holding steady

I gave up on the diet I planned on doing the first of the year. However, I am happy to report...I have not gained any weight this month. While I may not have lost...I am still very happy. I think once the weather changes and I am able to get out of the house I will start my walking again. Yes I know I could go other places to walk...but I don't want to. I am trying to get my driving to a minimum...saving money is the goal on that side of the budget. Plus I really get bored walking in circles...I find walking the streets of my small subdivision more fun...watching people, hearing the barking dogs, peering in windows...yikes I am a peeping Tom! Oh well, I do enjoy walking along the streets.
I have tried to keep the foods I eat healthy. During the week...it is pretty easy. Come the weekend, not so easy. But mercy, I do need a break from salad...low cal soups, no carbs or sugar. I do give myself treats...limit them...limit them...oh how hard it is!!
I do feel so much better since losing the extra pounds ... and of course visiting the chiropractor each week has change my life 100%. He is amazed .... I am thrilled with the flexibly I now have and the back pain is almost nonexistent.
Why do we allow are selves to become so frail? Gain extra weight? Lazy is the answer for me. It is so easy to just eat whatever, complain about the pain instead of seeking help. I only wish I could say...I will never gain back those pounds. It is hard, oh so hard to be a discipline person.
I know we are still in the winter season...but really winter so far has not been so bad...so who knows I maybe able to get out on the streets soon...walk girl walk.
Now if only I had a puppy dog to accompany me!
Blessings,

You are needed

I have a new picture on my side bar. It is "Pray for Apollo". If you click on the bar you can go to their website, read about this little guy, read about his family...then say a prayer for God to be with him on his journey. This family is large and lives a life style not common in my circle of friends....but I love to read each day about their life.
I have several children on the side bar...each of their lives has had struggles but with each, God has been with them. God has provided for their needs and best of all it helps us see the many blessing I have in my small family and my life. Isn't that what we need to take from life, learning our life is blessed...how God has given us so much to be thankful for? It is for me.
This week will be a good one...nothing out of the ordinary to do. Trying to keep warm....soon spring will arrive! I figure once I get through January...winter seems to be on it's way out. Yep, not really true..but that is how I roll. :0)
Blessings,

Dentist

"The card I made for my mom's birthday. Love the shine...love the colors This card is for my Dad...and the words ring true...he is the best!

Finished the dental appointments...2...yes count them...2 fillings were needed. These are old fillings from about 40 plus years ago! The dentist said I bet they were in there for 50 years...heck no...I am old but not that old. i am so happy it is over. This past year I have spent a fortune for dental services...and I have insurance. BUT...it has to been done. I sure don't want to have dentures...gross!! I hate the process but now that I have them all in good shape again...so very happy!!

I am trying to get my tax information together...mercy it is so annoying too. I wish we all just paid a certain amount and they forget about the "filing". I think it would be fair...and I would love to see the rich pay more...really can't they afford it? Then there are families that don't pay a dime. As a single person we really pay a lot...and I know many people don't agree with my thoughts but that is how I feel. I think if it was a % of your income it would be fair, no matter now much or how little you made. Oh well it is just how I feel ... so no snarky remarks haha

Have a super week...encourage someone...if only with a smile!

Blessings,

What a week...talking about the weather here in the good old mid west! ugh~~~
Thursday MoDot(Missouri Dept of Transportation) dropped the ball...we had ice, black ice...and very little snow.
I travel 10 miles to work. At the most it takes me 20 minutes to drive it...depending on the traffic, 15. I spent a total of 3 3/4 hours "trying" to get cross town! I live in a small subdivision, it is not maintained. It was fine. I travel about 4 miles to a 4 lane highway...once on the highway...bam...12 cars off the road! Freaked me out. I traveled about a 1/2 mile so I could turn around, that trip took me an hour. Went back home about an hour or so later, off I went again...arriving at work 2 3/4 hours later! I was out so long..I had to stop in at the filling station to go potty...not knowing how long the last 1 1/2 miles would take. Sad isn't it? Oh how I would love to be close to public transportation. When you live out in the country...that is not possible. Even my job is not on a public transportation line.
Friday...the roads were back to normal...24 hours...oh how the hours will change road conditions.
Today I put together a pot of beef stew..it makes the house smell so good. The wood stove is sending the temperatures to over 75'....it feels pretty darn good.
I am content to be home, doing what I love to do on Saturday...not much of nothing. I did get the upstairs cleaned. The craft room now is back in order and ready for me to start getting caught up my cards. New year...lots of birthdays coming up...and the card box is getting kind of low for any occasion.
My wonderful Dad will be 87 the end of the week...good love him. I tried to talk to him on the phone today, finally he had to give it over to my step mom. He just can't hear and talk to me anymore. It breaks my heart. I miss him and wish now I had gone home over the holidays. When they get this age...a day can make the difference.
I must be off...hoping to get back into the card making grove and post a bunch of pictures! Also, going to make sugar free jello...still trying to keep those extra calories off the list. Some day good, other days, not so good.

Happy Weekend!
Blessings,

Change Up

This week I have followed the HCG diet. After 5 days...I am done. I am changing back to the weight watcher diet. I just can't do the diet they want you to follow. I did lose 6 lbs so far this week, so it isn't that it doesn't work...I just don't want my mind to be on food 24/7.
Last night I was so done...I fell off the wagon. I had a handful of taco chips and married them with some salsa...it was heaven.
So today I am off to the grocery store to stock up. I want to get the goodies to make me some soup. In the winter I could live off the stuff....and tonight I will have my way.
You know it is okay to admit defeat. I do it all the time. Sometimes I let the task go I can't do ...then the next day I am back to it again....and I win. I just pick my battles. Defeat sometimes is good, we learn our weakness, and best of all for me; I reach out to God and ask for help. Hard jobs/task/personal goals teach us we can do things we didn't think we were capable of completing. I want to be a winner....but in the diet world...being a winner is hard....bloody hell! (Pardon the bad language)
Maybe that is why "New Year’s Resolutions” were created? Okay, I doubt it.
Mercy, next week and for weeks to come...working 5 days a week, no holidays!! By the time Memorial Day arrives...we all will be crazy ready for paid time off.
I think I need to start thinking of vacation time! oh yes I do!!
I can't wait to do my taxes and see if old Uncle Sam will owe me some money. I know I have to pay down some debt...but I also would love to take some of that cash and go back out to California and visit my brother! I went there last March and it was a great break. So we will see what happens.
Well I am off to the dealership...again. Dang it they better get this done...'cause I am about done with them.....
Then off to get some food!! oh yeah baby....Food!
Blessings,

Happy New Year

I hope your new years eve will be wonderful fun. Spend it with family, friends or if like me...you just enjoy a quite evening at home.
I will go to my church for a couple hours, then home it is for me.
I haven't thought about any resolutions for the new year. I am going back on my diet Monday...if I can loose 15 lbs by summer --- I will jump with joy! Also, I have put myself on a budget...yikes that one is the hard one! So with prayers of wisdom and asking the Lord to help me curb the "food addiction"... maybe I will be successful?
Have a wonderful evening. Stay safe!
Blessings,

It's a wrap folks

The end of 2011 is knocking at the back door. I am ready to open the front door and let in 2012.
This year included changes for my family, some good, some not so good...but it is life.
I turned 65 this year. Many of my class mates are on face book and we celebrate the last of our class member to the "65" fold this month. Unbelievable...!!!
I look forward to next year and celebrating "66"....next year in December I will receive social security..wow it is about time I start getting back some of the money I have put into the system for all these years. I wish I could say I am retiring...but that will not be the case.
Today is the last of my vacation for this year. Today I will spend time getting the old place cleaned up, put the few decoration I put up..put away. Tonight I will go have supper with my bestie.
New Year's eve will be the first year in 14 years I will not have grandchildren to watch...so I have plans! Going to church to hear two gospel groups sing...after that who knows?
Yes this year has held milestones and struggles in my life. Look to the blessings they are many.

I am thankful I still have my Dad living.

I have wonderful children.

I have wonderful grandchildren.

I have a wonderful brother and sister

I have a great job.

I have great friends.

I am in good health.

I have food and housing.

I live in a country of many privileges.
Best of all I have a relationship with Jesus. I sing praises to His name and look forward to learning more about Him in 2012. What God has in store for me I don't know, don't care because He is by me. I trust in Him to provide and care for me. He provides a peace "nothing here on earth can provide".

Happy New Year!
Blessings,

Here it is Christmas Eve day. I know everyone will be thinking of gifts, food, friends, sharing special moments. But the real reason Christmas is the birth of a baby named "Jesus". If not for the son of God, what hope would we have? The hope is for acceptance of His Son, so we can have everlasting life, peace here on earth and the comfort of the Holy Spirit in our life to help us with the worries of this sinful world. Have a great time but give thanks. If you are not a believer or have questions about Jesus...ask or go to a church in your area...never stop searching for your answer. He has changed my life and He will change yours too

Blessings,

The Party and more

My company party started at the Scott Trade Center...seeing this!

The Trans Siberian Orchestra...wow...double wow.

What an amazing show. The light show was unbelievable and they really have some talented people. Between their singing and their ability to play instruments...I can not tell you which I enjoyed the most.

After the TSO show was over... we went to my bosses house for supper. They served a nice spread of different foods...and of course desserts. Isn't Christmas about cookies, cakes and candies :0) We always take a re-gift present. Some are really funny. I was able to unload a crochet thing my mom gave me...I ended up with good stuff. A small flashlight, candy and a Christmas glass...okay the glass goes back in the box of re-gift junk for next year!
Sunday had our small group Christmas party...I received a wooden dish that holds 4 candles...okay that goes in the re-gift box too...
I have received several gift cards...those I love and will keep!
Tomorrow night having ladies over to go Christmas caroling again. We had so much fun last time...I know we will again! Looking forward to talking to some folks and inviting them to our church for Christmas. It is a way to open the doors to people at a time when they may come to church...and we will pray they will want to continue and finally leading them to a better life.
When I hear people talk about "they don't believe in organized religion" I just think ... you don't know what you are missing. So before we head out tomorrow night we will pray for God to open doors.
Christmas...only 4 days away. Some how it doesn't seem like Christmas .... the weather still feels like fall... but am happy it does. Why? Because people can travel to see family, hopefully, safely.
Blessings,

Fa-La-La

This month has been full of busy fun stuff. As Christmas gets closer more fun packed days and evenings.
Last night a small group of us went Christmas Caroling. We had the best time. I am sure my friends neighbors thought we had lost our mind...but we have not! We had the story of how the candy cane was first made, with a candy cane attached. Also some brochures from church on our Christmas services. Four of the ladies sang at the edge of the side walk...I went up to the house, rang the door bell and gave them the material. If they refuse to come to the door because we freaked them out...I just left the them a rolled up mess of paper on their door...just kidding...it was neatly folded and stuck to their door.

It was a cool night...not cold but walking and trying to sing was not what the ladies had expected. They huff and puff along...me I was in my element! I had my papers, my string of lights around my neck and a cow bell to ring...not kidding about the cow bell...those folks if they were home...they could hear me coming. I think it scared some dogs and small children...yikes!

Everyone who came to the door were very nice and one lady even offered us money...hummmm was that intended to make us leave? Anywho, I told her we were not collecting money...we were givin'!

After we were done...we then went back to my friends house for hot chocolate and a snack. Ah a reward!

Today...company party! Stay safe!

Blessings,

A couple weeks ago I went to a card class. We made 3 cards of each bellow. It was so much fun...plus she served us lunch! They are all elegant cards...the pictures are not good...so on some you will not be able to appreciate how pretty they really are.

The paper is flocked or a stain gloss

Some have embossing

Buttons and bows

Tonight I have started making cards for the grand kids. I don't buy Christmas presents...I give cold hard cash! When you have 5 teens...what could be better?The one is 10...he likes cash too, then the 3 year old...he doesn't care as long as he has presents to open...on Christmas morning. His mom can take him shopping.

Sometimes I feel bad that I don't shop for them...but really unless you have a big wallet...and buy things like laptops, IPhone, IPad...what can you buy to satisfies kids today?

Next week I have several parties, my Bible study Monday, Saturday company party and Sunday small group church party. I have baking and cooking to do...so the diet will be shot...ugh.

Saturday night our church had the Christmas program..it was great! Such talent!

Stay safe these days leading up the Christmas and New Years. Don't take any chances drinking and driving. Your families love you and hurting yourself or others would not make for a terrific holiday.

Keep the thoughts of Jesus birth.

Blessings,

Waiting Room Rant

After getting off work today...I spent 2 1/2 hours waiting for the dealership to finishing repairing my car....making note they had the car since 7:30 this morning! Then after getting in the car to come home...the "check engine light" was still on....sigh~~~
Really I can endure this pain...why? Because I have extended warranty...so it cost my "nutten honey"....but what really gets my goat...rude people taking on their cell phones.
The rude woman who was in the waiting room, along with many others...whom I could have just walked over and slapped the phone out of her hand ... was talking loud...complaining...talking about "how that Christians person Pujols left St Louis...yes I guess Christian people put money before anything". She was rude to her mother who called, complained about a women who got a job....she was going to write a letter and try to get her fired....oh my gosh I heard about things that I could care less about. She talked over an hour and was still talking when I left...by the grace of God only I managed to not make a fool of myself by telling her to shut up and get off the phone...or best yet...go outside!
This just about sent me over the edge! I really can not understand why people think talking on their phone is not a private conversation.
By the time my car was finally done...I was in a very bad mood. I hate when that happens. So thanks for a blog where I can come...and vent!
Normally I try to be a nice person..."try" is the word I "try" to do. Today it was my worse night mare!
Sorry my blog friends...but this post is for my benefit only :0(