Check Out My New HCG Blog!

I have been having so much fun telling everyone about HCG and my diet success that I have decided to launch a new blog: HCG Living--to answer questions, give advice, share recipes, and swap success stories!

Become a follower, or add me to your blog lists, to get updates about my HCG adventures! I have just posted Before & After pics...humiliating, yes, but worth it! I am proud of my success! This diet has truly given me my life back!

Thanks for checking it out! http://hcgliving.blogspot.com

My Mid-life Crisis

I'm finding it strange that those words even apply to me...but I guess at 39 there's no way I can deny that I'm practically MIDDLE-AGED now. So how can it be that I am still trying to decide what to do with my life? Up until now, I haven't exactly been slacking my life away--I've been raising a family, I've worked in several successful jobs, I've served successfully as PTA President and Primary President as well as countless other projects and daily activities--all things I've enjoyed and felt good about doing. But I am feeling more and more, lately, that there is an important, unknown path that I need to take.

I am not sure, but I have been thinking a lot about going back to school--either to become a teacher or a school counselor. Both of these would be a LOT of work and I don't even want to think about the cost (no Pell Grants for post-grad work)--but as I've started my new job at the Intermediate school, I walk down the halls and see the teachers with their classes and I am convinced that I would be happy doing the same thing...or maybe just that I could be doing MORE than what I am now...whatever that might be.

I don't really know why when you reach a certain point in life that you start worrying about fulfillment and unrealized potential, but I guess I'm not above the cliche. It seems to me that I have made so many plans and maybe I'm running out of time. I guess it makes you want to go out and do something crazy...just to know you can.

Anyway, I don't mean to be so maudlin! I'm basically just thinking out loud...wondering what to do...and trying to organize my thoughts. It's so hard to know what the best thing for me and my family might be. I can guarantee that I'll be praying for some insight and guidance with these possible life changing decisions. It's actually kind of exciting to think what might be around the corner...but I guess that's what makes a good midlife crisis, right?

Taylor's First Day at School

Getting organzied for the new year!

Giving sisterly advice on proper backpack packing techniques!

Looking amazing for the first day!

Little bit of a makeover for the second day! Ooops. Gotta love trampolines.

Shaylie's First Day of School

Looking Great with a new do, new clothes, and gorgeous smile!

Bravely entering new territory!

Shaylie and Mrs. Winterton, 4th Grade Teacher

Hard at work already! Have a great year, Sweetheart!

Family Celebrations!

We celebrated Shaylie's 9th birthday (again!) with our family!

Around the circle: Here is Aunt Anissa (back to us), Grandma Pam, Papa Strong, Shaylie, Grandma Rose, Grandma Dawn, Bella, Kaiah, Lynn and Chad.

Shaylie got so many neat presents!

Thanks to Grandma J for the cute clothes, to Chad & Bella for the Wii Game, to Taylor for the Bracelet kit, to Grandma Dawn for a DS game and Chocolate Frogs, to Mom and Dad for RC UFO, and to Papa & Grandma for her NEW website!

What a happy, fun day!

We're in Business!

For those of you who don't know, my daughter Shaylie is a born businesswoman! She always has a plan to invent a new product, make something to sell, set up a shop, etc.

Well, for her birthday--she's 9 now--her grandparents (with the help of mom and dad) bought her a web store so she can sell whatever she dreams up online! She is so excited about this. We even made her business cards to hand out to her friends.

It's up and running and we hope you will all check it out! Right now she is selling some jewelry she has made and a few of her stuffed toys. Let us know how you like it!!!

Go to www.shayliebay.com to see her fun jewelery and check back often because she's working hard at making new things everyday!

Inner Peace for All

I am sitting blessedly alone as the girls have both gone off to the first day of school. Summer has been wonderful but I always look forward to this day. I think it is the quiet contemplation that prompted this funny memory. I'm thinking about all the various forms of organized insanity that are about to start and remembered a conversation that Shaylie and I had.

She asked me, "Mom, am I going to get to take Karate this year?" I said, "Why do you want to take Karate anyway?" or something like that. She thought a minute and said, "It would be fun to learn how to beat people up....and I'd like to learn inner peace."

Sounds good to me! Where do we sign up?

My Favorite HCG Recipes...so far!

I am on round two of my HCG diet. This time around I have been experimenting with my food a bit more. I found two really yummy treats that I love! I will probably keep eating these even after my VLCD ends.

Ginger Chicken Lettuce Wraps

3.5 oz Chicken cut into cubes

3 large cabbage leaves

chopped cabbage to equal 3.5 oz

3 T. Balsamic Vinegar

1 T. Ginger

1/4 t. onion powder

1/4. t. salt

1/4 t. pepper

Garlic to taste

In a bowl combine cut chicken, vinegar, seasonings, cook on med-hi until done. At end of cook time, add in chopped cabbage and 3T water. Lower heat and continue cooking until cabbage is cooked. Place chicken mixture into cabbage leaves and roll into wraps. So YUMMY!!!

Strawberry Smoothies

6 large strawberries, sliced

16 oz. favorite Crystal Light beverage (I like cranberry apple.)

1 pkg. Truvia (Stevia)

Ice

Liquify all ingredients in blender until desired consistency. Enjoy!!!!

If I make any other discoveries...I will post them too!

Shaylie's Birthday Party

Our Cute Pupcakes!

In lieu of a proper cake.

Let the movie begin!

Thanks Friends!

Cute Kids!