Re: LOST — Jack on drugs is a bad thing. I guess we got a good look at where it started last night, but I have to say that I’m not sure how I feel about that relationship and where it might go. Obviously, we’ve seen a point in time after all this stuff, so we know it goes down the toilet somehow. Probably the drugs. It was also interesting to, again, see the healer complex he has. Seriously, I’ve only ever known women who were that wrapped up in “fixing” people. Good to see that it’s not bound to one sex, I guess. How could Kate not bristle hearing him say, “I am the one that saved you” with that superior, drunken tone. I just don’t know about you, Dr. Jack. You’re sweet, sure, but man have you got some issues. I hope they get worked out so you can burn your maps. *hugs*

To buy a belt or not buy a belt? I’m always complaining about my pants falling down (before they would just creep down, now it’s kind of a serious problem) and Kevin’s response is always, “Buy a belt.” I don’t own any belts. Well, there was one ribbony belt that I bought to wear with ONE pair of capris that had lost their button and were beyond being repaired, because I loved them that much. They’d barely stay on even with assistance, so I can’t imagine what they’d be doing now that I’m 17 lbs lighter.

I’m 17 lbs lighter! What a wondrous feeling. I feel like dancing around, like a tiny woodland fairy, because I feel like a tiny woodland fairy. Now, let’s not confuse that with actually looking like one or, even worse (regarding mental health), thinking you are one. I’m even almost to the point of being okay with telling my friends, family, and the rest of the world what my weight is. Man, that’s a big step for me. Once I tell you what I started out at I doubt that you’ll believe me. No idea where I carry it. Thighs, maybe? Hmm. Need to measure those and see if they have gone down any.

Woke up at 1:02 a.m. Friday morning to the sound of my house being ripped in half. Just kidding. But that’s what it SOUNDED like. There was quarter-sized hail raining down on the roof of my house — and on the roof of the dog kennel I HAD LEFT OUTSIDE because we didn’t have very much of a chance of rain, much less severe storms, overnight. My poor pup was probably scared to death. Just a little damp when I reached one arm outside to grab the kennel and pull it into the garage. Half-asleep, I called my parents to see if everything was okay or if I needed to take cover. You don’t think about things like actually turning on your own tv to watch the weathermen freak out whenever you’re that sleepy/scared to death. Fortunately, keeping the tv on during the night isn’t uncommon for my parents and so they weren’t too disturbed when I called them to find out if I needed to grab the couch cushions and crawl in the closet.

Speaking of taking cover during a storm, I have only had to do that once on my own since living in Norman. And it was SCARY. It’s not a tornado until it touches the ground, so I can’t call it that, but the rotation went right over my house while I sat in the closest praying for my life. I felt the pressure change and just knew that I was a goner. And what else did I decide to do while waiting for death to take me by the hand? Post on a message board, duh.

Thinking about buying a desk toy –> spot lap desks –> spend time looking up the ones with the best ratings on Amazon. I’ve needed one of these for a while. And let’s face it, I’m not exactly chomping at the bit to make my own pretty one and have Christmas Expressions here in Norman put a coating of liquid glass on it. Even though they are pretty.

So, I’m low-carbing, right? It’s changed my life. Complete 180. I couldn’t have imagined how much better I would feel, the energy I would have (Though, I could definitely handle requiring more sleep than I currently feel like I need. The energy I have between 10pm and 2am alone may be enough to raise Dr. Atkins from the dead. Will look into this.), and how good bacon can taste. Turkey bacon. I’m still not sold on the real stuff. But man, it’s not bad living. Steak, seafood, baloney (I HAVE VERY WEIRD TASTE. Or none.), and HEAVY CREAM. Oh, heavy cream, my love. I’m really starting to wonder if clouds are perhaps angel poop, which is, in reality, whipped heavy cream.* I don’t believe in the space program, so do you think we could get someone at NASA on that one? Maybe the lady with the adult diapers? Let me know what you think.

I’ve been trying out lower carb options that various companies have to offer. It’s worth noting that some of them are really bad for you and not actually that good for a low-carb diet. There is this website I’ve found where I bought some low-carb ketchup (which I later found out is available at Wal-Mart for half the price — way to go, Liz), milled flax seed, and high protein low-carb chocolate pudding. Had no idea how the stuff would taste, but at the time that I bought this I hadn’t had good tasting chocolate in a while. And it turns out I really like chocolate, who knew. So I buy it, kinda forget about it, and then it comes in the mail yesterday. I was looking around at the website that I bought it from and realized that it was recommended for people who have undergone gastric bypass surgery. And it’s listed in the “Gastric Bypass Foods” section of their website. That is fine and dandy, because I know that there is a need for foods that are appropriate for that diet (no idea what your body goes through after that), I am just not sure if I can stomach what my mind now knows as “gastric bypass pudding.” It reminds of “Katrina punch” if you know what I mean.

*Sorry, after reading that a second time I realized how nasty it was. But I’m leaving it there. Because I keep it real. Umm, yeah.

My life might have been saved today. And my wisdom teeth surgery has been rescheduled for the FOURTH time.

The first time it was a freak snow storm and we were already in the office, I was about to be prepped, when my dad called and told us to come home. So we did. After leaving I started thinking that the place looked a little shady. We rescheduled, but with a different oral surgeon. (Right off the bat I could see that he was a better surgeon, with a better staff.) I got to go see him a month later for a consult with the actual appointment scheduled one week after that. THAT appointment got canceled because the surgeon had to perform an emergency surgery on a small child. So we rescheduled it for the third time.

That appointment was today. As many of you know, I saw an endocrinologist last week who suspected that I have a problem with cortisol. The blood tests haven’t happened yet, so we don’t know. As I sat down to be prepped for surgery, the surgeon asked me if my medical situation had changed any and I mentioned the appointment and what I was being tested for. He turned around very slowly to face me and said, “Really?” Then he went on to explain a very, very scary situation.

Since I don’t have the tests done yet (getting them done tomorrow, March 12) we can’t know for sure, but here is why he would not perform the surgery today. It turns out that if I DO have this cortisol problem I am at a high risk for stroke or heart attack while under anesthesia 0_0 So I have to get the tests done and then schedule the surgery one more time.

I want to give thanks to God for blocking the road and closing doors each time I went in for this surgery. Every time I got mad, until the last time, when I had a sense of peace and decided, “God has some reason for this so I’m going to roll with the punches.” I am scared to think about what might have happened if I hadn’t seen the endocrinologist before this surgery or if I hadn’t had a perceptive and well-educated surgeon who wasn’t willing to take a chance on my life.

There’s a reason for everything!

Yesterday I visited an endocrinologist to try and determine the cause of some problems I have been having. While there are still tests to be run, one thing that he wanted me to do to get my weight down quickly (whatever this problem is has caused me to gain 20+ lbs) was start the Atkins diet. I am the biggest critic of this approach to weight loss. Yes, it’s quick, but it’s not a healthy way of living your life. I’m all about balanced meals. That, and I’m a carb queen. Give me a loaf of bread and I am happy. Anyway, I’m going to be doing this for 90 days and let me tell you, I wasn’t happy when he prescribed that. But he’s my doctor and that’s what he wants me to do right now, so I’m going to try it.

This morning while I was scanning through lists of things that I can eat, preparing a grocery list for later, I thought to myself, “Hmm, I wonder if avocados are legal on this thing? I mean, they’re full of fat, so they have to be!” And sure enough, they are. Not only can I have an avocado, I can have this: an Avocado Gazpacho Smoothie. Sign me up!

In my recent attempts to take control of my health and start eating things that are tasty and good for me, I’ve been trying out some new recipes. I definitely recommend SparkRecipes.com for healthy, easy meals that everyone can enjoy (and while you’re looking around there, don’t forget to check out SparkPeople.com and use MISSWISABUS as your referrer if you sign up!). This particular recipe was submitted by TABBYKAT75 who seems to be the queen of slow cooker meals. I made it tonight and it is yummy!

Crock Pot Chicken Athena
Cook time 3-7 hours
Serves 6

Ingredients
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium onions, chopped
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
1/3 cup dried tomatoes, drained and roughly chopped
1 teaspoon salt, optional
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup crumbled Feta cheese
1/4 cup capers (optional)

Directions
Place chicken in a crock pot and add the next 7 ingredients. Cover and cook on low setting for 7-8 hours (or on high setting for 3 1/2 to 4 hours) or until chicken juices run clear and chicken is completely cooked. Place chicken on a large serving platter and sprinkle with basil, Feta cheese and capers. Serve on top of pasta.

Please say a prayer for me. I’m going in for some medical tests tomorrow to check up on some weirdness I’ve been experiencing. Not a big deal, but if you would take the time to say a prayer or two, I’d really appreciate it.

I’m not kidding.

If you see this post and for some reason decide to make it, or have a death wish (pretty much the same), do not hold me responsible. If you’re still breathing, go on over to SparkPeople.com and sign up. List MISSWISABUS as your referrer. We’ll make it through.

It’s great. Use it. The pounds will melt away. If you do the pilates, not if you listen to the music.

1. “Something” by Jim Sturgess (from Across the Universe)
2. “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk” by Rufus Wainwright
3. “Come Pick Me Up” by Ryan Adams
4. “Don’t I Hold You” by Wheat
5. “Musicbox” by Regina Spektor
6. “Breakable” by Ingrid Michaelson
7. “Apologize” by Timbaland feat. One Republic
8. “Raindrops” by Regina Spektor
9. “I Want To Hold Your Hand” by T.V. Carpio (from Across the Universe)
10. “Secret Heart” by Feist
11. “Falling Slowly” by The Frames
12. “Light My Fire” by Will Young