2 Second Memory

I like to think I'm a lot like Dory from Finding Nemo. Actually, a cross between Dory, Dug from Up, and Hammy from Over The Hedge. Needless to say, I have a 2 second rule: 2 second memory, 2 second attention span, and 2 seconds of energy (unless you give me caffeine, and then the world stops).
So anyway, this post is pretty much just for posterity. Something to help me remember stuff. I'm hoping to get an iTunes card for Christmas.
Dear self: if you get an iTunes card for Christmas, download Katie Perry's Firework, Hot N Cold, California Gurls, Teenage Dream; Black Eyed Peas Good Night; Laurie Berkner for Grace. Thanks!

Gobble Til Ya Wobble, Baby!

First, and foremost, Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! Today I want you to travel safely, and fully, guiltlessly enjoy the day's festivities. I am shamelessly enjoying a 4,000 calorie day. Try not to die from sticker shock, mmmkay? In all fairness, the first 2k calories were fresh veggies, pretzels, and dip. The turkey is just now going in to the oven. Hubby & I just put the Fu down for a nap, after an exciting morning of parade & dog show watching. Little monkey is convinced that the cheetohs are hers, lol. We put a couple goodies within reach of her, and she has really enjoyed the olives, pickles, carrots, and cheetohs. I even made ants on a log for her for the first time, using celery, creamy pb, and pomegranate craisins. It took a little convincing at first, but she eventually ate it.
The other night she was throwing up, so to see her appetite return so vigorously is encouraging. I'm glad she is feeling better so that she can enjoy the holiday with us.
Anyway, hubby is going to pick up his brother soon, and I will start mopping the kitchen. After that, it's time to brave making some Lion House rolls. I've never made rolls without using a bread maker, so I hope these turn out okay.
Last night I made a white chocolate wonderful chocolate mousse pie. Basically it's white chocolate pb, mascarpone, and chocolate mousse in a chocolate pie shell. Yum! Later on, I will whip up some whip cream from scratch and fold in a packet of Dove Chocolate Discoveries spiced chai tea. It will be the perfect addition. I am thinking of even going as far as dusting the pie with some Dutch cocoa powder. Pretty AND delicious!
Anyway, enjoy your day. Stay safe & warm!

Chocoholism

So I've fallen off of the NaNoWriMo wagon, but I'm hoping to do a little writing this week. I didn't get any bookings from any of the two parties I did, but I'm still trying to find more business. In the mean time, I will have time to write. Hubby was a prince and not only helped me prepare for my party this past Saturday, but also took catalogs & order forms to work. I hope I get some orders and/or party bookings. Saturday I went to my best friend's, Jazz, first baby shower. Her family was trusting enough to let me do the games (insert evil laugh here). My favorite one, that had everyone squealing for one reason or another, was the dirty diaper game, where you melt various & asundry chocolate bars in diapers, mush em up to look like poo, and everyone has to guess what it used to be. It gets wild when you tell the guests that there are no rules to figuring out what it was. You can poke it, smell it, even eat it. It gets a lot of laughs.
After the party, I drove home in a pretty gnarly winter sleet storm to a hard working hubby who busted his back to finish cleaning the house for me. I did most of it, but he put the finishing polish on. He then took Grace on a daddy daughter date to Pirate Island, which turned in to a Daddy, Daughter, Uncle date, LOL. Apparently, as they were passing near my brother in law's house, Grace pointed out the window: "Aaron! Coming?" So Andy said, sure, why not, and invited his brother to dinner too.

The chocolate party was fun. We made monkey mash trifle (which I pretty much invented the day before), using leftover truffle brownies, dipped in melted milk chocolate, with sliced bananas, mascapone whipped with white chocolate pb, and chai tea dip, all layered together in delicious magnificence. One guest was even licking the bowl after everyone left! They also seemed to enjoy my chocolate mocktails (virgin cocktails), and I got at least 1 order for a bottle. I got 4 orders at the party, and have 6 other catalogs & forms out at the moment. I mentioned this before, but I also sent catalogs to work with the husband. I'm hoping they'll order enough to make my party qualify for some free chocolate!

Anyway, I could sure use some party bookings so I can afford more supplies. If you know anyone who loves chocolate like I do, point them my way!
I've left fliers at a couple of stores. I'd print more off, but Andy's computer died. Wonder if there's any way to hook my printer up to my laptop.

Reversing Diabetes

Every once in a while you have one of those days where NOTHING, not even the worst of news, can ruin it. Today is one of those days.

I want to share my immense joy with all of you. Today I had my regular 3 month diabetes check up. My last check up, we talked about getting off of insulin & I had a blood test done where it said if there would be a chance or not. The results said I scraped by, by the spit on the gums of my teeth! So Clarene gave the nod to start SLOWLY weaning off of insulin. Well, being the bull-headed loose cannon that I can sometimes tend to be, I pretty much lasted a week on that plan & they decided "Uh-uh. No, we're done." And ripped out my insulin pump. I've been listening to it complain at me for a month to hook it back up to my gut.

So long story short, I haven't had insulin since the beginning of September. I was nervous, especially when I took a month off from the gym, and went bananas on Halloween. So you can imagine how absolutely FLOORED I was when my hA1c came back today at 5.7.

I said "WHAT! Are you KIDDING me?!" No kidding. I almost cried.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am slowly reversing my diabetes.

I did this to myself, and it's my job to undo it, and... I'M DOING IT! One day at a time. And you can too!

Other happy news: My weird little 2yo counted all the way to 12 today by herself.

Milestone

Today I reached a new and exciting milestone. 75 pounds lost. That's nearly 8 ten-pound bags of potatoes! Only 25 pounds to go to my goal. It feels good to be 3/4 of the way done. I am proud that I will get to tell Clarene that I've officially lost 75 now. :)

Launch Party

Okay, so I've stalled on NaNoWriMo at 22k. It's okay, I'll catch up. I've just been so excited about Dove Chocolate Discoveries lately. I have my first party set up for this Wednesday, and then my official Launch Party on Saturday. I've already got 1 RSVP, and 2 others who said that they can't come, but would like to see the catalog. I am really looking forward to this!
I see Clarene for a check up on Thursday. I hope my hA1c is okay. I haven't had insulin since my last visit. She's going to be thrilled. And, yes, that WAS sarcasm. Halloween and a month off from the gym has no doubt wrecked my sugar levels. Well, I suppose it's always best to expect the worst and then be surprised by good news, right? Anyway, when she asks me what I've been doing, I'll confess to being naughty, and then I'll have the absolute gall to invite her to my party. I am sure she will ask how this is helping my diabetes, and I will gladly answer "Why, by increasing my desire to hit the gym so that I can have it, of course!"

Chugging Along and Chocolate

Word count continues to chug along at 18k today. Hoping to get to 20k tonight. Went to a chocolate tasting party at one of my friend's houses over the weekend. It was fun! I decided to become a chocolatier. I'm desperate to make new friends, and I thought what better way than to hide behind some sexy, edible, demo product! If any of my Utah friends would be interested in having a party (and eating chocolate), check out my website:
http://www.dove-chocolate-discoveries.com/pgerschgoodies

Let's get together, and, more importantly, EAT CHOCOLATE!

2011 NaNoWriMo Idea

I thinks I just came up with a whacky 2011 NaNoWriMo plot idea. Twisted fairy tales. I know Into the Woods is kind of a mixed up fairy tale, but this one is inspired by Enchanted. There's a book in a high tower with all the Princess fairy tales ever told. Someone steals it and starts editing it. Imagine how it would shake up those princesses' worlds!

NaNoWriMo Rama

So as you may, or may not, know, November is National Novel Writing Month. During this time NaNoWriMo holds a world wide competition to crank out a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. I've participated in the past, but never finished. This year, I feel that I can really do it. In fact, I can't STOP writing. It's very exciting. I haven't written like this since I was a teenager.
So, for the next 30 days, don't expect to hear a lot from me ;)
I will be buried under a notebook, several pages of reference notes, and my new laptop.

To check up on how my novel is progressing, look me up on Nano:

Dr. Bork Bork's Author Page