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!"
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Sunday, November 11, 2012
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!!
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!!
Monday, October 22, 2012
ABC Challenge
So these next two weeks I'm starting my own challenge. I saw this on my Instagram thingy mer jig, and thought "Oh, this is an awesome idea!"
What "ABC" stands for is "Abs Better than Cake." The thought of that kinda made me all tingly inside! So, I'm on day one, and surprisingly it's not as easy as it may seem. I've told myself "only 13 more days" about 10 times already. While walking through the store looking at all the yummies, it's staying mentally strong!!
So, here are my personal guidelines:
1. Tracking ALL food, no matter what!
2. Trying to double the protein to carbs.
3. Drink water, water and yeah, more water!
4. Start eating more color (I'm guilty of white...I need veggie colors!!)
While it may seem simple, it really reduces what you can eat! All of these things mean cutting out a lot of processed foods, watching portion sizes, being aware when I go out, so this is 2 weeks of pure dedication!!
One wrench already gonna be tossed into this machine is an event this upcoming Saturday. This, my friends is going to be my first half marathon!! Oh goodness, 13.1 MILES! I know, many run full marathons, but we're talking about the girl here who, in elementary school couldn't even complete ONE mile! I'm SO nervous but I know I can do this, as long as I'm properly fueled! Last time I ran a 12 mile run, I burned over 1300 calories!! Hmm...well, that's a whole other challenge! :)
So, that's my life the next couple weeks...wish me luck, and join me if you'd like!!!
What "ABC" stands for is "Abs Better than Cake." The thought of that kinda made me all tingly inside! So, I'm on day one, and surprisingly it's not as easy as it may seem. I've told myself "only 13 more days" about 10 times already. While walking through the store looking at all the yummies, it's staying mentally strong!!
So, here are my personal guidelines:
1. Tracking ALL food, no matter what!
2. Trying to double the protein to carbs.
3. Drink water, water and yeah, more water!
4. Start eating more color (I'm guilty of white...I need veggie colors!!)
While it may seem simple, it really reduces what you can eat! All of these things mean cutting out a lot of processed foods, watching portion sizes, being aware when I go out, so this is 2 weeks of pure dedication!!
One wrench already gonna be tossed into this machine is an event this upcoming Saturday. This, my friends is going to be my first half marathon!! Oh goodness, 13.1 MILES! I know, many run full marathons, but we're talking about the girl here who, in elementary school couldn't even complete ONE mile! I'm SO nervous but I know I can do this, as long as I'm properly fueled! Last time I ran a 12 mile run, I burned over 1300 calories!! Hmm...well, that's a whole other challenge! :)
So, that's my life the next couple weeks...wish me luck, and join me if you'd like!!!
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Woman of the week- Hatshepsut
As is a typical Sunday night in our household my mum and I were sitting at the table discussing politics, which then soon led into religion. The particular subject however took an interesting turn tonight. Tonight we talked about women in power. Everyone from Mary Magdalene (who, contrary to popular belief was not a prostitute, rather a savvy business woman and mother to many) to Greek Goddesses and all the way back to Egyptian pharos.
This gave me an idea. Why, as these women have proven over and over, to be strong willed members of society, are they always looked over so easily? This is 2012 it's time to start looking at women as the strong people they (we) are! So, once a week I am going to feature a strong woman from history. A woman who, against the norm, stood up for themselves, their families, their country and their beliefs.
Tonight, we go back to 1508 B.C. Hatshepsut was the fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth dynasty of Ancient Egypt. She is generally regarded by Egyptologists as one of the most successful pharaohs, reigning longer than any other woman of an indigenous Egyptian dynasty.
Hatshepsut, daughter of Tuthmose I and Aahmes, both of royal lineage, was the favorite of their three children. When her two brothers died, she was in the unique position to gain the throne upon the death of her father. To have a female pharaoh was unprecedented, and probably most definitely unheard of as well.
As a favorite daughter of a popular pharaoh, and as a charismatic and beautiful lady in her own right, she was able to command enough of a following to actually take control as pharaoh. She ruled until her death in 1458 BC, and left behind more monuments and works of art than any Egyptian queen to come.
As a female, had many obstacles to overcome. There was always a threat of revolt, Using propaganda and keen political skills, she jumped each hurdle she faced. To calm the fears of her people, she became a "king" by dressing in mens garbs. Although there were no wars during her reign, she proved her sovereignty by ordering expeditions to the land of Punt, in present-day Somalia, in search of the ivory, animals, spices, gold and aromatic trees that Egyptians coveted. She spread the word and the wealth of her empire.
Hatshepsut was a master politician, and an elegant stateswoman with enough charisma to keep control of an entire country for twenty years. The propaganda she used to keep her power worked well to cement Hatshepsut's position.
In all, Hatshepsut accomplished what no woman had before her. She ruled the most powerful, advanced civilization in the world, successfully, for twenty years. Even if there were some who resented her success, her success stands for all eternity.
Any further accomplishments of Queen Hatshepsut were cut short when the female pharaoh disappeared under mysterious circumstances about twnety years after taking the throne. Her nephew, Thutmose III, immediately regained control of the throne. It has been speculated that he had her assassinated when he became old enough to rule on his own.
While, these accomplishments to todays standards don't seem magnificent, this woman was able to rule a country before any technology, before any official form of writing even! She held the dedication of a nation in the palm of her hand! She took her power from her nephew in the first place (it's even a longer story but an AMAZING read...do it!) an act which was "defiant" and unruly alone. However, because he was not of age and then became ill, Hatshepsut didn't want to sit idly by and watch her country stay still...she did what was needed.
SO...Pharo Hatshepust, you are week one, WOMAN OF THE WEEK!
This gave me an idea. Why, as these women have proven over and over, to be strong willed members of society, are they always looked over so easily? This is 2012 it's time to start looking at women as the strong people they (we) are! So, once a week I am going to feature a strong woman from history. A woman who, against the norm, stood up for themselves, their families, their country and their beliefs.
Tonight, we go back to 1508 B.C. Hatshepsut was the fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth dynasty of Ancient Egypt. She is generally regarded by Egyptologists as one of the most successful pharaohs, reigning longer than any other woman of an indigenous Egyptian dynasty.
Hatshepsut, daughter of Tuthmose I and Aahmes, both of royal lineage, was the favorite of their three children. When her two brothers died, she was in the unique position to gain the throne upon the death of her father. To have a female pharaoh was unprecedented, and probably most definitely unheard of as well.
As a favorite daughter of a popular pharaoh, and as a charismatic and beautiful lady in her own right, she was able to command enough of a following to actually take control as pharaoh. She ruled until her death in 1458 BC, and left behind more monuments and works of art than any Egyptian queen to come.
As a female, had many obstacles to overcome. There was always a threat of revolt, Using propaganda and keen political skills, she jumped each hurdle she faced. To calm the fears of her people, she became a "king" by dressing in mens garbs. Although there were no wars during her reign, she proved her sovereignty by ordering expeditions to the land of Punt, in present-day Somalia, in search of the ivory, animals, spices, gold and aromatic trees that Egyptians coveted. She spread the word and the wealth of her empire.
Hatshepsut was a master politician, and an elegant stateswoman with enough charisma to keep control of an entire country for twenty years. The propaganda she used to keep her power worked well to cement Hatshepsut's position.
In all, Hatshepsut accomplished what no woman had before her. She ruled the most powerful, advanced civilization in the world, successfully, for twenty years. Even if there were some who resented her success, her success stands for all eternity.
Any further accomplishments of Queen Hatshepsut were cut short when the female pharaoh disappeared under mysterious circumstances about twnety years after taking the throne. Her nephew, Thutmose III, immediately regained control of the throne. It has been speculated that he had her assassinated when he became old enough to rule on his own.
While, these accomplishments to todays standards don't seem magnificent, this woman was able to rule a country before any technology, before any official form of writing even! She held the dedication of a nation in the palm of her hand! She took her power from her nephew in the first place (it's even a longer story but an AMAZING read...do it!) an act which was "defiant" and unruly alone. However, because he was not of age and then became ill, Hatshepsut didn't want to sit idly by and watch her country stay still...she did what was needed.
SO...Pharo Hatshepust, you are week one, WOMAN OF THE WEEK!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Will the cosmos ever cease to amaze?
I realized as I was doing an interview for a friend's blog today, it has been a long time since I've updated mine. So, while I have to be up at 5:00 tomorrow morning, things need to be written.
First, still not there yet (I know, shock right?) While I'm still plugging along, I've realized now WHY God hasn't pushed me to the edge yet. You remember those ladies in Norm's bootcamp I was telling you about, right? Good! If not, go back a few blogs. Anyway, these ladies surprise me everyday. Here's how this time:
About three weeks ago, supposedly a camera crew was going to be there to feature the bootcamp! Well, of course I wanted to be there 'cus it kicks arse, how can I not be?! Of course everyone looked so pretty that day (sans yours truly!) the camera folk were all "oh, just be natural" yadda yadda! But you know when someone with a camera says that, you have to try to look bad ass! On our first water break, they wanted to interview someone. Okay, all these women are beautiful, in and out, so I was thinking anyone would be awesome. Nope, I got called over. Gah! Well, as questions were happening, I was just going with the flow, then before I knew it, I learned that those damn ladies nominated me for a makeover!! You know when you watch those shows and you say "yeah, right. They didn't react like that." Well, I was that person. You could have knocked me over with a feather!! EVERYONE knew...EVERYONE but me!!
So, I was shopping at the mall today with the woman who definitely knows style (my idea of fancy is a clean shirt and clean shorts!) As I was walking through the mall, who comes around the corner? MY RECRUITERS!!! Whoa! Now you might ask "why is this a big deal?" Well, just the day before, I was in the office, with the company commander!! I spent a good two hours there, shooting the breeze! That trip will be a whole other story! Anyway, I thought it was such fate that I was getting this whole new look and the people who want to see my succeed, come wandering down the hall! Yes, small world indeed!
Friday is the big day!! I'm getting my hair done, my make up done, the whole nine yards! I don't even own make up, so this is a big deal!! (I promise I'll put a link to the video up when I can!) OH...I forgot to mention the best part, it's going to be on TV! It's going to be on Twin Cities Live at 3:00 on channel 5 (also known as ABC) So, catch it if you can!
This story is just the tip of the ice berg my friends. The cosmos have been lining up these last few weeks, but we'll take it one story at a time! For now, good night, good evening and good luck!
First, still not there yet (I know, shock right?) While I'm still plugging along, I've realized now WHY God hasn't pushed me to the edge yet. You remember those ladies in Norm's bootcamp I was telling you about, right? Good! If not, go back a few blogs. Anyway, these ladies surprise me everyday. Here's how this time:
About three weeks ago, supposedly a camera crew was going to be there to feature the bootcamp! Well, of course I wanted to be there 'cus it kicks arse, how can I not be?! Of course everyone looked so pretty that day (sans yours truly!) the camera folk were all "oh, just be natural" yadda yadda! But you know when someone with a camera says that, you have to try to look bad ass! On our first water break, they wanted to interview someone. Okay, all these women are beautiful, in and out, so I was thinking anyone would be awesome. Nope, I got called over. Gah! Well, as questions were happening, I was just going with the flow, then before I knew it, I learned that those damn ladies nominated me for a makeover!! You know when you watch those shows and you say "yeah, right. They didn't react like that." Well, I was that person. You could have knocked me over with a feather!! EVERYONE knew...EVERYONE but me!!
So, I was shopping at the mall today with the woman who definitely knows style (my idea of fancy is a clean shirt and clean shorts!) As I was walking through the mall, who comes around the corner? MY RECRUITERS!!! Whoa! Now you might ask "why is this a big deal?" Well, just the day before, I was in the office, with the company commander!! I spent a good two hours there, shooting the breeze! That trip will be a whole other story! Anyway, I thought it was such fate that I was getting this whole new look and the people who want to see my succeed, come wandering down the hall! Yes, small world indeed!
Friday is the big day!! I'm getting my hair done, my make up done, the whole nine yards! I don't even own make up, so this is a big deal!! (I promise I'll put a link to the video up when I can!) OH...I forgot to mention the best part, it's going to be on TV! It's going to be on Twin Cities Live at 3:00 on channel 5 (also known as ABC) So, catch it if you can!
This story is just the tip of the ice berg my friends. The cosmos have been lining up these last few weeks, but we'll take it one story at a time! For now, good night, good evening and good luck!
Friday, June 1, 2012
Ya know, I don't think enough credit is given to this miraculous thing called "Facebook" or as someone I know calls it "Facey-space."
I'm at a low point in this journey of mine. Not for any "real" reason, except the fact that I'm working five jobs and trying to keep stress down. Can I tell you? That is certainly not an option. Stress is an everyday thing for me. Balancing work, a social life, a romantic life and all the bills. I know, everyone has stress, it's how we all deal with it that makes us different.
Me? I post 10 million Facebook status updates, songs, lyrics, poems and quotes that I think will inspire people to no end. (Turns out it's just a lot of jib jab, but that's okay, you can just simply ignore me, I won't be offended!)
My status a couple days ago was one of great despair. Not five minutes after posting, I had people chiming in with words of wisdom, and offers for a shoulder or just an ear. I took some up on that offer, which honestly, I had never done before. Not only did it alert those on my Facey-space of my lowness, but when I went to bootcamp, it made folks aware in "the real world" too. I had a couple people just offer a pat on the back and one who offered an ear, which I think the poor girl got a lot more than she anticipated.
However, with that low point, it made me realize how unbelievably blessed I am to have friends around the world, who simply give a damn. They WANT to see me succeed, and aren't just putting on a front. If I have gotten anything out of this journey, other than this weightloss and new health, it's meeting all these wonderful people I've gotten to! Most I've met face to face, others I have yet to actually meet on this journey. (But I expect to, because you guys have delt with my crap just as much as everyone else!)
For as many of you say that I'm an inspiration, you people that pull me up when I'm down, YOU guys are the inspirations. You're moms who always find times for friends, you're athletes who always help those who need a lift and you guys are all amazing friends who know what to say, or sometimes not say! You're teachers who will always make time, and you all have your wisdoms that I love hearing.
While we are all on different paths in life, thanks to Facey-space, we all get to be part of each others' lives. So thank you Facebook, with all the drama you cause in people's lives, you are the bringer of friends and wisdom.
I'm at a low point in this journey of mine. Not for any "real" reason, except the fact that I'm working five jobs and trying to keep stress down. Can I tell you? That is certainly not an option. Stress is an everyday thing for me. Balancing work, a social life, a romantic life and all the bills. I know, everyone has stress, it's how we all deal with it that makes us different.
Me? I post 10 million Facebook status updates, songs, lyrics, poems and quotes that I think will inspire people to no end. (Turns out it's just a lot of jib jab, but that's okay, you can just simply ignore me, I won't be offended!)
My status a couple days ago was one of great despair. Not five minutes after posting, I had people chiming in with words of wisdom, and offers for a shoulder or just an ear. I took some up on that offer, which honestly, I had never done before. Not only did it alert those on my Facey-space of my lowness, but when I went to bootcamp, it made folks aware in "the real world" too. I had a couple people just offer a pat on the back and one who offered an ear, which I think the poor girl got a lot more than she anticipated.
However, with that low point, it made me realize how unbelievably blessed I am to have friends around the world, who simply give a damn. They WANT to see me succeed, and aren't just putting on a front. If I have gotten anything out of this journey, other than this weightloss and new health, it's meeting all these wonderful people I've gotten to! Most I've met face to face, others I have yet to actually meet on this journey. (But I expect to, because you guys have delt with my crap just as much as everyone else!)
For as many of you say that I'm an inspiration, you people that pull me up when I'm down, YOU guys are the inspirations. You're moms who always find times for friends, you're athletes who always help those who need a lift and you guys are all amazing friends who know what to say, or sometimes not say! You're teachers who will always make time, and you all have your wisdoms that I love hearing.
While we are all on different paths in life, thanks to Facey-space, we all get to be part of each others' lives. So thank you Facebook, with all the drama you cause in people's lives, you are the bringer of friends and wisdom.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Perfection is the name of the game:
Okay, so here's my issue with diets. They work, and they continue to work, until you get comfortable with them. When you get comfortable is when you put their guidelines away and say "Yeah, I'm pretty sure this would be acceptable, after all, it's a lot like _______." And that my friends, is the state I'm in right now...bad bad bad!
So this week I'm rededicating myself. I'm only 3 weeks into my diet, so let's be honest, there isn't a whole lot to "rededicate myself" to. At least that's what I thought until I retook a look at my diet sheet. Seems I've been snipping a few corners here and there. Yeah, I'm still loosing, but who's to say that if I go back to 100% I won't loose twice as quickly?
That's my personal goal for this week. Follow the diet 100%. Make sure I'm getting all my water in, staying slightly active but not overly active, not grazing (even if it is on protein and other healthy stuff) and continue on my supplements.
Oh, and if you haven't heard, I'm a mere SEVEN pounds away from my goal weight...holy crap, seven!! My other goal, is to go back to MEPS the week of June 18th. My sister and nephew are going to be in town from Baltimore. (**Okay, personal mushy stuff, stop if you must, continue if you'd like**) Well, my sister and I have not seen eye to eye for about, oh, 27 years now. I always looked at her as successful, strong, beautiful, and I got the hand-me-downs. I've been learning this past three years that we're just very different. However, she is my big sister, and now she has an offspring whom I love just as much. I want to make them both so proud of me. Being from a very Liberal family, the military was never thought of as an option. And when I first decided to join (seriously join) I don't think it was the proudest moment of my sister's life. However, being the person that she is, she has been nothing but 110% supportive. I don't think there's anything I could ask for more than to have my entire family there when I swear in! While he may not remember it, I want someone to look at August someday and say "you were there when this whole thing started!" (**Okay, done with cheesy!**) So, the week of June 18th, everyone will be in town, and I'd love to make it an extra awesome time! :)
So this week, my goal is another 1 to 2 pounds gone. Drink at least 80 ounces of water. Workout correctly. And be aware of every single bite I'm taking!
So this week I'm rededicating myself. I'm only 3 weeks into my diet, so let's be honest, there isn't a whole lot to "rededicate myself" to. At least that's what I thought until I retook a look at my diet sheet. Seems I've been snipping a few corners here and there. Yeah, I'm still loosing, but who's to say that if I go back to 100% I won't loose twice as quickly?
That's my personal goal for this week. Follow the diet 100%. Make sure I'm getting all my water in, staying slightly active but not overly active, not grazing (even if it is on protein and other healthy stuff) and continue on my supplements.
Oh, and if you haven't heard, I'm a mere SEVEN pounds away from my goal weight...holy crap, seven!! My other goal, is to go back to MEPS the week of June 18th. My sister and nephew are going to be in town from Baltimore. (**Okay, personal mushy stuff, stop if you must, continue if you'd like**) Well, my sister and I have not seen eye to eye for about, oh, 27 years now. I always looked at her as successful, strong, beautiful, and I got the hand-me-downs. I've been learning this past three years that we're just very different. However, she is my big sister, and now she has an offspring whom I love just as much. I want to make them both so proud of me. Being from a very Liberal family, the military was never thought of as an option. And when I first decided to join (seriously join) I don't think it was the proudest moment of my sister's life. However, being the person that she is, she has been nothing but 110% supportive. I don't think there's anything I could ask for more than to have my entire family there when I swear in! While he may not remember it, I want someone to look at August someday and say "you were there when this whole thing started!" (**Okay, done with cheesy!**) So, the week of June 18th, everyone will be in town, and I'd love to make it an extra awesome time! :)
So this week, my goal is another 1 to 2 pounds gone. Drink at least 80 ounces of water. Workout correctly. And be aware of every single bite I'm taking!
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