the little things

Plan B

Well, it's not something I wanted to happen, but unfortunately it's not up to me.

My doctor's appointment this morning left me prepping for Plan B. or Step 2. or whatever you'd like to call it. Basically, the low dose of Clomid didn't work this time.  My doctor is upp'ing the dosage for next month. She's optimistic & I'm trying to be as well.

We just have to wait. and pray. and wait some more.

That's easier said than done.

But, we are praying & we know this is just the beginning, not the end. We have many, many options ahead if need be. We'll get through. But, it doesn't make it any easier.

I had a rough afternoon, but after a GREAT, unplanned night hanging out  & having dinner with just my mom & step dad I'm feeling much better! God is good! He's in control.

On a funny note..I did manage to have a dream the night before last that Nate & I had sextuplets! ahhh! While I do want children..and pretty badly, I'm not sure I could handle that many!! LOL It was quite humourous though..trying to feed them all..and dress them all! My mom was over helping & I was getting mad because I was trying to make tacos & couldn't get anything done because of the 6 kiddos! LOL wow. I need to lay off the sherbert before bedtime!! ;)

Have a good weekend everyone!

sooner rather than later

I know this might seem random, but lately I’ve been thinking about some things I’d really like to do or accomplish sooner rather than later.

Lets see…

Go on vacation. I don’t really care where, just somewhere. Anywhere, really. The beach, the mountains, somewhere!  We’re thinking of venturing down to Gatlinburg, TN. maybe next summer or fall. I’ve heard great things about it down there. I’d also love to go on a cruise & back to Disneyworld. Oh, and back to Isle of Plams. So many places to go!

Lose weight. Hello. Obvious, I know. But I mean it. Make this time THE time & do it. and maintain. And be happy & healthy.

Have a baby. With all these recent health issues, our secret is out and we’re okay with that now. We just have to wait for God’s perfect timing.

Decide on what I’m doing career wise. Back to school? Different company? Different job all together? I just know (and have always known) that what I do now just isn’t it for me.

Pay off the debt. That ugly, no good stuff. We don’t need it. we don’t want it. we just want it gone. For GOOD. We’re still plugging along..

Take small trips different places. Events in Cleveland. Events in Cbus. Events in our neck of the woods. With just us & with friends & family. Just go.

Stop rushing so much. With our schedules being so opposite, the only full day we now have to spend together is Mondays. I find myself always watching the clock, rushing thru the day to get things done. Rushing thru one thing to get to the next. I just want to sloooow down.

Help out at church more. We’ve started doing this as of last Sunday volunteering in the toddler room. What a blast!  I just want to be able to help more when needed.

I’m sure there’s more, but those are the top of the tops for me right now.

So much to do, but I must always remember, one day at a time..

Yesterday was such a wonky day. I usually have Mondays off, but to try & save some PTO time for this Friday's doctor appt. I decided to just work & then be off Friday. Well, so much for that b/c an hour into work, I got so sick. I think I had a touch of the bug. Oh blah! So, I came home & slept until afternoon!  I feel much better today, but I still have a bit of a stomach ache.

Nate & I have decided to not really exchange gifts this year.  We'll be doing stockings for sure, but we've decided to take the money we would normally spend, and just pt it towards things we really need & we're also going to "adopt" a local family to buy for! Pretty excited for that!

I have no idea what is up with the italics here. Typepad is really acting strange lately!

Hope everyone is having a great week!

A Little Sunshine

I can’t believe it’s almost time for another week to start! Wow. Where does the time go?!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

We had such a great day! Slept in, watched the last hour of the parade, got to mom & Phil's early..had an awesome dinner, played some Scene It Boys Vs. Girls (the boys were too funny! See photo! "HmmmMmm!"), ate a tad too m  uch (ok, gram's ham & Phil's dressing were too good to pass up!), travelled in Megan's boyfriends new car (talk about so cool for him! God  provided when he needed it most!) to my dad's house for a whole other meal! Except he deep fried the turkey-oh gosh! Sooo good! Played a few hours of Phase 10 (sooo much fun!!), and called it a day!

(by the way, I have no idea what is up with the font change here..totally out of my control! LOL)

I worked Friday (by choice , as I'm not a big fan of Black Friday shopping), but left an hour early to visit with grandma & grandpa where my grandpa surprised me with THE coolest wire basket for my scrap space that he had picked up for me that day! ANNND Nate didnt have to work, so we had a date night! No movies were playing we wanted to see, so we just had dinner at Applebee's & shared a Mocha Frapp (too much sugar!!) and called it a night!

Saturday was KDays at KMart. Oh boy! Nothing like 30-some, mostly grown men anticipating a box of Hotwheels to dig into! haha.  Nate & I both got our tickets picked, so we each got a box of brand new Hotwheels to dig thru.  You have 5 minutes to pick out 5. Then, you step a way, and those who didn't get tickets drawn the first round get to go thru the "leftovers" then, once they're all done, whoever wants to gets to go back & get whatever they want.

Madness.

But, I was happy to do it for Nate. He walked out with 2 Treasure Hunts (the way hard to find ones), and 12 2008 models. As he has ALL 180-some 2007's now! Lord, help me! LOL

His collection is quickly growing! Thank goodness for the upstairs just for him!

After Nate went to work, I went to the Scrap Store, where they had 40% off one item & 10% off entire purchase. I snagged some Thickers & papers & cardstock & headed out! I need a better LSS. I wish I could open up my own!

Popped in  to the restaurant my works at to see her & some friends. Ended up staying much longer than expected, but had a blast! and even managed to come home & scrap a bit more!

Today has been good. Megan & the boyfriend came over to have lunch, and I've been lounging since! haha.  I have to work tomorrow (blah) because I have Friday off instead..another doc appointment. ack!

Off to fold clothes...oh, the joys!

PS: We're all set for Christmas! :) <----See living room over there!

1 week til Nate's birthday..sooo excited to give him his gift!! The best one yet, if I do say so myself! LOL

I should be making a pumpkin pie

but I just have no motivation tonight!

I had some french toast(made with wheat bread!) & it's draggin' me down! ack. haha.

I cannot believe tomorrow is Thanksgiving! wow! I have so much to be grateful for. God is so good!

I hope you all have a wonderful & safe Thanksgiving!

Here's some pages I did the other day..I need  to get some new patterned papers! LOL

the best

today has been one of those days..one of those GOOD days that is!

I had my followup appt. today...the bloodwork all came back FINE! My insulin was up a tad, but not enough to be worried about or diagnose me with anything serious, aside from PCOS.

My doctor put me on a mild dose of Clomid! Because, Praise the Lord "someone" came for a visit yesterday all on her very own!!!

and oh, yeah..I lost 10 pounds!! ;)

Low carb bread never tasted so good!!

Losing that 10 pounds & getting the "go 'head" from the Doctor for babies gave me the drive to KEEP ON!!  Thank you for your prayers & good thoughts these last 2 weeks. It's been a crazy bit of time. I'm glad the waiting is over!

ps: look what my great friend, Kristina sent me last week! so much fun stuff-I've been playing with it a lot! Thanks again friend-love you!

pss:we started decorating for Christmas! I just couldn't wait any longer! eeep! our tree is so fun! :)

be grateful: for carbs!

I must say, I'm starting to really miss me some carbs right about now!

I am getting really bored with chicken.

So, I had seafood. And that’s getting old too. haha.

I has steak the other night, but eh.

I just really want a side dish with those meals. You know, rice, or chips or noodles. Or potatoes!

Ahhhh!

5 more days of this. I know I can do it, but the thought of eating another bite of green beans or even mushrooms, kinda makes me ill! LOL

I’m ready to start incorporating some “good” stuff!

People have been asking me if I’ve weighed yet. The answer is no.

And to be honest, I think it’s because I’m worried of what the scale will say.

We all know how doctor’s scales can be, usually a tad more than the one at home. But, I am leary that mine will be even more or something!

I’ve never been one to get my hopes up, so I’m not. It’s just easier this way.

Even tho I really do want to see what it says!

Nate & I walked last night & Monday night (even in the pouring rain!) & it felt SO great to do that!  Megan is coming over tonight to walk & I am really excited!  It’s supposed to rain again tonight, but I think we’re just going to bundle up & go anyway! The treadmill is not acting right, plus I want to be outside. It makes time go faster I think.

Nate’s birthday is less than 3 weeks away & I FINALLY know what I’m getting him! (darn you people with December birthdays, there’s too much too buy at once!! Haha)  He is gonna be so stoked.  At least I hope he will be! :)

All I can think about is food right now. It’s bad. Haha.  I think I’m just getting bored with stuff.  There’s only so many string cheeses, sugar free jello or puddings, or eggs you can have!  Everything in moderation. 

So, anyway.

Here’s a (good!) & quick recipe to share for anyone! I love this one!

Salsa Chicken

Chicken breasts, lightly pounded/beat out

1 jar of any kind of salsa

Half a jar of water

Provolone cheese slices

Rice or even noodles if you desire ( I can’t have either right now & it’s just as good without it!)

Lightly brown the chicken on both sides in a skillet in a tad bit of EVOO-Extra Virgin Olive Oil (just enough to turn it white, but know it can cook in 30 minutes). Add the jar of salsa to the chicken breast & a half jar of water.  Turn down to Medium heat or so. Cover.

Cook for about 30 minutes or so. I usually cut my chicken a little to make sure it’s done. Turn heat off, uncover & place a slice of provolone cheese on each chicken breast. Let melt a little & SERVE!

Soooo good!

Nate & I love this one! And it smells up your whole house with goodness! :)

a week in photos

Today is day #7 on The South Beach Diet and I am VERY happy to say I AM HALF WAY DONE!!! (with Phase 1 that is! ;))

It has been an interesting week, filled with lots of temptations.  If you’re not familiar with SBD, Phase 1 is the first 2 weeks with no “fun stuff” as I like to call it. No carbs. Ack. lol

But, I am doing it! Here’s my week in recap thru photos..

<11.6.07-end table loaded down with water & such what a crummy day that was. (the white cup is what the nurse had to give me that morning after having my blood taken! I’m lame, I know!)

<11.7.07-fridge loaded with “good stuff”; water,cottage cheese, ham slice & SALAD!!

<11.8.07-fridge again with the days specialty: hard boiled eggs! And some 1% milk & veggie juice!

<11.9.07-no photo from that day because it was lasagna night..that I didn’t have, but Katie & Tricia did! :) Mmmm.

<11.10.07-Katie’s baby shower.  Not such a good due to being in front of the light, but still..I treasure this, as it’s our first photo together in almost of year of talking again.  This day was a temptation again with lots of pumpernickel bread, dips & crackers. I admit, I was starving, so I caved & had 2 small pieces of bread  loaded with dip! It was Heaven.

<11.11.07-SUCH a great day! Church was awesome. Nate made us lunch: Parmesan Crusted Chicken fingers! YUM!!  & then after he left for work, I went to grandma & grandpa’s for 5 hours, where I brought my “seafood dinner” which was filled with shrimp & crab! Complete with my latest yummy addiction; sugar free jello! Hehe. Sooo good!

And then some broccoli with dip later on..I’m loving eating healthy  AND feeling full! It’s awesome!

Nate & I walked around the neighborhood Saturday morning & it felt so good!  We couldn’t walk yesterday because it rained, but I plan on walking on my treadmill later tonight after dinner settles. Which, by the way, Nate is cooking right now! Guess what it is? It smells so good!  I can’t believe I’m even eating it…we’re having STEAK!!

I never eat steak, ever!  But I am uber sick of chicken & getting tired of seafood…so I have to say I am excited about it!

I also found sugar free candies that I can have when I really need something sweet! It feels so good to be his committed & I have to admit, I’m surprised at myself!  I guess when you want something bad enough you won’t let anything get in the way! I think we've been to the grocery store every single day since last Monday!  Just trying to get all this new stuff figured out! Next Monday I get the blood results back...and it can't come soon enough.

You've got to find humor in it..

Yesterday was just one of those days.

The kind of day where you’d just rather crawl right back into bed & sleep it all away.

The kind where you wake up to a sloooow shower, cold floor & cold outside.

The kind of day where you get to work & see a pile of self pay bills literally 4 inches high that you must separate, enter, review,write a note for, include a bunch of crap with, write a letter for & package & send on their way.

The kind when your husband calls you saying he was involved in a “light” head on accident. And you give a big sigh of relief when he says he’s not hurt & the lady who hit him isn’t hurt & neither car is too damaged. (!)

The kind of day where you haven’t had a real sweet for 4 days & realize at lunch time you have forgotten your much desired & anticipated sugar free pudding.

The kind where your fingers hurt from typing like crazy.

The kind of day when you get a call from your husband on an unknown number, 20 minutes before he’s to be at work saying he locked himself out of the house & you need to get home soon so he can get in & go!

The kind where your boss isn’t a happy camper b/c you have to leave work early b/c of what your hubs did.

The kind of day that you just do not think will ever end or get better.

The kind of day that you just have to find humor in I, to laugh about to get it all over.

That was mine yesterday. Long, busy, stressful, and FULL!

Craziness.

However, it ended up not being so bad afterall, as Nate didn’t have to go into work until later, so I made dinner ( a new recipe called Salsa Chicken! OH YUM!!) & we actually got to eat it together! We prayed together before our meal & something inside enlightened me. It was a blessing.

After Nate went to work I realized I was drained. More so, emotionally drained.

But, a great conversation with my cousin really helped.  She gave me some insight & extra info about PCOS & it made me feel better.

I just wish it were 2 weeks from now & I had a better idea of what is going on with me!

Thank you!

I’m not even sure what to say right now.

I just want to make sure to thank each of you for your kind words of support & encouragement during this rough time. Thank you for the emails, too. I greatly appreciate them!

This is Day #2 of SBD & so far so good!  Gotta love ½ of a ham slice & some cottage cheese for breakfast! Haha. Oh, and almonds for snack & turkey rollups for lunch! ;)

Thank you all again. I really appreciate your kind thoughts & prayers.

I have a long road ahead of me, but I know this will all work out in God’s time.

sometimes you have to expect the unexpected

Like yesterday, for example.

I went to see my obgyn yesterday & didn’t get super great news & felt this huge urge to just get it down on paper. To scrap it. The latest with me. My health. And this new journey, my Doctor gave me no choice to start, The South Beach diet. She said put Weight Watchers aside and just do it.

It’s crucial to get my insulin under control, thus, my weight under control.

It’s get real time.

If starting a family is what Nate & I want there is truly no turning back on this.

I had blood work done this morning and have a followup appointment in 2 weeks to go over treatment options, etc.

Not many people know about all this yet. And I’m not posting here to announce it by any means. I just feel like I need to record this time in my life. In Nate’s life.

How scary it all is. And how HARD it is.

I’ve cried a lot. I’ve prayed a lot.

Afterall, there is a treatment, and it’s not too late. It’s just going to take ALOT of work. A LOT of dedication.

I am ready for it.

It’s my future. It’s my only chance to become a mom.

And I am doing it.