Am I Insane?

Those were the thoughts in my head from, oh, about 1:30 to 3:30 this morning. I signed up for the Breast Cancer 3-Day for the Cure for next November in Dallas yesterday. I really want to do this...especially for my mother-in-law who was just diagnosed with breast cancer. I know I can do this...I am just a little worried about the money I have to raise and being physically ready for the event itself. But I am really looking forward to the challenge!

It has been a long, long couple of weeks. I'm not sure we've got a handle on all the trials we are facing, but we are trying. I keep saying "We will be ok" and I mean it. No matter what, I know that God will carry us through and we'll come out the other side ok. And ok is good enough.

Heavy heart

My mother-in-law just found out she has breast cancer. That's hard just to say. She won't know anything about treatment or anything until she sees her doctor on Monday. I'm at a loss for how to act and what to say or do in this situation. Prayer is the one thing I'm clinging to right now...for her sake, for her family's sake, for my sake.

I really can't wrap my brain around this one.

Rain, rain, go away!

The rain has now caused me to miss two workouts this week, and I'm getting frustrated! I'm also feeling seriously claustrophobic since I haven't seen the sun in days! Is that possible...to feel claustrophobic due to weather? I think I would really drive for hours if I could get to someplace with sunshine.

It doesn't help that this kind of weather puts me in an eating mood. Granted, we are eating really well these days: braised pork, pumpkin bread pudding, soups, enchiladas, pulled pork, etc. I have a feeling that's not good for my weight though...

Speaking of weight, I've now hit the 20 pound mark in my weight loss adventure...just five to go. I'm already down three sizes since this time last year. I'm actually in single-digit sizes some of the time :) I don't know when the last time that was. Makes me wish I hadn't gotten rid of my "skinny" clothes so long ago; I could really use them now!

Bedtime battles

Why, oh why, is bedtime such a battle?! It always is in one way or another...at least for one of the kids. Ryan is just now getting into bedtime story time and goes to bed fairly easily. Sarah Beth, on the other hand, never does and never has! She's up, she's down, she's all around...and even after she's finally asleep in her bed, she ends up in our room before the night is over. We've tried all sorts of things and nothing works!

But, of course, my biggest complaint is that it pushes "me" time later and later...and usually into nonexistence. And tonight, I'm determined to have my Oreos and milk...so not on the diet, but I don't care right now. I will work out in the morning to burn them off.

Yum!

I was in a cooking mood yesterday...actually, I'd been wanting to try one of the recipes for weeks. The other was inspired after watching Paula Deen. The first was a braised pork recipe I saw on the new Food Network star's show (Melissa D'Arabian). It took three hours to cook, so I knew I had to wait for a Saturday night when we didn't have something going on...hence the wait. I, of course, bought more meat than needed, so we had double the recipe...invited my parents over, which was nice. This pork turned out so good! However, the real star of the dinner was the sauce/gravy that it made...oh, wow! You need plenty of bread to mop the sauce up with!

The second recipe was inspired by watching Paula Deen make a chocolate bread pudding. I went in search of a bread pudding recipe that used egg substitute and was maybe a tad healthier and found a pumpkin bread pudding that used whole wheat bread and egg substitute along with the ever-so-healthy pumpkin...and can I just say double wow! This stuff was soooooo good! All we needed was a little Cool Whip or some sort of cream sauce, which will be my next recipe search.

It was really a great dinner for the cooler, damper weather we're having...and it was really nice to have dinner with my parents. We see them once a week on date night, but then it's just sort of in passing.

More than anything though, yesterday reminded me how much I love to cook and try new things in the kitchen. I really enjoyed the feeling of nurturing my family with good food made by me, especially on the fall day we were having and even more so after the kids have been sick all week. Nice to feel like I can take care of everyone, including myself.

Craft show and other random thoughts

Why, oh why, did I think I needed a table at the Mission: Hope Craft Show? I have so much left to do, and I just keep getting more and more ideas (and supplies) and less and less time. I did finish step one of my post-it holders and consequently found out that spray adhesive does not come off with soap and water. It does, however, come off (sort of) with canola oil followed by Dawn.

I still have word frames to make as well as covered notepads. I also have stuff for giant paperclip bookmarks and photo holders. Then I want to make candy bag toppers for the flavored candy corn I found. Yeah, when am I supposed to do this?

Speaking of the craft show, we are running in Race for the Cure this weekend as the Mission: Hope team. Cool, huh? It's Mom, Dad, Carrie, Rob, Chad, Kayla and me. Chad is bringing the kids out there as well, although it's supposed to be really cold, so maybe not. I had planned on being able to run the whole thing this time, but my hip injury has really help me back. About the time I get back up to par, it goes out again. Still, I will be out there and will finish the race...all for a great cause.

I've got a lot on my mind tonight...just not sure how I can be the biggest help to those around me who need it. Lots of prayers going up...