Home Again

Relief! My husband and I lost a lot from the June 2014 flood including the house we were living in and many of our possessions! So,  over the last 3 1/2 months we have been staying at my husband's patents house (5 adults and 5 animals) which was very trying and stressful for all of us!

On October 2nd we finally closed on our new home. We are completely settled in it feels so damn good! 

You know when you move in a new house and it takes awhile to get used to it...yeah that is not an issue for us.   It felt like home right away!  It is our perfect little place...the right size for us!

We have been there just over a week and the stress had nearly left us,  with the exception of the normal day to day stress!  It is an amazing feeling <sigh of relief>

We ate thankful to All the familyand friends who have helped us through the past few months! You all are a major party of where we are today!  THANK YOU!!

Trying Times

What a couple of months it has been! Medical issues had me missing work, skipping the gym, and just miserable.  Finally got that issue taken care of and life somewhat back in order and then it got worse.

This month (June 2014) Luverne area got hit with some nasty flooding! My entire block was under water, my house flooded with the basement filling completely and coming up into my main floor.  My floors are shot, soft in some places and you can see where they are starting to rot! So we ended moving into my in-laws basement!! E are currently in the process of applying for first time homeowner loans so hopefully we can get out of here as soon as possible. 

Don't get me wrong, I love my in-laws, but I really miss having my own place and privacy and it's only been two weeks!!!  Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!!!

On a brighter note, I ran my first 5k last Saturday and it was a color run.  I must say it was the most fun thing I have done in a really long time...I honestly cannot wait to do it again!!!

HERE'S HOPING FOR THINGS TO GET BETTER!!!

Loving Life

First off, I would like to say, I am not one to toot my own horn.  However, I am having the best week ever!!!! I want to share my good fortune with all my friends and family!

On Monday, I finally broke my weight loss plateau and dropped 2 1/2 lbs!!!  Made my day, I was starting to get irritated that I was stuck at the same weight for nearly two weeks.   I just kept telling myself not to give up and it worked out!  I also have to thank CFL from work on giving me tips to change up my diet and exercise routine...I did a couple of the things he suggested, and it seems to work!  He really should consider being a personal trainer, he would be great at it!  So hard work and dedication is definitely my key to success!  Positive thinking is the way I like to live!

One of my least favorite people quit this week...It was so hard not to smile when he walked in the office and quit!  What a relief it was...I know I am not the only one who feels this way!  I won't say any names because I do not want to hurt anyone's feelings, but my "circus" days are over...lol!

I also was asked to dress business casual for work Friday.  On Wednesday, I tried on several outfits to decide what I was going to wear.  I thought I'd take a chance on one of my favorite skirts that I have had forever but was too small.  I couldn't bear to get rid of it!!! Anyways, it fit and I was ecstatic!  My hard work of eating right and working out has been paying off (53 pounds down since the beginning of September)!!!  And it looked amazing on me...can't stop smiling!

Next, on Thursday, I got a raise in my evaluation...more than I was expecting.  It showed me that all my hardwork and dedication in not only appreciated, but pays off in the end!  I know my mouth dropped open a little.  It took a lot of effort, but I managed to muster a thank you!  I always say I love my job...and mean it, and I think my bosses really see that.  I am willing to do anything they ask (as long as its legal...lol) and I know how much they appreciate it.  They are always thanking me (which is not needed) and it is nice to hear!  I have worked other places I have worked that seem to focus on only the bad things/mistakes you make.  That is not the case here!  I will continually say it over and over again...I LOVE MY JOB!!!  I know some people say that their co-workers are like family...but I truly feel like my bosses family is my family and I would do anything for them...just like I know they would for me!

Then this morning I went to The Bean in Luverne for my coffee fix, since I had to be to work a half hour earlier and I was extremely tired.  The person in front of me paid it forward, so I got my coffee free...So a big THANKS to whoever it was that did that.  I will pay it forward next week when I need a caffeine fix!

I don't want to press my luck too much, but I think I may just go buy a Powerball tomorrow morning...I mean what's the worst that can happen?!?

Until next time peeps....CJ Out!

Family First

    Family...the most important part of our lives.  It's amazing how much we take for granted when it comes to our family.  How many of us ever stop to think, what if...?   Not many I'm sure.
    I have to say I feel very lucky to have the time to spend with my parents as well as my in laws on a weekly basis.  We see our siblings fairly often, some more than others! I make it a point to talk to my mom and mother in law at least every other day...usually at least once a day. 
     But last year my mom found out she had to have a kidney transplant due to renal failure caused by her diabetes.  She has had to endure several hospital stays, daily dialysis, and other complications with her battle against diabetes.
     I never thought, what if my mom had kidney failure and had to get a transplant.   Now I find myself worrying about what is going to happen next.  I am constantly badgering her to make sure she is taking her meds, how she is feeling, how her doctor appointment went, and the stress seems to build.  I don't want to worry about whether I will get a call saying she is in the hospital again or worse.  But I do think about it...my mom is my best friend...what would I do without her?  I love my family so much i don't want to see anything happen to them.
     I have been thinking a lot lately about how to apply to see if I would be a match.  If I was, I would love to help her in any way possible, but this is s major decision.  I do not have children yet, time off is significant for recovery, will my kidney be rejected...and I am not sure that I can make that decision.  I am at a place in my life where I am happy....wonderful husband, amazing bosses/job, being free to do whatever I feel like anytime i want, financial stability...the list goes on.  I want to help my mom, but scared as well.

What would you do in this type of situation? 

Winter Blues

Living in the midwest is an all consuming, never ending battle of ups and downs.  The weather is horendous in the winter and you think after living 33 years in the midwest I would be used to these crazy winters, but I'm not.  This winter we have reached the lowest temps at -50 with windchill!  I can't comprehend why we put up with this torture.  I would like to live somewhere where the weather is more stable and significantly warmer.  However, in reality, I will probably live in the midwest for the rest of my life :-(.  We all jokingly state we are going to move south.  When I say it I am dead serious.  I would love to move south, but the fact is I am scared of the unknown.  I have never traveled outside the surrounding states (MN, SD, NE, IA, and just driving through WI and IL).  I am used to the norm of midwest living and I am scared to change it up now, as it is all I have ever known.

The main issue I foresee is my husband.  He was born and raised in the same town we are living in today.  To convince him and myself to boil down and stop procascinating the decision to move is more work than I could ever imagine.  Sure we would miss our family, friends, and co-workers, but we could adapt and meet new people.  We could come home and visit at least once a year, or more if we can afford it!  I want to get out of this treacherous weather.  I want warmth year round and beaches within driving distance (perhaps near an ocean).  I want to get out of the midwest.

Well wish me luck in my dream of escaping the unbearable winter blues that accompany most of us who know what midwest living is all about!!!

Minnesota is the new Alaska!

Did you hear the latest...Minneosta is the new Alaska.  With the current temp being -13 (before windchill) Minnesota is officially colder than Alaska (currently 35 in Juneau).  What is the midwest coming to?  I know we are known for our cold winters, but this is just ridiculous.  If you look up the temp in Antartica right now, the coldest temp currently is -25...We are not far off from that.  I am feeling like I need to build an igloo and get me a parka made from the fur of polar bears or wolves. 
The Minneosta governor called off school for the whole state on Saturday before the cold had even hit.  We have officially reached the coldest temps in decades. 

My advice to all is stay home and warm if possible.  The news is saying 5-10 minutes outside can cause frostbite and hypothermia...no thanks!! My boss has thankfully told me to stay home today, which I am eternally grateful for...I would not want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere with these frigid temps!  And for God's sake please do not take your children out in this crap unless you absolutely have to!

The funniest thing about this situation is that my brother, sister in law, and nephews just returned home from being in California.  My sis in law told me yesterday they were praying for a delayed flight...I affectionately told her "F*** you b**** you have to come and endure these cold a** temps like the rest of us since you didn't listen to me and bring back some of the California sun!"  Of course she laughed, but little does she know I was dead serious!!!

I am officially declaring that I absolutely, positively, undeniably hate winter.  I am seriously considering moving south (way south, like Hawaii)  where I will never have to deal with snow, ice, and frigid temperatures again!!

Stay safe and warm the next couple of days!  Remember its not worth risking your life over!!!  God bless you all!

Resloutions

Happy New Year to everyone.  I am sur everyone has their New Year's Resolutions ready and roaring to go.  What are yours?  Get into shape? Quit smoking? Save money?  Why so we torture ourselves with these silly resolutions that we are bound to break within the first couple of weeks.  I am dumbfounded, becasue I like everyone else have a lit of things I want to achieve this year, but fear of failing is weighing on my mind.

My list starts with Continuing to Get Into Shape..I joined a local gym at the beginning of September and faithfully go 3-5 times a week.  However, last week I did not go once because I was so busy.  On Monday and weighed in and actually lost a pound despite my fears of Holiday weight gain.  I am gurently at 39.5 pounds lost.  I am super proud of myself and hope to continue working towards a healthier, leaner me!

Second on my list is Quit Smoking.  This is the one that scares me becuse they say when you quit smoking you gain a lot of weight...What?! I just lost a bunch I do not want to gain it back.  I have not tried to start this goal yet, but it is on my to do list for the year.  I guess I will just have to try to up my workout regimen to counter the gain that is inevitable to come!!

Third goal is Save Money!  This one is important because my mother in law wants us all to go to Mexico next Christmas.  Not sure that is my ultimate destination, but a goal nonetheless.  I have never been anywhere outside the surrounding states of Minnesota.  The places I've been include South Dakota, Minneosta, Iowa, Nebraska, and just driving through Wisconsin just into Illinois (about 15 minutes from Chicago).  Pretty lame I know, but here's to reaching my goal of traveling somewhere by plane in 2014!

Finally, the ultimate goal for me...Start a Family.  I know that there is only so much I can do to accomplish this goal, but I plan on doing my part everyday until it is achieved...Shoul dbe loads of fun!!!

Well, that is enough for today.  I hope all of you reach your goals this year!!! Here's to a much better year in 2014!!!