Found 'em

Hey, just in case anyone was really worried about my rapid weight loss a couple of days ago while I was so ill I found two of those three pounds yesterday at my mother-in-laws Thanksgiving dinner. Yummy! She makes the best stuffing! Anyway, we are feeling much better here at my house, Happy Sunday!

Vote please and spread the word

My very good friend Amber Bouse has entered her adorable dog into the Hallmark Channels photo contest. Please vote for her doodle and spread the word. Here is the link:http://www.hhofdogcontest.com/dogs/doodle-bouse-nov-25

Turkey Smurkey

Here is how my turkey day went, but first a little background info. Go back 11 months, last year we had a stomach virus at our house on Christmas (3 out of 4 of us) so we didn't attend Christmas at my dad's house AND Scott's mom spent Christmas in the hospital so we didn't celebrate Christmas Eve with them like we always do. So fast forward to September 26 - Hannah has strep. September 28 - Jackson has strep. October 29 - Hannah has strep again. November 18 - Jackson has strep again. November 20 - you guessed it, Hannah strep X 3. But wait for it - November 25 - Mommy has strep. Now let me tell you about strep for all you lucky people who don't have tonsils anymore. Kids seem to recover very quickly. 24 hours of antibiotics and they are bouncing off the walls again. It is great, much better than a virus that is contagious forever and wears them down (sarcasm here guys). But as an adult it is one of the worst possible things, the fever is horrendous, your body aches, I went from freezing under 4 blankets to drenched in sweat multiple times. If I didn't know I had strep I would equate it to influenza (which I have thankfully never had). Tuesday night I kinda started feeling bad while getting my hair done, then overnight I had the fever - 101.7 to be exact. Woke up with no fever so called the doctor, got on an antibiotic and thought I will be fine, caught it early enough, no worries for Thanksgiving dinner, I will have been on my antibiotic 24 hours - don't have to worry about sharing it with anyone. I was wrong. I was so sick. I sent my family to have Thanksgiving dinner at my dad's and to celebrate Miss Hannah's 7th birthday while I layed in bed all day. I even debated about going to the ER but knew I could drive myself there. So I took extra motrin, benedryl to help me sleep, my antibiotic of course and went to bed. This morning I woke up at 7:15 and the headache and body aches are gone. My throat is still killing me but I can deal with that. It is amazing how much better I feel today.
What am I thankful for this year? I am thankful for antibiotics that still work to fight off strep. And hey, courtesy of Mr. Strep (has to be a male bacteria, a female bacteria would pay more attention to holiday gatherings - LOL) I lost 3 pounds in two days.
And of course I did no Black Friday shopping.

Reader Poll

Who is going shopping early on Black Friday? I can't decide, yes there are some smokin good deals out there - have you seen the Walmart ad? But I am gonna be in St. Louis so that makes me a little nervous.

Happy Friday!!!!

Today is significant for a few reasons:

1. Scott's last day at the fire academy. Yeah! Back to the normal schedule for him, which is still different then most people but he is home more than gone.
2. My niece Kaitlyn's birthday - I believe she is 14 today. Do you know that I was 14 when Scott and I started "going out"?
3. 6 months from today is RN school graduation! Yeah me! There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
4. Our good friends Chad & Amber Bouse have been married 12 years today. They started "going out" about the same time we did and we all were high school friends and still good friends today. Happy Anniversary to them! 12 years is a long time today.
5. Did I mention Scott is done at the fire academy now?

Exterminator

OK, I don't know what you guys call them at your house, but we always told Hannah to brush her teeth good to keep away the cavity "bugs". Well we did good for 4 years until this last visit. She had one cavity "bug" on her top molar where the enamel didn't form all the way and we didn't get the sealants on in time. So today we had our first visit with the exterminator aka Dr. Grover. It went well, she had the lovely laughing gas. The worst part for her was the sealants and I think that was because the assistant who did them was very impatient with her and not kid friendly. So without getting on that soap. . .one thing I have learned working in pediatrics is to be very patient, answer their questions, and explain what you are doing. We take for granted that we know what all those instruments are going into our mouths. Kids don't realize that and it kinda freaks them out. Anyway, she did awesome with Dr. Grover, and our "bug" is now gone.

Fall Fun!!!!!!

Here are some pictures from Halloween and fall leaves. I just love this time of year. Hopefully after today I will be posting some hunting pictures, lets keep our fingers crossed.

Weight

I hope this doesn't sound mean, but it does my heart good to see others out there (close to my age) struggling with weight. It makes me feel so normal. And seeing Chrissy and Kim get back on the Weight Watchers band wagon rejuvinates my weight loss desires. Kim, be proud of those three pounds, that is hard work! So I too am gonna break out my books and keep track of my points. I won't be going to meetings, really, when would I have time right now. Maybe after things are less crazy. So you fellow WW chics post some good tips you get.

Thanks everyone for making me feel normal. And Chrissy that whole self-control thing is such a bummer...

Happy Monday everyone!

I Vow. . .

I have been thinking alot about all the stress in my life and the effects it has on my children, their health, me, my health, Scott, and my relationship with God. I have read (according to Stephen Covey) that it takes 21 days to make (or break) a habit. So I have decided that starting tommorow I am going to try these things daily, even if I have to make myself a checklist that I fill out every day. So here we go ladies (in total random order):

I vow to ask myself twice every time I put something in my shopping cart, swipe my debit card, write a check, or pull through a drive thru (like McDonald's for my Mocha) if I really need to spend that money? Is it in my budget? Could something else be bought with this money? So yes if you see me at the grocery store I may open the milk case twice and talk to myself before putting the jug in the cart. Or you may see me wait in the drive up line at McDonalds and then pull back out just before ordering. I haven't lost my mind girls, I have just decided I don't need it after all.

I vow to make every bite count. Does this mean that I will never splurge? Nope it will just mean that it will be what I am really craving instead of what is handy. Who knows maybe by the time I get to what I really want the first vow will kick in and I won't want it anymore.

I vow to balance my checkbook and pay my bills weekly on Saturday morning. I know as a former banker I would be ashamed of me, but I never balance my checkbook. I just go with the flow (or lack of flow) of money. Crazy I know.

I vow to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily. Even if I have to walk on the treadmill at 10:00. I know this isn't the best time to exercise but maybe the next day I will get it done sooner.

I vow to pray with my children every night before they go to bed. And pray myself before I go to bed, even if I have to kneel at my bed to make myself do it. I pray alot - but not consistently. You know those Christian's that pray when they need something, I am one of those, gotta work on that.

I vow to ask my husband and daughter (Jack's a little young still) if there is anything I can do for them. I think as a society we have stopped helping others so I want to be a good example to my children and show them that Mommy helps others.

Oh the list could go on and on but I feel this is enough for what I have going on in my life right now. When I look over my list it seems that all of these issues are related to one or two things: self-control and choices. Day 1 starts tommorow, I will keep you guys posted, and ask me about it from time to time, keep me accountable.