Listography: My Can't Stands

Can't Stands

There are a lot of things I can't stand. Some things I can brush off, but this is a list of the ones I can't:

• Dirty dishes in the sink, especially when preparing a meal. I have to put them in the dishwasher as I work along.
• Being woken up just as I fall asleep. I can't get back to sleep for hours.
• Dirty laundry on the floor. Just does not need to happen, but there are times where I just can't keep up.
• Constant pessimism. Someone close to me is constantly in a pessimistic mood and, frankly, it gets to be a downer. Don't mind the occasional complaining/venting, but not all the time.
• People who call for "fun" at 2 a.m. Hasn't happened in 2 years, because I ripped them a new you-know-what. Not funny. Grow up!
• Wrinkles. On my cloths and my face. I'm tempted to Botox the "scowl" crease between my eyes. It's so ugly.
• Boom-boom music. My term for the base speakers people put in their cars and blare 'em full blast. We always know when our neighbor's son comes home because he has one.
• Rising gas prices. No explanation needed.
• Mobile texting addicts. I use texting when necessary, but could live without it.
• Aisle hogs at the grocery store.  As if they're the only ones shopping.

Hot Mess

Hot mess. I'm borrowing that terminology from my sis-in-law because it seems to perfectly describe exactly how I've been feeling lately (like the last 4-1/2 months).  Losing weight has been, well, a losing battle. I'm really not trying to lose a lot of weight, but I know I would feel better if I could lose anywhere between 15 and 20 pounds.  The problem is the scale keeps going up instead of down.  I know I've cheated and had an occasional soda here and there, and yes I've had a few pieces of Easter candy out of Ella's basket and could probably stand to change my diet a little more drastically, but I have been exercising and I have changed my diet to where I am eating better without starving myself. I like to eat 3 meals per day. I feel worse if I skip a meal or eat hardly anything at all.  I've tried more smaller meals throughout the day, but struggle even more with that.  As far as exercising goes, the only thing I enjoy doing is walking, which really worked well for me last time I wanted to lose weight, the body ball and my free weights. I use the elliptical we have, but that is rather boring to be honest, and we only spent $50 on it, so you really do get what you pay for. I still try to use it when I can't get around to doing something other form of exercise, but would prefer not to.

I had an appointment for a small run-in with a wine bottle to the eye and for my lateral epicondylitis last week.  During that appointment the doctor asked how my thyroid was doing. I explained to him how my back and face have been breaking out really bad and how my menses are really off schedule. I told him I thought it was hormones and he seemed to agree that it was hormones and not my thyroid levels. But now it has me wondering. The thyroid does control certain hormones and with knowing that, it had me wondering how my thyroid was really doing; so I hopped onto Mayo Clinic to read up on hypothyroidism once again. I filled out a profiler to evaluate the symptoms I am experiencing and how it may be related to my thyroid problems. After doing this, it tells me that it sounds like my dosage is too low. So now I feel like I should have maybe discussed more of the symptoms with my doctor to see if I needed to have my blood tested again. I do have an appointment with my other doctor next week and may bring it up to him.

I just can't help but feeling blah, which in turn makes me grouchy, which in turn makes me feel guilty when I get short with my husband and my daughter. I'm really just tired of having to take the thyroid medication on top of 3 others I have to take, which can get complicated because you can only take them within a certain time frame of each other or they don't work properly. I'm always fatigued/tired, anxious, can't get to sleep no matter how tired I am, keep gaining weight instead of losing, no longer have a regular cycle,  have a hard time remembering things unless I write them down, always cold, have joint pains and aches and can't concentrate. I'm back to square one prior to my diagnosis. I'm a hot mess.

Listography: My Elementary School Teachers

Cannot believe I still remember my elementary school teachers. Can't remember any of my college professor's names, but I can remember elementary. Go figure. If you took me to each school, I could even point out the classrooms, that is, if they even exist anymore.

 

My Elementary School Teachers

• Preschool: Ms. Goose
• Preschool: Mrs. Travis (yes, I repeated preschool. Parents started me too early).
• Kindergarten: Mrs. Nickerson
• First Grade: Mrs. Travis
• Second Grade: Mrs. Stenman
• Third Grade: Ms. Lewis
• Fourth Grade: Mr. Rothwell
• Fifth Grade: Mrs. Fisher
• Six Grade: Mrs. Jefferson

 Wonder what they're all doing now...

My Listography

It has been quite a while since I've posted anything. Not much has been going on really other than work, work and more work. So with that, I really have not had anything too exciting to post. I am starting another little scrapbook project...Listography. Another approach to a biography utilizing short lists of random things to tell others a little bit about yourself. There's actually a website, and books/journals, that give ideas on different topics for creating these lists (www.listography.com) So on top of doing Project Life, I am going to add this to the list.

Here's the start to my listography:

Memories from Childhood

• Living on a farm the first 7 years of my life with cattle, chickens and pigs (Can you say: pee-you?)
• Using the corn crib topper as a fort (until it was installed).
• Collecting eggs and having my legs pecked to death in the process by the crazy chickens.
• Going to Logan's Landing to feed the swans and ducks with my grandma and mom.
• My Raggedy Ann and Andy swimming pool.
• Being chased through the cornfield by the 2 neighbor dogs all the way from great grandma's and grandpa's and emerging covered head-to-toe with sand burrs.
• Having huge veggie gardens (something I miss a lot).
• Building forts with my brother and making "mushroom stew." (and no, we never ate it).
• Spending many summer days/nights at my aunt's and uncle's on Spider Lake.
• Being hit by a fire rescue truck after being dropped off for school. A bus driver waved an okay for me cross the street in front of the school and Whack!. Smacked by a fire rescue truck driven by Mr. Pickard. All for the entire school population to see. If my mom hadn't yelled at me to stop, he would have literally run me over. Instead, just the corner and driver's side panel hit me.

So that is the start to my listography. Just odds and ends about me.

Feeding the swans at Logan's Landing.

Not sure I would ever get that close to one now.

Project Life: Weeks 11 and 12

Week 11

A few of my favorite jeans.

Too small for me to wear at the present time.

Shooting for the end of April/mid-May to be able to wear them again.

I guess I better step it up.

There's a lot more waiting to be worn.

Week 12

Oh, look...more snow.

Lots of it.

It's officially spring.

But only on paper.

View out front door. 

What are we looking at?

Snow.

What did we see in the same spot the day before?

Our sidewalk with very little snow.

The hubby is actually at the end of the driveway snowblowing when I took this.

Hopefully, for the last time this winter.

Umm...yeah, right.

Update

Here's an update. I have been walking at least 3 times per week for 30 to 40 minutes at a time, doing the elliptical 1 to 2 times per week for 30 minutes at a time and trying to do some weight training and the body ball each night.  I have only lost 4 pounds, but I'm getting there.  I originally wanted to lose 15, but later changed it to 20.

Today I noticed that my jeans are fitting a little loose and my gut's not hanging over like a muffin.  I do notice a change in the appearance of my stomach, although it is far from what it used to look like.  I wonder now if it will ever look like it did.  I guess we will just have to see over the next 30 to 60 days.

I expected to be at square one when I started working out again: only able to do cardio for 15 minutes before wanting to totally quit and not being able to lift more than 2.5 pounds when doing arm exercises.  I basically was able to start where I had left off 4 years ago.  That helps to motivate and push me to do more, although it is not always possible with a near-three-year-old always at your feet.

I have given up pop pretty much all together. The last one I drank was at our niece's b-day party.  I pretty much drink water now. Occasionally, I put in a splash of lemonade to give it some flavor, but it still tastes pretty much like boring 'ole water.  Tried to drink iced tea more, but I can't handle the caffeine that often.

So here's to the rest of the 16 pounds. Hoping to lose at least 10 in the next 6 weeks.

Project Life: Week 10

Week 10

Violets.

Used as center pieces in our wedding.

One of the best days of my life.

That was nearly 9 years ago.

This plant is one of the center pieces.

It has grown quite a bit since the tiny planter it came in.

Just like us.

My Little Friend

Say hello to my little friend. My new weapon. It was recently added to my aides in losing the last 15 (or 20...it varies week to week).  I finally replaced my balance ball. Can't do sit-ups or crunches without it. It saves me from getting the low back pain I get when working out on the floor.  I did my first sets yesterday and am feeling it today. It's a good pain though. It tells me something is working. No pain, no gain. Right? Right! Now my legs are going to be feeling the pain later after my 35-minute power walk I did earlier today. Actually, my knee joints are going to be feeling the pain.  They already feel it.

I'm now down 2 pounds since I last blogged this topic.  May not sound like a lot, but it's a start and I'm happy it's going down and not up. Now only if it would continue to go that direction until my goal is reached. Can't wait to get there.

Clean-up Time

I still have cabin fever, but I can feel spring fever preparing to take over. And with spring fever I always want to clean up. Isn't that was spring's about, new beginnings? Well, a new beginning is about to occur in this household. I have devised my spring cleaning plan and it is a little more in depth than the usual window- washing, super-dusting, yardwork type of plan. I am going to take on each and every room, and closet, in this house one by one and clean up. Purge. Get rid of anything and everything we don't need and don't use. Some of it will get thrown out. Some of it will get donated. Some of it will be sold in one type of yard sale or another. No matter what. I'm not waiting for spring to officially arrive. Spring does not last long enough to tackle this task. I want it done by the time spring gets here. I want to enjoy spring and summer. They're two of my favorite seasons (winter is the only one I don't like). I want to clean up. Wish me luck.

Project Life: Week 9

Week 9

Jewelry.

Don't wear it very often.

Would almost prefer "costume" jewelry over the real thing.

Primarily favor sterling silver, but not with this set.

This is the real thing.

This is what I wear often. Every day for that matter.

Cabin Fever

Cabin fever. I've caught it. So tired of cold bitter air every time I leave the house. Tired of having to warm up the car. Tired of high home-heating bills. Tired of having to wear layers of clothing. Tired of bundling up Ella V every time we have to go somewhere.  Tired of being nervous that someone is going to hit us because they don't know how to drive in winter weather. Tired of all the nasty sickness bugs that have been going around for the last 4 months. Tired of constantly having to clean up the mud tracks in the entry left behind by our shoes. Tired of my car constantly being covered in salt. Tired of not being able to enjoy being outdoors.

I'm ready for warmer weather. I'm ready for the sun.  I'm ready for longer days. I'm ready to finish the landscaping project we started last summer; to see the new trees and plantings bloom; to see our yard coverd in grass and not snow. I'm ready to take Ella V to the park every day. I'm ready for all the summer festivities that go on in our home town. I'm ready to be able to just walk out the door and go without having to do all the winter prep. I'm ready for lower home-heating bills. I'm ready to get rid of this cabin fever that I've had for the last couple of months. 

Friends of ours had recently mentioned going on a cruise next spring. I was thinking how much I could use one right now. I know it would only provide a temporary cure to my cabin fever, but the warm weather, palm trees, white sandy beaches and good company would be perfect.  Oh, bother...all I can do is reminisce of the last trip we took and patiently wait  for warmer weather to arrive here. Maybe next winter won't be so bad. (um...sure it won't).

Princess Star Cruise 2005

Saphire Bay Resort

St. Thomas

My Sweet Lady

My sweet Lady. I think about you every day. I cry for you often. I'm crying for you now. I see how much your four-legged feline friend misses you. I remember the day I picked you up like it was yesterday. I would give anything to hear your whine, feel your cold wet nose, pet your soft, long, floppy ears, hear you constantly licking the floor (even though it drove me crazy), hear your snore throughout the house at night, hear your toenails clicking on the kitchen floor while looking for scraps, hug your short, stocky little body, take long walks with you and just love you up again. I miss constantly having you by my side. I miss those big brown eyes watching me. I miss all the noises and sounds you made. It's just not the same without you. I miss you so much.  You were my first "kid." My girl. My baby. My friend. My sweet Lady.

Love and miss you,

Mama

Discipline

Discipline. That's exactly what I need (in more ways than one). That's exactly what was in my horoscope today, not that I believe in them, but it kinda fits my situation. My big situation. The Last 15 has been bumped up to the Last 20. That's right.  I need to lose an extra 5 pounds now. I give up drinking pop (except for the one (or two) glasses I "accidentally" drank at my niece's b-day party two weeks ago) and gained 5 pounds. Whoa! Go back! Wrong Direction!  I don't really get why I couldn't have at least lost 1 pound, but I guess a big part of it would be no discipline.  No official plan. Not stickin to it. Well, better late than never. I will be doing something today whether it's walking, the elliptical or one of the many fitness DVDs I own. I will start making that meal plan to get rid of the Last 20.  I've set a goal. I've made a plan. I'm stickin to it. It's all discipline.

Horoscope

Scorpio (10/24 - 11/22)

Make a plan and stick to it -- the day does not reward flexibility. You can discipline yourself better than most, though, so don't worry if your people start to flake out or drift away.

Powered by Astrology.com

Project Life: Week 8

Week 8

My trusty "administrative assistant."

Trouble since day one.

Innocent until proven guilty.

Was once the "baby" of the family.

Sheds an entire coat every day (just look at my Dyson).

Ella's best friend. 

Misses her best friend (but not as much as I do).

Determined. Persistent.

Loving. Loyal. Family.

Phoebe Shirley Riley-Johnson

(yes, this is her real name: there's a story behind it).

Time Out

Time out.  I heard this phrase a few times yesterday told to our 4-year-old neice.  I thought to myself, "time out."  I could use a time out. And that is exactly what I did. I placed myself into time out. I seem to constantly be on the move or doing something. It's usually not something I want to be doing, but have to be doing. So last night after a day of activity-after-activity we came home, ate dinner, got ready for bed and I placed myself in time out. I am finally "caught up" on one of my favorite t.v. shows. Two months worth of DVR recordings.  Although it was not my ideal time out (100% uninterupted), I still took it. I didn't move until I was ready regardless of the few distractions and unmentioned family members trying to pull me away from my time out. This is one "kid" who wanted to be in time out.  I think I need more time outs. It will be something new for me to try to master. A tool to clear my brain and put my mind into a new place. Ahhhh....time out. Why didn't I do this sooner.

The Last 15

The last 15. That's what's left. It may not sound like a lot, but for me it is.  If I could lose that, I would be back to my pre-Ella weight. I originally started with needing to lose 30 pounds one year ago November, but have only managed to get down 15 of the 30. I am now trying harder to get rid of the last 15.  If I can pull that off, I know I'll feel better. Plus I have a full closet of like-new clothes waiting to be worn once again. 

My new aid in this journey: the elliptical.  I have only managed to use it once per week for 30 to 60 minutes. That's not going to work.  I am now vowing to use my new aid a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes, 3 times per week. I have other aids I plan to use in conjunction, but the elliptical has been most successful for me in the past. I've now cut out pop (well down to on-occasion) and my favorite chocolate treat.  I'm back to eating the not-so-tasty-but-better-for-you foods.  I'm willing to do whatever it takes. I know it's going to take a while. Afterall, I didn't put on all of this weight overnight.

So here's to a new me, once again. And here's to the last 15.

Hello new 'friend.'

Project Life 2011: Week 7

Week 7

Payphone.

I was with a group of women a couple of weekends ago

talking about things from the past that our kids

probably will never get the chance to see for themselves.

One of the items we were discussing were payphones. 

Remember those?

Better yet, do you even know what one is? 

I remember using a payphone at 14 to call my mom

to let her know I was done with work and was ready to be picked up.

Using the business phone was not permitted and cell phones hardly existed.

The cost then was 10 cents per call. 

We wondered if payphones even still existed.

Well, there are not many to be found , in Traverse City at least.

But there's this one.

The cost now is 50 cents per call.

Project Life 2011: Week 6

Week 6

Kitty.

Ella's favorite on the carousel, which Ella rode practically everyday for 2 months straight.

We're now down to once or twice per week.

$1 per ride.

Project Life 2011: Weeks 1 through 5

Week 1

This is the view out our front door during the winter.

It is a "new" view for us.

There are approx. 30 fewer trees than we're used to viewing.

Can't wait to see the change with each season.

Week 2

My well-worn keyboard.

I am a medical transcriptionist.

With that comes A LOT of typing.

And with that comes well-worn keys.

If you take a close look, you'll see some of the letter labels are worn off.

Week 3

The view of the front of our refrigerator.

Evidence a toddler lives here.

One of the many activities to keep said toddler occupied while meals are made.

Week 4

This is Ella's "blue baby."

She's rarely seen without it.

It was a gift from Ella's great grandma Ash.

Week 5

My Vasque's.

Purchased back in 1996 or 1997.

Didn't need to make a fashion statement.

Just needed a good pair of boots that would last many years and keep me

warm, dry and from falling on the LONG hikes from class to class on WMU's campus.

They cost a good chunk of change at the time,

but they serve their purpose and are well worth the price.

Project Life 2011: How it came to be.

On one of my many visits to Facebook at the beginning of the year, I saw a post from a friend asking if anyone would like to join her on a new challenge: to take one photo a day, every day, for the entire year. I instantly responded that I would be willing to take this challenge on without hesitation. I've already done this all of December 2010 for my December Daily 2010 project (which I may share when I find the time to do so), why not keep it going.  So far, so good. I have actually managed to take many photos per day, every day, since the beginning of this year.  

Being a scrapbooker, I can't stop at just taking photos. I need to record and display them in some way.  That's when I found Becky Higgins Project Life kit.  This is not the traditional scrapbooking technique I am accustomed to, but I really love it.  It is the perfect way to get the photos displayed with journaling to go with each one without taking a ton of time (an amount that I don't really have).

I have been taking a photo a day of my everyday life. So far, it includes people, everyday items and nature.  It includes my life.  I have always been good at recording the bigger occasions like birthdays, vacations, etc., but I have yet to have a record of my everyday life.  I am hoping one day a family member generations down the road will come across this record and learn a little more about me than they would from the bigger occasion records.  It's something I wish I had for so many of my own family members from generations past.

This is one of the reasons I started this blog. I wanted to record/journal everday life even if I don't get the chance to record it "every day." For the purpose of keeping my posts from being an eye sore, I plan to just post one photo per week on this little 'ole blog I've started.  If anyone would like to join me on this challenge, it's not too late.

So, here I am...

Okay.  So, here I am. Finally and with much hesitation.  Not sure if I will like it or even keep up with it for that matter. I tried to set up a blog a while ago, but never completed the task. My mind just was not into it.  I'm still not sure if my mind is into it, but like a friend told me recently (and she knows who she is after she reads this), "it's kind of therapeutic...it would be a good way to stay in touch with what's going on."

I follow a good handful of bloggers and after taking a closer look at what they are accomplishing and what my friend has recently started, I gave it a couple of days thought and said "oh heck, why not." Like I stated before, not sure if I will like it or even keep on it, but I'll give it a try. So, here I am.