God tells us not to test Him, but yesterday He definitely got an "A" with my tests!

Tests are definitely one of my least favorite things. Especially finals because by the time finals comes around I am just ready to be out and done with school. And with online classes it makes it even worse because by the end of the semester I have pretty much long ago stopped really paying attention. This semester was definitely distracting with all of my health stuff.
In online classes for the most part, you have an entire week, from Monday morning to Sunday night at midnight to finish. So I thought I was doing good to start studying on yesterday, Thursday, for my finals due on Sunday. Another interesting thing about me is that I hate checking voicemails. In fact I rarely do it. No particular reason besides its sort of an inconvience. I would much prefer text messages! Anyway, yesterday I had received some phone calls from numbers that I did not recognize along with 2 new voicemails. God was definitely watching over me yesterday because I had the urge to check them. Driving home around 5 yesterday afternoon I actually checked my messages on the same day I received them. Well, one of them was from my professor who so kindly called to ask where my final was because he hadn't received it and it was due at noon. "OH MY GOSH" was definitely my reaction (well maybe something similiar). The rest of the way home I was contempating if and what convincing and heartfelt story I should come up with to explain to him why I had not taken the test. Well, I didn't have to think very long before my silly morals and the prompting of the Holy Spirit came into play. I decided since I had messed up I better face the music and just tell him the truth, that I just plain didn't pay attention. And I figured that making up a story and lying to the professor of my Christian Doctine class seemed a little like an oxymoron! So, as soon as I arrived home I called my professor and appologized and explained my very convincing story of how I just totally had no clue and I thought the test was due on Sunday at midnight (and to my credit this was the first and only thing that was not due on Sunday). He said that because someone else in the class needed an extension due to the fact they were traveling for work he would extend my exam time 12 hours from the time it was due and give me until midnight. Phew....what a relief!
So, figuring I had plenty of time, I sat down and ate my food, slowly gathered up my books, made some coffee because I figured it was going to be a long night and I needed to stay awake, and I headed over to my parents house because I currently don't have internet at mine. I immediately mosied upstairs and popped a squat in front of the computer, pulled up my online account and opened up my books.
Yet, since I am taking 2 online classes I figured first I better check and just make sure when my other final was due. When I opened up this class browser I was once again shocked when I read that my final had been due on Wednesday and it was now Thursday night!! About to have a heart attack, I read my teachers postings and by the amazing grace of God apparently people had internet problems taking the test on Wednesday, therefore my teacher had extended the test until 8 pm Thursday. Well, considering it was not 6pm on Thursday and I have 2 hours to finish one test and the 4 hours to finish the other test and study for both of them, I was in a tid bit of a panic. (Although surprisingly pretty calm considering the situation)
I figured I better get to work ASAP. Scanned and read over notes from the class and due to lack of time I had to start the test. After praying for the supernatural power to know the answers and do well, I entered the test. It was definitely not the easiest test ever. After going through all the questions that I knew and guessing on the rest, was left with 3 essays, 2 of which were worth 30 points each and the other one worth 20. Since this was an open book test, of course the book that these questions were from was at my house while the test and me were at my parents house. Well, what was I to do but run and speed by butt over to grab the book and hurry back as fast as I could. So with about 30-40 minutes left for my testing window I headed to my house on a hunt for a book that I had yet to open all semester. Luckily, I found it!
When I arrived back at my parents house I had 20 minutes left on the clock and 3 essays to write from a book that I had never read or much less even opened! I utilized my 3 "P" method, brain Power, Pressure, and Prayer! After skimming the books and some awesome BS, I finished the exam with 2 seconds to spare! (Talk about nerves and a HUGE relief!!)
Yet, now it was later and I had yet to study at all for the harder of the 2 classes. I read and skimmed over the notes and review for the class and had to put my 3 "P" method to work again! When I opened the test although there were only 7 questions, they were all essays, so I knew that this was going to take me a while. I speedily started writing with as much detail and elaboration as I could. After I had finished the 6th question, I was getting extremely tired by this point and was so excited to be on the last question. I was already mentally preparing myself for my soft comfy bed when all of a sudden in the middle of a sentence the test disappeared and brought me back to the home page. Ahhh.....it not only freaked me out, but it definitely made me mad!! Once you click off the test you can't go back to it. I was not a happy camper! I wasn't too upset yet because I had individually saved all of my answers. So I immediately called the help desk and was hoping they could do what their name suggests and HELP! When I finally got someone on the phone, I explained what had happened and they didn't really know what to tell me. So when they went to reset my test, I asked if all of my answers had been saved at least and he said, "No, actually it says you started the test and the same minute you ended it." Now was when the anger started to grow! Grrr....yep definitely frustrated, yet didn't really have much time to be mad or angry, so I opened the test again and start typing away.
When I got to about the 5th question, I was in the middle of a sentence, when sure enough the test disappears and brings me back the the home page. As you can probably guess, I was definitely extremely frustrated by now, yet I think sleepiness and tiredness were overtaking the frustration. Once again I called the help desk and this time the guy took forever trying to figure out what had happened. I was getting very frustrated with him because he was definitely cutting into my valuable test taking time! When he finally decided he didn't know what had happened, he went to reset my exam again and once again none of my answers had been saved!!! Grrrr.......
By now I was thinking about the saying, "You fool me once, shame on you. You fool me twice, shame on me!" Well, now that it had happened twice and I was running out of time I had to be smarter than the computer, which I used to think wasn't very difficult! So I opened up a word document and typed all of my essays in it and then at the end quickly copied and pasted all of the answers into their appropriate spots with just a couple of minutes to spare.
Wow, it was definitely an interesting and loooong night! I figured it didn't do much good to be too mad or frustrated though because I had gotten blessed with a second chance (well third and fourth on my Christian Doctrine test, haha) on both of my exams! Although my life is definitely always crazy and like a soap opera, I know God is watching out for me when things like this happen! It was definitely a huge blessing getting a second chance on my exams. Thank you Lord for that!!! :)
And despite the craziness and lack of studying, I got a 238 out of 250 on my first test (and all points on my 3 essays) and I got a 100 on my Christian Doctrine 7 question essay test! I would say I am definitely pleased with the results and VERY glad it is over! Now onto the next classes....

Brittany Albrecht

Nothing helps a bad day like baking some Christmas cookies!

Wow, what a day! Really have a couple years leading up to today. I had my annual well woman's exam (to say it the appropriate way) this morning along with a check-up of my PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). Needless to say it wasn't fun as usual and didn't get any good news. Well, I take that back, we did decide that my body actually ovulated this month indicated by the extreme doubled over pain that I had a couple weeks ago. So on the surface it doesn't sound like much of good news, but really that means my body is still actually ovulating so my future kids can be possible! So that is a definite YAY!
On the downer side, the doctors are really concerned with my thyroid levels still being abnormal and low and the fact that I am taking 150mg of thyroid medicine already! So, they are recommending me to see a specialist. Not too thrilled with that! Yet, getting some answers and steps forward would be rather nice.
And of course nothing makes sense when it comes to me, so although I have a lot of the PCOS side effects including androgenism, my testosterone levels are low. Everything that I have going on is pretty my completely counter productive to me competing! :( that is definitely a bummmer and super frustrating! Also, the doc recommended that I get on birth control to help the effects of the androgen's and level out my hormones and force my body to have a cycle at least 4 times a year. She is really concerned with me getting endometrial cancer if I don't. Also, the other lovely side effects of the PCOS is a muuuuuch greater risk of insulin resistence, obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Once again all lovely and counterproductive for my pro card. :(
Needless to say, after my 2 hour least favorite doctors appointment of the year, I was not a very happy camper. No no you could pretty much say I was more like a camper trapped in the woods with no winter clothes or blankets in the middle of a blizzard, definitely frustrated, angry, and upset!
Honestly, I am just tired and worn out! I'm tired of putting in so much effort, of trying so hard, of not being able to eat "normal" food, of feeling so crappy, of looking at a cookie and gaining 5 lbs, of doctor appointments, and blood work! I am just frustrated, tired, and wore out! I feel like I need a break from life!
One of the MANY doctors I have seen along this journey to health told me, "You should just step outside yourself and really take a look at what is going on and you will probably feel better." Today I actually thought about her advice seriously for the first time and wished that I really could step outside myself just to get a break!
Luckily, I have the BEST chiropractor in the world and he sat with me while I cried about it! (Definitely didn't mean to start bawling in his office, but it seemed to be the BIG theme for the day) Although I am not sure there is anything anyone could say to make me snap out of my craziness today, it was definitely nice to feel like there was someone there who truly cares about my health and healing. Thank you Dr. Brian Hooten! You are the BEST!
Today was definitely a down day in this journey and I think unfortunately in order to truly be able to appreciate the great days you have to have the bad ones too. I am so glad to finally be laying in my bed ready for bed and ready to wake up and start a new day! God is so good and I am just so thankful that He loves me and like His word reminds me we start fresh everyday! Tomorrow WILL be a better day! What a great and amazing God we have! Wow! When I can take my eyes off of my problems and look and focus at God's character and many blessing in my life and in this world, it really puts things into perspective for me! Also, of course some baking with family helps a little too! My mom and I had fun baking Christmas cookies and had some sweet treats and fun laughs in the process! It definitely made my day much better and I had fun doing it! Thank you mom! :)
As I fall asleep I am trying to remember that tomorrow is a new day filled with ALL of God's blessing.....

Brittany Albrecht

30 Day Yoga Challenge

Alright, so today was day one of the start to my new adventure, a 30 day Yoga Challenge. I am going to do and learn a more advanced yoga move everyday for the next 30 days. I am hoping that this will help increase my flexibility and range of motion so that it will carry over into my weight training and help my muscle grow but also look longer and leaner.

Also, I have made it my mission and goal to be able to do the splits, so I am hoping that this yoga challege works. Today's move was really basic and beginner. We will see just how difficult they get. I am following http://www.dashana.com/ on youtube. She is amazing at yoga and I hope that I will be able to be half as flexible as her someday!

Day one...check!

My first Gluten and Dairy Free Thanksgiving SUCCESS!

Well, Thanksgiving meal was an overall success. Unfortunately, I was only cooking for 3 people so we have a TON of leftovers! Yet, I would say that nothing I made was awful and everything was edible and tasty! There were a couple of things that I would change in most of the recipes if I made them again though. I accomplished my goal of a dairy and gluten free (except the special stuffing I made for Brett, my brother)! I did not stick to making everything egg free or sugar free. This was honestly due to the fact that I was really sick of going to the grocery store! Almost everything was sweetened with a natural sweetener such as agave or sucanat though.

After my kick-butt workout/bootcamp in the morning with Jerome, I came home and I ended up spending almost the full day on Thursday in the kitchen cooking. Of course there was one trip to the grocery store on Thanksgiving day to top off the I believe 5 total trips for this one meal. Luckily though I had my sous-chef in the kitchen with me on Thursday! He was definitely very excited about the whole process (as you can tell!) We had a lot of fun cooking and of course joking around!

Obviously, Thanksgiving was not a day that I was concious of my diet! I pretty much just snaked all day though and then overinduldged when we finally sat down to eat! It was definitely a carb loading day!!

I was excited about making everything from scratch though. I did not use anything canned or fake. Everything was all-natural and fresh. I even roasted my own pumpkins for the pie and all the other dessert pumpkin dishes I made. They were definitely tasty! Although it wasn't exactly easy to "gut" the pumpkin and take all the seeds and junk out. It took me forever and was a second shoulder workout for the day! I shouldn't switched arms halfway through to even it out.

Of course we couldn't cook the meal without our aprons. It is a tradition that whenever my dad and I cook together (which is usually for a holiday) we always wear one of my mom's aprons. Except we always have the wrong holiday on! Well, for Thanksgiving we had the Christmas aprons on. I mean after all in their house the Thanksgiving decorations usually come down that day and the Christmas ones start going up, so we were just getting a head start on the next holiday! ;)

I think I must have peeled a million potatos between the potatos to make the mashed potatos and the sweet potatos! My shoulders got a serious workout for Thanksgiving! Maybe I should start a cooking workout routine/video.....hmmm.....the ideas!

I love cooking with my sous-chef, my daddy! We always have so much fun! Also, I am sorta a messy cook. Ok, to save all the comments that I know will come from that, I am a REALLY messy cook. I some how find a way to get stuff everywhere including all over me! Plus, I am slightly ADD so I am always doing a million things at once, so there is always 1,000 things out and going.

As much fun as I have cooking, I HATE to clean! So it is definitely nice to have my personal dishwasher/helper putter away of things!

Thank you Daddy! I love you! :)

My dad is totally goofy! It is very rare you can catch him for a picture without him doing something silly! This was him being very sophisticated adding the butter to the mashed potatos! He did definitely did a fabulous job! Although, he couldn't quite figure out just how to put his apron on properly!

The only major problems I had were with the desserts. On Wednesday night I was trying to put together as much as I could to make the next day easier. I decided to make the Pumpkin Cinnamon Cheesecake (Gluten free and dairy free of course) so that it would be chilled for the next day. Well, the recipe called for it to be baked for 45-50 minutes. Well due to the fact that I had to make some of the substitions in the recipe to make it dairy free and didn't even get my first choice at what to use for a substitution, I don't think it cooked the same. I cooked it for 45 minutes and I went to check on it to see how it was doing and it was still pretty much liquid. I didn't really know what to do so I just cooked it longer and longer and longer. Probably not the smartest decision, but hey by this time it was already past 11 and I knew I had to get up early to get my butt kicked and then cook the whole next day!

So anyway when it was all said and done I was up until 12:30 an night waiting for this cheesecake to cook. Needless to say it definitely did not turn our quite as I had hoped or planned. I still think it tasted alright and was definitely edible and sweet, yet the presentation wasn't the best! Oh well, better luck next time! Next time I will use a better substitution for the dairy.

We decided to do the turkey in the bag to make it easier and faster. And boy did it turn out yummy! My dad thought that there were going to be a lot of leftovers that went to waste or that we would have to freeze, but I have been eating leftover turkey all week and it is delicious and almost gone!

This picture to the right is the only picture that I could get of Brett! He isn't much of a picture taker or a smiler! But at least I got this one however accidental it was!

Overall, Thanksgiving 2009 was excellent! I really enjoyed and am so thankful for all of the yummy food and the time with my Dad and brother. I am very thankful for all the amazing blessings the Lord has given me! Happy Thanksgiving! :)