Hmmm...

So today I had a doctor's appointment. You know, the yearly one. My favorite anyway. First, the mountain of paperwork...sigh. Then, cue organ music, (dun, dun, dun) the scale. Ouch. No really, ouch. I'm not dumb, I knew the number was going to be high, but wow. This year has been rough. I'm pretty sure I had a bout with depression, and I've been lazy. Not a bad depression, just needed to work through the events earlier this year. This time it just took way longer than normal. Hence, no motivation to eat well or work out. Today is the end of that, however. I HAVE to make better choices, even if I don't want to. Goodbye pop (or soda, whichever you prefer.) Goodbye sugary snacks (sad little gummy bears, I will miss you!) And, hopefully, goodbye eating late at night. I never thought this would be a problem for me, but my second shift nights kill me. Our work schedule is pretty structured. We eat supper with the kids between 5-6 PM, which means I'm starving by 11 PM. I try to eat a snack, usually fresh fruit, but that is about 8 PM, and still doesn't hold me until morning. And I need to come to work prepared, as I can't really forage around for anything else during snack time. So I guess I have to stop being lazy. I've always struggled with working out. Well, not always, but I didn't have to do it on my own before. In school, I was a 3 sport athlete...don't really have to work out on your own too much for that. In college, I had free access to a great facility, and the time to do it. Now, I have to drive 10 miles to do it, and I'm not too impressed with what I've seen. And my schedule is so screwed up that sometimes this isn't possible. The house is too small for workout equipment, and I don't always have time for the hour + walks around town I need to be taking. But I need to. I need someone to kick my butt in gear! I need a challenge. Hmmm...

A Little More 'Good' In The World

Jenni got another baby today! This one is only 4 weeks old! I can't wait to kiss his little cheeks! He's awfully cute. He's got some hurdles to overcome in the next few weeks, but he'll make it. I'm headed to WI on Sunday!!!!!

Too Funny

I finally uploaded pictures from my camera, some of which were taken in February! I know, I'm a slacker. It's just such a tedious process. Anyway, I found this one to be especially funny. My girlfriends and I were trying to have lunch, and these kiddos were getting restless. So I taught them a game I learned from my pal Liz. The photographer says "1..2..3" then gives a command. For example, 1..2..3 Senior Picture Pose! Okay, so now that I read it, it looks kinda dumb. I promise, if you use a little imagination, it is a fun game. Anyway, here's "1..2..3 Make A Silly Face"!

The one in the middle is my pal C. He is the smartest, funniest 5 year old I've ever met. He likes it when I draw tattoos on him with washable markers. He also likes it when I take him out to lunch. He's the one who said to me "Manda, we need to find you a husband!" And I reminded him he was only 5 and to get off my back! Cracks me up!

As of Late...

Wow, so much to blog. The best news is that my friend Jenni became a foster parent for the first time yesterday! She's had a rough year and has faced many trials and tribulations on the foster/adopt front, but things are finally moving in a positive direction. She has a 2 year old little boy, and he's adorable!!! She is participating in not only a foster care program, but also a foster-to-adopt program. The little boy she has now is strictly foster care, and she's hoping an infant comes her way soon. VERY EXCITING!!!

Most of you already know this, but I currently have an ear infection. Yep, 28 and still get frequent ear infections! Apparently it's due to some type of birth defect I have. Something about the 'drainage tubes' never dropped in my melon...yada, yada, yada. This morning, I thought my eardrum had ruptured again (yes, again!), but it hadn't. It probably would feel a lot better now if it had, though! Have you ever experienced that? It's super weird. When people talk, it sounds like they're trying to talk with jello in their mouths...kinda cool! I called my doctor today, and he can't see me until the 19th! He did call in a prescription for me, though, so hopefully I'm on the mend. Hopefully, because my friends just installed an inground pool, and our first pool party is on Saturday!! ( I know, ear infection...glutton for punishment!)

Let's see...what else...oh, I got to go to the lake on Sunday with Jenn and Joel. It was amazing! Perfect day, no clouds, too much sun, fun with friends! I was kinda tired though, because I had worked a double shift Saturday night, got off work at 7 AM Sunday, slept to 11 AM, then out to the lake. I was good until about 5:30 PM, then it all caught up with me! I think I fell asleep on the back of the boat!

Well, I think that's it for now. Stay tuned, though, because this week may get a little hairy.....