How Low Can You Go?

We're still stuck in limbo land, and the tedium of it all is getting to both of us. I think what we really need is a vacation to take our minds off of all of this waiting for things to change so we can take action and start moving forward. We're trying to plan a camping trip, but it keeps not coming together (case in point: we'd hoped to spend the holiday weekend at the lake, but that didn't pan out for various reasons), and at this point it will probably have to wait until Matt's done recovering from gallbladder surgery.

That's right--Matt had his ultrasound last week, and they found gallstones. We don't know for certain yet whether he'll need surgery, but it seems likely. He has an appointment with a specialist next Wednesday, and then we'll go from there. With his medical history and all of its resultant anxieties, he's really not keen on the prospect of surgery, so if any of y'all who pray could add him to your list, he could sure use prayers for peace.

But while that's stressful, on the other hand there's relief that it's "only" gallstones. We could tell by the technician's post-US change in demeanor that something was up, and were fearful that it might be much, much worse. So it feels a little like we dodged a bullet there. But even so, he still has pain on his left side (which is the opposite side of his gallbladder) that they have yet to explain. So we're still praying that if there's anything to be found on that side, they will find it, and it will be something treatable.

In POR news, my scales seem to be stuck at 170. I do feel like I'm losing fat, though (and building muscle tone, which is probably why I'm not registering more weight loss), unlike when I was plateaued at 173 for a month. But considering I still need to lose 20-30 more pounds before I'll feel comfortable about trying to conceive, the slowness with which it's coming off is frustrating. BUT! I can fit into my size 12 shorts now, albeit with a slight muffin top. That bit's pretty encouraging. And with my height I look pretty all right at a size 12.

Anyway, I started taking NAC this week, so we'll see if that makes a difference re: how fast the weight comes off.

One thing that has changed, though, is that I'm full of hope. I can actually picture myself big and pregnant, and as a parent. And I've reached a place where I can read online about other women's babies and pregnancies and feel happy for them and only feel a mild stab of sorrow for myself, instead of being totally engulfed in grief and self-pity. And I can see pregnant women at the grocery store without getting depressed. I don't know yet about being around all of the young mommies and mommies-to-be in my offline social circle, but I am planning to attend my niece-in-law's baby shower, and I'm even planning to crochet a baby blanket for her. That is HUGE progress.

Good Food: Bunless Burger

Let me tell you, the Low-Carb Six Dollar Burger from Carl's Junior is genius. Pure, delicious, guilt-free, charbroiled genius. All the goodness of a hamburger, all the healthiness of a salad, wrapped up in lettuce perfection. I don't know who came up with this, but it's so simple, and therein lies its brilliance. Whoever decided to market this deserves some kind of award.

I would not advise trying to eat one while you drive, though, especially if you're transporting someone whom you wouldn't want to watch you get food all over your face and in your lap and down your cleavage. Because they are messy, and they are definitely a two-hand job. But they are oh, so good.

Product Love: Dentemp OS

I had no idea that there even was such a thing as over the counter temporary dental repair. It's too bad we didn't have this (or know about it) back several years ago when my sister lost one of her fillings. I remember she was in major pain and tears as she waited until the dentist could fit her in to repair the problem. I've never lost a filling myself, but I can imagine that it sucks.

If it ever does happen to me (and the chances are about to increase -- my last visit to the dentist revealed no fewer than six (!) cavities that need filled; that's what I get for not going to a dentist during my entire twenties), at least I'll know about Dentemp OS, first aid dental repair goo that can both temporarily replace lost fillings and cement loose caps. It's mess-free, FDA-tested and approved, and fast--you can safely eat in as little as thirty minutes after applying it. With my dentist being an hour away from my home, closed on Fridays and hard to get into the rest of the week, I'm glad to know that there's an easy drug store solution that can buy me time if I ever need to have my fillings repaired.

Product Love: Blister Block

This is NOT a sponsored post. I pimp because I love.

I've been meaning to tout this for a while now. Band-Aid brand makes this stuff called Blister Block stick. I picked some up at Wal-Mart (in the bandage aisle) a couple of months ago out of sheer desperation when I forgot to wear some socklets with a particularly blister-inducing pair of shoes. I totally didn't expect it to work, but like I said, I was desperate.

Well, it worked. This stuff works so well that I've given up socklets and those sandal-fitting toe covers (if there's a name for those, I have no idea what it is) altogether. Instead I rub this stuff on in all the spots where my feet are prone to blisters, and whaddya know, I don't get blisters. Awesome.

It seems a bit pricey (especially for a cheap-skate like me), but a little goes a long way, so one stick should last quite a while. My one stick has gotten me through sandal season so far, and it's not even close to running out.

Coolness.