Operation Beautify Kitchen is under way

So, we started working on the kitchen again today. To date the only change has been tiling over the gorgeous linoleum. Today the sink, dishwasher, and stove top have been yanked out. As I type, I hear them sawing the counter top out. We will put in a new counter, new stove top, new sink and faucet, and a new dishwasher! Yay! When we put all the cupboards and drawers back in, we will change out all the hardware too. Hopefully, our kitchen will be updated nicely. Remaining projects include taking down the wallpaper, painting, hanging a couple decorations, and eventually we will get a new refrigerator and oven. I am not assisting too much with the kitchen. Mostly the husband and father-in-law are hard at work. I did help move everything out of the drawers and cabinets though. Oh, I also went out and bought lunch. That's important. I like to think I am supervising in case of injury. Someone has to remain uninjured, right? In reality, I should be working on a paper I have due Monday. Hmm, I guess I will quit blogging/procrastinating and get busy.

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The randomness continues

My week could have been themed random, seriously. Here are just a few more random tidbits from my day:
- I had to put out a fairly major fire at work over a theme choice at an event...yep...adults fighting over a theme. Seriously.

- My eye brows are still red and kind of rash like from getting them waxed on my snow day Wednesday. I have my brows waxed all the time, but for some reason there is one place in town that must use different wax or something, because this is the second time I have broken out! Last time it lasted for like a week. Oh and guess who is almost completely out of concealer! Yikes.

-My job interview was interesting. The job is only going to last a year and a half. They didn't really ask very many questions. They did say 261 people applied, 25 got interviews, and they will do a second round of interviews next week. If by some miracle I were ever offered a job, It'd probably boil down to how bad I want to be off the road. At this point, I won't be too upset if I don't even get a second interview. There would just be so much to consider.

-I got to hang out with the hubby for a little while today. I visited him at work after my interview. I even got to see some of the people I used to work with, which was really nice!

-When I left my Dr. office called to tell me my blood test results from the other day. I think I wrote on my blog that I was having my cholesterol tested and that I wasn't worried about it, at all. Well, apparently I should've knocked on wood or something. I have to go see my primary provider for a follow up appointment (my ob-gyn ordered the blood work). The nurse told me on the phone that the cholesterol being out of whack goes hand in hand with my PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). I was slightly irritated that the results weren't good. I don't really drink...in fact I haven't had a sip since January. I have made lifestyle changes. I exercise. I don't really eat high cholesterol foods. I certainly don't smoke. I talked to my mom to find out it's hereditary. I was just a little discouraged because I feel like I have worked really hard to change my life so things like this wouldn't happen. I don't like the idea that I'm any sort of "ill"...Especially since I am doing everything I can to not be "ill". I am just annoyed. I'll get over it. I am curious to hear what the doctor says. I guess I just want to learn more about it. I do pretty good with things when I feel like I have enough information. I'm such a big fan of knowledge is power!!

-Someone accidentally sexted me tonight. Yep...I got a picture message, don't worry I couldn't see anything, it was just an extremely naughty pose with an even more naughty subtext. At first I didn't recognize the number, but then I found out who it was. They sent it on accident and apologized numerous times. I can only imagine it was suppose to go to the woman's husband. Awkward.

I'm not sure if my random week is over. I sort of hope it is. We are working on the house this weekend. Hopefully, we make serious progress on the kitchen!!! Yay!!!

What a random day...

In the past two days since my last blog, I have been able to stay on plan. It still is not easy, but I am doing it. I always think about my lifestyle changes as something I either do or I don't. I have a million decisions a day and I just take them one at a time.

I went to the orthdonist today. I go back in three weeks. He is moving my appointments closer together so I am done sooner. My teeth are pretty sore this evening. On a funny note, I have always gone with silver elastics. I thought this looked the most professional. Well, all along I have said that when I got down to the end, I would change it up with a color. So I went with teal! I felt like a six year old, it was so exciting to pick a color!

Back at the office was crazy. The hypothetical assistant I wrote about, well he hypothetically quit! I suppose it was in poor taste that I didn't even attempt to pretend to be upset. We had figured out how to manage his time and workload better, but I think he was still on a different page. One of my co-workers is going through a crazy time in her life (actually, I think we all are!). My heart just ached for her today as we talked.

The highlight of my day was a phone call from an organization I applied for a job with over a month ago. Since I hadn't heard anything for over a month, I just assumed I must not have been considered. To my delight, I have an interview on Friday afternoon. I recently got rid of my suits because they were too big. I think I will take a trip to Ross and find a new one. I almost tried some on when my sister was visiting, but decided to wait. I just hope I can find something flattering for about $20.

A part of me would be sad to leave where I work. I really like some of my co-workers and ultimatley I like the organization I work for. I just really miss being with my husband on the weekends and evenings. Sure, I can take time off to make up for working extra hours. The time I take off though is when my husband is working. So I end up spending my time in the car alone and my time off alone. It's just really lonely sometimes. I have met the love of my life and I just want more time with him. I would also travel less. I originally really enjoyed traveling, but only when the weather is good and there is daylight. The job I am interviewing for would be in the same line of work- non-profit. It is with a reputable nationwide organization and I would be doing Marketing and Events if hired. The building is a lot closer to where the husband works, so we could even meet for lunch or walks! I still have questions about the job and would need to negotiate a few things, but from what I have read it seems like it could be a great fit. So, wish me luck and send me prayers for Friday!

Between now and then is a possible snow day! That's right the snow is falling like crazy outside. The schools are closing and work is opening late. I'd love a day to work from home in my pj's!

To diet or not to diet...

Okay, here is the deal...I have lost some dieting motivation. Sure, I know why I need to lose weight and I know I have made some serious progress. However, I also just want to be a mom! As most women may guess there is a couple weeks each month (I know, that accounts for half the month!) where I secretly pray I'm pregnant. To be pregnant would mean I wouldn't be working on weight loss. Normally, I don't sabotage my efforts during this time frame, but this month has been ridiculously difficult. I am sure this sounds ridiculous to most people. It's just that after trying for two and a half years, I feel like I need to grasp on to any hope available. I want to lose weight, but at this point, I want to be pregnant more. I have paid for my weight loss program, so it isn't like I can just take a break. The only way I can take a break and keep my invested money is to go on medical leave. Well right now, I have no reason to take medical leave! I also know that weight loss will make for a better pregnancy. I have lost 20% of my body weight. I see women walking around all over the place who are heavier and happily pregnant. While my sister was visiting, I didn't stick to my plan. I thought that would cure my need to just take a break, but it hasn't. I realized that I was struggling so much to get back on plan because I so badly hope I'm pregnant. Going back on plan means admitting to myself it might be another month that it just didn't happen.
It's been such a crazy journey. Everyone says, "Relax and it will happen." In some ways, I feel like they don't really understand. If I relaxed, it would never happen. My body doesn't cooperate the way most women's bodies do. One thing that has helped is knowing that God has a master plan. I just keep thinking that for some reason I wasn't suppose to be pregnant yet. Like maybe when I do have kids, it will be later so that my children meet certain other people or experience different things in life.
At least I haven't been asked when I will have kids recently. I swear, I will never ask anyone that question again. When you are trying and it isn't happening, that is one of the most difficult questions to answer. At first it was easy, like when we were very first married. I just joked that we were practicing. A year and a half later, I've got it down...I don't need practice, haha. What I do need to practice is being able to just stick to my eating plan until I take a magical test that has a positive line. Sigh...thanks for letting me vent. In some way I am hoping that telling a few people I am struggling with weight loss will make me feel more accountable.

Loving my Sister, health update, and a request

My sister left today. We had so much fun together! I swear we ate our way through her whole vacation. I really need to have a sugar detox now, but that's easy enough to do. We also went to a museum, went shopping, tried new foods, went to a dairy, played games, and she went with my to my ultrasound and visit with my Ob-Gyn.

My visit with my Ob-Gyn was fabulous! I found out my cyst is gone. I was so nervous that she would tell me I needed to schedule another surgery. Praise God, she said the cyst was gone. I don't really have much of a pain tolerance and my last surgery really tested me! She also extended my prescription of Metformin. I think the Metformin has really helped my body process insulin. Thanks for everyone's prayer and warm wishes that my cyst would go away. I am ecstatic to know that I am healthy! She did order a cholesterol test, since we didn't know that number. I'm not worried about that at all though.

I go back to work tomorrow. There is a winter weather warning for 6-12 inches of snow. If the schools are closed, so is my office. I would be fine working from home tomorrow. I have plenty to get done on just my laptop.

In other random news...I am wondering if I could ask a favor- could you say a prayer? One of my best friends has a three month old baby. She recently took him to a pediatric opthamologist and got some rough news. She and her husband are some of the strongest people I know. They are grounded in their faith and I always admire them! Since I live so far away, there isn't much I can do as far as gestures, but I do know I can pray. I'm asking you to pray too. They will soon be scheduling an MRI for the little guy and still do not know the full extent of his Optic Nerve Hypoplasia. Thank you in advance for your prayers, I know they will help.

Well, there you have all the random thoughts on my brain tonight. I hope you are all doing well and will be back soon.

What a wonderful day

I worked this morning, which was actually super productive. I got to play expert on a phone call (they even referred to me as an expert, which is fairly comical), I had a big win at my meeting this morning, talked to my cousin on the phone all the way to the airport, and the highlight of my day was picking my sister up at the airport! Yay! I love seeing my family. Siblings are such a blessing. My sister knows just about everything that has ever happened in my life...time just never really passes. We can always pick up right where we left off.

We kicked off her visit with some delicious Hawaiian food. After a marvelous dinner, we went out for dessert. Guess who sells 7 layer bars, also know as magic cookie bars? Chili's! Yes, they have their own name for it, but either way the dessert was divine! Now we are on to planning her days here.

Our new stove top and dishwasher are being delivered tomorrow! Woohoo! I also have the next few days off of work! TGIF!

Another Day of Discovery

My last "day of discovery" post has a whole list of interesting things. Today I only have two, but none the less, they are little discoveries.

1.) I don't like fried food at all anymore...except buffalo wings and certain types of doughnuts I think I still like those. Today I had a bite of an eggroll at lunch and it grossed me out, it was so greasy. I've never really been a fan of fried chicken or a huge french fries. I much prefer baked fries or baked chicken that has a shake n bake type mixture. It's not even a health concious thing, it's just that I don't like the way the grease feels in my mouth. Crazy, huh? What American doesn't like fried food?! The funny part is periodically I like to think that I will change my mind. For example Monte Cristo sandwiches...I have tried those about five times and NEVER like them. I also feel like fish and chips should be delicious, but texture just turns me away. It's a really random thing to realize I don't like fried food, but at least it makes it easier to order off a menu! I am always overwhelmed by all the choices, haha.

2.) Seven layer bars...I have been craving one of these for days. I realized tonight that no one sells these in town! I even asked the baker at the grocery store and she said she could order a mix in. I told her there was no need for a special order, haha. My sister comes to town on Friday and I'm thinking I just might have to break down and get the ingredients to make a pan. It wouldn't be bad if we shared them and made some cookie plates for people. It all started with a nagging urge to eat a Blondie bar at Applebees. Then I thought of a seven layer bar and have been stuck on it ever since. It's the craziest thing! I know I'm not pregnant, I just want a seven layer bar. I think I'd pay decent money for one. It's insane.

There you have it...I'm nuts over seven layer bars that no one sells here and I don't like fried food. Startling discoveries, I know!

In other news I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I had a very vivid dream that I accidentally hit a family friend with a van. In my dream I felt horrible about the accident and got her to the emergency room. I woke up just after I realized I would undoubtedly get a ticket for reckless driving. I had dreamt that she was standing by the van talking to me. We said good bye and she stepped away. As I turned the van to leave, it just sort of tapped against her knee. At first she wasn't in any pain, but then she had more and more pain. I just couldn't shake feeling bad about it all morning!

The dear husband had a dream last night too. We were moving and there were only two people there to help us move, his parents. I had an apartment and then we also had a house we were moving out of. We were together in the dream, but he didn't know if it was pre-marriage or current or anything like that. He just had a very vivid dream we were moving.

I asked him if it was a sign. There was a job opening in another state that I could apply for at work, but we decided I should wait to apply. We wouldn't move for a couple years. We have to wait out the housing market a little and just keep working on paying stuff off. I looked up what moving meant in a dream and it seemed to be about making changes in life. Perhaps it is our lifestyle changes or all the updates we are doing on the house. Speaking of house updates, the dear husband is going to purchase/order our dishwasher and stove top tomorrow! Woohoo!! We have new cabinets, a new sink, and a new faucet just waiting to be installed. I even have paint for the kitchen. I think it will be so nice when it is all done.

Well, I am off for now to dream about seven layer bars! Good night.

Baby Shower Card

I created a card for the baby shower I went to this weekend. I had a card on hand, but had already shown it to my sister-in-law, so wanted to do something new. Perhaps when the baby comes I will give her the other card. I used the Cricut New Arrival cartridge along with my Design Studio software and cut out the card on white card stock. Next, I laced a nice pink ribbon through. Using the same cartridge I cut out a two layer outfit. I used white card stock for the under piece and distressed the edges with pink ink. Next I used a fun polka dot paper to cut out the top pieces of the outfit. I wish I would've had a smaller print for the top, but the big polka dots worked okay. I have a lot of paper on hand, so am trying to use what I have and not buy new paper. On a side note, I have been thinking of organizing a paper swap. Each person would put like 5-10 sheets of paper together. Then we'd get together and swap by the package. Sort of like a grab bag in that you wouldn't know what you were going to get. I think it'd be fun! Anyway, after I cut out the top piece, I distressed that with pink ink too. I think it just softens the edges a little. I wanted to add a little something to the outfit, so I used a brad to add on a flower. I love ribbon, especially rikrak. I added just a little to both the top and the bottoms. Now I needed to figure out how to tie this in to the card. I cut out a small hanger and used my silver metallic ink to add just the right sheen to the card stock. After gluing the clothes on the hanger, I added a small silver brad to hang the hanger off of. While the hanger hung really nicely from the brad, I wanted it to be slightly sturdier. I added some foam adhesive to the back of my outfit and voila a baby card is complete!

Graduation Invites

Well, I have finally finished my sister's graduation invitations, except for the wording inside. Her school colors are black and red. So I decided to use a black card stock as a base. I cut one side a little shorter and added fleur de lis sort of print paper. Next I needed some texture, so I took my white card stock and ran it through the Sizzix Big Shot. The swiss dots embossing folder by provo craft worked wonderfully to add just a little oomph to my white card stock. Next I added a strip of red ribbon all the way across my card. Finally, I needed to make it personal. I jumped on my Cricut and used my Design Studio software to spell out my sisters name. I did a black shadow and a red lettering inside on her name to really make it the focal point. Finally, I cut out the year of her graduation. To give the card just a little sparkle we added a rhinestone to dot the letter "i" in my sister's name. I am happy with the final product and think it will be something we can tie in to her reception in May. Hope you enjoy!

Spaghetti Squash Pizza

One of my favorite ways to prepare Spaghetti Squash is in pizza! I am a thin crust pizza gal, so I love that I can make a nice thin crunchy crust! I also like that I am slipping vegetables in when most people expect carbohydrates. Okay, here is the recipe.

2 Cups Spaghetti Squash
2 oz. shredded mozzarella
1 egg white
1 Tbsp. Italian Seasoning
Olive Oil
Garlic

Toppings:
Assorted Chopped Veggies
12 oz. Turkey Breast Sausage
1 Tbsp. Italian Seasoning (Optional)
4 oz. Mozzarella

I start by pressing out the moisture in the spaghetti squash. I layer paper towels or dish towels and press as much water out of the squash as possible. Next I mix the egg white with the mozzarella and Italian Seasoning. I always feel a little defeated when I mix my moist egg with my now slightly dry squash, it just seems to completely counter everything I just did! Haha, oh well. Now I spray my pan with cooking spray and press in my squash mixture. This gets squashed in VERY thin. Brush olive oil on the crust and sprinkle with fresh garlic. Next I put the pan in a pre-heated oven at 400 degrees for about 5 minutes or until slightly brown on the edges (just slightly).

As soon as my pizza crust comes out, I am topping it. I love a variety of vegetables like mushrooms, spinach (sometimes pre-tossed with a little olive oil so it doesn't get dry and crunchy), bell pepper, green onion, or tomato. I also use turkey sausage. I make my own turkey sausage in advance, but you could use any sort of sausage, pepperoni, chicken, etc. Finally, I top my pizza with mozzarella. I love having cheese on top of all my other ingredients because it keeps everything slightly more moist. If I order pizza, I even try to remember to ask for the meat under the cheese! I top my pizza and throw it in the oven for another 5-10 minutes. It really depends on what toppings and how many toppings you have on your spaghetti squash pizza. Once my cheese is melted and bubbly, I pull the pizza out. Generally, I make my pizza into four servings. Which brings this recipe in at under 300 calories! It's tasty pizza with a healthy spin!

TGIF

It's finally Friday!!!!! Yay!! I worked a half day today and went shopping this afternoon with my mother-in-law. We were on a mission to purchase our baby shower gifts for my sister-in-law this weekend. I decided that we should purchase a rocking chair. We set off to Cracker Barrel to try out various rocking chairs. I am so excited to give it to them! I think I will make a box on my Cricut and put a picture of the rocking chair inside. Jason is working on a quilt too, but we will wait until the baby comes and take that to the hospital. My niece should be born in about a month. I am so excited to meet her.

This weekend is full of cleaning house, grocery shopping, and of course the baby shower. A week from today my sister will be visiting. I am just so happy to have a fairly quiet weekend ahead. So watch out for a craft project and another spaghetti squash recipe!

The week so far

Okay, you may be relieved to know that in the hypothetical situation, I have hypothetically calmed down. Thank God there is another staff member who is just always there to pitch in and get the job done. Not to mention, I got such a sweet card today. I love real mail, hand delivered or sent to me with a stamp, it's all wonderful!

I am slightly overwhelmed with work at the moment. I also have my final paper due on Friday at 9 in the morning and haven't carved time out to write it. Today I was leaving my house to drive out of town, my supervisor was in the car ready to go. As I walked toward my car, I slipped on the icy, wet, snowy grass. Fortunately, doing the splits did not hurt too bad. I did have to go change clothes. My knee and thigh are sore, but I took Ibuprofen and am fine. My supervisor was very nice and jumped out of the car to help me up. I so do not like falling in front of people. Oh well, such is life. I have two late nights down and two left to go. I just did not like leaving on a hypothetically angry post, so had to let you all know I'm fine. Hope you are having a fabulous week.