Checks and Balances

SMART GIRLS – LISTEN UP!

In TODAY’S world, it’s more important than ever to pay ATTENTION to your BODY and what it is trying to tell YOU. This cannot be stressed enough. We were made so perfectly, (Girls, that is – ha-ha) “Sugar and Spice and Everything nice.” Right? Well, if our bodies are out of BALANCE, especially our HORMONES… WRONG! In that case, that little old saying could not be further from the truth. When we are tired, fussy, forgetful, overweight, out of shape and ready to BLOW and RAGE at something or someone for no reason at all, the last word that comes to mind is nice. No, when this happens, it isn’t a pretty picture; I have been there so many times and I want to share with you what I have learned from my journey of hormone imbalance. So, what’s a SMART GIRL suppose to do, and where does she begin? A SMART GIRL is proactive and takes charge of her life and her health, so let’s get started.
I started this tradition with my daughter three years ago and I call it, “My Hormonious Day.” We make a girl’s day out of it; we have lunch at a special place, then go home or to the movie theatre and watch a chick flick or comedy.

Call and schedule an appointment with your GYN physician for an annual exam and ask them to run the following tests:

Please feel free to print this list:

Thyroid Tests:
TSH
Free T-3 and Free T-4
TPO- to check for thyroid anti-bodies

Adrenal Test:
Cortisol – This should be drawn at 8am and again at 4pm to get an accurate assessment.


Hormone Panel:
Estrogen
Progesterone
Testosterone
DHEA
IGF-1 (This is your Human Growth Hormone level)

Note: One thing to remember about Hormone Blood Level results is this; if you are told that everything is in THE NORMAL RANGE, but you still just don’t feel like yourself and you know that something is just not right, I want you to know this; you are not crazy and should start looking for someone that can help you get to feeling better and back on track with feeling like “you” again.
That’s what SMART GIRLS do.

Complete Metabolic Blood Panel
Make sure you ask them to include your cholesterol levels in the blood work.
Vitamin D level – very important! (Optimal Vitamin D levels should be 45 and 70) I will share an informational video on this topic soon.
C-Reactive Protein Level

At the end of the appointment I make sure I ask the nurse to mail copies of the test results to me. This way I can reference back to and research what I need to if there is something that needs to be addressed. I have a “special” file folder that I keep these records in; it’s pretty and pink. Okay, It’s a girl thing, but it does make it easy to spot visually.

This is a great place to start and the results will give you a good gauge of your overall health. What you do with the information you learn is up to you. I, myself, find empowerment in knowing I have control over my body, my hormones and my health.

Be good to yourself and your body, you deserve it.

"RUFFLED UP AND READY FOR A PARTY" - "The WINNER!"

It's October 1st and time for me to announce the WINNER of "Ruffled Up and Ready for a Party!"
I want to say, "HOWDY and WELCOME" to all the new followers and I want to thank everyone that entered the contest. This is my first contest and I have to admit, it was hard for me to pick a winner. I wanted everyone to win, but that can't happen and the WINNER is...MERCEDES!

Congrats to Mercedes!
Please email your shipping information to cinderellafield@cox.net - thanks!

Kelly Rae Roberts

Just signed up for her newsletter; I can't wait to take Fly Lessons!

Are Antibiotics Leading to Autoimmune Disorder?

Are Antibiotics Leading to Autoimmune Disorder?

For the LOVE of PINK

All RUFFLED UP and READY for a PARTY!
To win this ADORABLE handmade GIRLY tablecloth just tell me why you would like to have it in the comment section. Entries must be submitted by midnight September 30, 2011 and you may only enter one submission. The WINNER will be posted by 6pm on October 1, 2011. I can't believe I am giving this away - I LOVE this tablecloth.

"RUFFLED UP and READY for a PARTY" measures 72 inches long by 52 inches wide and 24 inches floor length.

It’s September and it’s time to start something FUN!

I have an announcement to make that I am so excited about; I’m talking about Contests and Giveaways!

I am getting this party started for a couple of reasons…

First, I LOVE giving gifts and things to my family and friends this has been a habit of my since childhood. Secondly, I LOVE finding cool new items, shopping for them and creating new things that I myself like and that I enjoy sharing with others. Now, I want to share them with you my blogger friends.

Here’s how it works:

You must be a FOLLOWER of Cinderella Chats.

Why?

To receive notifications of the Contests and Giveaways via email that I will be sharing and giving away.

Don't forget; leave your "Why you want it" in the comment section.

Our Combat Medic leaves for Iraq...

"Picnik Show"

Create a free slideshow with Picnik!

I have to admit; I have put this post off on purpose for weeks and here’s why…

Chris our son left for Iraq for his yearlong tour. We had him home on leave for twenty days and enjoyed our time with him even though most of his time at home he spent with friends. What almost twenty two year old would hang out with his parents – right? Anyway, the time flew and before I knew it, it was time to put his duffle bags in the car and head to Fort Hood for the drop off. The night before our departure I asked him if he was nervous and he said, “Yes, who wouldn’t be?” Then, he asked me if his Grandmother was going with us since dad isn’t? I responded, “Do you really want her to?” He answered, “YES!” I quickly picked up the phone and called her to let her know about Chris’ request, and without hesitation and on such a short notice she said, “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She is the best Grandmother! Chris and I left the next morning right on schedule and headed toward Texas. I was really nervous about making the drive without my husband because never had there been a time when we dropped our children off for camp or a stay with the grandparents had he not been there for the good-bye and this time was really different and well, important, but Frank had to be at the office and it turned out for the best.
Chris and I drove the entire time listening to country music (he loves it) we sang together and he shared his favorite songs with me and explained to me why they were his favorites. He shared his plans for the future when his time is finished in the Army (September 2012), he talked about a girl he really likes and their differences for the moment, college plans and plans to go to work as a fireman and live in Bixby forever and his desire to have a deer lease where he can go hunt, hang out and just relax with his friends. In Dallas, we picked up his friend Mike who needed a ride back to Fort Hood. We stopped and had lunch at Pappasito’s; Chris loves their chocolate bread pudding dessert and their cheese enchiladas, yes in that order. We picked up his Grandmother in Fort Worth and away we went for the final leg of the drive that seemed to be too short for me. I admit I had a really hard time with it! Taking my son that I love very much and dropping him off and saying good-bye for a year sending him to a foreign country where that are fighting, bombing and killing people was TOUGH! It’s the hardest thing I have ever done in my life besides having him by myself (my choice) and that’s another story.
We arrived at the base in Fort Hood and drove up to the building he had been living in for the last several months, I placed my car in PARK, took a deep breathe and told myself silently and very firmly, “STAY STRONG AND DO NOT LET HIM SEE YOU SAD OR SEE YOU CRY! GOT IT!” We all piled out of the car, started hugging and saying our good-byes. I thought Lynda was not going to let go of Chris and I thought I was never going to get to hug him myself, but I did. As we hugged I told him how proud I was of him, how much I loved him, that we would be praying for him constantly and I asked him to promise me that he would be SAFE! I finally let go and what he said to me next almost made me lose it. “Mom will you kiss me?” Chris had not ask me to kiss him since he was eleven years old, that’s when he asked me to stop because the kids at school made fun of him for kissing his mother. I was thrilled to kiss my son and hug him one more time before Lynda and I got back in the car, waved good-bye and watched him walk into his building. As soon as he was out of sight I broke down and started to cry.

What mother wouldn’t?

I will miss seeing your handsome face and beautiful smile!

Chris stay strong, be safe and remember all the great memories of your friends and family and come home and create the future you and I discussed we will be here waiting to WELCOME YOU HOME!

With big kisses and hugs!
I love you!
MOM

This Girl’s Favorite Find

Every time I visit Fort Worth, Texas I have a favorite spot that I am drawn to; Dishes from the Past. I park my car, walk in the door, and I seem to be transported back in time. Come to think of it; I lose track of time as I walk through all the wonderfully stocked isles of every day dishes, china and glassware, and before I know it, I am picking out my current favorite find and buying it or placing it in layaway. This particular trip I was excited because I was there to pick up the most BEAUTIFUL PINK GLASS STEMWARE I have ever found! In the meantime, while I am telling the salesperson what I was there to do I hear this cheerful voice call out, “Are YOU the lady that got lucky enough to get those PINK GLASSES?” "Yes, I am" I called back, and suddenly she appeared from her office door – Jennifer the owner. We struck up a conversation and she asked me this question, “Do you have a lot of pink dishes?” To which I replied, “NO, why do you ask?” Anyway, we continued to chat and became friends and when I explained to her what I was going to use the glasses for she quickly invited me to have the event in her store, and I agreed!

I will share the party news soon...

Ya’ll come back now you hear...