13 Pounds!

We are now a week and half into our work out and just about three weeks into our "life style change" (AKA as DIET) and I've lost 13 pounds!!!!! I'm so excited. I haven't weighted again since last Sat...I asked Alan to hide the scale so that I wouldn't step on them everyday. I hope to weight in tomorrow. We are walking a mile and doing some of the weights. I'm huffing and puffing less and less--as soon as I stop we are going to step it up to a mile and half! As I lose more and more I will start posting pics.

We have a big week coming up. I hit the big 3-0 on Wed and my Brother has his birthday on Sat. We are going to the zoo on Sat with my Mom and Brother to celebrate. I will post pics of all the excitement!

Walkin'

We joined the Multi-purpose center today. The center is so much nicer than I had expected. B-ball courts, walking track (that's padded), weight machines, pool tables, rooms for conferences, etc. Eight times around the track makes a mile-WE MADE IT EIGHT TIMES. I would have liked to have gone some more, but I was afraid of over doing it...I had to have knee surgery several years ago and if I do too much it can flare up. Anyhow, I'm also down another two pounds, so that makes 8!

Down

The last few days I have felt really down. I don't know if it is because of my impending birthday (yes, I will be hitting the big 3-0) or the fact I'm not a mom yet...all I know is that I'm down and I hate feeling this way.

On other fronts, Alan and I started a diet last Monday. I am down 6 pounds. I'm really excited and for some reason, I'm really motivated. We are going to join our town's multi-purpose center tomorrow. They have a walking track, weight machines and b-ball courts. We can use it has much as we want for about 25 bucks a month. Not bad! I'm hoping that once we start walking, the weight will really start coming off!

I have started reading a great book called Hannah's Hope. I'm hoping that it will be give me some idea of how to handle all that I'm going through. I think I might write a little summary of each chapter--what to you think?

Strep Throat and Double Ear Infection

For the last 3 or 4 weeks, Big Al has been battling a cold. I was so doing so good--hadn't caught it. Wednesday morning I woke up with a horrible sore throat. Thought Okay, it is from drainage. Well, two days later and several slushies later, my throat was worse. This morning when Alan checked it and my tonsils was really swollen but no white patches. I had lunch with my Mom and since she is a nurse I had her check it out...the dreaded white patches. Luckily, my doc here in town was able to get me in. The verdict is strep throat and ear infections. I think he was more concerned with my ears than my throat. I feel really bad--Big Al is taking good care of me! Hopefully, I'll get a day or so of the antibiotic in my system and I'll be good as new! He also gave me some of the good cough syrup--I hope I can get a good sleep tonight!

Putting an End to Self-Pity

As many of you know, I work in an eye doctor's office. One of my many job duties is helping patients pick out and fit them for glasses. Well, one day we had a girl come in and right away I noticed that she was extremely skinny and obviously was wearing a wig. I immediately thought that this girl has cancer. After reviewing her paperwork, I saw that I was right. She has been battling cervical cancer for 6 years. This girl is just 23. I've been stuck in a rut and feeling sorry for myself--seeing this girl and knowing that everyday she battles for her life made me realize that I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself and be grateful for what I have (a wonderful hubby, mom and bubba who love me, life itself, a home, a good job, etc). I know someday that I will be a Mom. I just have to put my faith in God--that in his time it will happen.

Pics of Big Al and the Kitties!

Alan is gonna kill me when he sees these pics!

Whoo Hoo! We Got Our Furniture!

The delivery guys made their appearance today!! We are so happy that we decided to slurge and buy new stuff! It was well worth the money! Has promised, here are a few pics of the new stuff. Take note: not everything is set up the way we exactly want it...we need a new coffee table, pics to hang up and a new entertainment center...we figure it will take a few months to get everything the way we want it!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We just wanted to wish everyone a happy day! I've been joking with Alan that our day isn't going to be very romantic--we are in the process of cleaning our living room--we kicked our salute to American couch to the curb, moved everything else out--after we eat at Mom's we are going to come back and shampoo the carpets! Talk about romance!! Here is a pic of the flowers Alan sent me!

We Got New Furniture!

I'm so excited! We went to Dixie Furniture on Saturday and got us a new couch and chair. They are so pretty. The only bad thing is that they can't deliver it until Thursday (which works out good so we can shampoo our carpet!). We did buy new cranberry colored curtains and lamp shades--they are so pretty! Has soon as we get the new stuff, I'll take some pics and post them!!

Bladder Infection and New Furniture!

Last Friday I knew I had the beginnings of a bladder infection. In true Brandi form--I thought I would be able to cure myself with H2O and cranberry juice. I found out that wouldn't work. Today I've been in a lot of pain and having to go the bathroom a lot (only to go just a little). I called Dr. D's nurse and she called me something in. I started it with dinner so hopefully soon I'll feel better!

We are so excited!! This weekend we are going furniture shopping! We got our Fed Tax back and we have determined that we are going to use it on a new couch and chair (our apt isn't quite big enough for couch and love seat). We have needed new stuff for a while and know it is just a matter of time before this junk we have wears out! I'm looking forward to decorating our living room! I'll post pics as we go along!

Bears or Colts?

Well, today is Super Bowl Sunday. We are getting ready to head over to my Mom's for dinner and to watch the game. We are doing sandwiches, dip and these wonderful sweet bacon chicken wraps (foodnetwork is wonderful!). We are hoping the Bears beat the pants off the Colts!

Been Too Long!

When I started this blog, I intended it to be updated more than it has been! I had hoped to use it has a sorta a diary...I finally figured out why I hadn't updated it--I can't write about how I feel if I don't know. I've never been one to talk about how I feel or what is bothering (it drives Alan crazy!). Anyhow, once I figure this crap out, then I'll be able to write about it. I need to do one rant post and get it out of system--scream, cuss, blame people. Anyhow, I'm going to do some thinking and hopefully this weekend I'll be able to write that post!

Quote I found

I was cruising about the Soul Cysters web site. One of the girl's had this qoute at the bottom of her message...

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it

Once I read it, I realized I had found the answer to the question I'd been asking myself for a month...

How am I going to get through this?

I must think...more later.

Happy New Year!

We wish everyone a safe and happy 2007! With that being said, I'm so glad that 2006 is OVER! It had it's good points (me getting a new job!) and it's made times (the first round of shots not working, car problems, the list could go on). I know I could come up with more for both, but I know the bad stuff would overwhelm the good and then I'd get depressed. I'm trying to be optimistic about this year, but...you know that is hard to do. I'm going to do my best to make it a good year. There are things that I'm GOING to do...get back to church, spend that time each day in devotion and pray, eat right, exercise and try my hardest to get knocked up!

Christmas Time!

I know, I know! A week late! What can I say? I just haven't been in the mood to update this thing. As you can tell the above pics are from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. My Grandma was able to come and speak a week at my Mom's. We had a good time with her. I had to include one of the routine pics we take every year. The one with Mom and the bows on her head. I told a co-worker about it (see post from my work Christmas party post) and I decided to post it to convince her! The top two pics of Alan--I know I owe an explanation. Big Al is a smart butt and thinks he knows everything that he is getting for Christmas. True, he knows some things. He also is a smart butt when he wraps my presents (wrapping it 8 times, putting it several boxes, etc). Well, this year I decided to get him. I helped my Mom wrap most of the stuff, so I asked her for ideas. We decided that we would duct tape a large box--the whole box. Then wrap it up really pretty. The look on his face was priceless!

Can't Believe it's Time Already!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Alan and I wanted to take the time to wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas!

Santa Alan! Santa Calli! Lazy Wickett!

I had to include these pics! The cats love the tree and tree skirt. As soon as we were done decorating it, they were underneath it claiming their spot. When we put the presents under it, we have to save their "spots". Calli didn't really enjoy the Santa hat, but I thought it would make a cute picture. Alan protested almost as much as Calli, but I thought he looked cute too!

Oh Christmas Tree! Oh Christmas Tree!

We got our tree on Sunday! We ended up getting the very first one we looked at!
I included some pictures of our front door and of some of our favorite decorations. Like every year, we think this tree looks the best!

Christmas Party!

We had a good time at my office Christmas Party. It was at Mallard's (which is outside Forrest City). I didn't really know what to expect since it was my first one to attend. We ate, had dessert and openned presents. I was very fortunate to receive a Christmas bonus. God really knew how much we needed it. One neat thing they do is have a Santa bag full of "grab bags". Everyone takes turns getting one out...they were things like lotion, Christmas paper, bath stuff, etc--but in each thing there was cash!! We each got five bags and I ended up with twenty four bucks! It is so nice to work for people who appreciate you and want to get to you know you and your family. Everyone hugged each other and thanked one another. So very different than where I worked at before. Let me explain the bows on heads pictures...The ladies at work and I decided that we would draw names and exchange gifts. I got Mary Ann's name and on her gift I put a big red bow on it. I told her that at my house, when we got bows like that on gifts, we would have to put the bow on. I was surprised that she did it and decided that she looked so cute that I had to take a picture!!! Monique had to join in and I insisted on getting a picture of her! We had a really good time and I feel lucky to work with and for the people I do!

Trying to Get Back to Normal.

This week has been really hard. The first two days, I spent it crying. The rest of it, I've gotten better and only get weepy once in a while. We have started talking about "next time" and are making plans. It is all too raw to really muddle through. Anyhow, I thought I would include a picture of the flowers Bubba sent me. One thing I forgot...Tuesday when I went back to work, I was really afraid of how people would handle me and our situation. Everyone was so nice and just hugged me. At the end of the day, one of my bosses (Dr. Gore) was kinda hanging around like she wanted to say something, so I went into the lab and she followed. She came in and said that she didn't know till later that morning and just didn't know what to say and they she couldn't say anything till then because she had been crying. I in turn started crying and she just hugged me. How many bosses would do that? It's making me cry just thinking about it...