10

10 Days.

240 Hours.

14,400 Minutes.

864,000 Seconds.

As in I've made it through 10 days of Whole 30.  A part of me wishes it was Whole 10, but then again, I really feel like I'm just getting started.  Never did I imagine that I would make it this far.  After all, this is literally the longest I've gone without any of the following:  sugar, processed carbs, dairy, alcohol.  I've haven't given up any single thing for this long, let alone ALL OF THEM.

It's crazy when you think about it.

No cookies fresh from the oven.

No glass of wine while cooking dinner.

No side of crackers with my bagel sandwich.

No pizza.

Sigh..... this is getting depressing.

But, in all honesty, I'm not worried about getting to day 30 anymore.  I'm more worried about what happens on day 31.  I know we reintroduce groups back in, but I haven't gotten there yet.

In honor of this momentous day, I thought I'd give you this:

The Top Ten Things I Learned from Whole 30: Part 1

1. I can go so much longer in between meals than I could before.  And hunger doesn't feel like I'm going to pass out if I don't eat something.
2. I like things like sweet potatoes, mangos - and taking a page out of my mom's cookbook - adding onions to EVERYTHING.  She'd be proud.  Blake and Toby, on the other hand, are mortified that the house smells like onions.
3. I definitely have more energy now.  Couldn't say that the first week, so that is a good thing.
4. Coffee creamer is a non-negotiable for me.  If I can only have fruits, veggies, and meat, then I am allowing this one small mental treat.  Yes, I said mental treat.
5. I am waking up easier now.  Or maybe I should say that when I wake up, I actually want to get out of bed now.
6. I no longer think about food 24/7.  
7. Night time is definitely my Danger Zone.  I went to bed at 9 pm pretty much the whole first week to stop myself from thinking about the things I used to eat.
8. Tea really does help curb some cravings.
9. I feel a weird happiness at odd times during the day.  
10. I've learned it isn't so much about will power, but just setting your mind to something.  I have wanted nothing more than to feel better for the past few years, and I finally feel like this is the last puzzle piece to fit in.  

Change doesn't happen overnight, but second by second, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. It happens one choice at a time.  It happens when you can't tolerate the way things are anymore and brave enough to make that choice.

I'm so happy I did.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Dad

As I'm sitting here today, I realize how little I talk about my dad.  It's almost as if he doesn't exist, at least in my little online world.  That is so sad, because even though we all know what my mom meant to me... we know very little about him.

So it is only appropriate, on this Father's Day Weekend, to celebrate Popsie...

Popsie's Top Ten

1. Even though we don't always see it, Popsie is one of the most religious men on the planet.  He gets to the shop every morning around 5:30 am so he can say a rosary before the boys get in.  He has never not done this.
2. He had one true love in his life - my mom - and it never entered his mind (not once) that he should remarry.  They celebrated their 46th anniversary the year she died.
3. He is a staunch Republican and will dislike someone simply for being a Democrat (hence my first line in #1).  And I am not kidding.  If you want to get him riled up, ask him about Obama, but be prepared to hear some cursing.  It's not for the weak.
4. He is an avid watcher of all things horse racing.  Don't call him if a horse race is on... or even coming on.  He just wants to focus.
5. Popsie LOVES sports - especially his grandkids - but HATES refs.  There isn't a ref in Lansing that hasn't been yelled at by my dad.  It embarrasses the hell out of me, but most people seem to think it's funny.
6. Music is about the only thing he and I have in common.  Ever since I was little he and I have shared this love of the same kind of music.  
7. My dad is one who will never pass up a sale.  A $4.00 shirt at Kohls (size medium, no less)? Sure!  10 Pound can of coffee?  You betcha.  It doesn't matter what the sale is, really, he just wants to cash it in.
8. My dad loves, love, LOVES, going to the movies.  He even rates them like he's Gene Siskel himself.  Sadly his favorite movie remains Brokeback Mountain.  No lie.  It's been the family joke for years.
9. Up until they closed, Old Country Buffett was his favorite place to eat.  It's sad, really.
10. He is one of the most generous people I know and would give you the shirt off your back if you needed it.  

I really could go on and on with small tidbits about him that would make you smile or even giggle.  The truth is, he is an amazing man who has worked hard his whole life.  His business started our at Vic Garmyn and Son...  and he was the son back then.  I've always said I got my work ethic from my dad and spending habit from my mom.  If I didn't have one, I couldn't have the other.  

So, that's my Pops in a nutshell.  I hope you're lucky enough to have met him at some point, but if not just know he's a generous and stubborn old man who loves his family more than anything... and has taught me a great deal about life.

I hope you all have a wonderful dad to celebrate with this weekend!

Happy Father's Day!

Mom's Top Ten

I think we all can agree, whether you ever knew my mom or not, that she was one of the great ones.  Ten years ago was the very last time we were able to celebrate her birthday, and I'm so glad now that we took the time to do that.

Ever since, I've tried to honor this day because I think we need to remember a day for someone who touched so many lives.  I usually bake something, and try to have people remember her by doing something nice because that is all she was about.

So, in remembrance of my mom (and in tears), I will give you her top ten:

1. If people had one word to describe my mom, it would usually be "Nice."  She was the epitome of generosity and giving.  Oh sure, if she didn't like you, you knew it, but they were few and far between.
2. The second word that people will say is laughter.  It was joyful and loud and usually a cackle, and many of us inherited this from her.  It's known as the Garmyn laugh.
3. As a mom, there wasn't anything she couldn't handle.  I attribute this to the fact that she had four kids in three years (no twins either!).  Every eleven months, like clockwork, she had another kid. Thankfully, she learned her lesson eventually, and there's a break between Gump and myself, but can you imagine?  No wonder nothing phased her.
4. She was an awesome cook and baker.  Most people are either one or the other, but she had both in her pocket.  My favorite is the chicken and rice recipe, which is hard to read here, but if you want it, I'll get it to you.  *Sidebar: This recipe above is written by my mom, and my aunt Patti sent it to me in a birthday card a few years ago.  I called to thank her, completely overcome, and cried on her answering machine.  
5. She was one of those people who could fix anything, and when I say anything, I mean any thing.  It could be a financial problem (she'd lend you money).  It could be heartbreak (she'd take you to lunch and shopping).  If you wanted cable in the upstairs bedroom, she'd bring over the cable wire and hook it up (no cable guy necessary).  
6. Shopping, mostly for others, was one of her downfalls.  Only because she could rack up credit card debt like no other.  Since she always did the finances in there house, my dad was quite surprised to see how much credit he had in his name.  We giggle now, but he didn't back then.
7. She was an absolute favorite at LCC for so many year, known as Ma G mostly, because she took care of everyone.  As the attendance lady for so long, she was able to excuse many students who probably would've failed out otherwise because of tardy slips.  I got to "work" in her office first hour for two years, and loved every minute of it.
8. She was the best grandma ever.  My boys, especially Evan, were so lucky to have had her even for a short time.  Blake really doesn't remember her at all, but thankfully we have Cathy now, and she blesses us just like mom would :)
9. I think my mom may have invented "doing lunch" and thankfully, I was the recipient of many of those lunches.  Her favorite places... Jacobson's Eastroom (I even remember going in a skating outfit once... why I have no clue).... Chi chi's.... Chilis.....Olgas...... La Senoritas..... 
10. She loved Christmas and made it the most special time of year for everyone involved.  This past year was probably the worst, because it was as if nothing was special at my dad's house.  It broke my heart knowing she was probably turning in her grave.

Well, that's it, but of course an amazing life can't be wrapped up in ten.  I will be baking Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Sheet Cake for dessert today, and hopefully going to lunch :)

I hope you all have a wonderful day and celebrate March 18!

Love you Mom!

Evan's Top Ten

Sixteen years ago today, at 2:15 in the afternoon, I had my Evan.  He was a month early, and is still living life according to Evan.

I cannot believe it's been sixteen years.  It's as if time has flown while standing still at times.  Every horrible stage felt like it would never end, only to open up to an amazingly wonderful stage.  My son would magically appear, new and improved.  Oh, Dr. Spates had warned me that kids would also regress right before a growth spurt, mentally and physically.

And boy was she right.

So, of course in my own fashion, I'd like to take a moment and remember the wonderful stages...

1. He is funny.  I married funny, and had a funny son.  Funny how that works out.
2. He loves every.  single.  animal.  on the planet.  But mostly he loves his Goldie Girl.  The two of them are like two peas in a pod.  Their favorite game to this day is hide and seek.  If you've never seen a boy play hide and seek with a dog, you're missing out.
3. He's smart.  He doesn't always know this, and quickly forgets when he does, but I know it's in there.  
4. He is a genuinely nice person.  It astounds me how much he cares about other people.
5. He is friends with everyone.  He doesn't want anyone to feel left out, and truly tries to be nice to most people.
6. He spends a great deal of time trying to figure out a way to scare me.  He'll hide around corners, in closets, and behind doors in order to do this.  It's not my favorite thing about him, but still I wouldn't want him to stop any time soon either.
7. He has grown to be really grateful and thankful.  It's no secret that the past few years have been much tighter than usual, and he never complains.  Well, almost never.
8. His hair.  Yes, it's long, and at one time looked a little like Bieber, but now it's just him.  To love Evan is to love his hair... give it time, it'll grow on you.
9. He can do spot on imitations of many people... mostly those with a lisp.  Now looking back at #4, all I can say is he'd never do this in front of them :)  His voices are the best.
10. Even though he tells Blake that he's adopted on a daily basis, he's still a good big brother.  Last night during mass while saying the Our Father, he squeezed Blake's hand so hard he yelped and doubled over.  The row in front of us started to laugh with us.  I know it's not appropriate, but those are the moments they will remember.  He is teaching him to be a better person in many little ways, and even if he doesn't know it Blake adores him.  I can't wait to see them ten years from now.

And no I'm not wishing the time away... just looking forward to a fun future.

Happy Birthday Evan!

So long, Summer

Can you see me smiling?

I know many of you are heartbroken that summer is over.  Sad to see the kids go back to school, forced into waking up at an ungodly hour, and get the family out the door.

I am not one of those people... and I'm okay with that.

Still, I hate to move forward carrying negative baggage (that's so last season), so I thought I'd do a Top Ten of What Was Good this Summer to lay it to rest peacefully.  After all, remembering the bad things is what we're trying to forget.

1. Kimi is home!
2. "Inappropriateness... It's not just for Thursdays anymore."
3. Spinning with the Peeps.
4. Batman.
5. Book Club Books.
6. Watching the Olympics!
7. Beach birthdays
8. Being done with Van Camp, and getting through it with the best co-workers and coaches ever.
9. Evan working at the rink.  Blake living in Elevation.
10. Being lucky enough to be surrounded by love... even though sometimes I didn't even know it.

Tomorrow will be my last "summer" work day, and for that I say Amen.  Then I get a beautiful 3 days off, and I can regroup before we kick into Fall.  I know I've gotten off track over the past few months, but luckily I have people in my life that know how to get me back on track.  

They know one simple text will guilt me into writing, not because I want to do it for them, but they know that I need to do it for me.  It's not always easy, but the best things in life aren't.  

I'll happily go through tomorrow at work, knowing we made it through and survived. 

I wish you all a wonderful holiday weekend... 

Blaker's Top Ten

Where does the time go?

This was taken 10 years ago when Blake was one and Evan was five.  How can it possibly be that I have an 11 and 15 year old now?  It is shocking what ten years will do!

So in honor of Blake's Birthday, I'd like to do a Top Ten for one of the coolest kids I know.

1. He literally has one of the biggest hearts I know.  This kid is thoughtful, kind, and generous.  It's not lost on me that he is the most like my mom with his personality.
2. His laughter can be identified in a room of kids.  
3. He loves life.  Literally, he'll wake up excited, every. single. day.
4. He is loaded with charm and good looks, and he isn't afraid to use them.
5. He loves to write just as much as I do.
6. Any of his problems can be solved with a slurpee from Speedway.
7. He is tough and fearless.  Not always a great combination for a mom to watch over, but it does make the sports more interesting :)
8. His medical record includes 1 concussion, 5 staples, and 20 stitches in his face.  I know he will brag about this someday.
9. His eyes have more expression than his words do sometime. 
10. Kids love him.  Parents love him.  And pets love him.  He is more confident than an 11 year old should be.  I literally can't wait to see what the next year will bring for him!

If any one thing can remind you that life is short, it's baby pictures.  There is nothing like going back in time and remembering how simple life was then. I know we didn't know it then, but that's the lesson we must learn.  

I will repeat it for those of you who need reminding.

Life is short.

It will pass you by in a snap if you don't start noticing what is going on now.

Do what you love, and love what you do.