Saturday, February 27, 2010

Let's Go Skiing!






Continental Divide





Monarch Ski Resort was our destination. The weather was perfect and the kids were ready! We haven't been on the slopes in two years and couldn't wait to get back up on the slopes. I am the resident lodge bunny and watcher of stuff. I was hopeful to finish some homework and make some phone calls. Good thing I brought a book! No wi-fi and No cell service. There weren't any injuries and by run two they were back on the black diamonds. We all took a "day off" from the no wheat, no sugar thing too. We have traditional food and candy we bring when we ski or I should say, they ski and I wasn't about to break tradition! It was a great day on the slopes and we are planning for more already!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

I Hate This Stove


I know that's not nice to say. The H word and all. But honestly, this stove is my kitchen enemy. I ruin more food on it than any other time. It does not cook fairly or evenly. It is not on my team. And for goodness sakes, if I'm gonna put effort into meals everyday, I need a team player here. I LOVE gas ranges and we had talked..had being the optimum word here... about trading this bad boy our for a nice evenly cooking gas range. Ahhhh. The thought. Until then, I will continue to be kind to this here enemy of mine even though my potato soup may have a little burnt taste tonight. I won't complain. Nope. Not a word. NOT!

Vitamin D ..Say What?




Terrell got his labs back from the doctor. PSA..good. Cholesterol..a little high. Vitamin D...low. What?? Since when do we test for Vitamin D and since when is it ever low? We live in a state that claims 300 plus days of sun. Oh that's true enough but... they (who is they anyhow???) don't say how many of those days you're inside LOOKING at the sun cause it's just too darn cold to wander out. Oh don't get me wrong.. Colorado is an amazing state but the need for intense warmth is prevailing on this cold February day. Two of my girlies were brave, grabbed a blanket, a book and ran to the warm front porch. That is if 33 degrees is warm.
Can I please go somewhere warm??

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Famous Couples Party




Decisions, Decisions! Seal and Heidi? OJ and Nicole?? Me and Mrs. Jones? Who won???

Tiger and Elin.... in their happier days. :)

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Tulips




My all time favorite flower is the Tulip. I fell in love with them back in California as a child. I planted sooooo many one year for my mom and they were beau.ti.ful! My sweet husband knows I love them and brought not one but TWO plants to me!! Aren't they pretty? So delicate. Smiling!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Candida..The Unwanted Friend

Where to start... 10 years ago I began a journey I had not wished for or even asked for, let alone wanted. Candida became a friend to me. One I would prefer to have left somewhere else but sure enough it chose me to attach itself to and make its permanent home. Ahhh.

So through tears, doctors appointment, medicine that worked temporarily, and pain I have struggled with this unwanted friend.


How did this happen to me is what is usually asked? Well. I was antibiotics from 6th grade through 12th grade non stop for acne, progressively going through each antibiotic available as my body became immune to the last. Spending a LOT of my parents money too I might add. Not one doctor was smart enough to share the long term affects with me or even suggest acidophiles to counteract what I was doing. No one should be on meds that long anyhow! Never was diet changes suggested or any other natural remedy. Oh how medical care and times have changed.

So after I had my last baby via c-section and while I was on the table, I had a tubal. My body went into shock from the change and the Candida went crazy! It was like an open invitation to invade every part of me and it did. Yeah.. did I mention I HATE Tubals!


A few years back I went on a Candida/parasite cleanse and felt amazing for the first time in years. I did a marathon not too long after that with a friend and was a tiny 6 again. Over time I reintroduced breads, carbs, sugars back into my diet and not only did I gain my weight back I had lost, the Candida went bizerk. I have been spirally down for two years really. We ate comfort food here (all the time) adjusting to the cold and life of Colorado. My body ached, my brain was fuzzy, my mood off..especially for the last weeks before Mother Nature came to visit.

Enough already, right? I agree wholeheartedly! My sister in marriage introduced me the the McCombs Plan 4 weeks ago. I said, "Hey, I gotta do something and this looks like I can actually eat!" So, I bought my herbs, fresh food, and started this journey to health once again. Oh, I also have a great, really GREAT, female doctor who took my problem seriously and in combination of healthy foods I am taking, on an as needed basis, Fluconzale. She is retesting me regularly and we are working on a solution together.

I feel so good. I can think clearly and though I absolutely want chocolate daily still, I'm making it. Fresh pineapple has become my sweet substitute. So I now have to decide once.and.for.all not to ever go back on bread, limit my sugar intake to special occasions, and choose to eat this way for the rest of my life. I am slowly shrinking again.. one day those 6's will call my name from the closet but to wake up every morning without the aches and yuckiness from Candida makes me want to sing! Soon I hope to get my long time friend a packin' and no longer be bound from that unwanted friend.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Breathe Retreat




This is my friend Laura. She and I have a high school base camp together during the week. Our temperaments definitely complement each other. She is in tune to things I am oblivious to. It was so fun going to the retreat with her and pouring into the lives of the kids. Next.. Guatemala.. God Willing.

God's Spirit reigned down. Sweet time of worship.

Loved having T there with me!

Loved being with my girls too! They taught the girls how to ho-down throw down one night in the cabin! Got that dancing gene!

Friends and more friends! It was a wonderful weekend with the TLC youth. God did a great work in the lives of these kids and my prayer is that it doesn't stop.
Life Changers. That's what I want.