It's been a while

Hello all. Sorry, it's been a long time since I've written. I could come up with a bunch of excuses, but rather, I'll just sum up my recent events.
My husband, T, didn't get re-contracted as a music teacher. It was scary b/c we just weren't sure where God would take us then. He recently has gotten a job here in GA at the Geico center and he is loving it so far. It's exciting to see him tackle on something new- I see something new in him now, in his spirit. I can't really explain it, but it's exciting all the same.
I'm working 2 jobs- Dressbarn and Bath and Body Works. I really like BBW but they don't work me often- like 3-9 hours a week. (usually it's 3 hours a week, plus 4-7 more if we have a floorset) However, I got a phone call from my manager and I got an interview today (I guess it is "today" now!) for a semi-management type position- CSL. I'm excited about it! I've been working about 20 at DB which might have to be lessened if I get the new position.

I had lost about 30-35 pounds by our wedding (almost exactly a year ago! Already!) and I've gained it back. It's really bothering me- I gotta lose it again, or it just might kill me! My biggest thing has been foot pain in my right foot. With all the standing and walking and stuff at work, I'm in serious pain with my foot right now. I feel it's a weight issue.... though I will be making a chiropractor appointment soon to see if there are any issues he/she can see. I'm really bummed emotionally about the weight gain, but even more so physically. My menstrual cycle is all screwed up- it's about 40 days long (which is normal for me) but now I'm not ovulating. I bleed, but no ovulation (I can tell by my NFP charting- temp changes and mucus observations.)

I can't believe we have been married a year this weekend! T has planned a surprise weekend which I'm excited about, although I am working Sat and Sun (morning Sat and closing Sun) so it won't be as long as we had hoped.

I have been very stressed about many things. I've been skipping church more often (which isn't helping, I know!) and... I dunno. I've been awake for a hour plus already (and it's 5:30am!)  b/c I woke up to go to the bathroom and now just can't sleep. I hope things improve soon!

I ought to write more often

Hey everyone! I've been lacking a good computer to really type on, plus a loss of inspiration... but anyways...
Lent was a bit of a bomb. I didn't do well with any Lenten goals and I missed church 2 times! ugh! But I'm starting to get back in the groove- I'm reading the Left Behind series. It's alright- but I think it's subconsciously influencing me to think about God more often.
I've been craving adoration- just to be there. I'm wanting to pray with my husband more. I just have this general yearning- it's quite and soft, but there.

I'm looking at going to the Cursillo retreat in November. T and I went to a meeting about that group yesterday. Sounds good!

I'm not sure how to fulfill this crave I got!

catching up

Hey all! It's been a while, no?

Things are going alright here. Spring feels like it's starting to roll in, but it's early. I expect another frost before spring hits us. We got a second dog (it's a story). He is a dachshund. He is not neutered- the humping thing went away after 3 or so days, so we haven't decided on if/when.

So the two pups play well together- things are pretty peaceful. I'm still soul searching, but not stressing like I was. I am wanting to work on weight loss, but I see a long, painful journey ahead. Why do I fear weight loss? I think I fear the confidence I'll have if I do lose it.

Focus on a blog!

Check out this blog! I really like the message- Are you REALLY pro-life?

"So I ask you again, are you REALLY pro-life?

Let's be clear and make no confusion about my heart on this. I am not saying at all that if you use birth control of any kind, you are pro-abortion. I know many different families with many different views on children, and I know how much each one of them loves the Lord. I try and support all my friends in their personal decision that are between them, their husbands, and God.

But I cannot get away from the hypocrisy of it all when it comes to the pro-life movement in general.

Some of the women I knew, who I KNOW are pro-life, were so horrified when they found out my husband and I were getting a reversal and decided to let God bless us with more children. As many as He wanted actually. They were absolutely disgusted. How can I translate that with their STAUNCH pro-life stance? I just can't."

- That's a quote from this blog! Enjoy!

Not much still....

I don't know where I've been lately! I'd say I've been busy, but I really haven't.... I've just been not wanting to write, I suppose.

I've discovered a new blog I'm into... http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/
She is so creative and everything she makes is so cute (and useful!) It's got me thinking about stuff around the house I should work on. I always blame money "we don't have the money to get stuff to organize" but I wonder if I can come up with things around my home and re-use them for better purpose!

Raw foods

Is anyone on a raw foods diet? I'm learning a little bit about it, and thought I'd ask around. Basically, it's about eating natural foods whole (or juiced, but not processed) without heating them (heating kills nutrition). Organic is obviously the preferred.

weight

I know I complain about this a lot... I was looking at pictures of me on FB and untagged myself from a bunch of them. I hate how I look. Sometime I look huge ,swollen... but then another picture from a week or two later I look normal- my stomach area is big, but my face and stuff are disgusting. I wonder why I look like that sometimes.

The hardest thing for me is my mental image of myself is NOT huge. When I dream, I see size 12 Lori from high school. So when I look at pictures, it always suprises and upsets me.

So, I need to work on this battle again. I'm honest. I tell numbers.
I started at 242 at my highest. I got stuck at 223 for a long time. I took slim x-treme diet pills over the summer of 2010 before my wedding and I dropped to 208 right before the wedding (July 31.) I'm already back at 222. It makes me sad. I quit working out b/c I hated my trainer. I quit the pills and started overeating. (It's an appetite suppressant.)

I don't eat horrible. I mean, I ate a lot of sweets over the holidays, which I attribute my weight gain to. I also quit drinking water and drank more soda.

So I'm off the soda. I'm cutting the sugars down significantly. I need to cut the portion sizes.


I feel so alone doing this. T will, to help me, but I wish he wanted it.

Thank you notes

Traditionally one sends thank you notes for gifts received. As a child a never did. As an adult, I realized it importance. I did all my shower gifts. Then the wedding...... oops.
Halfway through opening presents we realized we weren't keeping a list. We went back ,wrote everything. *whew*

I wrote lots of letters. There was a handful I handed to T to write- ones he wanted to do and whatnot. He's very good at writing and expressing thanks.
He put it off. and off. And wrote a couple. And put it off.

I wasn't keeping track- his responsibility now, right? They were all in a bag for him. Well, now there is a stack of 4 written letters, a bunch of thank you cards and envelopes sitting in the bedroom. There is the stamps in the office....
And no list. Anywhere.

So now there are about 8 or so letters than need to be written- if even that many. No idea who- the list is gone. And they are way late to be sent.

 Obviously I'm a bit peeved. I don't know what to do in this situation. Some of them were gifts of money and the like. I can't look through the gifts and just see!


I wish I was brought up writing letters of thanks.

picture from here

Yesterday we celebrated the Epiphany (which is actually on Jan, 6th).


O God, Who by the guidance of a star didst this day reveal Thine only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we, who know Thee now by faith, may be so led as to behold with our eyes the beauty of Thy majesty. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.



I want to live daily this Epiphany- the knowledge of God. The excitement of what really happened! The picture of the child I put- I love it! It's a picture of a child's sheer delight- likely of something they just learned or saw.


We are back home from our travels. T's first day back to work is today. Kids come back tomorrow. Now I'm trying to get the house in order. Not taking down Christmas yet (Waiting until next week- after the 12 days!) I even got a couple new ornaments that I hung up. Now is also the time to get sales for next year! I had hoped to get a "first year married" type ornament (or make one!) and maybe some garland for future years. We will see- I've kept my eyes opened, but with travel I haven't seen much.

I'm out of laundry soap- it lasted a good while. I need to go buy a new bar and make more! That's on my agenda for the day I suppose. Then doing laundry, vacuuming, putting away stuff we had taken with us or got during our travels. T got a lot of work clothes- my parents took him work clothes shopping and my mom bought him a suit. It needs tailoring in the pants. I also want to slowly get items tailored to fit him. He always wears slacks, a dress shirt, and tie for work (a teacher- band director) and I want him to look his best. Much of his clothes were too big and/or old. They stuff too big I hope we can get tailored down to look a bit more clean-fit for him.

He loves his pocket watch I got him for Christmas. I didn't get engraving done, but I might in the future. I am supposed to for his wedding ring too... just unsure of what to put on either of them! Any suggestions?