Thankful Thursday

I'm back!!! For some reason a vision of Jack Nicholson just flashed in front of me. I dunno why but that scene in The Shining where he popped out announcing he was there just creeped me out. I've really never been a fan since then. Anyway I am happy to be back. I feel a bit crippled technically speaking because I am trying out this post by way of my phone. Here goes...

1. I am thankful for my friend Alex who cheers me on and gave me the suggestion of posting mobile. You can bet I'll be asking him more questions tomorrow about this whole thing.

2. For my good friend Annemarie who encourages me along my weightloss journey. Who makes me stay focused and positive when I feel like my steps are small.

3. For my hubby who called from work in a good mood tonight and even laughed at a few of my jokes. Hugs to you dear.

4. Thankful for my mama who remembers to remind me about the future pilot's show and tell day so I can help him find something for it.

5. That I was somehow so enthralled in work this week that I am ahead of schedule on my hours. Woot!!!

6. Thankful for a CD player in the office so I can rock out to some of my favorites. (Just promise me you wont tell anyone I rocked out to the Bee Gees Love Songs four times in a row please--note to self 'update CD collection')

7. For Trader Joe's mango cream bars. They are delicious and only one point if you follow Weight Watchers!!!

8. For quiet time with God's. I'm really enjoying the daily audio bible podcast. Every day I am left anticipating the next reading.

9. That I waited out that whole Toyota minivan thing. I still think they make a great car but this should give then some time to figure things out before I make my purchase. My 2002 Toyota is chugging along just fine.

10. For kids. My own. Yours. All of them. They just are such precious gifts--not to mention our future. Have you hugged one today?

Thank you Jesus!

o be coninued

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Currently my computer is drying out. If you can't read this I will
interpret. For now blogging will be sporadic. I apologize. You see my
favorite little girl spilled water on my laptop and now it will power
up but some of the keys are still not making the connection so to
speak. So on a hiatus we go. Because pushing from my e-mail to my blog
is not my idea of fun.

Thankful Thursday

Wow, I can't believe the amount of comments I moderated today! It was a record for me! Seven! It's funny how things like that seem to happen just when I start thinking no one is reading and I should stop blogging. I know I've been sporadic in my postings but I just can't post when I don't feel like it. (Makes me meaner than a snake-SSSSS!) Not really but well, stress isn't good. ;)

I digress. Back to the topic. Reasons I am thankful...

1. "the law" took my fave lil girl out shopping for a new coat. (She managed to break the zippers on the coat I bought her just this season (two layers, mind you, = TWO broken zippers))
2. "the law" is taking also grabbing a bite to eat with her. Thank you Jesus that I do not have to a)figure out what he wants to eat b)fix his meal and c)pray he tolerates it and d)clean up after anyone
3. that due to 1 and 2 I will not have to break up any Wii fights tonight.
4. that I get to bask in the peacefulness of a tranquil home after have one of those days where I wanted to call and say I was never coming home.
5. that my mortgage can be paid over the phone.
   
6. that I was able to avoid bagels in my morning staff meeting this morning even though this "precious" co-worker felt the need to continually nudge me ALL during the meeting with the other half of his double chocolate chip bagel.
7. that because I was able to avoid the bagels and my spinach salad didn't taste as good on day 2 that I had extra points for dinner--and that eating a Trader Joe's Mussaman Curry Chicken frozen meal that I had calculated to be 8 points left me full and scared that maybe I miscalculated. (It tasted too good for 8 points but really was. I checked.)
8. that we are getting some warmer weather tomorrow (mental note to self-sneak out and enjoy it before it dips again)
9. that I may get to bed on time tonight
10. for the i-Touch "the law" gave me for Christmas. Funny how I was blessed with two of the three things I had listed as "wants" I wasn't going to cave into. And funny how I'm really thankful now that I did not buy the "new" Sienna since they are changing the body style and features for the 2011 model. More time to think and a sweeter pot.

Thank you Jesus for providing for me. For giving me a way to get closer to you. I thank you for being in control even when I think I'm in the driver's seat. Thank you for your mercy and goodness.

Fitness Update

"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, learning from failure." --Colin Powell

Preparation has always been one of my hardest tasks when dieting. It goes without saying that trying to shave off a good chunk of your physical being is going to be work. I'm still working on learning from failure. I can't exactly say what has happened in the past to cause me to give up the fight to lose the weight. Each time I've given up I had been losing. It's odd. I just gave up. I'm striving to stay focused and positive this time around. Learning that preparation is key and this isn't going to be a cake walk. Quite literally. (More like a celery stalk--heheh)

Week one ended yesterday. The results:

1. Weight to lose before I reach my goal - 38.8 34 pounds
2. This week's mini health goal - take my vitamins every day - CHECK (6/7 days was pretty good I think)
3. This week's spiritual health commitment - begin daily audio bible podcast - CHECK...loving it!
4. This week's mini mental health commitment - encouraging letters to 2 individuals - Hmm. room for improvement. No letters.

Goals for this week:

1. Weight to lose before I reach my goal - 34 pounds
2. Mini health goal - 3 30 minute workouts
3. This week's spiritual health commitment - continue podcast
4. Mini mental health commitment - work on removing negative comments about my weight to others.

Healthcare "Reform"?

We got our new insurance cards for 2010. Undoubtedly the premiums went up--I haven't yet seen a year when they don't. I'd ask my hubby but he's asleep.

I already don't go to the doctors unless I feel like I'm dying. I don't abuse health care. I take the kids when they are sick or need shots. If they don't need shots I usually don't take them in for an annual physical. I just have never seen a need for a weight/height check when I can do that myself. I DO buy their clothes after all. I can tell if they are growing. They tell me if they don't feel well if I don't notice it with my supersonic mother abilities.

I digress. What has me peeved is this...

Can you read that? I'll give you the breakdown. A visit to our primary care physician used to cost 15.00. Now? 30. That is double what it was before. A specialist used to be 20.00. Now? 35. The most disturbing was a visit to a hospital ER. Though I try to make those visits rare they have happened. The cost WAS 50.00 and now? 150 dollars!!! Really. That is triple what it was.

If you have children who don't sit on the couch all day you know the likelihood of at least one visit to the ER is in your future--not claiming that God. Just sayin'.

I have a solution though. (I learned it on TV)

Hey, it's on sale right now too! Just .99 cents more than a visit to the doctor's--and if you order online you don't have to wait in line!

Thankful Thursday

I can't believe we've almost finished up our first week of the new year. It is just zipping by. I almost forgot to post because I'm getting my days all mixed up. Nonetheless, THANKFUL. As Louise L. Hay once said (in one of the best ways)...

“I find that the more willing I am to be grateful for the small things in life, the bigger stuff just seems to show up from unexpected sources, and I am constantly looking forward to each day with all the surprises that keep coming my way!”

I AM THANKFUL!!!...

1. For podcasts. Especially the Daily Audio Bible. I hope it counts as reading the word because I'm getting a lot out of it!
2. For self control, especially when office-mates try to peddle their delectable high calorie goods my way.
3. For a car that starts even when it's quite chilly out.
4. For a daughter who loves to cook--and Paula Deen for publishing "My First Cookbook". It's been a true gift to our family.
5. That "the law" is home tonight so I may have help with bedding down the kids.
6. For the upcoming weekend and a completely free Saturday with nothing on the agenda to rouse me from sleep until I am good and ready.
7. For work that continues to challenge my brain and build my self-esteem as I learn to step out in faith.
8. For humility to ask questions when I'm afraid to step out at all.
9. For a wonderful family that touches me in many different ways.
10. That my sister and her family got to see a huge snow storm in England this week! Though I am sort of jealous that she has energy to go and build snowmen with her boys at 130am HER time. (Still...GLAD for their winter wonderland)

"The winners in life think constantly in terms of I can, I will, and I am. Losers, on the other hand, concentrate their waking thoughts on what they should have or would have done, or what they can't do." --Dennis Waitley

So that's my problem. I spent more time last year concentrating on the shoulda woulda couldn'ts. Well folks this is a new year and since I gained an additional fresh seven pounds while I was overindulging on my holiday, the meatball stops here. Really.

**Warning**
One day a week you will be subjected to my updates. Why? Because this is my blog and I need to blab about it someplace and I don't need anymore paper in my house. Besides lack of handwriting has forced me into instant writer's cramp when I pick up writing utensils.

I'm far too vain to step out and give a starting weight but I do have a goal and I do plan to lose and I do plan to actively participate in this weigh-down regimine. For real this time. Feel free to encourage me--not that you could give an honest observation that my face seems thinner or my jeans aren't making my butt look as big but hey, I'm fine with a few lies. Sometimes that's all I need to get me by.

**Warning**

This year I am going to do it. I can. I will. I am. I can. I will. I am.

1. Weight to lose before I reach my goal - 38.8 pounds
2. This week's mini health goal - take my vitamins every day
3. This week's spirtual health commitment - begin daily audio bible podcast
4. This week's mini mental health commitment - encouraging letters to 2 individuals

Now if you'll excuse me I have some Wii Fit Plus to kick butt in.