Stressed Out

Well, this week has been pretty stressful and I am so glad the weekend is here! My husband came back from his business trip last night, and we were so glad to have him home! I am sure just that in and of itself will reduce my stress level significantly. The other thing that has me stressed big time right now is my blood pressure. And, yes, I know that being stressed about it is probably just making it worse, but it is hard not to worry about it. Earlier this summer my doctor gave me samples of a medication to help lower my blood pressure. I took them and they helped, but, being the procratinator that I am, I didn't get back in to see her to get the prescription. Well, earlier this week I took my blood pressure and it was 143/91.... not good at all! So, I made it in to see my doc yesterday and got more samples AND the prescription to send in to be filled. Between the medication and losing weight, I hope I can get it to come down to where it needs to be. I hate the fact that at the age of 35 I am having to take all of these medications and I worry about not being around for my daughter. I just have to keep working on my diet and hope that it will help.

9/11

You can't really go anywhere right now without hearing about the tragedy that befell our country on 9/11/01. I remember that day so clearly, which is amazing because I remember very little from the past with this much clarity. I was traveling down I-35W in Fort Worth, getting close to downtown when the radio station I was listening to told us of breaking news about the first plane hitting one of the World Trade Center towers. Of course, at that time no one had any idea that it was just the beginning of many tragedies that would occur that day. And no one knew that this was just the beginning of a huge terrorist attack on our country. I immediately got on the phone to my parents because I thought they would want to turn on the TV to see what was happening. I was in my 1st year of teaching, and this particular week I was in training. I arrived at the training location just a few minutes after the 1st news report had been made, and just in time to see the news coverage of the 2nd plane flying into the other tower. My colleagues and I stood and watched this tragedy unfold before our eyes. I remember that one of the women there was immediately concerned because her father was scheduled on an American flight from the East Coast that morning and she couldn't get a hold of him to make sure he was alright. (Fortunately, he was on another flight that morning.) The trainers, despite all that was going on, did try to move forward with our training, even thought I think everyone there wanted to see what was happening in NYC. On every break, and throughout the lunch hour, most of us were there with the TV on taking in all of the information being given to us and wondering what the future was going to bring. We watched in horror as the towers fell, and prayed for all those who hadn't escaped. Later in the day, the superintendent sent word that all staff were to return to their individual campuses to help handle things in their own classes. Parents were coming to the schools to take their children home early and there was a lot of confusion, so everyone was needed to make sure things stayed as normal and calm for the children as possible. I don't really think my students understood the magnitude of what happened that day. I'm not even sure if I fully comprehend all of the ramifications of what happened that day. What I do know is that I cried. I didn't know anyone who died in this tragedy, but I cried for each and every one of them and their families.

Several weeks ago, I heard an ad on the radio for the new movie about that day, and something that was said triggered the same emotions I felt 5 years ago, and , again, I found myself in tears as I was driving. Sometimes it amazes me, how something that is so far removed from your personal life can so deeply move you.

Toady, on this 5th anniversary of that tragic day, I want to remember all those who perished and their families. I want them to know that they are still in our thoughts and that they will always be remembered.

He really isn't all that bad....

Most of the time when I talk to my close friends about my husband it is usually to bitch about him. Well, this past week has made me see a lot more of the good things he does and I think it's about time I give him the credit he deserves. They say you don't know what you have until it's gone, well it's true, even if they are only gone for a week! The things I really missed this past week were his cooking, as I mentioned in my last post, and the things he does with our daughter. I sometimes complain that he doesn't do enough with her, but he really does do a lot. Every evening that he is home, he is the one who gives her her bath, and gets her ready for bed. It is part of her evening ritual, and we both really miss that when he is gone. She loves it when he goes swimming with her, and I know she misses that too when he is gone. He also is probably better than me when it comes to consistency with discipline, which is an area I need to work on, but I really appreciate that quality in him. The other day, our little one was talking back to me (mostly just repeating something she has heard others say, but nonetheless it was talking back and disrespectful), and he immediately made it clear to her that it was not OK, and appropriately disciplined her. It actually made me feel good, because it was just one of those times that he was showing his respect for me by making sure that she isn't disrespectful to me. I could go on, but all I really wanted to do with this post is put down in words what has beenin my thoughts all week.

And, now, of course, he has to go away again for the next week!

Weekly Weigh In

Well, I thought I had a pretty bad week, diet wise, but it ended up being pretty good. This morning I weighed in 3 pounds less than last week for a total of 25 pounds lost since I started on South Beach! This week was rough mostly because my husband was out of town. He usually cooks dinners for us, and is good about making it something I can eat and still be following my diet. Well, with him gone, and me working late, I just was too tired to cook and ended up doing some fast food stops this week, and, well, let's just say I didn't stick to the salads. Anyway, he's going to be out of town for the next week, so I am just going to have to plan things better so that I can stick with my diet even if he isn't here to cook for us.

Going crazy

This week has been so hectic. My darling husband is out of town on business for the whole week in Fort Lauderdale (he sure has a rough life, doesn't he?), and this is the week that everyone in the school district decided we had to go to trainings every day after school. By the time I pick up the little one and get home, I am just wiped out! I sure have to give lots of kudos to the women out there who do it alone everyday because I am not sure I could do this long term. Anyway, I need to go get ready for what is sure to be another crazy day!

South Beach Diet

So, I have been doing the South Beach Diet now on and off for the last month. It hasn't been as hard to follow as I thought it would be and I have lost 22 pounds so far. Granted I have a lot to lose, but I am really happy with that considering we had a housewarming party and I went to New Orleans during that time. I am telling you now that there is absolutely no way to stick with a diet while in New Orleans. The beignets, cafe au lait, and pralines were too hard to resist!

So, to help me hopefully do even better, I am going to start posting my loses (or gains) once a week on my blog. If I put it in print for all the world to see it will keep me more likely to stick with it.

This past week I lost 2 pounds!