A CHANGE OF PLANS

Announcement about my writing at the end of my normal post!!!!!!

So, I thought I was going to start this great diet/drops that was going to help me lose a lot of weight just like it did my friend and countless other people I've met over the last couple of months.  Yeah, well, I was wrong.  I started the diet and about 3/4 of the way into the first day of low cal eating I almost passed out 3 times.  Well, you see it turns out there is something with my blood sugar that makes it where I have to eat carbs or I pass out (didn't know for sure about it before, but knew that if I was late eating a meal I would get shaky and dizzy) So, this diet was carb free.  For the sake of my health I had to stop it.  However, I still take all of the vitamin supplements that this company sells and they are really working. I was crying because I thought of this diet as my last ditch effort to be alive and active for my kids.  (They have a new diet supplement coming out and I am going to use the hell out of it. It is Raspberry Ketones and even Dr. Oz recommends that stuff. (not our version of it, but Raspberry Ketones in general)  http://www.omnitrition.com/jjellis

My before pic.  Can you see how crooked
my hips/pelvis are? 

I have lost 10 pounds!!!! My hip pain is down by half when I sit and walk short distances and almost half when I walk long distances/stand for long periods of time!  That is huge!!!! My energy is up by about 50 percent and grows a bit every day that I am on the Vitamins. I am so happy! Maybe another ten pounds and I won't have this awful pain at all. They are pretty sure the stiffness will remain but I can deal with that!  

So, the whole family is on a healthy eating plan now that is about lean meats, fresh produce, portion control and less sugary snacks.  The rest of the family can exercise and I hope to join them soon even if it is just a walk around the neighborhood (until winter hits again...sigh)

We went shopping for the ingredients we needed to eat a bit healthier yesterday and I was happy with our selection. Very few prepackaged foods which is huge for us!  I actually went shopping three times yesterday and my hips survived without me curling into a ball of pain!!!  We had to go birthday shopping for The Sophomore who celebrates birthday number 15 today!!! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY B, I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH AND HOPE 15 IS THE BEST YEAR YET!

Until next time...It is rough, but starting to eat healthier is the key to success and maintenance of a diet program.  And it's okay to splurge sometimes, just make sure you make up for it! And Good luck!!!  I also recommend vitamins.  They help so much!!! 

I have the first two chapters of both of my books up on Wattpad to read for free.  It's like sampling before you make a commitment.  I encourage all of you to give it a read. It will only be a few minutes of your time and you might find something you like!  Oh, and while you are there please click VOTE and leave a quick comment, it will help people find me easier!  ENJOY!!! 

BOOK 1 VIRGIN VOYAGE ON WATTPAD CHAPTERS 1 AND 2 http://www.wattpad.com/20774146-virgin-voyage-a-sunset-destiny-romance-book-1#.UeQlP_k7s38

BOOK 2 ALASKAN AMBUSH ON WATTPAD CHAPTERS 1 AND 2 http://www.wattpad.com/20909206-alaskan-ambush-a-sunset-destiny-romance-book-2

A WEDDING IN THE FAMILY FOR A GREAT COUPLE

Our family has had a busy couple of years milestone wise.  Last summer my in laws celebrated 50 years of marriage, BIL and  SIL celebrated 25 years of marriage, one of the Nephews (D) (a talented writer I might add) turned 21, The Sophomore started high school last year, Gwen graduated high school this year, Mr. Crazy starts Kindergarten in the fall, Another of our Nephews (J) graduates college in December, The Hubs and I celebrate our 20th anniversary next year and the most recent celebration is courtesy of our Nephew (J)

In ten short days he and his beautiful fiance, whom I will also call J (haha just realized they have the same initials - yeah, I'm slow) are getting married. I remember this time in my life, so busy and stressful and EXCITING. To be ready to commit to the one person you don't want to exist without is an amazing feeling.

And to top it off, these two are a great couple.  We don't get to see these relatives from the midwest very often, but we saw this pair (and met her for the first time) last summer.  As a couple they are stunning.  You can see that they are absolutely 100 percent comfortable together and 100 percent in love with each other.  They are simply AMAZING together. We can't be there for their big day, but I am already dying to see pictures.  They will light up the whole world on their special day and I am glad I will be able to see that glow from here.

As a romance writer you can bet I am a huge fan of love and marriage and I think that is why I love this couple so much. They've got what it takes, I only hope they never have to face all of the hardships and tragedies that couples in romance novels do, or that they glide through them holding tight to each other.

So J & J  I am right here and now wishing you the best of luck and a happy, full life together.  We love you and will be celebrating here. We hope that someday you can come on a family trip with us as our guests and we can get to know you  as a couple (and maybe some kids someday?) much better.

Until next time... Love, Love, Love - spouses, kids friends, doesn't matter. Just LOVE! <3

HEALTH UPDATE
Well, I started the diet today!  I load on the food and fats for two days and then I start the low cal diet along with the drops. Just by taking the three supplements I've been taking Omni IV, Charge and Nite Lite I dropped 7 pounds before the diet even began and my hip pain is about 1/4 better (stiffness and mobility has a way to go)  I'm on my way folks!  Wish me good luck :)

CRAZY DAYS, FUN TIMES, SILLY KIDS AND OTHER STORIES

Sorry I'm so late but I had to take Gwen to the doctor today for an ear infection and got waylaid by a lot of crap including a big box store's pharmacy. :/ And then it was family time and an early dinner so now here I am.

It was a weird weekend for sure. We had a lot of family turmoil going on around here (extended family not the ones who live here) but it was all straightened out quickly.  Thank goodness, I'm not up for fighting right now (or ever really). I said some things on facebook that were taken wrong and I really didn't think to explain to certain people about it.  I guess when they say be careful what you talk about on facebook, they aren't kidding right?

Poor Gwen is sick again.  The allergies are killing her this year.  She had an earache so I took her in today and they cleaned her ear out.  She had a piece of was in there so big that it is a wonder she cold even hear out of that ear.  And of course an infection was being caused and blocked by the wax.  It was painful, but thankfully the doctor was able to get it out and she is on the mend.

I am trying to teach Mr. Crazy to recognize his ABC's but it is hard.  He is not all that interested in writing them down and that would be a great way for him to learn. And he can't sit still long enough for flash cards.  If anyone has any suggestions, we'll take em!  He needs to know this by mid August!

Little Butt still amuses me every day with the cute little things she says, however I keep forgetting to write them down. And I have some short stories that I am reading so I can do reviews on them but she won't give me my kindle!  She stays up really late and won't let go of it until it dies completely.  Sigh....I stay up way too late reading now. I need to find the money to buy myself another kindle! (And no, she doesn't have a bed time yet. That will come down the road when she is older.  I like being able to stay up late and work and sleep in late or wake up early and work.)

The writing has been going great!!! People are loving my excerpts from my next book. Especially the one from chapter four.  It is a cliffhanger even! http://www.writerjjellis.com is my site for excerpts and the first four posts are from chapters 1-4 of my next novel. Check them out if you get a chance. I have also received some great reviews for my latest book

http://www.amazon.com/Alaskan-Ambush-Sunset-Destiny-Romance/dp/0615827942/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373323369&sr=8-1&keywords=Alaskan+Ambush
 My books have been called witty...hehe I love that word and think it is a great compliment. LOL

As for the health and diet. I have been  off the supplements for the last couple of days and boy am I feeling it. I feel like crud, so tomorrow it is back on the supplements.  And Wednesday I will hopefully be starting the diet and you can witness the pounds melt away.  My friend who did the diet before me has been called the incredible shrinking woman!

Until next time...Watch what you post on facebook, don't argue with relatives - you love them so it's not worth it, teach your kid to recognize ABC's way before they start school (but not too early, because they are now saying that teaching them too young doesn't do any good because they don't retain it as well as if you teach them a bit later.), and for pete's sake, write down everything your little ones say (and don't give them your kindle to use EVER!!!) ;)

THE COUGHING CRUD & OTHER HORROR TALES

So, the coughing crud has caught some of us again. Most of the second rounds of this crap are quick and done, but mine is lingering and I feel like i'm dying.  I truly haven't felt this awful in years.  I feel like pumping my house full of lysol every week in hopes of keeping this crap out.

Gwen has another sinus infection and although she has been given a clean bill of health they are still running a few tests.  We do what will hopefully be the last one this afternoon.

Miss Crazy is almost done with antibiotics for a sinus infection. Do you all remember my previous post about the intricate workings of the six year old mind?  Well, she will be seven in a couple of months and I am beginning to think the scary sixes are a permanent thing for her.  She has been hell on wheels lately.  I'm about ready to trade her in for two three year olds or three two year olds!  That's how bad it is.

I am suffering a writer's block of sorts. I know exactly what I want to write for all of the books I am currently working on.  But when I get to the main 'sexy scene' from book 4 I am coming up blank.  I literally need The Hubs to rub my back and butt while I write, to get even ten good sentences on paper. (and no, it's not that kind of rubbing, it is more of a relaxing gently touch.) I think I am just too uptight to work, so I need a massage of sorts to work. But why just with this scene!  I've written many before (granted this book is much more wild and sexy than the other two) so who knows, I just hope it ends.  The benefits of massage other than ending writer's block?  Well that's an easy one, it kinda sorta helps my hips - a tiny bit.

My son is also being hell on wheels but I think that is because the neighbor kids are back and they have been away from the good influence of their mother for too long now so they are being horrible.  I am about one step away from banning all contact.  In the last two weeks my son has become a whiney two year old (and he's five)  Worst thing is, I am trying to get him ready for kindergarten in a couple of months and all he does is whine.

So what's going good you may ask?  Well The hubs and I celebrate 19 years of marriage on Tuesday and I think we are closer than ever. Once I get healthy again with the new product I am taking and selling, our relationship is going to go through the roof and I can't wait. Despite my trouble with the one scene? I am rockin it on my books and hope to have more out soon. The weather hasn't been too bad yet so that is good for me since I hate being hot. And my new product will be here soon and I hope to start the program on my anniversary.  What better day to start.

Until Next Time...Life is good. Period. End of Story. Even with crap going on, life is still good and darn it, I'm going to enjoy it! :)

DEHYDRATED

I think I have made a discovery about something that has been going on for years.  I have suffered with dehydration for as long as I can remember. I have never been able to drink much (well maybe when I was really little).  If I drink too much whether in one sitting or throughout the day I feel sick. Sometimes just taking one little sip makes me feel way too full (even though I'm not) and I get nauseous. So, I solved that problem by drinking only what I could handle (day to day) and playing make up and feeling like crap (once every couple of weeks)  I guess you could say I've pretty much lived my life dehydrated.

[[[And yes I do realize that some of my other problems might not be quite as bad if I cold be hydrated.  But then I know the problems wouldn't go away completely because there are times (when giving birth) that I am super hydrated and have the same problems just a bit less]]].

So what is the problem you might be asking?  GERD - simple as that. Gastroesophageal reflux disease

When I was pregnant the last time (with Little Butt) I had acid that almost drove me to quit eating and I was getting physically sick for a lot more than just typical 'morning sickness'.  My doctor asked me my symptoms and if I had any before the pregnancy.  I told her of every digestive problem I've had since I was a child.  She told me it was GERD and gave me some super prescription strength acid reflux meds. They kind of worked, although pregnancy complicated the situation. I was able to eat and nourish my baby and not completely dehydrate.  I was good.  Well, after I had the baby the acid was barely noticeable again (heartburn isn't always the foremost symptom of GERD). So guess what I did?  Yep, I stopped taking my medication.  I could deal with the occasional tummy problem again, it was no big deal and it was nowhere near as excruciating as when I was pregnant.

And then comes the other day.  I'd been having problems with a bad flareup and I just couldn't drink.  I literally got so dehydrated that my body started to seize up and my muscles started to cramp. It was bad.  I seriously started to think I was going to have to do the one thing I've dreaded and feared my whole life - go to the hospital to be rehydrated.  The last couple of days I have been able to re hydrate myself a bit and am feeling much better.  My plan now is to (even though I will feel like crud times two) overload myself and get completely hydrated and start back on the refux meds.  Thankfully they are available over the counter (I just hope not too expensive).

So now I have a plan of action!  It will be a pain having to take the medication at certain times before I eat, especially with 6 other people in the house who like to be able to eat on a whim.  But I am so scared of ending up in the hospital with dehydration that I will live with a bit of inconvenience.

Until Next Time...If you have something that needs medication by all means take it! It was prescribed or recommended for a reason.  Don't stop just because you are feeling better!  That is a big mistake that a lot of us make. You never know when it might benefit you in more ways than one.