The true meaning

For the last two weeks or so, I've been working on the Christmas party for Colin's family readiness group.  I've been trying to get "donations" from businesses around the area,  even just to help support our food efforts and little things to make the party just that much better!  You'd be amazed that when they hear it can't be a tax write off, how not willing they are.

Well, with my frustrations I turn to Facebook (of course!)  Lo and behold, what happens?  I'm shown once again that I have MANY angels that walk among us.  When I vented, SO many people stepped forward to offer absolutely amazing gifts!! People who have home businesses donated beyond what I could ever even ask for!! I have people throwing gifts at us that I have never met! People are giving things made from their own hands! People giving their talents to these families!

Seriously, how could I not be beyond touched that my friends are so willing to give to these soldiers and their families?! To people they have never met, and probably never will! This shows me that there is still so much lover in this country.  Love not only for our soldiers but for our fellow man.

I've seen people on Facebook doing a daily "I'm thankful for..." thing, but I have to say, everyday I'm thankful to these amazing people! This time of year is tight on everyone's checkbook, and to open your heart to us all, there's only one thing that comes to mind:
"God bless us, everyone!"

Nerves of rubber...

So this is really the official countdown to my next trip to MEPS. 20 days until I head back.   I will be (probably) be spending the eve of my birthday in a hotel room with a complete stranger, nervous as heck for the 4 am wake up call.  So, here is the game plan:

For the next 10 days, I will be on an extremely low carb diet. I'll toss in some fruit for nutrition, but mainly salads and protein!

Day 11 is Thanksgiving.  I'm giving myself one day to ENJOY. I get to enjoy food, a REGULAR pepsi, and of course my family!!

Day 12 on...THIS is when I warn people, I may not be me! When I get hungry, I get cranky. Have you ever heard of the HCG diet? Well, I strongly recommend to NOT do it...unless this is your third trip to MEPS and it's come down to drastic mesures.  Here's what the diet entails:

For breakfast you can have Coffee or tea, no sugar.

Lunch and Dinner: 100 grams (about 3.5 oz) of lean protein and one serving of vegetables

For the following, I can either combine it with lunch and/or dinner, OR I can have it as a snack inbetween meals.  Which ever, I get to have one Grissino breadstick (those super thin ones) or one piece of melba toast, AND an apple, an orange, a handful of strawberries OR half a grapefruit.

So yeah, don't do this diet, because as soon as you're done, you'll gain it back! I gave it a try this summer to test it out, and I lost about a pound to pound and a half a day!! My goal is to really enjoy this Christmas season...but I want it to be my last at home for a while, it's definitely time to go.

Anyway...20 days. Just gotta stay strong, and with all my friends and family around, I'm confident I'll be able to make it through!!