Mother's Day ~ May 12, 2013

Mother's Day, a bonus holiday for me! This is my 7th Mother Day & let me just say, I love it. A fact about me, I LOVE my birthday. I have always enjoyed celebrating my own special holiday. I grew up pretty poor, so it's not like I had any elaborate parties, or parties at all, but to have my own day was AWE.SOME. My birthday is in January & I usually take over Martin Luther King weekend for my celebrations. I had a good thing going for thirty some odd years. Then, although she was scheduled to arrive on Feb. 6, my BEAUTIFUL daughter was born the DAY BEFORE MY BIRTHDAY. When I heard the due date, I said, "I just don't want her to be born on my birthday". My husband, we'll call him Dave, well, b/c that's his name, said, "She's due in February, why would you even think that?". Well, why wouldn't I?? So, on the even of my 32nd, I believe (fact: I can NEVER recall anything number related, even ages), I gave birth to my 7 pound 7 ounce bundle of joy. So, my daughter, who gets her personality straight from me (something I always feared would happen) came out & INSTANTLY took over my birthday. I really wanted her to have a day of her own, which she does, & now she has my day, too. So, my birthday has disappeared so Mother's Day is all I have left. Guess what I did for Mother's Day....go ahead...we were getting the house ready for my son's birthday party next week! Despite that, I was treated to a lot of love from my husband & little ones. So, it was a good day. Oh, & I didn't brush my hair. Today I did eat off of my plan, but I had planned for it. I will be back strong next week, though. I feel too good to stop & I have a goal I'm working toward. Best part of Mother's Day, after a lot of snuggles & super cute home made crafts made by my wee ones, is that I got my long awaited camera! Score! Well, it hasn't come, yet, but I ordered it. I should mention that I'm a photographer & have been in need of an upgraded camera. Since I lost my full-time teaching job last July, I'm a poor photographer. So, it took some doing to convince my husband of the need for such an expensive gadget, but I finally wore him down & I'm soooo excited that I did. It's not really a Mother's Day Gift, it's more of a 40th bday gift b/c we're usually poorer than usual after Christmas, & then my daughter's birthday creeps in & then we are super poor. We usually don't get each other gifts (being poor & all), but I thought that since it's my 40th, I would like something for making it that far (God willing). So, that's how I accomplished that! I will use it w/ pride & gratitude. It is for my business, so it's not a selfish gift. Anyway, happy Mother's Day to all of you mothers out there! A special Happy Mother's Day to my grandmother who's celebrating up in heaven.

Introduction ~ May 12, 2013

So, I have had a rough few years after the birth of my son, Lucas. My health took a turn for the worse, and I have not felt like myself since he was born. Anyway, after being diagnosed with a few treatable (hopefully) illnesses & not looking or feeling like myself, I decided that I had to really get to work on making myself feel better. So, after FINALLY finding a doctor that discovered what was wrong with me, I got to work on a plan. Then, the doctor's office closed....WHAT? Big set back. Anyway, flash forward to today &, knowing what I need to do, I'm trying to heal myself. So, what does that entail? A super strict diet that is based on natural foods & no processed foods. The diet that best describes this would be the Paleo Diet. Anyway, it's been about 3 weeks, now & I seriously feel GREAT. I have been on the diet about 80% of the time & building up to 100%. For one, this lifestyle is super difficult for me b/c it's very protein based & I'm not a big meat eater, however, I noticed changes almost IMMEDIATELY. I didn't feel sluggish, overwhelmed, & had a lot of energy. Plus, I lost weight. I'm used to the diet & now it's not a big deal. The way I feel is such an improvement that it's all worth it. So, that's the short version of where I am, now. I have a LONG way to go, but I'm off to a great start. Why a blog? Well, one, to hold myself accountable. Two, b/c, for some reason, people enjoy things I write about. I have had a LOT of people suggest I write my own blog. I don't know why people enjoy my stories. It might be  b/c I'm brutally honest or they find humor in what I write about & can relate. I don't know, but I thought, "what the heck?". So, I'll give it a try. Plus, I forget everything & this might make me keep better track of my life. Although people have suggested I write a blog, I'm really not sharing that w/ anyone. So, if you found me, you must be lost. ;) Although I'm on a quest to get my health back in control, this blog will be about my life in general, on the edge of turning 40 & getting that sorted out. Thanks for stopping by.