I should have posted this Monday but it just it me today.
Monday Diana and I went to see my Weston girls play basketball. The school offered to cook hamburgers and fries with a drink(at a good price) for us because of the long way home. We decided to do it so we could visit with our people and get home quicker.
The menu was not very Weight Watcher friendly. I made the choice to get no cheese on fries or burger. But that's not the good part!
I sat down with some of my kids(they are special too me!) with my food. I made the statement about eating the fries. My favorite middle Gilbert stepped right up to the plate! He told me that I didn't need the fries and that I should not eat them. This did not bother me...it made my heart swell! When I looked up at him, he said I'm telling you this because you wanted us to help you and encourage you.
He cannot imagine how much he helped me and made me smile. I am so glad to have people in my life like my Kyle. They keep me going!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Sidenote!
So this post goes with the previous post....another encounter!
This morning I went to the track to walk. I went with my MP3 player and myself intending to walk by myself but God had a different intention!
I was on my second lap when a lady came up beside took off her headphones and started to talking. I listened as she told me all herslef and her family. We talked about our health and our exercise routines. I talked about my church. The conversation went like old friends visiting.
God has a way of putting us in the right place at the right time!
This morning I went to the track to walk. I went with my MP3 player and myself intending to walk by myself but God had a different intention!
I was on my second lap when a lady came up beside took off her headphones and started to talking. I listened as she told me all herslef and her family. We talked about our health and our exercise routines. I talked about my church. The conversation went like old friends visiting.
God has a way of putting us in the right place at the right time!
Who do you encounter?
Friday morning....or should I start with Thursday night....
I went to bed late again. I try to go to bed early but then I end up staying up too late. Then Friday morning I didn't want to get up for early morning duty! I was not in the best mood when I left the house but thinking about that is was Friday...i perked up.
Then I arrived at work! Sometimes I arrive at work in a good humor..good mood....then the stress of the day hits and my mood changes. Surely somebody knows what I am talking about and this is not just me! It really doesn't matter what your job is ....it can happen!
So my patience were thin, my stress level was up, and we were out of our normal routine! Everything and everybody seemed to get on my nerve ....the last one!
We finally got the day started and things began to change. I was around some new little people.. There bright smiles and excitement began to change my mood. We sang and talked it was fun. By the time we arrived at our destination, I was in a better mood!
On our trip, I encounted more new people. Then something Bro. Randy(my pastor) talked about a few Sundays ago popped up in my mind. He has been preaching about witnessing. He challenged us to watch for opportunites. That person at the gas pump. The person in the line. Remembering all this got me to thinking. There would be people I would encounter this day..February 25 that I had never encounted before and probably would never again. It changed my day.
We toured a building and rode a bus. A lady in the building was impressed with our group. Another lady questioned what we did. I talked to the bus driver and listened to his story. Then the operations manager shared her story with me. Then yet another lady got on the bus and we talked. Then the next place we stopped I visited with the man who worked there. I didn't share much with them but a smile, an ear, and a friendly chat. But I believe that my warmth...God's Holy Spirit.....impressed on them.
Another thing that changed my day was my little people. Some of them probably have never experienced the fun we did yesterday. I watched as their faces lit up as they were playing. I was part of that! Sometimes my job is hard, sometimes I wonder why I do what I do, sometimes I get tired but then I have days like this and I know the answers to all those questions.
So my day went from grouchy...ugh...I wish the day was over.....to a smile.....a lesson learned....and a wonderful day!
I went to bed late again. I try to go to bed early but then I end up staying up too late. Then Friday morning I didn't want to get up for early morning duty! I was not in the best mood when I left the house but thinking about that is was Friday...i perked up.
Then I arrived at work! Sometimes I arrive at work in a good humor..good mood....then the stress of the day hits and my mood changes. Surely somebody knows what I am talking about and this is not just me! It really doesn't matter what your job is ....it can happen!
So my patience were thin, my stress level was up, and we were out of our normal routine! Everything and everybody seemed to get on my nerve ....the last one!
We finally got the day started and things began to change. I was around some new little people.. There bright smiles and excitement began to change my mood. We sang and talked it was fun. By the time we arrived at our destination, I was in a better mood!
On our trip, I encounted more new people. Then something Bro. Randy(my pastor) talked about a few Sundays ago popped up in my mind. He has been preaching about witnessing. He challenged us to watch for opportunites. That person at the gas pump. The person in the line. Remembering all this got me to thinking. There would be people I would encounter this day..February 25 that I had never encounted before and probably would never again. It changed my day.
We toured a building and rode a bus. A lady in the building was impressed with our group. Another lady questioned what we did. I talked to the bus driver and listened to his story. Then the operations manager shared her story with me. Then yet another lady got on the bus and we talked. Then the next place we stopped I visited with the man who worked there. I didn't share much with them but a smile, an ear, and a friendly chat. But I believe that my warmth...God's Holy Spirit.....impressed on them.
Another thing that changed my day was my little people. Some of them probably have never experienced the fun we did yesterday. I watched as their faces lit up as they were playing. I was part of that! Sometimes my job is hard, sometimes I wonder why I do what I do, sometimes I get tired but then I have days like this and I know the answers to all those questions.
So my day went from grouchy...ugh...I wish the day was over.....to a smile.....a lesson learned....and a wonderful day!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Love
I read this story today and it touched me. I am sharing it with all of you.
Credit goes to an article from www.crosswalk.com ----the excerpt is from Gary Chapman's book Five Love Languages Singles Edition
The Man with the Metal Halo
I first met Rob on one of my trips to the Grand Canyon (one of nature's most beautiful portraits). n the south rim of the canyon, somewhere near the Bright angel Trail, I spotted Rob and two older adults. He wasn't hard to spot, because he was wearing a back brace with a metal halo that circled his head. I gave him a friendly nod and a smile, my way of saying hello.
Rob responded, "Hello, I hope you're having a good morning." His inviting smile beckoned me into conversation. I discovered that he had suffered spinal injuries in a hiking accident. The older couple were his mom and dad. The three had planned a family trip to the Grand Canyon two years earlier. The first year money was a problem, so they postponed their dream. Then Rob had his accident and they couldn't leave home. Now that Rob was doing somewhat better, they had come to see the canyon. When the family originally planned the trip, they intended to hike to the foot of the canyon. Their dream had been altered but not destroyed. So they planned to spend the week enjoying the sights of the canyon.
Rob wheeled his chair into position for a great view of the trail and canyon, and he and his parents were soaking in the fabulous view. I commended them for not giving up on their dream and wished them well.
My son and I continued our week together exploring the canyon. Toward the end of the week I ran into Rob in the lobby of the Bright Angel Lodge. Because of our earlier encounter, it seemed I was seeing an old friend. We ended up talking for two hours. Rob shared his story about the fall that resulted in his injuries and the determined efforts of the rescue workers who flew him out by helicopter. He told me about the pain and the emotional struggle of those early days when he wasn't sure he would ever be able to walk again. He had a number of brushes with depression, had lost a new job opportunity, and spent many weeks in physical therapy.
When I asked what had enabled him to come through that experience and still have such a vibrant spirit, his answer was simple. "Love," he said. "That's the only way I could have made it. Mom and dad were with me through the whole thing, and I had a girlfriend . . . not a romantic relationship, but a close friend who came to see me every day in those early weeks. I don't think I would have made it without her. She brought me hope. She encouraged me in my therapy, and she prayed with me. I had never had a girl pray with me before. There was something about the way she talked to god that gave me hope. Her words were like rain on my parched emotions.
"We're still good friends. Her love and the love of my folks brought me through."
Then Rob added, "I hope someday I can help someone else the way they have helped me."
That last statement is what I what my life to echo...I hope someday I can help someone else the way they....my cloud of witnesses....my friends and family....have helped me.
Credit goes to an article from www.crosswalk.com ----the excerpt is from Gary Chapman's book Five Love Languages Singles Edition
The Man with the Metal Halo
I first met Rob on one of my trips to the Grand Canyon (one of nature's most beautiful portraits). n the south rim of the canyon, somewhere near the Bright angel Trail, I spotted Rob and two older adults. He wasn't hard to spot, because he was wearing a back brace with a metal halo that circled his head. I gave him a friendly nod and a smile, my way of saying hello.
Rob responded, "Hello, I hope you're having a good morning." His inviting smile beckoned me into conversation. I discovered that he had suffered spinal injuries in a hiking accident. The older couple were his mom and dad. The three had planned a family trip to the Grand Canyon two years earlier. The first year money was a problem, so they postponed their dream. Then Rob had his accident and they couldn't leave home. Now that Rob was doing somewhat better, they had come to see the canyon. When the family originally planned the trip, they intended to hike to the foot of the canyon. Their dream had been altered but not destroyed. So they planned to spend the week enjoying the sights of the canyon.
Rob wheeled his chair into position for a great view of the trail and canyon, and he and his parents were soaking in the fabulous view. I commended them for not giving up on their dream and wished them well.
My son and I continued our week together exploring the canyon. Toward the end of the week I ran into Rob in the lobby of the Bright Angel Lodge. Because of our earlier encounter, it seemed I was seeing an old friend. We ended up talking for two hours. Rob shared his story about the fall that resulted in his injuries and the determined efforts of the rescue workers who flew him out by helicopter. He told me about the pain and the emotional struggle of those early days when he wasn't sure he would ever be able to walk again. He had a number of brushes with depression, had lost a new job opportunity, and spent many weeks in physical therapy.
When I asked what had enabled him to come through that experience and still have such a vibrant spirit, his answer was simple. "Love," he said. "That's the only way I could have made it. Mom and dad were with me through the whole thing, and I had a girlfriend . . . not a romantic relationship, but a close friend who came to see me every day in those early weeks. I don't think I would have made it without her. She brought me hope. She encouraged me in my therapy, and she prayed with me. I had never had a girl pray with me before. There was something about the way she talked to god that gave me hope. Her words were like rain on my parched emotions.
"We're still good friends. Her love and the love of my folks brought me through."
Then Rob added, "I hope someday I can help someone else the way they have helped me."
That last statement is what I what my life to echo...I hope someday I can help someone else the way they....my cloud of witnesses....my friends and family....have helped me.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Oh me Oh my!
So here it is...... as of Sunday, February 21, 2010 I have lost 151.3 pounds!
It feels good to reach that goal.
I had the realization today that I am less than 50 pounds to 200 pounds lost.
Oh me oh my! This is really happening.
My next goal is 12 pounds. When that happens that means I have less than a 100 pounds to go. Oh me oh my again. This is really going to happen!
It feels good to reach that goal.
I had the realization today that I am less than 50 pounds to 200 pounds lost.
Oh me oh my! This is really happening.
My next goal is 12 pounds. When that happens that means I have less than a 100 pounds to go. Oh me oh my again. This is really going to happen!
THE BEST THINGS....
I was given an award today for my blog....Thanks Melissa!
So in return I am going to answer the same 10 Best things....
1. Best Ever Meal. I absolutely love my mom's deer steak smothered in gravy with rice.
2. Best Ever Sleep. The best ever sleep I can remember.....it's always the night on the way home from Sioux Falls when we stay at the hotel after sleeping on air mattresses for a week. Best ever!
3. Best cup of coffee...honestly...don't like it.
4. Best Romantic Moment....ugh...I cannot admit it or at least I'm not ready too! ;)
5. Best childhood memory moment....I can remember every fall my mom would get out and rake leaves and we were "forced to help!" It was our job to move the leaves on a sheet from the piles she raked to the ditch. When we finished, we could jump into the huge pile. I still think of it when I smell leaves burning!
6. Best moment of your life...as of right now...stepping on the scales when I had lost 100 pounds.
7. Best moment of revenge....I think it will come at my 20 year reunion when I get the award for most changed and the girls who were always little will not be their high school weight. That is terrible. (side note....everyone was always good to me in high school.)
8. Best thing someone has done for me......recently....someone told me I was beautiful. It made my day.
9. Best thing you have done for someone else....I would say that Secret Santa for my friend Chas is one of the best things. It was so fun to sneak around!
10. Best life changing moment...I'm still in the process of it now!
I wish I could nominate someone else but I don't read too many other blogs!
So in return I am going to answer the same 10 Best things....
1. Best Ever Meal. I absolutely love my mom's deer steak smothered in gravy with rice.
2. Best Ever Sleep. The best ever sleep I can remember.....it's always the night on the way home from Sioux Falls when we stay at the hotel after sleeping on air mattresses for a week. Best ever!
3. Best cup of coffee...honestly...don't like it.
4. Best Romantic Moment....ugh...I cannot admit it or at least I'm not ready too! ;)
5. Best childhood memory moment....I can remember every fall my mom would get out and rake leaves and we were "forced to help!" It was our job to move the leaves on a sheet from the piles she raked to the ditch. When we finished, we could jump into the huge pile. I still think of it when I smell leaves burning!
6. Best moment of your life...as of right now...stepping on the scales when I had lost 100 pounds.
7. Best moment of revenge....I think it will come at my 20 year reunion when I get the award for most changed and the girls who were always little will not be their high school weight. That is terrible. (side note....everyone was always good to me in high school.)
8. Best thing someone has done for me......recently....someone told me I was beautiful. It made my day.
9. Best thing you have done for someone else....I would say that Secret Santa for my friend Chas is one of the best things. It was so fun to sneak around!
10. Best life changing moment...I'm still in the process of it now!
I wish I could nominate someone else but I don't read too many other blogs!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Oh, give thanks to the LORD!!!
I just have more thing to post today.....I am so grateful and thankful, and spoiled by the wonderful caring fabulous fantastic friends and family that I have been blessed with! They love me and support me beyond any boundaries! I love being spoiled!
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.1Chronicles 16:34
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other. 2Thessalonians 1:3
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.1Chronicles 16:34
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other. 2Thessalonians 1:3
Happy
I've had a lot of questions lately about what is going on with me. What is going on with you...you seem so happy? You have a glow? Do you have a man? Why are you smiling all the time? Your eyes light up? Who are you?
I'm happy. I'm happy with me. I'm happy with my success. I'm just happy. I'm truly happy. I've got joy and happiness.
I think it use to be that I put on a happy face because it pleased everyone. Now my happy face is for real! I know that I will have ups and downs in life but at this moment I am good.
There are still more changes to come I know that but God is in control and I cannot wait to see what He has in store for me!
I'm happy. I'm happy with me. I'm happy with my success. I'm just happy. I'm truly happy. I've got joy and happiness.
I think it use to be that I put on a happy face because it pleased everyone. Now my happy face is for real! I know that I will have ups and downs in life but at this moment I am good.
There are still more changes to come I know that but God is in control and I cannot wait to see what He has in store for me!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Before and after
I've been staring at these pictures. It is so strange to look at them side by side. I am really seeing the change. Someone said this week that "I glow!" Heck yeah I glow...I've lost a person!
As I was typing this someone commented again on my FB about my glow! I told her that I love life and I am happy! I think I'll keep glowing!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
My great life!
My sweet girls!
My Rachel!
The weather in Louisiana has been very unusual! The snow was beautiful.
I was not wanting the snow to come until later Thursday because the girls and I had plans. First the Quitman game then to see our B.Randy. Well....Go Lady Wolves! The other canceled. But it was OK because we ended up coming to my house and snuggling in for good girl talk. We woke up Friday morning ready to play in the snow.
We had so much fun. We played like we were little kids! We don't get snow much. We even took some really good pictures.
Later my Rachel and I were looking over them when I made the comment how skinny I looked. She responded that I just looked like one of them. They are all really skinny! Of course she was across the room. She probably does not know how kind that statement was. I have come so far to be able to hear that comment. I am still not an average size but to hear her say that warmed my heart. One of these days I am going to be an average normal size. Not the biggest girl in the place. For so long that was me. I love my Rachel.
Side note:
My friend and my trainer...My Bob.
Monday, February 8, 2010
A process!
My friend Philip from Sioux Falls who recently moved to Texas.
Year 2...not the best but see the change...60 pounds lost.
Year 3....110pounds lost...Summer 09
December 09....130 pounds lost
I think these pictures put things in perspective in how I have changed.
The first year
The first year
Year 2...not the best but see the change...60 pounds lost.
Year 3....110pounds lost...Summer 09
December 09....130 pounds lost 
Am I beautiful?
Am I beautiful? Don't answer because that's a rhetorical question.
I think I have blogged about this subject already. But here it goes again. I guess I am hung up on my outside appearance this days. I am adjusting to how I look.
I saw a guy in Walmart Sunday. He was nice looking guy. I got in line behind him. The way he looked at me just got me to thinking. I might be wrong (doubt it) but what I think he saw was an overweight girl. What I wanted him to see is a lady who has changed. I wanted him to see a lady who had been through a great deal to get to where I am now. I wanted him to see a new person who is working hard to be an average size. I wanted him to see a lady with a heart for people. I wanted him to see a lady who loves to laugh. I wanted him to see me just me not my weight.
The sad thing to me that as much as I want others to see me not my weight I am guilty of the same thing. We were having the discussion at work today about prearranged marriages. (We have good conversations at work.) After the girls named a few people, I realized how guilty I am of doing the very thing that is my pet peeve. I look at people by appearance first. In reality, you do meet most people by appearance first but how often do we shut people off because of what they look like, what they are wearing, their race, their size, their hair. I am guilty. How can I expect other to treat me fairly when at times I don't do the same.
How do we change it? I don't know how you change but I can change me. My favorite verse is what I need to hold dear to me.
1 Samuel 16?7 Do not consider his appearance or his height for I have rejected him. The Lord doest not look at the things that man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart!
I think I have blogged about this subject already. But here it goes again. I guess I am hung up on my outside appearance this days. I am adjusting to how I look.
I saw a guy in Walmart Sunday. He was nice looking guy. I got in line behind him. The way he looked at me just got me to thinking. I might be wrong (doubt it) but what I think he saw was an overweight girl. What I wanted him to see is a lady who has changed. I wanted him to see a lady who had been through a great deal to get to where I am now. I wanted him to see a new person who is working hard to be an average size. I wanted him to see a lady with a heart for people. I wanted him to see a lady who loves to laugh. I wanted him to see me just me not my weight.
The sad thing to me that as much as I want others to see me not my weight I am guilty of the same thing. We were having the discussion at work today about prearranged marriages. (We have good conversations at work.) After the girls named a few people, I realized how guilty I am of doing the very thing that is my pet peeve. I look at people by appearance first. In reality, you do meet most people by appearance first but how often do we shut people off because of what they look like, what they are wearing, their race, their size, their hair. I am guilty. How can I expect other to treat me fairly when at times I don't do the same.
How do we change it? I don't know how you change but I can change me. My favorite verse is what I need to hold dear to me.
1 Samuel 16?7 Do not consider his appearance or his height for I have rejected him. The Lord doest not look at the things that man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart!
I think Brandon Heath's song puts it the best way!
Give me your eyes for just one second!
Give me your eyes so I can see!
Everything that I keep missing!
Give me your love for humanity!
Give me your arms for the broken hearted!
The ones that are far beyond our reach!
Give me the heart for ones forgotten!
Give me your eyes so I can see!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
438, 400, 375, 350, .......290....250....210....190...175
Someone made the statement that they couldn't believe that I would Facebook or say how much I weighed when I started. 438. That's right. You should see the looks on faces when I tell that. It's unbelief usually. I don't mind. I know I was a big girl. I don't know how I carried that weight. I can talk about how much I weighed because I don't ever want to be that size again. I don't want to gain a pound back. I did gain about 10 pounds back and I didn't like it. I want to lose it and keep it off.
So I weighed 438...I will not weigh that again. My current weight is around 290. Yeah for me. I don't mind saying what it is now because I am getting smaller and I do not want to be that weight again either. 175 here I come!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Who am I?
Lately I have been feeling very overwhelmed. I even debated posting this because I don't even know that it makes any sense to anyone but me.
Things have changed for me. Definitely physically. I look at pictures and wonder who that girl was and how did I get that way. So many people say I don't remember you that way. That was me. Its funny to think that I have changed so much physically but have I changed in other ways too?
My thoughts on food and exercising have definitely taken a turn for the better. I don't look at food for comfort or happiness any more. I think before I put it into my body. I plan what I am going to eat daily sometimes more into the future than that. I am addicted to exercise. I know every Wednesday is my hard workout day and look forward to it. I get up in the morning thinking about what exercise I will do that day. Food and exercise are my life.
I cannot go a day without someone asking me about my weight loss or what I am doing. Give them motivation. Give them tips. Tell them what to do to get it done. This doesn't mean I want anyone to quit asking or motivating me!
My life has become obsessed and consumed with it all. It overwhelms me. Am I me or am I the weight loss? It's nothing no one else has done. I have made it this way.
I am proud of the accomplishments. I am excited to continue on my journey. I guess what I am dealing with is how to be me who I have always been but yet change at the same time and not be totally consumed with it. Am I different? Will I always need to be consumed with it to reach the goal and then maintain it? What will I be like when I reach goal? I have so many questions!
Things have changed for me. Definitely physically. I look at pictures and wonder who that girl was and how did I get that way. So many people say I don't remember you that way. That was me. Its funny to think that I have changed so much physically but have I changed in other ways too?
My thoughts on food and exercising have definitely taken a turn for the better. I don't look at food for comfort or happiness any more. I think before I put it into my body. I plan what I am going to eat daily sometimes more into the future than that. I am addicted to exercise. I know every Wednesday is my hard workout day and look forward to it. I get up in the morning thinking about what exercise I will do that day. Food and exercise are my life.
I cannot go a day without someone asking me about my weight loss or what I am doing. Give them motivation. Give them tips. Tell them what to do to get it done. This doesn't mean I want anyone to quit asking or motivating me!
My life has become obsessed and consumed with it all. It overwhelms me. Am I me or am I the weight loss? It's nothing no one else has done. I have made it this way.
I am proud of the accomplishments. I am excited to continue on my journey. I guess what I am dealing with is how to be me who I have always been but yet change at the same time and not be totally consumed with it. Am I different? Will I always need to be consumed with it to reach the goal and then maintain it? What will I be like when I reach goal? I have so many questions!
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