How is it already Wednesday?

I am happy again today. I had my 90 day review today - a month late. It went REALLY well. No raise or anything like that but good to know that they like my work. And I like it here, so everyone is happy.

So last night with my bubble bath I had planned on drinking some wine. But I didn't want to open a bottle for just me. I need to get some of those small bottles, I love those. So I got a glass of water and one extra-dark chocolate. I was going to indulge. I took it to the tub. It sat on the side. Bug gave it to me to move - she will give you things, and do things, just to hear "thank you". We finished our bath. I looked at the chocolate. Did not want it. Wasn't even tempted. I walked over to Sweetie and told him that chocolate would wait until I had my ultimate Missy Bath. And I put it back into the container. Man this is awesome. I could get used to this.

Sweetie also had a review today - though his was his annual. Yay! Sweetie got a small raise. Way to go!!! Tonight is gaming night at our house. This means Sweetie gets to play his game without too much interruption.

Carnaval is coming up quickly - Saturday. I need to decide what I am going to wear. Sweetie and I are not going as outragous as last year. We just don't have the time. My goal is something simple, sexy, and comfortable.

In other news, still no trampoline. There is a huge shortage on the kind that I want. Luckily I have a great deal coming when it finally gets here. If it ever gets here. /sigh

Not much more going on. I feel boring today. I want to go and get my Bug and go home. Sweetie hopes that we can do a lil shopping tonight. I hope we find what we are looking for.

Oh and drum roll please - our get out of debt plan is working - one credit card and one loan paid off. YAY!!!!! One step at a time.

Bathtime

Feeling good. Today is day two of phase two. Well I did start phase two 12 hours early as I had dinner on Sunday with a healthy grain. I am feeling good. But there are two things that I NEED to do. I need to exercise and I need to stop weighing myself everyday. This only frustrates me. I know I am on medication that can make losing weight impossible. I know this. I know this is out of my control. But I still check. Everyday. Check to see how I have done. But when the scale doesn't move I get a lil sad. So only once a week now. I do have to report that phase one did take care of my cravings. I didn't think it would work, but it has. The first week I was living for my sugar free snack at night. Last night I didn't have it, or even want it. Awesome. I know that this is a lifestyle change. I know that I am eating much healthier. I just need to give my body a chance to respond.

Today the plumber came and fixed our water. The pressure has been very low for over a year. OMG I heart my plumber. Why? Because he fixed it. I had no idea the low level of pressure that we were putting up with until it was fixed. And man it is fixed. For the first time since having Bug, I had a great bath. Now it wasn't the candlelit, ipod playing, wine drinking bath that I planned. Instead I enjoyed a candlelit bath with my Bug. And it was perfect. I am so very happy. Water pressure...I tell ya, it is the little things in life.

lost in ikea

On Saturday, Sweetie and my wanting to be selfish with our time with Bug (along with other reasons), led to Bug not making it to the b-day party. I had no idea that you could spend 5 hours in Ikea. We went with Brother and SIL#1. It was fun, but tiring. We were successful and purchases a coffee table, four bins for under the coffee table, and two stools for Bug. All for under $100. Awesome.



She also received a very cool lady bug tent. Totally cool. And she loves it!

Today the photo shoot with SIL#1's dog and Bug ended up being just of the dog. While it was sunny, it was cold and Bug was napping during the fun. Oh well, next time.



Sorry to cut it short, but I need to prepare for the work week. But in the mean time, here are some photos.

randomness from the head of a mouse

I am all over the place today. I am still feeling great - day 12. I am not depressed. I am simply emotional. I want to surround myself with family and friends. I also want to organize. Yes, I am in that kind of mood. We went out to eat last night. I have the SB dining book. I did great. All phase one and then pudding when we got home. Yay me. And it is official SIL#2's wedding date is set for 7/14. I have 24 weeks, I can do it.

This weekend is going to be fun. Tonight is family night and helping Mom make sandwiches for a funeral. I know it doesn't sound like fun, but it is since we are helping. Tomorrow is Bug's friend's b-day party - I thought was last weekend, nope. Then on Sunday we are hoping to get some good photos of Bug and SIL#1's dog in the park.

I am also in a mood let my internets know more about me. What is going on in that pretty head of mine?
~I want to do the LiveStrong Challenge - Oct 12-14 in Austin. There is a 5k run/walk and a bike ride. I want to do the 5k.
~Cap 10k is still on my mind. Hopefully, I can get out and walk more than once next week.
~Blog Blowout is mid-April. This is going to be a blast. I cannot wait to meet everyone face to face.
~I have not had any fast food in almost two weeks. That is awesome.
~My favorite morning drink. Take two cups of 1% milk - heat in microwave 2-2:30. Put in a cup with a bag of tea - ( I have tried chai and vanilla caramel truffle) - and two splenda. This is sooo good. I have been totally getting in my dairy.
~I feel so much healthier. I go back for more blood work March 7th. I am hoping, hoping, hoping, that finally they are going to reduce my meds.
~Interesting thing, when I got my eyes tested I told them about my Graves'. Graves' has a potential for eye issues - so optometrists know about it as well. They asked if I had the radiation and when I said that I was using the meds two doctors at different points and not near each other interrupted me saying I was on meds with "oh, of course you probably want more children." Now with my research I have found that this treatment is supposed to keep my fertility in tact, but that scared the crap out of me.
~Chatting with DarkDiva and her Jeff made me want to rejoin our old gym. The main reason we quit was cost. Second was hours of the family time in the pool and the daycare. The hours have changed. Yay. We might be rejoining.
~I just passed on Chocolate Cake, banana split pie, and carrot cake. And TWICE, as I went into the break room TWICE. I AM SOOO GOOD
~I am now surfing Southbeachdiet.com for phase two chocolate cake recipes
~I think it is cool that my friend's husbands are reading my blog
~When I was passing on the Sweets the second time, my boss says "didn't you complete a marathon or something like that" - DAMN can't say yes while eating chocolate cake. Well, I am sure MotoDiva would argue that. And SHE has completed a half ironman, so maybe she is more right than I am.
~I don't think celery is a good alternative to chocolate cake.
~When I reach my first goal - BMI under 30, I am getting a manicure and pedicure.
~There are no phase two chocolate cake recipes. I will have to look in the cookbooks.

OK off to get a Bug. Have a great weekend.

Does Pottery Barn Kids sell a stripper pole?

Tuesday night Bug started saying "ta-da". By last night she had it down. She says it a lot - very proud of herself.

Last night was game night for Sweetie. I was getting Bug ready for bed and changing her diaper one last time. I was at the point where she is naked - old diaper off, new diaper not on yet. She smiles big, puts her feet in the air together, and then says "TA-DA" while spreading her legs out wide. I could not help but laugh hysterically at the fact that she was showing her girlness in such a way. Ta-da. Quite a move, no? I was laughing the entire time I got her diaper and sleep pants on. I then went to tell Sweetie about it.

He was not thrilled.
__________________________________________________________________
And to friends that miss me - I am sorry. I did not know I was in a hole. I realized it when two friends told me that they miss me on the same day. I did not realize how I was not following through with setting up plans to meet. I will pull myself out, and rejoin the real world. The good thing is that this is not a depression hole. This is a focused on phase one, bug, and Sweetie hole.

it's a family thing

Three generations. Mom gave me this statue for Christmas. It shows a grandmother knitting, a mother behind and a child kneeling. I love this statue. I love family.

My family is small. Both my Mother and Father were only children. This meant no aunts, no uncles, no family reunions. The closest I had were great aunts and second cousins that lived in different states. I am not complaining. I loved our small family. Holidays were simple and intimate. However, I always longed for a larger family. Sweetie's family is my own. I have been with them for almost half of my life. This side brought Aunts, Uncles, and the fun of cousins. But now my Brother, Mother, and Me. That was my own little family. That is what was left. That is what we knew. Luckily they live close to me so I see them on a regular basis.

My father was raised by his mother and grandmother. His father left when he was very young. My Nanny raised him as a 40 year old single mother. She was amazingly strong for it. We knew nothing about my paternal grandfather. No history, no pictures, nobody to compare traits to. I love genetics. And I do not mean in a lab coat kind of way. I mean in the kind of way that I can see traits of my mother and father in me - the way I can see so much of my grandmother in me. I love looking at Bug and seeing myself or Sweetie in her. I love the whole idea of inheritable traits and genetic memory.

A couple of weeks ago the most amazing thing happened. I have been composing this most in my mind - wanting the right time and the best words to describe the event. After the grocery store, I came home to find a comment on my blog. The comment was amazing. I have since removed it due to some personal information on it. However, the jest of it is that a woman was searching for my father and found my mother's site. Her husband's father is my father's half brother. As I read the words I freaked out. Sweetie said I acted like I had a treasure map. It is true, only better. Suddenly I had some contact with a missing side of the family. Suddenly I couldn't say I didn't know anything.

My Grandfather had a family before he married my Nanny. There he had my Uncle. My Uncle, as life is funny sometimes, is 27 years older than what my father would be. The even funnier part? My cousin is 3 years older than what my father would be. They are very nice people. I cannot wait to meet them. Cousin J sent me a photo of my Grandpa, Uncle, and cousin taken before my father was born. It was amazing to finally see my father's father in a photograph. She also sent me two other photos of my relatives. One is taken in 1900 and the other, I believe, in 1908.

It is so much to take in. I have more family than I knew. Family is important. Family is amazing. Actually, the internet is amazing. She found us because of a post my mother wrote. I cannot get over that. I love it.

BOO YA

Today marks day one of week TWO of phase one. The last week, the week that I am sure is going to test me. But week one was a full on success. I know I posted about it last night, but you never know what could happen before going to bed. Luckily I enjoyed my "no sugar added" skinny cow, and had a good nights sleep.

So good that I got up and walked this morning. Before 7:00 and in the dark and cold. And while it was only 20 minutes due to time, it felt good. I hope to be able to do it again tomorrow.

I listened to the radio as I walked and they said that today is the most depressing day of 2007. "THE MOST DEPRESSING DAY OF THE YEAR - According to studies, today is the most depressing day of the whole year. People are most likely to get the blues today because the weather is bad, you freak over your Christmas debt, and you've broken your New Years Resolutions. " Of course, I heard this while I was walking, and we used cash for all our Christmas purchases. For some, I can see how today could be depressing. But I am just happy that it isn't me. In fact I laughed out loud when they said it. Life is good!

Tonight is gymnastics and since it is Sweetie's turn, I am going to treat myself to hair dye and a manicure. I cannot wait until phase two when I can have a glass of red wine with my pampering.

Other than that we are boring and I cannot think of the witty things that have run through my mind all day that would make an excellent blog. I totally need to stop and write it down as it hits me.

I am feeling great again. Woo Hoo. And I need to fucus on how I feel. My thyroid will still fight me for my weight loss - well the meds will. So every single oz is positive. By the way, I updated my sidebar, new BMI listed. I am getting closer. My first goal is to be below 30. That is only 9 pounds away. I can do this.

time to blog

As I write this Sweetie is in the kitchen swaying with Bug in his arms and singing a little song to get her to sleep. There is nothing sexier than a father.

I feel that I have not truly blogged in some time. Between ice, work, getting back on schedule, and life in general - I have found the time just slip by. This was a great weekend. Today is day 7 on South Beach Phase One. The last time I tried phase one, I caved on day 5. Today at day 7 - I am going strong. Official weigh in to come tomorrow. For the first time in over 10 months, I feel in control. While I am still fighting some cravings, I have been successful when Sweetie and Bug have eaten non-phase one foods around me. I am simply not as hungry as I used to be. And we are eating great food. I feel more control with everything in my life. I am happy at work, happy at home, and finally am taking actual control of my health.

Yesterday, Sweetie needed some alone time to work on some freelance. After a three hour nap, Bug and I headed out. We went to B&N first. OK so I know my daughter is small. I know she is tiny. But she has good cheeks, is not skin and bones, and if you watch her play you can tell she is healthy healthy healthy. I am so sick of people saying "wow she is small". Some people say petite. This woman at B&N sees Bug and you would think she saw something horrible. She says "she is so small!" I smile at Bug and say "yes, she is". Then she says "No, I mean she is really tiny. She is small right?". I say "yes, she is in the 3rd percentile, but very healthy" I continue to watch bug who is picking out a book and stuffie and climbing into a chair - without any aid. The lady then makes a comment about her son being in the 77th percentile. This is not a contest. The higher the number does not mean the healthier or better. And asking me if she really is small - did she think I was in denial? I get comments about her size all the time. This was the first time that someone was like this about it. GRRRRR. In spite of this Bug and I had fun and she got three books out of the deal.

We then went to the mall. We walked it 1.5 times. Now it is not a big mall - but that was a ton of walking for a Bug. She even made me do some interval training. Then we hit Target - of course. This is where it gets interesting. On SB you can have sugar free pudding. My HEB has the chocolate and swirl. Target had so many flavors, I got several but the best was mint chocolate sundae. I am set for several weeks now. I know it is the little things in life. Bug and I had the best time and Sweetie was very productive. The best part? Not a single melt down.

Today was the store and I am prepared for the second half of phase one. Bring it on.

Nine weeks until the 10k. I gotta get to my training.

Photos of Austin's Blizzard

This was our adventure. Back to work tomorrow - YAY!









AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIL#1!!!!

Day Two Check In

Today was a fun and relaxed day. Even though I didn't have to work, I found myself logged in and working. I am the best employee. This is just a quick post to say that I completed day 2 of phase one - and quite successfully. I am feeling good. I am feeling the normal withdrawal but I have not felt as hungry as normal. And dinner tonight - oh my. Sweetie and I LOVE to cook together. So we made pork loin with a warm spinach salad with mushrooms and walnuts. This was so so so very good. We love this kind of dinner. And I am honest when I say that we did not miss the bread. I posted on the side my BMI - this is to keep me motivated.

Walking.... walking.... uhm nope not yet. The city has been mostly shut down for two days - and it looks like it might be again tomorrow. I am not stupid enough to go out where I could slip and hurt myself. So, I am trying to not beat myself up about it. It looks like I might be able to walk on Thursday if not Friday.

Pictures? Not yet - I am headed to bed - eyes sore from reviewing 2055 records twice - and I want to sleep. No time for uploading pictures. But they will come. I promise.
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1/17/06 7:56 Just as I typed the above, our power went out. It stayed out for two hours. Then for an hour - it would come back on, go off, come back on - some times for only seconds. UGH - that is NOT a fun way to sleep.

Now I wait to find out when I need to go in to work today. It is still very iced and the schools are closed.

Snow

It is snowing! Yep, in Texas. I worked one hour yesterday before coming home - no one was there. I packed up some work to do from home and got my Bug. The weather didn't get as bad as they were afraid - which is good. But some ice causes problems here as we are not used to it.

Today, my work is closed. Yay. That means that any work I do from home will be to get ahead and not to make sure that I do not have to use PTO. Sweetie is home too. We are going to have a fun day. Watching movies and playing are on order. Right now we are watching Signing Times - this is an awesome show.

One good thing about the weather - well there are a lot of good things - but is that I started phase one of South Beach yesterday. It is hard to be bad when you don't have bad food in the house and can't go out to get it. I made Missy Mess phase one style last night along with cauliflower. We will have the leftovers for lunch today. YAY!

More in depth post to come along with photos of snow. Right now I must entertain Sweetie and Bug.

meme from Deb

A Questionnaire from Debutaunt

1.) Where were you when the ball dropped for 2007? At home in my Sweetie's arms while holding Bug.
2.) How did you get the idea for your myspace name? I don't use my myspace page - too much to keep up with. BUT I got the name for this one as I am Missy and I write about my world.
3) What are you listening to right now? The Simpsons and Sweetie playing with Bug.
4.) Has the death of a celebrity ever made you cry? Yes. Phil Hartman and John Ritter to name two. Many more that I can't think of.
5.) What color underwear are you wearing? Blue
6.) Do you live in a zoo? Hmmmm good question. We do have many cats.
7.) What did you do this morning? This morning? Hmmm ate Sweetie's waffles, answered emails, and played with Bug.
8.) What does your mom do for a living? Office Manager and the best Mom ever.
9.) Where do you work? A small company that does seemingly boring work, but I like it.
10.) What are your favourite smells? I like vanilla, coconut, pumpkin, lavender, and many others.
11) What are the last two digits of your phone number? 11
12.) What was the last concert you attended? Blue Man Group
13.) Who was with you? Sweetie
14.) What was the last movie you watched? Steel Magnolias
15.) What do you dislike at the moment? crappy drivers and crappy people
16.) What food do you crave right now? Just finished taco bell and will eat some ice cream soon - start south beach tomorrow.
17.) Did you dream last night? don't know about last night, but today's nap consisted of moving to an apartment where we signed a 2 year lease (it was very dim and pink) and about newly found relatives - post on this brewing.
18.) What was the last TV show you watched? Simpsons
19.) What is your favorite piece of jewelry? Favorite, that is hard. I think my ultimate favorite are my pearl ear rings that Sweetie gave me on my 26th b-day. I wear them daily.
20.) Name someone on your Top 8 who is just like you? What is a top 8? But the answer is no one, I am a unique.
21.) No number 21? Fine, then I won't answer.
22.) Who is your best friend of the opposite sex? Sweetie - by far. He is the greatest friend.
23.) Who last IMed you? MIL
24.) Are you on any medication? Yep, my anti-thyroid and birth control.
25.) What side of the bed do you sleep on? I sleep on the right side of the bed, next to the alarm. Sweetie sleeps on the left by the phone.
26.) What color shirt are you wearing? dark blue
27) What color is your razor? blue
28.) What is your favorite frozen treat? ice cream. the kind depends on my mood.
29.) How many tattoos/piercing do you have? I currently have 3 holes in my left year and 2 in my right - though I just wear one in each. And I have three tattoos.
30.) What are your favorite stores? target, kohls, james avery....
31.) Are you thirsty right now? currently drinking a diet coke, so no.
32.) Can you imagine yourself ever getting married? I cannot imagine my life not married to Sweetie.
33.) Who's someone you haven't seen in a while and miss? BestFriend, HowieMaui, DarkDiva, and MotoDiva
34.) What did you do last night? Date night *grin* Dinner at Olive Garden and games at Main Event.
35.) Do you care what people think about you? I truly try not to. And I think for the most part I am good about it. But sometimes I care when I shouldn't.
36.) Have you ever done something to instigate trouble? Who me?
37) Do you like your nose? I do. It is cute.
38) What color is your room? Sweetie calls it a tan salmon
39.) When was the last time you worked out? hmmmmm ask me tomorrow.
41.) Do you like pedicures? Never had a professional one, but it when I give one to myself.
42.) Where do you live? Austin Texas.
43.) Are you an aggressive driver? I try to be a defensive driver.
44.) Who is your cell phone carrier? Cingular
45.) Do you like the person who posted this last? Deb is my favorite cancer-ass-kicker!
46.) Do you know their Birthday? Yes I do. July 22.
47.) What is the thing you'd want to change most about yourself? My weight.
48.) What color is your car? Green
49.) What do you smell like right now? Taco Bell.
50.) What is your favorite color? Yellow, blue, and others based on mood.
51.) Do you like mustard? I do. Not as much as Sweetie - he loves him some mustard, almost as much as he loves black pepper.
52.) What do you tell yourself when times get hard? Things happen for a reason and I am a strong woman.
53.) Would you ever sky dive? I will never say never - but the outlook is no
54.) What do you sleep on? hopefully tonight will be hot pink jersey knit sheets
55.) What happened to 55? I will make up my own question. What color are your toe nails currently? Red
56.) Have you ever bid for something on ebay? yes, but I don't remember what - it was many many years ago
57.) What do you think of Angelina Jolie being pregnant? Who cares?
58.) Do you enjoy giving hugs? I love hugs.
59.) Would you consider yourself to be fashionable? Not at all. I try to look cute though.
60.) Do you own a digital camera? two - one that is also a camcorder
61.) What celebrities have you been compared to? most recently - Christina Ricci - but I don't see that at all.
62.) And no 62? Man this COULD drive and accountant nuts.
63.) What does your 19th text message say? I do not text.
64.) How about your 30th? I do not text. But my last one received says - "I got to 2nd gear!"
65.) Who did you hang out with last night? Sweetie
66.) What are you doing this Saturday? b-day that Bug for a friend of Bug and not sure what else.

BRRRRRR

Currently it is 37 degrees outside. As of 1pm we already have received 3" of rain. Forecast for tonight and tomorrow - more rain and cold with ice on Monday. If you don't know, ice means Austin shuts down. Luckily, I can work from home if needed.

Today Mom and I hit the store in order to avoid the colder temps tomorrow. Apparently the whole city felt the same way. It was way busy. But we bought our needed items to start the SouthBeach Winter Challenge on Monday. Yep, it all starts on Monday. Walking and eating right. I have 10 weeks to prepare for the 10k. So I start walking on Monday morning. Oh wait, I wrote that we are expecting ice on Monday morning, oh yes we are. Of course we are. I am supposed to walk anywhere from 32-45 minutes and it will be icy. What a way to start my new lifestyle.

But I am still excited. I know this is a good thing. I planned meals last night, and some good ones at that. Sweetie is excited too. He loves it when we cook together. Mostly I am interested to see how this helps my Graves'. I will keep everyone posted - keep the groans to yourself.

Since the store, the house has been nice and quiet. Bug is taking a nap - going on 3.5 hours. The house is quiet, the heater is running. Sweetie and I are doing some reading and chatting. It is one of those afternoons that feels so very nice. It is yucky outside and we are, thankfully, inside and warm and happy.

Sweetie has been in the absolute best mood this week. I love it when he is like this. I love it when he is excited about projects and hobbies. When he is really excited he can talk and talk and talk. If you know him, you know what I am talking about. When he is passionate about something, it is hard to get a word in. But it is good. Not everyone sees him like this. I love that he calls me at work to tell me updates or forwards emails that he receives. I love that he shows me websites and tell me about his plans/dreams/hopes with his endeavours.

Bug woke up - must get her some food.

Happy Times

Whenever we go to Target I have to look around the bedding area. You see I Loves me some jersey knit sheets. And I have a king size mattress. The day I interviewed with the non-profit I went to Target to celebrate. I found king-size jersey knit sheets. The price said 19.99. I was SHOCKED. King size sheets at that price. I buy them. At the register they come up 17.00. Right on!.

So every time we go I look for a repeat of this perfect find. Not only do I not find the same price, but no king size jersey knit sheets to be found.

Last night we went to target for some one's b-day (SIL#1). We were leaving the toy isle and what do I see? Actually Sweetie pointed them out to me. Hot pink jersey knit sheets. And they were king size. WOO HOO. I look at the price. Really it didn't matter because I wanted the sheets. They said 19.99. Right on. GREAT price for king size sheets. I look again on the sale tag and it said, currently on sale for 14.99. WTF?!? Sweetie took it to a price check stand because he didn't believe me that they were that cheap. Sure enough they were. I got my pink sheets. We go a little further and we see Black ones. Sweetie drools. I tell him that at $15, we should get both colors. Between cats and a kid we need to change our sheets often. We go a little further still and see blue ones. Seriously did they FINALLY get it that people with big beds still like the cool feel of the jersey knit. We did not purchase the blue ones. But with the pink and black, I made out. We are so very set for sheets now. Woo hoo.

And while Bug and I butted heads before we left (coloring on walls and being mean to a kitty), she was great at the store. She walked like a big kid, next to me with her arms crossed. And she played with some of the toys but when we asked her to move on, she was so good about it. That totally made of for the night before.

The night before she wanted nothing to do with me, only wanted her daddy. If I touched her she cried like I was killing her. If he touched her she was quiet and happy. Yesterday morning I was lying in bed, she was in the middle. We were waking up and talking. I told her "last night you made me sad". Without me saying anything else or gesturing, she scooted over to me and snuggled me. She understands. I tell you, being a mom to a toddler can try your last nerve. Like I tell everyone, good thing she is cute, it keeps her alive. I say that, but she really isn't that bad. She is a great kid, she is just going through the normal struggles for her age. The worst part are her fits. She screams, goes limp, goes stiff, throws things, hits, etc etc etc. She just gets so frustrated. But I know, this too shall pass. Mom says that I survived this stage and so will Bug.

I just had the fun of taking Bug to the Dr. She had a bad cough this morning. They are talking ice for Monday and I didn't want to wait and be iced in and have her be real sick. Good news, it is just allergies. And no prescription, just an over the counter. Woo Hoo.

Tomorrow during the day Bug and I get a girl's day - Sweetie has to finish some freelance. Then the night is going to be an actual date night. I am so looking forward to it.

Quick check in

Today is a good day. I am working hard and getting a lot done. Yay.

The downside is no time to blog.

I am here. I am doing good. I will try to post something witty at home tonight. Maybe something fun will happen at Target. Somehow it seems we always end up at Target on Thursdays.

I know I will be getting a Starbucks there.

Nail Update

Quick update. Oh my that feels good. My nails. I wrote that Sweetie told me to get a manicure in honor of my no longer biting my nails. However, that is harder to schedule than it sounds. I hit the end today. My nails were so long that I had to do something. They were bending - now that is better than breaking, but still. So I trimmed them down by quite a bit - don't worry I can still see them when I look at my palm. I must say that by trimming them that I already feel better. Typing is better too. My nails were so long that trimming them doesn't feel strange. Hope that makes sense. You know that feeling you have when you take off your fake nails and can no longer do anything. Yay me.

Evolved

I have evolved. Let me explain. I have worn glasses for years. Not forever, but for some time. I got contacts somewhere around 2000. I wore them throughout my pregnancy. I even wore my glasses when I went back to work. Then I stopped. I no longer needed them. I figured that Bug fixed me with the pregnancy. After diagnosis with Graves', I realized that is what it was. Well, I have noticed a bit of haziness - not really blurry but not crisp - with my vision. So I was good and went to the eye dr. We have great eye insurance.

The results?

I have evolved. I have perfect vision. I don't remember the last time a dr told me that. Woo Hoo. The hazy thing? It comes with being an accountant and staring at Excel. My eyes are tired. I am to use eye drops once to twice a day - also good with my Graves'. And I got some reading glasses. They are supposed to relieve my eyes while working. Like a nice down comforter. The catch? My prescription, since I don't have vision problems to speak of, is too low to get the cheap ones from CVS. So I had to order some cute work glasses. I went dramatic. I cannot wait until they come in. They should help my headaches too. But, of course, while our insurance is good - the place is not a "ready in one hour" shop. It might take two weeks to get my CK black with pink interior reading glasses. Even the Dr was quite impressed at how my eyes improved.

So I guess I have had some good come from my disease.

Hey it is national delurking week. Yep, once again.
Come out, come out wherever you are.

Feeling Great

Seriously, I don't know what is going on. I am feeling great. Mentally, physically, emotionally, all around wonderful. I feel cute and pretty today - I even put on makeup for work. I feel like I have so much more control over 2007. I feel like so many things are possible with my health, that I can lose the weight, that I can eat healthy, and that I can get my thyroid to function correctly.

Tonight is gymnastics. This should be interesting. We are alternating who takes her as an experiment to see who she does the best with. It seems she gets distracted when we both are there. Tonight is my turn. I have my fingers crossed that she will be in a good mood.

I am so psyched about next week. I know it is going to be hard during the first two weeks, but we can do it. I have 6 months until SIL#2's wedding. So far, I have been great with my water and have not eaten at my desk. This might be harder than I thought. I didn't realize how hard it is for me to break away for a snack. But I know that next week I will truly need my snacks.

During lunch, pizza buffet - what else do you eat during the last week before starting a restricted plan, Sweetie and I decided that we are going to work on our computer room this weekend. This is the next room in my house that badly needs organization. We are very excited. I know we are boring and old. We love projects and doing things together. And Ikea has us all motivated.

And Sweetie lost a bet so he is cooking me dinner, I love it.

I am simply so happy with my life right now.

Weekend Update

This is my Bug. Please notice the arms inside the overalls and the mismatched shoes. She is becoming a shoe girl. She demanded Sweetie put these shoes on her.

We have had the best weekend. Friday was family night. Saturday was just the three of us and a great great day. Seriously a great day. Bug - who has been having fun practicing for her terrible twos - went without a melt down all day. We ate crepes and croissants at LaMadeline for breakfast. Then Sweetie and Bug ran around ALL OVER the mall. Seriously, those two were non stop. Her laughter could be heard throughout the building. They wore themselves out so much that we had a great family three-hour nap.

Then after a quick dinner we found ourselves at Ikea. Yep, we had never been. It was really cool. There is nothing I love more than dreaming and making plans for the future. We were big spenders and walked out the door with our bank only $1.06 less. But we found a coffee table for about $500 less than I thought we were going to spend. We also found flooring, bookcases, and other furniture to make over our computer room. The tricky part there is that we need to buy a desk that works in the computer room but could also move to our bedroom in the event that baby #2 comes while we are still in this house. Now I must add that we are NOT trying. We still have a year on my "no-baby" meds. But I don't want to buy furniture only to buy more in a year and a half. After Ikea, we came home ate chocolate cake and watched Steel Magnolias. This is one of my all time favorite movies and MIL gave it to me for Christmas.

Yesterday was so good that we were afraid that Bug used up a week's worth of good in one day. We anticipated many melt-downs today during our weekly errands. That was not the case. We did have a semi meltdown during lunch, but nothing bad. Now we are preparing for the week. My goals for this week: 1) continuing my water 2) not eating at my desk 3) walking 4) rereading my SouthBeach book to prepare for the winter challenge and 5) starting the flylady babysteps.

me

Today is Friday. Friday is casual day. Friday is also breakfast provided day. I wore my new slippers to work. They are tan suede and have real soles - so they look like real shoes. No one has noticed, but I feel like a rebel.

Sweetie and I have decided that we are going to do the South Beach Winter Challenge. It begins on 1/15 and runs for 12 weeks, it ends on Easter. So in a way, it is an extra long lent. Now keep in mind Sweetie has all of like 5 pounds to lose. He wants to eat healthy though and continue his exercising to firm up. His main reason for doing it with me is to support me.

I am excited about it. In a way I wish it started on Monday - but I need more time to prepare. I need to clean out the pantry, plan meals, and sign up. But I must remember that while the diet does not start yet, that doesn't mean that I have to eat horribly. I weighed and measured on 1/1. I would hate to have to revise these numbers because I went all out before I start.

One of the big things that I have read is to alter your routine if your routine makes you eat. At this job I have been eating a lot at my desk. Snacking a lot. I am putting a stop to this. Not the snacking in general, but the mindless snacking. While I will store snacks in my cube, starting Monday things are going to change. No more food consumption while I am at my desk. This means that I need to grab a snack and go to the break room or outside. This goes for lunch as well. I am famous for working through lunch. No longer. I think this is going to be a big change for me. Should help my stress level too. Yay.

Things are changing and it makes me smile.

The things to motivate me to lose weight are growing. Blog Blowout is set for April 21. I cannot wait.

I have decided to motivate myself that once I start the challenge that I will post my weight, or at least my BMI. I need accountability.

Funny story, on Tuesday we were at MILs. Sweetie was helping her install a new mail box. Bug and I were sitting in her front yard. I was asking the normal questions to an 18 month old. "What does a kitty say?" She replies "meow". We go through dog and cow. Then I say, "What does daddy say?" She replied with her lips poking out "Nooooooooo". HAHAHAHAHA that cracked me up.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

what to say

I feel random today. Work is going well. They are piling more on my plate. I can take it. Plus they gave me access from home. Any computer with an Internet and I am set.

Other than allergies, Austin has such wonderful allergies, I am feeling good. This is the first week that I am feeling really good. And I mean good because of my sinus infection leaving me, of course. But more than that, I am feeling good mentally. I am feeling good physically. My nails are so crazy long that Sweetie said I can get a manicure. A professional one. I have never had one with my real nails, always got the fake ones. So that will be nice. I think I will also do a pedicure. Anyone want to come with me?

But I also realized that I don't remember my last cramp. For those of you who are new or don't remember, I was having mind numbing-tear causing-wanting to pee because of the pain cramps. And all over my body. Well, no longer. Makes me think that there might be something to what my Dr said and it being about the ratio of my thyroid chemicals and not my meds. I also feel clearer with my head. And I desperately need my eyes checked. I have never had real bad vision. But I wore contacts and glasses before and through my pregnancy. Around the time the Graves' hit, I no longer needed them. The Graves corrected my vision. Now it is back to normal - I see it as a good sign.

I feel like I am ready to attack this weight gain. I feel like it is now at a point where I can start to deal with it since I am feeling good in other ways. And other than some bags under my eyes, I think I am looking healthier. I have got to go to sleep earlier. But I am sleeping. And I don't feel as tired as I did not long ago. I feel tired because I was up too late with Sweetie. Now I just need to add my walking back in - and it has been cold and rainy here. Well, cold and rainy for Austin.

As far as the FlyLady, we have not officially started it. I did jump the gun and start on my control journal in the sense that I started my weekly plan. FlyLady is all about baby steps. But I have to feel like I have some control over the big picture before I can do the baby steps. So I created version one of my weekly plan, I am sure I will revise it as I live it. But honestly I think it looks very doable. I am excited by the thought of an organized house. We know we are going to be in this house for a few more years, want to pay off debt before moving. There are things we want to do, more shelving and floors, and I put this on my flylady list as well. I can start to accomplish it if I have it on a list, although it does not mean that it will happen.

New Years Eve was perfect for us. It was laid back. During the day we got a call from our Elgin friends. We had not seen them since the pool party in 2005. Surprise, they have a new baby. Wow! We invited them over and got to re-meet their oldest son and meet their new born boy. So the night was laid back with people holding the 1 month old and Serif playing with the now 4 year old. We met the husband through Mark - Sweetie's cousin. We do not see them nearly enough. Hopefully that is going to change with this new year.

There is another friend of Sweetie's cousin that is our friend. We have been talking about him a lot lately - Rob - another good guy. Well, as we were getting into bed last night Bug hit the answering machine and lo and behold we hear a message from Rob wishing us Happy Nine Years. So Sweet. We have not seen him since Sept 05 - he lives in Houston and came to our house when they evacuated. We hope to see him soon, by him coming here or us going there.

Just a small world to hear from two friends that we have not seen and that started out as friends with a go-between within a week. That go-between now lives in Idaho and we worried that without the go-between, mostly about Rob, that we wouldn't see him for a very long time. It makes me feel loved that they called us on their own.

Oh and our friends in Colorado - the friends from college where the husband had the flesh eating virus and lost an arm and we went and visited them in July 2001 - we thought we lost them as our invite to Bug's party came back undeliverable. Well, they sent a Christmas card. Ta da - new address. YAY. Must keep in better contact with friends that live far away. Not a resolution - just a fact.

OK I think I have rambled enough. Almost time to go and get my Bug, and hug her and kiss her and love her.

my kind of celebration

Today has been the best kind of anniversary for us. We had lunch at Whataburger, of course. Tonight was laid back as well. We made a trek to Target. We needed diapers and new socks for Bug. We had fun and Bug used her gift card from her great-grandpa. She now has three new babies. We enjoyed our favorite Chinese, Nanking of course. And now we are getting ready for bed. Before falling asleep we will enjoy some Godiva chocolate and Sweetie will read to me. I love celebrations like this. So comfortable and relaxed. This weekend is the big celebration, though we do not know exactly the plans.

Bug received Philadelphia Chickens from Santa. I LOVE this CD. Being the good mom that I am, I have been listening to it in the car, with and without Bug, so I can learn the songs. Our favorite is the Belly Button (Round). It really is great. BestFriend introduced me to Sandra Boynton. She is one of my all time favorites now.

To the man I love

Nine years ago today we stood in front of family and friends and became one. It was a rainy and cold day, perfect for us. While I got ready, you sent over a letter to my room. This was so very romantic. As I crossed the second floor walkway overlooking where you stood waiting for me, I had no idea this would become one of your favorite memories. I walked on my Grandfather's arm towards you. You were all I could see. Even with Mark forgetting my ring in the car and running upstairs, downstairs, and outside to get it while the ceremony continued, I never noticed. It was not until later did I learn of how people were taking their rings off to send up to us. All that mattered was your hand in mine. Even when the DJ didn't show and the limo was late, nothing could have made the day better. We became One.

Terry, you are my love. You are my soulmate and best friend. During the past nine years we have experienced the lowest of lows and the highest of highs. No matter what happens, you are the one I want by my side. You are the one who knows me better than anyone else. Your arms are the ones I want holding me at night. I can say without a doubt that my love for you is unconditional. Life has tested us and we always come out stronger. I love how you make me laugh. I love how romantic you are. I love how silly you are. I love that you read to me, the cards you make me, our walks together, our traditions, our history, and our future. I love how you take care of me. I love that you are such a wonderful father. I love the life we have created.

I love you, I adore you, I need you.

May our 10th year be our best yet. Neutral is not an option.