Induction Bowl 2013

My sister is getting induced... right about... NOW. Prayers for a successful induction, easy labor, complication free birth, and a healthy baby!!!

A Week of One’s

Thank you all so much for your sympathy, support, and prayers. I’ve had a ton of meetings and phone calls with potential employers this week and can’t wait to see what God is going to do!

I know I’ve already mentioned it but I’ve really been focusing on seeing this down time as a blessing. I’ve been able to spend more time with R and Little K, which is wonderful. I’m especially enjoying being able to do some outside activities with Little K in the afternoon before the sun goes down.

As R and I were talking over the weekend, I expressed my need for structure. Without a plan for each day, I would just end up in front of the TV while Little K is at school. As we spoke, the list of One’s was developed.

Each day, I would like to:

• Spend one hour working on my Bible study, whether that is BSF or independent study.
•  Spend at least one hour working on finding a job (this is turning into multiple hours each day but that’s okay).
• Do one thing for the house, whether cleaning, laundry, mending, or whatever.
• Have one reason to leave the house, necessitating me doing my hair, makeup, and changing out of yoga pants.
• Cook one meal, usually dinner.
• Write one thing creatively, whether that is a blog post or working on my book.
• Work out once per day.

It’s going really well so far. I’ve had meetings in the city the past two days and am meeting a friend for lunch today. I’ve worked on my BSF the past two days. I made lunch on Monday and dinner on Tuesday. I did the grocery shopping and swept the floors…

The one thing that is suffering is working out. I just haven’t been motivated since everything went down on Friday. I’m planning on lifting weights this afternoon and will report back in the morning.

I had a fantastic phone interview this morning and think there’s a real possibility of that opportunity coming together. Woo-hoo!

Thank you, all, for your continued prayers. God is good!

What's Next?

So what does all this mean for TTC? I don't know.

We've put TTC on hold for now. We won't be cycling in February. Probably not in March, either. We'll revisit the subject once I've found full-time work again, whether that is the 3-month contract being extended or a whole new opportunity coming together.

The good thing, though, is that the Lord has been preparing my heart. Remember this? My heart has been quiet and, even in the face of this new uncertainty, I'm still quiet. God has done so much in our lives over the past year; I know He has amazing plans for us now.

As we wait to see what the next few days, weeks, and months will bring, I'll be trying to make the most of this extra time. I've been saying for a while now that I want to start running again but that it's too cold and dark to do it in the evening. Well, now I can run during the warmest part of the day! I can spend more time in the Word. I can finish the quilt for my sister. I can do laundry during the week. I can keep the house cleaner. I can try some new dinner recipes. I can reconsider getting my real estate license. I can look into volunteer opportunities with my clinic. I can complete the pile of mending in the sewing room. I can finish the last two chapters of my book.

God has given me this time. I want to use it wisely.

But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Music Monday: That was nuts!

Wow. So, a lot happened on Friday, huh? Gave a mini-education session on infertility at 8:30 AM, got laid-off at 11:30 AM.

I just… wow. I mean, I was mostly expecting it. The company has let over 40 people go in the past four months, an additional 14 just ten days ago. With the busiest part of immunization season behind us, it was only a matter of time…

The first person I called was my mom. She’s with my sister in Texas right now, waiting for the latest grandchild to be born (currently five days overdue). She prayed for me, for our family, and for R's receiving of this news.

The next was my old boss, RC. We had lunch together on Thursday, so she was surprised to hear from me again so soon! And completely shocked that I had been let go. She immediately offered to get in touch with HR at her new company and promised to call me right back.

As I waited, I called my bestie, W. He is always so great at offering sympathy and immediately building up your self esteem.

I continued to drive home in the snow and thankfully arrived at the house while R was out picking up Little K. I pulled into the garage, closed the door, and had a rough, 30-second sob. It had been tough holding it together until I got off the road.

I went into the house, left a voicemail for my dad, and waited for R to get home. RC called me back and GUESS WHAT???

The head of HR, C, remembered me and wants me with them! At a minimum, there’s a three-month contract position and both C and RC are actively looking for a long-term fit for me with the company!

R pulled up as soon as I got off the phone with RC. While he wrapped up a few deals upstairs, I shot my resume over to C and filled out the online application. Once R was done, I told him about the contract position and followed up with the news that I had been laid-off.

(Thank you, Lord, for providing the news of the new position BEFORE I had to tell R about losing my job!)

R took the news well on Friday. I spent Saturday completing online applications for another two dozen jobs, just in case (including an Associate Children’s Pastor position with a local church), made and consumed an entire batch of meringues, and remembered that I have a standing offer from the manager at the local Pier 1 to join his team. (A long and slightly awkward story. Heh.)

And then, my necklace arrived:

If I had known two weeks ago that I would be laid off, I wouldn't have spent the money on this necklace. However, 24 hours after being let go, I was glad to open the package and see those three words: God is good.

God knew I would be laid off. As He provided me with scripture regarding TTC, He knew I would be applying those same principles today. That He is in control. That His plans are best and WILL happen. That He will provide. And that He is always good.

Thank you, Lord, that your provision. Thank you that you have a plan for us. Thank you that your plans are for success, not for failure. Thank you for promising us a future full of hope. Help us to recognize the opportunity You want us to pursue. Help us to have peace in the waiting. You are Good. Amen.

Phone interview for the contract position today! I can’t wait to see what God is going to do!

Scripture Sunday: When should we stop asking?

In interesting thought came to me while doing my BSF lesson last week. In Genesis 18:22-33, Abraham has a conversation with God and asks Him the same question several different ways. The question in our lesson was: Should Abraham have stopped asking?

My first thought was, “Once God answers, I should stop asking.”

But the teaching leader brought up a point I hadn’t thought of before:

As Abraham was asking, it wasn’t God who was changing. Abraham was simply coming into alignment with God’s plan.

God already knew how many righteous people were in Sodom. Abraham kept asking God how many people it would take to spare the city, lowering the number each time. By continuing to ask, the Lord gave Abraham time to come to peace about God’s judgment.

I’ve thought several times lately about how I clearly heard from God three years ago that our family was to be a family of four. I tried and tried to come to peace about that, only to end up back in the place of wanting another child every time.

And yet, here we are. Staring down a DS cycle next month.

God chose to have our family walk this path, for R and I to learn communication, empathy, understanding, and patience, and we are blessed because of it.

I don’t know how this cycle will turn out. If it works, I know it isn’t God who changed. After all, SSA moved out so we’d just be back to a family of four.

But more than that, if it doesn’t work, all these years of asking, of praying, of returning to the same thing over and over again, has brought me to a place of peace. If the answer is No, I’ll be okay.

My God has heard me. He walked me through the bargaining and the questioning and the pleading to the place where I am at peace with His decision.

When should I stop asking? When I am at peace.

Happy Etsy Day: Inspiration

I was laid off yesterday. Feeling a little lost at the moment but we're already seeing the Lord provide for us. We're going to be okay. Prayers are always appreciated!

God is in control. God is good.

***

Isaiah 43:2

 

Alphabet Bible Verse Cards Printable

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

I Am A Child Of God

 You alone are good

 

God Is Good

Be Still and Know

I Set You Apart

His Strength is Made Perfect

Psalm 118:24

(In)Fertility Friday

I work for a pharmacy chain and just had the unique pleasure of sitting down with one of our pharmacists who will be assisting in the Fertility division, explaining how the different medications work, the variety in protocols, the dangers of OHSS, and how retrieval/transfer works.

Best! Morning! Ever!

Big ups to Mel for her excellent book, “Navigating the Land of IF”, responsible for supplementing my hands-on education. I’m going to recommend that we use it as required reading for our specialty pharmacy team!

Pre-Pregnancy Eating, Day 22

*Currently CD23, OPKs: Still Nothing. No temp shift, either. I give up.*

This will be short and sweet, but I think we can call Wednesday a success!

·         Upon Waking: 6oz Water

·         Breakfast: French Toast Oatmeal

·         Before Lunch: 20oz Water

·         Lunch: BBQ Black Bean Burger, 2t BBQ Sauce, Whole Grain Bun. 2 Stalks Celery, 1T Light Ranch. Red Grapes

·         No Snack

·         Before Leaving: 20oz Water

·         Dinner: 6oz Chicken Breast, 1/3C Whole Grain Mac-n-Cheese. Romaine Salad with 1T Dried Cranberries, 1T Light Ranch Dressing, 1t Hard Cheese (Microplane Grated)

·         Dessert: 1 Snack Size York Peppermint Patty (oops!)

·         Other: SF Vodka Tonic

I’ve given up on this cycle. At this point, I don’t care when I ovulate. I have the super fancy digital First Response Ovulation Kit for the next cycle and will rely on that. I have got to stop stressing over here!

Pre-Pregnancy Eating, Day 21: Bonus Recipe Edition

Currently CD22, Average Ovulation CD21. CD21 OPKs: Negative.

I really thought I had a handle on these OPKs! I’ve moderated my water intake so my urine isn’t diluted. I’m doing them twice a day (10am, 3pm). Yesterday they were looking pretty dark but no positive yet. Why won’t these darn sticks turn positive? (I know why, but still. Grr!)

The most frustrating thing is that this is the last cycle before the big one. This was the cycle I was going to base a lot of next month’s choices on! When to order the samples, when to start OPKs, when to trigger… Our timetable is completely up in the air at this point.

I’m also concerned that this longer cycle will be followed by a super-short one, like last time. If so, we won’t be able to cycle in February and will have to push into March or April. Ugh!

Even as I write that, though, God is reminding me: He is in control. His timing is perfect. He already knows how the cycle will turn out. Do not worry or be anxious, instead give it to the Lord in prayer. Trust the Lord. He is good.

***

R had a real breakthrough at bible study Monday night! I see him trusting the Lord with the things that have been worrying him for the past few months. I am so proud of him for turning these over to God! And so happy for him to begin being filled with God’s peace. Yay, R!

We also had a great conversation last night about whether respect (for a husband from his wife) can be commanded or must be earned. I’m really looking forward to fleshing out those thoughts and posting them later in the week.

***

Tuesday’s eating was fine. Maybe a little heavy, what with the cheese at lunch and the condensed soup in the casserole. I gotta say, though, that Shepherd’s Pie is the best on these cold nights. Warms me right up!

·         Before Breakfast: 6oz Water

·         Breakfast: French Toast Oatmeal

·         Before Lunch: 16oz Water

·         Lunch: 1 Slice Whole Grain Bread, 3 Celery Stalks, 2T Palmetto Cheese. Chobani Champions Orange Vanilla GY

·         PM Snack: Banana

·         Before Leaving: 20oz Water

·         Dinner: Shepherd’s Pie (recipe below)

·         Extra: York Peppermint Patty, SF Vodka Tonic

I took R’s advice and have doubled up on my sit-ups. I am now doing 30 military sit-ups and 7 pairs of side sit-ups at both 6pm and 8pm. It's tough but I'm hoping to see some big results soon.

My arms are a little frustrating. I can see some great progress when I flex – I’m starting to get some real guns! But they aren’t trimming up! And I’m still struggling in the last set for each arm exercise, so I haven’t been able to increase the weight yet. I don’t know what’s going on there.

I’ve increased the weight on legs, going from 30lbs to 35lbs. I’ll give myself another week before upping to 40lbs. I’m also adding a few more tricep and thigh exercises to the routine tonight and will report back in the morning!

I really appreciate the thoughts on adding back in some cardio. Our nights are in the teens these days, so running when I get home is kinda out of the question. I wonder if jump rope and/or jumping jacks would be enough for now?

***

Shepherd’s Pie with Mashed "Potatoes"

This recipe is a takeoff on the Shepherd’s Pie my grandmother used to make. I’ve replaced ingredients like ground beef, canned veggies, and cream of mushroom soup with some healthier options, as well as upped the veggies. I’ve started to leave the cheese off the top, too. Less cheese = more butter! Heh. If you want to go even fresher, you could make your own roux instead of using condensed soup. I don’t have that kind of time!

I usually make this on the weekend and split it into two dishes. One goes in the fridge for Tuesday, the other into the freezer (remove from freezer 24 hours before cooking).

Ingredients

·         1lb Ground Turkey Breast

·         1 can Campbell’s Healthy Request Cream of Celery Soup

·         1C Frozen Whole Kernel Corn

·         1C Frozen Sweet Peas

·         1 Onion, Chopped

·         2 Celery Stalks, Chopped

·         2 White Potatoes

·         1C Cauliflower

·         1 can Cannelini (White Kidney) Beans

·         4T Butter

·         1/4C Skim Milk

·         Kosher Salt, Fresh Cracked Pepper

Special Tools

·         Food Processor

·         Ziplock Steamer Bag

For the Mashed Potatoes:

Peel and roughly cube the potatoes, setting them in a pot of salted water to boil. While boiling, roughly chop cauliflower and place in steamer bag; steam in microwave for 6 minutes. (If you do not have a steamer bag, place cauliflower in with the potatoes for the final 6 minutes of boiling. The mixture will be looser this way, so adjust the milk accordingly.) Drain and rinse cannellini beans, then place in the food processor. Add steamed cauliflower and boiled potatoes, 2T butter, half the milk, and process. Scrape down sides and process again. Remove from food processor back to the potato pot and stir in remaining butter and milk. Season to taste.

These mashed “potatoes” will be much smoother than regular potatoes with a thicker mouth feel. But they are loaded with protein and nutrients, rather than nutritionally void like regular potatoes. If you want to take it a step further, steam a whole head of cauliflower and skip the potatoes all together!

For the Filling:

Take veggies out of the freezer to begin to thaw. Brown turkey with kosher salt (no additional oil) and remove from pot. Lightly oil the pot with either olive or grapeseed oil and sweat onion and celery. Add the mostly thawed veggies and condensed soup. Stir until the soup has loosened, then incorporate the browned turkey. Season to taste with kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper.

Assembly:

Here’s the thing. If you’re not doing cheese on top, there’s no reason to dirty another dish. Just spoon filling into a bowl, top with the mashed potatoes, and enjoy!

If you’re going with cheese on top, you’ll want to shred it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as well as fresh! Preheat your oven to 350* while you’re cooking, then:

Lightly coat casserole dish with non-stick spray. Evenly spread filling on the bottom and the mashed potatoes on top. Top with 1/2 to 3/4C freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Bake covered for 10 minutes, then uncovered until the cheese has barely browned.

OPK Question: Now with Picture

I have a question for you OPK stick ninjas!

The test line started showing up yesterday afternoon but very light. It is slowly getting darker (PM this afternoon is darker than AM this morning). Have you experienced this ramping-up kind of testing? If so, do you usually see the OPK turn positive the same day or within 24 hours?

Thanks!

Here is this afternoon: CD21, 2pm

Pre-Pregnancy Eating, Day 20

*Currently CD21, Average Ovulation CD21. OPKs CD20: Negative and negative. What even?*

First off, I’d like to admit that I did poorly eating on Friday evening (cheese, salami, baguette), Saturday evening (steak plus real dessert), and Sunday afternoon (restaurant). Ugh. Boo me.

However, the weight lifting is still going really well! I love how big my arms look right after I finish a set! The one complaint is that I’m not seeing much in the way of trimming fat. I can’t drop any lower on my calories and I’m maxed out on the weight I can lift right now. R suggested that I could double up on the sit-ups, doing those when I get home and again at 9pm. I know that picking up running again would help, it’s just too darn cold and dark when I get home. Come on, Springtime!

Monday’s eating went great! I really do so much better during the work week:

·         Upon Waking: 6oz Water

·         Breakfast: French Toast Oatmeal

·         Before Lunch: 16oz Water plus 4oz Chai Tea

·         Lunch: BBQ Black Bean Burger, Whole Grain Bun, 2t BBQ Sauce; Cucumber, 1T Light Ranch Dressing; Red Grapes.

·         PM Snack: Fage 0% Cherry and Pomegranate GY

·         Before Leaving Work: 20oz Water

·         Dinner: Special K with Skim Milk, Banana
·         Snack: 1 slice whole wheat bread (40cal), 1T Palmetto Cheese (70cal)

·         Extra: SF Vodka Tonic

Ya’ll, I’m starting to think I look like a lush on these daily eating logs. Ugh. I think 3-4/week is average for most adults, whether those are cocktails, a glass of wine at dinner, or a beer during the game. What are your thoughts? Do you consume alcohol? What is your average and/or limit?

Music Monday, ICLW and Liebster Award Edition

*Currently CD20, Average Ovulation CD21, OPKs CD17-19: Still Negative. Consternation has set in.*

Wow! A big, boisterous thank you to Gypsy Mama for bringing us today’s post! I can’t think of a better way to get to start off ICLW, can you?

The Liebster Award is given to new or up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The award is then passed along to other bloggers in the same category to help spread the word and support one another. If you receive the award, there are a few rules to follow.

• Each blogger nominated must post eleven things about themselves.
• Then answer the eleven questions the tagger has asked.
• Blogger must then create eleven questions of their own to ask the bloggers they decide to nominate.
• They must choose eleven bloggers with less than 200 followers to nominate and link them on their blog post.
• Bloggers must be notified of their award.
• No tag backs!

11 Things about (Musical) Me:

1.       I started piano lessons in third grade, over two decades ago. I firmly believe that every singer should be able to read music and, at a minimum, be able to sit down at a keyboard to plunk out their vocal line. Although I am a classically trained musician, my favorite pieces to play on piano are new age, interpretive, and jazz.

2.       Although I am the highest trained musician in my family, I can’t seem to learn guitar. I’ve been at it for years and can only play one song: “When You Say Nothing at All” by Alison Krauss. Which also happens to be R’s and my song.

3.       I went to university as a Music Business major, which ended up being a Vocal Performance course load with MBA classes thrown in. It was there, facing the fact that for the first time I wasn’t the best musician in the class, that I learned humility.

4.       I learned how to read lead sheets during college and used that skill to play rhythm keyboard in several worship bands. My time on those worship teams taught me to be confident in the gift God has given me.

5.       There was a time when I wasn’t able to sing, so I learned ASL in order to sign lyrics. My favorite song to sign to is “Your Love is Extravagant” by Casting Crowns. I’m working on picking up this skill again.

6.       I am technically a recorded artist, having been brought in to record the big musical hit “Time Goes By” on a mathematics CD for elementary school students. BIG hit. HUGE. J

7.       Growing up near Disney World, I had the opportunity to perform in Disney’s Christmas Concert, “Candlelight Processional”, over 28 times. It remains my favorite Christmas Album.

8.       However, my favorite Christmas song to perform is Deck the Halls in 7/8. Learning and performing this piece was too much fun!

9.       When it comes to musical theater, I go old school. Les Miserables is my favorite show, hands down! I went to see the live show when I was 13 and forgot my glasses. The music was wonderful but the stage was a blur. I dream of playing Fantine one day.

10.   Immediately after graduating high school, a choir my mom and I were in was invited to perform as the Premier American Choir at the Sacred Music Festival in Berne, Switzerland. Mom and I spent a week in Switzerland with the group and then an additional two weeks traveling Europe together. That trip was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

11.   Just for Fun: I am only three degrees away from Kevin Bacon. Booyah!

11 Questions from Gypsy Mama: 

1. What was your favorite food as a child? I loved Kraft mac-n-cheese. When our parents would go out of town, my sister and I would stock up on mac-n-cheese and cheddar wurst. Dinner of champions!
2. Where do you want to retire? I don’t know if I could pick just one place. I’m originally from Hawaii and would love to move back someday. I love the beach, so a coastal home in NC or FL would suit me just fine. I grew up in a small town in Florida that I still love. And my BFF, W, taught me to love the NC mountains and has plans for us to retire there together to hike and grow tomatoes. Maybe I’ll go like W’s parents and own a few small houses in places I love, cycling through them with the seasons.
3. Favorite cookie? Again, a hard one! The best cookie I ever bought was an orange dark chocolate chip cookie from a tiny bakery in Winter Garden. They have since closed down. My fave from childhood are the no-bake chocolate peanut butter oatmeal drop cookies, also known as Carolina Delights. I love to make chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, too. If there’s oatmeal, you can pretend they’re healthy! Oh! And peanut butter cookies with peanut butter chips. Nom!
4. Introvert or Extravert? I grew up as a hardcore introvert, which is difficult when you like to perform. As I’ve matured, I have learned how to be an extravert. Or, at least, to be more social. This is also a skill I picked up from R, who can talk to anyone about anything for hours. He is so good at striking up conversations!
5. What chore do you absolutely hate doing? I hate, hate, HATE doing the dishes. I am happy to cook every night but please don’t make me clean up after! This is an area where R and I complement each other well: I cook, he cleans up. Everyone’s happy!
6. What is your favorite time of day? These are hard! (That’s what she said.) I would like to be a morning person, simply because I love the feeling of accomplishing so much before noon. However, I am more likely to stay up late. But my favorite time of day is when I get home from work and can change into my yoga pants. Bliss!
7. Would you rather take pictures or be in pictures? Hrm. I end up taking more pictures than posing for them myself, simply because Little K loves to ham it up for the camera. But, honestly, I would rather live in the moment than capture it on film.
8. Is toilet paper hung over or under? Over, over, OVER! I mean, really, is there another way to do this?
9. Who has the sexiest accents? I remember taking a trip to Texas in the 1990’s to visit some friends for a week. While we were there, I swooned over the cute boys with their Texan drawl. To the point where I would nudge my sister and say, “Take a look at that accent!” Ah, youth.
10. Favorite Disney Princess My fave old school Disney Princess is Belle. I loved that she was brunette, loved to read, and discarded the town catch, Gaston. I am also a big fan of both Rapunzel from Tangled and Merida from Brave. Strong examples of women who know what they want and go for it. And, in Merida’s case, the one princess who ends the story without a man; her happily ever after comes from reconciling with her mother and being her true self. Get it, girl!
11. Favorite scent? Plumeria trees in bloom. Pikake lei’s. Orange blossoms in winter. Rain on the asphalt. Ginger and soy sauce. These are the smells of my childhood. I can never get enough.

11 Questions for You:

1.       What is your favorite stage production, musical, opera, or play?

2.       Would you classify yourself as on stage or backstage?

3.       What is your best memory from your first car?

4.       If money was no object, what is the one trip you would take?

5.       What did you hate about university/college?

6.       When it comes to fashion or design, are you timeless or trendy?

7.       What was your first job?

8.       Did you go to prom?

9.       Do you have any tattoos?

10.   Who do you need to forgive?

11.   Have you personally experienced God’s love and forgiveness?

I’m a little late to the party, so I’m not sure we can get to eleven bloggers who, a) haven’t received this already, or b) have less than 200 followers. Let’s see if we can make it!

Bebe Suisse

Breathe Gently

Compromised Fertility
JustMe

Kathryn Finding Fertility

My Infertility Story

Pursuing Parenthood

She Laughs at the Days
Team Harries

Weathering Storms

Scripture Sunday, Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

I hear people quote this verse a lot, myself included. I find something so wonderfully comforting in the Lord knowing how things will turn out.

We are facing a lot of "what if's" in our family right now. What if our donor sperm cycle works? What if it doesn't? What if SSA moves back in? And what if he doesn't? What if RJR moves in with us? What if R loses his job? What if I change careers?

The list goes on and on. We have little to no control in how these situations will develop. We don't know how they will turn out. But God does.

At last week's BSF lecture, our teaching leader made this statement:

God's will is what we would choose if we had all the facts.

It's true, isn't it? If we had all of the information, not just our own perceptions but the actual facts and long term consequences, wouldn't we be better equipped for decision making? I know I would be.

I am thankful that the Lord has a plan for me and my family. I am thankful that He knows how it will all turn out.

I'm praying for peace in the waiting.

Happy Etsy Day!

I have decided to start featuring some Etsy faves on Saturdays. In honor of the beautiful necklace I ordered for the upcoming TTC cycle, this week will feature necklaces. Hope you enjoy!

colorful charm statement necklace

Bridal statement necklace

 Chunky long stone cross-chest necklace

 Lively Picks Green, Blue, Brown Wooden Fabric Necklace

Bible Verse in a Pendant

Angel Wings Scripture Pendant Necklace

 For I know the plans I have for you

Crochet Necklace (Emerald Green)

Turquoise necklace

Holiday Party Summer Necklace

Cross Treble Clef Necklace

Pre-Pregnancy Eating, Day 16

CD16 OPK: Hilariously Negative. So completely negative that I didn't even bother with testing again that afternoon.

RJR’s procedure: It went great! No complications and they found the source - an internal hemorrhoid and a few fissures. I've not been told what the treatment is, diet changes, etc., but we're all relieved that it should have a simple fix. Thank you all for your prayers!

***

Thursday was a walk in the park, eating-wise. Booyah!

·         Upon Waking: 4oz Water (Wah-wah!)

·         Breakfast: French Toast Oatmeal

·         Before Lunch: 24oz Water

·         Lunch: Spicy Black Bean Burger, 1t BBQ Sauce, Whole Grain Bun; Cucumber, 1T Light Ranch Dressing; Pear

·         PM Snack: Chobani Bite Greek Yogurt – Raspberry Chocolate Chip

·         Before Leaving: 32oz Water

·         Dinner: 1C Special K Yogurt and Berries, 1/3C Skim Milk + 1/3C Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk

·         Extra: Sugar Free Vodka Tonic

 

I had so much fun on the weights last night! I’m really enjoying getting out there and working it. Right now I’m at:

·         30 Military Sit-Ups

·         8 Pairs of Side Sit-Ups

And three sets each of:

·         Curls: 30lbs, 10 reps

·         Press: 30lbs, 10 reps

·         Triceps (Behind the Head) Extension: 10lbs, 15 reps

·         Legs: 30lbs, 12 reps

Not too shabby! I haven’t been able to walk this week due to the rain/snow. I’m thinking, however, of picking up running again on the days that I’m off weights. I’m really not looking forward to that but I did feel so much better when I was running last spring. We’ll see!