Because Valerie Bertinelli Said So

So, about 5 weeks ago I joined Jenny Craig.  I did Weight Watchers for a couple of months starting last October and lost about 15 pounds and then plateaued.  Now, Jenny is a commitment, particularly financially.  It's expensive, but worth it.  The food tastes amazing, and I have lost 13 pounds and 2.5" on my waist so far.  I will continue to keep you apprised of my progress.  Think skinny thoughts for me!

Daddio

My Latest Creative Outlet

I have begun making hair accessories recently.  I have found it to be a lot of fun as well as a relaxing pastime.  Here are a few of my latest creations.  They are on sale at my original Etsy site, Nutmeg Designs. You can get there by clicking on that round red button on the left sidebar.  

So?  Whaddaya think?

Put Some Windex

Remember in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding where the father thinks that Windex will cure everything from zits to broken bones?

Well, my parents each have their own "windex".

My mom's is blood sugar.  Have a bad day? Get your blood sugar up.  Having a baby? Eat something, your blood sugar is low!

My father's "windex" is loratadine.  It is sold under the brand name Claritin.  Any problem can be explained by the fact that you didn't take loratadine that day.  

These are the people who gave me their DNA.  And I think that explains a lot.  

Missing

Well, if you have been checking the blog recently you may have noticed that I used a really long contest to drag out time have been a little absent.  

I blame the insanity of work along with some emotional ups and downs.  On the work front, huge changes are coming in the next few months that will either lead to a total change in my position, which would be exciting, or the need to find a graduate school and a new source of income.  Don't worry, either way this works out I am fully covered and have solutions.  

On the emotional front, I have been battling with new medications, lots of intense emotions, and a great deal of stress.  I seem to have reached a point where it feels like I don't have any down time.  I am always doing something.  I then begin to feel guilty about the things I am neglecting (like this blog).  I have realized that I have a tendency to take on too much at one time.  It's difficult to have things that you would like to complete, but no time to complete them.  Then the fun things become less fun.  When I hit one of my lower lows, I wasn't doing much of anything other than resting and healing emotionally.  It worked and now the good days far outweigh the bad.  Now you know why my blogging has been sparse, and there may not be a new post every day in the future.  I have realized that it is important to respect myself and my body and mind and do what I need to do.  I may put up 3 posts a week instead of 5.  Who knows. But I am removing self-imposed rules.  

I really don't know how Heather Armstrong at dooce.com did (and continues to do) it.  She went through an incredible emotional breakdown and now has 2 children, a thriving public life, and is able to keep blogging through any tough times.  Let me tell you, when I am feeling blue, the last thing I want to do is blog.  Write about the awfulness?  Be funny?  No thanks.  But the awfulness is less awful now, and I will resume blogging at a reasonable frequency.  I have a stash of photos to share with you and can't wait to get this going again.  Thanks for being my listening ears.  

A Winner

Okay, I decided to announce the results of the contest today instead of Friday.  So, using a random number generator the winner is commenter number...

3

Congratulations to Kira!
Email me at meghaninwonderland@gmail.com and let me know which photo from the Etsy site or from any of the archives you would like.  

And thanks to everyone else for support through comments.

Giveaway!

Well, Katie over at The Polka Dot Pig has done it again and created a cute new button over there on the sidebar.  The button links to my new Etsy shop that sells my photographs.  

In honor of this new button I am hosting a giveaway.  Here's how it works: a random person who clicks on the button (the one that says "My photography shop"), goes to the Etsy page, and leaves a comment back here on this post with the name of my Etsy shop will get an 8x10 picture of their choice.  They can choose from the photos in the shop, or one from the blog archives.  I will use a random number generator to choose which commenter will win.  Will it be #1?  #20?  We will just have to see.  So, click, check out the name, then comment.  It's that easy! You have until Wednesday June 9th to comment.  Good luck! 

(Oh, and if you have been having a hard time with my comment settings, I just changed them and it should be much easier for everyone to comment.)

****I HAVE CHANGED THE LAST DAY YOU CAN COMMENT.  YOU NOW HAVE UNTIL MIDNIGHT ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 9th! THEN THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY!***