It Be Cold

So far so good. I have not had sugar - save the night we celebrated our anniversary. Honey however, is great on toast and oatmeal and yogurt, and goes very nicely with cinnamon. My new goal is to be exercising everyday. 2-3x a week is fine for starters, but I think it is time to step it up. Walking is generally the easiest, but I don't like cold and wet, which is the state of things today. So I will take advantage of ye old DVD's and netflicks and see what I can come up with.

There are just 6 weeks of actual class left. SIX. In that six weeks I must write 6 papers, take 6 tests, and give a presentation, that is not including the two exit exams I am required to take. Life is going to be quite full. It will be strange to be done though. I still know nothing about two of the colleges I applied to for grad school. We are keeping our minds open to all possible outcomes, but this waiting and wondering is hard on the nerves.

Exercise is supposed to help with stress. I guess I'll find out. :)

Oh, Happy Day

I made the above for Jason's last birthday. He hung it up in the bedroom where he will see it when he first wakes up everyday.

Two years ago I married a man who loved me in a way I didn't think I could be loved, or even wanted to be loved. But once I knew his love, I knew I would never want or need any other. Today and everyday I am full of gratitude for him and his love, and I am excited about what our future will be. Because whatever it is, as long as we are together, life will be good.

Happy Anniversary Baby!

Luckiest Girl

It's true. Jason made this for me. There is a pin on the back, so you better believe I'll be wearing this today!

Jason and I had a talk. He has been concerned about my lack of energy and general not doing too well since I've been on this macrobiotic thing. I have lost about 8lbs, but he tends to think that has more to do with the exercise, and I agree. So after most of 5 weeks I am going to say SO LONG to macrobiotics!

I am going to stay sugar free and avoid highly processed foods. I am going to up my activity and try to spend a significant part of each day exercising.

I gave it a try, not the full six months I was shooting for, but I'm not going to focus on that. Instead, I'm going to be smart and keep eating regular healthful meals and see what happens.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! This is my favorite holiday. I hope you have a great day today, wherever you are.

Daylight Savings

Fun times, this saving the daylight.

I am seriously considering changing two things about my diet. Mostly for the sake of my sanity. This bit about not having bread, or any leavening agents is ridiculous. I think so long as there is no sugar or refined grains I should have bread. Not a lot. Maybe set a limit of two slices a day. I'm thinking about it. The other thing is yogurt. I had fake cheese this week with some vegetarian chili, I think in a pinch that will work for the next 5 months. But, I would like some yogurt, there are only so many times I can substitute with tofu. Yes.

It has been one month.

I haven't been 100% faithful the whole time, (lemonades and such) but I've done pretty good and I am getting better at it all the time. I can't wait for the farmers market to get going. It will also be good to know for sure if we are staying or not, because if we are we can get the garden going!

No, I didn't post a picture yesterday. And I'm not posting one today. I'm not that kind of blogger I guess. School starts up with abandon tomorrow and I must be ready. This is the point in the semester when I must hold on to my hat and pay attention. Everything is due, there are tests every time I turn around, and then it will be over. SNAP. Just like that. I am amazed at how quickly April arrives and zooms by!

I'll let you know what I decide about the bread and yogurt.

Ran Out of Steam

I thought I would post pictures everyday this week. So much for thinking. I ran out of steam yesterday and spent some time just watching a show with my husband and then went to bed.

Here are a couple flowers I made from -- well, I 'll let you guess what I used to make them.

Sugar

In this the forth week of trying to eat the macrobiotic way I am lethargic. I think that's the best way to put it. I want to sleep all the time. I've been sleeping this week more than usual. I can go to bed when I want and sleep and sleep, but I still find myself wanting to just sit and do nothing, or sleep and sleep some more. I don't know why. I think I am going to try and force myself to exercise everyday, like taking my medicine everyday.

I feel a physical need for certain things I don't need. Like caffeine and sugar. Sugar is the worst. I didn't get rid of all the sugar in the house, and have had the occasional spoonful. But that spoonful has never made me feel better for long. So I try reading, or watching a show. I am getting rid of the white and brown sugar tonight and am resolved.

I drink water, and keep cold herbal tea in the fridge. I also have juice. I have found that the tea makes a lot of difference, and that sometimes just having some hot tea when I think I need coffee distracts me from that craving so I can do whatever I need to do.

But I am bothered by my lack of motivation to do much. I was shocked at how well I worked last night. I got that room done, and am anxious to get in there and organize the bead drawers. I hope this lasts. I hope I can keep this up and that it makes a difference.

This is my art journal. It is great for experimenting with colors and techniques. I started this sometime before Christmas, I am not done, in fact I have added to it since I took this picture last night. I will post another when it is done.

Getting Things Done

Jason pointed out to me that I keep posting pictures of the room all a mess or just cleaned up, but few pictures of what I do that gets the room messy in the first place. Above is just one of many, I will post pictures hopefully everyday this week of things I've made. I made the above with the girls one of the days we had craft time. This is where I do most of my work. I like having all these things so close to hand, and it is no problem to put the sewing machine on the table and get busy! These drawers hide a world of mess. I still need to go through the top three and get them organized, but at least I can see the top and everything has a place. Jason found these shelves for me last time we were at Mike's, a neat antique mall not far from here. The bottom shelf is actually a cedar trunk sans lid. It was $20, Jason made shelves for it, and I love it!! The top one was white and filthy, I cleaned it and painted it. They now hold most of my fabric, yes, I have purged that much. Much, much better. What is more, I know I can finish the semester strong now that I don't have this messy room pulling at me to come and clean rather than just do a small project or part of a project and then get back to work!

I want to write about the diet changes and how it's affecting my life. But I think that will wait till tomorrow.

Spring Break

It is sinking in that I have a week off from school. Crazy, but great!! I intend to read a book for fun, clean the house, and once again, clean the study, or my craft room. Whatever name you give it, the room needs help...

...as you can clearly see.

These are before pictures which should help me to finish it.

Week three down. Big sigh. I can do this. I am doing this.

I Caved

Today I caved and got a decaf iced soy late. It was gross. I dumped it out after two sips. Tasted like burnt rubber and acid. So much for sorta cheating now and then. It is the real stuff or nothing for me. Back to the grind.

Next week is spring break from school, which will be cool, I can sleep in everyday if I want. :)

Coach Marcus made me promise to do some walking over the break. I'm looking forward to it. I'm hoping for some beautiful days at the Nature Center.