Preparing for a new journey!

All journeys must start somewhere.  Sometimes they come along unexpectedly. Other times, they are mapped out before starting out.

Presently, I am mapping out my new journey.  This is a journey that I want to make sure I DON'T quit before I finish.  I have been reading and researching.  I have been trying to gain information that will assist me.  I have been collecting recipes to use and preparing my men of the new changes.  I have also set my start date and am excited for this new journey!

Scratching your head yet??

Are you sitting there wondering what in the world I am doing now?!

On one hand, it is not an earth shattering event for those around me.  On the other hand, I hope it is going to be earth shattering for me and my family.

Starting September 3rd, my family and I are going to begin following the Paleo way of eating (read a little about Paleo here and here).  We are giving up wheat, gluten and sugar.  We are going to start eating in a way that hopefully will take care of some our health issues.  I am excited for this new journey and my men are actually excited as well.  

One of the books I have been reading to prepare is this wonderful book.

You can find and purchase this book Here.

Mr.Wolf does any excellent job explaining Paleo.  He also provides you with exercises and samples menus with recipes.  I would highly recommend this book to everyone.  I would also recommend checking out Mr. Wolf's website at http://robbwolf.com/.

I am getting very excited about this new journey!!  I hope you will come along with me.  Also. if you are currently following or have followed the Paleo diet before, I would love to hear from you!  Please share your experiences here or DM me privately on Twitter at @BusyWVMomma (please give me a follow - I would appreciate it very much).

I hope you all have a wonderful day!! Love to you all!!!

Good News!!

I am like every other person, I sometimes hate going to the mailbox.  Bills, junk mail and other items that can clutter the house makes that walk dreadful.  However, every once in a while, you get a piece of mail that just makes your day!!  

If you have been reading my blog for a while, I have wrote before about my scares with past mammograms. New readers can read about my past experiences in the post entitled "Prayers needed.". Because of these scares, I actually fear when I have to my annual mammogram.  However, I was a good "girl" and went for my annual exam this past Friday.  

Of course, though I tried not let it show, my fears immediately took over.  When would I get the dreaded call??  Would it just be another compression mammogram again?  Another ultrasound?  Oh heaven forbid, another biopsy??  Well, I got my answer this evening while getting the mail.  

WOO HOO!!  Best piece of mail I have received in a very long time!!  Hopefully, this will make me not fear my annual next year!!

Hope you all have a great evening and tomorrow.  Love to you all!!

It Made Me Laugh Tuesday (a little late)

Yes, I realize it is Wednesday.  However, thanks to school being back in session, the first cold of the season has hit our home.  So, momma kind of fell asleep before I could post last night.  

Hope everyone has a blessed day today!

And this one is perfect after the much talked about VMAs on Sunday night!

Week in review via Instagram

Another week has came and gone around the Johnson household.  I can not believe we are already at the end of August.  Time is flying!!  

As I mentioned yesterday, it has been a hectic week.  Thankfully, yesterday and today were less hectic.  So, I got to spend some quality time with my men.  

Got some more cool camo on Friday!  Yeah, not your traditional camo but I am a girl - LOL!

Saturday morning I was up at the crack of dawn.  Therefore, the beagles was enjoying some "mommy" time.  Isn't Bear so cute?  I know!  I am bias!

Johnny and I attended the wedding of one of our good friends.  It was a blast and I loved the photo booth they set up for guests.  Congrats Eric and Tina!

JJ decided to photobomb me when I was trying to get pics of me in purple camo pants.  I am super proud of these pics because I have had these for two months and finally I can wear them!!

Today, I put this little gem up on Instagram.  Keeping fingers crossed I win one of these cool bottles!!  Check them out at www.definebottle.com!!  You won't be sorry!!

Oh my men!! It is funny how they are getting more and more clothes that are alike.  I just had to get a shot today of them wearing their matching boonie hat.

I hope you all have a great week!!

Is this week over??

Boy, oh boy!  Has it been crazy around here.  I feel like I have been on a roller coaster that NEVER ends.  I don't feel like I have had a chance to sit down and do something except fall asleep.  Oh, I know.  All mothers have weeks like this one.  I know we all face it at sometime (well more times than not).  However, to see smiles on my family's face makes it all worth it in the end.

So, here is a little recap of this past week.  Sorry, this might be a little long.

Monday was an exciting time.  JJ's Boy Scout troop had their awards dinner.  JJ earned 13 (yep, 13) merit badges and the rank of Star Scout.  He actually has all his requirements for Life Scout; however, he has to be at this rank for 6 months before moving up to Life.  Needless to say, I am one proud momma!

Tuesday was nothing special.  Thankfully my wonderful hubby prepared everything for dinner and I just had to warm it up after going grocery shopping.  

Wednesday, JJ and I spent the entire morning having his foot/leg rechecked.  I had contacted his pediatrician on Tuesday night and she wanted it re-evaluated.  So, mommy had to take the day off from work and JJ had to miss another day of school.  Thankfully, nothing was broken but it still looks AWFUL!!

These were taken Tuesday night.

Thursday - nothing big just cleaned house because I was off work again.  I did make a great Shrimp/Avocado salad for my lunch.  You can find the recipe on my other blog "Busy Cookin' WV Momma."  http://busy-cookin-wv-momma.blogspot.com

Friday started with a doctor appointment for me at that place all women love to go.  Actually, I really like my OB/GYN.  He is very thorough and nice.  All and all, I don't dread it to bad when I have an appointment.

Now what I do dread is where I had to go after my appointment.  It was time (actually way past time) to have the ta-ta's checked.  It is not because it is painful or anything.  It is because I know I am going to be getting a phone call in about a week for a recheck.  Happens every time I have a mammogram.  I guess I should just be thankful that they are THAT thorough.

After leaving all my appointments, the dear hubby and I set out to pick up his and his partner's uniforms.  Oh vey!!  That was an experience.  Three different trips to West Virginia Uniforms were made yesterday.  However, I have to give the store credit, they were very nice and apologetic about the situation.  The man even offered to deliver the uniforms to us so we did not have to make another trip.  They also gave Johnny and his partner really nice knives as I guess a peace offering.  Though we were not expecting anything except the correct order, they made sure our running around was not for not.

 

Hopefully, I will be back on a regular blog schedule starting tomorrow.  

Hope everyone has a happy and blessed Saturday!!

Week in review via Instagram

Oh my!  This week has been CRAZY!!  Everything was going along pretty ok until Wednesday evening.  While at the carnival, JJ decided to try and break his ankle.  Thankfully, it is not broken but I would say there is something definitely torn.  

I hope you all had a great week!!

The boys at the carnival!

JJ's foot/ankle on Friday - ouch!

Started reading this book that my friend Krechella recommended to me.

Developed a new drink that I can't get enough of!

Dear wonderful hubby got up this morning and fixed us breakfast.

JJ with his "Gunner Mountain" nachos.  Seriously, it fed all of us!!

Our host son Lance on the mound for the Power tonight.

Our gifts from Robin - the host family leader.  She really is the greatest!

Finally, pics of all of us with Lance and Clairo.  This season has gone by way to fast.  I am going to miss the boys when they are gone!

Have a great week everyone!

It Made Me Laugh Tuesday

Found this on Facebook and I would love to shake this dad's hand!!

Sad thing is I have actually seen people do this!!  BAWAHAHA!!  

Have a great day everyone!!

Week in review via Instagram

I don't know what was wrong with me this week.  I just did not seem to take a lot of pics this week.  That is very odd for me.  Oh well, I hope it is a better week next week!!

The first day of school was this week for our school system.  Craziness!  Don't you just love the T-Rex shirt??  My sophomore has style y'all!!

What do you do when you are traveling down the road??  You take crazy pics of you son and yourself!!

Decided to train some homemade pickles last night.  Not the dill pickles I love, but not too bad for a first attempt.

Started working out again this week.  Richard Simmons kicked my butt two days and I did strength training one day.

Also, made the commitment to read my bible more.  

Finally, I was outside today with the dogs when I looked down and saw these.  A couple beautifully formed dew droplets still on the blade of grass.  I just love nature!!

Have a great evening everyone!!

Weigh-In Wednesday

UGH!!  Yep, that is what came out of my mouth when I weighed myself this morning.  However, I honestly do not think it was accurate.  

According to the wonderful scales, I gained a pound this past week.  WHAT?!??  Are you kidding me?!??

Yes, I will admit that I really did not follow the diet at all on Saturday or Monday evening for dinner.  However, I have been drinking my water faithfully.  I have begun working out.  I also have been really trying to watch my other meals.  It makes me kinda of mad.

Honestly, if my clothes were not fitting a little better and my energy level was still horrible, I would be even madder.  But my energy level is up and my clothes are fitting loser, so I guess it is still a win.

I know I am not going to lose this weight overnight.  Because believe me, I did not put it on overnight.  I also know I can't have a 10 pound weight loss every week.  I am perfectly happy with a pound a week because that is one less pound I am carrying around.  However, getting on the scales and it reading a pound HEAVIER is not going to cut the mustard!

I guess I will just keep plugging along and see what next week holds for me.  If next Wednesday you hear an Earth shattering scream, you will know what happened at weigh-in.

As I leave you this evening, I leave you with the following.  I found it on Facebook and really thought it spoke volumes.  Have a great evening everyone!

It Made Me Laugh Tuesday

Raise your hand if you are curious about the title?  Now honestly, how many of you actually raised your hand??  Okay, seriously now (well as serious as I can be).  

I love Facebook.  Husband says I am a little addicted.  However, what I love the most lately on Facebook is the ecards people post.  Some of them are absolutely hilarious!  I also love other funny posts people post on Facebook.  Therefore, I have came up with "It Made Me Laugh Tuesday."  

Every Tuesday, I will share my favorite little gems I have found during the week. Plus, we all need a laugh right?  

Hope you enjoy! 

And my favorite one!  Because I have been guilty of this myself!!

Have a great night everyone!!

Week in review via Instagram

It has been a busy week at the Johnson household.  So, that means many pics were taken this week.  

Staying with the theme from last Sunday, I have deemed Sundays as "Instagram Sundays.". This way, I can share with you what my "crazy" family has been up to all week through my many pictures.

#1 - Pic of my work buddy Tara and myself.  Love working with her!

#2 - I love my rewards card from our favorite movie theater, Park Place Cinemas.  I am always getting cool rewards like this - a FREE movie ticket!

 

#3 - School is starting back this week.  Hard to believe they are starting so early. Anyway, I love this new shirt JJ got this week.  It is hilarious!!

#4 - This is how my Friday started out.  I should have known right then that it was not going to be a good morning.  And guess what?  I would have been right.  Because after this, I ended up locking JJ and I out of the house as we leaving for work.  Thank goodness for my honey!!

#5-7 - Saturday was a busy day.  #5 is a picture from the boot drive the Malden VFD's auxiliary held Saturday morning.  #6 - Early Saturday evening we held a baby shower for the Hess family to welcome their addition.  #7 - Saturday concluded with Margarita night!  We try to have a girl's night every couple of months and it is always a blast!

#8 - Sunday was a day game at the ballpark.  I am going to miss my boys of summer when they leave in a couple of weeks.

Until tomorrow, have a great evening everyone!!