Poundage Lost

Well, today is the last day of January and I've done fairly well for my first month not dieting, but eating healthy. I've lost 10.5 pounds and a few inches. We added a spinning cycle last weekend to our exercise room. (We could open a gym at this point and charge for memberships!) At least we are using the equipment. One night I spin and the next night I treadmill and every night I do the ab thingy. It's actually been kinda nice because it gives hubby and I 45 minutes together in the same room and we've taken advantage of that time to discuss household stuff, parenting stuff, etc. which makes the time fly by. I'm sleeping better (thank goodness) and a little more energetic. YEAH!

We went to the orthodontist yesterday and Jacob will have his braces put on Monday. I think he's a little anxious about it, but fortunately several students in the 7th grade class have had them put on here recently. They're all going to the same ortho too! Ka-Ching!

The dog is off to the groomer today and both Jacob and I have hair appointments this afternoon. I guess we'll all have new dos tonight. The dog really needs it -- she is really shaggy. Of course her anxiety level will rise to epic proportions and she'll pout and hide most of the evening. She is definitely in the right house.

A Boy and His Dog

I've come to the conclusion that it is true about a boy and his dog. They are best friends and inseparable. Our dog, Shadow, drives me nuts. She's moody and a frequent challenge for me, but to Jacob, she's a buddy and pal. We've had this dog since last July and my husband and I really thought that the newness would wear off and eventually Jacob would grow tired of the dog. Not so! He comes in from school every day and that dog goes nuts. She follows him around and he plays with her all the time. We're constantly telling him to put the dog down. He rolls around on the floor with her, chases her throughout the house and talks to her like she's human.(Okay, I talk to her like she's human too! She's actually a pretty good listener.)

Last night we hosted our supper six group and I came upstairs to check on Jacob and there he is playing a game on the computer with Shadow in his lap. Both of them staring at the computer screen calculating there next move. Buddies forever.

Last fall our church got the idea to break our congregation into couples of three (Supper Six) and for three months you have dinner together. Each couple takes a month and hosts dinner at their home one night. The hosting couple prepares a meat dish and one couple brings the vegetable and one couple brings the dessert. The idea is to focus on the fellowship and getting to know one another and not the meal itself. Couples sign up and they try to put together couples that are not as familiar with one another. Our group has an older couple with grown children and grandchildren, the other couple are young marrieds with an infant and us who are kinda in the middle. It's been a great concept and we've enjoyed getting to know each other better. February will be our final month together and we'll sign up again and get to know two new couples beginning in March. It's a very creative way to break down barriers and really spend time getting to know somone you may only see at church. It really builds bonds within our church and opens us up to make new friendships. I'm thankful for the opportunity to explore new relationships.

Father, I just want to praise you for placing people in our lives and giving us opportunities to connect with other Christians. I thank you too for my son and his love for his dog. I see in him a compassion for other living beings and a simple happiness.

Weight Loss Update

Another Tuesday, another weigh in day. I've lost an additional 2.5 pounds for a total of 9.5 pounds on my weight loss journey. Yipee! My goal was eight pounds per month so I'm overjoyed with my results thus far. Just 28.5 to go. My biggest challenge thus far -- giving up Pepsi.

Thank you Lord for giving me the stamina and discipline on this journey. Help me to be more patient with my results.

Winter Days

This month marks 27 years that I have lived in NC. I am originally from WV. Part of the reason I moved south was to get away from snow -- at least a lot of snow. I absolutely hate being cold and wet. I'd love to live in Jamaica. We spent a week in Montego Bay a couple of years ago and I would sell everything to go live there. I know living in Jamaica is quite different from staying a week in a resort. We had the opportunity to go outside the resort area several times on excursions and we really fell in love with the people and culture. Of course living in the good ole USA definitely has its advantages.

So, while looking out my window and seeing a carpet of white dotted with mud, I'm dreaming of warm sand and crystal blue water, a tropical breeze and the sound of waves crashing, children laughing, calypso music and a poolside massage. (Please don't wake me!)

Back to the real world! Jacob was supposed to have his molds and paperwork done yesterday in preparation for his braces. They were closed so it has been put off for another 2 weeks. Tomorrow Candace's mother is coming and we are off to look for a wedding dress. She and I went Wednesday to Southern Bride and she picked two. At least we've got an idea of the style of dress. I pray this weekend goes better than the last one.

The thing is I'm not 100 percent sold on this wedding and maybe as parents we never are. Maybe we forever look at our children as kids and never think they are ready for such a commitment. Of course now a days marriage is a convenience and not a commitment to so many people. Too many couples never really experience the true intimacy of marriage -- knowing your spouse inside and out, trusting them with your innermost thoughts and dreams, waking up every day and falling more deeply in love with them, knowing they aren't perfect and loving them anyway.

Lord, help me this weekend to glorify you in all that I do and say. I pray especially for your will in this wedding and in the lives of Zachary and Candace.

Weighty Issues

Today is weigh-in day again and there is no change. No gains, no losses. To say that I am discouraged and disappointed is an understatement. Seven days of dieting and not cheating and I get nothing. In my defense it is that foul time of the month, but I don't know if it has a bearing or not. My clothes are fitting more loose and that may be due to the exercise -- thirty minutes every day without fail on the treadmill (hey I'm up to a mile and half now) and 200 sit ups on the ab lounger. I've fallen into a pretty good routine of oatmeal for breakfast, a slim fast shake for lunch and a either a lean cuisine, grilled chicken or fish for dinner. So how come no weight loss? Maybe next week I'll see some great improvement. I'm trying to stay focused and optimistic. My resolve to stick it out is pretty high right now, but next week could be another story entirely.

Changing the subject -- Yesterday we loaded up one of our cows (Ole Red) for the slaughter house. I know, I know, how could we! I can hear the vegetarians cringing. I'm right along with you. I have to admit it -- I cried. My husband thinks I'm crazy. Last night I told him that poor old cow trusted you every time you came into the pasture to provide his food and water. The other cows blocked the truck when they got ready to leave. It was a horrible sight. Okay, even I have to say it -- my hormones are running amuck, I'm crying over a cow for goodness sake! Pass the Midol!

Blessings

J.R. and Jacob on Christmas Day at my sister's house.

Sometimes God puts people in our lives that we don't really treasure like we should. That's not the case in my house. In February my husband and I will celebrate 16 years of marriage. It hasn't always been easy. We've had our fair share of bumps along the way, but he has always been and always will be the absolute love of my life. Even after all this time my heart still skips a beat when he walks in that door every evening and the best way to end every day is snuggled up next to him. He is the most devoted father and husband I know and I cherish every moment with him. One of the other blessings in my life is my youngest son, Jacob. Jacob was the biggest shock to us. We were not planning on more children, in fact the doctors said NO, because I have Lupus and having Zachary took an enormous toll on my body. God had other plans and so Jacob came into our lives, prematurely at that, but a fighter none the less. (The NICU nurses called him Rambo because he was so combative.) He carries some learning disabilities with his reading, but other than that he is a healthy and active boy. Jacob is such a joy to be around. He has a compassionate heart and will engage in conversation with anyone. The teen years are only a couple of months around the corner for him and I know his personality may change so I am enjoying each and every moment with him now and praying he will remain true to himself.

Thank you God for the blessings of such wonderful people in my life. Give me the words and actions each and every day to encourage them and be as supportive of them as they are of me.

Weigh In Day

It's been seven days since I started my diet. I hate calling it a diet. I'm trying to incorporate better eating habits and healthier living instead of dieting. I have cut my calorie intake, but mostly I've changed what I eat and when. Apparently it's working because this morning I am 7 pounds lighter than last week. YEAH ME! Of course I realize that half of that is fluid. I've been drinking lots of water and I'm sure that in the coming weeks the loss will be more like 1 to 2 pounds, but I'm encouraged. So, I've only got 31 to go.

Thank you Lord Jesus for giving me will power each day. Thank you for giving me such a supportive husband and son who are willing to take an hour out of their day to exercise with me.

Where Do I Start?

I've got so many to do projects I can't decide on where to start. I want to start a new quilt. The problem is -- it's a creative process for me. I have to create it in my head first and sometimes that just takes awhile. I'm not your ordinary quilter in that I don't do patterns and such. My mother does those, but me I'm a creative quilter. You see a quilt has to have a theme and a meaning for me. I wish I had a photo of the quilt I made for Zachary when he graduated from high school. It was photos of his life, friends, family and these letters from God with wisdom and advice. He's got it on his bed now and he treasures it. I finished one for Jacob about a year ago. It's all about sharks and marine life. He loves sharks and fish. So, the dilemma for me is what do I want this quilt to say. I want to do one for me and my husband simply because I never make them for us.

My other to do item is the wedding of course. Being the mother of the groom is not near as hectic as mother of the bride. Lately, I'm a sounding board -- what do you think of this? how about here? do you know anyone who can? I'm trying my best to keep my mouth shut unless asked and even then be as diplomatic as possible and never ever push a suggestion. I'm beginning to be very thankful that I have boys! I hope they find everything they want and that they have the wedding THEY dreamed of. (Keep repeating this mantra!)

This weekend we are hosting our daughter in law to be's parents. A sorta get to know you and who is going to pay for what weekend. We've met once before so we're not totally unfamiliar with them. I hope and pray that the weekend goes smoothly and that we all can agree on things.

Lord, as busy as everything seems around me and as chaotic as our life is right now, help me to remain focused on you and allow you to be present in all that I do and say.

New Year - New Me

This is me Christmas Day 2007. I'm biting the bullet so to speak. A couple of years ago, I lost weight and looked great. Unfortunately, I put it back on and then some. So, with the wedding coming up this summer I decided to lose weight and get healthy. (Zachary's wedding is my inspiration but not my reason.) It's going to be a long, slow process but well worth the effort. Hubby moved the treadmill and his crossbow upstairs yesterday and fixed up Jacob's old room complete with TV as an exercise room. He and Jacob both have said they'll help me stick to eating healthy and we'll exercise together. So, no excuses I've got support. I wanted to put it in writing so I'll be more apt to hold myself responsible. My goal is 38 pounds. I'm not using crazy diets or paying for food just plain common sense, nutrition and exercise. I will not starve, but learn to eat healthy foods. No more junk foods, candy, pepsi (my favorite), cakes, cookies, or bread (my other sinfully favorite). Most importantly, I have to learn why I stuff my face to begin with. I realize I pick up food (mostly candy and sweets) and I'm not even hungry. So, let the journey begin.

Father God, show me the reasons I overeat and help me deal with them and place them behind me. Help me not to be weak and when the temptation comes help me to be strong and patient with myself and others. Thank you for the support I have from my family.