Where I put stuff.

Ok - so for the most part I have tried to avoid sticky subjects because I like people reading my blog and I don't want it to be a place where you are going to wonder about the content.  However, this is where I put stuff.  I do have another blog out there in the internet wilderness where I put MORE stuff that I know wouldn't even be accepted here.  I don't believe in censorship in order to have people like you, but I DO believe in censorship in order to be respectful.  

On this occasion, I promise to be respectful - but I will not censor what I think.  Proceed at your own risk.

Club Unicorn

I'm sure you've read or at least seen/heard of that above link.  I think that this couple, this man, are incredibly brave and I admire them for it.  If they are as happy and fulfilled in their relationship as they claim to be, then all the power to them.  I am all for people being happy in this life.  He made this choice and the wife made her choice and I don't judge them for their choices.   I believe that it can work incredibly well for them and bring them fulfillment and happiness.

However, this blog post upsets me and this is why:

Many people will take the above blog as a blanket statement - something saying that homosexuality can be solved by an understanding partner and yourself if you're only strong enough, true enough, pure enough, etc to withstand the temptations.  It also says to people that this is the way for gay people to BE happy in this life and I do not believe that that is true.  I do, however, believe that they could be happy - given that it is their choice.
Imagine that life for you as his wife.  Maybe I'm not self-confident enough to be with a man who can't find me attractive sexually.  Also, where is the fun in that?  I agree that you can deeply love many people (man or woman), but you can only love them in a certain way.  Sometimes the lustful kind of love that comes with pure attraction is exactly what you need and that can definitely be combined with a deeper, "more pure" love.  His whole definition of their sex life offends me - to suggest that because you experience sexual attraction to your partner means that in that selfsame moment you can't experience a deep and meaningful connection is outrageous.  Anybody can share that type of love.

Lastly, (and this where we might have to agree to disagree) homosexuality is NOT wrong.  People who are gay are no more wrong in feeling an attraction to their same sex than people who are straight liking the opposite sex.   It has been found in over 450 species.  Animals who do not have the know-how to avoid so-called "temptation."  Does that make sense to you that they would be created that way?  Given no choice?

Be gay or be straight.  Just live your life and let other people live theirs.  If you think it is perverse or unnatural than don't do it.  That is your right.  Let other people have theirs.

... and we'll be back to normal programming shortly.

Lyrics

Losing love is like a window in your heart
Everybody sees you're blown apart
Everybody sees the wind blow

Thought this was pretty accurate of describing that feeling.  Had to put it somewhere to remember it.

Why I went off hormonal birth control

Probably a funny topic for a personal blog, but nobody seems to read this anyway!  Maybe some poor girl with stumble across it and it will help her out too.

For the last year and a half, I was on the NuvaRing.  I had been on the NuvaRing a few years ago and went off of it due to side effects.  My heart seemed to beat faster and hurt sometimes and I had steadily gained about 20 pounds and couldn't lose it, despite doing consistent workouts.  I opted to go for the Mirena IUD and had that for about 2 years.  I loved it.  No period, no side effects - oh wait, that was only for a little while.  After about 6 months with the Mirena I started having dyspareunia and my memory seemed to change.  I didn't gain weight on the Mirena, but I still could not lose any, despite running every other day.  In October of 2009, I had the Mirena taken out - and within 2 months had lost 20 pounds.  I maintained that weight for a little over a year being pretty active, but not really watching carefully what I ate.

Going back on the NuvaRing in December 2010 because of the ease of it - I didn't really notice any side effects at first, but after a couple of months I began to steadily gain weight despite being pretty active and eating healthier than I ever had.  Now, while I ate pretty healthy - within a couple of months of being on the NuvaRing, my portion size was out of control.  I was always hungry.  I could eat a large meal and then within 20-30 minutes be ravenous all over again.  I was also tired all the time, felt depressed, had a lot of anxiety about life.

A little over a month ago, I went to a gynecologist to speak to them about birth control options.  I was considering (and still am) going on the Paragard IUD.  It is a nonhormonal form of birth control, but like with everything there are risks.  The practitioner that I went to refused to give me one because I haven't had kids yet, despite me having an IUD before.  He told me to go to the School of Medicine up here at the U and get some samples of different birth control pills, basically telling me that no matter what I choose I'm going to be unhappy with the side effects.

After talking to Justin about all this, we decided that we're not going that route.  We understand that there is an increased risk for an unplanned pregnancy and are taking more precautions to prevent it, but he felt that it was important for me to feel normal.

I went to the other practitioner that diagnosed me with a vitamin D deficiency (answering why I'm always tired and agreeing to give me the Paragard should I decide I want it), but in the past month I have noticed a huge difference - I feel less tired (and haven't started a supplement yet) and I don't remember feeling so incredibly positive in my whole life!!! Especially for the past week, despite getting some pretty bad news, I just can't be kept down.  Life just seems to be going so well - and I feel like I'm starting to be me again.  I can eat small amounts of food and feel full for hours and life doesn't seem so cluttered, unorganized, daunting.  I can do this!

I'm still working on the "weight loss" (when I say weight loss I mean toning up, slimming down not an actual number, although a good number would be nice too - a lot of people have told me I don't need to lose weight.), but I think in time I'll get there.

I know that going the nonhormonal route can be inconvenient, but if you are having any of these side effects, try it out!  You might just enjoy life more!

How about some vitamin D?

So after about a year of being constantly tired... I finally went to the doctor and had some blood work done.  My thyroid is fine, I'm not anemic, but I'm extremely low on the good ol' vitamin D.

The first thing anyone says when I tell them this is "Why don't you spend some time out in the sun?"  With a few chuckles and snide remarks about how pasty white I am.  However, one lady at work informed me that her doctor told her that even if I were to run around naked, I still wouldn't get enough (she added that it might be fun, though.  :-P).

This weekend, Mista Fievel gets his shots and then we can let him play in the grass - so with a little sun soaking and a vitamin D supplement, hopefully in no time I will be good to go.

Are you low on Vitamin D?  Turns out, vitamin D deficiency mimics very closely that of a thyroid disorder including lots of dry patches on your skin, constant fatigue, and the inability to lose weight.  Don't be dumb like me, go get it checked out!

The Good Life

I'm pretty sure there are few things greater in life than coming home after a long day of work and having this little guy come running at you, so obviously happy you're home.

Who knew life could be so good?

“When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore”

The boy and I have been big into pizza lately - but not your typical calorie loaded, huge pizza that could send you into a heart attack any moment.  It all started with a simple recipe from Campbell's Kitchen for Chicken Picante Pizza.  I changed it up a bit - got some fresh salsa from the deli, green onions, put them on some whole wheat taco sized totillas, precooked chicken, colby jack cheese - give it 10 minutes and you've got a relatively healthy dinner.

It morphed into pesto sauce, green onions, chicken, spinach, and colby jack cheese on multi-grain flat bread - and then tonight, the winner of them all...

Marinara sauce, pre-cooked shredded chicken, green onions, zucchini, sliced tomato, and colby jack cheese on multi-grain flat bread - and you have a completely filling, pretty healthy dinner that leaves your boyfriend begging for more.

Seriously, go make it.  It was THAT delicious.

Here is our next adventure.  Justin isn't so sure about this one:  http://www.healthyfoodforliving.com/?p=32175

Also, in case you've been living under a rock - cook your chicken like this for easy shredding.  It makes quite a bit (especially for just the 2 of us) for bags you can keep in the freezer and pull out in the morning whenever you need a bit of chicken.
http://www.101cookingfortwo.com/2011/12/easiest-crock-pot-shredded-chicken.html

Hello everyone!!! I'd say it is about time that I updated you all on my life.  It is going GREAT!

Justin and I moved in with one of Justin's friends, Trent.  We have been here since the middle of February and it is going great!  We have been able to save quite a bit of money - and are on our way to many great things in our life to come.  

One of those things that will come sooner rather than later is... we got a puppy!  He won't join our family for 2 more weeks, but I assure you that little rascal has already wrestled his way into our hearts.  He is a darling teacup yorkie who we have aptly named Fievel - and we'll have him on April 29!  I know that it will be a definite challenge, but I am excited to accept this new responsibility.  We are a little nervous, however, because Trent has a 100 lb doberman pinscher named Blue.  He really is a sweetheart and is good with small dogs, but his mouth is as big as our little Fievel will be so we'll have to be sure he is gentle!

Work is going well... Last month, I volunteered at our company's event, Night For Sight and it was really fun.  I appreciate that the company I work for does so much good for the world.  I have lost a little of my initial infatuation with my job and have a more realistic outlook, but I really love my job itself and the 3 doctors I work for are awesome, especially my high maintenance one, Dr. Hoffman.  I love that man.  Working on the 5th floor of the Moran has it's challenges as it is a floor full of estrogen... but I've found that if I stick to my job and for the most part, keep to myself - all goes smoothly.

Justin and I are doing great.  I never knew that it was possible to have such a great friend.  We've been together for a little over a year and a half now.  My favorite thing about our relationship is our ability to laugh at each other.  When moving into Trent's house, we were putting things away and Justin kept throwing clothes on top of the clothes that I was putting away, and so I snapped at him, asking him not to do that, "I have things I'm doing too." - and he snapped back, "Well, what do you want me to do with it?"  and directly after that moment, we both looked up at each  other and burst out laughing.  I seriously love him.

My big bro is getting married in a little less than a month.  I couldn't be more excited for him and more happy about my soon-to-be sister-in-law.  She is a great girl and finally someone that realizes what my sweet brother is worth.  My parents have been absolutely beaming with pride ever since they realized the seriousness of the relationship - so it's happiness all around.  The other exciting thing about the wedding is that I get a new dress!!!

http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=74&pageId=1&productId=570044410&viewAll=true&prd=Eyelet+Sundress&subCatId=&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=17&catId=cat210002&cat=Dresses++Skirts&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=

and shoes:

http://www.famousfootwear.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?p=93755&pg=1026501

I'm going to be wearing either a black sash with a polkadot flower or a ivory sash with an ivory flower, haven't decided which, but I'm excited about it!!!

Well - we'll leave it at that for today.  Hope everyone is well!  Lots of love!

Amy