Preparing to Evacuate

We have a huge fire burning near our home called the Monument Fire. So far the fire was too far away to be really worried about it. Last Friday I had a brush with disaster as the field just south of my home caught fire. While it was not related to the Monument Fire, it was started by a bulldozer clearing some nearby land to protect Fort Huachuca. I left for a trip out of town that day. My heart sank as I received news that our home was in danger and the neighborhood had been evacuated. My friend said “Don’t go home Carey, just go to your Mom’s, you will be safe there.” Thankfully the fires were extinguished and several hours later I was able to return home. In those rushed moments I tried to think of specific things to save, the cats, the computer, and some clothes. It seemed like I didn’t own much of anything that couldn’t be replaced and I instructed my husband to take as many pictures as he could. We were really unprepared.

I think about it and wonder, are we ever really prepared for disaster? How many of us have the proper documentation to prove to our insurance companies what we own? I know I am almost there now. Yesterday I tore apart my kitchen and took pictures of everything. Jason thinks I am going overboard, but I don’t care. I don’t want to kick myself later and wished I had done it. We have so much stuff and it is difficult to say how much we really need versus how much we just don’t want to throw away. I then thought maybe a fire would be freeing in a way, able to rid myself of things I never could bring myself to discard voluntarily. I don’t know, there is much I would miss that I can’t save. We don’t have the space for me to pack up my boxes of cookbooks, so I just pick out a few that can’t be replaced and move on. It is funny as you begin to go through things, like the filing cabinet, how much do I really need to keep? I had started to grab files and place them in boxes when I realized, if I did this, I could quickly run out of space. I went through and in the end only ended up with enough to fill half a box.

I have things packed up and ready to go. I know when the order comes we won’t have much time. I keep the cat carrier out because the cats freaked out when Jason brought it in from the garage. I figure it would be easier to get them in it if it is already in the house. I look at the fire coming down the mountain and can see the progress it has made today. If it makes it to the base we would be in real danger. Course, other homes would perish before ours would, guess that is the bonus for not having a great view. I imagine my home inventory will take me another day to finish. Earlier this afternoon I felt a weird anxious feeling. I am better now. It is out of my hands and I have done all I can. I hope and pray my evacuation efforts end up being a waste of time. If not, I know I am prepared.

Day 67 – No More Fat Clothes

Jason is really looking good but it comes with a price, new clothes! Yep, he was beginning to look like a little kid in daddy’s clothes going to work. I donated all the old clothes to the Vietnam Veterans. I love that they come by and pick it up. I told Jason, we are not going back to the old us. Like it or not, we are this size because it is too expensive to be buying a whole new wardrobe every year. If things start getting a little snug, that is just a signal for us to check what we are eating and how much we exercise. After a while we will have built up a new wardrobe of one size, not a mixture of fat and skinny clothes, but clothes that fit every day. Tonight we are going to a formal event and I am really excited about wearing my new outfit. First time in over 10 years that I can say that. Usually I hated the way I looked but now, momma is looking good!

Awww, I love the feel of 123 pounds. I imagine if I wanted to become more skinny I could but that is not my motivation. I am really enjoying where I am at and I know it is here to stay. For the past two weeks I have been weighing in an almost constant 123 pounds. Except a day or two after cheat day, but for the most part I have found my comfort zone. Jason and I talk a lot about what life will be like when the 12 weeks is over. We both agree not much is going to change. I have incorporated cream back into my morning coffee, it is heaven. I was talking to Merica down at our local GNC (in the mall) and I was telling her about my desire to reincorporate dairy to our diet. She said it is good but not every day. Interesting. She said two to three days a week is okay but any more and we risk putting on more weight. Hey, two to three times per week is something I can live with. Every week I still continue to see small changes and I am very happy with how I look. Course, there are two more weeks to go before final pictures are taken, we will see for sure then.

Okay, made a Carey Concoction yesterday. Jason thought it was awesome, you be the judge.

Ham and Pineapple Delight

1 ½ cups of chopped ham

1 can chopped pineapple, drain and reserve juice

½ cup frozen corn

½ cup chicken broth

¼ chopped onion

1 chopped red bell pepper

3 chopped roasted green chilies

3 cloves garlic, chopped

Heat heavy pan and spray with a bit of oil. Saute onion, green chilies, bell pepper, corn and ham. After about 4 minutes add garlic. Saute for one minute and add chicken broth and pineapples and ½ of reserved juice. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low, and allow to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. It was awesome.

Okay, ham isn’t really in the diet but I was out of meat and I had surprise company. You do what you got to do.