Week 12 - Day 3

I would like to thank the snow yesterday for tipping me over the edge to not going to my acting class.  I'd also like to thank my sore left side which after yesterday was sore enough to give me pause.  Grrr, I hate feeling like I'm not at 100%.  I'm not the kind of person who is good at taking things slowly and being patient.  I'm the girl who clips her hip on the side of the doorway when walking through because I was probably in a rush.  That's me.  This whole healing thing isn't working for me.  I still forget in the morning and try to do my normal cat stretch in bed and my left side screams in protest.  I need to give it time...

In other news, I did go to my post-op check up on Monday and the scar looks SO GREAT!  Gotta love plastics guys, they don't leave much evidence that they were there (no I didn't get a boob job).  In the interest of education, I had a benign lipoma removed from my left breast.  Public service announcement, do self breast exams, even if you find something benign it's good to know yourself.  I've had this for a few years and since it got bigger it was time to take it out.  My biggest concern was scarring and so far everything is looking good.  So that's that with the "boob job" jokes for now.

I also went to the doctor on Tuesday, different doctor, I am really starting to sound like a hypochondriac.  This doc is for my guts n glory.  Everything seems to be doing better except I have to get this test that almost no one does and I'm having trouble finding a place to do it.  Another life irritation.

I'm also starting the Dukan Diet today.  This has really worked for me in the past to shed some pesky pounds and since my guts have healed I've gained an extra 5 lbs that I really don't want to see.  The first two days of this diet I can only eat protein pretty much so it's a tough start.  I'm determined though.

But the biggest news is that in ONE WEEK I WILL BE WITH MY HUSBAND!!  I will be walking around my husband's "campus" seeing his world and I can't wait!!!  I can't wait to hug him, and hold his hand, and see his (according to him) "fit body," and his army uniform!  I can't wait to hear his voice and tell him in person how proud I am.  We've both been so strong (army strong) during this separation and I think we've earned it.

Week 9 - Day 2

Happy Fasnacht!  In Pennsylvania Dutch that means Mardis Gras and Fat Tuesday.  So I began my day by abandoning my health breakfast of Greek yogurt or egg whites and indulging in a little FAT:

One doughnut is acceptable, Two doughnuts are FAT

I know. You totally want one right now.  The one on the left is Boston Creme and the other one is your run of the mill chocolate glazed with sprinkles doughnut.  I'm considering giving up chocolate for Lent so today is the day to get in the good stuff before the fast.  The fast on Ash Wednesday makes a lot more sense if you really do pig out the day before.  Although all of my healthy impulses are screaming for me to eat a salad.

I didn't realize that "Fasnacht" was actually a Pennsylvania Dutch thing.  Although, we just called it Fat Tuesday in my house.  In Italian I guess it's Martedí Grasso?  We never called it that growing up.  Apparently the history of why people used to indulge in fattening food was because in olden days people needed to use up their milk, eggs, and butter since they couldn't eat that stuff during Lent.  No eggs during Lent?  That would be hard for me...

I read an article today about things to give up for Lent that aren't necessarily obvious vices but things to give up in the spirits of self improvement and penance.  Examples of things to give up are: stress, impatience, swearing, gossip, etc... to work towards being more Christ-like.  While I get a little uncomfortable citing Jesus as a role model... sorry it just feel disingenuous... some of my favorite parts of Catholicism do focus on being kind and merciful.  I could use a little more kindness in my ever-so-cynical life.

So while I'm still in favor of giving up an obvious vice, like sugar or alcohol (yes I gave that up one year, until I broke it, I was on vacation it was a dumb idea to begin with), I like the idea of giving up some of my personality vices, certainly stress makes sense, and swearing, and dishonesty.  I think those are honorable things to strive for all year, but like anything difficult, sometimes you need a kick start, something like Lent to help you get going.

Like Valentine's Day, do we need one day only to remind the people in our lives that we live them? No, but in our busy, crazy lives, sometimes we need a little push towards better life habits.

Now... on to eating my next doughnut...