A Few Little Goodies

Motivate

Do it.

Get up and make it happen.

No excuses,

no waiting.

Now.

Dig deep,

find your strength

and breath.

You got this.

You CAN do this.

You WILL do this.

Start to finish.

No shortcuts,

no cheating,

no doubts,

only 100% commitment,

loyalty

and dedication.

Because more than anything,

you need to prove it to yourself that you can do it.

With great sacrifice comes great reward.

Do it.

Happening in our lives lately...

Many trips to the Vet. Chipper had scratched his eye playing in the wheat fields of Idaho (just when I take a moment to quit being a control freak and let the kids run and have some fun in the country) so it was a week of eye drops for that,all healed. Then his on and off ear issues required another round of ear meds for a few weeks,so far so good on week one,recheck in two weeks. While we were there we also had his yearly boosters and wellness exam done. Chipper needs to lose 1 1/2 pounds and he needs his teeth cleaned and one pulled,poor guy! As for Maxine,she also needs her teeth cleaned but not as badly,we caught hers before it got bad. She also got her yearly boosters and check up and these days she is weighing in at 5.7 pounds,just perfect! The part I dread... Maxine goes in for her spay on Monday. *dramatic sigh with frown*. I ask you all say a little prayer for us on Monday as our baby girl goes in for surgery. I have been reassured she will be well monitored and given the best care....and I know millions of dogs have this done everyday but..but...As a Mother,I worry just the same,this is my baby.

EBay. How much fun is that?! Wow,watched Vern bid on a few parts for our antique cream separator last week. Until then I never really understood exactly how EBay works. The first auction we bid on was heart wrenching as the item was bid out from under neath us at the last second = TOTAL BUMMER and me not too crazy about the "unfairness" of it all. "I really wanted that sign! Not fair! That guy was mean! He can't do that!? EBay sucks..."So a few days later we bid on a different item and returned the favor,sweeping in to grab it for cheap at the last minute=VICTORY and me anxious to hunt down all sort of great stuff for low prices!

As for my new healthy eating plan I lost 7 pounds and 11 inches the first 4 days! Yay! I was told the first 4 days were the worst and thankfully it was true. Day 5,6 and 7 have been a breeze (for the most part)! The evening headaches are finally gone, the cravings are minimal and the numerous ounces of water are getting easier and easier to drink. Today I forced myself to get off my butt and walk and as always,I was so glad I did. So glad in fact, that with Vern's encouragement, we took another walk this evening! Two "work outs" in ONE day...who am I???!! ha ha (And yes I am taking weekly  "before" photos that I will post someday with all my fabulous "after" photos)

And a little funny in my world I thought I'd share...I think I am the only person I know that would purchase "50 Shades Of Grey" and my monthly birth control refill in the same transaction in my small town pharmacy. LOL! Didn't even phase me until I walked out and then had a good laugh.
Disclaimer: I don't usually read smutty books,heck I don't usually read books period. BUT,I cannot deny my curiosity of the popularity of this book. It just seems like everyone is talking about it...and I want to know what all the fuss is about. I will let you know what I think of it...if I ever start or finish it.

Change

Just checking in...I am currently surviving one of those life moments where everything feels like it is coming at me all at once.The healthy changes continue yet leave my brain at a loss of anything readable by the end of the day. Change is hard. Attitude really is everything.
For the last few weeks I have been cutting a few of my bad habits and attempting to eat healthier. Now I am on day 2 of a whole body cleansing and nourishing plan and so far so good. 2 days of ZERO coffee and soda and I am still alive! I have really had to dig my big girl panties out for this one! (Thank GOD I still have them!) But I KNOW that I can do ANYTHING I set my mind to and I want to be healthy! Let me rephrase that..I AM GOING TO GET HEALTHY! Forever...
I am doing my best to stay focused and my anxiety is completely rattled by so many changes. I am happy to say I am working through it and the lack of coffee has really eliminated my highs and lows throughout the day. I am so thankful to finally have a simple way to get healthy and rid my body of all the toxins I have ingested for 34 years. The other bonus of course is weight loss,I am pretty excited about that too :) So be patient with me if I don't blog much,my little brain is full!

I Love You Because...

You check the washer and throw the load of laundry I forgot about (again) in the dryer.

You will eat half cooked Hamburger Helper with me in an attempt to have dinner together,even though I have to jump up half way through it and run back to work.

You will let me wear your fuzzy new sweatshirt I bought you before you do.

Sometimes you ask me what I am doing and question it,not because you doubt my intelligence but because you have learned that I am prone to getting in over my own head on a project,holiday,camping trip etc. and you help keep me level headed.

The above being said..once the plan is made you jump right in and always support me 100% while always helping any way you can.

You can't walk by me without touching me.

I know it would make your day to see just one hummingbird in the yard.

You call the town where I grew up Home too.

Of the amazing things we create when we put our heads together. Smoked (by Vern) Ricotta + My Mom's Lasagna Recipe (made by me with a little Alfredo twist)=The BEST Lasagna I have ever eaten!

You spend over an hour trying to fish out the air freshener that I accidentally dropped in the vents on the dash of the truck. Never once complaining at me or letting me feel bad and instead insisting it was no big deal as you successfully fished it out and shared a good laugh at how great the truck smells.

I still melt every time I look into those big blue eyes of yours.

You love me for me. Trust me,I know it isn't always easy and I know without doubt you are the most patient man I know but thank you,a million times over for loving me,all of me,with all of your heart <3



The Hungry Silence Explained

I may not be blogging much,I have survived the first 3 days of "healthy lifestyle changes" and it's not easy....I don't like the word "diet". Diet to me is temporary,what I need to do has to be permanent for it to be worth it. But no matter what you call it I am uncomfortably overweight and finally ready to change....for good. I know what I need to do although, I enjoy learning more all the time,the Internet is full of healthy people,who knew?lol  

So for now I am giving up my daily triple shot,white chocolate breve and trying to convince myself that a cup of drip and a little breakfast is better. I have also limited my soda to one a day and have been drinking the recommended dose of water. I am walking,so far 2.8 miles once a week but that needs to be multiplied 3-4 times for me to be successful.(On the bright side... I have used the opportunity to also spend time with friends and establish some new healthy friendships!) My body is still convinced it needs more calories and it begs for them all day long. I now know what fat sounds like when it cries,it doesn't want to go..I have no sympathy! 

Plus I am tired,holy cow am I tired...I finally gave in and had a nap today. The 2.8 mile walk and 80 degree weather kicked my butt! And after 3 days of all this..the scale hasn't moved. I know it is silly to be even the least bit disappointed after only a few days but seeing some progress would be very encouraging right about now when I am being tested and tempted and...strong in so many ways I am personally so proud of. So I will keep trying,changing,and feeling better. This is the worst,the first few days of kicking a few bad habits and making changes. I know the results will come,I just got to keep trying.

Universal Windows

Vern and I sat on the back porch this morning,finally deciding how to spend our afternoon. Garage sailing yesss! On a side note,last weekend I we went also and I had in my mind a few specific things I wanted. Crafty splurge kinda things. Coincidentally I found everything I wanted and more for super cheap! Yesss! Vern was jealous ;) So today I figured it wouldn't hurt to send out my requests before we started shopping. I looked up to the sky and said "I really need a few more old windows to make a little greenhouse in our garden...please?" Vern and I smirked at each other and went about our day.

 It was a sunny Sunday afternoon but garage sales were surprisingly hard to come by. On our final loop through town we were close to giving up when we saw a bright yellow garage sale sign. Being that is one of only a few we had seen all day we decided to give it a try. Well kept culdesac,cute log A-frame house and a sale full of stuff where nothing was marked...? Huh? Frustrating. The lady running the sale was literally running her butt off trying to keep up with customers asking her questions. I was happy with a prize I found quickly,an old galvanized watering can with the spout broken off for 50 cents. I nearly called it a day when something told me to look a bit more........ and there they were...3 windows,same size,no cracks.metal framed (unlike the old shabby chic ones I already have) and PERFECT for what we need! Sweet! In an attempt to score a good deal I asked her what she'd take for all 3 of them. Much to my surprise I scored better than I had ever thought,her husband said I could have them for FREE!! YAY!! (Yes I know 3 doesn't sound like enough but it is!) Vern approved because they were going to make this project easier for him (the actual greenhouse builder) too. Win win,that's the way I like it!( Fast forward a few hours later and our new greenhouse is the new home to 4 pepper plants all snuggled in it's warm protection. *happy sigh*)

  On our way home I was reminded that my request had been fulfilled. 3 better windows than I asked for and for FREE! I am so thankful! We had a chuckle at the thought of my answered request,even if it was just for some old windows,it was granted. As I have been known to say "The Universe can't give you what you want if you don't ask." Just don't bother asking for winning lottery tickets,I've tried that and it doesn't quite work the same ;)