Rockin' the Bahamas...Part 1 of 3

All aboard! Getting ready to leave Port of Miami!

Our quaint little room.

We stopped in three ports.  This was the first.

Our ship. It really was huge! 13 Decks!

A lighthouse on Grand Bahama Island.

Originally the Bahamas was a part of England, until they gained their independence. You can still see a few remaining English accents.

This is a sea biscuit I brought back from our snorkeling shore excursion. I didn't get it from the bottom, one of the life guards gave it to me. It's large, not like a little sand dollar. I don't know where to put it yet.

Sunset!

Our snorkeling excursion boat!

I have more pictures of inside the ship if you would like to see those too! This is just the start!

Oh wonderful life...

I'm feeling pretty good today.  Got to chat with one of my dear cousins on my way to get my spray tan, had some waffles and a chai, found a beautiful scarf with butterflies, picked up my Matron of Honor dress, and had time to research a family get together!

While I was talking to my cousin, she pointed out I hadn't posted much about what I was thinking in the way of adoption, IVF, etc. lately.  So here goes a note about that and more...after lots of consideration, we have decided to move forward with IVF.  We still have to come up with a little more money and I am waiting on more tests.  I have had one blood test done that got sent to Mayo.  I haven't gotten the results yet and I have a feeling they will come while I am on vacation.  The blood test uses really cool technology to figure out what a woman's reserve looks like! I should've gone in for an ultrasound last weekend and a follow up today, but was working out of town.  This meant I have to wait another month.  That's really okay though, we aren't able to move forward with IVF financially until January at the earliest.  If those three tests check out, we will be on our way to IVF.  If not, that's the end of that road.  I have no reason to think these tests won't be fine.  I should have an ample supply of eggs at this age.  I have started reading about the IVF process on our doctor's webpage.  It is really interesting.  He has amazing success rates for my age group and is one of the top five fertility doctors in the nation.  I feel like I am in God's hands and will work out the way it is suppose to.

Now that I have mentioned that, it sort of changes my plans for this coming May.  Originally I had planned to go back to school to be an elementary teacher in May.  However, I feel like the timing is just off.  I will be finishing my Master's Degree in May or over the summer.  Financial aid does not like it when you are attending two graduate programs at the same time.  I'd get more aid if I did one at a time and had no overlap.  I also would not be wild about being in the middle of a one year program and finding myself in a lurch because I needed time off to have a baby.  It seems like I should wait one more year before going back to school.  In addition, my degree I will finish in may will provide me with the credentials to teach collegiate level classes.  Perhaps I will get my feet wet with that? Who knows. I still really want to teach, but also understand I need health insurance and a source of income if I am going to go through IVF.

On a related note to IVF and my life.  A volunteer came to my office yesterday. She is not one of my volunteers, but a volunteer none-the-less.  She said to me, "Too bad your Fallopian tubes are all screwed up or you might have come back from your cruise pregnant."  I don't even remember what I said back.  I was just stunned that someone would actually say that to me.  I was not too upset about what she said, but it did make me think about who and when I will discuss IVF with as we move forward.  I sort of think I will be an open book.  I will have a total of 4 or 5 days of bed rest and a rigorous schedule for injections.  It won't be exactly a clandestine operation.  I feel like it will be incredibly obvious when I have the embryos placed in my uterus, because of the three following days of bed rest.  Twelve days after this procedure I take a blood pregnancy test.  One way or another, it won't be difficult for everyone to figure out if and when I am pregnant. I am guessing I will be one of those people who shares they are pregnant well before the 12 week mark.  Mainly, I lift a lot at work and they will probably need an early heads up. There is no way I am telling work before I tell family and friends.  Should be interesting.  I just don't know any way around it.  Like how I could make it more of a surprise, I guess.  Plus, no matter how it all works out, I know I will still need all of the love and support I can get.

Anyway, now you are all totally caught up on my thoughts about life.  There is a suitcase upstairs that whispering my name to be packed for our cruise.  I am so excited!  I really don't know what to expect and am thrilled at the idea of the husband and I experiencing a brand new adventure together.  This will probably be my last post until we come back.  I am sure I will have all sorts of wonderful things to share!!!

Thanks for all of your love and support. You are all amazing and I miss you sooooo much!
Love ya!
N

4 more sleeps...

I am not good at counting things by days...that is confusing to me.  It makes a lot more sense to count by the number of nights of sleep left...like a 5 year old.  What is even funnier, is that 3 people, unknowingly, have said, "4 more sleeps" to me today! I know for a fact these people didn't talk, they haven't even met!  Apparently, I am not the only person who considers important dates this way.

In case you forgot...in 4 more sleeps I leave on vacation!!! The hubby and I go on vacations every year, usually to see family.  A year ago we went to New Mexico together for a weekend.  We have also done a couple other weekend get aways, like Black Hawk and Breckenridge.  We haven't taken a week long vacation, just the two of us, without seeing family...since our honeymoon.  Since I feel like it's sort of a second honeymoon, I am really preparing.

I have gotten my eye brows waxed, am getting a pedicure, a spray tan, and am just preparing to go and be gorgeous! I even have two new swimsuits to wear! We have booked a shore excursion to go snorkeling.  I am really looking forward to a week without my cell phone or laptop.  I will miss all of you, but I won't miss doing work! I have not gone a day without being contacted about work in...at least 6 months.  I either get a text message, phone call, or random e-mail.  Turn it all off and I'm on vacation! In reality, it'd be really expensive to have our phone on over seas. Either way, I am ecstatic to have a week with my husband without work.  It's just an added bonus that I will have tan skin and pretty nails!

Bahamas here I come!

Leaving a Legacy

There are days at work where I struggle.  I generally just wonder what I'm doing in life.  I get so caught up in the emotions of my volunteers and the drama presented by co-workers, that I forget what it's all about.  Well, this weekend we had a big training.  While the training itself and some of the happenings are another story, there were some really great take aways.

1.) I got to hear a researcher present who is being funded by one of our grants.  He is working on a cancer vaccine.  To put this in really simple terms, they have figured out they can use a small amount of cancer mixed with whatever else in the vaccine to stop, slow down, etc. any cancer.  They have so far just tested in mice.  The mice with cancer live 21 days.  They give the mice the vaccine on day 14 and they live longer! I also know a separate researcher who is working on a universal bone marrow.  This would give hope to everyone who needs a bone marrow transplant! The implications are huge. I can honestly say, I am a part of that funding. (Sister N- you should comment on the research you do!)

2.) We figured out the team I am on raised 1.1 million dollars this year.  This was 99.6% of our goal.  I can say with a clear conscious that I am a part of life saving research.

3.) When it comes to leaving a legacy...I think about all the ways I can help.  Obviously, I give my time and I even give personal donations. I am so glad to see it makes a difference.  Here are some videos they have shared with staff.  I am warning you, the $5 one makes me cry.  The others are generally cheery. Enjoy.

What Can $5 Do?

Pink Glove Dance

Pink Glove Dance Sequel

Cancer Research UK

The Sales Movie (I love this one)

Purple Glove Dance

Just a random fyi...pink as most people know is the color for breast cancer awareness.  Purple is the color for awareness of all types of cancer.  Hence why there is a pink glove dance and a purple glove dance.  They are different videos, but all work to do the same thing...bring awareness.  Anyway, enjoy!

What a Wonderful Day!

Highlights of today...

I have been volunteering for an organization I used to work for.  I love the organization so much and have enjoyed the volunteer work I do for them.  I volunteered today, which is always lovely.

Even more special today was that one of the volunteers I have been working with suggested I be on the Advisory Council.  I have been on another council in town, but didn't particularly enjoy it or feel like I had anything to offer.  This is so different, I have been through the program for volunteers, held the training sessions, and created their media in the past.  I also have more connections and other resources now.  The meeting time is also more convenient with my schedule! I was so flattered that another volunteer submitted my name!! I accepted the offer!

I was crazy busy at work today and ran a bunch of errands for work this afternoon.  I just logged in to check my work e-mail and guess what?  We are getting raises this year!  This will be my first raise after over two years with the company! Yay!  I am not sure how much of a raise it will be, but even a small one helps. 

In the same e-mail I found out we get four bonus days off between November and December. Last year we only got three.  I don't know which days I will take, but I am really looking forward to the paid time off.  Woohoo!

The hubby also thinks he will get a raise this year! Yay!

I have had 9 days in a row of eating on plan and done really well working out.  I think there was only one day in the past 9 that I didn't.

Two co-workers commented on my weight loss. One goes to Weight Watchers with me and the other doesn't know I am going. 

Another co-worker is going with us tomorrow! She just had a baby and is excited to go! We didn't even recruit her, she approached us. 

I have a goal set to lose 30 lbs between last week and the middle of January.  So far so good.  I know I have a few challenges up ahead...working the conference this weekend while being fed hotel food, our cruise, and the holidays.  I am still really confident I can do it.  I know I can.  I just feel so confident right now. I love it!

What was great about your day?

Souptastic

For two years or maybe even longer I have wanted to try a specific soup recipe.  I had heard there was a recipe for Olive Gardens Zuppa Toscana floating around the Internet.  I looked at several versions of it and considered it about three million times.  For some reason I decided to put it on our menu this week.  I have been trying a lot of new recipes lately.  Some have been pretty good and others have not made it in to my recipe collection! In fact, I take pictures of a lot of them, but there is no sense in posting a recipe that is just so-so.  Today is a different story. This soup recipe is just like eating at Olive Garden and I even changed it slightly!

Zuppa Toscana

Ingredients:
2 medium potatoes, washed and chopped

6 slices bacon (I used thick cut and chose a meaty bacon)

Jennie-O Lean Italian Seasoned Ground Turkey (Cooked and crumbled)

1 small onion

1/3 Cup Heavy Cream

1 Quart Water

2 Tablespoons Chicken Bouillon

1 1/2 tsp. chopped garlic

2 Cups Chopped Kale (washed and dried with paper towels before chopping)

Crushed Red Pepper to taste

Parmesan Cheese to taste

In a sauce pan, fry bacon with chopped onion.  When bacon is crispy, remove and crumble.  Set bacon aside for later use.  Add garlic to onion and saute for one minute.  Add water, chicken bouillon, and potatoes.  Let simmer for 15 minutes or less if potatoes seem to be cooked thoroughly. Add crumbled bacon, crumbled sausage, chopped kale, and heavy cream.  Let simmer an additional 4 minutes.  Garnish with a dash of red pepper and Parmesan cheese (not included in nutritional information).

Yield: 10 servings as a cup of soup or 5 servings as a bowl

Nutritional information: 6 WW points for a cup or 11 points for a bowl.

A bowl is around 523 calories, 33 carbohydrates, 27.9 grams of protein, 31.4 grams of fat, 3.2 grams of fiber. A cup is about 261 calories, 16.5 carbohydrates, 13.9 grams of protein, 15.7 grams of fat, 1.6 grams of fiber.  When I figured this out I included the bacon drippings that do not get drained off and add a lot of flavor!

Pretty Prickly Pear

The other day at work one of our volunteers brought in a fruit.  She said she couldn't remember the name of it, but that it was from a cactus.  I have had cactus on my list of foods to try.  I will admit it is slightly intimidating.  I was so excited when she offered me a piece of the fruit!  I watched patiently as she prepared it, asking questions, and anticipating what it might taste like.  She washed the fruit, peeled the skin off, and sliced the bright red fruit up.  I was told that it comes in a variety of colors from white to yellow to pink to red.  When it is sliced to eat there are seeds in the flesh, sort of like pomegranate.  You eat those along with the flesh.  It tasted slightly sweet, almost like a pear, and had a variety of textures including crunchy and soft.  It's a fruit I would definitely eat again!

Today I figured out it was the prickly pear when I was flipping through my Williams Sonoma Cookbook.  If you see it at the grocery store, grab one, the red was a deep, dark, beautiful color!  Yay new foods!