My Menagerie

What a weekend

2010-04-08T17:37:00.000-07:00

We have so many things going on this weekend and we all seem to be going in different directions.

Win and Davis are heading to a camp for the weekend. It is called Outback America. Win took William when he was in the 7th grade. It is for parents and children, husbands and wives or families. It really sparked a lot of group in William's relationship with the Lord. If you think about it pray for them this weekend.

Anna - she is headed to Win's mother house for an overnight. This will be her first time to spend the night since my father in law passed away last summer.

Beth - I am headed to meet up with some girls from college and we are headed back to our college for a reunion weekend. It should be a blast. I will be back on Saturday night.

William - he has plans with some friends on Friday night but he can't stay out too late because he is taking the ACT on Saturday. He is working hard to get his scores up.

Pray we all return healthy and safe and that the Lord will bless us.

Last Easter - This Easter

2010-04-05T05:43:00.001-07:00

The picture above was from last Easter. I was at about the 65 pound mark and had only been walking for exercise.

This was yesterday. I have really changed my routine up and since last Easter have lost almost 30 pounds.

The journey continues....

I hope I am back

2010-04-03T12:41:00.000-07:00

If there is anyone left reading this blog, forgive me for dropping it like a hot potato. I have no excuse.

What have I been up to? Well, still working on my weight. I am at a 93 pound loss as of last Monday. I met with a personal trainer and she re-did my exercise routine and she had me go off Weight Watchers for a little while and "tighten" up my calories for a period of time. It has been good to change things around a bit and I have lost 6 pounds since making the change. Don't think for a minute that I have forsaken WW. I am completely sold on the program and hope that in the very near future I will work for the organization. But watching my calorie intake has been a good change for me and has helped me. These last 20-25 pounds are so hard to get rid of and this change has been good.

I have also gone to work. I am now a Member Services person at the YMCA. The one I work out at. I like my job and am grateful for it. It has helped fill a hole that was in our budget and help us get ready to send William off to college in a year and half. But working has also been an adjustment. My house is not running as smooth as I would like it run so maybe in the near future I will find my groove and things will go more smoothly.

Davis turned 15 in February. He got his driving permit and his life guard certification. He wants to work at one of the Country Clubs here in town but right now that is on hold. So he is hoping the Y will hire him. I think that will be more likely. He doesn't like being taught anything and that make teaching him to drive difficult. He takes instruction as criticism instead of teaching.

Anna turned 10 in February. The day of her birthday I realized that Win and I have no longer have any children in single digit numbers. We have crossed a milestone in parenting. We have less parenting to do (in years). But we also know that the parenting we have left is intense, difficult and oh so important.

Win is going to be gone all summer. He is doing a remote assignment with the Reserves. Now before you go and feel sorry for him, hold on, he is going to Florida, the Ft. Walton area. He will be gone for 90 days. Hopefully this will help him get promoted to Colonel. Now if he can start and finish Air War College, he will be set.

I will try and do better on this blog. I have several things I want to write about and maybe I will accomplish it soon.

Not much to say

2009-11-06T09:41:00.000-08:00

I guess that is why I haven't posted anything in a last few weeks. Nothing really new around here. The kids are "knee deep" into school. William had a rough week this week and Davis is pressing on with his studies. Anna is busy with school and swimming. She has her first swim meet this weekend. I had a good week of exercise. I am at an 85 pound loss and this week I used my new watch to run with and it was great. Win is working hard, as always.

That is about it around here. Busy weekend. My friend from Birmingham is coming tomorrow and we have the swim meet and Alabama plays LSU. Should be a fun day.

Went shopping

2009-10-17T07:45:00.000-07:00

My friend, Deana, has told me that one way to deal with my discouragement over my weight not changing was to go shopping. So yesterday she and I did just that. I call her my "personal shopper" because I can shop so much better when I am with her.

When I started this journey last year, the shorts I was wearing was a size 24w. My jeans were 22 and 24. Yesterday the tops I bought were a large (I was wearing a 3x) and the pants I bought were either 14 or 16. I can't believe I have gone down that much in my size but I have. I wore some 14 shorts this summer but mainly were at a 16.

My children told me that week that not only do I look like I have lost weight lately but they think my body shape has changed. I think getting up at 4:45 2 days a week and getting the YMCA for a gravity class (Total Gym machine) has played a part in that. That class is shaping my body and working the muscles. We also got a class in this morning.

So, I am feeling better about myself.

The picture above is of a friend and I, her name is Christy. We celebrated our birthdays with a nice dinner out.

I think it has been a good week.

I am taking a break

2009-10-11T14:58:00.000-07:00

from weighting. Don't get me wrong, I am not putting my scales away, just not standing on them for a bit. They are running life and they are discouraging me right now. I am at this place where I lose and gain the same 5 pounds over and over again, no matter what I do and I am sick of it. So, I will stop weighting for a period and see if that helps.

On another note, I have done something that I hope won't cause me to spend even more time in front of this computer. I joined Facebook. I have already reconnected with some of my college friends and that is nice.

Today is really Friday

2009-10-08T06:53:00.000-07:00

That is how my children put it when we have a day off of school on Friday. This is our Fall break. We are out of school tomorrow and Monday. We are glad for the break. It is needed. I have a project for me and the kids to complete and I will give them free time. I think William is going to work at my brother's farm (www.oakviewfarms.com) on Friday. William is taking the SAT on Saturday and working that afternoon for a family friend. Monday is going to be an extra day of rest and play. Anna is headed to a friends house this afternoon for a spend the night party. She should a nice few days.

Our Headmaster has a theory. He says at this point in the school year, everyone needs a day off, a break in the schedule. I agree. Looking forward to next few days, having the kids around and not having to maintain the same schedule.

84 pounds

2009-10-06T07:42:00.001-07:00

Every pound seems to be a struggle now. The first 50 were a breeze. Not the last 50. Last week when I stepped on the scales I had gained 3-4 pounds. This week I lost that plus one so I guess that was a good week but it is so frustrating. I am sick and tired of gaining and losing the same 5 pounds. Please pray for me that I will not be discouraged and I will finally get back to losing 1-2 pounds a week.

We have stopped running at the YMCA on treadmills, at least for now. We are now running outside and it is so different but we love it. We love being outside in the nice weather and having the scenery change with every step we take. Last week we ran in my neighborhood and this week we are in hers. We live a neighborhood away from each other. Next week will go to a different neighborhood. We are going to change up each week to keep us from getting bored. We should be able to do this until Janurary.

So, onward I go...

Lera

2009-10-05T11:21:00.000-07:00

That is my mother's name. Lera. To me it is a beautiful name. I wanted to name Anna that name but Win said no.

Mother, as I call her, is strong woman. She has been through a lot in her life. She married at the age of 16 and her first of 6 children were born 2 years later. The first house she lived in with running water and electricity was with her husband, my father. When she was pregnant with her third child, she was 21 years old. She had a 4 year old and 2 year old at home, both boys, my father was drinking, what he loved to do, and he was mixing chemicals together at his business. He set the building on fire and he set himself on fire. He would survive and be in the hospital for many, many months. During this time Mother's mother, Carroll, would be diagnosed with breast cancer. This would be the fall. My grandmother would die the following June, my brother Renny would be born right before that, about 2 weeks before her death and my parents would inherit her 2 little sisters. All this in the space of about 8 months.

My mother would go on in the next 2 years and have another child, my sister. I would not be born for another 7 years and my youngest brother would come 7 years after me.

My mother would raise all of us on her own. She doesn't even have a high school education but she is the smartest woman I know. She is like Win and Davis and can do math problems in her head. Her first job after my parents divorce was to deliver newspapers. She would go on to work at Morrison's Cafeteria for 26 years.

In June of 2008 she would be diagnosed with breast cancer. Her house would then flood in May of 2009 and she would have to live at one of my brother's house for 4 months. She has cried more in the last year and half than I have ever seen her cry.

She has endured many hardships her life. Many people have talked about her behind her back and judged her harshly. She has had to face life without a mate. She has gone without so her children could have what they needed. She has lost many of her teeth, but I have all of mine, thanks to her. She has been consistant in her life. She has stayed and done what needed to be done and not quit on life or her children.

She has raised 6 sucessful children. She is a wonderful woman. She would do anything for me. She tells me like it is and loves me without telling me that she loves me.

Happy 76th birthday Mother. I love you.

On our own

2009-09-14T16:10:00.000-07:00

Win left today heading to Panama City Beach, FL. He is going to be working at Tyndale AFB from now on with the Reserves. The unit he was with at Maxwell, AFB here in Montgomery was a unit that required that he work one weekend a month. He has been with that unit for 10 years. He said he is tired of doing the "weekend thing" and needed a change. He can telecommute with this new job and will need to go down there each September for the last 2 week of the month to finish out the physical year. He will come home this weekend and then head back on Monday morning.

So, while he is away I have to deal with all three children, all the time. The boys are at an age that I can't physically punish them so I have to do it other ways. And they can sometimes take advantage of that fact. Like tonight when they would not stop bickering. I had to raise my voice just to be heard.

Life with three children, on my own. I don't like it one bit.

Saturdays

2009-09-12T11:16:00.000-07:00

What do you do an Saturdays?

At the Johnson house we do chores mainly. Win always works now that he is in private practice. This weekend he is doing his weekend Reserve duty. This is his last weekend at this assignment. He is moving to another job and will no longer be doing the weekend thing.

I have given each child chores to do. Some are to be done each day and some each week. This month is William's month to do the trash. He handles that each day. This is his month to clean the bathrooms. He is also in charge of the yard and he gives Davis and Anna jobs to do in the yard. We have given him full charge of the yard and the other children have to follow his orders when it comes to the yard.

This is Davis' month to clean out the litter boxes. He has to do them daily. This is his month to vacuum the entire house. This is done weekly.

Both he and William share a room and they both clean it up each week. They share the kitchen duties as well and alternate each night of the week. On Sundays I or Win do the dishes.

Anna has her room to keep clean, she dust and cleans the glass doors and she picks up around the house.

William also has Youth Smpthony on Saturday mornings. It is his job to get his chores done and be at this practice. This year Anna is swimming with a year round swim team and she can swim on Saturday mornings. So that has to be factored into our day. Last week I took her and I worked out at the YMCA while she swam.

I have explained to my boys that doing these jobs is not "woman's work" but it is teaching them to do a job well and be proud of their work.

We also pay our children an allowance and if any of their jobs are neglected then we will deduct from their allowance. This way we are teaching them the value of a dollar, how to save, spend and give. Plus they see that with work comes reward.

You might ask - what do you do Beth? Well, I cook, shop, mop and I do all the laudry. And I have to admit, I am additicted to working out and I do that 6 days a week.

I don't ask Win to do much around the house. He works so much. He is in charge of the pool and keeping our money straight.

So, what do you do on Saturday's?

Our Summer continued...

2009-09-09T14:31:00.001-07:00

August - This month found us wanting to go to the beach but not sure if we should since Win's dad had really taken a turn for the worse. But someone offered us a condo down in Florida and we took it. We got away the week before school started. It was so nice, as you can see the white sands. We all relaxed and had a great time.

Win's dad, our Papa, Lynwood Scott Johnson, was doing OK but not great. He was sitting at the table eating on Tuesday, August 11. That night he took a turn for the worse and on Wednesday he went into a coma and passed away on August 13th. The Lord was gracious to us since that was the first day of school. Win and I took the kids to our favorite local restaurant for breakfast that morning and then I took Anna to school. William drove him and Davis to the school. I then went to Win's parents house. Win went on to his office and around noon I called him to come to their house, the end was near. The kids arrived there around 12:15 and Lynwood passed away at 1:45. He was 93 years old. We were all with him, his wife of 63 years, his two sons, their wives and 4 of his grandchildren.

This picture is of William. He is 16 and is in the 11th grade.

This is Anna and she is 9 and in 4th grade.

This is Davis and he is 14 and is in the 8th grade.

What have I been up to...

2009-09-09T14:13:00.000-07:00

since I have failed to update this blog all Summer.

June - My mother's house flooded in May and we spent most of the Summer working on repairing the house. It was almost a total loss and our family (2brother's, children and other realtives) did the work ourselves. She has a new house now. It was fun and very stressfull.

July - My friend and I took our girls to Atlanta to the Amercian Girl Store. We stayed overnight and had dinner at the shop. The hotel we stayed in had an American Girl special and the girls dolls were given beds as well for the night. We had a blast.

One Year ago today

2009-09-09T12:14:00.000-07:00

I began my journey. I stepped on the scales for the first time in a very long time and I was shocked at what I saw. I knew my weight had really climbed because I had been to the doctor but I had no idea that it had climbed that high. I was tipping the scales at 289 pounds. My goal was a huge one - 100 pounds in one year. That would be on average 2 pounds a week.

The weight started falling off at a incredible rate. By November I had lost 30 pounds. By Valentines I was 50. Then Summer arrived. I gained and lost the same 5 pounds all Summer long. I changed my exercise, watched my points a little better and that helped but I knew I wouldn't make the goal.

So, today I stepped on the scales - I weighted 207 pounds. I have officially lost 82 pounds. My friend whom I have been on this journey with has lost 71 pounds. I hope to hit the 200 pound mark by my birthday - October 15. So onward I go to lose those last 18 pounds and then lose 20 more after that, to be medically not overweight.

Oh, and today is also Win's birthday. He is 51.

What have I been doing?

2009-07-24T09:13:00.003-07:00

Enjoying summer
Working on my mother's flooded out house
working out, 6 days a week
counting points and journeling what I eat
dealing with teenagers
supervising the painting of our trim by William and Davis
reading through my bible
working on a bible study that I am going to teach this fall at church
teaching Sunday School to my class
NOT going to the beach
taking Anna and my friend and her daughter to the American Girl Store in Atlanta (pictures to follow)
having an on going conflict with my only sister
going to the chiropractor
cleaning out closets and organizing my house
NOT spending enough time in our pool

That is about it for our summer

So close

2009-07-13T07:19:00.000-07:00

I seem to get right up to a milestone and then I just can't seem to get over that point. Today I walked right up to the 79 pound mark and really wanted to hit the 80 pound mark. But I still can't believe that I have lost 79 pounds in 10 months. I had stalled a bit lately but realized that I was not writing down my points or what I was eating. So, last week I made a resolve to be more diligent and that led to a 3 pound loss this week.

I think I have a pinched nerve in my neck. I have a dull headache that won't go away. It is here so much that I have given her a name - Fran. Also my pinkie finger on my left hand feels like it is asleep all the time. I am going to have it checked out.

So, there is my weight loss update. I have lost 79 pounds. My friend Deana has lost 64. She is one pound from her original goal. I have 21 pounds to go.

Father's Day

2009-06-21T06:31:00.000-07:00

My parents divorced when I was 4 years old. When my father left my mother, he also left his children. He chose not to talk to me for the last 2 years of his life. He died when I was in college. My mother has always been both parents for me. I always call her and wish her a happy father's day.

When Win and I had started having children I for the first time had a picture of what a two parent home looks like and what a father looks like. Win is hard on himself when it comes to his parenting but to me is the best. He truly lives out Deuteronomy 6 in front of his children. He is always training them in righteousness. He loves our children and our children love him. Back in March Win was gone for 2 weeks and both boys commented that they missed him a great deal and don't like for him to be gone. This is all so strange to me and yet so wonderful to watch. I find myself enving my children.

Since I never really lived with a man, except my brothers, I had no idea what it was like to live with a man in the house. I had bitterness toward my father for all of childhood (none now, dealt with it) I was scared of men and didn't really like to be around them and often wondered if other men really loved their families and their wives. After living with Win for 21 years, I can say that yes, men do love their families and wives.

So, thank you Win for being a wonderful husband and father. I am grateful that our children have the privilege and the calling to be your children.

Running -its all in the mind

2009-06-17T11:48:00.000-07:00

Last week in my interval training I was suppose to end the week by running 2 1/4 mile straight without stopping. I came up short. I told myself it was OK but I didn't feel good about me giving up. Then on Saturday I was so busy I couldn't make it to the Y until after 3. I had to go to a different Y and it was hot and smelly and the machine was nothing to write home about. I only ran a mile then and then walk the rest of the way. Again, I talked myself into stopping.

So, on Monday, with Deana being out of town, I talked Win into going with me to the Y. He pushed me along and I ran the 2 1/4 mile. I was suppose to run 2 1/2. So today, he was with me but only for a little while. He had to go up to the North Alabama for a case. I began my run by telling myself that I can do the 2 1/4 mile. And if I really pushed myself I can do another .25 of a mile and I will have ran 2 1/2. A girl that we exercise with came in and I told her not to let me stop running.

I ran 2 1/2 mile.

Just as I was about to finish up my run/walk the girl who had helped me said she needed me to run her last .25 with her so she would not stop. Of course, I wanted to help her. But as we were finishing up and I started to stop (I actually did stop running and started walking) I told myself again I couldn't do another .25. And then I realized that YES I can do another .25. And that would make my run/walk a total of 5 miles. So I sped up the treadmill and off I ran. My friend ran it with me.

I ran a total of 3 miles this morning. That is a 5K. I still am in shock.

So much of this running and exercise is the things you tell yourself. You can talk yourself into anything. Into sinning, into overeating, into running, into quiting something that is hard.

It is always better to talk to yourself more than you listen to yourself. So talk yourself into doing what you should do and don't listen to yourself tell you that you can't do something.

Exciting Times at the Johnson House

2009-06-15T15:57:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, our oldest son, William turned 16. He is also took the ACT for the first time on Saturday. He had a busy day. Win, I, Davis and Anna took him out to eat the night before at place called Dream Land Barbecue. William loves ribs and he had a huge half of a slab. On Saturday night we had dinner with Win's family. He had a cousin from Florida here and it was nice to see her.

So today after we got Davis off to RYM (Reformed Youth Movement) (Youth Camp) we headed to the Department of Motor Vehicles and he took his road test. He passed with flying colors. We then headed over to my brother's auto body shop where he had a Sonamo GMC truck waiting for William. Mind you the truck is the same age as William but my brother gave it a new paint job and it runs like a top. To say that William was grinning from ear to ear is an understatement. He and I went to the back, made an appointment with our mechanic to have the truck serviced and then went back to my brothers to give him the money for the truck. We have always saved our children's birthday and Christmas money for them in a bank account of their own and now for the first time we allowed William to make a withdrawal. Win and I also pitched in on the price and we paid for the registration and the tag and taxes and we will pay for the service. William will now take his brother and sister to school so it will be a new season for me.

Am I nervous? You bet. Have I had to deal with fear lately? More than I thought I would. A teenage girl was recently killed in a car accident 2 weeks after she got her car and licences. Am I walking in faith and praying all the time. Yes. One day a few weeks ago while running on the treadmill I had fear sweep over me and I almost had to stop because I was about to cry.

My sweet boy is gaining a lot of independence. I am good with it and yet I so want to go back to the day he was born and I was telling him how he needed to be patient with me because I didn't know anything about parenting. I am happy to report that he has kept his end of the bargain that he and I made that day. He is kind, patient and a true gentleman. Happy Birthday, sweet boy.

My House Painter

2009-05-29T08:23:00.000-07:00

His name is William, and he is my 15 year old son. He is about to turn 16 and he wants to buy a truck that my brother has for sale. He has been looking for a job but has had trouble finding one in this economy and the fact that he is not 16. He has several prospects after he turns 16 but for now, nothing. So, he works for me. Painting the trim on our house. He is doing a great job. The weather is perfect, not to hot and humid.

I did it!

2009-05-25T09:33:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it but I ran for a full 5 minutes today. First I walked for 15 minutes, then ran for 3 minutes, walked for 2 minutes, ran for 5 minutes and then repeated the cycle, except for the walking 15 minutes. I did this for a total of 45 minutes and then walked for the last 15 minutes. This took an hour and when I was done I had been on the treadmill for 1 hour and I ran/walked 4.11 miles.

I also hit the 70 pound mark today. Since September 8, 2008 I have lost 70 pounds. 30 pounds to go before the 100 pound mark, hopefully those 30 will come off this summer.

School is out

2009-05-23T04:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the last day of school. It was also the last day of the school play and Davis was in the play this year. They did "Meet me in St. Louis". He was in the chorus. He was disappointed that he didn't get a leading part but I tried to explain to him that those rolls are for the older kids, he is only in the 7th grade.

I love for school to be out. We have put off our vacation this year because of my mother's house. We bought a new computer instead and will hopefully take a few days and go to the beach. I want to do some projects around our house so we will be busy with that and Anna is on the swim team at YMCA and that should take up a good bit of time.

I am still running on the treadmill. This week I had to run for 90 seconds, walk 90 seconds and then run for 3 minutes and walk 3 minutes until I reached 20 minutes. That might not sound like much but I can tell you it is a lot. Next week I have to up the running to 5 minutes. I stalled in my weight loss so I am praying this running gets my body going again. I have lost 68 pounds so far.

Well, off to get ready to go and help hang sheet rock at my mother's house.

What a day

2009-05-08T06:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, here in Montgomery we had flash flooding. We had about 10 inches of rain in just under an hour. We have new water behind the liner of our pool because there was so much rain in our yard.

But the real tragedy of this was my mother's house. It had about a foot of water come in and all of my family had to gather to get her stuff out and get the water out. I was assigned to be with her. She is 75 years old and this was very hard on her. She cried all day. She is a pack rat and that only made cleaning out her house all the worse. My brothers, sister, sister in laws, brother in law, husband, children, nieces and nephews were all there working until after dark. It will be at least 3 months before she can return. She and her two little dogs are at my brother's house. I thought I would have some pictures but Davis only took pictures of the back yard. Maybe today when I go over there I can take some of her empty house.

There was a man in Montgomery whose car was swept away and he drown. Many roads are out and some are still flooded.

What a day.

I ran

2009-05-06T10:36:00.001-07:00

again, today, I ran. I can't believe I am running. I ran for 1 minute, walked for 90 seconds and did this over and over again for 20 minutes. Then walked until I had reached 5 miles. Deana is ahead of me on the routine so she ran much more than I did. She ran for one mile without stopping.

I have to tell you - it feels great. Well, today it hurt because I am still sore from Monday but it is a great feeling to be doing this.

But as great as this feels, I can't believe that in a few weeks I will be running for 5 minutes or more at a time. For this girl, that seems like a lot.

I ran and I can't believe it.

Time for a change

2009-05-05T04:52:00.000-07:00

When my weight loss journey began I thought I would walk and do Weight Watchers and that would be enough. It would be all I would want to do and no more. But I have found that my body needs to be tricked at times and walking only produces the excitement and desire to take the exercise routine to a new level.

I have hit another plateau so something had to be done. I had a 3 pound gain last week and this week I lost only 1 pound so I knew that my body was settling in and I need to shake things up.

Well, that is what me and my partner have done, we have taken our exercise to a new place. While I was recovering from my surgery Deana began a walk/run routine at the YMCA. So, now I have joined her. I had to or she would have ran and left me!

So, yesterday we moved to the Y and are now on the treadmill. I walked for 1 minute and ran for 1 1/2 minutes and we did this for a half hour. After the first half hour we walked for another half hour. I couldn't believe that I was running. I haven't ran in decades. And it felt great! So great I went out afterwards and bought me better shorts to run in.

I ran! This fat girl, going on former fat girl, ran. So, off we go. To lose the rest of our weight and run/walk into a new lifestyle.

A busy day

2009-04-25T07:34:00.000-07:00

Today has gotten off to a busy start and it only promises to get busier. I had the kids most of their Saturday chores today so that we can be ahead of the game.

Win has Reserves this weekend so he is gone.

William is headed to Youth Symphony where he plays each Saturday. He has been with this symphony since 7th grade. They practice each Saturday morning and have 2 concerts, one at Christmas and one on Mother's Day. After the Mother's Day concert they will be off for the Summer until the weekend after Labor Day. This is a great program for him. The Montgomery Symphony has lots of money and they are always willing to give it away. They allow the kids in this program to apply for scholarships each quarter and the kids can use that money for lessons, instrument rental or camps. It has helped us out so much with paying for his violin lessons. When William returns this afternoon he will finish up any chores he has and be free for the afternoon.

Davis has to finish his chores which include the yard.

I have Anna working now and then she has a softball game and I have to work her concession stand during the game.

We are going to grill out some chicken tonight for dinner and eat on the patio. It should be a nice way to end a busy day and to prepare us for worship tomorrow.

Easter

2009-04-21T06:47:00.000-07:00

All three of our children, putting on their best face, for the camera. They are all growing so much and I am truly amazed at how time is flying by.

It is hard to tell in this picture, but Anna is holding a rabbit she has had since she was born. She doesn't play with it but on that day found an attachment to it. She does that sort of thing a lot.

Here is Win and I. We are getting ready to "mark" our 21st year of marriage. We have both changed so much in the last 21 years.

Life in my PJ's

2009-04-02T17:48:00.000-07:00

That is what my life is like right now. In my PJ's all day, all night and since Monday. The reason you ask? Well, after putting it off and putting other things in front of my body talking to me I decided last week (actually at the urging of my friend Deana, I think requiring would be a better term, and I am so thankful for her) I went to the doctor and told him I needed a hysterectomy as soon as possible. And low and behold they could get me in the following Monday, March 31st. I had some serve prolapse, my bladder was being pressed on and causing me a bladder infection and I was miserable. My cough from my cold didn't help matters either.

So, now after a night at the hospital, I am home. All this was done while Win was out of town. That was OK. I had my mother, my sister and Deana. I couldn't have done it without them. They have taken me to the hospital, taken care of my children, house and animals and gotten me home from the hospital, gotten my children home from school, answered my phone, cleaned my kitchen, the list goes on and on. I am so thankful for each one of them.

Now, I am recovering. A lady at church told me to not take off my PJ's because then my family would think I am OK and can start doing for them again. So, I am in them until at least next week.

I have many post swarming around in my head and will get with it next week and let you know all that is on my mind. Until then I will be in my bed....

This is huge!

2009-03-23T08:21:00.000-07:00

I think between being sick last week and a few other things, my body really responded, without any help from me - because I lost 7 pounds this past week. Bring my total to 64 pounds since September 8, 2008. My partner, Deana lost 1 pound bringing her total to 51 pounds. We are on a roll.

I am a single parent this week. Win is gone this week and next week to another military base to do 2 weeks of Reserve Duty. We will miss him. His dog Jack will really miss him. I think Jack knew something was up this weekend because he stuck to Win like glue.

Before and After

2009-03-20T11:42:00.000-07:00

The above picture is me today, with Anna. I have officially lost 58 pounds. The picture below is undated and it was taken in the last two years. If I knew a little more about posting pictures I could post them side by side but I can't.

This is how sick I have been

2009-03-19T11:57:00.001-07:00

I didn't have any coffee yesterday and my coffee this morning didn't taste that good.
My diet coke has a funny taste to it
I ate a Hardee's Thickburger for dinner last night and it tasted good. I still stayed under my points for the day. I had hardly eaten all day.

William shared his flu/serve cold with all of us except Win. I came down with it Monday after I walked and took Anna ice skating at the mall. When I came home I crawled back into the bed and stayed until this morning. Anna and Davis also came down with it on Monday. Davis and William seemed to have a mild case of it but it hit Anna and I hard. She ran a temp of 102 for a good while. I think if I wouldn't have felt so bad myself I would have taken her to the doctor. Of course during all this Win was out of town. On one hand that has been good, it keeps him well and on the other hand he has not been here to help. He comes home tonight. Perfect timing.

All this during our Spring Break. But really that has been good since the kids would have needed to stay home from school and they would have gotten behind on their work.

Spring Break and a slight gain

2009-03-16T13:05:00.000-07:00

It is Spring Break for my children in my menagerie. We have no plans except to get some things done around the house. William was sick this weekend and now I am feeling the effects of it as well - like a truck hit me a few times! It has been raining for 3 days and so we are all home today, except for Win. He is our benefactor so he must go to work.

I didn't reach the 60 pound mark today. I actually gained a pound but I know why - I started my cycle and that always brings a slight weight gain. Actually when I was not watching what I ate, I would gain up to 6 pounds, so a gain of only 1 is good. My friend and partner on this journey, Deana, hit the 50 pound mark today. I am so happy for her. She looks wonderful. She has about 15 pounds to go before she reaches what she thinks might be a goal. If she gets to her ultimate goal before me, she will continue on the journey - for her friend's sake. We are in this together.

She sent me a picture of myself from when we were in Community Bible Study together. I will post it with a current picture soon.

So, I am going to crawl back into the bed and pray I don't get any sicker.

September 8, 2008 - March 9, 2009

2009-03-09T06:39:00.000-07:00

6 months.

That is how long my friend, Deana and I have been on this journey. So, today I have lost 58 pounds. I had a two pound loss this past week and she (drum roll) had a 6 pound loss putting her at 46 pounds. She didn't lose anything in the month of February. That explains her big loss this week. I don't think she has had such a loss since we first started.

When we started this, we could hardly exercise and our clothes we either too small or too tight. I lived to eat. But now, we are frustrated because we don't have any clothes and we have eating under control. We both are learning to be content in whatever state we are in.

I am headed out this morning to teach a monthly bible study with my church. I am teaching on the glory of God. The study asks us if our life is bringing glory to the Lord. My prayer is that I bring Him glory through my weight loss and I give Him all the glory for what He has and is and will be doing for my dear friend and I.

What a difference a week makes

2009-03-08T06:24:00.000-07:00

Last week at this time it was snowing outside, it was cold and the heat was on in our house. This week it is like Spring. It is going to be almost 80 today and yesterday the kids worked in the yard. And I turned off the thermostat and we opened some of the windows. I only got one picture of the snow in our yard and that was is posted on the blog. My batteries were low and I could only get one shot.

I have an itching to paint the trim on my house. It needs it so badly. This type of weather only makes me want to get out there all the more and get this done. I know the people in my neighborhood would really like it if I painted the trim.

Play Ball!

2009-03-07T10:39:00.000-08:00

Let the games begin!

Anna is our softball player. The boys have never been interested in playing baseball but Anna loves softball. We are able to be in the same league as my brother's children are in and we enjoy seeing them more during ball season. My brother has a little girl who is Anna's age and they were on the same team last year. We have asked that they be on the same team again this year. It makes it easy for the extended family to come and watch both girls play at the same time.

I will post a picture when I take one of her in her uniform.

Now, I just have to figure out how to go the ball field and not eat the wonderful hamburgers and hot dogs they sell there.

A loss

2009-03-02T05:18:00.000-08:00

of 2-3 pounds. My hash marks are hard to see on my scales. So I will say that I lost 2 pounds. I am now down 56 pounds. I can't believe I am 4 pounds from 60. Truly amazing.

Snowing

2009-03-01T12:33:00.000-08:00

Here is part of our back yard. We had a good bit of snow this morning. It melted then started snowing again. It is getting colder now and the snowing has stopped. Win and the kids had a great time in it this morning. We stayed home from Sunday School and only went to Worship. I hope that it is all cleared out by the morning. I really don't want my Monday schedule to change with the kids being home.

Win and I have been going downtown and running up and down steps at a parking deck. I don't think we will do that today, too wet and too cold.

A Man and his dog

2009-02-28T12:32:00.000-08:00

taking a nap on a Saturday afternoon. Saturdays are a regular work day for Win except that he works at home and not at his office. But as the day wears on, one becomes weary, especially on a rainy day like today. So Win and his dog, Little Jack took a nap.

I forgot to post

2009-02-28T07:13:00.001-08:00

Well, I had a one pound loss last week, so I am now at 54 pounds lost. My official weight in is on Mondays. But I have to admit that I watch it all it week. Right now I am on track for 3 pound loss on Monday.

My partner in all this is down 43 (think) pounds. About every 6 weeks after we exercise we treat ourselves to breakfast at a local restaurant. They have the best omelets and those omelets fit in great with WW. We have them make ours with egg whites. We are going to treat ourselves when we get to the collective 100 pound mark. We are almost there.

So, downward we go...

One Eyed (Little) Jack

2009-02-27T15:43:00.000-08:00

OK, I know, we are crazy. Our Menagerie just got a little bigger. I am going to post the e-mail that Win wrote the ladies in his office because he can write so much better than I can.

" As you know, my wife kindheartedly picked up the little guy as he was running down the middle of Upper Wetumpka Road, right after she told our 8-yr-old daughter to close her eyes because she was sure he’d be hit by a vehicle.

He wasn’t, and she brought him home. He seemed to take to me, and he doesn’t like to be alone, so I brought him to work a couple of times. I have been unsure whether we should keep him. We have 8 animals, including the lizard, and he has upset the mix a little.

I have some bad news though. I am sending this out at the end of the day because I didn’t want to depress anyone at the start of the day. Little dog seems to brighten up everyone’s day when he comes here.

My wife and I were sitting in our backyard yesterday, and Little Dog got up in my lap. He was acting fierce, growling and snapping, with our two Labs. The black male did not take it seriously, but our female, who also likes me and weighs probably 20 times as much as Little Dog, took it more seriously. I kick myself now for not stopping Little Dog, but I thought the Lab would simply growl back and warn him. However, her response was more vicious than expected. In an instant, so fast that I did not see her jaws open, she snapped at him and popped his right eyeball out of the socket. Because it was Sunday at about 3:30 or 4 pm, I rushed him to the emergency vet on Perry Hill Road, where the vet did emergency surgery. The goal was to see if they could save the eye, but they could not.

So, now we have a one-eyed dog. The two sad things are that his other eye has cataracts in it, and the trauma apparently was not helpful to his sight in that eye. Also, we thought we were rescuing him, but it appears we put him in danger at our own house.

The little guy came home this morning and is a real trooper about it all. He does not appear to be totally blind and can get around okay. I hope to bring him for a visit soon. Thought y’all would want to know."

So, we have named this dog - Little Jack. He answers to Little, but we are calling him Jack more and more. He is learning the ropes around here, getting used to the cats and we are having to house train him. He seems to want to go to the bathroom any where but he is really coming along on this. No more going in the house. When we are gone we put him in the bath room and he will go to the bathroom in the tub. He is learning.

I ran an ad in the newspaper for 2 weeks looking for his owner and I even put signs up and no one called for him. He belonged to someone, these dogs sell for about $900. But after all the money we put into him over the eye, he is ours now.

Today, he went to the groomers and had a haircut. He is so cute. Next he will be neutered even though he is about 8 or 9 it will be best for him. He will also get his teeth brushed while he is under.

He loves Win and Win loves him. I am a substitute when Win is at work.

My plan seems to be working

2009-02-16T15:51:00.000-08:00

I met with a personal trainer last week and yesterday I ran stairs to get my heart rate up. I now seem to be back on track. I lost 3 pounds last week. I am now down 53 pounds. I hope to lose 15 pounds by Spring Break.

Want to get your heart rate up?

2009-02-15T14:27:00.000-08:00

Find a set of stairs that you can run up and down. My friend and I did this a few weeks ago. We went to downtown Montgomery on a Saturday and found a parking deck that had stairs on the side. We ran up and down them for about 20 minutes.

So today, even though it was Sunday, I convinced Win to go with me. We ran up and down for about 20 minutes. Of course he took the stairs 2 at a time but not me. My heart rate was really up and it felt great.

Hoping to see 3 pounds gone in the morning.

Something only William can do

2009-02-14T17:48:00.000-08:00

Is hold two of our cats this way. They will only do this for him, why, we don't know. But sometimes he walks around our house holding Polly Kate and Alton like this. We just shake our heads and go on.

A cat in heat

2009-02-14T16:58:00.000-08:00

That is what was at my house last week. Lucy is 5 months old and I was planning on having her spayed next month but she surprised us and went into heat this past week. So, off to the vet she went. She had to stay over night and I went and got her this morning. She hasn't been out much but when she does come out she is purring and happy to see us. I think she missed us. Below is a picture of her a few weeks ago, I can't get one of her today since she is under Davis' bed.

I can hardly walk!

2009-02-12T14:29:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I met with a personal trainer. She is someone whom I have done a "boot camp" with last year. I contracted with her for an hour and she set me up a workout routine using weights, a 62 cm ball and a chair. She gave me about 6-8 different exercises to do at least three times a week. This is to go along with my walking.

Well, since my workout with her yesterday, just so she could show me the routine, I have been so sore. I found some new muscles and today they are talking to me. Just to sit down is a chore. But this is great. Muscle confusion. My 5 mile walk this morning was tough since I am so sore but I was glad for the soreness.

She thinks this should jump start my metophilism and get my weight to falling off again. I have only lost 2 pounds in the month of January.

I will meet with her again in about 6-8 weeks and she will change up my routine and add to it. But for now, just going to the bathroom is hard!!

50 Pounds!

2009-02-09T05:05:00.000-08:00

On this day - February 9, 2009, 5 months from the day I began, I have hit the 50 pound mark. These last few pounds have been hard to shed. So, now I have 50 to go and the deadline is September 9, 2009. At times it feels daunting but I just tell myself to continue doing what I am doing - walking in self control and exercising and most importantly -- Praying.

This whole journey is more than just losing weight. My friend and I have really been diligent about taking inventory of our lives as we walk and lose weight. We are working on our attitudes and our reactions to things that happen and to people. This weight loss is as much about my spiritual life as it is about my physical life. They go hand in hand.

So, as my friend reminded me, I am on the down hill slide. I pray the pounds just peeling off and I reach my goal - 100 pounds!

A Thursday Afternoon

2009-01-29T17:25:00.001-08:00

Here are shots from our afternoon. The boys and Anna had finished their home work and now they were all doing different things. Davis is on the computer.

William eating chocolate coookies and milk while talking on his cell phone and trying to keep his face from being shown on the camera.

This one above is Anna practicing her piano.

Favorite Things

2009-01-29T11:11:00.000-08:00

As I began my Weight Watchers journey last September I began to look for things I eat that didn't cost many points. I have found several things, and I will share a few each week.

The two today are Progresso Soup. I haven't found kind I don't like but I do have a few that I really love. One is the Hearty Tomato. It has a rich flavor and has chunks of tomato in each can. The entire can is only 4 points. That is a great soup for lunch or even if you needed a snack.

The other is Laughing Cow Cheese. I use the light. It only has 35 calories per piece and that is not even a point. Great addition to breakfast.

Give these a try, you might find you like them too.

My Christmas present

2009-01-22T04:58:00.000-08:00

When we bought this house we went down in square footage. So I have been working on how to make my furniture fit into this house. One of the things I did was take my small dinning room and turn it into our study/office. Before I made this change I had book cases built into the walls of what was our living room/study then I saw that that was not working to I switched the rooms. Now we have a large dinning room and a nice size study. It really works out great. It puts our computer right off the kitchen so I can be on it and still be in the center of things and it puts our boys on the computer right in the center of things too.

So, all that to say - for Christmas I wanted an over head light for Christmas. Since there was no light there in the first place this would be a job for an electrician. And my sister just happens to be married to one. So yesterday Jerry and his worker came out and ran the electricity and installed my light. Now we have a beautiful over head lite.

You might think, "why would she want to do this now," well a few years back when Win and I put in new counter tops in our kitchen we did away with our breakfast room area. So every night we eat in our dinning room. When Spring comes we will eat on our patio outside.

I am so happy to have this light up and shinning. It made such a huge difference in the room. Before we just had lamps to eat by. Now over head lights.

One hard headed dog

2009-01-19T16:58:00.000-08:00

This is Ethel. She is a Lab mix. My sister has her father. His name is Red. Davis named her when he was 3 years old. She is his dog. She is now 10 years old and is showing some age.

She has a thing about smelling things. She has taken down a row of bushes in our back yard. We have to put Cayenne pepper out to keep her from pulling the branches off the bushes. Our yard is lined with bushes on two sides to make privacy for our pool. She seems to want to mow them down.

If she wants to do something she will do it, if she doesn't want to do something, you can't make her. She sometimes drives me crazy.

She has started growling at the cats lately. She made Calico fall over the other day and I thought Win was going to come unglued.

Win really has a thing for her though. She charms him with her red eye lashes and he is mush around her.

She loves our dog Prince. I have seen them get into a fight though. Like this past summer when the kids and I came home from North Carolina (your house MK) and they got into it in our den. I had to throw water on them. Prince ended up breaking one of her teeth. Cost a pretty penny to get it repaired and she spent the night at the vet. But I have also seen them not speak to each for several days. Prince will make her mad and then she will have nothing to do with him. At some point they kiss and make up.

I told you all that we are weird....

Inching toward...

2009-01-19T08:12:00.000-08:00

the mark of 50 pounds. I only lost 1 pound this past week. So I am now at 49 pounds. I had hoped I would be at 50 today but my body has other plans. So I press on. I walked 5 miles this morning and it felt great. I feel sure I will make the 50 pound and maybe over next week.

Sundays are hard

2009-01-18T13:56:00.000-08:00

Sundays are hard to have self control while trying to lose weight. It seems to be a day of snacking and eating at our house. Win is the worst. Of course, he weights about 125 pounds so he can afford to snack all day. I am thinking of changing my official weight in day to Friday so that I don't have to endure Sunday and then weight on Monday morning. I think I am going to chew a piece of gum now so I won't want anything else to eat.

He needs to learn to relax

2009-01-18T06:47:00.000-08:00

This is Alton, which means gold in Turkish, and he is the most relaxed cat you will ever meet. Nothing gets him worked up except cutting his nails. He lets Anna carry him around and he and Lucy have a grand time playing.

We are always telling "Alton, relax, don't get so worked up", when we see him in this position.

I found him at gas station in Greenville, Alabama. Someone had put him out and I found him there and brought him back up to our house, about 50 miles away. We have had him about 2 years now. I don't think he likes me that much but that is OK. He loves Anna.

I have to sweep my floors just about every day because he has so much hair and sheds year round, it seems.

She is addicted!

2009-01-18T06:37:00.000-08:00

To soft food! Lucy cries about 3 times a day for some soft food. Our cat Calico has lost a great deal of weight and we have put her on soft food so Lucy now thinks she should get some every time as well. We call Lucy a "food head" and she is addicted to the stuff. All of our cats want soft food and if they are given even a little bit they become addicted to it all over again.

So instead of "crack heads" we have "food heads". We are a strange bunch.

Downward I go! 48 pounds

2009-01-12T04:52:00.000-08:00

Monday's are weight in day. Since I am not a part of a Weight Watchers class, my partner and I are on the honor system. We both weight at home and then report to each other when we meet at the park in a little while. I am always just as excited about her weight loss as I am about mine.

I lost 4 pounds last week. I am down 48 pounds. I had made it my goal right before Christmas to be at 50 pounds on this Monday (today) but I realized I would not make it so I am hoping that comes next week. Actually if I can keep up my 3 pound loss a week I will go over my goal.

Even though I have lost a lot of weight, I still have to fight discouragement. I have as far to go as I have come. My goal is 100 pounds. Today starts week 18. Our goal date is September 9, 2009. So pray I don't become discouraged. I won't give up, I can't, my partner won't let. Neither would my Menagerie. They are all cheering me on.

So, on this cold morning, I press on to walk in the park, teach a bible study at my church this morning and walk in self control.

Relaxing on a Saturday Afternoon

2009-01-10T14:49:00.001-08:00

Here is Lucy and Alton relaxing on the couch. Alton is so sweet. He lets Lucy get close and he will play with her for hours on end. Polly Kate will have nothing to do with Lucy and even has let Lucy know that she can't come into mine and Win's bedroom. Lucy won't even come close to the door of our room.

Polly Kate

2009-01-10T14:24:00.000-08:00

This is our cat Polly Kate. She is a unique cat. We call her "cat dog" because she will lick us like a dog. I got her from an older lady who had a bunch stray cats that lived at her house. I thought I would get an orange cat from her but we couldn't catch the orange one. We saw this little ball of fur on the porch and the lady said "that cat is feisty, she is serious about her food". Polly Kate had an eye infection and we looked at her, put her down and went home.

When we got home I found some old antibotic in our refrigerator. I was going to take it to the lady because Polly Kate would lose her vision if this infection was not stopped. Win said, "that lady won't give that kitten that medicine, you either have to go by there every day and give it to her or go and bring that kitten home." So, I went back to Mrs. Jones house and got that kitten.

She would growl when we fed her because she was so hungry and she was so used to being hungry. But she soon stopped doing this because I think she realized that food was always around for her.

She loves me and I really love her. Anna named her. I affectionately call myself "momma cat" to her and I refer to Win as "Tom Cat" to her. She acts like she understands. She will let William hold her in very strange positions. Only he can hold her like this.

She doesn't like for me to raise my voice. If I am yelling at the kids, she will come to me and stretch up and touch my hand to get my attention. If I am raising my voice at Win she will do the same thing. Sometimes she will lick my face if she can reach it. If Anna is yelling or crying, she will bit Anna. I think the Lord uses Polly Kate to help me control myself and stop yelling. Something I am always working on in my life.

Polly Kate has gray, orange and white. Our other calico has black, orange and white. After we had had her for a few months we took her back by Mrs. Jones house and Mrs. Jones said to Polly Kate "you are a rich cat now". So sometimes we will remind her of this.

Stalled

2009-01-06T05:09:00.000-08:00

That is how I feel right now. I am stalled at 44 pounds. I gained about 1 1/2 pounds the week of Christmas and then lost them back last week so I remain at 44 pounds. So, I press on. Walked 5 miles yesterday, stayed under the points allotted and today is a new day. I had hoped to be at 50 pounds by next week but hopefully that will have to wait a week.

So, I head to the park to meet my partner and walk our 5 miles. I just pray the rain has left the area and we can get the miles in. We hate to make up miles but we do because we are committed to walking off these pounds.

Calico

2009-01-05T10:33:00.000-08:00

This is our oldest cat, Calico. We found her on the streets of Izmir, Turkey. She is almost 18 years old. It is hard to believe that it has been that long. She was just a few weeks old when we took her into our apartment. We had to feed her from the bottle. We are all she knows.

She is a really sweet cat. She likes to sleep in between Win and I. She will come when you call her and she loves for company to come to our house. She is frail and has lost weight lately. She also seems to be going blind. She really favors Win. When he comes home from work, she insist he speak to her and give her attention. It will be a sad day when she is no longer with us.

Lucy

2009-01-04T15:26:00.000-08:00

This is our youngest cat Lucy. She loves to sit on our necks. She is sitting on William's neck as he is doing homework.

Back to the Grind

2009-01-04T15:18:00.000-08:00

Well, school starts back tomorrow and all the activities that are around school start as well. All the back and forth and here and there begin again. The break was nice.

I have a busy week ahead. My walking partner and I will be back at our regular days of walking this coming week. We walked during the holidays but not as much as normal. This past week we got in 15 miles and I think about 15 miles the week before. That seems like a life time ago so I am not sure about the mileage. She lost weight during the holidays and I gained a pound but have lost it already.

Win's father is having his hernia repaired this week and I will need to help with all that goes with that. He is now 92 years old and in frail health. Of course Win will be out of town while all this is going on.

It will be good to have our regular schedule going but I do love the breaks.

Oldest child - youngest animal

2009-01-01T13:49:00.000-08:00

Here is our youngest cat with our oldest child. Lucy is her name and she is about 3 months old. My brother found her at his body shop and we took her. She is a typical kitten - plays hard and then naps just as hard. She is fun and feisty.

Christmas Dance

2008-12-31T08:53:00.000-08:00

William went to a dance this past weekend. He went by himself - a live and learn situation. He looked so handsome.

Putting Christmas away

2008-12-30T08:22:00.000-08:00

That is what we are doing today. Anna said this is her least favorite thing to do. It is the mark of the end of the season. The house looks bare after everything is put away.

I am one to do a lot of organizing the week after Christmas. Win says I throw too much out. I say he doesn't throw enough away. I like to start the new year off with a clean, clutter free home.

I love our children being home during the holidays. There is a closeness with my three children that I feel during this time. I know this season of life is coming to an end. William has 2 1/2 years left before he, Lord willing, heads off to college. Our holidays will take a turn when that happens.

Our cats will also be sad that Christmas is being up away. They have loved our tree. They don't climb up the tree but they play under the tree and run around the tree. It has been fun watching them. When gifts started going under the tree they all started, except for our oldest cat, sleeping under the tree. I guess they liked the crowed feeling under the tree.

My prayer for my family is that we keep the meaning of Christmas close by in our thoughts and our actions. I pray we remember that through the humility of a poor and lowly birth came our salvation and eternal life with Christ.

Wew!

2008-12-27T07:29:00.000-08:00

I am about give out!! We have had people at our house for several days. Part of my family on Christmas morning, Win's family on Christmas night and my whole extended family last night. I plan on doing nothing today. We are going to eat left overs for several days. I am back to counting points and pray that I didn't gain any weight. My walking partner is out of town starting today and into next week so I am alone in exercising. I think I will ride Win's bike around our neighborhood. 50 pounds here I come!

I think My Menagerie had a nice Christmas. We really don't mind giving them several things at Christmas because Win and I are not one to give them things throughout the year. I told each one that we would do some clothes shopping after the holiday. I think that will wait until next week.

William, our oldest has a dance he is going to tonight. He dragged his feet on asking someone and now he is going alone. Win and I gave him a time table in asking someone and he let that pass without a date. He did ask one young lady but she said she and her parents had decided that she would not attend. This decision was already made before he asked her. I think he was slack on this matter because the one girl he really wanted to take to the dance is out of town this weekend. Live and learn, that is what he is doing.

I am going to get Win to help me with learning how to post the pictures. Thanks MK for the instructions. So then all the photos I have of my Menagerie in my camera can be posted.

Traditions

2008-12-25T09:04:00.001-08:00

I grew up being raised by my mother. My parents divorced when I was 4 years old and my mother went to work. She worked most Christmas' while I was growing up and so my brother and I often spent that day at home. I have 5 siblings but by the time I was in elementary school the olders ones were all out of the house. We would open presents before Mother went to work and then Rip. my youngest brother and I were left on our own.

So, when Win and I started our life together, we want to really start some traditions. The first 5 years of our marriages were spent traveling on or around Christmas day. The first 2 Christmas' we were stationed in Clovis, New Mexico and we came to Alabama for Christmas. The next 3 Christmas' were spent in Izmir, Turkey. The last Christmas we were in Turkey we decided to go see some friends in Germany. We flew there on Christmas day.

Then came children after 5 years of marriage. We now celebrate Christmas by having Advent each night leading up to Christmas. On Christmas morning we have to have Advent and light the Christ candle before any presents can be opened. We also spend Christmas Eve by going to church and have a meal here. My menagerie like for me to make a Pork Tenderloin, Rice Pilaf and Broccoli. We did that last night.

We have a meal with each side of the family at some point. Tonight Win's family and tomorrow my family.

I love the traditions we have made for our children. They love the traditions. I was thinking yesterday about these traditions and wondered what my children will carry with them to their families one day.

Merry Christmas.

Christmas

2008-12-24T08:54:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, I have been terrible about updating this blog. I promise I will do better. Maybe someone can help me learn how to post pictures. That would really motivate me.

Well, it is Christmas Eve. Here is the plans of my Menagerie. Today I am cooking for tomorrow and getting ready for tonight. Our church, Trinity Presbyterian (www.trinitypca.org) holds two Christmas Eve services. Since I sing in the choir, I signed up to sing the 6:00 service. There is also a 4:00 service. I have to be there around 5:15. After church we will come home and have dinner. We started this tradition a few years ago and my children love it. I cook a pork tenderloin, Near East rice pilaf and fresh broccoli. The kids drink sparkling cider and Win and I have a nice glass of wine. I also made a cake last night and we will have that for dessert. We lite candles in the dinning room and turn out all other lights. Dinner by candle lite.

Tomorrow one of my older brothers, Renny and my mother will come for breakfast and Win's family will join us for Christmas dinner tomorrow night. I will cook a Prime rib roast. On Friday night my side of family will come for dinner.

All my shopping is done and just about all the wrapping is done as well. I hate to wrap.

So, let the celebrating begin. I have a plan for my eating - I am not going to count points tomorrow and watch what I eat on Friday night. I am now down 44 pounds. I had hope to be at 50 by January 1 but I think that won't happen and I am OK with that. Maybe if someone helps me learn about posting pictures I can post my before picture and post a new picture now.

So, Merry Christmas to all.

39 pounds

2008-12-08T04:50:00.000-08:00

13 weeks ago I began my journey to lose 100 pounds. I am doing Weight Watchers and walking. I have a friend who is also doing this with me and we are holding each other accountable. We have had moments of frustration and elation and we have walked many a mile. But the pounds are coming off.

I didn't really realize how bad my weight had gotten until I saw a picture of myself and I went to the doctor. All my numbers were good but my doctor was very honest with me and told me that my numbers would not stay good. In the coming few years I would be dealing with some serious health issues. She was my wake up call.

This morning when I did my weekly weight in and I reached the 39 pound mark. I am very excited. I would love to reach 50 by January 1 but I am not going to be disappointed if that doesn't happen. That goal will come in its due time.

This whole process has been a family affair. My children and husband have cheered me on, encouraged me and watched me as I have measured my food. They are happy for me and I like having them with me on this journey. That is what family are for - to hold each other up and see each other through.

So on this cold Alabama morning after I take the Menagerie to school I will meet my friend at the park to walk. She is good therapy for me.

Frustrated

2008-12-06T05:26:00.000-08:00

OK, I will admit it. We only bought a digital camera this summer when Win was headed to China. I have hardly looked at it since much less learn how to do things with. So I started this blog and was able to download the first few pictures but grew very frustrated on Monday when I tried to post a picture of our cat Alton with the new scratching pad. I just about gave up blogging because of this. Maybe I will arrive with some patience and figure out how to post pictures.

In the mean time, my Menagerie has been busy. We took our newest kitten, Lucy to the vet and she had 3 shots. The vet said she would feel bad and boy was he right. She wanted nothing to do with no one and let us all know it by growling at us when we touched her. She is about 12 weeks old and weights 3.5 pounds.

Our oldest and dearest cat Calico, is looking terrible. She is almost 18. I took her to the vet a few weeks ago and he said she was fine just an old lady. We may go back and see the vet this coming week.

William, Davis and Anna are all playing in a Christmas recital today. William is playing his violin with a friend ours who is playing her flute. Davis and Anna will each play a piece of Christmas music on the piano. Our piano teacher always arranges a Christmas recital at an Assisted Living. William and Cary will also play their piece tomorrow night at our church.

So, I will take my frustrated self and go have another cup of coffee....

A New Toy

2008-12-01T10:10:00.001-08:00

Today I had to go the pet store for crickets for Davis' lizard, a gecko. While there I bought a new scratch pad for the cats. It was as if they knew what I had in my arms when I walked in the door. Our youngest male cat, Alton, immediately took ownership of the pad. This pad is good, it comes with a bag of cat nip and the cats go crazy over it.

2008-11-30T17:47:00.000-08:00

I am just getting used to this thing called "blogging" and I see I should have started with Anna and finished with William. But oh well, live and learn.

Next in line is Anna Montgomery. She was our gift to us after a terrible loss of a baby in the 2nd trimester. She had a head full of black hair when she was born. She is all girl and is the baby of the family.William told me that I don't spank her enough and I would have never allowed him to get away with the things I allow her to get away with. She does well in school, loves to teach herself things and really knows how to hold her own. She and Win have a special relationship.

2008-11-30T17:19:00.000-08:00

Davis comes in next in the menagerie. He is a sweet, artist and loud boy. He is 13 and in the 7th grade. He is a typical middle child. He argues with all of us. He seems to know already what he wants to do in life and I pray that God uses him mightily. He has a grasp on Reform Theology that I didn't have until my mid 30's.

Meet my Menagerie

2008-11-30T16:57:00.000-08:00

I thought I would begin by introducing my menagerie. I will begin with our first child - William. He is a great young man. He is 15, in the 10th grade and is your typical first born. He is eager to do what is right, plays by the rules and rules his two siblings. He is also a great violin player. I hate the thought that he only has 2 1/2 years left before he finishes high school. I think he understands me better than I know.

The Beginning

2008-11-29T09:01:00.001-08:00

The Beginning

I have thought about blogging for a while now but like many others have wondered if I really have anything to say that others might be willing to read. And it dawned on me recently that I want to write about "my menagerie" - the people and animals that I live with, who struggle to live with me. So here it goes. Now I have to learn to post pictures. I hope you find me and my menagerie interesting.