welcome to nancy's world

stay focused

2009-01-20T06:01:00.004-06:00

One parent in a housing apt, one moving to the Villa Nursing Home I pray temporarily. One daughter graduating this year and since we homeschool, it's up to me to be sure everything is ready. One son desiring to go to college in Sydney, AU but it seems that we cannot get his college fund to climb no matter what. More stupid insurance billing issues at work, when will that ever be normal? Taxes are ready, we owe so much I could scream. I could let these issues ruin my week or I can remember the fact that I am an overcomer. My focus is what's on the other side of these mountains: My parents healthier and back together this spring, my beautiful daughter taking college courses and working towards the business she wants to have, my son increasing in his talents and writing music to become the man God has called him to be, both kids learning to lead more effectively & staying involved in the music & youth ministry that they love. And the Medicaid billing will work better this year! It has to because I cannot have another high-stress year like 2008. It's not worth it. and taxes...I'll consider the money as seed planted. I know it will come back a hundred-fold.
Basement tonight for my workout. That has been wonderful for relieving stress! So have my Goldens, they're like sponges. They snuggle into you and everything just melts away! My cat is curled up like a little pod over my arms in front of the keyboard purring away, what a little punky love! But I have to get ready for work now. I'm glad to have a job. Yes, I am.

Think Spring

2009-01-19T06:02:00.004-06:00

As the temps still hover in the single digits, I decided to turn my thoughts to spring projects. I have a nice list made but one of the most enjoyable that I am looking forward to is our upcoming Salsa Garden.
In it, we will grow:
Tomatoes
Jalapeno peppers
Sweet peppers
Onions
Cilantro
Oregano
Garlic

There's a very large pine tree that needs to come down by the garden shed that is way too big and blocking too much sun. Since we have about one million other pine trees on our property, I figured I'd plant a Lilac bush there in it's place. I am looking forward to a good growing season this year!

YAY! The snowplow came!!!!

2009-01-18T04:41:00.007-06:00

I'm up early, we all were. The kids are trying to get a couple more hours in. The fuzzbutts heard the city snowplow. They get excited. They thought the whole house should get up and be excited too. Well, we weren't with the exception of the cat. Now she's full of it. Really, she's literally bouncing off the walls. The plow is gone. The dogs are now snoring. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...
Dang this coffee is good.
I worked out last night. Same routine.

I'm enjoying a fast right now and of course, "CHOCOLATE" has entered my mind a few times. I found a few little tidbits about chocolate; thought I'd share. Enjoy!

Q. Why is there no organization such as Chocoholics Anonymous?
A. Because no one wants to quit.

Q. How do I get two pounds of chocolate home from the store in a hot car on a summer's day?
A. Eat it in the parking lot.

Q. What is a balanced diet?
A. Equal amounts of dark chocolate and white chocolate, unless your dietician prescribes equal amounts of bittersweet chocolate and milk chocolate. If your dietitian is out of town and unavailable for a consultation, use both regimens for a week at a time, alternating.

If you've got melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly.

Clearly, chocolate is a vegetable. Chocolate is derived from cacao beans. A bean is a vegetable. Wait! There's more! Sugar is derived from either sugar cane or sugar beets. Both are plants, which places them in the vegetable category. Therefore, chocolate is a vegetable.

Chocolate-covered raisins, -cherries, -orange slices and -strawberries all count as fruit. Eat as many as you want. Fruits are an important part of the Food Pyramid.

Diet tip: Eat a chocolate bar before each meal. It'll take the edge off Your appetite and you'll eat less.

If calories are an issue, store your chocolate on top of the fridge. Calories are afraid of heights, and they will jump out of the chocolate to protect themselves.

Money talks. Chocolate sings.

Chocolate has many preservatives. Preservatives make you look younger. Therefore, chocolate is therapeutic.

Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll get one thing done.

A nice box of chocolates can provide your total daily intake of calories in one place. Isn't that handy?

If you can't eat all your chocolate, it will keep in the freezer. But if you can't eat all your chocolate, what's wrong with you?

"You look like you've lost weight..."

2009-01-15T05:42:00.004-06:00

It's already Thursday, wow! It's -22* and the windchill is -46*....I wonder if my car is gonna start? It didn't want to yesterday. I cannot imagine it wanting now!
This week, we walked Monday but not from Tuesday on because of the cold temps. I got a good workout in Tuesday night. Same routine plus the Roman twists and leg presses. Tonight's workout may be lame. I didn't sleep all that well; I tossed and turned and broke out in a sweat and slept like crud. But nontheless, I will torture my muscles and work myself to the point in which I cannot do another and then I'll be satisfied. I received my very first comment yesterday that it looks like I'm losing weight! :) I love the fact that all this hard work is becoming noticable! it's soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo exciting!

another workout in!

2009-01-11T21:24:00.002-06:00

Got a full workout tonight + over a hundred leg presses and 100 roman twists. I am feeling it. It's so good.

Nott 2 BaD..

2009-01-09T18:34:00.004-06:00

This week's exercise rated kinda on the lame side BUT at least I did some!
I walked at lunch over a mile on M, T, TH, & F. (Wednesday I did NOT feel well and I did nothing, nada) anyway I worked out really well on the weight machine last night. I'm a little sore today. I've been stretching daily also. That's my week so far. Good thing I stil have tonight and Saturday for a little more ;)

a spicy day!

2009-01-05T06:07:00.006-06:00

I'm getting ready to get back to the grind! whooooot! I was thinking (happily) about my promise to myself about no more overtime. Working 8-4 M-F is plenty enough and I wanna keep it that way. I'm thankful to have a job, it's a good job. I'm thankful to have had the last 11 days off, 7 of which were paid days off! It felt good. I needed that so badly. So I have a mammogram at 9 am. Hopefully my parents hear from their ins company today or I gotta buzz over there after work and call again. Nikki and Mike are going there today to clean for them.
I'm forcing the kids to stay home tonight forgetting there was bible study so maybe we'll all go to that. They start school up again today. I ordered some more stuff from Christian Book Distributors:
The Weather Identification Handbook
Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations
Charcoal Drawing
Pencil Drawing
Accounting Lifepac 3: Analyzing and Journalizing Transactions
Accounting Lifepac 4: Posting to the General Ledger
Consumer Math Lifepac 1: Creative Arithmetic
Consumer Math Lifepac 2: Fractions, Decimals, & Percent

Nikki needs the Consumer Math to graduate. She should have a foreign language too but I can't swing it right now. I think there are some internet resources I can tap into. I'm gonna have to look more into that this week.

That's that! Oh ya, my workout tonight too. ;)

Matt 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." That was Jesus speaking. He basically is saying, Stay spicy. Stay in my Word, stay filled, stay with Me....the world is watching, if you fizzle, you're no good for the Kingdom or the world. That's the way I see it anyway. Stay spicy!

Tonight's workout

2009-01-03T22:57:00.003-06:00

I just got done working out and it's kinda late and now my adrenaline is flowing and I'm not sleepy anymore but I really need to get some sleep but I feel like running a mile or two but it's blowing snow out and I don't have a treadmill so I can't but I got all this energy and since others are sleeping I have to be quiet but I feel so WIDE-AWAKE! whew! so ya, that's what. I had 4 workouts this week but a couple were a kinda weak, tonight's was good but a little shorter than usual. It was still good though! I am thinking progress.......speaking of: I did FIVE of those leg-lift ab thingies!! Five, I can't believe it! I was so stinking happy!!! Oh, and the butterfly exercises are still tough but I can do more now. cool. I ate very healthy today too. I had a cup (ok, big mug) of yummy Starbucks coffee tonight with my big bro, Danny. He's gonna bring his heat gun over to strip my x-country skis down and re-wax them. I'm getting ansy to try them out. I think I will get on them tomorrow. I got my boots ready and found Michael's golf shoes. I got to thinking about my weight loss and how I'll be able to swing my clubs better after my, um.... chest gets smaller :) lol Well, it's true. So that's another perk. HAHA!! get it? perk, ugh ok I need sleep.

My day today

2009-01-03T09:59:00.004-06:00

Workout today
Charter dude coming
My brother Dan is coming to visit
waxing my x-country skis
luving muh new hair
cleaned the house already~YAY!
eating healthy
getting ready for a SNOWSTORM! :)
putting on the teacher's hat for awhile
paying the bills
buying some Lifepacs for NikNak and maybe something artsy
planning muh 'coffee/oxygen bar-totally cool gift shop' business lol actually don't laugh; I got a PLAN!
planning a winter firepit! But I'm not inviting the whole church. This is going to be by invitation only, not to be mean but it's 'what is is, Na na,na-na-na-na-na'

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T18:06:00.003-06:00

I love the excitement of a new year, a new beginning, new opportunities! I have so much to hope for, so much faith, so many expectations. I am traveling down a new path and when I hit the fork in the road, I'm going God's way for me whether it makes sense to others or not. I'm ready now; I know God has a wonderful plan for my life that I have been preparing myself for. Every decision I made thus far has brought me to where I am today. The difference between then and now is that I have been learning to hear the Holy Spirit lead, I've learned to rely on God instead of my feelings. I keep a tight relationship with Jesus Christ. The difference between this year and years prior is that very fact. It's exciting!

Today's exercise
What a weak workout tonight! I'm so stinking tired! I'm not used to such late nights! I did get my workout in but it was shorter than usual because I just didn't care! I'm sooooooooo tired now. I went through it but skipped a few leg routines. I took my supplements, ate part of a salad, and now I'm fighting sleep. I'm going up to bed with a book very soon. I'm glad I exercised though. I would've felt guilty and bad if I would've missed it. I've been working way too hard very consistantly.
Happy New Year!

Dec 31, 2008

2008-12-31T05:31:00.004-06:00

PLANS
Today is New Years Eve, hard to believe! I'm up at my usual 4:45 am, maybe I'll nap so I can stay awake and party with my peeps tonight at LFC! We have a supply of Red Bull though in case time does not permit a needed Siesta. I am marinating chicken for shishkabobs with peppers to grill out tonight. As of right now, we are bringing taco salad and fruit pizza to share. That could change. I was kinda thinking about the chocolate fountain which I think would be a good idea. We're gonna bring Quelf too; I can't wait to play it with my friends! I think Mike is going to come, maybe. That would be the best.
WORKOUT
Last night, Michael and I walked the dogs but not very far, it was blustery and cold! Then, a good workout was in order. I did the usual routine but added one new thing: I did this thing where you stand supporting yourself on your forearms holding on these grips and raise your legs off the floor (great for lower abs). I did one! They're hard! But my goal for a month was to be able to do one and I did. I can't imagine doing two in a row but maybe someday. Something else new that I began was a supplement soy protein drink mix by EAS to help burn fat and promote lean muscle. I drink one within 60 minutes of a workout. I have vanilla; it's pretty good mixed with skim milk.
TEEN STUFF
Nikki's hair is dark now. That's the end of dumping chemicals on her scalp. The first time she colored it back to 'brown', it turned gray! eeeeeeew. They had to go buy more and now it's dark, I can't descibe it otherwise. But it's nice. Better than the bleach-blonde she had for the past several months. It'll be nice to see both kids with their natural color back soon.
I'm ordering the rest of the Accounting lifepacs for Nikki and some Consumer Math books today. If she sticks to a strict schedule, she will be graduating in June. I have to work on transcripts for her and Michael. He'll be in Driver's Ed this summer.
EXPENSIVE JUNE
Family Camp is in June, I WILL BE GOING, I WILL BE DOING SOUND, and plans are on Thursday (family day) we are going to Six Flags! This chick is working out so I can lose weight and ride on the Superman coaster! YESYES I AM! We started a savings acct because June is going to be expensive: Family Camp, Six Flags, Graduation, Driver's Ed, ugh. I am not going to cut anything out either so everyone is going to work together and stuff money into that account. We've designated the change jar for this, we're going to have a spring sale, we're going to put a percent of any tax refund into the acct. idk, we're still coming up with ideas.
PARENT STUFF
The last couple of days have been interesting....
I got my parents out of their Medicare HMO (SmartValue) and into Advocare (Security Health Plan) as Duluth accepts that and Richard will begin seeing Dr Zimmerman. Richard has been told by the Drs and HomeNursing and his family that he needs to go back into the nursing home for better rehab as he is failing at home. He won't have it. He's been talking suicide, that's been interesting to deal with, my mom is seriously considering drinking beer again with her meals but promised she wouldn't go back to the wine. If they think I can deal with anymore, then they are both CRAZY. I will not go through the hell of a family member detoxing from alcohol again, I will not watch a strong man give up. I have preached, loved, listened, helped, and I'll tell you what: I will help them and do whatever it takes, but if they cross the lines into self-inflicted problems, I am done helping out. I mean it. well, I know I'd be there for them but it felt good to say that. It's hard on them and hard on everybody. But I know things are going to work out ok. I just know it!
2009 is going to be an awesome year!
2008 had lots of changes, lots of overtime. 2009 is going to be different. I promise myself that.

a walk in the dark

2008-12-28T20:26:00.004-06:00

Tonight I walked Maggie, Hunter, and Melody down the Dupont Rd. It was a very starry night, kinda cold, but peaceful. I did some stretching too. That's it. :) Now I'm off to clean out my refrigerator! fun times...don't be jealous haha

some squishy turned firm!

2008-12-28T05:38:00.004-06:00

I am feeling a difference! The change is mostly in my legs. They are much firmer and becomming more defined. :) I also notice my arms feeling tighter.
Last night, I took the dogs for a walk down the Dupont. They were so happy to get out and move. When we got back, Nikki asked us to go grab some music at the church to prepare for this morning. (she was in jammies already) I was hungry so I ate a couple little chunks of beer bread with some garlic dip (the alcohol burns out whilst it bakes). When I got home, I decided to workout right away instead of waiting. I did my whole strength training routine. It took 45 minutes. I was headachey and nauseated the whole time so it really stunk, but I did it. I think that beer bread & dip made me feel rotten. It was very good but I can't eat all that rich junk. Today, I'll turn on the crockpot of Italian Beef so after church, we can just pull out some hardrolls & the salad I made. Maybe I'll make oatmeal instead for me. Or Malt-o-meal. I love that!
Anyway, this morning I am sore behind my arms, across my entire core, and my mid-back. and my butt. It's not a bad soreness, it's a "hey, I haven't been worked for a long time; this feels oh-so-good" soreness. I like it. I can't wait to feel less squishy in those areas. I can't wait for people to start seeing a difference; that's going to be an exciting day! These workouts are addicting. I look forward to each one. Beginning after the New Year, my hubby is going to begin working out also and eating more live foods. Which means I will be eating more live foods. It's only getting easier; it's fun!

Getting good

2008-12-26T20:27:00.005-06:00

Yesterday, I worked out like crazy. I'm seriously serious. I did the whole strength training routine except I added a third set of reps to each exercise. Then I added some exercises for lower abs, thighs, and oh-my-aching-glutes to the Total Gym routine I have. I am feeling progress and actually lost a couple inches so far! (yay!) My long-term goal is to be a fit missionary, my mid-term goal is to be a much lighter me so I can ride Superman at Six Flags in June, and my short-term goal is to get into my "cool" jeans.(early spring) So to achive that, I cannot just do strength training and walk. I need to do more to burn the calories. So last night, I did this Tai Chi which was totally gay(the lady looked like Michael Jackson and talked non-stop! I just wanted to scream SHUT UP!) I couldn't stand it so I shut that off within ten minutes. Then I moved on to Yoga. THAT was a workout. I can normally do 30-60 minutes of Yoga. Well, I stopped after 15 last night. I was sweating bullets! There was something about this class though that I did not like. I have some taped that don't seem very 'meditative-like" that I think I will stick to. I think Saturday, I am going to try Pilates (I love my Charter OnDemand! They have all this cool stuff!) and stick with that and aerobics type classes. Also now, I'm gonna begin weighing-in every Monday. No way I'm posting my weight here because that is just not happening, however, I'm keeping track of loss/gain amts here. I expect some gains especially as muscle is added but I intend to see consistant losses.

VacATiOn TimE is almost here!

2008-12-24T06:34:00.005-06:00

To sum yesterday up: phones at work rang off the hook. Nothing else got done. Nobody likes the new combined statements. It's saves a lot of trees per year! Why is change so hard, especially for older people? Marion and I walked our tooshes off at lunch. My lungs are getting bigger, my thighs and calves are down 2"! I got very brave and bought a scale last night after work. It also anylizes body fat. scary. Oh well. I do not hate myself. Actually, I think quite highly of myself. No overly highly, but I like me. Except for my bad moments which are not too often, thank the good Lord above. He's so patient when I'm so stupid. Anyway back to the awesome, good, happy-go-blessed me. :) I love life, I love losing 2" so far after all my hard work, I love wrapping Christmas presents for my kids, I love my kids, I love my hubby. He's the best. I'm proud of him when he stands up for what is right. He's a good man and I'm a better person because of him. I feel funny that we are not getting each other anything. I bet he got me a card though. I didn't even think about doing that. I will not have time to get him one UNLESS WALMART IS OPEN AFTER CHURCH TONIGHT. That would rock. I pray so. I didn't get stocking stuffers! Ugh! I don't have hardly any $$ and payday is a week away. I need wisdom.money.peace on earth. good will toward men. there, I've got it back in perspective. Celebrate Christ and nothing else. Love on each other, don't be selfish. Visit lonely people. You can relax later. Let your loved ones know they are loved. really. maybe they just need to hear it again. (can we ever hear the words 'I love you' too often?) I think not. God is love. Be Godly. This is all about Him and not stuffing someone's stocking with teeth-rotting sugar convections. I will pick up a couple of redbulls though on my way home. I gotta go to work. Can't wait until 4pm! Then I'm my own until January 5th! HELLO VACATION!

Muh Sound Peeps

2008-12-23T06:35:00.004-06:00

Today I am buying a scale right after work. That's a big step for me! Then I gotta rush home and workout really quick and then open the church and get ready for the meeting which starts at 6 so I am really in a time crunch. I gotta make sure I get the handouts ready and my gift and treats. I love these guys, my SoundHomies. They are awesome, essential, and blessed. I love doing sound more than anything. I have the most wonderful life. I really do. All because I am involved with the most wonderful people in the most wonderful church for the most Wonderful Lord. Life is good. Eternal life is better.

UPDATE: the meeting went from 6-7 pm. 4 showed up. I gave out my gifts and we passed around treats and had fresh coffee (YUM!) I passed out a schedule for January and the meeting agenda. No one had any new ideas; I have a box in the booth in case inspiration hits someone. I am going to show Dannice how to do the Announcement Slides for the overhead before services. They left knowing that they are an important part of the services and that they are appreciated and loved, and that's what matters most of all.

another workout

2008-12-22T05:18:00.005-06:00

I went through my 'routine' workout last night. It seems to be taking me a good 45 minutes. I know you shouldn't do two days in a row but I did because I had to. I'm trying to plan better in the future. I'm sore today.
Tonight is bible study at 6:30 and I am looking forward to that. I'm planning a sound and tech meeting tomorrow night at 6pm. Looking forward to that too. I have a little stuffed snowman for each person and some candy. Everyone is going to bring a treat. I'm going to hand out a list of duties, booth rules, an overhead schedule with phone numbers for the others so if one can't make it we have someone coming in. I want them all to realize how important they are and what our church actually does in this area. We are amazing! I'll organize this and print during my lunch tomorrow.
Wednesday is Christmas Eve. Unreal. i am getting giddy at the thought of my vacation; i'm smiling so much, it hurts!

before Christmas

2008-12-20T19:20:00.003-06:00

I worked out intensely this afternoon, omgsh my abs are screaming right now. Anyway, it was good and I needed it. It's been so cold that we haven't walked during lunch break all week. So today, I made sure to get on the Gazelle and then work my muscles. I did upper and lower body saving the abs for last. I think I'm getting addicted to these workouts! They are kinda fun and make me feel very good :-) Plus a visual of my goal is etched in my head and I'm looking forward to that ;-)
We had communion at the church today as Seal America made their final event in Washington, DC. We had a live feed on the big screen and a brunch after. It was awesome! Just seeing them during part of this big day felt amazing. Danny comes home Monday, almost for good now. It's going to be nice to have him home again for real. It's kinda like an arm has been missing. Now it'll be back! My brother Danny was here tonight. We exchanged Christmas gifts which are usually homemade. This year is no exception. He made me biscotti and jerky and I made him scones and cocoa mix. :-) I love this time of year!
I have cards for people at church and the kids have gifts for a gift exchange at youth group. Michael put a $10 gift card from Walmart with candy in a box and wrapped it up cute. Nikki created an open gift box with a $10 Family Video gift card, two round small bottles of coke (look like ornament balls), a popcorn box, and theater candy, licorice, and gum; it's adorable. I hope Michael gets it! lol
My mom is all anti-christmas (except for Jesus, the main reason anyway) because there is no energy left in her to do anything. Helping my dad has been draining. He collapsed Friday afternoon and an ambulance took him to ER at 1:30. My son's dr appt was at 1:30 (just a quick check-up) so I went to that & I checked in on my dad after. When things seemed ok, I brought Michael home and then stopped and checked in on my mom. I grabbed his coat and hat and headed back to ER. Tests came back good. His blood pressure is so low all the time and sometimes it drops dangerously low. This is what happened again. He was discharged at 6:30 so I brought him home and got everything situated. I think what we are going to do today is get their christmas stuff out from their garage unit and put stuff up for them. We have some scones and jam for them too and a card from my dogs and cat, lol. That should bring a little happiness in. It's not like they are depressed or anything, they just need a lift. So that's what I hope this brings.
I made the BEST coffee in the world this morning. If you had a cup you would think, "I must be in heaven!"...it's that good. I have these cute little glass espresso cups I got for Christmas and I used one for my coffee this morning. yum! Coffee taste can vary greatly by what ever medium used to hold it. don't ever forget that. ok.
Well, that's that. Another winter storm blowing in today. Work on Monday (no boss), Tuesday (no boss or MeLisSa), and Wed (no one except me and Marion!) Then I'm off for 11 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm having a sound meeting Tuesday night at 6pm with goodies and surprises. Christmas Eve is church. Christmas day is our family Italian feast and presents to open. Surprisingly, there are a few this year! That's all I know. Life is good, eternal life is better.

christmas fuzzy feelings

2008-12-16T05:51:00.004-06:00

It is beyond cold this morning. Seriously bitter. It's -17 with a windchill of -33. I really love winter though, I do! So the schedule came out with our vacation and I'M OFF the 25th-the 5th! Whoot! sosososososososososooooooooooooooooooooooo exciting! I'm gonna go back to a heaping load of work and I'm on phones that week too so I'll have plenty to do for a loooooooooong time. job security. Praise the Lord. annnnnnnnnnnnnd, overtime is OVER. I hope it never rears it's ugly head again. It's the pits. I've tried to balance everything and having O.T. involved makes it pretty darn tough. But that's in the past now so I'm moving on.
on to happy times with the Hub and family for Christmas and my home and no schedules and life is SO GOOD! God is so good to me and my family. Every challenge we have gets met head-on by us and God honors that by placing His hand on the situation and turns things around in our favor..EVERY SINGLE TIME. I love Him so much. He's my heart throb for real. He gives me that lovey happy warm and fuzzy feeling inside and makes me smile. Those with a relationship with the living savior Jesus Christ know exactly what I'm taking about. Those that don't, cannot even fathom what happens inside the person that gives their life to Christ. and I'm not talking about the occasional church-goer. You can go to church and still not have this. It's a personal, inside deal with the Living God that was born for us, forgave us, freed us from an eternity in hell, healed us, truely loved us and all He asked from us was to Believe. Do you believe? Tell him right now.. say this: Jesus, I do believe in you. I believe you were born, died, and rose again just to save me. I give you: me! Come into my life. I want this real relationship with you. Forgive me of my sins. Thank you for giving me eternal life. I will follow you. Amen.

That's it! If you prayed that prayer, there are angels in heaven jumping around mosh-like rejoicing like crazy over the miracle that just took place. Get a bible if you don't have one. Begin reading, maybe start in the book of John. Ingest it little by little. I suggest going to a bible-believing church. It will build you up. Tell someone what took place just now. That's an important thing to share. God loves you very much. Don't ever forget that. It's not Him that brings bad things into our lives. We make bad decisions sometimes and there is an evil one that does whatever it takes to lead us away from the love of God. Trust God, believe, and He will bring you through.
amen.

I'm gonna be so fit, yes, yes I am

2008-12-14T07:33:00.002-06:00

I haven't forgotten about exercise. I have been consistant, doing more now than I have been in the past year or so. I'm walking yes, but need to up the ante on that. I have been doing well with the strength training. My typical workout consists of: 15minutes on the Total Gym working both lower and upper body. Then I go over to the Gold's Gym thingy and do lat pull downs in front and back, rows, butterfly whutchamacallits, leg lifts, and leg presses. I can't use a whole lot of weight yet for these but it's enough to make me grunt out the last few! lol Then I go back to the Total Gym and do my abs for awhile. I also throw in Roman twists with a weighted barbell. It takes close to an hour to complete but I'm a putz and do not rush through anything. So that's what I'm doing. I'm not as excruciating sore as I was in the beginning, but I still feel it and I really like what I feel. I'm plugging along at CalorieKing.com trying to post on a daily basis what I'm consuming. Some good, some bad. But I'm keeping in my calorie range so that's good. My reason for all this: I do not want to be a fat missionary. I want to be as healthy as possible, afterall, I'm representing the Most High and that deserves my very best. I will get back into running again. I just know it.

I love this time of year!

2008-11-30T07:11:00.008-06:00

Tastefully Simple party Dec 9 6pm YUMMY!
Invited some gals from work and church for an evening of appetizers and drinks (nonalckie to some's dismay! lol) I've got some decor up and the tree and my Kenny G's Holiday Hits cd so it'll be kinda nice and cozy fun!

Sound Meeting Tuesday Dec 23 6pm (revamping and appreciating)
New faces, new layout in the booth, new system of doing things, lots of love for the help up there so time to share! I have surprises!

Party (& Firepit?) for LFC family Dec 28 after the morning service(POSTPONED)
Everybody's hungry after service so I'll have lots to eat, the Quelf game is ready to play and the poker table's out as interest has sparked again thanks to the Underground guy's night out last Friday. lol Sledding down my driveway is wicked fun too so this could be an awesome afternoon for everyone. I'm very excited!

my vAcAtIon :-) Dec 25-Jan 4th. YAY! 'nuff said!!

We've really plowed through a lot at work. We got a lot of old things caught up now thank the good Lord above and all the time and effort put in by some of the gals there. Whew! This overtime will probably end very soon; amen Amen AMEN.

I've been inviting people to church and I think a few are coming next week at 10. I am looking forward to seeing them there!

I absolutely love this time of year!

Thanks

2008-11-27T07:03:00.004-06:00

My family has a tremendous amount to be thankful for. Each member could go on and on about our blessings and today at dinner, we will. Today is a little different. Michael is already doing dishes at the restaurant; he's done at noon. Nikki has to work from 12:30-4:30. My parents are having dinner delivered between 11 and 12. They can't visit this year due to Richard's health. I wanted to put the tree up but idk if we will tonight or maybe Saturday. As long as we're together doing it. I found that tradition is extremely important to my youngest. He doesn't like stuffing but needs the dish full of it on the table for the fact that it's always been there. My oldest however, just wants us together at 5pm. She has much on her mind as she feels compassion for her friend who works until 7 and will go home to a frozen pizza. She feels a loss as her other friend is leaving out of town again for awhile. At the age of 17, an uncertain future looms ahead. Now, she is quite sure what her calling is and how exciting it will be because God spoke to her from Jer 29:11. But circumstances can make things look shakey. Ah, I see a growth in faith is occurring.
Life is good.
Side note: I thought about the book I was writing which over the last two years was kinda put off to the side. I was thinking about turning it into a children's book. It was originally going to be a series called "in your face christianity" but I found that the concept is so simple that I could boil the WHOLE BOOK down into ONE word: BELIEVE. Isn't it funny how God makes things so simple for us but we gotta go and complicate everything? It's like we like the drama or something. Circumstances pop up (thanks, satan) and we CHOOSE to get all concerned and worried. We fuss and let fear take us from a person of calm and peace to a troubled, apprehensive, basket-case. We need to believe God's Word for real all the time because it's unchanging no matter what jumps along our path. If there isn't enough faith in you to handle it, there's an easy fix. God says "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God". Go to a good bible-believing church (and believe it or not, there are churches which do not believe the bible) and listen to what God is saying through the preacher. Get a bible, and read it. Read it out loud so you can hear it! Know that God is with you no matter what circumstances are in your life at the moment. His promises all lead to the fact that in Christ, you ARE an overcomer so it's high time we get used to being just that and act accordingly. Right? :-) Ok, I've got stuffing to make. Happy Thanksgiving!

An evening filled with moments of my favorite things

2008-11-25T21:13:00.006-06:00

I got home before 5 tonight to be with the birthday girl for a little while. Nikki had a great birthday. I spent time with her and Michael before they ran off to the movies. Then I rolled up my sleeves and got busy in the kitchen. I scrubbed my sink all nice and shiney, hung my bear papertowel holder and brought out some thanksgiving & christmas things I like to keep on my counters. Playing in the background was my Kenny G Holiday Hits cd. I got a load of laundry going before taking a quick shower. After getting into clean warm jammies, I lit a couple of candles and sat down to enjoy a hot cup of tea. My 3 Goldens lay at my feet and the cat on my lap. I am a very blessed lady. I haven't talked to Mike yet tonight but I'm ready for bed now and probably couldn't hold much of a conversation.
I'm going to go have a talk with God now though before I'm too far gone for that even. I love nights like this.

today

2008-11-23T17:10:00.010-06:00

Danny's home, I got to give him a big hug :-) I WISH HE COULD STAY HOME NOW. :-)
Overtime is going well, home life is too, church life is too.
Both my kids work on Thanksgiving! Michael from 8-? and Nikki 12:30-4:30. So dinner will be at 5. Nikki is 17 tomorrow! my baby girl. She's a gem. Gonna get her a DQ cake. (her fave!)
I prayed out-loud at prayer yesterday...in front of people...a big step for me. I have got to get over myself and start letting God use my big mouth; that'll be one good thing it's good for. haha ok shutup now.
OHMYGOSH my vacation time is SO CLOSE now! Only a month away!!!!!!!!!!! You know where I'm going? haha,HOME! homehomehomesweetlovablecozynice&warm&fuzzyHOME! No schedule.no nothing but happyhappy-joyjoy homeyhomeHOME. I really love my home. Yes I do. I love the people that live here with me too. They're kinda nice. and cute.
Me and hubby hung a *VERY HEAVY* cabinet up in the laundry/pantry room yesterday afternoon. We did a good job, looks good. We recycled one that we had and hubby had a brainstorm which led to all that. He's pretty wise.
I'll be mailing all of Richard's supplemental insurance stuff this week. My mom is very overwhelmed with taking care of him as it seems as if he's one step forward and two back. We're concerned too. I really don't know....except trusting God is the only way. I made them homemade chicken soup and banana bread Friday with enough for Sat. She used the crockpot Sunday. I don't know what to do now. I'll think of something I'm sure.
Last night Mike and I watched Deck the Halls, we had a great night. I love him so. I only wish we had more time together. Maybe we get along so well by only having a small amount of time together; we don't take each other for granted. You have to watch out for that in any relationship. Today I'm going to love extravagently and work hard and get my daughter her cake.

i am sound!

2008-11-20T20:36:00.007-06:00

SO, I'm not being replaced :-) My kids told me that the announcement was a nice announcement for someone who's "techie" to talk to Pastor about learning sound to be a help to me because I cannot always be there. :-) I'm glad because sound is my liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiife and I loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove it above all my other jobs! (except wife and mom)
So I can rest easy tonight knowing my true calling of being an awesome and amazing sound tech still holds true. I pray for the right person to help. Isn't that great? I know. I'm so happy! and this will be important because someday I will be off on my mission trip and somebody will have to be running the sound booth while I'm gone.