Monday, January 18, 2010

Monday Musings


It's really much closer to Tuesday than Monday, but this is the first moment I've had to finally get to this spot. It's been a productive day and it feels good. Besides the usual, ever-present laundry, I accomplished two things that have been sitting there undone for far too long.

If you haul around 4 little girls in a minivan for very many days, much stuff accumulates - I finally got the car washed of all the mud created from all this snow that is melting (and you can bet that now it'll snow again!) I also finally got it vacuumed - such a yucky job, but the end result is so pleasant. Yay for me! I ever took the car seats out and scrubbed them down. Emma is even messier than Katie in her seat.

Remember when I first retired that one of the first things on my "list of things to do" was to get my thousands of pictures in albums. Today, a year and a half later, I finally got a start to this monumental task. I was looking for a particular picture from this drawer full of hundreds. While I was at it, I sorted them into 10 piles, went to the Dollar Tree and purchased small plastic tubs, and put each pile in one. Another day I will begin to tackle the overflowing boxes in the closet - someday they'll actually get transferred into albums - I promise.

Thanks for all the wonderful birthday greetings, and for your reaction to Kristen's guest post. I wish she would blog again - I loved reading her thoughts. The littles continued to get cards after their birthday. They love cards --














Sometimes I have a bit of a pity party when I wish my "retirement" was more traditional, or at least what I thought was supposed to be traditional - such as being able to take off for a week or so without having to go through so many hoops to have everything covered at home. But then I look at those adorable little faces and feel those wonderful hugs and kisses and I realize how important this time is right now. They will be in school before we know it.

The girls are all here every Saturday night (and Wednesday night as well) because of Kristen's work schedule. So Sunday morning is always a bit hectic, getting all 4 of them ready for Sunday school by 8:30. But again, it's worth it. If you still wear hose, at least once a week, you'll appreciate this story. Katie has discovered that it is fun to watch Grandma put her hose on - she giggles as I wiggle my way in to them, and then she wiggles too. It is priceless!

We had such a great surprise this week-end. We have a nephew who is a senior at West Point - a wonderful young man full of enthusiasm and excitement for his career choice. He e-mailed me with the surprise message that he was going to be here in Colorado for the week-end, visiting a special young lady who lives in the town north of us, but goes to school in the state north of us. I was unbelievably surprised to learn this news, because he's kept this a really good secret. We were really excited when we realized we would be celebrating his birthday with them when they came down here for lunch. Those of us who live here in town (11 all together) gathered at my folks' for a late lunch and birthday cake. (Poor kid was suffering from dry contact lens eyes - Colorado doesn't have much moisture in the air!)




The big girls were extremely excited to see their big strong cousin. I had no idea Feisty was so emotionally attached to this young man she rarely sees, but she could hardly wait, and attached herself to him the minute he came in the door.




They love to give his biceps a really good work-out when he's here. He really IS strong!




She's really strong too!





The special young lady joined right in the fun, and the girls soon added her to their list of favorite people in the world. She wound them up on the swings and let them go -- nothing like playing in the back yard on a sunny winter day, in your Sunday best - with tennies, of course, to salvage the special red satiny dressy shoes!

















Judging by Katie'e knees, it was quite muddy out there.




I'm not going to say "here we go again." I'm going to say that I have embarked on a life changing, health enhancing, weight loss plan called PRISM. It's a Biblically based program, and my sister and I are hosting it at our church. I'm excited about the fact that I am totally changing the way I eat and think. I have done this so many times, not with many different plans as many do, but with the same plan over and over. I have said for years that I wouldn't go back to group meetings, or would never eliminate whole groups of anything from my diet. But this time I'm enjoying the Saturday morning meetings with my sister, my SIL, and several friends as we do this journey together.

I had arrived at a weight once before that I never thought I'd see. That was when I lost 16 pounds, trying to win a cruise at my gym. I have known for many years that losing weight for an "event" is not a successful way to operate. I was unable to maintain that loss and this last week finally discovered that I had once again crept up to that awful number, minus one pound.

I have always subscribed to the theory that you need to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day (a gallon that is!). That isn't to say I've always succeeded in doing it - in fact, I've not been successful at all. But this time we have signed an"Agreement of Resolution" to follow the plan faithfully. Thus, 8 glasses of water and/or herbal tea each day - have you ever been up 8 times during the night? Once for each glass the first night. It's getting much better, but that was really something - I was mostly getting up in my sleep!
I love the scriptures that we are given each day for our lesson. They don't specifically speak about eating, but there are so many verses in the Bible that are so apropos to our situation as many of us struggle with this addiction called food. Here are some of my favorites so far:

Isaiah 43:18-19 - "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

I Corinthians 10:31 - "Therefore, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Proverbs 4:7 - "Determination to be wise is the first step toward becoming wise! And with your wisdom, develop common sense and good judgment."

Psalm 119:30 - "Lord, don't let me make a mess of things. If you will only help me to want your will, then I will follow your laws even more closely. Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord. As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey. As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey. Make me walk along the right paths for I know how delightful they really are."


So - I will be sharing this journey with you, and this time I will be successful. I will be much more healthy.







21 comments:

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your new healthy lifestyle. I know how difficult that is.

Can't believe the girls are 2!

Hootin Anni said...

Yes, I found that drinking water really DOES help you lose weight. I've also found out that by drinking one of those eight glassed 30 minutes before a meal curbs the appetite because you feel 'more full' when you sit down to a meal. You eat less. At least that was the way it was for me. My priest always told us...even as teens...that you should eat to live not live to eat.

Now...all the photos I so enjoyed! Your post is most excellent today. What a thrill to have a surprise visit. Everyone looks so very happy to be together! [Love the 2nd photo down about the girls getting cards...too sweet!]

Oh oh....I so remember those days when the car was washed and cleaned out inside too. Next day...More snow and slush!!! Right?

jmckemie said...

So funnny - I think my car is dirtier now with grandkids than it ever was when my own was small! Not sure how it accumulates and tracks in so fast.
Wishing you the best on the new healthier lifestyle. I have the same issue with water - no rest when I drink it. Just a couple of weeks ago the DR told me it would get better if I stuck with it for a couple of weeks. Will try and pattern myself after your endeavor and see if I can drink more (wter that is!).
Love those smiling faces.

Gigi said...

A journey shared is never as difficult...I know you'll do well!

Looks like everyone had a fabulous time!!

grammy said...

you always have so much good stuff to say, I never remember what I was going to comment on (o:
I did love Kristen's post...
Yea for the grammy that cleaned the van (o:
Such a nice visit with your nephew and his girlfriend
I lost 40 pounds almost three years ago following WW
I didn't join...I just researched the point system because it was new to me
I have changed the way I eat as far as fat and reading labels. I like to weigh everyday
it helps me...I know some don't like to
I have stayed the same with 2 or 3 pounds gained and lost.
Good luck to you (o:

Sam said...

Cool, Dawn! Congratulations on the new program! It sounds just right for you!

Getting up many times in the middle of the night?? Reminds me of being pregnant! :-)

LOVED the photos of the girls! They're all just so cute! Looks like you had a wonderful visit with your nephew!

Sounds like you're busy as a bee, but as you said, they'll be in school before you know it. And I'll tell you, they will always remember these sweet days with their sweet grandma. I know this for sure.

Hootin Anni said...

Good morning my dear Coloradoan buddy!

By the way, I failed to mention yesterday while here that there is another iris budding! And the purple one that did bloom still has two more to come. So far, it's bloomed three times with two more buds to open. I'm so thrilled!

Anyway, no I never had any training in art. It just comes to me. But I do need to study my 'subject' for a long period before I begin. I did take art in school, but it was never pencil sketching or painting ....back then, art was studying the culture and maybe having a semester of 'crafts'.

And yes...these people in other countries who have health care for 'free'...those who think that health care is free...don't realize that they're being taxed to death.

Mary said...

Dawn,

Love the photos of the girls. It looks like they had a great time.

I am drinking more water. When I went on insulin on December 15, I begin to lose weight. I've lost 7 lbs and have added a weight loss ticker to my page. I have a bit more to lose than you do, but hopefully by the end of this year I will have met my goal.

Wishing you a great evening.

Blessings,
Mary

kpjara said...

i've never heard of Prism, but maybe I'll check it out. Sounds intriguing and definitely something I could use.

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Good luck with your new faith based weight loss plan. Hope it works for you!

Your surprise visitors make a nice looking couple. Wonder if an engagement is in the near future?? ;o)

Emmy will be 3 in May, so school isn't all that far off for her either. I keep telling myself that anyway..... :o)

Carole Burant said...

Sounds like you've been keeping yourself very busy:-) I have a ton of pictures to go through as well and put in albums or at least in photo boxes. Right now I'm still going through every room and decluttering...seems to be a never ending project!!

How wonderful that your nephew and his gf came over for a visit! Such a lovely couple they make and by the pictures I can really tell how much the girls loved them both:-) Sometimes it's those surprise visits that mean the most!!

Good for you for being so determined to lose the weight and I think you're choosing a wonderful way of doing it. Oh yes, I drink a lot of water and it took a long while before I stopped having to get up 10 times a night! lol You have my utmost admiration in your willpower, mine seems to have hidden somewhere!!!

Hope you've been having a great week and as always, it was such a pleasure to visit you:-) xoxo

Robin said...

Such a good post Dawn! I cannot begin to imagine the work it is to care for four girls the way you do. Actually I can, since I had four of my own - but they were more spread out and I was much younger. That makes a difference I know! Your girlies are so blessed to have you be such a major part of their lives. Your legacy will carry on for many, many years - but that doesn't mean you are not tired now!
I'm glad you are enjoying your Prism classes and congratulations on your endeavor. I will look forward to hearing how it goes - who knows - maybe you will inspire me - Lord knows I need it!

A Hint of Home said...

Good for you on your life change to a better healthy you.
The girls look like they are having a ball with your nephew.
Good luck on your photos. I've done it and it is a job but worth it.

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Nice post and I so enjoyed the pictures!

Unknown said...

Yay for getting your van cleaned and for starting your picture project! I'm trying to motivate myself to clean today. We'll see if it happens!

Good luck with the weight loss program. I think having the support of others is great, and reporting here on your blog will motivate you, too.

Have a great weekend! I'll now think of you on Sundays as I am starting church (after getting 6 kids ready and out the door by 8:30) and you will be getting your little ones ready. Sunday mornings are crazy, but worth it.

groovyoldlady said...

What? You mean I'm supposed to DO something with all these photos I take?

Oh the pressure!!!!!!!

;-)

Hurray for the iet plan. I'm doing great at the exercise end, not so hot on the eating. Or maybe I should say I'm doing TOO WELL on the eating!

Glad you and the girlies had a nice visit with nephew and special lady!

Needled Mom said...

The girls certainly look like they had a great time with your wonderful young guests. I was getting goosebumps as I looked at those bare arms and snow on the ground. Brrrr.

I keep thinking that I should do something about my photo boxes too. It is so much nicer when they are on disks because you don't have to see the piles of photos sitting around. I STILL have it on my to do list after I complete ten more things!!!!

Your new program sounds like a great idea. I think diets really do best when it is a whole lifestyle change. The crash diets just don't seem to last long. I am impressed that you can drink eight glasses of water a day. I have tried to do that and not been too successful for long. I would not be a happy camper if I had to get up that often at night. I think I would drink all my liquid in the morning so that would not happen.

I have always said that cleaning the van is as bad as cleaning the house. It is such a great feeling when it is finished, but oh my!!!! I hope our storm doesn't roll your way and dump tons of snow on you.

It has been a wild week of weather here. We even had a tornado touch down in our county. The rains have really been wonderful for our reservoirs as we have been so down the last few years.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Ms. Kathleen said...

Wow, the girls have grown! Oh my! And you are busy which is very good. I'm also on the road to losing weight -- very determined this time as I simply want to be healthy and have no more surgeries on my back. Life sounds good for you and the photo album.... I really need to do the same but the idea is - overwhelming to say the least. Have a great weekend!

Midlife Mom said...

What a lovely newsy post Dawn! The girlies look so cute with their cards! Can you imagine 2 years old?!!!!!!

Wish I was there to do the weight loss program with you! I so desire to lose about 30 pounds but just can't seem to get into the routine. I do drink a lot of water but not that much, I would be up all night!

So lovely that your nephew and his friend could come for a visit! You can tell that the girls just love him and have taken a shine to her too. It's nice for them to get to know their other relatives better. What fun doing push ups with them on the back! Believe it or not my Hubs used to do push ups with me on his back. I'd hate to see him try that now!!!!!

Once you get started on your photos you will have fun and go right at it. I have done all of mine right up to digital pictures and I still have a lot to do of those. It's so easy having them right on the computer but if the computer crashes I'm out of luck! I do have a lot of them on a separate drive that I can unplug from my computer so that I won't lose them.

My kiddoes are here as their Mom and Dad have gone out tonight. They will stay over night and go home some time tomorrow then back for dinner to celebrate sons birthday. He wants turkey so that is thawing, the stuffing is made, the yeast rolls are rising and the potatoes are sitting on the counter waiting to be peeled. Have a new dessert I want to try so we will do that in the morning.

Must get these two to bed as it is almost eight o'clock! Take care! xoxoxo

Sharon Lynne said...

Great post. Your nephew is so patient with the girls and that's wonderful that he and his gal friend spent so much time playing with them.

I'll be pulling for you regarding the weight loss. I admire all of you. It's not an easy thing to do! But you have a great attitude!

Amanda said...

Just been catching up on your posts. The birthday party looked fun. Kristin's letter to the girls was wonderful. Thanks for sharing that- good luck with Prism! Anything with a sister and friends is fun!