Nae's Reality

Spring Time

2009-03-07T05:59:00.001-08:00

AHHHH I think is almost here! I have been loving this weather. My favorite! 60-80 degrees couldnt get any better!

So, I went to the Latin Dance Class and It is an absolute Blast! Kudos to my friend Angie for going with me. She is my accountability partner. We have been up and at the gym every morning at 0430 except for Latin Dance Class nites. I am so proud of her, she has lost 60 pounds already and is working on the rest of it!

While I am giving kudos out, My honey has lost 13 pounds and my oldest daughter has lost about 15 pounds. Myself, I am at 22 pounds lost. I updated my ticker to put me at the ideal chart weight, even though I don't agree with them. The reason why is not that I am fat, but that when I came out of boot camp I was 15 pounds heavier than the charts and I was lean, no fat to really mention. But I am setting the chart for my goal and we will see what happens when I get close.

My middle daughter is getting up some mornings and hitting the gym with me at 0 dark thirty in the morning. GO MEG!!

So, that is the scoop on the fitness arena of my life! Catch ya later, gotta go to the gym!

Exercise

2009-03-01T06:10:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I have been working at losing this weight and now the whole family is on the 'band wagon' with me. I am so proud of them for working at getting healthier and in better shape. We are following the "South Beach Diet" and working out pretty regularly. I feel a lot better than I did 2 months ago.

Yesterday I was at the gym and heard some loud Latin music and went over to investigate. They were having a Latin Dance Aerobics class. How fun is that! I watch for a bit and tried to participate a bit but the class was extremely full, not much room to squeeze in. I think I will get there early and check it out. It looked like a blast, and I love the music!

You can check out our weight loss progress on the bottom of my page, I have tickers for the three of us. The 2 younger family members don't really need to lose weight. So wish me luck with my Latin Dance Class! I am sure I will need it!

Friday the 13th

2009-02-13T04:32:00.000-08:00

Okay, so, it is Friday the 13th. Which brings up the line of thinking about superstitions. I am not a very superstitious person. I don't really get the whole "don't walk under a ladder", "don't open an umbrella instead the house", all those kinds of things. Either they are unfounded, or I just have bad luck all the time! Hmmm, don't know can't really think of one that I believe in right now, How about you?

Dinner Last nite

2009-02-12T03:29:00.000-08:00

Sauteed frozen green beans has become our favorite dish. Frozen green beans you might ask, can they be any good? Well the truth is frozen vegetables are often just as flavorful, if not more, than “fresh” vegetables. Frozen vegetables are a quick, cheap and tasty way to get vegetables on your table. And they are just totally AWESOME! We also had filet with them last nite. Yum Yum! The Southbeach diet isnt so bad. :o)

2009-02-10T04:34:00.001-08:00

This is what I am doing this morning! In case anyone else needs to know how I got this info from the kitchen emporium. Happy Seasoning!

Seasoning Cast Iron
Seasoned Cast Iron can be considered the "grandfather" to today's "non-stick" cookware.
Cast Iron Cookware must be seasoned properly and it will last a life-time. ( I still use my Grandmother's cast iron skillets on a regular basis and they must be at least 60-70+ years old.)
New Pans
Heat the oven to 250o - 300o
Coat the pan with lard or bacon grease. Don't use a liquid vegetable oil because it will leave a sticky surface and the pan will not be properly seasoned.
Put the pan in the oven. In 15 minutes, remove the pan & pour out any excess grease. Place the pan back in the oven and bake for 2 hours.
Repeating this process several times is recommended as it will help create a stronger "seasoning" bond.
Also, when you put the pan into service, it is recommended to use it initially for foods high in fat, such as bacon or foods cooked with fat, because the grease from these foods will help strengthen the seasoning.
Pans needing Re-Seasoning
If the pan was not seasoned properly or a portion of the seasoning wore off and food sticks to the surface or there is rust, then it should be properly cleaned and re-seasoned.
Remove any food residue by cleaning the pan thoroughly with hot water and a scouring pad. I understand that heating the pan first to a temperature that is still safe to touch helps open the pores of the metal and makes it easier to clean.
Dry the pan immediately with dish towel or paper towel.
Season the pan as outlined above.
Caring for Cast Iron Cookware
Seasoning a cast iron pan is a natural way of creating non-stick cookware. And, like you cook and clean the modern non-stick cookware with special care to avoid scratching the surface, your cast iron cookware wants some special attention too.
Clean the cookware while it is still hot by rinsing with hot water and scraping when necessary. Do not use a scouring pad or soap (detergent) as they will break down the pan's seasoning.
Never store food in the cast iron pan as the acid in the food will breakdown the seasoning and the food will take on a metallic flavor.
Store your cast iron cookware with the lids off, especially in humid weather, because if covered, moisture can build up and cause rust. Should rust appear, the pan should be re-seasoned.
When you purchase cast iron cookware, they are medium gray in color, but after usage, they start turning darker. (My pans are very black in color.) This is normal and should be expected.
Cookware Guide

The smaller family members!

2009-02-03T18:03:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone, this is Diva the spazz! Can you tell? I mean just look at her! She is the bane of my husbands existence. All he has to do is look at her and she wants to pee on everything! Tuffie( on the right side) otherwise known as my nighttime foot warmer. He has two sisters that terrorize him daily. Below is Ria, that would be Ria pequeno to the general public. She is tiny, but her attitude is not. Just ask her!

Favorite Shoes

2009-01-24T05:53:00.000-08:00

What Can I say??? I think the picture says it all. These are my favorite shoes! Isn't it obvious?

Waiting on Spring

2009-01-23T15:53:00.000-08:00

Oh, I can't wait for Spring! I love the weather, everything coming to life after the cold and frost. I am anticipating working in my yard and watching my roses bloom. Not just that, but I am so looking forward to being outside in the nice weather, at the lake or just walking with the warm breeze blowing on me.

2009

2009-01-22T10:49:00.000-08:00

I so can not believe that is is January 2009! Okay, Okay so I must be aging if time is flying this fast! I am once again battling my weight this year. I am determined to get rid of it!! My goal is to be 15 pounds lighter on February 1, than I was on January 1. It looks like I might actually achieve this first goal! I don't so much want to shed the weight to look "thin" as I do to feel better and be more active. So, I am exercising daily, yes.... even when I don't want to! I have to get to work so I will share more later!

2007-09-20T05:44:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhh, It is Thursday morning and I am still sleepy! I was just thinking to myself that I could have easily languished in bed this morning, took a cup of coffee out on the deck while watching the hummingbirds, and read a good book. But instead, I am here at work early this morning running through a list of "to-do's" in my head trying to get motivated. I suppose when I finish this cup of coffee and breakfast of grapes I might be ready to go.

I love this pic! I can feel the wind in my hair and the warm kiss of the sun when I look at it!

Hope you all have a good day!

Check it out

2007-09-18T06:05:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhhh, I love Fall ! All the colors and the weather. Fall and Spring are my favorite times of the year.

Check out this mural, I love it! How creative! ( and funny) ya think that tells something about the person based on which urinal they select? *snickers*

My daughter the Artist

2007-07-18T11:40:00.000-07:00

This is just one of the pictures was daughter drew recently. I think it is awesome! She definitely doesn't get it from me!

Rain

2007-07-10T10:18:00.001-07:00

Living here in Oklahoma I found it a little odd to watch the weather and realize that we are getting rain every day in the middle of the summer and everyone else is burning up. It is a little unusual to say the least. I am enjoying the rain. I would much rather it be wet, than HOT as hell. Besides I am too busy to do anything but work so the rain is barely noticeable. Except for the fact that I have to consider which direction to drive home when it is a down pour, because we have flooding in the weirdest places. Roads that I would have never suspected would flood. Anyway, Hope you all have a good week.

AHHHH

2007-06-27T06:14:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't been updating much lately. Life is soooo busy right now with year end and all. I won't be on much for the next several weeks. I will continue updating my weight each week and checking in with you all. Take care! See you all soon.

Weigh in

2007-06-18T10:08:00.000-07:00

Okay, I weighed today and I have lost a total on 10.4 pounds this last 5 weeks. I am a little proud of myself ( pats self on back) It sure is harder than it used to be. My goal for this week was 3 pounds. I only lost 2.6, of course I guess I could round that up and WhOOO HOOO that makes 3! I am interested in seeing what this next week will do, I am planning on hitting the treadmill every day as well. I bought a new ipod. I didn't own one before, but found it much easier to run with music. I should have it by the end of the week. I really want a rowing machine or a bowflex with the rowing attachment. I just hate the thought of laying the cash out for it. I am not only on a weight loss quest, but a debt loss quest. Maybe I should make a ticker for that. hmmmm..

Well have a blessed day!

Getting fit

2007-06-14T08:01:00.000-07:00

So, I have been running on my treadmill everyday this week. I swear I absolutely hate trying to get into shape! Anyway, I feel tired but pretty good about it. I have been running the "baby" program that the system has. It is 20 minutes at 4.0 mph with a warm up and down phase. I was no way able to complete it on Sunday, but I did today! Of course, I sounded like I was dying....kinda felt like it too! I ran 1.2 miles. Yea me!! I havent done that in years! I am trying to lose 3 pounds this week. I will let you all know if my theory works.

Hope you all have a great day!!

Hypothyroidism & Weight Loss

2007-06-11T06:42:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I found this article on WW web site and found it to be helpful. Perhaps it will be helpful to someone else so I thought I would share it with you!

Hypothyroidism and Weight Management
By The Weight Watchers Research Department 4/14/2006-->

Modest weight gain is one of many symptoms associated with the development of hypothyroidism, a medical condition in which the thyroid gland produces too little thyroid hormone.
Thyroid hormone plays a role in the regulation of the body's metabolism. When the body's ability to produce the hormone is limited, there is a reduction in metabolism and subsequent weight gain can occur. Fluid retention is also linked with the development of hypothyroidism and can contribute to added weight. In addition to a reduced metabolism, weight gain prior to the diagnosis can be linked to a variety of factors, including increases in food intake, decreases in physical activity as the result of fatigue, and the aging process.
Hypothyroidism is a fairly uncommon condition, occurring in approximately 0.5% of the U.S. population.1 It is found more frequently in women and is diagnosed more often in both genders with advancing age. 2
Although some individuals gain a significant amount of weight, the average weight gain is around 5-10 pounds.3 Generally, the more severe the hypothyroidism, the greater the amount of weight gained.
Hypothyroidism Diagnosis and TreatmentHypothyroidism is diagnosed through a simple thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) blood test to verify the thyroid gland's condition. If TSH is elevated, it usually means that there is not enough thyroid hormone in the blood. The American Thyroid Association guidelines recommend that all adults have a TSH test done every five years beginning at age 35.4Hypothyroidism is treated by replacing the missing thyroid hormone on a daily basis with the drug levothyroxine (i.e. brand name – Synthroid™). Life-long therapy is needed, however, as relapses will occur if therapy is stopped. Periodic adjustments in the amounts of medication used are often needed to keep thyroid function at normal levels.
Hypothyroidism and Weight ManagementOnce thyroid function is restored, the ability to lose weight is the same as someone without the condition. However, it is not uncommon for those being treated for hypothyroidism to lose weight at a slightly slower rate. Adjusting weight-loss expectations to take this into account is an often recommended strategy for those working to lose the weight gained prior to the diagnosis of hypothyroidism.

Maintaining

2007-06-05T06:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, well... I didnt lose any weight this week. I am still at a total of 7 pounds. How frustrating, I guess it is a sign that I am actually getting old.. hmmmm they always say it is harder the older you get. Or, it could be this whole thyroid issue...Or I could just admit that I need to work harder at it. Yea,, that's the ticket. I need to get on that treadmill more often. I just dont want to with the baby around because she will want to play with it and I don't want her to get hurt. Ahhhh, well I guess I will figure something out! Let me know if you have any ideas. ;o)

Wordless Wednesday

2007-05-30T06:40:00.000-07:00

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-05-28T17:55:00.001-07:00

2007-05-25T11:53:00.000-07:00

So, Sonic is pissing me off! I swear I go to Sonic this morning to get a large Ice Tea. sounds simple enough. Well, I push the red button and say I NEED (not just want but need) a large ice tea, please. The girl says "one mango tea, will that be medium or large?" I reply, I need one large regular ice tea, no mango tea. She says "Oh, a regular tea, large?" I said yes ma'am one large regular tea. I pay for my tea and drive to work. Once I get to my desk I put 3 packets of sweetener in it and take a big gulp. Ya know my doctor told me to stay hydrated! Talk about sick! It was nasty mango tea with sweetener! PUKE! Needless to say I called them up! So, now I don't want to go get my replacement tea, because how do I know they won't spit in it?? Any way....

Ahhhh,,, It is Friday, before a long weekend. I should be excited about being off work an extra day, but with this sinus infection I can't seem to stay positive! All I can think is.... I need a nap, ...Man, Monday I have to fight all the crowds at the cemetery, All I want to do is rest! Of course it is year-end and we are battling a short time line to complete the budget and I have a pile of reconciliations to complete before year end! (btw year end is June 30) I apologize for the negativity, but I am just plain tired!

Ohhh yeah, I swear, I think I have gained weight this week! So that has me down as well.

Sorry Guys, hope you have a great holiday!

2007-05-23T06:39:00.000-07:00

UGGGHHHH I give up! I am going to the Dr. today. I think it was a cold, but now it is a sinus infection and I am sick of being SICK! WAHHHHHHH. So, now that I have sufficiently whined for the day. I hope you all have a good day and I hope the Doc gives me some good stuff ! Catch ya later.

Fresh cut Grass

2007-05-21T05:40:00.000-07:00

Nothing smells better than fresh cut grass! Of course! in my case alot of it was weeds. I am still trying to tame our yard. Of course, yard is a irrelevant term, because not only to do try to tame the 2 acres that is fenced in with chain link, but the other 3 acres that are between the chain link and the road! All of the rest of it becomes jungle! OHHH yeah, I have forgotten to tell you how much I hate snakes! Well, I saw the first one of the season on our property yesterday! A baby copperhead! It was very pretty..... the mean little bastard! He survived, because by the time I finished running away I had a hard time finding him when I returned with the shovel! Sorry all you copperhead lovers, I had intentions of ridding the world of at least one more of them! OOO If you want I will transplant them to your home if you prefer!! Soooo, this is what I did all day Sunday! This morning I am blessed with a gorgeous view from my porch though!

Family

2007-05-19T07:43:00.000-07:00

FAMILY
Equals

LOVE

This is a tribute to my family, who puts up with me! I love you all with all my heart! I appreciate all that you do for me. *Nae grins cheesily * YOU COMPLETE ME!

Of course I love all my Amigo's and Amiga's. Have a very blessed day today. I just wanted to tell everyone I love how I feel about them today!

RELIEF

2007-05-17T13:14:00.000-07:00

AHHHHH let me sing the praises of Sudafed PE! I love it I love it I love it! I actually feel like a human being again! My sweet hubby went to the store and brought me back sudafed and day and nite time! I actually decided not to go to the Dr. today because I feel like I can survive. (Granted, If I am not better by Monday I will be first in line to see Ms. Sara!) I don't know why but Sudafed is just about the only thing over the counter that helps me. Good Stuff Man! I can breath and my face doesn't feel like it is going to explode! Life is good!

Sick

2007-05-17T05:59:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't updated in a while. Aside from being my usual busy self. The baby girl and I have been sick. She has yet another ear infection and the antibiotics hasn't worked yet. She is finished with them and still appears no better than before she started taking them. She was also on ear drops and apparently that hasn't worked either. I guess I just have a summer cold or a sinus infection. Thought about going to the Dr. but I think I will give the Sudafed a couple days and see if it goes away on its own.

Boy, does it suck being sick and trying to lose weight! All I want to do is eat! ARRGGGHHH!

Mouthwatering Monday

2007-05-14T11:21:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I wish this cupcake was only 16 calories! Looks pretty dang good. As I sit here and eat my WW 1 point carrot cake. Actually, this carrot cake is a life saver. I could probably plow through 4 of those sweet fluffy pink confection covered cakes in the picture. But I will endeavor to persevere on my task of returning to the life of the "What a nice body she has" "She is actually pretty hot for her age". Ya, you get the picture huh?

I lost 3.6 pounds this week, not bad for eating out several times. Lets see there was Rib Crib 2 times and Carraba's last nite. OOOOHHHHHH I love Carraba's Italian food! Oop's can't forget Braum's.--No ice cream just a burger. Actually, I think I have eaten out more this past week than I have in the last couple of months! So, I am pretty hyped! Well, gotta go guys, I have a date with the treadmill. He doesn't like it when I stand him up!!

New Weight Loss Ticker

2007-05-12T06:46:00.000-07:00

Okay, guys... I have added a weight loss ticker to my page so that you may see my weight loss. ..."Nae thinks to herself...hmmm this will force me to be accountable to everyone, maybe a little accountablility is a good thing, No NO NOOOO not a good idea Nae! Stop it ! But alas it was too late to turn back. The deed was done!

My new Rose Garden

2007-05-11T10:49:00.000-07:00

check it out! These are the roses I have planted around my storm shelter. ( Or hidey hole for those of you who dont live in tornado alley). Aren't they awesome! I didnt want to regular hybrid roses that everyone has in their yard now days. I wanted something different. So, my friends, you may ask what is different about this rose? Well, It is what most roses were like in the 1800's before we started truly modifying the rose stock. ( Or so I read ) I love them! What do ya think?

2007-05-10T05:55:00.000-07:00

Okay, Okay, Okay, my friends. I have finally had enough! I am sick of this weight I am carrying around. I can't decided if my thyroid medicine is working or if it isn't because I am gaining weight. So, I thought to myself Monday, "Hey, I think I will join weight watchers online." I mean, come on, They have been in business for EVER! I remember my mother dragging me to a meeting when I was little. Of course, I had a bad taste in my mouth because I remember her being so displeased that she had to weigh in front of every other women. Scarred me for life I tell ya! But, I was thinking I needed something drastic!

Anyway, So I make this decision, and then I think....... Hmmmm my whole department at work does weight watchers, perhaps I should go to the actual meetings. I know it's a little scary, but I was thinking forced accountability! So, I did it! Yep that's right, didn't give myself time to back out of it, I went to the meeting at lunch time on Monday and sign right up. MMMHHHHMMM I signed in blood that I would only eat X amount of points per day and for that right they could draft my bank account 39.95 per month!

So, here we are 4 days on the program! It really isn't so bad. There are all kinds of weight watchers stuff at the grocery and I haven't been hungry except for the second day, Tuesday, I could have eaten my arm off! Not to mention that I don't eat breakfast. Well, I didn't eat breakfast before. But hey I am thinking breakfast is actually a pretty good idea. So, I will keep you guys posted on my progress.

Wordless Wednesday

2007-05-09T10:25:00.000-07:00

Ten Things you dont know about me

2007-05-03T06:23:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged by Rebecca from http://sunnybrookrebecca.blogspot.com/to post Ten Things You Don't Know About Me.

So, here goes.

1. I am an accountant....... but hate higher math, like Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, etc.

2. My first car was a ford escort, Yes I said Ford Escort!

3. I was in the United States Navy for two years. Right out of high school, that was an eye opening experience. I can honestly say I now know I was truly naive. I lived on board a submarine tender, the USS CANOPUS. They put it out of its misery a few years after I left the service. I don't regret a minute of my time spent serving our wonderful country, but two years was long enough for me. Sorry all you "lifers" just didn't think I wanted to raise my kids in the service.

4. My stepfather is a preacher

5. I love to have pedicures! Nothing better than having your feet and legs massaged and toe nails painted. Of course, in my fantasy it is a big buff dark headed man with green eyes, not a little tiny Asian woman who is in a hurry.

6. I absolutely could not stand Rebecca from http://sunnybrookrebecca.blogspot.com/ when I first met her. HATED HER! But of course like my other bestest friends, I came to love her. (' Couldn't be that we are a lot alike!) Remember that Bek? The days at Revis?

7. I have had a job since I was 14 and didn't complete my degree until 2003.

8. I have only truly loved one man my entire life. Yes honey, it is you Michael.

9. I was truly blind for 9 months in my right eye. I was diagnosed with optic neuritis when I was 26, my "mallrat" daughter was just two months old and I had a sinus infection. I woke up on a Saturday morning and couldn't see anything out of my right eye. Very SCARY! Because I had always been very healthy I didn't even have an eye doctor let alone a neurologist or opthamalogist or any other the other specialist I came to know over the next few months. I went to an optometrist and He scared the crap out of me because after dilating my eyes he proceeded to tell me that I had Multiple Sclerosis. I mean HELLO! I know know he was in no position to diagnose that. So, he sent me home and told me to find an opthamalogist, btw don't drive when you are blind in one eye and cant see out of the other! I scared the Crap out of myself on the way home! Only by God's grace did I manage that one! Anyway, I became case study, I didn't not have MS, it was a freak thing caused by a sinus infection or so they think. They told me I would never regain my vision, but I believed God answered my prayers and healed me. Because I now have 20/20 vision in both eyes again!

10. I have no favorite color.

Wordless Wednesday

2007-05-02T06:24:00.000-07:00

EVE ONLINE-RAYNA KAIN

Terrific Tuesday

2007-05-01T14:38:00.000-07:00

This is what has been keeping me so busy!! The new addition to the family! It is like having twins with the "baby girl" and Kregan! Well, and now you all need to look out! Watch for this car on the roads of North America, Because my oldest baby is now a licensed driver!! Watch Out! LOL well, I am a little stressed but she really is a pretty good driver all things considered.

Wordless Wednesday

2007-04-25T12:56:00.000-07:00

2007-04-20T12:44:00.000-07:00

This is what I am seeing right now!!!! Only not so neat.

This is what I want to see right now. AHHHHHH looks so peaceful.

2007-04-18T06:23:00.000-07:00

Tuesday's Top Ten

2007-04-17T17:08:00.000-07:00

10. Flying

9. Laying in Bed listening to the Rain

8. Curled up Reading a book

7. Racing through the water with the wind in your hair

6. Truffles

5. Dove Chocolate

4. Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

3. Racing down the highway with the wind in your hair

2. Being loved

1. Being ALIVE !

Ahhhhhh Monday Morning

2007-04-16T06:46:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday All.

I so do not want to go to work today!! Congrats to all you who do not have to participate in the 9-5 grind. I really do like my job, but there are just some days that I could walk out and never look back. Thank you Jesus that it isn't all that often I feel that way!! I could so play EVE all day! Think I could make a career out of playing EVE?? HMMM I will have to look into that. Gotta get to work work, dream time is over.

GREETINGS!!

2007-04-15T07:11:00.000-07:00

Hello All! I hope you are all having a great Sunday! This is the first time I have blogged, so bear with me, while I get started. I chose this picture because I thought it reflected God's peace and what better way to celebrate Sunday!