Some updates

I have spent a good portion of this morning going through old blogs and putting labels on all the old posts. As BFF lost a piece of information yesterday and had to search through her blog the HARD way because she had done SOME labeling but as many of us do, had not totally labeled her blogs. So she had to go through and find the blog in question. She mentioned that she needs to go through and label her blogs so this doesn't happen again. It made me think, most of my blogs are unlabeled as well. So that is what I have spent probably 2 hours doing this morning. (In between breaking up little fights with the kids, taking care of them, getting coffee, etc. LOL)

I also wrote one update during this, it is the post immediately prior (I suppose following this LOL) to this one about Bug's speech/hearing. I felt it was very pertinent as I read that prior post. I did also post one embedded edit into a prior post, it's one that I felt was better to put as a retrospective edit that looking back that was a powerful day.

But most importantly there were some little things that I jotted down to write about in a new post.

One post I wrote some months back What do you want to do with your life? needs a bit of an update. In it I was excited to move on to learning to do cakes and possibly turn this into something more. I did begin the Wilton courses as you can see from several of my subsequent posts over the following months. I completed courses 1 and 2. I did quite well. I enjoyed it quite a bit. And I discovered that although I enjoy doing it as a hobby and enjoy having the more advanced skills of having taken the classes, I do NOT want it as a career.

I ended up spending SIGNIFICANTLY more money for the classes than anticipated. And although it WAS fun, it was also frustrating. My work schedule made it quite difficult at times to concentrate because I'd end up going straight from work to class. I'd be tired, sometimes aching from scanning groceries all day. I just realized toward the end of the second class it was NOT for me. I did not sign up for class three, and I've had no regrets about it.

I enjoy baking cakes for church, our family, and when asked, for friends. BFF and I still do mostly vegan cakes, it has become our specialty sort of. People at church who are having parties for their children who are NOT vegan and are ordering a big non-vegan cake and are inviting us and any vegan guests will ask us to do a smaller cake for BFF's children (due to the allergies, not because we are vegan. Most store cakes involve a LOT of soy) and any vegan's in attendance.

Another factor in that post was why I did NOT want to go back into the medical field. The fact is, the more I think about the more I realized how much I miss it. I really enjoyed being an EMT, and I really wanted to go on and be a Paramedic. So I am now planning to go back. I really WANT to go back this spring, but for personal and financial reasons I don't think it's going to happen. But hopefully by summer the financial side will be worked out, as well as the personal.

Another thing I wanted to update on... In this post: So much to update on I had said I wanted to be more minimalist. NOT that I wanted to get rid of everything, or be one of those people with only 100 personal possessions. Just that I wanted to purchase less, be more cautious about WHAT I purchased so that I could purchase NICER things, etc. Well, I have been trying to do that to an extent. Although I am still sticking for the most part to my rules about shopping (most items on sale, etc.). But due to my weight loss, I've had to buy a LOT of clothes lately, especially pants. I've actually been able to get BACK into some pants I haven't been able to wear in YEARS, so that is great. But the fact is, the time has come for a purge. I have GOT to go through the closet, the drawers, etc. Sort out what fits, what doesn't, and what has no hope of ever fitting. Some of my things that don't fit, BFF will fit now or soon. (I'm only a size or 2 smaller than her and we've both been losing weight). But there are distinct body differences between us, so some things will NEVER fit her. Those things need to go.

I need to do this same purge with the girls toys. I have multiple boxes of toys and animals in the garage that they haven't played with in MONTHS. MOST of them can be sold. They have plenty of toys inside. Most of the toys in the boxes in the garage they have "aged" out of anyway, since they are primarily rated for 18-24 months!! So, I think that in the near future I will be doing a MASSIVE toy purge. Fortunately I do have a great twin club that I can sell many of the toys to.

I am in the process of setting some goals for 2010. I will make a separate post for them, one that will post on January 1st. So yes, you will have to wait!! LOL I don't believe in setting resolutions for the year. I don't like them, I think that it sets me up for disappointment. I prefer to have goals. Because I do not feel as much sense of failure or disappointment in myself if I do not succeed. I know to most people it is a matter of semantics. But it matters to me.

So what sort of goals can you expect to see on my list?? No, I won't be totally mean and make you wait. What you will NOT see is "I will lose 20 pounds" or "I will work out 2 hours every day" or anything like that. I have in mind some spiritual goals, some physical/fitness goals, educational goals, employment goals, financial goals, and parenting goals. None are set in stone, none are make it or break it, none will make me feel like a failure if by December 31, 2010 I have NOT completed them. A goal is just a guideline, something to aim for. I will NOT tie my self esteem or self worth to it!

I will try to blog a bit in the next few days if time permits, otherwise, look for my 2010 Goals on January 1, 2010!!! :)

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What's on tap for the coming week:

As usual we have a busy week ahead of us.

We are in the midst of preparing for the blessed Christmas season and all that it entails. This is such a joyous time for us. I have worked hard to approach it with an open heart and mind. We will be having both my parents and my former husband staying with us. My parents asked this morning for some changes to their dates. It is no problem for us to work with their changes. It will give them a week alone with us before my ex arrives, and then a week with all three of them here, and then they will leave and my ex will be here for a week without them. This is actually a good thing.

We must finish preparing our home for extended company however. And the children are eagerly awaiting putting up the Christmas tree this evening, as am I! :) This is always one of my favorite things to do :)

I am working tomorrow, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. A fairly typical schedule for me.

We are hoping to go do repeat Christmas pictures tomorrow morning as our pictures need to be re-done.

Monday we are going to do the Enchanted Village out near Ikea. I am looking forward to this. :)

BFF and I are re-committing ourselves to our morning workouts. We have slipped a little lately. We've allowed ourselves to get drawn into staying out too late with friends and then been unable to get up at 4:30 am to go to the gym. It does require a certain level of commitment to tell our friends no, because we KNOW we have to get to bed on time. And once her DH transfers (all too soon unfortunately) it's just going to get worse. Instead of getting UP at 4:30 am, we'll need to be LEAVING at 4:30 am and be AT the gym working out at 4:30 am. WOW. We will have to be home for her DH to be leaving for work by 5:45 and the gym is about 20 minutes away. We'll only get 30 minutes in the gym. But it's enough time. IF we are committed to getting out the door RIGHT AWAY. IF we get RIGHT on our equipment once we are there. IF we keep an eye on the clock.

I will try to post a few of my baptism pictures from last week in a little while. BFF is busy working on her new blog background for Christmas so I don't want to bother her too much with it! :P She does SO much for me. :) I really am thankful to have her in my life and to call my Best Friend Forever!! :)

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Tooting my own horn

Okay, this is one of those things where we all know we aren't supposed to talk about it because either we are being rude to those who are struggling with it or we are just being show off-y.

But you know what, I have been working hard at it and when we work hard at almost ANYTHING ELSE in our lives, we are allowed to toot our own horn. So you know what, I'm going to anyway.

Over the last MANY months I have worked VERY hard to learn self-control, to learn to say no thank you. And to learn what is best for me. I have worked hard to lose weight.

When I was young weight was NOT an issue for me. I was the LUCKY one who could eat ANYTHING and never gain an ounce. And then I got older. I stopped dancing during college and the weight went on. I stopped swimming, and the weight went on. I became and EMT and sat around for 12-24 hours eating fast food and waiting for a call and the weight went on. I am largely to blame for many of those things. I could have found more constructive ways to use my time when I stopped dancing and swimming. I could have worked out on my own, I choose not to. I could have eating healthier and smaller portions, even when eating out frequently, as an EMT, and I could have and SHOULD HAVE worked out more. Those were MY CHOICES. And I will admit to those mistakes.

And then I got married and made the decision to join the Army and lost weight to be able to do so. The day I got married I weighed approximately 175 pounds and wore a size 12 (in 2004). I stand at 5'8". Seven months to the day later, when I left for Basic training, I weighed 168 pounds (not a significant weight loss, but it was a combination of loss of fat and gain in muscle) and wore a size 10.

Approximately 12 weeks later, I left basic training and NONE of my clothes fit. We went to a mall to get me some pants that fit. I could tolerate the shirts hanging on me, but NOT the pants. When we FINALLY found a scale and some pants that fit I was SHOCKED. Basic Training had brought me down to 152 pounds and a SIZE 6! WOW. After AIT (advance training) I was up to about 158 to 160 pounds ( a more manageable weight really) and a size 6-8 depending on the manufacturer. About 2 months later I got pregnant and it was all over.

I had twins, I was told to gain 60 pounds. With a starting weight of 160 pounds, the doctor wanted me to end my pregnancy at about 220 pounds. I ended at 37.5 weeks at 218 pounds. 1 week post partum I weighed 185 pounds, 6 weeks post-partum I weighed 185 pounds, 6 months post-partum I weighed 185 pounds. Seemed like NOTHING I did would take the weight off, I was STUCK at 185. I was in size 12 and STUCK.

And then I gained. In a matter of 6 weeks I sky rockected to over 200 pounds, and within another 6 weeks I was all the way to 220. And I stayed there. Sure I could get my weight up and down a little, but I basically stayed right there. And endured insults from someone who shouldn't have been giving them. I made excuses for that person. Until finally I didn't have to make any more excuses for them. Because that person finally walked out of my life.

Once I started to feel some happiness starting to creep back into my life I started to lose weight slowly, but my own eating habits were not helping me any. Once I got out of that toxic enviornment and was getting healthier meals and encouragement and was even happier the weight starting to come off even more. That was when I made some changes. I started to pay more attention to what I ate, and even started working out somewhat.

Then I got sick last month. I felt like I'd had lap band surgery!! I could barely eat!!! It helped though. I went with it. I worked hard to make sure what I ate COUNTED. I have made sure what I hate was nutritionally dense and good for me. LOTS of protein and veggies, low on refined sugars and processed foods period. I do still fall for my Starbucks drinks, especially with the special Christmas drinks, but I do order non fat, and I limit the number of times I get whipped cream. I eat Reese's Peanut Butter Cups EVERY day. But with a purpose. I get a 15 minute break at work. The peanut butter in them provides a GREAT source of protein, and compared to the calories, it's not too bad. It keeps me from being too hungry for the rest of my shift. This is especially important with as little actual food as I am eating lately! The pounds are really coming off lately.

I haven't seen the scale slip below 190 in over 3 years. This morning it read 189.0 I nearly cried.

I pulled out my box of old pants. I pulled out 4 pairs that now FIT, 2 pairs that I decided will never again fit properly due to changes in my body (hips moving out with pregnancy, baby belly), and ONLY put back 4 pair!!! I'm so excited!!!!!!! :)

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Getting healthy takes work

Yeah, that's right folks, getting healthy takes work. :)

It takes rest, it takes eating right, and lots of good stuff like that. But at LONG last I FEEL HEALTHY finally.

I still have a bit of a nagging cough a times. Mostly in cold outdoor air.

We finally managed to make it to church this past sabbath, and I am SO VERY GLAD. I found out that next sabbath we are having a baptism and I spoke to our bible worker about being baptized. I was supposed to be baptized at the end of the summer before our previous pastor left, but I got sick and it didn't happen. Turns out the bible worker had been thinking about me and planning to talk to me and see if I wanted to. So I am VERY excited that I will be baptized on Sabbath. :) BFF will be taking the camera and promises to take TONS of pictures in between her tears.

Speaking of BFF, she and I have embarked on a new adventure. We are now getting up dark and early to go to the gym. I have had some recent weight loss and it's really energized me. As vain as it sounds (and I know vanity is not really a good thing), it feels really nice when friends and family are telling me how good I look, how they really see the difference. I had joined the YMCA a few months back with all the good intentions but have quite literally found myself too busy to go. I have long followed a website called the "No Excuses Workout System" and one of the comments the gentlemen who sends out daily emails makes is that the earlier you do your daily workouts, the less excuses you can make. He's right. So BFF said she was going to start going to the Y at 5 am, before her DH was up and leaving for work. I said I'd join her. This way we motivate each other to get out of the house. It works. :) It's a little tough at times, when you are tired and wanna sleep in, but it works.

Yesterday we took pictures for our Christmas cards. I am super excited. The previews BFF is showing me look incredible. I did some of the pictures for BFF of their entire family. I don't consider myself to be some GREAT photographer, but put the right camera in my hands (and I own the right camera) and I can take a decent picture. LOL Especially when BFF basically composes the shot and all I really have to do is TAKE the picture. I happened to also snap a couple totally candid shots of all four girls while I was hanging from a tree (don't ask. Seriously, this is one of those things where I obviously learned my photography skills from my dad. Because only one of HIS DAUGHTERS would be in a NICE SKIRT AND SWEATER and dress shoes, hanging by one hand from a tree over an ice cold creek with her several hundred dollar camera... mom, is this ringing ANY bells???? Seriously??? Water, cameras, nice clothes.... at least it wasn't RAINING!!!!!! Sorry to all my other readers, only my mom and dad will understand THIS little rant!!! Oh, and as I was just reminded by BFF... AND the couple hundred dollar BRAND NEW cell phone tucked into my bra that NEARLY fell out into the creek.... Yes, only my father's daughter would do this. Yes Dad, I am your daughter, because only I would resort to such antics in the name of "getting the shot." The only difference is I prefer to photograph people not flowers in pouring down rain.)

ANYWAY....Well, it's about 8 am here and eventually I gotta shower and get the workout sweat off of me so I won't sink at work this afternoon. LOL And I have some ADORABLE little girls who are probably hungry for cereal. :)

Hopefully I can get my blogging back on track now that I am feeling good again!!

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New layout!

Well, I have a new blog layout, let me know what you think of it.

Job A caused me a bit of stress the other day. Our newly promoted Assistant Store Manager came out of the office and barked at all of us that we needed to cut the chatter to get the work done. It upset me because bluntly, we CAN talk and work. We open packages of clothes and put them on either a hanging rack or folding rack. We are in close quarters and we're almost exclusively female. But we all quieted down and worked. "New Girl" (NG) and I were working together and really, we were busting it out. We went through 20 boxes in 20 minutes. This is no small feat. We unload the box, open the packaging, sort, and size the clothing. There's usually 25-50 items per box, we were FLYING through these boxes at warp speed. But it was all for naught as we got a "group" lecture after the shift that we (summarized) hadn't gotten it done (NG and I got OUR assignment done) and that since we talk too much and the music OBVIOUSLY distracts us, we will no longer be allowed to have music and if we talk we will be given verbal warnings. *sigh* I was pretty upset about it. I truly feel that a formerly nice, fun, "cool" manager got promoted and is now trying to "prove" that she's worthy. And she took it out on our team.

I decided that in regards to this situation I'm just going to keep doing my job. I KNOW I was doing my job properly and plenty fast enough. And so I will just keep doing it. Most of the time they give me only ONE shift per week anyway. As long as I have one shift per month, I keep my discount. In MANY respects, that discount is the ONLY reason I continue to work there. I buy clothes for the WHOLE family there. And 25% off is a NICE chunk to be relieved of. As I said in my previous blog, I am trying to start being more minimalist. I try to not buy too much new clothing, but the fact is, we have to buy some sometimes. So I need to keep this job so I keep the discount. If it truly becomes an unbearable environment I will leave there will full 2 weeks notice. This way I could still re-hire with the company when we move.

One of the supervisors from Job A called yesterday late afternoon while I was at Job B. Fortunately Job B supervisor was cool since it was slow and she let me walk out and take the call. Job A sup was calling to tell me my shift this morning was canceled because the store didn't have the hours to give me. I said that was fine. Bluntly, they usually give me 5 hours a week, this week, the 2 days I've worked are already 7 1/2 hours. So I really didn't mind NOT working this morning!!! LOL

Nothing new to report on Job B really. I will go to both Jobs today to get my schedules for next week. I'm supposed to be Service Desk training at Job B. My schedule will tell me :)

My cake class started on Wednesday night. Although this class kinda was boring, because the students had nothing to do. But we are to bring a cake to class this week to work on. YAY

BFF's DS1 has a birthday this Monday, and BFF is going to have me do the cake. She's going to help me, so it'll be fine! LOL I'm excited about that cake, a NASCAR themed cake for him. And my class cake will be a picture transfer thingy, I'll explain the details on the HOW later! I have a VERY dear friend of mine emailing me the picture today for my transfer. I LOVE this image so much that it's been tattoo'd on my back for the last 6+ years!!! LOL But I don't have a good drawing of it to use for the cake, so she's sending it to me. She designed it! LOL

Anyway, this week is another baptism at church, and I'm looking forward to it. :)

Well, we have a lot to do this afternoon. Hopefully BFF can go get her contacts today, I need to get both my work schedules, and we need to go buy one more thing for the cakes. well, hopefully only one more LOL. I'm seriously debating buying a pair of jeans at work, because I have an employee's only coupon for any pair for $19 PLUS our employee discount of 25%. This brings my total down to $14.25. A pair runs between $29.50 and $34.50 making this at LEAST 50% off in the end. I don't NEED more jeans, especially in my current sizes. I'm considering buying a pair the next size down though. It's a risk, but I AM losing weight, so I will fit them eventually! LOL

OFF I go to do stuff!

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So much to update on

And so little time to type LOL. Well, not really, I have several hours, but I will not be able to convey all of it without making a 20 page post LOL.

Okay, so we had a good weekend. We went to church Sabbath morning. It was a baptism. A young adult who was very excited to be baptized, and then the pastor did an altar call for others who'd like to be baptized. Several people went to the front, including one gentleman who is considered a leader in our church. He was re-baptized immediately. It was inspiring. I have been wanting to be baptized, but every time the opportunity has presented itself to either speak to the pastor or bible worker, or an altar call has occurred, I have found myself either unable or not ready to take that last step. And this Sabbath was no different. I know the right time will present itself. When the time is right I will be calm and able to stand up and take the steps needed.

Later BFF's DH fired up the grill and we had delicious chicken, corn on the cob (cut off the cob for me), grilled squash with garlic, and watermelon. It was DELICIOUS. I enjoyed it very much.

We then packed up and headed out to a nearby school for a fireworks display. We were very lucky to get about 10 feet from the barrier. I was excited to be so close, but had concerns about the girls being afraid. Especially Bug, she is like her momma and is afraid of thunder. But we told the girls before it started that it would be like their favorite book "Chicka Chicka BOOM BOOM" And she handled it pretty well at that point! LOL

SO that was our 4th of July, it was an overall great day.

On the work front...

Oh me Oh my... I have had some "interesting" customers the past week.

At some point this past week I was informed that I was now a "Customer Service Champion" and I am responsible for making sure that the customers are receiving appropriate service. Among other things we are implementing the process of asking the customer if they found everything okay or something similar to that. In many ways this question is a formality. We have associates all over the store that would be happy to help if the customer asks. But still, it's a nice touch to double check. In my first shift of asking this I had three separate customers who all stated they had NOT found everything, and with mine and my fellow associates assistance we were able to help them. So I'd personally say it was an effective policy. Furthermore, several of the customers have THANKED me for asking, saying how nice it is that I asked. All except this ONE customer. I asked the question and she says "Did you come from Trader Joes???" And of course I respond no, since I've never worked for TJ's. She launches into this huge speech/lecture about how useless it is to ask that question, that if she'd gotten to the checkout obviously she HAD found everything, cuz how could you NOT know where to look etc. She just went ON AND ON about it. At first I was ready to just brush it off. She might have been having a bad day. But when she kept going and was beginning to say that I was an idiot for asking, well, I got angry. I behaved, and in a restrained, and fairly calm manner, informed her that in fact this question was not a waste of time, useless, or make me an idiot. That in one days time, and my shift was only 5 hours, I had assisted 3 separate customers to find something they couldn't. She backed down at that point but OH was I mad.

The next day, I was FINALLY given the paperwork to do that will get me a 50 cent raise for being a cashier. YAY for raises. This will put my hourly rate at $8.75/hour.

The same day as my paperwork arrived, our general manager came through my checkout line. I totally didn't recognize him though. I'm used to seeing him from a distance. So I gave him the same exact customer service that I give everyone. I truly pride myself on giving everyone good service, because I believe it will come back to me, and I should treat others as I wish to be treated. Well, it was EXACTLY the right thing to do to my general manager!!!!! He got so elated that I was giving him the "customer" treatment and DOING what they want us to. He looked for a green card, kinda a recognition card that you can save up and trade in for $$, but he had none. He said he'd get me one though. Within 5 minutes the manager between my department manager and the GM came over and complimented me on pleasing our GM that way! :)

But best of all, yesterday, my dept. manager brought me 2 green cards. One she said was from our GM, the other was from her for earning one from the GM and therefore making the whole dept look good LOL. A little later she came over and told me that next week I'm going to start training on Service Desk!!!!!! :D :D :D :D This is a TOTAL promotion, and a total shock!!! I guess the GM told her to make it happen. I've worked there roughly 2 1/2 months! I will get another raise!!! I don't know how much, probably 25-50 cents, but still, that's a nice raise!!! :) :) And I'll be able to work more hours now too cuz I'll have another area I can work in.

Yes, I'm excited! LOL We celebrated last night with a chocolate molten and some Starbucks Caramel Macchiato ice cream. I almost celebrated after my Job A shift this morning by treating myself to some new jeans. BUT... BFF convinced me this weekend not to spend the money since I'll probably "undergrow" them (lose weight) in a month or so, and I am really trying to watch my money to be able to spend it on nicer purchases.

I read a blog this morning at Organizing Your Way on being more minimalist. The guest writer said one of the biggest things was being the type of minimalist THEY wanted to be, not an ideal that someone else set down for them. They don't want to give away all their possessions and live on a commune or only own 100 items. It really spoke to me. I think that in the months to come I need to really pare down my "possessions" and keep the stuff the truly matters to me. And stop buying STUFF just to have more STUFF. I do NOT need to keep up with the Joneses. In a small way I've already done some of this. I have given away or thrown away when appropriate quite a bit when I moved from Tennessee to Massachusetts. Now I need to do it again.

I am using the library more (SO much more economically and environmentally friendly anyway) and I only buy books I truly feel a need to own. I have had to buy quite a bit of clothing in the last couple months for 2 reasons, first off, for work. My previous wardrobe worked great for staying in the house most of the time. But not for work. And what I did have that was appropriate for work was winter clothing, and I started working in April. I should be good to go come fall and winter, and will just pick up a few key pieces here and there and as clothes wear out or I "undergrow" them. Which is the 2nd key reason I have bought clothing. I NEEDED smaller pants. My size 16's were falling off me. In that same cut of pants I needed a 14, in a different cut I was able to move into a 12. The 12's are already getting to that point where just a little while after I put them on I am pulling them up constantly. BUT... I do not yet fit the next size down. So I have to lose more weight before they'll fit. That's okay though. I am blessed to be able to give the clothes I undergrow to BFF who is undergrowing her way into my clothes!! I'm so happy for her!!!! :)

I notice that some of my shirts from before are really wearing out, and some that I just do NOT wear. I have some I will NEVER get rid of for sentimental value. Shirts from my time in the Army for example. But I have a tough time with shirts. I have to find shirts long enough to cover my midriff, or use a tank under them to do the job, and I need some sort of sleeve for Job A. I am also that pain in the a$$ who refuses to pay full price. With a couple exceptions: jeans (I watch for sales, but, I will not WAIT for sales!!! LOL), socks (yeah, find a sale for that!!), undergarments (like jeans), tank tops (from a certain big box store, they are the ones that fit me best, are long enough, and only cost me $4 to begin with!), and shoes (again, like jeans). I am blessed to get a GENEROUS discount at Job A, meaning I am NOT paying full price, and yet I STILL frequently wait for a sale.

ANYWAY... my point to this is that I want to get to a point where I can spend the money on NICER things that I truly need and want. Like buying a new bed for myself when we move. I don't have one right now, and even if I did there'd be no room for it here. I sleep on BFF's comfy couch most of the time. But, when we get ready to move, I want to go to IKEA and buy my bed frame (cuz they have an IKEA here and I don't know if they will wherever we end up). And then the mattress for my frame. The mattress will be pricey, but if I stop buying just to have the newest things, just because I can, then the money will be there. It's going to be a change for me, but I know I can handle it!!!

I'm still pushing to eat better and be more environmentally friendly.

I am starting my Wilton Cake Decorating classes tomorrow, I'm very eager for that!! And I paid for my sister to fly up here in 2 weeks to visit. She's been sounding really down lately, and I know she'd like to see the girls. Plus, she's been wanting to meet BFF. So, BFF and I went on a hunt for a good ticket. We hit the jackpot with a flight for under $180!!

Well, I'm going to go rest for a bit before work tonight! That's my "short" update. LOL

See ya all soon!!

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Carts...

Oh me oh my... I am TIRED, and achy from work today. I got a call from Job B asking if I could arrive at noon instead of 3. I agreed, because I would get off two hours earlier than planned, BUT, get ONE extra hour than expected.

Unfortunately, I believe I was covering for a bagger, not a cashier. :( I went out and "gathered" carts from 12:30 to 1:30, and then from 2:00 til 2:25. I took my break from 2:25 til 2:40. And then did carts AGAIN from 2:45 til 3:00. When FINALLY I got to go on a register to cover a break... and was promptly back OFF a register. I finally got back on at 3:45 and stayed on until 5 pm when I got off work.

Carts are HARD WORK. Especially when it's over 80 degrees outside. And you are wearing Jeans, a tank top, a button down shirt, and an apron. I was sweating bad! LOL

Part of me doesn't mind doing carts. Fresh air, a little sun, and I'm NOT dealing with anybody else. Sometimes, the customers get to me a little. BUT... did I mention our parking lot is an uphill slope from the parking lot into the store?? And we do it manually, we do NOT have a machine to help us?? Nope. we do it the hard way. I rarely take more than 5 carts at a time, NEVER more than 6. It's HARD WORK, but kinda rewarding in a way. LOL

Anyway, so if ya see me limping around tomorrow, that's why!

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Cookies, Candy, and Vitamins

Got your attention???

Today I stopped by Job B to pick up some food for our "picnic" lunch. Fruit and cheese. BFF's DS3 had asked for a treat. He has allergies... LOTS of allergies. The biggest are: milk, soy, nuts of all kinds, Red 40. These are the MAIN things I have to label read for, for his sake. And it can be TOUGH to find a treat that doesn't contain these. I was willing to forgo the HFCS and hydrogenated oils for this, just to get him something.

Well I took a walk down cookie row. I figured I'd have better luck with some kind of cookie than candy. Regular stuff? All out. Hydrogenated SOYBEAN oil all over the place. Organic?? NOPE, still has soy or milk. Started looking at shortbread like cookies, most had butter, which is MILK. *sigh* Would I EVER find something he could eat??? I picked up a pack of Lu Cinnamon Sugar Spice Cookies. Mmmmmmmm... Sounds good. I looked, fearing the worst. Guess what? NO milk, NO soy, NO nuts, NO dyes!!!! I couldn't fallen on the floor.

My next stop was checkout. I am SUCH a sucker for Skor Bars. The delicious toffee and chocolate... mmmmm. So I grabbed it, took a quick gander at the ingredients thinking, "I probably should NOT be eating this, I'm SURE it has a hydrogenated oil or HFCS." To my surprise, AGAIN, it didn't have EITHER!!! So I have found a candy, that I LOVE, that is still on the safe list as of today!!! LOL.

Among our many stops today we needed to pick up some supplements for BFF's DS3. Since he can't have milk, he needs extra calcium, and for other reasons, extra Vitamin C. He also takes Acidopholus (I can't spell today, i'll fix this later). At our fave store, Target, we began perusing the vitamin aisle. Now, all her DS's already take a daily multi-vitamin, which INCREDIBLY enough, lacks ALL DS3's allergens. So she was HOPING to find a gummy style chewable calcium and vitamin C for him. After much looking we found it, a gummy style Calcium and vitamin C's that lack the allergens. IN A MAINSTREAM STORE!!!! OMW!!! So I gotta give a shout out to the company that makes "Lil Critters" vitamins. How AWESOME is it that this company takes care of the kids (and adults) with allergies like DS3? And he says they taste good too! :)

As for the Acidophilus. BFF read the ingredients list for the A I take. It's a capsule, too big for DS3 to take, but it was a place to start. Sure enough, LACKS the allergens!!! We mix it into something such as applesauce for him. So another shout out to Origins brand at Target for again being a great company committed to producing a product that allergy prone person's can safely take.

BFF's DS and my own desire to lead a healthier, hopefully thinner, life have really taken me down a path. I strive to KNOW what's in my food, most importantly, I strive to know that what I am eating DOESN'T contain things that are unhealthy or unsafe for myself or the people I am with. I would go TOTALLY milk, soy, and nut free for this incredible little boy. I already am striving to stay away from red 40.

READ THE LABELS, know what you are eating. There's an old adage out there about not eating your food unless you can pronounce EVERY SINGLE ingredient in the list. I urge you to follow this! Also, know the HIDDEN names for things. Soy and Milk have so many names.

****UPDATE****

BFF found the link to these vitamins by Lil Critters!!! Gummy Vitamins Among the interesting things she has learned, I HAD to share this ONE:
Q. Are L'il Critters product bottles recyclable?

A. Yes. We use only #1 and #2 recyclable bottles and they are BPA Free.

I <3 them!!!! OMW!!! Good, allergen free vitamins and supplements, in recyclable bottles, that are ALSO BPA FREE??? I LOVE THEM!!!!! :) :) My DD's will be taking these vitamins!

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I HATE being sick, eating healthy

Oh yes I hate being sick. I managed to go over a week without getting this pleasant little bug, but now it's in me. Saturday morning I woke up feeling AWFUL. BFF heard me hacking and left me to sleep an extra couple of hours. Once I was awake enough we headed off to Whole Foods to get me the medicine I prefer for colds. Unfortunately, they did NOT have it!! I wanted to cry there in the store. But the extremely helpful clerk came over and helped me find an alternative. My only concern was that it was a cherry flavored liquid. However, it turned out to have a nice NATURAL cherry flavor.

I dragged through work on Sunday and yesterday. Yesterday, at Job A, we finished up our primary job by 8:45 am (shift starts at 5:45 and we usually finish at 10:45). I asked my supervisor if we finished early could I go home, since I wasn't feeling well. They let me go which I REALLY appreciate. I was able to come home and rest for several hours before my shift at Job B.

While at Job B I missed a call from Job A. I listened to the voicemail on break. One of my supervisors was calling to tell me that since today's shipment was going to be small, that she was giving me the day off, since she knew I wasn't feeling well. I really appreciate that she's looking out for my health (and everyone else's!!) BUT... I wasn't scheduled to work today!!!! LOL She "gave me" a day off I already had off! Knowing I had today off was what kept me going yesterday!

We are looking forward to a good day today. I'm feeling MUCH better. The weather is supposed to be beautiful. We are getting all the kids fed and dressed and then we are going to head out for some shopping and then some time at the park.

We also have some housework to accomplish, especially catching up with the laundry. My parents arrive Saturday and we'd like the house to be ready for "staying here" company. It's a little different when someone is staying here than just visiting for a couple hours LOL

Lastly, I am working on my health. I had quite a realization recently about HOW unhealthy I am. I am 5'8", weighing in this morning at 202.2 pounds. Yes, we can all agree this is considered overweight. By medical definition, I am JUST under the BMI for being obese. HOWEVER, I wear a size 12 jean! It's all about how the weight is distributed! A friend of mine is about 3 inches shorter, 20 pounds heavier, and 5 years older. We recently used one of those blood pressure machines in a pharmacy. My blood pressure and pulse were noticeably higher (although still within normal limits, just barely) than hers. BY ALL RIGHTS... I should have the lower numbers. For my height my weight is closer to ideal than hers, and I'm younger. Yet her overall health picture is BETTER.

I recently began reading Jillian Micheals book "Master Your Metabolism." Jillian is one of the trainers from The Biggest Loser. Her book is very encouraging and really hits home to me so far. She discusses that for many of us, our hormones are so messed up from what we eat, even the foods we THINK will help us, that we are CAUSING ourselves to gain weight. She encourages a fully organic diet. Well, I can't go totally organic, but I am starting to remove as many of the bad things from my diet as I can. I'm starting mostly with 2 things. Aspartame (aka Nutra Sweet) and High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS).

Aspartame is the sweetener in MANY fat free and no sugar foods. It is a CHEMICAL. My gut has long told me that chemicals in my food are bad. But I have discovered that some people with migraine problems have aspartame as a trigger. I'm reading my ingredient labels now to make sure it's not there. I'm going to try to steer clear of Splenda as well, since I question the chemical process that takes sugar and makes it calorie free. As for the HFCS... it messes with your insulin levels. It can help cause insulin resistance which is a VERY BAD THING. HOW did these two come to be my newest pet peeves???

YOGURT. Yes, one little food, yogurt. I've LONG loved "Brand A" Fat Free Yogurt. I didn't get the fat free version BECAUSE it was fat free, but because I liked the taste and texture better. Well, I offered some to BFF who is also a migraine sufferer, and she said no and pointed out the aspartame. GREAT... So I've probably been helping cause those knarly headaches. LOVELY. So the next day at work, I grabbed the Brand A original container and read the ingredients. One of the very first ingredients (I believe is was the 2nd in fact) is HFCS! Oh My Word!!! Well, since I DID have gestational diabetes, and my mother has type II diabetes, I want to stay away from a CHEMICAL that is going to increase my likelihood of having diabetes (again). So I decided to look at other brands. I opted to look at the organic ones. One of which is a store brand so I'd get a discount on it. Sure enough, no aspartame, no HFCS. So I bought it. After discount it costs me 85 cents for one container. Not too bad, Brand A when on sale is 60 cents a container. And it tasted better!!!! So I will be buying organic yogurt from now on!

My next target is to remove as much hydrogenated oils from my diet as possible. I'm a realist. Removing these things 100% is next to impossible for me. Eating 100% organic is next to impossible due to cost and availability, but, I can make a start, and I can reduce and remove these things as much as possible.

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