Thursday, September 18, 2008

Friday Fun Stuff


The contest is over. I was happy to be one of the 8 finalists. There were 150 people who started out and had their pictures on the wall. Only 25 of us did the final weigh-in.


I didn't win. Well, I didn't win the cruise. But I lost - so I won! The guy who won the cruise lost 57 pounds - in 3 months! I asked him how he did it - as far as eating goes, he just halved his portions. And he worked out 6 days a week - 1-1 1/2 hours a day. I don't know how a person gives that much time to working out, and would love to know if he'll keep up that pace. And he's a guy - they seem to have an advantage when it comes to losing weight. Not fair! He switched off with cardio every other day and weight training the opposite. We were given kind of a lecture on how weight training is the secret to really losing weight - you're cheating yourself if you don't do weights. I HATE WEIGHTS!! So I am not sure what I'm going to do with that challenge. But - I plan to keep losing. Here is the visual proof of how much difference just 16 pounds makes.


Taken 6/4/08


Taken 9/03/08

This dress is to serve as my next motivator - DC gave it to me for my birthday several years ago and it fit for about 5 minutes. I would love to be able to wear it again someday - - preferably this year.



We had a bit more excitement on our culdesac yesterday than I like. I was sitting on the swing in the front of the house, holding a twin on each leg. I saw this young guy running stealthily across my neighbor's yard, ducking through a hedge into their next door neighbor's yard. I thought it odd, but it didn't really strike me how very odd it was. He stayed behind the hedge for several minutes, then took off like a shot across the circle - charging between two other houses, limping with one shoe on and one shoe off - probably jumping a fence into a back yard. Just then a police car came storming down our usually fairly quiet street, hollering to ask any of us if we'd seen a young man running through the neighborhood. I was glad to give the officer what I had seen, realizing that my gut feeling had been right on target. This kid had the nerve to ask a neighbor guy to give him a ride, or to let him use the phone - while he was in his back yard!

The kid shed his red and white striped shirt and ran like a shot to the end of the culdesac, turning left toward the park. Fortunately, he was apprehended and arrested. By this time there were 3 police cars on our street. Evidently there were warrants out for the occupants of the car - when the police finally got the female driver to stop, the kid in stripes jumped out and took of fas fast as he could run. All sorts of rumors began flying around our neighborhood. I wish I knew the whole story. But it was pretty scary to think of what might have happened in those minutes before he hit our street.

Yesterday was story time day at the library - I was almost there when I realized I had forgotten to put the stroller in the back of the minivan - it is usually there, and I had taken it out for some reason. There I was with the book bag full of returning books, the diaper bag, my purse (which I left in the car), and two car seats with babies who are not as light as they used to be! I struggled to get them into the library, very happy to put them down in the story room.

The good news is that we still live in a small town in some ways. The twins are quite the celebrities at the library. The story lady was happy to sit down on the floor, feeding them their bottles while Feisty and I returned the old books and checked out some new ones. She then helped me carry one of them out to the car. I will never let that happen again!

Speaking of library books - it is time to start reading Beverly Cleary books to the bigger girls - my favorite children's author of all. I just love Ramona Quimby.

Sammy and I have been talking about our mutual love of all things Ramona (I love Ralph S. Mouse, too!) I told Sammy that I have some pictures of Feisty that remind me of Ramona. What do you think??



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The other day I was in the grocery store when they were playing music that I actually enjoyed - from the 60s. The song that I was singing as I shopped was "See You in September." Do you remember that one (if you're in my age bracket?) You know how sounds and scents can take you back in your mind? I instantly went to 1966, the summer between freshman and sophomore years of college. I had my first serious boyfriend that school year and was missing him that summer.


I was working two jobs, seven nights a week, that summer to try to close the gap between the money I had and the money I needed. It was a terrible summer. One of the jobs was at the Dairy Queen (which didn't help me get rid of the "Freshman Fifteen" I had gained!) The radio played all day every day, and this song came on several times a day. I just found it on Youtube and discovered that The Happenings had just recorded it that very summer. Every time I heard it, I would almost cry. Oh, my goodness, it was so romantically sad!



I was working so hard that summer, assuming that he was, too. When I found out that not only did he not make any money, but had ended up owing the company by the end of the summer (remember Southwestern Book Company - it roped in lots of college guys to spend their summers beating the streets trying to sell books for their college tuition). When we got back to school, I broke up with him. He eventually flunked out - he was not the serious student that I was, and we were not well suited for each other after all. Thank you, Lord, for protecting us from ourselves! I still wonder what ever happened to him, poor messed up guy.

Have a wonderful week-end!


24 comments:

Sharon Lynne said...

Wow! You look nice. Great job!

Great pictures of Feisty. She is quite a character. Yes, I'd say there's a definite likeness with Ramona.

I loved the "Henry Higgins" and his clubhouse book. Later in life I read "Ribsy". The boys and I read it together. You gotta love that dog!

Tammy said...

Super job, Dawn! You look great!

And I know what you mean about songs taking you right back...

And I was just giggling here when I saw how Fiesty resembles Ramona...oh yes, wow...they could be twins!
My daughter got to pick out a free book at the library as part of the summer reading program reward and she picked out a Ramona book. She's almost done with it and likes it a lot because in this one she is the same age- 4th grade.
I still have my original Ramona the Pest from when I was a kid and the girls like it when I read from that, too!

Hugs!
~Tammy

Mary said...

Dawn,

You look absolutely gorgeous. What a difference the weight loss made. Congratulations, my friend. Great job!!!

I rememeber how much Michelle loved reading the Beverly Cleary books. Her favorite, "Hello, God, It's Me, Margaret." Have you read that one? A bit advanced for your wee ones just yet.

See you in September came out the year I married my first husband. It is bittersweet, but it was nice to hear it again.

Take care. Drop me an email when you can. I'm always happy to hear from you.

Keeping you and your family in my prayers.

Blessings,
Mary

Hootin Anni said...

Good day to you Dawn...yep, it's Friday again...my "Dawn visiting day". LOL

You look marvelous! Like you said, you lost-so you won. I bet you feel a whole lot better about yourself too, right? Great job, keep it up.

What a sweet sweet face! So, I'm lost...you know I'm really a true blond under my silver strands, but I love this little girl's smile and expression...who is it? Who is this one that reminds you of Ramona?

Scary to have that happen in your neighborhood. None of us are safe at all times...I'm used to it tho after living in Tucson and then here...nothing ever surprises me. And we too live in a quiet neighborhood, but just the other evening we had a driver trying to ditch a cop...got 'dead ended' in our streets tho...so he got nabbed.

Hope your week went well, and hope your weekend treats you super.

jls said...

Congrats on your weight loss! You look fabulous! N loves the Beverly Cleary books, we've read the Ralph S Mouse books, Ribsy, Henry Huggins...I don't know if I like it better than he does, but that's okay.

Sam said...

Dawn,

You look fabulous!! What a difference! You inspire me since I know I'm going to have to put some real work into losing the baby weight. You look great!!

What a scary thing to happen right in your neighborhood. I wonder what happened. Perhaps you'll be able to find out at some point.

I love those pictures of Feisty/Ramona! You're right, they look remarkable alike! Absolutely adorable! You're going to have so much fun reading the Ramona books to the girls! I can't wait to hear what they think!

Have a great weekend!

Sammy

Robin said...

Dawn - you look great! Good job - How I wish I could get on the band wagon.
I have lots of dresses hanging in my closet that I dream of wearing again someday.

Ramona Quimby rocks! I can't wait to start reading them to my little Ava Claire!

I'm reading The Quilter's Apprentice right now and I'm really enjoying it. Thanks for the reccomendation.

Needled Mom said...

Even though you did not win the prize, you certainly are a great looking winning loser! The difference is remarkable, Dawn. Great job. Men loose weight easier anyway, but good for him to loose so much. He has to feel better.

YES...the similarity between Ramona and Fiesty is incredible. Your library fiasco sounds dreadful. Thank heavens there were folks to help.

You will have to keep us updated on the events in the neighborhood. That is scary. We once had a similar event at our old home. I was alone in the evening with all my windows opened and a young man came flying through our fenced in back yard. He had burglarized a neighbor and fled over the fence. He, too, was caught when he escaped over our fence into a waiting police car. To imagine what could have happened still gives me the goosebumps.

See You in September....ah yes....many fond memories. We danced to that a million times that summer. I still love the song to this day. I'll have to go check it out. Thanks.

Susie said...

Hi Dawn,
You look absolutely great! I know that wasn't easy to lose.
The police in the neighborhood sounds really scary. Unfortunately I can relate in events of late.
So nice you had help when you went to the library. I remember how heavy one baby carseat was. Can't imagine how you handled two and all the other stuff.
xo

someone else said...

Your weight loss is impressive! Keep up the good work.

Amanda said...

Great job with the weight loss! I thnk Fiesty does resemble Ramona. I loved those books too.

groovyoldlady said...

I'm so proud of you! The change is remarkable and you look fantastic.

I'm still working out regularly, although I've had to back off a little in intensity while my chiropractor is "fixing" the mess I made out of my hips ove rthe summer.

Unfortunately, my eating hasn't been doing so well..or rather, it's been doing too well.

I REALLY need to get back on track. Seriously - I have six-pack abs. You just can't see them under my layers of, um, padding (or perhaps its pudding!).

I can identify with the kid hauling fiasco. Been there, done that!

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Good job with your weight loss. You can really see the difference in your before and after pics. Keep up the good work!

I seem to remember one Ralph S. Mouse book, but Jessica never got into the Beverly Cleary books much that I can recall. That WAS almost 20 years ago though. ;o)

I have so many songs that bring back instant memories and transport me back in time. I know just what you're talking about here!

Hope all is well on the home front, and I do think there is some resemblance going on there between Feisty and Ramona. I was glad to see some pics.

Love and hugs,

Diane

nancygrayce said...

You look wonderful! It is amazing how much difference a few lbs make, but 16 is more than a few. Men do lose faster!

Susan said...

So proud of you Dawn and the success you are having with the weight off!!!
Susan

Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander said...

Oh My Gosh! You look fabulous! I mean you did in the before picture too, but wow, look at hard you worked and what a great outcome you had!

Congratulations!!!!

Thanks for visiting!

Sherry said...

great work on the weight loss! Looks great!!

Love the Ramona twin pictures. Those books are the greatest.

Nadine said...

Dawn you look marvelous! Wow, congratulations. I'm inspired.

Linds said...

You look wonderful! Well done! That dress will be fitting in no tiem at all. Sorry I have not been around - trying to get son sorted and off rather took over. The house is very quiet today.

Scary to think what that man could have been up to, and I am so glad you were ok. There is lots of evil stuff going on at the moment.

Mimi said...

you look really great!!
stay retired so you can stay focused on your weight loss...
when I retired I went to the Gym...ate healthy...and lost about 40 pounds...
then my daughter talked me into taking a "part time" job with her company...
I did...she moved and left...I am still there...and I no longer go to the Gym...do not eat healthy...and have gained most of the weight back...
so....I am cheering you on to STAY WITH IT!!!!
Mimi

Nancy said...

You look great... the weight loss is so evident and I know you are proud of your progress. I do the half portions when I eat out, so I'm in serious trouble if I decide to loose weight! Keep up the great work.

I can identify with the problems of carrying both twins. They weigh 20 and 21 pounds now and it is almost impossible to do. It's a good thing you had extra hands to help.

I remember the song. I don't remember any specifics to go along with it but I have many songs that do trigger that emotional response. It is a good thing God led us in the right direction when we were so young and immature... and still does!

Christa said...

What a cute picture of Fiesty. She sure looks like the picture from the book. She is such a cutie.
Looks like you lost more, looking good there.
Fun at the libray, at least you made it through!

Deb said...

Wow, wonderful job on the weight loss - you look amazing! I need to get started on that too, one of these days.

Ron read 'Ramona and Her Father' to our older girls over the summer - they loved it! I've got to pull the rest of my Beverly Cleary books out from downstairs for them - both Abby and Hannah are devouring books on their own now. :)

Wow - Feisty looks exactly like Ramona, that's just too freaky. :)

Sue Seibert said...

You go girl!!!!!!!