Sept. 29th

Today is always a hard day for me. Sept 29th was the day we got our BFN (big fat negative) from our first IVF. 
The one that they told us would work. 
The one we were sure worked. 
The one that everything went perfect on. 
The one where we transferred "TWO PERFECT BLASTS ON DAY 6". 
The one where there was a good chance we would be pregnant with twins.
The one where we both took the day off work and bought a pregnancy book and magazine and talked about baby names.

You know, that one where they called and ripped by heart out and I just about died.

That one.

I will NEVER forget that day.

Since then we have done many more IVFs (one got us Foster THANK GOD). But today is always hard, it reminds me of those raw emotions, the desperate feeling, the fear, the absolute lowest moment. I have had plenty of negatives since then but none that shook my core the way that one did.

I dont think a Sept. 29th will ever come and go without without notice.... I dont even know if it will ever come and go out without chest pains and tears. But gladly tomorrow it wont be Sept 29th anymore.

Never Ever Ever.... TV Edition

Anyone who knows me knows that I love TV. A lot of shows out there interest me but of all types of shows there is one genre that I just love way too much..... REALITY TELEVISION! I know, I know.. You are thinking "BUT HOW!?". Well that is simple,  BECAUSE IT IS THE BEST SHIT EVER!

Never Ever Ever... TV Edition

will I understand how someone doesnt love reality TV.

will I want to listen to anyone talk about how it isn't reality, get over it! It seems real to me! At least there arent fake crime scenes and fake love relationships and fake names for people!

will I get sick of Andy Cohen.... Andy, if you are reading this I LOVE YOU.

will I not be excited for months before a new season of The Real Housewives of _______ (any of them except Atlanta).

will I not own a DVR (or 2).

will I not hate how Dexter ended.... COME ON SHOWTIME! UGH!

will I miss a season of Big Brother. I look forward to it all year and when summer hits I cant wait! It is the ONE thing I like about summer.

will I say no if asked to be on a reality show. So Bravo wanna give me a show? ;)

Wanna join in and tell me your "Never Ever Ever"s of the TV world?

Before Pictures...ugh

Since I am documenting my diet journey here I should just be an open book. Here is a collage of my before pictures. The middle one is pulled really right to show my horrid live handles with tight pants on, the worst. There you have it, complete grossness. Post baby skin. Blah. Goodbye!

A couple days into my diet

So far things are going pretty well. The first 2 days were hard because I had TONS of cravings for carbs. Today I did NOT crave carbs, that was huge for me. I normally live on carbs so I think I had to flush my system of them.

The biggest challenge has been trying to eat enough protein and drink enough water. I surprisingly have not had trouble staying under 1,000 calories a day. Here are some examples of the things that I have been eating:

Breakfast meals...

3 eggs fried (no butter, just PAM in the pan) & 1/2 cup of cottage cheese- 30g protein 320 calories

3 eggs scrambled with 1/3 cup 2%milk and 4 slices of Deli Ham mixed in- 30.7g protein 320 calories

Lunch meals...

White Albacore Tuna (4oz.) with 1tbsp. Miracle Whip- 27g protein 180 calories

Salad (Iceberg lettuce, carrots, lite raspberry walnut vinaigrette) and 1/2 cup cottage cheese- 

13.3g protein 216 calories

Dinner Meals...

Chicken Breast baked in Vodka Sauce- 28.5g protein 170 calories

Ground Turkey with Taco Seasoning, 1/6c shredded cheese, 1 tbsp sour cream, and 1/2 cup refried beans- 32.9g protein 385 calories

I am starting an 8 Week Challenge with a group of friend on Saturday. I started a Facebook group for it and I need to fill you guys in on the details soon but not tonight because I am too tired. Details coming soon =)

A Whole New Adventure

I have a new adventure to document on my blog. The quest to lose weight, a ton of it hopefully. I would like to lose 40 pounds in by 2014. I know that is a hefty goal but I am really tired of hating my body and not being able to wear the things that I want to. I have separated abdominal muscles still from when I was pregnant and had polyhydramnios. When I had my liver biopsy about 2 months ago the doctor that did the ultrasound couldn't do that biopsy in the normal location due to the severe split in these muscles and even said "You can see a plastic surgeon and get those muscles fixed you know".... Gee, thanks Mr. Does he want to pay for that? Haha, because I would gladly do it! I basically still look pregnant if I wear tight shirts, I know that wont go away completely but it isn't helped by the fact that I have extra weight on my frame. I wanna see these love handles melt away!

I have a genetic tendency to insulin resistance which we discovered when I was going through infertility treatments so this means that my body doesn't process starch the same way that a normal body does. My insulin level (not my sugar level) is higher than it should be therefor I don't burn my adipose (fat) stores. My body stores more fat and sugar because it thinks that it needs it and doesn't allow me to burn it. So the running that I was doing and the cardio that I like is counter productive. My doctor told me that I need to stop the cardio and only do muscle confusion weight type exercises because building my endurance will actually make it even harder for me to lose weight. So cardio will make me heavier.... nice.

My doctor and I talked and I worked out an eating plan with him. I need to eat no starches and carbs because my body cannot process them without storing all of them. I need to eat tons of protein, which is hard for me because I am not much of a meat eater and lots of veggies. Did I mention that I am sort of picky about veggies?

My goal is to eat 30 grams of protein at each meal. Three meals a day. I have never eaten three meals a day either so that will be new.

Oh yeah, no diet coke, that might kill me. HOW CAN I LIVE WITHOUT DIET COKE!?!?!?!

I am going to document my journey here for all of your to see! I am going to share healthy recipes and my progress photos also =)

This mornings breakfast was my first 30g protein breakfast:
3 eggs just fried in a pan with no butter and 1/2 cup cottage cheese. Water (not diet coke, boo!).

Go Me!

Never Ever Ever.... Food Edition

I am linking up with A Complete Waste of Makeup today!

Im not what you would call a picky eater but I like things kind of "plain". I prefer not to put too many veggies into things or add to many textures together. So anyways without further ado here we go...

Never ever ever...

will I eat sushi again if it is wrapped in seaweed. I tried to like this but I literally almost threw up. Seaweed is not meant to eat, no no no!

will I understand how someone can hate milk, I think that it is God's gift to earth. I could live on it. 2% all the way. Yes, please.

will I eat an oyster (or I really dont plan to). I have a texture aversion and seeing people tilt their head back and let that slimy gelatinous thing slide down their throat makes me gag therefor I cant imagine attempting it myself (sorry if you like them). YUCK!

will I be a good baker =( I try but I just cant bake!!! I am a great cook but baking just doesn't agree with me. I cant even make boxed brownies. Perhaps it is because I don't even like them.

will I understand how someone can not love bagels. END. OF. STORY.

So, what food things will you never ever ever try or understand?

Recipe Sharing Monday!

Today I am linking up with Jam Hands for Recipe Sharing Monday!

Taco Empanadas

A recipe created by your truly.

Ingredients:

• 1lb. ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 pkt. taco seasoning
• water
• Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers "Butter"
• Shredded Cheese (Mexican Blend)
• Sour Cream

Directions:

1. Preheat over to 375 degrees F.
2. Brown ground beef over medium high heat on the stove.
3. Drain and add water and taco seasoning per packet directions.
4. Flatten biscuit into flat 6 inch diameter circle.
5. Put approx. 1/2 cup of taco meat on biscuit. Sprinkle cheese on top of meat.
6. fold biscuit over and pinch the sides together to make a semi-circle. 
7. Seal it well and place on cookie sheet (I sprayed the cookie sheet with PAM).
8. Repeat for as many Empanadas as you want.
   
9. Bake at 375 or approx. 13 minutes, until lightly golden brown!
10. Top with sour cream (or any other toppings you want)!
11. ENJOY!

Sunday Social

It is 12:09 but I am pretending that isn't the case because I need for it to still be sunday so I can participate in the Sunday Social =) Here are the questions and my answers this week:

This Weeks Questions:

1. What is the name if your blog? The Crafty Practitioner.
2. What do you love most about blogging? Being able to just put my feelings into words. I also love that is documents my life I can go back later and know what I was doing/feeling/going through at a certain point in time! I used to write an infertility blog and going back to it really helps me remember small details that I forget now.
3. Why did you start blogging? I started blogging when I was going through infertility, I had tons of feelings and nowhere to spill them. I needed an outlet, somewhere to vent and pour my heart out. It was a wonderful place to do that.
4. What is something you’d want to tell someone just starting out in the blog world? Be real, be you!
5. Biggest blogging learning experience you’ve had? Be careful because it is easier for people to find you than you think. I had thought my IF blog was private but people found it without me realizing!

My 1st Blog Hop Link Up!

I am linking up for my first blog hop (YAY!).

I hope this helps me spread the words about my new blog because I need some new followers and I need some new blogs to follow.

If you are new here then WELCOME! Take a look around and stick around a while =)

Busy week!

This week has been so insanely busy that I haven't even had time to blog at all. I am planning to get some blog time in tonight after I get the rest of my etsy orders that need to ship tomorrow done. So, hang in there friends and I will be back later tonight with lots of updates. Trust me, I am making lots of progress on my September goals and I am making things happen here at home. I just have so much going on that I am barely keeping my head above water!

The best eyelash curler that I have EVER owned.

I bet there aren't many people that can say they have owned and used the very same eyelash curler for 14 years and are still using it! This isn't because I am cheap, as a matter of fact I am addicted to shopping and trying new things, the truth is that it is just the best eyelash curler in the whole world!

Here it is:

Here is a code for $10 of of an $50 purchase! It is only good through 9/11 so get over there and purchase!

Get $10 off every order of $50 or more - code GIFT10 (valid 9/9-9/11)

Oh, and while you are over there enjoy some free deluxe samples!

Labor Day Weekend Away (Family Reunion Too!)

I know that this is a week late but this week has been VERY busy. Now I have to play catch up. Labor Day weekend started with the Friday wedding that I already posted about. It was a great start to our weekend.

Saturday was the annual Rose Family Reunion. This year it was at Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia Ohio. The Rose family is my husband's grandmother's side of the family (that was her maiden name). 

We got up and left early because the reunion was starting at noon and it was supposed to be about 2.5 hours from us.

We got there and our reunion was a decent size this year, it was probably about 60 people. Justin's grandmother is 95 and she was one of 9 and all of the families of those siblings come to this reunion. This park was a GREAT place for a reunion! There were playgrounds, rides, concessions and there was a pool as well! Foster had a blast on the rides. This was the first time that he rode a ride by himself!

We rode the Carousel which was fun!

We also went on a train which Foster thought was so cool and kept pointing at and saying "Choo choo!"

Justin even rode a big swing ride with his cousin, Katie.

There were also games and a water balloon toss which was great because it was SO hot out.

After the family reunion Foster was exhausted! He had skipped his nap and it was like 5pm and he had not slept since waking up that morning. We got in the car to head to Ashtabula Ohio, to Justin's Gram's house for the rest of the weekend, and Foster PASSED OUT.

The rest of the weekend up at Gram's was tons of fun. We love going up there. There is just something about Gram's house that is so relaxing and wonderful. It is like another universe, it has it's own smell (usually food cooking), it's own sounds (clock chiming), lots of people (family!), and it is simply the best. I never had family around growing up after my dad's parents passed away which was by the time I was 11 and they had lived 2 states away so I love Justin's big family. Gram cooks the best pasta, being italian. Just around the corner from Gram's house is The Nort's House.... this is where Debbie, Joe and Auntie Meg live. Debbie is Justin's aunt (Gram's daughter) and Megan is one of my best friends. It is SO nice to see them constantly when we are up there too. Foster is obsessed with his Auntie Meg.

On Sunday morning we went to Brant's Apple Farm to get fresh apple cider slushies and donuts! Foster of course loved this since he never gets donuts normally.

On Labor Day, monday, we had a BBQ and celebrates Justin's birthday with his family (which was at the end of august). Before the BBQ we went in the pool at the Nort's neighbors house and Foster loved it and even went down the water slide on his own a couple times!

September Goals

It is September already and that means that it is time to set my goals for September! I love to write (or type) my goals because it holds me accountable and makes me really try my best to stick to them!

1. Finish My August Book- I am loving my August book but I just didn't get enough time to finish it so I am going to try and finish it ASAP because I need to get onto another book this month!!! This is the book i started is August:

2. Clean out my linen closet- My linen closet has the most ridiculous shelves, they are only half (if that) the depth of the closet and I have that thing packed! All the shelves are packed and the floor is stacked to the ceiling. I want to get this cleaned out before Sept. 11th when I am donating to the Salvation Army because I know that there is tons in there that I don't need/want.

3. Continue doing weekly Menu Planning- This was FABULOUS last month and I want to continue. It helped make a grocery list and keep us fed with great meals instead of random odds and ends. I woke up each day knowing what I needed to do to get dinner made. Loved it.

4. Build Washer & Dryer Pedestal-  I hate bending over and stooping down to fill and empty the washer and dryer. I didn't buy the pedestals that LG made because they were ridiculously expensive and I thought they weren't worth it. So now I am going to build my own. Like this: 

It's going to be GREAT!!!

5. Pick paint colors for my bedroom walls and stenciling- The bedroom is getting a makeover and I cant wait. A bedroom should be pretty and relaxing and inviting. Mine is not. It's a messy catch all and I am over the tiffany blue color that it is. I want something new. So I plan to paint the whole room and stencil the wall behind the bed. Which leads to my next goal...

6. Start building my custom upholstered headboard- When we bought our KING sized bed, which was the best choice ever, I didn't want to buy another whole headboard and stuff. Now I am sick of seeing just the bed against the wall, so it's time to make the headboard finally. This month I want to AT VERY LEAST get the wood cut to shape.

7. Try and make some time for my husband- Not that he has time for me. He doesn't want to go on dates or do couple things like that but I keep hoping that someday he will change his mind. When he does I wanna make time for it. But for now this "husband time" will be the financial class that we are going to be taking weekly starting on the 11th.

Whew..... Did I mention that Sept is crazy busy for us? Hubby is traveling a lot which means I am single-momming it a lot. Also are out of town at PENN STATE (YAY!) for a weekend to go to a football game one weekend. We have a birthday party as well. Plus a couple other things. I need a nap.

Lets see how I did on my August Goals...

Here are my goals that I set for myself at the beginning of August and how I did on them!

1. Start a Personal Blog (Again)- SUCCESS! As you can tell by the fact that you are reading this, I was very successful at this goal. I have been trying to blog almost daily and I have been loving it. I am so happy that I am back to blogging. I knew that I missed it but I forgot how much!

2. Start Weekly Meal Planning- SUCCESS! I did great at this one. On sunday of each week I planned my meals for the week and this month I didn't even repeat meals at all, I don't think. I tried tons of new things and made old things I hadn't made in a while. I enjoyed cooking and Justin loved every second of it. He didn't complain about one single meal. I am so glad that I did this, I want to continue!

3. Read 1 book- FAIL! I started a book and I have been trying to read it as much as possible but I think I only made it a little past 40%. I have been SO busy and I just couldn't find enough time. I am really sad that I didn't complete this goal but I am going to make sure that I finish this book ASAP because I am really enjoying it. I will post about the book when I finish!

4. Organize and De-clutter my Downstairs (main-level) of my House- SUCCESS! You saw my post about my laundry room with was the room I most wanted to organize. I also de-cluttered my kitchen and dining area as well as my family room. There is some laundry folded down there right now that makes me stressed but what's a girl to do?!

5. Take the boxes of clothes that are packed for donation in my bedroom to the donation center- HALF & HALF! The boxes didn't make it all the way to the donation center but for a good reason. I did some research and it turns out that Goodwill isn't good at all, they don't do good for anyone. They take free things and sell them for money and don't give back to the community or needy at all. SO, I called the Salvation Army and they are coming to pick up the giant boxes on the 11th. I am much happier with this decision. The boxes are out of my bedroom though!!!

6. Drink Wine More Often- I think that I did a good job of this in August =)

Foster's Lorax Party: Additional Decor & The Backyard

Throughout the house I had Seuss themed arrows that pointed people to certain things around the party, such as the food or the bounce house.

In the kitchen/dining area there was also a few other things that I made...

 Wooden plaques that I painted and made. The water bottle wraps that I designed and printed as well.

In the main family room we have a couple couches and coffee tables that people could hang out and eat at. There were also lots of chairs set up. We planned to open gifts in that room as well. There were some decorations in there and I wanted to make sure and share those as well.

 This is the birthday banner that I made for Foster to open his birthday presents in front of and that way it would be in the pictures!

I also made photobooth prop style lorax mustaches on sticks for party guests to take pictures with and a sign to accompany them. They turned out so cute and were a hit!

I replaced the decor on my floating shelves to match the party.  I put a couple of the tulle truffula trees that I made, a copy of the framed subway art, and a plaque and print that I actually designed and made.

Outside we had a couple umbrella covered picnic tables set up for people to eat or hang out at. We also had the bounce house, which was a HUGE hit with the kids and some adults too!

The large laminated pictures that you see on the back of the house were compliments of my cousin who is a teacher and had made them for the Seuss unit in her classroom. She graciously brought them down for us to use for the party! She was also my helper and assisted me in lots of the crafting. I could not have done it without her!

The favor at Foster's party was very movie appropriate. I made a planting station outside on my patio. I painted flower pots and had each child plant a sunflower seed in soil in their pot to take home. The whole point of the movie is real trees (plants) and planting the seed in the movie so I thought that this would be cute. I also made a card with a cute little poem and note from Foster on it. It was a hit. AND my flower is outside growing still!