1st week of exercise March 9, 2010

 and it’s not that bad.  I have said since the diagnosis that I have the eating thing down, I get the portion control, the carb counting, the blood testing and even the trying new things and eating more veggies.  However I am really struggling with the exercise thing.  Lets be honest I am 43 and have never exercised a day in my life.  I was one of those kids that hated gym class and did anything I could to not partake.  Even skipping school to go to McDonalds with my friend.  I know not the best role model that is why I am telling these things after my girls are out of High School.   Anyway I decided that if I would just get up in the morning and walk a mile it would be better than nothing.  So I have said I am going to do this for the last 3 weeks, but something always gets in the way.  Okay not something but someone.  That damn Reba.  I just love that show and I turn it on while eating breakfast and before I know it it’s time to shower and get ready for work.  Well this week with the girls home Catie and I went to the Library and got a book about walking and it has a dvd  and I can say that this morning was day 3.  I get up and put on my walking clothes, eat breakfast and then walk.  It is 15 minutes, not real intense and it is quite do able.  Sunday the whole family walked, Monday just Catie and I and today just Hannah and I . 

Now I believe when the girls go back to school, I will be able to continue this morning ritual and walk the extra pounds away.  I have lost 12 already and have many more to go.

back to the Dr I went February 25, 2010

yesterday, and all is fine.  I lost 4 pounds and was told that was a great start.  Now that word start is where this post goes down hill.  So I ask the Dr. what the ideal weight for someone my height should be.  And he went and got a chart and with much ado, he decided that my ideal weight should be between 119 and 154.  Now I cannot remember ever being 119 and to think I am going to lose that much weight is just crazy.  I would be comfy in the 154 range, so that is only 30 pounds or so.  Also I don’t expect this to happen over night, after all it took me 43 years to put it on.   I do hope that it wont take 43 years to take it off, but well see. 

The change in diet is going well, I am learning what to eat and am trying different things as well.  You know those things that you say “I don’t like that” and then when you think about it you have no idea why you said that.  Well there are 2 items I can cross off my list cause I tried them and I don’t like tea or oatmeal.  Not that it tastes bad it just doesn’t taste good.  So why bother when there is something else I can eat. 

Also not quite as hungry all the time, but I have learned to eat by the clock and not just when I am hungry.  Enough of my carrying on for now. 

Have a great week.  I have been scrapbooking but not taking pictures so will have to do that soon and share them with you.

sorry for the lack of posting February 15, 2010

but I am just trying to wrap my head around the info that the dr gave me.  As for the moles, you will be glad to know that my arm and leg haven’t fallen off.  However I think that would be a blessing right about now.  My “new” dr’s recommendation was to put duct tape over the moles for several weeks and when I peel the tape off the top of the mole which is just a waxy build up will peel off and be fine.  Not sure I love this idea so for now just leaving them alone. 

The biggest news of the visit was I was diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic, now not sure what that really means in the grand scheme of life but I’m slowly learning.  The biggest thing is no more sugar.  And if you know me that was the biggest thing that i consumed.  I kinda subscribe to the “ELF” diet you know they have 3 major food groups,  Candy Canes, Candy Corn, and Syrup. 

To say that it has been a major life chance is like saying that statue of liberty is a small trinket from france.  It has really turned my world upside down, I am working thru it and learning as I go.  

But thanks to great friends and a wonderful family I know that I have a teriffic support system.

dr. visit January 18, 2010

So today I had a dr. visit, nothing major just needed to get somethings checked out.  Well we changed Doctors in June and I have never been to this new doctor.  Well before you get an appointment you have to jump thru way more hoops than I think is necessary.  You also have to have blood drawn for God only knows what kind of tests.  Well had that done on Thursday last week and  so away I go to my appointment.  Well not sure my feelings about the Dr. but his office staff was very nice.  He is just a bit different so I didn’t hate him but not sure yet if I love him or not. 

He looked at my issue and is referring me to a dermatologist.  So now I have to wait for the referral to arrive and then go from there.  Sure hope my arm and leg don’t fall off in the mean time.

last night December 29, 2009

I worked til 8 and when I got home the kids were going to watch a movie, so I stayed up and watched it with them.  The decided on “The Dark Knight” and I will give the movie a thumbs up, it was good.  However there were parts of it I really didn’t like.  First of all Batman is NOT a bad guy.  For goodness sakes he is a super hero, how can that be bad.  And then there is the no Robin thing, whats up with that????  Christian Bale is hot but he is no Adam West, and what about his vioce why when he was Batman was he all raspy?  Anyway off my soap box now and moving on.

My hannah is leaving today to go back to school and I will miss her tons.

almost the new year December 28, 2009

so I am going to try (and I do say try) to become a better blogger.  This Christmas was one of the best I have had in a very long time.  Not sure the real reason behind it but it just turned out to be great all around. 

A few Sundays ago we were at church selecting cards from the giving tree and one of the cards was to adopt a family and Rick remarked that he would love to do that some year.  Well his wish was granted this year that was our gift to each other.  We adopted a family instead of giving to each other.   And I can honestly say it felt great and I didn’t feel the least bit slighted in the gift department. 

The girls seemed to like everything that they received, and I don’t believe there is much returning to do.

On Sunday we took a trek downtown to see the macy’s windows and then the bean I will post photos later.

Have a great week, and stay warm.

This is my newest project December 4, 2009

and when I got it all done, Rick and decided that this is going to be our new christmas tree.

 

I found this tree at work when we were going thru some old christmas boxes and it just called my name.  Then while at Hobby Lobby I found the square glass ornaments and thought I coud put the 2 togeter.  And with many tries I finally got the right combination of acatate and quickutz that I just love.  It makes the diecuts looke like they are floating in the ornaments.

Snowman picture November 22, 2009

I have been trying to get organized with my cropping stuff.  When the store closed for the summer I had to take all my stuff home and find a spot for it.  And it wasn’t that easy.  There is stuff in our bedroom, the living room and our hallway.  So I have been trying to condense and control it to just one location.  When the store reopened in our new location I did move some of it back, but there is still a ton left.  One of the biggest things is the 5 years of magazines that I have been collecting.  So I decided to create an idea book.  (one of my customers does this and I always thought it was a great idea)  So I had an old notebook that I wasn’t using  and I began going thru the magazines and removing any idea or technique that I liked or thought I would like to try and then pasted them on the pages of my note-book, before I know it the magazine collection was gone and in the recycle bin and what was left was a great little idea book.  Well one of the ideas was this snowman picture in a black frame.  I believe that they had patterns for the snowman, but you know me and my Quickutz I just couldn’t pass up an oppurtunity to use them.  And this is what I came up with. 

 

It’s a 12×12 and then I put it in a black frame that I drilled 2 holes in and ran ribbon thru to hang it.  I love it and can’t wait to hang it up and use it. 

 

dinner 11-21-09 November 22, 2009

Meat and Potato Casserole

 

1 lb lean ground beef, 

1 (2.8oz) can french fried onions

1 (10 3/4 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1/2 cup milk

1/4 tsp pepper

4 cups frozen country style shredded hash brown potatoes

2 cups frozen cut green beans

Brown meat in large skillet, Drain.  Add half of the onions, soup, milk and pepper; mix well

Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.  Layer potatoes and green beans in slow cooker.  Top with beef mixture; spread evenly

Cover cook on low setting for 6 to 7 hours  Top with remaining half of onions before serving.

Now I made some changes to this,.  I used ground turkey and instead of green beans I used fresh mushrooms that I cut in half and added to the beef mixture.  And about 5 minutes before serving I added mozzarella cheese to the top.

Yummy good.

slow cooker lasagna October 21, 2009

So here it is the long awaited recipe.  Thanks for being patient.

 

INGREDIENTS

1	lb. lean ground beef
1	(26 to 28-oz.) jar tomato spaghetti sauce
1	(8-oz.) can no-salt-added tomato sauce
1/2	(9-oz.) pkg. (about 8) no-boil lasagna noodles
1	(1-lb.) jar Alfredo pasta sauce
12	oz. (3 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4	cup grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

1.	Brown ground beef in large skillet over medium-high heat until thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain.
2.	Spray 4 to 5-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Spread 3/4 cup of the tomato pasta sauce in bottom of sprayed slow cooker. Stir remaining tomato pasta sauce and tomato sauce into ground beef.
3.	Layer 3 lasagna noodles over sauce in slow cooker, breaking noodles as necessary. Top with 1/3 of the Alfredo pasta sauce, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Top with 1/3 of the ground beef mixture, spreading evenly.
4.	Repeat layering twice, using 2 lasagna noodles in last layer. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over top.
5.	Cover; cook on Low setting for 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours. If desired, cut into wedges to serve.