Category — Words of Wisdom

Yesterday was tough. Really tough. I spent the day in the hospital, pretty unexpectedly (I had about two days notice plus a few less than great bloodwork results).  I’m okay now, I promise.  A bit defeated, maybe a bit more shaken than before, but I’m used to this. I’ve had a surgery and at least one major procedure every year of the first three years of my marriage.  I’m actually bizarrely chipper once I’m in the hospital – this time, post piña colada on IV drip, I waved like a prom queen and said goodbye to every staff member on the floor.  I’m so unbelievably grateful for my family and husband.  Everyone in my family has gone above and beyond; even my sister read me Harry Potter last night … (Which, by the way, I have never read!  I’m a weirdo.)  I could not do this without them.

And I know sometimes love seems tough, but it’s so worth it. I love my husband in a way that almost hurts. We’ve been together more than a decade, we met and began dating as kids, but to this day, I miss him when he’s gone (and we’re barely apart, so I’m talking the hours before he’s home from work.) Yesterday he had to run to the lab to finish last minute details for his thesis, because in addition to moving into a new apartment on Tuesday, surgery on Wednesday, recovery today, attempts at unpacking our new apartment, packing for Europe, and getting all of my own posts and legal work done before next Wednesday when we get on a plane headed for a trip I won to London, the day we get back hubby starts rotations so his PhD work has to be done before our trip.  To say this week has been crazy is an understatement.

Ahhh, yes, to the point: last night, hubby shows up to my parents house, where I basically spent my afternoon post-hospital buried in blankets, with six bags of frozen yogurt and toppings.  I could have burst with excitement, pride, and so much love.  (I really really really like frozen yogurt … in a big way.)

I guess what I’m trying to say is, I know things get tough, and crazy scary sometimes, but it’s the people around you that back you up, make you tougher, make you smile, and feed you endless frozen yogurt.

Just popping in to wish you all a wonderful New Year’s Eve! If you get the chance to reflect on this past year, think of the good. Think of all of the big things and the little things that made this past year stand out. This last year for our own family was a tough one, but I have a really good feeling about the new year. Big things for this little blog are on the horizon and I can’t wait to share every last detail with you all! Thank you for always being so supportive, so kind, so helpful, and full of such great advice. Enjoy your New Years Eve celebrations and see you all next year!

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Back when I was in college (when dinosaurs roamed the earth … or five-ish years ago), my roommate and I would prepare for our Spring Break starve-fest by posting pictures of ourselves at our worst (you know, the double chin, the love handles – blame it on an unfortunate camera angle and crappy college-girl self-esteem).  These hideous photos, along with ridiculously thin model-types (ripped straight from unrealistic magazine shoots), would crowd our refrigerator door, vying for our attention every time we reached for a Jell-O pudding snack.  I should also caution that “starve-fest” actually means the following:

• Special K and Skim Milk for breakfast (because you always start your day with the utmost determination)
• 7 mini caramel rice cakes
• 4 glasses of Crystal Light (trying to convince yourself that you’re not starving by 1pm)
• Lean Cuisine
• 1 glass of Crystal Light (Lean Cuisine was NOT enough food)
• 6 Jelly Beans
• 2 Pretzel Rods
• 2 More Pretzel Rods
• 3 Slices of Pizza (with Jelly Beans on top)
• Boxed Wine

Fast-Forward to present day … I know so many women who post these “motivational” pictures on their refrigerator door.  Last year, when I was preparing for the big day, so many brides suggested that I post the sample size photo of my wedding dress or a catalog “bride” in a wedding dress on my refrigerator door.  Like a picture was going to scare me out of EATING.  HAHA.  College was back in the prehistoric days.  Gummy Bears and pretzel rods no longer cut it.

So here’s a new take on the “Refrigerator Door Diet”- if you surround yourself with healthy, fresh foods or photos of them, you will become more conscious about your food choices and you’ll begin to crave what’s on the photos instead of giving into your old crab-hungry habits.  Pretty food > waif models.

(Kitchen Food Wall Inspiration borrowed from my friend, Diana, on Express-O; image a la Heidi Swanson via Design*Sponge.)

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‘When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story.’  Barney Stinson, How I Met Your Mother

A friend of a friend found this on the floor of her gym (or so the story goes.)

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