New territory

Samantha turns 10 years old tomorrow!

 

 

I've never had a 10 year old before.....

They lie.

They do. You know them. The all-knowing, arrogant, advice givers. They say "time heals all wounds." They say "you just need to give it more time."

You know what I think? They can kiss my ***.

Time has not healed my wounded heart. Time has not made any of this easier. In fact, five years later, I still feel like this most of the time:

 

 

My hero

Light the Night

For the first time ever, we are participating in the central Ohio LLS Light the Night walk for leukemia awareness. Please consider joining us on October 12th!

http://pages.lightthenight.org/coh/CntlOhio13/calebscrusaders


************
Updates

1. Run/jog/walk 1000 miles. Current status: 687.31/1000.

Still behind, but optimistic!

2. Read 100 books. Current Status: 50/100

Since the last update I have read: Honey, Do You Need a Ride? Confessions of a Fat Runner by Jennifer Graham; Heaven's Child, a mother's journey from heartbreak to healing, second edition;  Surviving Schizophrenia: A Memoir by Louise Gillett;Rain on Your Wedding Day by Curtis Edmonds; Don't Call Me Mother: A Daughter's Journey from Abandonment to Forgiveness; Summer Solstice by G. M. Frazier; FAITH A Secret Life by Chub Yublinsky; What it's Like to be Married to Me? And Other Dangerous Questions by Linda Dillow: My Butterfly by Laura Miller; Bite Me by Mike Faricy; If the Shoe Fits by Sandra Bricker; The Book of Maybe by Allison Carmen; Old Before My Time by Hayley and Kerry Okines; Bittersweet by Noelle Adams; Cracks in the Sidewalk by Bette Lee Crosby; Intrusive Memory by Leonardo Anthony Noto.

I am afraid that I am way too far behind to make this one. Going to keep trying though.

3. Lose 25 pounds. No comment.

4. Get more organized. No comment

5. Make one new recipe per week. Current status: 27/52

Until next time,
Lori

So much has happened

So much has happened in the couple of weeks since I was last here!

 

We worked hard preparing for the 3rd Annual Cam & Sue's Cancer SUCKS 5k! Sami trained on my treadmill. Her goal was to beat her time from last year.

 

 

Next to the registration table, we have always had a table for people to write in the names of family members and friends who have battled cancer. People generally spend some time there reading, adding names and talking to each other about the people on the posters.

 

This is why we run.

 



 

We have such a generous and involved community! We had over 220 participants this year! The weather was wonderful. The called-for rain passed around us. The sun was shining and our awesomely orange shirts glowed!

 



Sami did not meet her goal.....

 

She did however do several cart wheels and spent about 10 minutes petting some horses along the route. She had fun which really is the most important part.

 



 

The next weekend some friends & I headed to Columbus to participate in the Color Run. Apparently there was us & about 12,000 other people!

 

We started out so clean.....

 



& finished pretty gross! I gave up on that formerly white shirt & I just threw it away. The race was low pressure - no timing, lots of slowing down for color to be tossed on us.

Glad I did it. Won't do it again!

 

 



Also in July, we passed a milestone. One that I have been counting down for over four years. One that I have prayed for. One that broke my heart again.

Samantha turned 9 years and 8 months old. She has now officially lived longer than Cameron had the chance to live. It feels so weird to look at her and know that she is now older than he ever was. He was always the big brother. But he never got to be 10.

Until next time,
Lori

List updates!

Updates

1. Run/jog/walk 1000 miles. Current status: 503.69/1000.

I am still about 10 miles behind where I should be, but am very slowly catching up! It does feel good to be more than half done! Unfortunately, I am looking at a very busy week. I hope to not lose too much ground.

2. Read 100 books. Current Status: 30/100

Since the last update I have read: The Color of Water in July: A Novel by Nora Carroll; What Stays in Vegas by Beth Labonte; Waiting Fate by W.B. Kinnette; One Step Too Far by Tina Seskis; Running from Love: A Story for Runners and Lovers by Rozsa Gaston; All For Anna (Letting Go) by Nicole Deese; Truth About Managing People (3rd Edition) by Stephen P. Robbins

YIKES! I am still way behind!

3. Lose 25 pounds. No comment.

4. Get more organized. No comment

5. Make one new recipe per week. Current status: 23/52

Falling behind here too!


I am beginning to think that I have too many ambitious goals this year!

All of that fuss.....

for cysts.

I cannot say enough good things about Riverside's Breast Health Center. EVERY SINGLE PERSON I encountered there today was wonderful and caring. I never plan to go anywhere else.

It started with registration. Quick, easy and strangely comforting. The registration lady assured me that I would not leave the building until I had answers.

Next came the mammograms. Yes, plural. Regular, compression - which is different than regular in a way that I cannot really explain and a 3D mammogram which was pretty cool with the machine rotating around while clicking pictures. Then, back to the private waiting room with a Hershey bar. They seriously know their clientele.

Finally, the ultrasound. At this point I am a little shaky. The tech covered me with one of those soft fuzzy blankets still warm from the dryer. Very soothing. Then I got a look at the screen. There they were. 4 black blobs that should not be there. She measured them from all angles. I tried not to look, but like an accident scene, I couldn't help myself. I tried not to vomit & was actually successful with that. Then she patted me & left the room. That is when I cried.

After a few moments, a kind and gentle doctor came in. I have no idea what her name is. All I remember is her saying "Honey, don't cry. These are cysts. Fluid-filled, benign cysts." She may have said something else too. I don't remember. I felt dizzy and embarrassed. She patted me too and said "see you next year."

And that was it. Now I am home with my feet up trying to recover from the emotional upheaval of the last week.

Thanks to all of you for the kind thoughts and prayers.

Until next time,
Lori

Only one more day of waiting!

This is SERIOUSLY.KILLING.ME.

I know that I have PTSD. I know it from the symptoms. I know it from friends. I know it from colleagues who are mental health professionals. I know it from my family practice doctor. Knowing it and coping with it are two worlds apart.

Logical me knows that blips pop up all the time on mammograms and lots of women get called back to find out about a cyst. Or that they inadvertently worn deodorant and that messed up the film making it look like a big black shadow. Or any other number of benign issues.

I KNOW that.

BUT, when I looked at my letter, my first thought was "I am going to die." I haven't been able to shake it either. I did not schedule my over-due hair appointment when I saw my lady last week because what is the point? I look at my daughter and at times I simply cannot breathe.

I don't get good medical news. Just doesn't happen for me. Maybe tomorrow can be a first. Who knows? In the meantime, I am going to count on some pharmaceutical help.

Lori

So friends....

I've not been myself. Kind of down, worried. Expecting the worst.

All because of a letter. A form letter in fact. The kind of form letter that doesn't even have a copied signature. Just some random guys name typed at the bottom.

So, my letter said that my recent mammogram "shows a finding that requires additional imaging studies. You should call your doctor to have an appointment scheduled for complete evaluation of this finding if you have not already done so."

Um.... how would I have done so when I just not got your freaking letter???? At 6 PM. So, I get to worry and stew and cry all night. Imaging all of the worst things. Wishing I could just talk to my mom.

So, first thing in the morning I tried calling my doctor. He was in surgery all morning. Left messages for the nurse to call me back. Every hour. She never called.

So, I tried calling the radiologist whose name was typed on the bottom of my letter. He, conveniently, was not taking calls that day. Seriously? Is that an option?

So, I tried calling the Women's Center where the original mammogram was done. Guess what? They don't know anything.

In desperation, I called Riverside Hospital's Breast Health Center in Columbus. I have never been a patient there, but I've heard good things about them. So, why not? No one else will talk to me, what is one more rejection?

Guess what? Polly talked to me. She had me sign a release & fax it to her. She got a copy of my report and shared it with me ("something" on the far right side of the right breast). She scheduled me for a compression mammogram (not sure how that is different from a regular one), ultrasound and consult with the doctor on Tuesday. She promised me that I would not leave there without an answer. Bless her heart. She may have single-handedly prevented an absolute breakdown just by talking with me.

So, poor sleep and an active imagination have made for a fragile me. But I only have to get through a few more days. Good thing I am medicated.

I will update again when I have something more to say. Positive thoughts & prayers are appreciated!

Lori

48 years ago today....

my parents got married.

Can't find their wedding photo on this computer, so a pic from the 70s will have to do.

Boring updates.....

Updates

1. Run/jog/walk 1000 miles. Current status: 347.28/1000.

Still behind, but catching up. It is so hard to work in 2.74 miles EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. This leaves me very little time for cross-training which I know I am going to pay for in the long-run. Need to work on finding a better balance.

2. Read 100 books. Current Status: 23/100

Since the last update I have read: Need to Breathe by Tara Staley; Stretch Marks: A Novel by Kimberly Stuart; Sunflowers by Melodie Starkey; Absence of Grace by Ann Warner; Growing from Depression by Neel Burton; Unfriend Yourself: Three Days to Detox, Discern, and Decide About Social Media; Jane Rochester: A Novel Inspired by Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre by Kimberly A. Bennett; & Miracles: 32 True Stories by Joanie Hileman.

YIKES! I am way behind (should be at 38 books down right now!). It feels like I am reading A LOT but not getting anywhere!

3. Lose 25 pounds. No comment.

4. Get more organized. No comment

5. Make one new recipe per week. Current status: 20/52

 

Doing ok here. Made yummy French toast using French Vanilla coffee creamer - Thanks to Krogers for that idea! Have also made random side dishes - roasted tomatoes with olive oil and parmesan cheese, breakfast smoothie with almond milk, frozen banana, black berries, Greek yogurt and 6 almonds; fudgy brownies with cream cheese swirls. My favorite (& new regular is this: http://foodpicsgo.com/?p=1618).

 

********

 

Otherwise, life is just busy!  Will try to do a more interesting update soon!

 

Until next time,

Lori

Running Anniversary

This upcoming weekend is the 3 year anniversary of my "running."

Those who know me well know that I use the term "running" lightly. I move/shuffle along on either the bike path by my work or on a treadmill. I am not fast. But, I do have stamina and sheer determination to just keep on going. Part of why I keep on going is the running community has made me feel very welcomed and you never know what you are going to see out there! And I have seen a lot (too much really!) - everything from a man getting chest compressions to bare naked behinds. Seriously. Better than TV most days!

In these 3 years I have logged literally thousands of miles. That is astounding to me. I am a couch potato who does not like to sweat. But, I have come to embrace it! I have completed countless 5Ks (though I probably could count all those t-shirts!), 3 10Ks and 4 half marathons! Holy Cow! I have also spent $$$$$$$$$$ on shoes, clothes (sports bras are pricey!), entry fees and photos. All worth it!

I prefer running to a team sport. Out there, it is all me. I can only depend on myself to get there and back. Also, no one is depending on me, so if I am having a bad day, it is ok.

Recently, I was lunching with my family at our local Olive Garden when a waiter approached, pointed at my shirt and said "Hey, how did you do?" At first, I was confused, but then I realized that I was wearing my 2013 Athens Half Marathon shirt. We chatted for a few minutes about the course, the great weather that day and our various injuries. Another reminder that the running community is real and accepting, even of a middle-aged over-weight woman!



Photos from the 2013 Athens Half Marathon!

 

********

While perusing on-line I came across this article & it made me laugh at loud!

9 Reasons Running Doesn't Suck as Much as You Think

1. You can lose weight by drinking nothing but hot water with lemon OR you can run for an hour, treat yourself to a cookie and still fit into your skinny jeans! One of these options makes you bitchy. The other makes you rad.
2. Take your iPod with you and runs suddenly become a safe place to indulge your love of boy-band music. :)
3. When your boss, your melodramatic friend and your nagging to-do list won’t leave you alone, calmly put on your running shoes and head out the door. They won’t follow you. It’s a safer alternative to storming out with both middle fingers in the air (though you can -and should- still do this in your head, just for spectacular effect).
4. You’ll discover lululemon pants are good for more than just buying tampons and Cheez-its at Target (I know, ladies. My world was rocked with that discovery, too.).
5. Running is the last place you have to “be a lady.” Sweat, snot and sneaking behind a bush to pee is not only liberating it’s fun, in that giggly-childish-naughty kind of way.
6. Getting a run in before happy hour means you get tipsy on half a glass of wine instead of your usual two. That’s not being a lush, that’s just sound economic planning!
7. Studies have shown that runners have better sex. Sex counts as a cross-training workout, which in turn makes you a better runner, which – hello! – leads to even better sex. Really, the whole thing is full of win-wins.
8. Girls are lucky; there’s an entire industry committed to making us look awesome while getting our sweat on. Workout clothes come in all sorts of cool colors and designs. Jockstraps, on the other hand, will always be ugly with questionable stains....
9. Non-runners will sit on the couch and call you crazy. Those folks, sadly, will never learn what their bodies are capable of. You, on the other hand, will die knowing you completely, totally, unabashedly used up the body that was loaned to you. That’s not crazy. That’s freakin’ awesome!

Easter 2013

Sami posing it up before we left for church on Easter morning.

 

 

 During church service, as typical for Easter, there was a lot of talk about blood. Part way through, Sami whispered to me: "What blood type did Jesus have?"

Good question.

After attempting to explain that they probably didn't even know that there were different blood types at that time & that they wouldn't have had the technology to test, my response was: "I bet he was O-, the Universal Donor."

Her questions get harder & harder!



*******
Updates:

1. Run/jog/walk 1000 miles. Current status: 199.4/1000.

Strained my calf last week so I took it easy. Did some walking, but not much running.

2. Read 100 books. Current Status: 18/100

This week I have read:

* 99 Foods That Speed Up Your Metabolism And Help You Lose Weight by Scott Walker;

* What the Hell was I Thinking? A Memoir by Emma Feix Alberts &

* What If? Changing Your Life to Fit Your Truth by Jim Young.

  

3. Lose 25 pounds. Current status: 5.4/25.

Oops. Too much Easter dinner for me.

4. Get more organized. No comment

5. Make one new recipe per week. Current status: 13/52

Made the Bunny cake.





Until next time,
Lori

An apology & some updates

So, I had an email exchange with the reporter about the Flashes of Hope article & I came away from it feeling ok (used, but ok). She initially apologized for disappointing me, which showed me that she really didn't get what I was trying to say. Normally, I am not very good at self-advocacy, but in this case, I really didn't let it go until I felt like she was hearing what I had to say. I felt emotionally exploited and that made me angry. At the end of it, I think I got my point across and no longer feel the need to completely boycott The Dispatch.


*******
Updates:

1. Run/jog/walk 1000 miles. Current status: 182.59/1000.

Two weeks in a row I have been over my weekly mileage goal - 20 more weeks like this & I am caught up! But I don't know how many more 28+ mileage weeks I can handle!

2. Read 100 books. Current Status: 15/100

This week I have read:  My Sister and I: We are Survivors by J. Jackson Owensby; The Truth About Butterflies: A Memoir by Nancy Stephan; Homo sarcasmus - On the Origin of the Species by Heath L. Buckmaster; & The Compass of Pleasure by David Linden

3. Lose 25 pounds. Current status: 6.8/25. Stagnant 2 weeks in a row. Better than going up I suppose & still on track.

4. Get more organized. No comment

5. Make one new recipe per week. Current status: 12/52

Made this for dessert the other night: http://www.kitchenscoop.com/recipes/strawberry-cream-cheese-cobbler YUMMY!

Made this for breakfast on Friday: http://www.myfridgefood.com/viewrecipe.php?recipe=20173 Found the recipe on pinterest where it claimed to have only 56 calories. Well, that is a big fat lie, but it was good and not too un-healthy!May even try it without the peanut butter sometime - just banana & chocolate!

Until next time,
Lori

Really?

I feel like I've been punk'd. You know - the Ashton Kutcher show that was on MTV a while ago that played practical jokes on people?

So yesterday I blogged about Flashes of Hope, my interview, and the emotions that were stirred up in me as a result of talking about the experiences with a complete stranger. A stranger who asked more than just about the photos. She asked about Cameron's diagnosis, when he died, and so on.

I waited in anticipation of the article, in fact, checking for it on-line was the first thing I did this morning. My piece - the piece I stewed over, cried over, worried about - was not there.

Cut due to space issues.

Really? All that upset-ment for NOTHING? It's not like I went looking for attention (like I do here on this blog!), but at least a mention in the article would have made it feel at least worthwhile. But, alas & yet again, I came away with nothing. Thank you Ms. Reporter. Please do not call again.

I've been punk'd.

Flashes of Hope

Flashes of Hope is a wonderful organization. They have volunteer photographers who go to Children's Hospitals and take free portraits of ill children. The gift to the family is priceless. If you want to read more about the organization, go here: http://www.flashesofhope.org/

On two separate occasions in 2007 & 2008, we were fortunate to have Flashes of Hope take photos of Cameron at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

They are wonderful, but bittersweet.

I love them.

I keep them in a drawer.

Here are a couple of my favorites:

Why do I mention this now?

Last evening I got a call from a Columbus Dispatch reporter who is doing a story on the organization. She wanted to gather various perspectives - from families who are having pictures done today at Children's, those who have had them done in the past but their children survived, and those like me.

People who know me well will be shocked to hear that I was nearly speechless. I knew that she was going to be calling. I heard her questions, formulated answers in my mind, but what came out of my mouth was brief and without substance. Why? Because it is too f-ing painful talk about. Especially now.

Why now? We just passed what should have been Cameron's 14th birthday. We are approaching next week the 10 year "anniversary" of his diagnosis, when my life changed forever and not for the better.

So, all of this to say, I support the organization and am grateful for what they have given to me. If you are interested in reading the article, you can look for it in Tuesday March 19, 2013 edition of the Columbus Dispatch, in the Life & Times section.

Until next time,
Lori

The picture

This is the before picture. We haven't made it to the stylist yet. Having a lazy morning here. This hair has not even been combed yet!

 

& so it happened

 

It took 9 years.

 

In  fact, I was getting pretty cocky and thought that I had avoided it.

 

But then, it happened.

 

Samantha cut herself some bangs. With fingernail clippers!

 

Guess we'll be making a trip to the hair dresser to get them evened out.

 

There will be photos soon!

Softball

Tonight was sign-ups/skills assessment for softball. Sami has played baseball for the past few years on boy/girl teams. This is our first attempt at girls softball. At first she was not interested: "Why would I play softball. There are no boys there. Who will I flirt with?" AYE CARAMBA! What is a mama bear to do???

It took some convincing, but she got excited about it. She did pretty well. We should hear more in the next week or so about her team and schedule.

Here are some pictures from previous years.

  
 

 

 

 

 

******

Updates:

1. Run/jog/walk 1000 miles. Current status: 147.8/1000.

Still WAY behind, but making a bit of progress. If I can stay healthy, I believe I will be able to catch up on this goal!

2. Read 100 books. Current Status: 11/100

I have fallen behind here too, still counting on vacation to get caught up (& maybe a bit ahead!). I also need to find some more *fluff* to read. These intense books require too much recovery time!

3. Lose 25 pounds. Current status: 6.8/25.

4. Get more organized.

Working on my office right now!

5. Make one new recipe per week. Current status: 10/52

Made these for Social Work month: http://www.recipe4living.com/recipes/pudding_sugar_cookies.htm?format=print#

 

Good flavor, crunchier than I would have guessed. I want to try these again with banana pudding.

I found some good looking recipes here: http://www.fabulousfoods.com/articles/29715/5-things-to-do-with-nutella?gclid=CPKV_6H6-rUCFcdDMgodKRYAXA

 

 

 

 “The world of achievement has always belonged to the optimist.” Harold Wilkins

 

 

Until next time,

Lori

Who doesn't love bacon?

This morning while waiting for the bus Samantha announced "Hey Mom! I want to go to bacon school! I didn't even know there was a bacon school! How cool is that - I bet they eat bacon all day! I love bacon!"

Then I realized that a different bus had just passed by. The one for "Beacon School." Clearly we need to work on her spelling & reading!

**********

Updates:


1. Run/jog/walk 1000 miles. Current status: 140.7/1000. I may be able to catch up on this goal!


2. Read 100 books. Current Status: 11/100

Finished reading The Suicide Effect (A Medical Thriller) by L.J. Sellers

I have to stay off of http://ereaderlove.com/ I am downloading soooo many free books I don't know how I will ever read them all! I think there are about 1800+ books on my kindle right now.

3. Lose 25 pounds. Current status: 6.4/25. The scales went the wrong way last week, so I had ground to make up! Still on target with this goal though.


4. Get more organized. Worked on another drawer & got rid of some clothes that we don't wear anymore.


5. Make one new recipe per week. Current status: 9/52

Some pictures, just because

Just another boring update!

Haven't felt great the last few days. Mostly just blah. Weary.

 

Kind of matches my mood. Cameron's 14th birthday was Sunday. I spent the day feeling sorry for myself. Would have drank some wine if I had the energy to open it up.

 

Updates:

1. Run/jog/walk 1000 miles. Current status: 121.2/1000. I am still WAY behind on this goal!

2. Current Status: 10/100

Finished reading Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn. I liked this book way better than the other one. The characters were not as well developed as I would have liked, but at least I could follow this story.

Also read Asylum (The Birch Harbor Series) by Kristen Selleck. Totally not my kind of book. A young adult, super natural book. It was ok.

 

Not sure what is up next. Guess when I grab my kindle tonight, whatever looks good on the 1st screen will win!

3. Lose 25 pounds. Current status: 6.4/25. The scales went the wrong way last week, so I had ground to make up! Still on target with this goal though.

4. Get more organized. No progress this week.

5. Make one new recipe per week. Current status: 9/52

 

Made these:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Roasted-Asparagus-365157

and this for dinner last weekend:

http://www.ducksnarow.com/2012/10/classic-apple-crisp-recipe.html

Both were successes & will find their way into the dinner rotation.

Until next time (& hopefully it will be more interesting),
Lori

Not ready for this!

Sami: "Hey mom, can I get these jeans?"

"I think they will make my butt look good."

Seriously? She is 9!

quick updates

Updates:

1. Run/jog/walk 1000 miles. Current status: 90.71/1000. I am WAY behind on this goal!

2. Current Status: 8/100

Finished reading Gone Girl: A Novel by Gillian Flynn. How disappointing was that??? It was really too bad that a well written book had such a crappy ending. I didn't connect with (or really even like) any of the characters. The best part: I didn't waste any money on this book.

Tonight, I am moving on to Love Anthony by Lisa Genova. She is a relatively new (at least to me!) author. I believe she has 3 books out. I loved the 1st one I read (Still Alice) so I have high hopes for this one!

3. Lose 25 pounds. Current status: 5/25 (20% there!)

4. Get more organized. Current status: 2 closets & 2 drawers down!

5. Make one new recipe per week. Current status: 7/52

Made this to go with our Sunday lunch - YUM! http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Hot-Fudge-Cake

Probably not the best idea.... wondering if goal #5 is canceling out goal #3??? :)

Plan for this week ..... Spend some quality time with my iPod and my sadly outdated playlist.


Until next time,
Lori

Sacrifices.....

First I am not Catholic, so while I am not technically bound to the tradition of Lent, I generally do try to give up something in an attempt to be a better person. Sometimes that attempt is feeble at best..... So, today, I came up with a list of things that I should give up (or at least work on!). Here goes my confessional:

1. Cursing. I know.... I'd like to think that it is not that bad, but it is. At least at work. It is hard being a supervisor sometimes.

2. Extortion. I realize that this is actually a crime, but again, I'd like to think that I fall under some type of threshold on this. I extort cookies (&other sweet treats like brownies and cake) from the interns. All of them. And former ones that are still hanging around.... And some of the other staff that need things from me, like passwords needing to be reset & the like.

3. Alcohol. Who am I kidding? Next.

4. On-line shopping. Hmmm....alcohol might be easier than this. My bank account might appreciate it though.

5. Facebook. I should. I could. I know that I won't. Next.

6. Phone use in my car. I realize that this is about to become law so it is probably a good idea to go ahead and stop talking & driving now. This one might actually be do-able!

7. Make my bed. Every.Day. This one actually makes the least amount of sense. Why bother? I don't really know.

Well, I guess I will see how this goes!

*********
Updates:

1. Run/jog/walk 1000 miles. Current status: 75.63/1000.

2. Current Status: 7/100

Finished reading Memoirs of Miracles by Tim Mondy (May 19, 2008). Why oh why did I read this book??? It was free for the kindle through ereaderlove.com. Written by through an uncle about a little boy diagnosed with a brain tumor. But the title suggests a miracle! The miracle would be the reader not crying while reading this book.

Just started reading Gone Girl: A Novel by Gillian Flynn


3. Lose 25 pounds. Current status: 5/25 (20% there!)

4. Get more organized. Current status: 2 closests down!

5. Make one new recipe per week. Current status: 6/52

Made these skinny mashed potatoes: http://www.campbellskitchen.com/recipes/recipedetails?recipeid=23866  Was leery of no butter, no milk mashed potatoes but they were good!


Until next time,
Lori

One more thing!

I should apologize early on, but this year there will likely be a lot of posts like these - updates on my list of now up to 5 goals. This is the place where I am keeping my notes.

Late adding this one because I didn't think of it earlier!

Goal #5  Current status: 4/52

Make one new recipe per week. So far, so good. Hoping to make my way through the recipes I've pinned on Pinterest. Right now, I have this simmering in the crockpot: http://forkinit.blogspot.com/2010/09/crockpot-barbecue-chicken.html

 

I've also made:

http://kim-thislittlelifeofmine.blogspot.com/2011/07/bacon-wrapped-green-beans.html

 

http://foodpicsgo.com/?p=1618

 

http://www.chiquitabananas.com/Banana-Recipes/Banana-Oatmeal-Smoothie-recipe.aspx

 

 

Making these with the little ones tomorrow during the Super Bowl!

http://pinterest.com/pin/169377635957784109/

 

 

Next on the horizon: http://mommymakesitbetter.blogspot.com/2012/04/crock-pot-applesauce.html

Quick other goal update:

1. Run/jog/walk 1000 miles. Current status: 53.97/1000.

2. Current Status: 6/100

Finished reading Still Alice by Lisa Genova.  Wow! That was a great book. Highly recommended. I've ordered another of her books from Amazon (Love Anthony). Can't wait to read it!

Then to clear my mind, I read The Unofficial Guide to Nutella by Michelle Fabio. Who doesn't love Nutella? Quick read with recipes! Probably a bit of a cheat to count it as one of my books, but I did read it.....

Later this afternoon I am starting Memoirs of Miracles by Tim Mondy (May 19, 2008)

3. Lose 25 pounds. Current status: 3.6/25

4. Get more organized.


 

January goal update

1. Run/jog/walk 1000 miles. Current status: 45.72/1000.

Still behind..... Hoping to make up some ground with the half marathon training that I am just getting started (again!). I had started a plan, then got derailed when Aunt Ruth died, but am back on plan.

2. Read 100 books. Current status: 4/100

Behind here too. Did finish reading OVERWEIGHT - A Novel by Nathan Anthony. It didn't end quite the way I thought it would, but that is that is the beauty of a book. I have just started reading Still Alice by Lisa Genova. I know that it is a tear jerker so I am braced for it. I also know that the topic will hit a little close to home. Haven't selected the next book yet.

3. Lose 25 pounds. Current status: 3.6/25

Finally! A goal that is on track! Not going to say much about this, hate to jinx my progress! :)

4. Get more organized.

This is coming along.... Have started with the living room & the magazine rack. Working my way through them. Maybe that is why I am behind on books!



Until next time,
Lori

If there is a Heaven.....

If there is a Heaven, these 2 sisters are there, shopping & they are not paying full retail price for anything!

 

Mom & Aunt Ruthie. Mom hated this picture because she was talking. I love it because I love them both & don't have as many pictures of the two of them together as I wish I did. Now, it is too late to get any more.  

 

 

 



Aunt Ruthie

The 5 Bishop siblings, only 3 remaining.

 

 

Missing them terribly tonight.

My 2013 goals

Just realized I never posted these. Somehow, posting them keeps me more honest! Certainly not listing 40 this year, but still going to make an effort for change!

1. Run/jog/walk 1000 miles. Current status: 26/1000.

I realize that this is a repeat goal - I fell short last year. :( I got sick mid-November and didn't really feel well until about 2 weeks ago. My total miles for 2012 were 850.3. I am already running behind (heehee!) with only 26 miles logged (should be closer to 55 at this point) but am just getting started on a half-marathon training plan so hopefully I will catch up soon.

2. Read 100 books. Current status: 3/100

Two books a week. Lofty, but I *should* be able to do this. Working on #4 right now - OVERWEIGHT - A Novel by Nathan Anthony. So far, it is an interesting read about the earth being thrown off its axis by too many overweight Americans. Have also read Some are Sicker than Others by Andrew Seaward, The Forgotten by David Baldacci and The Racketeer by John Grisham. I am addicted to the site ereaderlove.com where free Kindle books are loaded everyday. Links take you to Amazon so it appears trustworthy. I now have in the neighborhood of 1,800 books stored on my kindle so I'd better get reading before I run out of space!

3. Lose 25 pounds. Current status: 0.8/25

That is only 2 pounds per month. Doable? Hasn't been the last 2 years so we shall see! I would hate to be one of those who tips the earth off its axis....

4. Get more organized.

This one will be harder to measure. Maybe I should count up the closets and drawers in my house and office that need cleaned out!

Maybe next year, I will come up with 10 items, but these 4 are it for now!

What I didn't write down were other intentions like blood donations, charitable donations, increased family activities so hopefully 2013 will be a great year!



Until next time,
Lori

Biggest Loser: Love it or hate it?

It is turning into quite the controversial show. Even in my small little corner of the world, I hear quite the number of people expressing their feelings about this show and very few are in the middle. They tend to love or to hate this show. I fall in the love category. I have watched it from the beginning. The transformations have been amazing and inspiring. I do, however, believe that Jillian Michaels hates me! It is obvious by the sheer torture of those dvd's she puts out!

I have also watched the reunions where several have gained back their weight. Just like real life. I have read over & over that the majority of folks who lose weight gain it all back. The show is not to blame for that though some would like to blame them instead of taking responsibility for their own choices.

Last week, Dr. H was doing what he does - reviewing each contestant's medical test results, which is generally bad & scary making many of them cry for the camera. But then, he said something that has stuck with me & I have thought about it all week long. It went something like this:

"If I told you that you had lymphoma, could you find an hour a day for chemotherapy? Well, I am telling you that heart disease and if you don't lose the weight, you will die. Can you not find an hour a day for exercise?" 

Hmmm. I don't think my situation is quite so dire, but why do I make so many excuses? Why can I not find 30 minutes to exercise? How much could I have done in the time that I have spent typing in this blog???

Until next time, I am off to the treadmill!

Lori

Hey mom......

 

 

Sami: "Hey Mom..... what kind of animal is skim?"

Me: "What????"

Sami: "WHAT KIND OF ANIMAL IS SKIM??? We drink skim milk right?"

Me" gasping for air due to laughing so hard! My silly little girl!

Fell off the wagon AGAIN!

I have lots of excuses:

1. I was sick. In fact, my whole house was sick over Christmas & New Years and we are just now starting to really feel well.


2. I was busy. Trying to pull off a holiday with a fever is not a lot of fun. However, trying to pull off a holiday while on codeine cough syrup is a little bit fun.


3. Christmas Cards suck the fun out of everything. Seriously. EVERY.THING. I bought the cards. Nothing too sentimental or sickly sweet. Nothing too religious. Just regular snowmen cards with "Merry Christmas" on the inside. I sat down with my bottle of wine & address book (which, by the way, is not that old - maybe 3-4 years). Page after page were people I would not be sending cards to this year. Why you might ask..... Because they died. Or were too demented to realize that I was sending them a card. Or because they had recently suffered a tragedy and did not want another *^%*^% card to show up at their house. So, I put the cards away and drank my wine.

So now that I am feeling more like myself as opposed to feeling sorry for myself, I am back on the wagon for blogging, diet & half marathon training.

Here are some pictures of what we have been doing over the past month:

 

Sami was in a Christmas Ice show

 

Those rosy cheeks were from fever. Poor little thing was sick on Christmas morning. It was hard for her to get too excited opening her gifts.

Feeling better & rocking her new pink winter gear in the snow.

Enjoying some pampering - getting her nails done by her cousin.

 

 



Until next time, (& I promise it will not be long!)
Lori