using my new Nike+. It needs some serious calibration! I walked .669 and it showed .35. I guess when there isn't snow on the track, I will have to calibrate it better when the track isn't covered with snow. It was pretty cool to try out though.

I don't have much inspiration for today. I haven't done my push-ups, sit-ups or squats yet today. I'm not looking forward to the squats, but I'm sure I'll be alright.

I start classes up again tomorrow. I am taking a math class (UGH), creative arts, educational technology, classroom guidance and management. I only have classes on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.

On Wednesday morning, I have a meeting with the other organizer of the St. Baldrick's event happening in March. I can't believe it is just over 2 months away! I will be shaving my head again this year. Last year, the family raised just around $1,000 and the event just under $7,000 with only 12 days of advertising! This year, we already have the venue shored up, entertainment and five shavees! I am really excited. Here's my site if anyone feels led to donate. I will be plugging this event for the next few months, so get used to it!

WHY!??

2011-01-09T21:10:00.002-05:00

Why do the ones we choose to spend the rest of our lives with make us so angry and crazy? Maybe because we are all about "commitment" and "honoring vows" but ARGH!

Okay, that's all I can say about that! I drank plenty of water today and I have only 118 items left to get on Walk It Out. I wonder what happens after that! I have all of the time capsules and songs. I guess I have a few constellations to get, too. I think I'll be done in a week!

Oka

Enjoy The Out Of Doors!

2011-01-08T19:45:00.002-05:00

We had a fun day today. I realized after I finished blogging this morning, that I was out of laundry soap. So, I went to the kitchen to start grating some ivory and cooking it to make laundry soap. I made two batches this time since we have two five gallon buckets. After we got done with that, we were off to the in-laws. I grabbed my outside gear so that I could go for a walk in the woods. I went to get my boots and I noticed that the insole was missing. I know what happened, too! That stinker, Dimples, left the door from the backyard going into the garage open which allowed Brutus to fill up his time by chewing the inside of my boot! GRRR! They were awesome, too. They were pink! So I stopped at the hardware store on the way to the in-laws and got new ones. They aren't pink, but they are lavender, so I guess it's okay.

After having a lunch full of nutrition, Hubby, Poppy and I got on all of our gear and went for a walk. We went down to the barn and down into the bog. It is so peaceful down there! We figured we probably walked about a mile and a half. We looked at all different trees and animal tracks. We climbed hills and walked on ice. It was so relaxing and invigorating at the same time! I really wish I had my camera because I can't even begin to describe how pretty it was.

When we got back, there was a fish fry going on. I opted for potatoes with more greens. We came home while Yankee stayed. I did Walk It Out and now I'm ready for bed. I'm going back to work tomorrow. WOOT!

Happy Saturday!

2011-01-08T09:20:00.002-05:00

I weighed in this morning at 1.2 above my lowest! That is very exciting since my lowest was before the FOOSH (fall on an out stretched hand) and the pills that plugged my bowels. I have been working really hard these last few days and it is showing!

I am really excited because after having my iPod for over a year, I finally figured out how to make a playlist! AND I made a playlist! It is for running (or walking fast). I am really going to do this! I want to walk/run a half marathon this year, and my future self told me I was going to do it, so I guess I better not make myself a liar! I have over two hours of upbeat music to inspire me to move. I got the Nike+ thingy for my shoe yesterday, but I will use that only for serious training. Which means I have to get over the fact that I don't like being super cold. ugh. I'll figure sumpin out. Maybe I'll use it when I use the treadmill at my in-laws. I have to figure out how to ask for that!

Friday Night

2011-01-07T17:59:00.002-05:00

I had a fun day, today. Well, not really fun, per say, but not un-fun. I walked 1.6 miles on Walk It Out and ran 1.378 on Free Run while watching Summer Magic, a 1961 Disney movie with Haley Mills and Burl Ives. After my 10 minute run, I did my squats (225) and my sit-ups (33). I am not rocking the sit-up challenge, but I'm doing it.

I am on my way to clean my younger boys' room so that I can move the oldest in with them. He has complained to me one too many times about my sewing stuff being in "his" room. It was part of the deal when we moved into this house. Now, he's outa there!

Have a good evening everyone! We are now watching Veggie Tales.

FRIDAY, FRIDay, Friday

2011-01-07T07:55:00.002-05:00

I love Fridays! Well, for a few minutes, until I realize that the kids and hubby will be home all day Saturday and Sunday. Today is Brutus' birthday! He's ONE! Happy birthday buddy!

I am only down .7 which makes me 3 lbs above my highest. I am working today on more exercise, more water, less food. I will also be adding a few songs to my iPod along with the couch to 5K stuff. I have to do squats and sit ups.

Why can't I think of anything exciting to talk about?

You Learn Sumpin New Every Day!

2011-01-06T17:37:00.004-05:00

My baby, who is 7 almost 8 didn't start talking until he was 4 1/2. He has a neurological condition called childhood apraxia of speech, or verbal apraxia or whatever it is called now. I have talked to other parents of children with this condition. I always ask, "How is their digestion? Do they have bowel issues?" Mostly because Brown Eyes was severely and perpetually constipated from birth. We tried a number of supplements to improve his motor planning and what not. What ultimately helped Brown Eyes was eliminating milk. That was the key to getting his digestion regulated. *I am not saying this will work for everyone, but this is what worked for my child* Anyway, in July of 2007, he went from having 3-6 words to having over 25 in a week, over 150 when school started in September, and over 600 by January of 2008. He still needs extensive speech therapy on a regular basis. He still takes many supplements. But he talks. All. The. Time.

One of his famous quotes is, "I smell sumpin! Mmm! I smell sumpin good!" So, I learned sumpin today. I was playing on Walk It Out. I have almost all of the island built. Before today, I had only 420 buildings left to get, 20 songs, 7 constellations, and many time capsules. I learned that if I go to different times on the clock, I can unlock items that I can't unlock during the times I am on. There were 14 songs to get at 1:00 am. Anyway, I have only one song to get now! That's all. I have nothing else to share about Walk It Out.

I had kale for lunch and for dinner. I think that mighty green yummy goodness is working its magic! We shall see on the scale tomorrow! I have also done much better on drinking more water and MUCH less soda. I was up to 4 or more sodas a day again and now I am back down to one.

Hubby is working tonight and I am going to get these kiddos to bed early! I am wiped out!

Kale

2011-01-06T07:53:00.002-05:00

I cannot help but sound like I am from the South when I say, "Kale." I don't know how else to say it than with two syllables. Anyway, I was telling BFF the other day that I was craving kale. She said, "Ew! I heard that was really bitter. We were talking at the gym and said that we would like to eat more of it, but it is hard to get past the flavor." Well I had bought some at the grocery on Tuesday morning before she got here. I cooked some up with some rice. When we sat down to have lunch, she with her packed sandwich, water, and walnuts, I asked her if she wanted to try some kale. She said, "Yes please, a little." So I gave her a small dish and what did she say? "Wow! That is really good! I'm surprised because it is so green!"

We did our normal BFF get together giggling, and on the way out the door, she asked me to email her the recipe. UGH! The recipe? I don't use recipes, I just do what sounds good! So I said I would put it on my blog.

Auntie Mandy's Kale

Melt 1 T of butter (I use Earth Balance Buttery Spread) with 1 T of olive oil (I am totally guessing on the measurements here, but enough to saute onion and garlic). Add 1/2 of a chopped onion and a clove of minced garlic. Cook on medium heat until the onions are clear. Add a big bag of kale. Pour 32 oz of vegetable broth over the top. As the kale shrinks, you can add the rest of the bag. Cook with the lid on for about 20 minutes. Take the lid off, and let the liquid cook away. when you have about 10 minutes left, drizzle some kind of sweet vinegar over the kale (white wine, red wine, apple cider whatever). Cook for the last 10 minutes and serve over rice or whatever.

I will be having some kale this morning for breakfast with some corn meal mush. It should help in the bathroom area. Anyway, I hope everyone has a splendid day. I will try to only post once more! Yesterday got a little insane!

Air

2011-01-05T19:33:00.003-05:00

What is it about air that is so interesting? Look! There goes some now! Wow, there is a speck! Did that speck just say something? More air!

I feel like a total heel. I have not eaten without distractions for one meal! I was going to count today when my mom and I went out to lunch, but I was so engrossed in ESPN (not that I care, but I don't have cable) that I must count that TV as a distraction. BFF came over yesterday. I was up and down the whole meal! It's almost like I am saying, "You can't MAKE me sit and eat!" What is wrong with me?

I went to the doctor today. I really love my doctor. He is so laid back and really looks for natural ways to make his patients healthy. Anyway, he and I had a fun time hypothesizing about my sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. He still wants me to continue to wean off of my meds. I am actually ahead of schedule. He wanted me off of them in 3 months (he was being generous) and I wanted six. I am at almost two months and down to the final cut back before being done completely. It helps that Dimples is medicated.

Today's exercise included 217 squats, 2.8 miles on Walk It Out, 3 miles walking the halls of the school, and I still have sit-ups to do.