Healthy Choice? More Like HELLTHY Choice! ICK!

So, my blood pressure is still high, even after having Nathan and after following up with an internist, I was ordered to make some lifestyle changes. No big deal since I'm not that big of an offender right? WRONG!

Change 1-Cut back on the caff. Okay-so I had done very well for quite some time. I would only have my little mocha in the morning and I would be done. Then, I had Nathan. I became more dependent on caffeine to get through the day. So, after almost one week of reverting back to the one-a-day plan, I'm alright with it...mostly.

Change 2-"Exercise," she said. HA! HA! HA! NO THANK YOU! First, I hate it and second, I hate it. "Minimal...even walking," she continued. Okay. I'm on board with that. I do lots of walking at work and when it isn't raining outside, we usually go for a family walk. In the last week, I've been not that great. I went walking one day, mowed the grass another (doesn't that count for two?), ran around the grocery store and Wal-Mart in the same day (can that count?) and okay, okay! I need to do better.

Change 3-Cut back on the salt. Big deal! "I never add salt to my food and I don't think I eat really salty foods anyway." BOY WAS I FREAKING WRONG! They recommend a daily allowance of 2400 mg of sodium. Count up what you eat and see how you're doing. You might be surprised. I know Tib and Jess won't be surprised at all! :)

So, I figured out that my normal frozen lunch was over 1/2 the daily allowance and decided to switch to Healthy Choice. BLEAH! Sure it is 1/3 the salt, but come on! I would love to pack a nice healthy lunch every day, but will I have the time. I guess I'll have to make time...just like the exercising garbage.

I hope when I go back in three weeks, my efforts will show in my reading. :) I DO NOT want to be put on medicine.

Well, I hope you are all enjoying your delicious lunches of wavy lays, french onion dip and slim jims. :) IF not, have some for me.

A Few Free Minutes!

As usual these days, I've been quite busy at work and at home. I'm trying to keep up with everything, but blogging always seems to fall to the bottom of the list. :)

Last weekend, we had a wonderful camping trip. It was Sydney's first. The weather on Friday and Saturday was BEAUTIFUL, but it rained buckets on Sunday and we were a mess. Note to self-buy rain gear!

Here are a few photos from the trip:

Mom and Syd
Uncle Wes
Mom, Dad and Syd (Nate was with Grandma)

Weenie Cooking!

Wes found an interesting potty.

Beautiful View (It was a bit foggy.)

I hope you are all happy and well! Best wishes!

Jess

One Year Later

Hokies, and others, are remembering today the tragic shooting of last year and the many lives that were lost at the hands of Cho.

Our hearts and thoughts go out to the families and friends of the deceased. We wish you peace and comfort.

Wacky Weaning!

I've heard some pretty silly stories in my life and this one is no exception.

All of the cats, well almost all of them, are out today. So, we mice, I still consider myself a mouse on Fridays, decided to play a bit this morning. We had a nice chat this morning about the weather and such. Somehow we got on the subject of breastfeeding and weaning. That is when one woman shared her weaning story.

Wanda, at least that is what I am going to call her, explained that her oldest son would not wean despite trying a million different things. So, at the nutty suggestion of a gynecologist, she ended up drawing scary pictures on her breasts in dark colors. She swears it worked. Now, have you ever heard of such a thing? After I stopped laughing, I told her that she was lucky she had not been in an accident during that time. As a former EMT, I can imagine having to cut the shirt off of someone and seeing that. I'm not sure I would be able to keep myself in check. I've seen tattoos, but never crayola! :)

Happy Friday!

Thankful Thursday!

I've got about one minute before I start my workday, but I had to chime in, especially when the "force" was so nice to me this morning.

Marc nudged me awake this morning at 7am! We had both forgotten to turn our clocks on and somehow our other two alarm clocks stayed asleep. I'm sure an explicative slipped out of my mouth as I jumped out of bed and ran for the shower. We all raced around getting ready and, thanks to my hubby and his cool job, we all managed to get it together. I was out the door in 22 minutes flat (had to help with Nate) and made it to work, despite serious fog and traffic in another 25 minutes! Now that is a miracle. THANK YOU!

Another good thing, I remembered my Starbucks Frap! Forgetting that would have been awful.

I'm so looking forward to the weekend and I have so many things to be thankful for, but I don't have the time to put them in writing today. I've got lots and lots to do! :)

Have a great day!

EVEN A TWO-YEAR-OLD CAN DO IT! :)

Last night, after Sydney went to bed, I noticed that a new roll of toilet paper had been put on the holder. This is not such a big deal, except I happened to notice the empty cardboard tube on the floor. That was when it occurred to me that Syd had replaced the paper! I hadn't even asked her to do it. Syd proved that even a two-year-old can replace toilet paper! Now, why do so many people have problems with it? Yay, Sydney! Of course, I had to give her lots of praise this morning on the way to school. :) She probably thinks I'm nuts, but she isn't the first.

Quick Pic

We have, of course, a million more, but here's a quick one! :)

Frozen In Time...For Just a Second

Tonight, after dinner, we dropped Marc's truck off at the dealership to have it serviced. Yes, something is wrong. :( Hopefully it won't be too expensive, but that isn't the point of my post.

Since I had followed Marc, I was hanging out with Nate in my car waiting for him to fill out the service request and drop the keys in the box. OF COURSE, Sydney was with him. She wants to be wherever Dad is and I do mean wherever. He could be rummaging through a disgusting dumpster and she'd jump in after him.

My car was idling, the radio was playing Rascal Flatts and Nate was soundly sleeping in the backseat. I was just passing time, gazing at my surroundings. It wasn't long before I realized I had left the house in my slippers. I grinned and kept gazing. Marc took Sydney out of the truck and headed in my direction. It was a moment that took my breath away.

I'm so amazed sometimes. There is this big, strong and confident man made so weak and gushy by one touch from his tiny Princess. Then there is Sydney, a spunky little chick who so looks up her Dad. He's her hero.

The two of them headed in my direction. Sydney had her stuffed animal in tow (a Backyardigans character) and her hair was, as always, falling around the nape of her neck. Marc guided her along, tucked her safely into her seat and headed to drop the keys. Not before he shot me one sweet look, made sweeter by his messy hair. I just love that. :) They can be so much alike. :)

So, tonight, like many nights, my heart was filled with love and a simple moment was captured for me to remember always. Nothing terribly exciting, but a great impact just the same. It is my life, finding the sweetness in the simple and honest moments. It is remembering how amazingly fortunate I am and savoring every minute I have here.

My British Boyfriend is BACK! :)

Sorry, Marc. I can't help it. :)

Gordon Ramsey kicked off a new season of Hell's Kitchen last night. It was a riot. I just love his sharp wit.

I can hardly believe it is Wednesday already. I stay so busy these days that the time just flies, even fast than before. Now, that is fast.

Marc uploaded our photos last night so, I hope to post some new ones this weekend. It has been a while. We'll be at home this weekend so, I might actually have the chance.

Now, I'm off to see what you are up to.