Jenn’s blog

What is your favorite scent or smell and why?  

 

I love the smell of honeysuckle. Absolutely my favorite scent. And I am so happy they are starting to put it in candles, bath products, etc. I remember summers as a kid visiting relatives and exploring the neighborhood we would find honeysuckle bushes. The perfumed scent of the flowered bushes was overwhelming. I suppose it reminds me of being a kid and finding some secret garden - sort of magical, ya know?

 

~Jenn 

I saw an Oprah show the other day about adult children of sperm donors wanting to find their biological father. This got me to thinking.

Even though I have 4 parents (mom/SF and dad/SM) I actually have one more parent. My biological father and mother split soon after I was born and the last time I remember seeing him I was about 6 years old. It is now 24 years later (I still can't believe I'm turning 30 in May) and I decided to finally search for him. In about 15 minutes, I had located him. I still can't believe it. I e-mailed him a generic e-mail with basic information and he responsed confirming who he is.

I e-mailed him back with more information and a slight history about what has been going on in my life. I'm still a little shell-shocked. I also had a very vivid dream last night about finding him. I feel a little weird.

I told him and honestly feel the only reason I wanted to find him was for basic information. I don't feel the need to fill a whole in my heart or life, I have a great family and of course, there's Michael. I wonder what he's been up to, if I have other siblings, where he's at now in his life. I'm also somewhat curious why he hasn't attempted to find me after I became an adult. I figure it's because he wanted me to live my life and find him when I was ready, but I haven't felt like I was missing something. What if I never decided to look for him? Someone said maybe he was afraid of being rejected. I guess I will find out soon enough.

Overall I do feel good. Of course, now I need to tell mom. I think she will be ok with it (I mean it doesn't really have anything to do with her and she always told me I could look for him if I wanted), but I still worry. Hey, that's me after all - the worrier.

So, I will keep you posted as this goes on. This really is a huge deal, but maybe it just hasn't sunk in yet.

Oh and I'm off school for 3 weeks on a break - Yippee! Plus, Michael and I are finally over being sick.

~Jenn

Well I got over my stomach flu after a few days and managed to make an A- in Business Communications. I've started my History class (easy breezy) but Michael got sick last Sunday with a severe cold (flu-like symptoms) and now I've got it. Yuck! Sick again after only 1 1/2 weeks. Now my voice is real raspy - to bad I'm not a phone sex operator. Ha ha.

Michael is relatively better, now just dealing with a basic head cold. He actually missed a night of work, that's how sick he was.

Ah the weight loss issue. Well, I'm staying on track for the most part, only a few slips. My first goal date is March 17th and the goal is 20 lbs. Here's hoping. No, here's to DOING.

~Jenn

Yuck, I'm sick today. I hate throwing up.

I woke up about 3:00 am running to the bathroom and kept that up for about 2 hours. Then getting a smidgen of sleep woke up to running back to the bathroom, this time throwing up. Incidentally because of this stomach flu, I've lost 2 lbs today. LOL. There's a way to loose weight. Ha. Just Kidding.

Anyhoo, supposedly this is just a 24 hour bug that has been going around. The crazy thing is it just hit me all of a sudden. And, I'm contagious, very contagious. So, I've been trying to stay away from the family. I missed work and school today, which means not only will I have my final tomorrow, but also my interview. Blecht.

At least it's just 1 more day of class.

~Jenn

I woke up late this morning so I didn't get a chance to do my exercises, otherwise I've been pretty good today. Oddly enough I don't have cravings tonight like I did last night. I also figured out 1 way to help with the late night cravings:
Stay out of the kitchen.

Sounds simple, I know. But I think it has helped a lot. Basically if you aren't around the food, you won't be tempted to eat it.

One more day down, 269 more to go. Phew.

~Jenn

I'm still doing good today. But I noticed after class tonight, I was craving to eat something. Once I got home, I did allow myself to have an "evening dessert". It was a Weight Watchers dessert, so I felt ok about it. I wondered why I was craving food though. I felt great, I was in a good mood and yet I wanted to eat. I wanted to run to the local Wendy's and grab a burger combo so bad.

But I didn't. *phew

I wonder why I crave food when I'm happy. I suppose it would be like a celebration? Interesting.

Also, I watched an Oprah episode tonight about people that had lost an immense amount of weight naturally (no pills or sugeries). One woman managed to lose 530 lbs!!

Wow.

If she can do that, why can't I simply lose 80 lbs? Let's stay motivated.

~Jenn

Back to square 1 folks.

So, my "Jenn's Super Weigh-Loss Challenge" a few months ago bombed. Well, I should've known better. I decided to make a resolution this year (which I normally don't do) and go for weight-loss attempt #278. I bought a book 2 weeks ago by Jorge Cruise called "8 minutes in the Morning, Easy weight loss". It not only gives you eating hints but more importanly exercises to do in the morning that only take 8 minutes! Just what I needed.

So far, I'm starting week #2 and doing well. I did splurge over the weekend, but got right back down to business today. Then I watched the Oprah show about living your "Best Life" and how this is the year for weight loss. I will be downloading the contract and signing it tomorrow. I need to cut this crap out that I am doing to myself and start living my Best Life...

I figure if I can't take care of my own health how can I 1) Take care of others, 2) teach or tell others they need to change their health and 3) really enjoy living with my family (my loving husband!).

It's time to get in shape. No more fast food. No more excuses. Period.

Here we go again, only this time I WILL lose the weight for good.

~Jenn

Just a quick (attempted) update on what's been going on with me.

For the past 2 weeks, I've been dealing with a case of hives, which I have never had before. I think I've got it narrowed down to our laundry detergent, ALL, so we switched over to Tide Free. I also started using Pure & Natural body soap to help. However, the rash/hives weren't going away on their own (or with OTC medication) so I went to a Dr. yesterday and got a shot of steroids. I've already seen a vast improvement, yeah for me.

Btw, because of Nutrition class I am starting to watch what I eat (again, I know) but this time I am just trying to make basic healthy choices. I also picked up a set of daily vitamins, with metabolism help. This class has really made me think a little deeper about what I've been doing to my body and how desperately I need to correct that.

Because I was off work yesterday, Michael and I got to spend some time together. He knew that normally I would be going to class (Nutrition) by 6 pm that night, so our time was still limited. At one point he said "I miss you and I will be lonely tonight." How sweet?! So, I decided to skip class, I knew we didn't have anything major due, etc and figured that spending a evening with my husband was important. After the girls left, we went out to dinner (nothing fancy) and wandered around Hobby Lobby looking at Christmas decorations. I love that we can wander around a store together looking at anything and still enjoy ourselves. I love that he is genuinely interested in many of the things that I am (like Christmas decorations) without me feeling like he is placating me.

I am especially glad that he "misses me" and feels lonely when I am not around, then is willing to express that to me.

~Jenn

Grrr. So, the "Jenn's Super-Weight loss challenge" was a bust. I completely crashed last week. I'm not starting out this week any better. And I feel terrible. I don't just mean feeling guilty, but physically too.

What in the blue blazes is wrong with me?

I wish I could figure it out. My weight has started to creep back up dangerously close to my highest weight ever of *dramatic pause* 232 lbs.

*gasp* Yep, that's right. At one point in my life, I weighed in at 232 lbs. And right now I am just a few months of eating myself back up to that weight. What am I going to do?

*Sigh

~Jenn

Day 2

So, I've gotten through most of today with no problems. I ate carrots and apple slices again. I am not eating so well tonight, but limited so it shouldn't affect my overall day. I am eating some bacon/tomato bowls (8 WW points) and a few slices of garlic bread. Not the best, but again I will still be within my day of alottable points.

Today was easier for me because I didn't go to work *embarassed smile*, so I only had to deal with cravings at home. 2 days down, Eleventy Billion to go. *Sigh

Day 3

I've decided to just post additional days together, maybe by week or something. Otherwise, having a daily post just about weight loss will get kind of boring.

I've done well today. Carrot sticks, PB&J sandwich, mozarella cheese, etc. I covered my necessary glasses of water as well. I'm not sure what I will eat for dinner tonight, but I will attempt to be reasonable.

I have noticed that physically I already feel better. My body seems to be responding to the healthier food already. I think that is very cool. I have had cravings today, but have been able to curtail them by thinking of a much more slender/fit me.

Day 4

Another day down. I did well again today. Same basic stuff. I ended up eating another WW frozen meal for dinner (cheese ravioli, tasty!) I've still been able to keep my cravings at bay, I do allow myself a taste here and there. And my water consumption is crazy! I drink water all day long! (which is good) I seem to crave it. My body must be telling me something. *grin*

I realized something today. I feel different mentally, which is a great thing. I believe that's what has been missing in past attempts. Something seems to have clicked in my head this go-round. Let's hope it sticks.  

Day 5

I made it 5 days! Wahoo. Almost a whole week, but the most important part of the week. Tomorrow is Saturday and I do get a little freedom to satisfy some cravings. I am going to "try" to not go as hog wild as I have in the past. Wish me luck!

I can do this. I am in this for the long haul.

~Jenn