Still high but moving in the right direction. Down .8 from yesterday.

Hi-ho, m'dears!

What a day. I was happy with the move in the right direction on the scale for sure. It was a great way to start the day.

I had my first day of training and filled out paperwork at the clinic this morning. One paper was a 3 year non-compete agreement. My gut told me to hold off on signing that and give it some thought. I went ahead and listened to 2 of their videos and was shown the process of working with clients, and then had to leave because of a real estate transaction. After much thought, I decided I wasn't comfortable signing the non-compete agreement as I have no idea what my future holds, so I let the clinic know. The program is incredible and I'll still send them referrals. It's good to know there is a reputable clinic truly following Dr. Simeon's protocol. So many clinics here don't. If it ain't broke...

I managed to get my transaction worked out and I have a closing tomorrow! YAY! It's funny, my real estate business was so slow and suddenly I am really busy. Honestly, I'm not sure if I'd have time for the clinic given how things have picked up. I am SO HAPPY that Jen is there! Perhaps I was supposed to be a conduit! Jen is going to be one hell of a counselor. She already is.

I'm exhausted. I think making these decisions took more out of me than I realized. I'm happy though.

OH, I had a realization this morning after reading what Lavenderdiva wrote in my comments from my last post. After my 1st round, I stabilized beautifully until about 6 months post round when I suddenly became carb sensitive again. I wasn't too concerned as I had another round ready to go. Well, it's the 6 month mark from my last round. The consistent factor is that after both those rounds I tried to stabilize lower than the 2 pounds under LDW. I feel so grateful that there is a reset button I can push and do another round, which I'll begin end of April and this time I will stick between the 2 pounds up or down LDW. Hopefully that will solve the problem! If it doesn't, I suppose it just means I have to do a round every 6 months. ;) Could be worse, I suppose! I'd planned on doing one a year as a cleanse anyway.

I've babbled on long enough! Have a wonderful rest of your day! XOXOX

The woes continue

I am still up. I am boggled. I am beginning to wonder if I messed something up in my last round by not sticking closer to my LDW, and rather trying to stay at the lowest weight I reached which was 4 pounds under LDW. Perhaps I messed up my stabilization. *sigh* It gives me comfort that I have another round starting the end of April, however in the meantime I am truly trying not to panic. I know that this month I was as low as 123.5 which is 2 pounds over my limit (4 pounds over LDW). That wasn't that long ago.

I am overwhelmed, and I suspect that has a great deal to do with the extra. I truly must center myself and take things one at a time.

I have proven I can manifest... I AM 120... I AM 120... I AM 120! (is it working??)

Having some trouble...

The only thing I can figure is that I've been undergoing so much stress lately which has affected my sleep. I have been consistently 7+ over my LDW for the past 2 weeks. 2 weeks ago I was only 2.5 over, which seemed like a number I could realistically take care of. I can see being up this high for TOM, but for 2 weeks? It has to be stress.

My 30 day challenge really didn't pan out either. It seems every other day I had an appointment that threw me off. I have got to work out a reasonable schedule, especially since I have a new job around the corner that will only take up more time. It takes 21 days to make or break a habit. If I can work out a time in the afternoon, perhaps I can form that habit as I don't see me having mornings anymore.

Good news... I paid off in full a credit card today with 24% interest (DAMN CHASE!). It felt so good. I then cut it up into itsy bitsy pieces. Ahhh... freedom! I have a closing this week and half that commission will go towards the rest. I will be debt free this year, including my new car. :) I will, I will, I will.

It's a gorgeous day! I'm going to throw myself (and the rest of my family) into cleaning the house before my husband and I go out to dinner, just the two of us, tonight. :)

I hope you're all doing well!

Manifestation

Stuffed

Oh my dears, what a day.

I went to the Audi dealership. I found a car I wouldn't allow myself to fall in love with until I knew it could be a possibility. We were about $120 higher than what I'd hoped, but this was of course the first round of negotiations. I knew they could come lower, but not to the level I'd discussed with my husband. I ended up leaving the dealership and went to the Subaru dealership to see what they could do for me lease wise, as that's what I'd had before. They wanted $100 more a month than my previous lease. What??? Or they'd sell me my car at 8.5%. Whaaaaat??? The Audi dealership was willing to get me in at 3%.

That said, the Audi is the better deal. I can afford it. I just want my husband comfortable with that decision. I think he is, even if it means a bit more per month (and I'd own it versus a lease). Their warranty is AMAZING. Up to 100K in miles and then 2 years after that. WOW! So loves, it looks like I may get that Audi after all! I hope so!!

Tonight I had a political fundraiser to go to. I almost didn't, but was glad I did. It was, however, a spaghetti dinner. I don't know WHAT it is about Democrats and spaghetti. I'd only had 400 cals today before I went. I didn't hold back. I didn't eat everything on my plate but feel absolutely stuffed!I figured part of what people need to see is that a normal night out isn't unheard of post protocol. After weighing in today, I was clearly going in the right direction scale wise. Life happens. We need to be able to go with the flow and get back to healthy habits for the most part. It's part of the balance.

Please think sweet Audi thoughts for me. I am ready for a new image, and to take care of all neglected corners in my life, including debt. I'd love to have the car paid off THIS year. :)

I've missed 3 days :(

I had every intention of working out yesterday. I have no excuse. I WILL work out today. I'm taking the laundry upstairs and getting it put away before 10, and then it's workout time. I have to make the time. Of course there will be less of it when I start working at the clinic so it's vital I at least get in the habit of working out. I will later have to figure out when I can work out when i'm working.

I'm fairly swamped with a transaction and my buyer reappeared with 8 homes he wants to see. I'm having lunch with a political peep tomorrow who is interested in the protocol, and that evening am going to a political meet and greet. BUSY. I was hoping I'd have time to visit the Audi dealership but it looks unlikely. Friday I am hoping I'll have a closing, and later I have a wedding reception to go to.

I've not weighed in 3 days. I had extra sodium Sunday and Monday. Not sure why I didn't weigh in this morning.  Some mental block. I will exercise, I will eat healthy, I will pound the water, and I will weigh in.

I was elected precinct chair last night as well as a delegate. Woot!

Okay, my sweets, and you truly are my sweets (Lavenderdiva said it best), have a wonderful day!

Whirling dervish!

Hey guys!

Well...that headache quickly took the form of a migraine so although I had intended on moving my tush yesterday, I couldn't do it. Normally these last 3 days, however I must say I am feeling worlds better this morning.

I've been debating rolling into a new auto lease or buying the car I'm leasing now. I thought it was due next month only to get a letter yesterday saying it was due the 3rd of THIS month. PANIC! I called the finance dept. and we arranged for one more month while I try to figure out what I want to do.

What I REALLY want is an Audi. I see them and they make me smile. I know that's silly, but it's true. I figure I'd smile every day if I had one to drive. :) I've been on the local Audi site and I think I could actually swing buying a 2007. I think that's my first choice. They had half a dozen available with decent mileage that were loaded. I have an email into their finance dept. explaining my situation. Hopefully I'll know if it's even a possibility soon. Chase really messed with my credit this last year. I charged everything for my real estate and didn't spend my commission (well, except for my surgery) in case I needed to pay taxes. Now it looks like we'll be getting a refund so that frees up that money to pay off a couple cards. In the mean time, Chase, while it still could, lowered my limits on all 4 cards so that I'm almost maxed out on each one, which lowers my credit score, thank you VERY much. Had they not done that, I wouldn't worry about being approved. When I went to get my lease 2 years ago, they didn't even look at my income. They took one look at my credit score and approved me. This is, of course, CHASE auto financing. Now they're offering me a car loan on my vehicle at a rate of 8.5%! Ridiculous.

Anyway, enough about that. I'm going to throw myself into cleaning the house and then it's yoga/pilates/wii fit time.

OH and my new employers are so fabulous! They will train me this or next week and I can start AFTER Spring Break, so I don't need to worry about childcare that first week! Yes!

OH and tonight - caucus meetings! I hope to be elected as a delegate so I can vote for Claudia Wright at the State convention and OUST MATHESON! Wish me luck...

Missed a day...

My 30 day challenge is missing yesterday. I vowed to move every day for the next 30 days. Saturday was pretty pitiful, but I did manage 20 minutes of yoga.

I ate waaay too much yesterday. I fell into the Parmesan chips! Today is a new day, however. I've got a bit of a headache today so I'm moving a little slower than usual, but I do plan on doing pilates and yoga today. I may throw in some cardio as well. I'm eating very clean with foods that haven't been prepackaged. I can't get over how much sodium is in some things. I think I've decided the perfect food is grilled chicken breast with tobasco sauce. I would have thought there would be a lot of sodium in the sauce, but there is only 35 mg per teaspoon, and a little goes a long, long way!

I bought cauliflower that I plan on steaming and mashing into "mashed potatoes". I've always wanted to try that! I have to face facts that for me as someone with thyroid issues, simple carbs are not my friend and never will be. An every now and then treat is fine, but as long as I'm above where I'm comfortable, they should be avoided. I need to for the most part stick to a South Beach style diet.

I am so excited about this job!! I did realize however, my kids will be out of school for Spring Break April 1-5 so I need to work something out with them about when I start.

I'm off! I hope you're all having a very wonderful, successful day!

Peeeeps!!

I finally got to meet Jen face to face and let me tell you, she is STUNNING. Jen! I am so glad I got to meet you!

The interview was so much more than I'd imagined. First, I really felt a rapport with them. It's a husband and wife team who started the protocol so they could start a family. They've lost loads of weight between the two of them, and like me (and so many others I know who have done the protocol), were inspired to help as many as they could and saw the potential for not only doing that, but being able to spend more time with each other.

The building was built to their specifications. It is lovely and minimalistic. I'll take and post pictures soon. The feng shui was incredible.

They explained their philosophy and it is 100% in tune with my own. I feel so blessed to have found them!

He explained that this was the first of 4-6 more in Utah they'd like to open. Here's the real kicker. They want to open more in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. Oregon !


They made it clear there was plenty of opportunity to grow. This is truly a dream come true for me.

Another really cool thing? There is this other woman working there and I don't have to worry about whether or not we'll get along. :P

They are fine with me having a flexible schedule between my kids and my real estate. I am over the moon, guys. Over the moon!

XOXO

Glass of champagne in hand!

Jen and I...

... GOT THE JOB!

20 minutes of yoga, 30 minutes of Wii Fit, and 40 minutes of pilates!

That and chunky vegetable soup with a little grated gouda on top, half a leftover steak, frozen strawberries, a lemon, and shepherd's pie for dinner. :)

I am meeting the woman at the clinic tomorrow morning. I will report after that meeting.

I feel TERRIFIC. I forgot what a high I get from exercising! I am especially excited about the pilates. I am convinced that is going to totally sculpt my body. I'd done it in past. It was like riding a bike. I felt it in my butt, inner and outer thighs, tummy, and arms. Now if I can just keep this UP! :D

XOXO

Day 1 of my 30 day challenge

Ok, here we go! Today is a day of exercise, meditation, and balanced eating.

The steak day was pretty much a wash. Down .2. Meh. Good to know. I think it's my body's way of saying, "C'mon, get ON with it, would you?". So glad it wasn't a gain!

I'm just finishing up my coffee before I do my yoga and then the Wii Sport Active. I've worked out on that before and let me tell you, it kicks butt. I SWEAT. Hard to imagine a game can do that to you, but it sure can!

Later y'all!

Driving in the wrong gear

Hi my dears.

Thanks for all the love, encouragement, kind words and support. You have no idea how much it means to me and how much it helps.  I rely on you all.

It occurs to me that I've been doing this so long and depending on that number on the scale, as well as trying to control that number with diet alone for as long, that I've not realized it was time to switch gears. The time for releasing weight is over (though I would love to drop 5-10 pounds). I'm still locked in that mode. The time for health and balance is NOW. Time for quality natural foods, daily exercise, and meditation. I'm at a healthy weight so now is the time for all the other aspects that have been neglected to be given the proper positive attention it needs.

Having the after pictures done and being told how wonderful it all looks was just what I needed. I felt free. It was wonderful. I even had some treats I'd avoided forever - licorice and a treat from See's candy that I'd been saving. Later, I went to a campaign kick off / St. Patrick's Day party. I ate chips at 9 pm! Of course, wine as well. Up .2. Just .2. I consider that a total victory.

That said (and don't you laugh!), I'm doing a steak day today. I TOLD YOU NOT TO LAUGH! I wasn't going to but I had coffee this morning and then needed to run downtown to deliver my tax stuff to the CPA. By the time I was done with that and back home, it was 1 pm. Still no food, just my coffee. I had to go grocery shopping and they had a sale on meat... including steaks, so I thought what the hell. The last 2 steak days were days I wasn't weighing myself. I thought I may as well do a steak day today and see if they are still working for me or not. Then it's over. No more trying to control the number on the scale with food combining alone. Time to eat healthy, balanced foods and EXERCISE. I want to be as focused on my health and exercise as I had been on releasing weight. Switching gears.

I got a call this afternoon from that woman who just opened up the HCG clinic I was telling you about. She was checking to see if I knew anyone who had been through the protocol who was looking for a job as a counselor. Wow! I told her I had almost asked if she was hiring when I had first popped in! I told her I am a Realtor, but that keeps my hours very flexible. I'm meeting her on Saturday!!


Thank you guys again! I'll be reporting on my work out progress soon! :) Tomorrow I will do my yoga and start a 30 day challenge on my Wii Fit Active!

Ta ta!

Getting a grip (thanks all of you).

I've noticed a jump in weight mid month the last few months. I can safely assume this is hormonal. I am up an additional .3 today. 126.6, 6.6 above where I was on operation day. I am frustrated, but not going to let this get me down.

I seriously thought of delaying my after pictures, but that's silly. I need to get this done. I need to get my taxes filed. I need to get through my closing in the next week or so and I need to start working out in earnest. I haven't worked out since Friday, so I know it's not muscle I'm weighing.

I keep saying I want balance, and yet I'm not living that way. I've been scared and eating low carb, hardly any veggies, no fruit, and mostly protein. I can't go on like this. I have to, have to, have to practice what I claim I want. I'm sorry if I sound like a broken record. I'm trying to beat this into me!

You guys are so appreciated.

up ANOTHER half pound.

I didn't do the shakes but ate clean, drank a ton of tea, and gained.

Shakes today or do I throw my hands up?

I am soooo discouraged.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

I wouldn't suggest this to anyone, however, given I have after photos day after tomorrow, I am going to do nothing but Jay Robb protein shakes for the next two days. I am as high a weight as I've ever been since my last round, +6.2 above LDW (this is accounting for the additions as well). Holyyyyyyyyyyy...

I did a steak day yesterday. I certainly didn't expect this. I have no idea what caused such a jump up. It's very disturbing!

It's just 2 days. I can do this. I don't even know if it'll work, but I feel so out of control, I have to do something.

So much for my plan yesterday! Gads.

I was fine. I really was. I don't know what happened but I had one of these...

and one of these...

I don't know what got into me! I didn't weigh again, but I will tomorrow, after my steak day today. Wednesday's after pictures couldn't come soon enough! I just want to LIVE my life, exercise, eat healthy and not worry about being as close to what I weighed on operation day. Well, we're pretty close to that day (Wednesday), maybe I should just call it good. I hate being obsessed.

I think the obsession has actually become an addiction. It's a hard habit to break. It is an exhaustive one however, and I am tired. :)

*hugs*

The Lighter Side of Low-Carb: Parmesan Crisp Giveaway Winners

The Lighter Side of Low-Carb: Parmesan Crisp Giveaway Winners

I WON I WON I WON!!! YEA!!! Thanks cleochatra!

I'm not weighing in tomorrow

Salt, exercise, late night eating, all clean but not conducive for a weigh in with the results I want. Tomorrow, steak day. I have them and they need eating. I have more to say but I'm exhausted because..


I FINISHED PREPARING MY TAXES FOR MY CPA!

It's FRIDAY!

Morning!

I'm up a little, 124.1, but I attribute that to the exercise. I can't worry about the number. I just need to keep on keeping on with clean eating and exercise. I expect I may even be back to 118 (120 with the girls) by the time they do the after pictures. Regardless, the most important thing is that I concentrate on my health. Balance, balance, balance, I WANT IT.


I need to get going. Kids are out early today, I need to exercise and get dressed and I have a home to show. I'm still not done with my taxes but am close. I am actually using a contact management program my dad wrote that has an income and expenses section that I've never used. Can't imagine why I haven't. It's awesome! I plan on logging all my 2010 income and expenses before I even finish my 2009 taxes. Next year I won't panic, I am determined!!

Have a GREAT DAY!

JUST weighed in ...

After 3 weeks of not doing so...

2 +. or so pounds for the girls...


I weigh...

123.5 !!!!!!!!!

Exactly what I weighed before I left on my trip! :)

Sardines, taxes, and steaks!

My mom read that sardines were the healthiest fish you can eat. They contain the least amount of toxins and are full of wonderful vitamins and minerals. They are a low carb dieter's dream come true food.

The Benefits of Sardines

Sardines
1.00 each
92.00 grams
191.36 calories
Nutrient Amount DV
(%) Nutrient
Density World's Healthiest
Foods Rating
vitamin B12 (cobalamin) 8.22 mcg 137.0 12.9 excellent
tryptophan 0.25 g 78.1 7.3 excellent
selenium 48.48 mcg 69.3 6.5 very good
vitamin D 250.24 IU 62.6 5.9 very good
omega 3 fatty acids 1.36 g 56.7 5.3 very good
protein 22.65 g 45.3 4.3 very good
phosphorus 450.80 mg 45.1 4.2 very good
calcium 351.44 mg 35.1 3.3 good
vitamin B3 (niacin) 4.83 mg 24.1 2.3 good

World's Healthiest
Foods Rating Rule
excellent DV>=75% OR Density>=7.6 AND DV>=10%
very good DV>=50% OR Density>=3.4 AND DV>=5%
good DV>=25% OR Density>=1.5 AND DV>=2.5%

Loads more info here.

In other news...

Today I sit down with my taxes. Being an independent contractor makes this a stressful event. I should be doing this as I go along, but no. Each year I end up doing all my taxes on one or two days rather than logging my income and expenses as they happen. AACH! I know once I'm done I will feel so much better, and I should (I hope) be getting a refund so with that and the money I've not touched from last year's expenses, I can wipe out a load of debt in one fell swoop.

I'm sore from working out and tomorrow is weigh in day. I'm going to skip today's workout and do a steak day. Hoping for the best tomorrow. I hate how nervous I am about it.

OKAY, one more cup of coffee, I need to email my buyer, call my mother, and then it is TAX TIME.

Hope you're all well!!

Day 3 of exercising

Hi! I've not exercised yet today, but I am anxious to get to it. I did yoga and worked with an exercise ball yesterday. It was the first time I've ever worked out with an exercise ball. I loved it! I worked out to a couple programs, Namaste' Yoga, and In Shape with Sharon Mann on FitTV. Here I have a Wii Fit with several games and a balance board, I have several workout DVDs, and I'm working out to the tee vee. Heheh. Anyway, it was very core centric which has been the area I feared working out too much. I'm sore, but I don't feel like I over did it which is so wonderful since I clearly pushed myself too hard too early before.

I'm excited to be getting back into shape, not just at a healthy weight but toned and tight. I am pretty squishy with the exception of my tummy, and I had a lot of help with that from a great team. ;) I'm thin enough now that I know I'll be seeing definition soon if I can just make sure to keep up the habit of working out everyday.

Yesterday I passed a new HCG clinic and noticed they had stevia for sale so I popped in. I bought a new scale (I gave my old one to my sister, who was down 16 pounds in 11 days, by the way! WOOT!) and chatted a bit with the woman who just opened it up. She'd lost massive weight with the protocol as well. I checked her website and it looks like it's a chain with offices in Utah and Missouri. I thought how great it would be to open one in Oregon! I couldn't do it in Utah. HCG is everywhere here. But seriously, I sent information to 4 people yesterday alone! I'm the go-to HCG person here. :)

Oh, and finally started tracking my food as of today... weigh in is Thursday. Eeek!

Okay, well, I've babbled on enough. I have a very busy real estate day and at some point I need to attack the taxes. AACK! Off for more coffee and then yoga and cardio! Hope you're great!

Helloooooooooo

'Tis I, only as a red head! I forgot to get a new picture with the new hue. I had it done on my trip.

I fell into the salt yesterday but managed to remain clean in my eating (did have champagne for the Oscars though! I mean, it's the Oscars!). Fortunately I have a few more days before I weigh in so I can shed any water weight that may have caused.

I did both Yoga and some light cardio yesterday and it felt great. I didn't do too much and feel strong. I am so ready to get back to it today. I need to rush though as I have homes to show again today and a ginormous to-do list. Mondays are always completely nuts for me.

I best get to it. I hope you're all starting a great week!

XOXO

Happy Sunday!

First, I want to say http://angeleyesinga.blogspot.com, I'm following you and have tried to comment but there's something wrong with your blog and it won't let me leave a comment. I just wanted to make sure you knew I'm really enjoying reading your blog!

I went through my good slacks for my appointment yesterday. After my last round, all my pants were too big. Yesterday, all but one pair were too loose, though not as loose as before. One pair was slightly loose but fit well so I wore them. I was slightly disappointed they fit as well as they did but who can complain about fitting in a size 6? It was a good indication that I'm not gaining. Worst case scenario is I have to totally re-do my last round. R2 LDW was 123.4. R3 LDW was 117.6, though I did lose more after that round. Still, we're talking about about 6 pounds. Big deal. I planned on another round anyway.

Hopefully I can get my butt into gear and exercise today. I feel SO much better when I'm moving so I plan on it. I'm going to hang with a friend this afternoon and let our kids play. I better get to it, I guess!

Happy Sunday!

For those who are ordering their own HCG...

Lavenderdiva wrote me to let me know that HuCog brand of HCG is no longer in freeze dried form but pre-mixed. As soon as it's mixed, it begins to lose potency so if it takes 3-4 weeks to arrive, there's no point. She found 2 other brands that sell the freeze dried form with the rubber stopper top (which is why I chose the HuCog brand in the first place). Ovidac is manufactured in India, and Corion is manufactured in Switzerland. Both are slightly more expensive than the HuCog.

I'm feeling a little less puffy today. I have a home inspection to go to and may wear my "good" slacks - that will be a true test as to how much I've gained/released.

I have GOT to get my BUTT MOVING! I am so anxious to start my exercise routine. I don't think I'll have time this morning, however the whole house needs work again and that can definitely count as a work out.

10 days

First, thanks to all of you who "weighed in" (haha) on my last post.

I thought back on my trip and realized I ate un-clean for 10 days. So, I'm giving myself an additional 10 days before I weigh myself. I've not started the exercise yet but will either later today or tomorrow. I am just about out the door to show a home so I don't have time right now. Anyway, it's been 4 days so I have 6 more to go before I weigh. This is taking some pressure off me. I will continue to eat clean (Atkins/South Beachy) until my after pictures are done. I also realized I can always reschedule that appointment, but I won't need to. Although I am puffier, my tummy is still flat as a board and the girls look faaaabulous. ;)


I'm outta here! Snow flying and I want to drive slow! Thanks again, y'all. :)

Still haven't weighed...

Not sure when I will. Maybe when I feel smaller. I've had 2 clean days since coming back from my carb fest road trip. I have 2 more filets from Costco that are due today so I'll do a steak day today, only I woke up hungry so I'm thinking I'll eat the smaller one for brunch and the larger one for linner or dinner, depending on my hunger level. I'm also going to start logging my food again, aaaaand drink lots of water throughout the day, along with oolong and green tea.

It was my intention to take today off. I've not had a chance to rest in almost 2 weeks and I'm so tired, but I got a call this morning that my son's teacher has a funeral to go to this afternoon so I'm watching her two boys this afternoon. *sigh* I'm thinking if I can confine those kids to the basement TV I MIGHT be able to get things somewhat cleaned up here. I'll pick another day for rest. Right now I need to get dressed and run my daughter's lunch to her as she left it behind. One more day without yoga. Honestly, it's just an excuse. I'm still afraid to work out. How silly is THAT??

Home again, home again, jiggity jig.

I'm hoooooooooooooome! I'm exhauuuuuuuuuusted.

The offer has been submitted. The kids are at school. The laundry is started and I need a nap in the worst way.

My husband, God bless him, had cleaned the house to within an inch of its life. It looks fantastic. I'll do my best to keep it up but how great it was to have that not be a worry.

I have a long to do list today, including picking up steaks from Costco for my steak day today and HCG from the post office for my next round in May. Sheesh that's just 2.5 months away!

I've no clue how much I weigh, but I know I'm puffy. I may weigh in tomorrow. I may wait a week. Cleeeeeeeeeeean eating. March 17th are my after photos.

My sister is doing GREAT! 11 pounds released since Thursday! I am so happy for her. It was so great to see her and to hang out with her and her wasband and eldest. I have missed her more than I realized. She took me all over Portland. What a great city. I didn't get as much time as I would have liked hanging out with my brother and his family. I was only able to see them at the wake. I had hoped to hang out a little on my way back through, but with the offer I needed to submit, I didn't have time.

I have hope still that my husband will consider moving there. After the wake, it became even more obvious how important it is to be close to family. Mine are all there. His are in Holland. What are we doing here? I'd like to replace our carpet and throw a fresh coat of paint on our walls and rent the house for a couple years when I hope the market will come back. It would be great for our taxes, and then we could rent in Portland until we found the right home to buy. I have some transactions I'd like to have wrapped up no later than June. It would be enough for me to pay back the business loans. It occurred to me while in Portland that I have enough connections there that I could actually start a property management/real estate business there. My family is established enough there, and between them and my husband and his work connections, I could start again, only smarter. I know what I'm doing. I know what works and what doesn't. I've earned my CRS (Certified Residential Specialist). Besides all that, the homes there are COOL. Not cookie cutter copies.

Okay, I've babbled on enough - I need to get dressed and get to work. Thanks if you've made it this far! :D
xoxo