As it appears, life never slows down. Occasionally I’d like to ask God for a time out, but it just doesn’t work that way. I’ve been working on this update for a few weeks now and finally decided to just buckle down and get it finished today. Be forewarned though, it is long since I didn’t manage to get my annual Christmas letter out and am covering a large span of time.

2009 was an exciting, crazy, busy, life changing year for us and 2010 is proving to be much of the same.

We started out 2009 in Ohio, visiting Grandma and Grandpa Pease (Bryan’s grandparents) who we hadn’t seen since before we moved to the UK in 2002. That quickly rolled into a weekend visit from my Mom where Bryan and I took advantage of a weekend getaway, gall bladder removal surgery for me, car shopping, a MercyMe concert and a 3 week TDY to Savannah for Bryan. In May, we participated in our 2nd year of Relay For Life, my 1^st as a steering committee member and later that month, I ran our base’s annual 4.4 mile Gate to Gate race (my finish time was not pretty, but I finished AND I ran the entire thing, quite a feat for the girl that used to forge notes to get out of PE). Soon thereafter, we hit the road for a weeklong road trip to Texas to see family. Jacey stayed behind and spent several weeks between my Mom and Bryan’s Mom’s house. During that time, Bryan and I got a huge dose of the no child lifestyle and let me tell you, the first week is great and then it gets boring fast :). 2009 also brought our 10^th wedding anniversary, my 30^th birthday, Jacey’s 8^th birthday, another road trip to Texas for Thanksgiving to see Bryan (he was TDY again) and then Christmas with my Mom and brother here in Florida.

The biggest event of 2009 though has also spread into 2010. In September of 2009, we found out that my oncologist would be deploying in January and then separating from the Air Force once she got back. I was going to be losing my favorite doctor and one of the main reasons we had not pursued any job/location changes. With that no longer holding us back, Bryan decided to look at the retraining list. Bryan has disliked being a maintainer for a long LONG time, but did what he felt was necessary for the best stability for our family and medical care for me. When we looked at the retraining lit, imagine what was there, Bryan’s dream job, UAV (or RPA, the AF can’t make up its mind) Sensor Operator! The next few weeks were spent getting all the necessary paperwork and medical forms together to submit a package. On October 21, 2009 we submitted the package and on October 26, 2009 he was approved and had class dates. So much for the 21 duty day wait to hear something. That sent life into a crazy spin that hasn’t stopped yet. Bryan left for his first 4 week class on November 18, 2009, another 4+4 week class on January 13, 2010 and left for his final 12 week class this past Sunday (April 25, 2010). On February 12, 2010, Bryan graduated BSOC (basic sensor operator course) and is now an official RPA sensor operator. Jacey and I flew out for the week of graduation and had a great time. Let’s not discuss the flight in though; we flew in on the one day in a blue moon that DFW got numerous inches of snow. Let’s just say that Jacey and I now know DFW airport like the backs of our hands and Bryan can pass a test on less than 2 hours of sleep. Bryan also reenlisted last week for another 5 years, so the Air Force has us until 2015. I can’t figure out if that is a good thing or a bad thing!

With this new job, also comes a move. We will be heading to Creech AFB, NV (outside of Las Vegas) at the end of July once Bryan is back from this final class. There, Bryan will be working on the MQ-1 Predator. We plan to live on Nellis AFB (Creech does not offer housing) for the first year while we learn the area, where good schools are, etc and then plan to buy. Hopefully housing will stay as affordable as it is there now or get even better. While we are sad to be leaving here, we are excited about the move as well. We will have been here in Florida for 5 years by the time we move and that is an eternity in the military and to this girl with gypsy blood.

As for Jacey, Jacey is bored out of her mind in 2^nd grade, but there isn’t much we can do at this point with only 7 weeks left of school. She has gotten 1 B thus far this year, with the rest being A’s. Jacey finally found an extracurricular activity that she loves and that is baton twirling. They had their end of season recital today and then she will have a twirling day camp in May. Hopefully we will find twirling on the Vegas end, since this is the first out of many activity attempts that she has loved. Otherwise, she spends her time going to H20 (her Wednesday night church group), reading, playing the Wii and having an unhealthy obsession with the old 90’s show “Full House”. I can’t complain too much, it is better than most shows they have out nowadays. She has really sprouted in height this year, but is still just as slender as ever. Built like her Daddy, she has that long, lanky figure that most would love to have. She on the other hand, thinks she is too skinny, while we tell her she is just perfect the way God made her. It sure does start early. She is ready for school to be out and summer to start. She flies to Texas to spend 2 weeks with my Mom right after school ends and then has her first weeklong overnight camp as soon as she gets back. She is thrilled about both, especially getting to fly by herself (she’s only been flying since she was 7 months old, Miss Frequent Flier :).

And me, I’m doing okay. Tired is the new normal I guess, but we as humans have this insane ability to adapt and when I can’t, I give in and take a nap :). Work still remains the largest item outside of Jacey that keeps me busy, but my last day will be July 1^st in anticipation for the move. As if that wasn’t enough though, we are gearing up for Relay For Life which is this Friday, April 30^th (there is still time to donate, if you feel so compelled – http://www.buchorn.com/blog/2010/03/20/relay-for-life-2010/). Being event co-chair this year has been an interesting ride, we have a fabulous steering committee and the event chair is my partner in crime, but I am ready for it to be over so I can shift my attention more towards the move prep and have one less thing on my plate. I had my last “official” oncology appointment here at Eglin back in March and she gave me the all clear to wait until we get settled in Vegas to go back. My white blood cell count is now 29, higher than it was when I was diagnosed (it dropped quite a bit from diagnosis levels after I lost weight) but, Dr. G is not worried because it is not jumping at alarming levels and I am doing okay otherwise. I still battle the night sweats and chills but those will be here at different intensities for probably the rest of my life. Dr. G knows the oncologist that I will be seeing on base in Nellis and has already contacted him to pass on information. I am really going to miss Dr. G, but if she trusts the new doctor, I will too. Anyway, I need to get this wrapped up, so enough about me.

Some of you may have noticed, but we have changed out email addresses and website url. The old digital-drama.com accounts will not be valid much longer, so please update your address books (please leave a comment if you want our new email addresses and don’t already have them…leaving them off of the blog for spam reasons). These addresses will travel with us to Vegas and beyond. Bryan and I are also on facebook if you haven’t already friended us and want to.

• Website with blog and photo/video album links – http://www.buchorn.com (the photos and videos are also completely up to date now if you would like to take a peek)

So, with that I will close this already way too long update. Hopefully I won’t wait another year+ to get one out.

Many, if not all of you know that I was diagnosed with CLL, chronic lymphocytic leukemia at age 28 in February 2008. Many of you also know my dedication to cancer research and Relay for Life. If all this is news to you, you can read my story here.

While I am currently doing wonderfully with my cancer, numbers are remaining fairly stable and I am not in any immediate need of treatments, it is not the time to slack off of cancer research support. This year, I am once again the Niceville/Valparaiso Relay for Life Steering Committee (this year as event vice chair) and it has been an awe-inspiring experience to say the least. Relay this year is being held at the Niceville HS track and starts on April 30 at 6pm. 18 hours of fun and triumphant dedication to one cause, eradicating cancer. 18 hours of survivors, caregivers and supporters, trying to change the face of cancer, one lap at a time.

While Bryan will unfortunately not be able to participate this year, I would love if you could come out and join Jacey and I in walking or would be willing to make a monetary donation, every dollar helps to find a cure to this horrendous disease. There are online and offline donation opportunities on my ACS Relay page.

My 2010 Relay For Life Page

There is also a spot to donate on my facebook page if you would prefer to go that route.

Today is the 2 year anniversary of my CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) diagnosis. Still not sure some days how I feel about it and other days it doesn’t even cross my mind. Bryan asked me the other day, what you get someone on this type of anniversary and I figure nothing. It is not a landmark event in my book, although I suppose it should be. I have lived 2 years with a terminal illness and my current prognosis is good.

So, can I take back that reply of nothing?!

I would like a full body massage while laying on a beach in Hawaii, sipping some fruity drink. Sound good? Worthy of this anniversary?

I think so :).

• Work is nuts, you can definitely tell it is our busy season. My boss today informed me that sleep is overrated. I don’t agree :). 3 more work days till the Christmas Eve rush is over and 5 more work days till vacation!

• Monday, I had my routine appointment with my oncologist. My white blood cell counts are up to 24 from 18 at my last appointment, 3 months ago. Sigh. She’s not worried, because in her eyes that is a small jump but it still bugs me. I am back up to where I was when I was diagnosed almost 2 years ago. Wow, has it really been that long?! It’s still just watch and see because I feel “okay”. I have gotten sick twice already this season (a minor cold and pink eye) after not getting sick at all last season. She wants me to keep an eye on it and if I keep getting sick, she will check my immunoglobulin levels. If they are low, we can always do IV immunoglobulins but she has only seen about a 50% success rate in her patients. Her goal though is to do anything possible to prolong the amount of time until I have to go on chemo and I agree with that approach. She did contact the hospital at Nellis AFB and I can be seen on base, so now it is up to the chief and AF to send us there instead of Holloman AFB.

• Tuesday I had my band appointment. We won’t even discuss my weight, let’s just say I have gained a few pounds (if you really want to know, up on the top under about me is my band page). I’ve been really battling head hunger and mindless eating lately. Not sure why, boredom I suppose, but it needs to take a hike. He gave me a 0.5cc fill bringing me to 4.5cc total in my 10cc band. He thinks one more feel and I will be at my sweet spot (something about the pressure that comes back on the plunger when he fills). I actually get a real dinner again tomorrow night and I can’t wait to see where my restriction is although I am thinking it is going to be pretty good. Last night I ran a little over 4 miles and proceeded to gulp my water like I usually do. Bad idea, I could feel it not going down. Thankfully none came up, it eventually trickled through, because that would have been embarrassing (totally full cardio room with lots of cute guys in uniform, including mine but it wouldn’t have phased him).

• The weather here sucks. It has done nothing but rain the last few weeks. Jacey even asked me the other day if we really lived in the “sunshine state”.

• This weekend, I am doing all my Christmas baking/goody making. I do plan to have a piece of each (just being honest here) but the rest of those calories are going on some one else’s hips *insert evil laugh*!

• Today, Jacey and I both got our H1N1 vaccines and Jacey got her 2nd seasonal flu shot in her series. Now she just has to go back in 30 days for the 2nd H1N1 and she’ll be done for a year. I really had mixed feelings about the whole H1N1 vaccine. My oncologist recommended it but Bryan and I still weren’t 100% sure. We finally decided that for us the risk was greater to get the actual swine flu than to get the vaccine. Bryan leaves tomorrow, so if J or I got sick, we would be SOL and me being immunocompromised, who knows how it would affect me. Bryan is not eligible right now, but at least J and I will be protected. Bryan never gets anything (illness) anyway, he just always bring it home to me. Lucky me.

• My hard drive comes in tomorrow and this one is still chugging along…YAY! If I disappear for a few days though, you know why.

• We had our Relay For Life Team Captain Party last night and it went really well. Bryan resigned his online chair position (because of retraining) but it was picked up by another sub-committee member, so we still have a full committee roster. We don’t have another meeting until January and while I love relay, I am looking forward to the break. I just really have a lot on my plate right now and it is one less thing to stress about.

• And, like I mentioned earlier, Bryan leaves TDY for his first class tomorrow. I hate watching him pack, even though this first TDY will be cake. He’ll be gone a week, we’ll see him for 4 days at Thanksgiving and then he will be home a week and a half later. Now the TDY in January, will suck. He’ll be gone 2 months since the 2 classes are back to back. Oh well, right?! I made it through 2 months last year and at least he is not deployed. I am thankful for that every day!

Last week I had my routine oncology appointment and yes, the diagnosis is still cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia to be exact. It probably sounds a little bit like denial, but I always go in hoping that they will say, “OMG, I am so sorry, it isn’t cancer, it is….??”. I know that isn’t going to happen, I trust my current team of doctors immensely, but there is still that irrational hope. I mean, I defied all the odds getting it, isn’t there that 1% chance they are wrong?

Sigh.

My white blood cell counts are staying pretty stable, up to 18 from 15 when I had my last check up 6 months ago. Normal is 4-10, I was diagnosed with counts at 26 and my weight loss has helped my numbers come down in the last year. White blood cells accumulate in fat, so if you are heavier you are typically going to have higher WBC counts in general (only normal ones, not defunct ones like me :). I had been really worried about my counts, because they were at 22 when I was in the ER this summer from my lovely allergy shot allergic reaction. My doctor told me to never pay any attention to my counts when I am sick or have any other trauma because basically they will shoot up solely in reaction to that and not be a good guide. I am not anemic though and my platelets are fine, so that is good news as well. She is concerned that my symptoms are getting worse (fatigue and night sweats, I swear I am going through menopause at 29) but still does not feel ready to “treat” me because the side effects are much worse. She always asks my input though, because she says she is not me and I am a very unique case so they don’t truly have all the answers for me (average age of a CLL patient is 70 and male, there aren’t even enough of “me” out there to have any sort of statistics). I opted to still just wait and see because I am able to function normally most of the time but I go back again in 3 months now instead of 6.She prescribed me Lunesta (which I haven’t taken yet) in hopes of allowing me to sleep through the drenching night sweats. We can’t stop them, but hopefully I can at least get some rest. Otherwise, I am caught in a vicious cycle…extreme fatigue, broken sleep, extreme fatigue, broken sleep.

I did get one piece of bad news, this was my last appointment with her personally. She deploys in January and then is separating from the Air Force when she gets back. I have been truly blessed to have her as my oncologist and I am not sure anyone will ever fill her shoes. While I still don’t understand why God placed this specific battle in my life, he definitely knew what he was doing giving it to me here. Not only is she is wonderful oncologist, but she is a hematology oncologist which is the specialty I need and considering oncologists in the Air Force in general are few and far between, it is nothing short of a miracle.

This news did bring peace of mind about though in a different way. Bryan’s job here is horrible and the way it is affecting our family is worse than I could have ever imagined. We survived the UK, why in the heck would Florida break us?! And, while I absolutely love my job, as tired as I am there are many days that I wish I didn’t *have* to go to work. We had been tossing back and forth the idea of retraining but hated the thought of leaving my medical team, first and foremost, Dr. G. We had been praying about it but didn’t feel like we were getting a strong response one way or the other. After hearing her news, it was almost like God saying, “it’s okay”. So, a few days ago I looked at the budget and although it would take some getting used to, we could live without my salary. Then, last night we sat down and looked at all the job with E-5 slots open and narrowed it down to 5. Bryan submitted the eligibility request this morning and now we wait on a response. They have up to 20 duty days to let him know if he is qualified/eligible for any/all the jobs and then we go from there. Nothing is set in stone, but the process has officially been nudged. If possible, we’d like to arrange it so J and I stay here at least until the beginning of June. I don’t want to make her change schools if we don’t have to and I am heavily involved in Relay this year. That though, is up to the AF powers that be after we see our options and make our wishes known.

In a way, it is scary to think of leaving here and the roots we have set down. This is the longest I have ever lived somewhere since I was 11. I have a great job, we have an awesome church and large support system. On the other hand though, I am getting the immense itch to move and go somewhere that people don’t know my “story”. Somewhere I feel like I “fit in”.

We shall see what the future holds.

1. So, Thursday’s. I have had to alter my workouts, sine Jacey is now taking baton twirling on Thursday’s. I used to go up to the base gym as soon as I got off work, but now I am going to run either outside or in the CLC gym while she is in class. Killing two birds with one stone…eh :). I just did a short run yesterday, trying to eyeball a route. Time wise, I should be able to double it and still not be late picking her up…3 miles won’t be too shabby.

2. My body is so not my friend right now. We bought Wii Active last weekend for me to use on the days I can’t make it to the gym and it is kicking my butt! I am currently doing the 30 day workout plan on moderate (there is 3 levels). Why is it that I can run for 45 minutes with no pain, but do 3 Wii Active workouts with a resistance band and my own body resistance and am dying?! Go figure.

3. Is the rain ever going to stop? Just a little over it here.

4. My truck is all nice and clean on the inside now. The rain really makes a mess of my black on black interior and a friend is riding with me tomorrow. Couldn’t let her see the mess, I’d be embarrassed. Guess I ended up with an hour long workout today anyway, even after deciding it would be a rest day :).

5. You know, my band is fickle. Oscar (the grouch) is definitely an appropriate name for it. I can eat almost anything, steak, chicken, etc except bread, rice and pasta. And bananas…go figure. I am not a huge fan of bananas but like one occasionally and get stuck every darn time.

6. A few days ago, I booked our camping weekend. Yes, you heard me right and no, I am not loosing my mind…I think. Anyone that truly knows me, is probably pretty doubtful at this point though :). We are going to Florida Caverns State Park from October 23rd-25th and staying in a tent. Bryan and Jacey have begged me for years and I finally gave in. I’ve been there before as a child, my uncle even got married there. Anyone local have any camping equipment we can borrow before I hit up Outdoor Rec?

7. For Thanksgiving this year, I think we are going to go work in the Waterfront Mission’s soup kitchen. I worked in one when I was around Jacey’s age and it is an experience that I have never forgotten. I think it will be a really good life lesson for Jacey, that even though they may not “have” the material things we do, they are people and important just the same. We drive through a few sections of trailers that are not very well kept up every day and she has been really noticing the “differences” here lately. I really want to do anything possible to keep her from being judgmental based on financial status.

8. Then, on Black Friday we are going to head to Tampa for the weekend while all the crazies are out shopping. We’ll hit up Busch Gardens one day and no clue what yet the next. Maybe the zoo or the aquarium?! I’d love to do a hot air balloon ride but they are CRAZY expensive for the 3 of us.

9. And Christmas. This year we are staying home. I am sure family won’t be too thrilled, but I’d just like a peaceful season instead of the rush, rush that happens when you travel. Yes, I am being selfish this year.

10. Bryan’s work is going to drive me to drinking…sigh. They are so short on people and those they do have are misfits. From week to week, his schedule is changing from days to swings which makes planning anything, including my necessary doctor’s appointments totally impossible. Is it time to retire yet?

11. Anyone out there have any opinions on the whole H1N1 vaccine? I am really not too keen on getting it, I feel it has been rushed but don’t really think I will have much of a choice for myself or Jacey. Bryan being military HAS to get it and with me being immunocompromised, I am scheduled in the first group. I know I can say no, but it scares me regardless. If I did not have cancer, I would definitely say no for both Jacey and I but….I mean, I never even got a regular flu shot till last year, my first flu season with cancer. Thankfully, neither J nor I have ever had the flu (last year was her first shot too).

12. Tomorrow is our Relay For Life Early Bird Bash (training) out in Navarre. Laura (the event chair…my “boss”:) is riding with me and I am sure we will have lots of fun. We are so much alike, it is scary at times.

13. Did you know they make drumsticks with no nuts? In mint, vanilla and vanilla fudge at that…SCORE! I am going to go have one right now…

• I had an appointment with my PCM yesterday for a few skin issues. I just love her to pieces. She put me back on Yaz and we are going to also try Retin-A cream while I wait for an appointment with a dermatologist for my recent crazy outbreak of acne. She also took a look at my extra tummy (aka saggy skin) and definitely sees an issue. Even though TRICARE is horrible about covering any procedures, she put in for a consult with plastics regardless. They may deny it but at least we have started documenting the issue. At this point, I’d just be happy for them to take that skin and not do a full tummy tuck…the flapping when I am running is getting really old (and painful).

• I finally got my oncology appt made but it isn’t till the end of September. I kinda wish it was earlier but what do you do. Appointment availability is slim pickings at a military hospital with specialists. I am so tired lately and forgetting everything which is so not me. I’m not sure if it has anything to do with the leukemia or if it is just stress but I would still like her opinion.

• My office is finally done, minus the wall prints and those are ordered and on their way. I love it and will be sure to share pics once it is done.

• My house is a disaster zone and it is totally making me crazy. We never seems to have to time to stop and really clean it though. We were going to do it Thursday but now, Jacey has a trial theatre class that night.

• And speaking of Jacey, so far the writing sentences is appearing to work. She’s even admitting to playing around when she is supposed to be showering and getting dressed. Let’s pray it continues its effect.

• We are also trying to figure out what extracurricular activities to let her do this year. She is interested in baton twirling. One group only has Wednesday evening practices for beginners and I am not willing to let her miss church on Wednesday nights. Luckily our CLC attached to my work offers them as well and I get a 50% staff discount, so I think we will let her try it out there. I am pushing the theatre class because I think it would be a really good fit. I hope she likes the trial class, but if not I won’t make her. I am only going to allow her 1-2 activities though, otherwise it gets to be too much on her and I. Not enough down time and too much travel/practice time. She expressed interest in Girl Scouts last year but I haven’t seen anything about that yet this year.

• This weekend is a 4 day weekend for both Bryan and I (only 3 day for Jacey) and it CAN NOT get here soon enough. I think Bry and I are going to go kayaking Friday and then we have our canoe trip down the Blackwater on Monday. We are also contemplating the Greek Festival since we love Greek food. Maybe, maybe not. I want the weekend to be fun and relaxing at the same time.

• AT&T is so not on my good side again. Remember me complaining about no data a month or so ago? Well the issue was only temporarily fixed and it back with a vengeance now. I can’t even get GPRS here in Niceville, which means no internet on my phone (what is the use of an iPhone without it), my visual voicemail doesn’t work and my texts are slower than molasses. They need to get this issue fixed SOON and credit my account. $60 a month on data we aren’t getting is a lot of wasted money.

• Anyway, enough rambling. My blizzard just arrived and is calling my name (hey, I went to the gym today, so I can eat it guilt free :).

1. I am learning recently that I am not superwoman as much as I want to be. There are some things that I have to let go of to maintain my sanity and a life.

2. Since the children’s building is almost finished at work, I am getting ready for the move to my new office. I had two to choose from, so I went up and chose this week. Bryan measured it for me and then I proceeded to go furniture shopping. What an ordeal. I found this first set which I fell in love with. Priced it online and then went to go order it from our contract sales website for that company. Total price was almost $1000 more than the regular website. Huh? What gives there. I left a message with our contract sales rep in hopes that they could get me a better deal but no call back, so I went shopping some more.

I found this second set at one of the other places we shop at and truly think it will work better. The first set still has my heart for finish and design but this set is more functional. This set was also more on our contract site versus the regular site but only by right under $100. I don’t understand why business customers get higher prices yet, we are bringing them business on a regular basis and typically in bulk. So, now I wait on our sales rep to get back with me and get these pieces ordered next week when I am back in the office.

The office is a rectangle but has a window, so my current paint color, jadesheen will be way too bright. So, I am going with this color, asparagus. I also plan to use chalkboard paint to make a rectangle over the credenza unit and then either find a vintage frame to finish it or some molding. Not sure what else yet. I get to move in the week of the 17th and can’t wait!

3. I noticed this morning, that I am no longer losing hair. YAY! About time.

4. On the other hand, my hormones are out of whack again. I thought the weight loss had helped the PCOS issues but they are back. Skin is breaking out like crazy, I feel like I am 14 again and that monthly womanly thing is nuts again after 8 months of regularity. I really need to get in to see my doc, but who has time?!

5. Speaking of the children’s building, Jacey gets to be one of the ribbon cutters at the grand opening on the 22nd. How cool is that! Our senior pastor will be holding the ribbon and Jacey and our junior pastor’s older son will be cutting it.

6. I finally updated the pics/video on the webpage if you’d like to take a peek. One of these days, I’ll get an update email sent out as well (I’d advise you not to hold your breath on that one:).

7. The word cancer is evoking some not so nice feelings from me these past few weeks. I am SO tired of being SO tired.

8. I finally found J’s school supply list on the school’s website, so we can start tackling that. Haven’t heard from the school yet about teacher/open house although I would think that should be any day now. Only 2 more weeks and a few days till school starts. Gee, I can’t believe I have a second grader now!

9. I am debating on taking a class at church with semester on Wednesday evenings while J is in H20. My friend Steph is teaching a class called “One Month to Live” which sounds really interesting but I am REALLY bad about sticking with classes. Adult onset ADD perhaps?!

10. Tomorrow is a squadron bowling event that I agreed to participate in. Wish me luck, this is the first “military” event I have done in a while. I normally stay pretty far away because there is typically a lot of drama that tends to ensue.

11. Made this for dinner tonight and it was delish…or should I say yummo, since it is a Rachael Ray recipe :).

12. Instead of doing what I should have been doing earlier, I played around again. Perhaps this is why I don’t get as much done as I should?!

Before

After
Totally Rad Actions: Oh Snap! @ 100%, Rusty Cage @ 100%, Claire-ify @ 80% and Yin/Yang as needed

13. I have only been working on this blog post, off and on since 6:30am…it is time for me to go to bed.

1. So, this morning I was being a bit obsessive. Friday is my normal weigh in day, but I weighed in at 7:15am when I got up to use the bathroom and again at 10:45am when I got up for the day and the weights were over a pound different. Not sure how that happens, but the later weight was the lower one, so I am taking it…LOL! I am now sitting at 152.4, so close to that 80 pound mark (152). It would be great if I could make that by my bandiversary on the 25th. Technically, I should since it is that nasty TOM and I am holding water weight right now.

2. Wednesday, I went to Zumba for the first time. Oh, to have been a fly on the wall watching me…I would probably be dead, from forgetting to hold onto the wall for laughing so hard. I always considered myself pretty coordinated and took dance for numerous years as a child. After this class, I am beginning to wonder if Bryan’s two left feet have rubbed off on me. I had a blast though and was wringing wet with sweat by the time I was done, so I will definitely go back. Eventually I might even look like I am dancing to the music instead of being off in lala land.

3. My Mom bought Jacey one of those “as seen on tv” topsy turvy tomato planters that hang upside down. Amazingly, it works and Jacey has 5 or 6 green tomatoes out there right now.  It is also amazing just how much water it takes though, you forget one day and the tomato plant looks like it has been neglected for a week. I think next year we will stick with a pot on the ground, I am just not that on the ball.

4. Our 10th anniversary is coming up on the 31st (wow, that makes me feel really old even though I haven’t hit 30 yet) and we are going parasailing as an early gift to each other tomorrow. I am so excited, I have wanted to go for years! We thought we would take advantage of not having to fork over $60 for a babysitter and go now while J is in Texas. I think we are also going to go go-kart racing afterwards (and make a stop at Godiva, but whose counting) and then do an anniversary dinner at The Melting Pot next Friday while we are still childless. Bryan has already ordered my gift but I have no clue what to get him. 10 is tin, what the heck is that about?! I have one idea for him that I know he would absolutely love but it involves me calling in a “favor” and I hate asking people for favors…LOL! So, I’m still working on it.

5. I have pretty much stopped going to the lap band talk forum and only follow a couple of  great banders (a few are local and I’d love to meet someday). I found that I am doing great on my own and the obsession on the forum is driving me nuts. I want to live a real life, have real food and occasionally have a dessert. I want to be able to skip a day of exercise if I don’t feel good and realize it is not the end of the world. The point now to me is lifestyle changes and moderation…and, apparently it works :). I just don’t get how people feel they are going to maintain the weight loss in the real world, getting to “goal” by only eating pre-portioned, processed foods and never having to truly “think” about it. I’m sure some people won’t like me saying this, but it is my blog right and one of the few places I can have my opinion.

6. I am definitely happy with my level of restriction again. I can still eat pretty much everything, just not too much. I am still only back to what I was at in October (before all my gallbladder issues) but since I am almost to goal and will soon just be maintaining, I think I will be good for a while. Who would have thought it would take this little for me (I only have 2.5cc in a 10cc band).

7. “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens.” 1 Thes 5:16-17 -  A good friend of mine reminded me of this verse yesterday and it really hit home for some things that have been going on recently. Definitely something to work on.

8. I miss my baby girl. 8 more days till she comes home!

9. I have been SO tired lately, I feel like all I do is work and sleep. I know my white blood cell counts are up again but I wonder if that is the cause or not. I see my oncologist again in September and don’t really want to go in before then just for tiredness. I guess that is just life with leukemia…sigh. Most days it doesn’t bother me, but some days it just sucks.

10. And so it begins, Relay for Life 2010. We have a round table discussion coming up this month and then we start actual committee meetings in August. I still wonder if I was having a moment of insanity signing up to be the vice-chair for the Niceville/Valparaiso event this year. It will be worth it though!

11. I would love it if everybody could take a few minutes to register here and help support our troops. This is a great (easy) opportunity and they appreciate it SO much!

12. Sigh, this was my last short week at work for a while and it is going to suck. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job but you quickly get spoiled to short weeks and long weekends.

13. Tonight Bry and I did an almost 4.5 mile walk to get ice cream. See how bad my addiction is (wasn’t I just talking about obsession earlier…LOL). At least I walked off half the ice cream so I didn’t feel SO guilty about eating it :).