Things...

Lots of things have happened this week. I started school on Monday and was blessed to pass my dosage and calculations exam the first time! *happy booty dance*
I also found out that I am completely clear to start my last clinical *ie: student nurse insurance updated; vaccines updated; TB skin test updated; OSHA test completed*
I hope to be starting my last clinical within the next 2 weeks. This semester happens to be awesome in that we are responsible for attaining our 240 clinical hours before the semester ends. There are no set days for clinical. I like the flexibility, especially with my work schedule.

Aside from school matters, I also have a big piece of news to share with everyone.
*those people faint of heart might want to sit down for this one*

I went to the doctor on Tuesday and discussed a rather important matter with her. My weight has not changed, regardless of eating better and exercising. So I asked her opinion about possible bariatric surgery *ie: gastric bypass*
I never in a million years thought I would even consider something as life altering as gastric bypass but with the current state of my health and the fact that I'm only 24 years old, I have been thinking about it a lot lately.
To my surprise, my doctor wrote me a referral to a bariatric surgeon. Due to my hashimoto's thyroiditis/ PCOS/ Depression /history of seizures, my doctor thought that I might benefit from gastric surgery. After calling the surgeon's office I was given an appointment to see the surgeon on October 27th.
I went by the surgeon's office on my way home from school today to fill out a rather large packet of information concerning my current health amongst other things.
I asked one of the receptionists if I could get my appointment moved up earlier and to my surprise they happened to have a cancellation & moved it to September 29th!
I'm doing TONS of research about the gastric surgery and what helps is that I have a handful of friends that have had it done *one has had the surgeon I will have*
I have a great support system going on, including my family! *well..most of them*

So basically, I wait until my appointment to get the process started. I will have many MANY tests done prior to the surgery. ie: EKG/Blood work/Psych eval/Sleep apnea testing etc.
What helps a lot is that my insurance will cover the ENTIRE process! *surgery and all!*

I've found some great websites for gastric bypass information to help with the process:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/

http://www.bariatricedge.com/

As a result of the surgery, my move to Florida will be postponed. I am thankful that my family understands how important this is for me.

If you want to follow my journey to a healthier me visit my blog:

http://newzamy.blogspot.com/

Momma's and their babies

Mom with Tom and Maggie




Angie and Amelia

Productive Sunday

I have had quite a productive day! I went to a local track and walked a mile, then drove to Walmart to purchase Turbinado sugar packets *only .68 cents per box!!*

After that I went to two different dollar stores to find autumn decorations. Since this will be my last fall in Tennessee for awhile I decided to go all out with the fall decor. I founds some great buys for....you guessed it...a dollar a piece.

I eventually came home and decorated our mailbox and front door with fall stuff.

Dad and I are smoking baby back ribs right now. It's pretty neat how all you need is a grill, aluminum foil, cedarwood chips and some spices.

We are experimenting with garlic and chives...

It has been a pretty awesome day so far!!

Here's a hilarious video of the new kittnens:

Whatcha got cookin'?

Ahh so this week I have cooked and baked healthy foods for the first time in AGES.

Dad and I have been experimenting grilling veggies n' things. The following is a concoction of zucchini /tofu / mushrooms / minced garlic / olive oil / rosemary / chives:

*click to enlarge*

You basically grill in a cast iron pan until golden brown.
Let me just say that this was absolutely DELICIOUS! Okay...Dad even ate this *tofu and all*

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next on the menu I made homemade Blueberry Lava Muffins. Dad and I picked fresh blueberries lastnight from our blueberry bush and BOY are they good!

Lava Blueberry Muffins

1 1/2 cups wheat flour
3/4 cup turbinado sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.
Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup turbinado sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.
To Make Crumb Topping: Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.

These muffins are moist and very delicious!!

Getting batty at 4 am

-----------------Update---------------------Aug 4th

So mom's reading the newspaper and sees the following: *click on the following link*

RABID BAT BITES BLOUNTVILLE RESIDENT

...how comforting.....


Wow...so I wake up at my usual time at 4 am and head to the bathroom. As I was walking back to my room I hear my mom doing a mild freaking-out cry. Sleepy and half conscious I walk to her room and ask her whats up, she looked at me and said, "a bat was flying around my room and got in my face! Go wake dad up." Half amused I walk down the hallway to the staircase *not expecting anything whatsoever* and all of a sudden this bat swoops down in front of my face and I let out the most girly-blood-curdling scream known to mankind.

The bat apparently was flying around the living room trying to find a way out. As I got closer I saw one of the cats trying to run after it, thinking it was one of the bold cats (ie: harry, teddy, izzy) but no...it was my timid, half bald, de-clawed Emmy kitty!!

Needless to say I ran to my room and called dad on his phone downstairs. After a few rings he answers in a groggy half comatose voice, "yeah...?" After explaining to him about the bat, man that he is, he came up stairs to see what he would be dealing with.

Without so much as a thought, he looked me in the eyes as serious as can be and asked, "Do we have a tennis racket anywhere??" Taken back by his question I was reminded of the movie, The Great Outdoors. The more I thought about the whole situation, the more it seemed just like the bat scene in the movie. Dad went downstairs to find something to get the bat out of the house with as I stood in the hallway laughing to myself about the situation. While reminiscing about the movie of my childhood, the bat proceeded down the hallway right at me and again I let out the blood-curdling-girly scream and ran to my room.

I think dad ended up stunning it when he whacked the bat with a broom and threw it outside.

My dad deserves the dad of the year award for being his fearless self when it comes to animals/insects/scary situations.

So yeah....that was our fun morning today....

(a pic Geoff took a year ago up the chimney

where we suspect our guest came from)