MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #17 October 15, 2010

1. What are some things on your bucket list? (from New Girl on Post) I have a few things I really want to do but I’d say my biggest one is to visit all the continents.  That includes Antarctica.  I really want to see the penguins.  Also, learn how to drive a manual transmition car.  I got too frustrated in driver’s ed so I gave up.  Also, own my own business.  Not sure what it’ll be but I keep thinking about a Personal Concierge company(aka, people pay me to run their errands for them).
   
2. How long have you been a MilSpouse and where have you been stationed so far? (from Raising Roscoe) Technically, I’m not one yet, and I haven’t been stationed anywhere since I met the hunny in the same place we are now.
   
3. What is a list of songs that sums up your life so far? (from Confessions of a Sailor’s Wife) Hmmm, this one is a little tough.  But “God Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts, I found out a week after saying “I Love You” to the hunny that I had to move for work.  “It’s Your Love” by Tim McGraw, the hunny proposed while this song was playing.  “It’s My Life” by Billy Joel when I was out on my own for the first time.  I was tired of hearing how I should live.  “My Way” by Frank Sinatra from College because the song just seemed to get me during a very weird time.  And I guess for the future “Remember When” by Alan Jackson for the future.  I know it seems odd, but I can see all of those things happening in our life.
4. What is your favorite kind of pizza? Hawaiian!!!  The hunny doesn’t like pineapple (he’s a little crazy) so we don’t get it often.  Although, there is this little Italian restaurant around here that is amazing.  They have this unbelievable white pizza with fresh mozzarella andricotta with spinach and weadd homemade Italian sausage.  It’s freaking fantastic!
   
5. What are three good things in your life right now? There’s a lot good going on right now, but here are the top ones 1) The hunny and I are getting married, and soon! 2) Two of my closest girlfriends from high school live within a few hours of me and I’m so excited that I can see them. 3) Me and my whole family is healthy.  This is even more exciting since I appear to be having less stomach problems and feel like I’m living a normal life for the first time in a long time and not being controlled by the tummy.

Happy Friday!  I can’t wait for this weekend, we’re planting mums, carving pumpkins, and looking at new dishwashers and countertops.  This kitchen needs a serious makeover!

Stand Up and Introduce Yourself September 29, 2010

My name is ______ and I have IBS.

Ok, probably not something you really needed to know about me but it has recently become a very important part of my life.  A few years ago (ok, 8 years to be precise) I started having stomach problems.  Mainly it was upset stomachs and whatnot and it happened once a week or so. Mostly when I ate fast food or got stressed.  Over time it has gotten worse.  In the past year, I started having a problem where if I was really hungry, my stomach would get really acidic and then I’d get super nauseated and it would be hard to eat even though that was the only thing that really would fix me.  Yeah, lots of fun.

It kind of hit an apex when the hunny and I were at a resort and spending time in a cute little town.  I was hungry, and had gone too long without eating.  We went to a lovely restaurant and I felt awful the whole time.  I could barely even touch my parmesan crusted chicken.  I felt like it was a sin against the chef.  Oh how I wanted that chicken.  And a glass of wine to go with it.  Or a martini, or two.  I knew I had to do something.

A couple of weeks ago I went to the doctor and she officially diagnosed me.  I thought that is what it was, but having a doctor confirm it (and set my mind at ease that it wasn’t anything more serious) made me feel  better.  So she suggested I take an acid reducer every morning and a probiotic twice a day.  I have to say, I think it’s starting to work.  My good days feel better and my bad days don’t feel as bad.  We’re still working on the stress thing, but that’ll come in time.  I’ve also reduced sugar and fat.  I’ve usually eaten like that, but now I’m even more conscious of it.  I’ve reduced dairy which makes me sad.  And the hunny thinks it’s weird.  He just doesn’t understand how dairy could make anyone feel bad.  So to make up for it, I switched to Almond Milk.  I have to say, if you like almonds, this stuff is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!  I had some with a Carnation Instant Breakfast yesterday and it tasted like the leftover milk from Cocoa Krispies.

With that, does anyone have any good recommendations for healthy snacks?  I’m great when it comes to meals, but man, I’m having the hardest time finding healthy, yummy snacks.  There’s only so many carrot sticks and apple slices one girl can take!!!