writergrl

I know that it’s debatable, but I am sure that, in my humble opinion, that The Simpsons is the best show ever. It’s edgy, funny, political and thought-provoking.

Weight: 198.0
Total Lost: 2.8 pounds

I don’t anticipate writing about my stresses and/or progress every day. However, I do find that I’m less hungry today, which is a good start. On the flip-side: I’m also less energetic. I couldn’t find the motivation to go out for a walk with my boys this morning, which disappointed me. I hope to have the energy to do so this evening.

I’ve decided that I must reward myself for my accomplishments. I’m not a materialistic person, per se, but I know that if I have more than the number glaring at me on my bathroom scale to look forward to, I’ll be more likely to stick with it. Here are my rewards:

10 pounds lost: Haircut
I’m a stay-at-home mother of two little boys (4 years and 15 months) and it’s not easy for me to go off and do something like that for myself. It’s been about 8 months since I’ve even had a trim. So, at 10 pounds lost I will finally give my husband the kids for an afternoon and do it for myself.

20 pounds lost: New walking shoes
I anticipate putting a few more miles on the shoes that I currently have. They’re getting worn out and I can feel that they aren’t as sturdy as they once were. So, in 20 pounds, I will invest in a new, good quality pair of shoes.

30 pounds lost: New tattoo
This will be a “killing two birds with one stone” scenerio. I will be able to reward myself with a tattoo, and strike another item off of my 43-things list. I have 7 piercings and have wanted a tattoo for years. This will be my reward in 30 pounds.

40 pounds lost: Massage
I’ve had them before, but have felt so self concious about my appearance that I’m unable to truly enjoy it. I’d love to go into a spa, strip without feeling disgusted and disgusting about my body and enjoy a full hour massage.

50 pounds lost: New full outfit
I’m one of the sufferers of “baggy clothes syndrome”. I wear clothing that is loose to hide my body. When I’ve lost 50 pounds, I’d like to get something more form fitting and a little more revealing than a baggy t-shirt and sweat pants.

60 pounds lost: Navel piercing
This is beyond my goal, but if I should find the motivation to continue losing weight I will absolutely reward myself for going above and beyond. As I will be thinner at this point than I have since well before meeting my husband 11 years ago, I’m going to have my navel pierced so I can show it off when I want.

Since I was a pre-teen I was a big girl. I’d learned to accept it and to hell with everyone else. Over the last 15 or so years, my weight has gone up and down – more up than down – and I was my heaviest about 2 years ago, tipping the scales as almost 220. Despite being overweight, it had never kept me from doing the things I love. I have two beautiful children that are healthy and happy. I own a gorgeous home and have a husband that adores me and whom I adore.

It’s easy to justify being overweight when you aren’t certain of actually being unhealthy. I’ve known several people who were heavy and were very healty and I’ve known several who were the ideal weight, but suffered from several health issues. I know it’s not the norm to be overweight and healthy, but it does happen. And, being that I felt fine I assumed I was one of those that fell in that catagory. I was wrong.

About a week ago I had a doctor appointment. Being that it had been about 4 years since my last routine blood test, I had one performed. My numbers came back this past week and I was shocked at how disappointing they are. I’m not only overweight, but I’m very unhealthy. My cholestrol is far too high for someone my age and my blood pressure, although not too bad, is high. So, I must do something about it. If I don’t do it now, at 27, it will only get harder and I risk not watching my boys grow up and have children of their own.

Both of my parents are overweight. My father has type 2 diabetes and struggles with his blood sugar. He’s also had a heart attack and a quadruple bi-pass. My mother is borderline diabetic and has heart disease as well. They aren’t old. But, they are unhealthy. For as long as I can remember my parents have been overweight and have suffered a few health problems. Now that they are older, those problems are compounding and worsening. I can see myself falling into that pattern if I don’t take care of it now.

I won’t diet. The word diet conveys a concept that this will be a short-term solution. I will, instead, make a life-style change. I will eat better and resolve to exercise more. I can make simple changes in my life that will alter my health for the better. This is the first day of the rest of my life…as cliche as that may sound.

I weighed myself this morning: 200.8 I wasn’t surprised by that number as I knew what I weighed from my recent doctor appointment. I hope to lose between 50 and 60 pounds so that I might be a healthy weight for my height (5’5”). I won’t put a timeline as I fear that this will only make me feel worse if I don’t reach my goal within a certain amount of time. Ideally I would like to reach 150 pounds. However, if I should lose more, that would only be icing on the cake (mmm…cake!).

It’s overpriced. The reception is spotty in many areas. It’s not truly commercial-free.

I bought my husband an XM car stereo the first year they came out. It was a $400 purchase that could have been spent on something much more enjoyable. We used it less than 6 months before cancelling our subscription. I wish I could go back in time and just not bother.

PREPAREPREPAREPREPARE

Do your research, make sure the sites have the accomidations you absolutely must have (bathrooms, showers, a pool, playground for small children, etc.) and make sure you’ve packed everything you need. There’s nothing more irritating than getting to the campsite to “get away from it all”, only to return to “it all” to got to Walmart because you forgot something.

...that one of the greatest American past-times has died. I’ve been fortunate enough to go to two different drive-in theaters on a few occasions. The closest drive-in to our home is over an hour away. But, some of my favorite memories has been going to the drive-in, bundling with my family under some blankets on a cool night, and watching a double-feature until my boys have fallen asleep.

Here’s my list thus far:

Ohio
Michigan
Indiana
Louisiana
Mississippi
Florida
Alabama
Nevada
Arkansas
Oklahoma
Kansas
Mossouri
Tennesse
Texas

This is all I have to say about this: it was so good, I fell asleep on the table.

...I am in love every moment of every day. After 11 years together, my love for my husband grows with each passing day. Despite our differences and the frustration we may have with each other, they pale in comparison to the love we have for one another.

There may be times we don’t necessarily like each other. But, the love is always there, on the surface and well below the surface.

What is more fulfilling than owning a home? I have owned three. Nothing makes me more proud than pulling up in my own driveway. I still smile when I enter my own door.

I now have three piercings in each earlobe. The first was before my first birthday (obviously don’t remember it), the second was when I was 20 (before I got married), and the third set…well, tonight, as a matter of fact.

I have no regrets. They give me the endless possibility of showing my individuality, they are descreet, relatively inexpensive, near-painless and easy to care for once it’s been done.

I plan to get my cartilage done within a few months.

I had wanted to cloth diaper both of my boys from the beginning. But, I was creeped out by the thought of storing dirty cloth diapers in my garage. Why would I want to keep THAT around? So, the plausible option seemed to be a diaper service. Unfortunately, none were available when I had both of my boys.

Once my youngest weaned from my breast, he developed a terrible irritation on his bottom. Each diaper change was a heart-wrenching experience. He would scream and writhe and his poor bottom was red, irritated and, at its worst, bleeding. My mother-in-law took one look at it and told me my husband’s bottom looked the same when he weaned. The explination: he developed an allergy to disposables. I spoke with our family doctor and he confirmed that it isn’t uncommon to happen.

So, I researched and started using cloth diapers. The “creep” factor immediately dissapeared. It’s not a big deal. Once the initial cost (a little over $150 for us) was put forth, it was comforting knowing that they would pay for themselves within a month or two. No more disposables. Strictly cloth.

And, on a happy note, my little one has a cute baby butt again!

I was always descreet about NIP (nursing in public) by wearing a nursing bib or draping a blanket over me. Unless someone was looking at me, they wouldn’t have been able to tell what I was doing.

Before you do so, check out the laws in your state. Most states protect women who choose to breastfeed in public. That way, if you get any harrassment, you’re armed with the information that protects you. Texas’ law: Health Code 165.001 (just in case you were wondering).

Just remember – what’s more offensive? A crying, hungry baby or a content, nursing baby? I think the answer is pretty evident.

Totally worth it and will do it again!

I was unable to breastfeed my first. He was 10 weeks early and by the time he was able to eat without a gavage tube, I had dried up. I religiously pumped and sent milk to the NICU, but my body could tell the difference between baby and machine…so I stopped producing milk.

When I had my second (also early; 5 weeks) I was bound and determined to breastfeed him successfully. I did everything in my power to be successful. He was also in the NICU, but he was able to eat after a few days of tube-feeding. I pumped every hour – day and night – for 20 minutes to keep my supply up. When my son came home he’d gotten used to a bottle, but I “nippled” him against my breast at every opportunity. He eventually “got it” and started nursing successfully. I was able to breastfeed him for a little over 12 months. He weaned himself by losing interest.

The convenience of breastfeeding (perfect temperature, always ready, sanitary, etc.) was what worked best for me. I plan to breastfeed our next baby.

...a nose piercing, that is. From the time I was about 16 I wanted it. But, for one reason or another, it was never a good time. So, after much thought and consideration, my husband and I went out to Deep Elum (downtown Dallas area) where several tattoo and piercing establishments are located, and did it.

He and I did as much research as we could: we went online to find what complications can occur (infection) and what was needed for care. We spoke to friends and found the best establishment with experienced tatto artists and piercers. He got a tattoo and I got my left nostril pierced.

It was quick, easy and relatively painless. It hurt more than a shot, but was just as quick. Bleeding was minimal and care was easy (daily cleansing, turning of the jewelry and soaking in a solution of epsom salt and warm water, as well as the application of Vitamin E oil to keep the piercing moisturized). Within 4 weeks my piercing was completely healed. I was advised to refrain from removing the jewelry before 5 weeks. And, in doing go, I could only remove it for a short time as the tissue in the nose is notoriously quick to heal and close. I’ve yet to remove it for any amount of time.

Having my nose pierced was completely worth it. I enjoy the individuality of it. Since it was so easy, painless (admittedly, I have a high tolerance for pain) and inexpensive, I know that I will want to have another piercing. The only hard decision is what to pierce next!

Living in North Texas, I’ve seen my fair share of severe weather. Nothing excites me more than the moments before torrential rain pours from the skies, softball-size hail pounds us from above, and the sirens of warning start to wail in the distance.

Am I crazy? Perhaps…but the sounds, sights, smells and feeling that are concocted before, during and after a storm are amazing. Some fear the storms, I thrive for the fifth season in Texas: Tornado Season. I want to chase these storms for at least one year.

I think this is the ultimate dream of any true NASCAR fan – spend 9 months of a year following the circuit, camping at the track and watching every race live. My husband and I have camped at the track for a few races, and been to a few. I cannot describe how much more fun, exciting and enjoyable a race is live, compared to sitting on my couch watching on TV.

This, like a few of my other desires, will need to wait until after my children are out of the house.

I’m an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. My husband and I had season tickets during the ‘04-’05 season and loved going to the home games. This only gave me a small taste, and I want more. Each year I shop for season tickets and have yet been able to find a deal as great as we had that season.

This is a dream that I won’t be able to fulfill until we are empty-nesters, I’m sure. But, it will remain a dream until I can say that I’ve been to every single game in a season.

The idea that this is something that will be on my body for the rest of my life…that’s what’s holding me back. I love the idea of getting a tattoo, I don’t mind the pain, and I’d love to have something unique…but it’s so PERMANENT.

I have piercings – two in each ear and one in my nose – and I’d like to get more. My husband has a fantastic tattoo on his left bicep. I love it.

I have a friend who is a virtual canvas of artwork. I admire her tattoos and we’ve discussed them several times. Her greatest advice: don’t get one when you’re young. Wait until you’re older – at least in your mid-20s. If you still want one at that time, you’ll want one later and you won’t regret it. I’m in my mid-to-late-20s and I still want one.

I will decide what I want, what design means something to me and find an artist. I don’t want a trendy design. I want something that has meaning to me – perhaps an homage to my children.

I’m a stay-at-home mother. Part of my job description is cooking. I cook nearly every night, but my skills are limited to the basics. I’d like to broaden my cooking horizons by taking a class.

My goal isn’t to become a great, gourmet chef at a 5-star dining establishment. But, perhaps to learn something and add to the limited menu that I’ve created for our family. My first mini-goal for this is to research local classes available to me that will work with my limited schedule. I hope to have a good idea what is open to me by the end of the fall. If it all goes as I hope, I would like to be enrolled in a class before the holidays, so I can take some of my new knowledge into the kitchen with me before preparing our holiday feasts.