What a Year!

What a year! I don't know if I should say this has been the worst, because I can look back and there have been some doozies(not sure if that's spelled right). But it is one year that won't be forgotten. It's a great time to reflect. January was pretty uneventful because I can't remember it, but then late February and March were two months of great sadness. Losing two dear friends. These losses have completely changed my life in so many ways. I look at our mortality in such a different way then ever before. I have never leaned on my faith as much as this year. I ask myself, are times and challenges coming as much or more? and so close together as before? Because it sure seems this way. On the other hand there have been many highlights and precious moments too. I was talking to someone about challenges and trials, and I said, you'll know when you no longer have them, because you will be dead. Be glad you have them because that means you are alive, you are truly experiencing life. I've always heard the saying, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. It's how you get through those trials and how you handle it. It is the refiners fire. We just can't give up especially on our Heavenly Father. This life is not and will never be easy. But if we are obedient and keep a hold of the iron rod, it will be okay, no matter what happens it will be okay. So there are many things to be grateful for. We could lose everything, I mean everything, home, job, loved ones, but as long as we stay valiant we will see our loved ones once again. The other things will be insignificant. So this is the conversation I had today. I have to remind myself of this too. Family is really what matters! So as I reflect this past year I have come to appreciate my loved ones so much more. I love them very much! 2010 here We come!

To Blog or not to blog?

That is the question. I love Christmas! First of all it's a good excuse to clean out the old and organize. After a good Stake Conference, I came home made dinner, ate and then got in the mood to do some decorating, Christmas stuff of course. So what better way to do this but by playing Christmas music of course. David will start moaning and he'll pretend he doesn't like it, but as soon as he see's the room take on a red, white and green look, he starts singing along with whatever Christmas music is playing and does these weird antics like clapping his hands and mimicking me. I don't mind, I just keep doing what I'm doing. I'm not done yet, I thought I would pace myself. Tonight maybe the tree. I'll add some pics later when I get it just right. This is our 3rd year that David, Cecelia and I are volunteering to serve at the ST Patrick's Community Dinner. I love it because I don't have to cook especially it's just the three of us. Cecelia loves to serve. The first year we did it she said she wanted to have the Homeless people's table. She finds it intriguing, she said she would love to interview them and hear their story. Of course we told her no, but be polite. She is funny that way.

We will start preparing at 12:30pm and then we serve dinner between 1pm - 3pm. Anyone can come and enjoy a nice Thanksgiving dinner. You can have seconds and you can even take a To-go meal home. The best part, the servers can eat towards the end, and if we want we can even take a To-go meal home. The room is beautifully decorated with round and long tables, just like you would see at a nice restaurant and you treat the people that are assigned to your tables like special guests to a fancy restaurant. We have always had a good experience. By 3:15pm or so, you're done and you can enjoy the rest of your day. I hope those that come to this dinner go away feeling good and had a nice experience. I know that we do.

Thankful

I'm feeling thankful for the simple things, like lately I haven't been in the mood to cook and D has been very patient and eating whatever I have fixed, like Cherrios or nachos or grill cheeses, or has taken it upon himself to make dinner for us. I know this sounds silly, but I am very grateful for this. Another thing, is that he is a great Laundress. In fact he does the laundry better than I. I have come home from a meeting and while watching football he is folding the laundry. Now that's a turn on! (My girls are gagging right now.)Most of all, I love that he can make me laugh, sometimes when its not appropriate, but most times just out of the blue. I love that I can put my cold feet next to his to get warm and he acts like he's annoyed but he really isn't. These few things make me appreciate him so much!

Earthquake & Tsunami

So, before I came home from Utah after visiting some of my children and visiting little Miss C I thought of all the things I wanted to share of my adventure. I was barely home when I got the call from my older sister Dawn asking if I had heard about the earthquake and Tsunami in American Samoa? What? "yes", she told me, "turn on the TV". I did, but nothing at that moment so I decided to turn on my computer and started searching for anything that would give me some kind of news. I was thinking, every single time I take a trip, something happens. The Internet and TV didn't have a lot of information so I decided to e-mail my cousin in New York, surely he would have heard from his sister, my cousin, who lives down the street from my mom. It wasn't long after I e-mailed him, he called me and said that my cousin, Trudi who lives there was able to e-mail her daughter in Georgia with details. The most important part of it was that she said my mom was safe and all right. Thank goodness. Many dramatic events took place. After several times not being able to reach my mom, my mom was able to call out late last night and filled in more details. My mom always wakes up around 5am, her routine is prayers and scripture reading, then she said, it was Garbage day, so she gathered her garbage, she also mentioned that it is Spring there and it was a beautiful spring morning. She drove down to the end of the street, which is near the ocean to drop off her garbage, just at that moment she saw her cousin's widow and she waved to her, she was stopping in the Senior center there. Not very long after she returned home the house started shaking very violently, she rushed to a doorway and braced herself through the shaking. She said it was very long, like 2-3 minutes long. When it stopped she ran across the street where my uncle and his family live. They decided to go down the street towards the ocean as they approached the mouth of the road, they saw all the school kids running and screaming, "go to the mountain, go to the mountain" which is the other end of the road. My mom thought she would go to her sister-in-law's home which is at higher ground, but the police stopped her and said to go back, go towards the mountain. So she headed back towards her home. Most of the kids and able bodied went up the trail to the mountain, my mom, who's not getting any younger decided to drive to another relatives home that was on higher ground but not as steep to climb. She said they were there most of the day until they got permission to come down. My cousin Trudi had no idea of the Tsunami warning, her son who was on the other part of the island saw the tidal wave coming and called his mom to warn her but it was too late, Trudi literally swam out of her home in just a tank top and boxer shorts. Thankfully she is safe. When my mom was able to come back to her home, she had no electricity, phone service and no water, but she relayed to me, "I am fine"," I'm so thankful that the church teaches us to be prepared, I have plenty of bottle water stored and food items in storage containers." For some reason my mom's home is one of the few homes that have power and phone service which was restored in the late afternoon. She feels very blessed. She opened up her home, making sandwiches for the kids and others. She seemed to be in good spirits. She did say, due to recent events, first the flooding a couple of weeks ago and now this, that maybe, just maybe she might move to America. I agreed. One sad note, her cousin's widow that she had waved to earlier, perished along with some other elderly women who were swept out to sea. May their families find peace at this time.

Can I say Lucky 13# and it's Friday but not the 13th.

I am so looking forward to going to Utah to see my adult Children. I absolutely can't wait. Oh the 13, that's how many lbs I have lost so far on my journey. When I weighed myself this morning, it was a solid 13. I was so excited, I was thinking I gotta call Rhonda. Well she must have been thinking the same thing because she called me just at that moment. I told her that she is keeping me going by her own perseverance. Her pep talks keep me motivated and I don't want to disappoint. I know I need to get a life, because really all I do is work, sleep, eat and work again lately. I have started Dan Brown's newest book the "Lost Symbol", it is looking to be really good. I read quite a bit last night until the man said, "Lights out". He was right, I needed to stop. I can't wait to take the book with me on my trip so I can thoroughly get into it. Oh a couple of entries ago, I was looking for the right words and I couldn't think of them, well I remembered. It is this: I am so thankful for the Lord's "tender mercies" that he gives to us. He just knows when we need that little ump to keep us going and to endure. That is what he gave to me earlier this week. I am so grateful to know that we truly have a Heavenly Father that loves us and knows "KNOWS" us each, personally. I am so grateful to know that "He Lives". I feel for those that do not have that assurance, it makes me feel sorry for them. This is truly a blessing. I am so thankful for the gift of "Faith". I am so thankful for the testimony that I have that we have a Living Prophet who, along with our Savior guides and directs us here on earth. Despite trials and problems of this temporal world we live in, it gives me great comfort to know that I am not alone. He is always here for us, all we have to do is turn to him, look to him and he will guide us.

It's Maurey Tuesday

Am I the only one that likes Liver and Onions? My mom use to make it once a month for us girls, she thought we needed the extra iron if you know what I mean. So because I am mildly anemic, I decided to make some for dinner yesterday. It was actually pretty good, but not good enough to eat for dinner tonight. I did have some for lunch. But I am over it now. Had a nice talk with M today. I am so proud of her she will graduate next April from BYU. I admire her determination and following thru with her schooling, that's an attribute I don't have. She is doing so well and It brings me great joy for all that she is becoming. It won't be long til C graduates from High school. Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday she was just a little pip squeak. Her nose still wrinkles when she laughs, just like when she was a baby. I am feeling so grateful for all my children, I love them so much!! I can't wait til next week when I will get to see all my Utah kids and especially my granddaughter. She is growing up so fast and I want her to know me. I have just a glimpse of what our Heavenly Father feels about us, his children. No success can compensate for failure in the Home. This is so true. I know as mom's we just want our children to be successful in anything they persevere but most of all we want them to be faithful in the gospel. This my eternal prayer and at this time I feel truly blessed.

Looks Like I made it - thru the weekend

Maintenance time: I think I made some great recipes this past weekend to keep myself in check. 2 0z's away from the number 12 - yes! Made Chinese Chicken salad Saturday night, its all the same, cabbage, 3.5 oz of slices chicken, some mandarin oranges, sliced green onions, but the dressing I altered so no oils, some spices from the Top Ramen packet, a little Braggs cider vinegar a few sprays of 0 calorie Pam spray and some Balsamic Vinegar, it was actually good, and David split it with me, so it must not have been too bad if he ate it. Earlier for Lunch I did stir fry, I did 3.5 oz of stir fry cut beef sauteed with some fresh ginger, onions, mushrooms and garlic with som Braggs Amino all perpose seasoning added chopped Napa cabbage and served wrapped it in Butter leaf lettuce, again David said it looked good so he at the other half of the portion. I ate that again for lunch right before church yesterday except I just tore the lettuce and put the fixins on top. Yum Yum. Dinner last night was the good standby Spicy Cabbage soup. It sure is filling. I can do dairy now so I made a Protein shake using just 1/2 of scoop of protein powder and 1/4 of fat free milk along with ice and carbonated water this for breakfast. The most important thing in this is writing down everything you ingest. Yes, ingest. If you do you can really see what you are drinking and eating. I am so joyful right now, not because of this but something personal. I will share it when I can. The word joy is really truly the word. I am so thankful for a Loving Heavenly Father who gives us the precious moments of joy. I can't recall the word I'm looking for, but he truly knows each and everyone of us and I am so thankful to him. I know that he Lives and hears and answers our prayers.

TGIF Yeah it's the weekend

So I'm not going to go in details on my menu since I'm going to maintenance mode. But the scale is looking good. I just have to psych myself to maintain and continue to lose. It's amazing I don't know if you are like me, but I live to eat. I am a food-aholic. I don't know if it is in my genetics or what, but the eyes have it. That is why advertisers love us. I have the stupid Baskin Robins commercial running in my head, back, back, back I say. La, la, la, la. I can't even watch it. I'm like a predator when I go in my kitchen I will scan the room and I will hone in on the most fattening thing, like right now there are 2 cupcakes on the island and mini-banana muffins on the counter. I have to tell myself NO! Did you know there are 497 calories in one cupcake? 497! My name is Patsy and I am a food addict. I will not give in, I will over-come. It is harder when I am not busy, and the best thing for me is to stay away from TV because, what goes best with watching TV? Eating. I always feel better in the morning, when I have made it through another day without caving in. My little sister, Rhonda has started up again with her friend Joan to continue on her journey. I am so proud of her because she has figured out the self-control thing. I am working on this. I haven't failed yet, but like an addict it is one step at at time, minute by minute. Like anything else, this is my vice and if I can over-come this, the better I will feel. It will be a great accomplishment. Welcome to my world.

At last, day 18#

Never thought it would get here, but as fast as I began this is where I end, well not really, but I do take a new turn. So starting tomorrow thru Sunday I keep to the same program then Monday it's maintenance time.
BREAKFAST: Chocolate Freeze
AM snack: 1 Grissini bread stick and .7 oz of jerky
LUNCH: 3.0 0Z of steak and steamed spinach
DINNER: 3.5 OZ of steak and steamed spinach and steamed zucchini
DESSERT: baked apples with 2 pkg of stevia and cinnamon with 5 chopped walnuts

It's quiet tonight, Cece is enjoying herself with the Dillon Beach Gang, she left today with LH. I'm sure she is having a great time with everyone. David went down to the Cosmic to listen to some music and here I am enjoying the quiet. Looking forward to the weekend, I hope David and I can take a little break from our chores and do something fun. I am counting down the days when I can see our granddaughter Chloe. She is sooooooooo cute and getting so big. I think I will fly. I've gone back and forth should I drive or should I fly. Between the price of gas it looks like flying might be the way to go. Oh by the way the price of gold has gone up some more. It's at $996 an oz for those that are interested. I know I am rambling. Good Night.

At 17# Hump Day

This will be short and sweet. I just got back home and it's late. Cece and I went to Lincoln to say good bye to my Mom. We took pictures because we don't know when we will see mom again. Tonight I am melancholy. I was observing Mom in our conversations and as I was looking at her, I was thinking, she is in good health, she does take good care of herself as best as she can, but she is looking a little frail. She said she usually is excited about going back home, this time she isn't. She is thinking about what she is facing. I wish she didn't live so far away. There are 4 siblings left out of the nine, she is the youngest sister and the youngest brother, my uncle still live on the island among many nieces and nephews and extended family. They still go by a lot of the Samoan traditions I think that is what has kept them going. There is much respect for the elders, which I admire. I am missing her more this time, maybe it's because I feel that it won't be long before she is gone, I don't know. I'm sure she'll be fine. Just got Cece semi-packed for Dillon tomorrow. She loves going there with the Dillon Beach Gang, i.e Christensens, Hamps, Underwoods, Loveridges, Hawkins, Strayers and the rest. Thanks LH for giving her a ride, we appreciate it very much.
Well back to the program: I am proud to say I have lost 10.9 lbs. I do feel better. In just this little time, my hip joints don't hurt as much, I guess it is the extra weight. So today's menu:
BREAKFAST: Chocolate Freeze
AM snack: 1 apple
LUNCH: Taco salad, same as yesterday
PM snack: 1 oz of nuts
DINNER: Cabbage soup (my little sister made it tonight same recipe as before on my 9Th day) 0 to 20 calories. So since I had some calories to spare, on the way home I was able to eat a chicken soft taco at Taco Bell, but without eating the tortilla. Buenos Nochos.

Sweet 16#

Today is a new day and it feels good to be able to slip on some pants that use to be kind of tight. Something is happening. I won't be saying much because really all I can think about is my mom and what she will be facing when she gets home. I'll see her tomorrow night to say our Good Byes. It's sad because this visit has been really fun. I've really enjoyed her being here. I was really looking forward to our road trip, because she is always fun and always keeps the conversation going. For example:
when my sister, mom and I were coming home from Reno last week, there was this trucker in the slow lane and my mom started reminiscing about when us kids were young we would lean out the window and get the truckers to blow their horn. So my mom wanted me or my sister to do it. My sister said, no mom, we're not kids any more, and of course mom was in a jovial mood and laughing and trying to get me to do it. I chickened out, I wish now that I did it, it would have made her afternoon. Ce la vie. Tuesday's menu:
BREAKFAST: Grapefruit freeze
AM SNACK: 1 Grissini bread stick
LUNCH: Taco salad, consists: torn butter leaf lettuce, 3.5 oz of taco seasoned ground chicken, homemade salsa and Walden's 0 calorie Thousand Island dressing. This is so good!
PM snack: 1 apple
DINNER: left overs of Taco salad but with a mixture of butter leaf lettuce and spinach topped with 7 grams of crunchy onion salad topper.

Day 15# Monday Labor day

This day was good until a half hour ago. First, this morning we got up and walked around the Diamond Springs Big big Labor Day flea market. I wasn't looking for anything in particular it was just fun walking and people watching. There were so much stuff. Everyone seemed to be in a very good mood and people were buying. We got home by 10am and David started working on his project in the backyard. The day was pretty uneventful. Around 3:30pm I wanted to take a drive out near Coloma and the Gold Hill area. Sometimes you just have to get out. I love taking new roads that you have never taken before, and since I was driving David was my captive audience. As we were leaving Coloma I decided to drive up to Marshall's monument because you never know, it could be the last time we get to do this because of the threat of closing this Historical State Park. I can't believe they are even considering closing this Historical Place, after all this is where California began. This is why California became a state. Every elementary kid has come here for their California History field trip, me included. It would be so sad if they did. I read every sign, everything on the monument. I love love History. After we left Coloma we decided to take Thompson Hill Rd towards Lotus Rd. I love these old country roads it's real neat discovering things that you have never noticed or seen before. We switched back from Lotus Rd to Gold Hill Rd and then back to Hwy 49 back into Placerville. Have you ever read the monument across from the Little Red Shack? We did for the first time and I've lived here for 22 years. Again love love History. Came home and made homemade salsa. It's not fattening with the added oils and additives. Made David and Cece nachos. So here's the sad news. My mom found out this afternoon that her island had a great Rain storm which caused the waterfalls up on the mountain to flood and late Sunday the waters came down their road and flooded not only her house but her 2 rentals and my Uncles and almost all the relatives that live on their street. I feel so bad for my mom. She was trying to be strong until she shared with with my sister and brother-in-law and then she couldn't hold it any longer and she broke down. It made me cry. She had sacrificed so much and had just put so much money into her rental and now this. My uncle put her tenant up in a hotel because the house isn't live able. I don't know if any body else on island has as much flooding. I just hope that she gets help from the members in her ward or the family members that are there. She'll fly back to her home Sunday that's the next and soonest flight available. Needless to say, she and I won't be going together on our trip to see my aunt or my kids in Utah. I will go alone. All we can do is pray that the damage is repairable and not too costly. My mom has a lot of faith and I know that she will get through this. It makes my own problems or trials insignificant.
I will end here and log in my menu for record sake.
BREAKFAST: Hot chocolate: 1 T of unsweetened cocoa, 1 pkg of stevia and hot water.
1 Grissini bread stick
AM snack: 1 apple
LUNCH: 2 chicken wraps: split 3.5 oz of chicken tenders lay each half on 2 butter leaf lettuce, top with mustard & hot sauce and top it all with sauteed onions and mushrooms w/some Bragg Amino all purpose seasonings.
DINNER: 3.5 OZ of ground chicken with Taco seasonings (this makes 2 tacos) lay in butter leaf lettuce and top with homemade salsa.
DESSERT: sliced strawberries in a bowl, sprinkle 1 pkg of stevia and mix and drizzle with some Walden's 0 calorie Chocolate syrup.

day 14# Sabbath day Holy

So right off the bat. I will not be fasting today because this is such a tight program. A beautiful day this Sabbath day morning, nice and cold, like I love it. Slept in til 7am. Yes 7am. I can't really sleep in too much later than that although I do try. Today was going to be a great day. I do love Sunday's. I weighed myself this and I was so psyched!! I am happy to report that I have lost 10 lbs respectively. So dear little sister Rhonda, if you are reading this, thank you so much for being a great example and mentor to me. I know I'm not done yet, but I never thought I would get to this point. So I am happy. We had a great Testimony meeting today. We have a very interesting, colorful, eccentric ward. Cece leaned into me and said the same thing, but she also said in a good way. There were some great testimonies that were born today, some that I was quite touched. I feel the same way as Bro. Casper, he said, "it is very hard to doubt his existence" when you witness this great beauty of a world. Who but him could create such a wonder? It validates everything about our mere existence. It makes me feel so thankful to have this knowledge. Okay my menu for today:
BREAKFAST: Baked sliced apples and zucchini topped with 2 pkgs of Stevia and cinnamon and 1 Grissini bread stick. Also some Hot Raspberry Herb tea. It was cool enough to have something nice and warm to eat and drink.
LUNCH: 1 oz of beef jerky and Hansen's diet Peach drink, cuz no time to sit for lunch. I did take 1/2 oz of some more jerky to church and snacked on a little.
DINNER: 3.5 OZ of sliced baked chicken topped over spring mix salad and spinach with sliced onions and 3 sliced strawberries with balsamic dressing
DESSERT: 1 whole orange in slices dipping in Waldens's 0 calorie chocolate syrup.

Oh, I felt very enthusiastic and made David and Cece cupcakes with homemade chocolate frosting. I didn't partake. But I have to say it was pretty tempting. Why I did this I don't know, I just felt like baking this morning before church.

Lucky 13# & it's also a FULL Moon tonight

So, I had a better sleep last night. No Caltrans. I love it when it is cool at night, we leave our bedroom windows open and let the breeze flow thru. I just love the coolness of the air blowing by my face as I'm cuddled nice and warm under the covers. I even threw our down comforter over me. Don't you just love your bed? I do. Sometimes when I get into it and move my legs back and forth, side to side I give thanks that I have a warm bed to sleep in and a roof over our heads. It truly makes me feel grateful. That may be kind of corny. But it's true. So I got up first thing and went and weighed myself, cuz first things first, right? I was thrilled that I lost 8 more ounces. Hey, an ounce is an ounce, it made me go into the next lower number. I knew exactly what I was going to have for breakfast. The one thing about this program is that you're consumed with thoughts of food. But, you have to make yourself think of what you are going to eat. You can't just mindlessly throw anything in your mouth. It does make you conscientious of what you put in your mouth. It is a lot of work. When I was young and had a metabolism that ran endlessly I didn't have a care in the world of what and how much I ate. That is definitely not the case now at this age. It's like, okay once I put this (whatever) in my mouth am I going to do enough activity to burn the calories so it doesn't become more fat on my body? Because how many of us have clothes in our closet that we would love to wear but can't fit in them? I mean, my wardrobe would be so much bigger if I could fit in more than half of them. It's so frustrating. And I can't afford to keep buying bigger clothes. I'm wearing what I can fit in more frequently and they are starting to wear out. It's a quandary. So today's menu:
BREAKFAST: 1 whole egg & 3 egg whites scrambled, add to sauteed onions and mushrooms and mix with added spices.
AM snack: 1 apple
LUNCH: cold shrimp tossed in chopped tomatoes & horseradish topped over spring mix lettuce and spinach
DINNER: 3.5 oz 97/3 lean ground hamburger with sauteed onions & mushrooms with garlic, salt,pepper,Italian seasonings, basil with 2 T of cooking wine (only 20 cal) and let simmer. Top this over steamed spaghetti-cut zucchini. Very very tasty.
DESSERT: 6 strawberries dipped in Walden's 0 calorie chocolate syrup. Sooo good.
Well it's a full moon tonight, we may take a little walk to watch the moon. Good night y'all.

Day 12# and it's Friday

So after not having a restful night, thanks to Caltrans working on our road til 3:30 in the morning, I forced myself to get up for my morning walk. Good walk, good walk. But for some reason I wasn't sure how my weigh in was going to be. I don't know why but I wasn't very sure. To my surprise, my great surprise, I lost a whole LB. It totally made my day, I had to call someone, so I called my little sister, I knew she would be happy for me. I guess I'll share, I have lost eight pounds since I started 12 days ago. I was so elated. I know it's not much, but it just made my day.
Today's menu:
BREAKFAST: Chocolate Freeze, 1 Grissini bread stick and 1 oz of beef jerky.
AM snack: 1 apple
LUNCH: My cigar shaped 97/3, 2.5 oz lean hamburger wrapped in butter lettuce, with mustard and a little hot sauce with a dill pickle spear all topped with sauteed onions and mushrooms. This is one of my favorites.
DINNER: Cabbage soup, some broccoli and 1 Grissini bread stick
DESSERT: Chocolate freeze, but with a twist, I took 3 scoops equaling 2 oz of cottage cheese, some carbonated water, 2 spoonfuls of the Walden's chocolate syrup and crushed ice. This made it taste really creamy and took care of my protein. Very filling and again guilt free, the only calories in it, is the cottage cheese. Which I needed to fulfill my calorie intake.

I'm learning a lot with food and calories, this has been very educational. Today is a new day. I have eight days left. Then onto the maintenance portion.

Ocean's 11# yay.

This morning I left for Auburn and met up with my sister, mom and Auntie and went with them to Reno to take my Aunt back home. It was a nice drive. They are doing a lot of work on Hwy 80. I guess this is where they are spending the stimulus money here in CA. I drank my breakfast on the way and ate my 1 Grissini bread stick. I learned alot from my sis. She being experienced in this program. That's all we talked about. I'm so consumed about food and recipes of what else I can eat. She shared with me so many things that I can introduce to this program, it energized me. So much so that I couldn't wait to come home to make one of the recipes. I would never live in Reno, you couldn't pay me enough to live there. It's so barren and then you have these skyscrapers full of money hungry people. We ate lunch before we took Auntie home. So I was good and had a grilled shrimp salad with the dressing (balsamic vinaigrette) on the side. It was good, it had cucumbers, some apple bits, onions, chopped tomatoes. It also had some blue cheese and sugar coated walnuts which, Like a good girl I just took them off and didn't partake. On the way home I ate my pm snack 1 apple. Tonight I sauteed 3.5 oz of shrimp in buttered flavored Pam spray, sprinkled some garlic powder and lemon pepper. I mixed up some chopped tomatoes with some horseradish and mixed the shrimp with it and layed it on top of a pile of fresh spinach. Very tasty. Oh I forgot, before I left for home in Auburn I stopped in their Raleys to see if they had some Walden products, I found gold. Well almost. They had 0 calories 0 sugar Chocolate syrup. So you know what I'm going to make for dessert and maybe breakfast tomorrow? You guessed it, Chocolate, chocolate freeze. Totally guilt free. Oh by the way, the scale went in the downward direction again. Keeping me motivated.

#10 and counting

So today was good. The scale moved In the downward direction, finally. I thought I was going to have to do the smooth move. Had a great brisk walk with my walkin buddies, Carole and Kami. Sometimes I feel like calling Carole and say, "not this morning", but I can't. I always feel better after our walk, its just a great way to start the day. She has been true blue all the way and I have to be right there along side of her, that's what friends are for, right? So today's menu was a little different now that I have some great ingredients to use. Here goes:
BREAKFAST: Chocolate orange freeze: 1 whole orange in pieces toss in blender, 1/4 c of carbonated water, 10 drops of Chocolate Stevia and 1 T of milk. Very tasty!!
AM snack: 1 Grissini bread stick
LUNCH: Cabbage soup with 1/2 oz of chicken pieces and 1/2 cup of cottage cheese topped with some cinnamon and 1 pkg of stevia
PM snack: 1 apple
DINNER: 97/3 3.5 oz LEAN hamburger rolled like a small cigar, lay it in a butter leaf, top with mustard, some hot sauce, 1 spear of dill pickle topped with some sauteed onions and sliced mushrooms. Wrap it up. OHHHHHHHHHH! this is soooo sooo good. You don't even miss the bun. Truly It is so tasty. I'm half way thru the low calorie program and I'm feeling great. I just have to program my brain and eyes to avoid the sweets until I get to where I want to be. Oh Love Hansen's diet sodas. Especially the Rootbeer, all of the diet's O calories. Thank goodness.

Day 9# Soooo Good

You may already know about these seasonings or condiments, but I have just found out about them and I absolutely love them. Because they are 0 calories. They are Braggs Liquid Aminos All Purpose Seasonings and Braggs Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. The Braggs Seasonings is kind of like soy sauce but it is a vegetable protein. It adds such great flavor to recipes. The Braggs cider is great for dressings recipes. Some other great additives is "I can't believe it's not butter spray" and Butter flavored Pam spray. All of these make some of the recipes that I'm using so flavorful that you feel guilty using, but don't because they are absolutely 0 in calories. Even though the scale didn't budge this morning I am very hopeful. I read from a Blog from others that are doing this same program last night that I may not have been drinking enough and not eating enough calories. So I worked on this today. I found some really great recipes on this Blog and I made a couple of them today. By using these new seasonings it really made a difference. I was thinking, I actually think I can do this. So here is today's menu:
BREAKFAST: Grapefruit Freeze
AM snack: 1 Grissini Bread stick
LUNCH: *NEW RECIPE Sauteed Chicken wraps: Spray butter flavored Pam in a nonstick pan and saute sliced onions, add 3.5 oz chicken pieces and flavor with Braggs Seasoning, take Butter Lettuce and put half of chicken mixture in a butter Lettuce leaf and wrap. Recipes makes 2 Chicken wraps. Serve with 3.5 oz of sliced cucumbers in Braggs apple cider vinegar & 1/2 c of water that is flavored with 1 pkg of Stevia and some salt and pepper. Very Refreshing.
DINNER: *NEW RECIPE,Cabbage soup. Note** You can eat all you want of the soup, you will get full fast. In a big Pot break down a couple of heads of cabbage add low fat chicken broth. Add Garlic,some onions,Braggs Amino Acid, a couple of pkgs of Stevia or Splenda to sweeten and add some Cayenne Pepper to taste. On the side add to your individual bowl 3.5 oz of cooked chicken breasts pieces. I added a little more hot sauce to my own bowl. How I know it is good, Cece ate 3 bowls of the Cabbage soup. She said the texture is good not to mention that it is vegetarian and she like the bite from the heat. It's kind of like hot and spicy Chinese soup.
DESSERT: Spray a pie pan ( I use a glass pan) with Buttered flavored Pam, Slice 1 apple and spread in pan. Crush 1 Grissini Bread stick over the apples and spray "I can't believe it's not butter" over mixture then sprinkle 1 pkg of Stevia mixed with Cinnamon over mixture, bake at 375 for 20 minutes. This was better than the first time I made this. It's because of the Buttered flavored spray. This is a guilt-free dessert. It is so good, I just can't believe it myself. I have learned a lot just in this little bit of time. The blog that I have been following is helping me learn about foods and how they work and how to eat healthy. It's like we know what we need to do, we have the tools. The hardest part, is just applying them. It's a journey.

day #8

Monday, Monday, got up this morning and went on my walk. It's dark now already when we walk at 5:45am but it is so refreshing and I always feel better when I've done it. My legs were sore from Saturday's Yard sale. I did a lot of walking and lifting, I guess that's a good sign. Truth be told. I will always be honest on this blog. So I weighed myself this morning and the scale didn't budge from Sunday. What? I called my therapist (my sister) why did it not budge today? She said "Don't worry that is not uncommon". That happened to a couple of her friends. I haven't cheated, not once. She advised me to watch it, if it doesn't budge in a few days there is a solution. Called the 3 Apple fix. I had read about it, but I don't want to have to do it. So I'm hoping tomorrow I will see a change. But when I look at my progress, I honestly can't complain. But you know me I'm impatient. If I don't see results I get frustrated. Okay, patience is a virtue. I need to be virtuous. So here goes, Le Menu:
BREAKFAST: Strawberry freeze
AM SNACK: 1 Grissini bread stick
LUNCH: Last of the leftovers (Ground chicken/stewed tomatoes & spices with spinach salad
DINNER: Rosemary Fish & Lemon Garlic Chard - you take Some grinded Rosemary, pepper,sea salt, Italian Herb seasoning and you sprinkle this over your white fillets both sides. Put it in a nonstick pan w/1/3 cup water and 2 slices of lemon, cover it and let it steam for 3 to 4 minutes until fish is flaky. Serve with steamed broccoli and garlic salt.
PM SNACK: 1 Grissini bread stick.
I am too full to have my apple tonight.

I shall look forward to tomorrow after all tomorrow is another day.

Day 7# Can't believe it.

So here we are again. Weighed myself first thing this morning. Sometimes I can't, I have to wait a little bit so nature can take it's course ( I know TMI), but I want to get the best report that I can get. Good, it's all good the report was good. Down a 1/2 a pound, Sigh a relief, I 'll take it. So here's my menu report:
BREAKFAST: Grapefruit Freeze smoothie, you take a whole grapefruit and peel it like an orange then break it up in slices and put in blender, add 1/3 c of carbonated water, 1/8 tsp of vanilla, 1 pkg of Stevia, 1 T of milk, and crushed ice or ice cubes and blend. It is very refreshing.
AM snack: 1 Grissini bread stick and 1.5 oz of beef jerky
LUNCH: I forgot to make a sit down lunch since I was getting ready for church so I ate the remaining 2 oz of the jerky. Mind you drinking plenty of liquids. It is satisfying.
DINNER: the leftovers of dinner from the night before that my sister made, divided in two portions. Served with steamed zucchini and spinach salad on the side with 0 calorie Thousand Island dressing. This gives me my 2 servings of vegetables for the day. (I"ll have the 2nd portion tomorrow for lunch).
** PM snack/dessert: What do you get with an apple, 1 Grissini bread stick and cinnamon and 2 pkgs of stevia? Apple cobbler. Yes, you do. You take a whole apple peel and slice and cut in pieces. Microwave the apples for about 2 minutes until their soft or adente. Your kitchen will smell wonderful. Remove and put the apples in a oven proof single baking dish. In a separate bowl break up the bread stick in small or crushed type pieces. Top the apples with this and then mix up some cinnamon and the stevia and sprinkle over your mixture of apples. You can bake it or I just put it in the oven and broiled it for about 2 1/2 minutes. Wa la a guilt free dessert.
Well I'm starting a new week. Can't believe I've made it a week. I've already planned dinner for tomorrow so I can stay focused. Just wait and see.

Yard Sale/Family Dinner day 6#

Just got back from a family dinner at my sisters. It was nice to see my visiting mom and aunt there and my older sister as well. Best of all was the wonderful dinner my little sister made. Sisters are the best! She made a great meal for everyone and then made me a special dinner that fits my program. Just for me, she's really great and I love her for that. I even got to take the left overs home for my meals tomorrow.
So lets get my menu out of the way:
BREAKFAST: 1.5 OZ protein with flavored freeze
AM snack: 1 apple
LUNCH: 2 oz sliced steak, over spinach salad and my homemade salsa, I added some hot sauce too. It was very tasty!!
PM snack 1 Grissini bread stick
DINNER: **THE BEST YET**, ground chicken crumbled and cooked mixed in with chopped stewed tomatoes Italian style and spices over steamed spaghetti cut zucchini. Sooooo good and very filling.
Late snack: 1 grissini bread stick with 1 apple.
** Note you're suppose to have 2 Grissini bread sticks and 2 servings of fruit a day, so I had to squeeze it in tonight.
So today I had a yard sale, it doesn't take a lot of organization, the night before I went around making a list of what I wanted to sell. I got up around 6:30am, drank my Breakfast as David and I were loading up the truck with our stuff. The truck was full but when we got the stuff unloaded at the end of the driveway it didn't look like much. Oh well. Well we live on a road that's well traveled. I didn't even get my sign out yet, when cars were stopping. It was pretty great. My first sale was a couple of green padded chairs, the guy bought them at full price. Woohoo! The next guy haggled me a little for the next set of chairs with red seats, but I didn't care, I just wanted to get rid of them. Anyway I was pretty pleased at myself, so what does one do? but text her kids to tell them how much you have made in the little time it's been. I was told I text ed them around 7 times. Every time I made a sale I text ed them, for example: just made $25, have made $52 total, $6!,$7! and so forth. One of my children text ed me back, "Mom you are taking all my text space for nothing of importance". I text ed her back and told her okay. Well, what am I suppose to do in between customers? I can't leave. It's amazing what people will buy. So things were progressing pretty quick, and David was seeing this, so he would go back to the house and scrounge around, find more stuff fill the truck and bring it out to me. Almost everything he brought out after our original stuff, sold! We told ourselves that we would end at 1pm. At 1pm a lady came by, saw that we were selling a twin mattress set, bought it on the spot for my asking price. So because I'm so kind I threw in some extra stuff, which she gladly took. Our final tally $193. Cece said "Is that all?" What do you mean, is that all? I think that's fantastic. I got rid of alot of stuff we don't use and didn't want and got something for it. I'm pleased. I love my digital scale!! As long as numbers are going in the downward direction, I love it. Today was a good day I lost another 1 lb and a half. I probably sweated it off because it was so hot today. And because you all know this, it really helps me to not flake out and it keeps me accountable whether you know it or not. I cannot let you down or myself for that matter. I can't, I mustn't. Goodnight.

I've lost something that I don't want to find

Day 5# It's a journey I keep telling myself. Patsy, stick to the goal. Yes, the scale has moved down 3 places. TGIF.
BREAKFAST: A protein, 2.5 oz of jerky. Yes, jerky. Did you know that 1 oz of jerky is quite a bit and it is only 50 calories. So I ate 2.5 0z for breakfast and saved the last oz. for when I got to work around 9am. Umm jerky is sooooooooooo good.
10:30am SNACK: 1 Grissini bread stick
LUNCH: Citrus salad: fresh spinach topped with some of my homemade pi co decal lo and cut up orange slices. Topped with Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing.
5:30pm SNACK: 1 Grissini bread stick
DINNER: 1 3.5 oz broiled steak and fresh spinach salad.
Strawberry Freeze: 6 sliced strawberries, 1 pkg of stevia, 5 drops of Valencia orange stevia, 1 T of milk, crushed ice and 1/4 c carbonated water.

Interesting thing I've observed, don't know if it is my imagination, but when I went to put on my brassiere I could fasten it to the next hook so easily. Does that mean the first thing to go when you lose weight is the breasts? Probably.

We have to stop meeting like this...... day 4#

Day 4# has gone better. When it's my day off the day seems to go so fast especially when you're getting ready for an Enrichment night. So much to do. Well lets get the important things out of the way first.
BREAKFAST: 1 Hard boiled egg and 3 egg whites. Hot sauce tastes real good with it and no calories in the sauce.
10:30am Snack: 1 apple
LUNCH: This time I split my 3.5 oz chicken in half, so I could have part of it for lunch and part for dinner. I made myself a Chicken, spinach, and spring mix salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing.
DINNER: While the wonderful ladies were enjoying their Baked Potato bar I ate my other half of chicken breast cut up and mixed it in my salad. Yum yum.

I have to say the cakes that were made sure looked good. I have come to the conclusion that SUGAR IS EVIL, PURE EVIL. Why does sugar have to be so good?
But you will be proud, I did not partake. Hard as it was, I did not partake. I took what was left of BP's cake home and David and Cecelia devoured it. They said what kind of cake is it? I said, "I know it's good B made it", I don't even have to taste it to know it was good. We had a speaker after our dinner who spoke on Estate Planning, Living Trusts and wills. I know it is so important. There were several ladies coming up afterwards to speak to Jeff Christensen Atty. I need to make the time to speak to him and take care of that. There's so many things that we all need to plan and prepare for. Well I'm pooped. Gonna go to bed now.

Ahhh day 3#

Day 3# has seemed to be the hardest, but I did it!!
BREAKFAST: Orange freeze smoothie
10AM snack: 1 Grissini bread stick
LUNCH: I think its called a Caprice salad? it consists of sliced tomatoes with balsamic vinegar on top, topped with a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese. It is very flavorful and good.
4PM snack: 1 apple
DINNER: Citrus Ma hi ma hi with sauteed zucchini with spices like, curry, garlic powder and seasoned salt. Believe it or not it makes the zucchini really tasty. I put Hot sauce on the side to eat with the Ma hi ma hi and it was also really good.
Evening snack: 1 Grissini bread stick.

Did I tell you that with all this, I'm taking the following vitamins each morning:
B-12,Potassium,L-glutomine and a multi-vitamin. They're all suppose to be good for this program especially the Potassium and L-glutomine.

The best part about this day is when I went on the scale this morning, I was down another 1 lb. It does have it's rewards. I need my sister or someone right now to cheer for me to keep going. This is a challenge but I have to keep my eye on the goal, right Tami? Keep my eye on the Goal. Right now I am feeling very stuffed. It seems like the hardest part of the day for me is the morning between 9am and 12 noon. I know I'm not hungry but my mouth wants me to put something in it. It's all out of habit. Why do we do this to ourselves? It really is out of habit. Mouth Say's feed me and we do, despite the fact that we're not even hungry, or we just think we are. So I'm drinking alot of fluids to fool my stomach into thinking it is full. Today it was not going to be fooled, but I persevered. I have to tell you I do look forward to Lunch and dinner. I seem to be fine in the evening, like right now. Oh well such is life.

Day 2# You hear that?

That is the sound of silence. Yep, have the whole house to myself for a little while while David and Cece go to the store. So here we are day 2#.
Believe it or not the 1 lb I gained on the two pig out days, I lost this morning when I weighed myself. I just gotta see that scale move to keep me going, that's all I ask.
BREAKFAST: crushed ice, 6 strawberries, 1 pge of Stevia,10 drops of Orange Stevia ( would have 5 drops of it and 5 drops of Vanilla Creme Stevia but I don't have the Vanilla). 1 T of milk, Blended together, and wa la'- Strawberry smoothie.

10am snack: 1 Grissini Bread stick
LUNCH: Balsamic Chicken wraps *by the way great recipe, very tasty wrapped in cabbage leaves.
4pm snack: 1 apple

DINNER: same thing, Balsamic Chicken wraps
My evening snack: 1 Grissini Bread stick.

I know this sounds boring huh. If I don't jot this down I won't remember anything.
Okay, different subject, and I think I've mentioned this before. Is it a mental change and or hormonal change either in our brains or body that we start to want to do different things When we get to this stage in our lives? I would love comments about this. For example: I love being alone sometimes more I use to. Like I could just get away preferably the coast and just "Be". I have the hankering(is that a word?) to want to explore the creative side of myself. Like what things I wanted to be or do as a child is coming out now. For instance, if one was athletic, one starts training again. Or if one loved art, say way back in elementary or even high school, one starts drawing, or painting again. Or say if one loved theatre arts, one wants to explore that avenue. Mind you, one must keep themselves balanced and not forget their responsibilities but it's like the season has come to have the opportunity to be able to do those things. Anything wrong with that? I'm not talking about joining a Commune or trespassing Federal Property and Protesting, do you get what I mean? I do understand now more than ever why some people go out and buy that Red Porsche or 30 FT Motor home. But I think that's mostly men and they usually have a Young Blond in it too. Along with this change though, comes some outward impatience with STUPID people and rage that comes out of now where. But it is manageable with drugs. But that's not for me. I would love to have a forum and talk to other women about this, to better understand it. Comments are welcome.

Thanks for listening.

Day 1

So, here's my report. Woke up this morning 5:30am went on my every other day walk at 5:45am, Solved all the worlds problems and then some.
BREAKFAST: Orange slush made with a whole orange, crushed ice, 5 drops of orange stevia it has 0 calories and 1 tablespoon of milk, yum yum. Okay it really was good and it took me a while to drink at least all the way to work.
10AM SNACK: 1 Grissini bread stick
(Oh drinking lots of fluids, like HANSEN'S 0 calorie, 0 carbs soda)
LUNCH: 3.5 OZ chicken breast and 3.5 oz of spinach (this is alot!!) with Balsamic vinegar dressing no oil but lots of seasonings.
4pm SNACK: 1 APPLE
DINNER: 3.5 oz baked chicken breasts with stir fried zuchini seasoned with curry powder, garlic powder, seasoned salt and pepper. (You can have all the zuchini you want)I had a whole one, I was totally stuffed. Again a Hansen's drink.
7:30pm SNACK: 1 Grissini bread stick.

All done. Oh and the drops, once in the morning and once at night. Like right now or at 8:00pm.

Well on to the next day.

Journey take 1#

So, here I go again. I did this once before and I can do it again, at least I hope. Hopefully this time it will stick. About 3 1/2 years ago I lost weight, the motivator, my daughter's wedding. 3 1/2 years later I have put the weight back on and then some. Well flash forward, I don't have a wedding to go to but my doctor says for health reasons I should look at that again. I have noticed more in the past year my hip joints hurt daily, and no matter what kind of exercise I do, they continue to hurt. My doctor says I'm too young to start losing bone mass. It could be a couple of things, early stages of arthritis in my joints (which runs in the family) or additional weight gain. Some of the weight, she says is typical for pre-menopause, all women start to gain some fat in the stomach area. Boy don't I know it. So I am looking at this as a challenge, if TC can run a marathon by November, I can certainly lose these extra pounds for health reasons.
My wonderful younger sister has stepped in to be my mentor after all she helped me before. She and her husband just completed a program and she has maintained her healthy weight for 30 days now. ** Okay, please don't roll your eyes, and you know who you are**. I am convinced if I write this down, that she or someone will hold me accountable. I have to tell myself I can do it. This program is very unusual, and I have read all the literature and instructions for it. The weirdest part about it is the first two days, which I just completed. They are called the pig out days. You must eat very high fat content food for two days and you take these drops twice a day along with it. FOR EXAMPLE: DISCLAIMER MIGHT MAKE YOU SICK: Saturday morning I went to McDonalds and bought a egg,cheese,bacon Mcgriddle with a med Coke. I will tell you it about made throw up. It took me forever to eat it, it was sooooooo gross!! I sat in the parking lot eating this, because I had other shopping to do and I indeed felt like a pig. I was so full afterwards that I didn't want to eat lunch later. But, I knew I had to keep eating, so later in the afternoon I made a chocolate mint milk shake. Dinner, around 7pm I waddled back to McDonalds and bought 2 3/4 pounder Deluxe hamburgers, fries and a med Sprite, I would eat one of the hamburgers that evening and the other one today. Makes me sick just thinking about it. This morning I made waffles and two eggs and juice. I just couldn't eat all the waffles and this evening I couldn't eat my whole hamburger I ended up sharing with David. *But this is really important so I hope I have eaten enough food. Then for the next 18 days you are on a very very very limited calorie intake (noticed I haven't said the (D) word). You continue to take these drops twice daily. This program is very strict and you can not deviate? from it. After the 18 days, you will stop the drops and continue with the limited calorie program for 3 more days after the 3 days you go on a maintenance program for 21 days. It really comes down to portion control. Anyone can do this, men or women and it is the same for everyone. I hope I can do this. 18 day's when you say it doesn't sound like alot but I'm sure I'm gonna have those "What the heck am I doing?" days. Wish me luck.

Here goes

Well it's been a while since I last visited this place. I just need to get in gear and use this as I originally intended it to be and that is putting down my thoughts. Although you can't know all my thoughts because someone could get into trouble. So my question is: How honest should you be or should I say how open should someone be on their Blog? That is my question. I guess I'll find out who my real friends are in the end. Then again I'm getting to the age that I don't really care what others think, (I noticed that with my elders) they didn't care, "they" were who they were and you either accepted them or you didn't. They were to old to change. Am I becoming that way to? Wait a minute, no, not yet, because as I have shared with some of my close associates I am changing every day. Is it a physical thing or a philosophical thing? I forgot to ask my doctor when I saw her this week, darn! What is it when we get in our mid 40's and we suddenly want to wallpaper the kitchen ceiling? That's a joke, who would ever do that? That's just an example. I know you know who you are, so dear friends of the female persuasion especially those who have gone before me, "that means older than I" I'm 46, there I said it. I would love to hear your comments, because I'm going to drop my basket (Remember Ya Ya sisterhood?), if I'm not careful. Okay that will do for now. But seriously, from now on I am going to speak about the truth, at least according to me.

Thanks for listening.

Life simple as that.

Yesterday, Cecelia flew for the first time by herself. She wasn't as nervous as I was for her. She flew to SLC Utah to attend EFY. Cheri's husband, Chris picked her up and he was taking her Senior Portraits today. He is such a great photographer that we decided to have him do this, it's nice to have one in the family. Cheri will drop of Cece on Monday at BYU. I hope she has a good time. It's quiet here at home. Today, David and I went in the morning to buy some more plants for our garden. David does such a good job on the garden, I know we wouldn't be eating fresh vegetables if it wasn't for him. So far we have enjoyed the bounties of fresh spinach and spring mix lettuce. The tomato plants are doing well. So are the other vegetables, I can't wait to eat them. Around noon we decided to take a drive up to Wrights Lake Road to see if the roads were cleared, sure enough they were. It was so beautiful up there. We spent most our time walking around the great meadow a few miles before you get to the lake. The sun hid now and then behind the clouds, then we got a few rain drops and then it would be a little over cast. Good thing I brought us some sweatshirts. David and I kept telling each other that we want to come back every Saturday and do more hikes and some camping. I just felt and over powering feeling of gratefulness of the beauty that Heavenly Father created for us to enjoy. It was a wonderful day.

Tuesday, must be Bake day

Retrieved my wheat from the basement.

Grounded the wheat.

Made a couple of loaves, I love the smell of fresh homemade bread, just like the Rainbow Bread Factory we use to drive by off of hwy 80 in Sacramento.

Mackenzie made Triple cookie bars, with chopped apples, chocolate chips and nuts, yum yum.

Finally made organic vegetarian pizza.

Mamma Mia it's pizza time.

Birthday Girl celebrated

Race For the Cure 09

So, this was my first time doing the race. We all loved it that my girls want to do it again next year and maybe I'll try running this time. If you have done it, you know it's one great party, lots of positive vibes in the air, good music to get you in the mood and to keep you going and most of all the people are all polite and courteous. I met a couple of ladies that were in our group and the three of us wanted to walk faster so it was great to walk with them, I felt like PACMAN or Leap Frog because we would zoom over different directions to pass others up, politely of course, it was awesome. Thanks to Steve Buchan and Rhonda Adair for heading up our group "Mary Ann's Fans". It was so organized. Cecelia decided to go with us at 11:57pm Friday night, so I quickly e-mailed Steve, and sure enough he got it and had a shirt for Cece with number. He is so great! As a mom I was very proud of my girls, well you know how it is when your kids do good things, you can't help feel joy. Great Job Cece for getting up at five in the morning on your birthday no less.

Photo Booth Santa Cruz a Tradition w/the girls

Aunt Cece and Chloe

My children and my children's children, Heaven!

FHE cont'd Tennis anyone?

Maya's first visit to SF & FHE -softball & tennis

Easter time Saturday Style

While Luke and Maya are here we are getting alot of grandkid time in. My family room looks like a tornado went throught it, heck the whole house looks like a cyclone, or it did, I just cleaned it up. But I love the mess, that means that happy little children have been here and there's always smiles and laughter and giggling and..... well you get the picture. Derek and Tacie were over, that means puzzles, dress up, Go Fish, Old Maid, Disney movies, Shrek 2 this time. I have to admit it I love it, and David called through out the day yesterday asking, are the kids there yet? He loves it when they are here, He acts like a kid when they're here, he puts new batteries in his remote toy truck so he and Derek can play. Luke is great, cuz he's the chef, whatever they want he will make, and then there's the pile ups on the air mattress. Luke and the kids pile up on each other and run through the house giving piggy back rides. David and I went out to dinner during this time. This morning Luke made the kids breakfast, usually I make waffles, or pancakes, but I didn't have any eggs. Luke got up earlier and put the kids easter baskets together, so when they woke up there they were, ready to be attacked. We let them have a couple of pieces before breakfast. After all they're at GG's, (grandma for short). Then the Great Easter egg Hunt, I always put a few $1 bills and quarters, dimes and nickels in some of the eggs, that's just tradition. It's like Christmas, well almost, yesterday, Luke, Maya, Cecelia took the kids to Chuckycheese and took them out shopping for some spring clothes, so of course I had to get them a little something. They are getting so big. Tacie is talking so much. She is not afraid of spiders, this morning she came and told each one of us that "theres a spider over there", she already killed it. My girls are afraid of spiders, so Tacie did not take after her aunts. Can't wait to see them again next week. What would we do without children?, they are so innocent and make you love life, because they love life and they are amused by the simplest things. So precious.

It's Hump Day

It's Wednesday, we had a nice rain today and last night. Couldn't walk this morning due to rain, but got up anyway and cleaned the kitchen and do more laundry. Does this sound boring? If it does, you don't have to read this. I was just thinking about General Conference and thought about how thankful I am to have the knowledge and faith of having a Living Prophet here on this earth. I am so grateful for the many blessings that I have. I try to remind myself to give thanks, and not for the big things but for the little things as well, like, breathing and the ability to be able to get out of bed on my own two feet, where others may not. Like the fact that we have a roof over our heads, and food and clothing, and so importantly that David and I are employed and have health benefits. So so thankful for that. I'm also thankful for sweet friends in the gospel. Where would I be without them? My friends are so helpful to me to help me navigate my way in this world not to mention my family and our Savior. I'm thankful for a working washing machine and dryer and number one and two appliances, my dishwasher and microwave. That may sound silly, but I do love them. I am thankful for my children, they help keep all beauticians employed, meaning covering my gray hair that my children give to me, or maybe that's age. I started going gray in my early 30's. I am thankful for my wonderful husband, he keeps me laughing. His sense of humor is one of the greatest things about him that I love. Okay, that's it for now. I could go on, but you are probably zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzing right now.

Lemons and Hydrangeas

It was a beautiful April afternoon today so to celebrate my friend Claudia's 55Th I invited her over for lunch. Claudia and 55 do not go together, she is the most youth like woman I know. She will try and do anything. I just love her. She brought with her one of her 26 grandchildren, little 1 year old Wendy, Bonnie's daughter. She is such a cutie. She is one and she likes to sing. Claudia says she finally got a musical grandchild. She sings, and she is plunking the piano. So I guess Grandma is going to teach this little one to play the piano real soon. She seems to be drawn to anything musical. She was beating our drums that we have in the family room. Okay, I took some pictures of my lemons and hydrangeas before they got here and then forgot all about taking pictures of our lunch. You'll have to trust me that it was good. On the menu: "SPRING SALAD WITH SLICED STRAWBERRIES & BALSAMIC VINEGAR DRESSING
ORZO PASTA SALAD
QUICHE LORRAINE
CROISSANTS
and for dessert:
MINI-CHEESE MARS CAPONE CAKE TOPPED WITH STRAWBERRIES
Is your mouth watering. Mine was. We both were so hungry. We caught up on all our kids. That's the best part. We have known each other over 20 years and it has been wonderful. I don't think we have aged a bit, at least inside. She has such great wisdom, insight, faith and such a great testimony of the gospel. I truly love her as a sister. Happy Birthday, Claudia.