Just 40 Days

Everyone needs support.  Family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers are probably struggling with things just as we are.  Many times, we don't want to admit it.  We want to be self-sufficient.  We want to be independent.  So why not offer a little encouragement to someone.  Pay a compliment to your neighbor. Or write a thank-you note to a friend.  A little goes a long way.

I had a stressful day yesterday...mostly due to my own way of thinking.  So after work, I took a cat nap before heading to the YMCA.  I try to workout before I teach my teen class.  I need to get back into the habit of working out more often...not just the days I have to train teens.  Working out is the greatest gift I give myself.  It's my stress reducer.  I turn the music loud and go.  If I'm there with a friend, we talk.  Talking about your day is another great stress reducer. Life is What You Make of It!

This picture is how many of my staff and I felt today.  Files and folders are missing.  No one knows how or why.  My stomach hurts from the stress of not knowing how to fix it right away.  I do not like the evil people that write malicious software.

My mother was born on Halloween. She enjoyed a Banana Flip on her birthday.  When she became a grandmother, we would all bring our kids to her house and trick or treat in her neighborhood.  I remember that she would take out the screen from the door and pass out the candy through that. Mom and dad moved to a different neighborhood and so did the trick or treating. There were a few years, where there were no grandchildren trick or treating, but not many. We stilled gathered at her house to celebrate her birthday. Most of the grandchildren loved to trick or treat together so the location of the trick or treats took turns each of their neighborhoods.  Mom and dad would join us and we'd sing happy birthday. Although mom passed away nearly ten years ago, we still try to trick or treat together as a family.  This year there were 8 great grandchildren followed by 11 adults.

It's official, I lost 10 pounds last month! If I keep up the good work and maintain a ten pound loss each month, I will reach my goal weight of 150 pounds before spring.  My feet are already happy with me losing weight as everyday I have less pain.  (It could also be the PT I do, but I know that weight is a large factor.) Portion control is key for me.  That is why I like the prepackaged lunch and dinners that this plan is based on.  I tend to over do it, sure to clean my plate, no matter how big the plate is.  I can do this!

Luminous Nights at Toledo Zoo I worry sometimes about my kids. As their mother, I want to my them to always get along.  I forget how unrealistic that is.  We've never all gotten along all of the time.  That doesn't mean that we don't love or care for each other. It just means that we are not always in a family mood.  When we are all together, I like to do something fun. This is not always easy as it seems.  All of us are  busy in our own lives, working through our own issues, and don't always want to be 'bothered' with family time. Lately, we've struggle to have family game night as everyone is too tired, or too interested in their cell phones.  This weekend we were able to do something together.  We all loaded up into one car (4 adults and 3 grandchildren), put the wagon in the back and headed to zoo.  It was chilly so we were all bundled up and had a large blanket in the wagon.  My heart was full of joy the entire time.  I...

I've seemed to have a couple more 'high calorie' days this week so I got on the scale this morning, hoping that I didn't gain any weight. To my surprise, I've lost some!  Now if only it will stay that way until Monday morning weigh in! BTW - I think it's safe for me to say that I've made it to 'onderland' again.  May I never see my weight begin with a 2 again.