Happy Birthday Bud!

You were loved before you were born!
You made us a real family.
Watching you take your first steps...it seems like yesterday.
You have always been selfless. Ready to share.
Always clean....
...and well groomed!!
You are a good sport!
Always up for a good time.
A safe and conscientious driver!!!
An excellent brother!
And pretty darn smart too!!!!
How quickly it all went by. You are a man. Not just a man, but a GOOD man. We are very proud of you and what you have become, though we saw it happening all the way. Thank you for the honor of being your parents.
Happy 26th Birthday Bud!!!

Mom and Dad

Saturday Plans

Our new blog is up and running. This next week we hope to have some inspiring, thought provoking posts to share. It is private, but anyone wanting to join us in changing your lifestyle to a healthier, more fit one, is welcome. Just let me, Debi, Angie, or Sue know and we will send you an invite. I look forward to hearing from you all in the comments section.I am thinking of Niki today and all she is doing. Her daughter is getting married today. What a wonderful time. Soon...on the 10th of July...I will meet Niki and Rob. I am very honored and a bit terrified. I want to paint my entryway, get all the carpets professionally cleaned, put in a new kitchen floor, and maybe even some granite countertops!!! LOL I know...she may not even notice those things. I doubt they are important to her. I have changed the menu several times and I hate to share it with you now, because I know it will change again! She IS a gourmet cook you know, known for making very exotic meals. I have seen some pretty down home meals coming from her blog pages too though. I just know it will be like meeting an old friend I haven't seen in years! Oh, Sweetheart is switching his days off that week and will be here too!

Today is gorgeous outside. I will do my workout and then spend the day doing laundry and quilting. I have a few deadlines coming up, so I need to get going on them. Tomorrow will be more of the same, hopefully.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Hot Fun in the Summer Time

The kids had a blast today playing outside in the slip and slide.

Eating Popsicles (sugar free banana) and playing in the water. They will all sleep good tonight!!!

I tended my garden. I noticed several broccoli plants have broccoli on them...all but the one on the end. Hmmmm. Seems my sweet daughter can't wait and has been feasting before the feast. At least it is healthy!!!

Speaking of healthy...many of you have asked about the green bags.
I am torn about them. I know Auntann11 commented that she LOVES them. I think they work pretty well too, but on specific items. My bananas did not turn brown, but they did get soft and ripe inside. It did not take long either...I think they would have done better outside the bag. My lettuce stayed crisp, but turned color in the same amount of time as without the bag. My strawberries, however, are STILL fresh. I am amazed at that. The peaches also have stayed fresh long after they should have. Soooo, there you are. You decide.

I watched a movie last night all by myself!!

I love this movie! It is a true story. There is some language and alcohol abuse, but the strength is in the main character. Well worth the watch!! It is the second time I have seen it.

I decided on a pattern for the 4 Seasons Summer Swap quilt. I had such a hard time. I must say I am a bit intimidated. My other partners did not have blogs, or had a blog that was in a different language so I never got to "know" them. Not so this time. Well, I will do the best I can!

I know I told you in my last post that I would use Wednesday's to update my "plan". Well Debi and I decided to open another blog for that purpose. We are hoping to get a few more authors also. If you would like to visit us please let me or Debi know and we will add you to the list. Don't forget to add your e-mail on your blogger account, as that is how we "invite" you. It is a private blog so we, and you, will feel free to share openly. It is a place to be encouraged and educated. If you need, or can give either of those things, please join us. This way our regular readers won't have to be bored with our ups and downs on the scale! The little piggy is our mascot!
I leave you with this picture of TJ. When asked by his mother "TJ, what are you doing?" He replied, "I'm slitherin, Mommy."

The Plan

"If you fail to plan, you're planning to fail."

Bill Phillips in Body For Life

There are only a few things I have a "passion" for. Out of those few things, there is one that I can not get a grip on. Quilting has been a wonderful passion for me. It brings out my creative side, which, let's face it, is limited. Homemaking has become a passion that feeds that nurturing part of me, and that is a huge part of who I am. My faith is also a passion. Possibly my biggest passion. I am touched in every part of my being through my faith in Jesus Christ. I have books (and THE book) in all of these subjects and devour any new pages on the topics of one of my passions. Another passion I feel is for fitness and health. I have dozens of books, tapes, and DVDs on the subject. I have studied just about every health plan and fitness program out there, discarding the majority and embracing (for a time) a small minority of them. I am fascinated by people who can change their bodies from something so unhealthy to a specimen of youth and vitality! I have made a decision many times to change my body to that of a healthy, fit, temple. I have succeeded and I have failed...over and over again. Why is this such a struggle? I have will power. Sometimes. I remember I had signs all over my kitchen...in the cupboards, on the frig, and in the pantry, that read,

"NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS BEING THIN FEELS"

I found that to be untrue.

So now I am going to make, yet, another plan. It is a plan that works for me. It is not a plan for everyone, and I am not posting this in ignorance. If you feel the need to warn me about some aspect of my plan, feel free, but do not be offended if I politely thank you for your opinion and go about my way. This plan lowered my cholesterol from 229 to 190 in 5 months. It took 69 pounds off my body in 7 months. I know....a big chunk of it came back, but it took LOTS of donuts and many hours (7 years worth) of sitting on the couch to accomplish that!

The plan includes upping my water.... Cutting out all sugar, white flour, and pasta. I will have brown rice once or twice a week.
Lots of fresh fruits and veggies

Lean red meat and lots of chicken breast.

Low fat cottage cheese is a great source of protein.

My favorite breakfast. A shake made with 12 ounces fat free milk (only time I have milk ever), 1/2 packet Myoplex Lite (chocolate is THE best), 1/2 banana, 4 strawberries and a few ice cubes. I have been adding lite vanilla (sugar free) yogurt while I am on antibiotics for my sinus.
Also, exercise. I am walking outside on days that weather permits. Also using that great workout room. I walked the treadmill yesterday at an easy-breezy 3.0 mph. After 15 minutes I thought I would die!!!

It was not long ago I was walking a 3.8 for 30 minutes and using an incline. I will get there! Add in 3 days a week of weight training to the 5-6 days a week of walking.
Another part of the plan is 2-3 days a week of yoga. Yeah, I am not big into yoga, but this DVD is AWESOME!!!!!

I don't recommend many things, but THIS I will recommend heartily! It is wonderful and I am so pleased I bought it. You can see a clip here. It is filled with wonderful music and refreshing scripture. I need to improve my balance and I could sure learn how to relax.

"You can do it, Grandma!!!!" Another part of the plan is to become more active with the kids. TJ loves to play basketball with Grandma. Instead of making him chase down the ball, we can race for it!!!!

So that's the plan and I am sticking to it. I will use Wednesday's to update any successes/failures...I am sure there will be both. And can you believe they just built a dang Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins at the end of my road???

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war in the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing (including donuts) that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."

2 Corinthians 10:3-6

Look at that face!! How can I NOT take care of myself????? It would be selfish not to.

Tackle It Tuesday Revived

The Dungeon

I have never taken you downstairs before. Oh, wait...I have taken you to Kyle's room in the past. Let me show you the rest.

It is a safe bet to make an immediate left at the bottom of the stairs.....

Yes, Kyle always keeps his room tidy and neat. It is the one area of the house I never have to worry about. Every once in a while I need to remind him to use Hazel's hose around the ceiling and floor boards.

Now if you had taken a right.... This is the furnace/storage room. This is actually the after pic. The before pic would have been horrible. Sweetheart took care of this room solo 2 weekends ago.
It was all in preparation for the movers to take my sister's things she had stored here to her new house. She moved last week and many of her belongings were kept here.....

This is a large rectangle shaped room. One day the entire basement will be finished. There is a shower stall and all the plumbing is piped in for a bathroom. One day....

In the mean time, it is cement galore!!!! Here is the other end....

Those are before pictures. What did we do with this space????

After

Still lots of concrete and cement, but a usable space for getting a good workout. There is a bench for upper body and then another for lower body and upper too. The treadmill is again up and running. There is even a stereo and television with cable and a small play area for the kids if they are invited. I may evict them from this area before they even enter it!!!! I have lost another 4 pounds and am 1 pound away from when I "gave up" a few months ago. When I hit 10 again can I go buy another yard of fabric???? I think not.

The area with the pink chairs is a mix of storage and Sweetheart's music. He plays guitar and sings for pleasure. That was a BIG tackle and I am SO glad it is done!! Now on to the laundry challenge!!!!!

For more Tackle It Tuesday's visit 5 Minutes For Mom.