Woot Woot!

So the first day of summer is upon us. Turned out to be a beautiful day even though it was cloudy at times. I suppose that it also is my lucky day because so many great things happened! Lets make a list, after all you know that I llloovvveee lists!

1. Pretty decent day at work. I am working on changing out our emergency boxes and making everything more efficient. They haven't been changed in 10 years which is a bit scary since they contain meds and items that can rust. Metal + Cave= rusty objects in a matter of months. I have really enjoyed working my new position. It's much more taxing on my body as I lug so much stuff around and crack my head at least once a day but overall it is fun and for the most part I decide what I'm going to do every day. Today I partially changed out two of the containers which meant I lugged up two med kits (like paramedics have) and about 70 pounds worth of trash. Hard work but great to know that I'm almost halfway done. So, as I've said many times I am so lucky to still be able to work at the cave and have a job. (In no way does that mean I have given up on finding a teaching position though)

2. Grant booked the church! I am so super excited about this. This is the first big wedding planning thing to check off the list! So June 22nd, 2013 it is. That means that after tomorrow we will finally be under 2 years! Yippie. Now people can stop giving me weird looks! People are quick to condescend those that jump into a quick engagement but are also just as quick to question a long one. Hey, we have a plan and we're sticking to it!

3. I've lost 5 pounds! Yeehaw! I am stoked. I have been working hard to exercise for an hour every day and walk the greenway which is about 4 miles if you walk both ways. Plus all of the physical activity that I am doing at work helps. I can tell a difference in my legs, finally getting pretty toned again. As for the areas that I want to see improvement, they look pretty much the same but I have faith that with hard work it will change. I have also been eating much better. Breakfast consists of toast with peanut butter (which I love) because it tends to stick with me longer than oatmeal or cereal. Plus its quick and easy. Some days I throw some fruit along with it for fun. Lunch is a SmartOne. I have found ones that I really like and they are under 300 calories. Dinner I just have whatever I fix for everyone else but I have a smaller plate. I have cut out soda. I am a total Coke addict, I suppose I should clarify, Coke of the soda variety. I quickly realized that although I was eating better the weight wasn't going to budge if I was taking in 600 calories worth of sugary soda a day. So that went bye bye and I switched to flavored water. That has gone well and I haven't touched soda in quite a while! I have been doing this for about a week and have lost 5 pounds. It has encouraged me to keep going! I also downloaded a calorie counter app that works really well and keeps me conscious of everything I put in my mouth. Some people are addicted to alcohol and drugs, for me its food and soda. Time to break the habit!

4. I have started cooking again! Well, Ive been cooking the whole time that I have been back but now I am fixing what I want. I make the grocery list and plan everything which is bringing back a small sense of freedom. I missed planning meals and whatnot. For 5 years I have pretty much decided what to eat so coming home to fix someone elses planned meals was not easy. Tonight I fixed some great shrimp. Dad said it tasted "restaurant quality" mom agreed and so did I. They were amazing and I have to admit I was bad and ate way too many. Here's a pic. yes, I am a picture freak. Terrible pic but you get the drift.


The recipe was so easy and they truly were just grand. Here's the link to the recipe. I love love love this website!http://allrecipes.com/recipe/basil-shrimp/detail.aspx?src=3801_3

5. It's summer! However, it has felt like summer for a long time. At work I can tell it's really summer because a) we are much busier and b) there are a million more kids. Bring on the cookouts and festivities!

6. 18 days till the beach! How much more excited can I get in one blog?! CRAZY! I just simply can't wait. Grant's parents and brother are coming and it's just always a blast!

Finally, lets wrap all of this gibber jabber up with a count down because you know me along with lists I just love count downs. Here we go:
18 days till the beach
30 days till "Christmas in July" aka my new eardrum/ear bones.
38is days till we find out if it was worth it
53 days till Discovery Day at the cave
81 days till Lisa's wedding
100 days till our 4 year anniversary
a million events in between and finally
732 days till we get married!

If you're still reading I'm mighty proud of you and still semi sad that I wasted your precious time. Eventually I will stop writing novels for blogs... maybe...