Friday, April 30, 2010

OK, so I've been on Isagenix and I know that I've not really been saying a whole lot about it...mostly because I'm not happy at all with my results. For some reason my body is in denial...not to be confused with "de nile a.k.a. the nile". I've lost maybe 20 pounds in 2 months now...and I know that that's not BAD....but come ON....it needs to be MORE and happen FASTER, dammit!

Granted...I should be more diligent in my exercise. My doctor says I need to work up to 1 hour of cardio per day for at least 5 days per week. Yikes! 1 hour??? I figure I get in about half an hour in my shoes walking around at school so I suppose I should do my 1 mile walk at home more than I have been. OK...my personal goal...this week...each day...1 mile. Before I die of fatness!

And all...that....jazz!
(Click on the green button below!)

Chicago Soundtrack - All That Jazz .mp3
Found at bee mp3 search engine


I got my math scores back from my last test...I retook the first test that I didn't get a decent enough grade on (to MY liking) and did about the same....not because I didn't know the material but because I missed like 2 problems and they were worth 10 points each.  But the last chapters test I got a 98% on.  I was stoked!  Right now we're onto Geometry...which I really enjoy, so I'm not having problems.

I also got my English final paper back and received a 95% on it.  I was happy because I didn't think I'd do that well on it.  I just didn't feel comfortable....but I guess Patty didn't think that way!  There were still a few things I could have done better but overall...I did really well.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

From Barne's & Noble.
Kids summer reading program!
Read 8 books and get a free one!

Very large PDF file!

Click here to save and print!


For those of you who don't know the brand...it's through Lane Bryant.

Finally...us fatties get free panties, too!  (Take THAT, Victoria!)

Expires 5/3 so hurry in!

Click here to print out the coupon!

Dear Blog

Dear Blog...

If you're sitting in your car at a drive thru with your window up and snow's falling on you....remember to check your sunroof.

Just sayin.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Click on the image to get your free sticker.
Support breast cancer awareness!





Sunday, April 25, 2010

Sometimes



Saturday, April 24, 2010

So a blog that I follow, Ask Dr. Jacobson Online, went over a topic that I'd been curious about for some time.  Whether or not my Celexa was ok to be taking for depression and anxiety.  For a while now I've been thinking that I should wean myself off because I'm in a much better place in my life.  Sure, I'm unemployed, but I'm happy.  Kurt and I are doing great, I'm doing great in school, I'm making new friends...life is good.  Except for my weight.

So back to the article....it was on Weight Gain due to Pharmaceutical Antidepressants.  My Celexa was making me fatter...and making it so that I couldn't lose it!  What the heck???  My doctor (the idiot), never mentioned that curious side effect!  (I'm starting to dislike him even more!)  So, I made the choice to begin weaning myself off of them.  I'd just renewed my prescription the week before so I immediately halfed the rest of the pills that I had left.  I began taking half my dosage for 2 weeks.  Then this past week I've been taking the half dosage every other day.  This coming week I'll change it to twice per week (per my NEW doctor's suggestion) until they're gone.  She loved that I weaned myself off of them so intelligently.  (Go me!)  And what's even greater is that I feel awesome!  I feel fine.  I feel LESS emotional than I did while on them.  Go figure!

The funny thing is that the pharmacist told me yesterday when I was picking up the Phentramine that the Celexa and Phentramine have an adverse effect when taken together and to wait to start taking the Phentramine until about a week after the final Celexa dosage is gone to ensure that it's completely out of my system.  So it's a great thing that I've been going off of them!

I'm so excited for this next chapter in my life.  My first year back to school is ending....and I feel awesome for how well I've done so far.  How cool!

Can I hear a "hoorah!" for ME, ME, ME?!

So several months ago I had a bad experience with the doctor that Kurt and I have been seeing for our general care.  I was in for a follow-up appointment for my anti-depressants and was trying to explain to him some side effects that I thought were happening.  He interrupted me in the middle of explaining what was going on and told me that I would need to make another appointment because he believed I was "collecting symptoms" and he didn't have the time.  I was shocked!  This guy was working for ME...not the other way around.  I don't give a shit that he's got a DO after his name!  I don't CARE that he spent tons of money and years going to med school followed up with a private practice.  That's not my problem.  BUT...I do care that he didn't have time for me when I made an appointment, paid my co-pay (while my insurance would be paying the rest) and showed up.  I was pissed.

So...I got on the internet and started reading up on other local doctors.  I was not going to be seeing this guy any more.  Kurt doesn't mind him...but I certainly do.  I read a TON of reviews.  And I paid attention.  I finally found a woman, about a 10 minute drive from here, who had several positive reviews.  She's on the preferred physician list for my insurance company....and, I repeat, she has a LOT of great reviews.  A total positive.  SO...I made an appointment.  The first appointment was to have been in January but due to a snowstorm I was unable to make it.  Bummer for me since first appointments are hard to come by with her since she only works 3 days a week!  So, I remade another appointment and it finally happened yesterday.  I'm so glad I persevered.  She's wonderful and I feel as though I'm making a great choice.  She also told me that she does PAP smears, too.  Always nice to not have to go to another doctor for that.

So I asked her if there was anything that I could take whilst on my Isagenix diet that could help me with my metabolism and activity level.  So we talked it over and decided that I'll start taking Phentramine.  I'm excited to get started on it.  Along with my Isagenix I should see some great weight loss happening real soon.

I'll definitely keep you posted on what happens.

New shoes

So a few weeks ago Kurt and I went shopping on a Friday that he had off.  We decided to go over to Legends, the new mall in Sparks.  I think we originally went over there to go to Schills for gym shoes for Kurt but we never did make it.  Instead we started walking around...I with my camera, of course, and just enjoying the sunshine as we walked around holding hands and enjoying each others company.  Between snapping pics we mosied past a Converse store....which was the kind of gym shoes that Kurt prefers but can't seem to find anywhere anymore.  So we went in and he found what he wanted...and we left again.  We headed in the direction of the Lane Bryant outlet store that's over there when we came across a Skechers store.  They had a display set up outside their entrance with their Shape-Ups....something that I've wanted to get since I first saw them come out.  Problem is...their pricey.  $99 per pair, pricey.  We can't really afford something like that....but we went in and checked them out anyway.  They felt great...a little weird...but great.  These shoes are a walking workout.  They workout your abs, back, butt, calves, thighs, and shoulders.  They force you to walk straight and the sort of cushioning that they have on them makes you get a good aerobic workout, as well.  They also improve your circulation.  In other words....they're the bees knees!  Wow!

So....after trying them on and walking around...I looked at Kurt and was like, "we can't afford them."  And he told me, "let's get them...anything that helps you out..."  So, we bought them.  And can I just say...I'm in love with my Shape-Ups!  IN LOVE!  They're awesome!  I wear them to school where I walk the most and I get the greatest workout with them.  All that's required after wearing them to school is another 30 minutes walking workout in the living room when I get home. Cool!

So for those of you who have seen these shoes and wondered...."should I pay the money for something that could just possibly be a gimmick?"  GET THEM!!!  DO IT!!!

Your ass will thank you and so will your heart.  :)



Shape ups

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Last summer I was very trepidatious about returning back to school after so long.  And changing directions from anything and everything that I've ever done before that.  Would I be the youngest one in class?  Would I hate learning as much as I did when I was young?  Would I get lousy grades?  How would I adjust to being back in the saddle, so to speak?

I had a lot of questions....and it wasn't until Kurt almost kicked my physically out the proverbial door that I took the step.  Last year for his birthday we spent the day on TMCC campus, and for once I felt the faint stirrings of excitement.  Excitement that I'd finally be able to do what I love...eventually.  Excitement from taking one more step in the right direction from my life.  I was still working in Utah then...and I knew that the time was upon me to give notice and move back home with my husband.  We all needed to be a family again.

And so, after enrolling and being accepted, signing up for a loan, signing up for classes...I was on track.  But there was still the idea of the first day back to school.  Yikes!  It'd been so long!  Kurt had told me that when he went back to school he was so afraid that he missed the entire first week of classes!  I was not going to be like my sweet husband.  Hahaha.  I straightened my spine and took that step in the fall...and I've not regretted a single moment of it.

Fall semester began with me taking classes in Political Science (yes, me), History of Rock Music (very fun class thanks to Dan Robbins), and a college prep class.  In the latter I learned many techniques for studying, getting involved, working with others, etc.  Needless to say I finished up that semester with a 3.9 GPA.  I was so proud and was looking forward to starting the Spring semester where I'd be taking math, English (taught by a wonderful woman that I want to emulate in so many ways, Patty Cullinan), and Diversity (again a great instructor that I wish wasn't leaving but he is so he can devote his time to finishing his doctorate, Christopher Koch).  Again, I've surprised myself with how much fun I've been having.  I won't kid you...the work load was a lot heavier than my first semester back...but I've been able to tackle everything, so far, with good grades.  I was scared about math...no need for me to have been.  It's been so much fun to learn...and I'm actually grasping concepts that I'd never learned before.  Yay me!

But the best thing about starting back to school?  The one thing that I've loved more than the learning new things?  Meeting new people.  Making new friends.  I've made some good friends this last year in school.  I hope that the friendships are able to move with me as I go through the rest of my life.  Brenda and Kelly from my EPY class.  Angela, Debbie, Jeff from English.  Dan, my rock music instructor.  Studying with these people, talking with them, learning from them, and definitely laughing with them has enriched my life beyond measure and I thank them all for making such a difference...even if they had no idea.

And so here we are...wrapping up the Spring semester.  Only a few weeks left, if that.  Final pages of course syllabuses.  Lots of papers being written, tests being taken....it's making me a little melancholy.  Will I stay in touch with my new friends?  Or will the friendships fall to the wayside as so many other college relationships do.  I sure hope not...because, to me, they are more than just friends.  They're a part of my life.  And as I've said many times before...I love my life!



Tuesday, April 13, 2010

I got on the scale today to see if I'd lost anything...anything at all.  And the answer was a big, FAT no!  To be honest, though, I didn't really expect to have.  You see...I've not really been giving my all to this whole weight loss thing this time around.  I mean, yes, I do want to lose weight.  I need to lose weight.  It's not normal to weigh over 300 pounds for anyone...especially if you're under 5 feet tall.  But I've just not been feeling it...it being the weight loss bug.  I've finally figured out why.

I'm tired.

I'm tired of doing something that I've done countless times in my life in one way or another.  I'm tired of not being able to keep the weight loss down.  I'm tired of coming off of a diet and gaining everything right on back, PLUS SOME.  I'm tired.

I'm also tired of not being able to walk from my living room to my bedroom and climbing into bed (perhaps 15 feet start to finish) without huffing and puffing.  I'm tired of walking from my car to my class and being out of breath when I arrive.  I'm tired of not being to walk around the mall without having to take a breather every so often...after a normal walking pace.  I'm tired.

I'm just plain tired.

I'm tired of the expectations of my parents.  My mom and Randy (bless his heart for caring so much!) expect me to lose this weight.  Randy is fronting the bill for it.  I feel the pressure to succeed from that end.  I'm tired of feeling pressure from my wonderful, sweet, caring, beautiful, best friend of a husband because we can't seem to get physical together because I'm always so darn tired! 

I'm tired of being fat.  And I'm tired of dieting.

I'm in quite the quandary, eh?

Saturday, April 10, 2010



With time, women gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it distributes out
to the rest of our bodies.  So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy.


Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror
I will think,
Good grief, look how smart I am!


(I'm kinda interested in reading this book!)




Self esteem



Thursday, April 8, 2010

For all you Facebook users:

Copy & paste:
http://apps.facebook.com/minutentag_dev/pretzels/index.aspx

So I may be a little more sporadic than normal with updating my blog as the semester starts winding down.  I've got several papers due in the coming weeks for both English and my diversity classes and math is, of course, still kickin' my butt.  So if you don't hear from me much it's because I'm either writing or studying or passed out from education overload!

God I love school!

Monday, April 5, 2010

You can watch a Live owl in her nest with her babies.  I've been watching her off and on all morning.  She's got all of her little ones snuggled in beneath her.  Here's a screen shot of Molly.

http://www.sportsmansparadiseonline.com/Live_Owl_Nest_Box_Cam.html



Sunday, April 4, 2010

So I'm curious

So I'm curious....what do you feel is the best small to medium companion size dog?

You know we have Peaches...who is considered toy size because she is under 10 lbs.  We don't plan to adopt another animal anytime soon but I'm curious to know what you prefer when it comes to small dogs.

Do share your thoughts!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Burying my nose in the back of my Quaker's neck and smelling his wonderful Quaker-y smell.





Yesterday was my birthday.  The years are passing entirely too quickly these days.  I swear I was JUST 10 years old and entering the fifth grade!  What happened?!  Surprisingly I wasn't sad or depressed.  It was just a day.  Kurt let me sleep in as long as I wanted (I think I got up around 11:30) and he came home early from work with a gorgeous flower arrangement!  That he actually went and bought!  From a FLORIST!  I was shocked!  And I felt supremely special.  If you know Kurt that's a difficult thing for him to do...step outside his comfort zone and drive around (he forgot to check google for where a nearby florist was!) until he found an actual florist (not the grocery store), go inside and specify what he wanted.  And the man, my sweet, sweet man, remembered my two favorite flowers!  Roses and daisies!  How cool is that???  I was teary when I found all of this out.  I love the man, I really do.

I received in this past week birthday cards from my mom and Randy and from my greatest in-laws ever, Norma and Rick, who were so kind as to send me a check for $30!  I know things are tight with them so this was a totally unexpected and wonderful surprise.  I strive to be more like Norma every day.  I think she's the most sweet, kind, caring and thoughtful person that I know.  I've been so blessed with in-laws like them.  They're awesome in every sense of the word!  I only wish they still lived here in Reno because we miss them so very much.

We chilled at home for an hour or so then headed out for dinner at Jazz.  It's a Cajun restaurant with great food, great live jazz music, and great service.  I ordered the stir-fry (my fave) with beef, chicken and shrimp and Kurt had one of their creole dishes.  I can't remember which one.  I also ordered a side of cheesy grits cuz they sounded kinda fun and I'd never had them before!  The food was deelish!  I love Cajun spices and love the great food.  We started out with popcorn shrimp and our usual fried pickles.  Can you say YUM?!  Our food came and we ate half and saved room for dessert.  Kurt doesn't care much for sweets so this was just for me...but I ordered their stuffed beignets with strawberries and chocolate and a slice of chocolate cake.  I wanted to have cake on my birthday!  We both shared them and it was yummy, of course.  They also brought out an order or normal beignets that are a gift for your birthday so we ended up taking those home along with our leftovers.

Afterward we headed over to Fashion Bug (I saw some flip flops in an email they sent me that I wanted).  So we got there and dashed inside through the rain.  I know that Fashion Bug is owned by the same people who own Lane Bryant but I must say that other than their $9.99 t-shirts I was unimpressed.  I'd rather go to LB and get what I want there.  So, this evening after Kurt goes to gaming, instead of doing my homework like I SHOULD, I'll be going to Lane Bryant to buy me some $9.99 tees with my birthday money and the coupon that my mom sent to me!  Yay!  I love shopping for clothes.  We have nowhere to put them...literally.  We have piles of clothes on the floor in our bedroom...but by golly I do love shopping!

It was a good day.  It was a happy day.  I got in my workout, drank 3 liters of water, received a gorgeous flower arrangement from the greatest man in the entire world, and had a great dinner.  And I'm one year older.