Diet Restrictions and Martinsburg, WV

I forgot to mention that yesterday, while going through the office, I found a form that needed to be completed and received by March 2 for VA benefits received by Jeff's Mom.  I was very angry with myself because I had forgotten it and let it go to the last minute, I would have NEVER done that (pre-El).  Another thing pre-El... with this diet we are doing, in 3 days, I lost 7lbs.  I know it is not good to lose weight too fast, but that puts me lower than my pre-El weight.  Since, my goal is pre-El - 10, I only have 8 pounds left to go!  Another, another thing... Jeff and I decided to discontinue the diet for a week.  Mainly, because we have an awesome friend in New Orleans who is sending us a King Cake next Tuesday a week before (Shrove Tuesday or "Mardi Gras" French for "Fat Tuesday") , but it won't last a week to eat...

Several years ago, she sent up Mardi Gras hats to wear, so we will get a picture of us enjoying the cake, while wearing the hats.  Anyway, we were both feeling a little on the STARVING side and missing those wonderful grains and carbs, so... I made a deal with him.  Our Lenten sacrifice will be to follow the diet all the way through Lent to Easter... 6 weeks.  There are 2 stages, we will do stage one (the most restrictive) for 2 weeks and then stage two (a tiny, itty-bit more lenient) for 4 weeks.  Trust me, the King Cake is worth it, so was the pizza, mashed potatoes, stuffed green peppers and ginger cookies we had for dinner this evening!  Will we survive?!?!  That is actually the good part for our readers... a Lenten sacrifice is private, between you and God, God knows the suffering you are going through on the inside, on the outside, we are to show a happy face (that is the sacrifice part), so I will not be able to expound on the miseries and challenges.  To conclude using a song from Monty Python's Life of Brian, "Always look on the bright side of life...."  You all will thank God for small Blessings and I will scour my brain for something nice to say about the miserable days ahead!

This morning, Jeff had his appointment at the VA Medical Center in Martinsburg, WV.  So, we were on the road, again.  Thankfully, it is only about an hour drive.  Unfortunately, El had enough driving and was cranky (in a very loud way) all the way back home.  Good thing we are thinking about visiting Jeff's Mom this coming week... a 4 hour drive!!!

Last... El is actually (knock on wood) getting onto a sleep schedule... AGAIN!  She wakes up right around 11pm, fusses for a moment, then falls back to sleep.  I still have to go to her around 3am, for an hour, then she wakes up at 5am, but she is back to sleep for another 2 hours after that.  Doesn't affect Jeff too much, but I am wild with joy and wakefulness (during the day!)  Enjoy your weekend!