Let's Catch Up

It's definitely been a few days of ups, downs, highs and lows since I lasted posted.  Saturday was a fun day of scrapbooking with my buddies, Sharon and Sadie.  We hadn't been together since early January.  Hard to believe that much time had passed since any of us worked on our albums.  We had fun catching up.  Later that evening, Rick and I had an early birthday dinner for Rick at Frankie Rowland's downtown.  What a great place!  Great food, great atmosphere.  Definitely our favorite "special occasion" place.

Sunday morning, I stepped on the scale and was pleased to see that I had maintained my 3 lb. loss.  We met Mike and Twila Gibson at Cracker Barrel for breakfast.  It was so good to see them after so long.  They are such great people and Rick and I are looking forward to spending some more time with them if there move to Roanoke works out.  Later Sunday evening, we met up with Mike's family, Phyllis and Leon, Lisa and the girls for dinner at Golden Corral.  It was nice having most of the family together (sans Dwayne).  We exchanged names for Christmas shopping and had an enjoyable time together.  But, two meals out in one day.  YIKES!!

Monday morning weigh in was good.  Still maintaining the 3 lb. loss.  We had plans to go to Misty and Patrick's house to watch the VT game which didn't start until 8:00pm.  Tailgate food is NOT diet food.  I over indulged before I ever got to their house at 7 and it just went downhill from there.  The Hokies pulled out a win of 20-17 in OT against Georgia Tech.  But my diet lost miserably.

Tuesday morning started off with a 3 lb. gain.  Yes, GAIN.  Ugh.  Story of my dieting life.  I can undo days of hard work and dedication in one lousy day.  I had every intention of working out but a very sick cat kept me from that, unfortunately.  For him and me.  Yes, Prince's IBD is out of remission.  We began the prednisone and metronidazole therapy again.  Hoping for quick results as before.  Tuesday was also Rick's 46th birthday.  I feel really bad that I didn't make it more special than I did.  It was just a really crappy day, literally speaking.  We did have dinner with his mom and dad and my mom at Logan's.  Good meal and he came out with dinner on his parents, $100 in BN gift cards, and a $25 Chick-fil-A card.  Plus numerous well wishes on Facebook.  So, I guess it could have been worse.

Wednesday morning started early as the pups had grooming appointments today.  I forgot to weigh in before I had coffee so I will just wait until tomorrow to see if I was able to maintain a 3lb. loss for the week.  Yesterday was much better as far as staying focused.  I did week 4 day 3 of the 5k program this morning.  It definitely challenged me, but I got through it.  It felt really good.  My friend, Jamie, texted to let me know that she is still praying for me.  What an uplifting and inspiring friend she is.  I just love her and thank God for bringing her into my life.

Sabotage??

Yesterday was a dental office day.  I don't normally exercise on those days because I don't have time in the morning and I am beat by the time I get home in the evening.  But last night I felt empowered by the Holy Spirit to beat Satan in that mind game and I decided to get in at least a mile on the treadmill before bedtime.  I started out and my legs were aching like crazy before I knew it.  And I wasn't really walking that fast.  I thought "man, I really am tired".  It occurred to me to check the incline setting and when I did, I discovered that it was on 2.0.  I usually have it set on 0.5.  I don't know how long it has been like that, but my 5k workouts have been kicking my tail for the last week or more.  When I asked Rick about it, he laughed and said "oh yeah".  Really???  Is he trying to sabotage me?  But, I guess he's right when he says "no pain, no gain".

Hitting Bottom and Finding My "Want to"

Sometimes you have to hit bottom before you can start climbing your way out of the pit.  That's what happened on Wednesday (two days ago).  The past year has been so exciting for me.  After my revision surgery last October, I began to be able to enjoy foods I haven't been able to eat in years.  I did good controlling my weight for a while.  But in six months I have packed on about 22 pounds.  My clothes just keep getting tighter and tighter and I just keep eating and eating.  I rescheduled my follow up with Dr. Long's office this week because I was not about to go in there 15 lbs heavier than I was just 2 months ago.  Can we say "out of control!!!"?

Our business trip to Phoenix is just 16 days away.  When I realized this on Wednesday, I had a melt down.  I do not want to go out there and have to wear uncomfortable "fat" dress clothes.  But, I am going to have no choice.  Right then and there I made the choice to do something about it.  I asked my friend Jamie to pray for me (she knows how I struggle), I prayed for myself, I claimed victory in this battle in the name of Jesus, and set my short term goal of 5-10 lbs before September 16.  I have already revved up my workouts, so I know this is entirely possible if I gain some self control where eating is concerned.  I have found my "want to".

Last summer, a few of my neighborhood friends read and discussed a book called "Made to Crave" by Lysa TerKeurst.  I began rereading the book this week and early on she talks about finding your "want to".  To be successful in this journey, I have got to stay focused on my "want to".  With lots of prayer and the support of my husband and friend(s), I will be back in my size 14s again one day.  Maybe I'll even make it to a 12 this time.  Wouldn't that just kick Satan in the teeth?

We're Going

After a long two days of thinking and praying about a business trip to Phoenix, AZ with Rick, I agreed to tag along next month.  The Exponential Growth Summit is September 17-19.  I do not believe I have ever seen Rick this excited about anything.  He is fully convinced this will take his business to the next level.  I know his drive and determination and I fully believe that if he believes it, it will happen.  That's the biggest reason I agreed to go.  I want nothing more than to be a supportive wife and do everything I can to let him know I believe in him.

I sang at Temple Baptist Church yesterday.  First time I have ever been invited to sing there.  The invitation came at the request of Pat and George Cottrell and they didn't even get to be there.  George is apparently recovering from foot surgery.  I do hate that they missed it.  Aunt Louise and Chris Anne came to hear me sing and we had lunch at Aunt Louise's after church.  Very nice and much appreciated.

My weight loss challenge is failing miserably.  I'm exercising more than I have in quite some time and trying really hard to eat better and it seems to be getting me nowhere.  I am so discouraged.  I've got to find something that works for me.

Catching Up!

Wow.  A lot can happen in a few days.  Work on Thursday and Friday wasn't bad.  It's almost impossible to have a bad day when you work with Billie.  She is such a fun loving person and always so upbeat.  She has been feeling pretty lousy lately and I have been somewhat concerned about her.  On Friday, she and I were talking and something she said just clicked with me and I may have diagnosed her problem.  I think she may be vitamin B12 deficient.  When we looked up causes and symptoms, she was so excited.  Yes, excited.  She can't wait to have her blood checked.  I just hope I am right.  It would be a very easy and cheap fix.

Today was catch up day around the house.  Cleaning, laundry, yard.  The dogs had a bad night last night which means that Rick and I also had a bad night, so I am pretty much beat tonight.

My friend, Jamie, updated facebook today after she had been to a yard sale shopping for little boy clothes.  She was confessing to an emotional breakdown because she will never, ever, be shopping for baby things again.  I commented and told her that I could relate, obviously for different reasons.  I had no intention of making her feel bad for being emotional, but she sent a text apologizing for her post.  I assured her that I in no way took it to be insensitive.

Rick is super excited about an upcoming Growth Summit in Phoenix, AZ.  It's about 4 weeks away and I am trying to decide if I want to go with him.  I feel like I need to because I just don't trust him to get there and back on his own.  I know that sounds silly, but he has never traveled anywhere like that alone.  I would worry myself sick until he got back home.  So I'm going to sleep on it tonight and think about it tomorrow, and pray.  I'll have to make a decision by Monday morning as he is registering then.

Strong, but not strong enough!

I just don't feel like I'm ready for week 4 of the @run5kapp program, so this morning I began repeating week 3.  I feel like it's better than giving up and not doing it at all.  I'll get there...maybe.

Yesterday, Jamie returned a small container that I had delivered some goodies to her in.  She knows I am trying really hard to lose some weight, so she went light on her goodies.  Thank goodness she only brought three Mint Oreo Truffles.  Any more and I would have been in big trouble.  They tasted just like Girl Scout Thin Mints only not as crunchy.  Delicious.  Can't wait to make some myself.

Leanne came over today and applied two new klings for me.  Welcome To Our Home went over the sliding glass door.  The monogram one went over the front door.  I just love the klings.






Today I started the 40 bags in 40 days challenge.  Got the idea from Pinterest.  It's a good way to purge your home of unnecessary stuff in 40 days.  I started with my pantry.  I cleaned off 4 of 5 shelves and filled two bags.  So I'm technically a day ahead.

Children's choir kicks off tomorrow evening with the leadership meeting.  I am so very thankful that I am not a part this year.  But I do pray for those that have agreed to be leaders this year.  I hope they have a blessed year.  I know they will.  It was always a huge blessing for me.

Honor your father...

Barry Green posted this picture this morning on Facebook.  It was taken over the weekend in Hickory, NC during a side trip after moving his son, Josh, in at UNC Chapel Hill.  The picture brings tears to my eyes.  Barry is such a compassionate and caring individual.  To see this very vulnerable side of him loving on his dad is so him.  Barry is always striving to exemplify "Christ likeness".  I believe this absolutely does that.  God bless you Barry as you prepare to say goodbye to your dad.