for what it's worth

I don't know weather it was out of boredom or avoidance of chores but, I went back and read my first post of this blog. I can't believe how much things have changed since I started this thing. I feel a million miles away from the girl in that post. Abundant Life-a journey It's amazing how much a person can change when you put your mind to it. I feel stronger now, both mentally and physically. This road has not been easy and parts have been very dark with pain and set backs. I am surrounded by love from family and friends but most of all, from a Heavenly Father who has unconditional love for his children. Life is full of ups and downs, detours and short cuts, that's for sure! Each of these has a special place in God's plan for every one of us. Some do not make sense at all, some are self-inflicted and yet, they all seem to come together and make us a better person for it. Every blessing, every hardship brings opportunities for growth. It's how we choose to deal...

Well, as I said before, I was doing so good on my weight loss plan before I broke my foot. After that, I just seemed to loose all momentum. I've always said age is a state of mind, but lately, I have been reminded that I am not 23 anymore... I went, this past Friday, to see a friend who works at The Weight Loss Zone. She is an amazing woman whom I've only know a short while but instantly liked her. (Is that the right usage of "whom"??) We met through a mutual friend a few months ago and have stayed in contact. If you want to hear an incredible weight loss story, check out her blog. She has lost over 100 pounds and kept it off by using the techniques of The Weight Loss Zone.   From Fat to Phat So, back to Friday--I had made an appointment the day before and was surprisingly nervous when it rolled around. Why? I don't really know honestly. I guess I've realized that this weight loss thing is a huge commitment and not an easy one either. When I arrived at the...

Ahh, home again, home again... We just returned from our spring break trip to Telluride, Colorado. While the scenery was beautiful and the food amazing, it wasn't the best trip we've had. I was unable to ski due to the stupid fracture in my left foot so while the boys and Shannon hit the slopes I hit the town.  Do you remember the scene in Pretty Woman where Julia Roberts (in her hooker get-up) goes shopping on Rodeo Drive and gets shunned in the store? Well, that pretty much sums up my experience in Telluride--oh, minus the hooker get-up! I was wearing jeans and a sweater but evidently still didn't look the part enough to be shopping there...Geez, I hate when people judge you based on the first 10 seconds they see you. One lady looked up at me when I entered her store and actually frowned then proceeded to ignore me while I looked around, then she was all over the woman who walked in after me! I mean really, you would have thought I was some homeless person by the way she...

UHG. I've been on this road too long. I'm trying to lose the prednisone weight that I packed on through this journey with Ulcerative Colitis and every time I feel like I'm making progress, I have a set back. FRUSTRATION is the new "F" word in my vocabulary. 2 weeks ago, I stress fractured my foot which has made exercise much harder. Prior to this, I was in a great routine! Following my diet of 1200 calories a day, eating healthy foods and working out almost daily. If I felt the need for something on the NO-NO list of foods I would find an acceptable substitute or have a very small serving just to satisfy the craving. Then I would make a point to exercise to balance out the "treat." It was working! I was feeling great and even loosing some pounds and an inch or two. Until...I stepped off the treadmill one day after working out. The next thing I know, I have a Darth Vader boot on my left foot. I was crushed! My whole fitness mindset crumbled as soon as...

That's right it's 3:45 am and I'm blogging. Why? Well, I'm in pain again. Nope, not the hips or the gut, actually it's my left foot! You see, I have a stupid stress fracture from running on the treadmill! I guess the pain meds wore off because it is throbbing like crazy right now. So, I'm up until the next dose kicks in. Tuesday evening I went to the gym to work out. I was so proud of myself for starting a new exercise routine and staying with it. When I finished my walk/run program on the treadmill, I was fine until I stepped off and felt shocking pains shoot from the top of my foot all the way up my shin. I nearly fell down! On the way home I noticed my shoe was feeling really tight and I couldn't wait to get it off. Once I was home and the shoe came off, I realized my foot was pretty swollen. I couldn't put any weight on it either. The last thing I wanted to do at 9 pm was go to the 24 hour care clinic for an xray. So, after a miserable night I calle...

Hello Tuesday! I awoke with an actual desire to get stuff done today. I guess if you put things off long enough, you will eventually want to do them. I just sat down with my 1st cup of coffee and realized how long it's been since I blogged... also realized, I've now been blogging for 1 year! Wow, time flies. A few days ago I turned 38 or 30-great as a friend of mine says. I like that 30-great attitude and I do believe I will keep that mentality. Age really is a complete state of mind. Honestly, I still feel about 27 on the inside. I hope I'm a bit wiser though. Sometimes, I'll catch a glimpse of myself in a passing mirror and think--Good grief! Who is that frumpy middle aged woman looking at me? Oh--it's me, that's right, I'm not in my 20s anymore...  Oh well. I actually like getting older. I wish my body would stay young but, I wouldn't give up any of the life I've had getting to this point. I feel seasoned, like a good marinated steak. Ok, weir...

Well, I've not had much sleep tonight due to the incessant wind from this arctic front blowing across the Panhandle. These storms also bring other goodies like uncontrollable joint and body aches. Why do I not live on a tropical beach somewhere? It's been a rough 2 weeks in the Burdett household. I got this upper respiratory crud that put me in bed for 5 days, 4 of which I ran fever regardless of taking Tylenol around the clock. I literally slept through the 4 days and have very little recollection of anything that transpired during that time.  When I finally surfaced I felt like I had been hit by a Mack truck. Every bone, joint, muscle and cell in my body hurt. I was just starting to feel better when this dang arctic blast moved in. Now, I'm in so much freaking pain I can't get it under control with any of my big gun meds. Not to mention that after holding down the fort while I was incoherent, Shannon got the same crud too. And now~ to top it off, Erik is home with...