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!