Hey Humble Readers...
Have I ever told you all how much I love the fall? It has always felt like a time of new beginnings, a chance to start over, for setting goals and planning ahead. I love it. It has cooled off tremendously in the Shire, and it is much more comfortable in the hobbit-hole. We have had frost warnings the past few nights, so I'm very thankful that I got my basil and thyme harvested.
*****
As I write this, the most intoxicating aroma of tomatoes, basil, and garlic is wafting through the hobbit-hole. A big batch of my oven roasted marinara is gently bubbling away in the slow cooker. It's so nice to be able to use fresh, local ingredients in this recipe. The tomatoes come from just a bit down south of us, the onions from a local Hutterite colony, the garlic is from a local grower, and the basil is mine. Woohoo. I really should have started making tomato sauce much earlier in the summer, to take advantage of the tomatoes at the farmers market.
*****
It's happened, Humble Readers. Pippin has hit the "I can take off my diaper" stage. Three times yesterday. Thankfully, I caught him each time just after, so the mess was minimized. Of course, he thinks it's hilarious.
This situation does reiterate something that I've noticed and mentioned before. He's hitting milestones about four to six months behind when Ginny did. I'm really trying hard not to be too concerned about this, and I know I was worried about Ginny's lack of vocabulary, but this seems different. Pippin is 16 months old and hasn't spoken a word. He makes noises, but nothing that seems intentional, except occasional car noises when he's playing with his cars. The family anecdote is that my Beloved didn't speak until he was almost five. Forty years ago, there wasn't much known about Aspergers and we both recognize now that he is somewhere on that spectrum (his tics, obsessive nature about certain things, his difficulty with some social cues). When do I stop just being concerned about Pip, and actually start actively seeking intervention? He has a well-baby check up coming up in a couple of months. Do I wait until then? Am I being ridiculous?
*****
I had a pretty major "Yippee!" moment yesterday. The two plus-size clothing stores here in town both have points cards, and of course I am a member. One of the perks is getting a special coupon to use in the month of your birthday. I went shopping last night, and had a couple of truly awesome moments. First, I needed some new yoga pants. The ones I wear for walks are capri length and with it getting much cooler over night, it's getting a bit too chilly to wear them. I also knew that the pair I have now are a bit too big. So, for kicks, I tried on a pair two sizes smaller AND THEY FIT! They are an X. Not 1X, not 2X... just an X. Yay! I also tried on, just for curiosity's sake, a pair of size 18 jeans. AND THEY FIT TOO! (I confess, I did try a size 16, and that was absolutely a no go.) Jeans weren't on the shopping list (waiting until Boxing Week sales), just yoga pants and a couple of long sleeved t-shirts (down to a 2X from a 3X last spring), but with the coupons I saved a bunch and came of there smiling. Also of note, I FINALLY busted through the 70lb wall. I'm down about 71.5 and hopefully things continue. After the splurges around my birthday, I need to get back on track.
*****
Does anyone know if there is a connection between teething and eczema? Pip's eczema has flared up again (I had hoped we were getting it under control) and the only thing I can think of is that he's been teething pretty hard the last couple of weeks with his canines.
*****
The second part of my interview with author JR Vikse is coming up in a few days. I hope you'll come back and check it out!
Showing posts with label weight loss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weight loss. Show all posts
Friday, September 20, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Kick In The Butt Required
Hey Humble Readers...
Okay, I need some external motivation. I obviously am not doing well at motivating myself.
August has been an almost complete write off exercise-wise. The prolonged crud, and then shoe issues prevented me from my usual walks.
I 100% acknowledge that I could have been doing workout videos in the house once I was finally healthy again, but I chose to use the lack of walking footwear as an excuse. I went out on the weekend and bought myself new shoes, and I have gone for walks, albeit shorter than before (only 4.7km) the last two days, but have not done my post-walk workout (squats and weights).
And you guessed it, I have an excuse.
The new shoes are, well, new. The need to be broken in. Hence I got a blister on my baby toe yesterday. Not unusual. I got up this morning at 5 and slapped a Band-Aid on my blister and headed out for my walk.
Again, I only made it four laps of the neighbourhood because of pain in my baby toe. I got home, stretched and that was it. I discovered that somehow, the Band-Aid that I wore this morning had managed, in co-operation with my new shoes, to create a blood blister on the tip of my toe.
Ask me how motivated I am to go for my walk tomorrow morning. I dare you.
Please, can someone give me a pep talk? I need a serious kick in my still-substantial posterior to get myself back in gear.
Okay, I need some external motivation. I obviously am not doing well at motivating myself.
August has been an almost complete write off exercise-wise. The prolonged crud, and then shoe issues prevented me from my usual walks.
I 100% acknowledge that I could have been doing workout videos in the house once I was finally healthy again, but I chose to use the lack of walking footwear as an excuse. I went out on the weekend and bought myself new shoes, and I have gone for walks, albeit shorter than before (only 4.7km) the last two days, but have not done my post-walk workout (squats and weights).
And you guessed it, I have an excuse.
The new shoes are, well, new. The need to be broken in. Hence I got a blister on my baby toe yesterday. Not unusual. I got up this morning at 5 and slapped a Band-Aid on my blister and headed out for my walk.
Again, I only made it four laps of the neighbourhood because of pain in my baby toe. I got home, stretched and that was it. I discovered that somehow, the Band-Aid that I wore this morning had managed, in co-operation with my new shoes, to create a blood blister on the tip of my toe.
Ask me how motivated I am to go for my walk tomorrow morning. I dare you.
Please, can someone give me a pep talk? I need a serious kick in my still-substantial posterior to get myself back in gear.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Hobbit-ish Potpurri: A Tale Of Two Dressers
Howdy Humble Readers...
First and foremost, if you're here from ICLW, check out my introductory post here. And if you are looking for my interview with up & coming author, J.R. Vikse, check it out here. Don't forget to enter for the giveaway of J.R.'s debut novel The Lazy Postman (and don't forget to check back next month for the second part of my interview with him about his new book, The Keeper Chronicles: Playing With Fire).
*****
I'm taking a break from my prep for the painting I'm going to be doing this weekend (sooooo sick of plaster dust from filling dings and holes), just so I can come chat with you fine folks. The hallway is completely prepped now... holes filled, sanded, and trim/doorframes are taped. Bathroom is almost ready to go. I need to tape the trim and take down the medicine cabinet (I hate the thing. It's going into the dumpster). Other than just painting, I'm completely reorganizing our little bathroom, so I stocked up on storage containers for under the sink at the dollar store. I also bought hooks for our towels (not enough room for towel bars for all four of us), a new towel ring for the hand towel, and a shelving unit for over the toilet. My Beloved and the wee-lings are heading down south to my MIL's place for the day, so that I can have the hobbit-hole to myself. Yay!
*****
It's a hazy warm day here in the Shire, I think from the wild fires burning south of the border. We've actually had a really nice stretch of weather the last week or so. Warm but not too humid, and cool at night so we can sleep. A nice change from the majority of the summer, which has either been soggy or muggy.
*****
I'm in a quandary, Humble Readers. My Beloved and I decided that for our birthdays (his at the end of the month, mine is the middle of next month) we are going to buy new dressers for our bedroom. Since before Ginny was born, my Beloved has been using a laundry basket for clothes storage, because we stole his dresser and painted it for the nursery. The dresser I have is a cheapo-pressboard-piece-of-junk that's falling apart. For quite a long time I have been fixated on a dresser from Ik.ea...
I actually really like the bigger version, the one with 5 drawers, but two of those is not an option budget-wise. While I was on their website, I came across this...
It's bigger and actually cheaper than the three drawer unit above. I like the general style of it, but it's natural pine, which means I would have to stain it or paint it. I have never stained anything before, so I'm not sure how good I would be at that. Painting would probably be a better option because I have done that in the past... but then the issue of where I would paint them, and keep the wee-lings away from them while they dry.
Any thoughts? Suggestions?
*****
I have to report that the lack of exercise over the last several weeks due to the lingering crud has taken its toll. I have gained back a few pounds (of course, I'm too pathetic to record that on my tickers). Gah! And to add insult to injury, the new walking shoes I bought back in June are already headed to the trash. The insoles are shredded and there are already holes in the toes. Grrr... I spent a decent amount of money on them. And the only other shoes I have to walk in are my Sha.pe Up.s, which hurt my toes. Not exactly motivating. I am going to have to get a new pair of shoes, it's just dang frustrating.
*****
Pippin just got his one year vaccinations on Wednesday, only three months late. He's doing pretty well with them, only a bit of a fever yesterday and some general grumpiness. He's over 25lbs now, and 32.5 inches tall. He's catching up to Ginny so fast. Too fast. I talked to the nurse about his lack of talking, and she told me not to be concerned just yet. Because he's a second child, and a boy, it's very common that speech can be a bit delayed. She gave me some suggestions to help him strengthen the muscles in his face and how to encourage him to talk. It's apparent that he understands much of what we are saying. He responds to most directions and comments directed at him. He dances to music, and he likes to laugh, squeal, make lots of little boy noises. I guess I just need to be patient. The nurses also suggested that we hound Dr. B to get Pippin in to an allergist, given the extent of his eczema. Most doctors around here like to wait until the little ones are closer to two years old before they go the allergist route.
*****
Well, I should get back to work on the prep for painting. Pippin has just crashed in his playpen, and Ginny is snoozing in the nursery, which means I have about an hour of uninterrupted work time. Woohooo!
First and foremost, if you're here from ICLW, check out my introductory post here. And if you are looking for my interview with up & coming author, J.R. Vikse, check it out here. Don't forget to enter for the giveaway of J.R.'s debut novel The Lazy Postman (and don't forget to check back next month for the second part of my interview with him about his new book, The Keeper Chronicles: Playing With Fire).
*****
I'm taking a break from my prep for the painting I'm going to be doing this weekend (sooooo sick of plaster dust from filling dings and holes), just so I can come chat with you fine folks. The hallway is completely prepped now... holes filled, sanded, and trim/doorframes are taped. Bathroom is almost ready to go. I need to tape the trim and take down the medicine cabinet (I hate the thing. It's going into the dumpster). Other than just painting, I'm completely reorganizing our little bathroom, so I stocked up on storage containers for under the sink at the dollar store. I also bought hooks for our towels (not enough room for towel bars for all four of us), a new towel ring for the hand towel, and a shelving unit for over the toilet. My Beloved and the wee-lings are heading down south to my MIL's place for the day, so that I can have the hobbit-hole to myself. Yay!
*****
It's a hazy warm day here in the Shire, I think from the wild fires burning south of the border. We've actually had a really nice stretch of weather the last week or so. Warm but not too humid, and cool at night so we can sleep. A nice change from the majority of the summer, which has either been soggy or muggy.
*****
I'm in a quandary, Humble Readers. My Beloved and I decided that for our birthdays (his at the end of the month, mine is the middle of next month) we are going to buy new dressers for our bedroom. Since before Ginny was born, my Beloved has been using a laundry basket for clothes storage, because we stole his dresser and painted it for the nursery. The dresser I have is a cheapo-pressboard-piece-of-junk that's falling apart. For quite a long time I have been fixated on a dresser from Ik.ea...
 |
| Hemnes 3 drawer dresser - $149.99 image courtesy www.ikea.com |
 |
| Tarva 5 drawer dresser - $139.99 image courtesy www.ikea.com |
It's bigger and actually cheaper than the three drawer unit above. I like the general style of it, but it's natural pine, which means I would have to stain it or paint it. I have never stained anything before, so I'm not sure how good I would be at that. Painting would probably be a better option because I have done that in the past... but then the issue of where I would paint them, and keep the wee-lings away from them while they dry.
Any thoughts? Suggestions?
*****
I have to report that the lack of exercise over the last several weeks due to the lingering crud has taken its toll. I have gained back a few pounds (of course, I'm too pathetic to record that on my tickers). Gah! And to add insult to injury, the new walking shoes I bought back in June are already headed to the trash. The insoles are shredded and there are already holes in the toes. Grrr... I spent a decent amount of money on them. And the only other shoes I have to walk in are my Sha.pe Up.s, which hurt my toes. Not exactly motivating. I am going to have to get a new pair of shoes, it's just dang frustrating.
*****
Pippin just got his one year vaccinations on Wednesday, only three months late. He's doing pretty well with them, only a bit of a fever yesterday and some general grumpiness. He's over 25lbs now, and 32.5 inches tall. He's catching up to Ginny so fast. Too fast. I talked to the nurse about his lack of talking, and she told me not to be concerned just yet. Because he's a second child, and a boy, it's very common that speech can be a bit delayed. She gave me some suggestions to help him strengthen the muscles in his face and how to encourage him to talk. It's apparent that he understands much of what we are saying. He responds to most directions and comments directed at him. He dances to music, and he likes to laugh, squeal, make lots of little boy noises. I guess I just need to be patient. The nurses also suggested that we hound Dr. B to get Pippin in to an allergist, given the extent of his eczema. Most doctors around here like to wait until the little ones are closer to two years old before they go the allergist route.
*****
Well, I should get back to work on the prep for painting. Pippin has just crashed in his playpen, and Ginny is snoozing in the nursery, which means I have about an hour of uninterrupted work time. Woohooo!
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Sunday Night Chit Chat: Dog Days Of Summer
Howdy Humble Readers...
I hope you all had a good weekend. Ours was productive, but blissfully calm. Grocery shopping, a trip to the farmers market and library, and some final decisions on paint colours for our bathroom and hallway (and a rather expensive trip to the hardware store for supplies). The only blight on the last few days was the fact that I woke up this morning with a wretched kink in my neck and shoulder that I just can't budge.
It's been a good week in regards to my weight-loss journey. I have officially hit the 70lb mark. This is remarkable considering the lingering crud has kept me from being able to exercise hardly at all for the past few weeks. I was stuck for quite a while at around 66lb and, as usual, I started to doubt that I would be able to continue to move forward. It's a tape that plays in my head about how this is the limit, that I won't be able to lose another pound, and that the numbers on the scale will start creeping back up again. I know it's nonsense, but it's what starts going through my mind.
One thing that I'm really and truly struggling with is wrapping my brain around the fact that I have lost so much weight already. I see the commercials on tv for different weight loss programs and exercise equipment (I lust after the bowfl.ex treadc.limber... it would make my quandary about how to get my exercise in during the winter moot) and I see all the spokespeople who have lost 40, 50, and more pounds. I am shocked to think that I could be one of them. I still see myself as the 300+ pound lump I was for so long. And I have moments of surprise... like this morning I was stretched out on the couch and I had room to pull Ginny up to snuggle with me. I could hardly do that when she was brand new, let alone now that she's my big 2 and a half year old girl. I know it's going to take time for me to become used to the changes my body is experiencing.
One other thing that must be mentioned today... If my second angel baby, Olivia, had been born on her due date, she would be four years old today. In a rather ironic coincidence, or perhaps even a cruel twist of fate, tonight's Disney movie on CBC was "Up". Ginny loves to see the Disney movies on Sunday night, so I couldn't very well not let her watch it. I made sure to be out of the room for the first fifteen minutes or so, because I just couldn't handle that on today of all days.
Anywho, onto tonight's chit chat. Here's what I'm...
Reading - I finished Fried Green Tomatoes At The Whistle Stop Café by Fannie Flagg yesterday and have just begun Mistress Of My Fate by Hallie (something or other, can't remember right now). It's a Regency/Jane Austen-esque era novel about a young woman, formerly of good means, who has to find her own way in the world after being orphaned and abandoned by her family. I'm only a few pages in, but I like the main character's voice already.
Watching - Nothing in particular right now. The finale of Whodunnit will be on later this evening, so I'll watch that. I finally finished watching Rome and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm sorry it only lasted two seasons. I'm now into the BBC series Sherlock (with Benedict Cumberbatch who played Khan in the most recent Star Trek, and Martin Freeman who plays Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit movies). I've only watched one episode, but I loved it.
Listening To - The whir of the fan, a pledge drive on PBS.
Cooking/Baking - Tonight's dinner was a new recipe, and was a grand success. It was a Spanish mixed grill (chicken, shrimp, and chorizo... marinated with lemon, garlic, and herbs), and a rice pilaf salad with green bell peppers, tomato, cucumber, and peas . Very yummy! Even Ginny ate it with a minimum of fuss and cajoling.
Happy I Accomplished This Week - Met Mom's beau... seems like a decent guy. He doesn't say much, so it's hard to have a really clear picture of who he is. I'll need to come up with a bloggy name for him. Bought my painting supplies. Stuck to my daily and weekly to do lists.
Looking Forward To Next Week - Painting next Saturday (my Beloved will be taking the wee-lings down to spend the day with his mom, so I will be alone to do the painting. I just hope I can get it all done in one day), prepping for the aforementioned painting (filling holes, sanding, etc), and a FUN SURPRISE FOR MY BLOGGY BUDDIES! Tune in on the 22nd to find out!
Thankful For - The support of my Beloved, and my family and friends for this on-going weight loss saga.
***Bonus Question*** What is your favourite candy treat? Before diabetes became a part of my life during my pregnancy with Ginny, I would have told you that while I like the occasional sweet, I was just not a sweets person. Of course now, my sweet tooth is in perpetual hyperdrive. There was, however, one candy bar that I just loved, and would indulge in once in a while. It was called Take Five... layers of chocolate, caramel, pretzel, nuts, and peanut butter. Candy perfection! I don't think it's still being manufactured, but I couldn't indulge in it even if it was.
*****
This was posted as a part of Carla's Sunday Night Chit Chat. Pop on over and check out what the others are chatting about this evening.
 |
| Just a funny for you to remind you that it's only FIVE MONTHS until the return of Downton Abbey! :) Source unknown, via Pinterest |
I hope you all had a good weekend. Ours was productive, but blissfully calm. Grocery shopping, a trip to the farmers market and library, and some final decisions on paint colours for our bathroom and hallway (and a rather expensive trip to the hardware store for supplies). The only blight on the last few days was the fact that I woke up this morning with a wretched kink in my neck and shoulder that I just can't budge.
It's been a good week in regards to my weight-loss journey. I have officially hit the 70lb mark. This is remarkable considering the lingering crud has kept me from being able to exercise hardly at all for the past few weeks. I was stuck for quite a while at around 66lb and, as usual, I started to doubt that I would be able to continue to move forward. It's a tape that plays in my head about how this is the limit, that I won't be able to lose another pound, and that the numbers on the scale will start creeping back up again. I know it's nonsense, but it's what starts going through my mind.
One thing that I'm really and truly struggling with is wrapping my brain around the fact that I have lost so much weight already. I see the commercials on tv for different weight loss programs and exercise equipment (I lust after the bowfl.ex treadc.limber... it would make my quandary about how to get my exercise in during the winter moot) and I see all the spokespeople who have lost 40, 50, and more pounds. I am shocked to think that I could be one of them. I still see myself as the 300+ pound lump I was for so long. And I have moments of surprise... like this morning I was stretched out on the couch and I had room to pull Ginny up to snuggle with me. I could hardly do that when she was brand new, let alone now that she's my big 2 and a half year old girl. I know it's going to take time for me to become used to the changes my body is experiencing.
One other thing that must be mentioned today... If my second angel baby, Olivia, had been born on her due date, she would be four years old today. In a rather ironic coincidence, or perhaps even a cruel twist of fate, tonight's Disney movie on CBC was "Up". Ginny loves to see the Disney movies on Sunday night, so I couldn't very well not let her watch it. I made sure to be out of the room for the first fifteen minutes or so, because I just couldn't handle that on today of all days.
Anywho, onto tonight's chit chat. Here's what I'm...
Reading - I finished Fried Green Tomatoes At The Whistle Stop Café by Fannie Flagg yesterday and have just begun Mistress Of My Fate by Hallie (something or other, can't remember right now). It's a Regency/Jane Austen-esque era novel about a young woman, formerly of good means, who has to find her own way in the world after being orphaned and abandoned by her family. I'm only a few pages in, but I like the main character's voice already.
Watching - Nothing in particular right now. The finale of Whodunnit will be on later this evening, so I'll watch that. I finally finished watching Rome and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm sorry it only lasted two seasons. I'm now into the BBC series Sherlock (with Benedict Cumberbatch who played Khan in the most recent Star Trek, and Martin Freeman who plays Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit movies). I've only watched one episode, but I loved it.
Listening To - The whir of the fan, a pledge drive on PBS.
Cooking/Baking - Tonight's dinner was a new recipe, and was a grand success. It was a Spanish mixed grill (chicken, shrimp, and chorizo... marinated with lemon, garlic, and herbs), and a rice pilaf salad with green bell peppers, tomato, cucumber, and peas . Very yummy! Even Ginny ate it with a minimum of fuss and cajoling.
Happy I Accomplished This Week - Met Mom's beau... seems like a decent guy. He doesn't say much, so it's hard to have a really clear picture of who he is. I'll need to come up with a bloggy name for him. Bought my painting supplies. Stuck to my daily and weekly to do lists.
Looking Forward To Next Week - Painting next Saturday (my Beloved will be taking the wee-lings down to spend the day with his mom, so I will be alone to do the painting. I just hope I can get it all done in one day), prepping for the aforementioned painting (filling holes, sanding, etc), and a FUN SURPRISE FOR MY BLOGGY BUDDIES! Tune in on the 22nd to find out!
Thankful For - The support of my Beloved, and my family and friends for this on-going weight loss saga.
***Bonus Question*** What is your favourite candy treat? Before diabetes became a part of my life during my pregnancy with Ginny, I would have told you that while I like the occasional sweet, I was just not a sweets person. Of course now, my sweet tooth is in perpetual hyperdrive. There was, however, one candy bar that I just loved, and would indulge in once in a while. It was called Take Five... layers of chocolate, caramel, pretzel, nuts, and peanut butter. Candy perfection! I don't think it's still being manufactured, but I couldn't indulge in it even if it was.
*****
This was posted as a part of Carla's Sunday Night Chit Chat. Pop on over and check out what the others are chatting about this evening.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Sunday Night Chit Chat: Quiet Week
Hey Humble Readers...
It's been a pretty quiet weekend around the hobbit hole. Did some shopping, ran a few errands, but mostly just stayed around home.
The heat has eased, for now, but one of the lasting side effects is that poor Pippin's eczema has flared up terribly in the last couple of weeks. My poor boy's hands, ankles and feet are all inflamed and itchy. I know that part of the problem is the fact that he's teething (his first molars are coming in) and he's been using his hands as teething toys. We've switched from the av.eeno for babies with eczema to a galaxal-base product and it does seem to be helping, but it's slow in healing.
Ginny is also teething these days. Her two-year molars are taking their own sweet time coming in. *sigh*
Weight loss update... I'm now down 57 pounds. I can't believe I'm approaching the 240s. It's easily been more than 10 years since I saw those kinds of numbers. My sugars have been okay-ish. Definitely not off track, just up a smidge over last week, but not where I ideally like to keep them. With the heat I've been snacking a lot more than before. I haven't been eating terrible things, but just a lot more (quantity) than my usual diabetes-friendly snacks. I did, however, indulge tonight (a small DQ blizzard... s'more flavoured) and I am feeling the jittery, over-caffeinated feeling I get when my sugars are a little too high. As of tomorrow, I'm back to my routine and better choices.
On to tonight's chit chat. Here's what I'm...
Reading... Still reading Paris by Rutherfurd. I'm loving it, I really am. It's just slow going. I caved and bought my own copy of it as I was unable to renew it at the library (holds pending). I'm about two thirds of the way through it. I love how he interweaves the stories of the different families with the history, geography, and culture of the city. I've never known much about Paris, so this has been educational as well. Case in point, Rutherfurd's explanation for the start of the first world war made that whole miasma of politics clearer than I have ever experienced before. In four paragraphs. Genius!
Watching... I'm late getting my post up tonight because I was watching the new Inspector Morse series on Masterpiece Mystery. I've never been a big fan of the mystery side of Masterpiece, but this series may have converted me. Oxford in the 1960s... wonderful! Oh, and I just picked up the first season of Rome (Thanks for the recommendation, Laurie!) from the library. I'll be getting into that this week
Listening to... a sound that I find very annoying. My Beloved typing on his computer. It's one of those noises that others would never notice but my screwy misophonic brain focusses in on it and it becomes all I can hear.
Cooking/Baking... Tonight's dinner was simple. Because it was cool enough to turn on the oven, I made a balsamic pork roast, crashed potatoes (not be confused with mashed... baby taters boiled, and then gently crushed on a baking sheet, seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roasted in a very hot oven for 20 minutes until crispy), and roasted broccoli. I'm trying a new recipe for tilapia tomorrow.
Happy I accomplished this week... Hmmmm. Not a whole lot really. The only thing of note is fleshing out the outline of a new story. We'll see if it goes anywhere beyond an outline.
Looking forward to next week... My sister and her family will be stopping by later in the week on their way through to k-town.
Thankful for this week... the fact that we were able to order a new fan for our living room. It should arrive in the next few days, just in time for the next heat wave to hit.
***Bonus Question*** Do you play games? Board games, card games, video games, games online, on your phone, iPad, etc... Yes, but nothing serious. I love Mario games on the wii, and some arcade and brain teaser type games on my computer (wordament, taptile, zuma). As for board games... not so much these days. Occasionally I'll play scrab.ble against my Beloved.
*****
This has been posted as a part of Carla's Sunday Night Chit Chat. Click over to check out what every one else is chatting about this evening.
It's been a pretty quiet weekend around the hobbit hole. Did some shopping, ran a few errands, but mostly just stayed around home.
The heat has eased, for now, but one of the lasting side effects is that poor Pippin's eczema has flared up terribly in the last couple of weeks. My poor boy's hands, ankles and feet are all inflamed and itchy. I know that part of the problem is the fact that he's teething (his first molars are coming in) and he's been using his hands as teething toys. We've switched from the av.eeno for babies with eczema to a galaxal-base product and it does seem to be helping, but it's slow in healing.
Ginny is also teething these days. Her two-year molars are taking their own sweet time coming in. *sigh*
Weight loss update... I'm now down 57 pounds. I can't believe I'm approaching the 240s. It's easily been more than 10 years since I saw those kinds of numbers. My sugars have been okay-ish. Definitely not off track, just up a smidge over last week, but not where I ideally like to keep them. With the heat I've been snacking a lot more than before. I haven't been eating terrible things, but just a lot more (quantity) than my usual diabetes-friendly snacks. I did, however, indulge tonight (a small DQ blizzard... s'more flavoured) and I am feeling the jittery, over-caffeinated feeling I get when my sugars are a little too high. As of tomorrow, I'm back to my routine and better choices.
On to tonight's chit chat. Here's what I'm...
Reading... Still reading Paris by Rutherfurd. I'm loving it, I really am. It's just slow going. I caved and bought my own copy of it as I was unable to renew it at the library (holds pending). I'm about two thirds of the way through it. I love how he interweaves the stories of the different families with the history, geography, and culture of the city. I've never known much about Paris, so this has been educational as well. Case in point, Rutherfurd's explanation for the start of the first world war made that whole miasma of politics clearer than I have ever experienced before. In four paragraphs. Genius!
Watching... I'm late getting my post up tonight because I was watching the new Inspector Morse series on Masterpiece Mystery. I've never been a big fan of the mystery side of Masterpiece, but this series may have converted me. Oxford in the 1960s... wonderful! Oh, and I just picked up the first season of Rome (Thanks for the recommendation, Laurie!) from the library. I'll be getting into that this week
Listening to... a sound that I find very annoying. My Beloved typing on his computer. It's one of those noises that others would never notice but my screwy misophonic brain focusses in on it and it becomes all I can hear.
Cooking/Baking... Tonight's dinner was simple. Because it was cool enough to turn on the oven, I made a balsamic pork roast, crashed potatoes (not be confused with mashed... baby taters boiled, and then gently crushed on a baking sheet, seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roasted in a very hot oven for 20 minutes until crispy), and roasted broccoli. I'm trying a new recipe for tilapia tomorrow.
Happy I accomplished this week... Hmmmm. Not a whole lot really. The only thing of note is fleshing out the outline of a new story. We'll see if it goes anywhere beyond an outline.
Looking forward to next week... My sister and her family will be stopping by later in the week on their way through to k-town.
Thankful for this week... the fact that we were able to order a new fan for our living room. It should arrive in the next few days, just in time for the next heat wave to hit.
***Bonus Question*** Do you play games? Board games, card games, video games, games online, on your phone, iPad, etc... Yes, but nothing serious. I love Mario games on the wii, and some arcade and brain teaser type games on my computer (wordament, taptile, zuma). As for board games... not so much these days. Occasionally I'll play scrab.ble against my Beloved.
*****
This has been posted as a part of Carla's Sunday Night Chit Chat. Click over to check out what every one else is chatting about this evening.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Sunday Night Chit Chat: Before & During
Howdy Humble Readers...
A few days ago, Elana asked for some before and after pics of me and my weight loss. I'm not going to call them before and after, because I'm not near "after" yet. However, I will call them "during" pics. I had some difficulty finding a picture to qualify as before... partly because I'm always the one behind the camera, and partly because I honestly hate pictures of me (due to my over abundance of me). I'm going to give you a few befores...
And now for a couple of durings...
I don't see a whole lot of a difference, yet. Yeah, there's a difference between me now and me when I was almost full term pregnant, but people who saw me on a regular basis didn't even realize I was pregnant, so that says something about what kind of shape I was in. I was at my heaviest just after our NYC trip, and I had yo-yo'd around between 280-310ish during/immediately following my pregnancies. At the end of November 2012, what I consider to be the start of this weight loss journey, I was 309lbs. As of this morning I'm 254.8lbs. Woohoo!
What I have noticed is that I have a lot more stamina. I can walk a lot farther before I get tired, and my feet and legs don't ache like they used to. I'm doing a squat challenge this month and I'm up to 190 squats (today's count). My legs are much stronger now, and I can get up to the 140s or so before it starts getting challenging. I can make the 3 or 4 trips out to the car to get the groceries and not be huffing even a bit.
My blood sugars are great. I'm hopeful that when I next go to the doc (early August) we'll be able to lower my dosage on both the metformin (for the Big D) and my lobetalol (for high blood pressure). I'm really happy with my progress up to this point. Now I just need to keep up my motivation.
On to tonight's chit chat. Here's what I'm ...
Reading - I had planned on reading the last in the Mitford series this week, but my hold at the library on the new Edward Rutherfurd book, Paris, came in and Mitford got bumped. I'm not all that far into it yet, but that's the way it usually goes for me with his epic tomes.
Watching - I'm recording Food Network Star for later in the week, along with the new reality competition show Whodunit. Instead of watching regular tv, I'm going to watch an episode or two of Game of Thrones. I'm really enjoying it (graphic violence and sexuality notwithstanding)... can definitely tell that it was inspired by LOTR. Many similarities.
Listening To - Until just a minute ago, I was listening to my Beloved going through the bedtime rituals for the wee-lings. Change clothes, brush teeth, story, "saying amens", and tucking in. So sweet.
Cooking/Baking - Tonight was standard Sunday night fare... roast beef, taters, veg (zucchini and mushrooms). My favourite meal from the last week was when I made roast beef Florentine paninis. Roast beef, roasted red peppers, spinach, brie, and a garlic-horseradish mayo. It was seriously yummy!
Happy I Accomplished This Week - Got my hair cut!!! It's only been 6 months since my last cut, which is actually good for me. I also coloured my hair last night. (need to work on that skill a bit more... not entirely happy with the result)
Looking Forward to Next Week - The long weekend coming up. Going through the wee-lings' dressers for another purge... and hopefully being able to make some money by selling some of their too-small clothes to the local consignment shop.
Thankful For This Week - That the Shire escaped the flooding that has so ravaged the southern half of our province. That, while the loss of property due to the flooding has been heart-breaking, there has been minimal loss of life.
***Bonus Question*** What was your least favourite part and your most favourite part of the last week? Least favourite... a disagreement my sister and I had about parenting philosophies. Most favourite... yesterday morning. I had gotten in my walk, we had gone to the farmer's market, and were home just hanging out. It was so relaxing, and I commented to my Beloved on how GOOD (physically and emotionally) I was feeling.
*****
This was posted as a part of Carla's Sunday Night Chit Chat. Please click over and see what the others are chatting about tonight.
A few days ago, Elana asked for some before and after pics of me and my weight loss. I'm not going to call them before and after, because I'm not near "after" yet. However, I will call them "during" pics. I had some difficulty finding a picture to qualify as before... partly because I'm always the one behind the camera, and partly because I honestly hate pictures of me (due to my over abundance of me). I'm going to give you a few befores...
 |
| December 2012 - had just started losing weight About 305lbs |
 |
| May 2012 - when I was 36wks pregnant with Pip. No one at my church realized I was pregnant. Around 312lbs. |
 |
| September 2009 - In NYC I was 320lbs when we got home from that trip. |
 |
| Yesterday, at 255.8 (I've lost another pound since) Like my new haircut? |
 |
| Hadn't realized how baggy those pants were. Ick! I just bought them in April. |
What I have noticed is that I have a lot more stamina. I can walk a lot farther before I get tired, and my feet and legs don't ache like they used to. I'm doing a squat challenge this month and I'm up to 190 squats (today's count). My legs are much stronger now, and I can get up to the 140s or so before it starts getting challenging. I can make the 3 or 4 trips out to the car to get the groceries and not be huffing even a bit.
My blood sugars are great. I'm hopeful that when I next go to the doc (early August) we'll be able to lower my dosage on both the metformin (for the Big D) and my lobetalol (for high blood pressure). I'm really happy with my progress up to this point. Now I just need to keep up my motivation.
On to tonight's chit chat. Here's what I'm ...
Reading - I had planned on reading the last in the Mitford series this week, but my hold at the library on the new Edward Rutherfurd book, Paris, came in and Mitford got bumped. I'm not all that far into it yet, but that's the way it usually goes for me with his epic tomes.
Watching - I'm recording Food Network Star for later in the week, along with the new reality competition show Whodunit. Instead of watching regular tv, I'm going to watch an episode or two of Game of Thrones. I'm really enjoying it (graphic violence and sexuality notwithstanding)... can definitely tell that it was inspired by LOTR. Many similarities.
Listening To - Until just a minute ago, I was listening to my Beloved going through the bedtime rituals for the wee-lings. Change clothes, brush teeth, story, "saying amens", and tucking in. So sweet.
Cooking/Baking - Tonight was standard Sunday night fare... roast beef, taters, veg (zucchini and mushrooms). My favourite meal from the last week was when I made roast beef Florentine paninis. Roast beef, roasted red peppers, spinach, brie, and a garlic-horseradish mayo. It was seriously yummy!
Happy I Accomplished This Week - Got my hair cut!!! It's only been 6 months since my last cut, which is actually good for me. I also coloured my hair last night. (need to work on that skill a bit more... not entirely happy with the result)
Looking Forward to Next Week - The long weekend coming up. Going through the wee-lings' dressers for another purge... and hopefully being able to make some money by selling some of their too-small clothes to the local consignment shop.
Thankful For This Week - That the Shire escaped the flooding that has so ravaged the southern half of our province. That, while the loss of property due to the flooding has been heart-breaking, there has been minimal loss of life.
***Bonus Question*** What was your least favourite part and your most favourite part of the last week? Least favourite... a disagreement my sister and I had about parenting philosophies. Most favourite... yesterday morning. I had gotten in my walk, we had gone to the farmer's market, and were home just hanging out. It was so relaxing, and I commented to my Beloved on how GOOD (physically and emotionally) I was feeling.
*****
This was posted as a part of Carla's Sunday Night Chit Chat. Please click over and see what the others are chatting about tonight.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Hobbit-ish Potpurri: This & That
Hey Humble Readers...
How are you all tonight? Having a good weekend? What are you and yours getting up to? Things are pretty mellow around the hobbit hole. My Beloved has an exam in his CGA course next week, so he should be studying like mad. But hockey is on. Not sure how much he's actually studying.
*****
I went to donate blood today and once again my iron was too low. Not terribly low, but enough that I wasn't able to donate. Grrrr. Back to taking the iron pills. It's funny, I have IBS-D (yes, the D stands for what you think it stands for) and while the side effects of the metformin have tapered off, they still flare up from time to time, so you'd think that I wouldn't mind the iron. But I just really don't like taking it every day. It gives me a bad taste in my mouth, and makes me feel bloated. Maybe I'll try taking it every other day and see how that goes.
*****
I'm seriously considering cutting my hair. Not just a trim, but a real cut. I refused to cut it right after the wee-lings were born, partly because my sister said that she was certain I would. "All new mommies do." Right now my hair is down to the middle of my back, past my bra band, and my bangs are finally grown out so that I can pull them back in my ponytail. I'm just so sick of finding my hair everywhere... it's so annoying. Part of my hesitation is that I don't have a regular hairdresser. I haven't had one since I moved to the Shire when my Beloved and I got married. I've tried a lot of different salons, but I've never found one that I'm overly comfortable with.
*****
You may (or may not) have noticed the new weight loss ticker over there to the right. The one labelled "the big picture". I blasted through another plateau this week, and I'm now less than half a pound away from being 50 pounds down. Woohoo! Once I hit the 50 pound mark, my next target will be to weigh less than my Beloved. That will be another 15 pounds (he's lighter than either of us thought), so I'm hoping I can get there by the end of July. And after that, I want to be 75 pounds total down by my birthday in September. I'm really feeling confident that I can do it.
*****
I decided to get together with my bio-aunt. She came to the hobbit hole yesterday and we had a nice visit. She thought that the wee-lings were adorable (which they are of course). We talked a bit about why I'm not in contact with my bio-family, and how as much as I'd like to be in touch with my aunts, uncles and cousins, it's impossible to do so and not be harassed by my bio-parents and siblings. It was nice to see her, and she certainly hasn't changed.
*****
Well, I think that's about it for tonight. I'll be back tomorrow with the Sunday Night Chit-Chat and I have a post percolating that ties in with Jjiraffe's Project Dreamcatcher.
How are you all tonight? Having a good weekend? What are you and yours getting up to? Things are pretty mellow around the hobbit hole. My Beloved has an exam in his CGA course next week, so he should be studying like mad. But hockey is on. Not sure how much he's actually studying.
*****
I went to donate blood today and once again my iron was too low. Not terribly low, but enough that I wasn't able to donate. Grrrr. Back to taking the iron pills. It's funny, I have IBS-D (yes, the D stands for what you think it stands for) and while the side effects of the metformin have tapered off, they still flare up from time to time, so you'd think that I wouldn't mind the iron. But I just really don't like taking it every day. It gives me a bad taste in my mouth, and makes me feel bloated. Maybe I'll try taking it every other day and see how that goes.
*****
I'm seriously considering cutting my hair. Not just a trim, but a real cut. I refused to cut it right after the wee-lings were born, partly because my sister said that she was certain I would. "All new mommies do." Right now my hair is down to the middle of my back, past my bra band, and my bangs are finally grown out so that I can pull them back in my ponytail. I'm just so sick of finding my hair everywhere... it's so annoying. Part of my hesitation is that I don't have a regular hairdresser. I haven't had one since I moved to the Shire when my Beloved and I got married. I've tried a lot of different salons, but I've never found one that I'm overly comfortable with.
*****
You may (or may not) have noticed the new weight loss ticker over there to the right. The one labelled "the big picture". I blasted through another plateau this week, and I'm now less than half a pound away from being 50 pounds down. Woohoo! Once I hit the 50 pound mark, my next target will be to weigh less than my Beloved. That will be another 15 pounds (he's lighter than either of us thought), so I'm hoping I can get there by the end of July. And after that, I want to be 75 pounds total down by my birthday in September. I'm really feeling confident that I can do it.
*****
I decided to get together with my bio-aunt. She came to the hobbit hole yesterday and we had a nice visit. She thought that the wee-lings were adorable (which they are of course). We talked a bit about why I'm not in contact with my bio-family, and how as much as I'd like to be in touch with my aunts, uncles and cousins, it's impossible to do so and not be harassed by my bio-parents and siblings. It was nice to see her, and she certainly hasn't changed.
*****
Well, I think that's about it for tonight. I'll be back tomorrow with the Sunday Night Chit-Chat and I have a post percolating that ties in with Jjiraffe's Project Dreamcatcher.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Hobbit-ish Potpurri:
Howdy Humble Readers...
We're beginning to feel a little like Noah around here and wondering if we need to build an ark. Another few days, and I may have to start checking for moss between my toes. It's been raining pretty much for a week. The upshot is that the grass is nice and green, but I'm getting a little tired of walking in the rain every morning. I'm trying to remember how I managed when I lived in Seattle for four years. All the rain never really bothered me then. Hmmm...
*****
I had an appointment with Dr. B today. Just another follow-up on my blood sugars. He's very happy with my sugars, and my weight loss (47 pounds down!). He basically told me that he normally sees diabetic patients once a month for at least 6 months as they adjust and commit to the changes they need to make, but he doesn't need to see me again until I need a refill on my prescriptions (sometime early August). Woohoo! My blood pressure was a little high today, but he chalked that up to the lingering cough. We did talk about my goal of being med free (at least for the high blood pressure) by my 40th birthday a little over a year from now, and he's very confident that I can get there easily. So long as I stay on track.
*****
Pippin has cut two teeth in the past week. So with the congestion from the cold he's still got, and the runny nose stuff from teething, my life has been all about snot the past few days. You know, I can handle the poop, vomit, and pee. But drool and snot just make my skin crawl. Ick.
*****
Ginny has been doing really well with her letters and numbers, being able to name all her uppercase letters for the last few months. Recently she's started figuring out that there's an order to them all, and has begun counting to 10 by rote, as well as singing the alphabet song. This week I started working with her on recognizing her name printed out. We had some dollar store beach balls from Pip's birthday party, so on one of them I wrote out all our names in block letters, and she's gotten very good at picking out her name. I toss her the ball, and when she catches it she has to find the name I say. Next we'll start working on lowercase letters.
*****
AF is here, and true to form, she's been a little strange. For the last 6 months or so, there has been a lot of spotting before and after, and killer (KILLER!!!) cramps. This month, no spotting, hardly any cramps (mostly just a backache)... just 'hey I'm here' and that's it. Could this be due to getting my sugars under control? Being more physically active? Or simply that it's been a year since Pip was born and my body is getting back to normal? Probably a bit of all three, but still it's strange.
*****
Planning on buying myself a new pair of shoes for walking this weekend, maybe some more yoga pants for when I'm working out, and a belt! Do you have any idea how long it's been since I've owned a belt? The capris that I bought at the beginning of April are already getting to be too big, and the jeans I got in January are starting to slip when I walk (especially if I've got my keys or phone in my pocket). Since another wardrobe of pants isn't in the budget, a belt will have to do the trick. I haven't worn a belt in more than 20 years. I'm super excited. Dorky, huh?
We're beginning to feel a little like Noah around here and wondering if we need to build an ark. Another few days, and I may have to start checking for moss between my toes. It's been raining pretty much for a week. The upshot is that the grass is nice and green, but I'm getting a little tired of walking in the rain every morning. I'm trying to remember how I managed when I lived in Seattle for four years. All the rain never really bothered me then. Hmmm...
*****
I had an appointment with Dr. B today. Just another follow-up on my blood sugars. He's very happy with my sugars, and my weight loss (47 pounds down!). He basically told me that he normally sees diabetic patients once a month for at least 6 months as they adjust and commit to the changes they need to make, but he doesn't need to see me again until I need a refill on my prescriptions (sometime early August). Woohoo! My blood pressure was a little high today, but he chalked that up to the lingering cough. We did talk about my goal of being med free (at least for the high blood pressure) by my 40th birthday a little over a year from now, and he's very confident that I can get there easily. So long as I stay on track.
*****
Pippin has cut two teeth in the past week. So with the congestion from the cold he's still got, and the runny nose stuff from teething, my life has been all about snot the past few days. You know, I can handle the poop, vomit, and pee. But drool and snot just make my skin crawl. Ick.
*****
Ginny has been doing really well with her letters and numbers, being able to name all her uppercase letters for the last few months. Recently she's started figuring out that there's an order to them all, and has begun counting to 10 by rote, as well as singing the alphabet song. This week I started working with her on recognizing her name printed out. We had some dollar store beach balls from Pip's birthday party, so on one of them I wrote out all our names in block letters, and she's gotten very good at picking out her name. I toss her the ball, and when she catches it she has to find the name I say. Next we'll start working on lowercase letters.
*****
AF is here, and true to form, she's been a little strange. For the last 6 months or so, there has been a lot of spotting before and after, and killer (KILLER!!!) cramps. This month, no spotting, hardly any cramps (mostly just a backache)... just 'hey I'm here' and that's it. Could this be due to getting my sugars under control? Being more physically active? Or simply that it's been a year since Pip was born and my body is getting back to normal? Probably a bit of all three, but still it's strange.
*****
Planning on buying myself a new pair of shoes for walking this weekend, maybe some more yoga pants for when I'm working out, and a belt! Do you have any idea how long it's been since I've owned a belt? The capris that I bought at the beginning of April are already getting to be too big, and the jeans I got in January are starting to slip when I walk (especially if I've got my keys or phone in my pocket). Since another wardrobe of pants isn't in the budget, a belt will have to do the trick. I haven't worn a belt in more than 20 years. I'm super excited. Dorky, huh?
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Join Me In A Happy Dance!
Hey Humble Readers!
I am such a happy happy hobbit today!
We have been living in the hobbit hole for almost five years. That is almost longer than anywhere else I've lived in my lifetime. When we bought this place it was a huge step up from our dumpy one bedroom apartment with carpet in the kitchen (for which they were charging us more than $900 a month), but we didn't have any savings. So the only mortgage we qualified for was a 40 year, zero down mortgage (an option the government has now vetoed).
That's right, a 40 year mortgage for a two bedroom condo. Yikes! But we wanted to start building equity and the payments were less than what we were paying for rent, so we went for it.
Fast forward almost five years and our mortgage was up for early renewal. I knew that the call would be coming from the bank, and given what our financial picture has looked like for the last couple of years, I was fairly concerned about what kind of interest rate we could get.
I fully and honestly confess that I know very little about how mortgages work, other than you borrow a lot of money from a bank and they charge you a lot of interest, and then you pay them back for years and years and years. I have had images of us being in our late 70s and early 80s still living in this condo.
So the call came from the bank just before we left for K-town. The mortgage was up for early renewal, and there were some good rates available, but they were only available until the end of February. I scheduled an appointment for today, and my Beloved and I made our way down the hill to see our mortgage specialist.
I was worried. I was actually really worried.
It turns out that I had absolutely nothing to worry about. At all.
Apparently, we made a great choice five years ago when we chose to pay our mortgage weekly. That has given us a huge leg up. Simply by paying more often we were already down below 30 years on our mortgage. I was happy to learn that.
And then the mortgage lady told us that she could cut our interest in half. While that sounded good to me, I didn't grasp the big picture. Until she showed us our payment schedule on her computer screen.
We have gone from a 5.39% interest rate to a 2.69% interest rate. And by keeping our payments at the same amount each week we have knocked a whole lot of time off our mortgage. As of today, it would only take us 17 years to pay off our mortgage.
17 years!!! Do you know what that means?
It means we are no longer upside down in our mortgage! We are paying more toward the principle than to interest. We are moving forward, not backward. We are gaining ground.
We are locked in for two years, which fits our current plan almost perfectly. We are going to live as cheaply as we possibly can for the next year and a half or so, and pay down as much of our debt as possible. With the added income from my Beloved's new job, we will hopefully knock out two thirds or more of it, if we can.
And then, in two years, WE BUY A BIGGER HOBBIT HOLE! Something with 3+ bedrooms, 2+ baths, a finished basement and close to a park. Preferably a townhouse or a duplex (my dream house is currently available in our price range... hopefully something similar will be available two years from now).
I have a perma-grin on my face. Who will dance with me?
(As an added bonus, when I stepped on the scale this morning I was thrilled to learn that I am now 26.5lb down! Only 8.5lb to go for my first target!)
I am such a happy happy hobbit today!
We have been living in the hobbit hole for almost five years. That is almost longer than anywhere else I've lived in my lifetime. When we bought this place it was a huge step up from our dumpy one bedroom apartment with carpet in the kitchen (for which they were charging us more than $900 a month), but we didn't have any savings. So the only mortgage we qualified for was a 40 year, zero down mortgage (an option the government has now vetoed).
That's right, a 40 year mortgage for a two bedroom condo. Yikes! But we wanted to start building equity and the payments were less than what we were paying for rent, so we went for it.
Fast forward almost five years and our mortgage was up for early renewal. I knew that the call would be coming from the bank, and given what our financial picture has looked like for the last couple of years, I was fairly concerned about what kind of interest rate we could get.
I fully and honestly confess that I know very little about how mortgages work, other than you borrow a lot of money from a bank and they charge you a lot of interest, and then you pay them back for years and years and years. I have had images of us being in our late 70s and early 80s still living in this condo.
So the call came from the bank just before we left for K-town. The mortgage was up for early renewal, and there were some good rates available, but they were only available until the end of February. I scheduled an appointment for today, and my Beloved and I made our way down the hill to see our mortgage specialist.
I was worried. I was actually really worried.
It turns out that I had absolutely nothing to worry about. At all.
Apparently, we made a great choice five years ago when we chose to pay our mortgage weekly. That has given us a huge leg up. Simply by paying more often we were already down below 30 years on our mortgage. I was happy to learn that.
And then the mortgage lady told us that she could cut our interest in half. While that sounded good to me, I didn't grasp the big picture. Until she showed us our payment schedule on her computer screen.
We have gone from a 5.39% interest rate to a 2.69% interest rate. And by keeping our payments at the same amount each week we have knocked a whole lot of time off our mortgage. As of today, it would only take us 17 years to pay off our mortgage.
17 years!!! Do you know what that means?
It means we are no longer upside down in our mortgage! We are paying more toward the principle than to interest. We are moving forward, not backward. We are gaining ground.
We are locked in for two years, which fits our current plan almost perfectly. We are going to live as cheaply as we possibly can for the next year and a half or so, and pay down as much of our debt as possible. With the added income from my Beloved's new job, we will hopefully knock out two thirds or more of it, if we can.
And then, in two years, WE BUY A BIGGER HOBBIT HOLE! Something with 3+ bedrooms, 2+ baths, a finished basement and close to a park. Preferably a townhouse or a duplex (my dream house is currently available in our price range... hopefully something similar will be available two years from now).
I have a perma-grin on my face. Who will dance with me?
(As an added bonus, when I stepped on the scale this morning I was thrilled to learn that I am now 26.5lb down! Only 8.5lb to go for my first target!)
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Winter Doldrums
Happy Valentine's Day Humble Readers...
Well, it's happened again. Nary a word from me since Sunday night... what's going on here? I have a dozen blog posts rattling around in my head, but they just don't seem to want to exit through the ends of my fingers.
*****
The snow in the Shire is slowly melting. We've had snow on the ground since before Halloween, so I'm not at all sad to see it go. That's not to say that the weather has been nice, far from it. Yes we've had sunny skies, but we have constantly been rocked by wind all week. I love the effects of a Chinook wind, but I'm not a fan of the wind itself.
*****
I broke down and watched the season finale of Downton Abbey the other day. I'm not going to give anything away, I promise, but I do have to say I'm pissed. Seriously, the whole evening after I watched it I was MAD. It's going to be a long wait until next January for season 4.
*****
Weight-loss update: I'm plateaued again. I'm down 24.5 pounds, which is awesome. But I'm stuck again. I'm a little bit concerned because I inevitably gain weight when we go to K-town. Mostly because of all the wine we consume when my mom, sister and I are together.
*****
I'm happy with how my super-fake King Cakes turned out for Mardi Gras. I'm not much of a baker, so the real deal was rather out of reach for me to attempt, but I wanted to have a special "zert" as Ginny called it. So, this is what I made...
Pretty simple really. Crescent rolls (in a tube), filled with a bit of nu.tella, then topped with a simple glaze and sprinkles in the colors of Mardi Gras... purple, gold, and green.
*****
So, it's Valentine's Day. A pretty important day in the hobbit hole. Today is the 7th anniversary of when my Beloved and I were matched on eHarm.ony. I always try to do something special for dinner, and when it's in the budget we do try to go out at some point around V-day. This year's special dinner is New York strip steaks, double-stuffed twice-baked taters, oven roasted asparagus, sautéed mushrooms and onions, and cheesecake for dessert. Things are well in process at this point, and I'm planning on leaving some time between when Ginny gets up from her nap and when my Beloved comes home to have Ginny make a card for her daddy.
*****
I'm hoping to squeeze some time in tomorrow for Pippin's 9 month post. I'm already a few days late, and I want to get it out there. How is it that he's been on the outside for as long as he was on the inside already??? When Ginny was this age, Pippin was conceived. Wow.
Well, it's happened again. Nary a word from me since Sunday night... what's going on here? I have a dozen blog posts rattling around in my head, but they just don't seem to want to exit through the ends of my fingers.
*****
The snow in the Shire is slowly melting. We've had snow on the ground since before Halloween, so I'm not at all sad to see it go. That's not to say that the weather has been nice, far from it. Yes we've had sunny skies, but we have constantly been rocked by wind all week. I love the effects of a Chinook wind, but I'm not a fan of the wind itself.
*****
I broke down and watched the season finale of Downton Abbey the other day. I'm not going to give anything away, I promise, but I do have to say I'm pissed. Seriously, the whole evening after I watched it I was MAD. It's going to be a long wait until next January for season 4.
*****
Weight-loss update: I'm plateaued again. I'm down 24.5 pounds, which is awesome. But I'm stuck again. I'm a little bit concerned because I inevitably gain weight when we go to K-town. Mostly because of all the wine we consume when my mom, sister and I are together.
*****
I'm happy with how my super-fake King Cakes turned out for Mardi Gras. I'm not much of a baker, so the real deal was rather out of reach for me to attempt, but I wanted to have a special "zert" as Ginny called it. So, this is what I made...
Pretty simple really. Crescent rolls (in a tube), filled with a bit of nu.tella, then topped with a simple glaze and sprinkles in the colors of Mardi Gras... purple, gold, and green.
*****
So, it's Valentine's Day. A pretty important day in the hobbit hole. Today is the 7th anniversary of when my Beloved and I were matched on eHarm.ony. I always try to do something special for dinner, and when it's in the budget we do try to go out at some point around V-day. This year's special dinner is New York strip steaks, double-stuffed twice-baked taters, oven roasted asparagus, sautéed mushrooms and onions, and cheesecake for dessert. Things are well in process at this point, and I'm planning on leaving some time between when Ginny gets up from her nap and when my Beloved comes home to have Ginny make a card for her daddy.
*****
I'm hoping to squeeze some time in tomorrow for Pippin's 9 month post. I'm already a few days late, and I want to get it out there. How is it that he's been on the outside for as long as he was on the inside already??? When Ginny was this age, Pippin was conceived. Wow.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Winter Friggin' Wonderland
Hey Humble Readers...
It is still cold in the Shire, but at least not as cold as what it has been the last couple of days. It snowed for two days straight, and we are expecting more snow tonight. I understand that I live on the frozen flatland, and that snow, cold, and wind are synonymous with a Canadian prairie winter, but this feels like it has been dragging on and on. January and February are always the hardest months.
*****
I have a quandary before me. I love Downton Abbey (you hadn't figured that out yet, had you?). My Beloved got me all three seasons on dvd for Christmas, and season three arrived yesterday. I love having Sunday nights as my Downton night, but I'm finding it hard not to toss that dvd into the player right now and binge on the rest of the season. I love the anticipation as I wait for each new episode, but part of me is screaming for that instant gratification. What would you do?
BTW, last Sunday's episode? Yup, I was a wreck. Totally gutted. And my Beloved just sat there laughing at me.
*****
Humble Readers, I hesitate to bring this up, but it is the pressing issue on my mind and body this week. I will warn you that it's very tmi, but really, after all the IF stuff, I'm not shy about talking about my lady parts. At least not here. You have been warned.
I have a yeast infection. My first. Ever. And let me just tell you, this shit sucks! I am uncomfortable. I am grumpy. And who the hell said that any part of the female anatomy, let alone the lady bits, are allowed to burn and itch like that? I didn't sign up for this. I. DID. NOT. SIGN. UP. FOR. THIS!!! I caught myself daydreaming about steel wool. It's time to go to the pharmacy.
*****
In other body news... I have busted through my 19.6lb plateau! Yay! I am now officially 22lb down. I'm going shopping again this weekend (I can because I have a coupon to one of my favourite clothing stores - spend $80 save 50%) because now the only pants that fit me are the two pairs of jeans I bought at the end of December. My next major target is to be what I weighed when my Beloved and I got married. That means another 14 pounds. And if I can do it by our anniversary in April, that would be an added bonus... a little more than 10 weeks. I think that's doable.
*****
Pippin is having a rough day exploring his surroundings. He's trying hard to really crawl (rather than army crawl), but he keeps on ending up under the coffee table and bonking his little noggin. I'm hoping to get some video of him trying to crawl, because really it is just too funny. More often than not, he ends up doing a face plant into the carpet.
It is still cold in the Shire, but at least not as cold as what it has been the last couple of days. It snowed for two days straight, and we are expecting more snow tonight. I understand that I live on the frozen flatland, and that snow, cold, and wind are synonymous with a Canadian prairie winter, but this feels like it has been dragging on and on. January and February are always the hardest months.
*****
I have a quandary before me. I love Downton Abbey (you hadn't figured that out yet, had you?). My Beloved got me all three seasons on dvd for Christmas, and season three arrived yesterday. I love having Sunday nights as my Downton night, but I'm finding it hard not to toss that dvd into the player right now and binge on the rest of the season. I love the anticipation as I wait for each new episode, but part of me is screaming for that instant gratification. What would you do?
BTW, last Sunday's episode? Yup, I was a wreck. Totally gutted. And my Beloved just sat there laughing at me.
*****
Humble Readers, I hesitate to bring this up, but it is the pressing issue on my mind and body this week. I will warn you that it's very tmi, but really, after all the IF stuff, I'm not shy about talking about my lady parts. At least not here. You have been warned.
I have a yeast infection. My first. Ever. And let me just tell you, this shit sucks! I am uncomfortable. I am grumpy. And who the hell said that any part of the female anatomy, let alone the lady bits, are allowed to burn and itch like that? I didn't sign up for this. I. DID. NOT. SIGN. UP. FOR. THIS!!! I caught myself daydreaming about steel wool. It's time to go to the pharmacy.
*****
In other body news... I have busted through my 19.6lb plateau! Yay! I am now officially 22lb down. I'm going shopping again this weekend (I can because I have a coupon to one of my favourite clothing stores - spend $80 save 50%) because now the only pants that fit me are the two pairs of jeans I bought at the end of December. My next major target is to be what I weighed when my Beloved and I got married. That means another 14 pounds. And if I can do it by our anniversary in April, that would be an added bonus... a little more than 10 weeks. I think that's doable.
*****
Pippin is having a rough day exploring his surroundings. He's trying hard to really crawl (rather than army crawl), but he keeps on ending up under the coffee table and bonking his little noggin. I'm hoping to get some video of him trying to crawl, because really it is just too funny. More often than not, he ends up doing a face plant into the carpet.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Do-do, Do-do, Do-do-do...
Hey Humble Readers...
How's it going? It's a bit of a grey day in the Shire, but at least the snow is still melting. As of tomorrow we are supposed to be getting pretty cold again for a few days. Ugh.
*****
AF is here, and yet again she's kicking my ass. I seriously want to line up all the women who told me that my period would get 'soooo much easier' after having kids, and kick them all really really hard. If anything, it's gone back to the way it was when I was in my teens and early twenties, with nausea, extraordinary cramps, and migraines. And to add insult to injury, I can't take the meds I used to (rx muscle relaxers) because they make me groggy. I just don't feel I can do that when it's just me and the wee-lings.
*****
So, did the title of today's post give you a hint? Maybe not, but it's that time of year again. Jeopardy online test time! And this year, I'm taking the test too. We'll see if either my Beloved or I get called for an audition. It would be a great excuse to have a mini vacation if we did. We both chose Phoenix as our audition city, and if it's like when my Beloved auditioned (in February of 2011) it would be a nice break from the winter. I'm taking my test tonight, and my Beloved is doing his tomorrow night.
*****
A while back I mentioned that I've been losing some weight, and that is still going down, which I LOVE, but there are other things happening that have been a bit on the humorous side. For the last several years I've only owned a couple of pairs of jeans at a time because my wardrobe primarily consisted of clothes that I needed for work (strict dress code) and I rarely got to wear jeans. After that came maternity clothes, which I retired last summer. With the weight loss recently, along with pounds I've also been losing inches. The dress pants that I used to wear to work are extremely loose and baggy on me, and the jeans that I bought after Ginny was born actually FELL OFF!! I was walking down the hall to the nursery, carrying Pip, and they fell right to my ankles. It happened again, later in the day, right in front of our living room window when I bent to put Pip on the floor. I recently went shopping and bought a couple of pairs of jeans, in a size that I haven't worn in more than fifteen years. I still have a ridiculous long way to go to get healthy, but I'm thrilled with the progress so far.
*****
I don't normally promote products on my blog, but I have to tell you all about my new shampoo. Back when I was expecting Ginny, my hair was beautiful. One of the few things that was really great about being pregnant... nice hair. After she was born, it went funky(brittle, limp, and dry). And it stayed funky. And it got worse while I was expecting Pip. When Pip was about four months old, it started falling out a lot. I would have to clean out my hair brush multiple times while brushing. My hair has always been fine textured and easily tangled, and with the brittleness, that meant it was breaking constantly. I was so frustrated. I couldn't even put it in a ponytail, because the ouchless elastics would pull my hair out or break it. SOoooo I switch to a new L'Or.eal hair care system (the one in their black and pink bottles) and after a month, I have my hair back. It's soft, it's easy to brush out, and it feels so much stronger. My only frustration now is all the funny wispy bits where my hair is growing back in (like along my hairline, at my temples, etc)
*****
Brain hiccup of the day: I didn't realize until 3pm that the recipe I was going to make was actually a slow-cooker recipe. It's a new one for me that I chose off my pinterest board and I didn't read it all the way through. Doh!
*****
So tell me, would you consider trying out for Jeopardy?
How's it going? It's a bit of a grey day in the Shire, but at least the snow is still melting. As of tomorrow we are supposed to be getting pretty cold again for a few days. Ugh.
*****
AF is here, and yet again she's kicking my ass. I seriously want to line up all the women who told me that my period would get 'soooo much easier' after having kids, and kick them all really really hard. If anything, it's gone back to the way it was when I was in my teens and early twenties, with nausea, extraordinary cramps, and migraines. And to add insult to injury, I can't take the meds I used to (rx muscle relaxers) because they make me groggy. I just don't feel I can do that when it's just me and the wee-lings.
*****
So, did the title of today's post give you a hint? Maybe not, but it's that time of year again. Jeopardy online test time! And this year, I'm taking the test too. We'll see if either my Beloved or I get called for an audition. It would be a great excuse to have a mini vacation if we did. We both chose Phoenix as our audition city, and if it's like when my Beloved auditioned (in February of 2011) it would be a nice break from the winter. I'm taking my test tonight, and my Beloved is doing his tomorrow night.
*****
A while back I mentioned that I've been losing some weight, and that is still going down, which I LOVE, but there are other things happening that have been a bit on the humorous side. For the last several years I've only owned a couple of pairs of jeans at a time because my wardrobe primarily consisted of clothes that I needed for work (strict dress code) and I rarely got to wear jeans. After that came maternity clothes, which I retired last summer. With the weight loss recently, along with pounds I've also been losing inches. The dress pants that I used to wear to work are extremely loose and baggy on me, and the jeans that I bought after Ginny was born actually FELL OFF!! I was walking down the hall to the nursery, carrying Pip, and they fell right to my ankles. It happened again, later in the day, right in front of our living room window when I bent to put Pip on the floor. I recently went shopping and bought a couple of pairs of jeans, in a size that I haven't worn in more than fifteen years. I still have a ridiculous long way to go to get healthy, but I'm thrilled with the progress so far.
*****
I don't normally promote products on my blog, but I have to tell you all about my new shampoo. Back when I was expecting Ginny, my hair was beautiful. One of the few things that was really great about being pregnant... nice hair. After she was born, it went funky(brittle, limp, and dry). And it stayed funky. And it got worse while I was expecting Pip. When Pip was about four months old, it started falling out a lot. I would have to clean out my hair brush multiple times while brushing. My hair has always been fine textured and easily tangled, and with the brittleness, that meant it was breaking constantly. I was so frustrated. I couldn't even put it in a ponytail, because the ouchless elastics would pull my hair out or break it. SOoooo I switch to a new L'Or.eal hair care system (the one in their black and pink bottles) and after a month, I have my hair back. It's soft, it's easy to brush out, and it feels so much stronger. My only frustration now is all the funny wispy bits where my hair is growing back in (like along my hairline, at my temples, etc)
*****
Brain hiccup of the day: I didn't realize until 3pm that the recipe I was going to make was actually a slow-cooker recipe. It's a new one for me that I chose off my pinterest board and I didn't read it all the way through. Doh!
*****
So tell me, would you consider trying out for Jeopardy?
Monday, June 25, 2012
Hobbit-ish Potpurri: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
Hey Humble Readers...
I hope you are all doing well, wherever you're at today. Things here on the flatland are trucking along. Today started off with a rare summer fog, which was kind of nice. I just wish I had thought to take pictures. It's warm, but not too hot. Now if we could just ditch the humidity (and I know that it's nothing like the humidity my eastern friends deal with) things might be completely comfortable in our little hobbit-hole.
*****
The Good: Ginny. Today she's been active, but manageable. She took her morning nap without complaint, and SHE KEPT HER DIAPER ON! Of course, she is wearing a onesie and jeans, so it would have been harder for her to get at it, but hey... I'm going to take my victories where I can get them. She has also been fairly sweet to Pippin so far today, so that's an added bonus.
*****
The Bad: As of today, I'm going to begin winding down the breastfeeding/pumping. Pip hasn't shown any inclination to get back on the breast, and when I pump for a half hour (15 minutes per side) I'm only getting two ounces. It's time. As of this morning, I'm only pumping for 10 minutes a side, and I will lower that to 5 minutes a side in a few days. I'm also going to be going longer in between pumping sessions. Instead of getting down on myself, I'm counting this as a sort-of victory. Is it ideal? No. But it's a heck of a lot better than what I was expecting. I've given our wee little mister a good start.
*****
The Ugly: Our finances suck. Again. Still. I am doing all that I can to limit the outflow of cash... using coupons when I can, planning meals that are as inexpensive as I can, cutting any bad spending that creeps in (damn the book aisle at Costco) and trying to sell some of our no-longer-needed items on Kijiji. I am in desparate need of both new bras and new pants (all my pre-pregnancy pants are falling down... and belts and I don't get along), but I'm going to have to choose between the two next month.
My Beloved asked for a cost-of-living raise, as his last one was almost two years ago, and his boss has not responded favourably, so Beloved is now in the hunt for a new job. There are more opennings now in his field than there were in the fall, so we are choosing to be hopeful that something good may yet come.
*****
I'm attempting to get back into the routine I had before Pip made his appearance for taking care of our hobbit-hole. I'm well on my way to having today's to do list completed. I've also added some self-care things to my daily to do lists, in hopes that I will be able to carve out 20-30 minutes a day for some form of exercise. My weightloss has plateaued at 30 pounds, so it needs something more than what I'm doing right now. We'll see how that goes.
*****
Another reason why I'm eager to get back into being active is to try to keep the PPD at bay. Last time around, getting out and just spending that 20-30 minutes a day walking and listening to music by myself was a huge part of getting through my PPD. I'm trying to be proactive this time around, as I know that with stopping pumping I'm going to have some crazy hormone stuff going on for the next while.
*****
I'll Look Back At This And Laugh moment from the weekend: We went to visit my MIL yesterday, to see her new place. The little town where she lives if 45 minutes south of us. I remembered to take the breast pump, toys for Ginny, and spare outfits for both kids. What I didn't pack was an extra shirt for me... and of course Pip decided that it was time to have a major pukey incident. Seriously, he puked up almost a whole bottle... all over himself and me. And I had to then sit there in a wet, smelly, pukey shirt until our visit was over, and through the drive home. LESSON LEARNED!
*****
Well, I need to get back to my to-dos. What's on your to do list for today?
I hope you are all doing well, wherever you're at today. Things here on the flatland are trucking along. Today started off with a rare summer fog, which was kind of nice. I just wish I had thought to take pictures. It's warm, but not too hot. Now if we could just ditch the humidity (and I know that it's nothing like the humidity my eastern friends deal with) things might be completely comfortable in our little hobbit-hole.
*****
The Good: Ginny. Today she's been active, but manageable. She took her morning nap without complaint, and SHE KEPT HER DIAPER ON! Of course, she is wearing a onesie and jeans, so it would have been harder for her to get at it, but hey... I'm going to take my victories where I can get them. She has also been fairly sweet to Pippin so far today, so that's an added bonus.
*****
The Bad: As of today, I'm going to begin winding down the breastfeeding/pumping. Pip hasn't shown any inclination to get back on the breast, and when I pump for a half hour (15 minutes per side) I'm only getting two ounces. It's time. As of this morning, I'm only pumping for 10 minutes a side, and I will lower that to 5 minutes a side in a few days. I'm also going to be going longer in between pumping sessions. Instead of getting down on myself, I'm counting this as a sort-of victory. Is it ideal? No. But it's a heck of a lot better than what I was expecting. I've given our wee little mister a good start.
*****
The Ugly: Our finances suck. Again. Still. I am doing all that I can to limit the outflow of cash... using coupons when I can, planning meals that are as inexpensive as I can, cutting any bad spending that creeps in (damn the book aisle at Costco) and trying to sell some of our no-longer-needed items on Kijiji. I am in desparate need of both new bras and new pants (all my pre-pregnancy pants are falling down... and belts and I don't get along), but I'm going to have to choose between the two next month.
My Beloved asked for a cost-of-living raise, as his last one was almost two years ago, and his boss has not responded favourably, so Beloved is now in the hunt for a new job. There are more opennings now in his field than there were in the fall, so we are choosing to be hopeful that something good may yet come.
*****
I'm attempting to get back into the routine I had before Pip made his appearance for taking care of our hobbit-hole. I'm well on my way to having today's to do list completed. I've also added some self-care things to my daily to do lists, in hopes that I will be able to carve out 20-30 minutes a day for some form of exercise. My weightloss has plateaued at 30 pounds, so it needs something more than what I'm doing right now. We'll see how that goes.
*****
Another reason why I'm eager to get back into being active is to try to keep the PPD at bay. Last time around, getting out and just spending that 20-30 minutes a day walking and listening to music by myself was a huge part of getting through my PPD. I'm trying to be proactive this time around, as I know that with stopping pumping I'm going to have some crazy hormone stuff going on for the next while.
*****
I'll Look Back At This And Laugh moment from the weekend: We went to visit my MIL yesterday, to see her new place. The little town where she lives if 45 minutes south of us. I remembered to take the breast pump, toys for Ginny, and spare outfits for both kids. What I didn't pack was an extra shirt for me... and of course Pip decided that it was time to have a major pukey incident. Seriously, he puked up almost a whole bottle... all over himself and me. And I had to then sit there in a wet, smelly, pukey shirt until our visit was over, and through the drive home. LESSON LEARNED!
*****
Well, I need to get back to my to-dos. What's on your to do list for today?
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Hobbit-ish Potpurri: In Like A Lion
Hey Humble Readers...
I know that I whine a lot about the weather, and really there's no point to it... BUT I have to say that even for Canada, this is getting ridiculous! When my Beloved left for work this morning it was -25C (-40C with the wind). Our normal average temp this time of year is -3C. And Environment Canada just released their forecast for the next three months, and they are saying to expect a slow, cold spring. Argh! I just want to get out and go for walks!
*****
Confession time... after my initial huge weightloss after Ginny was born, things plateaued big time, and in the last few weeks things have started going in the other direction. The fact that I'm baking more often now isn't helping things, that's for sure. I need to get more active. I have been really intrigued by Zumba, but a gym membership isn't in the budget just now, so I went looking for dvds. Couldn't find anything online called Zumba, except for a book. In the end, I decided on a dance workout dvd done by one of the Dancing With The Stars pros. We'll see how it goes.
*****
My Beloved is getting kinda antsy about Jeopardy. He spends part of every evening brushing up on trivia and he talks about it all the time. It's really kind of cute. I'm not looking forward to being apart from him for three days (I know I'm a wuss), but I am hoping that above all this is just a great experience for him. Of course, if he does well and ends up on the show, well, that wouldn't be a bad thing either.
*****
I have a question for all the moms out there... more specifically those of you who had heartburn during pregnancy. Did your heartburn go away? Ever? I've tried to wean myself off the Zan.tac, but I'm hurting here. I'm going to be seeing Dr. B in a couple weeks... I just don't want to be on meds for this for the rest of my life.
*****
I've been feeling some twinges that are making me think that AF might be fixing to make a come back. I find I'm actually looking forward to it, because I want to see what my cycle is like now. Will it be the same as before? Will my luteal phase miraculously reset to what it should be? Or wil there be new and scary changes? I'm planning on a going a cycle or two with out the supplements that I took to extend my luteal phase (b-vitamins, baby aspirin, etc), just to see where things are at. We're hoping to be back at the ttc game by late spring/early summer. This here hobbit ain't getting any younger.
I know that I whine a lot about the weather, and really there's no point to it... BUT I have to say that even for Canada, this is getting ridiculous! When my Beloved left for work this morning it was -25C (-40C with the wind). Our normal average temp this time of year is -3C. And Environment Canada just released their forecast for the next three months, and they are saying to expect a slow, cold spring. Argh! I just want to get out and go for walks!
*****
Confession time... after my initial huge weightloss after Ginny was born, things plateaued big time, and in the last few weeks things have started going in the other direction. The fact that I'm baking more often now isn't helping things, that's for sure. I need to get more active. I have been really intrigued by Zumba, but a gym membership isn't in the budget just now, so I went looking for dvds. Couldn't find anything online called Zumba, except for a book. In the end, I decided on a dance workout dvd done by one of the Dancing With The Stars pros. We'll see how it goes.
*****
My Beloved is getting kinda antsy about Jeopardy. He spends part of every evening brushing up on trivia and he talks about it all the time. It's really kind of cute. I'm not looking forward to being apart from him for three days (I know I'm a wuss), but I am hoping that above all this is just a great experience for him. Of course, if he does well and ends up on the show, well, that wouldn't be a bad thing either.
*****
I have a question for all the moms out there... more specifically those of you who had heartburn during pregnancy. Did your heartburn go away? Ever? I've tried to wean myself off the Zan.tac, but I'm hurting here. I'm going to be seeing Dr. B in a couple weeks... I just don't want to be on meds for this for the rest of my life.
*****
I've been feeling some twinges that are making me think that AF might be fixing to make a come back. I find I'm actually looking forward to it, because I want to see what my cycle is like now. Will it be the same as before? Will my luteal phase miraculously reset to what it should be? Or wil there be new and scary changes? I'm planning on a going a cycle or two with out the supplements that I took to extend my luteal phase (b-vitamins, baby aspirin, etc), just to see where things are at. We're hoping to be back at the ttc game by late spring/early summer. This here hobbit ain't getting any younger.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Hobbit-ish Potpurri: New Beginnings and Celebrations
Howdy Humble Readers...
I am striving to improve both my blogging and commenting, as they have significantly sucked over the last couple of months. Granted, I have had a wonderful new distraction, but I miss you all! In hopes that it will help my blogging re-birth, I have signed up last minute for this month's ICLW. I'm going for my 6 comments a day... so maybe I'll be back into the swing of things by the end of the week.
*****
Feel like doing a happy dance with me? I finally went clothes shopping last weekend, because all my pants were falling off my ass (seriously, I had two pairs of pants left that fit, and I hated one of them and strongly disliked the other). Pre-Ginny, I was either a 26 or a 28 (told ya I was plus sized) depending on the cut. I started out optomistically with 24s, but in the dressing room discovered that I needed 22s instead! Woohoo! I haven't been that size since sometime just after college. I ended up with two new pairs of jeans, a pair of casual pants, and 2 shirts... and I got pretty good deals too!
*****
Speaking of weightloss and such... I was looking back, and since this time last year I have lost 56 pounds! I lost almost 20 pounds just prior to getting pregnant and with all that I lost right after Ginevra's birth, I'm doing pretty gosh darn well, if I do say so myself.
*****
Have any of you tried quinoa? Am I the last person in the world to discover how amazing this stuff is? I made sausage and peppers last week, and served it over quinoa... Absosmurfly fantastic! And good for you too! What a bonus!
*****
Ginny is growing like a weed. I had to pack away most of her newborn clothes this past week. (insert tear-y moment) Because she was so big when she was born, and because of how small my niece and nephew were at birth, Ginny looks to me to be the size of a four month old. She's getting close to 12 pounds now, and it's almost time for her 2 month vaccinations.
*****
Breastfeeding has taken a turn for the worse. Because she's growing so much, Ginny is needing a more milk than I am capable of producing, even with medical help. She gets 4-6 goes at the b00b throughout the day, but generally by 3 or 4 in the afternoon, I'm tapped out. I'm thankful that there are things like formula to help in situations like this, but I still feel a bit like I'm failing her.
*****
I mentioned to my Beloved the other day that I was excited because I saw tulips at the grocery store. That means that spring is coming! So guess what he came home with for me last night? A nice little bouquet of red & yellow tulips. How sweet is he?
*****
I have a pork roast in the slow cooker tonight, in preparation for a trip to my MIL tomorrow. We're going to be having BBQ pulled pork sandwiches and broccoli slaw. What's on the menu for your family?
I am striving to improve both my blogging and commenting, as they have significantly sucked over the last couple of months. Granted, I have had a wonderful new distraction, but I miss you all! In hopes that it will help my blogging re-birth, I have signed up last minute for this month's ICLW. I'm going for my 6 comments a day... so maybe I'll be back into the swing of things by the end of the week.
*****
Feel like doing a happy dance with me? I finally went clothes shopping last weekend, because all my pants were falling off my ass (seriously, I had two pairs of pants left that fit, and I hated one of them and strongly disliked the other). Pre-Ginny, I was either a 26 or a 28 (told ya I was plus sized) depending on the cut. I started out optomistically with 24s, but in the dressing room discovered that I needed 22s instead! Woohoo! I haven't been that size since sometime just after college. I ended up with two new pairs of jeans, a pair of casual pants, and 2 shirts... and I got pretty good deals too!
*****
Speaking of weightloss and such... I was looking back, and since this time last year I have lost 56 pounds! I lost almost 20 pounds just prior to getting pregnant and with all that I lost right after Ginevra's birth, I'm doing pretty gosh darn well, if I do say so myself.
*****
Have any of you tried quinoa? Am I the last person in the world to discover how amazing this stuff is? I made sausage and peppers last week, and served it over quinoa... Absosmurfly fantastic! And good for you too! What a bonus!
*****
Ginny is growing like a weed. I had to pack away most of her newborn clothes this past week. (insert tear-y moment) Because she was so big when she was born, and because of how small my niece and nephew were at birth, Ginny looks to me to be the size of a four month old. She's getting close to 12 pounds now, and it's almost time for her 2 month vaccinations.
*****
Breastfeeding has taken a turn for the worse. Because she's growing so much, Ginny is needing a more milk than I am capable of producing, even with medical help. She gets 4-6 goes at the b00b throughout the day, but generally by 3 or 4 in the afternoon, I'm tapped out. I'm thankful that there are things like formula to help in situations like this, but I still feel a bit like I'm failing her.
*****
I mentioned to my Beloved the other day that I was excited because I saw tulips at the grocery store. That means that spring is coming! So guess what he came home with for me last night? A nice little bouquet of red & yellow tulips. How sweet is he?
*****
I have a pork roast in the slow cooker tonight, in preparation for a trip to my MIL tomorrow. We're going to be having BBQ pulled pork sandwiches and broccoli slaw. What's on the menu for your family?
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Clearing Out the Cobwebs
Hey Humble Readers...
Are you still out there?
Have you given up on me? I wouldn't blame you one bit if you had.
My only excuse for my ridiculous absence is a love affair of gargantuan proportions. Honestly, I could stare at her for hours... watching her sleep, holding her (even when she's screaming her lungs out), watching her eyes light up when she recognizes me or my Beloved... heck even changing her stinky diapers is a joy. I am gaga over her, and proud of it. My only regret is that I am woefully out of touch with my bloggy sisters. But I hope to correct that starting today.
*****
Ginevra is growing like a weed! She's now over 11 pounds and has already outgrown much of her newborn wardrobe. In most developmental areas, she's doing very well, altho she is still a little on the slow side when it comes to holding up her head... but that is primarily due to how she was positioned inside me. Her neck is slowly getting stronger, and soon will catch up with the rest of her. Ginny sleeps like a trooper, and she's even given us two nights with 8 hours of sleep (she usually averages about 6.5). I know we're being spoiled, and I fully expect the other shoe to drop, either when teething starts or when she's 13... who knows. She started bestowing little gummy smiles on us around Christmas, but they are still more gas related rather than joy induced. She loves her bathtime, and if she didn't have such dry skin I would bathe her everyday just to watch the look on her face when she hits the water. I can't believe it's been more than 6 weeks since she was born!
*****
I knew to expect weird dreams during pregnancy, but why did no one warn me about the nightmares after the baby is born? Countless nights I have woken up gasping for breath and trembling after watching her fall down stairs (a recurring image) or seeing some grotesque deformity (like eyeballs sprouting in her cheeks) form.
*****
Breastfeeding is still not perfect, but it's gotten better. She typically nurses all day and evening, and only gets one formula bottle at night. I'm still on the domperidone, and I've added fenugreek to help my milk supply. I have almost completely stopped pumping, which is a relief. I would gladly have done it for months if I had to, but it really was tiresome. The one thing I'm still struggling with, and it might just be a matter of being shy, is bf-ing in public. Being a plus size woman, I am not able to hold her in the typical cross cradle hold. I use the football hold instead. But figuring out how to manage that when we are out and about, and still feel discreet is a huge challenge. Any suggestions?
*****
My weight loss has plateaued, and over Christmas I actually gained a little bit back. Not that that was entirely unexpected, given how quickly I lost all that weight, and the fact that I was eating all kinds of crap. I'm trying to be better behaved now and am working out every day with my Wii Active. Since the GD, I have developed a huge sweet tooth, which I can't seem to shake. I've always loved carbs, but now, bring on the sugary goodies... I used to be more about the salty snacks. Odd... I have to go for a GTT next week (yuck!) but my blood sugars have been well in line ever since Ginevra was born.
*****
Old Man Winter decided this weekend that we had been getting off easy on the frozen flatland. Temps plummeted again (today it's -19 C, -26 C with the wind chill), and we got a huge dump of snow on Saturday. I learned a valuable lesson on Sunday afternoon... those 'Shape Up' shoes do not work well when you are in knee deep snow. I fell twice trying to carry in the groceries. I didn't hurt myself too bad, but I did land on my a$$ in the snow surrounded by cans of frozen juice.
*****
I'm off to go bake a cake... and if it turns out well, I'll post pics tomorrow. I don't normally do too well with the whole baking thing, but this recipe seems like a no-brainer.
Are you still out there?
Have you given up on me? I wouldn't blame you one bit if you had.
My only excuse for my ridiculous absence is a love affair of gargantuan proportions. Honestly, I could stare at her for hours... watching her sleep, holding her (even when she's screaming her lungs out), watching her eyes light up when she recognizes me or my Beloved... heck even changing her stinky diapers is a joy. I am gaga over her, and proud of it. My only regret is that I am woefully out of touch with my bloggy sisters. But I hope to correct that starting today.
*****
Ginevra is growing like a weed! She's now over 11 pounds and has already outgrown much of her newborn wardrobe. In most developmental areas, she's doing very well, altho she is still a little on the slow side when it comes to holding up her head... but that is primarily due to how she was positioned inside me. Her neck is slowly getting stronger, and soon will catch up with the rest of her. Ginny sleeps like a trooper, and she's even given us two nights with 8 hours of sleep (she usually averages about 6.5). I know we're being spoiled, and I fully expect the other shoe to drop, either when teething starts or when she's 13... who knows. She started bestowing little gummy smiles on us around Christmas, but they are still more gas related rather than joy induced. She loves her bathtime, and if she didn't have such dry skin I would bathe her everyday just to watch the look on her face when she hits the water. I can't believe it's been more than 6 weeks since she was born!
*****
I knew to expect weird dreams during pregnancy, but why did no one warn me about the nightmares after the baby is born? Countless nights I have woken up gasping for breath and trembling after watching her fall down stairs (a recurring image) or seeing some grotesque deformity (like eyeballs sprouting in her cheeks) form.
*****
Breastfeeding is still not perfect, but it's gotten better. She typically nurses all day and evening, and only gets one formula bottle at night. I'm still on the domperidone, and I've added fenugreek to help my milk supply. I have almost completely stopped pumping, which is a relief. I would gladly have done it for months if I had to, but it really was tiresome. The one thing I'm still struggling with, and it might just be a matter of being shy, is bf-ing in public. Being a plus size woman, I am not able to hold her in the typical cross cradle hold. I use the football hold instead. But figuring out how to manage that when we are out and about, and still feel discreet is a huge challenge. Any suggestions?
*****
My weight loss has plateaued, and over Christmas I actually gained a little bit back. Not that that was entirely unexpected, given how quickly I lost all that weight, and the fact that I was eating all kinds of crap. I'm trying to be better behaved now and am working out every day with my Wii Active. Since the GD, I have developed a huge sweet tooth, which I can't seem to shake. I've always loved carbs, but now, bring on the sugary goodies... I used to be more about the salty snacks. Odd... I have to go for a GTT next week (yuck!) but my blood sugars have been well in line ever since Ginevra was born.
*****
Old Man Winter decided this weekend that we had been getting off easy on the frozen flatland. Temps plummeted again (today it's -19 C, -26 C with the wind chill), and we got a huge dump of snow on Saturday. I learned a valuable lesson on Sunday afternoon... those 'Shape Up' shoes do not work well when you are in knee deep snow. I fell twice trying to carry in the groceries. I didn't hurt myself too bad, but I did land on my a$$ in the snow surrounded by cans of frozen juice.
*****
I'm off to go bake a cake... and if it turns out well, I'll post pics tomorrow. I don't normally do too well with the whole baking thing, but this recipe seems like a no-brainer.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Thank Heaven...
... for small victories, Humble Readers!
We finally got our appointment with a lactation consultant today (last week's appointment had to be rescheduled because the consultant was sick), and I wasn't holding out much hope. Every time, over the last two weeks, Ginevra and I would try the whole breastfeeding thing, we would both end up frustrated, and in her case screaming.
I was anxious when we got to the clinic because my experience with the nurses in the hospital wasn't the greatest. I was sure that I was going to be told (again) that my nipples were too big, that the combination of high blood pressure, GD, and c-section had screwed my chances of bf-ing, or the dreaded 'just relax and it will happen'.
Denise, the consultant, totally made everything okay tho. We started by just talking through the hurdles we've faced up to this point and what may be causing them. Then she took a look at 'the girls' and at Ginevra's mouth. My nipples are good, altho a little raw from pumping all the time. Ginevra has a bit of a tongue tie, and she doesn't like to open her mouth real wide unless she's screaming.
As an aside, I have never ever had so many people manhandle my b00bs as I have in the last couple of weeks. They say that having a baby makes you more comfortable showing off all your goods, but it still weirds me out.
She then had me lay down and do some skin to skin time with Ginevra. After about 20 minutes we moved to a chair, and after some initial fussing, my beautiful little girl latched on and nursed like a champ! It took a little working to get the right position, and to get my 'ginourmous' (as one nurse at the hospital called them) nipple into the right spot in her mouth, but she did it. I was ready to cry, I was so happy!
I know we still have a ways to go yet, and that it will likely be a bumpy road, but we are on our way. I have another appointment with her next week, and we'll just keep on trying.
*****
I still can't believe the weight I'm losing. It's slowed down now, but I'm almost 40lbs down from 16 days ago. My maternity pants AND my pre-pregnancy jeans are falling off me when I walk. I can't wait until I'm cleared for exercise... who knows how much I'll be able to lose!
I have a rather modest goal considering how much I 'should' lose, albeit an odd one. My Beloved is almost a full foot taller than me, and he weighs 25lb less than I do right now. I want to weigh less than my husband by our anniversary in April. I don't care if it's only half a pound less... I want to be lighter than my husband.
Think it's possible?
We finally got our appointment with a lactation consultant today (last week's appointment had to be rescheduled because the consultant was sick), and I wasn't holding out much hope. Every time, over the last two weeks, Ginevra and I would try the whole breastfeeding thing, we would both end up frustrated, and in her case screaming.
I was anxious when we got to the clinic because my experience with the nurses in the hospital wasn't the greatest. I was sure that I was going to be told (again) that my nipples were too big, that the combination of high blood pressure, GD, and c-section had screwed my chances of bf-ing, or the dreaded 'just relax and it will happen'.
Denise, the consultant, totally made everything okay tho. We started by just talking through the hurdles we've faced up to this point and what may be causing them. Then she took a look at 'the girls' and at Ginevra's mouth. My nipples are good, altho a little raw from pumping all the time. Ginevra has a bit of a tongue tie, and she doesn't like to open her mouth real wide unless she's screaming.
As an aside, I have never ever had so many people manhandle my b00bs as I have in the last couple of weeks. They say that having a baby makes you more comfortable showing off all your goods, but it still weirds me out.
She then had me lay down and do some skin to skin time with Ginevra. After about 20 minutes we moved to a chair, and after some initial fussing, my beautiful little girl latched on and nursed like a champ! It took a little working to get the right position, and to get my 'ginourmous' (as one nurse at the hospital called them) nipple into the right spot in her mouth, but she did it. I was ready to cry, I was so happy!
I know we still have a ways to go yet, and that it will likely be a bumpy road, but we are on our way. I have another appointment with her next week, and we'll just keep on trying.
*****
I still can't believe the weight I'm losing. It's slowed down now, but I'm almost 40lbs down from 16 days ago. My maternity pants AND my pre-pregnancy jeans are falling off me when I walk. I can't wait until I'm cleared for exercise... who knows how much I'll be able to lose!
I have a rather modest goal considering how much I 'should' lose, albeit an odd one. My Beloved is almost a full foot taller than me, and he weighs 25lb less than I do right now. I want to weigh less than my husband by our anniversary in April. I don't care if it's only half a pound less... I want to be lighter than my husband.
Think it's possible?
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