I’m dreaming of a warm Christmas!!

 

This year over Christmas break we are doing something we have never done…

No Christmas Tree!

No presents!

No Stockings!

Just family!

Do I sound like Scrooge?

When we asked our kids what they wanted for Christmas no one had a definite idea of what they needed or even really wanted from us.

Somewhere the idea came that we should head to Florida for a family vacation since it is getting harder and harder to find a time that works for us all.

The college boys have different Spring breaks than the AC kids. Plus Tiff is going on a work team this year to Mexico.

Life is changing around here!

I have to say I am excited to spend quality time with my family… and my Mom. Yep were packing up Grandma and taking her along too!

Some of us are flying, some are driving.

So Christmas shopping was pretty easy this year… just a few exchange gifts.

I have to admit getting the house back together without worrying about Christmas on top of it all has been a gift to me!

Actually on Christmas day itself we will all be traveling home.

I have this idealistic view of how great it is going to be just getting away from it all with my favorite people in the whole world.

I will have to hold onto that when I am about to lose my mind getting everything packed up on Thursday and keep reminding myself who those favorites are as they are the source of my nuttiness!! HA

So you may not hear from me for a few days!

Nothing new!

I hope you all have a great Christmas!

I can’t help but notice the palm trees :)

Maybe Christmas was meant to be warm!!

JESUS is the reason for the season!

Susie

Still Here!

 

Wow! It has been a while.

Life is busy!

No excuse I know!

One of these times I won’t have to start my post by apologizing.

The house is almost completely back.

Still stuff to put away and get rid of….

Still some carpet stains to deal with…

But for the most part life is going back to normal.

After 5 weeks I finally have a bathroom back upstairs.

The sink just got hooked up today.

Toilet has a new flusher…this one flushes up.

I mean the lever not the water. HA

One day soon I will post pics (maybe)

Now that my Christmas cards are out I will post one and wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Maybe not our best effort but at least we are all there smiling :)

I think that next year we might leave off ages…

They might be getting slightly to old for that now!!

As I look at this pic I can’t say that I am thrilled with myself ( I still picture myself looking younger and less wide!!) but at least I am in it.

Something I never wanted done before.

I feel bad at the lack of me in all the pics over the years.

Not really for myself but for my kids and maybe someday not very soon at all.. My future grandchildren.

I can just hear it now…

Future grandchild….What did you look like young grandma!!

Me…. Ask grandpa!

Poor Tim!!

We are doing something different for Christmas this year….

But that is another whole post!!!

Celebrate the Saviour!

Susie

Day Whatever!!

 

I had a bad attitude today!

Shocking I know!

I am tired of living in a mess!

We are getting close to seeing the end and then a curve ball gets sent our way.

Things get pushed back…

Then I get frustrated and eat bad things!

It doesn’t help that I am surrounded by cake and cookies from the birthdays this weekend!

Before I know it I ate part of a piece of cake, some random icing, pretzels and a whole bag of popcorn!!

Not a proud moment folks!

But one I feel I should admit!!

I am a foodie, people.

I like to eat and I like to eat when I am stressed!

I think I am back under control… at least till I finish writing this post because I am too lazy to stop typing and go into the kitchen to get something to eat!

You know it isn’t just frustration that has got me.

It is the guilt that I feel when I let myself get frustrated.

My life and situation aren’t that bad, a few more days aren’t going to kill me. I have life so much nicer than so many others…

My house is warm, I have a bed, My family is healthy and happy, We have food.

So why do I get frustrated when things aren’t lining up the way I want them too!

And why do I eat when I get frustrated!!!

Why can’t I go out and jog five miles to GET OVER IT!!

More Guilt!

Why do I want more cake?

(Did I mention it is chocolate?)

Just thought you might want an update…

DAY 24! Yep I am still counting!

SUZ

Day 17 and Sunshine!

 

Wow! I am so glad I didn’t know that on day 17 I would still be living in Limbo so to speak.

Everything is dry here now and the ceilings are up just not finished yet.

Hopefully by next week the ceilings will be done and the woodwork and paneling will be back up so we can get the carpets cleaned and move back into those rooms!! Oh to sit on a couch again!! :)

I have this giant pillow that we are calling our couch for now!

New carpet for the upstairs and the flooring and tile for the bathroom come next week.

I need to paint the bathroom before then.

I am not a person that likes to paint or remodel.

I really don’t like change!

So this is forcing me to do a remodel.

It is forcing me to take a hard look at all my stuff and weed out what is really important!

Funny thing this is also making me think about my spiritual life…

Maybe I need to clean out and get myself out of the comfortable mode and do a little remodel on that too!! :)

I am trying to focus on the positive through this…

There is really a lot of good that has come from this mess!

I am cleaning out closets that really need it.

I am getting 2 new ceilings…a huge improvement

I have not had to really clean my house for 2 weeks now. :)

My carpets are going to get cleaned!! They really needed it.

I don’t have to have Thanksgiving here this year.

( okay I know that is sad but really it has made me much more relaxed this year!! Thanks Connie!)

So I guess it is really how you look at things. This may really be a good thing!

Plus I can’t change things.

It is what it is!

That is what I keep telling myself on day 17!! :)

Okay so onto something more fun. This weekend was the annual Sunshine Dance at school.

Since Tiff is on executive council Tim and I have  get to go to it and work and chaperone.

Since Tiff is also yearbook editor I took pics for her.

So here are a few of the evening…

Tiff and her date Paul

Troy and his date Jessica, dancing the night away! :)

Here is another pic of them.  Not sure where his tie went.

Tim and I enjoying one of the Props!

We don’t even drink coffee! :)

Tiff dancing with her friends, These kids really like to dance!

Tiff and Tiff

I have more pics that I took of the kids before they left, you know the pics we moms take, but I can’t figure out how to unload them off of Tiff’s new (used) camera I think we are going to have to get a card reader!

On the eating front, pretty much the usual… fell off that darn wagon again this weekend so I am spending this week making up for it!!

I am going into Thanksgiving with a positive I can do it attitude!!

Although, I may have to step up my work outs!!

All for now!

SUZ

Day 7

Today is day seven since the overflow. It will actually be 1 week tonight at 3:30 am. Here is all that’s left of the machines…

Yep, that’s right one lone machine. We are almost done drying out.

Tadd came home last night from Purdue, he missed at on all the action. He really likes this fan and the powerful air stream it blows. I caught him with it directly on him this morning. He is hoping Jeff will let him keep it! :) I have no such attachment to them!

Hopefully on Monday they can start with the new ceilings, possible rewiring, then the bathroom floor, then all the carpets will have to be cleaned, which will bring us back to the blue machines, then it will be time to put this place back together.

I know we still have a long way to go but it’s coming!

For now I am just listening to the hum of 1 lone fan and that folks is music to my ears.

Thanks Jeff for your nice comment on my last post we are very appreciative of all you and Shawn have done for us. I am sure it is not how you guys were planning on spending your Sunday! Oh and I loved your Hallelujah serenade on the answering machine very appropriate!!

Suz

I should really be in bed!

 

Yep, it is late and here I sit blogging. I am tired!

I had a full day subbing, Went to the field right after school to pick up Tim, came home fed him and Troy, went to a scholarship meeting with Tiff, came home changed then went to the funeral home.

After that I came home again, cleaned a few dishes , took Tim a snack , rode a couple rounds on the tractor…

Whew! I should really be in bed!

But here I sit boring you all!!

Here is a update and a few pics..

Ceiling#1 is totally down. Guess what??

We discovered another ceiling under it.

Seems that about 50 years ago this house had 9 foot ceilings.

While I was marveling at the fact that I could have had 9 foot ceilings the guys from Maintenance Resource were processing the fact they had another space to dry.

New Plan….

They drilled holes in this “new/old” ceiling and brought in what they call the Octopus!

Very cool looking, unfortunately still loud!

The hidden ceiling

The Octopus body!

We are obviously still drying out here! I can’t wait till all these blue machines are gone but for now they are just doing there job!!

I’m glad I get to go to work tomorrow!! :)

Well off to bed that old alarm will be ringing way too soon!

SUZ

My toilet over-floweth

 

Yes, Literally my toilet over flowed this Saturday night.

It was sneaky…

Quietly seeping down out of the bathroom, flowing into the hallway then through the floors and ceilings till it hit the basement floor.

Here is the guilty culprit…

A Super Flush that uses very little water

We were told very hard to plug! HA!

Although according to everyone here no one plugged or used it last.

But sometime between 12:00 and 3:30 am someone snuck in and used it and somehow got the handle stuck.

By the way this is not my choice in flooring, It is just what I have at the present time.

Anywho I woke up at 3:30 am to use the little girls room only to step into a squishy squashy river 3 steps out of my bedroom door.

As I walked further down the hall I could see the lake that covered my bathroom. As bad as all this was I think the sound of pouring water from the downstairs was even more alarming.

We tried for awhile to catch the water but it was coming just too fast and all over. YUCK HUH!

My hollering woke up Tim who immediately turned off the water in the bathroom. Where was I!

I barely made it to the downstairs bathroom. Hey remember why I was up…. Running water is not a huge help.

After Tim getting shocked trying to take the light fixture down ( it was turned off at the time) We decided the buckets and bowls really weren’t a huge help and it wasn’t worth getting electrocuted over.

Anyways Resource Maintenance came on Sunday and today, and tomorrow and????…. They’ll be here till everything is dry.

Here are a few Pics of how things look…

A view of the family room

A view of the kitchen with Jeff and Shawn Yergler hard at work

A view of Travis and Tadd’s room and the hall

the living room with all the furniture stacked in it.

The entry room

A view of part of the ceiling.

  A few of our literary victims.

They enclosed the 2 rooms that were the wettest and are now drying them with fans and giant dehumidifiers. We also have them upstairs and in the basement.

It sounds like a wind tunnel in here and it is very WARM!!

I’ll keep you updated on the progress!

On a positive note… It is very hard and inconvenient to snack. Although this could be my most expensive weight loss plan yet!! :)

So before going to bed make sure all toilets  are not plugged and the flush handle is in a neutral position.

OH and if this does happen to you, Jeff Yergler says you can call him anytime day or night!!!

He does come with a price. :)

Have a great Day!

Suz

Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10 (NASB)

Answering Questions

 

Hey!! First of all I want to say thanks for all your great comments!

For you first time commenters. Thanks for stepping out of your comfort zone! It was a really big pick me up to hear from everybody!

(L) you seriously crack me up! We have got to be related!

A while back I was having blogger block and one of my sweet blogger friends (L) asked me a few questions to inspire some blogs. I realized today I have never answered all of these questions so I thought today we be a good time…

Especially since I got nothing else… :)

1.What are some things that you no longer do because you have replaced it with your new healthy behaviors (i.e. instead of watching tv now you walk? or you wake up early to meditate?)

One of the biggest things I do differently is I quit drinking pop.

I am not talking cold turkey I still have a pop once in awhile.

But I was seriously addicted.

It was nothing for me to drink 4 Mountain dews in a day. ( some days even more )

Then brilliantly I went to 4 diet MD’s a day.

It was a hard break as I was seriously addicted to the caffiene.

I like to read and it is hard to read while you eat.

At least it is in bed or a big comfy chair.

( I remember being able to eat while reading at the table; I don’t do that anymore. Basically because I would unthinkingly consume big amounts of food without even realizing it )

Eating in front of the TV is something I am very careful with. No meals while watching only carefully planned snacks. Usually a bag of Low fat popcorn!

If I am hungry I try to drink instead of snack.

Most of all I have had to change my mentality about eating.

Before I always wanted to make sure I got my fair share of the yummy stuff. Even if it meant stuffing myself.

Now I am thankful when those yummy temptations are gone.

I wish I could say I meditate and don’t watch TV.

I do watch TV some and Besides my daily prayers for grace and devotions I am pretty simple in the meditating department. No cross legged Yoga yet!

2. What ever happened to the senior picture taking?

We are still not done but we have both been to busy and we are both to much alike…

Okay we are lazy and it seems like a lot of effort.

We wanted some fall pics But I am afraid we may have waited to long. Last weekend it was windy, maybe this weekend will be better.

3. What are some of the lessons you have learned? Victories you have experienced?

Never give up on yourself. I never, never thought I would be this size again, I never thought that I could lose this much weight and I never thought I would like wearing blue jeans.

Which actually at this moment is not my favorite.

They are a little tight, Very inspiring!

Victories:
Wearing clothes that aren’t completely elastic. Rollerblading, waterskiing, tying my shoes straight on, Having a full day and not being totally exhausted at night, Walking six miles and actually liking it.

You know the best victory is having choices.

Being able to do something or not do something because I want to or don’t want to.

Not because I can’t because I was simply to fat!

4. What advice would you give someone who seems to take one step forward (lose a pound or two) and two steps backward (gains a couple of pounds)?

You know I have been there before and I know I’ll be there again. I keep telling myself I am not going to buy bigger clothes, I am not going to go back. It is simply mind over mouth. I would really hope my mind would win.

NEVER GIVE UP!!! No matter how bad you do. It is not too late. Don’t start tomorrow start right now!

Have someone you are accountable too!

4. What do you "say to yourself" to get you to go for a walk/jog especially when you can find a million excuses not to?

Lately I have been envisioning myself with an enormous butt. It is very motivating.

The other thing is I feel really good after I exercise. I feel like a grownup making good heart taking care of decisions.

Exercise is really not about the weight for me as much as the taking care of my body anymore.

I think of my kids and my husband and how doing this has hopefully extended my life with them.

It’s worth it! Even when they stand there and tease me as I am walk’in and and rock’in with Leslie.

Thanks L for all the questions. I would love more from anyone at anytime. Please don’t be Shy!!

Have a good one!

Suz

Doing Better

 

I am really trying to do better posting in case you didn’t notice.

Sometimes I sit down and think what should I post.

Do people really want to know what I eat and do every day.

But then I figure if I am really boring you can just quit reading.

This weekend I fell off the eating wagon again!

I am sure you are tired of hearing about it because I am tired of admitting it.

Church lunch was amazing and I brought home some leftovers for “the kids” ( Mistake # 1)

Although I had to have a bite of numerous bars and cookies just to sample…. for future reference of course.

It was like once the sugar entered into my system I wanted more, more, more…..

At that point I figured Hey it’s okay I still haven’t blown it that bad.

I can just be careful the rest of the day.
But then I went to potluck…

I actually did fine through dinner.

Then dessert came I took a delightful pumpkin dessert so Tim could have that and his apple carmel cake.

Aren’t I so nice?

My one little bite turned into about 5 on my dessert and 2 on his.

Please note I only got 2 of his because his fork was in my way and I didn’t want to be to obvious.

Oh did I mention I had 4 of those little candy pumpkins on the table.

Then came the snack mix.

I was good and took none!

….Until I walked out the door then I just grabbed a little. It was so delicious…pretzels, little ritz crackers, m&ms and candy corn covered in a sugary glaze.

After I got home I knew I shouldn’t eat anything but even though I can’t remember what it was I know I ate something. ( Oh yeah half of a caramel iced cinnamon roll)

So there you have it I was a total loser.

What happened to Will Power!

I am supposed to be better than this!

Yesterday, I climbed back on the wagon.

I ate healthy… beets, squash and green beans, I stayed with the program. I even toasted the butternut seeds ( with only a little pam & seasonings) and snacked on them.

As soon as I am done posting today I am headed for a workout. So far today I am doing great!

13 hours to go!

PLEASE leave me a comment today! I need to know you haven’t given up on me!! :)

I know I am slightly pathetic!

SUZ

On Being Brave!

 

Third post of the week!!

Yesterday I went and had a tooth pulled!

This is the first tooth I have ever had pulled (not counting my baby teeth)

I don’t have wisdom teeth and by now I am fairly certain I will not develop them.

Someone commented to me once that you must not be very smart to not have wisdom teeth.

I countered with….

Au Contraire! I must be very smart to not develop teeth that most likely will have to be removed.

But truthfully I have a very little mouth ( I know shocking) so there would never had been enough room.

I was very brave and even had it done with no gas!

Okay actually I am very cheap.

But I really put up and brave and confident front.

Joking with the assistant, smiling and seemingly not having a care in the World.

Finally my point…

When I sat down in the chair they took my blood pressure and to say the least it was quite elevated.

I have what they call White Coat Syndrome.

They say this is very normal and most people do have elevated blood pressure while sitting in their chair.

Actually I don’t think I even realized how nervous I really was.

It made me think … I really put up a pretty good front but there are just some things you can’t fake and blood pressure is one of them. :)

God may not have a blood pressure cuff on my arm but he knows when I am faking, He knows when I am struggling and he knows when things on the outside don’t match with feelings on the inside.

Kind of comforting really not having to be brave in front of God!

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1 (NASB)

Have a great Day!

Suz

Frustrated !

 

Why is it when You have something so profound to say….

You just can’t get it out!

Why is it when you  feel the music…..

your actual dance is not near as smooth as you feel it! ( or see yourself doing it)

Why is it when you go to hit the high note…

it comes out just a little flat and forced.

Why is it sometimes the way you think something should be isn’t and there isn’t a darn thing you can do about it!

Feeling just a little frustrated!

Why is it you know you shouldn’t be frustrated but you just can’t shake it!

I guess that’s why you blog about it even though you can’t quite get it out the way you want to.

Well just in case you thought I was perfect you now know I’m not! :)

Thanks for listening!

Say Cheese!

 

I was cleaning out my office cupboards the other day when I came upon some forgotten pictures.

Some pics that I still would like to forget!!!

One was of me in a swimsuit in a Kayak at the lakes, 2001ish.

I not sure who took it…. I am guessing my sis.

Usually I ran ( okay vehemently objected to having my picture taken ) I always said that pictures added 100 pounds to you. HA

This also explains why I have so few of pictures of myself.

But obviously when one is precariously perched in a kayak you are sort of trapped.

So what do you do?

You pose and try to look thinner.

This never really works for me.

Well anyways as I look at this pic it brought back lots of memories of that day.

1. me trying to get in that Kayak

2. me trying to balance that Kayak ( not an easy feat when you weigh in over 300lbs) Talk about tipsy

3. me knowing I had just been had  by having a pic taken of me in……you got it……. my swimsuit.

4. me enjoying some semblance of normalcy as I paddled along trying to ignore my arms and legs cramping up, trying to situate the paddle, trying not to tip over because I knew that there was no way I would ever be able to get back in myself.

5. Me actually getting out of the Kayak. I really am not sure how I did get out! I think it was a roll over!

Okay back to the pic!

I can look at it now and shockingly it really doesn’t bug me. It used to bug me but I am Okay with it now.

I look at in fascination… I look at it in fond remembrance…

She looks happy, She was Happy, She was really fat but she was me and I was happy!

Sometimes I worry that I wasted some of my life by being so fat. But when I look at this pic and I remember, truly remember it isn’t just all the effort normal things like a Kayak ride took.

I remember the fun I had too.

I remember the good times too and I am amazed at what I would try even being 300 plus pounds.

And that makes me smile!

I refuse to be ashamed or embarrassed I was me even then that hasn’t changed!

I am really not sure what the point of this post is.

It is just a post with lots of ramblings of the thoughts that are going through my head just now.

I am going to keep this pic ( unlike the many that got ripped up as soon as I saw them years ago )

It is good to remember and for some reason I have a hankering for a kayak ride just now!

I bet I would enjoy it more this time!

I bet I would still object to having my pic taken.

I bet my Sis would still take it.

I bet I would pose and try to look thin.

I bet I would still look happy!

I bet in 10 years from now I would still look at it in fond fascination!

Oh and here is me in the Kayak….

Slightly cropped…

You didn’t really think I would post full body pic of me in a swimsuit did you…

But besides from having no neck, a bad hair day, and HUGE sunglasses, I was happy!

But trying to look thin just wasn’t happening!

Procrastination!

 

I am a huge procrastinator! Pretty much all around.

I could list tons of examples but if you have been following my blog as of late you probably figured it out. :)

Although I will give you one… Last night I went through a huge basket of “extra socks” The place socks go when I can’t find a match within a couple week time span.

Lets just say some of the loners were to small to fit even me. Tyler my “baby” wears a mens size 12 now. That should give you an idea how long those socks have been there. Although in my defense he is growing fast these days.

As far as my blog procrastination goes I have a few reasons “excuses” too…

1. Been real busy subbing

2. Scale is not moving downward so not a thrill to talk about.

3. Been real busy subbing

4. Started facebook! ( I would love to be your friend )

5. I am lazy, I would rather read blogs than write

6. Not feeling very interesting lately

7. No new recipes or tips to share

8. Not walking outside but I did start Leslie Sansone again.

9. Been really really busy subbing

 

Okay enough I know. But today I checked my comments and my loyal faithful commenter Lisa  was there.

Besides her having some HUGE accomplishments of her own to share she also gave me a few tips and a great new recipe that I can’t wait to try. I am seriously thinking of having her become a guest blogger because that girl is on fire!

Reminds me of someone I used to know! Who knows Maybe I will become reacquainted with her (Okay it’s me) sometime soon!

My best piece of advice for today Is if your jeans are feeling a little tight wear them anyhow, It will be a constant reminder why you don't want to cheat on your diet. (Under no circumstances do you pull out your bigger size) You lay on that bed and zip them up with vigor! (besides they will stretch out in a hour or so anyways) So I’ve heard! :)

That’s all for today!

Suz

Street Fair Week

 

Street Fair is here!

I am probably not going to win the biggest fan of street fair week award. Plus I think it will go to someone in the Claire Yergler family anyways.

It always clogs up Bluffton, I think it is a money pit and although the food is delicious it is not diet friendly.

Now don’t get me wrong they do have veggies, sadly they are battered and deep fried!

It is fun to walk through the streets and see people you haven’t seen in awhile.

I used to love street fair as a kid, couldn’t wait for it to come to town. It was like Disney World right here in Indiana.

I had 2 bad experiences at Street Fair both during my middle school years. My wallet was stolen, I think I set it down while playing a game and possibly the carnival worker picked it up? I guess I will never know for sure…

And I threw up in the Spider ride during the spinning. Not a pretty sight and to this day my stomach does a flip flop just passing by it.

Isn’t it funny how perspectives change?

Anyways last night I headed up there for that once a year experience.

Of course I wanted to try everything, But I did limit myself to 2 pineapple dolewhips. ( they are supposed to be fat free) A bite of Tim’s Wall-eye sandwich and some of Tyler’s Cotton Candy.

My second dolewhip was really from a new vendor this year close to the industrial tent and I think it was a lemon lime twist actually. ( I still call it a dolewhip because it was still fat Free and very delicious. )  On taking the first bite it fell out of the cone and onto my chest but never fear I caught it and shoved it right back on my cone. So I was a little sticky the rest of the evening. I think this was Tim’s favorite part of the evening.

I also took Michaels advice here and lost $2.50 on #23 playing the mouse game. Okay so maybe I didn’t yell go Minnie go but I did say it in my mind silently every time.

If you are heading to the street fair and don’t want to blow your diet completely I would suggest eating a taco potato, go light on the cheese and sour cream, and ask for 1/2 the meat and more lettuce, onions and tomatoes, The Pineapple whips, ( I may have to go back up for just 1 more of these) and I think the zum sticks probably wouldn’t be to bad.

The Street Fair maybe isn’t my favorite thing anymore but somehow I always manage to get there at least once! :)

Suz

Light Bulb Moments

 

Thanks Lisa for all the questions!

Now I have material for at least another 5 or 6 posts!

I just had a light bulb moment tonight…

that is when something just dawns on me and usually amazes me.

It is probably really obvious to others but I must be thickheaded so it seems like such a revelation to me.

Tonight was nothing huge but it has happened to me a couple of times in the last few weeks...

All of the sudden I realize that I am satisfied, I am not hungry, I am not too full, I am just simply satisfied.

I realize that Hey, I can go to bed without that last snack, I don’t need, I really don’t want it.

I mean it usually saddens me when I realize I am almost out of points and can’t have another thing to eat.Usually this just makes me want to eat something.

But then I have these moments when I realize I don’t need to eat and it is really Okay!

This simply amazes me and for a moment I feel “normal” like this is probably how skinny people feel all the time.

But it is still new and foreign to me but I definitely welcome it! :)

I guess another light bulb moment was when I was sitting at a teachers desk in school and had a class and all of the sudden I felt a few chest pains.

I remember thinking (praying) Please Lord don’t let me die here at school. My kids will be so traumatized!

It probably was just heartburn as I am still here, but it did make me think.

But no that wasn’t what finally did it for me.

It was when I knew Tiff was following me down the overweight road and she was ready to change.

What kind of mother would I be if I wasn’t willing to give it a try too. I had nothing to lose!

Nothing but a whole bunch of weight at least!!!!

Then there was the light bulb moment that I was really losing and maybe just maybe I could really do this!

Next there was the light bulb moment that I wasn’t on a diet anymore and this was a new way of life.

I could never eat a whole pizza by myself again.

( I mean it’s not that I couldn’t I just can’t)

I can never allow myself to ignore my weight even when its going in the wrong direction I still have to face the scale and deal with it even though my personality just would like to pretend everything is fine.

Those are probably the light bulb moments I would rather ignore because sometimes it just doesn’t seem fair!

What light bulb moments have you had?

Suz

*Please Note* My friend Julie came through her surgery with flying colors! Please keep her in your prayers as she has some long weeks of recovery and healing ahead.

It’s a new week!

 

Okay, so it has been awhile.

I just haven’t felt very interesting.

Washer and Dryer are fixed!

Dishwasher started working after the new pressure tank was installed.

new sump pump

Basement has been cleaned

Mouse has been caught ( actually 3 mice, I know triple gross!)

Laptop Computer hard drive shot, still waiting to hear what I lost info wise.

I should be exercising as my scale is not liking me.

( Okay I admit it, I don’t like my scale!)

But I had to charge Tiff’s shuffle anyways so I thought I had better post something!

This week is going better although it is only Monday :)

I really want to congratulate Lisa on her outstanding, exceptional time on her Labor day 6K. I am so so soooo proud of you and extremely impressed!

Maybe next year I will do it with you!

Did you get a t-shirt as proof?

Helpful hint for the week…

Go here and print 2 healthy choice $2.00 off coupons ( A tip from Janelle’s blog, see sidebar)

Then go to Kroger till Wednesday where they are 5 for $10.00 and get 2 free.

I actually got mine at Wal-mart and they were free, so cool!

Also I found some Jolly Time Healthy Pop Popcorn that is only 2.5 points for a big bag.

Yes, I have already had a bag today!

I am easily addicted to low point snacks! :)

Well the Ipod is giving me the green light so I better head out and walk or I won’t get to it.

I will try to do better posting!

If anyone has any questions for me feel free to ask I have been having a little writers block!

Also I have a prayer request… My friend Julie is having surgery on both of her feet Tuesday, please pray for her that all goes well.

Thanks!

Suz

One of those weeks!

 

Have you ever had one of those weeks when it appears that everything is breaking on you?

When you take 2 steps forward and 4 steps back.

Or maybe you just take 4 steps back!

In the last 2 weeks I have been dealing with a dryer that wouldn’t heat, A washer that leaked,     (thankfully the 5 year warranty is still in effect till the 8th.) pressure tanks that don’t hold pressure which means sometimes I don’t have much water and finally a dishwasher that doesn’t wash. I am really hoping that it is linked to the pressure tanks.

The kids and I spent part of the morning washing dishes from yesterday ( I was hoping another wash would somehow work) then we unloaded the dishwasher and washed all those too!

On top of that we finally got a new rim and tire for the boat trailer since the other one literally rolled off of it on the way home from the lake.

My laptop is at the computer repair shop as it gave me the blue screen of death last weekend. I still haven’t heard how bad that is yet.

Oh and we saw a mouse in the house today!!

Gross!

If it sounds like I am complaining please forgive me. I am merely just dealing with all this which brings me to my point…

In the last 2 weeks I have been hungrier and craving chocolate and carbs.

Hmmmm… I wonder is there a connection?

Well I am going out to mow now…

3 reasons I am mowing instead of my kids…

1. It gets me out of the house and away from food!

2. I like to mow and I will get a little sun on my fast fading tan.

3.The grass needs mowing.

I just hope that the mower doesn’t break!!

Who knows what I will want to eat then! :)

Have a great weekend!

Suz

Wedding Pics

 

Yesterday, Tif and I had the privilege to take reception pictures at our cousin Alyssa’s wedding!

We had a ball!

800+ pics later the reception was over and I was exhausted!

So here are a few for your enjoyment!

The Beautiful bride!!

Cute Couple

The Great Escape

Cool Get-a-way  Vehicle

The Parents

 

Ushers and Groomsmen

 

Possibly not the best Bouquet catchers!

The guys are a little more competitive!

Way to dive Thany!

My poor single nephew Chad…

SOOOO dejected!

But such a good Sport!

 

Blare and Janel, Brother-in-law & Sister of the groom,

She encouraged me to post some pics on the blog.

Although I have noticed it has been a month since she has posted ANYTHING on hers!  :)

 

Here we are My little girl and I…         

Wedding Photographers …HA!

FYI: She is in heels and I am wearing flats!

Finally a pic of my family!

Because after all it is my Blog!

And yes I am officially the shortest now!

Congrats! Travis and Alyssa! It was a great Day!

Oh and by the way we were not the formal photographers, just in case you hadn’t already guessed it :) !

If you want to see more formal pics click here.

56 years

 

On Sunday the 23rd  was my parents 56th wedding Anniversary. I of course forgot. My Mom of course never does! Dad has been gone for 25 years now and we all still miss him!

Weren’t they a cute couple? Her dress & hat  were a dusty pink. They were married in Leo, IN on a HOT August Sunday.

Happy belated Anniversary Mom!

Love ya,

Suz

Parfaits

 

Yogurt and fruit parfaits, Another new love!

I was going to post this a couple of days ago but I thought that I would wait and post with a picture.

Well it turns out every time  I make one I am just to impatient to eat it.

I think about taking a pic but in the end my mouth wins out And I eat it before I can even find the camera.

Pathetic, I know, but true

I have been making peach parfaits lately because I have a bushel of peaches.

They are delicious!

First you start with your yogurt…

My favorite is Light and Fit by Dannon vanilla flavor. ) fat 110 calories per 1 cup serving. ( no fiber (2 pts)

I buy it in the 32 ounce container.

I also like the Fiber 1 vanilla yogurt. The individual containers are 0 points ( They are loaded with Fiber) I believe 1 container is just 1/2 cup though.

From there you add fresh fruit. At the lakes we added, strawberries, blueberries and bananas.

Here at home I have been adding peaches and raspberries because that is what I have. So Delicious!

Then I top it with my Fiber 1 original cereal.(no pts in 1/2 cup)

So if you use both Fiber 1 cereal and Yogurt all you have to count is the fruit unless you use 2 containers of the yogurt. Which I have been known to do.

If you really want to treat yourself you can top it with some granola.

My favorite at this point is the Cascadian Farms all natural granola. I love it. It is not cheap in the points dept so use it sparingly unless you have plenty of points to use.

I sometimes use a spoonful and then also add my fiber 1 cereal.

Good news you can go and print a $1.00 of coupon here.  ( Small Planet foods)  On my computer it was on page 10. I believe it will let you go back and print it twice.

On a side note you can also print 2 Morton salt coupons if anyone doesn’t want theirs I would love them!

Getting off the subject a little you can go to my sidebar and click on Janelle. She always has a ton of coupon tips.

Okay if you are not a yogurt fan I still urge you to try this.

I was not a yogurt fan!

I only ate raspberry, peach and maybe blueberry.

I had never even tried vanilla.

I did like to buy the plain Fat Free for smoothies.

 

But yogurt was never on the top of my food list 

Then just one parfait and I was hooked.

They are filling, delicious and oh so good for you.

I feel like I am strengthening my bones and making such good adult food decisions every time I eat one!

I feel so mature, responsible and even healthy! :)

While my mouth is just so excited to be eating dessert anytime of the day!

It is a Win, Win!

My kids love them too!

Although I must add it gets a little old making 3 or 4 every time I eat one.

But today everyone is either at school or work so….

you guessed it, I am off to make me a delicious peach parfait in the middle of the day!

I should probably take a picture but lets be real it probably won’t happen all this typing has made me hungry!

Oh and if anyone cares to know…

My finger is healing nicely. I super glued it shut and now it looks great!

Have a great Day!

SUZ

I love Avocados!

It is never to late to teach an old dog new tricks or so the saying goes…

Here I am 40 years old and I have just discovered that I love Avocados and Guacamole.

My nieces Amy and Kristen made the best Guacamole at the lakes over vacation.

I am hoping I can get them to post their recipe.

It was so yummy! And very low points and oh so good for you!

I was very interested in the whole process…lots of chopping, onions, garlic, serrano peppers, tomatoes, cilantro and of course of Avocados, oh and fresh lime.

Click here to find out the benefits and nutrition facts of an  avocado. It is amazing.

I would type more of the amazing benefits myself if not for the injury I incurred while trying to appear the expert on how to cut an Avocado!

To me avocados are not an attractive fruit.

They are hard and anywhere from green to almost black.

Turns out the black ones are the ones you want unless you have a few days for the green ones to ripen.

A ripe avocado is dark green to black and is I hate to say soft, but isn’t hard, still firm but gives when you press on it. Can you tell from the pic which are the ripest 2?

 

If you said 1 and 5 you are correct. I have had them on my counter for a few days now.

Turns out you don’t peel these bad boys!

You carefully cut down the middle all around the pit.

Now my niece Amy told me that the ladies in Mexico. ( avocados are cheap and standard fare down there ) just take the knives and hit or whack the pit so it stick to the knife and pull it right out.

So it looks something like this.

Although I am not a talented Mexican lady so mine really looked like this…

And I will spare you the gory details but now my finger looks like this…

Yes it hurts! Yes I am dumb! No I don’t need stitches, Yes it really bled! (Don’t worry none got on the Avocado. WHEW! ) Yes it is going to be a pain to wash my hair for the next few days.

Needless to say Cutco knives are very sharp!

I recommend just flipping the pit out unless you are truly experienced.

Now I like Avocados plain and with salt for a snack they are very satisfying.

1 ounce is 1 point so a small avocado like my ripe ones are between 3 and 4 points. So I don’t eat a whole one.

They are delicious to spread on a wrap or a sandwich thin especially with mesquite turkey and tomatoes.

I store the rest in a container with the pit.

Amy told me this will help it not to turn brown so fast.

She also throws the pits into her guacamole for the same reason.

Although you may want to warn your guests if they are not familiar with this practice. (Those big pits could be painful! )

Here is the half I didn’t eat all snuggled up to the pit. Notice how neat the empty peel is.

It scoops out great!

Amy also taught me to score it in its peel if you want to mash it or have chunks.

I would have more to write but my finger is throbbing.

For you who already knew all these fascinating facts about avocados I’m sorry but up until a few months ago I wasn’t sure what they were, not to mention how would you ever peel it!

And now today I learned I probably should never whack the pit again!

If anyone has any other ideas for this amazing food please share!

Suz

Ups and Downs

 

Wow!

I don’t even know where to begin it’s been so long. :)

I have been back from vacation for over a week and I have been putting off posting.

At first it was because I didn’t want to admit that I gained a few pounds the two weeks I vacationed at the lakes.

I wanted to be able to tell you that I got those lbs off.

Basically this week I did great and they were going off.

Then I pretty much blew it this weekend.

It all started Friday night with a new pizza my Mom had at her house. Tyger pizza.

Lets just say I loved it!

Then I did pretty good on Saturday but blew it in the evening.

Yesterday was a repeat of Saturday.

But today is a new day and even though I woke up thinking about food ( I know pathetic ) I am determined to stay within my points.

My plan is to eat tons of fresh veggies. I have green beans , beets, broccoli and I am hoping some tomatoes from my garden are ripe!

I have said before that I believe that I am a food addict.

So this weekend was me falling off the wagon.

Now it wasn’t a real big wagon. I picture a little red radio flyer. Because I didn’t fall far.

But it was still a fall.

Today I am fighting the urges to snack. I am thinking about bread, chocolate, frosted flakes, scotcheroos ( thank goodness there are only two left and I moved them to a sack so I can’t sliver them off) and various other cravings.

Now it is really hard to convey feelings in a blog.

I am not sad, or depressed I guess I am just resigned to the fact that this is my life.

Food will probably always be more important to me than it should.

I will not ever be able to say I have my eating totally figured out and totally under control.

But at least I recognize this and can find humor in it.

Which takes me back to the one day at a time theory!

My scale will go down and probably up again.

That’s a given.

The goal is it goes down as much or more then it goes up!

I just have to keep stepping on it every week whether I like it or not.

Some weeks are better than others.

Well I hope I didn’t bore you too much with my ramblings.

Here are some plans for future posts in case your interested…

Pics from the lakes

My new love of Avocados

My new love of yogurt and fruit parfaits

Oh and I leave you with a fun although sad fact from my friend Lisa…

You have to walk the length of a football field to burn off 1 M&M ( that’s the plain 1 and not peanut).

My question is Who eats just 1?

Suz

Update and The Lakes

 

Well after my re-evaluation post I thought I better tell you how it’s going…

I am writing everything down

I am measuring and weighing food

I am exercising daily

The scale is moving downward. YEAH!

I realize I was eating to much even if it was low fat, good for you food.

I am still mourning the fact I don’t need much food to exist but I will get over it eventually. :)

Okay now for a topic change

THE LAKES

I am leaving Saturday for two weeks at the lake with my family.

We are all excited and are getting packed up.

The first week we will have the whole gang…

My Mom, Sis and her family and Bro and his family and of course my whole family.

21 of us total! CRAZY HUH?

I love every minute of it.

Tim will have to come home some and work as will Travis the 2nd week.

I may even come home a day and tend to my garden and stuff, or… maybe not.

The lakes are fun but a definite challenge on the eating front.

My Scales will be going (sarcastic WHOO HOO)

But usually I do pretty good.

My weakness being the best Donuts ever…

Tom’s Donuts by the Lake, Angola, Indiana

and of course snacking at night while playing games.

So here is some pics from last year and even some really old ones to show you what goes on at The Lakes!

The cottages we stayed at last year and this upcoming year.

My Sweetie!

Me skiing after about 17 years of not skiing…

Am I too old to try bare footing?

Canoeing

Showing off

more showing off…….. No Hands!

tubing

games and snacks

Trying to find a Internet connection and bonfires

2004

Cousins 2004

Grandma is always trying for an original Christmas Pic

Here is an old one… Still playing cards

Quite a few years back maybe 2001?

 

Even older

Wow this is really old… Travis, Chad, Tadd, and Kris

The whole Gang in 2008

Oh there are so many more but this will have to do for now!

I think you get the drift…

It’s a great time!

Thanks Mom for making it happen!

So you may not hear from me for a few weeks as internet connection doesn’t come with the cottage.

But never fear I’ll be back in August!

SUZ