Praying and Weighting

I am sure you are tired of hearing about it, but I am working so hard to lose this stubborn, stubborn weight. 

This week has been a rough week for me.

I haven't lost anything since the last weigh in more than a week ago.

It's easy to get discouraged. 

I work so hard.  Counting calories, working out an hour a day, 5 days a week, and not losing weight. 

And I still have 30 lbs. to lose.

I can see it if I were like 10 lbs from my goal, but this whole journey has been stinking hard from the very beginning. 

I am beginning to feel like a failure. 

And then I read this....

And it was everything I could do not to sit in the floor and cry.

He made me.

He knows me.

He knows my silly little weight loss woes.

He loves me.

He adores me. 

Just as I am. 



I got some big news today that may explain alot about my struggle. 

So I pray, and I wait.  Or do I weight?  (Anyone?  Really?  Ok, maybe it's just me...sorry)

All the same, I am secure in the fact that no matter the situation, I am loved by my Father. 

And that's good enough for me.

Asking for advice....

Remember my gorgeous buffet I got off of Craigslist for free?

Well, I am praying for a miracle and asking the Yankee for help over at Brambleberry Cottage.




Let's see if the Yankee can help me with my piece...

*Fingers Crossed*

I'm new to Brambleberry Cottage, but I'm not ashamed to ask for help from anyone who might have some!

New Blog Title

It's official...

As of the tonight at 5 pm, the blog url will be changed to http://www.behindthestonewall.blogspot.com/.

For the 20 of you who read me on a regular basis, change your bookmarks.

And tomorrow, I will see you Behind the Stone Wall!

Public Doody

Before I do anything drastic and change the name of my blog, I really gotta get something off of my chest. 

See the Little Man?

Cute, right?

I know, I know.

But it's not always rosy cheeks and smily faces.

Betcha couldn't have guessed that, huh?

No, really. 

But there are times.

Oh, the times.

And then the smells....

Yeah, and you thought parenthood was all boring and stuff.

But the sounds have gotten pretty incredible lately. 

And I don't mean the sweet little talky-talky sounds.

What's that?  You want more info?  Well, if you insist. 

Last weekend, I took Little Man and headed out on a few errands.

There we were in Michael's at 9 am on a Saturday morning.  The store was practically empty except for me and the 3 old ladies in the aisle next to me.

Little Man, being the flirt he always is, batted his eyes at them and smiled, babbled a little, and won their hearts for life.

All was fine, well, and good until....


A look came across his face.

Something akin to this look.

And then the grunts.

Little Man grunts.

It became obvious to me, as the mommy, and the other, now 5, ladies in the store what was going on.
Little Man grunts.  LOUDLY.

And then the smells.

How embarrassing.

Why is it that my Little Man grunts louder than a grown man while he's doing his business.

That was the first time I had noticed that happening, but it certainly hasn't been the last time. 

Moral to the story:  If you are ever around and Little Man stops what he is doing and starts grunting...RUN FOR YOUR LIFE lest I attack you with diaper doody

Contemplating a change

Wanna know a little secret? 

I really don't like my blog name. 

Bushel and Pecks....

Googling such a title brings up things like this

and this

But very rarely this

Which leads me to believe that I need a change....is it too late for that?

I have a really cute name in mind...

So, we'll see what happens....

But I am thinking that you can expect a change of name very soon.

Bushel and Pecks is so last year.

Thank you, Bravo, for making my summer complete

So I just watched the final episode of my favorite show of the summer…
(with the exception of LOST, of course!)

Dear me, I love that show.

I realize it has nothing to do with the actual show and everything to do with the fact that they are in my back yard.

And I really want to be friends with Jacqueline. Really.

Jacqueline, are you out there? Are you reading this? Let’s be friends. Not scary friends, like Danielle was. Just friends. Have coffee together or maybe book club? No? Ok, well, I tried. Ya know. Whatever.

Anyway, back to reality.

And then I heard that they fired Danielle?!?!?!

I jumped for joy.

And then I pouted.

And then I jumped for joy again.

I can’t decide if I am happy about it – because clearly, she’s crazy and I missed Dina.

Or if I am sad – because clearly, no one else can drum up that kind of drama.

NO.ONE.

Now on to those DC ladies.

I refused to start watching until the Jersey girls were gone.

And let’s not even talk about Top Chef. I am about 3 weeks behind on that thanks to LOST. But I am far enough in to know that Kenny – my personal fave from this season is gone.

And Bethenny’s done for another year…. Thank God for Facebook, so I can know all about what she is doing off camera.

And can I even say how much I miss Patty?

Hopefully, she’ll be back in my world soon.

Ugh.

Thanks, Bravo.

For making my tv viewing enjoyable with all sorts of not-real, real-life drama!

Cutie Patooties

There aren't many things that make me smile more than my baby. 

Both of them.

But there are these pesky little nieces

And this uh-freakin-dorable nephew of mine....

And let's not forget the honorary niece...

Admit it.  They're pretty darn cute, huh?

And you know what else?

They're all big fans of the newest member of the family....

 

Helpful How-to Time: U-Turning is not just for dummies

I live in a small development off of a large road. 

The layout is a little something like this:

Where the minor street would be the street into my development. 

And in order to get anywhere on the major street, I have to make U-turns.  Daily U-turns.

I am always amazed by how many people don't know the correct way to make U-turns. 

Do you know how to make a U-turn properly?

I will admit that I didn't.  I had been the queen of u-turn idiots for years. 

And then someone showed me how it should be done and explained to me why.

When approaching a u-turn intersection, did you know you are supposed to move through your u-turn on the far side as opposed to the inside of the turn? 

Apparently, there are MILLIONS out there who don't know that. 

Believe me, I deal with them almost daily.

And 99.9% of them are in ginormous pick-up trucks that you absolutely CANNOT see around.

The reason you are supposed to move to the far side of the intersection is to allow both cars in the intersection, the most clear view of the traffic they are attempting to turn into.

(You would follow the red line in this diagram.  The green line would be acceptable ONLY if no other cars are in the intersection)

Let me give you a scenario of what happens when you try to follow the green line when another car is in the intersection.

The other car cannot see the traffic coming behind you.  Therefore, if the other driver happens to be a crazy, curly-haired red-head you may experience some of the following experiences.

1.  Random horn-honking and what you can only determine to be cat-calls from said other driver.
2.  Very unladylike displays of frustration that you clearly will not understand.
3.  Other driver may position their vehicle directly in front of yours so that you cannot move.
4.  Other driver may ram your vehicle with hers, if she is in a bad enough mood.
5.  Other driver may park her vehicle, walk over to yours, and explain to you the CORRECT way to accomplish a u-turn.

Consider yourself educated.

And warned.

Have a happy day! 

You know you have a good doctor when

1. She walks in the room and says, "We've met before, right?"

2. You don't just giggle nervously at the fact that you are sitting in a paper dress - you laugh outright.  And she laughs with you.

3.  She listens to you babble about your new baby.

4.  She listens to you babble about your paranoia.

5.  She listens to you babble about moles.

6.  She laughs at all your stupid jokes.

7.  She tells you your urine is normal. 

8.  She is excited to hear that you have "already" lost half of your baby weight.

9.  You leave the office and wonder if she is on Facebook.

P.S.  I realize this could also mean that I am the patient that she HATES because

1.  She recognizes me.

2.  I make fun of the paper dress.

3.  I babble about my new baby.

4.  I babble about my paranoia.

5.  I babble about moles.

6.  I make stupid jokes.

7.  She has to analyze my urine.

8.  I brag about "already" losing half of the baby weight.

9.  I may find her on Facebook....

PPS.  Can someone tell me why on earth these stupid tetanus shots hurt so much?  I feel like I seriously got punched in the arm.  Ugh.

I totally didn't see that coming....

It's happened before. 

Like the time I said, "I will never wear those!"

Source

And then six months later, I was out shopping for my own pair of the pointy-toed stilletto.

Or the return of the face swallowing sunglasses

Source

 And then...

What I want to know is, how does something that was once so repulsive become something you covet?

Well, it's happened yet again.

Not to me.

To my sister.

Who was the nay-sayer of nay-sayers.

Particularly of the mini-van.

Remember the person in high school who ridiculed all things soccer mom? 

That was my sister.

But then she had a baby.

And then 9 months later, found out she was pregnant.

And then 9 months after that one was delivered...you get the idea.

 So...

This week she bought this...

And is happier than a kid at Christmas.

Now, I don't really believe in all the karma-stuff, but...

The biggest smile I have had all day

It's as simple as that....

Enjoy.

You can thank me later.

An After Photo

Hi boys and girls! 

You know how I have been on this kick to try to lose some weight? 

Looks like it might be working...

Considering that 6 months ago I couldn't even get this sleeve to go much higher than my wrist.

Considering that I unbuttoned it and still couldn't get it to go much higher than my wrist.

Considering that I have missed this shirt for sooooo, sooooo long.

And considering that not only could I get it on, this morning, but I got the sleeve to button.

Thanks, Jillian, I attribute it all to you and your wretched delightful arm exercises.

Ever think God has a sense of humor?

Did you know that my sister's name is Sarah, Techy's sister's name is Sarah, and my step mother in law's name is Sara? Crazy, huh?

Ask and you shall receive, albeit way later than you expected, but eventually….

I always find it interesting to look back and see how God was working so hard when we weren't even aware of it.

Let me explain.

Several years ago, Techy and I were young newlyweds.

Techy had only recently joined a new church and I had only just moved to Delaware.

We knew no one. NO.ONE.

Coming from a relatively small town in Virginia, a small church, and a very rural environment, I was a bit out of my element.

As in, Oh-no-I-have-left-suburban-America-as-I-know-it

and

joined the ranks of Delaware—as-close-to-urbanism-as-I-have-ever-been.

As in, I went from knowing everyone at our local police department, teaching Sunday school, squeezing people in, to having approximately 2 girl friends and a new husband to talk to.

From Techy’s side of things, he was in a new apartment with new bills, a lonely new wife, and a very sick mother to help take care of.

PRESSURE.

He was very stingy with his time. We were newlywed’s after all.

And there was his sick mother….

So when I mentioned the fact that I was thinking of getting involved in a ministry at church, he kinda rolled his eyes at me.

But I did. I was desperate to meet new people and get involved again.

And then there was the next ministry opportunity that presented itself.

Somewhere around this time was when Techy decided that he wanted to get involved at church too.

He emailed people, he wrote people, he called people. Nada.

He specifically wanted to be on the AV Team at church, because well, hey, he knew a little something about that technology stuff….

Literally, people, he went round and round for a good year. Never heard a word. Apparently, he didn’t know the right people.

Eventually, he just decided it was time to get involved somewhere.

I had been in student ministry, working with Middle School girls for about a year and a half at that point.

So Techy joined student ministry.

Working with Middle School Boys.  God bless him.

One thing led to another – ministry opportunities do that – and eventually I ended up on a retreat with our college students. 8 months pregnant.

Dressed as a deviled egg - there aren’t many options for a pregnant Halloween costume without showing a whole heckuvalot of stretchmarks.

Anyway, on this retreat, I got the opportunity to get to know some pretty great people.

One of which was apparently Mrs. Right-people.

This past Sunday, after 4 years of waiting for the opportunity, Techy got to help out the AV team. He likes to make it sound like it was a lot to handle with all the other ministries he is now involved in, but deep down inside, I know the little boy inside was jumping for joy.

Refinishing Free Furniture

I think I may have mentioned a time or 2 about my love affair with Craigslist, right?

And I am pretty sure I mentioned that I picked up a free buffet for my dining room this weekend.

What I didn't mentioned is that it needs a good bit of TLC.

It's a gorgeous piece.  And for the most part, I will probably have no problem getting it into shape.

But see that bottom drawer?

The veneer was chipped away from the corner.  Ugh.


Not to mention there are distinct scuffs/watermarks in the finish on the left side door

This is where you come in.

PLEASE. 

Can anyone tell me how to correct this problem? 

I am considering peeling a portion of the veneer from inside of one of the doors or the bottom of a foot of it, but how do I go about adhering the veneer.

HELP ME, PLEASE!!!!

Your worst fear post baby...

Warning:  This post is going to be FILLED with the disgustingness that is life post baby.  If you have read my blog before, you know I don't hold anything back.  This is one of those posts. 

Most people have healthy fears post baby. 

Things like:
When will I get to sleep through the night again? 
Will I be able to deliver without a C-Section?
Will I heal quickly? 
How sore am I going to be? 
Is the baby going to be healthy? 
Will I be able to nurse? 
Will I lose the baby weight quickly? 

Surprisingly, none of those concerns were at the top of my list. 

My biggest fear post baby had nothing to do with anything reasonable or rational. 

We went to 2 child birth classes, and the one question I wanted answered, Techy wouldn't let me ask. 

And for some reason no one ever talked about it!

My biggest fear post baby was a poo issue. 

More or less the concern that I couldn't or wouldn't. 

I was terrified of hemmorhoids.  I asked every nurse coming and going if I had them.  I kept thinking one was going to sneak its way out and no one would tell me....   

I was horrified by stitches.  Panicky that any additional straining would pop something loose.

It literally got to the point that if I had to push at all, it wasn't going to happen. 

There were days I spent doubled over in pain because I refused to push. 

If it wasn't going to fall out of me, I wasn't going to do it.

That's when I became very good friends with Dulcolax.

I popped one a day for 2 months. 

Moral to the story:

No one ever tells you how terrified you are going to be with your first post baby bm. 

Until me.

You can thank me later.

Lost in LOST

We finished Season 3 yesterday.

We started Season 4 yesterday.

The title of Episode 1 of Season 4 is "The Beginning of the End"

I am depressed already.

It may have something to do with the fact that Kate and Sawyer weren't together for 1 minute of the episode.

It makes me sad inside.

Have I mentioned that I totally heart Sawyer?  And John Locke.  But really, Sawyer. 

Alive and Well

I know that some of you may be wondering if I am still alive since it's been a small eternity since my last post.

Just wanted to let you know. 

I am alive.

I am well.

I am exhausted.

My house is destroyed.

And

I have a new FREE Craigslist buffet for my dining room. 

Oh, and p.s. if you wondered what kept me so busy this weekend....

I know.  Just when you thought I couldn't be any more ob.sessed with my freakishly adorable child....

If only I had known...

I just spent half an hour going through baby clothes.

From when my baby was this big.

And I reminisced....

There were so many things I didn't know.

I didn't know that I needed to put a onesie on my child under everything he wore.

I didn't know to pack socks in his hospital bag.

I didn't know that he would go from that to this

practically overnight.  

I had no idea what I was doing.

So I thought I would share somethings that I wish I would have known.

1.  Breastfeeding is not nearly as painful as a clogged milk duct.  PERIOD.

2.  Labor is not nearly as painful as a clogged milk duct.  

3.  Sleepers with zippers are your best friend as a new mommy.  

4.  A DVR is a must have for any maternity leave.  Otherwise you will spend way too many hours watching Game Show Network and HGTV.

5.  Babywise is a LIFESAVER.  This coming from a mommy whose baby has slept through the night since he was 3 months old.  Almost every single night.  

6.  In-home daycares are where it's at.  

7.  The baby gowns aren't really as neat as you think they are.  They usually just end up twisted up around your baby's belly.  GRRRR.

8.  A pack n play that comes with a Newborn Napper beats a bassinet any day of the week.  

9.  The whole world saw your hoo-ha while you delivered, the whole world will probably see your breast while breast feeding and they don't care.  Even if you do.

10.  Breastfeeding is HARD work.  I didn't like it.  I didn't enjoy it.  I felt trapped.  Maybe I am a crappy mother for it.  But I did it for 8 weeks until I went back to work and then I thanked Jesus for the bottle.  I have never felt so liberated in all my life.

11.  I may have said this a time or 2, but losing the baby weight takes FOR.EVER.  

12.  It goes so fast.  There's nothing in the whole wide world that makes you want another baby more than packing up those new born clothes that you brought your baby home from the hospital in.  

That's right, I said it.  Doesn't mean I have to act on it.  

Now, what did I do with those birth control pills....

33.33%

Soooooooooooooooo

Today was weigh-day.

And I lost weight!

Boo-yeah.

(Of course some of you may have seen my FB status from Monday which noted that I had lost weight over the weekend....)

So yeah,

Here's where I'm sittin pretty

And that's with all my clothes on. *

I am thrilled, delighted, happier than ever...

That's 15 lbs down from my starting point of 180.

That's also 33% of the way to my goal weight of 135.

Not to be confused with my pre-pregnancy weight of 137.

Point being,

I am closer to this size than I have been in a very long time.

You do the math it's less than 30 lbs to my pre-prego weight.

Who's excited?

Who thinks I can actually get there by Christmas time?

I think I can, I think I can...

Note to self:  I used the word "I" 11, now 12 13 times in this post.  That could come off as a little self absorbed....  Rethink that next time, ok?  Thanks.

*Everyone knows you only weigh yourself first thing in the morning with NO clothes on for your true, accurate weight.