David is alive

This morning, I got a phone call at 6:30 from a number I didn't recognize. I was just waking up, so I ignored it. The same number called at 7:00, and I again ignored it. I thought it was a co-teacher needing something and she'd leave a message. I'm getting ready to get into the shower, and David calls. So I answer it and I hear, "Amanda, this is Andrew from Carson Rescue." Um, what???? "David is okay. He was in an accident on the way to work and rolled his van." Oh FUCK. "We're on our way to Mercy. Can you meet us there?" So, in the course of 10 minutes, I got dressed, called my principal, another teacher, and my para. I called my dad to tell him what happened and to have him let the dogs out.

So, here is what I found out once I got to the hospital:
The weather was CRAP this morning. David left early because he wasn't too sure how the roads were. He was driving the highway he drives every time to work, following a semi. They were going about 35, but the semi was throwing alot of crap at him, so he slowed down to about 25. About 5 minutes later, he realized he was sliding and his passenger side was going East instead of his front end. He tried to correct it and ended up rolling the car at least 3 times. He was conscious the entire time during the roll but lost count and was praying as hard as he could. He didn't hit anything or anybody, which was very lucky, and he had his seat belt on.

Someone saw the accident from the top of the hill, called 911, and stopped to stay and keep him calm until the squad got there. It took the squad 15-20 minutes because of the roads. Plus, then it took 20 minutes to get him out. They were going to rip the top off, but he was starting to get hypothermic, so they put the neck brace on and let him walk out the front windshield.

At the hospital, they did a CT and Xrays of his head, neck, shoulders and chest. Amazingly, everything checked out fine. He was given tons of pain meds and has soon as he could handle a couple crackers and apple juice, he was released.

We had to go to his car in Walnut, IA (where they towed it) to get all of his stuff out. Obviously, it's completely totaled and our insurance is being really great. We have a rental car for about a week and are going to have to get a new car. But, at least we can get something with a lower payment! (Not the way we wanted to do it, but hey, it's a happy point!).

David is feeling pretty good - really sore and tired. He was actually joking about the fact that he had an oil change scheduled, had just filled the car up with gas, and that he needed to get to work. Yeah, that's my work-a-holic husband!

So, here are some pictures of the car. The top rack had fallen off, and some other stuff, too, so they stuck it inside the car. That's some of what you're seeing in the pics. And the air bags didn't deploy because it wasn't a front end collision, so the inside actually looks halfway decent (once we got all of David's shit out!).






















So, the moral of this story: ALWAYS wear your seat belt, ALWAYS get GAP insurance when you get a new car, ALWAYS tell your loved ones you love them, and NEVER go to bed mad.

A personal milestone!

I think I realized something today - I think I'm scared to lose more weight. Yeah, I set the challenge to get down another size. But, since I made that challenge.. I haven't been to the gym (Wii is good, but not like an hour on the elliptical!), I've been eating crap, and I've made no effort to get to a WW meeting.

All my life, I have been heavy. I'm finally getting compliments from people outside of my family about how pretty I am. What if I get "too" skinny? What if I turn into someone who is so driven by their weight that they can't enjoy a piece of pie or a glass of wine? What if I'm starving my body to turn myself into something I'm not?

David makes sure everyday that I know he loves me for who I am, for what I do. Yeah, he loves my body. But guess what? He loved my body 49 lbs ago. Being smaller hasn't changed the way he feels about me. I have more energy, and he's getting there, so now we do more than sit on the couch and watch TV. We try to walk the dogs at least once a week (doesn't always happen), and now we play Wii every night!

This morning, I had no food in my house. So, I stopped at McDonalds for breakfast. I asked David to bring me lunch. He was in a hurry, too, so what did he pick up? A BIG MAC. My stomach is killing me now - and he feels really bad! But, you know what? I didn't have to eat it. I could have gotten a salad from the cafeteria (not good tasting, but healthier!). Or, I could have done SOMETHING to make a better choice. But, no. I ate that big mac and the french fries WITH ranch dressing without batting an eye.

I need to get back on track. I don't know what I'm scared of - or if that's even what I'm doing - but I'm sabbotaging myself. I can lose the last 15 lbs and be healthy for our children, my husband, and most importantly: myself. I need to stop worrying about what other people say ("You look hot the way you are!" "If you lose anymore, you are going to disappear." etc...) and do it for me.

So, my milestone is that I've figured out that I'm sabbotaging myself. And my new challenge to myself: to break through that and continue being healthy for myself. Gym and WW meeting: Here I come!

First snow of the year!

I woke up this morning and there was a small blanket of snow on the ground. I LOVE snow - the pretty, fluffy, clean snow. I HATE the heavy, accident-causing snow (although I do love the Snow Day snow!).

Last year, Jazz didn't have much of a chance to see snow, so I thought it would be interesting to watch them. Of course, I took the camera. Allie hid under the deck after she did her business - she is not a fan of the snow - but everybody else loved it!


Chewy ate snow! It's sideways - Blogger won't rotate it for some reason.


Sam found her toy and beat it up, snow and all!


Max was sniffing around, trying to decide if the snow was "okay" or not.


Toby sniffing, then eating, the snow!


Jazz wondering around, trying to figure out if this is "her" yard still!

And with our business done, we can play:

Fun gift!

David and I decided that Christmas should come a little early. Thanksgiving night, he made a bunch of call-back time at work, so we decided to get the Wii that we've been dreaming about for a few weeks.

We both thought it was stupid, that we would never use it.... But, then the WiiFIT came out, and I thought what a great workout! We won't need to renew the gym membership in March if we get that and some other equipment in the basement!

Then, David played Guitar Hero at work yesterday afternoon. He told me that if I could find the Wii on sale that I could get it. Well, it took driving 1 1/2 hrs (and then stopping to see him at work), but I got it!!!!

I hooked it up tonight, and, man is that a workout! I played bowling (fun, but boring), tennis, and boxing. Super fun, and I definitely felt my heart rate increasing! I can't wait to get more games and keep working out! David comes home tomorrow, so I know we will get absolutely nothing done!

How's this for a random post?

We finally closed!

That's right - we've lived in the house for just over 2 months and we finally signed the paperwork tonight!

The good thing about all of this is that when the roof leaked, the owner fixed it. And when the septic tank needed some work, he split the cost with us. We're not having to move in 30 degree weather, and I can just sit back and relax now that it's done. Well, I do need to clean, but that's because I've been lazy, not because we just moved.

Here are some pics of the house, and here are a couple more:


Our living room. I'd love to get a bigger TV since we have the space now! And our Christmas tree is going in front of the bay window, much to the puppies' annoyance. I'd rather put it in the corner by th small window, but that's not what David wants. So, we'll see....


The kitchen - well part of it. There's more cabinet space and a big pantry to the left of the camera. It's a little smaller than most people would like, but with all the cabinet space, we can't complain!


The formal dining room. It's still empty and no curtains up. When we have kids, we're thinking about turning it into our office and then we have all 3 bedrooms as bedrooms.


Our eat-in kitchen with the table mom bought for us as a house warming gift. Now we have our wine cabinet in the corner by the sliding glass door.

More pics to come of the bedrooms after I clean! The house is officially ours! YAY!!!!!!

Meatloaf with Barley

It's been a while since I gave you all a new recipe! I made this meatloaf last night and served it with a baked sweet potato, steamed mixed veggies, and a glass of wine (only 3 points!). This meatloaf was super easy and really yummy!

Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 20 min
Cooking Time: 60 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients
2 tsp canola oil
1 medium green pepper, diced
1 small onion, diced
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup cooked barley, quick-cooking suggested
2/3 cups ketchup, divided
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
1/4 tsp dried oregano, crushed
20 oz lean ground turkey
2 sprays cooking spray

Instructions
** Preheat oven to 350 degrees

** Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add green pepper and onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until pepper is tender (about 7 minutes)
** Spoon vegetables into a large bowl; add egg, barley (cooked), 1/4 cup of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix well.
** Crumble turkey into vegetable mixture; gently mix to combine (kneading will make the meatloaf tough).

**Coat a 9x5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Spoon turkey mixture into prepared pan in an even layer. Spread remaining ketchup over meatloaf. Bake until center of meatloaf is thoroughly cooked; 50-60 minutes.

** Remove meatloaf from oven and let stnd t room temperature for 10 minutes to absorb juices in pan.
** Slice into 6 pieces and serve.

For Weight Watchers People: POINTS® Value: 5

Personal Challenge

Now that I know I am graduating, I have given myself a personal challenge. Right now, I am in between a 14 and a 12 - closer to a 14, but the jeans I have are baggy. For graduation on December 19th, I want to be a solid size 12 - not a tight 12 - a good fitting, comfortable size 12.

When I graduated with my undergrad, I was going through a rough time. I hadn't met David yet, and I had packed on some pounds since High School. I'm far below where I was then, but I want to be lower. I want to be HOT. Even though nobody can see what I'm wearing underneath, I want to KNOW that the outfit I find for Graduation makes me look and feel great about myself and my accomplishments.

So, no more excuses. I have 1 month and 2 days to pull this goal off. I know I can do it ~ and I have motivation!