Update....

Wow, it's been a year since I have written here. So much happens in a year and I'm not about to recap an entire year.
I will recap the last little while and say that I started back to school last fall and took a couple of classes. I had to bite the bullet and get the Public Speaking class out of the way whether I liked it or not. What a different experience to take Public Speaking when you are 36 years old and have had so many experiences of getting up in front of others and speaking.(Another blessing of being a member of the church- speaking opportunities and leadership experience on a regular basis) It was really a breeze and very fun at the same time. When it was time to register for the Spring, the church made the BYU-Idaho Pathway program available to our stake in Santa Maria. I jumped on that and started in January and can't believe I'm saying that I only have 3 weeks left until the end of the trimester. It has been such a wonderful school experience. It felt hard in the beginning and so time consuming but I have been able to get my groove and manage my time/family/homework/kids games/kids homework/housework/church calling, etc. all at the same time. We really can do hard things! I just registered for the next trimester which starts on April 17th. I am so thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are countless blessings and opportunities. I am so thankful for the experience that I have had being with 24 other wonderful students/members who I have gotten to know much better who are in my ward/stake. We are all growing and learning together!
I'm off to get going today-housework, homework, look for a job, exercise, hopefully eat right and work on some laundry. I still have my helper, Ellie here in the morning. She doesn't go to school until 11am. I love afternoon Kindergarten for her. She likes to lounge around in the morning and take a bit more time than the others. It's really cute. The time is getting away from me.....

Visions.........

I have big hopes that I am able to get through a few rooms in my house and de junk them today. I was at a friends house yesterday and her house is so organized that it has motivated me to go through my own house as if I was moving and get rid of the crap that I am not using and make a place for everything I am using. I have visions of what I want it to look like. I just don't think I can achieve that all today. I'm going to try. I really need to live near an ikea right about now. Ready, get set, go....... I'm off and running!

Day 7

Well, I'm still alive and with a much better attitude than on day 1. :) I slipped and had 2 small cookies out of 6 dozen cookies I had to make for Todd yesterday. I still feel like I'm doing well! I'm not letting that get me down. I've picked up and started this morning where I left off before I put those 2 cookies away. I can't be too hard on myself.

Some of the foods that I am eating and love are cottage cheese/cinnamon, Orowheat 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins, raw almonds, sweet italian chicken sausages and the spicy jalapeno chicken sausages from Trader Joes, salad with Feta cheese & Cilantro salad dressing from Trader Joes, snow peas, cucumber spears, turkey chili made from scratch (ground turkey (8% fat), black beans, cannellini beans, fresh chopped tomatoes, celery, carrots, minced garlic, green onions, red peppers, orange peppers, anaheim chiles, apple cider vinegar, chicken stock with 1 can of tomato paste and a plethora of spices; chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt & pepper, oregano, red pepper flakes & cumin. My family loves it - the kids devour it and some have 2 big bowls. Top it with guacamole made from scratch and cheese if you desire. 2-3 hard boiled egg whites sliced on top of a whole wheat sandwich thin with a little ground mustard & salt & pepper, apples, grapefruit & chicken on top of a bowl of salad greens with lots of chopped veggies are some of the foods that I am eating and loving.

I have to say that something I have noticed these last 7 days is that I am not as grouchy/irritable. I just wonder if the sugar has anything to do with that. I did have a couple of minor night sweat episodes and am sure that it doesn't have anything to do with sugar....it is my hormone levels. I was tested a few months ago and have really low estrogen, pretty much that of a person checking into menopause. Lucky me!! I think they are hot flashes. My grandma went through menopause at 35 so I guess there is a possibility that I head into it much sooner than others. The doctor told me to eat more soy to try and raise my estrogen.....oh how do people do that. It all tastes bad to me.

Here's to another 7 days!! Anyone else want to join my bandwagon?

I'm off to make lunches for my kids and deliver them to the school.

Feeling good

After talking, well texting with a friend yesterday, I felt so much better and like I could really kick the sugar habit. Thanks Susie!! She gave me the pep talk that I needed. She has recently done it for health concerns and looks great. She feels so much better and is eating all kinds of food. It's nice to know another person who is doing the same thing.

I feel good today with a better attitude about the whole thing. I have one whole day under my belt of no sugar (simple carbs) and can now make it two.:). I am working one day at a time! I can make conscious choices that will help me to achieve my goal!

"I gotta feeling....that tonights gonna be a good night" .....or today! I love that song:). It's time for a run!

To do today:
Run
Laundry
Emily's softball practice
Mittys baseball practice
Casey's rugby practice
Work on primary picture
Work on sharing time
File taxes
Pay bills

Thank goodness no school tomorrow!

Tomorrow= another chance

Here it is, a new day. I feel good to be starting a new day with a good attitude about change. I am committing to eating better and listening to my doctor.:). Sugar is my enemy and I really need to look at it that way. I'm off for a long run which I love! My mind is able to run free and think about whatever I want. I know I can overcome my bad sugar habits with my Heavenly Fathers help. It never hurts to ask for help even if it is over something as silly as sugar. Anyone who has the problem or has had to overcome knows what I'm talking about. I'm off with a prayer in my heart to make good eating choices!! I can do hard things!!!!

Frustrated....Can't overcome the sugar addiction

I'm totally out of control and it's very frustrating. I love to bake which then means I have to try what I make. I am not supposed to be eating sugar. How can I stop? Why do I have to stop doing what I love? I am feeling very frustrated and need an intervention! What to do with a sweet tooth at night? I am going to attempt for the millionth time to start over tomorrow. Tomorrow is such a beautiful thing:). The problem with tomorrow is that I keep saying that every day when I fail. My follow up dr. appt. is in 2 weeks. It's been 3 months since she told me to really cut out the sugar. I think the longest I went was 2 weeks straight and then I cave. I can do this, I can do this!!!! It's hard but what would life be like if everything was easy? How do you control sugar cravings?

I start to feel angry that I have this to deal with. I know life could be worse but this is definitely a challenge for me. I feel like this isn't any different than someone who can't stop smoking, drinking or has a drug addiction. I have sympathy for those who struggle. Feel free to leave any gimmicks that work for you.

I love.......

My children, Mitty, Casey, Emily & Ellie
My husband, Todd
Bvlgari perfumes
My warm,perfect Red, North Face pullover
Little league baseball season
To run and run and run :)
Freshly changed sheets
The smell of the clean laundry drying
When Casey massages my feet
To eat popcorn at night with Todd while we watch TV
To wake up early and get lots of chores done by 9:00am
The windows open on a sunny day
To chew gum....it's a must. Extra, Mentos Pure
To see chores getting done
To BAKE
To hang out with my siblings & parents....we can have fun anywhere:)
To be in control of my eating
To lay out at the beach in the warm sun
HAWAII
To watch Emily play softball
To watch Ellie play Wii Just Dance
Walking into a clean house that isn't screaming for me to clean it
My good friends
My brothers & sisters
Serving the children in primary
Peanut butter & chocolate
Getting my hair done
Job stability
Going to the temple
Living on the central coast
Taking walks/hikes
When my kids get along
Sweet baby Mae & all other nieces & nephews
A cool crisp apple
To feel the Spirit ( there isn't a more peaceful feeling
A new car & the smell that goes with it
French country decor
When my children & Todd are happy
Thinking back on fun times/ memories of the river & Havasu
Summer
Good running shoes
A long back scratching session
When my mom comes to visit

Home

A home is much more than a house built of lumber, brick, or stone. A home is made of love, sacrifice, and respect. We are responsible for the homes we build. We must build wisely, for eternity is not a short voyage. There will be calm and wind, sunlight and shadow, joy and sorrow. But if we really try, our home can be a bit of heaven here on earth. The thoughts we think, the deeds we do, the lives we live not only influence the success of our earthly journey, they also mark the way to our eternal goals. --Thomas S. Monson

I came across this quote from our prophet and absolutely loved it. I don't want to forget it.