Daddy's Log - Day 12 - My View

My view has changed. Sure, my life's outlook and purpose has changed... blah blah blah... but I'm talking about what I literally see. 

Just a couple minutes ago I looked down at my cell phone and I noticed that my battery life is still more than 70% full. My time which use to be full of browsing Facebook on my phone and surfing around in my free time on my phone has been replaced by this view:

Daddy holding Ruth

It all started in the hospital when my view of my wife looked like this:

Crystal surrounded by all the monitors and medical devices as we wait for Ruth's arrival.

My view of my wife has so significantly changed over the last 12 days and the months before during her pregnancy. My appreciation and respect for her has so significantly increased. This view of her is one of the reason why.  This is her around 3am feeding and caring for Ruth.... while I lay in bed.

Daddy's Log - Day 9.2 - Replenishing Depleted Diapers

On the clock. After ordering carry-out at the end of a long day I have 15 minutes to go to Target, acquire newborn diapers and pick up the food.

Traffic was sparse. I arrived at Target quickly walked to the pharmacy area and remembered that the diapers would be in the baby section.  No  big deal as I have time to spare. I walk past half an aisle of Huggies worried that Target didn't carry the Pampers we've been using and I found this:

A second full aisle of diapers. Two sides, hundreds of different options.

For a split second I panicked. However, I weeded through the half dozen types of Pampers to find our type. Swadders found.  Now to find the Newborn ones.  A FREAKING EMPTY SPOT ON THE SHELF!

I see of a larger quantity of newborn sized diapers.  On sale.  Buy two get a $5 gift card.  I pull out my smart phone and do a quick calculation. It is a pretty good price so I go to grab two boxes and there is ONLY FREAKING ONE! No deal for Drew.

Defeated and in a desperate need to hit the road I quickly grab the "Giant" bulk size of diapers below and head out.  I check out. Then as I walk to the door I look down to see something I shouldn't see for another month or so... a 1 on the side of the box. I bought the wrong size in a Target shelf switch-a-roo.

Panic sets in. 

Daddy's Log - Day 9 - First Day At Work

"You're short, your bellybutton sticks out too far, and you're a terrible burden on your poor mother."

Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) Ghostbusters II

Today was Ruth's first day at the office. It is time for her to start contributing to society. At 9 days old she is ALL OVER ME to stay on task. Quite the little motivator.

Daddy's View

Daddy's Log - Day 8 - Infant Offensive

Today the invading infant decided to go on the offensive. Her weapon was an exposed butt which projectile pooped across the bathroom, striking me on the leg.

There were minimal injuries, a flesh wound really. The tile floor and outfit for the day were not so lucky.  They have been sent to the infirmary in the laundry basket to be cleaned of what appeared to be chicken curry.

The substance may have contained gas as mommy appeared to be drugged and laughed hysterically. Toxicology report is pending.

Luckily the weapon was neutralized in a sink of water as she received her first bath.

A 3-Day Cleanse Review

A 3-Day Cleanse Review & Results

For me, it wasn't really worth it.

Before: Around my heaviest
weight of 221#s.

A Little Back Story

In August 2013, I decided that I didn't want my back to hurt on vacation preventing me from making sandcastles and enjoying the beach. I decided I didn't want my knees to prevent me from walking around Europe or Mexico on a vacation.

It was a choice between 

How Bad Can It Get?

and 

How Good Could It Be?

Before: Around 212# - with
a hurt back at the beach.

I decided to get healthy! To stop having high cholesterol and to stop telling my wife Crystal that "I use to be fit back in high school." I don't want my best days to be behind me.

So Crystal and I made baby steps with our diet and a huge step jumping into ShaunT's Insanity workout...followed by months and months of workouts, 5 or 6 times a week...EVERY WEEK.

3-Day Cleanse

11 Months into my journey I decided to try a new product called the 3-Day Cleanse. It seemed to come at a good time. I'm coming up on my year anniversary and it might allow me to trim up a little extra.

For those who know me I'm a skeptic about everything, ESPECIALLY diet and supplements. My opinion was and is, THERE IS NO QUICK FIX! It takes us years to gain and be unhealthy, it takes years to change it.

The cleanse is $69.95, which I find ridiculously expensive. I justified it to myself by saying it would be all my food for 3 days, so it wasn't that bad. BUT...you also need about $10 in fruits and vegetables to complete the cleanse. So the total cost was around $80.

Total Cost Around 

$80

The Results

I started the cleanse at 183# (and some change) and ended at 178#. 178 is my new lowest weight.

I look at the photos and I'm actually shocked to be able to tell a difference. I did not anticipate being able to see anything. I think I anticipated getting down to 178 so that wasn't a big shock.

So for $80 I lost 5 pounds. That is $16 per pound lost.

My skepticism has me thinking that several pounds will just pop right back on. The next week will tell.

Final Opinion

It makes doing a cleanse rather easy and there are some results. However, I would rate the 3-day cleanse as a "Pass On It." At a cost of $16 per pound and MANY MANY other cleanse options a Google away, I don't think it is worth it. If it gets down to $30 or $35 then sure try it out.

If by chance you want to try it yourself here you go:

Check out and Buy The 3-Day Cleanse

If you try it please let me know. I want to know your opinion and I want to know your results.


How I Felt During
A couple people have asked how it felt during the cleanse, "was I hungry all the time?" Sorry for leaving that part out above.

I actually was not hungry...really ever during the cleanse. I did pull my exercise back significantly to a low impact around 200 calories burnt routine. This may have helped.

While I wasn't hungry, I did miss my other foods A LOT. I craved them and wanted them. But I could tell, and was shocked, that my body didn't NEED them.

I might do another blog on it, but the cleanse really did show me how much of my diet and what I eat is psychological. It is amazing how much my mind wanted me to eat junk that I typically don't even eat. A battle to cheat or something.

The Dinner Meals
I just thought I would make a note on the dinner meal options. First, they were all vegetarian. Not a big deal... and to be expected. I tried the Spinach salad and HATED IT! I typically love spinach, but eating a large bowl of spinach on day two was my low point.

The other two dinners I did was Oven Roasted Asparagus and Vegetable Stir Fry. Both were delicious. In fact the asparagus is going to be added as a side item on our at home menu.

If you decide to do it, I'm happy to offer up my opinions on the dinner options. It might save you some grief. 

Workout Meetup

Fitness and working out is part of my daily routine. I'm not going to lie and tell you it is my favorite 30 minutes to an hour of my day, but I do it none the less. The benefits far out weight the cost.

Anything worth doing is worth sharing with others. So I've created a fitness Meetup.  http://www.meetup.com/Cincinnati-Positive-Life-Change-Meetup/

Basically we get together once a month and do a workout. RSVP using the link.



What I've Learned By Looking for a Graphics and Web Designer

A quick rant that could change your life.

Recently, on a whim I posted to my Facebook the following post.

I was shocked, because several friends shared the post giving it significant exposure.  Surely, I would hear from some interested people. The response was essentially nothing. Very few comments, questions and especially little to no interest.

So what does this show.  

That anyone who considers themselves a web designer or graphic designer is busy with their day job and doesn't need to entertain a random Facebook post.

What does this mean to the random people of the world?

You should be looking into learning web design and/or graphic design! 

Are you creative?  Yes - Then pursue graphic design. No - Then pursue web design.

"Any Skill Level Considered"

I believe that in about a month of full time training, or two to three months of part-time training (self taught mind you) you can be ready to start working in a position like the one we have.  In fact I'm guessing a strong work ethic, eager to learn and two weeks of learning could prepare you for the web design position.

There is SOO much opportunity out there. Even at my small company you would make $30k+ per year equivalent for an entry level position. With a year or two experience you will be looking at $45-$50k+ per year.

Please please please... if you are not happy with your current employment and want your life to change course start looking at learning computers.  Just start Googleing. The training and information out there is free! Don't pay for anything, just decide to change the trajectory of your life and do it.