the weekend where we're getting hamburgers every day for our dog...

* Our children's Ministry time for "The Backyard" again... I am not even kidding when I say, as an adult, I have the best time... its just plain funny!  Not to mention, I get to have some amazing conversations with kiddos.  My topic of conversation for the night? Debating why Sleeping Beauty is a good princess.  Also doing English accents from Downton Abby with a 9 yr old... she was pretty good..

On the right, Mr. Bobby being a 'ninja' - I laughed so hard, my stomach hurt

* Slept in on Saturday... I haven't slept that long in awhile.. it felt like heaven...

* It was humid so I stuck to the treadmill for my run.  I ended up watching an informercial on Montel William's "Health Master" ... I got off the treadmill wanting to order one instantly.  I refrained knowing they'll be in stores soon & I can get a 30% off at Kohl's ...

* Loving on our Buffy... she's getting so bad... not wanting to eat, getting so skinny... I'm afraid she's not going to be around for much longer... breaks my heart...

* Headed to a photo session.  I was glad for the cloud cover... but not for the rain that came.  Luckily, this couple was so easy going, they didn't even flinch about it & kept on going with smiles.  They honestly made the whole session turn out fantastically even in the midst of yucky...

Thank you Photoshop... you'd never know but right here, it was actually dark clouds & RAINING on them :)

* Seems about right... as soon as we finished the session & drove home - the sun came out... & it cooled down...

* Headed out to get Buffy some McDonald's hamburgers... we'll do anything to keep her eating

* Got caught up on my Real Housewives of Orange County.... not going to miss Vicki's screams.. & then hear her say how she's in a good place in her life over & over

*Chuch had us 29 kids in class!!! & I know of at least 10 that were missing for the day.  LOVE IT!!!  Such amazing kids we get to spend time with every week.

* An awesome dude at out church put together a video with all the videos on our youth pastor's phone & pictures he took... I love it... this is how much fun our Merge Camp weekend went.... we miss it already..





* Went to pick up my glasses - couldn't deal with the progressives... so got one pair just plain reading glasses & the other with bifocals.  Right now, I'm sitting in the bifocals, trying to get adjusted to them.  I feel like my eyes have been through the Eye Olympics lately.

* Headed to Burger King for Buffy's meal for the night...

* Poor old girl - doesn't want to move... but say the words "out front" & "Ball" & she'll jolt up & limp out the door ... & bark until you throw the ball.  We won't throw it far so she doesn't have to exert herself so much, but you can see the life just shine in her when she wants to play...

When she stops wanting to play ball... we'll know she's ready to go

* Watched the CNN Special by Dr. Sanjay Gupta called "Weed" ... having friends that medical marijuana has made an amazing impact on their daughter, I wanted to watch.  They focused on a young child that has created the form of CDC that their daughter takes.  The before & after ... blows my mind...  It was very well done & informative.  I hope it takes some of the ignorance away for some people...

Here's the whole episode if you missed it & have time.. its pretty interesting really...

Friday Fragments

Friday!!!!

 

*****

 

I was one day short this week... & it STILL felt like a horribly long week

 

*****
If you hadn't seen the big news on Facebook or Instagram
then here you go...



Say hello to our 3rd grandbaby...
what a beautiful alien blobby looking baby

Julie is due on March 17th
which make me excited thinking we're going to get a red head on St. Patrick's Day!
We love you already little one


*****
 

 

So my doctor called with the test results from last week. 

She said my Ferritin levels were low

... which SURPRISE, has to do with protein in your iron levels...

I was instructed to eat a minimum of 60g a protein a day... so I've been on the hunt for some yummy protein bars.

Harder then you may think

 

*****

I was a tad depressed this morning
It was darker then usual on my drive into work
... that means the daylight is ticking away...
I always hate that every fall/winter season

*****

My twin nieces are now in 3rd grade....
3rd grade people!!!!
What the heck!!!



& if that don't freak you out, my grandbabies are BOTH in school
Isaac is in Kindergarten & Luke has started Pre-K for half days




*******
 

 

 Sleeping in the damp air during the weekend Merge Camp retreat
has taken a toll on me

I have sounded like Barry White all week

*****

Finally got to watch Silver Linings Playbook

Bradley Cooper & Jennifer Lawrence were great in it
I can see why they got all the buzz earlier this year



But was surprised how different it was from the book
But I still liked the movie
That rarely happens...

If you stray from the book, I'm usually instantly against the movie

*****

TV Time

Bachlorette:  I didn't see that coming! I thought for sure Brooks was coming back.  I have to say though, I was happy that she choose Chris.  & I can understand what she was saying that when Brooks was gone, she saw what was there all along.... now, I'm just saying she's a lucky girl that Chris understood.  Watching all that back HAD to be uncomfortable for him.

I still give it 6 months

Big Brother:  Poor Judd ... totally blindsided.  HOW & WHY are these people so dumb.  They KNOW Amanda & Helen are running the house but no one does anything to change it - just let them make the decisions.
This has got to be the worst season ever!
I'm just glad Judd left with his bear shirt on!

Real Housewives of New Jersey:  So do you think someone told Teresa to be more forgiving, & to calm down the crazy a bit this year?  Trying to make amends with everyone... not like her...

Project Runway:.... I totally forgot it had come back on... is it worth trying to catch up online?

*****

My brother sent me this this morning...

if you love legos or if you love Wizard of Oz - watch it
its pretty amazing

I would have to think the total of this thing to make was in the THOUSANDS! 

#PalmsUp

I tend to be a little dramatic...

I can hear my husband right now... "A little?"....

I mean, I'm never one to not break out my best Evita pose in stressful situations

& give a good heart felt scream of "WHY?!?!?!?!!"

I mean, I'll do this for the most basic reasons... like this weekend, when I would lose in a game of Carpet Ball...

to me knee's I'd go & give a heart wrenching scream... WHYYYY????? ... may even throw in a good "NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!"

I love a good dramatic flair...

I need this cat... dramatic animals make me smile...

But honestly, I find myself a lot of times really meaning it... WHY?  Why do things happen?  That scream of 'why' when I feel like things aren't fair... that helpless feeling of honestly not understanding...

why?

& usually, I do it with my hands in the air - with my palms open...

We're starting a new Bible Study this week with Proverbs 31 ministries going through the book "What happens when Women say Yes to God" ...

The first challenge of the week is to go into this with our palms up... & not screaming "WHY?"... unless we really feel that way about trying to understand God.  But to look at it a different way... in maybe that pose of asking God 'why' - remembering our hands are open for a reason... to accept what he has to say.

When your palms are up & your hands are open... & more importantly... your heart is open, you're willing to accept what God has in store to give back in return...

That's exciting...

makes me want to be a little dramatic

yep... those palms are open....

So here we go, into a new study... hope to see you around here on Thursdays as we do Blog Hops & see what everyone else is getting out of this book.

Have you ever read this book?

Are you a dramatic person?

Do you have your hands open waiting to see what God is going to give to you?

Time to Hodgepodge...

1.  The first week of August is National Simplify Your Life Week...what's one thing you could do this week to qualify as a participant?

I could not do the Hodgepodge & sneak & take a nap on my desk in my office before everyone gets here...

but what fun is a day without Hodgepodge....
& how embarrassing if I had drool on my work papers....


2.  It's also National Peach Month...peach pie, peach cobbler, or please pour me a Bellini? What's your peach pleasure?

I thought it said its "National PREACH Month"... I was getting ready to jump up & give an AMEN! ... but then wondered what peach pie & peach cobbler had to do with Preaching... then realized I'm WAY too tired this morning...

I've got to be in the mood for peaches... & not a fan of peach dishes.  They get too 'gooey' or slimy to me...

But I will say, in the grocery the other day, a lady had peaches cooking up in a pan with brown sugar & butter & poured it over angel food cake for samples - that stuff was incredible!  I ended up buying 3 peaches... & then letting them go back on the counter... Peach fail...

Speaking of which, I have a thing that said peaches should be left on the counter & not the fridge... but they were sucked dry like a shriveled raisin in 2 days... so do I put them in the fridge or not?


3. Eleanor Roosevelt once wrote, "Do one thing every day that scares you." Agree or disagree...explain.

I could agree with that... as long as that doesn't mean I have to go sky diving or get on a roller coaster...

4. What's your favorite household chore?  Yes, you have to choose one.

This is just wrong... its like asking, which puppy would you like to kick & you have to choose one.

Folding the clothes from the dryer... especially when they're warm & have no wrinkles in them. 

Now, toting them up the stairs & putting them up is another thing...


5. Fodor's recently listed (what they've dubbed) the ten most beautiful sunset spots in America. Click here to read more or see pretty pictures, but this is their list...

Butterfly Beach in Santa Barbara CA, Mount Haleakala in Maui HI, Old Fort Marcy in Santa Park Fe NM, Laguna Beach California, Hopi Point in Grand Canyon AZ, Four Seasons in Miami FL, Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica CA, Gay Head in Martha's Vineyard MA, Ensign Peak in Salt Lake City UT, and Mallory Square in Key West Florida.

Have you seen the sun set from any of these spots? If you could choose to watch the sun set from one of the spots on Fodor's list, which would you choose.  Where was the prettiest sunset you've ever seen?

So none of these areas are anywhere close to me... bummer...

I think the sunset is beautiful no matter where its at... after all, its the same sun...

I usually plan photo sessions as the sun is starting to go down - the "Golden Hour" ... the light is beautiful...so to me, doesn't matter what state I'm in... its all beautiful to me, whether across the world, or in my own back yard...

(That sounded very Dorothy Gale at the end of Wizard of Oz, didn't it?)

One of my favorite parts of the movie... The Scarecrow is my favorite...

6. What's your favorite or most used app?  If you don't use apps, how about your favorite or most visited website?

I am on Instagram most of the time... just because I love pictures & am a visual person.   I'm "RebeccaJoKnits" if you're on there... send me your name & I'll follow you as well!

Also always on My Fitness Pal... which is great to see that I'm under my calories & STILL getting fat.. YEAH!!! ... OK, maybe they don't want to hire me as a salesperson.


7. We've recently passed the halfway mark for 2013...write a seven word sentence that sums up your year thus far.

It's flying by very very very fast

YEAH... I can remember how to do the trick from school on how to get that word count!... me is smart...



8. Insert your own random thought here.

We took Monday off to recover from the youth retreat... I think I need a week off to sleep & recover... but we went to finally go see "The Wolverine"...

OK... how cute is this Wolverine?

The kids are back in school around here so it was great - there was like 3 other people in the whole theater...

LOVED IT... & it really was kinda dumb & confusing... but I didn't even care...

It's Hugh Jackman!

I kept telling Ricky, "Watch, he's going to break out in Les Mis songs any minute"... Ricky said, "If he does, I'm walking out" :)

The action was good in it but I'm such a "that was stupid" person... like there is a town of ninja's... literally hundreds of ninja's on roofs EVERYWHERE... & there is a place where the bad guy is at & what do they have on the fence to keep people out?  A tiny chain with a lock you get at the dollar store.  The girl just takes her samari sword & slices the chain in two... in she goes... & not like the ninja folk couldn't jump over the fence too...

see... stupid...

But its HUGH JACKMAN!!!... none of it matters....

I will say, the best part of the whole thing?  The 2 minute clip in the middle of the credits... XMEN!!!!!! YEAHHHHH BABYYYY!!!!!

What's wrong with me?

Before any of you think, "Oh no, this is a post on the Bachelorette!"... hang in there... we're going somewhere with a point... promise.

So yeah, I was excited about the Bachelorette finale & I'll admit, it didn't end how I thought I would... that's a whole other post...

But I always hate when they bring out the last few guys that get dumped.  How hard is it to come out & see the person that you fell in love with & even worse, see them happy & engaged to someone else... ouch...

I think it happens every time though on these "After the Rose" show... it looks like this...

They're sitting side by side & when Chris Harrison, master of wrangling all the uncomfortableness (how's that for a word?) says, "Do you have any questions for so & so?"

Every time... every.stinking.time.... the person who was just dumped will say, "When did you know it wasn't me?... & then the question that kills me, "What did I do wrong?  Could I have done anything different?"

oh... the heartache....

I hate that...

but I think we can all relate... those moments when we say in a way, "Why am I not good enough?"

We tend to do that in relationships... we tend to do that when we don't get promoted on a job... we tend to do that when we're over looked...

I even tend to do it in small areas of my life... why can't I cook good enough... why can't I run faster... why won't my hair do what I want...

It's always a feeling of "What's wrong with me?"

Last night when I was watching Drew (Bless his cute little sweet heart) ask, once again, "Could I have done anything different to change the outcome?" I just felt how so many of us don't find our own self worth...

& then I thought how many times we may not even feel good enough for God to love us...

we think we're too messed up... we think we've failed Him already so many times, He couldn't possibly love us... we think we're just not worth loving or saving...

I don't know what made me feel that way... maybe someone needs to hear this today... maybe some day I'll need to be reminded of this & look back on my blog about it...

but I started looking up verses on "Not my own strength"... & came across this

"Not by might not by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty"

Zechariah 4:6

For some reason, that is comforting to me... it's not about what I can do... it's about what HE can do...

Its not about my strength... its about HIS

So if you ever feel like you're not good enough today - anywhere in your life - know you are good enough for the Creator of the World... no matter what

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. 

He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love,

he will rejoice over you with singing.

~Zephaniah 3:17

Merge Camp!!!

Wow - what a weekend...

Ricky & I got to hang out with a bunch of kids - in WAGONS! ... for realz... see?  Look at my speech! You can tell I've been hanging with teenagers for 3 days.

See - real wagons




Here's the inside... TIGHT quarters... but good for late night talks :)

We left on Friday right after work & headed up to Country Lake Christian Retreat.  We were so blessed with the weather.  I mean, its August - supposed to be the hottest time of the year & it was so nice.  The forecast never looked like it would be horrible.  The nights were even darn right COLD!  It could not have been better.

We had to get toted back to our camp grounds by a tractor with wagons in the back... so the adventure started from the beginning.

As soon as we got there, we got our wagon assignments & assigned our group of kids... I got my awesome Junior High Girls... Here we are deciding our 'call' for the weekend.  Randomly throughout the weekend I would yell, "Red ROBIN"... & they would all reply "YUMMMMMM" ... it was fantastic.

Friday night, we headed to an area that started us on team building exercises.  They split up the girls & guys, which I'm glad because half of the things involved lots of lifting & my hand was usually on somebody's butt pushing them over something.  The guys & girls needed to be separated on this one.  But it was awesome to see these girls connect immediately.  And these obstacles weren't easy - but these girls are super strong, up for anything & ready for the challenge. 

Yes - there is one guy - he was our camp coordinator telling us what to do

It was most humid this night & after all the lifting, swinging, throwing & anything else you can do with a body, we were sweaty messes... YEAH - stinky & dirty - starting out camp just right!

TOUGH GIRLS ROCK!!!!

Our goal this weekend was to talk about "Pursuing God" & the challenge was at every devotion during the weekend, we'd take 20 minutes alone with God - however you wanted.  Reading your Bible, reading devotionals, journaling, praying... I thought these kids would be like, "20 minutes?" ... but they really enjoyed it.  Even liked it.... kept saying, "That goes by so fast"... & they would come back in our small groups & have such amazing insight on verses & EXCITED about what they found.  It made me so excited for them.

I was super proud of Ricky Friday night too because Ryan, who usually leads the middle school guys wasn't there yet with his fire fighter schedule.  So Ricky led the guys in the small group time all by himself!  Look at my husband go!

Saturday - I can't even begin to tell you how busy a day it was... we started at 7 am & headed for breakfast.

OK - so most people know my horrible reaction to that yucky breakfast food that starts with a C & all kids love.  I walked into the cafeteria & there was a huge BAR of choices of it... I immediately turned around & said, "I'll sit outside"... Ricky found me some fruit & brought it out to me.  It was nice starting out the mornings outside in the quiet just talking with Ricky.

But it was so cute because after all the girls had finished eating, they came out to keep me company too... I just love these girls - every cute little face in this crowd!

We got back to the camp grounds & then headed out for a hike... the kids were excited for every thing we did... even making hiking fun.  At the end of our location, it was my turn to teach.  I spoke on my favorite verse that is on my wrist - Philippians 3:14 - & how we are to forget the pass & PRESS ON... of course, I forgot half of what I wanted to say - which I always try to think that God just didn't want me to say that stuff then & prayed my point got across.  We had the most beautiful areas to break up for our small group times.

Here's Chasity with her small group of High school kiddos

Isn't this the most beautiful place to connect with God?

& Ricky got this picture of me with the small group girls...

I'm the old one with the glasses at the end of my nose... & NO, those aren't the mentioned progressive lenses that I hate so much

After getting a little God in - it was time for some FUN!!!!!!!! SLIP & SLIDE!!!! ... & if you know me, you know I have a scar on my leg from the last Slip & Slide accident I had.  So I steered clear - which worked out well anyways - I got to use the water hose to keep the slide going & got to video tape a lot of the action & take pictures of the kids

Yes, Chasity is holding her nose... it smelled SOOOOO bad at the bottom.  We kept saying they were landing in a pile of poop... YEAH - youth ministry - they loved that! :)

Then they had the bright idea to come hug me every time they got off the slide... so by the end of it, I was just as wet, just as soapy & just as dirty as every one of these kids... I laughed so hard that my stomach hurt.  & these kids?  The smiles never stopped...

We headed to lunch & then onto the beach... I'm telling you, God totally worked with us on the weather too... it was beautiful & the water was perfect.  There was so much to do - the BLOB that flew kids into the air, a trapeze you could land into the water with, a zip line were you could race someone going down, a huge inflatable slide in the middle of the water & a Wipe Out course...

There's the course on the right... & don't let it fool you - its tougher then you'd imagine

The most exciting part of the day - the Wipe Out Course... the ultimate challenge came down to Ryan & Ricky... they are so competitive with each other anyways... & everyone knows it - so when the two of them got on the starting point, it was like the beach just stopped to watch.  Now Ricky is tall & lean... Ryan is a firefighter that is Mr. Muscles... Opposites!  Not to mention that Ricky could be his father - nearly double Ryan's age.  But they always go full force...

START... & they are off & they're neck to neck & then Ricky SLIPS off.... groans from the beach crowd.  & then Ricky made up the time & they're neck & neck - they get to the end & Ryan had taken the lead right before those last two humps at the end.  Ryan is in the middle of the two & Ricky is behind the 2nd one... Ryan is getting ready to stand up & make the final jump & end the race... when something must come over Ricky & he feels his super powers kick in.... He all of a sudden LEAPS & literally FLYS over BOTH of the humps - flying over Ryan... & Ricky slides down the back side & WINS....... THE CROWD WENT WILD... it was the best race ever...

The cutest thing, kids ran over to the dock & was yelling at Ricky how awesome & cool that was... he became a small hero to the boys that day... it was so much fun to watch!!!

We came back & cleaned up & rested for a bit... which meant CARPET BALL... this game was at every camp site & so basic - you just knocked out 4 balls of your opponets before they knocked yours out with a cue ball, using pool balls... it was the game of the weekend.  We'd form lines to play the winner of each game... the kids were so good at following rules, waiting their turn... I will say, I want a carpet ball game in my house now.  It was simple good fun!

Ricky up playing Carpet Ball...

Dinner time & then back to the beach for more water fun... this time we canoed, paddle boated & kayaked... I kayaked for the first time in my life.  You should have seen me going in 'reverse' trying to get off the beach.  I'm not a good driver.  But I got the hang of it & LOVED it... it was just fun being on the water with kids floating everywhere...

Back to the camp to clean up & get ready for the night time fun... We ended up having devotion time around the camp fire ... & finishing up with Smores... always the best ending to a night... it was the best day ever...

Sunday morning, the kids were slower getting up - exhausted... but back to breakfast & then back for our Sunday morning devotions.  I was excited about this one because Chasity was 'teaching' for the first time.  I put those in ' ' because she 'teaches' all the time when she leads worship, but she was so nervous speaking in this format... which she does all the time anyways :)  But I get how the nerves work... & she was incredible... & ended our weekend with the perfect devotion on taking what we learned & applying it to our lives...

We ended the weekend just hanging out, more carpet ball, cleaning up & just laughing with each other & enjoying the AMAZING weather...  We gave our 'awards' for the weekend.  Things like "Best Snorer" & "Most Consecutive Carpet Ball Wins" ... it was cute when the kids wanted to give awards out.  Chasity & I won for "Most Energetic Leaders" ... YEAAHHHH!!!!!!

It was sad to see the tractor come to pick us all up....

The parents were all right on time - missing their babies & then Ricky & I were headed home...

We walked in the door at 3:00pm... we were both asleep by 3:05... OH MY GOSH... I didn't even know how exhausted I was until I was driving home... it hit me like a bomb. 

I really was so blessed this weekend personally... seeing these kids grow in Christ - making friendships with one another, hanging out with kids they don't normally hang out with.  There really is something about getting away from the world.  No one kept phones with them, no ipods, no gaming handheld systems... just with each other & nature & Jesus... couldn't have been any better...

I love youth ministry...

Friday Fragments

* DOGGIE BIRTHDAYS .... we celebrated 2 of our doggie's birthdays yesterday.  Buffy turned 11 & Zoe turned 8.  I thought it was 9 & then refigured the math... (Does it scare anyone that I do accounting & couldn't get her birthday right?) ... We were glad Buffy made it to her birthday. She's not doing too well lately.  She's not eating some nights, slowing down, sleeping more... if we still have her around by the end of the year, I'll be surprised.  Always the worst part of being a pet owner... so we loved on her extra doses for her birthday yesterday.

* DOGGIE DANGER.... Speaking of dogs - I keep reading on my Aussie Facebook group page about the dangers of chip bags...  so many people talking about how their dogs have suffocated by putting their heads in bags to lick the crumbs. WHAT?  SOMEONE... not saying names... Ricky.... is so bad about leaving bags around his recliner when playing xBox ... now I'm paranoid & going to be on bag alert watch at all times


* SHE GROANS, SHE GROANS (SUNG TO THE LYRICS OF RICKY  MARTIN "SHE BANGS") ... OK, I get it... the past week, I've been moaning & groaning on my blog.  First about my glasses & then my weight & doctor's appointment... my dad totally called me out on it yesterday too & said I should change my name from Knit by God's Hand to 'Whining in God's Hands'... Alright... point taken

* SHE'S GOT BETTY DAVIS EYES .. speaking of groaning & glasses... DAD, this isn't groaning, just informing... I'm taking my glasses back.  I actually have no problem with the transition & the different levels ... I just can't SEE out of them.  The middle area, its just blurry like its not right... the reading level?  Not strong enough... so I'm planning on going back this weekend.  I bet they will LOVE seeing me walk through the doors again.

* TO RACE OR NOT TO RACE... is not even the question.  I'm totally racing!  But the big races, the Triple Crown & the Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon registration opened yesterday!  YAHOOO!!!!!  I've now got a new reason to do it after this past race & not being able to do the 13.1 miles due to my stinking back.  I love a goal.

*FUNNY OF THE DAY, (WITH A TOUCH OF FLASHBACK)... I actually had flashbacks because I remember my parents making me get in a fake-alligator's mouth in "Alligator Land" in Florida... the teeth were killing me, but they thought the picture was fantastic...

* TRICKY .... So I totally want to try this out on someone...

*TV Time ....

• Real Housewives of New Jersey ... who knew Juicy Joe could be the peacemaker telling Teresa to just let it go with Jacqueline.  I was shocked.  Too bad he's probably getting shipped out of the country soon.
• Bachlorette ... Goodness... that was just heart breaking.  The guy tells her he doesn't love her & she still says, "You broke my heart but I love you"... Oh Des... that was just sad.  I'm anxious to see what happens.  How in the world could she even think of picking Drew or Chris after she pretty much said Brooks is the only one she wants to give her heart too... anyone else thinking he comes back?
• Big Brother ... I read that Julie Chen said she will not avoid the topic of racism when Aaryn gets voted out.  Anyone else excited to see her get out now just for that interview?  GO JULIE!
• Extreme Weight Loss Edition... I woulda been ticked if I had to run a marathon without all the fanfare of the actual event.  Just hit the road & run 26.2 miles yourself?... even in Paris, that would bite...

* FUNNY VIDEO TIME ... my dad sent me this & said the twins love it... its so stupid, but funny.  The little cartoon things are what I love... & the song is actually catchy....Enjoy!  & HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!

Doctor's appintment left me depressed....& fat...

I hate going to the doctor... everything about it makes me anxious & ready to throw up a little.  I mean, my blood pressure at home does good to get over 100/70 ... in the doctor's office, I'm a stroke candidate.  Not really... but it was 135/80 ... I'm stressed.

Why did I go to the doctor?  Because I'm ready to throw something, scream, kick a can, or yell at Ricky as much as possible for no reason.  I've done maybe one of those things, but I'll never admit to which one... & don't ask Ricky either...

I just keep gaining weight... I mean GAINING...

OK - I could understand if it was something that was happening & I wasn't taking proactive measure to NOT let that happen.

It may not seem like it... but I actually don't do just this....

I mean, hello - I work out at least 5 days a week.  Run at least 10-15 miles a week.  I track every bite of food that goes into my mouth... & the results every week?  The scale either stays where its at, or it goes up.

UP?

It's not always the cute Disney movie of an old man whose wife dies... (Doesn't that sound like a 'cute' movie idea?)

OK... so this is a little cute...

 

I mean, 2 weeks ago, I got more miles in then ever.  Felt stronger then usual.. & gained 2.5 lbs for the week!

Ricky & I had just watched "Extreme Weight Loss Edition" that Tuesday before & the woman on the show had gained 30 lbs in just a few weeks.  Ricky said, "How is that possible?"... I got off the scale & called him & said, "You wonder how its possible?  Look at me!"

... ugh...

So I went to the doctor to check & see if something is off.

They took my blood & are going to check my thyroid, sugar levels, basic stuff...

& I showed her my food diary on My Fitness Pal & my exercise records (Thank you technology) & she was even confused & said that with the calories I take in & the calories I put out, it shouldn't be happening like this...

& then she informed that since she saw me last, I've gained 25 lbs...

25 lbs?!?!?!  Are you kidding me??!?!?!?

That's just embarrassing, frustrating... & as I told the doctor - plain TICKS ME OFF!

Oh Molly... you got me through  my teenage years so you know exactly how I feel

The doctor looked back at when the weight started... guess when it was. 
When I turned vegetarian....
I also pointed out that was when my body reacted so strangely to those steroids for my bicep tendonitis that had me in the ER with a MRI & neuropathy nightmare.

So I wonder if the steroids just threw my body into a loop?  if so - is it ever going to get back?

The doctor's thoughts?  She noticed that I don't get enough PROTEIN on a vegetarian diet.

I've had this conversation before with people who tell me, "You get enough"... but I really don't. 

On average, you're supposed to get like 60g... work out & see how much more you need!  By the end of a day with a run, I'm supposed to have like 90grams ... but I'm eating like 35grams a day... & that's with a protein shake that is giving me 21 grams in itself...

She said if I don't have enough protein, my muscles won't build & muscles burn fat...

There's your science lesson for the day

See - science can be cool.... even if its NOT about me getting fat

But apparently I'm messing up that cycle somehow in my diet...

I can tell the difference in my muscles since I've gone vegetarian as well... they have gotten more flabby... more 'shaky' when working out...

so that sort of makes sense to me....

She wants to send me to a dietician to see what they say... but y'all know how wonderful health insurance is... especially self insured health insurance...

needless to say, I won't be seeing a dietician

I'll be researching everything on Google... & battling against everyone who says, "you don't need that much protein"

These may be the same people who would tell me, "Steroids won't bother you" ... or "Too much Vitamin B6 won't cause problems" ...

My body ain't like most bodies... I'm special... & not in the cute little kind way your momma tells you about.  I'm more "weird" then special... & my body is reminding of this... every stupid pound of it...

The doctor also told me to maybe add ONE MORE day of cardio... great... 6 days... & said, "maybe you need to make your body more uncomfortable"... my response?  I looked at her & said, "You see what I weigh now - everything is uncomfortable"

She laughed... I cried...

So we wait & see if any of the blood tests come back strange.. .or if its just being in my 40's... or if its the veggie diet...

She told me to incorporate at least 2 of those protein shakes... so watch out... I may turn into Hanz & Franz ...

Yeah!  I'll cheer myself up with a throw back to the 80's!

Anyone else struggle with protein in a day?

Are you frustrated with weight gains yourself?  Cry with me...

Does the doctor make you nervous too?