Life Is Beautiful

Remember that song by the Pointer Sisters from the 80's... Okay -- maybe it was Neutron Dance not Lupron Dance but still... this is what's been in my head today. I saw my OB/ GYN for my yearly checkup, and we talked about my troubles that have returned with payback. Pregnancy is a great cure for endometriosis , but you can't stay preggers or nursing forever. Or at least I can't. Two years ago I was on the eve of another (the 3rd) laparoscopy to remove the dreaded stuff. God decided that we needed Cameron instead of another surgery. I knew that things would get bad again and we'd revisit. Last time we talked about Lupron , it was relatively new and I was a little scared of it. It is hormone therapy that "shuts off" the estrogen, thereby putting you in a somewhat menopausal state. We wanted more children fairly soon at that point, so I didn't want to go jacking around with things. At this point, I can't say that we don't want more c...

Another busy day! Started out at 6:30 with a good long 5 mile run. I was NOT happy with my pace time, but it was 70 degrees already and had just stopped raining when I went out. I tried to go back to bed - but my wonderful husband looked out the window for me (me without my glasses) and verified that it wasn't raining anymore. Thanks, dear. Got to play in the nursery during worship, then teach our 3rd and 4 th grade Sunday school class. I have now not been to service for a month. I will download the sermon and give it a listen on Tuesday. We have been looking for someone to alternate Sundays with us so that we can go to Sunday school one of these days, but you know how that is. No takers. Being a fairly new Christ follower (since May 2005) I feel like it's stunting my growth. I have questions and want to talk with other adults about the Bible and what God has to tell us. We will see. Wore the wrong socks on my run today and got a little blister. Susan stepped on my ...

When setting out to lose 88lbs, there were some things I did not do. For one thing, I diminished the amount I needed to loose. I never told anybody the real number when I started, but only began to share my journey when I was about 20lbs down. There was one thing I did do. I set smaller goals to make it not seem like such a big job. My first goal was getting under 200lbs. The next goal was making it halfway. Next up was 50lbs down. My next goal in sight is 15lbs away and is "Wedding Weight." Sometimes things get stale and I cut out any treats until I break the next decade of numbers. Little rewards have come with my Mini-Goals. A hair cut, some new workout clothes, a DVD. But here I am at well over the 50lbs lost marker, and I'm actually afraid of the reward I set for myself. A few sessions with a personal trainer. Why? Well, the main thing is the time it will take away from my family. Fitness endeavors take time. I get up at 5:30 to workout, so I don't ...

I'm finding it very difficult to raise young people. Small children are relatively easy. Change a diaper, teach sharing, redirect undesirable behavior. They need a lot of your attention, but all you have to do is roll the ball, rock the chair, or find the blankie and you are the hero. Fast forward several years to the pre-teen age. I'm so damn confused most of the time you'd think I'M the one going through puberty!! I think I'm making a well loved meal only to have it sniffed at and snubbed. I try to remind about personal hygiene and get the stink eye for it. If I comply with the "leave me alone" request, I am told I never pay attention. Why did God make us this way at this point in our lives? I told our son when he asked me this, that it's a way for us to learn to lean on God. In childhood we lean on our parents. They can do anything, Dad is Superman and Mom is Wonder Woman! As we grow, our troubles come and even Superman and Wonder Woman c...

Back from vacation - what a fantastic journey! Drove 2,500mi round trip and not so much as a flat tire. Thank you Lord! Here's a link to the pictures I took. Summer Vacation 2010 My goal was to continue on my exercise regime and track my calories and LOSE weight on vacation. Well, life has different plans sometimes. I ended up getting a terrible cold and losing my voice for much of the trip. I didn't feel especially ill, but couldn't talk, coughed a lot and had a hard time catching my breath. Combine that with some pasta and 2 nights of ice cream and there you have it...up half a pound. Fortunately, this week is a test of my endurance and will likely help me to counter last week. Our church's Vacation Bible School is this week. I am playing a costumed character in a couple of skits and have also decided that I should hang out in the music room. They are doing some neat moves along with the singing that looks nearly like an aerobics class. Can you say calorie...

I'm having a hard time putting our nearly 3-year-old to bed lately. Naps and night time = nightmare. I have to physically take her by the hand, change her into appropriate clothes/undergarments, pick her up kicking and screaming and place her in her bed. Sometimes she jumps up and down screaming other times she simply continues to get out of bed, I lay her down over and over and over. I really hate it when it keeps our 13mo old from sleeping. He has been the Sleeper Who Didn't since birth - so getting and keeping him on a schedule is paramount. I'm very good at remaining calm and emotionless most of the time when dealing with her. Our oldest daughter put me through nighttime hell for several years. I was a smoker back then, and I would go out on the balcony of our apartment and light up in between times I checked on her. One time I called my Mom at my wit's end and said "I just don't think I can listen to her screaming anymore!" My sweet Mother, ...

What a relaxing weekend. We didn't do a darn thing for Memorial Day. The six of us stayed home and enjoyed some time together. Later, we went for a walk, but that was about it. This morning I ran one of my faster 5K's. I have a goal in mind for the end of the summer that involves reducing my pace time by 1 minute per mile. Judging from this morning, I'm well on my way. I figure if I continue to loose 5lbs per month, I will be hauling around 15lbs less by then as well. That's 60lbs of pressure lessened off of my knees and hips!! I'm sure to get a little faster, then. Tuesday is my "run faster" day. I try to push myself and cut some time off of my short run. Today I did better at spreading the effort out over the whole 3 miles. It seems like before, I would look at my watch in the last half of the run and try to kill it to get in under time. That - was - difficult - on the old bod. I'm learning. I also started a challenge on the site I use to...