There is Hope!

I just got some great news. Most of you won't give two shits about this, but I am so happy right now! As I have mentioned in the past, I have thyroid disease. As a military wife, it is SO TOUGH to find a good doctor every time we move to a new duty station. Once your thyroid levels get imbalanced, it can take months to correct them--so it is extremely important to find a doctor that will listen to you and continue the treatment plan that the doctor before them was following. I had finally found an amazing doctor in Texas; he helped me not only get my thyroid levels balanced, but I also lost 35 pounds under his care and was in the best shape I had been in years. Of course the weight loss didn't magically happen overnight and I had to work hard for it, but at least it worked because I was taking the right dosage of medication for my body. But once I accomplished that awesome year of weight loss and getting healthy, we inevitably got orders to move away....which of course meant starting over with a new doctor.

I have seen three different doctors here in the past two years, and in my opinion they all need to go back to medical school. This last one really pissed me off had no desire to listen to me and only focused on my blood test results, which is a recipe for disaster when it comes to thyroid disease. Here's a quick lesson: There is a "range" that is considered normal for thyroid hormone levels. For fun, let's just say that normal levels should be between 10 and 20 (this is just an example--that is nowhere close to what these numbers are in reality). Some people's bodies function best at 20, others at 13, some at 17, etc etc. For me, my body functions best at the "high" end of the spectrum. This has been proven by my doctor in Texas; I lost weight, I felt good, I was healthy, I wasn't moody, I had energy, I had skin clear of acne and excema, my hair wasn't falling out, and life was beautiful.

Fast foward to the present time: My most recent doctor felt, for some undisclosed reason, that I should be at the lower end of the spectrum (despite my temper tantrums) and therefore....I have gained back that 35 pounds, my hair is falling out, I feel like crap half the time with no energy, I have acne and dry skin, I'm moody and stressed out. Thanks for nothing, doc!

But now, I have a small, tiny, itty-bitty glimmer of hope because I just found out that I have been assigned to a new endocrinologist. The nurse assured me that this new doctor is "the best" and will definitely review my treatment plan and listen to what I'm telling them. She has been on the wrong end of my bitch sessions for the past year about the yahoos they have had in rotation there, but thankfully those morons are now gone and a new team of doctors is in place. Woohoo!

Could this really be the end of my thyroid nightmare? Maybe, at least for the remainder of the time we live here, that is.Then next time we get orders, it will be time to start all over again. **sigh**

Stay tuned for the next segment of Thyroid Gone Crazy :)

~Fluffy Girl~

Mixed Feelings

Today I finally went to my first group run, and I have mixed feelings about it. It was awkward before and after the run because I didn't know anybody and everyone else seemed to have connections. The only person who talked to me was the 60-something year old guy who sold me my shoes at the running store last week. The conversation felt forced and he asked me a lot of the same questions he asked when he sold me my shoes. Oh well, at least he was trying to be nice. Hopefully next time I will talk to some folks and possibly make a friend. What's weird is that I used to be a very sociable person and could talk to anybody, but I guess I have lost my touch. I am much more introverted now. How, when and why did that happen I wonder?

One cool thing was that they were giving out some free swag from Brooks. I got a technical shirt, a water bottle, and a training log.

I did like the group atmosphere because it has a certain energy about it that you can't get when running alone. We ran five miles through the Battlefields of Yorktown where the Civil War was fought. The scenery was gorgeous with all the fall colors and rolling hills. One thing that made me nervous was that we were running on a trail I had never been on, and there were multiple splits in the trail that could lead you a few miles in the wrong direction if you made a wrong turn. I made sure I stayed close to at least one person in front of me so I wouldn't get lost. My training plan called for six miles today, so I ran an extra mile when I got home. My legs are a little sore from all the hills because I'm not used to them, but my shins actually feel pretty good so far. We'll see about that tomorrow though. Overall I guess it was an okay experience because I kept a good pace, got my miles in, and experienced a new trail--but the social aspect was a little disappointing. After reading about the November Project last night in the most recent issue of Runner's World, I guess I was expecting more camaraderie...and some hugs :)

This afternoon, Hubs made me feel better by showing some love and doing what he does best: spoiling me. What girl doesn't like yummy drinks and chocolate?!

Now I'm off to kick some ass in Yahtzee for Family Game Night. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

~Fluffy Girl~

Horoscopes

Ever since I can remember, I have read my horoscope every single day. Even as a young girl, I would read it in the newspaper every morning and then think about it all day to see if it came true. Then the internet came along, and I signed up to have my horoscope emailed to me every day. Some days it is completely off, but most days it is freakishly correct. Sometimes it scares me a little.

I am a Libra, and this sign could not describe me any better.

Here are a few tidbits that decribe my sign that I feel describe me to the letter (taken from multiple sources):

• "Libras are first and foremost focused on others and how they relate to them."  
• "Libras epitomize balance, harmony and a sense of fair play. While they are true team players at work, their favorite partnership is at home: marriage. Libras feel most complete when they are coupled up with their lover, forever." This could not be more true of me!
• "Libras are objective, just, and want to do what's best for everyone."
• "Libras study every possible angle in the hopes of achieving peace and harmony, so much so that others may see them as fickle and indecisive. If that's what it takes to avoid a confrontation, that's fine with the Scales." Also very true :)
• "Libras like to put their mind to good use, and enjoy communicating their thoughts to others." Hello!? This is totally me.
• "Libras are polite and don't like to fight, far preferring to talk things through. Remember, these folks know how to communicate so they're bound to make their point."
• "They also love the colors of the sunset sky, that melding of ivory, pink and light blue." I absolutely LOVE sunsets. Most people who know anything about me can tell you this!
•  "In the game of love, Libras are a bundle of energy and loyal to the core." I'm one of the most loyal people you could ever meet. Just ask Hubs--we have been through hell together, and we are as strong as ever. Love you babe, FOREVER!!!

Do you read your horoscope daily? Do you think there is any truth to astrology and the zodiak?

Random Stuff

This week has been pretty crazy so far, with a bunch of random stuff going on.

1.  On the way home from our meeting last night, the car behind us got rear-ended REALLY hard. We heard tires squealing and then a second later, boom. I feel bad for them and I hope they're okay, but at the same time I'm glad it wasn't me! I've been waiting for something like this to happen to me, considering my son and Hubs each rear-ended someone within the past couple months. As they say, things always happen in 3's.

2.  Speaking of things happening in 3's, I have spilled on myself three times today. Cappaccino, water, and powerade. At least none of them were beer though--that would be a sin!

3. I attended my first FRG meeting last night for my husband's unit, and for some odd reason I felt the need to volunteer to be the Treasurer. I have a feeling that because I'm in control of the money, I will also be expected to come up with the ideas on how to raise the money to put into the account in the first place. Fundraising is not my thing--I hate asking people for money. Feeling some "volunteer's remorse" setting in....

4.  My Hubs is having bad luck with cabinet shelves lately. First, the entire top shelf in one of our kitchen cabinets fell down. That one was hilarious, and the look on his face was priceless. What made it even funnier was that we had two pots sitting on the counter that were full of soapy water so they could soak, and several items fell into those pots and splashed water all over him. That was the best part. Then the top shelf of our medicine cabinet (which is "his" shelf) fell down this morning when he was getting ready for work. That one wasn't quite as funny, but it still called for a chuckle at his misfortune. Sorry hun, love you :)


5.  Not only have I spilled on myself numerous times today, but I also fell in the toilet because the cleaning crew always leaves the seat up after they clean it at night. Apparently I forgot this little detail and was too consumed with listening to my boss's Voxer message to notice. Kerplunk.


6.  My shins and calves STILL hurt even after taking yesterday off my training schedule because of the meeting we had to go to. I have read conflicting information about how to treat shin splints--some say to stop running until the pain subsides, and others say to just keep training because your body has to get used to the stress that running puts on your legs and they will eventually go away. I will most likely go running tonight to make up the miles I missed yesterday, and hopefully it will all work itself out. If not, I guess I will be putting some more frozen drinks on my shins tonight!

7. We are getting a Panda Express here soon!! You have no idea how happy that makes me. I love me some Orange Chicken & white rice, and they have the best.

8. I love silly moments with my guys. Last night in the car we were singing Christmas carols and acting like complete fools. I'm really going to miss moments like those when Hubs deploys again soon :(

9. This list is way longer than I thought it would be. And I could go on!

10. Please leave me a comment and tell me a random thing that has happened to you lately :)

Pushing Through

I knew as soon as I got up this morning that my run today was going to be painful. Apparently it took a couple days for my longer run over the weekend to catch up with my calves and shins. I thought I was done with this pain after getting my new shoes! I still managed to get through my miles today, but it wasn't fun. Now I'm relaxing and icing my shins.

Like my redneck ice packs? I was too lazy to actually use ice. These are working just as well though! I have to alter my training schedule a little bit this week in order to attend a meeting tomorrow after work, but maybe the day of rest will do my legs some good and they will feel better on Wednesday. I'm hoping that is the case!

Total Steps: 13,316
Training Run: 3 miles

~Fluffy Girl~

Running On Air

Just finished my first run with my new shoes, and I am in love. It was literally like running on air. No shin splints, no blisters, no pain whatsoever. I'm so glad I went to the experts to help me pick out some shoes that are best for me!

Brooks Ghost 6

Week One of training has been a success. It started out a little painful, but I pushed through and finished all my training runs according to the schedule. Looking forward to week two!  Tomorrow is supposed to be a rest day, but the forecast is calling for some beautiful weather so hopefully I can convince someone to go on a hike with me.

Now it's time for me to eat some of Hubs' yummy chili and settle in for a "Snapped" marathon. I love that show!

~Fluffy Girl~

There's No Turning Back Now

Today was a very important day for us. After months of stressful contemplation, my husband made the decision to re-enlist in the Army. This was not an easy decision, and a lot of important issues had to be taken into account. I told him I would stand behind whatever decision he made and support him 100% no matter what. Either way, we would figure it out and do whatever we had to do.

Re-enlistment Day 11.15.13

Re-enlistment Ceremony 11.15.13

His decision to stay in the military is bittersweet. I am a proud Army Wife, but this lifestyle is not easy on any of us. (Just for the record, that statement is NOT a complaint--it is a fact.) Since he chose to continue his military career, we are now facing his third deployment coming up in about six months. Between now and then, he will be doing a lot of training at different bases as his unit once again prepares for war. I hate to think of him being in that environment again and the amount of time he will be away from us, but that is part of this life. We have gotten through it twice before, and we will get through it again.

As I have said a million times and I will say a million more, I am so proud of this man. He is an exemplary soldier, a brave leader, a powerful mentor. He has made so many sacrifices for our family and for this country. Through his entire military career, he has always done things the honorable way and performed his duties with pride and resilience. I have watched him grow and become more confident in himself. His soldiers look up to him, trust him, and strive to be better soldiers with him as their mentor. And what a great example he is to these young soldiers--he is a Bronze Star recipient that stepped up instead of stepping away like many others did. His selfless service is what sets him apart from others, and that is what makes me so proud to be his wife.

Bronze Star Recipient, January 2013

There's no turning back now--this is our life indefinitely. I couldn't ask for a better man to stand next to and support as he continues to serve and defend our country. Hoooah!

~Fluffy Girl~