tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21442435794602933342024-03-14T02:54:00.351-04:00My So-Bald Life"Anything you can do, I can do balder. I can do anything balder than you." Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.comBlogger294125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-28955385483604867412014-12-12T12:09:00.000-05:002014-12-12T12:09:19.083-05:00My Grandma...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oC9tAo9ICFU/VIsgAmq-83I/AAAAAAAAHXs/NxtLcwGQaDk/s1600/Grandma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oC9tAo9ICFU/VIsgAmq-83I/AAAAAAAAHXs/NxtLcwGQaDk/s1600/Grandma.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(image courtesy of her still-existing Facebook page)</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I've been thinking a lot about my grandma lately. She passed away in July and her passing has been on my mind constantly. It's weird to think about the days surrounding her death and the little miracles that had occurred. The biggest miracle for me was that I was actually in Utah for an extended period of time and was able to be there not just for the funeral, but to have been able to spend time with her even beforehand. She passed away on a Sunday, and just three days before that, my mom, my brother, and I went to visit her for lunch in her little retirement community. Her health had be deteriorating over the last year or so, but there were no signs that she was going to pass any time soon. <br />
<br />
At lunch on that Thursday afternoon, we chatted and ate. She asked me about my hair as she always did, and I was excited to tell her about a new treatment that has been found to practically cure Alopecia. I told her that it was still in the experimental phase, but that I was going to see my dermatologist the next morning to find out more. We chatted about other things and enjoyed our time together. I remember as I sat across from her, I looked up from my plate to find her just looking at me and smiling. It was a very content smile, one that told me she was glad I was there. I'm grateful to have that as my last memory of her. That next morning, she fell in her little apartment and had to be taken to the hospital. Her health quickly took a turn for the worse and her body decided her time on this earth was over.<br />
<br />
There were other little miracles that happened within those three days she was in the hospital, but that last day I had with her will be something I will always remember. Every time I wear a piece of her jewelry, or see something that reminds me of her, I can't help but smile and think of all the fun memories I have of her. She always made me feel special, but then, I think she had that affect on everyone. <br />
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-72745560699668183852014-12-11T12:10:00.001-05:002014-12-11T12:10:37.393-05:00Just checking in...Today is just one of those days where I seem to find anything I can do to avoid the things I really should be doing. I have a mountain of laundry on my bed (that was just moved from my bedroom floor to said bed), and I thought to myself, "I should do a blog post!" Staying focused has never been one of my strong suits. <br />
<br />
I have been mulling over a certain blog post topic for the last few weeks and I'm almost at the point where I feel like I can write it. It's nothing momentous, but it will require a bit of vulnerability on my part. Oh, who am I kidding... It will require a lot of vulnerability. I enjoy blogging about my dealings with Alopecia, but I haven't really put myself out there like I feel like I need to as I go forward with this new emphasis on my blog. As soon as I can muster the courage (and the photos to go with it), I will post about it. Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-26532019603621594162014-10-02T12:34:00.000-04:002014-10-02T12:34:14.120-04:00Some changes...Hey there, everyone! (Well, I hope there's still an "everyone," anyway...) Some things are going to be changing around here in the near future. As you may not have noticed, I changed the name of my blog. It went from "Amber's Inner Mind" to what I am now calling "My So-Bald Life." I really want to start focusing more on my life with Alopecia and the day-to-day experiences that come with being bald. My family has been pressuring me to write more about this stuff and I thought to myself "Why not?!" Life has been crazy over the last few months and I finally feel like I can put some focus back into writing and sharing what life with Alopecia - and maybe just life in general - is all about. If you're reading this, thanks for sticking with me, and hopefully I'll get some new stuff up soon!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-saLhy3c7hTo/VC1-S8zlNQI/AAAAAAAAHTY/nje81ZSlmS4/s1600/IMG_7128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-saLhy3c7hTo/VC1-S8zlNQI/AAAAAAAAHTY/nje81ZSlmS4/s1600/IMG_7128.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-2568557139415360152014-03-12T21:18:00.002-04:002014-03-12T21:18:40.015-04:00A Healthier Me<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/8929163834/" title="May2013_933 by AmberWall, on Flickr"><img alt="May2013_933" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5457/8929163834_5a97eac923_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">My biggest weakness: cookies!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
For the last 3 1/2 weeks, I have given up sugar. My goal is to give it up until Easter and so far it is going fairly well. Within the first week, I noticed a huge change in how I felt and actually looked. Before I started this, I was eating so much junk, it's unbelievable. It felt like I was baking goodies every other day, we were finding reasons to get treats from the store, and I was even rationalizing having these things in place of actual meals. (I may or may not have had brownies for breakfast quite a few times.) Ever since having Livie almost a year ago, I have yet to fit into all my normal clothes. I have finally gotten so tired of wearing the same things over and over that I decided I really need to start making some changes. <br />
<br />
I certainly could have just cut back on my intake of sweets, but it has to be "all or nothing" for me when it comes to the sweet stuff. I think that by the end of this, I will really be able to see how these kinds of things affect me and I will be able to better control myself. I've also noticed that I haven't been snacking as much throughout the day. Normally, I would grab just anything regardless of it's nutritional value. Now I find myself making a more conscious decision when it comes to eating, and I've really only been eating when I'm hungry. That's HUGE for me. I'm sure that the good changes I've noticed in my body aren't just because of the lack of sugar in my diet; I'm sure it has a lot to do with the fact that I'm probably consuming a lot fewer calories as well. <br />
<br />
Now, if only the weather would warm up so I could get out and get some exercise! That's my next step in trying to get healthy.Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-83707783804676831922014-02-21T11:39:00.000-05:002014-02-21T14:38:38.769-05:00Comparison<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="p1">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/12678856364" target="blank"></a></div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="Apple-tab-span"></span><img alt="DSC_0069, © AmberWall" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7440/12678856364_2e8148b4cf.jpg" title="DSC_0069" /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Being a little different doesn't mean you're not beautiful.</i></span></div>
<br />
I attended another "resiliency training" meeting yesterday and the topic was based on how we, as women, are constantly comparing ourselves to others. I know I am certainly guilty of it. I find myself getting discouraged because I just don't feel like I measure up to a lot of my peers. I know that's wrong and that I do have my own unique qualities, but sometimes it's hard to get out of that mindset, ya know?<br />
<br />
How ironic is it that I heard from an old friend yesterday, telling me how when we were in elementary school together and I started to lose my hair, she worried that she wouldn't be "cool enough" for me now that I got to wear all these cool hats and be bald and stuff. For one thing, I can't believe she of all people would think that because she was one of the coolest people I knew, but secondly, I was probably thinking the exact same thing - "Why would she want to play with me? I'm this weird bald girl wearing weird hats and stuff." <br />
<br />
On what basis are we comparing ourselves to others? We are all blessed with unique talents and abilities, some more obvious than others, but who's to say that one quality is better than another? Someone brought up a good point yesterday... What if we started comparing ourselves to Christ instead of trying to be like Him? Just think how miserable and defeated we would always feel! Luckily, it is our goal to be LIKE Him. Some days we may fall a little shorter than others, but that's why we're here - to be better than we were the day before. <br />
<br />
So, the point of all this is, I need to stop comparing myself to others. I can find things about them that I admire and use those things to inspire me to be better, but I don't have to be THAT PERSON.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
</div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-74562572501633744862014-02-20T15:28:00.001-05:002018-06-01T12:40:44.966-04:00...There shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost...Last night, as we were having dinner as a family, the topic came up about being an eternal family and what that means. Brett explained to the boys that because he and I were married in the temple, and as long as we live righteously, we can all live together again after this life. The boys balked at the idea of them someday having wives of their own and being able to live with them for eternity, but they understood the idea. When Brett explained that because of Christ's Atonement, we all would be resurrected when He comes again and that out bodies would be made whole again, the boys didn't quite grasp what that meant. I mentioned that I would even have hair again. Brady said, "Maybe... Maybe you'll have your hair again." I reached for my scriptures and was able to show him where it says that even my hair will be restored when Christ comes again:<br />
<br />
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2144243579460293334" name="44" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a;"></span></a><a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/11.44?lang=eng"> (Alma 11:44)</a><a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/11.44?lang=eng"> </a> <span class="verse" style="border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">44 </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even <b>there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be </b></span><b><sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">a</sup><a class="footnote" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/11.44?lang=eng#" id="footnote41" rel="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/footnote?lang=eng&volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=alma&chapterUri=11&noteID=44a" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">restored</a></b><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><b> to its perfect frame</b>, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the </span><sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">b</sup><a class="footnote" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/11.44?lang=eng#" id="footnote42" rel="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/footnote?lang=eng&volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=alma&chapterUri=11&noteID=44b" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Father</a><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">, and the Holy Spirit, which is </span><sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">c</sup><a class="footnote" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/11.44?lang=eng#" id="footnote43" rel="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/footnote?lang=eng&volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=alma&chapterUri=11&noteID=44c" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">one Eternal God</a><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">, to be </span><sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">d</sup><a class="footnote" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/11.44?lang=eng#" id="footnote44" rel="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/footnote?lang=eng&volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=alma&chapterUri=11&noteID=44d" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">judged</a> <span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.</span><br />
<br />
This section of the Book of Mormon is talking about the resurrection and when Christ comes to the earth again. It is such a comfort to me - you have no idea how much of a comfort - to know that even something as silly as hair will be in its proper place in that time. I guess if I can't have hair in this life, I can wait until the next.Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-86232608626123414172014-01-24T11:06:00.000-05:002014-01-24T11:06:26.667-05:00Fears<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/12119667786" target="blank"></a></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yesterday I attended a resiliency training put together by my ward for all of us military spouses. They do it twice a month and it is such a blessing to have that as such a great resource for those of us dealing with the craziness of military life. The best part about it is it can help no matter if you're in the military or any other situation in life. The topic that was addressed yesterday was fear, or as I interpreted it, "facing your fears."</div>
</div>
<br />
I was really hesitant to go because I knew I was going to be late and then I knew I was going to have to leave early. I got this prompting to go anyway and I'm so glad I followed that. I really needed to hear the things the instructor talked about and the things that were discussed with the other ladies in the group. I feel like I have so many fears rolling around in my head right now that I'm almost numb to what is going on around me. The hardest part is I don't really know what I'm afraid of. Maybe it's just the stress of a bunch of little things boiled down to, "I'm going to do it wrong."<br />
<br />
On the bright side, the resiliency training really helped me see how all these things I'm fearing aren't really as bad as they seem. Yes, they can be real and difficult, but I have resources to get me through. <br />
<br />
One of my biggest fears right now is whether Brett and I are making the right decision about him getting out of the military this summer. He has a job lined up, but we still have the option to re-enlist up until his official separation date in July. On the one hand, if he gets out of the Air Force, he's free to explore job options anywhere he'd like to go if we just don't want to be in Maryland any longer. There's definitely a lot of pressure to choose that route. On the other hand, if he re-enlists, there is a lot more job security, but at the expense of being subject to wherever the Air Force wants us to be. We have some say in where we would like to go, but not much. In some ways, that's not so bad.<br />
<br />
I am constantly running a "pro's and con's" list through my head and I can never come to a clear winner. I pray and I pray for guidance and clarity, but I still have yet to find peace in either of the options. Sometimes I think that I have that peaceful feeling with re-enlisting, but then I feel like I have only come to that because it is the "safe" choice, the "comfortable" route to take because we know what to expect if we head down that road. On the other hand, if that is the right choice, I feel guilty because for so long our plan has been to get out of the military, move back west, and finally be settled in one place. I feel like we'd be breaking a promise or something. I don't know who that promise was made to, exactly, but I feel like we'd be letting someone down somehow.<br />
<br />
So, that's just one of the fears I'm facing right now. Maybe I'll write about some others in my attempt to "face them," but for now, any advice or insight into this big one is most welcome. <br />
<br />
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/12119667786" target="blank"></a></div>
<br />
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><img alt="IMG_5783bw, © AmberWall" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7329/12119667786_173aa93cff.jpg" title="IMG_5783bw" /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(This photo I took a couple of weeks ago seemed fitting for this post for some reason. I guess the thought of seeing those birds flying through the fog reminded me of what I need to do. Just keep going and at some point the way will seem clear.)</span></div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-37873666234998434372014-01-16T09:52:00.001-05:002018-06-01T12:41:02.575-04:00Dr. PI have mentioned a few times how lucky I am to have the dermatologist I have. I have been a patient of <a href="http://www.parkinsonderm.com/">Dr. P</a> ever since I was first diagnosed with Alopecia at age 11 and I am so lucky he happened to be the one my parents chose to take me to. He has always been on top of all the current treatments and has always been a huge source of support for me. After 20+ years, he's become more of a friend than just my doctor. He is always quick to respond to my e-mails (and from what his office manager tells me, that is a very rare thing, and even more rare that he gives out his e-mail address) and he always finds a way to squeeze me into his busy schedule whenever I happen to be in Utah. <br />
<br />
He is the one that has helped me do this most recent round of treatment. We've decided to take a rest from the medication for a little while because of some of the side effects. I'm grateful that he cares more about my overall health than just trying to get the results he knows I so badly wish for.<br />
<br />
I've seen a few other doctors in my many years of living outside of Utah, but they aren't the same. I guess I've just been spoiled by having Dr. P as my doctor and friend. Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-84606993035955582682014-01-13T14:54:00.000-05:002014-01-13T14:54:02.835-05:00Do you ever have days...?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aOvBLUFk7_w/UtRDRKbSmEI/AAAAAAAAHH0/qASBXrO5dNg/s1600/DSC_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aOvBLUFk7_w/UtRDRKbSmEI/AAAAAAAAHH0/qASBXrO5dNg/s400/DSC_0134.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Do you ever have days where you have a whole laundry list of things to do, but you just can't seem to want to do any of it but the one thing that doesn't HAVE to be done? Today is one of those days. I should be doing dishes... I should be doing laundry... I should be cleaning at least one of the bathrooms... For the life of me, all I want to do is look at the photos I've taken of birds, watch TV, and do a blog post. Lately, this blog has been calling to me. It has been almost an entire year since the last time I posted and I have missed it tremendously! I don't know why I haven't written anything. It certainly hasn't been for lack of topics to write about. I think life gets busy, I get behind, and then don't have the strength to try to play "catch-up." I've been doing a lot of pondering lately on the past, present, and future, and I have decided that I need an outlet again. An outlet that will help me get thoughts out of my head instead of them getting jumbled and tumbled around in my brain. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V6sZQOHotVs/UtRCGYriYDI/AAAAAAAAHHs/k-7A6IGZTso/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V6sZQOHotVs/UtRCGYriYDI/AAAAAAAAHHs/k-7A6IGZTso/s400/DSC_0142.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
For instance...<br />
<br />
I've been going through another round of hair treatments over the last couple of months. I have seen some progress, but not enough to feel like things might be on the mend. The thoughts I've been having lately are, "Is this worth it?" "Am I getting my hopes up for nothing?" <br />
"It couldn't hurt to try, though, right?" <br />
<br />
So, I'm going to start putting myself "out there" again. I want to start writing more about life with <a href="http://ambersinnermind.blogspot.com/p/alopecia-information.html">Alopecia</a>, life as a military family (and how that will be ending soon), and everything in between. Hopefully I can clear my mind in the process!<br />
<br />
<br />Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-89351375146322431582013-02-15T10:13:00.000-05:002013-02-15T10:13:31.309-05:00Ice<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/8475174055/" title="IMG_3043 by AmberWall, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3043" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8386/8475174055_ded1445793_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>My crushed-up freezer ice. Definitely leaves something to be desired.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It has reached that point in my pregnancy where I crave ice. Unfortunately for me (but fortunate for my teeth), the ice from my freezer just doesn't satisfy. Oh, what I wouldn't give to have a Sonic nearby and their wonderful bags of "chewy ice." </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/8475174953/" title="IMG_3070 by AmberWall, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3070" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8099/8475174953_b42e7b93f1_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cafe Rio had "chewy ice;" too bad it's even farther away than the closest Sonic. Ugh.</i></span></div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-44028289333229941682013-02-11T10:58:00.002-05:002013-02-11T10:58:34.234-05:00A "Before and After" photo<div style="text-align: center;">
Right before Brett deployed, we had some family pictures taken with Brett's family. None of us were happy about the way they turned out, so that's why none of the photos have ever been posted anywhere. I don't know about you, but when paying someone to take family photos, I fully expect the photographer to try to bring out the best in not only the surroundings, but in a person's appearance as well. In her defense, the weather was bitter cold and windy, but had we gone to someone with more experience, I believe any situation can turn out well. Unfortunately, this experience did not turn out as well as we had hoped. I won't go into detail about how many things just didn't seem right with this particular photographer, but I do wish she wouldn't have tried to come off as a professional the way that she did. It only made her work that much more disappointing. As a result, I had to "play" with the photos to get them to be somewhat up to mine and my mother-in-law's standards. For example, here is a "before and after" of the one photo this photographer took of Brett's grandparents.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/8464425559/" title="IMG_3181 by AmberWall, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3181" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8100/8464425559_ec6fa16493_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/8465521918/" title="Lewis' by AmberWall, on Flickr"><img alt="Lewis'" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8250/8465521918_211c3f1d85_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now, there is definitely a time and place for Photoshop. I am no expert, but I know enough to be able to make the best of a dire situation. As you can see, I didn't alter anything to the point to where it altered who they really were, but I did bring out the best in them. Also, the things I changed were things that my mother-in-law wished that the photographer would have fixed (or that she would have even paid attention to before even taking the photo). Can you pick out the things that I changed? I know for a fact that the photographer used Photoshop to "enhance" the photo, but none of us felt like it did anything to really make it better. (I actually asked the photographer for the original photos, but she wouldn't give them to me on account of she "didn't want me to see what they looked like before she had made them the best that she could." It sure inspired a lot of confidence, let me tell you.)<br />
<br />
So, a word to the wise... When paying someone to take photos for you, make sure you know what you are actually paying for, and make sure you see some of their previous work so that you don't end up with any surprises in the end. <br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-52674812630743476852013-02-08T15:35:00.000-05:002013-02-08T16:12:42.353-05:00As good a time as any...<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/8384575426/" title="IMG_2915 by AmberWall, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2915" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8466/8384575426_e9def840cd.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I keep telling myself I will start blogging again when something inspiring comes to mind, but since those instances seem to come and go rather frequently (much like the birds in the above photo), I figured why not just post something now. It has been just over a year since my last post, and what a crazy year it was! That's probably the main reason for my absence - too much going on and blogging was the least of my concerns. Here's a mini breakdown of how 2012 went:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">The boys and I moved to Utah.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Brett deployed to Djibouti at the beginning of January.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I spent the next several months missing Brett while trying to make the most of the time I had with my family and Brett's. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Saw my old dermatologist and tried some new hair-growth treatments, but with no success. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Brett got back at the end of June.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">We moved back to Maryland.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I found out I was pregnant.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Both boys started school. (Yay for "me time!")</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I was EXHAUSTED from being pregnant (thank goodness it didn't last past the first trimester).</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Found out we were having our first baby girl!!</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I turned the mighty 3-0. No big deal.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">We had holiday after holiday just like the rest of the world, and then I finally got to relax after the new year.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now I'm spending my time trying to gather the energy to keep my house in order and making every preparation I can for Baby Girl who is due to arrive April 1st (I'm really hoping she surprises me and comes a week early). I don't have much to say these days, especially because "pregnancy brain" is in full swing and I'm lucky if I can remember to put pants on, let alone remember something witty and interesting to write about. I have every intention of getting back into blogging, though. If you have any suggestions of things I could write about, please shoot them my way! :-)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-20241227022932776952012-01-26T12:00:00.000-05:002012-01-26T12:00:54.686-05:00Blessed<div style="text-align: center;"><i>I found this un-posted draft sitting in my post column, and I have no idea why I didn't post it. It's just as true today as it was 5 months ago when it was originally written.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/6766312361/" title="IMG_0254 by AmberWall, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0254" height="316" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6766312361_1564ecf703.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
I'm so grateful for my friends and neighbors, and the wonderful people I get to associate with on a regular basis. Lately, I've been very aware of how fortunate I am to know the people I know, and have the friends that I have. They definitely help fill the void of not having family close by. They are definitely my second family and I'm so grateful to have them in my life!<br />
<br />
*Update: now that I'm over 2000 miles away from these people who I miss so much, I'm grateful that I have another set of faces, old and new, that sustain me and can keep me going.<br />
<br />
I can only hope that I can do as much for them as they do for me no matter where in the country they may be.</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-62379997701948733002012-01-25T17:23:00.000-05:002012-01-25T17:23:17.210-05:00HiatusWow... Have I been absent or what?! Life got busy, then it got overwhelming, then it got unreal. Let's just say that finding time to actually write about it wasn't even on my radar. There were times when I did sit down to write - and I have a slew of unfinished drafts to prove it - but now that I have some free time, I can't even remember the reasons for jotting down the few thoughts that made it on the screen, so they will probably remain unfinished drafts for the rest of their days. <br />
<br />
I have new things to write about, though, and I'm anxious to be at it again. I hope I still have some readers and not everyone has given up on me!<br />
<br />
(Erin... Thanks for the comment and the gentle nudge to get things going again.) :-)Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-90702483104148461882011-09-25T22:25:00.000-04:002011-09-25T22:25:49.339-04:00Totally Made My Day...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1NVD_PHwOsE/Tn_hgHSa-HI/AAAAAAAAGDI/d2SG3I1OHMw/s1600/Hey+cutie+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1NVD_PHwOsE/Tn_hgHSa-HI/AAAAAAAAGDI/d2SG3I1OHMw/s400/Hey+cutie+1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Earlier today, as I was going around to the Primary classrooms to give them the 10-minute warning before class was over, I happened to run into a few of our ward's young men. Just as I was turning the corner to open the door to one of the classrooms, I hear, "Hey, cutie." It had come from one of the young men. I didn't acknowledge the guys, because out of the corner of my eye, I could tell that as soon as the kid said it, he and his friends realized who I was and they quickly turned away and hit the kid that said it. I just acted like I hadn't heard or seen anything in an effort to save him from even more embarrassment, but I really wanted to say thank you and bust out laughing. It definitely made my crazy day a bit brighter.</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-50420024286229360722011-09-09T18:40:00.000-04:002011-09-09T18:40:08.436-04:00Invention<div style="text-align: center;">As I was going through my photos from the past couple of months, I found a photo that I took while I was on a plane to Utah a couple of months ago. It requires a little bit of a backstory...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I was little - like, elementary-school aged - a friend and I came up with this brilliant idea for an invention. It consisted of a camera at your front door so that when someone came to your house, it would take a picture of them. We figured it would mostly be useful if you weren't home and wanted to know if someone stopped by, or if someone broke into your house and you wanted to snap a photo of them. We were super serious about it, but never did anything but draw pictures of it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Imagine my surprise when I was looking through the SkyMall catalogue on the airplane and found this:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/6122445746/" title="IMG_0771 by AmberWall, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0771" height="374" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6189/6122445746_e369c8d3e4.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you can read the description, it is EXACTLY what we had envisioned. Kinda weird, huh?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Maeg, if you're reading this, do you remember when we came up with this?)</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-55571420944590079412011-09-02T11:16:00.000-04:002013-05-06T11:20:06.467-04:00Gooey Caramel Popcorn<div style="text-align: justify;">
My husband and I decided to try a 30-day "no sugar" challenge. The night before we kicked the sugar habit, I made a big batch of Gooey Caramel Popcorn to get my last sugar fix. It definitely hit the spot, as it does every single time I make it. I reminds me of growing up in my parents' home and my sweet, next-door neighbor that would make this for us every Christmas. Once I got my hands on the recipe, though, there was no way I could wait until Christmastime to enjoy this gooey goodness. Now I make it every few months. Here is the recipe for you to enjoy as well! </div>
<br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/6099496695/" title="IMG_0013 by AmberWall, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0013" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6080/6099496695_dd523de7c9.jpg" width="382"></a> <br>
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(almonds didn't make it into this batch because I didn't have any on-hand. I do prefer to have the almonds in there, though.)</span></span> <br>
<br>
</div><a href="http://mysobaldlife.blogspot.com/2011/08/gooey-caramel-popcorn.html#more">Read more »</a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-90839794396620986652011-08-30T13:52:00.005-04:002011-08-30T14:22:02.286-04:00Soooo Behind<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/6096953125/" title="IMG_0011 by AmberWall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6096953125_2399f957d6.jpg" alt="IMG_0011" height="382" width="500" /></a>
<br /></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I am so behind in my blogs. I inadvertently took the summer off and now I'm having a tough time finding the motivation to play catch-up. My family blog is even worse off than this one! I keep telling myself that as soon as school starts for my 5-year-old, I will be able to really sit down and get back to business, but now that school has yet to determine an official start date, who knows when that day will be. I just wanted all y'all to know that I'm here. I miss writing, and I really want to get back into posting regularly. I have missed having this little outlet, even if no one reads it. I mostly miss having a place to post photos that I've taken recently. I have about 20 "draft" posts that I have yet to complete because I just started writing things before I had time to fine-tune them. If I end up posting them, things are going to be pretty random around here for a while!
<br />
<br /> As funny as it sounds, this little blog keeps me in touch with myself, and I feel like I've been too busy to do that lately. It will be nice when I can finally get back to remembering who I am.
<br />
<br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(Why does it feel like I have written this same post over and over again, lately?)
<br /></span></div></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-9949651129862405672011-08-22T09:30:00.001-04:002011-09-02T11:59:15.712-04:00Shots, round 3Today was my third round of cortisone shots.<br>
<br>
I wish I could say they were getting easier, but they're not. Today, I even tried to be prepared by taking some good pain medication beforehand and having Brett there as moral support. The medication didn't end up working (if it had even kicked in in the first place), and though it was so nice to have Brett there, I think it made it that much harder to hold back the tears. Last time, I had no one there to comfort me, so what was the point in crying then?<br>
<br>
As the shots were being administered today, I tried my hardest not to concentrate on them. I was squeezing my nails into my palms in hopes that that pain would distract me from the pain up top, but unfortunately, my nails were too stubby to even make a dent. About halfway through, I was trying to hold back tears and managed to hold all but one tear in. I felt defeated by letting that one tear roll down the side of my nose. I quickly wiped it away, hoping that no more would follow.<br>
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://mysobaldlife.blogspot.com/2011/08/shots-round-3.html#more">Read more »</a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-42408804174864172772011-08-08T09:58:00.000-04:002011-09-02T11:59:15.713-04:00Latisse<br />I started using Latisse in July. I started applying it to my eyelashes and my eyebrows, and a small spot on my head just to see what it could do for my scalp. I heard it could take a while to see any definite changes, so I have to attribute my long, luscious lashes (and the progress I was seeing in the eyebrow region) to being a side-effect of the shots/Prednisone.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/6106234968/" title="IMG_0768 by AmberWall, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0768" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6203/6106234968_a7e90bcaa9.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
UPDATE:<br />
The Latisse was actually starting to cause my eyelashes, and what little eyebrows I had, to fall out. I have since stopped using it and don't plan to resume it any time in the near future. It's very frustrating considering how much it cost me to get it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-81171510768441189272011-07-11T09:22:00.000-04:002011-09-02T11:59:15.713-04:00Cortisone Shots - Round 2<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is what my head looked like when I got home from getting my second round of shots. Can you see all the new growth I've had in the six weeks since my <a href="http://ambersinnermind.blogspot.com/2011/05/treatments.html">first round</a>? All the lighter hair is new hair! The doctor didn't put me back on the Prednisone, so the shots will have to go it alone this time. Hopefully I will continue to have success with the treatment. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/6011680717/" title="DSC_0064 by AmberWall, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0064" height="332" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6129/6011680717_d370fc14fc.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/6012227532/" title="DSC_0063 by AmberWall, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0063" height="332" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6122/6012227532_1b366ba2f5.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/6012226450/" title="DSC_0062 by AmberWall, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0062" height="332" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6141/6012226450_50e386a119.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-65376608528203546102011-06-23T16:27:00.000-04:002011-06-23T16:27:10.668-04:00Craziness<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/5864002009/" title="DSC_0251 by AmberWall, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0251" height="500" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5027/5864002009_f69ce2d4b0.jpg" width="332" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The last two weeks have been a doozie. Not to sound cliche or anything, but when it rains, it pours! It seems like a lot has happened, and thankfully, not all of it is necessarily bad. Just different. Posting has been very light lately and here's a small idea of why...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>My two-year-old had his tonsils/adenoids removed along with tubes put in his ears. There were lots of errands that had to be run beforehand, along with a couple of pre-op doctors appointments leading up to the surgery. Now that the surgery is over, it's just a matter of staying sane enough to put up with his crabbiness and mood swings, along with keeping up with all the medications he's been on, not to mention trying to fight him to take all of said medications and getting him to drink as much fluid as possible. </li>
<li>Lots and lots of new hair coming in. My eyebrows have even decided to grow, despite not having done anything to spark the growth. I'm ecstatic! The only hard part is trying to get my "temporary eyebrows" to match up with the real thing without disturbing the new growth. It looks kinda funny, too. </li>
<li>The mother of all changes: I was called to be the <a href="http://lds.org/church/organization/how-the-church-is-organized?lang=eng">Primary President in my ward.</a> It's a big responsibility and one that I'm quite nervous about. I heard a quote somewhere that said "God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called." I just have to have faith that that's true.</li>
<li>A bout of the stomach flu for me and Eli. Brady got it the day of Eli's surgery, and then Eli and I got it a few days later. Eli seemed to fare a little better than I did (thank goodness! I didn't want to have to worry about him vomiting up the precious liquids he was supposed to be drinking), and thankfully Brett was able to leave work to come take care of us. I don't know what I would have done without him that day.</li>
<li>My parents had to put their German Shepherd, Marcus, to sleep. I was very sad to hear the news, but his health was deteriorating so quickly. I'm glad that he's no longer suffering. </li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;">Now I'm just trying to get things back to normal, or at least as normal as possible. I'm stressed (with the breakouts to prove it), sleep-deprived, and at my wits' end, but I think once Eli can get past this recovery period, things will get a lot better. Hopefully that will take no more than another week. Maybe I'll even have a chance to get back to regular posting! </div><ul></ul>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-44220138389586080852011-06-14T09:17:00.000-04:002011-09-02T11:59:15.714-04:00Spontaneous RegrowthHere is a photo of the regrowth I've been experiencing in my eyebrows. This is just three weeks after my first round of shots/Prednisone. The doctor didn't even give me any shots in my eyebrows, they just started growing in on their own!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/6011478291/" title="DSC_0146 by AmberWall, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0146" height="332" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6138/6011478291_95d65ee57a.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-77796032796569734322011-06-10T09:00:00.009-04:002011-09-18T21:00:04.780-04:00Summer Cooking<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/5817054638/" title="DSC_0122 by AmberWall, on Flickr"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/5817054638/" title="DSC_0122 by AmberWall, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0122" height="332" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2228/5817054638_3129e8b2eb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now that the weather has been warming up considerably, the grill and slow-cooker have become my new best friends. I hate the idea of using my oven, and standing over a hot stove isn't very appealing either. It also seems that my kitchen stays a lot cleaner when I can avoid the stove/oven altogether. A cool house AND a clean kitchen? Definitely can't have too much of that! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I know we all could use new recipe ideas now and again, so here are some recipes that I've made lately that are super yummy and haven't required heating up the house to make them.</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><a href="http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/2011/04/our-version-of-rumbi-rice-bowls-with.html">"Copy-cat" Rumbi chicken and rice bowls</a> - loved this so much. If you have a hard time finding the "Mr. Yoshida's sauce" the recipe calls for, I found mine at Costco. I love the sauce itself, so it was worth it for me to buy it in bulk.</li>
<li> <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2010/08/chicken-or-steak-fajitas/">Fajitas</a> - So yummy! These are definitely going into our regular line-up.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/02/red-beans-and-rice/">Red Beans & Rice</a> - Super easy, super delicious, and it makes a ton.</li>
<li>Chicken Cesar Croissants - rotisserie chicken, cesar dressing, Parmesan cheese, and romaine lettuce on a croissant. Easy as that!</li>
<li> <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/03/french-dip-sandwiches/">French Dip Sandwiches</a> - we topped them off with a little "champagne cheddar" from Costco and they were awesome. A definite do-again.</li>
<li>Pizza on the grill. Yes, you read that right. I just use a regular pizza dough recipe, roll it out to the desired size, put it on the grill sans toppings for a few minutes or until the dough is firm, flip it, then put toppings on and let it cook until done! So, so, so good.</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;">That's probably a good list for now. I'm thinking I may have to do separate posts for some other meals we've been enjoying. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Happy Summer Cooking!</b></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144243579460293334.post-35420221177407468512011-06-09T07:52:00.000-04:002011-06-09T07:52:01.458-04:00Total Breakthrough<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31294226@N07/5814431111/" title="IMG_0615 by AmberWall, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0615" height="385" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2344/5814431111_06974736ec.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've been waiting for this day. I didn't think it would ever come, but it actually did. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Dare I say, I actually enjoy running!</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've never been much of a runner. I only ever did it to stay in shape for sports, and even then, I tried to get away with as little as possible. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last night I had a breakthrough, though. I had been itching to workout over the last few days and I wasn't going to let anything keep me from going to the gym. I'm so glad I went. I was doing my "Couch to 5k" stuff - running, then walking, then running some more - and when it got to my final walking interval, I just kept on running. It felt so good! Normally I would be dying by that last round of running, but I figured that since I was feeling good, why should I stop? I was hot and sweaty, but my legs just wanted to keep moving. It was a real milestone for me. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm looking forward to my next trip to the gym. I think I'm just going to get on the treadmill and run, not worrying about any intervals, and seeing how long and how far I can just go. </div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02581964625707401209noreply@blogger.com1