Christmas Eve Eve Eve

That's what my kids are calling tonight anyway... Creative aren't they?  My shopping list was completed weeks ago, however I manage to find myself in the stores snatching up bargains to use for occasions down the road.   Andrew's birthday is only 3 weeks after Christmas, so I have taken advantage of Christmas sales and am now mostly done shopping for him.

I've even managed to stick some things back for the girls.  Target had a great sale on Barbie movies and my girls love them...I am not going to pay 9, or 12, or 19 for them, but 3.99 and 2.99 - heck yeah.

Tonight is the last night hubby will have to work for a bit, so we are going to hit the county light display and spend the night in a hotel with indoor pool so the kids can swim and we can stay up watching Christmas movies.

We aren't sure what plans we will have for Christmas Eve, but I am sure it will involve cleaning and wrapping and baking yummies in the oven.

It's Christmas time in the City....

It's our first Christmas in a new town.  Its the first year we have not visited Mike's Farm Since 2004.  I have to admit I am a little sad.  Not quite sad enough to take the drive up to do it (maybe next year), but sad still the same.  The new neighborhood is decked out with lights.  There are a lot more houses here covered in lights than in our old hood.  Enough that when we return to the home and it is dark, we (me and the kids) usually drive around a block or two to look at the lights.  There are 2 "drives of lights" that we are planning on doing later this month.  Of course we are waiting till probably the busiest nights, but that is the only night we are free.

The house is only half decorated...well to the normal untrained eye you would think it is in fact really decorated, but I have boxes and boxes of Christmas decorations in the garage that we didn't even begin to go through.  In fact my garage right now is pretty full of boxes.

I think through all this I am just a little sad.  I can't put a finger on it, but I feel really melancholy.  There are so many things we usually do, but with Mike's schedule some things haven't been done because I am not supermom all the time.   I am trying to make up for some things.  The kids are off all week, so I have several fun things planned.  One day we are going to make cinnamon ornaments.  Another we are going to decorate our gingerbread houses, another we are going to bake cookies.  and I think one night we are going to stay in a hotel, watch Christmas movies and swim in a heated pool...

I am already looking forward to next year.  I intent on blogging more and losing more weight.  (Yeah I know  - said it before...but If I don't at least try I will never succeed...right?

Funny things that kids say...

Iz:  Mom why did you get me these pajamas....they have a ZIPPER...I mean come on...I live the letter "Z" but I don't love zippers....


For those who have never met Iz...she is quite an interesting child.  Full on DRAMA 100% of the time.  She spends most of her day here at the house dancing around the room singing crosses between made up songs and real songs.  When we are walking places she skips rather than walks and she currently is obsessed with being a girl DJ that wears dresses with pants under them (whatever that means).  I am not even sure she know what being a DJ really is - she just likes they way they dress.

A whole new world....

So over 2 months ago I last posted that we were moving.  Just in case you are a regular reader and are dying to know what happened....we moved.  It was HELL.  the end.

Well not exactly the end.  Living here has been an adjustment.  Things have had their ups and downs

For Example:
Andrew and Isabel are doing great in school.
Eve is finally sleeping through the night again.
We have a steady income coming in.
We are mostly unpacked.

and the downs...
We haven't even begun to unpack the garage.
Mike got a ticket the other day when he was on the way back with the last of our stuff.
I have gained 5lbs in the last week.
There are too many places to explore and shop.

So that's it in a nutshell...I do promise to blog more - so stay tuned....

It's getting closer.

Finally - we got the call from our moving coordinator about scheduling our move.  She is trying to get us moved the 18th-19th of Aug.  But if not then then the next week for sure.  Wow - that's soon - and we have so much more to do.   I feel like I am so far behind.  Sooo Faaaar Beeehhhiiinnddd.

However I am excited to be starting over in a new house, a new city, a new state.

We will be leaving behind friends, church, school, things of comfort...

It'll all work out in the end.

On Monday we will find out what date they will actually be moving us.  Assuming it is next week we are going to leave here on Sat and drive down.  We'll probably come back one weekend to finish some work up for the house to go on sale unless we get it all done next weekend.

I have been having a hard time sleeping - going on in my mind - colors to paint, furniture placement etc....it's literally driving me a little mad...so it's either I lay asleep thinking about it all or I take some tylenol PM = the problem with tpm is I am TIRED upon waking in the morning...so either way I am screwed.

BBBBBoxes

We are having boeing move us, so the majority of the move and packing will be done by them, but I really needed to get a handle on the extra crap that is everywhere...kids toys, kids extra books, stuffed animals, crafting and sewing stuff.  SO we have started boxing it up on our own.  Iz has some books and her princess dresses left in her room, Andrew has a little more, but that was because it took us forever for us to sort his room.  I could have just shoved it all into a box, but instead I got it all sorted and boxed neatly.

next up is to start working on the bonus room - I have a lot of craft stuff that needs to be sorted and boxed up.

So things are moving along nicely.  The moving company is calling on Friday to set everything up, so hopefully everything will be finalized and we can get a little more serious about that goes, stays and last minute things that need to be done in the house.

the wheels of change

oh how things change - and boy are they a'changing.

the big kids went out to nana's and papa's for a little over 2 weeks to do their summer visit.   little e stayed with us - she'll get to go next year.  some people have asked if she missed her brother and sister.  i am sure she really did, but around here she sure acted like she enjoyed being the only child.

my parents then drive back out the week before the 4th and brought the kids back out.  we didn't get to do a lot of sight seeing mainly because of the lovely smoke that had blanketed the area.  we did however hit a kinston indians game for the 4th. it was hot...no actually it was HOT!  it was also smoky.  the fireworks were awesome, kinston won.  overall it was a good night.


now we had planned on going out the last week in august, just me and the kiddos. but my parents thought it would save money by just going back with them then they would meet mike in a few weeks to get their car and we'd come back home.  the kids had a blast. iz and andrew learned to swim.

during our hiatus mike went to charleston for an interview - got a job - and found out he will start job end of august.  so now we have found a place to rent, and we are going to take a look at it this weekend.  we are moving the 20th of august and we are all excited to be going somewhere new.

i am sure the next few weeks i will use the bloggeroni to express all the emotions of the move...so be on the lookout for more.

Updates!

Wow I can't believe it's been this long since I have sat down to blog.  A lot has changed, Last time I blogged I had started the 2 week low carb diet, had a surgery date and all was going on track.  Unfortunately my labs came back I was really low on iron and vita D.  So I was pushed back a month so I could add supplements and raise those numbers to be safe for surgery.  During this period thought I had an unfortunate turn of events, combined with ER visits, hemorrhaging, ultrasounds, tests and by the time I got everything straightened out I received word that the Bariatric Center on Bragg was closing down.  The whole reason I decided to do the surgery was the program they had in place that was top notch at following people and keeping people on track.  Now the program is gone, one dr is retiring and the other is going into civilian care in Charlotte.  If I go out to a civilian care (my only option) I would only be able to get the band or the bypass, because of now Tricare isn't covering the sleeve with civilian providers.  So I am currently not having surgery.  I am still loosing weight though, and it is slowly coming off. SO until things change I will be trying one more time the old fashioned way.

What else- oh yeah, Mike retired.  We are now living the retirement life.  He got a temp job with boeing working on v-22.  his hours are great, the pay is great, now just keep your fingers crossed and prayers coming that he gets to go full time employee.

I hopefully won't let this blog rest as long as I did this time, so keep tuned in to see what's next....

new shoes - low carb day 3

Yeah - I'm still putting along on this low carb crap.

I like cheese

I like meat

I like nuts

I hate eggs

These things are all ok

I miss fruit

I miss salads

I miss pancakes (even though we rarely make them)

Things are moving fast and today I had my first panicky thought of do I really want to do this - I mean I have lost 23lbs on my own - maybe I really COULD do this on my own - however I know I have tried many many many times before and failed - failed miserably.  So maybe this is what I need.  This IS what I need - but I am scared it won't work, or that something wrong will happen and I'll be damaged for life.

Well enough of that line of thinking, I bought new walking shoes today.  They are white - I detest white shoes - they never stay white.  In high school I had basketball shoes.  They were white, they stayed white because they stayed inside on the court (well that and they really didn't get much action on the bench)  but as outside shoes - well white sucks...no fear - I have a feeling these white shoes will be gray before too long...

another one bites the dust - low carb day 3

So once again - I survived.  In fact I have managed to keep my calories below 1450 and carbs below 35 for the last 3 days.

Today I was down another pound.  I'd like to lose 9 more before the 14th and I am hoping once I get some new walking shoes this will be easier.  On Sunday when I wore the Beast (yeah that is their actual name) my feet KILLED ME.  they are over 2 years old so I know it's time to get some new ones.

We plan to go get shoes Friday.  I also have to get some bloodwork done AND turn in my travel claims.  THANK GOD Tricare pays for my gas to Bragg and back!  At almost 3.50 per gallon I couldn't afford it otherwise! 

low carb day 2

I survived...again

I stayed under my recommended daily carbs - but I had a "no-no" food.  Andrew brought home his pizza certificate from book-it.  Wow I remember doing book-it way back in the day.  Anyway, It took me forever to figure out how to separate carbs in the crust and calories etc - but I think I did a good job.  I ate 1 slice (except outer crust) and the tops of 2 other slices.

I am starting to feel that ketosis "fog".

I am also getting fond of protein shakes....which I think is great - however I know once I make it to the 2 weeks of nothing but shakes and other liquids the "newness" will have worn off of them.

SO...

I did some WLS shopping yesterday,  I bought some chicken soup protein powder (a lot of people swear by it so we'll see)

I bought some "just cheese" for a low carb alternative snack.  Again - some people swear by them - others hate them.... I bet I could make my own by throwing my tomato basil feta cheese on a cookie sheet and baking it till it's crispy.....

I also bought some sugar (and aspartame) free choc and vanilla syrup.  Again I've "heard" that sometimes it's good (as in tastes better) to add a shot of syrup to your protein shakes for more flavor....

Also - a bit of sad news

I have a favorite pair of jeans - everyone has them - mine are getting too big,  I can now pull them off and on without buttoning them.  When I walk the sag down so I have droopy drawers.

Good news?  Because my weight loss is happening during summer I can easily stretch my cloth usage out because I mostly wear stuff (around here) with elastic in the waist so I don't see them falling off anytime soon...

Lastly - a bit of funny.....

Andrew is going to the nursing home today with his class...He asked me who lives there, I told him older people - to which he asked "like nana - will she be there?  LMBO my mom was amused

low carb day 1

I survived.

In fact I ate pretty well.  I roasted some fresh asparagus in the oven with Montreal steak seasonings and a sprinkle of tomato basil feta cheese.  Hubby grilled some pork loin....it was all yummy.

This morning I was down 3 lbs

I didn't get to walk yesterday.  I had planned on walking while Andrew had soccer practice, but Eve fell asleep in the car on the drive, so we stayed in the car and watched Beauty and the Beast.

Speaking of cars....our power lift gate on the burb has broken...stopped dead sometime mid December.
 Oh joy right???

So then a few weeks ago it started working out of the blue - Yay - no visit to car dr needed.

Then as quickly as it started working it again stopped working.  ARGHGH

So yesterday it was beautiful - so on the way pick up Iz I opened our sunroof.  When I got home I went to close it and noticed the buttons above my head.  one "cracks" the sun roof, one slides the sunroof all the way open...and the third - it opens the hatch - wait - it opens the hatch...so I push it - and the hatch opens.  I push it again and it closes.  Then I realize if you push the other side of the button it stays depressed - kinda in a "locked" mode....WAIT A MINUTE - all this time we thought the hatch was broke - someone had LOCKED it from the inside....

Let me just say I am super glad I hadn't called to make an appointment with the car mechanic - Hubby said they'd have probably charged us 75 dollars in labor to press the button - lmbo

two posts in one day - what's next???????

Hubby is turning in his gear and doing his final physical.

Tomorrow is his last day of work...he's retiring.

I know - how could someone so young (me) be married to someone who is ready to retire (aka be "old")

Trust me - his retirement isn't the kind where he is going to get a little lap dog to dress in clothes and ride around in a bike trailer (saw this yesterday) - or the kind where his butt becomes one with the recliner (well he'd have to sit on me first or get himself one)

Nope - instead this is the retirement where he transitions from one career to another - and gets to draw retirement at an early age  - he's saying goodbye to the Marines.

Until he gets another job (and he has a few leads) his honey do list is ever increasing...lol...so I know he is really trying to get back to work ASAP.

His ceremony isn't until the 8th though...so if you would like to come there is still time to book your flight!

Here I am

I wrestled many times as to whether or not I wanted to blog about this, I wasn't sure if I wanted to put this on my "normal blog" so I created a new one just for this and then realized I could barely keep up with one blog - much less too.

I have reached a point in my life where I have decided to pursue weight loss surgery.  I have always struggled with weight.  In high school I played basketball (well I sat the bench), but I practiced every day just like the rest of the team.  Running, jogging, etc....it kept me in check.  I still was "over weight" but I was active enough to keep it to a minimum.

Then came college....I stayed active-ish.  My diet suffered and I gained the freshman 15+...

Then came life after college....I at times stayed on track, joined gyms, worked out in my apartment work out center...had babies, lost a baby...and gained, and gained.

I tried Atkins, the "zone", low carb, low glycemic, low fat, the "mayo clinic", weight watchers, slim fast, you name it, I probably tried it.  Of course I lost some, felt great, then would stop losing, or gain not only what I lost plus more.

So I started researching WLS.  I read threads on forums, I talked to some who had done it, I read studies, I have done the research.  I got my referral and I have attended my orientation session at the Bariatric clinic aboard Womack Army Medical Clinic.  I have decided what surgery I will have (as long as the surgeon approves) and according to the orientation class I will have the surgery as early as 3 months from now.

A lot of people complain that they feel this is an easy way out, that this is "cheating".  Maybe for some it is, but this clinic has a different approach.  I have to attend educational and support meetings before the surgery, I have to do a log book of everything I eat 2 months before surgery, do a battery of tests, see a nutritionist, a psychologist, and attend post-op support groups.

The bad thing is I have to drive 2 hours one way to do it - but I think it will be well worth it.

I have finished my check list - and I have a date of March 15th.  I started my low carb, high protein, liver shrinking 2 week pre-op diet....I like to refer to it as meat, meat and more meat.....

Sleep study from H-E-double hockey sticks

I had a sleep study last night.  It all came about from answering a stupid questionnaire at a Dr visit.  I said I rarely sleep through the night and do not wake up feeling refreshed.  In my defense, at that point in time Eve was not sleeping through the night and we were in much need of a new mattress.  Since then we have purchased our new mattress and Eve is once again sleeping through the night.  But still - the sleep study was ordered so I went last night to do it.

First I read an article about a girl who had it done, her place had a recliner and tv for you to unwind, then once she was in bed she said she went right to sleep.  My husband also did one two years ago - he too had a tv and recliner, but he had some problem sleeping.  But he had a cold.

So I get there - and instead of the place my husband did his at, I was sent next door.  There was no TV, no recliner, only a technician who was bitchy (mine) and another technician who was flirting back and forth with another patient.

The bed was not comfortable.  As soon as she hooked me up I was told I could either sit in the lounge (which was some chairs and a tv which was occupied by some elderly men - oh and I was in pj's) or I could go to bed.   So I thought hey, I can get in bed - surf the net on my phone for a bit then go to sleep.  Well my assistant insisted that if I was in bed my phone must be turned off.  SO I said I'll just go to sleep.  So as she is leaving she tells me I must stay on my back.

For the record - I do not sleep on my back.  EVER.  I am a side sleeper or army crawl sleeper but never EVER a back sleeper.

I tell her I can't sleep on my back and she tells me to try....and I do - for over 30 minutes ... I do try...and nothing.  So I roll over...and in she comes because a sensor came off my head.  Then I am allowed to go back to sleep - until I wake up as someone is pulling the covers off of me because apparently my head is sweating and the sensor fell off again.

Oh - and she turns on 2 fans full force on me.  so I lay there - freezing to death first on one side, then on my back then I detach a sensor - so they come in to attach it again.  Then I lay there.  I go over to-do lists in my head.  I think about shopping.  I think about remodeling my bathroom.  I think about how we are going to lay the floor in our bedroom with out having to clear the room of our furniture.  I think about shopping.  I think about homework.  I think about what songs I'd like to download to my ipod so I can have a kick ass workout playlist (Can you see a pattern here)

Oh and I am FREEZING.  So I reach down and pull the heavy comforter back on me, I roll over and go to sleep.  Then I am again woke up by someone pulling the covers off me.  Then leaving the room.  it is so cold my nose is running and my throat is sore.  I am miserable.  I hate sleep studies.

Then a few minutes later I hear a knock and the door opens and she asks me "are you awake" - which I respond "yes"  when what I'd really like to say is of course I am - you can hang meat in here, you keep taking my blankets away, I am in the most uncomfortable bed ever and I have wired attached, sticky, goopy, itchy wires attached all over my body....YES I AM AWAKE.

She then tells me good - you can go home.  Now mind you when I made the appt she said I had to stay till 5:30.  So I get up, I get unhooked and she lets me out the door - I get in my car - and it is only 4:15.  WHAT?  UGH!

So I drive home with my car telling me to feed it (yet there are no stations open at 4:15) I get home - take a shower to get the gunk out of my hair, and go to bed - thankfully hubby let me sleep till 9:15.  But all the up and down, has given me a migraine.

A new year

SO my new years resolution was to live the year with less junk.   Despite being a couch potato the last two days (I blame the snow outside - it sucks the life out of you) we have managed to clean all the closets in the hall, both kids rooms and have filled a 40 gallon trash can a few times with crap that needed to leave the house.   The bad thing is there are many more that need to follow.  I am hoping that tomorrow I can fill another up with crap that needs to leave our living room...sadly I don't think it will happen...mainly because there isn't that much to throw away.  Don't fret though - there is MORE than enough crap in our bedroom/kitchen and garage to make up for the lack of crap in the living room.