Calling all Bike Riders!!

 

New Hair Do!

New Hair Do!

Readers! The mullet is gone! Woot! Woot! On Saturday I went to Van Micheal salon and my new hairstylist, Bryan, had the great honor of cutting off the curls in the back. I am so happy they are gone (although, they were very soft). What to you think? He did not cut much of the top since the goal is for it to grow out and catch up with the back part. I also got some special shampoo that will help thicken it and make it grow faster. I sure hope it does what they say it will. I want my long hair back so bad.

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Calling all Bike Riders!!

Do you like to bike? Are you interested in raising money for Cancer research? Want to come visit the ATL? My Dad and I are trying to build a team to participate in the 2014 24 Hours of Booty! This is a ride that lasts 24 hours held here in Sandy Springs in October. A great time to come visit! Now, you do not have to ride the whole 24 hours. In fact, neither does your team. There is no way me or my dad could do that! But what fun would it be to have a nice group of people riding to raise money for such a great cause. You can be a survivor, living with cancer or just a super cool person who wants to help!

There will be an area were you can set up your own little camp site or you can stay at home or in a hotel. There is a registration fee and each rider must raise $200.00 to participate. You can also earn prizes for how much money you raise for the ride.

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I think it would be a lot of fun! Let me know if you are interested in joining the My Hotel Yorba Team! 

It’s been one week….

…and about $2,100.00 worth of pills later and I am feeling fine. Pretty good actually. I get a little tired here and there (thank you Rebecca for letting take a nap at your house on Sunday!) and I am still taking my pills for the nausea. We are going back to see Dr. Read on the 12th. They will just take some blood and run tests on it. They will be checking my liver, kidneys and white blood cell count. At this point, I have no reason to think they won’t come out good.

Who doesn't love a picture of Panny?

Who doesn’t love a picture of Panny?

I do get sharp pains in my right side every so often. They remind my of the pains I would get in my left foot back when I had one. They feel like being stabbed with an ice pick (not that I know what that feels like!). It also seems that these pains usually happen when I am in the car! Not good.

Look! A Headband! And Hair!!

Look! A Headband! And Hair!!

On Saturday night My Man will be taking me out to dinner to Quinones at Bacchanalia for my birthday dinner. My big day isn’t till the 13th but I will be going out-of-town on the 14th. I can’t wait. I took My Man there for his birthday dinner last November. It was SO GOOD! I am really looking forward to it.

Bedtime #1

Bedtime #1

Zazzles and Terrance Peterson are moved into the Majestic. Turbo and Poppy still pick on them a bit. They want all the treats for themselves. I think they will soon find out that will not fly for much longer. Z and TP will continue to grow and soon will be the same size has Turbo and Poppy. They may have something to say about the sharing of treats then!

Sleeping in the nesting boxes.

Sleeping in the nesting boxes.

No matter how much I try, they all insist on sleeping in the nesting boxes!

Timber & BFF Rebel

Timber & BFF Rebel

Today is day 24 of my 30 day 10,000 step FitBit/LifeTime Fitness challenge. I have been doing pretty well so far. I am getting tired but I will not give up till it is done. Right now, I am in 7th place at my gym! Whoot! Whoot! I have no idea that I would even be in the top 10. After the challenge is done, I am going to take a day off but then try to hit the 10K mark five days a week.

Getting two new legs!

Getting two new legs!

I know many people can’t say it but I am getting two new legs soon! One with an everyday foot like the one I have now. I can move the heel depending on the height of my shoe heel. The other will be a “sporty” foot. One that I can work out in and that is extra bouncy and light. It was crazy switching between the two. This will be the first time I have a workout foot/leg. I can’t wait! I will take pictures of them when they are all done. I am hoping to get them by mid June.

Have a Happy Thursday!!

Time for Low Carbs!!!

Raining Day

Raining Day

Good Day Reader’s!

I keep thinking it is Monday! Does that happen to you when you have a weekday off from work/school? It just throws me off. I had a nice weekend. My Man and I went out to dinner Friday night at King + Duke. This was our second time and we loved it!

Dinner out at King + Duke

Dinner out at King + Duke

The is continuing with his boot camp. He really seems to be liking it and his coach is says he is getting better. I picked him up from his buddy’s house (he had spent the night) and we went to the gym Saturday morning. I went back to the gym on Sunday and walked on the treadmill for an hour while I watched Downton Abby on my iPad. I could have kept going but I had my second appointment with my Dietitian, Alyssa. I am now on a low crab diet for the next month. I thought I would share with you some of the information I am learning in case you are also interested in jump starting some weight loss.

MyFitnessPal:
Carb: 56g
Fat: 75g
Protein: 150g

Alyssa gave me a Low Crab Meal Plan Grocery list. It has all the items I can eat for the next month and a few I can’t eat. I left pork off my protein since I do not eat it.

Protein
 Beef of any cut, preferably grass-fed beef
o Steak, Hamburger, Prime Rib, Filet Mignon, Roast Beef
 Free range poultry
o Chicken, turkey, quail, Cornish hen, duck, goose, pheasant
Fish or seafood of any kind, preferably wild caught
o Anchovies, calamari, catfish, cod, flounder, halibut, herring, mackerel, mahi-mahi, salmon, sardines, scrod, sole, snapper, trout, tuna
o Exception: Avoid breaded and fried seafood.
Shellfish
o Clams, crab, lobster, scallops, shrimp, squid, mussels, oysters
o Exception: imitation crab meat because it contains sugar and other additives
 Eggs
o Fried, hard-boiled, omelets, poached, scrambled, soft-boiled
 Protein powder
o Complete amino acid profile
 Wild game, all kinds—–NO Thank you!

Vegetables

Alfalfa Sprouts
Any leafy green vegetable
Artichokes
Asparagus
Bamboo Shoots
Bean Sprouts
Beet Greens
Bok Choy
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Celery
Celery Root
Chard
Chives
Collard Greens
Cucumbers
Dandelion Greens
Garlic
Green Bean
Kale
Leeks
Lettuces and salad greens (Arugula, Bok Choy, Boston lettuce, Chicory, Endive, Escarole, Fennel, Mache, Radicchio, Romaine, Sorrel.)
Mustard Greens
Mushrooms
Olives
Tomatoes
Onions (limited amounts, as they are higher in sugar)
Pickles
Peppers (Red, Green, Jalapeno, Habanero)
Sauerkraut
Scallions
Shallots
Spinach
Swiss Chard
Turnips
Water Chestnuts

I am only allowed 1 cup of Fruit a day and it has to be Strawberries, raspberries or blueberries. I just bought a ton of apples!! I am pushing them onto The Boy and My Man.

Tonight I am making Meatzaa. It is like pizza but without the crust. I will let you know how it turns out. Do you have any low carb meals, snacks? Please share!!

New Hair Cut

New Hair Cut

The Boy, he is solo cute!

Protein+ Healthy Fat+ Veggie (fruit)

Hello Reader’s!

After today, I only have one more treatment to go! I am so excited. I won’t have to go back to Dr. Higgins for eight weeks!! Eight Weeks!! So excited. Now, doesn’t mean I won’t have to go back and see Dr. Read but he is at a different hospital and I am going to wait till they call me. I have no idea when I will my port will be taken out. I am guessing not until after I see Dr. Higgins. I really don’t mind. It isn’t sore anymore and even though I when I think about it, it freaks me out, I just don’t care.

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One of the things My Man gave me for Christmas was a series of meetings with a registered dietitian at my gym. I went to my first meeting with Alyssa on Sunday. Alyssa had sent me a three page form to fill out that asked me about everything. What I ate, how much sleep do I get, what is my stress level, what supplements am I taking, what is my food weakness (carbs) etc. She was really easy to talk to and we got along really well. Turns out they suggest to use MyFitnessPal, so I was already ahead! Here are a few take-aways from my first meeting.

  • Healthy Meal Equation: Protein+ Healthy Fat+ Veggie (fruit)
  • Breakfast options (based off of what I already eat):  coffee with stevia, soft-boiled egg, turkey bacon, clementine, handful of almonds or coffee, full fat greek yogurt or  almonds, clementine, egg omelette/scramble with spinach, peppers, avocado (coconut oil)
  • Water intake: 80oz/day
  • Incorporate “me” time everyday: reading, yoga, watching Breaking Bad, listening to music
  • Dry Sauna: 10min at a time 2x/week
  • Track on MyFitnessPal!!!
  • Note any GI distress after meals and note energy levels

She told me not to worry too much the calorie intake but to keep tracking what I eat and to focus on the Protein+ Healthy Fat+ Veggie (fruit). Next week we will talk about protein sources.

I am back to working out with Sara Kate two times a week. Tomorrow I am working out with her and two other women. She thinks that we would all be a good fit. I am very excited. Not only will it be cool to workout with other women, it will save me money!

How is your Monday? Did you know they say it may snow here in the ATL? Pickles!

 

Be….

Happy Monday Reader’s!

This morning started off with me trying to get My Man out of bed. After a week off from work, it is time for him to return and he isn’t to happy about it. The Boy will be with me today. We are going to go to my treatment and then he is having his buddy over to hang out. Now that he is 8, I can’t call it a play date anymore. Hanging out is much more grown up. Oh Pickles.

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Yesterday I went to the gym and did 45 minutes of cardio. I then went to my yoga class. It was so great to get back on the mat. I have missed it! My favorite teacher, Mia, was teaching the class, so that made it even better. She talked about making New Years resolutions and how instead of using phrases like “I will or I’ll try”, use the word Be. She said it much better then I just did but you get the idea (I hope). So here is my first resolution for 2014.

Be Healthy

How am I going to do that? First I am starting a food/exercise log. I heard of My Fitness Pal from the blog Carrots-n-Cake. I have used other logs in the past but wanted to give this one a try. It is free and so far pretty easy to use. I need to get my eating under control. I have gained 15 pounds over the last 6 months. Like I said, I am the only person I know who gained weighted while undergoing chemo/surgery/radiation. But hey, I never threw up!

Next I will be working out more. Starting next week, I will be meeting with my trainer, SK, twice a week. I will also be taking The Boy to Boot Camp at the gym twice a week and will work out while he does. That leaves one more day a week I must work out. I am going to try to have that be Sunday evenings. I liked doing cardio and then taking the Yin Yoga class. I will also try to take a basic yoga class on Friday mornings after I work out with SK. And of course, I will track it all on My Fitness Pal.

What will you BE in 2014?

 

Boot Camp for The Boy!

Morning Reader’s!

The last few days have been good here at The Hotel Yorba. You? Here is a breakdown and some pictures from the past few days.

New scarf from My Man!

New scarf from My Man!

Friday

I woke up around 7:45am and let The Girls out. It was in the high 20’s/ low 30’s and The Girls were all snuggly in their coop. I went to the gym and worked out with SK. We worked on my arms/back/abs and did a little leg work. My arms are still sore today. Afterwards I had breakfast at the Cafe, an egg and cheese and pesto sandwich. Yummy! I then headed out to my 17th radiation treatment. Only 10 more to go! Woot! Woot!

When I came home I did some work and then proceeded to pass out on the couch for about an hour. I was tired. I have been getting more and more tired and the headaches suck! We ate left overs for dinner and watched a dvr’d episode of Grim. Afterwards I ended up going to bed.

Saturday

The Boy

The Boy

The Boy and I woke up early to head to the gym. I signed him up for kids Boot Camp! Demarcus is the trainer for the kids boot camp. Demarcus is like 6’6. He is sooo tall and so soft-spoken. He is really great with the kids. The group is made up of boys and girls from ages 8 to 15. They meet two times a week and work on lateral movement and conditioning. While he worked out, I did too.

I think he had a good time. He was defiantly tired afterwards. Demarcus said he did a good job his first time. It was obvious that he had not done anything like this before and was worn out by the end. I really hope he takes to it. Not only is it good for him, it make me work out while he does.

When we came home, My Man and I ended up taking down and putting away all the Christmas decorations. I love it all when it is up but afterwards I am ready to get things back to normal. I then vacuumed like crazy but still found pine needles on the floor after I was done. I think I will be finding them in July!

We made homemade pizzas for dinner which turned out great and once again I went to bed early. I was just tired and had a headache.

Grandma and The Boy at dinner

Grandma and The Boy at dinner

Grandma and The Boy at dinner

Grandma and The Boy at dinner

Sunday

It is raining here in the ATL this morning. Not too much planned for the day. I have laundry to do and need to clean up my closet. I plan watch some Breaking Bad episodes; I am almost done with season 2. I am going to try to go to a Yoga class (Yin/Restorative) tonight at 5:30. It will be my first one since July!!

How are you spending your Sunday?

PS- Are you working on your New Years Resolutions? I am! I will be sharing some of mine and want to hear about yours too!

In no particular order

Yesterday, in no particular order.

I finally broke down and bought a new lamp for the family room. We have had the current one since we bought our couch and tables. That was over ten years ago. We need to replace the everything but I thought I would start small and get new lamp. I got it at Lowe’s. Not a big-ticket item but it makes me smile.

Old and Ripped up

Old and Ripped up

Time to GO!

Time to GO!

More my style

More my style

Pretty

Pretty

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That couch needs to go next.

Hotel Yorba Landscape Project

I met with Mark Nichols (and his partner whose card I did not get) with Green Acres Landscaping, Inc, to get a quote on the Hotel Yorba Landscape Project. Both were very nice men and of course both loved Timber. Who doesn’t?

Readers! I have added another element to the landscape project. The Girls need an upgrade. They tell me they want a new bigger house and run. I took the guys up and showed them the area where the swing set is. I want them to take it down, reuse some of the wood and hook up the girls! For My Man to be ok with this, the coop and run needs to look clean, modern and blend into the area. I think they were a bit surprised but Mark says they can handle it. Can’t wait to get their quote in a few days.

New coop area??

New coop area??

You (me) can spend hours looking at chicken coops and runs. Here are a few I found that I liked.

Love the garden on top

Love the garden on top

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So Cool!

So Cool!

I want to be able to go in and hang out!

I want to be able to go in and hang out!

Like the modern look.

Like the modern look.

Hello!

Hello!

I plan to keep the coop and run I have now. I will put it into the new area and will I introduce two new hens they can chill out there till they all get use to each other, while being separate, till they promise not to kill each other! I plan on not having more than four hens at one time.

New Coop? Yes Please!

New Coop? Yes Please!

Yoga

I went to my first Yoga class since chemo started yesterday. It was really nice to get back on the mat…in public. Ok, I know some of you want to know, did I cover my shinning bald head? YES! As if! My friend Gerri lent me the perfect head cover to wear while working out. The class went great. I am still pretty limber! And being able to work on my breathing was perfect. However, right at the end of the class, where you are being super chill and quite and the teacher is going around and putting oil on everyone’s hands, the fire alarm went off. Scared the shit out of me. I think I jumped up a bit. What a way to end the class!

Life Guru

I had a wonderful chat with my gal Judi R. in NYC. Judi and I work for the same financial advisory company and she is my…work Guru? Really, I can’t remember the title the home office gives her (probably some long boring ting)…I am blaming it on chemo brain. I call her my friend first and second my Life Guru, cause she doesn’t just help with my business but my life and how to achieve work/life/balance that is perfect for me. And let me tell you people, it is hard to achieve it. Yesterday’s talked dealt with some “work” discussion but then moved to the My Hotel Yorba and where I want it to go in the future. I was great to have someone to bounce ideas off. Judi knows all about almost everything or if she doesn’t, she knows someone who does. Before the end of our call she had emailed me four links about blogging, education on blogging and conferences on blogging. Plus one of her favorite blogs.  Readers! Blogs are a big ass business let me tell you!

With Judi’s words in my mind, I found a Blog conference here in the ATL in September called the Type-A Parent Conference. I was going to get my dad to come with me but after reviewing his calendar he realized he couldn’t come. I wasn’t going to go by myself but then after talking to Judi, I was like “I can go by myself!”. So, I signed up. This is a three-day event and I am planning on attending half of Friday and part of Saturday. I don’t want to push myself to hard.

Ok Reader’s, I got to go. The Sun is out in the ATL and I am heading out there. Got medication to pick up, ink to by and an office to go to. Get out there and do something great!