The Blog, she is a changing...

So I thought it was time for a new look here on the Hilltop. If you read this blog on a feed pop on over here and tell me what you think. Too busy? Off center?

I think I like it, but tell me what you think.

I've also spruced up the Homeschool Review Blog, pop on over there next and tell me what you think.

Crazy Hat Night at AWANA

This is what my crazy husband and daughters chose to wear on Crazy Hat Night.

I'd say they nailed it.

Of Health and Guns

I thought you all might be wondering if I died of deprivation being as the blog has been quiet for a few days. The answer is no, I have not died of deprivation, though it was touch and go for a while there.

Honestly, I feel good and that makes me kinda mad. I'm crazy that way. I made it through the first 10 days and I feel like I did well. A little cookie and one piece of chocolate, plus continuing my one cup of coffee a day. Not bad.

I'm on the second phase of the nutritional cleanse where I'm allowed a little lean meat, so that's nice. I have had some fish and some lean chicken. I forgot how much I LOVED meat. I can't have red meat yet though, but when I can I'm having a big ol' juicy steak!

Also, I lost 7.6lbs in 10 days. Not bad. I told my nutritionist that while I'm happy with the almost 8lb weight loss, I feel that with that level of deprivation I should have lost 50lbs. She said perhaps my expectations were unrealistic. Whatever.

I must say I'm torn here. I feel better. That stinks. When I eat good for me foods I feel better. When I eat bad for me foods I feel bad. The thing is. I really, really like the bad for me foods! So it's a dilemma. It's kinda like having to choose which one of your children is your favorite. It's an unanswerable question! Do I want to feel good or eat the foods I love? Sigh. I know, I'm being a drama queen. I know I'll not have to give up everything I love, I just need to be smarter about what I eat when and in what quantities. Getting old sucks.

On a completely different note, Sir D and I went shooting last night. I am really enjoying this new little hobby. It is a lot of fun and something Sir D and I can do together. I'm not taking up motocross and I don't see Sir D taking up crocheting, so shooting seemed like a good alternative. I love seeing the type of people who come to the shooting range. You'd expect a bunch of good ol' Texas boys and there are some of those, but last night there was a husband and wife with their teenage son and two ladies in their 60's. Those older ladies were shooting a giant cannon of a gun and were darn good shots!

I'm telling you, I think half the members of the AARP down here in TX are armed!

I told Sir D that for my birthday I either want an IPhone or a pink glock or both.

Happy Saturday!





*I feel I need to mention that I really do like my nutritionist, she is a very sweet lady who knows her stuff. I just don't like what she is telling me! The truth hurts!*

I'm a big fat cheater.

It is day 9 and last night I cheated. I ate a cookie last night. Never have I felt so guilty for eating a cookie. Sir D the Saboteur gave it to me. He felt guilty. He said he didn’t know what to do. He stopped for dinner on the way home and he wanted a cookie but he didn’t know if he should get me one or eat one in front of me. He didn’t know which choice would be right.

I asked him if he ever considered eating the cookie on his way home or not at all? He said no. That had not occurred to him.

So I cheated.

I only have one more day to go. The thing is, the diet is not actually finished on Thursday. I just get to add in a few more things like lean meats. Oh happy day. I never thought I’d be so happy to eat meat. I have tilapia fillet’s waiting patiently for me in the freezer. I know exactly what I am going to have for dinner on Friday night. I can’t wait.

After 21 days total (that would be Monday March 9th for those keeping score) I will be eating chocolate for dinner.

Okay, I jest; as much as I hate to admit it, the nutritionist is right. I do feel better and have more energy. I know my body is happier with me for not filling it with garbage in the form of refined sugar and copious amounts of caffeine. I will not slide completely back into my old ways, but I am totally eating chocolate and coffee again, just in smaller quantities. Really.

Who's that girl?

Someone sent this to me on Facebook. This was taken back when I was 14 and in Mexico with my church youth group on a missions trip.

I think we should totally bring back the side pony tail, don't you? Especially if it is held in place by a large bow.

Are you with me?

Day 7 and Notes

Today is Day 7 of the Nutritionist’s torture diet. And I must say it’s getting easier. I am still drinking my one cup of coffee a day because I’m in rebellion and I like my coffee. I am easily getting my shakes down and I think I have more energy. I say ‘I think’ because I had one really good day, then I got some sort of stomach bug. I know it was not the diet, because Sir D got it too and he is most definitely NOT on the diet as evidenced by the chocolate he keeps eating in front of me.

Today I seem to be without the rock in my stomach so perhaps I’m over the stomach bug, and will be back to the more energetic me I saw for one precious day.

On another note, we went to the RV show again this Saturday. We are so very close to purchasing our RV. It is sitting in Houston waiting for us. It is lonely. We need to go pick it up. Sadly, I think it will be at least 2 more weeks before we can go get her. I can’t wait. I am so ready to go camping!

On yet another note, my sons have been going to the Fireman’s Explorer program. This is basically training to become a fireman/EMT for kids ranging in age from 14-21. My Bob is the youngest there and yet one of the biggest kids. I’m telling you that kid is like the Jolly Green Giant. They seem to be enjoying it. Will, who is almost 18, is thinking about becoming a Paramedic or Fireman after he has the requisite number of college hours, to help him pay his way through the rest of his college. We’ll see how that works out but for now at least it’s a plan.

Happy Monday!

Voices

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

This is one of my favorite verses. I noticed it on my sidebar today. It was spoken, to 'the people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem' but I think it is applicable to me as well.

I like the idea that if I listen, I will hear a voice telling me which way to go. The problem is, there are so very many voices telling us which way to go, all vying to be heard. The trick, I think, is distinguishing His voice from the others.

Day 3, and other stuff

So I made it through day 3. I have survived. I have not ben able to get off coffee yet. Still at one cup in the morning. Shut up! I’m taking baby steps. Oh, sorry, not you. I was talking to my conscious.

I went out to breakfast with a friend and I ate fruit. I was drooling over her oatmeal. Oatmeal. I hate oatmeal but her oatmeal had cream and brown sugar on it. I really was just drooling over the brown sugar. I wanted to lick it off the top of the oatmeal. I need help.

In other news, because apparently the world still spins even when I’m not allowed sugar, Sir D and Bob are sick. They have the cold-from-the-dark-side that I had last week. We are a giving family.

Also, Ann has exactly 11 more weeks at Scottish Rite. 11 more times I have to drive downtown. I can’t wait till it’s over. I think I may be more excited than she is.

One other thing. I am in need of a good book. I have hit a reading slump lately. I love adventure/suspense/romance type books. It does not have to be Christian per say, but I don’t like smut. Any suggestions? Come on. Give me something. I have to keep my mind busy or I’ll start licking other people’s breakfast cereals.

Day 2

Hello my name is Tricia and I have a problem…

I am addicted to coffee. I oh so arrogantly thought yesterday that I was above withdrawals. That even though I have had no less than three cups of coffee every day for the last 10 years I would be able to quit cold turkey.

The cold turkey? He is not for me.

Around 3 yesterday afternoon, the headache began. It escalated to a crescendo that had me running for the medicine cabinet for Tylenol. As I lay in bed last night wondering why I was punishing myself and how I was going to deal with this today, I made a decision. Deprivation in increments. Today, one cup of coffee with a little milk, no sugar. Tomorrow, half a cup and so on until my brain is not pounding inside my skull due to the lack of caffeine.

I think it’s a good plan. I am sipping the sweet nectar of the coffee bean as I type, waiting not so patiently, for the headache to dissipate.

Hello my name is Tricia and I have a problem…

Day 1

I am not drinking coffee. Instead I am drinking this.



I just finished it. It was not coffee. It did not taste like coffee. It did not smell like coffee. It was not coffee.

I did put it in this cup because it made me feel better.



This is going to be hard but I am going to do it. Nothing but my vitamin shakes, fruit, veggies and nuts. For 10 days. Then after 10 days, I get some lean meats. 21 days total of a nutritional cleanse.

I am going to do this. I am going to feel better. And sadly for you, I'm probably going to complain about it every step of the way.

Did I mention Sir D and Will are drinking coffee. I can smell it.