I'm Going to Lose 170# in 30 Days! Guaranteed!!

My husband's employer, Delta Airlines, is transferring him to Minnesota, May 1. We don't know for how long.

I wish this were an April Fool's joke.

Northwest Airlines was in trouble. Delta bought them relatively recently. Northwest made out: they were able to keep their pensions, received raises (up to Delta rates), better medical benefits, and keep their seniority.

I'm all for them getting raises and better benefits, but instead of putting NW employees below Delta's, they were merged into the seniority line. This put my husband dangling on the bottom of the list. (Union's response: You're lucky we aren't furloughing.)

Danny has been based in Salt Lake City, Utah (this is why we sold our home in Illinois and moved here). SLC is a coveted hub. Northwest employees want it. Now they get it. Bye, bye, Danny (husband and father of three -- not a number).

This is why I save my boxes. You just never know in the airline industry. Except, we are going to stay this time and pray for his rapid return. He's going to have to find an apartment and transportation out of his own pocket; the company won't help financially for that. And contrary to popular belief, pilots in general don't make much money. Sure, there's some with high seniority that have been with a particular company for many years that make an obscene amount, but that's not the norm (and if he/she were to transfer to another airline, they'd be at the bottom making squat like the rest).

It's hard to not be angry. I keep telling myself, "At least he has a job, at least he has a job, at least he has a job." That wasn't the story Christmas Eve, 2007, when his previous airline e-mailed him with the announcement that they are closing their doors, don't come back to work, and mail in your badges. (Yes, Christmas Eve).

Please fly Delta - keep my husband employed.

C25K Report - Week 5 and Gratitude

Yes, the C25K is back on. It's a nine-week program, and I just finished week 5. It's becoming easier to wake at 6 a.m. There's less traffic, less car fumes. And I love how the snow on the snow-capped mountains seem to float like spirits against the dark sky. Their positions settle and their majestic presence loom as dawn breaks.

It's cold, and I feel alive. And I feel grateful. Running outside along our one-mile loop brings me out of myself, out of my problems:

I run by *Bro. W's home (I wonder if they've filed bankruptcy).

I run by Sis. H's home (Yay! She finally found a job. I need to remind Danny to help her and her 4 little ones move on Saturday).

I run by Sis. B's home (Oh, that's right, she's sick. Darn, I haven't called her, yet).

I run by Sis. G's home (I want to go see her next week. She's so amazing and faithful. How would I handle the death of a child?).

I run by the empty lot on our hill, and the view takes my breath away.

I run by the R's (I remember the terrific talk their teenage son gave in church).

I run by Sis. O's (How does she remain so patient and easy-going? Remember to thank her).

I run by the other W's (I wonder how Sis. W is feeling about her new calling as Relief Society President. She'll be wonderful).

I run by adorable homes that just aren't selling.

I run by the H's (How do they do it for being out of work so long?).

Next door are the other H's (I hope he's feeling better. Sis. H must be so worried).

I run by our beloved chapel (Comforting).

I run by the B's (How did Bro. B survive that accident?).

And now I'm at Bro. W's home, again. Their kitchen light is on.

And I am grateful.

*{Most of my neighbors and I are members of the same religion. We call each other Brother and Sister during church (we use first names in casual settings - except to the Bishop). Minors address us as Bro. or Sis. So-n-so all the time as a sign of respect. It brings us closer and reminds us we're in this together and to be there for each other}.

Vintage vs. Modern Ads - humor to ponder

My mom sent me some vintage advertisements for cigarettes, lard, and diet remedies. When I saw them I thought, "Wow. We've come a long way." Or have we? I put together a collage of Then-and-Now ads.

THEN: Blow smoke in her face, and she'll follow

you anywhere. Ad execs must have thought we

were idiots. I'm so glad they don't anymore.

Oh, wait...

AND NOW (Sadly): If guys spray themselves in a

cloud of Axe, women from everywhere will

want to mate with them.

***

THEN: If they only knew. Ignorance is bliss.

AND NOW (Okay, close to now): Sugar, HFCS, and caramel coloring

do add something, but it isn't life.

**

THEN: Give yourself tapeworms as a

weight control method.

NOW: Some labs are working on

destroying taste buds to control our appetites.

(I'm sorry I don't have the source).

Update: check out Jody's post about

tongue patches. Click here.

**

THEN: Cigarettes must be okay if doctors

smoke them.

NOW: It must be okay if the company has gone "green."

(Okay, I'm stretching the connection).

**

THEN: Husband isn't in the mood (yeah, right) until

wife uses Lysol for feminine hygiene.

NOW: Axe for women, anyone?

Added on: I just read this cause about school lunches and Aramark's refusal to submit the ingredients. Click here for more info.

Looking for Something?

Some have asked where the posts "When Your Husband Calls You Fat" and "Torrid Affair" have gone. I have removed them, although they and the helpful comments have been saved.

"When Your Husband Calls You Fat" was written by me. I shared some hurtful moments in my marriage regarding the fights my husband and I would have over my weight and eating habits. It was a process of learning and growing for both of us these last 14+ years.

"Torrid Affair" was written by Danny, my DH. He shares a bit of his perspective as a husband watching his wife change and have this bizarre relationship to food, an affair with food, rather. His best friend helped him put things in perspective.

We were both surprised how telling our tale stirred up hurt feelings. So, I removed them (my idea). It felt like the right thing to do at the time so as not to hurt anyone further.

Neither one of us understood what was happening to me all of these years, and it may be happening to others. We both initially wrote the articles thinking they may help someone. We hoped our experience and what we were learning so far could be useful. Maybe I could write a revision of it that doesn't air out so much dirty laundry. Not sure.

I am so thankful for you, fellow bloggers, and your comments. This journey has many twists and turns and sometimes detours. It's good to know we are not alone.

Update: Dr.'s, C25K, Meal Planning

Image Credit: Levi Boree

Isn't that a fun picture? I see little images of me

running around this week. Sometimes I was hot,

and sometimes I was cold, but I was always moving.

Whew! What a week! Doctor appointments are complete (except for mammogram and dental). So far, so good. No calcium deposits in the heart, and I'm told the blood work is all normal (I'm waiting for my copy of the report). I'm still waiting for pap and sonogram reports. I'm really happy about the healthy heart. The chest pains were probably just anxiety. Now I feel I can push myself a little harder during exercises.

Speaking of exercise, the computer couch-to-5K is back on as well as the resistance training. Yesterday, my legs were saying, "What the heck are you making us do? We didn't get the memo!" They rebelled at first then said, "All right, all right, we're going."

I had a really busy week, and guess what! I did not eat at a fast-food restaurant once! In spite of the full week, I took the time to make home-cooked meals. I am so happy with the meal planning worksheets I cranked out a couple of weeks ago and am using.

I'm trying not to be discouraged by the scale. It's not moving, but I know I'm moving in the right direction with better choices and more activity.

Well, the week isn't over, more on my to-do list. I just wanted to report I'm here, I'm alive, and I'm going to keep it that way.

Image Credit: Levi Boree

May your world be filled with flowers, butterflies, and color.

Have a great weekend.

Here a Doc, There a Doc, Everywhere a Doc Doc

I mentioned before that I have been putting off going to the doctors' for several years. I told myself when I turned 40 that I would get all the necessities done as a gift to myself. Now I'm 41 (yeah, a little late, but I did get checked for melanoma - negative).

So, this is doctor week. Yesterday, I saw my primary care physician for a physical (sans pelvic) and blood work. Today I saw the gynecologist. Tomorrow I'm having a CT scan of my heart (heart disease runs in my family). Thursday I'm having an ultrasound (ordered by my gynecologist). She also wants me to get a mammogram - my first.

Thank you, everybody, for your suggestions for what tests I should ask for. I wrote them all down, and they were very helpful.

And, yes, Leah, the dentist is soon on my list. :) I am taking my son tomorrow, though.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! (Is there anything you are putting off?)

(P.S. Okay, I know the picture doesn't really have anything to do with doctors directly. It just reminded me of how we support each other here in the blogging community and also how I had great experiences so far this week with my care-givers - they actually gave a care).

Kitchen Wisdom (Humor)

The last two posts have been heavy topics. Let's lighten it up a bit. (And thank you for your comments and wisdom). - Gina

Kitchen Wisdom Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of an ice cream cone to prevent ice cream drips Just suck the ice cream out of the bottom of the cone, for Pete's sake! You are probably lying on the couch with your feet up eating it anyway! To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes. Buy Hungry Jack mashed potato mix. Keeps in the pantry for up to a year. When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake. Go to the bakery! they'll even decorate it for you! If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant 'fix-me-up.' If you over-salt a dish while you are cooking, that's too bad. Please recite with me the real woman's motto: 'I made it, you will eat it and I don't care how bad it tastes!' Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks. Celery? Never heard of it! Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish. The Mrs. Smith frozen pie directions do not include brushing egg whites over the crust, so I don't. Cure for headaches: take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away. Take a lime, mix it with tequila, chill and drink! All your pains go away! If you have a problem opening jars, try using latex dish washing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy. Go ask that very cute neighbor if he can open it for you. Don't throw out all that leftover wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces. Leftover Wine? HELLO!

For Mature Audiences Only

Ah, you clicked on my post. See, I may not have clicked because I question my maturity. I'm aging, but I'm not sure how mature I am.

Do you have an "inner brat?" I remember in the 1980's, "inner child" was a popular topic. Then a couple of years ago, I heard Merilu Henner speak of the "inner brat." My inner brat wants all the cookies. My inner brat doesn't want to brush her hair or go to the doctor's or stop blogging long enough to take care of other responsibilities. My inner brat says, "I don't wanna," when I tell her to get up early and do her c25k.

I was reading an article the other day about growing up, not just growing older. It's written for young, single adults, but it could apply to anyone who wants to grow in this area. I'm writing the list the article has. The blue areas are the points that I really need to work on.

Markers of Adulthood

1. Acquiring an Adult Sense of Mission

2. Establishing Personal Goals and Routines - learning to prioritize, find balance, and work hard toward a goal...discipline

"Goals and routines help people prevent depression and temptation and navigate between the opposing quicksands of boredom and excessive stress."

3. Managing Physical Self-Care - cooking for a crowd, deciding if a medical problem is serious, or dress for an interview...we grow in confidence and skill as we step up to the task of learning these things for ourselves.

"Arranging for our own dental and medical care, haircuts, nutritious meals, exercise, and consistent and adequate sleep can be positive ways to truly claim the gift of the body."

4. Increasing Financial Independence - budget and save

5. Creating a home - reflecting your tastes, lifestyle and personality...even if it is a small space

6. Shifting Our Sense of Family - initiating and responding to opportunities to make friends rather than just waiting for others to come to you.

7. Learning Skills of Emotional Connection - initiating friendliness, responding to others' invitations, and enjoying people of different ages...learning to make conversation

8. Building a Community - volunteering, taking someone to dinner, buying Christmas gifts for others, throwing a party for someone, inviting others over, church involvement, voting

9. Supporting the Next Generation

"A sign of maturity among adults is shifing from being taken care of to being the ones who take care of others."

10. Growing in Spiritual Responsibility ** - obedience to God, willingness to sacrifice for His Kingdom, and the importance of organizing our lives to prioritize prayer, scripture study, and being active in church.

11. Building the Kingdom **

"We can grow up in the Lord as we organize our lives according to His laws and and constantly seek His Spirit to guide and comfort us."

**To those who don't believe in God, when I was an atheist and was asked who my higher-power was, I'd say it was Nature. The terms "Nature" and "Love" can usually be substituted easily to still get meaning out of religious passages and give a sense of our obligation to Earth and fellow beings.

For instance, #10 changes to obedience to Nature, willingness to sacrifice for Nature, organizing lives for meditation and reflecting on Love.

And #11 changes to growing up in Love as we organize our lives according to Nature and constantly seek Love (the good, healthy kind) to guide and comfort us.

Image credit: media.photobucket.com

Click here if you want the full article: "That They May Grow Up In Thee"

So, how do you deal with your inner brat?