Finding a pot of gold?

I have something I feel I need to write about but I am actually afraid to.  You see I have lost 7 lbs. Great news right?  Only I am actually afraid to write about it because it seems like when I say that I am doing well with my eating and exercising, things go south.  But this time things seem a bit different, like maybe I found a pot of gold. That gold is an eating plan I can actually live with, but let me start from the beginning.

I had some medical things come up which led me to have a blood test. Turned out I had a hormone out of whack. I started reading up on what this meant and saw a doctor.  It seems that I have a mild form of a possible hormone imbalance that amazingly can be helped mostly by eating a certain way - low carb.  Now, I was on the wave of trying the Atkins diet back in the day when it resurfaced as all the rage and after one week I could tell that it was NOT for me.  But as I have read about and put into action this recommended eating plan I am in awe at what's possible.  I have found a way to eat less carbs than what I did before AND even still enjoy some Cafe Mocha's from Starbucks, chocolate from time to time and still eat BREAD!  I can't tell you how amazed I am by this because I have lost that 7 lbs in about 3 weeks. Every other time I have tried to curb my eating, weeks would go by I would see no results Obviously this was frustrating.

I hope I can keep it up and continue to see results.  I will try each day.  In the meantime, I am just enjoying looking at the rainbow that came with my pot of gold  :-)

Winter Beauty

It isn't often that I speak the words winter and beauty in one sentence but recently I woke up to some amazing scenes. Something I don't remember seeing before. I stepped out my door to head to the gym pretty early in the morning and as Looked around everything was covered with what looked like can only be described as iced frost. It wasn't regular frost and it wasn't ice. It almost looked as if someone painted everything you could see white. It was really something. It was nice to be able to find the beauty in winter. Scenes like this make the 8 more weeks or so of winter yet to come more palatable.


I took a photo, however I doubt you will really be able to see what I am talking about. Hopefully you can and hopefully you can find the beauty of winter somewhere near you!

Time to make the donuts

Anybody remember the commercial from the 80s about the dunkin donuts guy? Here is a reminder just in case:



This gentleman's enthusiasm for having to get up and make the donuts is about how I felt today regarding my responsibilities. There was cleaning, laundry, dishes, bills, grocery shopping, coupon clipping, cats needs to be met, excercising to fit in, and more. Doesn't it sometimes seem like we just keep doing it all over and over again. I know that is part of life but it seemed like all day today each time I was getting through all those things I NEEDed to do rather than the things I WANTED to do I just kept hearing this guy saying "time to make the donuts"

But then, if you notice at the end of the commercial, he turns to see all the customers smiling happy faces and he knows that getting up to make those fresh donuts each day is actually worth it. As I sit here finally relaxing in front of my computer I look around at my finished laundry, vacummed room, cleaner house and I notice I am enjoying my full tummy from a good meal and a body that feels invigorated from a workout, I know it was all worth it. So I guess tomorrow I will get up and make some more donuts - or something like it ;-)

Christmas Laughs

I found this video last year and it made me smile. It might not be for everyone but I am sharing it because it made me chuckle. Enjoy!

Cat Snow Angels

Most of you who know me know that I walk my cats. For those of you who don't, yes, I walk my cats on a leash and they love it. They beg for it at the door just like a dog would (only they sound like a cat who is crying out in pain) And they even beg for it at a certain time of day. So knowing that they beg for it you can probably imagine that the change in seasons doesn't stop them one bit from wanting it. Therefore, unless it is below 20 degrees I take them out for a little while.

Recently we had our first snow of the season. You could seen the intrigue in their faces watching it come down. I bundled up and snapped on their harnesses and headed out. Though they don't last long being out in the snow, their brief period of time is pure enjoyment. Once they are out in it they jump and run and pounce. That is the best part, they crouch down as if the snow is their prey and then with each pounce makes more snow jump around and they just keep going after it. The track they leave behind is what my husband and I call Cat Snow Angels. I wish that I could video the whole thing but its hard to do with a cat on each hand pouncing in different directions.

So next time you are out in the snow just think like my cats do and see that snow as nothing but pure entertainment!

The Busy Holiday Season

In just a few hours it will be December. Can't quite believe it, but I have to say I think I am glad this year is coming to a close. I am of course thankful for the way things have turned out, but boy I am looking ahead hoping next year will be medical problem free!

Thanksgiving was very relaxing at my house. Husband had to work and with me just getting back to work it didn't make sense to make the six hour drive to So IL. So we decided to cook our own little turkey dinner and invite friends over. They brought the desert (and spirits :-) and we did the rest. My husband took care of the turkey and did a mighty fine job. Believe it or not I cooked the side dishes and they turned out pretty good! Maybe there is a cook in me yet.....We had good times well into the night and I thought it was a really great substitute for my regular family gathering.

On Black Friday I typically vow not to even attempt to go near a shopping center. This is mostly because I worked that day for almost 8 years and I vividly remember the craziness and how much I wanted out of there. But this year I decided I would just go a bit later and also head AWAY from Chicago where there are less people. This turned out to be a very good idea. I had a pleasant few hours shopping and got a large portion of my Christmas shopping completed.

Now it is on to finishing those Christmas cards, wrapping the presents and seeing how many presents I can fit in a suitcase to take home at Christmas because I am taking the train. I think there is a good chance I will be shipping some ahead of time :-)

I still have many fun activities to look forward to before the big holiday including a visit from my sister this coming weekend. It should be great fun as we are heading to downtown Chicago for some Holiday sightseeing and activities. I am just so happy I feel well enough to do it all. Ironically, the only issue I am having is sitting at work. I have to get up quite a bit more than I expected. Luckily it all works out for me, considering what I do for a living. I just figured out what accommodations I need for myself just like I do for the individuals I help at work. It's good to be Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor :-)

Never Say Never

I have been thinking about the Never Say Never saying often lately and have determined these are words to live by. I know that we tend to say never frequently as teenagers because everything you think or feel is soooo emphatic...... you feel like you will NEVER wear that outfit, you will NEVER be like your parents, you will NEVER go out with (insert appropriate boys name here). I am sure I said many of these myself. As I aged I hope that I became more aware of my "nevers" but even in my 20's I was planning everything you can imagine because I just knew it would NEVER turn out any other way. Two very prominent nevers have cropped up in my mind recently mostly because I used to feel very strongly about them. For many years I said I would NEVER live in Chicago......huh......well that didn't work it now did it! Then I also said I would NEVER have back surgery......again, not quite how it turned out. So I think what I have most learned, as I am reflecting on all my nevers, is that from now on the saying should be: Never say Never.....no I mean it really, Never-ever say Never! :-)