Fitness and Diet

Well folks, I have been on a pretty strict regimen lately, trying to lose those unwanted pounds from my meds.

Two bits of good news! 

1.  The meds are going to gone forever soon.  So I hope.  I can't wait!!!
2. The diet/fitness plan are working

I have been taking a lot of meds for my condition, and it just kills me each day.  The pain, the side effects, etc. This time around, I haven't had as much pain/side effects.  The side effects I can "see".  The ones I can't see, bone loss, etc..worry me.   I talked to my doc, and he suggested I stop cold turkey!

I also started Medifast and Orange Theory Fitness.  OMG..I can't stop raving about both.  Medifast has been amazing.  Delicious food, fast results, no cravings.  Just pure awesome.  Orange Theory just opened up somewhat close to me, and I joined.  I just did the "freebie" classes before the official opening.  Awesome.  Just pure awesome.  Not only are you motivated for the whole hour, but the results are in your face.  And they email them to you.  What is not to love?!  I was going to do unlimited for a month, but lets face it, I don't have that kind of time.  I changed my membership to 4 sessions a month, which is much more manageable.  Hello Saturday am workout!!

What are your fitness goals?! 

Lionel Richie - All Night Long (All Night) (+playlist)

Every time I hear this song, I want to dance.  All.  Night.  Long. 

Busy Month Ahead

Well folks..May is going to be a busy month for me.  Work, sea, travel.  Wish I had beer+wine+fun in there.  Sad face.

If I am not posting as much...I apologize, but I promise to have amazing photos and stories when I get back! 

A post inspired by: Freedom

Many people think of this word, and always have something that comes to mind. 

When I think of freedom, I think of DC.  I think of the war memorials.  I think of my friends, my shipmates, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. 

There are many brave heroes in the history of our nation that have given their life for freedom, for their country. 

Here are a few photos that describe freedom for me.

WWII Memorial, Washington D.C. 2011

WWII Memorial, Washington D.C. 2011

Korea War Memorial.  Washington D.C. 2011

Korean War Memorial, Washington D.C 2011

My promotion ceremony, June 2008 Boston, Massachusetts

New Navy Recruits, US Cellular Field Chicago, IL 2011

Lone Sailor, Washington D.C. March 2011

USS Farragut, Menorca Spain, July 4, 2012

USS Iwo Jima, New Orleans, LA 2005

Sunset at Sea.  Best place to watch sunrises and sunsets-hands down.

Bella Update

Well folks, I have good news and bad news.

The good news is my miss Bella is cancer free!  The vet got all of it with the tumor, and she should be healed up soon.

I got that news last night.

Then I checked up on her today.  She was ok, and ready to go home.

Fast forward to an hour later, when my fiancé emailed me at work, saying she had to have emergency surgery.  What?!!?

Turns out someone left her "E-collar" off where she stays.  She chewed out all of her staples.  So she had to have surgery today to suture her paw back up.  Poor thing.  I rushed from work and had to see her.  My little girl was so out of it, and just super sedated.  I can't wait to spoil her with snuggles tomorrow!!  She has to stay the night so they can make sure she is ok. 

Wedding Wednesday: Travel Advice/Sites

So the inevitable is coming up-planning the honeymoon.

There are a lot of factors that are going into this: time off, $, destination, time of year, and how long the trip can be...

I am not getting a lot of time off for the wedding in a traditional sense.  I am a bit worried about planning at this point, even though I shouldn't be.  But hey, as a perfectionist..that is why I struggle! 

Any of you have any great ideas on how to plan a honeymoon?  We really want to go to Ireland, and make the most of our time there.  Amazing how I have never been there.  Or NYC..but let's not start on the random places I haven't been;) 

Emanuel on weekend violence: "Enough"

Emanuel on weekend violence: "Enough": Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel discusses shootings over the holiday weekend that left nine dead.

I love my city.  I think it is one of the greatest in the world, but holy smokes, this is only April, and we have 9 people killed over Easter weekend?!?  It is true; it is all about values.  It is about right and wrong.  I fear for the littles in the city, for the workers, for everyone..because of senseless acts like these that plague our city. 

Pray that it will get better.  Pray that the nonsense will cease.  We can blame this, that, or the other-but all in all; it takes a lot to get through to those who feel like this is the only option.  I really hope that they hire more cops, put more money into helping develop the youth.  I was in one of those programs-and it helped employ me over the summer each year.  I loved my job and the program-known as Gallery 37. 

Praying for Chicago..