Well, That Was A Heck of a Hiatus!

Apparently, I haven't posted anything since July. I guess it's time for a little update.

Well, that...and it's snowing like a mo-fo outside.  It's a good day to sip some tea and catch up on some blog reading and writing.

My love.  Ready to head out for Snowpocalypse
2012.  Can those pants be any bigger or pulled up
any higher?  Where words fail, laughter prevails.

I had my pre cancer tongue cells checked a week ago.  So far, so good.  We had a bit of a worry in August.  After my lasering in July, I had another strange spot appear in that same area.  Another biopsy, a couple days off work, only to discover it was more of the same.  Not cancer, but abnormal cells.  So, off to the cancer specialist.  

I can pretty much say, I love my doctors.  Dr. S. is pretty much amazing and has the same sense of humor as the future hubs.  I think they enjoy visiting as much as I enjoy getting a "clean" bill of health.  Anyway, the good doc thinks that this whole pre cancer cell thing is just the way I'm made.  We all knew I was a little abnormal.  So for now, we visit every 2 months, unless something strange appears.

In other news:  No wedding plans at the moment.  Why?  Because being government employees suck.  Because, being financially responsible is more of a priority than blowing the vacation money we have saved--in case something were to happen.  We've had two plans of attack.  Both have failed miserably.  (At least, in my mind they have.)  After canceling the first and talking about the second, I cried.  I cried because it's not what we had planned.  I cried because it meant more stress.  I cried because Florida is not the beach in Mexico...nor was it an all-inclusive resort.  So...plans have stalled for the moment.   But...doesn't this look inviting?                       

Yeah.  I thought so too.  (And, why, Yes!  That IS a real Corona in that glass.  This is circa 2010...our first trip to Cancun.)

This is our Elf on the Shelf, Bing.  Bing McGillicuddy Griswold, to be exact.  Bing--from Bing Crosby; McGillicuddy--from the great Doctor himself and his Menthol Peppermint schnapps, and Griswold--well, if you don't know, you live under a rock!   He found his romantic match with a tall, beautiful bottle of moscatto on Christmas day.  We love our elf.  And, despite the fact we don't have children of our own, we enjoy having him around.  He makes our spirits just a little bit brighter!  This year, Bing fished in the toilet, roasted marshmallows over a candle, climbed the pull chain to the fan, hovered in the window, hugged a wine glass and my salted caramel mocha coffee creamer in the fridge.  He also hung out between the front door and the glass storm door while waiting for packages to arrive.  Of course, this was after I caught him searching for nude elf pics on my computer and hanging out in the shower!

This sweet boy is Nissem (Nis-eem).  I call him Little Dog...and he responds to that.  He's a bit hyper and crazy and LOVES all food and his master!  I think there are times he believes he's a "Real Boy"!  (And maybe a cat at other times.  He's been taught to jump up on the counter!  It wasn't me!)  Little Dog will do absolutely anything for a treat!  

I also feel the need to note the hardwood floor!  Thanks to future hubs for finally getting rid of the skank carpet that resided in this area!  The floor is beautiful...this pic doesn't do it justice. I'm happy that he's so handy.  (In fact, today he's building a drawer to store baking sheets under the oven.)  More on that later!  Lots of updates on the house need to be done.  I'm hoping to get to the cabinets by summer!

Oh...one more thing...  Yeah, the weight loss thing...weight is winning.  Er, I guess I'm maintaining.  I shall make this a New Year's resolution.  I'm toying with the idea of "clean-eating".   I think that's an easier transition than Paleo.  Anyone have thoughts or ideas?

Hope everyone had a fabulous holiday!  

Updates and Butt-Kickings

I've enjoyed the butt-kicking Jillian Michaels has given me the last few days doing 30-Day Shred.  Of course, I've had to modify it a bit for my foot, but no biggie.  It's 20 minutes of strength training, cardio and abs.  (27 minutes with warm up and cool down.)  Very do-able, challenging, and fits easily into the day.  It doesn't seem like a long time, but I've been seriously sweating bullets by the end...and I'm only in Phase 1.


Bang!  Bang!  ...those are my sweat bullets taking aim!


I took measurements and pics before the start of Day1.  I look forward to updating at the end of 30 days.  (Eek!  When that happens, you may want to divert your eyes!  It's ok...I'll give you a warning!)


Four weeks until I'm released to run.  Right about that time, I'll be in the thick of getting school stuff ready.  I'll also be at the end of 30-Day Shred.  


In other news...my tongue is healing nicely.  "Nicely".  What an odd word to describe this healing process.  It's gross.  Things taste like metal.  It hurts to eat and to talk.  And I'm super sick of eating "soft foods" and I'm craving things I can't possibly eat...like grilled pizza,  strawberry and goat cheese salad, and a margarita.  Ugh.  


However, it has had it's benefits!


Like, smaller portion sizes--because it's a long process to eat.  Just a few bites, and I'm done.  Most of what I can eat is healthy.  Melon, in small pieces, eggs, whole grain pasta, mashed sweet potatoes, and of course, smoothies.  I can also eat ice cream, Jello and pudding but I don't prefer to eat those.  And if I do, it's like a bite or two...cuz in all honesty, they taste like poo.  Ok, maybe not poo--cuz I don't really know what that tastes like.  (And if I did, just call me Hilly.)   But, it doesn't taste good.


Now, if only I can continue the smaller portion sizes and making "crap food" actually taste like crap!  


The other benefit...lots and lots of water.  It's the only thing that really tastes normal.


I AM excited about some quinoa (keen-wa) recipes I found once I'm feeling up to eating most things.  The man doesn't know it yet, but he's about to get some changes in diet also!  :)  The first recipe I'm excited to try is curried quinoa with grilled chicken.  I found a basic recipe, but, if you know me, I'll be adding to it!  I'll be sure to post pics and the recipe, if it's not a total flop!


Happy Sunday!