random thought

lose yourself to find yourself.

a plug for sugar

According to an article in Scientific American Mind (my new favorite mag), "...even though our palate doesn't always distinguish between the artificial sweetner and sugar, our brain knows the difference."Apparently, real sugar activates the pleasure-related brain regions more extensively than artificial replacements, such as Splenda. The findings in this particular study may imply that there could be implications for those who use artificial sweeteners as a weight-control aid. In another study, rats that were fed artificial sweetened yogurt in addition to their regular food ended up eating more and gaining more weight than rats who ate yogurt with real sugar. Long story short..."There is good evidence that the brain responds differently to artificial sweeteners, and you should take that into account when designing weight loss programs. (from and article entitled Faux Sugar: Bittersweet, from Scientific American Mind, June/July 2008)

This news makes me think of a conversation I had with my friend Motomi (from Japan) on her first visit. She was telling me how Japanese women were trying a new "gelatin diet" to lose weight. I responded that (at the time) Americans were all an the "low-carb" diet and eating only protein. She said, "That's silly! You need sugar for your brain!!" Apparently, she knew what she was talking about. That reminds me - I need to contact her. I miss her...

what's your type...

Alright, Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo has a brand new follower - me. He has come up with this thing called "Eat Right 4 Your Type." His theory is that your blood type is the key to your body's entire immune system and as such is sth essential defining factor in your health profile. He has learned that foods that may benefit one type, may be, in fact, harmful to another type. I purchased his book on Blood Type O (I'm an O+) and have learned that some of my favorite foods act like a poison to my system. I also learned that beef, for instance, acts like a medicine to me. The book gives me lists of beneficial (act as medicine) and neutral (act as food) foods, as well as foods to avoid (act as poison). I shall try out this diet and report back on a regular basis. I know, you can hardly wait...

Happy Memorial Day

I hope you're all enjoying this holiday weekend. This is a shot of Nick walking down Galveston Beach circa Memorial Day '07. Good enough to bing back again.

We are waiting for friends to arrive to celebrate with us. 2008 pictures to come!

Memorial Day is a United States Federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (in 2008 on May 26). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who perished while in military service to their country. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was expanded after World War I to include casualties of any war or military action.

My New Life

I've made a decision, I'm going to go pro at the mommy thing. This is something I've been debating ever since we got the lay-off notice @ Alliance. I've been back and forth but... you know how God just speaks to you sometimes. Well, His voice has been getting louder and louder and, a couple of nights ago during a bout of rare insomnia, I just knew. The next day, Mike and I talked it over and it's final. pray for me.

Ode to Alex

The other night while watching The Naked Brother Band, Macy wanted to wear a "bow-rag" (do-rag) just like Alex (Wolff). We all decided to mimic the crazy (yet extremely talented) 8-year-old rock star. Here's a family self-portrait (we're trying to look cool). Stephen was already asleep so he missed out on the fun.

Well! We returned safely to Sandhill Lane last night after two weeks in Nebraska. The first week was planned as a trip to catch up with family and friends. The second week was an unexpected trip after the passing of Mike's mom. She has been battling Ovarian Cancer for four years. She passed peacefully with her husband and daughter at her side. Mike was able to be with her two days prior on Mother's day. I'm positive that she was simply waiting to see him again before moving on to that better place.

The funeral was beautiful. Mike gave a touching ulogy and I sang The Lord's Prayer. Virginia was a special woman who said her Rosary every day since she was 18 years old. I'm sure she has already met and kissed the blessed mother, we should all be happy for her.

It's good to be home, though. I'm sitting here in my t-shirt and favorite holey lounge shorts. I've been catching up on emails and trying to get a grip on all the things I need to do to catch up on my life. I'm starting with unpacking, laundry and getting groceries to re-stock the kitchen, even though I really feel like just sitting in bed for a day. Oh! I'm still unemployed but job-searching is definitely high on my list.

Pictures will come later, along with more poetic prose, I hope. And I know you're all just dying for some useless information. I'll be sure to dig some of that up, as well.

Reunited...

Spent a wonderful evening with Sharla & Nicole last Tuesday night. We all used to live together during our carefree early 20's. Now we're all wives and mommies. We visited some of our old hang-outs in Lincoln (Sandy's, Bodegas, Woody's). Bartender at Woody's told us we were pretty hot for being in our 3o's. oh, yeah... We still got it!