SUCCESS!

I successfully broke through my plateau of 148 and I am at 147!!! I run a mile every weekday and drink about 74 ounces of water each day. Plus I try to keep a running total of my calories each day so I can have a calorie deficit and lose weight. So this is really exciting for me! I feel really healthy and fit.

On another note, I tried donating blood (AGAIN) yesterday and was not successful with that silly hemoglobin test. So in addition to my multi-vitamin and eating the right foods, I have added pomegranate juice to my diet because my sister-in-law Leslie said that that is what they give patients at the hospital when they need to increase their red blood cell count. I have faith I will pass this goofy test and be able to donate blood again. I'm SO close to my gallon mark!

Also, I received an e-mail from the American Red Cross in Portland and they were having an Open House today. Eric lovingly took me and we enjoyed a free lunch from Burgerville, emergency preparedness trivia, and prizes (like Lumberjax tickets)! It was worth it to go. I LOVE Burgerville! :)

Calorie Roaster!

Eric's parents bought a Wii Fit a few weeks ago and I am in love with it! It is fun, educational, and I'm totally into fitness right now. About 6 weeks ago Eric and I set fitness goals that included some weight loss. The first week I lost 3 pounds! Then the next week only 1 and since then I have not lost any more weight. It has been an interesting struggle because I have never tried to lose weight before. As each week went by that I had no weight loss, I revised my plan to include more exercise, more water, and other ideas for improved metabolism. I have about 7 pounds to go to reach my goal BMI, but 13 to reach my real goal weight. We set our deadline for May 1st. I am going to search online today for info on calorie counting so I can make sure I burn more calories than I take in. I will definitely meet this goal. I can see myself now... I am light and alive at 135!

Give Life

Today I tried to donate blood. They didn't want it because my Iron level wasn't high enough (12.5 is the minimum and I was at 12.4). I was bummed because I tried donating three times in January with the same results. So I have officially decided to start taking a multi-vitamin. Seems simple enough, so why didn't I try it sooner? Oh well. Here's to donating blood in a couple weeks!

Some people are just crazy

Like the angry CPA next door to our office who came over and used a lot of expletives in a loud voice to express his disapproval of the volume of our video.... he only had to ask.

A Hootin' & Hollerin' Good Time

In honor of Valentine's Day and the Sesquecentennial of Oregon's Statehood, our stake had a dinner and dance. Mom and Steve joined us. It was a sort of pioneer theme, so the Pixton family performed some great folk love songs. Then we learned some dances such as the Tango and the Virginia Reel. It was a lot of fun.
And if you can make out the food on our plates, we had pulled pork sandwiches. Eric and I helped pull the pork before the event and thus were priviledged enough to bring home a bag of leftovers... we still have about 3 pounds of BBQ pulled pork in the fridge and I have no idea what to do with it. Any ideas??

Happy Valentine's Day!

I married a wonderful man. He loves me so much. He has a great work ethic, a comfortable disposition, and a charming sense of humor. He accomplishes the things he sets out to do while upholding his principles. He is a man of courage, strength, and sensitivity. I love him more every day.

Eric, you are the best and I love you!

My one person book club

So I've been reading a lot of books since this summer. I'm not sure what reminded me that I love reading. Maybe it was when I heard about a couple of the books some ladies at church were reading for their book club. Maybe it was when I got hooked on the Twilight books. Maybe it was when I realized what a pleasant walk it is down the hill to the library. Whatever it was, I am thankful for it! Reading is a great use of my time and I really enjoy it.
I have recently been into Jane Austen--not really a quick read. I read Persuasion and it took me like 2 weeks (and it looked like the thinnest option of her books on the shelf). I'm reading Emma and the writing is a fun challenge. So while I'm not getting through books as quickly as I usually do, I'm liking the experience. However, I look forward to my quick reads that are piling up as I take my time with this one.