Wednesday Wanderings

What a beautiful Fall day! Wish I could've been outside today! Would have been great to be at the beach, or working in the yard, sitting on the porch....

It was a great night at Weight Watchers too. I lost 6.6 lbs this week!! Tracking really does help! I've been slack about tracking the last month, mostly trying to remember. I've lost one or two lbs a week, but had gained 2 last week (part of it could've been the jean jumper I was wearing.) Anyway, I tried really hard this week so I could lose last week's gain plus some. I've lost a total of 34.8 lbs! I can hardly believe it! My mom has a whole stack of clothes to take up for me. That's a good feeling! Thanks for all the encouragement from my family, friends & co-workers - it really helps keep me motivated!

Please continue to pray for Lauren & Jody's family. I'm still not sure what's ahead for them as far as treatments go.

I'd better go try to find something to wear tomorrow. Gotta leave extra early in the morning to finish setting up our book fair.

Update on Lauren

Thanks for all the prayers! God is so good!! Lauren is doing well after the surgery and plans to come home tomorrow (Sunday). I don't know what is ahead for her as far as treatments, so continue to remember her & her family please. Her sister-in-law says she has really inspired everyone with her faith. I know her faith is important to her, but was glad to hear that she was relying on it to help her through this.

Prayer Request

Asking all my friends to please add my cousin-in-law Lauren Clemmons to your prayer list. She was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple of weeks ago. It is also in her lymph nodes, but thankfully the body scan showed it wasn't in any other organs. She will have surgery this Friday (Sept. 25). Lauren is in her late 20's -early 30's. She & my cousin Jody have 3 children. Please remember this young family. Jody's dad, my uncle also has cancer and Lauren's dad had cancer surgery the same day that she had her biopsy done. It seems it is coming at them from all angles. I know they are feeling overwhelmed. Thanks.

Ashley's Grove Baptist Church 100th Anniversary Celebration

What a splendid day! Our church celebrated it's 100th anniversary today. Prayers were answered and the weather was absolutely PERFECT! It was wonderful to see family and friends, renew old friendships and meet new people. Two of our former pastors were able to join us today. View the group photo at Conway Photo's blog http://conwayphotoshop.blogspot.com.
Many thanks to those who spent months planning and working to make today memorable for so many people. I know many of them are totally exhausted tonight, having spent most of the last two weeks at church working on the final details. But I'm sure it is a contented tiredness. Everything was wonderful and I've heard so many good comments. Glad many of you could spend the day with us too.
Now it's time to head back to bed (had a fabulous nap this evening!) and get ready to face the little darlings at school tomorrow. What shall wonderful stories will we read this week???

No more reading!!

I made a BIG proclamation yesterday: I'm not going to read anymore!! This is a pretty heavy statement for a librarian. It just hurts too much! Thursday night I read a book that just broke my heart.
Let me explain: The book was "Grandpa's Mountain", a 1991 children/young adult novel, set in the mountains of Virginia, during the Great Depression. The point of view was from an 11 yr. old girl who spent the summers with her grandparents in the mountains. She got through the year looking forward to her summers with them. The story is about when they were buying the land to build the Blue Ridge Parkway. The book is fiction, but much of it is based on the true story of a man who fought to save his land. In the novel, the girl's grandfather does all he can to save his ancestoral home & business, but in the end, they are moved out and their home burned. He eventually works through his grief, and moves on to the challenge of rebuilding their lives. It's a good book overall, but just heart wrenching.
When I read a book, especially novels, I get totally absorbed into them. I really identified with the characters' love of their land in this book, and how the girl felt-it's how I feel about our homeplace here in Conway. It's the place I escaped to from the city when I was growing up. My roots are miles deep there. Right now, I don't even want to see the Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah National Park, or Skyline Drive! Yes millions of people have enjoyed it through the years, building it provided jobs for many when they desperately needed jobs, and many of the people benefited by moving to more modern homes, etc. But to have their homes & outbuildings burned so they couldn't go back, sometimes with them watching...just horrible!!

But, all's well that ends well: My resolve only lasted about 3 minutes. I made my bold statement as Alan started down the book aisle at WalMart, by the time I was halfway down the aisle, I spied a book (3 novels in 1) set in West Virginia (one of my favorite places to read about), and 2 of them written by authors I love. I'm back to devouring words! I can do without chocolate (for awhile), but not my books!!! Those of you who know me, know this. Every room in my house has books &/or magazines in it, and of course I'm surrounded by them at work. I'm like a mouse in a cheese factory- YUM YUM!!

I'm back!

I've missed blogging lately, tried to keep reading others, but didn't have time to blog. I've been helping Mama & Daddy in their garden & yard some the last couple of weeks. Picking butter beans, making tomato juice (I let Mama can it), weeding flower beds at my house and theirs. Mama & I have been shopping a little bit too. Hit a few antique shops & found a few treasures. Today I found a hobnail milk glass cookie jar. I was thrilled, because I saw one in May for much more.
If you get a chance you need to visit the new Riverside Mill in Weldon, NC. There are some beautiful paintings, whimsical metal sculptures, wood items, pottery and more in the gallery area. Then there are quite a few booths of antiques & collectibles-prices vary from very reasonable to a bit high-something for most budgets though. There are also shops in the basement. (We didn't get down there-Mama was getting too tired).
Mama is still having trouble breathing and getting so weak. Still has some doctor appt. coming up. Continue remembering her and Geraldine (Alan's mom) in your prayers. She also has more appt. scheduled. They have some days that they can get around fairly well, then days that they can hardly make it. Both are really frustrated as well as worried.
Oh, almost forgot! I finally made my 10% weight loss goal this week, actually passed it! I've lost a total of 27.4 lbs now! The last few weeks I've been up & down by 1-1 1/2 lbs. couldn't seem to quite get to the goal. I was so happy Wed. night when I finally got there. I've been able to get into some clothes that I haven't worn in several years! Had to buy a few new tops too-one & two sizes smaller!!! Much more to go, but I know it can be done! I have 2 Dr. appts. this week, for checkups and I can't wait to see what they have to say!
Hope everyone has a blessed Sunday!

Meanderings

We had a wonderful relaxing week at Holden Beach, NC last week! Plus we got to spend some time with my Dad's side of the family. Alan & I spent a few hours at the beach each day, rode bikes, walked, visited uncles, aunts & cousins, & ate too much! One night my aunt cooked a delicious country supper (fried pork chops, rice & gravy, homemade biscuits, beans, cabbage, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, & cantalope). My aunt is a wonderful cook and the food was sooo good, but sharing it with family around the table was the best part. Always a highlight to a trip down there is if we get to spend some time with one of my cousins & his family. He's like a brother to me. We had lunch with them one day which was really a treat. I hate I didn't get to see much of my other cousins, but they weren't on vacation and the work must go on. It was a simple week, extremely enjoyable. Even with all the splurging on food - I still managed to lose 1.6 lbs for a total of 25 lbs lost!!! I was thrilled! I had hoped for 2.6 to reach my 10% goal, but hopefully that will come this week!

This week we had a scare with Alan's mom and she had to have a heart cath on Thursday, but her problem isn't with her heart. We are thankful for that, but she will have more tests to hopefully find out what is causing her trouble. My mom is still undergoing tests and seeing specialists to determine what is causing her weakness & shortness of breath. She & Geraldine have similar symptoms, but some differences. Thanks for the prayers for both ladies and please continue remembering them.

If you're a regular reader, you know that Alan & I don't live what most people would call an "exciting" life, we don't travel to exotic places or do whatever those exciting people do, but it's the life we've chosen & we treasure it. Our world pretty much revolves around our families, a few close friends, church, work, home and a few civic activities. We love living in our small rural hometown: it's who we are-where we come from... (are you humming a country song yet?) I'm country. I truly believe I would suffocate and die in a big city! I have to have room, know the people around me, feel and smell the dirt and grass.It may sound trite, but it makes me smile & brightens my day when friends wave as we pass each other on the road or stop to chat as we walk by each other's houses. Sure, it's frustrating sometimes when it seems everyone knows your business, but the upside is that when you need support, friends are there to show concern & help. I'm content with our life, frankly extremely thankful for our life. Does that mean I'm too simplistic, idealistic, & shallow? Am I inferior because I don't read deep philosphical books that I can't even pronounce the title or author? Should I even care? Several conversations during the last few months have me wondering. Am I so different from others? Sometimes I think I must have been kidnapped by aliens from the 1800's or early twentieth century and brought back in 1963.
Sorry for totally rambling, maybe you can make some sense of it all.

Happy Father's Day!

Wishing my Daddy (Ernie) and Alan's Dad (J.P.) a Happy Father's Day! The moms will probably get me for not writing about them on Mother's Day! Another time Moms!)
We had a wonderful lunch with our dads and the rest of our family here at our house.
Down-home Southern country cooking-it doesn't get much better. Baked ham, fresh homegrown (Daddy) snaps (green beans for readers outside of northeastern NC), squash, hashbrown casserole, rice cooked in ham broth, potato salad and pineapple cake. I'll definitely need to get some exercise going this week!! But really most things were cooked following Weight Watchers & diabetic guidelines, including the cake. (We won't talk about portion control though). LOL.

Alan, Shari & I are very fortunate when it comes to our dads! They are the best two dads in the world!! Both are honorable men, strong in their Christian faith and love for their families. Daddy and J.P. both are firm disciplinarians when they need to be, but also the ones we seek for for strength & comfort when we need it. They both enjoy gardening and piddling around outside. Both men are well-known for their teasing and aggravating! You're okay if they are teasing & picking on you, but if they aren't-you'd better tread lightly. One of the special bonds between J.P. and I is our love of flowers and animals. We always have to walk around each other's yards to see what's blooming, and trading plants & bulbs. I must say I've gotten the better end of that deal-he has more to share than I do. I've enjoyed his chickens, peacocks, collies and other animals through the years (not so much the parrots & Quaker Parakeets & tarantula!). I love him dearly and am so glad he is my father-in-law, and so glad he raised such a wonderful son.

I'm totally a Daddy's Girl and my daddy has always been my Hero, with a capital H! As a child, I wanted to be just like him! (Not so easy for a girl). I would get mad when people told me I looked "just like your Mama", which happens at least weekly now. When I was around 3 or 4, I cut my hair one night. I started above my ear! My comment was "I want to be like my daddy!" I had a very short pixie for awhile. I always wanted to go wherever he went (and didn't like it one bit if I couldn't go.) To this day, he better not leave without telling me "Bye" and hugging me, or I'll be in tears. I think some of this comes from him being a NC State Trooper, and we realized the importance of saying goodbye and getting a hug before he left for work each day, because you just never knew if it would be the last one. Of course none of us do, but it was a high risk profession. While I want my mama and Alan there when I'm upset or something is wrong, I need my "Diddy" too. They each have an important, yet different role to play. Somehow it just seems that it will be all right eventually if he is there. Daddy is the tower of strength and wisdom in our family. He has impeccable judgement and the gift of discernment, so I, as well as other family members & friends often seek his guidance. Now if you know me, you know I love Alan with all my heart; he's my best friend & the other half of me, and he ranks right up there with Daddy, but he'll be the first to tell you that 99% of the time I'll go with what Daddy says. Can't help it, just the way I am.
I love you "Diddy" and you're still my HERO!

Summertime and the livin's easy (almost)

Well, school is out and I should be out too, but I have a little more cleaning up and wrapping up loose ends to take care of tomorrow and then I'll be done for the summer!!! Of course I have about 2 summers' worth of stuff I want to do during these few weeks! Tons of stuff to do around the house & yard, going to the beach, doing some fun stuff with Corey & Shari, spending time with our family & friends, helping Mama & Daddy in their garden, swinging on my porch, walking, going on some day trips with Alan, sleeping late a few days, reading, scrapbooking, crafting....wonder if I'll get 1/4 of it done? I'll take it a day at a time and try to enjoy each to it's fullest.
Hope everyone has a great week.

The Light at the end of the Tunnel!

Well, I can see the light now-2 more days of school! Lots of deadlines and stuff this last week, but it won't last too long. I know I'll be missing the kids in a few weeks, but right now I can't wait for a few weeks to just be ME.

This week was MUCH better than last week. It seemed long, but no slinky visitors at least. I was very excited Wed. night at Weight Watchers. I had lost again and hit the 20 lb lost mark!!!! I still have a long ways to go-but that there's less of me going!!!! Thanks to those who got me motivated to join WW, now you gotta get back in the game with me. I miss you!

Nothing much going on. Gotta get busy cleaning up! Have a good weekend everyone.

What a Week! Don't let the pics scare you!

Give me simple and boring any day. This week was too much!

First of all, Alan left last Thursday (May 22) to go to West Virginia for 9 days on a NC Baptist Men Disaster Relief project, to help clean up from a Mother's Day weekend flood. This really means alot to him and he's really missed helping for the last year & half with the collapsed disks & surgery. I admire him for going, but I hate when he's gone. I didn't sleep very well even though Mama was here a few nights, I never do when Alan's gone.

The good part of the week was at WW Wednesday night-I had lost 4.2 lbs!!! I was so excited. I had a small gain the week before and was kinda down about it, unmotivated, etc.

Thursday we had a bomb threat at school!! My first one ever. To make it worse, it poured rain while we were all outside! It was scary! I hated that some fool upset the kids so much. I pray they catch them and prosecute to the fullest. Friday, everyone was kinda apprehensive, but we got through the day with no more threats.

I was excited to get home Friday, because Alan was almost home!!! I pulled into the driveway and before I got out of the car, he pulled in!! Halleluia!! I told him I was sticking like glue this weekend! About an hour after he got home we went out on the porch. He was starting the grill and I was just gonna sit out there with him. As he walked by the table to the grill, I saw a snake laying on the table!!! At least about a foot of him was-the rest was coiled inside a little decorative house Alan built several yrs. ago that lights up! I yelled to Alan to get away, and I ran to the shed to get the shovel while Alan watched the varmit. He crawled back into the house and Alan finally had to pry the bottom off to get him out and kill him.

About mid-morning today, Major (our collie) started barking. Not his "I'm gonna eat you alive" bark, just short yelps. I went out to see what was wrong. There was a baby robin in his pen. It had fallen from the pine tree above. Major wasn't bothering it, just looking curiously at it (thank goodness!) I picked it up and its parents were calling to it from the trees around the pen. The little bird chirped and chirped. I put it outside the pen near where the parents kept perching. They didn't see him as he blended in with the dirt and he was not chirping much any more, actually dozing off. I was afraid a snake would get him, or Major when he was let out. So I rigged up a pot nest with some coconut hanging basket liner and hung in one of the trees. I checked on him several times. He seemed to be getting weaker and couldn't make a sound anymore. I was crying when Alan came out to see where I was. I just knew it was gonna die. The parent birds still kept going over to the pen, not to the tree. So I moved the pot nest to the fence. When we got back from Franklin about 4:30 he was sitting up alert and the parents were on the top of the fence. Hopefully he will be okay after all.

Mama in the tree right above her baby.

I hope the coming week is much calmer!

Sharing flowers

I've really missed blogging the last few weeks. Just too busy and exhausted to think what to write. I finally passed my 5% goal in WW!! Two weeks ago I lost 3 lbs and reached a total of 15 lbs lost!!! I was totally thrilled!! This past Wed. I was exactly the same (at least no gain)! I'm trying harder this week.

I thought I would share some photos of my flowers.

I love these old-fashioned flowers. I don't know the name of them-they're a type of lamb's ear, but not the broad leaf variety. As a child I called my grandmother's "velvet flowers" and it stuck

in our family. These are decendents from her plants. I love flowers that come back and don't need any help from me-just to love them!

Oh how sweet the smell! Magnolia grandiflora!! Southern sweetness at its best! Another of my most favorite flowers. I got married in May because these would be blooming! Our 24th anniversary is this Monday, May 18th. Like the magnolia, my Alan is sweetness at its best!

Love you sweetie!

Weight Watcher update

It's a crazy week!! Can't wait until FRIDAY this week (and it's not the kids this week)!
Just taking a moment to let everyone know that I didn't meet my 5% goal this week at WW. I stayed exactly the same-at least no extra weight to have to re-lose! I'm glad I didn't have a gain after splurging some while on vacation. I did get some extra walking in-so thought I might've lost some. Today starts a new WW week though! Hope everyone else gets good news tomorrow night!
Living for a beautiful weekend to get back in my yard and plant, plant, plant flowers!!!

Vacation Recap

Those of us fortunate enough to have a week off for Easter break are headed back to reality tomorrow morning-UGH! But, it's the countdown to June 9th and SUMMER! Actually, I did start to miss my students this weekend (crazy huh?). I should be cured by 8:30 tomorrow!

I really enjoyed the break though. I didn't get everything done that I wanted to by any means, but we got some things accomplished and I relaxed! Alan & I worked in the yard Monday moving hosta & creating some new beds. I planned what annuals & the colors I want in which beds, etc. After Monday's workout, Tuesday both of us were wiped out. We just enjoyed being home, sitting on the back porch (patio), watching & listening to the birds, and playing with Major.

Thursday we went to visit my relatives on my dad's side of the family in Supply, NC (between Wilmington & Myrtle Beach). We had a great short visit. We did some shopping. I spent some time at an antique store that's operated by a close family friend, & bought a milkglass cake stand. I always have to walk through like three times to see everything and see the neat way she's displayed stuff. She's really talented in that respect and she loves to reuse/repurpose stuff in different ways like I do. I always get tons of ideas from her.

We did make it to the beach for a little while Fri. afternoon, but the wind was so cold!!! My eyes were watering so much I could barely see. We walked for about 20 minutes and just had to leave. We had to come home yesterday, of course it was much warmer and not as windy, but that's the way it goes. Hopefully we'll get to spend more time down there this summer.

Well, it's getting late and I have to get up early and get my brain (and everything else) back in gear! So, goodnight! Hope everyone has a great week!

Little by Little...

I'm excited to blog that I passed the 10 lb marker! I had lost 2.2 lbs this week for a total of 11.6 lbs. Hopefully this coming Wed. I will reach my 5% goal! I know it is small amounts, but I haven't seen these numbers on the scales in YEARS! I hardly knew they were there as the needle blurred by! Thanks for all the support and encouragement from my family, friends (online and offline)! Gotta go, going walking on the beach in a little while-when it warms up a bit! Oh yeah, activity points!!! Everyone have a good day and hope everyone else had a loosing week!

Major is (will be) 1 yr. old!

Tomorrow our puppy Major will be 1 year old! He's registered name is Major Jakie Bear. The "Jakie" is after Alan's Dad, whose is often called Jake by his family. Our first collie was named Prissie after Alan's Mom (if you know Geraldine, you'll understand!), so it was only fair to name Major after J.P., and he owns Major's parents. BTW-he has a couple of new collie pups ready to go to new homes!!

It doesn't seem like it was a year ago Major was so tiny...(Minor?)

He's about 2 wks old in the photo above.

This photo was taken on April 4th.

He's not so tiny now! Now you know why the "Bear" part of his name! He still wants to be a lapdog some days, though. He loves to play with his rope. He slings it, chews it, and chases it. He's pretty good at fetching and bringing it back for us to toss again. He's got his people trained well. His other favorite toy is a plastic flower pot! He will carry it all over the yard, retrieve it when we throw it, and chew it. Then we get a new one so he won't get cut or eat the plastic pieces. He has brought lots of joy & laughter to our lives.

Here is Major with his first flower pot when we brought him home last May!

It took us a couple of years to get another collie after Prissie had to be put to sleep. She was with us for 13 years and was so much company for Alan, especially after he had to stop work due to his back problems. She followed him everywhere around the yard and shop. Major is following in her footsteps in that regard. If he would just stop barking so much!! Prissie only barked if something was wrong or someone came around. Major barks at the birds at the feeder, when he wants to play, while he's playing, when someone or some animal comes into the yard and sometimes just for the heck of it, I think. Hopefully he will soon mature enough not to bark so much. We love the noisy ole boy though!

Happy Birthday Major!

Hi, I'm Sue...

It's been so long since I've blogged, I thought I may need to re-introduce myself.

I haven't really had anything to blog about, and haven't really felt like it. Still coughing and battling sinus issues. Week before last, I had a rheumatoid (sp) arthritis (RA) flare up in my hip & leg and couldn't walk for 2 days. It's frustrating, but I'm so fortunate that the medicine usually keeps it in check. Anyway, I'm much better now. There are so many people with so many more & worse problems than mine.

This week was all about making it until Thurs. at 1:30 when we got out for Spring Break!!! I worked until 4:45 though-nice and quiet-actually got some stuff accomplished.

I was thankful Wed. night at Weight Watchers for a 1 lb loss! (I must be following Kelly's idea of 1 lb/wk). That's a total of 9.4 in two months. Hopefully with losing so slowly it will stay away forever! Hoping for 1-2 lbs loss next Wed. at least to get to 10 lb loss! Due to the RA flare up, I didn't get any extra walking in. I'm working on those Activity Points this week! I did the trim mowing with the push mower today. Hopefully I'll get to do some walking on the beach sometime this week when we visit my dad's side of the family in the Shallotte area. (But my uncle's cooking will push my daily points too! We call him "Emeril").

I was feeling a bit mischievous (imagine that,LOL) yesterday afternoon. My mom can't stand Easter egg trees, so I tease her every year about it. For years I've wanted to decorate one of her trees when she was gone, but haven't been able to work it out. Well, they went to the Maundy Thursday service at their church in Roanoke Rapids last night and I had my eggs ready. I didn't have many, and I wanted to make sure she saw it when they drove up, so I hung them on her gardenia bush at the end of the driveway (forgot the camera). Dad called on their way home and I told him to make sure the headlights hit the bush. We're always doing something to aggravate her. Well, when they drove up, Dad said at first she didn't say anything, then she said "Look at that! That mean daughter of yours has put eggs on my bush!!" 'Course she was laughing. So she called and said she was gonna get my britches when she saw me. I responded as usuall with "My Diddy won't let you!" Well, this morning I rode with Alan to get the trailer & lawnmowers (stored at their house). While he was loading up I went inside to see her. Of course she didn't get me-we had a good laugh. Later, when we took the lawnmowers back, I snuck around and got the eggs off the bush and hung them on her Norfolk Island pine in the back porch. Later she called saying she had found that and I was gonna get it for weighting down her NI pine. Well, I asked it she laughed, of course she had. I told her see I knew she needed a laugh, and was only doing it for her stress relief. She needed a laugh-she had just dumped a lemon chess pie upside down on the oven door as she took it out of the oven! Some days are like that! Anyway, I get my mean streak from her, so she can't say much about it.
Hope everyone has a great Easter!

Catching Up!

Hey everyone! I've been sick since March 12th with the sinus infection CRUD going around. (I haven't seen Shari in weeks, so she didn't get hers from me!). I haven't even been on the computer until today since the 15th. I was too sick to go on our trip to Raleigh on the 13th-Alan went alone and I stayed in the bed or recliner all weekend. We haven't had a chance to even do anything special for my birthday yet. I did go back to work this week, but some days I thought 3:00 would NEVER come. I'm still coughing & taking antibiotics.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes on the 15th! I enjoyed your blogs & photos from Blogger Blast. It sounds like you really had a great time.

I missed Weight Watchers last week, but had lost 2 more lbs last night. That's a total of 8.4 lbs in 7 wks! Not amazing, but let's hope "slow & steady wins the race"! I wasn't sure how I would do this week since while I was sick some days I hardly ate anything, and when I felt like eating, I didn't think much about points. It's kinda good to be back tracking again this week-that feels normal now.

Hope everyone has a great Friday!

Week Four Results

Thankfully, it seems I'm back on track. I lost 2.8 lbs this week!! I lost the 1.8 lbs. I had gained last week, plus another pound! I made sure to meet my points (or slightly over) each day this week, and I got in a good walk two days. Got to try to get more consistent with the activity. Hope everyone in the Thursday group has good results tomorrow night.

P.S. I hate I'm not able to join everyone at the Blogger Blast Friday. Alan & I already had another commitment. I know you'll have a great time! Looking forward to hearing about it from everyone else. Maybe next time.

Happy Birthday Corey!

Just wanted to wish the best nephew in the world a Happy 9th Birthday tomorrow, March 10th!! Hard to believe that he's so grow up, yet it's hard to remember life before Corey. I'm sure it was quieter, but not half as entertaining and exciting!! Corey is so much fun! We have a great time playing together. He's either gonna keep us all young or wear us out faster. Uncle Alan enjoys building things with Corey and playing with motorized toys. Corey & I enjoy putting puzzles together, sometimes reading and just exploring outside. Corey has always been a child you could talk to-really carry on a conversation with. I love his enthusiasm for learning (things that HE wants to know about). I enjoy sharing our common interest in science and nature (except the snakes & spiders -ICK!!) He is resourceful and creative. He's sensitive and deep. Sometimes he says or does such amazingly deep things, it brings tears to our eyes. Like at Christmas he took it upon himself to write a special blessing to say on Christmas Eve! Needless to say he was probably the only one with dry eyes!! His smile or a hug makes our day! Corey, we love you to pieces!! Hope you have a good birthday!! Love Aunt Sue & Uncle Alan!!

Refreshing Weekend

This weekend has been so refreshing and relaxing, I sure needed it. School has been crazy lately! I've basically collapsed every evening after I get home, some days in extremely BAD moods. Alan has been very patient, giving me some space, yet listening while I vent, cry or mope around. Enough of that depressing mess.
The big event this weekend was celebrating my father-in-law's 80th birthday! He's a wonderful man and we are all so fortunate to have him in our lives (even though he thrives on teasing me!) I wouldn't have it any other way though. I had planned to have everyone here for supper Sat. night, but Friday night I got feeling really sick and feverish, so we opted for Cracker Barrel (YUM).
Since we were going out for supper, I had a little more free time Sat. (didn't have to clean & cook). Thankfully I felt good Saturday morning. I raked some pine straw & played with our collie, Major; anything to be outside and enjoy that weather!! After lunch I went to my parents' house for couple hours. They live at my mama's homeplace, beside her sister on the family farm. The farm is my most favorite place in the whole world. My roots are extremely deep in that dirt! I spent my earlist years living beside my grandparents on that farm, and then Alan & I lived in the same spot for 7 years after we were married. We have always loved rambling in the woods or just walking on the farm. Whenever family members would come home for a visit, a major part would be walk, or drive the old farm truck, around the farm or in the woods -to reconnect with the land. Yesterday my parents & I walked around the edge of the woods, although the area we walked isn't much woods right now. It was logged several years ago and the pines are just a little taller than I am now, but there are a few hardwood trees in that area. The little kid in me came out and I had to explore/follow some of the deer trails through the underbrush. I got caught on a few briars, but not too bad. As a child, I spent many hours following my granddaddy everywhere on the farm. He taught me so much about nature and wildlife. It was just so freeing.

I left there to go home to get ready to go out. But I stopped on the way at a cousin's house. I had to rescue her from weedeating :) It's been too long since we just talked and spent time together. Then one of our other cousins came up, and the three of us had such a nice relaxing time just hanging out for a few minutes. Unfortunately, it seems we only get together when someone dies. Anyway, it was one of the highlights of my weekend!

Then we went out to celebrate JP's birthday with Alan's parents, sister Shari, her hubby Colin and our nephew Corey. We had a great time, as we always do when we get together. We couldn't talk as well as if we had been at home, but no one had to wash dishes afterwards. I thank them for agreeding to going out! I'll cook for us another day.

Today after church, we went to lunch at Alan's parents, as usual, except Shari wasn't there. She was working at Corey's school for a couple hours. I did cheat on WW just a tad- I had a itty bitty piece of homemade carrot cake, JP's birthday cake! It was divine!! Then we went to look at the newest collie puppies. They are so precious! I had to love on the cats too. Can't shun any of the critters! We stopped briefly to check on my parents, then home for NAPTIME! I had taken some medicine for vertigo before lunch-got feeling a bit woosy during church. By the time we got home I was a walking zombie. After a nap, we went outside to play with Major for awhile enjoying that extra daylight!!

Now it's almost time to go back to school. :( Hope everyone has a good week!

Week Three Results

Oops! I gained back 1.8 lbs this week. I know some weeks will be like that, but it's still a bummer. I'm grateful that it wasn't more. I am proud that I didn't give in and eat for comfort when I had a horrible day Friday! I think part of my problem this week was I was trying so hard to make sure I was eating because I was hungry, and not just for comfort, that I didn't eat enough -and I didn't use all my points two or three days. I'm not giving up though. I just have to work harder this week, to relose that 1.8 lbs, plus some more. Hope everyone else had a better week than me.

Week Two Results

I had my second weigh in at WW on Wed. night. I was a little surprised but delighted - I had lost 2 more lbs! That's a total of 5 lbs 4 oz!! I didn't drink as much water or get all my dairy in this past week, so I was afraid I hadn't lost any. I was trying to prepare myself for the worst so I wouldn't get discouraged, but thankfully was surprised. I've increased my activity some and if I can stay on task (boy, that sounded like school) this week should be good too. Hope so. I hope Kelly & Cathy had a good week too. Rhonda, hope you enjoyed the cruise! Good luck to everyone for the coming week!

Week One Results

I'm so excited- I lost 3.4 lbs this week!!! Thanks for everyone's encouragement! I was a bit anxious about weighing in. I felt like I had done well, but was scared that I hadn't and that I would give up if all that had been for nothing. So far it hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be. Maybe it's just because I've really made up my mind that I have to do it this time. I think the fact that WW focuses on the positive not the negative aspects is a major benefit. There's not a "Do Not Eat List" (that just makes you want something more) since it's not "a diet", but a healthy eating lifestyle. I know most of my problem has always been portion control (or lack thereof)!!! I'm a country girl and love that country cooking, and eating all you want! I did splurge a little last night after the meeting -a little bit of home fried chicken (no skin) and potato salad. It was heavenly! I worked it off today at school though-dusting shelves and washing the windows from my office into the library and into the hallway, and the windows on the doors. I think I've got spring fever and ready for spring cleaning.

Day One Down!

YEAH! I made it through the first day on Weight Watchers!! It wasn't so bad and not as hard as I thought. I just haven't had a chance to get to the store to stock up-so had to make due today. I was proud of myself when we had an ice cream party for our students who met their Accelerated Reader goal for the 6 wks, the only ice cream I ate was a smidgen left on the scoop when we finished. It helped that my friend did all the scooping this time, while I was busy calling the students, etc. Thanks for all the encouragement!

P.S. To update everyone on my cousin's husband, John who broke his arm last week-it was worse than doctors thought. His elbow was shattered, they were to do surgery Wed. and they found another fracture! He is in traction and has to have some radiation on it-something to do with the bone fragments! They really appreciate all prayers!

Joining the Fight!

Well, I took the plunge tonight to formally join the fight against FAT! I joined Weight Watchers too. Kelly, Cathy & Rhonda have been so inspiring, so I'm gonna try. I've been thinking about it, checking out the website, even bought a WW cookbook over the last year, but just kept putting it off (and putting the lbs on). Now I'll be accountable-to WW and to you blogging friends-not just to myself. I'm really pretty excited about it. I'll keep you posted.

Feeling My Age

Old age & arthritis are the pits! It's so frustrating that a simple out-of-the- ordinary activity can come back to bite you. I'm "feeling the pain" this evening after playing with my nephew, Corey this afternoon. We started playing badminton, but the wind blew the birdie too much, so we changed to tennis rackets & a tennis ball. His mom, Shari joined in too. We hit the ball some, chased it alot, but mostly laughed!! We had a great time. I knew I'd be stiff & a little sore in the morning, but my shoulder is already hurting some. (And I was thinking this afternoon that maybe Corey & I could really play tennis this summer). It was totally worth it to spend some quality time making memories with Corey though. I feel sorry for him sometimes that all his adults are falling to pieces, and just can't do some things he'd like for us too. I wish I had the energy I had at eight years old, even 1/2 of it! My mind just can't get my body to cooperate. That tree Corey climbed later was pulling at my inner child to climb it, but there's just way too much to lift to a branch these days! Besides, Shari was running around with the ever present camera!

All Quiet on the Homefront

Everything is pretty routine around here, which is a blessing! I have been concerned the last week or so for several of my family and friends who have not been so blessed. Two dear friends, Susan & Sue, each lost a parent last week, one her father, and one her mother. I know without a doubt that both are comforted by their faith, but my heart is still heavy for them. My cousin Alisa's oldest son Taylor, a special needs child, had surgery on Jan. 20 to remove steel plates from his thighs, he was progressing well. Then a little over a week later, he took a tumble from his wheelchair outside and had surgery Feb. 2 to repair a broken femur. He's feeling much better and as happy as always, but in a body cast for several weeks. Last night Taylor's dad broke his arm and was supposed to have surgery today. I haven't heard an update on him yet. Alisa has 3 other young boys besides Taylor to keep up with. She's an amazing lady and mom, but is feeling overwhelmed. Fortunately her Mom and brother live nearby and can help out. Some good news, another cousin, Brandi is a new mom to a baby boy! They had quite a surprise since they were expecting a girl!! My friend Crystal passed her State Boards and is an LPN now! Especially amazing that she did so well, since the gentleman I mentioned earlier that passed away was her grandfather. My sister-in-law Shari is still praying for the right job to come available. Please join me in remembering all these precious folks in your prayers. While it seems so simple, and we often want a more tangible way to help, prayer is the most powerful way we can help anyone.
Hope everyone has a great Friday and wonderful weekend!

Winter blahs...snow cure?

Like several other blogger friends, I was MIA this week too. Nothing much was happening. Just sort of BLAH. I spent SEVERAL hours last Sun., Mon, & Tues. reading other blogs, chatting with my cousins on Facebook, but not really in the mood to blog myself. The long weekend was great, but our miniscule snow event was a bummer, I think my energy must have melted with the snow. Like many of you, I was so excited over the prospect of a decent snow. Maybe February will bring some!

Kelly, Cathy and Rhonda, you have been inspiring the last few weeks, even if you've had some rough patches. Keep it up! I have decided to cut out so many Diet Dr. Peppers. I'm down to only one most days, some days only 1/2 and 2 days-none! I had been drinking at least 3-4 most days.

Shari- hang in there Sis! You're going to find the perfect job, and you are not a failure at anything!! You so precious to me and so many others.I know it can be discouraging, and sometimes the paths we travel are winding and rocky-sometimes by our choices, sometimes guided by God to get us where we need to be. Just pray, try to be patient and follow His directions to what He has in store for you. Many of your friends are praying for you too. The answer will come!

It's a new week: with new opportunities & challenges, new chances to make someone's day! So, let's all pick ourselves up by the bootstraps and face it head-on with a smile! (Hope I can live up to this until 3:00 tomorrow!)

16 Random Things

I thought I'd post some too, since I enjoyed reading the rest of yours and learned alot about you girls.

1. I love to color & I'm like a kid when I get new boxes of crayons or colored pencils.
2. I have the sweetest, most considerate husband in the world, who spoils me too much!!
3. I'm a packrat!
4. I get really dirty when I work in my flowers. I can be out there 10 minutes and I'll have dirt all over me.
5. I don't care about traveling to exotic places. There are lots of places in US & NC I'd like to visit though.
6. I've never liked playing games much. I'm not competitive at all.
7. I talk tooooooo much.
8. I hate that Alan has to suffer with back & leg pain almost all the time.
9. The hardest thing I've had to accept is that it was God's will that we not have children. We both wanted them so badly.
10. I want to be a stronger Christian.
11. I want to be a writer, but don't think I have the discipline for it.
12. I love my family (includes extended family & in-laws)very much. They are very important to me.
13. I'm extremely blessed with wonderful in-laws.
14. I want to go for a sleigh ride in the snow.
15. I would love to live back on my mom's family farm and have farm animals again. I miss the cows, pigs and chickens.
16. I wish I had the energy I did when I was 5.

That was harder than I thought it would be.

Thanks! I needed that!

Thanks for all the welcoming comments. I sure needed them this afternoon. I was aggravated & kinda down. The last hour at school was very frustrating. I am thankful for my job, especially now, and most times it's great but there are moments... Then when I got home, I didn't even get any good mail (a country or scrapbooking magazine). But then I got on the computer and read your sweet comments. I'm feeling much better! Alan (hubby) appreciates it too!

Simply Sue

Welcome to my blog. I don't know how active I'll be, but we'll see. I've created a couple of blogs before for work, but haven't done much with them. However, I have enjoyed reading many of your blogs since Shari mentioned several of you fellow scrappers were blogging. Thanks for your inspiration, laughs and sometimes tears during the last few weeks.