tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65284622618451450852024-03-05T04:24:40.481-06:00Ramblings from one spiritual soulGoing natural, staying fit, getting pregnant, all while working in ministry!Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-49807167890994555452010-06-15T14:43:00.000-05:002010-06-15T14:44:24.321-05:00Test<embed type='application/x-mplayer2' src='http://pinksneakergirl.mediashare.com/media?id=pinksneakergirl780564' name='MediaPlayer' width='320' height='256' showcontrols='1' showstatusbar='0' showdisplay='0' autostart='0'></embed>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-77094927486547059222010-01-07T15:17:00.001-06:002010-01-07T15:17:11.875-06:00MIA<p>Hello blog world! Sorry to be MIA lately. I've been thinking a lot about this blog. My hubby found out that I've been writing this blog and he was not happy. In his words, "I won't want all my business out there!" I totally agree and in hindsight probably should have told him about the blog. Another blogger/friend suggested that some of the things I write are pretty personal and I agree. This started out as a blog about my challenges in ministry but really turned in to me complaining about work which is not good. Then as I began to stare down the ugly barrel of infertility and started reading other IF blogs it became away for me to share my struggles and hear from others with the same challenges. I do need a place to vent about things but I also need to respect my husband's privacy. So, I've started writing (yes actually hand writing) in a journal about some of these personal things. I'm considering leaving this blog. I'm also considering purchasing my own domain and blogging more about fitness, nutrition, as well as a little faith thrown in there and of course fun! Stay tuned as I will post my NEW blog here. I will continue to read and comment on other people's infertility blogs but I realize now that some things just shouldn't be put out there for the world to see, especially when they involve your loved ones.</p> <p>My only problem is, I like what I've written here and don't want to lose it. I think it's a good document of my feelings on lots of different topics. Any ideas on how I can save my entries?</p> <p>See you soon with NEW and improved blog with more focus and intention!</p> Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-75422153134096762792010-01-01T09:29:00.001-06:002010-01-01T09:29:37.715-06:002010 is here!<p>Sorry I've been MIA for the last couple of days. I've been hanging with my husband's fam. His sister who is married with two little boys and his brother who is married with two little girls were in town. My husband's cousin was also in town. We really didn't do that much. Pretty much just sat around playing/watching the kids play. Eating of course. I did go sledding with the older kids which was awesome! The "girls" went out shopping yesterday and got some AWESOME deals!! I also managed to get some killer workouts in! I worked out 5 days in a row 2 of those days getting double workouts in! I'm really trying to keep my running up over the winter. I always tend to slack off and then I have to build up again in the spring. </p> <p>I did have one little moment of, "oh woe is me the only one without a child." My sister-in-law had a baby only 6 months ago. When they arrived my oldest niece who is 7 was so excited about her cousin and wanted to take care of him. It was so precious! I just kept thinking, "I want her to be excited about my baby!" Last year when my sister-in-law announced she was pregnant I was happy for her, also a little sad for me because I had hoped to be the one announcing that I was pregnant over the holidays. I also was hopeful that we would still get pregnant before  Christmas 2009 which didn't happen. That made this Christmas a little harder. I guess I just thought we would have a baby by now. At the same time my baby nephew has not been sleeping through the night and I was once again reminded of how much work and constant care a baby is as well as older children. I do appreciate the freedom of not having children. I mean, right now I'm sitting in my pj's doing nothing. Still the longing to have a baby is getting stronger the longer it takes. Our first consult with the fertility specialist is the 18th of this month. I'm nervous about the tests and the costs of tests and procedures. What I am most worried about is that they won't find anything wrong with us and they won't be able to help us. Ignorance is bliss as they say.</p> <p>I don't really have any resolutions for 2010. Of course I want to be pregnant! I want to keep up with my fitness as well as my trying to eat has clean and as close to the source as possible but also allowing myself occasional treats in moderation. Depending on the whole fertility issue I would LOVE to do an Olympic distance triathlon this year. I'm pretty sure I could do it with a little training. I would also like to do another half marathon. I also want to start saving more money in case things with my job change or so that I can feel confident to make a change in my job. My job is the source of most stress and unhappiness in my life. I want to make a change but need to do some planning before hand to make this happen. I would also like to make a bigger commitment to blogging. It would be great to get my own domain and try to blog at least daily.</p> <p>Not sure what plans for the rest of my vacation include. Lots of R & R I'm sure! The next week at work is going to be brutal! I'll enjoy the peace while I can!</p> Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-27443357661869910512009-12-28T08:30:00.001-06:002009-12-28T08:30:52.759-06:00Holiday Recap<p>Hey blog world! I took a little break from blogging to enjoy the holiday weekend. I certainly am enjoying not working and just taking it easy. Yesterday I didn't get out of my jammies until after noon!</p> <p>We were able to get to our Christmas Eve party which was delightful. Then we headed to Mass. Christmas day was spent at my parents enjoying their "new" kitchen and living room. Their remodel took a long time but I think it was worth it. I got a pretty tea pot and some holiday mugs which is just what I asked for! The husband and I didn't do gifts as we got a DVR earlier this year and we're getting new windows in the new year. The day after Christmas my parents, brother and I went to the Twin Cities to see A Christmas Carol in 3D IMax. It was pretty good. We then went out to lunch at <a href="http://www.bucadibeppo.com/locations/default.aspx?location=2304">Bucca</a>. We headed back home and the husband and I met up with some friends from high school for dinner which I still wasn't hungry for due to the large lunch!</p> <p>The husband decided not to fish or hunt on Sunday so we rented a ton of movies and stayed in our PJ's until after noon. By noon I was feeling, as <a href="http://thenheathersaid.com/">Heather</a> says, Rungry!  (Check out her new blog design and address). I hadn't run in over a week. I hadn't had a really intense workout since I taught cycling on Wednesday. I planned on going to the YMCA for a good run AND a short swim. The run went really well. The swim started out well but then the firs alarm went off. The whole building was evacuated including the 7 of us who were in the pool. We had to stand outside in 20 degree weather in our went suits! The life guards gave us these special blankets which helped to keep our heat in but it still was not fun! Needless to say I didn't finish my swim and jumped in the hot tub when we got let back in.</p> <p>I'm still off of work today but have to teach group strength at noon. I also need to clean the house a bit and work on some Zumba songs for tomorrow. We get to celebrate Christmas all over again on Wednesday when my husband's family come in town. I'm sure I'll have more pictures since the little kids will be there. They are so cute!</p> <p>I certainly notice the effect of not eating well over these last few days. I feel sluggish and some times sick to my stomach due to the extra sugar and fat. I have a few easy days of clean eating before we feast again. I think being reminded of how crappy I feel when I don't eat well will help my to make better choices!</p> <p>AF did show up in full force this morning. I'll blog more about my thoughts on my up coming fertility consult!</p> Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-77975760158828550282009-12-24T07:46:00.001-06:002009-12-24T07:46:02.956-06:00Lazy Christmas<p>First of all Merry Christmas! I'm not sure where you all live but I'm in the Midwest and the weather is NASTY! Snow, ice, freezing rain, rain! I feel so lucky that we don't have to go anywhere. </p> <p>After my long nights spent at work watching the students studying for finals I decided to start my Christmas vacation early and took off yesterday. I had to teach cycling at the YMCA at 6:00am. After that I showered and immediately put my jammies back on. The doggie and I spent most of the day in my bed watching Flash Forward on the Internet. I really wanted to watch this show when it was on but totally missed it even with our new DVR. I started watching it while working late and now I'm hooked! I did have to get dressed to go for a hair appointment but that was about it.</p> <p>I had plans to go to a fun class at the YMCA called the Jingle Bell Body Blast but I'm too afraid to drive so after my breakfast digests I might download some workouts and do them in my basement. Not sure if we'll leave the house to make it to our Christmas events tonight but I don't care. I'd rather be safe. Bad weather makes me nervous ever since I lost control on the interstate during a storm.</p> <p>I did take an early pregnancy test this morning hoping for a positive to wrap up for my husband but it was negative. I'm not super sad as I know it's still early but it would have been fun!</p> <p>Have a great holiday everyone! Be safe out there!</p> Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-38299393216078953232009-12-21T21:10:00.001-06:002009-12-21T21:10:56.278-06:00Dip?<p>Well, I ended up staying at church until about 11:30pm. Not too bad! I could have slept in this morning since I had no where to be but of course I woke up at 6am when my husband did. Therefore I got a pretty accurate temp reading. I'm not even sure why I bother to take my temps after ovulation but oh well. The last three days my BBT has been 98.3 and today, 7dpo it was was 97.9....implantation dip????? I am really trying not to get my hopes up this time but I would also really love to cancel that appointment at the fertility center in January. Right after I ovulated I felt sick to my stomach almost all day. The only time it felt better was when I ate something. This is has been happening on and off ever since then. The dip in temp this morning furthered my hopefulness. Another weird thing, I do not want to drink alcohol. Not that I'm a huge drinker any way but I occasionally like a glass of wine. I sometimes crave red wine. Or maybe a beer depending on what we're eating or if we are out. Sometimes during the 2WW I don't drink at all and find it really challenging. This time the thought just totally turns me off. Weird!</p> <p>Today I sat around in my jammies until almost 9am watching the finale of Survivor. I must say it was a pretty good season. I am really looking forward to the next season Survivor:Villains vs. Heroes! Then I cleaned the house, walked the puppers, took a nap, had some dental work done, shopped for veggies  at the co-op and now I'm back at work. The husband made me a happy girl by bringing over dinner! Tonight is my last "late shift" I'll work tomorrow during the day then I'm OFF until after New Years!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:e526a039-d0eb-4dff-a45b-e5c6ffb2573e" class="wlWriterSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/implantation%20dip" rel="tag">implantation dip</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/TTC" rel="tag">TTC</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/fertility" rel="tag">fertility</a></div> Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-53255073949178911942009-12-20T17:43:00.001-06:002009-12-20T17:43:34.495-06:00It's the most interesting time of the year<p>So, for the last 5 hours I've been sitting the basement of the church where I work. Why am I doing this you ask? Well, it's finals week. Since we are the Catholic church on campus and our main goal is support the student population of the public university we keep our doors open for the students. It gives them a nice quiet place to study and we stay open LATE, later then the library. We also have yummy treats for them to eat and drink. Who wouldn't want to study here? Alas someone has to "house sit" as my boss calls it. This means basically sitting around keeping an eye on things, making sure "strangers" don't come around and bother the students or eat their food. The first year I worked here I stayed until 2am! The last couple of years haven't been too bad.  So my boss asked me to work this afternoon and this evening. As for my day I got up and got the laundry started, ate breakfast, cleaned up the kitchen, walked the dog, went to the YMCA to run on the treadmill and do some core work, came home and finished the laundry, got here about noon. The Internet was down on my computer but that turned out to be a good thing as I got three chapters read for my grad school class, I ate 2 chocolate candies, 1 piece of peanut brittle, and one mini granola bar. I'm hoping to go home in a bit to eat dinner with my husband and then be back for the evening. I have DVD's to watch and some knitting projects to do. So yeah pretty crazy day. The worse part is not being home with my hubby and missing the season finale of Survivor. Thank God we have a DVR! Now if only I can keep from finding out who the winner is!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:485b185b-e7bd-42b0-9031-382d98f0519c" class="wlWriterSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/final%20exams" rel="tag">final exams</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Survivor" rel="tag">Survivor</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/crazy%20day!" rel="tag">crazy day!</a></div> Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-22455631769888883122009-12-18T11:30:00.001-06:002009-12-18T11:40:39.608-06:00Blessed<p>Hello friends! Man have I been a slacker on blogging. I LOVE to read blogs. I don't know how some of my favorite bloggies have time to post three times a day! I wish I could do that. I guess that's why they're "famous" in the blog world. I promised myself I wouldn't read any blogs until I posted something! Sometimes I don't think I have anything to post but now that I think about it I do!</p> <p>In TTC news the hubby and I gave it are all this last week! According to my lovely fertility software from <a href="www.tcoyf.com">Taking Charge of Your Fertility</a> we BDed 3 out of my 5 fertile days including the day of estimated ovulation. So now, we wait. I'll be 10dpo on Christmas Eve. I've never been one to test early. I always just wait until AF shows up. The only time I've tested was when I wasn't charting and was "late". Guess I just O's late that time. I am considering testing Christmas Eve morning. Wouldn't it be awesome to wrap up a positive pregnancy test for my husband?! I also got an appointment at the fertility clinic. It's not until January 18th so I'm glad I didn't wait any longer. I am just hoping and praying I have to cancel it.</p> <p>In fitness news I swam 44 laps, which is 1.2 miles, also the distance of a 1/2 ironman swim all before 7am this morning! It took me about 50minutes. I felt pretty darn good about myself! I haven't been running much. About two weeks ago we got hit with 17inches of snow that pretty much ended my outdoor running. I also work out early in the morning and don't feel comfortable running in the dark. I've done a few treadmill runs but when faced with the choice of running on a treadmill or swimming I'll pick swimming I guess.  I do really want to keep my running up over the winter. It's such a pain to try an rebuild in the spring. We'll see. As for right now I'm just listening to my body and doing what feels right.</p> <p>Looking back on this past year, even though I think I should feel sad that we didn't get pregnant I truly feel blessed. My immediate family might be a bit dysfunctional but I have an awesome husband and a wonderful group of friends. My job might not always be the best but at least it's a job and sometimes I do get a glimpse of the difference I'm making. Life is good. I'm happy and healthy and trying to live each day to it's fullest, even if that means getting to put my jammy pants on at 5:30pm and chilling with my husband and dog.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:94fae60b-975a-4c74-87ed-2fe30c4d4a8c" class="wlWriterSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/TTC" rel="tag">TTC</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Fertility" rel="tag">Fertility</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/swimming" rel="tag">swimming</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/blessings" rel="tag">blessings</a></div> Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-47222750891719272942009-12-12T13:04:00.001-06:002009-12-12T13:04:33.150-06:00Checking in!<p>Howdy folks! How's your Saturday going? Mine is just peachy! I've been up for awhile (just couldn't sleep in). I watched some Ti-voed shows and worked out. I can really tell how much more core strength I've gained doing the whittle my middle challenge over at <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/">Angela's</a> blog. I use to really struggle during class when we did core work but today I stuck it out like a champ! I also did something this morning that I haven't done in almost a month. As I wrote about in <a href="http://onespiritualsoul.blogspot.com/2009/11/breaking-up-is-hard-to-do.html">this</a> post I quit going to Weight Watchers about a month ago which was also the last time I weighed myself. I woke up feeling a little hungry (even though we went out last night), went to the bathroom (sorry if that' TMI), stripped down and weighed myself. Guess how much weight I've gained? None! In fact I've lost 2 or 3 lbs, I'm not even sure because I don't remember the number or what I weighed a month ago! The best part is I'm not letting the number on the scale rule my world. Like I said I don't even remember what it said. All I know is that I was in the low 170's and now I'm in the high 160's which is good enough for me. Another positive effect I've seen from my recent break up is that I don't freak out about food so much. I use to map out my week and look at all the "challenging" food situations I would be put in and try and plan around them. Try is the operative word here. I usually would starve myself and then binge or never get "back on the wagon" so to speak. Now I just eat the food that's presented to me making the healthiest choices possible given the situation and what I've eaten during the rest of the day. It's great. I'm really happy! In fact I'm just realizing now how awesome this is!</p> <p>In trying to conceive news the husband and I have decided to "give it hell!" this month since next month we plan on seeing a fertility specialist. Our insurance covers very little in the way of fertility treatment so we thought we'd give it our all this month with hopes of not even having to deal with it. What this means is "doing the deed" every other day (starting today) for a week. We shall see! Let the games begin!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:23afa544-098b-4a3f-a365-57ffaccb6155" class="wlWriterSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health" rel="tag">health</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/losing%20the%20scale" rel="tag">losing the scale</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/infertility" rel="tag">infertility</a></div> Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-57569849576151514682009-12-09T17:07:00.001-06:002009-12-10T11:42:02.558-06:00Snowbound<p>Hi there! Long time no blog, I know! Not much news to report. Yesterday, last night, and today we got OVER a FOOT of SNOW! EVERYTHING was shut down even the mall! Fortunately for me (or maybe unfortunately) I am able to walk to work so I put on my snow pants and headed out. </p> <p>Last week I was really getting frustrated by my work. I totally should have blogged about it. I literally had this voice screaming in my head that said, "GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!" Yeah, you know it's bad when that happens. I can't quite discern why but I was fed up. I know that when you feel this way you are suppose to answer, "What would I really like to be doing with my life?" For a long time I didn't think I had an answer. I mean, this is my life. Since I was 17 I wanted to serve God and bring His message to young people. I am only beginning to realize that you don't have to do this only through ministry. I began to imagine what it would be like to just volunteer at a church rather than have all the responsibility this job entails. Plus I think  I figured out what that other thing I would like to be doing is. Fitness and nutrition. I was begriming to think this was only a pipe dream. I mean, there is no way I would go back to school for this. But there are a TON of certifications I can get to help me fulfill this dream if only at the YMCA and part time. Which might be a good thing. Last week at my weekly meeting with the priest and my other boss J the priest said he wanted both of us to list all the "things" we've done in Campus Ministry over the last 18months. He said we needed to look at what we are doing and reevaluate it AND reevaluate our budget and possibly our staffing....Uh Oh!</p> <p>Honestly I've been saying this since I've been here we do not need a full time Campus Minister (J) and a part time Associate Campus Minister (me). One person could totally do what we do together as a full time job (does it sound to you like someone (J) might not be pulling his weight?). When the possibility of losing this part time position was presented to me I really felt quite</p> <p>relieved. I mean, money would be tight and all but I could do other things. I guess you know your in the wrong place when you wouldn't be sad to lose you job. So, we meet again tomorrow. I'm sure nothing major will happen until next school year or this summer but it's good to be planning ahead. On the other hand J could decide to retire and I could be offered a full time position as Campus Minister......I'm not sure I would like that either.....oh dear!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:642ebdcb-21f3-4eff-9c98-dfaa43c6a4e5" class="wlWriterSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ministry" rel="tag">ministry</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/snow" rel="tag">snow</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/job%20loss" rel="tag">job loss</a></div> Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-79391636743355853412009-12-02T15:51:00.000-06:002009-12-02T15:52:00.246-06:00Got the Ball Rolling<p>Well, I did it! I called the Fertility Center at our clinic. I really called inquiring if they ever offered appointments after 4pm (they are open 7am-4pm and my husband works from 7am-3:30pm) Unfortunately the answer was no. Their earliest appointment is 7:30am and the last consultation appointment is at 2:15pm. I also found out that they send you a packet and then when they receive that back they call to set up an appointment. I asked them to please send that to me. I know we said we would wait until January to see a specialist but I figured we better get the ball rolling. We've actually been "trying" (meaning no birth control at all) for 16 cycles. 11 out of those 16 I charted every little detail of my cycle and my life and we tried to "time" things just right. The other 5 cycles we just took a break from charting to see what would happen. So, I'm back to charting, just so I have something to show the doctor when I come in. I really don't want to say this and of course I'm not certain but I don't think the problem is with me. Just based on my charts and OPK's it appears that I ovulate pretty regularly. Of course there could be something else wrong with me. In a way it would be easier (?) if the problem was with DH, I think (from what I've read) it's easier to "fix" (right?). Well, I guess we'll find out. I guess this is the next chapter in our journey. I'll try to keep blogging about more than just IF. I think I did a pretty good job of not mentioning it too much during the last 3 months...don't you?</p> Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-71483983098705049032009-12-01T15:33:00.001-06:002009-12-01T15:33:57.797-06:00Grinch<p>Well, I see I haven't posted in a long time. My previous post was filled with joy and excitement about teaching classes at the YMCA. After that it seemed it all go downhill. Thanksgiving was bad! I'm not going to go into details but let's just say I woke up the day after Thanksgiving at 4am and cried my eyes out before falling back to sleep. It's mainly family stuff.</p> <p>The weekend slowly improved as I got to spend some time with my nieces. Then a couple we are friends with stopped by our house on their way home from their Thanksgiving adventures. We drank wine, played cards, and laughed until we cried.</p> <p>I still haven't gotten into the Christmas mood yet. We've bought all our Christmas presents and I've wrapped a few but I have yet to get any decorations out. I usually try to do this on Thanksgiving weekend since my life gets crazy busy at work during this time but I just wasn't feeling it.</p> <p>And today I found out I'm not pregnant again. I wasn't really thinking I was but I was beginning to entertain the idea of announcing it at Christmas in a cute way. I checked out the fertility site for our clinic. I guess that's the next step. I guess I do really want to find out what's "wrong" with us but it's kind of scary all the same.</p> <p>I need to perk up though! I'm teaching Zumba at 4pm and then hosting a Christmas party for the college students!</p> Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-50298640084275993122009-11-25T19:45:00.001-06:002009-11-25T19:45:30.401-06:00Random Ramblings<p>Lot's to ramble about today. First eating. So, it's been 1 week since I quit Weight Watchers. I woke up feeling darn skinny. I've been doing <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/">Ange's</a> Whittle My Middle challenge which involves core work 5 times a week for 6-10 minutes. My core felt tight, like a corset. I really wanted to step on the scale but I refrained. I felt good and I didn't want to let a number rule my feelings. I'll probably weigh in a month. I've written down every single food that has gone in my mouth every day for a week. I don't think I ever did that on Weight Watchers. I don't write calories or anything. It does make me stop and think. For instance, today I had a  small, decaf, skinny, pumpkin spice latte. All in all I know that is not that bad but it was a treat. I was going to crack a bottle of wine but remembered my treat from before and refrained!</p> <p>Exercise. So, when I started working at the YMCA I taught group cycling every other Monday and once a month on Saturdays. So about 3-4 times a month. Then I got certified to teach Zumba. They didn't put me on the schedule regularly but I taught a few Saturdays and subbed when I could. Last spring I took a Cardio/Step certification which also  certified me to teach Group Strength (kind of like BodyPump). So I taught that on the Mondays I didn't teach cycling. I was totally going to give up my ZIN (Zumba instructor network) membership ($35/month) since I wasn't on the schedule. Well, this fabulous instructor moved to Chicago so I offered to pick up her Tuesday night and Saturday classes. I also offered to teach them for the Winter/Spring schedule. With my Wednesday mornings opening up I also offered to teach Cycling on Wed. mornings starting in January. Well, another instructor quit so I picked up her remaining Wednesdays. Starting in December I'll be teaching 3-4 classes per week! I just had my review with my boss at the YMCA and was told my pay was getting bumped up from $10 per class to $13 per class! I am super pumped! If someone would have told me I'd be teaching this much 9 years a go (hey even 3 years ago I'd tell them they were crazy! I really love teaching. It's a hobby I get paid for.</p> <p>I only worked half a day and got most of Thanksgiving contributions ready for tomorrow. I'm making cranberry fluff, low-fat sweet potato casserole, and I made banana muffins to take to my parents when we watch the Macy's parade. I tried one and they tasted like crap! Even though I followed the recipe only substituting whole wheat flour for regular! Oh well!</p> <p>Right now I'm snuggled in bed with the space heater cranked, the doggie by my side, and a cup of tea (husband is butchering a deer). It's glorious!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:5b341525-d939-4245-8b2d-24ba2951785f" class="wlWriterSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/food" rel="tag">food</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/exercise" rel="tag">exercise</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/thanksgiving" rel="tag">thanksgiving</a></div> Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-53325273298461892202009-11-22T13:39:00.001-06:002009-11-22T13:39:31.706-06:00Bragging<p>Sometimes I truly amaze myself. So far today (and it's 1:25pm here) I've stripped the bedding, washed it, dried it, and refreshed the bed, washed and folded two loads of laundry, went to church, hung around and chatted about the Deacon (future Father/priest) What-a-Waste (read exothermally handsome and charming) that was a guest today, shopped for produce at the Co-op, whipped up a batch of <a href="http://fitnessista.com/">Gina's</a> recipe for <a href="http://fitnessista.com/?p=3292">Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili</a> (it's in the crock pot now) and a batch of <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/">Angela's</a> <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/2009/08/18/repair-and-recover-vegan-chia-pudding/">Chia pudding</a>  AND scrubbed and vacuumed the floors! Whew! Why all the scurry you ask? Well, tomorrow is usually my day off but I plan on working so I can take Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, AND Monday off. It's going to be GLORIOUS!</p> <p>Yesterday I ran in our annual Turkey Trot. I ran it slower than usual because I ran with two of my students. For one it was her first 5K! The other was in a horrible motorcycle accident last and year. The doctors said she shouldn't even be alive let alone able to run. It was pretty fun day. Over 2,000 runners and tons of people I know in our community. Then I helped my mother-in-law make Lefsa. Lefsa is a traditional Norwegian food made out of potatos. I should have documented it and posted it here! There is quite an art to it. You have to have a special iron and Lefsa sticks. It was fun. She didn't give me the recipe. We just worked on rolling the dough extra thin and then cooking it. Next time I'll make sure to take pictures. Here's one I found on the Internet.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBSHJ2BCKk0KjddqgTp2n1G3H_UJ-thrOokVHJaskCg81Mtmx_QzOn0-4Th_k-lkn5eIe2czNxuj3C6xIFgrX4fdWwZF_Unpr2pQqsvps0ofWF7GIdmJkVB52DU_cXQ5fKtp0hZN47QRL/s1600-h/9004%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" border="0" alt="9004" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiG2Ng8zpLcIG2QMlc_AyJFdHTeeWV8wnI0xaavrbsNg_aQDfyQtZzlj-D_1G4CKVEkFrz72gxYFNDtDdlrrblW6orQuvX-wN_gm9f-Se_xVGdBWXrKpxf53jrYA9hpmYSs25oZJTMlsdI/?imgmax=800" width="358" height="272" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://cdn-write.demandstudios.com/upload//9000/000/00/4/9004.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ehow.com/how_2305530_make-lefsa.html&usg=__Vmg_22KhwzdjM8fyxlPwR9MPPq8=&h=375&w=500&sz=147&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=ARHenI9CCMdZCM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3DLefsa%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7DKUS%26sa%3DX%26um%3D1">Source</a></p> <p>Well, as a treat to myself I'm about to head off to the cheap theater to see <em>The Time Traveler's Wife </em>I reread the book this summer and forgot how sad it was. Hope I'm not too disappointed. I plan on sneaking a <a href="http://globakery.com">Globar</a> in and ordering a glass of red wine!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:ed5450b7-3836-47f8-ae91-41925d3edb97" class="wlWriterSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Lefsa" rel="tag">Lefsa</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/busy" rel="tag">busy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Globars" rel="tag">Globars</a></div> Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-56373202616956020862009-11-20T12:07:00.001-06:002009-11-20T12:07:37.598-06:00Some Thoughts<p>Well, my mostly Vegan day went pretty well. I guess in my previous post I didn't explain why I decided to participate in Vegan week. A lot of the healthy living blogs I read feature women who are vegans or vegetarians. A lot of what they write about in regards to why they eat how they eat really makes sense to me on health aspect. I mean our ancestors weren't able to run to the store and buy loads of processed food to supplement their diet. They had to live off the land. Since marrying my husband the great hunter, I've mainly eaten the food that he brings home. I didn't realize what a healthy (and cost effective) lifestyle this was. We do eat chicken and when we go out I would some times order beef or pork. Now, however I feel a better decision for my health and the environment would be to continue "eating off the land" so to speak. Again, like most health bloggers I'm not going to compartmentalize myself or label my way of eating. I thought trying to go without dairy or any animal products would be a good experiment. I don't think there is any way I could be Vegan. I mean I live in Wisconsin after all. I also found that I get a lot of my protein from milk and yogurt hence the reason I was so hungry yesterday morning. Any way it was a fun experiment. I now have some healthy butter I can use rather than the processed I can't believe it's not butter sprayed I've used most of my life since it had 0 "points" and some left over yummy almond butter I can use on my oats.</p> <p>I really felt a strong desire to weigh myself this morning but I refrained. I just felt skinnier even after eating at the potluck. I've woken up a little hungry for two days in a row now. I'm just going to revel in this feel good feeling!</p> <p> </p> <p>Not much on tap for the weekend. It's the start of gun hunting and my husband has a bunch of his cousins and uncles coming in to town. I am planning on running the Turkey Trot tomorrow morning with some of my students. Not for time just for fun and to get a T-shirt with a turkey on it! Then my mother-in-law and I are planning on making leifsa! I'm also planning on taking myself to a afternoon showing of the Time Traveler's Wife at our cheap theater. I'll sit back an enjoy a glass of wine all by myself...I actually enjoy this if you can believe it!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:5f82cf5b-a67c-4911-9bdb-a06e3317315c" class="wlWriterSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/vegan" rel="tag">vegan</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health" rel="tag">health</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/hunting" rel="tag">hunting</a></div> Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-63040087477704035302009-11-19T13:34:00.001-06:002009-11-19T14:30:44.594-06:00Vegan for a Day!<p>Now, before you think, "Wow! She really jumps from extremes don't worry I am not going full Vegan. I am participating in Vegan week! The challenge is to try and eat vegan for one day or at least one meal. You can read more at <a href="http://sillytatertot.com/">Katy</a> and <a href="http://eatingjourney.com/">Mish's</a> blogs. So here's what I ate today:</p> <p>5:30am pre run fuel 3 energy bites. These are some home made goodies that our local food co-op sells made out of nuts and other yummy ingredients all vegan!</p> <p>Breakfast: <a href="http://greenmonstermovement.com/">Green Monster</a> with 1/2 c  vanilla almond milk, 1/2c water, spinach, 1/4c lemon juice, pinch of cayenne pepper, 1 pear, 1 frozen banana. I bought the almond milk specifically for today. I've never tried it before. It tasted really good plain but I must say my smoothie tasted a little funny. I definitely should have added ice since the milk was warm.</p> <p>I was going to have a piece of high protein toast with Earth Balance butter but when I read the ingredients for my bread it said nonfat milk! Instead I had 1/2 C of oatmeal with the almond milk and boy was that yummy! You didn't even have to add anything else to the oats!</p> <p>I was really surprised that I got super hungry at around 10:30am. I usually don't get hungry until 11:30am. I'm wondering if the almond milk has less protein then regular milk? I didn't have any Vegan snacks at work so that was bummer!</p> <p>I didn't get to eat lunch until 12:30pm when I had a baked sweet potato topped with Earth Balance butter, sea salt, black beans and salsa. I also had a honey crisp apple topped with almond butter. I  was definitely feeling the need for protein!</p> <p>Unfortunately I won't be able to eat Vegan for dinner. We are having our annual pre Thanksgiving potluck here at church and I don't know if I could accurately decipher what was Vegan....if there was anything! I will be focusing on making the healthiest choices possible and not going overboard! I did bring some afternoon snacks back to work with me, a few carrot sticks and one of <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/">Angela's</a> <a href="http://globakery.com/">Globars</a>, Present! So those are my Vegan meals thus far!</p> <p>My husband gave me a hard time when he saw my Globar because it had 210 calories and 8grams of fat. I tried to explain to him that all the ingredients were whole and healthy but he didn't seem to buy it. I give him a hard time when he buys the chocolate covered Quaker granola bars which are actually lower in calories. This is what will be a struggle for me. I'm use to eat low "point" granola bars with low calories and lots of fiber (which also give me a belly ache). These bars were usually 2-3 points. I figured out the points for Globars before I dropped Weight Watchers and they were more like 5-6. I'm trying not think about it. Also trying not to eat them unless I am truly hungry not just because they are there and good for me.</p> <p>Another part of my "plan" is to write down what I eat but without calories and such, when I eat it, and how I feel physically and mentally when I eat it. I hoping this will help me learn to intuitively eat while making smart choices. I've also decided not to weightmy self for a month. This will be tricky as I usually weighed once a week if not more!</p> <p>That's all for now, got lots of work to do!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:397db6db-4b0f-4d9f-a726-9d83a9527fea" class="wlWriterSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Vegan" rel="tag">Vegan</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Globars" rel="tag">Globars</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/intuitive%20eating" rel="tag">intuitive eating</a></div> Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-41976094996253424412009-11-18T17:02:00.002-06:002009-11-18T17:18:46.941-06:00Breaking Up is Hard to DoI've been in a relationship for 15 years! Wow, 15 years and I'm only 29. This relationship started because I was 14 years old, weighed 185lbs, was inactive AND was in wedding. I so embarrassed to have to order an "extended size" bridesmaid gown and my mother was not too pleased at the price tag! My mom had tried to encourage me to diet and exercise but it wasn't until the impending wedding that I actually wanted to do something about it. So, I joined Weight Watchers. Yes, it's true I've been a Weight Watcher member (on and off again) for 15 years. This was not a "bad" relationship. In fact I actually use to lead Weight Watcher meetings when I was at goal and lived on my own. I do really think they have a sound program and it's come a long way in the last 15 years (and I should know). Lately however I've wanted to just give it a break for awhile and not because I didn't have time to go to meetings, or I wasn't the following the program, I was just looking for something different. In case you don't know when you attend WW meetings you get weighed weekly and you have to pay to attend meetings until you reach your goal weight, which is based on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">BMI</span>. You write down all the food you eat and each food is assigned a points value. You can only have so many points per day plus an extra allotment for the whole week. If you exercise you "earn" more points but you choose to eat them or not ( so basically you are counting calories). I was just getting frustrated. I am not at my goal weight but I am active every day, I teach 3-4 fitness classes per week at the YMCA. When I'm not teaching I attend other classes, swim and run. I try my hardest to eat healthy, whole foods. I just didn't want to have to have the love hate relationship with food. I don't want to not <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">eat</span> something even though I KNOW it's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">nutritious</span> but I don't have enough "points" left. One reason that kept me from quitting was I attended with my mother-in-law and it was a nice time for us to spend together on a weekly basis. We got word that our regular Wednesday morning meeting was being canceled and we would have to go to another one. This was my chance! I could tell my mother-in-law that the other times didn't really work for me (which the don't). Well, she wants to take a break too so, there you have it...I broke up with Weight Watchers.<br />To be honest it is quite freeing but now I'm asking myself....what do I do now? Do I quit writing down my food all together? Do I write down my food but not points and just strive for healthy whole foods? Do I weigh myself weekly? monthly? or not at all. I'm a little nervous to just quit cold turkey I certainly don't want to gain weight and I would like to be at a healthy weight for my body type. Well, I guess you'll have to stay tuned to find out more.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-4670153889905828112009-11-13T09:58:00.001-06:002009-11-13T09:58:20.851-06:00It's time<p>As you can see I have not posted for a week. In my mind and heart some pretty major things have been going on. I wanted to blog about these things and thought about how I would write about them all week. It's time that I finally got these things out. So sit back and relax this is going to be a long one.</p> <p>As I mentioned in my previous post I was going to be busy with a Confirmation retreat all day on Saturday. The first year I was in charge of this retreat we did an over night, starting on Friday evening and going until Saturday noon. The previous leader of this retreat had always gone home to sleep and left University students in charge of the high school students over night. I did the same. After all I am a married woman and I only live 4 blocks away from church. Apparently in the middle of the night one young man caused quite a ruckus and ran around the church naked. Also before the retreat (literally the day of the retreat) I had a parent call and ream me out because they had NO idea this was a required event (it had been on out calendar since August) and there child couldn't go. It left me feeling pretty down and discouraged.</p> <p>Last year I decided to do away with the retreat and offer two all day retreats one in the fall and one in the winter. This seemed to work out well as the young people had two dates to choose from. We met from 9:00am-6:00pm. It was a VERY long day for everyone involved. It did seem to go okay though. There was still a lot of complaining about how long the retreat was.</p> <p>This year I offered the same deal only I shortened it even more going from 11:00am-6:00pm. Last Saturday's retreat only had 9 people signed up, and I knew by looking at the names that they would be quiet bunch and it might be challenging to get them to talk. All seemed to be going well despite the fact that one kid didn't show up so we were down to 8 kids. Unfortunately for us is was a BEAUTIFUL day, sunny and 70 degrees, pretty rare for Wisconsin in November. After lunch I had the young folks go outside. When I got outside one of them was missing. My small group leaders said he just walked away! I started to panic a little. One of the other young people had this young man's cell phone number. I called it and there was no answer. I left a message asking him to please call me as it was a matter of safety. I sent the rest of the kids to their next activity. I tried contacting this young man's parents. All I got was voice mail. I left messages calmly but firmly telling them what happened and asking them to call me and help locate him. I joined the rest of the group. I told the friend of the young man who walked away that if he contacted him to let me know because it was a matter of safety. Eventually I found out that the young man was fine and went to a friends house. When I finally got a hold of his mother she said she never got my messages but knew where her son was. She told me he really didn't want to go on the retreat but she told him to go and then decide it he wanted to stay (nice right? I mean he was only there for 2 hours!).  I informed her that he never let me know he was leaving and just walked away. Needless to say that this young man has decided not to to get Confirmed.</p> <p>The reason I am telling you all this is to illustrate my frustration with this job and ministry in general. When I was growing up I was the kid who wanted to go on retreats. I gave up several three day weekends to go on retreats. It was through these experiences I came to discover what I thought was was God's call in my life to ministry.  I find myself asking, "Is this really for me?"It's kind of scary when you begin to doubt your whole life's work. I feel so beaten down. I feel so unsuccessful. I am one who always said, "You might never see the fruit of your labor but you must plant the seeds."  I'm getting a little jaded with this way of thinking. I feel like I am constantly bending backwards to meet the needs of the parents and young people who put church last. Even on the evaluations the young people wrote that the retreat was too long. What do these people want? I've already shortened it from an 18hour overnight retreat to a 9 hour retreat to a 7hour retreat.</p> <p> I was really angry about last Saturday. Not, that a young person decided not to get confirmed that happens all the time but with how it all went down. I wasn't even given the courtesy of a phone call to let me know where this kid was, I had to call the parents several times before finding out he was safe.</p> <p>I've been mulling all these occurrences and thoughts over for the past week. And this is only half of my job. The Campus Ministry portion is not going well either, but I'll save that for another post. I've really begun to take a look at my life and ask ,"Is this truly worth it? Is it worth all the time I give, the lack of a social life, working nights and weekends, not being able to spend time with my husband, and all this stress? Is it worth feeling underappreciated, and unutilized? And what am I going to do about it?" I've known for a long time that I could not do this job forever. It wasn't until this past weekend that I realized I need to start taking some action to get me out of this situation. I don't know exactly what that means or how I am going to do it. I hope that through this blog I can formulate a long term plan.</p> <p>Later today I'll post some more on this and the challenges I've had with Campus Ministry and working for the Church in general. I hope these don't seem like downer posts. I don't really feel down or depressed. I'm just thinking about a lot of things and this is a good place for me to write them out.</p> Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-2050504973787606682009-11-06T10:49:00.001-06:002009-11-06T10:49:18.556-06:00Pumpkin and Black Bean Soup<p>So awhile back <a href="http://thenheathersaid.blogspot.com/">Heather</a> posted <a href="http://thenheathersaid.blogspot.com/2009/10/pumpkin-craze-soup-swap-recipes.html#comment-form">this</a> recipe on her blog. I had the ingredients but just not the time to make it. Last night the husband was off fishing so I decided to whip it up and let me tell you it was DECLICOUS! The only substitution I made was instead of heavy cream I used skim milk and I probably added a little more cayenne pepper then it calls for since I like things spicy! It was warm and rich and comforting! I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. It was also really easy to make. The whole thing probably only took me 30minutes. Besides chopping up an onion all you have to do is open cans and dump. I'm actually kind of sad that I have lunch plans and won't we able to eat the leftovers for lunch. </p> <p>It was a really beautiful day yesterday I really wanted to go for a run after work but I had this terrible pain in my neck and shoulder, I think it was just because I slept funny because it's better today. When my alarm went off at 5:30am this morning the thought of running on the treadmill did not entice me. I went back to sleep and took advantage of the sun rising at 6:30 and a dog with lots of energy who like to run. We did a 30minute run up a pretty long hill and then back down. It was great! I really need to take advantage of outside running while I can.</p> <p>Big Confirmation retreat tomorrow so I'll be pretty bust and should actually be working on stuff right now! Have a good weekend! </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:9fc57d9e-485e-4b0c-9b93-364255d4f52f" class="wlWriterSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/recipe" rel="tag">recipe</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/fall" rel="tag">fall</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/running" rel="tag">running</a></div> Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-24136994539253421832009-11-05T12:32:00.001-06:002009-11-05T12:32:16.998-06:00Why we blog<p>So I was reading Heather's <a href="http://thenheathersaid.blogspot.com/2009/11/tardy-troy-monster-madness-dash-5k.html">race recap</a> just now and remembering my first 5K. Can you believe that my first 5K was so long ago that blogging hadn't even been invented? Yes, that's right! My first 5K was in the spring of 2000.  I was never a runner, never thought of myself as a runner, and had no inclination of becoming a runner. That December I  was 19 years old weighed almost 200lbs and was living a very unhealthy lifestyle. My mom and I saw a sign at the local YMCA advertising and informational meeting on a women's triathlon group that was forming. I'm not sure which one of us decided it would be a good idea to check this out but we did (my mom was 52 at the time and not an athlete, she didn't even know how to swim). We were both inspired by what the three women giving the presentation had to say about this triathlon. They in turn empowered us to want to do a triathlon and so we started training. When I look back now that training for that triathlon was truly a transformational time in my life. I wish now that I would have documented the changes and challenges I experienced while learning to become a tri-athlete. If you would have told me then that I would now be teaching classes at that same Y I would have told you you were crazy. Sometimes I wonder how I got from there to here and wish I would have documented my journey. I don't really know why I blog. This blog started out being about my challenges with working in ministry, then changed to my challenges with infertility, and now is just a whole mess of things. Sometimes I wish that my blog would be famous and that lots of people would read it and companies would offer me products to review. I also know that in order for that to happen I would need to work harder at this blog. I don't really write to get noticed. I write for myself, to document what is going on now. I share what I write with the blog world because it is my hope that some how I connect with someone out there. I know the blogs I read have certainly formed connections within me. Sometimes I forget that I don't even know these people in the really world. </p> <p> </p> <p>Why do you blog?</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:2f63a16a-a1b9-4163-ba42-95904778f25b" class="wlWriterSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/triathlons" rel="tag">triathlons</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/blogging" rel="tag">blogging</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/transforming" rel="tag">transforming</a></div> Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-72288347803812191722009-11-03T15:47:00.001-06:002009-11-03T15:47:55.242-06:00What I'm missing<p>Well, it's been kind of a slow day here at the office. That's good I suppose. I was suppose to work three nights this week but found out this morning that A. The soup kitchen I take students to on Thursday is closed this week for remodeling and B. No students signed up go any way. Yay! A surprise night off! This is good since I have an all day retreat for our confirmation students on Saturday.</p> <p>As I was swimming a mile this morning I was really missing my past colleagues at the middle school I use to work at. We were such a social bunch and really worked together to teach our students. Every morning before the bell rang we would gather in the social studies teacher's room and fill up our coffee mugs and chat about our day. When it was parent teacher conferences we would go out to the local sports bar afterwards for a drink or two. They even threw me a wedding shower. We just don't do that sort of stuff around here. It's so depressing sometimes. Guess I'm just looking for a change these days. Not sure where or how but I've got my ears perked. Like they say, "You don't know what you've got til it's gone."</p> <p>On another note I have <a href="http://simplyfabulousnow.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/why-i-love-my-slow-cooker/">this</a> simmering in the crock pot for when I get home! Today is my hubby's birthday and he took half a day to enjoy being out in the woods!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:5f345b8b-4d3a-47cb-95df-21a9c93de00a" class="wlWriterSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/chicken" rel="tag">chicken</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/teaching" rel="tag">teaching</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/swimming" rel="tag">swimming</a></div> Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-18044536402792828722009-11-03T10:17:00.001-06:002009-11-03T10:35:29.571-06:00Windows Live Writer<p>Thanks to <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/">Angela's Blog</a> I just discovered Windows Live Writer! Where have I been? This rocks! I just had to try it out. Sorry for the random weird, downer of a post before. Will try to be more clear next time. Now to try some pics</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1HEXBYotKhez_KD2x5ta94olsz4wEuAvdBmhSdKqJJgCrwlRlSRAQ6AwKUbskR9Lh2RO7xj89TA6SMKPifxcr2a5WnMokkQ2JmCLne5QejgJ4LnV9HW5vJj2-HXwhmkXTqWQQriV121Q/s1600-h/100_4140%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" border="0" alt="100_4140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-bXpKzzp4lgyDAi3yOtoAhr_LOlLH9dojopzNgQrpU1vm3L-sarCFGkKGOZU-V9kRsQ_THoVpuAgsFXM5sZNmSmxGSe_3UG0ZgCnAe7Iiupuhj8AkCQWZXiZGFunPsDVslWPDRQCTkt0/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjr9PIbH3Co2-mBZrMsowZrZZdoaLFFCJssG_IQI-9cVsMFWvkRYGwHnvxjiGrC5RcM2Vcql-vb2JhCMytpdEYaNx0xQhI-Ie43bBzEdOP1ZZuN4RRACb29WrE4_cCdZf3y8_Odr9UrQuk/s1600-h/me2%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" border="0" alt="me2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNXQHQ49c-iZDoSiQDrDE8N1hK4vJja_ptPK4EGg5neYIj8kTUBPLBKwARmjJVEdfNsDyWK38Sadd-zAh2CmpDB7I6j39fw6JQ8VwKmgeTWrLDjYtBnrWBvSEwLhVq8EdU2B30AbqkTT0/?imgmax=800" width="178" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Oh yeah! This is so much easier! Too bad I don't think I have this on my home computer just my work laptop! Okay, not so cool! Now it won't publish!</p> <p> </p> <p>I guess it will publish without the pictures?</p> <p>Fixed something! Hope it works!</p> Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-38520762941688139482009-11-02T12:13:00.002-06:002009-11-02T12:22:04.220-06:00Thinking about IF againI wasn't going to post today because I was kind of in a bummer of a mood. First of all Aunt Flo showed up this morning. I knew she was coming yesterday so it wasn't a big surprise. I really had to PMS symptoms so I was still really <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hopeful</span> that I could give the husband an AWESOME birthday present. When you've been trying for over a year it is so hard to not think about it. I'm finding it hard to not think about the what <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">if's</span>. What if we're not pregnant by the end of this year? What will the tests tell us? Where will we go from there? What if we are doing something wrong? Oh well. I guess I get to enjoy some read wine for awhile again...I've really been craving it.<br />Also, a girl at the Y who teaches <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Zumba</span> is leaving. I was hoping to pick up her classes for the extra cash but got and email this morning that this other girl Lindsay took them. This Lindsay girl seemed to appear out of no where. I've never seen her at a staff meeting, I'm pretty sure she's not on the schedule but in the last two days she subbed two classes that I could have taken. Her <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">GST</span> class this morning was really good (really hard) but the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Zumba</span> class she subbed on Monday wasn't that good so this kind of bums me out. I did get another email from our boss that said she would get me on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Zumba</span> schedule for winter/spring so that is good.<br />This <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">crabby</span> mood started yesterday. I was at church/work and this younger guy Dave was greeting. Dave just happened to interview for my job when I did. My one boss (K) has told me that when he came to interview he acted like he already had the job. She thinks my other boss (J) pretty much told him he had the job but the committee picked me. What bothers me is the way J treats Dave, like he's his best buddy. I wonder what life at my church would have been like if Dave would have gotten the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">position</span>. I know he would have driven K nuts. I'm not saying that I don't think I'm qualified for the job or that Dave would have been better but it just irritated me.<br />Don't worry I'm not a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">total</span> Debbie Downer today. I got my house clean and cup cakes made for my husband's birthday. Going to eat some lunch and chill for the rest of the afternoon!Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-9507233218727247642009-10-31T14:26:00.003-05:002009-10-31T14:35:18.534-05:00A Homey HalloweenHi All!<br />I was totally going to post yesterday but I got so busy at work it just didn't happen. Then after work we went <a href="http://www.disciascioscoonvalley.com/about.html">here</a> for my husband's birthday. This is seriously one of the best <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">restaurants</span> and it's located in a little town south of where we live. I had planned on having the spinach lasagna but when the waitress told us one of the specials was kale and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">mushroom</span> lasagna using local kale and mushrooms I just had to have it! I've never seen kale on the menu anywhere! It was very good and I'm looking forward to the leftovers for dinner. I also tried a wine called <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Scaia</span> it was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">SOOOOOOO</span> good! Afterwards we went on the haunted hike called <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ghoulies</span> in the Coulees so fun! Then home to watch out <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">DVRed</span> shows. Today we slept in and then watched a movie. I headed off to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Zumba</span> and Brian went hunting. I was considering going <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">shopping</span> but it's 2:30 and I'm in my bath robe with wet hair. Plus I have to head to church at 4:30. Better dry that hair or everyone will think I'm dressed up at IT for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Halloween</span>!Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528462261845145085.post-44005265054013311432009-10-28T15:52:00.002-05:002009-10-28T16:08:20.009-05:00The things I've doneYou may have noticed my weight ticker went down this morning (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">finally</span>!). I've come a long way since I wrote <a href="http://onespiritualsoul.blogspot.com/2009/08/disgusted-with-myself.html">this</a> post. I may not have lost a lot of pounds but I:<br />1. have completely given up drinking coffee and only drink small amounts of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">caffeine</span> in tea<br />2. have completely given up eating "fake" sugars like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">splenda</span> and equal. I rarely use any sugar and if I do it's cane sugar<br />3. am wearing the same jeans in those pictures that felt tight, they don't feel tight today<br />4. have consistently done yoga at least 1 time a week if not more<br />5. have cooked lots of new recipes I've found on other blogs that are healthy and wholesome<br />6. changed my out look on what it means to be "healthy"<br />7. stopped wearing make-up<br /><br />Yep! Pretty good things I think! I wouldn't mind being down in weight but oh well. I am going to stick with Weight Watchers if only for my mother-in-law's sake. Most of what they say is good but when other members or the leader starts rambling on about their <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">delicious Weight Watcher</span> bars or baked chips I tend to tune out. Not that those are bad things they just aren't wholesome.<br /><br />In other totally unrelated, shouldn't even be mentioning it on my blog since I'm trying not to think or focus on this news: I figure I'm about 9<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">DPO</span> (I'm still not charting) and I have had a back ache which I mentioned earlier and bad cramps in my calves. I'm trying not to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">interpret</span> these as early pregnancy signs but it's kind of hard not too. Not to mention the night I went to bed at 8pm and woke up at 6:30am. I also am trying (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">unsuccessfully</span>) not to imagine how awesome it would be to give my husband a positive pregnancy test or a little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">onesie</span> that says, "I love my daddy." for his birthday which just happens to fall on my estimated 15<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">DPO</span> and when I should technically be 1 day "late" Or I'm trying not to envision how awesome it would be to announce this news at Thanksgiving or Christmas (just like I envisioned last year) to our families. Sigh! Oh well, I guess some things never change! Maybe I'm just sore from that crazy David Farmer podcast I did on Sunday which included about 1 million downdogs!Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03724998676039017588noreply@blogger.com1