the count down is on!

A week from today I start my classes! I cannot believe it is hear already. I have been out of school for over five years...I hope that in the last five years I'm wiser and a better student! lol But really, I just want to have fun and enjoy learning. I have always loved school, despite the struggles I've had over the years. Now that I am actually going with a purpose and end goal in sight, I feel a lot more confident about how I will do.

I have started to refinish and paint an awesome secretary desk I scored at a local antique shop. Should take me about a week to finish with all the priming, painting and coating I need to do. Did all the sanding of it last night. Thank goodness for power sanders! There is no way I could stand there hand-sanding such a large piece of furniture.

I'm hoping to finish Harry Potter Book 1 this week sometime. I've loved listening to it. The reader does an incredible job of depicting each character and changing the inflections in each character's voice. He really brings the story to life, one which I have not been the biggest fan of over the years but am really enjoying now.

This weekend was great! Spent most of our time just relaxing, playing outside in the pool, and we checked out a local music fest Friday night. Last night, Logan woke up for the first time in MONTHS because he was hungry. This kid must be going through some kind of growth spurt because he is constantly eating! So we sat at the kitchen table in the soft light of the kitchen, he on my lap, as he ate turkey and cheese. Despite the wake up call, it was so nice to share those moments with my little man.

Update on my health! Things are going great! I have gained almost 10 solid pounds since last December. I feel so much better and have my diet under control. So much so that I don't even take medication for the GERD unless it's really bad, which is rare now. The most common symptom I have is nausea. I've just learned to deal with and ignore it. I feel nauseous nearly four out of seven days of the week. Almost like a pregnant person, but I'm not. I've also been able to reintroduce foods that once irritated me. Like coffee! I can have a cup in the morning and it's all good! I try not to have one every day, but when I do my body does fine.

Cheers and a happy Monday to you!

A Healthier Me

Time for a health update!

• My anxiety has been under the radar now for most of the last 3.5 months since I started Cymbalta. I can tell a HUGE difference in how I feel. I didn't realize how depressed I was until I started to feel genuinely happy again. I don't cry as much and the fears I have (and acknowledge) are realistic. I've had a few moments of panic due to some big life changes going on right now. But I feel those have been okay moments to have a little freak out over. ;)


• Running has been going well. It started out terrible. I thought I would run in the early AM before I got ready for work and I had to be serious with myself--I hate getting up earlier than I have to. So I did it one time and my initial thoughts were a) I hated that run and b) well at least my run is done for the day! I can see how many people enjoy this time of day for a run, it's just not for me. Since that run I have been out 3 other times. Twice for runs and once for a very long hike. We did a 5 mile hike on Monday and it was rough! Quite steep in many areas and another testament to my being totally out of shape. I actually told B that I hoped this hike would help condition me for my next run. And it did! I ran last night 2 miles in 17:15!! I was shocked by how great I felt! I had the early burn that I pushed through and only walked twice for less than 30 sec each, then sprinted the last block and a half home. I wish every run felt that great!


• Goals: To run a 5K by the end of the summer AND meet my goal weight at the same time.


• My weight is getting better! I have gained 5 pounds in the last 5 weeks, which is what I was aiming for. I have to eat over 2000 calories a day to ensure that I gain a pound a week. I will continue to do this until I have reached my goal weight which both my nutritionist and doctor have agreed on.


• The lactose intolerance is under control. If I know I'm eating something with cream or milk in it, I take 1-2 lactaid pills and I don't feel a thing! I was not able to do this 6 months ago as my system was too sensitive. The GERD and IBS are still hit and miss thing.s..sometimes I can have a red sauce with my pasta, and sometimes I can't. I still take a med for that which certainly helps.


• Overall, I feel like I can eat more of the things I like and have a really good understanding of the things I just can't have, period. Coffee, onions, and acidic foods are no good, no matter the medication. I miss red onions! I used to cook with them all the time!

How is your health? Any summer goals?