Home with the Crud..

Ick.....just returned from the doctor's office and I officially have the crud. Thankfully it wasn't strep or the flu. He just told me to take some mucinex or claritin d. He did give me some samples for my thyroid meds till the bloodwork comes back. Anyways I've been home with the crud for 2 days and will go back to work on Friday..might as well take another day to really feel better and know that I won't be passing any germies around the office. Drives me batty when people come to work sick and don't think about those around them that might end up that way.

On a good note, I lost another pound this week. Puts me at -17!!!! I'm going to lounge in front of the TV now.

ASF Weekly Challenge

I mentioned last night that I was getting off the computer to go work on the challenge for this week. I finished it and you can look up at my "header" to see the completed challenge. I saw the "inspiration" challenge and knew that I had the perfect scraps of paper and picture of me in pink that would work perfectly. Its cuter in person but it didn't photograph very well since it was dark outside and there wasn't any natural light in the room, but it will work till I can take a better picture of it.

Food 1-28-09

7:30 a.m. - half chicken biscuit & sm. cappucino (it was cold and i felt like i was starving)

1:15 p.m. - i ate the filet on a fish sandwich from Wendys.....NASTY and about 1/2 of a medium order of fries. (its a new item and i was so not impressed, but i was hungry and had already spent the money, i didn't eat the bun or the lettuce, it just was not good at all, they should stick to chicken and beef)

I have a nephew to....

Just a few layouts with Mitchell in them.....since I've posted a few pics and layout with Hannah.

Photos from this week....

Just sharing some photos I took this past week:

Rocky & Sandy playing in the floor! Her hair was flying!

Romeo loves to play in boxes!!

Sunday...and I blew it...

I have abolutely no idea why I just blew it at dinner. Well, okay really I do just not sure why I allowed it to happen. I didn't want to "fix" anything for dinner just for me, so I opted for the leftover pizza, it was 3 small pieces and I ate one of them, plus the toppings off the other 2 pieces (left the crust). That was just not that great so I didn't feel very satisfied, so then I was like okay let me get a few pringles with a slice of cheese and that will help. Well, okay so that helped but then I was wanting ice cream, I just had a small bowl but still this was another lesson learned. Stick to the plan, make sure when I get hungry that what I eat is what I want and if that means I have to fix something then I have to fix something so that I'll be satisfied. I've done great the rest of the week so I won't beat myself up about it, push restart and keep going. I'll not be stopped by one mishap.

Now onto a different subject. Over at ASF there is a new scrapbooking challenge every week. I've been posting my challenges so now that this weeks is done, I'll post it also. The challenge was to make something the size of a jumbo playing card. So I made a mini layout and attached it to a magnet that we got from our doctor office that was actually a 2007 calendar. I had saved it for just such a time as this. So now this is hanging on my fridge:

Link to ASF Message Boards: http://ascrappinfriendsy.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/index.php

Well, I suppose that is all for now. Although I just might go in the scrap room and see if I can find a picture to work for the new weekly challenge that came out this week. Not sure I have anything to work with...I really need to get some pictures printed....SOON.

God bless and have a great week. I'm hoping for mine to go quickly, we are down to 22 days till we cruise...3 weeks from tomorrow! But this time 3 weeks from now I'll be in New Orleans having a ball I'm sure!!

Food 1/27/08

12:00 p.m. - 1/2 dozen fried shrimp, 3/4 baked tater, 1/2 roll & 2 h ushpuppies, and a few bits of side salad

6:45 p.m. - 1 piece pizza, topping of 2 other pieces, few pringles, slice of cheese, small bowl of ice cream

Food 1/26/08

12:45 p.m. - small portion of leftover lasagna

2:30 p.m. - taste tested the ramen noodle/walnut topping for salad we are having for dinner


7:00 p.m. - about 6 ounce steak, 2 pierogies (sp??), ramen noodle salad, 1 piece garlic toast

9:30 p.m. - small piece of king cake

Food 1/25/08

7:30 - cappuccino

12:30 p.m. - brocoli cheddar soup, about 6 saltines, 2 dove dark chocolate squares

5:30 - few pringles and 2 vienna sausages


9:15 - 1 piece of pizza and topping off 2 other pieces

Freezing Friday....

It is so cold outside and the bridges are icing in Vicksburg. I am really hoping that it doesn't happen here in the Hinds County area because I really would like to go home at 5:00 and not be stuck here because of icy roads. I know you must be thinking what can we do about icy roads? Absolutely nothing. But because weather incidents fall under the heading of Emergency Management we would sit here and listen to the radio and take phone calls and alert people of where the roads were icing over and if there are any trees down or areas to avoid. The field officers would probably be out looking at the icy roads and reporting back to us in the dungeon about what they see. So, yes, though we don't really have a true function other than helping communicate what is happening in our county to the weather service, we would definitely still be here. We just had a conference call and you would think after working in this field since 1998 that I would have a pretty good idea what the heck they are talking about but, um not necessarily the truth. About 3/4 of what they say is still over my head. Somebody just came through here and said they are doing another conference call at 11:00...sheesh...why do I feel like this is going to be a long day?



On a good note it is Friday and I opted to check the scale this morning and it said 281 without any manipulating of where I was standing or having to try more than once, so that was a good feeling. If you read my prior weigh in post you would know that I had to get on and off about 4 times on Wednesday to finally get it to tell me what I wanted it to...shame on me I know. But now I feel better about it. Whew.



You are all probably really tired of hearing about it but it is only 24 days till we sail. Our income tax refund came in today so now we can book our excursion tomorrow night when we go to D&J's house for trip planning! We are all so excited. It is such a dream come true to go on a fabulous vacation with my best friend (since I was 12) and know that we are going to have the time of our lives. I think we are planning to take a jeep/beach resort excursion. We'll get to see all of the beautiful pink flamingos in Progresso and Dawn & I can't wait. I don't know that the guys could really careless about that part, but I'm sure they'll love the jeep ride and the beach resort with all the hotties in bikinis. We should get to enjoy the flamingos. What a great scrapbook page that will be!! (The flamingos not the hotties in bikinis.)

Well, now it's 1:07 and thank God for "auto save" on this site because I sure closed it up to go to lunch and was very thankful when I got back and saw that it had saved this as a draft. I was not going to be happy if I had typed all of this and it was gone. Whew.

Still not sure what the weather is going to do. My boss did recommend to all Hinds County, Jackson Public and Clinton Schools that they close early. His thinking was better safe than sorry. The temps are still not rising and the precip is supposed to be back in the area between 2 & 4. I'm seriously hoping it will get better and I don't have to stay and work late.

Well, I think that is all of my ramblings for this dreary cold wet freezing Friday in January.

Food 1/24/08

7:30 a.m. - cappuccino ( i went to the kitchen with every intention of fixing oatmeal, and what did i walk away with, definitely was not oatmeal)

12:30 p.m. - (frozen dinner) country fried steak patty w/gravy, mashed taters, corn, 100 cal pack of oreo candy bites

4:00 p.m. - 2 peanut butter crackers (tummy is growling like crazy)

6:15 p.m. - creamed beef over toast

Food 1-23-08

7:30 a.m. - sausage cheese biscuit & cappucino ( i was feeling sorry for myself about less than pound weight loss, but it's all good now, got it straight with God and I'm back on the wagon)



12:15 p.m. - italian wedding soup and 5 saltines, 2 dove dark chocolate squares


6:30 p.m. - just over half of memphian sandwich, 10-12 tortilla chips w/chili rotel

Biggest Loser: Couples

I am totally hooked. Craziness! But, since I was rereading my previous post I realized that I mentioned the Biggest Loser and wanted to clarify that I know that they are losing large amounts of weight because of an unreality. Reality is that I don't have a trainer in my face 24/7 or somebody telling me what and how to eat and when and so forth. So I do know that my disappointment was unfounded. I should be happy with a 1-2 pound loss because I really do know that the healthiest way to lose weight and keep it off long term is slowly. I did get caught up in the hype of their big losses, but now my head is out of the clouds, I am on track to be happy with 1-2 pounds being a great loss and didn't want anybody being concerned that I was living in reality but expecting the results of their "unreality".

Now with all of that said, boy there were some twists and turns and some major game play going on last night. I know I would not trust one single person besides my own partner --- cause well, even though the goal should be weight loss and being healthier, there is definitely money on their minds as well. I hated to see the pink team go home, I have loved watching the dynamics of their relationship play out. I keep hoping that the purple team will get sent home, they just annoy me (to put it lightly). But, then on another note I find myself hoping that the yellow team will reconcile, although last night he mentioned that he was missing his girlfriend, so well, maybe that possibility is unreal...but you know me always hopeful for love to be alive....even on a weight loss reality show. Ridiculous maybe, but can't blame a girl for keeping hope alive.

*SIGH*

Okay, so I did lose one pound if you don't consider that I got on and off the scale about 4 times till it said the right thing. Ugh...so I guess in reality it probably was less than a pound, but I'm going to claim it anyways. The small loss is my own fault.....we had lasagna last night and it was so good that I had a bit more than I should have. I ate by myself. I've been trying not to do that because there is no accountability, but sheesh, I can't wait on somebody to be around to eat for the rest of my life. This is when I have to do what my dear friend Wendy says I do best...overanalyze my situation. But, in this case I think its not a bad time to analyze as long as I don't over do it and beat myself up. The first 2 weeks of this journey were so easy and I was so caught up in the big losses that I stayed excited. Because of the big losses I got lazy the next week and only lost 2 pounds, which I know is healthy, but I guess since I'm watching Biggest Loser and they are disappointed with a 2 pound loss, I was to. So, because of that I was still lazy with my portions this past week. There were definite victories even though it was not really a week of great loss. I did not eat when I was not hungry, I did not overeat to the point of discomfort and I did exercise some.

When I look back on the week, I see that although I did have positive aspects I can see that I was disappointed in the previous week, therefore relying on myself and not paying attention, the reason the first 2 weeks were so easy is because I wasn't relying on me. I was relying on God whose grace is sufficient for me and His mercy is new every morning.

I have just spent a moment repenting for going it on my own again, so soon after the revelation that I can't do it on my own. I was reminded in that few moments that I am never alone, so to stop looking at dinner without Rocky as me eating alone. He never leaves me or forsakes me. This reminded me of somebody many moons ago (yes that was me), that invited God to dine with her when she blessed her food and then she also tithed her meals. Which enabled her to eat smaller portions since she was leaving 10% of it on her plate as an offering of obedience. I'm feeling inspired and ready to set off for a new week with God as my pilot and me returning to the co-pilot seat.

I will be fabulous by forty, because I will glorify God with my body and not just my spirit. He is worthy of all the honor and the glory! Where would I be without Him, I'm so thankful that even when I step off the path, He's always there to lead me back.

Now that I've owned up, analyzed and I'm ready for the week ahead of me, I feel better and relieved to have the reminder that I am not alone!! Thanks again for making the journey with me and being my cheerleaders...I definitely feel the support of those who love me!

Food 1/22/08

7:45 a.m. - small english toffee capp

12:15 p.m. - chicken fried rice w/egg roll (frozen dinner), 100 calorie pack of oreo candy bites

6:30 p.m - too much lasagna (darn it), 1 piece of garlic bread

Back at work...

...and finally its quiet here. In fact at this very moment I am the only one in the office. If only it could stay that way. I love having the whole dungeon to myself its very peaceful, to bad I can't change the radio station so that I can listen to KLOVE, but oh well some things I just have no control over. I would listen to it on my computer but the county has streaming music sites blocked. Ah, but I do have some CD's that have been ripped to my computer, but then I deal with not really hearing them because the speaker in the ceiling of my office is blaring MISS 103 at me. Okay, so can we say random.

It was a nice 3 day weekend. Didn't have any real plans, but the snow was fabulous on Saturday morning. It was fun and beautiful and it didn't bring ice with it, which meant that I was actually able to just enjoy the snow and didn't have to go to work. It was a nice change.

I won a $15 gift card to Bath & Body Works and so I went there on Saturday. They had a fabulous sale going on and it took me forever to decide which 5 smells of soap I wanted. I ended up with wild honeysuckle (my fave), fresh pineapple (2nd fave), sweet pea, warm vanilla sugar and pink grapefruit. I also bought 2 of the small bottles of lotion for my purse in the honeysuckle and pineapple.

After the trip to B&B Works, then I was on a hunt for shoes to go with my new outfit for dress up night on the cruise. I found the perfect pair of black velvety looking pumps (about 2&3/4 inch heel). I don't believe there are heels that are actually comfortable but I think these will work for the short amount of time I will actually have to wear them.

We are getting more excited every day about the cruise. It is so close and now that I have an outfit to wear I am only anxious about the packing. We are going down a day early and spending the night about 2 blocks from the French Quarter. I am looking forward to that because I've never really done the whole New Orleans thing. It should be interesting indeed. Last year was amazing and this year 2 of our best friends will be with us and that makes us that much more excited.

Well, people have dwindled back into the office and I guess I need to get back to work on this project on my desk, so I'll go for now. Maybe later some other random thought will cross my mind that I find worthy to post. Never can tell with me.

Food & Exercise 1/21/08

12:45 p.m. - 3/4 nacho supreme & 3/4 bean & rice burrito

5:00 p.m. - 3 vienna sausages (holding me over till dinner with hubby about 8:30)

8:30ish - 1.5 cup red beans & rice w/ deer sausage, 1 piece of cornbread w/butter

Exercise: 1 mile WATP video tape, plus walked the perimeter of Sam's 1 time, pushing the buggy (strictly for exercise, no stopping to shop) plus the 1 time i walked around looking for items to purchase.

Food 1/20/08

1:15 p.m. - gyro, 1.5 cottage fries & a few pickled veggies (Keifers)..

9:15 p.m. - 3/4 cup of potato soup, 1 piece of bread, 3/4 cup of ice cream

Food 1/19/08

11:00 a.m. - roast beef & cheese sandwich

7:00 p.m. - 1/2 dozen fried shrimp, 3/4 of small baked potato, 1 roll & dang if I didn't have to have 2 husbhpuppies, hee hee

It's SNOWING!!

My sweet Sandy was not nearly as excited about the snow on this very cold January day in 2008. She is just 2.5 years old, so she has never experienced the cold stuff between the toes before. I on the other hand am enjoying watching it fall. I'm hoping that it will snow just enough that once I am dressed I can go outside and build a small snowman off the accumulation on the cars. I mean hello...what kind of snowman fanatic would I be if I didn't at least try??? ...hours later.....I must not be as fanatical about snowmen as I thought, it was just to darn cold to mess around with that snow and I don't have any clue where my gloves are, so oh well, no snowman for me.

I'm Not....

I'm Not...

lost, because I know Jesus as Lord & Savior.

single, because God blessed me with my husband Rocky.

smarter than a 5th grader, but i have a LOT of common sense.

skinny, but I'm striving to get there.

a multi tasker, but I am able to focus on doing one thing and doing it well.

an orphan, I'm honored to have the greatest parents on earth.

much on magazines, but I LOVE to read a good clean romance novel.

lonely, because I have awesome friends.

an only child, God gave me my very own baby sister.

unattractive, Rocky says I'm beautiful.

a huge sports fan, but oh how I love NASCAR - go Ryan (#12)!!

one who will forget, because I'm a SCRAPBOOKER!!

I love 3 day weekends...

....and I'm more than ready for this one. In case you were wondering where I have been (due to lack of posting the past few days) it has been crazy here in the dungeon this week. The drama, the politics, the change in time to get off has made for a week of to much work, to much stress and not a lot of time for posting long drawn out ramblings.

They are predicting a possible dusting of snow overnight, but I'll believe it when I see it and although I know that all of my fellow tri-county area folks would love to see some snow, I personally would prefer not having to work on my 3 day weekend.

Can't wait to get home, the challenge this week at ASF is a layout about yourself that has at least TEN sentences that start with "I'm Not". I have paper, picture and all of my sentences and I just found a great sketch to boot. So I'm ready to go home and do some scrappin.

Only 1.5 hours to go, but now that I have a moment to myself and its relatively calm and quiet here I think I'm going to read the newspaper. Have a great weekend, I'll post my layout when I get it done and take a picture of it.

Bible, Food & Exercise 1-18-08

Bible: Genesis 29

7:15 a.m. - steak biscuit (don't know why i was starving this early, hhhhmm)


12:50 p.m. - small cheeseburger, handful of fries, 2 bites of butter pecan cake

5:30 p.m. - 1/2 pork chop, 1/3 cup mac n chez, 1/2 cup of peas (leftovers)

8:30 p.m. - 8-10 ounce english toffee cappucino ( i was freezing)

10:45 p.m. - 1/2 cup of no sugar added bunny tracks ice cream

Bible, Food & Exercise 1/17/08

Bible: Genesis 28



7:30 a.m. - caramel chocolate pecan cappucino (about 10 ounces)

12:30 - fish sandwich, only half the bun, about 10 fries

2:45 p.m. -- licked the batter bowl for a cake...yikes, but i caught myself and didn't lick the beaters

4:30 - 6:30 - taste tested the potato soup i made to check tenderness of potatoes, very small bites


6:30 p.m. - 3/4 cup of potato soup, a pinch of cheese, bacon bits & green onions, small dollop of sour cream

8:00 p.m. - tiny peace of butter pecan cake w/cream cheese frosting (wasn't really hungry, but it was basically 2 bites and i wanted it, so i gave in to it because sometimes i feel like when i really want it, better to take the 2 bites than to binge later because i deprived myself.)

Check my chart...

....today is weigh in day and I was pleasantly surprised to have lost 1 pound this past week. If you've been keeping up and reading you would know that I was concerned about the possibility of having been a bit lax with my portions and maybe not losing and possibly gaining. I am thankful that I did manage to lose 1 pound. But, let me say that it didn't make me any less certain that I must still maintain small portions to continue losing.

Another exciting thing, when I looked in the mirror this morning I could actually tell that I had lost some weight, just in my face, but hey that is a step in the right direction.

Not to much going on today, I actually did some filing that I've been putting off for way to long. But, now its done and my space is much more clean looking. Why is it no matter how neatly you stack papers they still look messy?

Bible, Food & Exercise 1-16-08

Bible: Genesis 27

7:45 a.m. - 12 ounce english toffee cappuccino (i was cold and wet)

12:15 p.m. - turkey/cheese on whole grain with the last bit of pringles (i'm tired of sandwiches, i'm glad this weekend is grocery weekend)

5:30 - 1 thin slice of beer bread (cause i was starving and we weren't eating till after church)

9:15 p.m. - ate the meat and cheese of a new yorker at mcalisters and about 3/4 cup of clam chowder

Wasn't yesterday Monday???

It sure doesn't seem like it. Had issues with Carnival over cabin assignment yesterday, now today I just had to deal with DirecTV over a charge that wasn't supposed to be on our bill. How many ways do you have to say no thank you I don't want showtime, I want this off of my bill? Apparently about 5, cause that is what it took, the more I asked for the charge to be removed the more she tried to offer me? This was not a sales call, I was not looking to add anything to my service, I was not wanting to be hounded, I just wanted the correction made to my bill. Wow, okay, so that was nice little rant. It's been kind of how my day has been. One little thing after another has been getting way under my skin today. This would be a good reason to have read my bible chapter this morning instead of waiting till this evening. I did just take a quick trip the ladies room so that I could spend a minute thanking God for my life and my job and basically allowing Him to help me decompress. Now there is only 1 hour and 45 minutes left to this day.

Once I get home then I have a project to tackle. I have a new mat to go in my laundry room but its a bit larger than the area I have and the washing machine and dryer will need to be lifted, but I think I can at least clear everything out, sweep and mop and then lay it out and get Rocky to help tomorrow with the lifting of the heavy appliances to get it under them. It will be progress at least.

Wow, I walked to the Walk Away the Pounds 2 mile video last night, I made it to 1 mile. Then I quit. I was again surprised how out of shape I have gotten, it kicked my tail. But now my goal is to make it through the 2 mile and move on to the 3 mile. I will get there and I hope to get there before the cruise, but we shall see. I intend to walk again this evening since Rocky is at work. It is easier for me to walk when he's not home, cause if he's home obviously I value my time and want to spend it with him. I think I'm going to have a grilled cheese sandwich for dinner tonight using the bread that I made last night. I will only eat ONE! I promise. I will only eat ONE! I wish I had some soup to go with it, but I don't, so I reckon the sandwich will be more than enough.

Tomorrow is weigh-in and I'm a bit nervous. In looking over my food for the past 3 or 4 days, I must honestly say that I have gotten lax in my portions, so I'm a bit concerned about whether I have actually lost anything or not. But I do have an NSV, when I got in the little green jeep to drive to work yesterday my tummy was not touching the steering wheel, barely but it was definitley progress, so that is a good thing. I am so on my way to being Fabulous by Forty, really I am. Just keep watching and you will see. I never did get a before picture taken though, darn, I really need to get one taken so that when I've lost 50 or 60 pounds I have something to show for it, but I guess in reality any of the pics I was in for 2007 are close enough to before. The 10 pounds I gained in November and December mostly just showed up in my face and my gut, so okay that is settled, I can use just about any picture for 2007 as my before, so the one of me and Rocky on my profile can work. I was about 287 in that picture, so that will work.

Not much else to ramble about at the moment. Just pray for me when you think of me and pray that all the unsettled drama in the dungeon (work) will get settled and some peace will return to this fine establishment that I work for.

Bible, Food & Exercise 1-15-08

Bible: Genesis 26

7:30 - 8 ounce english toffee cappuccino

12:30 p.m. - half turkey cheese sandwich, handful of pringles

5:30 p.m. - grilled cheese sandwich

Exercise: house cleaning for 1.5 hours, feels like exercise to me... walked in place while I watched Biggest Loser for about 15 minutes.

Tripped up...

...but that's okay I realize now that I have to not be lazy about my confidence. I've felt so strong and so sure that I had it made that I allowed myself to be lazy. If I had been on guard I would have stopped myself before I made bread and mac n cheese for the same meal that my husband was not going to be home to eat with me. I had never had this type of bread before, it's the beer bread by Taste of Gourmet...when it came out of the oven I had to have a piece. It was hot and buttery but I wasn't totally convinced that I liked it. Next issue, mac n cheese. It is like my most favorite thing in the world, if my whole world consisted of nothing but macaroni & cheese I think I could live like that, but because of that I should have been on guard. I wasn't. When mixing the cheese I of course had to taste it....3 bites. Which would have been okay had I made my portion smaller when I fixed my plate. Then I justified that I wasn't sure I liked the bread and so opted for another piece with my meal. I said all that to say, that I went a little overboard, not bad, but enough to feel closer to full than I have in almost 3 weeks. But the good thing is I am aware and on guard and will continue on my journey to being Fabulous by Forty. Lesson learned, the hard way but learned nonetheless.

Man, this accountability stuff is tough....it would have been easier to act like this didn't happen, but if I did that it would be easy to do it again tomorrow and that is how I got to be 297 pounds again. Never going backwards only going forwards.

Bible Reading, Food & Exercise 1/14/08

Bible, Phillipians 4 - done

12:15 p.m. - turkey/cheese sandwich, 15 pringles

5:30 - did 1 mile WATP video tape

7:45 - half butterfly pork chop, 3/4 cup of mac n cheese (and about 3 bites before my plate was served, oh mac n cheese is like a big issue for me), 1/2 cup of peas, 2 slices of beer bread.

Gotta love Mondays....

...or NOT. Mondays are definitely my least favorite day of the week, except of course those Mondays that are holidays. Oh yippee, next Monday will be one of few that is a good Monday. It was a fairly quiet weekend. Hannah had her sleepover on Friday night and one little girl named Blaze was in attendance. They had a great time and got along really well, so I don't think Hannah even thought about the fact that none of the other girls could come. We went and at at El Sombrero and I had a fajita quesadilla, little bit of beans and rice and it was good. Then we went to see "Alvin and the Chipmunks". It brought back so many good thoughts of my childhood Christmas'. Our favorite Christmas album was the Chipmunks Christmas. The movie was so darn cute that I found myself literally laughing out loud on more than one occasion. I can totally see me watching it again and if you know me you know that it is rare that I enjoy a children's movie that much. Amazing, now in just a few months time I have seen 2 that I would definitely recommend as fun, cute, warm, charming and clean. The other one being "Enchanted".

Saturday I did a little cleaning and a little scrapbooking, well sort of, I was working on a project for my friend Wendy K's birthday. I hope she loves it. Thankfully we also picked up Rocky's truck and that is a blessing because it definitely gets better gas milage than the Explorer or my dad's old dodge. I cooked dinner and we watched a few tv shows we had on the DVR and then watched a movie we had from Netflix. It was called "Lucky You" and starred Eric Bana and Drew Barrymore, not great, but not awful either. Definitely not one I ever even remember seeing a preview for on TV.

Sunday was church, lunch, a little more cleaning and the completion of the birthday project. Then I just watched TV, a little to much football, but I think I'm starting to "get it" and therefore its not so bad. Went to bed about 9:15 and watched Brothers & Sisters before I went to sleep. Now aren't you just thrilled that you kept reading and know all about my weekend.

It was quite cold outside this morning. I need to check the temperature and decide if I can handle walking outside today or I'll be pulling out the Walk Away the Pounds video tape at home this evening. Either way I will walk today.

I see that I didn't get any comments about the "be a blessing challenge" that I put out on Friday, but I bet its not because you weren't a blessing in some way, just that you didn't have time to post and tell me about it. And honestly I must say that since I didn't get out to much that I can't say that I was a blessing on purpose either, other than cooking for my hubby on 2 occasions in less than 24 hours, that is quite unusual.

Another challenge that I am challenging myself to. Our church reads a chapter of the bible together every day, Monday thru Friday. We get a bookmark every year so that we can keep up with what chapter we are on. We have done this for 3 years, I think. Well, I did really well for a long time and only missed on rare occasions. Well the last 6 months, I had gotten very lazy and well just plain wasn't doing it and I started off this new year determined to stick to it. So, today I started my day by reading Phillipians 4. I'll hold myself accountable to that also and report weekly on days that I did read and be honest if I missed one.

I guess there are no random thoughts at the moment, but I will leave you with this....Phillipians 4:19 says "my God shall supply all of your need according to His riches in glory" (i love that its according to His riches and not my checkbook, He is so faithful.)

35 days till we take off for the Wild Blue Yonder and I'm on a hunt for a nice dress to wear, I have a few feelers out hoping that somebody will own one that will fit me that I can borrow. I'll keep you posted on how the hunt goes. I don't wear dresses so I don't want to purchase one, but since I'm oddly shaped its hard to find one that fits that belongs to somebody else. We'll see how this hunt goes.

That's all folks...for now anyways.

Food 1/13/08

12:30 p.m. - small portion of roast, 1/2 cup mashed potatoes, 1/2 cup of corn, 1/2 cup of gravy

7:15 p.m. (as i type) - 1 brat on a bun, about 10-12 pringles, planning to have 1/2 cup of ice cream after i eat

Food 1/12/08

12:15 p.m. - 1 hot dog

7:00 p.m. - 2 biscuits w/sausage gravy, 1 biscuit with butter

Friday again and I'm so very glad.

I can't believe it is already the 11th of January. Where does the time really go. Every work day seems like it lasts forever but then before you know it another month has come and gone. The whole time thing just escapes me I guess. Not to mention why is it that the hour you have for lunch is beyond a shadow of a doubt the shortest hour of the work day. They all have 60 minutes right, but it sure doesn't feel like it.

Tonight is Hannah's birthday party. She is having a sleepover, but it seems that most of the little girls already had plans for the evening (well their families did). We know that one little girl is coming. Not sure what the plan is at this point. If its just one girl I think we are doing dinner and a movie. I guess I'll post for sure after its over and then we'll all know how I spent my Friday evening.

I just went and walked around the block 2 times and up and down the stairs in the parking lot 3 times. I'm tired and its chilly out there. It feels good to get some exercise though. My thighs are screaming. I'm amazed at how much different it is to walk a mile on a treadmill and walk a mile outside. There are hills and concrete and well its just a bit more work to walk outside. I guess that is a good thing. Not to mention there are lots of cars and trees and things to look at outside. I won't be so thrilled about that when its 100 degrees out this summer, I'll have to come up with a new solution when that time comes around. For now outside is just fine.

Speaking of outside, this crazy Mississippi weather has the Bradford Pear trees along the sidewalk starting to bud. They are confused because its never gotten cold more than about 3 days at a time. Its nuts I tell ya. Yet, we stay and live and love good ole' Mississippi. It's home and I can't imagine being anywhere else.

Did I mention that our cruise is in 38 days? Well if not, I did now. We are so excited. We went last year and it was the best thing we've ever done. Now this year we are even more excited because 2 of our best friends will be joining us. We are talking about taking a Jeep excursion while we are in Cozumel. We get to drive a jeep through the jungle and ancient mayan town and then to the beach. It's so exciting just knowing its getting so close. We loved going in February because it was perfect weather, not to hot but perfect weather to enjoy being outside. It was amazing. I love having somebody else doing all the cleaning, cooking and seeing to my needs. CARNIVAL take us away!!! If you can't tell I am obsessed and would love to just live on a cruise ship.

Rocky is already thinking about his rules of piracy that he has been working on for a year. Funny story and most of you probably already know it but what the heck I'm bored so I'll tell it again. In fact there is a layout in my ASF gallery (in my cruise album) where I told the story, I'll post the pictur at the bottom of this link. Anyways, he is addicted to Diet Mt. Dew and didn't think about the fact that more than likely that would not be an option on the ship. Thankfully they did have plenty of diet coke so he was still able to have his caffeine. But about 3 days into the cruise he notices this young adult male who is carrying...yes you guessed it...a DIET MT. DEW. From that moment on I swear the guy was following us, because we saw him everywhere for the remainder of the cruise and he always had a diet mt. dew. Well, this torture brought on the idea that Rocky was going to become a pirate, he was going to find a way to get one of these beloved piece of citrusy treasure. I being the non pirate type person told him to go offer the guy $5 and he'd probably get one the easy way. Oh, no, it was much more fun to plot how to obtain one without paying for it or asking for it for that matter. (He was playing, but I often wonder if he had crossed his path in an empty hallway if he might have thought hard about getting that bottle, hee hee.) Anyways, it was hilarious and out of this was born "Whitebeard" which is the pirate name that I gave my sweet funny husband. I chose that name because he has a very distinguished white patch in his beard and I think its just very charming and of course he is the most handsome man ever so that just makes him even more attractive in my eyes. I think he'd have chosen a different name but its to late, he'll always be Whitebeard to me. At one point he was even trying to come up with a name for his monkey (that he doesn't have, ha), but I'm not sure we ever actually came up with a good name for the nonexistent little fella.

So, now that I've rambled about all things in my brain on this Friday morning and shared a funny but charming story about my wonderful husband I reckon I'll let this be the end. Hopefully you will all have a blessed weekend and be a blessing to somebody while you are at it. We are called to be a blessing so lets do it!!! In fact I challenge you to bless somebody with your time, your affection, your substance, even a kind word and tell me about it in my comment section. I'll be excited to read about you being a blessing on purpose on Monday!! Lovin' the Lord and glad its Friday...that's all folks.

Food & Exercise 1/11/08

7:45 a.m. - 12 ounce english toffee cappucino (i know i went a bit bigger but i was COLD, lol)

10:20 a.m. - walked the block 2 times and went up and down the stairs in the parking lot 3 times...its a tad bit chilly out there but now it feels hot down here in the dungeon.

12:45 p.m. - bacon jr. cheeseburger, 1/2 order of small fries (the other half dumped out on the floor of the car. 2 squares of dove dark chocolate

7:00 p.m. - fajita quesadilla, little bit of rice and beans, 3 or 4 chips w/salsa & cheese dip

Favorite Colors

Do you have a favorite color? What is your favorite color? How did you choose that favorite color or why is that your favorite color. Don't ask why I am thinking about this, but not long ago somebody asked me "what is your favorite color"? Since high school I've always responded purple and yellow. And now I don't even remember why. So I began to think about what my favorite color is and wasn't even sure how to figure it out. How odd is that? Why do we have to have a favorite color and what difference does it really make. Well, either way it nagged at me for a bit and I was like well let's see, I'll go through all of my scrapbook layouts and see what color I gravitate to most often. Well, come to find out most of my stuff is comprised of the many shades of red. There is a lot of blues and greens also but they just didn't sit right at my favorite color. So, now when asked I will tell you that Red is my favorite color.

I do realize that this is a very superfluos random post for the day, but that is just the kind of day I have had. I'm tired of politics and the unsettledness surrounding the politics that surround my place of employment and I am also really tired of dealing with the weather and all of the phone calls we get when the weather is bad. But thankfully the weahter has cleared out and in about 20 minutes I'll be getting to leave and go home and spend a wonderful evening with my wonderful husband. I love his nights off.

Nuff said for today.

Food 1/10/08

9:15 - sausage biscuit

1:45 p.m. - half turkey cheese on wheat, about 10 pringles

Weather kept me from walking at lunch I will walk tomorrow.

7:20 p.m. - salad (mixed greens, grilled chicken, grape tomatoes, gorgonzola cheese, pecans, green onions and sherry vinaigrette dressing)

Food 1/9/08

8:20 a.m. - 8 ounce english toffee cappucino

12:15 - half turkey cheese on whole grain bread, 10 pringles and a biscuit from popeyes (somebody brought them and i had to have one, but i didn't have 2, this is a good thing)

5:45 p.m. - about 3/4 of a Memphian from McAlister's (we eat there free for anybody who wonders why we go there a lot) and abot 1/2 cup of brocoli cheddar soup

Weight Chart Added

Instead of using a post each week I added a chart on the side column with a weight chart. I think that will be easier to keep up with that way and a lot less short posts to sift through.

Reality TV...

....has never been my thing. I guess I just wasn't a believer in just how REAL it is. I say that to say that I have jumped on the bandwagon and started watching "The Biggest Loser: Couples" and I am surprised at how much I'm enjoying it. It is motivational and encouraging and seeing those people struggling with things that I myself have struggled with for all of my adult life makes them very real to me. I'm excited when they do well and sad for them when they can't seem to pull it together. They weigh in on Tuesday (well right now anyways, not sure if it stays on the same night the whole season or not it is TV ya know) and then I weigh in on Wednesday morning. It was perfect that it started the Tuesday before my first weigh in. I feel like I'm on the journey with them and it keeps me going.

Well, that's it for now, just felt like writing about something and that was what I was thinking about at the moment.

Weigh In Week 2 - 1/9/08

Beginning weight: 297
Last week: 288

Today: 283

Woo hoo....down 5 pounds

Total to date: 14 pounds

Food & Exercise 1/8/08

8:20 a.m. - 2 cheese/wheat crackers

12:00 - 12:25 p.m. - walked 1 mile (2 times around the block at work)

1:15 p.m. - half turkey cheese sandwich, about 10 pringles

6:00 p.m. - 5 chicken nuggets and a kids size frosty from wendy's

Schedule???

What is a schedule? Apparently my body is just not interested in being hungry for breakfast, lunch and dinner at normal times that the rest of the world would eat these 3 meals. Yesterday wasn't to bad, but I find myself having to bypass hunger to get to a normal eating time hoping that will help, but maybe the answer is to stick to the idea. Eat when I'm hungry? DUH!! I just hoped that I could manipulate my hunger into my time frame, apparently I have control issues, hee hee. So maybe I need to focus on the original idea, eat when my body tells me it needs fuel and if that is inconvenient then its inconvenient. Because I'm finding when I surpass by to much that I tend to eat more. So, now I'm back to eating when I'm hungry. I will make exceptions for times when I know we are going to dinner, but other than those times I'm back to eating when hungry, stopping when satisfied. Prime example, we went to dinner for my niece's birthday last night. I ordered a beef/cheese quesadilla, it wasn't that great, also got some rice, it was okay but not great, but because I had been hungry since about 3:30 and we ate at 6:30 I was so hungry that I ate all of what I ordered and didn't even enjoy it. This was a lesson indeed. I would not say I overate but I wasn't satisfied and therefore when I got home I justified myself eating some ice cream, not much but still I was not hungry and did not need it. Lesson learned for the day.

I am going to begin walking today (if it doesn't rain). I brought my tennis shoes and mp3 player and intend to walk around the block that I work on. I drove around it this morning and one time around is almost half of a mile. So if I walk it two times, that is almost 1 mile. My goal is to start out doing that 2 times this week, then up it one day every week. That should be fun once its dead of summer, but maybe then I'll opt to use my vcr tape and walk inside, but I have plenty of time before that is a concern. Although it was 75 yesterday and expected to be about that again today. Gotta love Mississippi weather. I was hoping when we got to January we might actually see some real cool weather. I don't want to be freezing but I would like to see enough of a winter if even a mild one to say we had winter.

I slept great last night, the night before I had several things running around in my brain and just could not get it to shut down. Those things have been settled and decisions made so last night made for a much better night of sleep. I love things that are settled.

My boss just brought me the newspaper so I'm going to read it. Thanks for tagging along....

Happy 13th Birthday Hannah Michele!!!

It's hard to believe that 13 years ago the sweetest prettiest most amazing little girl came into the world and stole my heart completely. Seems like just yesterday, but its true, today is her 13th birthday. She was so excited when I talked to her this morning, even though she had to admit that she didn't really feel any different and was not happy about having to go back to school from Christmas break on her birthday, but I hope she'll make the best of her day. We are all going to El Sombrero for dinner tonight, of couse we'll make her wear "the hat" and I'll get great pictures and do fun layouts. Then on Friday she is having a sleepover and I'm sure that will be lots of fun, I'm sure that I'll go spend some time out there for that. I'm excited about seeing her interact with her friends from school.

Anyways, just wanted to do a quick post in honor of the one who I love up to the sky and back!!!

Food 1/7/08

8:20 a.m. - 2/3 pack of nabs (cheese on wheat)

12:15 - half turkey and cheese on whole grain bread, about 10 pringles

6:20ish - small beef/cheese quesadilla and about 3/4 cup of mexican rice, 2 bites of a cookie cake, then when i got home had 1 scoop of ice cream

Food 1/6/08

12:30 - 3/4 order of bbq nachos and side of potato salad from Corky's (ate most of the topping but not a lot of the chips)

7:45 p.m. - 1 hot dog, about 8 pringles, 1/2 cup chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream

Food 1/5/08

12:15 p.m. - chicken sandwich

7:00 p.m. - 1 serving of mexican lasagna (frozen dinner, not fabulous, but not bad)

9:45 - 1/2 cup of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream

Finally Friday....

.....all who know me know that I love Friday because that signals the beginning of the weekend, get through the 9 hours of work and then it's 2 days and one evening of freedom. I have a layout to work on tonight so I'm looking forward to that. I also have a mountain of laundry that needs done, it may wait till tomorrow.

I think I only sent this link to females so I can discuss that I was very very glad to see TOM (time of month) show up yesterday. Due to the recent weight gain I had been a week late for the past 2 months. I was very concerned that if I was late this month and next month then I'd have been dealing with TOM on the cruise....but it showed up exactly on time yesterday. I was so very thankful. I had prayed and asked God to help me out there and He is faithful indeed. And more about his faithfulness.....I always crave chocolate during the first 2 days of TOM, well yesterday was not bad, but then later in the evening I felt it coming on....low and behold we are checking out at walmart and what to my delight do my eyes see......the most fabulous thing......sugarless dentyne blast....CHOCO-MINT flavor! Can you say awesome?? I can...perfect fix for the craving. Rocky was even pleasantly surprised to pop one in his mouth and that first crunch was pure chocolate surprise mixed with just the right amount of mint! I am so indebted to the makers of Dentyne...now if only they'll keep making it! I told him he had to buy a pack everytime he saw it so we would never run out, ha.

It's 2:00 now and that means only another 2 hours and I'll be leaving for the day. I have an erand to run and the place is closing early today, so I gotta leave a bit early to deal with it. I wish I had a book to read for the next 2 hours, but I don't, so what shall I do? Maybe I'll head over to the gallery at ASF and peruse some layouts for some inspiration to work on the 1st challenge of the year. Christmas cookie layout here I come.

Ciao babies! Have a fabulous weekend. God bless you!!

p.s. I'ts after 2:00 and I have not gotten hungry yet, eating a biscuit at 9:15 was not a good idea when I'm trying to get my body on a more regular eating schedule. Oh well, maybe soon it'll get there.

p.s.s. It's 3:37 and my tummy just growled, I think I'm going to just let this hunger pass this time around and try to get through till about 5:30 and see if I can make that a start at a normal eating pattern, we'll see.

Food 1/4/08

9:15 - sausage cheese biscuit (whataburger) who knows when i'll be hungry again now.....definitely not at lunch time which is in about 15 minutes....oh well....

5:15 - 1 battered fish filet, 1 hushpuppy, 1/2 order fries (captain d's)

it's 9:06p.m. and my tummy just growled a little bit...i just might indulge my chocolate craving with part of a dove candy bar in the fridge.....hhhhmmm

Food 1/3/08

7:45 a.m. - 8 ounce english toffee cappuccino

1:15 p.m. - 1 battered fish filet, 1/2 order fries & 1 hushpuppy (plus some crunchies)

****NSV**** .....I ordered the fish & fries combo, normally when you order this particular combo you get 2 tiny filets, some fries and 2 hushpuppies and maybe a few crunchies in the bottom (and we all know that is the best part), anyways today I order this same combo and what to my surprise is in the box when I open it....2 huge hot great smelling filets, with hot steaming fries, 2 hushpuppies and a BUNCH of crunchies. Oh my....but guess what I WON...I only ate half of the food and put the rest in the fridge for tomorrow. It won't taste as good tomorrow but just the joy in not eating to much makes it okay even if doesn't.

9:15 p.m. - leftover meatloaf, macnchez and peas

Adjusting well...

....so after a week my body is adjusting well and starting to get close to a regular eating schedule. I've been slightly hungry about 7:30ish the last 2 morning and opted for a cappuccino as opposed to breakfast, probably not the healthy choice but it was my choice. Was hungry at lunch yesterday and its 11:15 and my tummy is rumbling already, which is good except I left my lunch at home. I need to go get gas, so I may grab a little something while i'm out getting gas. anyways...all is well and God's grace has definitely been sufficient for me. He never ceases to amaze me.

Not much going on today, I'm at work and wishing I wasn't, but oh well I gotta do it, so I might as well smile while I am. I am going shopping this evening. I have to get Hannah's birthday present and also pick up a few items for an event in February while we are out and I think Rocky is wanting to do a quick driveby at Bass Pro. Although those never really are just drivebys...they tend to last longer than expected for some reason or another and men talk about women shopping, give them a huge building with lots of testosterone, stuffed dead animals and mega amounts of flannel and camoflauge and they turn into women pretty darn quick.

I just printed some pictures from Hannah and I making Christmas cookies, hopefully I can get some paper and do a layout for the first 2008 challenge at ASF (A Scrappin Friendsy).


That's all for now, maybe I'll post more later, we'll see.

Food 1/2/08

7:30 a.m. - 8 ounce english toffee cappuccino

12:30 p.m. - chicken/broccoli fett alfredo (frozen dinner)

8:45 p.m. - just over half of a turkey melt at mcalisters.

January 2, 2008 - 1st Weigh In

Beginning date 12/26/2007: 297 pounds

1/2/08: 288 pounds


yup you read it here, I lost 9 pounds in my first week. i am realistic enough and have been down this road enough times to know that the first 2 weeks will be pretty decent losses then it will slow down and that is really the healthy way to do it. i'm just excited to see that i'm just 1 pound shy of being where i was all of 2007.

Happy New Year 2008

I can hardly wrap my brain around the fact that it's already a new year...again. It seems like time flies by so quicklly that I can't keep up.

We had a fabulous time with the Nations last night, we played games and as alwasy enjoyed their company. We had several discussions about the fact that our cruise is coming up very very soon (apparently not as soon as I had calculated, but soon none the less).

Don't have much else to say today. I still don't have a picture to post that is a current one of me at this size. Maybe I can manage to get one some time this week, but I'm not sure how often Rocky will actually be home the rest of the week. We'll see how it goes. I know I need to have pictures so that when my 40th birthday arrives and I am of course looking and feeling fabulous I want to be able to SCRAP my achievement.

I'm fixing to go check the thermostat because I'm freezing and maybe go curl up with a book until it's time to put the meatloaf together. Assuming its not to cold for the ground beef to thaw out in time. I kind of slept late today, like Rocky called and woke me up at 11. I guess I needed some rest cause it's been a long time since I slept till 11.

That's all for today......ciao baby!!

Food 1/1/08

1:30 p.m. (i slept till 11, hee hee) - 1 hot dog w/cheese and about 10 fritos scoops with a slice of cheese melted over them

8:30 p.m. - slice of meatloaf, 1/3 cup mac n cheese, 1/3 cup of butter peas

9:00 p.m. - 1/2 cup no sugar added butter pecan ice cream (seems like more when you put it in a tiny bowl and take tiny bites, hee hee.