Being a Caregiver

So I wrote this a little over a week ago thinking I would get ahead of the game and post more often. I re read what I had posted and almost had to chuckle a little. My dad is back in the hospital and it looks like all these wonderful tips I typed out I am going to need for myself again!

Please Read....

For those of you who take care of a family member who needs constant medical and emotional support you are AMAZING! I have learned it takes someone very special to be able to do that long term. You deserve a massage, pampering, a glass of wine, and a good night sleep!

After spending just one week caring for my dad while he was in the hospital I learned a few things that I want to make sure I remember when my parents actually get old!

1. Make sure you are prepared for when they are going to need care and support. Have a plan, where are they going to be cared for, who is going to provide that care, and how is it going to be paid for. 
2. Make sure you have a plan to take care of yourself. Set up a personal support system so you get a day off every once in a while. Do something for yourself. You can only take on the world for so long. 
3. Communicate with family and friends. The more you communicate the more you can stay on top of family members and their concerns. This will help make sure you are keeping loved ones in the loop and calm. They can now support you! CaringBridge is a great website to help you set up a communication system. 
4. Make sure you have a plan to take care of yourself. Set up a personal support system so you get a day off every once in a while. Do something for yourself. You can only take on the world for so long. 
5. Eat and Sleep! Exercise is also a good thing to try to squeeze in every once in a while. 
6. Make sure you have a plan to take care of yourself. Set up a personal support system so you get a day off every once in a while. Do something for yourself. You can only take on the world for so long. (See a pattern)

My dad is doing just fine and fortunately for all of us this was temporary. But I did learn a lot about myself and what to look forward to in the future. 

I thought this was just lovely.... 

Back in Action

Ok so true to my entire blog.... growing up has gotten in the way of me being consistent with this blogging thing.

I am back in action and ready to commit to blogging!

Since my last post (I have no idea how long ago that actually was) being an adult has really hit hard. We moved (see moving tips at a later date, along with apartment finding tips and reminders), my dad was in the hospital unexpectedly (see family members as caregivers post at a later date), and I had a break down at work (I learned I am not super woman and stress can get to me).

Things are very much on track and I have learned so much! I can not wait to share it all.

Meal 1 Sucess!!!!!

So I had to post about the first meal I prepared for dinner tonight and planned for left overs. I made the Spicy Chicken Stew and it is AMAZING!

It was so simple and cheap to make and really tasty! I made mine a little extra spicy for Francis (a little to much for me but sour cream tones it down). It is healthy too!

Cooking.... all the stuff and chicken not shredded yet

Ready to serve! I toasted a sliced up corn tortilla for a little extra fun on top with the sour cream!

I had to show off my mad multitasking cooking skills.... cooking dinner, dessert, and my grab and go breakfast all at the same time! You can't see the other counter where the veggies and snacks for the week were also being prepared. 

For those of you who like the Greek Yogurt (especially the ones with honey) I bought a big tub of the plain greek yogurt today and made my own honey mixed yogurt. I pre packaged one little container and added honey to my liking and then had lots of space in the larger container to mix in honey to my liking also. Now I have pre mixed yogurt for the week and it was cheaper to buy it in the plain big container! 

As soon as I learn how I am going to add a second "blog" or "page" or something to share all the recipes I try.... ones that work and ones that did not, so check back later for the recipe for the Spicy Chicken Stew (ps you can make it non spicy). 

Learning to Cook

So first off ... if you have not checked out Pinterest you should! It is amazing! Although if you have a hard time focusing on just one or two really great ideas (like me) plan to spend all day on the website!

So I am trying to cook at home more. Mostly to save money, but also because it is a lot healthier. However I am finding that cooking for 2 is really difficult. Most recipes are for four! As much as I love cooking for myself, Francis, and his friends, I would really love to find a few meals that are meant just for two and are not some amazing gourmet crazy thing that I will never learn how to make!

This week however I have come up with 4 recipes that should make as great leftovers for lunch. I have not tried them yet, but I am excited to start today!

Spicy Chicken Stew (Slow Cooker Recipe)

Chili's Fajita's

Honey Dijon Chicken (dinner will be chicken breasts, leftovers turn into the wraps)

I found this really neat blog called Six Sister's Stuff. They have tons of really yummy looking recipe's and all sorts of other neat things to look at! 

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/

Well wish me luck cooking this week! Oh and any 2 person meal suggestions are more than welcome! 

Operation Fit Into Wedding Dress

Even though we are on a wedding plan halt I am still trying to stick with Operation Fit Into Wedding Dress....

My original fitness schedule was:
Monday - Body Attack
Tuesday - Spinning
Wednesday - Swimming (ugh)
Thursday - Spinning
Friday - Elliptical and Core Conditioning

What I have managed to stick with:
Monday - eh it's Monday, why work out
Tuesday - well I made it to yesterday's spinning class (and I spinned for the entire time)
Wednesday - Nope not going swimming... I spent 8 years on the pool deck and now I'm off of it. Why go back? They might make me stay out there.
Thursday - I have made it to one Spinning class (a few weeks ago)
Friday - No Elliptical but I have gone to the Core Class

So far all I think have achieved towards Operation Fit Into Wedding Dress is that I am a great excuse finder! It is time to back up and start over.

My new fitness schedule:
Tuesday - Spinning
Thursday - Spinning
Friday - Core Conditioning

I will add in more days after a successful month of 3 days a week. This is a lifestyle change and I think I might do better with baby steps.

On a positive note I have been doing a much better job eating healthier! We have been eating home cooked food much more often and eating at Applebee's much less often. I drink water all day instead of soda and a lot less Starbucks. Below are a few fun things that have helped me at least try to pack lunches and eat a little healthier.

Pre set easy to grab stuff for lunches in baskets in the fridge... I am using this idea! I shop on Sunday, cut up or make portions of snacks and food saver it all into individual packets to grab and go for work. I also leave string cheese or yogurts or other easy to grab stuff in the basket too. Francis has one also that I put his stuff in. So far it at least keeps the fridge looking organized and easy to find snacks when needed!

These next few photos are things I want to make happen soon!

Freezer Bag Meals! They sound fabulous and easy!

Ok this is neat.... all your recipes are in the little slots and there is a rotation to them so you keep your meals fresh. The meal is on the front and you put the shopping list on the back. I need some time to type up and laminate! 

Keeping Up

Ok so this blogging thing is much harder than I expected! I am going to need to make sure I set some time aside just for me so I can keep up with this.

Quick overview on where I am at....

Well still no apartment, but we are moving out by March 13th! Hopefully we have an apartment by then.

Oh Valentines day came and went... I should probably do a cute little post about that fun story (I again made it hard for Francis to do something sweet for me).

I spent 5 long amazing days with 3,000 high school students. The Model Legislature and Court program gets better and better the older I get.

And finally I have spent most of my weekend in the hospital helping a friend. Here is a quick tip.... if you have a friend go into the hospital unexpectedly here are some essential items to bring them:
1. Clean undies (or boxers)
2. Baby Wipes to keep clean
3. Toothbrush and Toothpaste (make sure the toothbrush has a cover... hospitals are yucky)
4. Hand Sanitizer
5. Hand Lotion and Chapstick... you get dry in there
6. Entertainment (movies or books or whatever)
7. Socks and slippers so they do not have to walk on the yucky floor
8. PJ bottoms or sweats to be comfy
9. Lot's of friends to come visit
10. A positive attitude!

All right... I think I have caught up all in one post!

Apartment Finding

So before wedding plan can restart we need to find a new place to live....

We actually have a pretty good thing going here at our current apartment... decent rent, allows cats, pretty good location. Why are we moving you ask... 4 car break ins and old pipes.

First off our building is a little old and the pipes are apparently ancient. They leak constantly (The Water Hole in our Ceiling of 2010 photo is missing. It will be posted later when I can find it) and this has caused some pretty bad water damage in the building. Everything smells a little stale and whenever they cut a new hole in the hallway I have major asthma coughing fits.

Second between Francis and myself we have had our cars broken into 4 times in our gated parking lot. The first time for both of us was because we had left stuff in our car (purse in mine and subwoofer in his). After that we have been really good about taking stuff out of our car. The last time for me there was NOTHING in my car to take so instead of whoever is stealing stuff actually getting something they left empty handed and I still had to pay to get the window repaired. Lame!

So we are moving....oh how I hate moving! Well it is really not the moving I hate. I can not stand searching for an apartment. I have no idea why it is the most frustrating thing in the world to me, but I absolutely can not stand searching for apartments.  I would rather have a root canal instead of apartment searching! Between apartment searching and the thought of trying to plan a wedding I have a constant eye twitch (it makes an appearance when both topics come up in a conversation so please only ask me about moving until we actually move. Then we can talk about wedding plans).

If anyone has any suggestions on making the searching less frustrating please let me know!

Introducing my soon to be Family!

So before I start sharing all the great things and challenges that have been going on I should introduce the regular players involved in my life! So I live with 4 boys (which yes means I have a messy apartment pretty much all the time).

My first born Roy. Isn't he handsome!

My 2nd child... he is now a 22 pound kitty who LOVES to snuggle.

The 3rd boy Pablo. I fondly call him Booger cause he is one! 

And finally the Fiance... Francis. He's pretty great! 

Yup this is the fun boy filled home I live in. They are furry (ok Francis is only furry when he is lazy and does not shave), smelly, and can't seem to figure out how to clean up after themselves, but I love coming home and seeing all of their smelly, furry, messy, and smiley faces every day. All of them love me just the way I am. Who could ask for anything more. 

1st official blog.... here goes!

So if you are like me you did not read my profile so just to catch you up....

I got engaged in November of 2011, had a brief moment of this is so fun, then reality set in and I had to start making wedding plans and now I have to move. This is not a poor me sort of blog, but this is the short version of where I am at in life today! My hopes are that you can help me stay motivated on the great things that are coming in my life.... like a family one day, a great place to live, and a fabulously fun wedding to plan!

Now that you are all caught up I will be posting about the great stuff that has happened. I want to share with my children one day all the great things that come with the challenge of growing up, along with any life lessons you all may share with me.

So welcome to my blog about becoming an adult for real!