THIS & THAT WITH JC

ONE DAY AT A TIME

2012-01-30T18:25:00.000-06:00

I started to type "one day at a time, sweet Jesus" but that is a line of a song that I don't really remember and Jesus doesn't factor into this post.

My employer participates in a statewide get health program that starts the last week in January and goes for 10 weeks. The goal is to lose 10 lbs in 10 weeks and be eligible to win money. Actually the goal for the state is for it's employees to lose weigh and save the state money on insurance payments (that is me reading between the lines). Employees sign up and are put in teams of four. Each person in the team must lose 10 lbs in 10 weeks in order for the team to be eligible to win anything. The first time I signed up which was years ago, I recruited one coworker who gained a pound instead of losing. I was upset with her as were the other team members who were upset with both of us. Oh well, time goes on. I signed up this year. Weighed in last Monday (no I'm not sharing the number) and was really ticked with myself that I had allowed myself to gain so much in the last couple of years. However, on the up side, I weighed this morning and have lost 5.3 lbs in one week. How? I knew you were wondering. I got back to basics (moving, writing down every bite I ate and journalizing) I signed up with Sparkpeople.com which is a great site. I learned about it through on of the many blogs I used to read.

My DH went with D#3 for the walk through on their new house. He wasn't alone. D#2 went with them. They are to close on the house tomorrow and start moving in. Hopefully all will go well and by this time next week DH & I will be back home. Usually with all that is going on right now, I would be running to the cupboard or refrig. but I'm surprised that I'm simply not interested in feeding my feelings. I've always known that it didn't work. However, today I know I must find a better way to deal with difficult times and difficult situations than food.

I'm looking at food consumption as something that is up to me and I choose to make better choices "ONE DAY AT A TIME".

HEY WHAT YA DOIN

2012-01-24T17:14:00.000-06:00

As for me and mine, we are very, very busy. I am doing better in terms of posting, if you are noticing. It has only been three months minus two days since my last post. Truth is I'm tired. I feel like I'm on a merry-go-round that never stops. Have you ever felt that way?

There is a new great-grandbaby in the family a little girl named Khloe Grace born December 20, 2011. I suppose that is the biggest best news I have.

I have completed four seasons, one entire year, out in the country where the kudzu grows. The drive to work has been the worst and best of the experience. Every season has its own beauty and I have been blessed beyond measure to enjoy each one. Do I now love the drive? NO but I can tolerate it. Fortunately, I will not be tolerating it for too much longer. DH & I are moving back to the house we sold to our youngest daughter & her husband last year. They discovered that in this down economy they can finance a much higher dollar house than mine. Suddenly mine became undesirable. Lickly split, they found another house closer to their work and will be closing on it the end of this month. There is more to the story than that but I look at it as God restoring what I should not have gotten rid of in the first place. Nothing was in writing so there isn't a lot I could do to hold them to a verbal agreement anyway. Now they are dealing with realtors, mortgage brokers, etc. All I can say is welcome to the real world. Seems that when they went to get a mortgage on my house they were told that their credit score was great, they did qualify for more than the sale price of the house; however, my house would not now appraise for the asking price. I have an appraisal from two years ago but now we are told my house would appraise for 25k to 30k less. Probably would not appraise for what I paid for it six years ago.
Oh well, I'm blessed to be employed and able to make the payments so life goes on. My DH has learned a lot from the experience that I already knew such as don't do business with family or friends.

The stress over the house situation really sucked the joy out of the holidays, since it all started around Thanksgiving. The girls couldn't agree on when to get together so we didn't celebrate Christmas as a family until January 7th. I had taken a month off which was really a big mistake except that I learned that I may never retire. I need the social aspect of my work environment so I went back to work early. True but not because Iwas bore or unhappy which I was but because I may need to take some time off moving the first week of February.

On to other things. HEY if you are receiving a Social Security check, congrats on that 3% raise. Sorry, Medicare premiums went up. My DH was not impress with the raise until I informed him that it would pay for almost a tank of gas.

Now you are all caught up with my world. I'll be coming to visit you soon, I hope. I've been lurking but not commenting. Sorry. OH one more thing before I go. One of the two graduating grandsons made 30 on the ACT exam and qualified for a full tuition scholarship to the University of Alabama. YES, I'm bragging, but is it bragging when it is true?

CAN IT REALLY BE SIX MONTHS?

2011-10-26T18:00:00.001-05:00

Since I last did a blog post. Why, YES, it can be over six months by a few days to be exact. Truth is I'm still lurking in Bloggerville but just haven't had the time for posting. Live is good, better than good, great even. Better than great it is "Let me tell you about my God" great. What has changed, nothing (lots of stuff). Still happily married. A new Great-grand-baby-girl is on the way, due to be here Christmas Eve. Joe & I are still living where the kudzu grows but I am getting accustomed to the drive. I'm learned I can drive, pray and listen all at the same time making the hour drive much easier. Workwise, the federal grant that pays my salary was renewed for another five year so I'm very, very, very happy about that.

My DH's sister was diagnoised with breast cancer and underwent surgery yesterday. I've never known anyone personally to fight that battle. It was an agressive cancer but it was caught early. Her lymph nodes are clear and it had not spread to her bones. She will still undergo Chemo but I don't know the details. I'm wondering if there are different kinds of Chemo. Does a persons hair fall out with any chemo treatments or just certain kinds. I don't even know who to ask so I'll just pose those questions right here, right now. If you have any words of wisdom on how I can help my sister-in-law, I sure could use them.

I've discovered being a step-mother is no walk in the park even if the kiddos are grown with their own families. Still, I'm happy to be a part of the family.

Weight-wise, I'm not even going there in this post. It would take too long.

Hoping all is well in your world. I've been trying to read a few blogs and will try to be more consistent with posting and commenting on your blog.

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY

2011-04-22T17:04:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited about this weekend. I love Easter and the meaning of the holiday. Of course, I love spring time in general when all the trees start coming alive after the winter. I can really do without the commercial aspects of Easter (bunny, eggs, peeps, etc) but for little ones nothing beats a good Easter Egg hunt except for a chocolate bunny and a few marshmallow peeps. Yes, the yellow Peeps are the best. But, for me as a Christian, Easter is so much more.

This will be the first Easter in 21 years that I will be attending services at my own church. Usually I am on the road to visit family during church time. We are meeting at my sister's house on Saturday for lunch, then my new family will do lunch after church on Sunday. I find myself conflicted between wanting to be with my siblings for holidays and wanting to be with my new family. I'm excited that it seems to be working out this year. I'm so grateful to have a sister that tries to accommodate her extended family by changing her date and including my new family in her gathering. My new family that can go tomorrow seem to be excited about going to her house and meeting their new relatives that were not at the wedding. I realize I'm rambling about a subject that may be of no interest to you but I just can't contain my joy so I have to share. This will be Great-Grandboy's first Easter and he is toddling so it should be a lot of fun.

Most importantly it is a time for Christians to celebrate the resurrection of Christ and to be humbled and grateful for His sacrifice and His obedience to His/our Father. Most everyone knows John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

I love the second part of John 10:10 where Jesus says, "I am come that they might have life and have it in abundance." I have that verse printed on my checks as a reminder that I have an abundant life because over 2000 years ago, Christ came, died and returned to the Father to give abundant life to me. Glory, Hallelujah!!!! He is risen!!! But by the power of the Holy Spirit dwells in the lives of all who believe in Him.

My sincere prayer is that you know and believe in Him. Being part of the Body of Christ is a wonderful adventure. Have a great, happy and blessed Resurrection Day weekend.

TAKE ME BACK -- PLEEEEEAAAASSSSEEEE

2011-04-08T11:58:00.002-05:00

How many times can I leave you and return? Apparently a bunch, as long as I don't forget my password or how to retrieve it. A friend said I lost my mind when I fell in love and apparently she is correct. I have been happily in love for over a year now but my mind is still on vacation(honeymoon). Seriously, I could not remember the password and forgot that when I requested a password change the request was going to an email I no longer use. For those of you that think I must be the dumbest blogger ever, you may be right. It dawned on me this morning to check that email account and well, here I am posting for the first in months. Oh my goodness a whole season has passed since my last post. I changed my template for the change of seasons. So much has happened with me over the winter but all (most) is good. Not much happening on the weight front. Returned to Weight Watchers a couple of months ago and have lost 11.something lbs but it is all weight that I've lost before. Still it is a start. I can't say I'm following WW to the T because I'm on day 12 of a 21 day Daniel Fast leading up to Palm Sunday and Passover (which I don't celebrate but I do acknowledge). Meaning I am eating only fruits, veggies & water right now. Once I was over sugar withdrawals, I feel great. Joe is doing the fast with me so that is a huge plus. All my cravings for this or that food are completely gone, it is the most wonderful feeling you can imagine to just go through the day and not consider food. I eat when my stomach gets empty and lets me know it. I don't have food on my mind when my eyes open in the morning. AWESOME. Plus, I feel more spiritually aware of myself and my relationship with God. Braces are still on but will come off the top teeth the Tuesday after Easter. I was so hoping to have this ordeal behind me by now but no it still drags on. Work is busy. Our first field trip in next week. I have a great staff. Everyone appears to be getting along and taking care of business. We are waiting to hear from the Fed if our grant will be renew for the next five years or if we will be looking for a job come August 30th. Well my lunch break is almost over so back to work.

FALL AGAIN?

2010-10-27T16:11:00.001-05:00

When I typed the title, I was referring to the season. It was in the heat of summer when I last posted and here we are coming up on fall. I really can't say I know when the seasons begin and end. I usually go by the weather however, for the last couple of days we have had unusually high temperature and tornado warnings every few hours. Weather warnings are such fun (not really) at my house. The weather siren is about 1 block away. You do not have to strain to understand what is being said because it feels as if the weather alert person is at the foot of my bed in the middle of the night. Does the weather siren have me up and moving to my safe place (master bedroom closet)? NO!!! Now, don't you appreciate me giving you useless information after being postless for over two months.

Back to the title. It could refer to my fall in my battle of the weight loss, again. I'm sounding like a broken record (for those of you that are old enough to remember records). I signed up with "Sparkpeople" last month and in that month I gained 3 lbs. What is with that!!!! I could go on and on about my lack of motivation (complete lack), my happy marriage (yes, J is still in the picture), my new step-motherhood status (harder than I thought it would be), my job (stressful time of year), or feel free to make up your own excuse. EXCUSES, I am full of them! As my rear gets bigger and bigger so do my excuses. Sadly, I have come to believe some of them. However, my analytical, critical, auditing mind has kicked in. Pity it didn't kick in 20 lbs ago.

Not caring for my body shows disrespect to the one who made me (I'm not talking about my parents). Scriptures are full of references to caring for our bodies so why am I choosing to ignore them. My body is God's temple so who am I to trash His temple!!! It doesn't seem that it would be that hard to care for my body, especially what I put in it. Now does it??? It appears I'm having a moment of repentance so will I turn from my backslidden condition and return to do what is necessary to take care of my body. Do I not love myself enough or do I not love my Creator enough? That is the question racing through my head as I type. Tears fill my eyes because of my inability to answer myself. Eating correctly isn't about motivation because motivation is like fear. Sometimes we just have to do things even though we are afraid. Sometimes we have to do things (eat well) even though we are not motivated. I'm always going to have stress at work so what! I'm happy being a wife and step parent so changing that is nonnegotiable. Truth I do love the One that created me enough to say "no" to a lot of fat and calories. I will return to scripture as I always do to find my true answers.

I'm not asking you to solve my problem or even to comment on the post. What I am asking is for your support. You were with me as I lost ninety lbs. so I know you will not fail me now. I ask for your forgiveness for not visiting your blogs and commenting as I did in the past. I will try to do better because many of you share my same issue and I receive inspiration for you for which I am very grateful.

WELCOME TO SUMMER IN ALABAMA

2010-08-10T16:30:00.000-05:00

This is an email my sister sent to me August 2007. Now I believe in giving credit where credit is due but I have no idea who generated this jewel. If you do, let me know. I am presenting it to you uncensored so if some word are not to your liking; I am sorry but it losing something by changing the words. I can't read it without laughing out loud. I'm not sure if you can really appreciate this if you don't live in the south. Enjoy.

Dear Diary:

May 30th: Just moved to Huntsville, AL from up North. Now this is a city that knows how to live!! Beautiful sunny days and warm balmy evenings. What a place! Watched the sunset from a party on a blanket. It was beautiful. I've finally found my home. I love it here.

June 14th: Really heating up. Got to 100 today. Not a problem. Live in an air-conditioned home, drive an air-conditioned car. What a pleasure to see the sun everyday like this. I'm turning into a sun worshipper.

June 30th: Had the backyard landscaped with western plants today. Lots of cactus and rocks. What a breeze to maintain. No mre mowing law for me. Another scorcher today, but love it here.

July 10th: The temperature hasn't been below 100 all week. How do people get used to this kind of heat? at least it's kind of windy though. BUt getting used to the heat and humidity is taking longer than I expected.

July 15th: Fell asleep by the pool. (Got 3rd degree burns over 60% of my body.) Missed 3 days of work. What a dumb thing to do. I learned by lesson though. Got to respect the ol' sun in a climate like this.

July 20th: I missed Morgan (our cat) sneaking into the car when I left this morning. By the time I got to the hot car for lunch, Morgan had died and swollen up to the size of a shopping bag and stank up the $2,000 leather upholstery. I told the kids that she ran away. The car now smells like Kimbles and shits. I learned my lesson though. No more pets in this heat.

July 25th: The wind sucks. It feels like a giant freaking blow dryer!!! And it's hot as hell. The home air-conditioner is on the fritz and the AC repairman charged $200 just to drive by and tell me he needed to order parts.

July 30th: Been sleeping outside by the pool for 3 nights now. $1,500 in damn house payments and we can't even go inside. Why did I ever comd here?

August 4th: It's 105 degrees. Finally got the air-conditioner fixed today. It cost $500 and gets the temperature down to 85, but this freaking humidity makes the house feel like it's about 95. Stupid repairman pissed in my pool. I hate this stupid city.

August 8th: If another wise ass cracks, "Hot enought for you today?", I'm going to strangle him. Damn heat. By the time I get to work the radiator is boiling over, my clothes are soaking wet, and I smell like baked cat!!

August 9th: Tried to run some errands after work, Wore shorts and sat on the black leater seats in the ol' car. I thought my ass was on fire. I lost two layers of flesh and all the hair on the back of my legs and ass. Nw my car smells like burnt hair, fried ass, and baked cat.

August 10th: The weather report might as well be a damn recording. Hot and sunny. Hot and sunny. Hot and sunny. It's been to hot to do anything for 2 damn months and the weatherman says it might really warm up next week. Doesn't it ever rain in this dame desert?? Water rationing will be next, so might as well watch $1,700 worth of cactus just dry up and blow into the damn pool. Even the cactus can't live in this damn heat.

August 15th: Welcome to HELL!!! Temperature got to 105 today. Forgot to crack the window and blew the damn windshield out of the car. The installer came to fix it and said, "Hot enought for you today?" My wife had to spend the $1,500 houst payment to bail me out of jail. Freaking South. What kind of a sick demented idiot would want to live here??

MY HOW TIME FLYS

2010-05-17T15:35:00.002-05:00

It has been almost two months since my last post. Oh my goodness where have I been and what have I been doing??? Seriously, I wonder myself. Life has a way of interfering with blogging. In case you haven't experienced that by now, you will.

Since my last blog, the bike has seen no action on my part. It broke down a couple of times but fortunately for Joe, I was where I could come retrieve him. It is now in a shop somewhere waiting for something to be done to it. That is the extent of what I know.

We have put a F S sign in front of my house (I can't spell out the word "For Sale", just to much to contemplate). Reality is I married a country boy who has never lived in a subdivision and doesn't care for it. Solution, sale my house to find a place midway between daughters and my work. Stay in his place until we find something. His place is too far out for me to drive the next ten years (full retirement age). He wants a place to do his woodworking so I'm sure with time we will find a place to suit both of us.

Biggest news is that great grand boy/son is here. He looks like one of those newborn dolls. Yes, that is great-grandmama talking. He weighed 7 lb 11 oz and is 20 inches long. I would post a picture, if I had one. I keep forgetting my camera. Actually I've only seen him once when they came home from the hospital last Wednesday. Joe & I started getting colds toward the end of the week so we are staying clear of him until we are better. Actually, he came home from the hospital last Wednesday, went to his Pediatrician on Friday and was sent to Children's Hospital in B'ham. He stayed there until yesterday afternoon. Something about his temperature being too low. Can you imagine being two days old and getting circumcised and then two days later having a spinal tap done to you. Dang, I'd cry too. Tests showed nothing. Praise God. He is a healthy but sore little guy.

We are staying busy going through and clearing out both places. Reality whacked me in the face when I saw two of his first wife's wheelchairs in storage. Also her lift chair is still in the living room. Of course, the plan is to get rid of these things but the reality is they are still there. Out of site; out of mind. At least that is my thinking, I'm trying to be sensitive to the girls but someone that can use that stuff needs to have it. Joe & I don't need it.

Well got to run. I'll try to visit as soon as I have a few minutes to spare.

NEVER TOO OLD

2010-03-26T17:00:00.000-05:00

TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW.

I was going to be witty and find pictures for this post but I just don't have that much time. I know I left you hanging in my last post but it was just getting too long. Anyway, I left you with saying I have a need for leather. If you reasoned my need for leather was due to my riding on the back of my hubby motorcycle last Saturday, you would be correct.

Yes, at 56 years young, I threw my short legs over that bike got myself securely wrapped around my husband and off we went. Yes, I was praying for safety and sanity for the first 15 minutes of the ride, then peace came & I enjoyed myself. However, I didn't let go of my grip on Joe the entire time. Sunday I was sore all over.

I can not tell you if I have ever had more fun and been more frightened at the same time in my entire life. I loved it!!!!

You see Joe has two motorcycles (neither of them Harley's). Now, he thinks it is a good idea for me to go to motorcycle riding school to learn how to ride (drive) one.

At first, the plan was to sell or trade both motorcycles for a trike (motorcycle with three wheels). I went online and saw the prices and thought they were a bit much for what is essentially a toy. We went trike shopping where Joe had the same revelation, toooooooo much money for a big boy (or girl) toy. He said he would teach me to "lean". Immediately, I felt sick at my stomach and I'm not sure but I think my heart might have skipped a few beats but not in a good way.

Last Friday, Joe, goes to his place and gets another helmet in anticipation of a pretty Saturday. He is so sly. We had a church dinner to attend Friday night so we were not going to be spending the weekend at his place. Saturday morning after breakfast, he suggests I just try getting on the bike. I figured what harm could there possibly be in that. Then he presented me with my choice of two helmets, I chose the red one with goggles. I should have gone with the full face helmet but that is another story. Next thing I knew, I had on my sneakers, jeans, a polo shirt, a sweatshirt, a coat and gloves and off we went. Joe of course has a leather riding jacket and leather gloves. Now, I must have the same because I just didn't look the part of a motorcycle riding great-grandmother to be. It is o.k. to laugh, I am.

Now I just must have my own pink full face helmet, leather jacket (pink & black). I am a girly girl. Oh, and less not forget pink leather riding gloves. However, all black will do just as well. Then there is the whole communication thing. We must have those helmets with the speaker so I can understand what he is saying as we are flying down the road.

I know you are wondering where we are went. Well of course, we were just going 5 miles down the road but ended up at his place 30 miles away.

We got there and as I was taking off my helmet I heard, "I just have one question for you. Are you crazy!!!" I looked up to see Joe's middle daughter with her hand on her hip, looking like she would like to have both of us committed to a home for unbalanced old folks. It struck me a funny. My reply was, "Well, I thought you 3 girls established that I was when I married your Daddy!!" We both got a lecture on safety, as if we were her 16 year old, newly drivers licensed son. What a hoot.

I learned a lot from this experience.
1. You are never to old to learn something new.
2. It is o.k. to have fun, whatever your age.
3. It is o.k. to find your step-children amusing.
4. If you are not wearing a full face helmet, keep you mouth shut. Bugs in my braces just would not do.
5. You see things riding on a motorcycle you don't see in an enclosed vehicle. Same goes for smells like pine from a log truck. Don't get me started on road kill or pastures.
6. Motorcycles are great places to PRAY.
7. It is hard to catch your breath with wind in your face. Takes practice.
8. If you are glued, plastered, wrapped around the driver, you don't have to concern yourself with leaning. Just stay with him.
9. Motorcycle riders acknowledge each other on the road with a little hand gesture. I was not comfortable with letting go of Joe long enough to practice this move, maybe next time.
10. IF there is to be a lot of motorcycle riding in my future. Joe must get a more padded seat for my backside. HA!!!

I want a TRIKE and LEATHER and a RAISE to pay for it.

I'm doing expectant Great Grandmama duty this Saturday (baby shower) in a town an hour or so away. It will be our first Saturday apart. If the weather is pretty, I imagine Joe (Pawpaw) will take a ride without me. Can't say I'm shedding any tears.

Y'all have a great weekend.

So tell me is there something you want to do but never had the courage to do it?

SO MUCH TO REPORT

2010-03-24T17:53:00.002-05:00

WHERE DO I BEGIN!

When last I posted, life was just rocking along. Joe with car fever and me with spring decorating fever. Neither of us doing anything in regard to our health. Well that was then and this is now.

Joe traded his 15 year old car for a 10 year old car. You would think it is brand new. Well the 15 year old one had over 250,000 miles on it and is now one of the grand kiddos car. Picture my brow creased with worry over the child being stranded but that really is his parents problem not mine. New 10 year old car has 124,000 miles on it so according to Joe "it is just getting broke in good". If you are an older southern gentleman you probably know what that means.

My decorating fever has cooled a bit but not before I spent over $300 on new linens for the other place, weekend retreat, Joe's place or whatever you want to call it. If you remember, I purchased a comforter set from Walmart. Well, I learned a valuable lesson. MEASURE before you buy linens. Did you know that all comforters are not the same size. It has been soo long (17 yrs) since I bought a comforter apparently things have changed. King does not mean a certain width anymore. Of course the depths of mattresses have changed in the last few years as well creating a need for wider comforters. The Walmart comforter was 102" wide. I needed one that is 108" wide. Well you don't find those at Walmart. Oh well, it was returned and I found that JC Penny sells comforters that are 110" wide. I will be doing an entire post relating to customer service regarding this whole issue so I'll leave it here for the time being. I also got a beautiful tablecloth that really brighten up the kitchen and more importantly, Joe loves it. I now have a new valance for the den windows and curtains to match the new JCP comforter set and new very deep pocket 400 thread count sheets.

Of course, my fever for decorating didn't end with the other place, it spread to our main place as well. This time the damage was minimal, just a new quilt from Target that matches my existing bed skirt, curtains and shams. The comforter I have is just too hot for summer. It was on sale plus I had an additional 20% off Target coupon.

By the way everything I purchased was on sale or I had a coupon of some sort. Couponing and saving money is a big ole pain and it is also addictive. I love my bedding even more knowing it was on sale with an additional so much off. Now I'm getting to another post so I'll stop here with my couponing tales.

Health wise. Joe & I watched a PBS special about brain health so Joe is now interested in feeding his brain healthy foods. YEAAAAAAAA

Now the big news. At the age of 56, I did something I would never have thought I would do. Want to know what it is? I'll save it for another post. Let's just say I have a need for leather.

NOT MUCH TO REPORT

2010-03-08T17:04:00.000-06:00

It has been almost two weeks since my last post. I would like to report on all the grand and wonderful things going on my live but there just isn't that much to report. Life is great and I am enjoying it. Just not that much going on that would be of interest to you.

Joe's hand is healed. I can't say the same for mine. The doctor really took a plug (a deep one) out of the side of my right hand. I'm doing all the stuff the doctor's nurse told me to do but it seems to be slow about healing. Maybe I'm just impatient. Do you have any idea how many times you touch something with the outside (not the thumb side) of your hand. MILLIONS!!! GAZIOLLIONS of times a day.

The weather this weekend was the best and so is today. Joe & I spent as much time as we could outside and I have the sunburned (not a bad one) neckline to prove it. I have the rearrange, buy stuff for the house bug. Joe has new car fever (well new for him is still used). Hopefully both will pass without a major damage to our bank accounts.

We did purchase a new comforter set for the weekend retreat place (for lack of another word for it). I never particularly cared for what Joe was using, just to county for me. It was something one of the girls had discarded and I could see why. We were going to paint the white walls a bright red but we decided against that and bought linens with red (dark red/cranberry) in them. Very pretty and elegant looking.

Joe took advantage of the pretty weather last Friday and took a chain saw to some tree limbs around our main house. One thing about Joe when he puts his mind to doing something, he gets it done. Now he has decided to put a mini-putt-putt golf course in the back yard. He says it would give the grandkids something to do when they come over this summer for cookouts. I just gave him a perplexed look on that one. The two teenaged grandsons suggested Pawpaw get them a basketball goal for the end of the driveway several months back. I think Joe is trying to come up with a less costly alternative.

Weight wise, I'm not even going to go there. Yes we have weighed in and it isn't pretty. We are both up several pounds and I am physically feeling the effects of months (since braces) of soft mostly carb foods. Today, Joe and I are going for a long walk around the neighbor (Joe just doesn't know it yet). He is still sore from tree cutting.

Work wise, I'm without an administrative assistant again. There will be another one coming in soon. Spring time means planning for the end of school and fieldtrips. I've made many calls and emails so just waiting for responses. Where I work everyone serves on at least one internal committee. This year, I was put on the internal audit committee. Now I have an auditing assignment but the timing just isn't great.

O.K. I'm rambling so I'll stop typing now and wish you a great evening.

WONDERING ABOUT ME?

2010-02-24T15:31:00.002-06:00

Well, it is o.k. if you are wondering about me. Sometimes I wonder about myself. That was suppose to be funny.

I don't know if I mentioned this or not but on Valentine's Day Joe accidentally poured boiling water over the top of his left hand. He has a very nasty burn. On Feb 8th, I had a little rough spot on my right hand removed. It turned out to be skin cancer. Yesterday, I returned to the doctor's office for more treatment (scraping and burning) on my hand. Between the two of us we are a pitiful looking pair. My right hand is covered in white gauze for the next 48 hours because I'm allergic to tape. On the up side of all this, it is Joe's left hand and my right hand so as long as I'm on Joe's right side, we can still hold hands. Isn't that sweet. Neither of us can wash dishes so I'm praising God that we have a dishwasher. And another up side, Joe is right handed and I'm left handed so we can still write, eat, push the buttons on the microwave & stove and wipe what needs to be wiped. HA!!!! LOL!!! I'm cracking myself up. I know I didn't need to go there but I couldn't resist.

We did not weigh this past Saturday because we didn't go to our weekend retreat this weekend. Neither of us wanted to face the scale. We have eaten everything in sight since Valentine's day.

We have gotten plenty of exercise. Even with hurt hands we cleaned out the garage and move all my flower arranging stuff to a little storage building behind the house. Now there is room for Joe's car, 2 motorcycles and new lawn tractor. Yep, you can definitely tell a man lives with me now. I don't know when the little house (storage building) will be organized but Joe did put up multiple shelves on two walls of the building. That will be a job for the spring. Now our attention is turned to cutting/trimming trees. We also took care of cutting bushes back this weekend.

We are planning on planting some tomato plants when it warms up. I want to plant some herbs but Joe has no idea what herbs are or why I would want to grow them.

Well that is all I have for right now. Hope you week is going well. I've read some great blog posts today. If I haven't commented on yours in a while, I'll be by for a visit soon. I hope.

SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-02-16T17:05:00.000-06:00

It is a rare event when we get enough snow for kids to play in but last Friday was our day. The snow started coming down around 10 AM and in a couple of hours everything but payment was white. Here are pictures from my yard back and front. The cedar tree is at the end of my driveway. I love this tree because it reminds me of the yard where I grew up. The next picture is the rest of my back yard.

The picture below is our view from the car as we are headed to our other house before the roads get too bad.

As we go down the driveway, I asked Joe to stop so I could get these next two pictures. I love the way you can see the snow coming down.

These is where we park at the other house. The white car belongs to another couple. but I love the tree line above the retaining wall.

Here is Lassie, our (Joe's) dog. She isn't to happy with cold, wet paws. The close up of this picture shows snow flakes on her flurry back. She is always so happy to see us.

Hope you enjoyed my contribution to snow pictures this year because there probably will not be any more. It was the perfect kind of snow for snowman making but Joe & I didn't make one so no picture. The snow was gone by Saturday afternoon. However, it is so cold here that the snowmen are leaning to one side but still standing.

Well, Saturday was weigh in. Joe & I did good, I think. We both lost 2 lbs each. Joe was disappointed but I am happy. I'm happy with 1 lb a week so 2 in a week is GREAT!!! However, along came Sunday and Valentine's Day Lunch, is there really a need to say more. I didn't think so.

WHEN THE RING GETS TOO TIGHT

2010-02-09T18:04:00.001-06:00

I really couldn't come up with a suitable title. This post is really about 'this & that'. In my last post, I indicated that something was going to have to change in regard to my eating. I posted that I had returned to Curves and all is good in that department. Joe is supportive of my need to go there at least three days a week.

Friday Joe & I went to the Garden (Joe's home & my weekend get-a-way). Sometime in the evening, after we had eaten, Joe informed me that his wedding band was too tight. He said he could not get it off without soaping up his hand. I gave him a "so what are you going to do about it" look. We went to bed discussing his need to lose weight. We decided to weigh and start a diet on Saturday. Saturday, Joe weighs. Oh my goodness, you would have thought it was end times. He has gained 14-15 lbs since our November 21st wedding. I weighed, OMG, I have gained 4 lbs since Jan. 1st. So it is back to the healthy foods and less eating out for us. Joe is on board with walking with me on the days I don't go to Curves.

By the way for 64 years old, Joe is very fit. We went walking in our subdivision yesterday afternoon. At the end of the road, we live on is a steep hill that leads to some very high dollar homes. There is a gate that closes at night but it was open and it was just to much temptation for Joe. I made it half way up the steep incline but Joe was able to run from midway to the top of the hill. Before I came into his life, Joe was walking 6 miles a day. Needless to say he is on board and his weight will be off within a month because that is the way it is with men.

When Joe makes up his mind about something, it is made, and nothing will change it. Me on the other hand still wants ice cream and candy. Why did he make this decision right before Valentine's day? Please do take note that he didn't make this decision before the Christmas Peanut M & M's were gone as was the Butter Pecan Ice Cream. HA!! Joe has a major liking for sweets. Which brings me to my next story.

Last Friday I noticed the next door neighbor's dog was off his lease and roaming the yard (his not ours). Well on up in the day, Joe calls me at work and told me another neighbor had knocked on our door telling him the neighbor's dog was in the street and she feared for the dog's safety. Joe being the kind soul that he is, got out in the rain and cold and put the dog back in the neighbor's back yard and secured him as best as he could. I called said neighbor and left them a message telling them what Joe had done and why. Well let's fast forward to yesterday after our walk.

There is a knock at our front door. It is our neighbor with a bag and envelope in his hand. He came bearing a gift and a thank you card for taking care of their dog. Y'all want to know what the gift was??? I know you do!! It was a coffee cake!!! Now, I'm not a fan of coffee cake so no big deal to me. Joe on the other hand told me to get rid of that thing. I laughed so hard I cried and thought about the scripture about a merry heart does good like a medicine. I think it is in Proverbs somewhere, if you want to look it up. He looked at the nutritional info and informed me that 1/4 of the cake was only 240 calories. I looked at the back of the box and informed him that 1/14 of the cake was 240 calories. The cake in now in the freezer until we need a dessert for some church or family function.

So I weighed this morning and I'm down 2 lbs. however, official weigh-in is Saturday morning at the other house (consistency of scales; according to Joe). I just thought y'all would appreciate that my husband is now on board with healthy eating and exercise. Praise the Lord!!!

PRAISE THE LORD HAPPY DANCE

2010-02-03T19:00:00.002-06:00

That is right. Monday night I was praising God for a good report from my surgeon. He is pleased with the way the bone graft site is healing. He did not remove the stitches. He said they will come out on their own. Now it is up to the brace doctor to get my teeth in alignment. I'm so thankful for all your prayers. Give yourself a hug for me.

I returned to Curves this afternoon. I didn't realize how much I missed going. Not just the exercise but the fellowship of other women. I also walked the local mall at lunch. I don't think my loving husband likes my going to Curves after I get off. He would prefer I come straight home. I hope he can get over it because I need to get back to exercise. My weight is staying steady but but I know I must make some eating adjustments. I've eaten mostly soft carbs since Dec. 3rd. Now that there is someone in my life, I've got to figure out how to eat well and consider my loving husband. Any suggestions from any of you would be appreciated.

Well, that is it for me for now. Hope you are having a great evening.

THIS & THAT

2010-01-26T16:45:00.000-06:00

This & that and not much of anything pretty much describes this post.

Are you a coupon clipper? Well, I have had seasons of coupon clipping in my life but I'm not consistent. Recently I read a comment left on Prayerfully Yours. I decided to visit the commenter and found a renewed interest in coupon clipping. The name of the blog is Together We Save if you want to check it out. What I find so interesting is the work that the blogger puts into the blog. Oh my goodness, I love her and don't even know her. What I really like is that she posts the weekly specials from CVS & Walgreen and tells you how to apply the coupons with their store specials to maximize your saving. HOW COOL IS THAT!!! Now, I'm not brainy enough to figure it out for myself so I need someone to just tell me how to do it. My sister, Tiz, from Prayerfully Yours sees couponing as a mission. If she can save a lot on a product, she figures she or someone else (church nursery) can use, then that is a good use of her resources (time & money). I think she has a point. Little did I know that going to one blog on couponing/saving money would lead to another site, which would lead to another site and the next thing I knew half the day was gone. My hang up with coupons is that a lot of time you can buy the store brand cheaper than using a coupon. Today was my day. I went to CVS with the intention of buying one thing and found another thing 50% off. The 50% off price was less than the coupon I had for it so I got it FREE and it is a product I regularly use. I'm so happy this afternoon. Yes, I know it doesn't take much. Seriously, let me know if you use coupons or how you go about saving money in this economy.

Now on to a rant. You know I don't usually get stirred up enough to rant on my blog. It just takes to much energy and runs my blood pressure up. Now you really are wondering what could possibly have me this stirred up. MY POWER BILL!! Apparently Alabama Power decided to give me a new digital meter so that the company could lay off the meter reader. Now they just electronically determine my power bill. This change resulted in my getting a power bill double the bill last month (from $134 last month to $256 this month). I've never had a power bill in my newly constructed, insulated beyond required house of more than $150 a month. Now before you say, well, JC, you do have a man in the house so you are probably using more power, save it!!! I've already used that argument on myself and it didn't work. Joe is one of these, turn off the lights, unplug appliances not in use, close off the vents and close the doors to rooms not being used kind of guy. So I'm highly ticked off, and I'm gripping profusely, but I'm not calling my sister-in-law that works for Alabama Power and fussing at her about it. I'm fussing to the wind, and to Joe, and to you. Now I feel better. Whew!!! That's all I needed.

On to my dental issues. The bone graft site appears to be doing well. Swollen (yes). Sore (a little) but no extreme redness so I'm claiming the best. I've only taken two pain pills since last Wednesday when the procedure was done. The stitches are getting on my last nerve. Just imagine whiskers poking out of your gums. I don't know if these are the dissolving kind or the get them cut out kind. Tomorrow, I go have braces put on the bottom teeth. I'm not looking forward to it at all but it has to been done before my bottom teeth start shifting due to the missing teeth. I'm so sorry if I'm grossing any of you out. I figure only faithful readers are still reading. If you are still reading "THANK YOU".

One last thing, I hate basketball. The squeaking of sneakers on hardwood just drives me up the wall like fingernails on chalkboard. I avoided basketball games when I was in high school (graduated in 1971). Well, this Friday night is the last season game at home for the grandson that just turned 16. Needless to say, Pawpaw and I are going. Pawpaw doesn't care a thing about going either but what are we to do? We will go and I'll distract myself by watching the other grandparents squirm on hard bleachers. HA!!!! I'm cracking myself up. I can just picture it.

Hope you are having a great week.

WHEN DID YOU???

2010-01-19T16:43:00.000-06:00

When did you learn about blogging? I learned about blogs and blogging two years ago when my niece created a blog "Dust Bunny Hostage". Jen's blog is funny and witty and all the things people look for when blog reading. I would not put my blog in the same category but still I love reading blogs. So I'm just curious as to when you first learned about blogging and when did you start yours.

I can hardly believe it has been almost two weeks since I've done a post. There is plenty going on but just not enough time to post about it. Married life is more life changing than I thought it would be but in a very good way.

Joe & I are still in the getting to know you phase. Joe is a kidder, he likes to kid, he reminds me a lot of my brothers in that respect. However, I don't always get the humor. Well, most of the time, I don't get it which makes whatever it is even more funny to Joe. Sometimes, he just decides the explanation will take too long and just moves on to something else. Does your spouse find things funny that you just don't get??? I would give an example but I can't think of one.

We had a snow day not so long back. It was great. Enough snow to close the schools but not enough to keep me home. Have you ever had the sensation of being in a snow globe? The glittery kind not the snowy kind. The morning after the almost non-existent snow the wind was blowing the snow that had turned to ice flakes off the roof, deck and trees. It sparkled like glitter as it swirled in the breeze and caught sun rays before the weather got too warm and it started to melt. Joe & I stood at the kitchen window and enjoyed the show. I even cooked my Joe a good breakfast that morning. Very Norman Rockwell of me. HA!!! I can not imagine living where snow is normal. Imagine me tipping my hat and bowing to all of you who do live with snow as a normal thing.

Tomorrow, I go for more bone grafting on my right lower jaw bone. Bone grafting was done in four sites during the surgery in December. Three sites took but the one where the cyst was removed did not. The procedure will be done in the surgeon's office so I'm thankful I don't have to go back to the hospital. They will use cadaver bone again. I'm praying it will take this time. The surgeon said if it doesn't take this time around then they will have to take some of my bone from somewhere and do the procedure again. Apparently bone is like an organ, if it isn't your tissue, there is a chance of rejection. He said he could remove bone from my hip or just below the knee. The thought brought tears to my eyes. Please remember me in your prayers.

Oh, one other thing. Joe weighed. He has gained 10 pounds since the wedding. HA!!! Yep, peanut M & Ms and ice cream will do it to ya.

Also, the decision has been made, the great-grandson will call me Grandmama. It has also been decided that everyone in the family will go ahead and start calling me Grandmama so there will be no confusion when he gets here in mid-May. Joe has a great family!!! They asked me what I wanted to be called, I told them, there was NO debate. I was expecting DEBATE!! It was as if, none of them had ever considered calling a grandmother by grandmama or grandmother. OH WELL, our autistic granddaughter was told once that I was Grandmama and it stuck so if she has it so will the rest of them. The decision was made Saturday. Yesterday, Joe pointed at me and asked H. (autistic granddaughter we will call her H.) "Who is that." She didn't miss a beat with her reply of "Grandmama!!!" I couldn't help but smile.

O.K. so I realize I'm rambling. I will try to get to your site soon. Really, I will.

I DID GOOD

2010-01-06T16:45:00.000-06:00

Well it is back to reality but before I go there. I must brag on myself. I hate it when people do that but hey sometimes a girl just has to toot her own horn.

New Year's Day dinner went great. We had 10 out of 12 people show up which turned out perfectly. Eight at the table and 2 at the bar. We had way to much food but next year the menu will be trimmed some. At least by a few dips and one dessert. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and that was the mission. Granddaughter & her hubby had a New Year's Eve party which we had to attend so I'm glad we didn't try to have our event any earlier. Next year it may be later in the day. So much for that.

My first day back to work was Monday and I was sick. I attended the mandatory profession development meeting and then I went to the doctor to learn I did not have Strep throat but some kind of nasty infection. Since my immune system is down due to recent surgery, the doctor gave me really good and expensive antibiotics this time around. However, I was running a temp, so I took yesterday off. You know I didn't want anyone catching whatever I have. Isn't that thoughtful of me? Rather I stayed home and watched the big TV all day.

Today I feel more like myself so I went to work. Not that I did that much. I had a panic filled moment as I stared at my work computer screen and could not think of my password. I've had the same password for the last 6 years so you would think I could remember it. I did think of it after several minutes of telling myself I just could not go to the computer person who is so busy because it is registration to ask for my computer password. I could picture her glaring at me over her reading glasses.

I must have had over 100 emails to read from the last two weeks.

One thing I've found funny is that people ask me how married life is. I'm not really sure what they are wanting to know so I just tell them it is great and leave it at that. What I really want to do is asked them the same thing. Everyone who asks is already married so they should know.

It has never crossed my mind to ask that question.

Well that is all I have for now.

Oh, one more thing. Joe has put on a few pounds since our wedding day. He brought this to my attention last night. I had already noticed. So we were to weigh this morning. I did (206.4) as of this afternoon he had not. HA!!! This cracks me up. I am up 4.4 lbs since my wedding day. Joe bless his heart is going to have to lay off the ice cream and peanut M & M's and I'm going to have to get back to juicing or steaming veggies. I still can't bite or crunch and I'm really missing the crunch of lettuce. Never did I think I would admit that.

Hope 2010 is starting out well for you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR Y'ALL

2010-01-01T10:41:00.002-06:00

I'm so excited. I'm taking a break from cooking to do this post and watch a little Auburn football while the Rose Bowl Parade records.

Joe & I are expecting 12 or more people in a few hours (4:00 pm to be exact).

I know you want to know the menu. Well here it is, BBQ pork, Blackeyed Peas, Collard Greens, Deviled eggs (thanks G), Mac & Cheese, Cornbread, Texas cavalier (dip made with Blackeyed peas), Spinach dip, salsa, potato skins, 7 layer dip, various chips, Apple pie, Strawberry Butter Braid and various drinks. This is all so new to me but I'm really looking forward to it.

My house is clear of Christmas and now my hubby must help me with the table (find the leafs and put the them in. Gotta go now.

Whatever you are doing today, I hope you are having a great time. HAPPY NEW YEAR'S Y'ALL

HOW WAS YOUR CHRISTMAS?

2009-12-28T12:59:00.002-06:00

Mine was great except for Christmas Eve weather. Rain, rain & more rain. It took over two hours to make an 1 1/2 hr trip but it could have been worse. We made it to our distination and home in one piece so all is good.

I celebrated with my new family (my girls & grands) yesterday. We met at a local restaurant for lunch after church. All three girls made it, then we all went back to our Calhoun Co home to exchange gifts. Joe had the coffee maker ready when we came in and I turned the oven on and baked sugar cookies as they arrived. We had a great time and they all stayed as long as they could. The whole family was not there but still it was a good time.

As I type, we are in our Cherokee Co home and I'm killing time while Joe loads the truck with left over shelving to take to our Calhoun Co home. We have a project which I won't bore you with but I am excited to have someone to do home projects. Especially when it is someone that knows how to do stuff like that. I'm loving this little computer but I really must cut my fingernails to keep from hitting the wrong keys.

Now I'm looking forward to New Year's Day. Joe & I decided to cook blackeye peas, greens, cornbread, & BBQ and invite the girls and their families to come over and watch ball games with Pawpaw (Joe) on the big screen. I know some of them will be working but the idea went over well with them. New Year's Day is the only holiday that I don't do something with my siblings. I'm thinking in addition to the dinner foods of having some chips and dip stuff (football food) so if you have any easy ideas, I'd really love for you to share.

How was your Christmas?

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE TO YOU

2009-12-24T08:17:00.002-06:00

Good morning y'all!! I'm sitting here in waiting for Joe to get ready to go back to our other place. I'm content being at his place for the most part but it isn't home and after a couple of days here I am stir crazy. Joe knows this although I don't say anything about it. To help with the boredom, Joe gave me a netbook (I think that is what it is called) computer. A Dell Inspiron Mini and a Verizon broadband stick thingy. Now I can blog read or post or research (right) from the comfort of anywhere Verizon's network picks up. It is great. I didn't even know these things existed until the BlogHer Conference last July.

Well, what has been going on with me. I have an infection at one of the bone graft sites so I'm still on antibiotics. Other than that everything is o.k. I don't feel great & it is just hard for me to pretend that I do. My eyes seem to tell the story. However, I'm looking forward to Christmas. Joe will meet a bunch of my family tonight when we go to my sis-in-law's home. He has met her but not her children and grands. Tomorrow we will go to another set of my family. He as met all of them and will be comfortable there. Well, to be honest, Joe is comfortable anywhere and with anyone. We are both to that point in life where we just take people as they are and if we don't care for them we remove ourselves as soon as possible.

Hoping each of you have a very joyful and peaceful Christmas. As for me and Joe we will celebrate the birth of Jesus but sharing His love with family & friends, this includes you.

LEARNING PROCESS

2009-12-14T16:45:00.000-06:00

Perhaps mothering or in my case step-mothering is a learning process. So far, I've assessed myself and found that I have a long way to go. But, I've only been at it now for less than a month.

One thing I've learned, don't say "come on over" unless I mean it. I will never mean it but they didn't know that. I had a house full of people all afternoon yesterday because I mentioned at bunch, after church, they could come over and see their Daddy's new TV.

Don't say it is o.k. to take the van unless you are ready to be a one car family. Yes, middle daughter took her daddy's van to do a mission of mercy and wrecked it. We praised God she is fine and vehicles can be fixed or replaced. It is an old van (95 Ford) so it will probably be totaled but the insurance adjuster has not made it out to look at the damage. The windshield on the passenger side is broken and the bar that holds it in is bent. It was storming & a tree fell into her vehicle (literally) as she was driving down a state road at 2 am. Another family member had to finish the mission of mercy. Joe is out a way to go. I hate it for him but I need to have mine available at work. I never know when I'll be summoned to another city for some kind of meeting.

Is it o.k. to overhear comments about my white furniture not being kid friendly and say nothing or should I have spoken up? That is my step-parenting question of the day. I wanted to say when I got the furniture (cream, Thomasville sofa and loveseat) 10 years ago that I had no intention of having a family but thought that would come across a little rude. Give me your opinion.

I HAVE SOME EXPLAINING TO DO

2009-12-12T11:44:00.002-06:00

As to where I have been and what I've been doing, let me tell you I would not wish the surgery or recovery on my worst enemy. I simply have not had the mental ability to maintain a thought long enough to type it. Seriously, I've been in a mess.

On Thursday, Dec. 3rd, surgery that was to have lasted 45 min-1 hr lasted 4 hours. This caused the surgeon to keep me in the hospital overnight. My darling Joe had no idea when he married me what he was setting himself up for but he is a trooper and a wonderful husband.

Along the non scale victory line. I discovered I'm small enough to make room for someone else besides me in a hospital bed. HA!!!!! I know too much information!!

I had a reaction to morphine so I was treated for that before I left the hospital. I was so stoned when leaving the hospital I could hardly stand to go from the wheelchair to the car. I spent a couple of days being in and out by Saturday I started changing colors. Barney purple to Shrek green to a butternut yellow. Swelling was unbelievable but on the up side NO wrinkles around my eyes or neck.

The cyst was more involved than though. The muscle holding my bottom lip to my jaw was cut so my bottom lip is stitched down so my range of motion is limited. The nerve to part of my upper lip, my lower lip and chin was not cut but has been though a lot of trauma according to the surgeon. According to me, I can't feel my chin and may not be able to for a while. I'm sure the feeling will return but I have to admit it is odd not knowing you have dribbled down your chin until it hits your neck. UGH!

Somehow my left hand was bound to tightly or for too long during surgery resulting in numbness. For 4 days, I had no feeling in my thumb, forefinger & middle finger. That was an unexpected issue that wasn't at all fun to deal with. But, as of today all that is behind me.

I'm feeling more like myself and hopefully I'll be back visiting in no time. I went back to work last Thursday and made it really well. I was concerned because the antibiotics I'm taking were making me really sick. Then I discovered that I really needed to eat something besides protein shakes.

You would think that I would be ultra skinny by now but NO. I'm going to cruise through the holidays as best as I can and get back to business next year. I don't know if I will be doing very much posting. My new love takes up most of the time I had for blogging. Y'all have a great weekend.

BACK TO REALITY

2009-12-02T19:32:00.002-06:00

Well, sooner or later I knew I would have to return to reality.

Reality came Monday when I returned to work and left my retired husband home. SOB, Sob, sob!!! I didn't but I wanted to. Back to the land of employee training and middle school students. That's right my first day back to work, 7:30 a.m., middle schooler's. I didn't know who was sleeper them or me. My new employee on the other hand was just as chipper as could be. Bless her heart. She is ready to be on her own with all the ups, downs and surprises that go with the job. After work, I returned home to retired husband to find dinner almost done.

Tuesday go to work; leave my adoring retired husband home. Hang dang it. Wanted to cry but I didn't. I'm sure I worked on something work related but it wasn't memorable. After work returned to adoring husband to find supper cooked and windows inside and out cleaned!!!!!!!!! Ladies, the man cleans windows and cooks. Went to a friend's house to retrieve bottom layer of wedding cake.

Today go to work; leave my loving, adoring, retired husband home. Dog it! Take wedding cake to work for eating meeting. Returned home with empty cake plate. Wedding album was passed around like a newborn baby at a family reunion. Wedding cake drew rave reviews, must remember to let my friend who baked the cake know it. Finally, received the call from UAB regarding surgery. It is tomorrow. Joe & I will leave home at 3 a.m. to be at UAB Hospital at 5:30 a.m. for surgery at 7:15 a.m. Joe will find out how much I hate getting up early. Folks pray for him and while you are at it pray for me as well. Tonight we went out to eat, using a gift card, celebrating the fact the the brace wire came off this afternoon and will not go back on until next Tuesday.

For those of you who sent us wedding cards. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

I'll post again when time and health permits. Y'all have a great weekend.

I'M A MRS!!!

2009-11-24T19:18:00.009-06:00

Our Wedding Day was perfect. I have never felt so special. Not just by my Joe but by my pastor, family, his family and especially my friends. The pictures don't do the decorations or food justice but trust me, it was all stunning. Enjoy the pictures. There are just to many to post. Since I'm techno challenged, this is the best I can do for the time being.

This last shot shows my braces but it also shows my husband's wedding band.

I've never known what it is like to feel adored but I do now.

I wish you all could have been there.

LESS THAN 24 HOURS TO GO!!!

2009-11-20T13:05:00.002-06:00

OH MY GOODNESS!!!

I can't even say it is a day away. My brain is going in a dozen directions at the same time and none of the directions has anything to do with work. I am completely useless to my supervisor today but it is the first time in 13 years that I have been completely useless. There have been times when I've been moderately useless but I won't go into any of that.

At lunch today, I took my car to be hand washed ($35) so it is ready for our big day. Mine is newer than Joe's so we are using mine.

I'm starting to get really nervous so I realize that I'm rambling a bit. Just hang in there with me.

I picked up the robe and gown I took to be altered. The alternations woman charged me $35 to shorten the sleeves on the robe and shorten the length on the gown. OUCH!!

My nails are beautiful all 10 of them and for $50 they should be beautiful. My darling Joe is starting to realize I may be a little high maintenance. He is thankful I have a good job.

We have someone who will use my camera to take pictures. I'm so excited about that. She will take the pictures and just give the camera back to me as we leave the church. YEA!!!!!

O.K. I just have nothing else to say. Oh, yes I do. The dinner with Joe's sister & her family went really well. Except that I was running late from getting my nails done and I caused Joe to worry about my where abouts and my welfare. I felt terrible. I had to ask for forgiveness and for him to be patient with me. I haven't had anyone to care about my where abouts or welfare for 17 years and it will take me some time to be considerate. I made him a list of important phone numbers like the beauty shop and my office staff numbers so he will have numbers to call if I falter again. I still feel terrible that I made him worry. I'm sure it didn't set well with his sister either that we were running 30 minutes late but she didn't seem concerned.

O.k. now that is all for today. Needless to say I may not be blog posting or blog reading for a few days but rest assured I will be back. Y'all have a great weekend and say a prayer for Joe. He is getting a hand full in more ways than one. HA!!!!!!

Only 23 hours 5 minutes to be exact!

NAIL DAY

2009-11-19T15:12:00.003-06:00

That is right, it is TWO days before my wedding so it is time for some attention to go towards my fingers & toes. Time to get my feet honeymoon ready!!!!!!! I crack myself up!!! And time to get my hands picture ready.

The work Bridal luncheon was so special. Six people from out of town came and a couple of folks that I don't even work with anymore came. Everyone was so nice to both of us. They wished us well, fed us and gave us a bunch of gift cards. Joe especially likes the one to Lowe's Home Center.

Today has been a quiet day. Work is winding down and all special projects are complete. I can have a peaceful week off next week.

We are having dinner with Joe's youngest sister & her family tonight. I'm looking forward to meeting her.

Y'all have a good evening.

YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!

2009-11-18T11:18:00.002-06:00

I went online to find out the cost of marriage license in my state. Well seems each county can charge a different amount so I go to my county's website. $44.00 to get a marriage license!!! Geeze no wonder common law marriages are so popular here. HA!!!! Cash or check only no credit cards. I'm just saying if your going to get married in Calhoun County, Alabama this is vital information. You just must know.

A lady that I haven't seen in a couple of months (work associate) asked me if I had had some facial surgery. I must have looked very confused. She proceeded to tell me that I looked like I might have had a face lift!!! I'm still not sure whether she was putting me down or giving me a compliment. I'm going with the compliment. I don't know her well enough nor to I care about her enough to tell her of my upcoming wedding.

Just 3 days to go. Count them with me: today, tomorrow & Friday until Wedding Day!!!!!

I'm on my way to the Bridal Luncheon. I'm so excited!! 25 people have confirmed to be there.

More news later. Y'all have a great day.

STILL COUNTING DOWN

2009-11-17T13:33:00.002-06:00

Just FOUR seriously 4 more days until I'll be a Mrs. instead of a Ms.

Thanks for letting me know what to do with the hankie. I seriously had not one clue.

Last counseling session is tonight. We will be going over our vows. We have already done that a dozen times with the pastor's secretary but "HEY" whatever gets us married by our pastor we will do.

We are going to get our marriage license tomorrow. I wonder how much they cost these days? They were cheap 29 years ago.
Guess I need to call about that.

Well that is it for me today. Hope your having a good day.

COUNTDOWN CONTINUES

2009-11-16T00:01:00.002-06:00

Just FIVE count them 5 more days of singlehood!!!

A church friend brought me an antique handkerchief that was her Grandmothers. Considering this friend is in her 60's the hanky is really old but beautiful. I have no idea what I am to do with it so if you do please let me know.

The bouquets are done but unfortunately so are my camera batteries. I think they are lovely.

We spent a really good evening with the Granddaughter & her hubby last night watching Bama football. She was very pleasant and appears to be excited about being in the wedding. Well, it does give her an excuse to buy her first maternity outfit. HA!! She also must get her hair and nails done. How funny she is.

Plans are underway for the day after Thanksgiving ballgame. Finger foods! Everyone is bring something and they will all be there. But for right now, I'm just thinking about the next FIVE days.

Monday - Small Bible study group

Tuesday - Last pre-martial counseling session

Wednesday - Work luncheon honoring Joe & me

Thursday - Dinner with Joe's baby sister & her husband (he is a sheriff so I will be on my best behavior)

Friday - Forks & Friends small supper group.

SATURDAY - WEDDING DAY 1:00 p.m.

COUNTDOWN

2009-11-14T00:15:00.000-06:00

SEVEN DAYS

7! I am counting them.

Only 7!

One week from today!

Both bouquets are in progress. Mine is almost done.

Will take pictures when they are finished. Maybe. HA!!!

Y'all have a great weekend.

GREAT TIME

2009-11-12T15:17:00.003-06:00

HEY Y'ALL

Just a quick update.

The lingerie shower was one of the best times I've had without Joe in ages. The weather was terrible, tropical storm Ida supplied us with plenty of wind and rain all day and all night. I really did not think anyone would come but they did. I am so amazed at the caring and generosity of my friends. We ate way to much but the food was great. The hostess really outdid herself. Oh, the gifts!!! So many beautiful things, nothing the same. Everything fit but one pair of PJs that were too long for my short arms and legs but there was a gift receipt enclosed. I'll take them back for a night shirt or gown or something. One cute little red number with black hearts will be saved for next Valentine's. One of my favorites is a purple nightshirt from Lane Bryant with gold lettering that says "Cuddle Me". It is just toooo cute. Oh, and baskets and gift certificates. I got a basket from my hair stylist of all the hair products I use for me to take to Joe's house and she gave him men's products to keep at my house. Isn't that just the sweetest thing. She even gave me the nail polish I picked out for the wedding and his & hers gift certificates. Another basket if filled with things for a night in. Things like cookies, a bottle of wine, glasses, napkins, icing, cherries, etc. It was beautifully decorated with fall leaves and ribbon the same color of my dress. I am so happy with everything I received even the body finger paint and massage oil!!!

I know some of you would like to see pictures but as I mentioned it rained. I looked like a wet puppy in every picture even with a veil on. Beside some men read this blog and they don't need to see me holding up nighties and bras. HA!

Other wedding plans are coming together. Only 9 day until Wedding Day.

INVITATION DECLINED

2009-11-06T14:07:00.003-06:00

I followed your advice but I had Joe tell the girls about the lingerie shower. I knew they would be more honest with him than with me. Needless to say the invitation was declined which I totally understand. If I were in their position, I would have declined as well. As for me, I'm relieved, it would be too weird. I would not be able to relax and enjoy the company of friends as I will be now.

I tried to figure out when I could take them to lunch but their working calendars and my are completly different so I can't find a time that is good us to have lunch before the wedding so they will just learn me as I learn them as we go along. Maybe we can do something later.

Number 1 son-in-law is home from the hospital. He is taking some mighty fine pain meds that have him loopy but he is funny loopy.

The tussie-mussie that my boss brought is the tinest little thing I've ever seen to how flowers. I took it to three florist who looked at me like I had lost my every loving mind. I think I'm be doing my own bouquet. I'm not spending $50 or more on live flowers for one bouquet when I need two. You will be hearing more about this I am sure.

I need more advice. Alabama & Auburn play the Iron Bowl the Friday after Thanksgiving. Since we aren't going on a real honeymoon until later in the year, we are going to invite the family to his house (big HD TV) for the game. Any suggestions in regard to food? There will be 15 people invited and probably 10 will show. I think the game is in the afternoon. I guess I need look that up.

We are going to a friends house this afternoon to see her receptions/wedding decorations. I'm so excited, I know they will be wonderful because she is so excited about them.

Y'all have a great weekend.

ROCKING ALONG

2009-11-02T15:34:00.002-06:00

No particular reason for the title.

I'm busy with wedding details, and details, and details. I've discovered that even a small wedding involves a lot of details. I'm so blessed to have really great friends that know how to pull things together. I'm even more blessed to have friends that are willing to share their time, talent and money to pull things like wedding decorations and reception food together.

My dress is beautiful. We got Joe a shirt to match it and new dress slacks. My boss is letting me borrow the tussie-mussie her bouquet was arranged in as my something borrowed. Until the moment she suggested it the thought of a bridal bouquet had not entered my mind. Neither had a wedding cake or any of that other reception stuff.

Joe & I survived our first premartial counseling session. We get to go back for another one tomorrow afternoon. That is all there is to say about that.

My work friends are having a luncheon for us on the 18th.

My church friends are having a lingerie shower for me but I don't know when. A LINGERIE SHOWER!!!! Wow, I've never had one of those. Never even been to one of those. However, when asked my sizes, I wasn't ashamed. Major non-food victory.

Weight is hovering. I'm up a few lbs then down a few but basically staying steady. I'm very thankful for this considering we are being invite out a lot.

We faced our first crisis as a couple this weekend. One of Joe's son-in-laws was injured at work. We spend date night (Friday night) at UAB hospital with the rest of the family while he endured over 6 hours of reconstructive surgery on his left hand. He lost one finger on his left hand but the doctors were able to save the other three. PRAISE GOD. On the up side of this, I had an opportunity to get to know his family better and I think I've gone from being "that woman" to being "JC".

So here is a question for you, should I invite his three girls and the PG granddaughter to my lingerie shower???? Just want you opinion. Right this moment, I'm thinking "NO", however, I do listen to by blog friends. Let me know what you think.

DETAILS

2009-10-24T22:19:00.003-05:00

First of all my new person, let's call her D, is working out well. I have high hopes for her.

Second my teeth/braces. I went to the braces doctors Tuesday (Joe went with me). They changed out the wire to a heavier gauge that can support the two fake teeth. Now I'm clear for surgery. That should take place Dec. 3rd but before I get that far into the calendar let me fill in a few details that were left hanging from my last post.

Joe asked me to marry him Friday, October 16th, we spent Saturday looking for rings (didn't buy one because he thinks he can get a better deal in Georgia). Sunday we settled on a date. The rest of this week except for Tuesday was taken up with making arrangements with our pastor, booking the church space, setting up pre-martial counseling (church requirement regardless of your age), him telling his children & the PG granddaughter, me telling my family. Him finding the ring. Last night I received my ring (a 3 stone, 3.5 carat princess cut, set in 14k white gold). It is beautiful (one of those OMG is it real rings). In country terms "he done good".

Everyone is fine with our plans. I'm amazed at how well his family it taking the news even the granddaughter. They have voiced concerns but those concerns have revolved around whether or not he intends to move the big screen HD TV to my house. Can you believe that??? This is a football watching family. He assured them we will be maintaining two homes for the time being and they are free to go watch the ballgame at his place whether he is there or not. My family is happy. I think they know that I would not have said yes, if I were not sure. Extended family, friends & co workers are happy but disappointed because we have chosen to have a private ceremony with only his children, their spouses, his grandchildren and my siblings & their spouses. As for us, we would be happy just going to the pastor's office but his daughters want to be there and I'm thankful that they do.

Oh yes, I forgot to tell you when. Wedding is four weeks from today, November 21st, 1 p.m.

How can I describe Joe to you? Joe is a Levi wearing, motorcycle riding, southern country gentleman and precious Godly man that has completely captured my heart. This picture doesn't do him justice but it is the best I can do for the time being. It was taken at a church small group meeting at a friend's house.

HE ASKED

2009-10-21T17:45:00.001-05:00

I SAID "YES".

More to come in a later post.

SNAG

2009-10-15T15:39:00.002-05:00

Well, before I get to the snag of the weekend let me tell you something. My new person showed up this morning. I was so happy. I think she will be great.

Now back to important stuff, JOE. In case I didn't tell you earlier, Joe has one of those huge HDTV things. I was to go watch the Bama game with him and his middle daughter and her son Saturday. Well another granddaughter invited herself and her husband to come. She called Joe and he told her to come on, that I would be there and she could get to know me better. Well, that didn't sit well with her. When she got off the phone with Joe, she called her aunt crying about her Pawpaw inviting that woman (me) to come watch the ballgame. When I arrived, Joe met me outside and told me we had a situation. Needless to say there was no hand holding during the game (had to be the longest ballgame in the history of ballgames). The granddaughter was over her crying spell and was polite (cool but polite) to me. I knew this would happen I just thought it would be with one of his daughters instead of a granddaughter. Oh, well, she will just have to adjust, maybe it wasn't me, maybe it is the hormonal thing from expecting her first child.

I can understand how she feels. It would have to be hard seeing another woman where someone you loved used to be. I think the idea of Joe dating is fine with his family but I don't think they have considered his bringing a female friend into their territory (his home). It will be interesting to see how this all plays itself out.

Sunday was great, he came and picked me up for church. We spent Sunday afternoon, eating, shopping, walking, and talking. It was a great day. I saw him Tuesday afternoon and I'll see him this afternoon and then tomorrow is another Friday night. Tomorrow night we are going to a friend's house for dinner. Saturday we are going yard sale shopping. Sunday, is my time to greet at church so I told the woman in charge of greeters to add Joe to the list of greeters. Joe thought that was just a fine idea.

I'm just having the best time. I love being treated like a princess.

MID WEEK UPDATE

2009-10-14T09:25:00.000-05:00

My dental appointment to have braces adjusted was put off by the doctor until next Tuesday so no news to report there.

My new person starts to work tomorrow. I haven't heard anything from her so I hope she shows up. I'm busy cleaning out her office. There are records dating back to 1998 and 5 different workers so it is time for house cleaning.

Now for what you really want to know, JOE. I've decided I'm going to keep him. I know that is a bold statement considering the time frame. Of course Joe doesn't know I've decided to keep him. He just knows and I know that he is going to keep me. I don't know about love at first sight but Joe says he knows and that is enough for the time being. Our weekend was great but we did hit a snag, not with us but with his family. Do you want details? Well, whether you want them or not I'm going to share because I just have to or I might explode.

Friday afternoon after work I went to his house. Joe is retired and I could tell he had been planning for my arrival. Dinner was prepared and on the table, in bowls not on the stove the way I fed him. HA!!! He served meatloaf, green beans, mash potatoes, sliced tomatoes (arranged on a plate). Dessert was grapes and cantaloupe arranged on a plate. He even bought my favorite ice cream (lemon). It is still in his freezer, I was too full for ice cream. After dinner, he gave me a card that was so sweet I almost cried. When I looked up to thank him for the card he handed me a box. Inside the box were diamond earrings (they may be cz's but hey they sparkle to me). I cried. He helped me put them on then we went for a walk. He lives way, way out in the country. He talked; I listened. I talked; he listened. Knowing that I brush my teeth (braces) after meals, he had bought me a toothbrush and my own toothpaste. How sweet is that!!!!! THE MAN SHOPPED FOR ME!!!! We rode around some and he showed me the 6 mile route he walks every day. We talked about weight and he understands that I'm not where I want to be so he will be helping me. I found that he had weight issues in the past and had lost 40 lbs and has maintained it so he understands where I'm coming from. That being said I've lost 7 lbs (old ones not new ones) since meeting Joe.

One thing I've noticed since meeting him is that I just don't think about food especially that at home alone snacking.

Well I would tell you about the snag we hit Saturday and our Sunday but I don't want to bore you. However, if you want more details, just leave me a comment.

OH MY MY HOW BLESSED AM I

2009-10-09T11:32:00.002-05:00

So many things to share with you this week.

First of all, Miss Olivia is just precious. Her little head fits in my hand and I could lay her in my lap. Laying a newborn in my lap is a major non food victory for me, it is the first time ever I have laid a baby in my lap because I haven't had a lap. I was so blessed to get to the hospital room at just the right time because she was awake. I could hold her close and look at her beautiful blue eyes. I love the movements and sounds of a newborn.

I have no idea what Olivia's parents thought of Joe but it was so nice having someone make the drive with me. After cooing over Olivia, we went to a near by mall and walked/strolled and talked and talked and talked. Then we had dinner and came home. It was a great day.

Joe & I talk every day. I'm going to his house today when I get off work. He is cooking for me!!! I'm looking forward to seeing him. I don't know what the rest of the weekend holds but I'll just take it one day at a time.

My new person starts to work next Thursday. Hopefully she will be a fast learner, a really fast learner. Once she is on her own, I can think about the dental surgery.

I go back to the Dental Clinic next Tuesday. Joe is going with me. I've never been more excited about having my braces adjusted. HA!!! I crack myself up!

A couple of weeks ago. I met my office clerk's boyfriend. Remember my office clerk that turned 21 this summer. I was kidding around with them, being silly. Last weekend, he asked her who I was. She told him that I was her boss. He told her that I was to pretty to be a boss!!! She said she just had to share that with me because he was serious. Nothing does this old woman's heart good than a 20 something man thinking I'm pretty. Except maybe a really nice gentleman thinking I'm beautiful.

How blessed am I!!!!

Y'all have a great weekend. I'm going to catch up with your blogs one day. Seriously I am.

STILL SMILING

2009-10-05T17:19:00.002-05:00

Hey just a short update to let you know I'm still smiling.

I cooked for my new special friend (Joe) Saturday night. I surprised even myself. However, Joe is a country boy. If it is potatoes and meat or fried anything he is happy. I made steamed Tilipia with asparagus (Yummola), honey glazed carrots (even better) & roasted garlic potatoes. Would you believe I actually peeled and sliced carrots for this man??? Would you believe he baked me a CAKE?!!!! Seriously, he baked me a cake. It was good but I sent it back home with him. I told him if it stayed at my house, I would be wearing in on my back side by today. I've never had a man bake me a cake before. He is cooking dinner for me this Friday night at his house. I'm so excited.

We attended the early church service yesterday, then had brunch at the local Waffle House. My choice not his.

I'm so surprised that we can talk so much. I'm smiling from ear to ear as I type.

Tomorrow afternoon he is going to Birmingham with me to see my newest grandniece. Miss Olivia made her entrance into the world today. I must go see her. However, I'll be spending the morning talking to 6th graders about time management. Time management is part of good study skills, just in case you were wondering.

Well I'm off to small group meeting. Y'all have a great evening.

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT

2009-10-03T00:46:00.002-05:00

WELL, CERTAINLY NOT ME.

My date was GREAT. There is even a full moon!!!! Can you says AWWWWW!?!?!?! We went to a small Mexican restaurant that served wonderful food. I did not make a pig of myself just in case your were wondering. After dinner, we went to CHURCH. WAIO has a Friday Messianic Service to reach out to the Jewish citizens of our area. It was interesting to say the least. It was nice to have someone hold my hand during service. It seems like I've known him forever. As nervous as I was, I really had a great time. He has such a sweet & humble spirit. Such a gentleman, I feel incredibly blessed.

Well, he just called letting me know he got home safely. I'm going to bed now and I'm going to try to stop smiling.

POST WORTHY WEEK

2009-10-01T17:00:00.000-05:00

This is turning out to be an interesting week.

First of all for Kathy and Grammy, it is Jack Lalanne, the Power Juicer man. In honor of him, I got the Power Juicier out of its under the counter hiding place last Saturday. I decided to read the book this time about how to use the thing. I admit I was doing pretty well doing the juicing thing at least once a day until last night. I bought some pears Saturday along with every other veggie and fruit you can think of including beets. You know the purple veggie. Well, I decided that pears, a beet, a couple of carrots, a stalk of celery, some parsley and spinach would make a yummy drink. It would have gone really well had I started with the beet but NO-O-O. Mr. Lalanne says to use firm fruit in the juicer and my pears were, well, a little too ripe. They turned to mush then I tossed in the beet. The mushy pears stopped up something because the next thing I knew there was beet juice running out from under the juicer all over the counter. You know what beets do now don't you. Now I have a pink Power Juicer, dish clothes, dish towels, front of my tee shirt, what a mess. However, my drink was yummy, mushed up pears and all. I must remember to put the beet in after the carrots or at least before anything that might mush up instead of juice up. Oh well, live an learn and keep paper towels on hand.

On the work front, the second person on the top 3 list accepted the job and has put in her two week notice. She starts August 15th. Woo Hoo! I would like for her to start sooner but there is nothing either of us can do about that.

Weight wise. Down the 4 lbs I was up last week. Also, I hauled my rear back to Curves. I know I have been away to long because I'm really tired after the workout. I did the mall walking thing at lunch. Well, maybe more looking than walking.

I'll soon have a new grandniece. My niece is down to have a C-section next Monday. I'm looking so forward to her getting her. Her mom has been on bed rest for the last three weeks because she is breech and wanting to get here early. She must be excited about meeting her Aunt JC!!! Oh, I do crack myself up.

On the church front, the small group is going well.

I don't know if I mentioned this or not but I met a gentleman at church a couple of months ago. Well, he worked up his nerve to ask for my number this past Sunday.
Very nice man! Or at least he appears to be. Only thing is he is already retired and I have a long way to go to get there. Anyway, I have a date this Friday night. (I can see my sister's eyes widening as she is reading this.) HA!!!! Blog sisters, this is huge, I haven't dated in years!!!! Seriously, YEARS!!!! Stop laughing!! I heard you snickering through the computer monitor. Oh, well, I'll let y'all know how it goes.

I'm a huge pile of nerves just thinking about it today. Here is how my mind is running. What will I wear? Will he care what I wear? I must clean my front porch, leaves are falling, it has rained and I haven't had time to clean out there in a long time. I wish I had told him I would meet him somewhere. I should have insisted on meeting him somewhere. Why didn't I do that? What if it doesn't go well? I'll have to find a new church!!! What if it does go well? What then? Talk about unexpected, what man is interested in an old woman with braces?!?!?! But, I wasn't wearing braces when we first met. He makes me smile in a way I haven't smiled in a really long time.

Well, that is it for now. Y'all have a great weekend just in case I don't post again until next week.

UP & DOWN

2009-09-26T08:49:00.002-05:00

Seems to describe this week pretty well. To be honest there has not been a lot going on that is post worthy.

On the work front, I spent 4 of 5 days in my office. YEAAAAAAAA!!! This gave me time to catch up on paperwork. My open position was offered to my first choice. He accepted one day and declined the next so I'm back to waiting. An offer will be made to the next person on my top three list. In the mean time there is too much to do to spend time fretting over it.

Church front, everyone that started my small group showed up for the second week. That is a very good thing. I went to a small group at a friends home last night. It is always interesting to me getting to know new people. There was couple there who have 11 children. It is a his her combined family. Very interesting on the odd side of interesting. I spent my evening smiling, eating and listening. A church friend's husband died two weeks ago today; she was there last night. I noticed she didn't do a lot of talking either. I think we were both being entertained by the couple with so many kids. They were really happy to be away from the kids and having adult conversation. Tomorrow I'm a greeter at the first service so I must get up and get in gear early tomorrow.

Weight wise, I'm up about four lbs. But I know why, I've lacked off and eaten to much salty food. Food not put together in my kitchen. I really do have to watch the sodium in canned soups and frozen meals even if they do say they are healthy. Today I must replenish my kitchen with fruits and veggies.

Hey, did y'all hear that Jack the juicer man turned 95. Yea for him. I heard a snippet on the news this morning about his birthday. He and his wife also celebrated 50 years together.

Well, that's it for me. Like I said it has been a slow post worthy week. Y'all have a great weekend. It is cloudy and rainy here but that won't slow me down.

NEW GADGET

2009-09-18T19:42:00.002-05:00

I love gadgets and I am a sucker for gadgets. Companies really should send me stuff free and let me try stuff out. I'm jealous of bloggers that are courted by various companies to try and review their stuff.

Anyway, y'all remember me writing about the BULLET. Of course, you do. Well, the bullet has a juicer attachment which I just had to have. Didn't even know there was a juicer attachment until my sister told me. The BULLET that I purchased did not come with a juicer but I figured the attachment could probably be purchase separately. It can.

I got the attachment by way of EBAY. I have never bought anything through EBAY before but there is always a first time. The first one I received was broken and would have been sent to me broken since the box it came in was perfect. I contacted the vendor, complained, got another one, no charge. It works!!!!! Sort of. What I got was a blender container that fits the BULLET blade thing, the juicer cylinder, a plunger/poker thing and the top. So much so good. It renders not a lot of juice for the trouble and if not a lot of juice is what you want then good deal. One point should be made. Always pour the juice into a container before taking the juicer part out of the blender container. Yep, you can picture it. I spent time and muscle pushing fruit and veggies into the juicer cylinder with the pusher thing then instead of pouring the juice out I took the juicer out of the blender container. What a mess!!! I had all the seeds, pulp, skins and such floating around with my juice. I was ticked but now it is kinda funny. At least it isn't as much trouble as dragging out my big juicer.

I'm loving green smoothies and so does my body. Weight is staying the same, down a little one day; up a little the next. Just when I feel old and frumpy someone comes along that gives me a compliment so I feel better.

Braces report. Tuesday Dr. C adjusted them but did not change the thickness of the wire. She said there had been some movement but not enough for the thicker wire. I go back in another 4 weeks. I just don't understand all there is to understand about how braces work. The day after the adjustment (Wednesday) my mouth was so sore, I didn't even want to speak. I'm having a lot of headaches and I asked about it. She said that it was normal!!! She could have warned me about that one. I've been blaming headaches on work stress.

On the work front, I continued doing interview for the open position until I settled on three to refer on to administration for call back interviews. All three are currently employed so by the time they are interviewed again and give a notice it will be another 3-4 weeks before the position is filled. I'm just continuing to provide services to the target schools as best I can. No point in fretting, gripping and complaining about it. Actually, I like getting out of the office. My part-time clerk has the flu so she has been out since Monday. I'll be going in for a few hours tomorrow to catch up on paperwork because I'll be in two schools all day Monday.

Church wise. I started leading a new small group. "WHAT WAS I THINKING????" Well when I signed up to lead a group, I didn't know I would be short handed at work. It will be o.k. because I have a leader's book with the questions already answered. Pretty cool, I think. I actually did this particular study in the spring so I'm excited to be leading it now. It is a 12 week study so it will end right before Christmas.

That is it for me. Sorry if I haven't commented on your site this week. I promise I'll do better as soon as I can. Have a happy weekend.

WEE HOURS

2009-09-12T01:48:00.002-05:00

Doesn't it bug you when you want to sleep but can't???

For a short work week it has been very l-o-n-g (stretch it out when you read it). I left work at 6 p.m. and will be going in for a few hours Saturday so I really need to sleep. Anyway, I haven't had time to blog visit at all nor have I checked my personal emails. I'm sure all of you are rocking right along without my input but rest assured I will come calling as soon as I can.

Let me see what is post worthy.

Green smoothies are not as bad as I thought they would be. As a matter of fact, they are pretty good. It takes some experimenting. So far I've only used one handful of spinach but it was a big handful. I like the somewhere between lime sherbet and a couple of shade darker color. Someone suggested using frozen fruit instead of fresh so no need for ice. GREAT idea!! The other day I used frozen mango, a banana, organic Greek yogurt, organic FF milk. It was the consistency of ice cream (YUM). I dumped part of it into a cup and used more FF milk then put the spinach in. Then I dumped the green smoothie in the cup with the very thick smoothie and next thing I knew I had a swirl smoothie. Very pretty indeed. I've also done frozen pineapple, banana, spinach & FF milk.

Someone wanted to know about the WW breakfast smoothie. It is one of their core recipes. The name of it is Core Plan Energizer Drink.
Here is recipe:
1 ripe banana
1 cup fresh or frozen berries (I used frozen blueberries)
1/2 cup FF milk
1/4 cup FF plain yogurt (I used 2 tbsp organic Greek yogurt)
1/2 cup ice (I skip the ice if I'm using frozen berries)
Blend it all together. Makes one serving. Believe it or not, I can make it to lunch on one of these.

Weight wise this week I have stayed the same. I'm counting this as a good thing. Still haven't gotten in enough exercise. I have walked the halls between meetings if that counts.

One thing about smoothies, if you aren't careful, they can really pack a lot of calories. But, I have eaten fast food several times this week (bean burritos and rice from TB).

I go back to the Orthodontist next Tuesday. Someone at work told me that just when you get used to having the braces, it is time for them to be adjusted. I'm thinking she just might know what she is talking about. I still hate wearing them but the inside of my mouth isn't as ripped up as it was. Now it is just scratched up, if that makes any sense what so ever.

O.K. so I'm rambling and this post is getting too long. Hope all of you have a great weekend.

GREAT DAY FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL IN AL

2009-09-05T23:11:00.003-05:00

YEP, it has been a great day for college football in Alabama.

University of Alabama - WON - ROLL TIDE

Auburn University - WON - WAR EAGLE

University of Alabama in Birmingham - WON - GO BLAZERS

University of North Alabama - WON!!! - GO LIONS - I'm a proud Alumni of this regional state university. UNA has a new coach so does Auburn. Why am I mentioning this? Because UNA's new coach is Bobby Bowen who is one of Auburn's old coaches. Just thought you would want to know.

I'm not much of a football fan but it is kinda hard not to be somewhat of a football fan in this part of the country. Seriously, it is college football or NASCAR.

Now to other things.

I'm getting used to the braces but still not liking them.

My healthy eating is in the toilet (actually it is floating in the septic tank). I'm not making any excuses, weight wise I'm up five pounds which isn't that terrible. However, I'm not eating well and not exercising at all. Thus, I have gained inches above my waist. Very odd I think. I wore my jeans today and while they fit fine the roll over the top was not becoming. My main issue though is the fact that I feel terrible. I can blame it all on my job which is so very stressful right now but I've eaten healthy in stressful time before. So what to do? Well, I know what to do it is just a matter of doing it. I've eaten a lot of soft (carbs) foods since getting the braces and for me carbs mean weight gain and feeling crappy.

I can't believe I'm making this statement but I miss veggies that are not starchy. I gave myself a Magic Bullet for my birthday because my old blender does not chop up ice. My sister has one of the fancy blenders that does it all and she has a Magic Bullet. She likes the Magic Bullet better. She makes green smoothies and says the Magic Bullet does wonders on greens. Now, I bought the MB last Tuesday and I have yet to make a green smoothie. But, being so uncomfortable today I decided that tomorrow I'll head to the store for healthy produce. I researched the Internet earlier tonight for green smoothie recipes. I found a bunch of them.

I think that basically you just make any smoothie you like and add spinach, kale, chard or some kind of lettuce, parsley or herbs to it. I think I will stick to the WW core smoothie recipe for breakfast. I've seen posts on other blogs about green smoothies and what kind of blenders are used to make them. Well, I already have the blender but if you have any green smoothie recipes or any advice to get me back on track, I'd love to hear it.

Have a great Labor Day.

GREETINGS FROM

2009-09-02T17:43:00.002-05:00

The U.S. Department of Justice.

I went to the Post Office this afternoon to retrieve the box full of Birthday cards that I knew would be waiting to cheer me up on this very long, tiring, exhausting day. I noticed in all the junk mail and one lone birthday card a suspiciously official looking envelope. Return address showed it to be from the U.S. Department of Justice. I doubted they would be wishing me glad tiding and I was right.

It seems that my name and address was provided to the U.S. Department of Justice by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service because my mail had been tampered with by the defendant (I will not give the name even though it probably wouldn't matter). The letter states, the defendant was captured rifling mail and stealing contents of the mail. The defendant was also responsible for not delivering some of my mail (apparently this person was my mail carrier/man/woman/person).

Get this, the time frame was March 2008 to October 2008!!!! I'm being notified 10 months after the fact!!!

The letter tells me that this letter will be my only written notification due to the high volume of victims in this case. However, if I want to know updates on this case I can obtain it via the Victim Notification System (VNS).

It continues by giving me information regarding the Crime Victims' Rights Act (the real reason for the letter).

This is a two page letter telling me that I'm a victim of a Federal crime of which I had no knowledge until I got this **********(feel free to insert your own word) notice. Now, how am I suppose to feel about this???

It even tells me that I can go to this person's sentencing hearing and the date that has been set for the hearing. I can even comment or speak that the sentencing hearing, if I want to. The hearing was the same day the letter was postmarked!!! Good thing I didn't want to go.

Isn't this a hoot!?!?!

Aren't you glad to see a post that doesn't involve me whining and bit*h*n' about my braces. HA!!!!

I KNOW

2009-08-29T15:13:00.002-05:00

I know that I've been a terrible virtual friend this week to all my buddies in Bloggerville. See it is like this, reality has a way of overpowering me from time to time. This week is an example of reality just plain getting in the way of blogging, personal email, and facebook.

Last Saturday I was on a quest for comfortable dress shoes. I'm proud to announce I was successful. I was blessed to find a dress pair and a o.k. for work and play pair.

On the brace front, WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!! It has been a Phil 4:13 week, literally. I've been in and out of meetings every single day. I'm talking multiple meeting for 5 days. The more I talk the more the braces jab into the inside of my upper lip and cheeks. I can't wear brace wax during the meetings because sometimes it falls out and that could make for an embarrassing situation. Only two people (out of at least 35) have had to guts to mention them. Of course, my co-worker assures me it is because they don't notice them. HOW COULD THEY NOT NOTICE(?!?!) my upper lip sticking out like Homer Simpson. And then there is the letters that don't come out right. Have you ever noticed the way your lips move over your teeth when you speak? Well, that is certainly one thing I've never considered before. All things considered things could be worse, my front teeth aren't as sore as they were two days ago.

I spent this morning at work catching up on paperwork because Monday there are more work related meeting and a church meeting Monday night.

Oh the joy of being me. Seriously!!! I'm one of the most blest and highly favored people I know. HA!!! Seriously, you do believe me don't you?

I'm going to relax the rest of the weekend and hope you are doing whatever makes you happy.

BEAUTIFUL SOUTHERN DAY

2009-08-22T10:13:00.002-05:00

Storms last night but beautiful day today. Both of my next door neighbors are cutting their lawns. It always amuses me that these two guys get out and cut their grass either the day or the day after the lawn guy comes and cuts my lawn. He (Bryan) came yesterday. Is that not a hoot! Of course mine will be a little taller this morning because it grows overnight.

As you can tell, I don't have a lot to talk about this morning.

I've lost 5 lbs in the last 4 days of wearing braces but they are not new pounds. Eating is more trouble than it is worth but trust me I'm getting plenty of nutrition. I don't know anyone who has starved because of braces. Actually I was invited to a Red Cross luncheon yesterday so I tried to eat. Well, I did eat but the metal from the braces rubbing against already raw cheeks created sores. I used brace wax last night and swished with medicated wash last night so I'm better today. Not that you wanted or needed to know that but I like to share every boring detail.

I'm back to visiting people important to the functioning of my program (school superintendents, principals, etc.). Yesterday, when I put on my ill fitting dress pumps, I remembered I was suppose to buy new ones before this time of year. SO, today I'm on a quest to find comfortable dress shoes. Monday I'm be hopping from meeting to meeting so no chance to change shoes. I'm actually looking forward to doing a little retail therapy.

Hope the weather is beautiful wherever you are and you are out enjoying it. Have a great weekend.

I WAS A GOOD GIRL

2009-08-18T18:22:00.002-05:00

I didn't whine, complain or puke. Unlike the child next to me today. Blessed his heart they were trying to put spacers in and he was just freaking a little. Dr. C to me to concentrate on her not on him but she wasn't making any noise. We had an audience. Foreign exchange students from Japan. Dr. C said 10 of them are here and 10 UAB Dental Students (seniors) are over there. She said she went last year. There was only 2 watching Dr. C. I could tell she was a little nervous. After all this is her first year of residency. Anyway the deed is indeed done. I have my porcelain braces on and you really can't see them when I talk and unless I really smile big you don't see them at all. I got my do's and don'ts on maintaining them. The initial wire they put on is so thin you really can't see it at all so I understand how it could not support a fake tooth.

It was another park on the street day. As a matter of fact the same parking space, I had last Friday. Nothing out of the ordinary on my walk to and from the School of Dentistry.

Jen at Dust Bunny's asked if I was physically sick or just emotionally sick yesterday. I was physically sick. I'm not glad I did what I did but at least it is over and I don't think I'll be craving sugar at least for a while. Sugar in any form is on my "leave it alone" list from Dr. C. She said if I even drink soda or juice with sugar in it to brush and floss right afterwards. She said that sugar really does rot your teeth. Needless to say, I'm not feeling like eating tonight so I'm going to take something for pain and go to bed early. I go back to see her September 15th so no birthday cake for me. Not a problem, I had birthday cake on my 55th; I think I can wait until I'm 60 for more birthday cake. Well at least until the braces come off. HA!

HEY!!! I just have to tell you one more thing, I decided to swing by the post office on my way home. I live in a small community but we have a Post Office. I'm hoping it isn't on the list of Post Offices to be closed but that is another story. When I got to the post office driveway, right in front of me, arched high but close in the sky was the most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen in my entire life. It was as if it had been place there just for me. I hurried into the post office to tell the clerk about it but she was gone. There were no children out playing next door. No old folks on the porch across the road. Just me! When I walked out of the Post Office, I just stood on the sidewalk looking at it for a long time wishing someone was there to enjoy it with me but so thankful there wasn't. The sky behind it was very blue and I could see each bright distinct band of color in the rainbow. Just the most wonderful thing. It was surreal. I'm so blessed to have seen it. I thanked God for the private show.

Thanks to each of you that encourage me and lifted me up in your prayers today. You are all special blessings to me.

TUESDAY IS ALMOST HERE

2009-08-17T19:45:00.002-05:00

Yes, Tuesday is almost here and that means having braces put on upper teeth. I'd like to say that I'm relaxed and peaceful and joyful and any other positive adjective you can think of. Well, I'm not completely freaking out at least not yet.

I went to one of those all day professional development meetings today. During the course of the day, I ate two donuts (haven't had one in over 2 1/2 years), 1/2 slice coconut cake, one regular sized vanilla cupcake loaded with icing, one mini chocolate cupcake, and one lava cake from Domino's Pizza (about the size of a fruit tart). It's true, I'm ashamed but still I went crazy and I'm sick, sick, sick tonight. I deserve to be sick. Perhaps I'm more nervous than I want to be about the braces or maybe it was something else.

What was I thinking? That's the million dollar question now isn't it. I don't think I was thinking. At least not enough to stop myself. All this sugar grazing was over the course of the entire, very long day. It isn't like I purposed to overload my system with sugar. It isn't like I ate it all at one time. But, still reality is what it is. It has been years since I've binged on sugar like that so I'm thinking either work or the braces or both have me more bothered than I want to admit.

Well, that's it for today. What is your opinion on my crazed behavior? I would like to say that every bite of the sugary stuff tasted awful but it didn't; every bite was great!!!

IT IS SUCH A TINY LITTLE THING

2009-08-15T18:48:00.003-05:00

The rubber bands (spacers) are such tiny little things. One came out Friday morning while brushing my teeth. Thus another trip to B'ham to have it put back in. After I discovered, that my Dentist doesn't work on Fridays. Well, good for him and his staff.

It doesn't bother me going places alone but honestly sometimes the things that happen to me and the things I see should be shared. Other wise who would believe them. I wouldn't, if I hadn't seen them myself.

It was another park on the street trip but only two blocks away this time. As I was walking down the sidewalk I noticed a huge man leaning against a brick wall (building). It would have been impossible to miss him, since he literally took up half the sidewalk area. He was bigger than Ruben Studdard (remember American Idol). Anyway, he had a bottle of water so I figured he was tired and resting against the wall to cool off and drink some water. Now, use your imagination, I'm walking down the sidewalk coming toward this massive man (not just fat but really tall). I'm get a side view. Not a problem, still plenty of sidewalk for me to walk on, I'll just walk really close to the parking meters. As my brain is contemplating my plan, this man lifts his head back (like looking at the sky) and makes like a fountain. NO JOKE!! He spews water out of his mouth like a living wrought iron fountain. The water goes in an arch and hits the street just beyond the sidewalk. I slow down, my mind telling me "Well, if he does that when you get to him. If he does it the same way, you can scoot right under it. no problem." Well, I didn't have a choice except to walk out in the street and that would not work, I could get my fine behind knocked out of the road by traffic. Anyway, I cautiously approached said human fountain. As I approached, he was aware of my presence. How could he not be, I was the prettiest thing around. I looked way up at his face as I past by, nodded and smiled. He nodded back. WHEW!!! Major sigh of relieve on my part. I didn't feel in danger or anything like that it was just one of those things. The whole thing got funnier and funnier with each step and by the time I got to the building I was going to it was all I could do to contain my laughter. This time I didn't even try to contain it. I mean, what did it matter, if I was laughing, no body was praying. I had already finished my "Thank You Lord" by the time I hit the door. By the time I got to the elevator, I was about to cry I was laughing so hard. Yes, people were looking at me funny!!! I didn't care.

So, the spacer was put back into place and Dr. C let me see my braces. She had gotten a sales rep to donate porcelain braces for my upper teeth. The bottom ones will be silver. She was so proud of herself for getting them and I was proud of her. That is saving me $600.

I find myself in a dilemma about food. I can't chomp down very well, actually not at all. Never worry there are a lot of soft foods that I love. Of course, you know what they are, ice cream, cake, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, pasta, etc. None of these are good for me so I'm opting for protein shakes, watermelon and apple sauce. I'll figure out the rest as I go along. I'm actually looking forward to having the braces put on next Tuesday. If I'm going to hurt, I want something to show for it. How sick is that?

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend.

A PHILLIPIANS 4:13 KIND OF DAY

2009-08-12T17:39:00.002-05:00

My goodness my regular dentist (Dr. G) was so right on about soreness. I've remembered and quoted Phillipians 4:13 all day. Who would have thought tiny rubber bands jabbed up between my back teeth could make me so sore in one day and make my face ache. Geeze Weezer. However, I'm still glad the process has begun. I can see why 90% of my friends and family tell me that I will lose weight.

Maybe this will be how I get the last 50 lbs off. Isn't that funny??? Usually people talk about their last 10 or 20 lbs but not me.

The first day of school is really hard on some folks such as Jen at Dust Bunny Hostage but today I had to walk away from a staff member because tears were welling up. Her first born son started kindergarten Monday. She took Monday off, I took yesterday off so today I asked about his first day. She said it was so hard, the hardest thing she has ever done. She said she left him crying. Not sobbing or holding on to her like some kids were doing but sitting in a chair, quietly, with tears rolling down his face. My breath caught in my throat and I just had to turn and go into my office before my own tears fell. I could picture him, he is a little guy and he knew he had to stay but he didn't have to be happy about it. However, yesterday, when she went to pick him up he told her to guess what happened today. She asked him what and his reply was, "I didn't cry today." So if you have little ones going back to school, I pray that they and you have a great new school year.

Today is my middle sister's birthday. She doesn't read my blog so I tried to call her but she must be out and about enjoying her birthday. How old is she? You ask. I think 69 maybe 70 but I would not swear to it. I only give that info because I know she isn't going to read it. HA!!!!!!!
Lets see my oldest brother was 18 years older than me, my oldest sister 16 years older and I think middle sister is 14 years older, brother next to me is 11 years older. I'll be turning 56 on September 2nd so y'all do the math.

FACEBOOK!!!! Do you do the facebook thing? I just signed up for facebook today because a friend talked me into it. I have no idea what I'm doing but then I had not hear of blogging 2 years ago.

STREET PARKING AND OTHER STUFF

2009-08-11T21:15:00.002-05:00

When I started my adventure with the UAB School of Dentistry it never occurred to me that the parking deck I am to park in could possibly be full when I needed to park. I knew it was a possibility but I just knew it would not happen. Well today it happened. I drove around for thirty minutes trying to figure out where to park. There are a lot of permit only parking lots at UAB. However, I did manage to score a parking space (metered 2 hr) on the street three blocks driving away from the medical center. I deposited my two quarters and praised God again and again that I had two quarters and started my hike. At some point I turned my ankle and have been icing my ankle tonight but that is another story. I still got to the appointment with several minutes to spare. I met two other women that had driven two hours to get there and couldn't park in the lot either. One of them knew of another lot that is open to the public so there is another possibility.

I just realized that you probably don't really care about UAB parking.

My newest orthodontist guppy doctor (Dr. C) took me into a conference room and proceeded to tell me that she was thrilled over my decision but she wanted me to postpone surgery for 6-8 weeks. She explained why but I really can't explain it. Something to do with thicker wire and fake teeth. Anyway, Dr. R is fine with putting the surgery off a few more weeks so they can get the braces and fake teeth that will attach to the thicker wires ready. Like I said, if I'm not making sense it is because I don't know how to explain it to you but I do understand it. Today Dr. C put spacers on my back teeth so she can put braces on the upper teeth next Tuesday. She explained that they will move the teeth to make room for bigger incisor teeth before surgery. On the day of surgery, I will see her first. She will remove the wire then the week after surgery she will replace the wire and clip the fake teeth to it. This way it will appear that I have teeth in the empty spaces until the bone grafts and gum tissue heal.

I'm really settled and peaceful with this change. I'm even thankful because of the situation at work. By the time it is time for surgery, there should be a new person in place. All things work together for my good.

When I was leaving the building, I went to the restroom as is my custom. As I was doing the ritual hand washing, a lady asked me if I was from so and so. I looked at her and recognized her from church!!! I didn't know her name but I do now, Rosemary. She said she had been coming there for years. She was there getting a root canal. Parking wasn't kind to her either. She parked four or five blocks away so we walked together for a couple of blocks. Isn't that cool. Who would have thought. Not me.

I went to my regular dentist for my 6 month cleaning this afternoon. The woman that cleans my teeth is thrilled over what I'm doing. She had hip surgery and was off at my last cleaning so we had a lot of catching up to do. Don't you love the way your teeth feel right after they have been cleaned?

As my dentist, looked at my blue spacers he quoted scripture to me!!! He looked at the blue spacers and said "Remember Phil. 4:13, you can do all things thru Christ that gives you strength. You will be sore but just remember Phil 4:13. You are doing the right thing for the long run." I was completely taken off guard in a very good way.

Tonight the spacers are getting on my nerves. After dinner, I forgot they were in there and thought I had chicken stuck between my teeth that just would not come out. Then I remembered, I'm living with this for a week. I'm icing my ankle. I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. Yes, indeed I can.

I am blessed and highly favored and will have a great, awesome, to be envied smile in a couple of years. HA!!!! I crack myself up! Hey, I need the smile to go with my new body. I see you rolling your eyes. Stop it!

GIT R DUN

2009-08-10T21:11:00.002-05:00

I am in major "git r dun" or "git er done" (you know Larry the cable guy) mode for the last week. Since one employee jump off the bridge (it exploded behind her and is now simmering embers) and one (part-time clerk) is gearing up for school herself, I find myself doing three jobs. Why you ask? Because work has got to be done and I'm the only one to "git r dun". I say all that to explain why I havn't visited in a while. Also, there hasn't been a lot going on that is post worthy until yesterday and today.

I took a short break today and read Cammy's Monday Make-over Post. After reading her post I just couldn't read any more I was laughing too hard. I'm not going to explain it; you will just have to click on her name and read it yourself. Way more information about a part of the female body than I've ever considered.

Today I came home for lunch, turned on the TV, mid-day news was on. They started telling about an 8th grader arrested for texting in class. Specifically during a Math exam then lying to the teacher. The student told the teacher she didn't have a cell phone!!!!! Why oh why the kid didn't just hand over the phone but she didn't. Things escalated, police were called, kid arrested. Police got blamed for bad behavior!!!!!! PARDON ME!!! Just when I think kids particularly middle school kids are stupid. I remember a seminar I went to explaining why kids this age are stupid. It is because of 1 hormones and 2 synapses in their brains firing and dying at the same time. Bet you didn't know about the last one. While I was pondering this, the next news story really put me over the edge.

A great-grandmother somewhere was arrested for hoarding and selling toys that she collected for the Toys for Tots program. She had THREE rental units packed with toys. She was arrested but she maintains as does her attorney that there is just a misunderstanding. She claims she tried to give the toys to the Toys for Tots program but they were not accepted because some were used. WHAT!!!!! Just how stupid is this woman!!!! Better yet how stupid is the attorney representing her. Get this, the police called in the Marines to help clear out these rental units stuffed with toys. The Marines is the official sponsor of the Toys for Tots program or so the news reporter said.

I found myself sitting on couch, during lunch, laughing uncontrollably because it just struck me as funny. In both cases the blame wasn't on the kid or on the old lady it was on someone else.
Kid "everyone texts during class".
Me talking back to the screen "WHY TO YOU HAVE A CELL PHONE? But you do and so does every employee that should be doing their job."
Kid "People (cops, teacher) over-reacted."
Me "YOU LIED TO YOUR TEACHER!!! GIVE ME A BREAK! YOUR PARENTS SHOULD TAKE THAT DADGUM PHONE WAY UNTIL YOU GO TO COLLEGE."
Of course charges were dropped in favor of the school's discipline policy. (Whatever that might be)

Old lady "No, no, I no sale the toys"
Me "Why are you paying to rent 3 storage units"
Old lady "I tried to give them away but some were used. They no take them."
Me "B_ LLS_ _ T. What part of the country do you live in?? Are there no Salvation Army's or Goodwill's where you live??? I might not be that smart but I'm not even believing your story."

Then I remember yesterday, ahhhhhh, yesterday. Sunday, special speakers, special service times . Saturday and Sunday night in addition to the two Sunday morning services. I am honored that I get to greet. Yep, I'm a greeter!! I love it because it combines my two very favorite non-food things. Meeting new people and people watching. The church I attend now has a huge new building that connects the existing three buildings so there are a lot of doors and a lot of open area it is just grand. More doors means more greeting opportunities but let's face it there is only so many greeters willing to pull night duty. It isn't the greeting that I'm getting at, just explaining why I was there in the first place. It wasn't the speakers. Not that they were bad. They were o.k. but when a guy has to do a 'show and tell' of all his CD's & DVD's that are available in our bookstore for thirty minutes before getting into the message. I was less than interested and questioning in my mind and spirit as to why he was invited there to start with. However, being an open minded kind of girl that I am. I brushed it aside and paid attention. Toward the end, he requested that we bow on our knees for prayer. WELLLLLLL, some of us might get down but have a hard time getting up (ME). Others, get down but can't stay down (ME, to much of me on bony knees on concrete floors). Others, get down and stay down but all can not keep it all in. Yep, one of the old women near me let one rip (passed gas, farted, whatever you want to call it). I heard it before I smelled it and OMG. (My prayer, dear God, please help me keep from laughing. Prayer answered. Thank ya Jesus) Do things like that happen at your church??? I have burst into laughter at a lot less during church but this was a serious time and I was seriously thankful that I didn't laugh.

Saturday on the way to church, I am traveling west on I20. I come upon a small SUV pulling a small U-Haul trailer. I thought there was something odd about it. When I started to pass, I noticed they had a new (still in the plastic wrapping) pillow-top mattress strapped to the top of the SUV. Apparently it was too big to get in the U-haul. The wind was blowing it up at a 25 to 30 degree angle. As I was shaking my head, much to my surprise, I noticed to my left the oncoming traffic headed east. Low and behold here comes a mini-van with a mattress strapped to the top. WHAT ARE THE ODDS!?!?! I hope they both got to where they were going and had a good night's sleep when they got there. Wouldn't it be funny it they were trading homes or apartments or bedrooms? Probably parents getting their kids off to college. That one sounds good, I'll stick to that one.

Speaking of sleep, I hope I get some sleep. I'll be off to the Orthodontist's clinic in the morning and back to my regular dentist for a cleaning tomorrow afternoon. Doesn't that sound like fun?

Sweet dreams y'all.

STUFF

2009-08-04T18:50:00.003-05:00

First of all the option chosen is #4. I think this is the best one for me. It will be over and done with in a couple of years. I got a call from Dr. R's office telling me the surgery is set for 8/20 at 11:30 a.m. The woman in his office said I should be at the hospital at 9:30 a.m. That means a very early morning but I'm thinking that is a good thing. Not a lot of time to fret over it. I do have a tendency to fret. I hate that I do that because I know my God will be with me every minute and all will go well. I know this in my spirit but my mind wants to fret and worry (I refuse to worry). Well enough for that.

Have you ever burned a bridge? Not a real bridge but you know do something you will regret later. Well one of my employees has done just that. She resigned and did it in an unprofessional way by not following printed procedures. I hate it for her but it isn't my job to read the employee handbook to her. I was off Friday visiting the Big Fishy Doctor, as you all know. Well, she put a very short (not well worded) note of resignation in the mailbox on my office door. When I came in Monday, she didn't bother to mention it to me at all. I read it (cursed inside my head), went to the Internet, pull up our Employee Handbook's Policy on Resignation for Contract Employees, printed it, took it to her, told her to follow procedures and walked out. I had just given her an evaluation last Thursday in which she talked about how great it is to work for me. Needless to say, I'm not surprised she is leaving nor am I saddened but I am ticked. However, I do understand, she was made an offer she couldn't refuse. She is receiving a huge sign on bonus from a school system that will be difficult to work in. They have to provide huge sign on bonuses to get people to go there. I wish her well because unfortunately for her the door is closed to our institution. Not because of me but because she didn't follow proper procedures as far as the President and VP are concerned.

Her timing is terrible. I put my dental issues on the back burner last year because I lost an employee and I filled in the gap for six months providing services to our target schools.

Now I'm debating putting the surgery on the back burner again. However, I spoke with my powers that be (chain of command up to the VP level) and it has been decided to hire a temp. I spent a huge part of yesterday reviewing possible applicants.

The cherry on top of my sundae is that my other key staffer has applied for a teaching position. What is the old saying "when it rains it pours" or "every devil that ain't busy is after me." I could cry but it wouldn't do me a bit of good so I'll just keep my chin up and move along. Hopefully, I'll get around to see all the superintendents, principals, and counselors before I'm toothless. Well since school starts here on the 10th and inservice is this week, it might not work out like I would like but then again it might.

Well, for those of you still reading, please forgive me for rambling. I'm trying to stay out of the kitchen. HA!!!!!!!!!! I crack myself up!

BIG FISH TALE

2009-08-02T17:09:00.000-05:00

Sometimes coming up with a title for my post is the hardest thing for me to do.

I was prompted my one of my commenters regarding my visit to the Big Fish(y) Doctor. It reminded me that while I have reported this to a half dozen friends and relatives I have not posted about it.

When Dr. R (Big Fish Dr) came into the room he asked if my ears were burning yesterday. He said that he had spend a big part of yesterday (last Thursday) discussing my case with the various Big Fishy Doctors and their Guppies involved in my case. He said they had some options for me but I would have to make the decision myself. (S _ _ T doesn't this man know I don't like making decisions.)

Since I know you are really interested in my options I'll give them to you.

Option # 1 - Do nothing. Regardless of the fact there is a cyst eating a hole in my lower jaw bone, I could live several years before it the hole is so big that my jaw breaks and it becomes an emergency situation. Or one of the impacted teeth become abscessed and it becomes an emergency situation. Or a cyst forms on one of the other baby teeth. Lot of "ors" in this option.

Option # 2 - Remove the cyst and the teeth, impacted and baby involved, do bone grafting (from a dead person) and have either implants or a bridge to fill the gap. Forget about the top teeth thus doing not a d _ _ n thing about my smile which started all this in the first place.

Option # 3 - Remove the cyst and the baby teeth and the two impacted teeth where the cyst is and of course do bone grafting then hook gold chains to the three impacted teeth that are left, braces will be put on by Dr. C. and her Big Fish Doctor during surgery. Live with braces 3-4 years while they try to bring the permanent teeth into place. Catch to this option is that there is no guarantee the impacted permanent teeth can be brought into place because at this point they may be fused to the upper and lower jaw bone. If this is the case then after spending all the time in braces it would be back to surgery to have the teeth removed. Remember me telling you the first Orthodontist guppy quoted what the text book said to his supervising Big Fishy Dr. Well, turns out the text book could be right. Imagine that.

Option #4 - Remove the cyst and all five baby teeth and all five impacted teeth in one surgery. Do bone grafts on the bottom and top as needed. If the upper impacted teeth have fused to the bone, they will sorta have to be chiseled out and bone grafts done on the top as well as the bottom. Live like a toothless, goony bird for a couple of weeks while the soft tissue (gums) heals then have braces put on to correct my bite and make space for implants. Time in braces will be 18-24 months maybe less because all the guppies and big fishy doctors agree that teeth move easier after surgery. There is still a question as to how many teeth I will lose as a result of the cyst. I may lose one or two permanent teeth as well. He said there is a possibility that some of the remaining permanent teeth may die as a result of the trauma. This would result in root canals and crowning of those teeth however he believes the bone grafts and the braces keeping the teeth in place will give them time to recover as the bone grafts take and new bone is formed. I saw what implants look like and OMG just seeing the diagrams sent my mind into overload. Just the thought of a screw being screwed into my bone made me tear up. Although I do understand the reasoning behind implants as opposed to bridges still it looks frightening. Each implant will run around $1,500 and I'll have to have 6 of them (you do the math). He did say that if I lose several permanent teeth that they can put multiple teeth on one implant using a couple of posts. (HUH) A post is the metal thing that sticks out of your gum that the fake teeth fit on. UGH.

So what is an old gal that thinks she is still a young chick to do!?!??! Well, option # 1 really isn't an option since I'm planning on living to and enjoying retirement one day. Option #2 does nothing about my smile so that leaves Option 3 and 4. What do you think I should do? What would you do in my situation? Seriously, I want your opinion.

I went from Dr. R's office to the Kirkland Clinic for pre-op assessment and work-up. Blood was drawn and questions answered. I found where the surgery would actually take place which isn't in the Kirkland Clinic but a few blocks away in the hospital itself. Found the parking lot and found that there is a Marriott Courtyard connected to the building where Admitting is located. Surgery is set for Thursday, February 20th (my last-ex husband's birthday). I don't know what time but I do know it will be in the afternoon because Dr. R. teaches a class from 10-12 on Thursday's. My oldest sister (TIZ) will be going with me and I made a reservation at the Marriott just in case I don't need to be as far from a doctor as her house is.

Dr. R. said I can expect to be bruised up and swollen but he expects surgery to go well and for me to heal quickly. He said I should be able to return to work on Monday. I might still be bruised but he said I could probably cover it with makeup.

Here is another question for you. I can't wear makeup the day of surgery not even moisturizer. What is up with that? No fingernail polish either but that one doesn't bother me. No food or liquids after midnight except enough water to get my blood pressure meds down. I'm going to be really, really hungry by surgery time.

Part of me thinks I'm stupid to be going through all this when I'm not in any kind of pain but another part of me is saying look down the road. Seriously, what would you do?

TIME FOR SOME CHANGES

2009-07-31T22:34:00.002-05:00

Hope you like the new look. It is the best I can do with Blogger templates since I don't know now to do anything else. You will notice some things are gone from the side bar because I decided it is time for a change. I eliminated the map and flags because I was tired of looking at it. It was fun at first but I'm over it. I also eliminated the labels because I rarely updated them. Also gone are pounds and inches lost.

I've decided I'm done with spending every waking minute thinking about food, weighing and measuring. No I'm not done with eating well and moving more. I'm putting the scale and tape measure away and getting my blog back to what I intended it to be about which is this & that and a lot of nothing. Oh, I'll still post about my weight from time to time but hopefully it will be about whatever new size I'm going into. I'll post a picture of my progress from time to time.

After realizing that I've made no real progress this year, I really had to do some self analysis. What I concluded is that I have reached the goals I set out to reach originally. They were to get my cholesterol down, to get healthy and to get out of plus sized clothes. It was never about a particular weight or size but somewhere along the way it became about the number on the scale. Cammy left me a comment some time back telling me that when my rear (I don't think she used the word rear but you get the picture) got in single digits it would not matter what the scale said. So, I'm going to be more concerned with how I feel and how my clothes fit. So I will not be doing a weekly update.

At my last update I had lost 93.5 lbs over the last 2 yr 6 mos, I've gone from a tight 26-28 jeans to a tight 14 and comfortable 16 regular sized jeans, from 3 or 4 X tops to regular L or XL tops, from size 7EW shoes to a childs 5 or women's 6-6 1/2 reg width shoes, ring size has dropped but I don't know how much. I no longer suffer from chronic bronchitis or asthma, my cholesterol is normal, my blood pressure meds have been cut in half, I no longer wear pads just in case I have an accident when I sneeze, cough or laugh. I haven't been stared at or pointed at in a long time. Believe me I'm very aware of when this happens, I became more aware of it when it no longer happened. I noticed at Blogher, I just wasn't noticed or just accepted as being average looking. Average, average is good. I noticed in the airports, Blogher and sightseeing I just blended in with everyone else. I only take up one seat wherever I go. I can cross my legs. I have a lap big enough for a little child to sit in and a baby to lie in. My tummy doesn't rub the steering wheel. I can walk for miles and not be winded even up hill and at least three flights of stairs. I can fasten the seat belt on an airplane and have belt to spare, I remember the embarrassment and pain of asking for an extender. I can put the tray table down completely without it touching my tummy on an airplane. So I'm good being right where I am until I'm not good with it and then I'll do something about it. Yes, I still want my rear to be in single digits on day. Hummm, 28 to 26 to 24 to 22 to 20 to 18 to 16 to 14 done. Now to 12 to 10 to 8, I'll get there.

Saturday, I'll be out early. I get to help clean our new Connection Building so folks can come into the new building this Sunday. I even get to take my own broom, mop and cleaning rags. I'm not the best of cleaners but I follow instructions well. You know monkey see; monkey do. They had a cleaning night tonight but I decide to wait and let the more ambitious church goers do the hard cleaning!!! HA!!! Actually I had my visit with the Big Fish Doctor today but this post has gotten tooo long. I'll save that for another post. Maybe after I get tired of cleaning (believe me that won't take long). If I were fond of cleaning, I would have a spotless house instead of a blog. Jen, at Dust Bunnies doesn't have a market on those little critters. I may have started her collections without her knowledge. Shhhhh don't tell her.

POSITIVELY POSITIVE POSITIVE DAY TO YOU

2009-07-30T21:11:00.003-05:00

IT IS HERE, IT IS POSITIVELY HERE, POSITIVE DAY THAT IS. I SO HOPE YOU ARE BEING A PART OF POSITIVE DAY. IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY GONE TO JEN'S SITE AND SIGNED UP ON THE MR. LINKY THING THERE IS TIME. THEN POST A POSITIVE POST ABOUT ANYTHING YOU CHOOSE.

Some people are posting the things they are grateful for and I'm sorta following their lead. Well not really but sorta.

I believe that as we think in our hearts so are we. It is in the Bible somewhere in Proverbs but I'm not looking it up. If we think we are blessed and highly favored then we are regardless of our circumstances. That is not pie in the sky thinking, it is true or at least that has been my experience. I have not always been a positive thinker much less a positive talker but I am now.

Here are a few examples.

I believed I could lose weight and become healthy and get out of plus size clothes and I have. Do I have a way to go? Yes indeed I do but am I spending time fretting over it NO. To much living to do.

I believe I have more than enough money to meet my needs and have enough to help others and I do.

I believed that when I needed a new vehicle I would get the car of my dreams and I did. In 2008, I went on the Lexus website and built an RX350. I printed the picture. Put it in my Bible (seriously I did). A few weeks ago I bought it. Used, yes, but the exact year - 2008, exact model - RX350, exact color - Breakwater Blue, exact interior - Ivory with Birdseye maple trim.

Life is indeed very good, IF YOU DETERMINE IN YOUR HEART THAT IT IS.

Hope your having the best Positive Day ever!!! After all, today is the very first "POSITIVE DAY."

Today I meet with the Oral Surgeon (Big Fish Doctor) to discuss when the surgery will be scheduled and whether or not the Orthodontists folks (Dr. C) thinks the impacted teeth can be brought into place. I admit I'm nervous but I know it will all work out for my good.

I don't know why Blogger is craming the paragraphs together but you can still read the post just fine. BTW, I'm actually posting on Thursday because it is already Friday in the other side of the planet. I'm looking forward to catching up on your posts this weekend.

SO MUCH STUFF

2009-07-29T20:39:00.004-05:00

There is so much stuff to post about I don't even know where to start.

Blogher 09, oh my goodness at the stuff. Cammy even took a picture of her stuff and posted it, if you want to see it. I think it was her Saturday or Sunday post. I didn't take a picture of all the stuff but I did get a picture of myself with Cammy. I can't even being to tell you how thrilled I was to meet her. I never like pictures of myself and she doesn't either but I love this picture.

Cammy is the taller, thinner one. HA! Talk about being out of place, I was. I was surrounded by young brilliant women. I was amazed at all the energy. I'm sure there was a time then I could do a bunch of things at one time but I don't remember it. I must admit I was somewhat perplexed by women being surrounded by people to meet and talk to but they were texting, Twittering and whatever else but not interacting with people around them. Oh well, I'm sure there are sociologist somewhere study these folks. So much energy and estrogen, just amazing and overwhelming at time. The conference was that the Sheraton which is on the Chicago River from my room on the 24th floor I could see the river below and out to Lake Michigan. Shopping on Michigan Avenue was 1/2 mile away and the Navy Pier only 3/4 mile away.

Oh and would you belive one of the BlogHer sponsors sent everyone a mixed flower arrangement to their rooms. I feeled so special!!!!

Rain messed up my Thursday afternoon plans for a sightseeing walk so my sightseeing had to wait for Saturday last afternoon/evening. It has been a long time since I walked enough for my legs to be sore but let me tell you by Sunday I had sore legs.

I'll post more later about my sightseeing adventures.

Check out Thursday's post on Prayerfully Yours for more on my journey to Chicago.

HEY, don't forget, POSITIVE DAY is coming up this FRIDAY.

PEARL OF WISDOM

2009-07-25T05:46:00.003-05:00

Update from BlogHer 09. What an experience! It is early Saturday morning and I'm going through my stuff. Lots of stuff. Blogher has a lot of sponsors so that means a lot of stuff given away. I'm having a great time but this old girl doesn't travel as well as she used to. The romance of jetting to a faraway place is gone, gone, gone. I do love to travel but the whole airport thing has lost its luster.

You will love this one. Blogher has been sending out attendee newsletters weekly for the last several weeks leading up to the conference. Lots of parties to sign up for, etc. One of the deals was to take a Limo from the Airport to the Sheraton. Price only $32 if alone, $20 if riding with another person. Who would not jump at this offer. Well, I should not have jumped. Seriously. This was a fake out if ever there was one. It appeared legit but NO. I waited for my Limo to arrive. Called the company "Chicago Luxury Limo", waited with other Bloggers, one of them got through to the company. Turns out our Limo was a 12 passenger VAN. Since I am short, fat and middle age and not accustomed to climbing it was quiet a ordeal to haul myself into the van. It took almost two hours to get from O'Hare to the Sheraton mainly because the driver continued to circle the airport to pick up others folks that looked as stunned as I did when they realized their chariot was a pumpkin. Needless to say, I will be getting a cab tomorrow morning for the ride back to the airport.

Yes, I met CAMMY!!!. I'll post a picture when I get home. She is as lovely and nice in person as she is on her blog (Tippy Toe Diet).

O.K. now to the title of this post. Like I said earlier I'm going through my stuff and I ran across my Pearl of Wisdom pin I received from the Pearl of Wisdom Campaign to prevent Cervical Cancer. When it was given to me, I was asked to please help them spread the word that Cervical Cancer is preventable. I'm not going to go into all the details but I must admit it is interesting reading. We don't hear a lot about Cervical Cancer or at least I don't. To learn more go to www.PearlofWisdom.us you can even get a pearl for yourself or for you blog.

That is it for me this morning. Paula Dean will be here at lunch today. I'm looking forward to at least seeing her in person. Of course, everyone here seems to have something they are promoting and she is certainly no exception. She will be plugging a line of products that Walmart will be carrying.

Weight and food wise this week, let me just say, I'm enjoying myself. However, I have walked a lot. Hope the weather is pretty where ever you are and you are out enjoying it.

SO MUCH TO DO SO LITTLE TIME

2009-07-22T20:11:00.002-05:00

Just a quick post because I have soooo much to do and sooooo little time. I'm going to Blogher 09 tomorrow. I'm so excited to be going I can barely stand myself but I'm intimated at the same time. Not about meeting new people I got over that around 50 but it is the sessions. I'm going to learn so I have to keep that in mind. Reading about some of the techno sessions has me thinking I'm not smart enough to go but then I remember that is why I'm going.

I hope to meet Cammy from Tippy Toe Diet. I so admire her strength and determination. She's lost 100 lbs in case you didn't know that and has kept it off for 9 months now. I had hoped to be further along on my journey than I am but no one to blame but myself.

I've got a pedicure this afternoon and my hair trimmed a tad bit. I also had a new work ID made that looks more like me. The good folks at Blogher let me register as a student but I have to show my school ID. I'm really proud of this ID. I compared it to my 2003 ID that really got me to thinking I didn't know that person in the photo.

No, I haven't packed but the dryer just beeper meaning my jeans and tea shirt for tomorrow are dry so I've gotta run. Gotta pack, gotta do my fingernails, gotta figure out what to wear for the next 3 days before I pack, gotta remember my meds., gotta figure out what to carry on, gotta, gotta, gotta, well, you get the picture.

I'll try to blog while I'm away but may be tooooo busy having fun. There is so much to see and do in Chicago. If you are going, I hope we get to meet.

POSITIVE DAY

2009-07-21T20:39:00.003-05:00

I know you will be all over celebrating this day. For details and history of Positive Day coming up July 31, 2009 just click over to Jen's site at Dust Bunny Hostage. Scroll down to the post for Positive day because I can't seem to get the link to the post correct (it would appear that my glass is half empty when it comes to technical stuff but we all know my glass/cup is running over). I do hope you will observe this most wonderful of days and make a 12 year old girl and her (not that old) Grandaunt JC very happy. You can also click on the sidebar picture to get there.

On to other post worthy news. My appointment at the Orthodontist Clinic at UAB isn't much to talk about. I was seen by a third year resident who said he would not be the guy the would be my regular person. He explained how their part of the clinic worked, informed me I would have to come back for them to take their own set of records/pictures/mold, etc. The records from Dr. A when to Endo instead of Ortho and couldn't be found today!!!! Cost for today - $0 (not counting gas and parking). Cost for next Tuesday's record's gathering visit - $210 cash or credit card please. Cost of braces - $3,750 cash up front at the time of consultation (I have no idea when that will be). So, those of you who are getting braces or are paying for someone to have braces, how much is it costing you? General not exact. Apparently adult braces are more expensive. The resident dr. I saw today had the attitude of a soon to be fully fledged Orthodontist and I don't mean that in a good way.

I was so thankful they did not take my blood pressure while I was there. I was taken back and placed in an exam area from where I could watch as two young guys/boys were getting braces and having braces adjusted. I noticed as they clinched their fists and moved their feet and legs. They did not appear to be enjoying the experience. When the guy that saw me finally got around to me, he soon disappeared to try to locate Dr. A and my records so I continued to watch as supervising real Doctor checked the work of the other two resident drs. Supervising doctor noticed me noticing them and ask if anyone was helping me. I nodded. Finally it was my turn for his attention. He and the resident remarked that probably the permanent teeth that are impacted now would be be able to be retrieved. My resident Dr. informed the older real Doctor that the literature (his school book I guess) stated that permanent impacted could not be retrieved after the age of 30. To which older real Doctor said "Really, that's what it says does it." Our meeting ended with older real doctor smiling at me an saying that he was sorry but without my records (which no one can find in Endo wherever that is) they really couldn't tell me much. It just would not do for me to post what was running through my head.

I was then turn over to Business Office Lady who informed me how much of my hard earned money would be extracted before they do anything of substance.

I ran into Older Real Doctor in the parking deck of all places and he assured me the records would be found. He also ensured me the I would get very good care from the doctors in training but they just couldn't control the way records just wind up in the wrong place. I didn't even bother telling him that this is the third time my records have been sent to the wrong place in the same clinic. (I pray that the clerical staff in the rest of the hospital do a better job with medical records/tests, etc.) That's it for tonight, sweet dream y'all.

WEEKLY UPDATE

2009-07-18T07:22:00.002-05:00

DECISION MADE

First of all, my dear brother-in-law is doing well. He is home and recovering well. Thanks so much for your prayers.

Weight wise it has been a good week. I'm down 4.2 lbs which put me back under 200 and I'm determined to stay under. Inch wise I'm down 3.5 inches which is good but still up from a month or so ago. The weather has cooled some here so I'm going to get some exercise outside today. I went for a good clear my head walk (at work) at 12:45 pm (middle of the day) yesterday. The temperature was cooler and the sky was a little cloudy, a cool breeze blowing so it was very pleasant. I was walking off my urge to choke my 21 year old staff member. But the victory is that I went for a walk around campus rather than a walk to the vending machine. HUGE non-scale victory for me.

O.K. on to decision made. First of all I love each of you so much for caring enough to leave comments on my last post. You were thoughtful and insightful and I am so grateful to each of you. I talked to my the Big Fish Dr and let him know what Dr. A had said and asked if he had a recommendation for an Orthodontist. He did not. He said to let Dr. A make the recommendation. Then I called my regular Dentist's office and ask if I could talk directly to him. He knew I was going and I had his approval to go. Anyway, he called and I told him the whole story and I told him that basically their recommendation was the same I had gotten years ago from him. We discussed my options and the orthodontist choices in my little town. He told me that doing the braces was really my only choice for the long run. He said that even though logistically going back and forth to Birmingham and parking is a booger, I would be better served there. My regular Dentist, (Dr. G, I'll call him) said that they have access to all the latest everything and the doctors there will work with each other to achieve the best outcome. "Achieve the best outcome" were the exact words Dr A. used when she called me. She said the she would work with the Orthodontist to achieve the best outcome. So, I called Dr. A and asked her to make a referral. Dr. A was delighted, she said I would not regret this decision and it would not be as bad as I have built it up to be. I go in for my initial visit with the Orthodontist group next Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. I have more peace than I did when I wrote my last post but I think I'll be fine once I meet the person who will be assigned to me. I'm now praying that I like him/her as much as I do Dr. A.

WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO?

2009-07-14T20:20:00.003-05:00

What to do? Decisions to make. Hard decisions that I don't want to make. Decisions that I could just not make, just keep letting life rock on along as is. Curious aren't you? No, I haven't lost my mind.

Dr. A called me at work this morning and told me that she has spoken with her director and they had come up with the best solution to my dental issues. Their best plan (their only plan) is the same plan my dentist had five years ago. BRACES!!!! Not at all the news I wanted to hear. She said it is the position of UAB's School of Dentistry to do what is best for the overall health of the patient. She said the orthodonist people would need to work with the Oral Surgeon. She said she could set up a consult with those folks or I could think about it and get back to her. Basically it is do the braces way or go to someone who will do what I want and suffer the consequences later. I've done a lot of Internet research on cosmetic dentistry and learned that it can be high dollar upkeep. Dr. A said that my bite would change when the permanent teeth are brought in so they would not restore teeth until the rest is taken care of so I don't know what I'm suppose to do about being snaggled toothed after the cyst and teeth are removed. I guess I'll have to see a orthodontist to find that out. I'm more confused now than I've ever been. What to do!?! What to do???

If I go the braces route, I can do that with an orthodontist here instead of incurring the expense of traveling back and forth to B'ham. So if I go with an orthodontist here, I really should just go with the Oral Surgeon here. What to do??? What to do???

Dr. A also told me when the permanent teeth are pulled (painful to think about) into place they will not match my other teeth. So what the ______ can be done about that, she didn't offer a solution. What to do??? What to do??? Well the baby teeth don't match my permanent teeth now so I don't guess I need to be all that concerned about color.

On the up side, I haven't run to food so far. I'm so busy at work that I didn't even eat the lunch I took to eat. I did eat an apple that was on my desk from last week. I should have gone to Curves when I go off but I didn't. I went yesterday. I ate well over the weekend and so far this week. I didn't over eat tonight.

I really need some guidance regarding my mouth issues. I've prayed for clarity and wisdom. I don't want to do nothing and regret it in 10 years. Well, I've whined, griped and complained enough for one post.

Remember my brother-in-law, Gene, in your prayers tomorrow. I don't know what time he will be having surgery. To be 79 1/2 he is in good health except for the hernia that is to be repaired tomorrow.

Maybe, I'll know what to do tomorrow.
What to do? What to do? What to do?
Don't you just hate it when things don't go your way?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-12T22:30:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow, July 13th is my sister's birthday. She has many names or I should say she has acquired many. Her name is Elizabeth. No one calls her Elizabeth. I remember our Dad calling her Lib and Beth. When I was little I started calling her Bethy and for over 50 years I still call her Bethy. Most people call her Liz but when grandchildren of my siblings appeared on the scene she became Grandmama and Tiz. Well, I invite you to Tiz's/Bethy's virtual Birthday Party. Yes, this post is a repeat but hey why mess with a great thing.

First of all I don't know of a person who enjoys her birthday more that she. The entire month of July is spent in celebrations. However, this year her husband Gene will be having surgery on July 15th for a hernia repair so feel free to add him to your prayer list.

Bethy this picture reminds me of what I think your spirit must look like.

This is a picture of a print/painting by Marie Barber the title of the piece is Colors of Praise. The scripture reference she prints underneath is Psalm 139:14 "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and Wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well."

The quality of the picture isn't good but the way this little girl's head is up and back with her hand up in praise basking in the light of our Father makes me happy to look at her. Hope you like it.

Every Birthday party must a balloon or two so here you go.

Of course, balloons would be attached to flowers but there were so many to choose from . You certainly deserve roses but I love lilies so maybe a mixed arrangement.

Flowers are so beautiful but you might prefer something a little different.

Something soft an cuddly with a can of candy or a decorative cup. HUMMMMM

Now for the very best. What would a party be without a Birthday cake!!!!!

Sorry about the glare but the clerk at Winn Dixie wasn't interested in breaking the seal, taking the dome off just so I could take a picture. Imagine that. While I was busy looking at birthday cakes and picking out the very best one for my Bethy, something else caught my eye. I know how much you love chocolate and how much I love fruit desserts, I found these. I honestly think these would be better than the cake. How about you???

YUMO!!!

I know what you are think and no I did not take one home. Yes, I wanted to but I didn't. I would still like to have one but you know they may have been sitting around a long time and just look good but taste ugh.

Now let me sing to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday my B-E-T-H-Y. Happy Birthday to you.

Well, Beth the sentiment is the same as last year, hope you have the best ever birthday, Sis. Love you.

WEEKLY UPDATE

2009-07-11T08:19:00.002-05:00

Not a lot to talk about today. I've done well eating wise so I've lost 5.4 lbs since I last reported but only .5 inch down. I've really be slacking on exercise so I've got to step it up. I don't know if the heat or work stress is really getting to me. I'm so tired then I leave work that a couple of days I've taken a nap as soon as I get home. I'm busy making decisions as to how to get my budget to zero by the end of this month. That sounds easy as I read it but it isn't at all. I could go on and on about that but it really is to boring to go into.

I'm still 7 lbs away from my lowest weight and I'm completed ticked with myself for gaining. There are no excuses, I'm the only one I can blame. I would love to lay the blame on work, friends, church, family, did I mention work but I can't.

I don't have anything to do this weekend so I'm going to take full advantage of it. Curve's opens in 30 minutes so I'm going to be there. Y'all have a great weekend. Maybe I'll come visit you this weekend.

BACK TO REALITY

2009-07-08T20:36:00.002-05:00

There is nothing like a really unflattering picture to jar you back into reality. My worse side is my side view. I look like the baby may come anytime. Seriously. I've always looked this way even at 7 or 8 years old. I can blame it on that hormone that make you big around the middle due to stress and that may play a part. I do have a stressful job but beside the job my stress level is pretty low.

I actually saw the picture on my sister's computer July 4th. So Monday after the doctor's visit and the Sam's hot dog, I bought healthier food. I have eaten according to physical hunger for the last two day. It hasn't been easy but having great tasting and healthy food helps a lot. A whole lot. Hopefully I'll be back in the grove in another day or two.

Today, I settled in to read a few blogs. I was enjoying a slide show from the 4th on Jen's blog when to my horror there it was (splatter on the Internet for the whole world to see) me in my most unflattering pose possible. Of course, Jen, has blamed one of her three children with taking this picture but I don't know. Jen did see how much I ate a lunch so maybe posting that picture was a subliminal message (Aunt JC, get your rear in gear and get on with losing). HA!! She would never own up to doing such a thing.

Note that I am not linking to her blog. If you want to see, you will have to figure it out for yourself.

Hope y'all had a great day.

SOMETIMES I WONDER

2009-07-06T19:50:00.003-05:00

About myself.

Apparently I misundertood Dr. A last week. I was expecting a plan today but what I got was a 1 1/2 hours of biting into wax. I thought she said she would make a wax model of my teeth but that isn't what she said. She did make a plaster model of my mouth but where the wax came in was she said she would make wax molds of my bite next time. That is what was done today. Another appointment in two weeks (July 20th). I was disappointed but one Sam's hot dog for lunch/supper and a walk all over Sam's club later, I was fine. I bought fruit & veggies to replenish my kitchen so when the urge to eat hits there is healthy food available.

That is all I have to report for today. Don't you love a short post from me? I know it is highly unusual. Bye for now.

COMPARING

2009-07-05T17:28:00.007-05:00

I must admit I cannot even believe what I am going to do. Yep, you guessed it. I'm posting a picture of this year's back side pic to last year's pic. I'm really leery you might not be able to tell any difference. Let's see, here is July 4, 2008. Top size 2X, pants 19/21 (didn't know there was such a size until I bought them), shoes girl size 5.

Now, let's compare to July 4, 2009. Top regular size L, pants 16 (I don't know what happened to the cuff of the left leg.), shoes size 6 (I know you can't see them but they are cute red flip flops).

HUMMMMMM, I'm not to sure. I need to stick to the same family member when taking these pictures. The arms are smaller and the legs. Yep, the legs and ankles are much smaller. Why do I stand crooked? The left shoulder is down, why did I do that? Why am I not standing up straight, Mama always told me to stand up straight. Please, I do not expect answers, I'm just thinking out loud.

Yesterday was perfect. The baby is now 18 months and curious about everything, especially the road in front of my sister's house. He is a fast little fella, too fast for Aunt JC to catch without causing him to fall and scratch his forehead. Yep, I did. Praise God it didn't faze him any. He didn't even cry but he had a red spot and bump. I felt terrible. It is hard being part of the old generation especially when I'm getting thinner, stronger and younger looking every day.

One of the grand nieces saw Bambi in the road just down the hill from where we were on the front porch. I zoomed in as far as I could to get this pictures. Bambi didn't linger long once the kiddo's decided to see how close they could get.

See where my nephew and two grand nephews are and where the road bends in the distance. The bend in the road is where the deer was. I'm still on the porch in the shade. The porch post is in the foreground and a cedar tree to the right of my nephew and two grand nephews.

Hope y'all had a great and wonderful weekend. Tomorrow is back to work and back to see Dr. A in the afternoon.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY Y'ALL

2009-07-04T00:01:00.001-05:00

I know you were expecting "WEEKLY UPDATE" but since it is a holiday in which I will be traveling to where I call home. See the picture below doesn't it look like a place you would call home. It is where my Daddy grew up and where I've spent most of my holidays for the last 55 years. My oldest sister and her husband own it how. They take such good care of it that I always look forward to going home. You know my sister. She is Tiz over at Prayerfully Yours.

I'm skipping the weighing and measuring in favor of having a good day. Not that the number on the scale or measuring tape would spoil my day but I just don't have time for my regular Saturday routine today. I'm writing this on Friday. Overall this has been a fair week food wise and I know I have lost some. There were too many times when I would forget to wait for hunger. I'm wrestling with the idea of putting the scale away for the month of July just to see how I do. I know I've had more peace in my life from just not thinking so much about the do's and don't of food. That is not to say I'm giving up. Certainly not. I'm still exercising and eating a whole lot less so I'm feeling good about my progress. I just need a break from letting it consume my life.

July 4th is my favorite holiday. I think I said that last year but I'm too lazy to look up the post. There is no dressing up, well that isn't exactly true if you remember my rear end shot from last year with the miss placed starburst on my rear. Hey! Wait a minute, I'll find it for you. My rear is a couple of sizes smaller this year than last year. I wonder if any of my family will be up for another back side picture. HA!!! The things my family will do for me. Here you go. I knew I could find it. Hey my arms and neck are smaller. I think. I know I've already given away the clothes. I still have the shoes.

My sister always decorates for holidays but I think she out does herself on July 4th so I tryed to blend in with my outfit. HA!!! I crack myself up. Anway here are a few pictures from July 4, 2008.

I hope you have wonderful plans for Independence Day. I'm going to play and eat and talk and play and eat and talk and well you get the idea.

CONTINUING STORY

2009-07-01T20:16:00.002-05:00

I know you have been waiting to hear about my today's grand adventure. I love my Prosthodontist. I still can't spell or pronounce her name but I will call her Dr. A because she isn't a big fish doc after all but I wouldn't consider her a guppy either. She is in her second year of a three year residency. She is very personable and put me at ease. She appears to know what she is talking about or either she is faking it til she makes it. She was to have another appointment at 2 but that person was a no show which was good for me. I've never had a better dental exam ever in my life. She explained everything she was doing and why. She took pictures (a lot of them), then x-rays (21 or those), then molds (4 of them, 2 top & 2 bottom impressions). From one set of molds she will make a wax model of my mouth and from the other she will make whatever is needed.

I will go back Monday afternoon to meet with her and her director and discuss an overall comprehensive plan for my teeth. She said if they feel that braces are the best for the health of my mouth for long run then that is what they will recommend. That would involve pulling the upper baby teeth then attaching wire hooks to the permanent teeth and over time (2 to 3 years) pulling them into place. This would close the gap in my front teeth but the new teeth may not match my existing front teeth as far as color goes. I know more than you wanted to know. She said they (not sure who they are) will come up with multiple plans for me to consider. She said that while she is concerned about aesthetics the position of the school of dentistry is about oral health first. I suppose that is a really good thing.

Tonight I am very tired and my mouth, jaws and face in general is sore and achy. My mouth is scratched up from the x-ray tab thingies. You know those hard square pieces of x-ray film they stick in your mouth and tell you bite on while it jabs and slices the inside of your mouth. Even the outside of my mouth is scratched from a mirror used in taking pictures. I'm a pitiful looking but peaceful and joy filled mess.

Eating wise today was great. I ate an egg & cheese on wheat bread for breakfast. and sipped stevia sweeten iced tea all morning. Breakfast was early (7:30). I left work for B'ham at 11 a.m, got there, parked and in the building by 12:45 p.m. I didn't leave until almost 4 p.m. I was so thirsty and the taste of latex or whatever she made the molds from was gross. There is an Arby's near the parking deck so I drove through for a Diet Pepsi (I know I haven't had a soda in ages). They were giving away a beef & cheddar sandwich when you bought a drink. When I got to the window to pay the server asked why I didn't want the free sandwich. Apparently I had not read the sign telling me about a free sandwich (I was more concerned with traffic). Well, my lunch and supper was the free sandwich. It was really good. However, fearing the sandwich had a zillion calories that has been it for my eating. If I get hungry before bed I'll have some blueberries.

Sorry, I didn't mean to go on and on. I think I'll go to bed. I'm to tired for TV. Sweet dreams y'all.

PROSTHODONTIST

2009-06-30T19:28:00.002-05:00

Prosthodontist is a word I had never heard until last Friday. Dr. Guppy (not his real name), the student resident oral surgeon, asked if I had see a Prosthodontist. Of course not to sound completely stupid I just said "no". The answer in my head was "what's that doc". Later Big Fish Doc told me I would need to see a Prosthodontist to get a plan for my other dental work, since he would only be concerned with the cyst, the impacted teeth and the baby teeth will fall out. To keep from being snaggled toothed, I need a Prosthodontist. Apparently the right word for a cosmetic dentist is a prosthodontist. I had to look it up to find out exactly what they do but they specialize in replacment teeth (implants, bridges, etc) and comestic stuff (veneers, whitening, etc). It sounded to me like a person that make prosthetics for someone who has lost a limb. See I learn something new every day.

Another term I didn't know was Endondist. This is a dentist that specializes in root canals. Praise God I don't have to go to one of those.

Who knew the world of dentistry could be so complicated.

Anyway, I'm starting to ramble. Friday, Big Fish Doc. said he was going to contact one of his Big Fish Buds and get me in to see a Prosthodontist. He said he would handle it himself and call me directly. I thought to myself "I'm not holding my breath on this one." Well, Big Fish Doc left me a message at 4:17 pm yesterday afternoon. Telling me who to call and who I will be seeing in the Prosthodontist part of the UAB School of Dentistry Clinic. I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon 1 p.m. (woo hoo I can work 1/2 a day) just in case you need something else to pray about. I would tell you the Prosthodonist name but I can't pronounce it much less spell it but I do know that this Big Fish Doc is a she doc. So now Oral Surgeon is He Big Fish Doc and Prosthodontist is She Big Fish Doc. You do have that straight don't you? I'm sure I'll accumulate more Guppy docs along the way.

I love a good adventure, don't you. For me, getting to the right place in the maze that is the UAB School of Dentistry Clinic is an adventure.

That's all the news I know. Y'all have sweet dreams.

SLOW DOWN

2009-06-29T17:55:00.003-05:00

You move to fast, you've got to make the morning last.
Just kickin' down the cobblestones,
Looking for fun and feeling groovy.

Remember those lyrics from Simon & Garfunkel. Sorry, they are stuck in my head so they might as well be stuck in yours.

For me "slow down" applies to food. I realized this weekend that I gobble food down like someone is going to snatch it away from me. So I've got to slow down my eating. Not a new concept but just one that I realized was being ignored big time.

When I say "slow down", I don't mean just a little, I mean eat painfully slow small bites. It is amazing how little food your body can be satisfied with. Food should be enjoyed but I've eaten so fast that I don't taste the food at all.

Can any one relate? Yes, I'm busy. Everyone is busy. However, if I am to stick to eating only when I'm physically hungry, I must eat what my body craves and enjoy it to the fullest. When I eat what I truly want and desire, I'm satisfied with a lot less of it. Therefore, I can half my portion and safe calories.

Now I know you are thinking that if you eat what you desire you will eat chocolate or fried chicken all the time but that simply isn't true. If you desire a certain food, try eating just that food all day, for each meal. You will discover you get sick of it very easily.

I've stayed on track this weekend and was down 5 lbs this morning so I'm feeling pretty "groovy" right about now. "Life I love ya, always groovy." I think those are some of more words to the above song.

Seriously, do you deal with eating so fast you are unaware of the taste of the food or how much you have wolfed down?

WEEKLY UPDATE

2009-06-27T07:06:00.002-05:00

I'll start today with the doctor's visit. Turns out not to be so bad after all. In his office, he pulled up and reviewed the MRI done earlier this year. He says the cyst does have to come out and I will lose teeth as the result and I will have to have a bone graft but the cyst in contained in the bone so the surgery can wait until after the BLOGHER Conference. WHEW!! Well, actually it will take 4-6 weeks for my insurance to agree to pay for it. I go back to see him July 31st.

On a side note he has a resident doctor that works with him. I was impressed. He told me his name. His last name is Guffey. I thought he said Guppy. I spent a good five minutes trying to see his name badge just to make sure. Now that I type it, I don't know why I found that funny. I guess I was imagining Guppy Dr in a pond of Big Fish Drs.

Thank you all for your prayers.

I admit I have a hard time focusing on more than one thing as I age. This is new to me. Although I still do pretty well. I did make an appointment to take my car in for service and get a loaner car yesterday so technically I did focus on more than one thing.

My eating and exercise however were not even on my radar. I exercised at Curve's once this week. No field trip walking. Apparently riding around looking for where I'm suppose to be and finding a parking space doesn't count. After a month of not journaling my food intake, my inches are up along with my weight. I could go on and on, moaning and groaning and making excuses for myself. They would all sound very good but I'm not going to. I set myself up to fall by not staying focused and falling into old habits. Familiar habits; fifty year habits. As a result my weight is up 12.4 lbs from 4 weeks ago when I was at my lowest and inches are up 5.75 from a month ago. This goes to show how easily I can get out of whack. I don't understand how I can do this but I can. I can spend much time an effort on self analysis or even go to a counselor of some sort or I can go to the one that understands me better than I understand myself. That is what I did last night. So today is a new day, it is already to hot for me to walk outside but Curve's opens at 9 am. I'll be there.

The Psalms talks about when David would get down in the dumps, he would remember good times and cheer himself up. Well, I'm spending today remembering what worked and get back to it. Basic WW stuff. Eating according to hunger and fullness is my goal for this week. Eating only according to when my body needs fuel. I've done this before and I know it is effective. Zero would indicate stuffed; 5 would indicate really, really, getting a headache hunger. I need to eat at a 4 (just past a stomach growl) and stop at a 2 (comfortable not stuffed). When I eat this way, I eat very little. I know it is because my body wants to burn up its excess fuel (fat). This may not sound like an ambitious goal to you but I got to start somewhere. In addition to this goal, my food will be healthy (more fruit and veggies); no McDonald's (or any other drive thru). That should get some weight and inches off before July 4th.

Well, I've rambled on and on so I gotta go and get ready for Curve's and the farmer's market (gotta get more blueberries). Y'all have a great weekend.

OVER MY RANT

2009-06-25T08:11:00.002-05:00

While I may be over my rant, I never did find the card I was looking for. Thanks for the comments. Y'all have a way of making me smile.

My visit to the School of Dentrisy Dental Clinic was let's say interesting. I learned a lot.

One being all things can not be done by student doctors. Or maybe it is that when the supervising doctor realized I have insurance he thought "I think I'll snatch this one for myself." I don't know what the real deal is but I was referred to an oral maxiollofacial (sp?) surgeon. Apparently the cyst growing in my lower jaw may be a nasty critter. They know it has eaten a hole in my lower jaw bone that will require a bone graft. Anyway, I have an appointment in his office tomorrow so I'll know more tomorrow afternoon.

Another thing I learned is that student doctors have a lot to learn about patient interaction. Such as tell the patient your name. Each doctor that saw me (4 of them) introduced themselves, the students did not. The Student Dr. #1 was so new to treating actual people that when I asked him his name, he looked like I had asked for a date. Bewildered to say the least. Then he told me his name. I would later learn that teeth are not only numbered but are referred to by letters (a,b,c) as well. Student Dr. #1 was having a hard time with his teeth alphabet, the supervising doctor was very patient with him. I'm hoping Student Dr. #1 will learn his A,B,C's and his 1,2,3's before long. I also hope he learns how to introduce himself (didn't you learn this in grade school - I did). When Student Dr. #1 started writing up my referral to Oral Surgery, I glanced to my right to see his scrubs (blue scrubs to be exact) covered rear in my face. He had a right nice behind but I would have preferred to admire it with some distance between it and my eyes. LOL! He was completely unaware. His mind was focused on what he was doing. He will be a great dentist one day I'm sure of it.

Then I was off to the oral surgery part of the clinic. Led by a student hygienist. I thought that was something learned on the job but apparently you go to college to learn it. She was very nice and introduced herself on our walk to the next waiting (holding bin) room. She explained I would be seen by a resident doctor in this area but still under the supervision of a real doctor/instructor. I want to go to the dentist where she will be working.

When I'm finally called back and put in a chair. An assistant took my blood pressure (yep it was high) and left me there. So being one not to miss an opportunity to listen in on others conversations (no walls between patients just curtains). I listened while Student Dr. #2 got medical history on unknown patient. It was sad, this older woman (my age) had so many medical problems, I was wondering how in the world she was able to get to the clinic. Getting around the medical complex that makes up UAB's University Hospital System is a chore, even for the young and healthy.

When it came my time with Student Dr #2, no introduction, I asked his name, he gave it. I got a lot of grunts and hummmms out of him. Apparently they don't see my type of problem every day. Then again maybe they do and I just don't know it. He was friendly enough but very matter of fact. In just a little while the supervising Doctor was with me. Next thing I know I'm being referred to him, being told to set up an appointment in his clinic (still part of the UAB System). I was told my medical insurance will cover the surgery but not if it is done through the School of Dentistry Clinic. I was also told that since the surgery may be extensive, it will have to be done in the hospital not in his Oral Surgery Clinic. I was told about the bone grafting process (not going there today). He would not discuss what I really wanted to know which was the bottom line cost of everything that needs doing in my mouth.

He said that the cyst has to be dealt with first and after I am healed from that, then we will discuss the rest. He compared the cyst to a clogged artery. He said I'd have the clogged artery fixed before I had a face lift. He made his point.

For those of you that are still reading, I'm sorry I've given more information than your interested in knowing. Needless to say, my eating plan is on the back burner but I'm not binge eating either. That's it for today. Hope you have a great day.

CRAZY AS A BETSY BUG

2009-06-22T19:57:00.004-05:00

Where did that phase come from. Crazy as a Betsy Bug. I don't know what a Betsy Bug is. Do you? Please enlighten me! I also don't know who Meme is but I've heard she can have a screaming fit. These are some of the phases that describe me tonight. I'm about to have a "Screaming Meme Fit" because I'm as "Crazy as a Betsy Bug" because I can't find my Care Credit Card. (I am pounding the keys as I type to add emphasis as if you can see my frustration!) UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! As a friend of mine would say, "Shooooooot, Shhhooootttt, Shoot a Bear in the TAIL!" I think I'll have myself a good ole "Hissy Fit" to go along with my "Screaming Meme Fit".

Another phrase that applies "Hang Dang It" also "Dog it" will do just fine. I'm sure I put this card in a safe place. Now if I could just find the safe place. I found the paper work with the 1-800 something number so I called and requested a replacement card. It has not been stolen or at least it hasn't been used. Oh well, it isn't like I need it right this very second but "Geeze Weezer" I hate not knowing where something is when I get my mind on it.

I wonder if I put it with my will? Hang on a minute, I'll be right back. NO!! It wasn't there and why would it be. For heaven's sake, my family will not care about my teeth after I'm gone. They will just be concerned about my retirement account, bank account and life insurance. You know those important things for wrapping up one's final details. So much for that.

I apparently have a telephone stalker. Someone has taken to calling but never talking. Two days now. I don't know why I just shared that except that I got a call on the way to check my will. Now I'm laughing so hard, I can hardly see the monitor through my silly tears. First of all, if your family, I'm not ready to be committed. If your a blog buddy, I hope you can relate to my goofiness.

Seriously, do you ever make yourself crazy??? Maybe it is because I'm alone. Since I can't make anyone else crazy, I just make myself nuts. Another phrase that would apply, "Stomping on my last nerve." It usually applies to someone else stepping or stomping on your last nerve (what is a last nerve) but I reckon I can stomp on my own.

O.K. what started this train of thought that became a 2 hour wasted search is I'm going to the Dental Clinic at UAB (University of Alabama in Birmingham) in the morning. They will not be needing the Care Card because they require cash, insurance or credit card. I have cash. WHEW!!! I'm tired from all that ranting. Remember my teeth woes from earlier this year. Well, I never had anything done but now that work has settled some it is time to do something about the teeth. Since I don't have $32,000 plus to spend I'm going to let dental students work on me. Yes, I can see you shaking your head. Don't you judge me, I think it is a pretty good idea. They gotta get their learnin' somewhere.

And another thing. We had a storm here last week sometime. Well I discovered yesterday afternoon that half of one of the trees in my back yard is split and fallen onto another tree. Well hells bells that is something for another post. Like Scarlet I'll think about that later. I was going to post about my eating plan but I got sidetracked so I'll share that later. My temporary insanity is now over and I'm going to bed.

SWEET DREAMS Y'ALL!

MY DADDY

2009-06-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

This is my Daddy. Since it is Father's Day, I decided to introduce him to you. I know the picture isn't the best but it is the only one I have so this is a picture of a picture that was let's say digitally enhanced. It was taken I think a few years before I was born. Point is I wanted to pay tribute to my Daddy today because he was a great daddy in all that it means to be a great daddy.

I didn't have my daddy as long as I would have liked. He passed away when I was eleven years old. I don't have a single memory of my daddy that isn't good.

He protected me, he provided for me, he comforted me when my feelings were hurt, he disciplined me when needed, he was the spiritual leader of his home, he took the lead in making sure my siblings and I were raised with Christian values, he was funny, he had beautiful eyes, his parenting advice came straight from scripture, he was truly a reflection of my heavenly Father.

I have no issues with picturing God my creator, as God my Father, because my biological daddy mirrored God the Father to me daily. I am truly blessed to have had him.

For all of you reading who have your earthy father, don't forget to tell them you love and appreciate them. If there are fences in your relationship with your dad that need mending, let God your Father help you take the first steps in mending those fences. Time here is short; don't waste a second of it.

Dads, if you don't know how to parent your children, check God's word the BIBLE (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth). All you need to know is in there. If you can't find what you need, just ask God the Father. He'll be glad to answer from one Dad to another. Be blessed. JC

WEEKLY UPDATE

2009-06-20T07:32:00.003-05:00

I'm taking a weight and inches break this week. I know the news isn't good so like Scarlet; I'll think about it later. This morning I'm off to a church related breakfast.

One week of stress not a problem but three weeks, that is another story. The last three weeks have been so stressful that I have fallen right back into old eating habits but the stress is now over and today is a new day. I'm going to the farmer's market after breakfast. Whatever is in season I'm buying it and making a plan for next week. I can and will get myself back on track.

Sorry if this sounds like a downer post, it isn't meant to be. I'm not down at all just somewhat disgusted with myself. Can anyone relate???

Will be blog visiting this afternoon when it gets too hot to be outside and will post more later.

STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU

2009-06-17T19:26:00.007-05:00

Remember that song. I don't know why I thought of that one. In my version it is traffic in the front of me."

Traffic to the right. Traffic behind as far as the eye can see (yes, those are cars in the upper part of the picture curving under an interstate overpass).

Traffic to the left and merging from another interstate.

And I'm stuck in the middle with----------

them. One staff member calling husband to go get the kiddos (2 little ones, ages 2 & 4) from day care. One parent who knows where her child is. Twenty five (25) sixth graders on their very first field trip with us. None of them are the least bit concerned about the non-movement of the bus. One staffer (J) wondering if she will get back in time to pick her car up at the shop. One staffer who is standing and realizing we may be late but there are people who work for Honda who have it worse off than we do. They are definitely not going to be clocking in on time at the Honda plant in Lincoln, Alabama. Ever wonder what people do in the south when they are stuck in traffic for more than 10 minutes?

Well we leave the comfort of our air conditioned cars to stand in the blazing Alabama sun and discuss the fact that we are going to be late for where we are going. We also wonder what happened up there, and when are we going to get moving, etc. If the wait is long enough, we solve all the world's problems, If the wait is too long, we wonder if that tour bus up there has a working restroom. The people pictured in the white pants are not wearing white just because it is summer. They are Honda employees. As we in the south, say "Bless their hearts".

We were stuck in traffic over thirty minutes on I 20 East going toward Atlanta from Birmingham. I praised God for cell phones to call work so security could notify waiting parents that their children are safe just running late. That is how my Tuesday went. It was a wonderful day inspite of the traffic. At least we were not part of the accident but someone with a Georgia tag was. Wouldn't it be awful to be in an accident somewhere far away from home. For me far away would be another state.

As you know, I'm a week off for Father's day but it is coming up this Sunday. I appreciate that being pointed out to me before I posted something about Daddy's. Oh me, I am tired and the mind is dragging.

Tomorrow is the last of the field trips. As always, I called where ever we are going just to make sure everthing is set. I called the college for tomorrow and was told we were not on their calendar!!!. Thank God for email (proof date was set in March). Only thing my emails were with someone who didn't do their job and hasn't been at the college for months now. Anyway, we are now on their calendar for 10:30. We are going to UAH (University of Alabama in Huntsville). Did you know they are the only college in the south with a Ice Hockey Team? True, now you know.

WEEKLY UPDATE

2009-06-13T07:50:00.002-05:00

Another week and two field trips down and I'm still alive to post about it. Weight wise it is a sad, sad story as you can see from the sidebar. I could go into a oh woo is me funk this morning but it would be a complete waste of energy. As you can also see from the sidebar that I'm continuing to lose inch wise. How can this be? Well I'm still getting in a lot of exercise. I worked out at Curves yesterday afternoon after having done a 1 hr walking campus tour earlier in the day. I look smaller in some places but feel bigger in others but I'm not going into all that.

I met a friend at a Mexican place after Curves and just completely forgot about ever watching what I ate. However, the chips and cheese dip were wonderful.

We had a situation with the field trip yesterday that I have not encountered before and to be honest I'm still a little put out by it. We always invite the parents to go and this time we had three. Well 4 signed up to go, 3 showed up. The group were all 13 year olds. Just picture that in your own mind. Everyone has to sign in. The students printed names are generated by our data software program but parents are asked to print their name on the bottom left of the sign in sheet and sign to the right of their printed name. One parent signed on the left and that is all. My 20 year old clerk (J) pointed out her error and asked her to just print her name next to her signature. She copped an attitude with J! J smiled at her an told her she was just following the program director's instructions. The mother then smiled but damage was done at least as far as I was concerned. She pitched her little "hissy fit" in front of some of the students which to me is unacceptable. I said nothing to the parent but kept a close watch on her the rest of the trip. It was J that I had to deal with because the parent had been so "in my J's face" rude that J had taken her attack personally. I was proud of J, this 20 year old, part-time clerk, full time college student in the way she handled the situation. We discussed how we have no idea what may have gone on in her household that morning that may have her stressed and J's request was just the final straw for her. Anyway, I always expect to be in my "don't cross me" mean mode with this age kids but parents! Give me a break.

Anyway, I spent way to much time eating and gripping last night when I should have come home and told my maker all my problems. That would have settled me down and saved thousands of calories but I didn't so there. I've heard it said that confession is good for the soul so here I am confessing to my weak moments.

Well, leaving this week behind and looking forward to next week. Tuesday will be 12 year olds (up coming 7th graders) and about 6 parents. It will be the first field trip for all these kiddos. Thursday will be up coming 10th graders and J's 21st Birthday. We will be going to a Mexican place for lunch that day. We are trying to figure out what to do for her birthday that will be good for the whole group (we can't buy her a Marquita on a school trip). The restaurant will provide her with a free dessert but the desserts at that place are all over $5 so that would blow a hole in my meal budget. The restaurant said they didn't have a problem with us bringing in a cake or something. I'm thinking about taking cookies. We will be doing a campus tour before lunch and I'm a little leary of transporting a cake 2 1/2 hrs. I think cookies would travel better. Since my staff and I have to pay for our own lunches, I will buy her lunch that day.

I'm so far removed from 21 year olds, do you have any ideas that might be better. Any gift ideas?

Time to wrap up this post. I have places to go, things to do, people to see, hair to color. Y'all have a happy Father's day. If you have you dad still with you, take time to honor him.

RAMBLINGS

2009-06-10T20:10:00.005-05:00

One field trip down this week and another to go this Friday. The heat of being outdoors most of the day Tuesday kinda got to me. I wasn't feeling well last night at all. I don't know if it was the heat or stress of giving a presentation at a Director's meeting this morning. Anyway, both are over now and I'm posting. I haven't done a lot of visiting this week but never fear I will come over and catch up as soon as possible.

I have a few pictures to share.

This magnolia tree is just beyond where my car is parked at work. I thought it was so beautiful it should be seen on my blog. The sky was gray but the tree was/is beautiful. Below I zoomed in on one blossom. Isn't it beautiful.

While I was yard sale shopping last Saturday, I took my camera along. The picture below was taken from my car. I was going to a yard sale where I was parked so the picture is of the house/yard next door. I loved this yard full of beautiful yellow blossoms.

What this picture does not show is at the top of the driveway in the foreground. The neighbor is unboxing a new lawn mower. I felt bad for them having to buy a new lawn mower but I was happy to enjoy their lawn of yellow flowers.

Not much news on my part but hope you enjoy the pictures. I'll post more about field trips later.

YARD SALES

2009-06-07T15:52:00.002-05:00

I hit a bunch of yard sales yesterday and must admit I'm right pleased with my finds. I left home with $40 and came home with $20. Yep, $20 got me 7 CD's (some a little to country gospel/bluegrassy for my taste but still good), one DVD (One Night with the King - story of Ester), one book on writing (not at I'm going to use it), one stretchy bracelet, one pair of earrings, one pair of pink sparkly flip flops, & one table top fountain. Oh and least I forget a small cup of lemonade.

The fountain was the big find because it is brand new, still in the box, from Kirkland's. I thought I would keep it for a wedding gift or something like that but it matches my house perfectly. Now it is bubbling away in the living room/den. My house doesn't have formal rooms it has an eat-in kitchen and a den. No formality with me.

Now I made some observations about yard sales that I know you are interested in hearing/reading. Especially if you are in east central Alabama and thinking about having a yard sale that I might visit.

Clearly mark the location of your sale. If you are going to put a sign on the road pointing in a particular direction and you live in a large subdivision, additional signs along the way would be great. Some of your customers might be directionally challenged or think they missed your sale. I tried going to several because I saw the garage door open and from the looks of the garage they need to have a sale.
If you are going to sale clothes, get them off the ground!!! My goodness, do you really think I am going to bend over and hunt through your clothes that really aren't Salvation Army material. Just being honest here. You can give the illusion that your crappy clothes still have some life in them by hanging them. Run a line across that garage door or an old shower rod between two shelves works great. Fold tee shirts and jeans as if they are in a store. Not so hard, just put forth a little effort.
Display your junk as if it is worth a dollar and your letting it go for a .25 by getting stuff out of the boxes it has been packed away in for the last 10 years. If I've got to hunt through a box I might as well stay home. I can hunt through my own unpacked boxes. This advice pertains particularly to purses, scarves, shoes, small appliances and dishes. You know you can make tables out of those boxes your junk is in. Just getting stuff two or three feet of the ground gives it more importance.
If you have an issue with certain people coming to your house, then don't have a yard sale. Donate, donate, donate. Around this area there are little boxes you can drop stuff in or better yet give it to a church that has a clothes swap. I took all my big clothes except for one pair of jeans and one shirt to my sister's church recently. After I had a yard sale last fall, I discovered I was uncomfortable with some of the people coming into my driveway. I was aware my place was being scoped out. I was uneasy for several weeks after the yard sale. I found myself telling my friend helping me about the security cameras my neighbor has that records my driveway and backyard in the presence of the those making me uneasy.
Price your stuff. Don't make me have to ask you while you are talking on your cell phone. You don't have anything I want badly enough to ask for a price. YES!!! A good yard sale is WORK! Another reason I'm not having another one.
Pay attention to your customers or at least acknowledge their presence. It is just the polite, southernly thing to do. Where I was greeted with indifference, I didn't leave with anything. Where I was greeted I always bought something even if it was just a pair of earring for .50 so I could spend the other .50 on their child's lemonade.

Now that is much more than you want to know but I'm sitting here typing while listing to my new CD's. So do you go to yard sales or have them or both?

Weight wise I'm down a little today but don't remember how much. I was up and out early. Got a good walk in before church. We had a special guest today (Alvin Slaughter). My pastor is in Argentina for the opening of a new church. I've eaten well today and cleaned house so a really great day. Birds must like bluegrass gospel. Two are sitting on the deck rail just hanging out, not in any hurry to fly away. Their little bills are open so they must be singing along. I'd go get my camera out of the car and take a picture for you but if I move they will fly away so I'm just going to enjoy their presence. Bye for now.

WEEKLY UPDATE

2009-06-06T08:58:00.002-05:00

I know I'm late posting this morning but I wanted to get my walk in before the sun was to bright for my very pale, sunburn prone skin. Of course after the walk I had to take a shower and get ready to face the day. Oh and there were yard sales in the neighborhood today. Being the good neighbor that I am I bought a few things. I'm now waiting for a friend to call who wants to go across town to more yard sales.

O.K. you can see from the side bar that weight wise things are not so good this week but I'm still losing inches. I've had plenty of non scale victories this week so I'm not fretting the scale. I expected an increase just not so much.

We took the eighth graders (up coming 9th graders) to Montgomery yesterday. I left my camera cord at work so pictures for another day.

When we do field trips I don't take one of my blood pressure pills (the one that make you pee all day) so I'm retaining fluid today. That combined with eating really great tasting not so healthy foods and well like I said I was expecting it. Hopefully I can minimize the damage over the next two weeks because we still have four more trips to go.

Here are my non-scale victories for this week.

Ran into one of my neighbor's I haven't seen in a while and she didn't recognize me. Once she did her reaction was "You have lost weight! Haven't you? Like a whole lot of weight!"
I soared through two, 1 1/2 hour campus walking tours with no problem what so ever. Up and down steps and hills. I can not say the same for two of my staff and over half of the students. And, we are talking mid-day, Alabama hot days.
I walked up three flights of stairs at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame without being winded.
I walked up three flights of stairs twice that the Alabama Capital without being winded. However, my thighs and butt are a little sore this morning. I also walked down the same stairs plus all the steps on the outside of the capital. White marble steps in the bright Alabama sun are hard to see. Did you know that Alabama marble is some of the whitest in the world and it was used in the Lincoln Memorial. Just a little Alabama trivia for you.
I discovered I only take up one seat on a charter bus.
I also discovered my rear does not completely cover a seat at church.
I discovered I'm comfortable sitting between people at church. I used to sit on the end of an isle so I would have more room. I no longer need more room.

Well that is it for me. Off to enjoy the pretty day. You do the same. Have a great weekend.

UAB BLAZER COUNTRY

2009-06-03T20:42:00.000-05:00

I knew you would want to share in my adventure with a group of 11th graders (excuse me it was a bunch of up coming seniors) since they did all pass the 11th grade and technically since school is out they are seniors. Now is the time for them to make decisions that affect their future whether they realize it or not but that is a topic for another post. The picture above is of one of the many, many flags attached to street pole in the 15 city block area that make up the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Home of the Blazers is on Birmingham's south side.

Please allow me to introduce you to Blaze. Blaze is the Blazer's Dragon Mascot.

I love this sign and fountain it lead towards the new freshman dorms.

Another street pole flag, it is a little different than the other one.

Blaze sits right outside the Bartow Arena, greeting new students at Orientation and bidding graduates farewell. It is also where many a basketball game is played and many other special events are held. We spent our morning in the downtown area of Birmingham. We toured the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in the Civic Center area. Then toured the Civil Rights Institute which is directly across the street from 16th Street Baptist Church where 4 girls were killed in the sixties when the church was bombed. It is also across from Kelly Ingram Park. Kelly Ingram was the first person killed in WWI and was my distant cousin on my mama's side. The above picture is taken from the UAB campus looking over to the downtown area where we spent the morning. The picture below is at the same spot but using the zoom on my little camera. My little camera did good zooming in on the Birmingham sky line. We had lunch at John's City Diner downtown. It is one of those places that has been around forever where the bankers and lawyers and whoever else working downtown do lunch. The picture above is taken facing south. I think. We were in a huge grassy area that used to be a road but now traffic has to go around it. It is surrounded by UAB housing. All those buildings are dorms or apartments. In the far distance you can hardly see Vulcan over the lowest of the buildings. Below I used my camera zoom to get a better shot of him. Vulcan is a landmark for the Birmingham area. Hope you enjoyed Blazer country.

FOURTEEN IS THE NUMBER

2009-05-31T15:35:00.002-05:00

OF HOUSES FOR SALE IN MY SUBDIVISION. That's right 14 but none on the street I live on. Some people listen to music, I count houses for sale. Not a cloud in the sky on yesterday's walk and I have the sunburn to prove it. I wanted to follow my nose to the house where the smell of bacon being cooked was coming but I resisted. No rattle snake encounters. Just a lot of neighbors walking dogs, cutting grass and a few runners.

Here is a question for you. Do you think a person can be allergic to their own sweat? I should do some research on that one. Whenever I sweat, my skin burns, stings and itches like crazy. Very uncomfortable. Yesterday after walking I took my shower and noticed I had bumps on my tummy, across my shoulders and upper arms. I couldn't see the bumps just felt them, kinda like sand paper. They went away by yesterday afternoon but that was a first. My sister suggested it may be toxins working their way out of my system. What do you think? Have you experienced anything like this?

I was asked if I was still following Weight Watchers and how many points did I get a day. Well, yes and no on following Weight Watchers. I stopped my membership at the end of December 2008. I followed Isagenix for three months but got really tired of those shakes. My eating now is pretty close to WW Core plan but with bread once a day. Since I went to the church retreat a month ago and my heart was convicted to spend more time with my maker, I've spend less time dwelling on what I eat. Not to sound silly or trite but I suppose I'm on the "Lord help me diet". I've realized I can't do any diet or nutritional or exercise program on my own. Maybe you are stronger than I but there you have it. I eat when I get hungry, which isn't very often. I'm talking physical hunger. I eat mainly fruits, veggies and a small amount of lean meat. That said let me assure you I eat often and a lot but I don't waste time counting anything. I move my body whenever the mood strikes and it strikes almost daily. I've exercised every day but today this past week. I weigh and measure myself once a week on Saturday morning. I'm accountable to you and my maker.

When I started this weight loss journey it was because I was convicted to take care of the temple. Let me tell you it took some scripture references and a dream to get the meaning. Once I understood, I started doing something about it. My body is God's temple. If I love Him as I claim to but don't care for my body where His spirit dwells then do I really love Him? That was a question posed to me and I found myself lacking. Now if this is too heavy or bizarre for some of you that is o.k. But you are my friends and friends are honest with each other. Even if my honesty makes me sound crazy. I assure you I am not (crazy that is). I'm not for one second saying you need to believe the same.

Recently I have begun to visualize myself thin. Thanks to Linda's picture graphic make over. I encourage all of you that have body image issues to have Linda make over your picture into your thinner self. You can click on my skinny picture and go right to her website or click here for her blog. I won a picture make over from Linda on Cammy's site.

Well that is it for me. Hope your enjoying your weekend.

I'LL MAKE IT QUICK

2009-05-30T08:21:00.002-05:00

Since today is a beautiful sunny morning, I must go walk the neighborhood and see who has yard sales. (note to self put money in pocket with key). I walked in my subdivision yesterday afternoon when I got home from work. It was such a beautiful day after all the rain we have had. Only thing about yesterday's walk was people cutting grass and the ice cream man/wagon/van whatever you call the thing that blares music and lures young and old into the street to by frozen sugar treats. Oh and then there was the rattle snake. Not a big one like the neighbor killed last week but he wasn't interested in it getting any bigger so he thanked me for shouting at the children in the golf cart (SNAKE!!!) at the top of my lungs. I chose not to hang around for the shovel killing of the snake. The kids, however were not about to miss the show.

Weight wise down a little .2 weight 195.4. Inches great 3.5 gone. I picked up some clothes from Gail my alterations person yesterday and she announced that I look smaller. She is right; I am smaller. You know I'm getting thinner, stronger & younger looking every day.

I'll post again later but got to enjoy the sunshine now.

ONE WHOLE YEAR!!

2009-05-26T17:09:00.002-05:00

That is how long I have been blogging! Can you believe it? I barely can believe it myself. I started this because my niece (Jen) over at Dust Bunny Hostage had a blog and she made it sound fun and easy. Well, turns out she is right. When I started I didn't expected anyone but my family to read it but that was one of the reasons I started it. I don't live near my family and I figured this would be a good way for them to keep up with whatever was going on with me. Along the way I have met some of the most incredible people. I consider anyone that reads and comments my friend and those who read and don't comment you are welcome here. You are a friend I just don't know yet. What really amazes me about my blog is that people read it when it really isn't about anything.

I love to read blogs. I follow some that are about photography, some about current events, some about diet tips, some are mommy blogs or grandmommy blogs. It doesn't matter to me. If the post is interesting and the pictures cute or gorgeous, I'm reading and commenting. I love comments and I love leaving comments.

What have I done this past year?

Well, I went to Israel last July, if your new to my blog you can go to July 08 archives and read about that. It was more of a life changing event than I even realized at the time. I even rode a camel and I didn't' break its back! I was able to fasten the seat belt on the airplane without the embarrassment of asking for an extender. MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT!
From May 26, 2008 to May 26, 2009 I have lost 34.2 lbs. I owe a big part of that to all of y'all. OMG the encouragement I have felt from you when I've slipped is just overwhelming and brings tears to my eyes. When I read about your struggles, they are my struggles and I don't feel so alone. I remember the first time I read a blogger writing about binge eating, she was describing me as she wrote about her pain. I knew in that moment I would be victorious over food addiction. I can make up every excuse there is and they all sound good but the bottom line is I had an unhealthy addiction to food. Sugar was my drug and fried food my alcohol. I was disrespecting my creator (God) by not cherishing and caring for His temple (my body). I thank God for giving me time to repent and change my ways. I now love to eat healthy food and I love to exercise. Now I admit I'm not exercising hours, running or biking miles but I do the exercise I enjoy and exercise that I can keep up as I age. Speaking of aging, I'm getting younger and stronger with each pound and inch I drop. I feel better now than I did as a teenager.
I did the 100 Days Challenge based on Linda Spangle's book 100Day of Weight Loss. I think that was in October -Dec. 08. Not real sure about that. If you haven't read the book go to those archives and click on the link. You have to buy it online. It is worth getting if you are willing to do the work.
I watched a dream become reality last Thursday when Lifting You Up awarded it's first scholarship. Also when the foundation website was launched.

Now, how am I going to celebrate this milestone? What do you think? I so love hearing what you think!

One thing I'm going to do in July is go to the BlogHer Conference in Chicago. If you are going please let me know. I would love to meet some of my blogging buddies. I'm so envious when I read about y'all meeting each other. Well until I post again or I come visit your blog, be blessed.

WEEKLY UPDATE

2009-05-23T08:12:00.002-05:00

WOW this has been a very busy week. In my last post, I wrote about my nerves with presenting the first Lifting You Up Scholarship. The event could not have gone better. Her name is Kelli. She lost her Dad to brain cancer when she was 15 so not that long ago. She has an older brother who is in college so her Mother was more thrilled about the scholarship than she was. Not to say she wasn't happy because she truly was. I wrote out and printed a script to go by so I would not ramble or become emotional. I stuck to the script. Another board member and I went to Red Lobster when it was over.

Speaking of Red Lobster. We ate very well. We refused the basket of biscuits and OMG, YES, that was hard to do. I love those biscuits. We both had fire grilled tilipia with a salad, asparagus and steamed broccoli. Very, very good.

Tuesday I spent the day with my oldest sister. It was a perfect day. Instead of going to Starbucks we tried out McDonald's new coffees. They have a sugar free vanilla latte. Better still they will fix you a sample cup FREE. Nothing beats FREE!! I had the SF vanilla with FF milk and let me tell you it was wonderful. The sample cup was enough to satisfy that craving. My sister had a Carmel latte and like it so much she bought one to take with her. We both took our lunch because while I am motivated I don't want to mess it up. We went to the food court and enjoyed our lunches saving us (her) probably $30. I drive; she pays for lunch. Pretty sweet deal I think.

I'm down another 1.8 lbs (195.6) and down another 2 inches. Yep, I'm pretty pleased with myself. In addition to the stress of work and the foundation, I'm in the car buying business but I'll tell you more about that later. The big discovery of the week is I can go through stressful times without falling face first into a vat of ice cream or cheesecake. What a wonder!!!

I'm going to decoration where my parents & grandparents are buried tomorrow. If you aren't from the south, you may not know what I'm talking about. For those of you who have spent a perfectly good day wandering among graves and visiting relatives you only see once a year, you know how much fun that can be.

Y'all have a great Memorial Day weekend.

TOMORROW IS A BIG DAY

2009-05-20T19:04:00.003-05:00

After weeks of reviewing applications, discussion, much prayer, interviews and more prayers, I will present Lifting You Up's first scholarship. I have stood on stages and presented many awards and scholarships on behalf of the program or college I work for but this time it is different. This time it is personal so I admit I am nervous. You would think I'm the one getting the scholarship instead of the one presenting it. I find myself fussing over what to wear and what to say. After all I'm representing a foundation I helped organize, there may be donors in the crowd. Well, you never know there could be so I should make a good first impression. Right?

So much has changed since I went to high school and much has changed since I started working in higher education. When I went to high school, award's ceremonies were a big deal. Students and parent dressed up in their best Sunday outfits. Teachers, administrators and college representatives were dressed very, very well and they were not making the money then they make now. When I first started going to high school functions as a representative of a college, I was expected to wear a business suit (skirt no pants) or a dressy dress, hose and pumps (no toes showing). However, the students, parents, administrators & teachers did not put forth any effort to spruce themselves up. In the last few years and I really noticed it today that Awards Days may be special for the student receiving an award but it sure isn't for the anyone else. Neither is behavior. For whatever reason, one of my colleagues and I were wedged between the girls volleyball coach (wearing basketball shorts, tank top and sneakers) and the Spanish teacher. We were right behind two other teachers. The coach was trying to get the Spanish teacher to make her presentation in Spanish. The other two chimed in. At one point my colleague leaned over to me and said, "I hope we don't somehow wind up in trouble over their behavior." Since she and I have on occasion gotten in trouble when we had no idea what we did, I found this both scary and amusing. Well here I go rambling, my point is that an event that should be worthy of good dress and even better behavior has become just another event. That makes me sad.

Each school has its own personality. I haven't been to an award's day at the school where I will make the presentation on behalf of the Lifting You Up Foundation. Given the fact it is in the afternoon, it may be more of an event. Either way it goes, it will be special to me and to each young person that receives a scholarship. Graduations will be next week.

So tell me have you noticed the changes in dress and order in schools from then you were there? I know most of you have children and grandchildren. I've like to know what you think.

CHECK IT OUT

2009-05-19T07:37:00.002-05:00

There is a great post on Prayerfully Yours today click here to check it out. Hope it blesses you as much as it did me.

I'm off today and I'm going to spend it with my oldest sister. We are taking our lunch with us and plan to visit a park (or a mall food court) to keep us both from food temptation.

Y'all have a great day.

MOVING RIGHT ALONG

2009-05-16T07:26:00.002-05:00

ONEDERLAND is a wonderful place. I think I will stay here and make my home in this wonderful place. WOW, just knowing I'm less than 200 lbs. has done wonders for confidence.

Thank you for all the encouraging comments on my last post. I know I could not continue on this journey without each of you. Consider yourself hugged.

Today I'm at 197.4. I'm less than 10 lbs from my weight on my high school graduation day in 1971. What is that 38 years ago? Yep that's right. I admit I'm as shocked as anyone I know that I've lost this much weight. Some folks are shocked that I ever weight soooooo much.

It is going to be a very busy day ending with a supper of those folks that went to the retreat. I get to bring bread!!! It was bread or dessert. I opted for bread not just any bread but garlic bread. The meal is an Italian theme. UGH!!! That's life. I'll enjoy the fellowship and forget about the food (I'm taking mine with me). HA!!

Y'all do something fun this weekend. Looks like rain here.

A PICTURE SPEAKS

2009-05-13T19:08:00.003-05:00

Finally after more than two years, I can join the ranks of people weighing under 200 lbs. I've seen a name for it on some blogs but I can't think of it. YES, those are my feet. I tried my best to be quick enough with the camera to snap the picture before the numbers on the digital scale disappeared without actually weighing again but I just could not do it. My actual weight this morning was 198.8 but I was holding my camera when this picture was taken.

I can't even believe I'm posting this picture but I told myself that when I got there I was taking a picture to prove it.

I don't usually weight during the week but I was so close last Saturday that I just had to see if there was progress at mid week.

If you are struggling, just know that if I can do it, YOU can.

NEW AWARD

2009-05-10T17:14:00.004-05:00

YEA ME!!!! I got a new award not just from one person but two. Am I blessed or what. Shrinking Mama at The Incredible Shrinking Family and Deborah at Mountain of Weight to Lose (she doesn't any more) both gave me this wonderful award. (yep, I'm doing a happy dance because somebody likes me.) Isn't is pretty.

Now, I'm suppose to give this to 5 of my blog buddies. For the record most people I would give this award to already have it so I tried to locate some blog buds that aren't already show it.

1. Jen at Dust Bunny Hostage because she got me into blogging. She must have lost a bet or something. She has one of the best blogs around.

2. Mike at Rambling Stuff because he is one of my first readers and he has hung in there all this time. Besides, he cracks me up with some of his rants and makes me tear up with some of this prayer requests.

3. Dina at Jerusalem Hill daily photo because I learn something each time I go to her blog. She is the only blogger I've had an opportunity to speak with. I actually heard her voice and had a conversation with her last year when I went to Jerusalem. I feel so favored to know her.

4. Linda at Pointing The Weigh because she is the only person I know that eats a raw food diet. I am completely amazed at her determination and perseverance. Beside she is from the U.K. at least that is what her profile says.

5. Graciela at 55 Alive & Losing it because she is so sincere and honest. I haven't been following her blog long but so much of what she writes in regard to weight I can relate to.

There are so many of you that I feel like I know and want to meet some day the good Lord willing. Cammy, Mary Fran, Grammy, Sue, Kathy, (put your name here).

Well, I've had a fine day of shopping. Want to know what I bought? Nothing not one thing. Why because I want to wait for another size. I am solidly out of plus sizes and that is enough for now.

According to my computer Blogger is going to be down for a while starting tomorrow so I'll check you when it is back up or when I have time. If I don't catch you tomorrow, have a great Monday.

MOTHER'S DAY

2009-05-10T00:01:00.001-05:00

When I went out to walk Saturday, I came across a flowering bush in my back yard. The tiny little white blossoms have such a sweet smell. I felt like it was my very on gift from my heavenly Father. Since they are in my yard, I can pick them right. Just consider I'm giving you virtual flowers for Mother's Day.

I couldn't let today pass without honoring my own Mama. Below is the Mother my older siblings knew. I think she and Daddy had four little ones when this picture was taken. The next one is Mama & me on my wedding day.

I was 26 and Mama 66 in this picture. I don't know her age in the first one. I still miss my Mama and wish I could call her today. She would be 95, if she were still here.

For those of you who still have your Mother, regardless of her health or mental condition enjoy the time you have. For those of you who can only remember, I pray that today your memories will be sweet.

I know some of you are thinking, JC, you just don't know how much my parents especially my Mom screwed me up. Yes, yes, yes, I do know maybe not to the degree you do but regardless scriptures tell us to honor our mother and father that our days be long on the earth. I promised you when you know longer have your parents you will miss them. Below is the same picture as the first but with my Dad. I would not be without both of them.

WEEKLY UPDATE

2009-05-09T08:29:00.002-05:00

First of all, for all of you who have children and grandchildren "Happy Mother's Day". Do not return the greeting since I have none and don't feel sorry for me either. I can say I'm content without them. I am thankful that my parents had five children so I have nieces and nephews and now great (or is is grand) nieces and nephews which I absolutely adore. However, I admit I don't spend a lot of time with any of them so that could be why I adore them so much. HA!!

Now to today's weigh in you will see that inch wise not much change but weight wise I've broken through the 90 lb. mark. (picture a happy dance going on in my house) It has only taken me months to lose 10 lbs but never the less I did it. I was so disgusted with myself over my week long feasting on not so great food that by the time I got home last Saturday night I was ready to get back on track. I've eaten very well this week. I took part of one day (Sunday afternoon) and planned out what I would eat. I shopped for healthy fresh foods. I weighed and measured food. I cooked!!!! I know the most shocking thing of all. I portioned out servings into individual containers or bags then I cleaned the kitchen and forgot about food for the week. I ate what I had planned. Through two business luncheons I took my own food and ate at my desk before or after the meeting.

My diligence was rewarded!!! Big time!! Not only with a drop on the scale but with a compliment from an expected source. A woman that works in the school library approached me during one of the meetings and told me she wanted to talk to me after the meeting. She told me that she saw me getting out of the college car last week (when I came back from Biloxi). She said she was leaving work and just stopped and watch me. She went on and on and I almost cried. What a blessing because at the time she was watching me, I felt like the biggest person on the planet. Bloated from way to much sodium and so tired from a 6 hour ride.

I've spent much time in the Bible and in prayer this week and less time on TV and the Internet. Even reading comments on my own blog. I found yesterday afternoon I have a new award that I must go get this morning. Today I'm going to finish catching up on blog reading. clean house, plan food and purchase it for next week, clean out my car and load it up with big clothes and household stuff to give away. Not in any particular order, depends on the weather, it is very dreary here but I think I'll go for a walk first and hope I don't get rained on.

How about you? What are you doing this weekend? Hope it is something fun. I may go shopping tomorrow. Mother's Day is a great day for shopping because all the mom's are being fussed (or should be) over. Shopping for Mom's Day is over and sometimes there are sales for that day only. You gotta love retail therapy. HA!!

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

2009-05-07T00:01:00.002-05:00

For today's post click here or click on Prayfully Yours on the sidebar.

I haven't gone anywhere just spending some time feeding my spirit.

SANDALS & RAIN

2009-05-04T17:09:00.002-05:00

Not a good combination.

It has been pouring down rain here most of the day. I should have known better than to wear sandals to work but it wasn't raining when I came to work. Pouring when I left. Now these are some of my new fancy (to me) sandals and they are soaked and so am I. Oh, well enough of that complaining.

The retreat was great but exhausting. I went to bed as soon as I got home Saturday night and actually slept through the night until 9 am Sunday morning. No waking up for a potty break thanks to a lot of sodium rich foods. I didn't even concern myself with what I ate. I knew I would get back on track Sunday and I did. I didn't bother to weigh or measure because I knew I would not be happy with the results. Instead after church, I went to the grocery store, stocked up on healthy foods, went home and cooked, planned and prepared food for this week. I figured one day of planning, preparing and packing will help me keep my mind off food.

One thing that came to my attention this weekend is my obsession with my body. I've changed my binging addiction to constantly thinking about what I do or do not eat. What I do and don't do regarding exercise. The speaker was talking about addictions (alcohol, drugs, sex, etc) and never mentioned food but in my spirit I was convicted of spending more time dwelling on food and exercise than I do my Father that made me and food. Anyway, I know I can't convey in words what I felt but I had to humble myself and ask for forgiveness and deliverance. I know that anything that occupies more of my attention than He does just has to go.

I'm not saying that I'm tossing all the changes I've made in the last two years because these are positive changes. I felt lead to make these changes but somewhere along the way I became too wrapped up in it. I never started this blog to be about weight loss, dieting or exercise but it has kinda evolved. At first I thought I would just quietly leave blogging but I don't think that is the answer. Then I started to delete the side bar pounds and inches and I may but not right now. I still need accountability. However, I must find a balance and I know as I spend more time in His word the solution will become clear.

So that is all that is post worthy going on with me. I'm trying to catch up with y'all, if I haven't been around, I will. Have a great evening.

HOME AGAIN BUT NOT FOR LONG

2009-04-30T19:24:00.002-05:00

To be honest with you there isn't a lot going on with me that is post worthy.

I know some of you will be looking for my weekly update Saturday morning but you will not find one. I'm going to a church retreat for the next couple of days so I'll be back Sunday. However, after the week I've had I will probably skip the weighing and measuring until next week.

Five days out of my comfort zone and not a pretty story food or exercise wise. I anticipated walking the beach at sunset or going to the fitness center (that one is a lie but the first one true). What I got was non-stop work!!! Meeting, then research (homework) until I couldn't think (that doesn't take much) then do it all over again the next day. It was a very informative few days. We did wrap up early the last day so there was a little time before dark to drive around and see how the Biloxi/Gulfport areas have changed since Katrina. I didn't know a lot about it before Katrina but my traveling partners did and gave me great commentary.

Yes, I spent some time in a couple of Casinos and came back with more than I took down there but the casino thing just doesn't do it for me. I can see where it could be addictive. I went to Las Vegas years ago and kinda enjoyed hearing and seeing the coins fall and toting round your little bucket of change. Now the machines just add up your winnings and give you a barcoded ticket to put into another machine. No fun in that! Yes, there are non smoking sections of the casino but you have to go thru a cloud of smoke to get there. I'm washing all my clothes as I type just to get the stench out.

Food wise it was pitiful. I ate whatever I was served and to much of it. When I ate out I tried to make good choices but everything had way more salt than I'm accustomed to having. All in all I don't want to get on the scale because sometimes you just know. However, I think I'll be o.k. in a few days. Dinner will be served at the retreat tomorrow night along with breakfast and lunch Saturday so who knows. I'm going to enjoy whatever I'm served and get back with the program when I get home. Life is just too short to fret over food.

Have you ever looked forward to something and dreaded it at the same time? That is the way I am toward this retreat but I think it is just because I'm very tired. Work was brutal today with so much to catch up with but I got all the deadlines met so I could take off tomorrow and get myself mentally ready to focus on the spiritual part of me for a few days. I'm really needing a renewal.

Y'all have a great weekend. I'll be around to visit as soon as I can. I visited a little at lunch today but didn't take time to comment. I haven't forgotten you.

WEEKLY UPDATE

2009-04-25T06:44:00.000-05:00

I know the highlight of your week is my weekly updates. HA!! I crack myself up. Truth is these updates keep me honest not just with you but with myself.

I'm not going on and on today because I just don't have time. Check the sidebar for weekly weigh in and inches. Not a lot but I am getting thinner, stronger and younger every day.

Have you ever had a sty? On your eyelid maybe it is spelled stye. Anyway, I've got one in the very center of my right lower eye lid for a week now. It started last Friday by this Monday I went to the eye doctor who told me to basically do what I've been doing (warm compresses) and to massage the hard knot in the area under my eye. I know this sounds gross but I need to share. He said if it doesn't go away on its own in two weeks to come back and he will lance it!! Oddly enough it doesn't hurt. Very itchy but that's it. Oh yes, it is red and I look like I've been crying but most of the swelling down to my cheek bone has gone away. I did look like I had been popped in the face (remember same thing last month but a sinus infection).

The real kicker is I have business conference to attend for then next five days. Let me tell you I'm not looking forward to it at all. Trying to pay attention to boring speakers and not scratch my eyeball out of its socket will be a real test of my ability to focus. Can you relate? Like being in church and focusing on the sermon while a baby is screaming. Can you feel my pain?

Anyway, I did not go see Dr. LW because I've already heard what she has to say. What a disappointment she turned out to be but I am off Splenda and sodas so I suppose no harm done. Really it was a positive experience because I know I live in the real world and eat real world food and do exercise I can maintain (not biggest loser exercise). The weight and inches are coming off so I am happy.

You know, I am getting thinner, slimmer, leaner, stronger and younger looking everyday.

Y'all have a great weekend.