"Guess Who's Back.. Back Again. Stacey's Back, Tell A Friend ;)"

Hiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW!!! Was my last blog really in AUGUST!! HOLY MOSES!!

It's great to be back on spark. I feel like I've probably missed so much with all of my spark friends, and maybe even some of you were wondering where I've been too... But I'm BACK! The dust has settled from some pretty insane life happenings and I'm feeling ready to shift my focus back to where it needs to be.... ON ME.

Without making this blog a million-miles-long, I will start by saying YES, I am still here, and still kicking (and screaming, and fussing, and laughing, and crying, and living, and loving, and learning, and everything else that goes with this crazy roller coaster called life).

It's been almost 6 months since my last blog, and I'm still holding onto my health, maintaining my weight (for the most part), and my sanity (most days). It's been a whirlwind couple of months with many trials and tribulations, but I'm here fighting through it, and feeling good!

When I left you in August, I was just starting my next semester in nursing school. (Well, not technically "nursing school" yet, that comes after all my per-requisites... it's just easier to say "nursing school" since that's where eventually I'll be). I am happy to report I finished my Anatomy and Physiology-1 class with an A. Given all I battled last semester, I was absolutely thrilled (and shocked) to have been able to pull that one out of my arse! The spring semester is already in full swing, and I'm still LOVING it! I can't wait to get my feet wet and change direction! I'm currently taking my last per-requisite Anatomy & Physiology 2, and am really excited for the upcoming semester.

So, down to the nitty-gritty. Where did I disappear to? Long story short, after 9 years of marriage, I decided to file for divorce back in October. It was not an easy decision, but a necessary and positive one. Without going into all the gory details, I will just say it was by far the most positive thing I've done for myself in a very, very long time. Now that the dust has settled from the emotional and traumatic aspect of the separation, I can honestly say I am 100% happier and starting to really feel like myself again, which is something I hadn't felt in a very long time. I'm currently living with my parents, and probably will for a while since it makes going to school easy, but it's been an easy transition living with them and I'm enjoying it. I'm still maintaining my relationship with my step-sons and plan to continue to be in their lives for as long as they want me.

In November, just after we separated, our family suffered a terrible tragedy. My husbands first wife's husband (also a very dear friend of mine) was killed in a motorcycle accident on his way to work. He was the step-father to my step sons and the loss has been a huge blow to the entire family (as you can imagine). It's been a rough couple of months helping them through the holidays after such a tragic loss and it continues to be a healing process for the boys and their mom, but they are getting there slowly day by day.

As far as me? Well I'm still here. I lost track of what was important for a little while there between the divorce, moving, school, and Jason's death. But, I'm refreshed and settling into a new routine and finding my focus once again. I've partnered with a few friends for fitness classes 3 days a week and it's going great, I've gotten back into hiking regularly again, and rather than relying on mom and dad to cook and grocery shop, I've gotten back into my batch cooking and clean eating. The scale isn't far off from where I left it in August. Still hovering somewhere between 140 and 145lbs, but I've certainly got some work to do.... The lack of exercise has left me rather "squishy" and that's where the classes are really going to help me tone back up... Insert Spark People Commerical Here. I'm excited, I'm ready to gear down and live this thing called life to it's fullest.


some recent photos.















I hope this finds all my old spark friends well. I promise, you haven't heard the last of me