Challenge

We are handed all sorts of challenges during our life. Some not so great and some that we can control ourselves. I am about to control one of my personal challenges. Some a lot of us have to struggle with on a daily basis anyway. So now it is springtime!! Time to look forward to warmer weather, Capri's and tank tops, sandals and swim suits. OK, right now no swim suits. My point being, during the winter we tend to hibernate like big old bears and eat up a storm trying to insulate ourselves from the cold. We don't exercise much because the weather is to rainy, snowy, windy or just plan yucky. We curl up with our warm blankets and watch TV or play on the computer. We do the bare minimum to get through the darker yuckier days just waiting for that weatherman to announce that spring has sprung!!! So it has happened, Sunday was the first day of Spring. Guess what, we are actually having a beautiful sunny day today which is wonderful for me to start my new challenge.

Today I started the 24 Day Challenge. I have to do a 10 day herbal cleanse. I have wanted to do a cleanse for sometime because I have heard that it is a good thing to do anyway. Well with the program I am on, the first three day I have to drink this fiber drink in the mornings. All I can say about that is yuck!! It is the nastiest stuff I have ever tasted. It is one of those "challenges" that I am going to have to endure the first three days and then again the 8-10th days.

 When I went to be measured and weighed last night, I was disappointed that I have regained 12 lbs of the 30 lbs I lost before I left Kodiak. I have to say I can't be surprised, disappointed yes, surprised no so much. Living in an area where we are walking distance to Arby's, Jack-In-The-Box, Quizno's, and Panda Express just to name a few of the restaurants around us. Oh and not to forget Cold Stone Creamery!! Yikes what a great ice cream parlor. Starbucks is always one of my weaknesses, but to be honest if I get a pastry usually it is the reduced fat very berry coffee cake. :) I will be missing my Starbucks. I can not have ANY coffee of any kind during my 10 day cleanse. On of the women I chatted with last night told me she was total coffeeholic like me. She knew everyone at her local Starbucks and when she went through the drive thru she recognized their voices and could name them by name. I thought I was bad. I also thought it was going to be difficult this morning...but Patrick made the coffee and I decided if I was going to take this seriously I was going to have to follow the plan. I have already drank over 74.4 ounces of water. Water is my new best friend.

Even though Matthew isn't on the program I am, he has volunteered to be my workout and walking buddy. He has also gained back his weight and wants to make healthier choices. I am very proud of him for making that choice. I don't want him to be heavy like I am and he is so young, he will be able to make the change easier than I am I think.

So my eating plan is pretty cut and dry for the next 10 days. Fruit, eggs, oatmeal, lean proteins, complex carbs, nuts, raw veggies and lots and lots of water!!! For a coffee substitute they have a product called SPARK. I was surprised that I was feeling kind of tired and I drank it up and I feel really rejuvenated. I can drink that in the morning and in the mid-afternoon. For my mid-morning snack I am having strawberries and eggs. I have to eat six times a day which is going to be hard for me, but I am going to stick to the plan. LOL

Things I have to avoid:
Fried Foods, refined sugars, corn or white starches or bread ( I love bread!!!)
Wheat products
Dairy: cheese (love it), yogurt, milk, white sauces or dressing
Alcohol (they note the following after this one: you're on a cleanse...hold out for 10 days) I won't have a problems with this one
Coffee or soda...well I already told you about the coffee part, soda won't be an issue!

So this is the beginning for me. I am striving to look great in my gold dress in July for my nieces wedding and getting my energy level back up and my waistline back down. I will keep you in the loop as to my progress, wish me luck!!

Busy Busy Busy

I wish I could give a good enough excuse on why I haven't been posting. School?? That sounds like a good one. I have been rather busy with school. I love it. Someone asked my mom recently if I was going to be a "perpetual" student. I think they have me confused with someone else in my family. No, I am not going to be a perpetual student. I have goals. I want to get a great paying job so my husband can relax and maybe sometime in the not to near future semi-retire from his current job. Not that he wants to do that anytime soon. He is thriving at his new job and the prospects for advancement are HUGE!! I have always been a person who loves to work. I have had a job in every city we have lived in, with the exception of Kodiak. My job right now is school. I realize that for some people they don't understand how I can go to school and not work...lets see the VA is paying me to go to school. If you aren't familiar with the 9/11 GI Bill, maybe you should read up and familiarize yourself. What a wonderful program for both Matt and myself.

Let's see what is going on in our lives...Matt and I are doing great in school. I happen to have finished as of Friday, but I have to go in to our Fundamentals of Computers class to support Matt on his PowerPoint presentation. Matt is almost done. He has a few more days left. Patrick is on the JV Soccer team at Kentlake High School. He is so excited for his first game on Tuesday. The best part is family is going to be there cheering him on. The wonderful feeling it is to be home again.

We are currently looking to either buy or rent a house ("rent" only until next Spring). Renting would work, so when we go to the bank to put in for our loan, Mark will show some longevity in his new job. It has become quite unbearable living in this apartment. I guess people who pay their rent on time and don't make tons of noise just don't have the priority over section 8 people. So needless to say we are looking and hoping and praying that something great comes along. I look on a daily basis. Mark finally pushed the new managers buttons on Tuesday. I guess he doesn't take to being called a liar too well. Oh well, if the truth bothers you so much maybe you should try to fix the problem instead of brushing it under the carpet.

I am still struggling with seizures. It is so difficult for me. I hate having them and the final straw for Mark was this past Monday when I had a partial and he finally called my Dr and told him that Tegretol XR has worked for many many years and he wanted me back on it along with my Lamictal. So that will take care of both the partial and the grand mal. Once I get off this roller coaster ride of medication changes, I think I will feel some what "normal" again. I have high hopes. I can't wait to get off the Keppra. Not a good medication.

What else is new??? Well, Chloe is new. She is our newest addition. We lost Murphy in December and adopted our little spit fire on the 31st of December. She has been a joy to have with us. She is just so full of love it is overflowing. She will be five months old on Tuesday and almost fully potty trained. People said it would be difficult in an apartment, but she is so smart and caught on. She LOVES rocks. She has two in particular that she has latched onto and brought into the house. She loves her stuffed toys, Indy has stolen a small squeaky bear from her and every time she goes near him, he growls and she thinks it is the coolest game ever!!! It was very difficult leaving her alone with Indy in the house. We had done it once right after we got her and we went to breakfast with Ruth and Darryl. Came home to howling (Indy) and that sharp puppy bark (Chloe). After that I was extremely nervous leaving them alone. Afraid of disturbing the neighbors...well that feeling is over with. Since Mark is working days now (his Manager quit a few weeks ago), we have had to leave them alone. With some small problems, one being the banana plant that tormented Chloe and she had to take it out and few puddles, they have been doing fabulously (knock on wood).

I am heading to Idaho next week to visit my mom. I haven't seen her since this past August when Aaron and Dianna got married. I have just about two weeks between quarters and the price was right. So for once I am leaving my family behind. It is going to be a short trip, but I am looking forward to spending it with my mom. Then school starts again on the 28th. I have three classes this quarter. One of which I am so excited to take...Quickbooks Pro.

Well, that is it in a nutshell. I will try (like I have said so many times before) to keep up on my blog. At least to give you updates on Patrick's games and such.


Hugs to all!!!