Once again, I can't believe it has been so long since I last posted.  A lot has happened!  In June Mildred passed away.  It seems like it went very fast!  She was the glue that held the Kruse family together.  We were all together for 5 days to grieve and remember.  It was only about 2 weeks before Kruse-a-palooza so I wasn't sure if everyone would come back for it or not.  Thankfully they all came back.  Kruse-a-palooza is such an important event for me.  In my job I have seen so many families go their separate ways and loose touch with each other.  I have also seen families torn apart.  I sure don't want that to happen.  In the end, family is all you have. 

Anyway, Kruse-a-palooza happened in July.  Nearly everyone was here.  It gets very hard to pull off Kruse-a-palooza as the years go on.  First of all we have a lot of special diets now.  We have a diabetic, a vegitarian, gluten free, peanut allergies, and those that don't eat pork.  That does limit the meals being made.  And there are so many different interests as far what do, so entertaining is getting more difficult as well.  I try to plan a few things, but sometimes it doesn't work.  In the end we all just want to be together and visit anyway.  Love it!

August was a blurr.  So much going on at work.  I went in early and stayed late most of the time.  I was pretty much in survival mode most of the time.  some of the most stressful times since the weeks following our merger. 

Also our daughter whos is 6 months pregnant is have problems.  Her blood pressure is out of control again.  This happened with her first pregnancy as well.  She is on total bed rest.  That is hard when you have 2 little ones at home.  I take the kids when I can and I made up a bunch of meals and froze them.  Then she can just pop something in the oven for a meal.  Along with that the garden produce is all needing to be tended to.  We were able to can our stuff together until the doctor put her on bed rest.  Since then I have canned ours as well as hers.  I think we have canned over 150 pints of salsa, tomato sauce and chili starter.  there will be more as well because the tomatoes are not all done yet.  it will be so tasty this winter!!!!!

And now I have a week of vacation!  Yay!!!!  I had a week earlier, but it was during Kruse-a-palooza.  That time is always spent either cleaning to get ready for Kruse-a-palooza, in the middle of Kruse-a-palooza, or cleaning up when it is done.  This vacation I hope will be for me.  Today I just putzed around.  Took the kids for awhile and did a few odd things around the house.  Tomorrow I am going to start cleaning out the attic spaces.  They have not been cleaned for 20 years.  Who know what I will find in there!!!!!!  Be afraid - be very afraid!!!!!!!

24 Day Challange

Okay, the 24 day challenge is done.  I guess I did pretty well.  So far I have lost 10 pounds.  I know that some of that was just water weight, but I am okay with how well I did.  Today should be a challenge however.  We having some friends over to grill out this afternoon.  I have made healthy foods, but I am not sure what everyone else is bringing.  I know I will be tempted to eat some of the less healthy foods.  I just need to muster up the will power!!!!  I am in this for the long haul so I need to stay focused. 

Day 21

Well, today is day 21.  Things have slowed down.  I have only lost 8 pounds so far.  I guess it is okay, but I am so impatient to lose weight.  I have a little concern about Memorial Day coming up this weekend.  We are having friends over for a picnic so I am a little concerned about eating junk food and drinking beer.  I really need to step it up.

Day 10

Today is the end of day 10.  I am still at a weight loss of 6 pounds.  Not what I was hoping for, but I am okay with it.  I met with the Advocare consultant and I have lost 6 inches.  They don't count pounds lost they count inches lost.  The program stresses healthy eating and fat loss, so that equates to inches not pounds.  Muscle is more dense than fat.  Anyway, tomorrow is the second stage in the program.  There are different things to do for stage 2.  I hope it works. 

Day 8

So, I am starting out on day 8 of my Advocare adventure.  So far my weight loss is 6 pounds.  I am very impatient.  You know, 6 pounds in 7 days is great weight loss.  Generally the rule of thumb is 1 - 2 pounds a week.  So I am ahead of the game I guess.  I am just so excited to be finally losing some weight that I want it to go faster.  I have 3 more days on the first part of the 24 day challenge.  Then on Saturday I go in for my next consultation.  They will measure me and give me instructions for the second part of the challenge.  I am very excited!!!!

Day 6

Well, I am getting to the end of day 6.  So far I have been successful.  I have been involved in the advocare program.  So far nearly 6 days down and I have lost 5 pounds.  YYYYEEESSSSSS!!!!  I know this kind of weight loss won't continue, but it is a good start.  I sure hope I can stay on task. 

Day 2

Okay, day 2 is done.  I am very proud of myself.  I did so well at the fireman's banquet last night.  My willpower was strong.  It helped that I have a friend helping me.  She keeps me strong and in tact.  We will see what today brings.