tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35135117037327170582024-03-05T08:41:57.313-06:00Little Rose JacketBrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-47157644348930145422012-07-23T22:33:00.000-05:002012-07-23T22:36:30.283-05:00Week Two Results<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hokay I accomplished one of the four goals I set for this week at the end of my last blog post. I did lose two pounds this week....BARELY. By the skin of my teeth for sure. My total loss for the first two weeks is five pounds. <br />
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Boy this is hard. It should not be hard. I know how to do this. It seems so reasonable that this is doable, and I am trying really hard to hypnotize my brain into the clean eating healthy living mode. I'm trying to lose by just eating healthy most of the time but still allowing for some of this and some of that too. You know, a healthy smoothie for breakfast, and a healthy lunch, but a tiny bowl of ice cream or a piece of my daughters cake of the week in the middle of the afternoon. I was hoping by not sticking strictly to a totally clean diet I could stay faithful to it for life. I'm wondering though if the indulgences, which aren't healthy, aren't making it harder. I also don't know if I'm ready to bite the bullet and go strictly clean. I'm pondering this today, and trying to talk myself into it. I think I know what the right thing to do is. Am I strong enough to do it? Of course I am. The right question is will I do it? And if the question is will I do it and the issue is doing the right thing why am I wavering? I always need to do the RIGHT thing no matter what the issue is. I don't know why I think food gets different treatment in my life. </div>
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I don't have this figured out...OBVIOUSLY...but I'm working on it. </div>
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GOALS FOR WEEK THREE:</div>
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Lose at least two pounds.</div>
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Blog two more times.</div>
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Journal at least once.</div>
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Eat cleaner.</div>
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31 pounds to go to get to where I was. </div>
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<br /></div>BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-2831678354617098842012-07-16T19:10:00.000-05:002012-07-16T19:10:13.042-05:00Week One ResultsIt was an interesting week. The products the program sent me were nutritional smoothies and bars. The first five days consisted of three smoothies and two bars. Day six added real food. I was determined to make it. I have done many weeks longer on juice cleanses and the clean program. What I didn't count on was being allergic to the ingredients. I was worried the smoothies would have artificial sugar in them, and I am allergic to that. When I saw there was no artificial sugar I thought I was good to go. WRONG. The smoothies were made with soy protein. Day one I was sneezing and blowing my nose like crazy every time I drank a smoothie. Day two had more of the same with some added you know what that makes you RUN for the potty. I can take sneezing, but not that other awful thing. I continued on through day three telling myself that I am not a quitter, allergy or not. FINALLY, in the middle of day four I was feeling even sicker and just threw in the towel. I decided making myself sick wasn't healthy either. <br />
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The remainder of the week I did try to eat somewhat healthy. I weighed in today and lost 3 pounds. Yea for 3 pounds! Honestly, this time around I just want to lose consistently and slowly. I want to eat clean most of the time with a few splurges here and there. I am aiming for something I can live with once I finally reach my goal. <br />
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Below is a picture of our lunch: Caprese Peach and Tomato Salad. I found the recipe at <a href="http://fatfightertv.com/blog/">Fat Fighter TV.</a> It was healthy and delicious...my favorite combination. <br />
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Goals for this week:<br />
Journal<br />
Eat clean<br />
Lose at least two pounds<br />
Blog at least two timesBrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-17035660451898257542012-07-09T14:29:00.000-05:002012-07-09T14:29:18.770-05:00I'm a StatisticI'm a statistic, and not a happy statistic. I'm in the larger side of the group in the weight loss world that gains back the weight they lost. This is not the blog I was hoping to write in my first post back from my long hiatus. I stepped on the scale for the first time in several months this morning and the news was sadly shocking. I gained back 36 of the 40 pounds I lost last year. I might address the why and how of how I managed to do that in another blog post. Today I am addressing my forward plan.<br />
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Lately I have been feeling SICK of the whole eating/weight/healthy issue. SICK, SICK, SICK of it. So SICK of it that I figure I have two choices. Am I SICK enough of the battle to throw in the towel and embrace overeating and it's lifestyle, or SICK enough to finally conquer this battle and stop driving myself crazy. I hope and pray I am SICK enough of this to lose this weight for good this time.<br />
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My fourteen day plan: The Urban Girl Wellness Nutrition Program. I won a give away from Melodee at the very funny and inspiring <a href="http://www.dietnakedblog.com/the_diet_naked_blog/">The Diet Naked Blog</a>. I have been trying to get myself back on track since February, and when I won the give away I promised myself that I would follow the program to a tee. So a big thank you and shout out to Melodee and Paula (at the Urban Girl Wellness). I am hoping this plan will help break my sugar addiction, get me adjusted to smaller portions, jump start my weight loss, and generally inspire me to keep going and finish the job. <br />
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Below is a picture of my vision board I put on the outside of my progress journal. I'm going to record the details in here. Next Monday I will post my weight loss for the week. The notebook cost me literally ten cents at Target last year, but putting my vision on the outside was fun and inspiring.....I resisted priceless. :)<br />
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<br />BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-24258338191830643222012-01-01T23:06:00.000-06:002012-01-01T23:06:52.598-06:00HAPPY 2012!!!It's a new year and I'm ready to set some goals and conquer them! I've taken a long blogging break this fall, but I will be back with an update and my goals for this month in a couple days. Happy New Year!!BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-91310979458605038772011-09-22T20:59:00.000-05:002011-09-22T20:59:25.882-05:00Catching UpMonday, September 12th I showed up for jury duty. My first jury experience a few years ago involved sitting and WAITING in the jury pool room for an entire week while eight months pregnant. Not wanting to relive that boring experience I was praying that they would call my name as groups of thirty plus headed out the door to various courtrooms. After several groups I heard my name and went skipping out the door book bag in hand. Just in the waiting and walking I made friends with a lovely lady willing to serve but fearing being sequestered since she takes care of a handicapped veteran son overnight. I assured her that I couldn't believe that sort of thing happens that often. Eight hours later, I was phoning my hubby to let him know I'd been assigned jury duty on a sequestered murder case. I may have prayed a little too hard...but I was certainly not going to be bored this time!<br />
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What a week! I wish I had pictures, but I didn't take my camera because I was afraid it wasn't allowed. No phones, televisions, computers/internet or outside contact made me think they might not appreciate me snapping photos of every plate of food, or interesting characters in the courthouse, or my fellow jurors including the retired NFL ex-Patriot player and ex-roommate of Tom Brady, or our lovely top secret motel. Security was pretty tight. I had to beg to get a bailiff to accompany me to the treadmill one evening. Boy did I ever need that treadmill. They took really good care of us, and stuffed us with food. Lunches and snacks all day long followed with dinner to nice restaurants (Half Shell and Carrabba's Italian Grill). After all that sitting, the last thing I needed was food, really, but I wasn't alone in enjoying our feasts. I don't know if it was freezing to death in the jury room kept at 55 degrees constantly, or listening so carefully your brain hurts, or trying to balance out the seriousness of the situation with some happiness in food, but something about the entire process made all of us look forward to eating breaks. Maybe it was the mystery in what they would serve. We couldn't talk about the horrific case until it was time to deliberate on the last day. In a way that made the conversation lighter during our breaks. encouraging a little snacking by all to relive the stress. <br />
It was a very short trial, and we found the defendant guilty. The afternoon we deliberated I just kept shaking...reminded me of when I was in labor and I couldn't stop shaking. The gravity of the situation was not lost on me, and even though I was sure in my decision (after a lot of prayer), it was such a sad time for everyone involved. It left me thinking about how our choices affect so many people. More people than we may ever know. Our good choices, and my bad choices. Obviously that defendant ended a life causing some of the deepest pain and consequences to many people. It struck me that even I was affected forever by his choice by the graphic pictures, details, testimonies, and lives I witnessed changed forever. <br />
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It is hard to believe I have been home a week now. Our jury group became very close, and I volunteered to hostess a reunion in a few weeks. It was a really nice group of people that I was blessed to serve with. I hit the home turf running by hostessing my son's twelfth birthday party last Friday night. Below are the yahoos that partied nearly all night. A sweet group of boys, but it nearly killed me staying up so late after my week.<br />
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Sunday my youngest got his first grade Bible in church. I explained the process to him while I was combing his hair in the mirror earlier that morning, and I couldn't help expressing my sentiments that he is my last baby to get his first grade Bible. He told me not to worry; saying I could "have a LATE baby." I told him that I had news for him.....HE IS THE LATE BABY. He tried to argue the math/spacing with me, but I think I finally broke through his denial and convinced him that it is the truth. It added a little humor to a moment I thought was slightly sad....he keeps me smiling that one. He is the handsome one in the sea of first graders in the very back row in the red striped shirt. MY LATE BABY: a first grader!<br />
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How did my eating survive through this crazy month? NOT WELL. Or maybe you could say too well...in the wrong direction. I came home from jury duty afraid to step on the scale. I told myself after a couple of days I'd be ready. NOPE. I was never ready...finally made myself step on it this morning and my children thought that high pitched sound was our alarm going off. It wasn't pretty. Fall is always a dangerous time for me and food. Really from now until January will be hard. Anybody else find fall/winter harder? I am trying to get a grip....I have several days left in September, and I still have that wedding to go to in October. <br />
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Tomorrow I am taking two of my daughters to visit my collage girl. We are going to enjoy a girlie weekend full of movies, shopping and talking....oh and watching her induction into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars on Sunday. Pray for my hubby while he holds down the fort AGAIN. I am blessed to have him! I hope to eat healthy all weekend, and give it my all next week at losing and blogging. Have a wonderful fall weekend!BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-61572858466881551712011-09-12T21:32:00.000-05:002011-09-12T21:32:47.882-05:00Back to Blogging SoonLast week I was a little under the weather, and this week I am doing my civic duty at the courthouse. My poor hubby is holding down the fort and managing all the sports activities while I am gone. I can't wait to give a full update once I am back!BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-60190531834328642302011-09-01T17:09:00.000-05:002011-09-01T17:09:14.796-05:0017 Day Reboot Completed!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDl-ACNYpbZRpc57kL4bZJ7Je_pEN3pSw8DWtjvVHvHvIcoM_nq0CXyEqgGZBXKA3dhjEi54ovPbF00tMwmk89Gt6P64ZIhRJoKiP2uOFUttE3dlL6JwgNz-nbxR6Ec18JN9A4i5aDH5X4/s1600/IMG_2640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDl-ACNYpbZRpc57kL4bZJ7Je_pEN3pSw8DWtjvVHvHvIcoM_nq0CXyEqgGZBXKA3dhjEi54ovPbF00tMwmk89Gt6P64ZIhRJoKiP2uOFUttE3dlL6JwgNz-nbxR6Ec18JN9A4i5aDH5X4/s320/IMG_2640.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Good-bye August! I had to post our school calendar just so you could see all our August birthdays. Maybe it will make you a little more sympathetic to why I had a hard time getting with the program the first two weeks! Honestly, I was falling into that trap of trying every morning, and failing by mid-day. After two weeks of that I said ENOUGH. That is where the reboot came in. Motivated by the Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead movie, I decided to nix my cravings in the bud. Guess what? It worked! It was hard. On day four you can observe another birthday cake on the calendar. That was the day I almost caved, and was wonderfully rescued by my hubby. Honestly, I probably owe the success of the 17 day reboot to him. He was really helpful and supportive.<br />
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Reboot Pros:<br />
My cravings are GONE. Today I finally feel energized, well, and roaring to tackle the remaining weight. I am eating tons of healthy veggies and fruit (something that goes away when unhealthy habits take over). My little guys ASKED for spinach in their strawberry/banana smoothie today....WOW! I feel very encouraged (instead of discouraged) after making my goal. My skin is still glowing, and I am sleeping like a rock. I lost 15.5 pounds in just 17 days. I know some will criticize me for that, but I needed to see that scale head south.<br />
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Reboot Cons:<br />
Drinking juice did get old quickly. Cleaning the juicer got old even quicker. I think the thing I looked forward to the most was a day off from cleaning that juicer! Preparation and cleaning also took a lot of time and energy. That energy tended to make me not cook dinner for the family many of the nights. Today I fixed that by greeting my girls by asking what they wanted for dinner. Tuna noodle casserole is in the oven! COST....need I say more? There aren't any discounts on organic fresh veggies and fruits, and it takes a mountain of them to juice just four cups worth. Exhaustion was my middle name. I never hit that stride of magic energy. I also babied myself and went very light on the exercise while concentrating on my nutrition. <br />
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It seems like my cons are longer than my pros, but it was a very needed and profitable reboot. I ended it today with a breakfast berry smoothie with some rice protein powder added. Lunch was half of this gorgeous vegan salad and half a banana. I think I will eat the other half for dinner. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJi9E9As9gnxVK0PMkvjy42hGdtQezVT_hkYPw0de0B40b7RabD-XQvV33ngp7d32yOkhmbgxStzrPgTbnQI3iR1iHPwCa_BEPYvcHO2BuiDhyjKB3tU7-c5HSkjtw0HywVT7Y90xNoDaD/s1600/IMG_2647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJi9E9As9gnxVK0PMkvjy42hGdtQezVT_hkYPw0de0B40b7RabD-XQvV33ngp7d32yOkhmbgxStzrPgTbnQI3iR1iHPwCa_BEPYvcHO2BuiDhyjKB3tU7-c5HSkjtw0HywVT7Y90xNoDaD/s320/IMG_2647.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>So hello September. Today the boys helped me get our calendar on track. Just look at that blank slate and all the possibilities imaginable for the month.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQahinEWsKIfBitxcZEkoRC9p8sVIPZnyhzOq2VfN38HF3IO1Sc3XgaNa4eYNxAnfw0XU7YuL1PbsebxDNoJ9jGWEMN0LVbGL3ny1AAuc_d7GC900Axr_dfqSTP5f7yKVKuEFm_G5-De6/s1600/IMG_2646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQahinEWsKIfBitxcZEkoRC9p8sVIPZnyhzOq2VfN38HF3IO1Sc3XgaNa4eYNxAnfw0XU7YuL1PbsebxDNoJ9jGWEMN0LVbGL3ny1AAuc_d7GC900Axr_dfqSTP5f7yKVKuEFm_G5-De6/s320/IMG_2646.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I have a few short goals for this month:<br />
Lose 7 pounds. Seven because that will bring me to minus 60 pounds; yep, that's right, today I am at minus 53 pounds. I think when I get to minus 60 pounds I might feel brave enough to post actual numbers.<br />
<br />
Exercise regularly. I want to build back my exercise and do it consistently.<br />
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Journal? I am not sure about this one. I am feeling a little sick of the lesson plan journal form, and may just go back to the regular notebook. <br />
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I'm off to pull out that casserole and enjoy a family dinner. Below is a picture of the big guy helping the little guy; it makes me smile. Shortly after I took it I had to send them to separate rooms, but camaraderie is refreshing around here even for a skinny minute!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5r10668kID9u5SSuBTzhCJqxi3xhAXVnbPntijHT3x3JbbMVmygfhPELIm-g7Ar9Hi9pFJfbREu45WJ3z6l6Qj2mrJLrj-htfmMxkFFtr1TnpHumlUszexhaUnjrNQ1vtQUzQxhreYf8/s1600/IMG_2644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5r10668kID9u5SSuBTzhCJqxi3xhAXVnbPntijHT3x3JbbMVmygfhPELIm-g7Ar9Hi9pFJfbREu45WJ3z6l6Qj2mrJLrj-htfmMxkFFtr1TnpHumlUszexhaUnjrNQ1vtQUzQxhreYf8/s320/IMG_2644.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-13099597982564546412011-08-29T15:38:00.000-05:002011-08-29T15:38:58.346-05:00Tea Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJKUZdWh__zfmvtgdNC5hY-pUGx02d-fJuZdEYINLSo7hh0RsLbVSSAmSDlJumXCT7gnai8kzBx02RXifDs3Ro7BfcXQiZ0Nt9h1YYOjX53EzJoelsS1PVU2_bauC76JP2oaQ_suncAnd/s1600/IMG_2353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJKUZdWh__zfmvtgdNC5hY-pUGx02d-fJuZdEYINLSo7hh0RsLbVSSAmSDlJumXCT7gnai8kzBx02RXifDs3Ro7BfcXQiZ0Nt9h1YYOjX53EzJoelsS1PVU2_bauC76JP2oaQ_suncAnd/s320/IMG_2353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
TEAVANA is my new favorite store. I love the colors on their wall of tins. I could spend all day wafting every single tin. I really like the taste and results (so far) of the tea also. I do not like the hefty price tag, but what a girl won't do to <strike>get skinny</strike> be healthy. <br />
What I am currently drinking:<br />
<a href="http://www.teavana.com/the-teas/oolong-teas">Monkey Picked Oolong</a>. I really like the taste of this. It is a mild tea. It is supposed to be good for weight loss, digestion, skin, and teeth. I started drinking it in July, and noticed a difference with the first cup. It made me feel slightly warm, and very hungry within minutes of consuming it. It also made me even more regular, if you know what I mean. I really do think it keeps my metabolism running a little faster. That said, it does not make me feel jittery or strange. It also lowered my blood sugar levels immediately. I really think part of the reason I maintained my weight in July was this tea. <br />
<a href="http://www.teavana.com/the-teas/oolong-teas">Golden Monkey Black Tea and Yaun Dynasty Golden Tips Black Tea</a>. This is what they suggested for lowering my cholesterol. It is a harsher tea...almost a little bitter. I am mixing it with my oolong, but when it runs out I don't think I will get more. <br />
<br />
I bought the <a href="http://www.teavana.com/the-teas/oolong-teas">Teavana Perfect Tea Maker.</a> It diffuses the tea and empties right into my cup. I usually drink three 16 ounce mugs a day. Straight up with nothing added. I also reuse the same tea five times to stretch it as long as possible, and to help lesson the caffeine. <br />
<br />
My reboot juicing is going well. Today is day 15. I am really looking forward to introducing solid veggies and fruits again on Thursday. REALLY. I do not know if I could EVER do this for 60 days. I am consistently longing for an avocado, so I am guessing maybe this means my body would like a little healthy fat. I will try to post a recap after my juice feast/reboot is over. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPubGEeIQHqpB6M-3gVY8RBHq1VDfjbWqRQ7aqcs6W5G4_ibMehmq6vpQShd1V6mzN9PzOuodKDY-gMXALUZzYGumtmvlS8sHME7kO741TlM3aHTAnVmRRIA6l7EQG3cieLyi_5ujmrkK4/s1600/IMG_2354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPubGEeIQHqpB6M-3gVY8RBHq1VDfjbWqRQ7aqcs6W5G4_ibMehmq6vpQShd1V6mzN9PzOuodKDY-gMXALUZzYGumtmvlS8sHME7kO741TlM3aHTAnVmRRIA6l7EQG3cieLyi_5ujmrkK4/s320/IMG_2354.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-38720357484480408152011-08-26T14:46:00.000-05:002011-08-26T14:46:44.770-05:00PicturesI was excited to take pictures, but I really don't like them. Will I ever like pictures of myself again? I do like having 50 pounds gone however, and I feel really motivated to knock out the rest. Below are a few pictures from yesterday, and one comparison picture from February.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifowdcO6stQgkckCa9F42jJa_T3H286wKIvdMmPG6kzwuZpe3McxX9K26S2LFI9UTfkDl4ephYnaUGNfLe15bQGB4R65_RPbhXbTaKjgp9JzSov-7Fh65mDvAmH7dSa7iKaLyEeJHaYD1O/s1600/IMG_2618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifowdcO6stQgkckCa9F42jJa_T3H286wKIvdMmPG6kzwuZpe3McxX9K26S2LFI9UTfkDl4ephYnaUGNfLe15bQGB4R65_RPbhXbTaKjgp9JzSov-7Fh65mDvAmH7dSa7iKaLyEeJHaYD1O/s320/IMG_2618.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtplOe8aKkzzoGwgkppFMjsEIDK1t6jkLd0fQvQqvGiWDqREEk7B1fJvrsrm77gd6HljxaYL4SnxUaFojo3ZryCd4RtfCk3VnTLqEGKrW6kQ_WWoOdPVqiatw9PnwP-fSANMlcdsXxA3S/s1600/IMG_2625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtplOe8aKkzzoGwgkppFMjsEIDK1t6jkLd0fQvQqvGiWDqREEk7B1fJvrsrm77gd6HljxaYL4SnxUaFojo3ZryCd4RtfCk3VnTLqEGKrW6kQ_WWoOdPVqiatw9PnwP-fSANMlcdsXxA3S/s320/IMG_2625.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I added the close up above so I could show how my skin looks while juicing. Below are two comparisons of me on February 11, 2011 when I had lost 12.5 pounds and yesterday at minus 50 pounds.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnggwuLCQhZb_zxptUzB6gkav-MVG_Ic8teKk9fl3ec37Ad1e6UYUPfRhSgc0fdkWFd59T5zj1yJD2W0rBuVRISFZ8zJI9ezzolCCr7-FOy00d5kRumdhWQrq9cVRHOsZFYSJFMVxTMk6/s1600/2-11-20111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnggwuLCQhZb_zxptUzB6gkav-MVG_Ic8teKk9fl3ec37Ad1e6UYUPfRhSgc0fdkWFd59T5zj1yJD2W0rBuVRISFZ8zJI9ezzolCCr7-FOy00d5kRumdhWQrq9cVRHOsZFYSJFMVxTMk6/s320/2-11-20111.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhD9ZXX4gx0hX0-qXWnQqAer6PDY6D-VLHuvXxw42ljdBlbs8Qbti3735aSblRkmSZm-_gdK1j8gXti-HZRxzsRh44h6UTD-vULZaEx5etMg4Gj_AFvjPxXxhhEX0K-RWh4aHL5h5yjUS/s1600/2011-08-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhD9ZXX4gx0hX0-qXWnQqAer6PDY6D-VLHuvXxw42ljdBlbs8Qbti3735aSblRkmSZm-_gdK1j8gXti-HZRxzsRh44h6UTD-vULZaEx5etMg4Gj_AFvjPxXxhhEX0K-RWh4aHL5h5yjUS/s320/2011-08-25.jpg" width="247" /></a></div> <br />
I had actually been on the Clean program for 10 days when that awful picture was taken. I tried to locate one from January, but will have to keep digging. As puffy as I am in that picture, I know it was even worse in January. Unfortunately, I did a really good job of NOT standing in front of cameras. Sadly, I took an entire weeks field trip to Chicago with my youngest daughter and her seventh grade class in January, and while there are lots of pictures, I cannot find one of me with my daughter. NOT ANYMORE. I am so happy to be able to be present with my children and family instead of hiding from history. <br />
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Below is my fresh pineapple, mango, peach, apple, and spinach juice. It was too good; a really refreshing and yummy breakfast today. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4-YNGIvyCCtxUmryv62OwbnpMyJL9B35n5YoR1Qv4Cl8r6dJVoRO4Wc12sYrRq0dpcGv64mOF6fnpneG0B5Cfdh4BFHacPz5ymnECnueTeKNManfMOREkgesOMCPn3jBb6-VEZ_B6GiJ/s1600/IMG_2631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4-YNGIvyCCtxUmryv62OwbnpMyJL9B35n5YoR1Qv4Cl8r6dJVoRO4Wc12sYrRq0dpcGv64mOF6fnpneG0B5Cfdh4BFHacPz5ymnECnueTeKNManfMOREkgesOMCPn3jBb6-VEZ_B6GiJ/s320/IMG_2631.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>These pictures make me smile. My beautiful senior and her creative shirt heading off to school today.<br />
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Below is an interview with Joe Cross who stars in the movie, Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead, and who founded the Join the Reboot website.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/e5khfK_AOEc/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/e5khfK_AOEc&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/e5khfK_AOEc&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-68011151158316212042011-08-25T10:01:00.001-05:002011-08-25T10:04:35.642-05:00HAPPY DANCING HAPPENING HEREMinus 50 pounds total on the scale this morning. Smiling and jigging a jog around here! I was thinking yesterday that these last 30 pounds are the fun pounds. Those first 30 pounds were just NOT fun. I had gone up and down in that range a lot these last five years, so you couldn't really tell I looked any different. I know, it is not all about looks, but when I was working so hard looks would have been a great reward. It really wasn't until around minus 40ish pounds that any kind soul noticed I'd done something different. Doing the right thing, and making better choices was really a great daily reward in itself during that time, but it was not as exciting as getting close enough to see the very distant finish line. <br />
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These next 30 pounds are motivating and exciting because I just feel so much better, look so much better, and get to begin to enjoy the rewards of the weight loss like smaller and cuter clothes. For the first time last week another mom commented that I certainly did not need to lose 30 more pounds. Ahhh. It made me smile. With my first five babies I never needed to re-lose more than 25 pounds, so when I would complain about losing weight people would always say that polite thing of "you DO NOT need to lose 25 pounds. Where?" With 80 pounds to lose, and even when I got down to 60 or 70 pounds to lose, people would give me a pitiful look or say something like,"You can do it." I know, I was the only one in denial about HOW BIG I really was, but somehow it still shocked me when they never argued even a tiny bit that I should be losing X amount of weight. It was nice to hear someone sound genuinely surprised that I still have 30 more pounds to go because it affirmed my loss so far. Just as I was in denial about how large I had gotten, I seem to be weirdly unsure about if what the scale says matches what I look like now. So it was nice to hear that maybe it does. <br />
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I hope to in list my in house photographer Peter and take a few pictures to post of me at minus 50 pounds. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxai40G9V51MUfPgEWX55BAJjd9sxWFs1_aj37oWp5ugNX1e8O10Wj2sXWCR_DecoyItB67C6A-7cM1D6U9u-LEY29Hh4aBn27bS5Jjk1jNBCmN9ixnznVeF2ldKXPU8eJmOtpDHw_2lg/s1600/IMG_2599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxai40G9V51MUfPgEWX55BAJjd9sxWFs1_aj37oWp5ugNX1e8O10Wj2sXWCR_DecoyItB67C6A-7cM1D6U9u-LEY29Hh4aBn27bS5Jjk1jNBCmN9ixnznVeF2ldKXPU8eJmOtpDHw_2lg/s320/IMG_2599.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I am still juicing and starting day 11 today. Look at the frothy thick top on that juice! Again it is surprisingly thick. I really feel very good. The amazing thing about 10 days of only veggies and fruit is it really changes my cravings. The Hershey's chocolate bar my son begged for in the store last night honestly did not phase me. Fresh almonds however make me drool, and I am dreaming of an avocado on top of a crunchy veggie salad.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqW-6XbHcYwZzhcGlCyGy-FGwGdQO79nveVTNL9t-Y3i12g9Hwg6HmSyTuU1AYG8qgyFlfqrDVJ9bTM-ppLUguq8Xca9oOt2nhMQE5yFl-R-cjF0ayhIEMvdN5mJJqi9BAFuFJmqeUTQ8n/s1600/IMG_2600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqW-6XbHcYwZzhcGlCyGy-FGwGdQO79nveVTNL9t-Y3i12g9Hwg6HmSyTuU1AYG8qgyFlfqrDVJ9bTM-ppLUguq8Xca9oOt2nhMQE5yFl-R-cjF0ayhIEMvdN5mJJqi9BAFuFJmqeUTQ8n/s320/IMG_2600.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> He asked me to take this picture with him drinking from his cup. I have so much help around here.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANoknt2hE2aQ3sh23idjfYNTvBD3NnSGZBX-jc7qCP8oWpApJL8Yxko2SgYwwgZHpURl3oU0INRq0gN5gnc5dPIbuPuo5S4302kweULu2xPS4VZLutcsPkkZ7hSOmCw4f8FXAsaf7Q1JB/s1600/IMG_2601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANoknt2hE2aQ3sh23idjfYNTvBD3NnSGZBX-jc7qCP8oWpApJL8Yxko2SgYwwgZHpURl3oU0INRq0gN5gnc5dPIbuPuo5S4302kweULu2xPS4VZLutcsPkkZ7hSOmCw4f8FXAsaf7Q1JB/s320/IMG_2601.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm off to juice with my juicing entourage. I am thinking about getting a Vita Mix. Any of you have one have any advice? My boys who spent 3 hours mesmerized by the Costco Blend Tec man last weekend, and consequently could now go into business themselves, are insisting it is better. I, having previously been enamored by the Costco Vita Mix man, am not convinced. Either way, those cool headset microphones and amazingly thick smoothies that don't fall out of the upside down cup are convincing....I won't even get started on the sorbet or HOT soup. It's a good thing we don't get out much! I'm boogieing off to the kitchen; let the juicing begin.</div>BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-48672610412033989792011-08-22T09:43:00.001-05:002011-08-22T09:47:11.778-05:007 Days of Juicing DONE!!!Hello Monday; I'm so glad to see you. This Monday means I have one week, or seven days, or one hundred sixty-eight hours, or ten thousand eighty minutes of juicing done and behind me. Juicing, only juicing, with no mid day clean meal like on the <a href="http://my.cleanprogram.com/">Clean Program</a> is very hard. I did have one blended fruit/veggie smoothie. I did wait until day five to actually read the <a href="http://jointhereboot.com/reboot-program/">plan</a> carefully and see that it suggests eating, blending, and juicing only veggies and fruit for five days, followed by five days of juicing, and finished with five days of eating, blending, and juicing. That would be a little easier than jumping straight into only juicing (minus that one smoothie). <br />
<br />
Drum roll please.....10 pounds in seven days. Not bad. I know some of you are saying it's not healthy to only juice and lose that quickly, but it works for me. I think I'm sort of a bite the bullet and see results quickly over slower and longer. I realize when I lose quickly it takes diligence to build back my shocked and slowed metabolism, and the total weeks it takes to lose quickly and settle into that weight loss permanently probably equal losing at a normal two pound a week rate. However, two or less pounds a week just drives me crazy, and it is just easier for me to dive in. <br />
<br />
A recap of my week: Days 1-3 were hard but slightly fun pulling out the juicer and experimenting. Days 4-5 were the hardest. I don't know if it was the birthday meal or just the days, but I almost gave in at dinner on each day. Days 6-7 were the best days even though we were having some very hard issues with one of our children. It seemed like I finally hit a zone on those two days. <br />
<br />
Sunday I got a little juicing cocky and went off the recipe map. It was a very bad idea. I made a gigantic concoction of horrible smelling and tasting juice. Oh it killed me to pour it out, but after gagging down one big old glass I just couldn't handle another. I hate wasting things, so I learned my lesson, and I'm sticking closer to juicing what tastes good today.<br />
<br />
Just a few pros and cons from my first week of juicing:<br />
<br />
<u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">PROS:</span></u><br />
<u><br />
</u><br />
<u>SKIN</u>. My skin is amazing. A mother at the football game Friday night said I looked 15 years younger.<br />
At my age one year younger would be worth juicing!<br />
<br />
<u>BONDING</u>: I didn't predict this one, but my youngest two boys are having a blast helping me throw things<br />
down the juicer hatch. <br />
<br />
<u>HEALTH:</u> I know if my skin looks better my insides must too. Just veggies and fruit is making me glow.<br />
<br />
<u>HABITS:</u> I am breaking the bad habits of sugar and processed food that was taking over by the end of my<br />
summer indulging break. Finally I am craving chewing nuts, salads, and fish instead of junk.<br />
<br />
<u>RESULTS</u>: Let me be honest, if I didn't see quick results on the scale each morning, my will power for this<br />
would be out the window. It's real pounds, not just water. My clothes are almost falling off,<br />
and I am fitting into jeans I have not worn in seven years.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">CONS:</span></u><br />
<u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span></u><br />
<u>TIRED:</u> I am very tired. I am doing very light to none on exercise.<br />
<br />
<u>HARD:</u> I don't know if that is really a con, since hard is probably good for me. Maybe hard on my family is<br />
a con? They have to put up with me complaining about the difficulty.<br />
<br />
<u>TIME:</u> It requires a lot of time to shop, chop, drop, and mop. Ha. Translated, shopping, prepping, juicing,<br />
and then cleaning every teeny tiny part of that juicer takes a lot of effort and time. I still have six<br />
people staring at me with that "whats for dinner" look after I clean up the juicer.<br />
<br />
<u>PRICEY:</u> It takes a lot of veggies and fruit for a little tiny bit of juice. That price tag goes up higher when<br />
I try to buy organic produce. Right now is not a good time to raise our grocery bill; thank you<br />
sweet hubby supporter for not complaining about my organic produce. <br />
<br />
<u>INCONVENIENT:</u> This is an understatement. Three times of more this week I drank lemon water because<br />
it just did not work to juice or take my juice with me. <br />
<br />
<u>METABOLISM:</u> I know my metabolism will slow during this juicing. That will be okay if I transition by<br />
eating clean and exercising consistently.<br />
<br />
<br />
Day 8 begins today. I am at minus 47.5 pounds, so I am just 2.5 pounds away from the minus 50 mark. I am looking forward to that after staying in the same range June and July. I'm off to try peaches and veggies in the juicer!! <br />
<u><br />
</u>BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-91900811264600680132011-08-18T22:48:00.000-05:002011-08-18T22:48:44.401-05:00Day 4 Rebooting BarelyI barely made it tonight. It was a close call sort of. Let me back up to this morning. I sent my girls off to school with home made healthy hot egg mac muffin sandwiches and lunches packed with pretty napkins. My favorite thing about packing school lunches is surprising the eaters with seasonal fun napkins.<br />
<br />
Anyway, the morning was going well, and after writing a quick blog my juicer helpers and I juiced away. I ended up not using the melon in the picture below.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCjeaCwlkhzBSWKejilecPzGFjjzCr6nEo9F1dHeMwmT2a1FdpGxZF5qbqvbDkmSyqLPFNbpyUF46S0olBUGHIX5OwE9BnPR-ViCAS6Bq-Omp4Nc2ugpERlTGEK6ZuchnC1w_PsaJqkDk/s1600/IMG_2584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCjeaCwlkhzBSWKejilecPzGFjjzCr6nEo9F1dHeMwmT2a1FdpGxZF5qbqvbDkmSyqLPFNbpyUF46S0olBUGHIX5OwE9BnPR-ViCAS6Bq-Omp4Nc2ugpERlTGEK6ZuchnC1w_PsaJqkDk/s320/IMG_2584.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizegavTwiAuJHfrs9-HONjGWqvvEVFqCAwpR0_YPVPDng4GkSLJeyUbpgB5jaduBvUNyF2rqAZuodlZkziaN4_xiLHTVwuOUrFVyNlpob63-A_mAh-psZgfRyR2L0enUHIFJfXgBIo8y_8/s1600/IMG_2585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizegavTwiAuJHfrs9-HONjGWqvvEVFqCAwpR0_YPVPDng4GkSLJeyUbpgB5jaduBvUNyF2rqAZuodlZkziaN4_xiLHTVwuOUrFVyNlpob63-A_mAh-psZgfRyR2L0enUHIFJfXgBIo8y_8/s320/IMG_2585.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The fruitier juice is my favorite...of course. All of the juices are frothy and almost thick when they are fresh. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdboWFAtD8Gz4aa45vKLRXZIndh-pS08F8-yvClTItYjClB_P8QRSNB8hhMQzoEdDoAQKePmrQLuZDGvlXEFwjWehXOC_icfYgG1gsAMXk5MnegspqmjklEieX3Hyog9AJjLcodhAiTMhu/s1600/IMG_2587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdboWFAtD8Gz4aa45vKLRXZIndh-pS08F8-yvClTItYjClB_P8QRSNB8hhMQzoEdDoAQKePmrQLuZDGvlXEFwjWehXOC_icfYgG1gsAMXk5MnegspqmjklEieX3Hyog9AJjLcodhAiTMhu/s320/IMG_2587.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCtXQzmgZhPFUbi-9vPM5cd03597j55PgWVjaG6y9aAeIkDoFoFiDfVwKunlN__b92WWDJhpNjl8iGkfayX3kZ9fDrKpVMk4Tll191RJf-IHvPzsIEzOE4UCd9far9DX2C-ngTyWFVjqp/s1600/IMG_2589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCtXQzmgZhPFUbi-9vPM5cd03597j55PgWVjaG6y9aAeIkDoFoFiDfVwKunlN__b92WWDJhpNjl8iGkfayX3kZ9fDrKpVMk4Tll191RJf-IHvPzsIEzOE4UCd9far9DX2C-ngTyWFVjqp/s320/IMG_2589.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Lunch was a more concentrated veggie juice. I mixed it with just a little of the remaining beet juice and it colored the entire glass red.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdIjKOshSJ39jBEpiTw_F4QP3jr4whdVZNhptH809YUaPj1nhiSDjfTu2dS5hpCg4g8Sz2o-d0x_1MaYFn7VwvDKYyJKe_UdkRk_lJ8WG_spuxOFHENmSaqQVArQJ-2Os4dDGFb7ZCup8/s1600/IMG_2590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdIjKOshSJ39jBEpiTw_F4QP3jr4whdVZNhptH809YUaPj1nhiSDjfTu2dS5hpCg4g8Sz2o-d0x_1MaYFn7VwvDKYyJKe_UdkRk_lJ8WG_spuxOFHENmSaqQVArQJ-2Os4dDGFb7ZCup8/s320/IMG_2590.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNx-hOjrJ4G049LaxwmjvOi5iER12D3AYmCLEbcTlvvFpN6rqObaVWWkqy0cxpHTiW1rGCyDirC5HqoCaIEvAQcO2J02FrOaFdOoaWF2CzBk1Ox9RzYnkwSItaLfK1lRHPOEYIYH7aEcxe/s1600/IMG_2592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNx-hOjrJ4G049LaxwmjvOi5iER12D3AYmCLEbcTlvvFpN6rqObaVWWkqy0cxpHTiW1rGCyDirC5HqoCaIEvAQcO2J02FrOaFdOoaWF2CzBk1Ox9RzYnkwSItaLfK1lRHPOEYIYH7aEcxe/s320/IMG_2592.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMUH93J8gr_YdRuUBM53LLwP8sQwOPCp3IKsVUkz3StLFU1MMxd4o4LjX_O0THPv6FWDHVSuoavOCLAY8m1fM8vmmKJLtMwjjp602iTqnz_NChO4NUdQPJGoXSWjGxxTbOKtLj2spoYYS/s1600/IMG_2594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMUH93J8gr_YdRuUBM53LLwP8sQwOPCp3IKsVUkz3StLFU1MMxd4o4LjX_O0THPv6FWDHVSuoavOCLAY8m1fM8vmmKJLtMwjjp602iTqnz_NChO4NUdQPJGoXSWjGxxTbOKtLj2spoYYS/s320/IMG_2594.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After an afternoon volcano experiment and errand running I came home tired, starving, and ready to dive into making my firstborn child's 22nd birthday dinner. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6p7N5IeWqv1i1KNR_7r1-CAbtH5Eth4qHSZOPrmH645bhpxLqOtyMXUguJR2k854EvNjre0cnQ6AsSr8oz_j7Glni6nlzKCKVzO5p08pko72gazG0kOs2NZKb0KxB2fIngDQIB6l9Nig8/s1600/IMG_2595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6p7N5IeWqv1i1KNR_7r1-CAbtH5Eth4qHSZOPrmH645bhpxLqOtyMXUguJR2k854EvNjre0cnQ6AsSr8oz_j7Glni6nlzKCKVzO5p08pko72gazG0kOs2NZKb0KxB2fIngDQIB6l9Nig8/s320/IMG_2595.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I felt a little whiny and that should have been my first warning sign to rest a second, hydrate, and drink a juice. I was so happy to work in the kitchen I ignored the warning and pressed on. By the time the birthday dinner spread was done and smelling wonderful I was beyond hungry. <br />
<br />
Everyone was eating and it all smelled so good. I began waffling internally and externally about how I could eat tonight and get back to juicing in the morning. My family is very supportive, and really cheers me on whether I want to eat or not. With absolutely no pressure from them, the decision making was all mine. It was really hard. I talked myself into and out of eating the regular spread of food a million times. I made it all the way through dinner, and was about to give in at the END of dinner....plate in hand...when my sweet hubby said," If you want to go back to the computer, I'll clean up dinner." MUSIC TO MY EARS. He had very patiently listened to me struggle, and offered to help me escape the clean up temptation. My way of escape handed to me in the package of NO clean up was a sure sign. I got out of there fast...in case the offer disappeared.<br />
<br />
It was really hard tonight, but right now I'm so glad I didn't give in. I had some red flags that made me think twice.<br />
Red Flags:<br />
Emotional: I just wanted what I wanted even if it wrecked my long term plan.<br />
Lying to myself: I told myself I could eat tonight and get back to my plan in the morning. <br />
Unhealthy: What I was desiring was not a healthy fresh salad, but lots of very fattening and sugary foods. (Special birthday requested food like taco dip, chips, steak, tator tots, green bean casserole, jello salad desserts etc.)<br />
<br />
My rational self did a good job reasoning with my unreasonable self, and my sensitive hubby saved the day when I almost gave in. There was a very big part of me that knew if I gave in tonight I wasn't touching that juicer tomorrow. I wasn't really wanting to just eat a few healthy things with my family. When I was waffling about what to do, I really wanted to eat the poorest choices and lots of them. That was another sign that I knew meant it wasn't time to stop my plan.<br />
<br />
Tonight made me wonder if I can make it another 12 days juicing. I may not be able to. I may reach a point where it might not be the healthier choice to continue. I want to listen to my body and do the healthy thing over the perfection perfect plan thing even if it kills me option. If I stop however, I want it to be with a plan including healthy, clean foods. That wasn't my motive tonight, so it wasn't time to quit the plan. <br />
<br />
So I survived rebooting day four barely, and I am hoping day five is easier.<br />
<br />
All that said I feel very pitiful about ever complaining when I read about the struggles Lucy and her family are going through. She is a beautiful six year old girl struggling with cancer, and her mom is so burdened with the heartbreaking journey of Lucy and missing her two other children and family at home. I leave you their blog link in case you would like to join me in praying for them. <a href="http://erikandkatekrull.blogspot.com/">http://erikandkatekrull.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-3868141525585391892011-08-18T07:51:00.000-05:002011-08-18T07:51:11.696-05:00Reboot Day 3Yesterday (Wednesday) was day 3. It was crazy busy, but went really well. I started the morning off juicing a fruitier combo of grapefruit, mango, lime, blueberry, and spinach. It was delicious.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREgbGjrxmICq9uxF0udF93FhKxp-i_JXho1yzxRvoxMPUe-h4UUD4fTjFoXsCQ-KG7rTGXD_pQ-wy1uWwr5c5nVrq34pmer9B4owHgnTvj3__ZXMc61zVgRQr_TDyxuO6n4C3ikqUW3Kk/s1600/IMG_2578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREgbGjrxmICq9uxF0udF93FhKxp-i_JXho1yzxRvoxMPUe-h4UUD4fTjFoXsCQ-KG7rTGXD_pQ-wy1uWwr5c5nVrq34pmer9B4owHgnTvj3__ZXMc61zVgRQr_TDyxuO6n4C3ikqUW3Kk/s320/IMG_2578.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xoIs7ft6lD1cZXc0yrL3ESib9JY2PZXkSSafpwJIW1YuDnDsRy8ki6tNgg-xOfVG-T4iRDSHIVMZH5cyUZtPMPxqghD2iFkBoNhMCLvr25DPoAmdWjx4DzT8xLfPetWKwZmrRlRo_uhD/s1600/IMG_2579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xoIs7ft6lD1cZXc0yrL3ESib9JY2PZXkSSafpwJIW1YuDnDsRy8ki6tNgg-xOfVG-T4iRDSHIVMZH5cyUZtPMPxqghD2iFkBoNhMCLvr25DPoAmdWjx4DzT8xLfPetWKwZmrRlRo_uhD/s320/IMG_2579.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After breakfast I loaded up the counter with mainly veggies and four apples, and with the help of my juicing buddies juiced the <strike>night</strike> morning away. Well not really the whole morning, because the textbooks were waiting.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5qrs55L7qPuEfKVunzX0Zb4VAlAbI2ak50z-SkGG6VhMYyY2054ce7CYMJvJ0tPVOzgoStpPjOmIjxDvurZkI_6qPfLja467n9MdXidMq3DnCRC3rVnY2h73ID41EvXPTEkdIznsW4DP/s1600/IMG_2581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5qrs55L7qPuEfKVunzX0Zb4VAlAbI2ak50z-SkGG6VhMYyY2054ce7CYMJvJ0tPVOzgoStpPjOmIjxDvurZkI_6qPfLja467n9MdXidMq3DnCRC3rVnY2h73ID41EvXPTEkdIznsW4DP/s320/IMG_2581.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>My youngest juicer helper cannot wait to wake up each morning to see what he is going to help push down the juicer hatch. He is fascinated with the process (not so much the product). He's a juice developer in the making.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpOAZZWj5n7WYxMzo3D_54k7a1QRVyyQ6qgzCyH36eEbL8UM_PHBy1laLu9Lm4qUnvKgow-MdmZm5Y114fumdx3JBz5CJRRwLXAXcPns0sysZ9lUwhXx0DrBM6a0ELRSbfoKiF9DqKjvY/s1600/IMG_2580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpOAZZWj5n7WYxMzo3D_54k7a1QRVyyQ6qgzCyH36eEbL8UM_PHBy1laLu9Lm4qUnvKgow-MdmZm5Y114fumdx3JBz5CJRRwLXAXcPns0sysZ9lUwhXx0DrBM6a0ELRSbfoKiF9DqKjvY/s320/IMG_2580.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>All those veggies and fruit made this juice below. No beets this time! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkwHCBY9iRoNRP91YE97wDeymUpFQlSGhQaDfPy5N6sNbfjJ_FxtGGY4uRueG_36C-Vp-dKCiPg7jgVfK42uU-tU091qLhQ9kd-i0a7aPDj_mXKY5AEIn1sZeyioUjW9X6nxsmmD6VL3c/s1600/IMG_2582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkwHCBY9iRoNRP91YE97wDeymUpFQlSGhQaDfPy5N6sNbfjJ_FxtGGY4uRueG_36C-Vp-dKCiPg7jgVfK42uU-tU091qLhQ9kd-i0a7aPDj_mXKY5AEIn1sZeyioUjW9X6nxsmmD6VL3c/s320/IMG_2582.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdT814BbJGvwB5HJ1v-QnxbNFSoXvwauVwrrCqrXRGb2OXMFf0aMLTUmsmJEU4EZry5OiSYHxrjHgZGKgFVkLxSTXCNfZdrB2LZZxMZHdW8X1E4240QWdMasm18tu1MHkCXYrbWC0xGDlb/s1600/IMG_2583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdT814BbJGvwB5HJ1v-QnxbNFSoXvwauVwrrCqrXRGb2OXMFf0aMLTUmsmJEU4EZry5OiSYHxrjHgZGKgFVkLxSTXCNfZdrB2LZZxMZHdW8X1E4240QWdMasm18tu1MHkCXYrbWC0xGDlb/s320/IMG_2583.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>My husband and I spent the evening watching our oldest graduate from EMT school and enjoyed taking him to dinner. He picked Red Robin, and although I am a fan of their onion ring tower and fries and burgers and salads and.......well, I enjoyed three big refills of lemon water and the nice company. I let my hubby sacrifice and eat with my son. He does things like that for me. :)<br />
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I'm off to juice for day 4. It's my oldest child's birthday today....the big 22. He's got a dinner menu request that is five miles long, so I will be baking/mixing/cooking up a storm. <br />
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Oh..one more thought...I got home last night at the end of day three and looked in the mirror and wondered if my face was losing weight. I then realized it is just my skin. It already looks smoother and tighter by day three. When I see my biggest organ looking 100 percent better in just three days, I always wonder what my inside organs are doing after three days. This is a fun experiment to do just to see what your skin does in such a short time!BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-54993348536562665342011-08-16T20:11:00.000-05:002011-08-16T20:11:50.352-05:00Reboot Day 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyJsrjaFDkKsJ9y_aeRpK-Nnz4y6Xw9Su8Kp_5xXVV5IGmDKLPuiPAu2Ig9b1Z-KxvTmNjZfaRCj3f71P8Y0za7Qj8UrkGJKgLHl5d4hrMHCytcfulZo-0tZBeukxc2Rp_dWq98P-X8Cu/s1600/IMG_2575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyJsrjaFDkKsJ9y_aeRpK-Nnz4y6Xw9Su8Kp_5xXVV5IGmDKLPuiPAu2Ig9b1Z-KxvTmNjZfaRCj3f71P8Y0za7Qj8UrkGJKgLHl5d4hrMHCytcfulZo-0tZBeukxc2Rp_dWq98P-X8Cu/s320/IMG_2575.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>My big jug of juice for today: spinach, carrots, 4 big beets, lemon, ginger, broccoli, and apples. My hubby and I started out with a morning smoothie of organic berries, avocado, spinach, agave, cinnamon, and coconut milk. The rest of today has been lemon water and this juice.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeNDq7nL_zlT6IjUsxFmbXc0j8Nhng8qE3KP1gDkjBv1NrEo2TgZMLOO40iLDErr_aFi2RuWaKnEq8iBkA898-11IguwxZQRKsQyuaXf5zcPFSpaxzm9tsyed7LFWC7Abd8BGydhWTGAQ/s1600/IMG_2576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeNDq7nL_zlT6IjUsxFmbXc0j8Nhng8qE3KP1gDkjBv1NrEo2TgZMLOO40iLDErr_aFi2RuWaKnEq8iBkA898-11IguwxZQRKsQyuaXf5zcPFSpaxzm9tsyed7LFWC7Abd8BGydhWTGAQ/s320/IMG_2576.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6TjtiMh18n65KjwY78v7zEQNE70HAvAKwdSHDzXTeqI1hB4CIkTJnTWkz8RSrdGHd-rJCqEuu1JuOLVxvhrfJhbrtIlk5pVxV9MhsypH6GMgNf4j8PJdHwi25Tm9gNbZ_eUQQzNkhP86/s1600/IMG_2577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6TjtiMh18n65KjwY78v7zEQNE70HAvAKwdSHDzXTeqI1hB4CIkTJnTWkz8RSrdGHd-rJCqEuu1JuOLVxvhrfJhbrtIlk5pVxV9MhsypH6GMgNf4j8PJdHwi25Tm9gNbZ_eUQQzNkhP86/s320/IMG_2577.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The beets give it a gorgeous color. Well that is a matter of opinion, because the people younger than me eating out of my refrigerator think it looks SCARY. The same people that will eat anything that color if it comes in a bear shape out of a candy package. Choosing the veggie juicing diet over the Twinkies diet cuts way down on fighting over food in the kitchen.<br />
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It feels really good to have 2 successful days behind me. I read this <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-cross/fat-sick-and-nearly-dead-_b_789298.html">article</a> written by Joe Cross (the man from the movie I blogged about), and he said he lost 100 pounds in 130 days. He juiced the first 60 days and ate veggies, fruit, legumes, and nuts the next 70 days. He not only lost weight but the healthy eating cured a skin disease he had. It is an amazing story. I hope each time I spend several weeks eating fruits and veggies it strengthens my healthy eating desires and habits, so that maybe someday I will eat well more than I eat poorly. BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-14882720050285041942011-08-15T20:28:00.000-05:002011-08-15T20:28:43.654-05:00RebootingIt's time for me to reboot. At least that is what they call it at <a href="http://jointhereboot.com/">Reboot Your Life.</a> I finally watched the movie Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead that I blogged about <a href="http://littlerosejacket.blogspot.com/2011/03/saturday-web-surfing.html">here</a> in March. I've been trying to talk myself into doing <strike>something drastic</strike> another Clean Program cleanse since June, and decided I needed some inspiration. It was just what I needed complete with video interviews of people in my city!<br />
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I did alright at maintaining my 42 pound weight loss all summer. BUT WAIT, I am not supposed to be maintaining at all. Even though I told myself I was enjoying a small break, learning how to navigate maintaining in case I ever get to maintenance land and want a head start, and building up my metabolism, all of that seemed reasonable for a short amount of time, until that time extended through the entire summer. Shockingly, August is almost half over. Suddenly I am beginning to feel that familiar hopelessness of the days, weeks, and months flying by while my scale stays the same...or goes up. Somehow I started playing that game of eat what I want today and Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday I'm on board with the plan to knock off the remaining pounds. <br />
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I confess my choice in food even progressively declined, to the drastic point of polishing off birthday party cake, chips, goodies, and Peanut M & Ms. The latter of that list which became a handful here and a handful there indulgence this last week. I don't look good, and I don't feel good. Worse than that my spirit feels defeated. <br />
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I am sad, worried, and discouraged in some other areas of my life. There is a lot happening that is hard, tough, and not like I want it to be. There is always something in life that is hard or disappointing. Medicating my emotions with food will not better the situation. The ONE thing I can control is what I put in my mouth. THANK GOODNESS. Really I am thankful for that, and I should be. I don't have any physical issues right now that dictate what I put into my mouth, or don't let me eat certain foods. In a world where there is so much I would like to change today and cannot, I need to embrace what I can change. <br />
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Remedy? I need to put down the sugar and step away from the party leftovers. I need to stop starting/failing and start doing/following through. The movie last night was just the inspiration I needed to give me a push in the right direction. So I decided for my hubby and me (lucky for him, ha) to jump head first into juicing today. <br />
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Out came the juicer and every vegetable and fruit in the house. I was hoping to fill up my 128 ounce jug for the day....giving us each 64 ounces of fresh juice for day 1. Wow. It takes a LOT of veggies and fruit to fill up that jug. What veggies I had on hand, and I had a lot on hand, only made 80 ounces of yummy juice.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSxnnb9vF68w7J-3YOJgtECRW4SbbCTnKTLeDFvRAcJYrVAHjlbQcNXEHRJ7Dc1-USfXffMRXl19nNahqzAL_IPLLgS0Ztz3TUkYClziwvquF3sxXAAmXG-MaKx1B9KmZapnjeehbIaZK/s1600/IMG_2569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSxnnb9vF68w7J-3YOJgtECRW4SbbCTnKTLeDFvRAcJYrVAHjlbQcNXEHRJ7Dc1-USfXffMRXl19nNahqzAL_IPLLgS0Ztz3TUkYClziwvquF3sxXAAmXG-MaKx1B9KmZapnjeehbIaZK/s320/IMG_2569.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>GOLD, VEGGIE GOLD. 80 ounces of apples, spinach, carrots, broccoli, lemon, melon, ginger, and 1 tomato. It is really filling and really good. It also gets things moving if you know what I mean.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcLItoLIXnPIczuN6TSKSEIHZgprGm4YvL0shozOGlOpfb2bJ9dSI6i0L9kMSrh_PHhz58BsaUPCMGCpaSX_QKytnRGUNNCgPzp0hoC-yziqGEsf833KyBMY0W0Etlv7FORQMdzVhQHS2/s1600/IMG_2570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcLItoLIXnPIczuN6TSKSEIHZgprGm4YvL0shozOGlOpfb2bJ9dSI6i0L9kMSrh_PHhz58BsaUPCMGCpaSX_QKytnRGUNNCgPzp0hoC-yziqGEsf833KyBMY0W0Etlv7FORQMdzVhQHS2/s320/IMG_2570.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iEQo3HnZdGBKShxwzQeaeHQFk6WcDofJPC8AjUOuqOhTTQlG9PgYmqJZ7ydyBQeJVOkV_TeAmkjwkz1mP6WuE3yO7q0bOlNytUcvnY7wF5B-k-QlqKIQntoozgXGlk9hie5VmQNhnHL9/s1600/IMG_2571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iEQo3HnZdGBKShxwzQeaeHQFk6WcDofJPC8AjUOuqOhTTQlG9PgYmqJZ7ydyBQeJVOkV_TeAmkjwkz1mP6WuE3yO7q0bOlNytUcvnY7wF5B-k-QlqKIQntoozgXGlk9hie5VmQNhnHL9/s320/IMG_2571.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Good and frothy. I hope to reboot through juicing and raw food smoothies the days remaining in August 2011. That's 16 counting today. I need to for my physical and mental health. This is something I considered doing in June, and I regret that I didn't. I do not want to get to November wishing I had done this in August.<br />
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UPDATE: I started this blog earlier today, and it's almost bedtime and I accomplished Day 1 of juicing raw foods only!! It feels really good to have a successful day after many failures this summer. I hope and pray I make it through the next 15! I plan to blog my progress!<br />
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BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-44797242402084244522011-08-06T21:45:00.000-05:002011-08-06T21:45:28.252-05:00It's My Birthday and I'll Cry If I Want ToOnly I really don't want to. It's been a fantastically fast birthday week. August reigns as our heaviest family birthday month with birthdays on the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 18th. I've checked the box on the first four...one more to go this month.<br />
We started our busy week out last Friday celebrating my youngest's birthday a week early. He turned the big 7.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEz_2xbXdAeT_-8Q74fxQFeNj3fanahZaOLrlfjgjXY8Vaz4nFKTtMm7y2mt8l_8jKn80YpjJpEu5YqRVmsW57gycXylSoxU1__wQsCnJsdUovEt5N9N31Epx9g9olPabBMmtb4WfiGW2/s1600/IMG_2427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEz_2xbXdAeT_-8Q74fxQFeNj3fanahZaOLrlfjgjXY8Vaz4nFKTtMm7y2mt8l_8jKn80YpjJpEu5YqRVmsW57gycXylSoxU1__wQsCnJsdUovEt5N9N31Epx9g9olPabBMmtb4WfiGW2/s320/IMG_2427.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> There he is with his dramatic pause making his wish.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOTO2_VBRMSALLQWfHTbaYh5I6jMbScHwrP8hT7TSBpTgBev14je6axAUlkdN8V0My3XJLMsGNHdLICpTY3z12w-rtIZvHVRGyu0pjoXNEyzro9GRKvu8XFM06dK6yEmVCG8nwBMXII36/s1600/IMG_2432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOTO2_VBRMSALLQWfHTbaYh5I6jMbScHwrP8hT7TSBpTgBev14je6axAUlkdN8V0My3XJLMsGNHdLICpTY3z12w-rtIZvHVRGyu0pjoXNEyzro9GRKvu8XFM06dK6yEmVCG8nwBMXII36/s320/IMG_2432.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The next morning we all woke up and drug a trailer across the state to move my oldest girlie back to school. I'm so proud of her, she's enjoying RA training this week.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZnD6XejsYayMhPQG4w-4kMc_oMW5kpHzUk9c6x43T_cZjfZlic3TgrUnEIPIHXogfJ3_e3dQ1iKTMP7EAamqcCOUUKWs5SB5a_zuX64SHpXQP8NVjuwfWSBoUd_hyW6BvvvxXOLn2Pl4/s1600/IMG_2434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZnD6XejsYayMhPQG4w-4kMc_oMW5kpHzUk9c6x43T_cZjfZlic3TgrUnEIPIHXogfJ3_e3dQ1iKTMP7EAamqcCOUUKWs5SB5a_zuX64SHpXQP8NVjuwfWSBoUd_hyW6BvvvxXOLn2Pl4/s320/IMG_2434.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Oh to long car trips with eight people in the vehicle. Behold my sleeping beauties.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWh0sVe5abuxSAx2rxjUBblS2yACJrbr448iT4kqdgM76R7Va4VjYC-KkpedfL732JRwzkfOI85cf7YunMwFnHvziA_osnCPsG97sMJRWljRuR-uGMDSPEoYHj5znidfat605xVsAGkI5m/s1600/IMG_2436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWh0sVe5abuxSAx2rxjUBblS2yACJrbr448iT4kqdgM76R7Va4VjYC-KkpedfL732JRwzkfOI85cf7YunMwFnHvziA_osnCPsG97sMJRWljRuR-uGMDSPEoYHj5znidfat605xVsAGkI5m/s320/IMG_2436.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Behold my singing beauties.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXVuUBDyqEqi5VEp4xcBZSUyCHbDYrOdVv-onCW0SHfkeOlykWoj3HcjYvFP2H2bjgdJ_r6GMUZfo1jp7UJJnwIsdsjJaeytaJDOo1rrf9uhdh8QQS0SEeyJ5FvpiXcbQ5NdA4l91Awht/s1600/IMG_2441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXVuUBDyqEqi5VEp4xcBZSUyCHbDYrOdVv-onCW0SHfkeOlykWoj3HcjYvFP2H2bjgdJ_r6GMUZfo1jp7UJJnwIsdsjJaeytaJDOo1rrf9uhdh8QQS0SEeyJ5FvpiXcbQ5NdA4l91Awht/s320/IMG_2441.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Oh I LOVE my Sea Bands. Best purchase ever. Instant cure for motion sickness. I can read in the car now. Yay! Thank you Laura for educating me on these! Seriously, my 11 year old wore them to the amusement park and DID NOT throw up for the first time after riding rides. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8yrTZXgAauu0rKL9H44pLP3nFCkhyphenhyphenB9KI8d-QedI96q6n_ZQ0GYIlnmReNb_mbvHAmgs8dK-u-NHY4U97X8CbhxcqL_Dozr-w5X1eqzEh1eD1sLTJkdzARIMndhk-0uBpXkVpsGnfMZr/s1600/IMG_2445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8yrTZXgAauu0rKL9H44pLP3nFCkhyphenhyphenB9KI8d-QedI96q6n_ZQ0GYIlnmReNb_mbvHAmgs8dK-u-NHY4U97X8CbhxcqL_Dozr-w5X1eqzEh1eD1sLTJkdzARIMndhk-0uBpXkVpsGnfMZr/s320/IMG_2445.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Unloading.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpZThxeLm09a40g4FrYZNkPuvGOZ_ZayS8CQRe9dXyfZVjU5ZKzWyZze2ygfCRBXUbePwV3ASB1G_uyyf3mYFs8nee7SMcU9xgG8IW9CdCVUOa5W8QFMPRX5DoV8aErBlQu_NmrVrzyro/s1600/IMG_2455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpZThxeLm09a40g4FrYZNkPuvGOZ_ZayS8CQRe9dXyfZVjU5ZKzWyZze2ygfCRBXUbePwV3ASB1G_uyyf3mYFs8nee7SMcU9xgG8IW9CdCVUOa5W8QFMPRX5DoV8aErBlQu_NmrVrzyro/s320/IMG_2455.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUUI62Eu5zEo9UcS922U1xsE-l3iZD2ZenEKjbAilfRB_MeG_yu3vyz8fUZyTDASYw3YjrEALCBWEH8nRDQ7qiqDWQWvfAOCt9IcJeE0dpXlcogV8IZmI_4GlQ7JM2rFD_yVfdXZdM6Or/s1600/IMG_2456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUUI62Eu5zEo9UcS922U1xsE-l3iZD2ZenEKjbAilfRB_MeG_yu3vyz8fUZyTDASYw3YjrEALCBWEH8nRDQ7qiqDWQWvfAOCt9IcJeE0dpXlcogV8IZmI_4GlQ7JM2rFD_yVfdXZdM6Or/s320/IMG_2456.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> A little toasty weather for moving day!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5IYbac11YHrmmPe8wMesgjHjdA8BEFmHeXIMoi6PMFt7er7A1BfbaWh10PesQCk0pUfknE6OtUt4e6tLdO0FF8MHgzR77jdtATbzG9NiG4CQDaBFikQNHUBEP-UzC1nwGTFNJygPo9Yw/s1600/IMG_2458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5IYbac11YHrmmPe8wMesgjHjdA8BEFmHeXIMoi6PMFt7er7A1BfbaWh10PesQCk0pUfknE6OtUt4e6tLdO0FF8MHgzR77jdtATbzG9NiG4CQDaBFikQNHUBEP-UzC1nwGTFNJygPo9Yw/s320/IMG_2458.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After we spent two nights moving our daughter, we dropped off our rental trailer, hitched up our hitch haul, backed our hitch haul into another vehicle, bought another hitch haul, and after assembling it traveled on to Chattanooga. Here we left our two youngest for the week to <strike>torture their Aunt</strike> hang out with their cousins.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTEAu5ltiT1hybC6qPzOcSdy8M6mT5QU-XjbVe-DBX6-jQEdvlLe_8M6Tzi60id0BIgj6XWD1SO2eiN3ylOscG1tcUt6aCVjVjaIYrzH2O_QQpQ20nioWNrg-65V0yGjGhQgnnm8ozQXn/s1600/IMG_2468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTEAu5ltiT1hybC6qPzOcSdy8M6mT5QU-XjbVe-DBX6-jQEdvlLe_8M6Tzi60id0BIgj6XWD1SO2eiN3ylOscG1tcUt6aCVjVjaIYrzH2O_QQpQ20nioWNrg-65V0yGjGhQgnnm8ozQXn/s320/IMG_2468.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After a tour of UTC for daughters 2 and 3, and a stop for dinner at the Cheescake Factory in Nashville (it is birthday week you know), the rest of us arrived home very early Tuesday morning. Tuesday August 2, the day this pretty daughter turned 16. We couldn't let that pass us by (even though her party was ahead on Friday), and frankly my husband and I were feeling a little too FREE with those crazy youngest ones gone, so we headed to dinner and double feature movies. Seriously, I don't think I've stayed that late at the movies since my pre-children days.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDsjw1JAwdP2TylJoYxZ6-rZq0ZuUEQjozO5bUbtfywrx4pZ0J0PltV8KRX_MQYLMRnkGFOO7wWXVZPUJncFRc8EQBkVHajfuRUvsMTEn4jF6HaKolHtwth1KT82bf1o7tP1nMRw91UKd/s1600/IMG_2479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDsjw1JAwdP2TylJoYxZ6-rZq0ZuUEQjozO5bUbtfywrx4pZ0J0PltV8KRX_MQYLMRnkGFOO7wWXVZPUJncFRc8EQBkVHajfuRUvsMTEn4jF6HaKolHtwth1KT82bf1o7tP1nMRw91UKd/s320/IMG_2479.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YznNYxuotLp2cdQp4wjPGUsbQNb3GWpy0MtFlSco0wLdW8gMSh2u0gjNwqq7-W4BR12SF6xg5rJ2GI0LwTfmcswa9eF1Y5rsom3DRT7HcFmxpoR7ghxHKLu2G_uje1aMOsInS92LHzYS/s1600/IMG_2480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YznNYxuotLp2cdQp4wjPGUsbQNb3GWpy0MtFlSco0wLdW8gMSh2u0gjNwqq7-W4BR12SF6xg5rJ2GI0LwTfmcswa9eF1Y5rsom3DRT7HcFmxpoR7ghxHKLu2G_uje1aMOsInS92LHzYS/s320/IMG_2480.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Again, feeling the freedom and possibly suffering from a little heat stroke, my hubby and I headed out ALONE Wednesday evening to Bonefish grill and a movie. We didn't do any type of vacation this year, and I think maybe we just enjoyed a little staycation. By Thursday night I said enough already though because I was getting ready to hostess the big SWEET SIXTEEN BASH for my cutie on Friday.<br />
I love a party!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYACK4iI9r7HZ1tiiloScOgRj1mgOy_jC4z7Lj039_fwNUsr0Wqh01_5Ri_alUaIratt4Lsj13VV2qlT1iYAQE6AuTLCMjE1Ti7Ej5RD8hX8KdsxE9Ot9tNcY4Y1Z1TlBBrHHedHOBkDr4/s1600/IMG_2489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYACK4iI9r7HZ1tiiloScOgRj1mgOy_jC4z7Lj039_fwNUsr0Wqh01_5Ri_alUaIratt4Lsj13VV2qlT1iYAQE6AuTLCMjE1Ti7Ej5RD8hX8KdsxE9Ot9tNcY4Y1Z1TlBBrHHedHOBkDr4/s320/IMG_2489.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6PUlLFsi1UH6hepga3EntUQ67RaznAO6sQ4HkS4eNHmnNnM5Neh0x-z2XBRTD_fdGifvUVPeh2jaFjIqguLoBMwqHquAAtd_QL8mhBImUhvhgQunNbB3RsLR6xh4HoCbRU3gBNZpfZkE/s1600/IMG_2492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6PUlLFsi1UH6hepga3EntUQ67RaznAO6sQ4HkS4eNHmnNnM5Neh0x-z2XBRTD_fdGifvUVPeh2jaFjIqguLoBMwqHquAAtd_QL8mhBImUhvhgQunNbB3RsLR6xh4HoCbRU3gBNZpfZkE/s320/IMG_2492.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyi2-bMd2McG5Yfi-WpTHSN5wN3l96nSjWdHxRZ2EcbQ9waRMAjeeaW4zHEJvab2Fln0xNyPyGq-Le11_W1F23RAu9zXSBUGVHKcc79YzI85XdkkcpPJ3XSLjL60Dkx9AbDVWE00j703Po/s1600/IMG_2494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyi2-bMd2McG5Yfi-WpTHSN5wN3l96nSjWdHxRZ2EcbQ9waRMAjeeaW4zHEJvab2Fln0xNyPyGq-Le11_W1F23RAu9zXSBUGVHKcc79YzI85XdkkcpPJ3XSLjL60Dkx9AbDVWE00j703Po/s320/IMG_2494.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Purple and Blue...Whoo Hoo.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJ5dl606XcjXOYte6Jlwg_mzg9xJlHvteB_mAWpe7_zjU1lAa1HjF07v3rjMWIUE8blbMKkQAp3Yd4wzFl4DDxUsnHnrIF_-69m7elvOjuvmU3vVeHuMp4LRis7O5oSmvbT7CBHxMwQ81/s1600/IMG_2501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJ5dl606XcjXOYte6Jlwg_mzg9xJlHvteB_mAWpe7_zjU1lAa1HjF07v3rjMWIUE8blbMKkQAp3Yd4wzFl4DDxUsnHnrIF_-69m7elvOjuvmU3vVeHuMp4LRis7O5oSmvbT7CBHxMwQ81/s320/IMG_2501.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Deliciousness. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6-OjQTH5B2Z1dQpnS_WFlNh637GbjHoD3n_fR1sTW14OcIdUmmEKVZ3Uc_qn1KSXzt2O-_fXFgVReuVpQQhDHZg8wq55D_cbPt7HslMc7ChG9MZScqeo7YPpjb5ZpPKJP5mAUaXNh5Rl/s1600/IMG_2524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6-OjQTH5B2Z1dQpnS_WFlNh637GbjHoD3n_fR1sTW14OcIdUmmEKVZ3Uc_qn1KSXzt2O-_fXFgVReuVpQQhDHZg8wq55D_cbPt7HslMc7ChG9MZScqeo7YPpjb5ZpPKJP5mAUaXNh5Rl/s320/IMG_2524.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Yum.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVTts9MRB_D61597jgHoFEwBF8HdiMIp6SbJ96KrOdTNbx5AtPpw5NqGqeqOqXuAV02jHU8gQkPoF0nhGd6gdd1IVhWPpl4zRD0os0l1gB1CflD4rl9rO1xoW8P-k9KV7U3me8D11AJDB/s1600/IMG_2526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVTts9MRB_D61597jgHoFEwBF8HdiMIp6SbJ96KrOdTNbx5AtPpw5NqGqeqOqXuAV02jHU8gQkPoF0nhGd6gdd1IVhWPpl4zRD0os0l1gB1CflD4rl9rO1xoW8P-k9KV7U3me8D11AJDB/s320/IMG_2526.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Sweet Seesters.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvMqOSaNyoPJZpKHBlpQ_F_Ymh3HHNhuu82gqAJlm_gGj4fcFtUmbsr7JaWoaKHrJK1ncJ2GKMgtXA9l9juZ3jHZfPwUScxpo-D3pH4WvTX14qIInlsHKABYf1tyXMaYmgMLCuc-Sg9xw/s1600/IMG_2538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvMqOSaNyoPJZpKHBlpQ_F_Ymh3HHNhuu82gqAJlm_gGj4fcFtUmbsr7JaWoaKHrJK1ncJ2GKMgtXA9l9juZ3jHZfPwUScxpo-D3pH4WvTX14qIInlsHKABYf1tyXMaYmgMLCuc-Sg9xw/s320/IMG_2538.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydU8MNgkFF26_VkRcVai_I-mVBXYBSyDCQFyspA-PEsTt9lIDyaIJo_6bx-Lw7sygsf8_Ym8FTS8PW9HsDq9tnvQ-AIpZeGa_e9LlEXRqRnMGQiavn2BTU_1Mlu69xuFS0exsiqrI18z-/s1600/IMG_2544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydU8MNgkFF26_VkRcVai_I-mVBXYBSyDCQFyspA-PEsTt9lIDyaIJo_6bx-Lw7sygsf8_Ym8FTS8PW9HsDq9tnvQ-AIpZeGa_e9LlEXRqRnMGQiavn2BTU_1Mlu69xuFS0exsiqrI18z-/s320/IMG_2544.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>So excited from the partay I stayed up way to late, and after less than five hours of sleep my man and I drove almost eight hours round trip today to pick up those two youngest boys we were missing. Well, he drove and I (wearing my sea bands) talked his ears off...it is my birthday and I can talk if I want to!<br />
<br />
So whew. What a week!!!!! I did pretty well on the calories, and was happy to see me sticking at minus 41 pounds total still on the scale yesterday morning. HOWEVER, today was a total eating disaster. This has all been fun, but I am ready to jump into our fall schedule this week. I plan to start in earnest recording, reporting, and losing again beginning this Tuesday. My goal is to get to a regular BMI by November. Now I'm off to rest my tired eyelids. What a fun and busy summer it's been! God is good...all the time!BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-21125539973408155372011-07-29T20:34:00.001-05:002011-07-29T20:43:08.823-05:00July is Passing Me ByI cannot believe this is the last weekend of July. This month has been a little crazy...lots of fun, sun, company, and not a lot of projects or serious stuff. I waited all winter to enjoy summer, and I think I accomplished that this month.<br />
There was lots of:<br />
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EATING AT THIS PLACE and PARTYING WITH COMPANY. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDVZqPipqJQQLB9WZtDGWMwlQrFStxETDNFEfGoNF8eGu3I2j-3Yg1ND-hR_HM4e8WTeaRWf4otjBFQs6Qmx7A8SgvvbPAF5cRicen2jkTXrKB-LBWsCfUM3KidSVLW-nR1ChW-xSkPjI/s1600/IMG_2281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDVZqPipqJQQLB9WZtDGWMwlQrFStxETDNFEfGoNF8eGu3I2j-3Yg1ND-hR_HM4e8WTeaRWf4otjBFQs6Qmx7A8SgvvbPAF5cRicen2jkTXrKB-LBWsCfUM3KidSVLW-nR1ChW-xSkPjI/s320/IMG_2281.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSvdMFFEDvd59KFxK1S8TvYwWRV4pmEikOjibs7nLLToxNr75GfMYKarLOV_SheX7bL9tFKZ-f7LqHzT-q2F6RIMGYekLK-nMlOcdtRfUm_wpX9XYi-tnoIYDWKeZ5Sx6OlAWmNLOzb6I/s1600/IMG_2290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSvdMFFEDvd59KFxK1S8TvYwWRV4pmEikOjibs7nLLToxNr75GfMYKarLOV_SheX7bL9tFKZ-f7LqHzT-q2F6RIMGYekLK-nMlOcdtRfUm_wpX9XYi-tnoIYDWKeZ5Sx6OlAWmNLOzb6I/s320/IMG_2290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> A TRIP DOWNTOWN FOR FIREWORKS ON MUD ISLAND.<br />
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ONE BEAUTIFUL GIRLIE POSING FOR HER SENIOR PICTURES.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujT1ZcEwzn0r0OxYsNAMEZKrO_V22mNwnm6XHLryJs1lOvXxUZZjFfSWR7VRU1l19AlkNmUq7h21daP7tF6wyRUJlSKEnJTJ6nUwmRe3rNeH35TPm4x3Z7qQhjj7kCT9y4zOUzwqNz8VS/s1600/IMG_2327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujT1ZcEwzn0r0OxYsNAMEZKrO_V22mNwnm6XHLryJs1lOvXxUZZjFfSWR7VRU1l19AlkNmUq7h21daP7tF6wyRUJlSKEnJTJ6nUwmRe3rNeH35TPm4x3Z7qQhjj7kCT9y4zOUzwqNz8VS/s320/IMG_2327.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>KIDDOS GOING TO CAMP.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8nu4ZnHSRLgR9pgeJdSbzfqQLr-paUo39ajHY8AZORQLlMzbYS-a_4G8Dsju6t2OriDTIH2_dPG7C0nnzuhhLjtX6-PEiYYfdVyEUfiAOefPUuwJYM0f6wcIhdNj1gnHcGwYPss2yJbH/s1600/IMG_2339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8nu4ZnHSRLgR9pgeJdSbzfqQLr-paUo39ajHY8AZORQLlMzbYS-a_4G8Dsju6t2OriDTIH2_dPG7C0nnzuhhLjtX6-PEiYYfdVyEUfiAOefPUuwJYM0f6wcIhdNj1gnHcGwYPss2yJbH/s320/IMG_2339.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>KIDDOS COMING HOME FROM CAMP.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrRIwQROH9NxybjfPiYXfzv92Cc8N_G9P4-fPlOLftDHh4nQE3TrFjmpdV6VkS__7XaoJQaFoVGRsAEn2D5RsEBvdldrY0XPusph8D5yC-qfrIKe83jTjMwoIRT5brzPTWqOxBJfuUHY7/s1600/IMG_2363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrRIwQROH9NxybjfPiYXfzv92Cc8N_G9P4-fPlOLftDHh4nQE3TrFjmpdV6VkS__7XaoJQaFoVGRsAEn2D5RsEBvdldrY0XPusph8D5yC-qfrIKe83jTjMwoIRT5brzPTWqOxBJfuUHY7/s320/IMG_2363.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>LATE NIGHT BAKING EXPERIMENTS ASKING FOR MY PARTICIPATION IN GUESSING THE INGREDIENTS.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLR82h3NnpJUZFmpUhj8BwALBFdomE9CYst1RcorB9FXeGebseHajRhipN6qp-pCTIhu0uBMfHPf0aEexTAbuBfNTB5tuu_JaRbzEezQlndxosKbIkfVSVL1__PUu-Wk1y0VFJ40-LxRN/s1600/IMG_2333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLR82h3NnpJUZFmpUhj8BwALBFdomE9CYst1RcorB9FXeGebseHajRhipN6qp-pCTIhu0uBMfHPf0aEexTAbuBfNTB5tuu_JaRbzEezQlndxosKbIkfVSVL1__PUu-Wk1y0VFJ40-LxRN/s320/IMG_2333.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlMldE64gkhKx8i4p85h2E8TWvDuurLsHtTa7rTwBKcml-aChR4ryIUjwMtiVc3jW5PikFn6AK6g0vIAkDZ7Y9u3cvKKDGJp3IeDkqrqJdDSCaPKbpIdbMle4WTy-KowrsvC1DYgF_5g3/s1600/IMG_2337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlMldE64gkhKx8i4p85h2E8TWvDuurLsHtTa7rTwBKcml-aChR4ryIUjwMtiVc3jW5PikFn6AK6g0vIAkDZ7Y9u3cvKKDGJp3IeDkqrqJdDSCaPKbpIdbMle4WTy-KowrsvC1DYgF_5g3/s320/IMG_2337.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>MORE COMPANY INSPIRING ANOTHER TRIP TO THIS PLACE.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKicWvTxoMSbhGO5NDhlb7lA5aTpsoMorrDQ0KL26m8-AzjQy_kIXSVAfF3LHyjNn9WQE4D7wRSJ16tfDKox4_F1tvZ39GcH16ejmx8hvfFKezdP1GHy9WmtLtueRk6T8g-1pWKGXQgpQ6/s1600/IMG_2361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKicWvTxoMSbhGO5NDhlb7lA5aTpsoMorrDQ0KL26m8-AzjQy_kIXSVAfF3LHyjNn9WQE4D7wRSJ16tfDKox4_F1tvZ39GcH16ejmx8hvfFKezdP1GHy9WmtLtueRk6T8g-1pWKGXQgpQ6/s320/IMG_2361.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-Avb70I7IWmCP3sRspxvB5KeVLvjy1f229t4gO53-9dfRsb0NoCZlTTl4mV0oeUVIZEWmerqvK6IUbjPVlB9Y4ZeiowmOyGYJTub2C3tK8Mup2riFhc4iBhUrRp-WNRFkW8oMd7Et6p_/s1600/IMG_2360+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-Avb70I7IWmCP3sRspxvB5KeVLvjy1f229t4gO53-9dfRsb0NoCZlTTl4mV0oeUVIZEWmerqvK6IUbjPVlB9Y4ZeiowmOyGYJTub2C3tK8Mup2riFhc4iBhUrRp-WNRFkW8oMd7Et6p_/s320/IMG_2360+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A FEW BIRTHDAY PRESENTS FOR MY DAD. WE WANT HIM TO REPRESENT TENNESSEE WELL IN ILLINOIS!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitej-TBhaQXUjqLZ8D0FEmJRK5Xd7N5QQTXcfzYc_52YsyZt1KCCiEd_wOwOkrbNRs9bf39CU9LnepiwKDwi4vSwvDusNvG_lv9SKODs4TESYoAM2DmCjyhOEgcPhaCoRep24Q6m9EkAYc/s1600/IMG_2352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitej-TBhaQXUjqLZ8D0FEmJRK5Xd7N5QQTXcfzYc_52YsyZt1KCCiEd_wOwOkrbNRs9bf39CU9LnepiwKDwi4vSwvDusNvG_lv9SKODs4TESYoAM2DmCjyhOEgcPhaCoRep24Q6m9EkAYc/s320/IMG_2352.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I DISCOVERED THIS PLACE...A BLOG TO EXPLAIN COMING SOON!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNf_5p214vW38ZofNjJYnEQvRIJ_SmOTTtd10KIg195x-1HyfnYqSs7AT738caiv17VeRpvN29kzGxsuSfpmKo6He4y2kLOFQir93M7S26Ne_LhLW0VUjNEEFQqjE_ZpUD5-NqYmQ8zX3/s1600/IMG_2353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNf_5p214vW38ZofNjJYnEQvRIJ_SmOTTtd10KIg195x-1HyfnYqSs7AT738caiv17VeRpvN29kzGxsuSfpmKo6He4y2kLOFQir93M7S26Ne_LhLW0VUjNEEFQqjE_ZpUD5-NqYmQ8zX3/s320/IMG_2353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>MISSION TRIPS.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MJnZo1mgJuhKu-cJKjCZvjyoq85RxhWK1h6wPmFEBJdFdw1sMpRvqr5uAp8GjfFVZkzs5RVGe97DYrfskz5uXzqopkDhAVL6YnhmwWwGQL-TSfUsD5SpEMvmZfhu-6Ycgeqnb7NbKi_h/s1600/IMG_2368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MJnZo1mgJuhKu-cJKjCZvjyoq85RxhWK1h6wPmFEBJdFdw1sMpRvqr5uAp8GjfFVZkzs5RVGe97DYrfskz5uXzqopkDhAVL6YnhmwWwGQL-TSfUsD5SpEMvmZfhu-6Ycgeqnb7NbKi_h/s320/IMG_2368.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>LATE NIGHT FAMILY POOL PARTIES.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9k-mTS03VYV7z8cMm9RE8u03ZFPq82SeqyfrPbIDdzxitlwq_3coy1liqaTJ8hZ-spSaWWdcpUXYoahohDO_U0f0EI_Eg4cRvCer__QMt-qQJp3PX-WexaOG-1Vzz97aeK9ifqCUXpnqP/s1600/IMG_2378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9k-mTS03VYV7z8cMm9RE8u03ZFPq82SeqyfrPbIDdzxitlwq_3coy1liqaTJ8hZ-spSaWWdcpUXYoahohDO_U0f0EI_Eg4cRvCer__QMt-qQJp3PX-WexaOG-1Vzz97aeK9ifqCUXpnqP/s320/IMG_2378.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTIACRK2KSb70WvO57uTiE11rmPRT4A9faNs8rBCI4qeNJJx9_JpaO-i4j7XM0c3wtsHOBOVf0DEnImdxhZTfysPyXT_Mrwz4CTJvbS1MJa4CYxi92HXAFmZRZ7EWpYqqM_MEMcxRDHJb/s1600/IMG_2405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTIACRK2KSb70WvO57uTiE11rmPRT4A9faNs8rBCI4qeNJJx9_JpaO-i4j7XM0c3wtsHOBOVf0DEnImdxhZTfysPyXT_Mrwz4CTJvbS1MJa4CYxi92HXAFmZRZ7EWpYqqM_MEMcxRDHJb/s320/IMG_2405.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>AND THAT'S JUST A SMIDGEN OF MY JULY.<br />
IT WAS GLORIOUS.<br />
IT WAS GRAND.<br />
IT WAS EVERYTHING I'D DREAMED OF IN JANUARY.<br />
I LOVE YOU JULY.<br />
<br />
While I was doing all of those July/summery kind of things I took a little break from blogging. I took a little break from jotting down every nibble too. Which led to more and more nibbles. I am happy to report that I am still holding strong; weighing in at minus 41.5 pounds total this morning. I seem to have parked around the minus 42 pound mark. Considering all the company, partying, and nibbles I am happy with that. I'm not happy with staying there forever though. In fact, staying there for two months is starting to feel dangerous. It's not where I should be or want to be, so I am back to the grind. August is my month to kick it back into gear! I figure I only have three months left to lose this year before I buckle down during the two last holiday months and hold on for dear life during the crazy eating holiday roller coaster. Those last two months my dream will be to maintain. <br />
So this coming week I plan to be back recording my progress and blogging regularly. I have 22 pounds until I hit the NORMAL BMI range. I want to reach that goal before November.<br />
So here's to August, getting back into a routine in all areas, and getting to my next goal!!!BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-10876943452327403232011-06-30T00:16:00.000-05:002011-06-30T00:16:14.228-05:00Update and Mini Version Week 20 ResultsA little of what I have been doing lately besides sitting at the pool reading while my boys swam. Friday night we had a big patriotic cookout in honor of my daughter's "friend" getting his USA citizenship.<br />
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We brought out a little bit of our 4th of July decorations to help us celebrate.<br />
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Saturday my husband and I walked out the door with our two youngest boys to head to the gym to workout and swim. My excitement over working out with my man in the upstairs area faded quickly when we were greeted with signs on the entrance announcing (reminding those of us with short memories like moi) the pirate pool day. Of course we couldn't miss a minute of Pirate Pool day, so we skipped our workout and headed out to partake of the festivities. Whoever thought face painted black pirate patches at a pool was an intelligent idea needs a new career other than Pirate Pool Planning for sure. <br />
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Sunday was a wonderful day packed to the brim. My little guy was baptized. He was so excited.<br />
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After our celebration lunch I crashed for a quick nap, and we all piled in the car for a patriotic concert and fireworks at our church. I did not bake or partake of that lovely cake, and I may or may not have had one of the star spangled banner brownies someone else brought.<br />
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Tuesday evening we hosted a cookout for my husbands family and his visiting relatives from California. This Friday my brothers family arrives for a fun weekend, followed by my parents next week. Below is our cookout Tuesday.<br />
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Above is my gang missing one daughter who is suffering at camp at the beach in Florida.<br />
<br />
Summer is kicking my diet it seems. At least that is what I wanted to whine about. But WAIT...summer is what I have been dreaming about. Everything is better in summer right? I lived all the dreary January through March dreaming of hot summer days, sunshine galore, never opening a textbook, and free hours to exercise my pounds away. To some degree all that is true and more, but summer is also way busier than I remembered. Adding the pool hours in is lovely for my recreational reading and child entertainment, but annihilating my projects (aka cleaning out closets etc).<br />
<br />
I refuse to blame summer. After all, after summer comes our birthday month of August. Five of our birthdays in one month is always a lot of cake and celebrating. Fall follows August and always brings that crisp air awakening my sleeping baking giant. The baking begins and escalates until the holidays are over, and all that's left is me, my additional poundage, and my date with the scale on January first. What does all this mean? I have a four month shot to lose weight every year? January through April is all I have? <br />
<br />
NO. I need to stop blaming the season, the month, the holiday, the friends, the children, the hubby, the Kroger bakery that marks down the sugary junk, the lady that frowns at me in the library, and the car that drives insanely slow in front of me. LIFE is LIFE. All of this is life. So this month has been busy. It has been a really fun and wonderful kind of busy. I've got to learn to have fun and eat healthy. I've got to learn to be frustrated, sad, lonely, and happy while I eat healthy. I've got to learn to exercise regularly and eat correctly no matter what month, week, day, hour, or minute of life I am in.<br />
<br />
This week I did not lose any weight. I did not gain any either, but maintenance is not my goal at this point. I am still at a total loss of minus 42 pounds. That is what I started this month at. I think I enjoyed June a little too much and didn't stick to my mission. <br />
<br />
I'm going to take a week or two off from all my regular stats (blood sugar etc). I'll post a picture of my pitiful journal this week. I didn't record my food for five days which (shocker) led me to not weigh myself for four days. Now that is a scary and slippery slope that I do not want to continue, so this week my goal is to journal my food daily, and weigh daily. <br />
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I finished my study tonight with a support group watching the Made To Crave videos. It was really good, very inspiring, and I can't wait to share some of her thoughts.BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-58383982397833706582011-06-23T10:56:00.000-05:002011-06-23T10:56:53.465-05:00Extreme MakeoverBEFORE<br />
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AFTER<br />
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BEFORE<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLJASfsTYFnAdOlMH3o5DMOVWEr7pmRtuzGVg6UH8PmC52a6ae71gdlOWy8mfSR9XLkmIDdvX7bwbpN1Ehf_Gb5nw77Z9BsiCn-nHlJecdN4XiCPoGql1-YAYCJuWHX39HvJjSYTxNzui/s1600/IMG_2175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLJASfsTYFnAdOlMH3o5DMOVWEr7pmRtuzGVg6UH8PmC52a6ae71gdlOWy8mfSR9XLkmIDdvX7bwbpN1Ehf_Gb5nw77Z9BsiCn-nHlJecdN4XiCPoGql1-YAYCJuWHX39HvJjSYTxNzui/s320/IMG_2175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
AFTER<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiAVdGyLYYDrgFSwQC_hakz8FKfD3VChd80gQg7hD8zhuFW42azSrF4E6IxsNHzV1QNGNlXxLhZ1ffx6Sf-uaN7Zymuv7l_XMLUFJVMp202TTGAR89sPsit3yb-5QRaMAb8WHLRWXNfiy/s1600/IMG_2180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiAVdGyLYYDrgFSwQC_hakz8FKfD3VChd80gQg7hD8zhuFW42azSrF4E6IxsNHzV1QNGNlXxLhZ1ffx6Sf-uaN7Zymuv7l_XMLUFJVMp202TTGAR89sPsit3yb-5QRaMAb8WHLRWXNfiy/s320/IMG_2180.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">BEFORE</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwV2UoWdr7PHhu9EwhljAS7hmGyTRAB3RAUgRlbQ1RdE61vdS3aZA7oCmlkHVgjsUGLm2pF44OCMjNJc6UQtqZRojNxTRIT771-YqGuu0y_-ztEbohTVVmcSnqX1Ee3BqPCw15XDIwSwWG/s1600/IMG_2171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwV2UoWdr7PHhu9EwhljAS7hmGyTRAB3RAUgRlbQ1RdE61vdS3aZA7oCmlkHVgjsUGLm2pF44OCMjNJc6UQtqZRojNxTRIT771-YqGuu0y_-ztEbohTVVmcSnqX1Ee3BqPCw15XDIwSwWG/s320/IMG_2171.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">AFTER</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq68zdvTPqstzo7V_2zvpsjs_k34PS9lW8EaLsBNywm_6IWouXR-jwCaeC4Znj9JCXgpHotvRnTOwMhv20DdGY20jhImkEfPiMT5tFMYIhVxFyAAfTL2Hc00Og-2LXAKSJcCLCzuJmgNUS/s1600/IMG_2183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq68zdvTPqstzo7V_2zvpsjs_k34PS9lW8EaLsBNywm_6IWouXR-jwCaeC4Znj9JCXgpHotvRnTOwMhv20DdGY20jhImkEfPiMT5tFMYIhVxFyAAfTL2Hc00Og-2LXAKSJcCLCzuJmgNUS/s320/IMG_2183.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">BEFORE....no more....I feel like I've been to the eye doctor. Confession: we are terrible dog groomers. Every time I bring my Lhasa Apso home from the groomer I vow to bathe and brush her regularly. Several weeks/months later I drive my failed project back to the groomer and ask for a puppy cut. This time I decided the summer heat called for a complete shave. My children are still not speaking to me. They are lamenting her gone locks and pretty ears and muzzle. So I am vowing AGAIN to bathe and comb Macie once she had some hair to bathe and comb. I figure December will be a little cold for an entire shave down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She is too tired for any more modeling, and so glad to be home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbiNDCzk8ogUWvOYmM9EZW1opuPGlmvqHCMXhoi2r3LZe8lyUnGhBhYds9-oS1fp1sI1MVT36zJuoXMNXMowdp_rBpJ8QH7oT0rx90DOlt1lpcJbEFRaj-ROR38Z_XvUq9CMbV2V_6b4Q/s1600/IMG_2182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbiNDCzk8ogUWvOYmM9EZW1opuPGlmvqHCMXhoi2r3LZe8lyUnGhBhYds9-oS1fp1sI1MVT36zJuoXMNXMowdp_rBpJ8QH7oT0rx90DOlt1lpcJbEFRaj-ROR38Z_XvUq9CMbV2V_6b4Q/s320/IMG_2182.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the diet front still struggling this week even though I know I have one week left in June to give it my all and pull off a little loss. Ever done this?: Shopped early at Kroger yesterday and found a boatload of tantalizing unhealthy bakery goods on sale for one dollar each. One dollar! Four dollar cinnamon rolls for a dollar, and my baby loves them. Four dollar blueberry scones for....you know...one dollar. As par for the course we had teenage guests at the house, and I rationalized buying junk for the teens. I know, no one at any age needs sugary junk. Anyway, the question is not did you every buy junk, but did you ever buy junk, rationalize it was for everyone else (and honestly meant it of course), was determined you could handle the temptation of the junk at home on the counter, and then found yourself with your face in the junk? I thought I was strong enough, and found myself eating a cinnamon roll at lunch and a blueberry scone for a late night snack. Ugh. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The scale was actually down this morning...oh scale I will never figure you out. But it is not all about the scale, and my blood sugar numbers were up a little. My joints are achy, and my head hurts from the sugar. So I am not letting myself buy junk any more. There are times when I'm in the zone, but I never know when that zone might be weak. I also realize I need to feed my family more responsibly than bakery items.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am realizing that eating, cooking, and baking the way I grew up is really not what I should continue today. This is something I'm going to need to work through and figure out BEFORE fall weather hits and I want to bake and cook like a crazy woman. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm off to move my body cleaning this house. The boyfriend arrives today, and the siblings are all sharpening their inquisition techniques. Oh the joys of having 6 siblings....I thought having one brother was a handful! Don't let that sweet smile in that picture below fool you....he would and will kill you over the tv clicker. (And in the pre-clicker days, Mr. Wrestler did a mad body slam if you got to close to that tv dial button. Yes, I lived in the day before the invention of the clicker.) I still love you little bro. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwznSUhjUW_WFQshiKyCH5rFXyHHuUUh56gF_8btLqR4nGsmFju3bvPmss1Bi0see0oNFKYxzHWflNGDKZrkpWOcBJ8BelgMb1kbWYPpacOKmg2MD34ZqNEDWBHL7EqhhbKO9s3sWn8l2/s1600/20135_1348696000179_1314714004_997196_7600790_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwznSUhjUW_WFQshiKyCH5rFXyHHuUUh56gF_8btLqR4nGsmFju3bvPmss1Bi0see0oNFKYxzHWflNGDKZrkpWOcBJ8BelgMb1kbWYPpacOKmg2MD34ZqNEDWBHL7EqhhbKO9s3sWn8l2/s320/20135_1348696000179_1314714004_997196_7600790_n.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-73807592970652700972011-06-21T22:25:00.000-05:002011-06-21T22:25:43.626-05:00Week 19 Results<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0RojVhttEZQs9Vf8y810vw8DotIkwy9WolvdbWEpC8LEhlVaeqlJlozp2a9VB7_1f2raGIkDyC2LLLOikqCBXPSlU2gAb-BEu_nrAgmzhcS5BcJvdHrLbP0JjxHBnPMOOULEgRxgF8R6/s1600/257392_10150223969593469_10843723468_7131304_8547_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0RojVhttEZQs9Vf8y810vw8DotIkwy9WolvdbWEpC8LEhlVaeqlJlozp2a9VB7_1f2raGIkDyC2LLLOikqCBXPSlU2gAb-BEu_nrAgmzhcS5BcJvdHrLbP0JjxHBnPMOOULEgRxgF8R6/s320/257392_10150223969593469_10843723468_7131304_8547_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Last week my youngest daughter, my baby girl, was too busy at camp to text or call home. She was preoccupied with representing her blue team from head to toe and other important camp things. She came home Friday night, threw her stuffed suitcase in the laundry room, and slept for five days straight. I hope she comes out of her shell a little more for camp next year. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnh4strJJqyqHP1Ymu4CJZPJH6ccDNT2mCsgsKwnrX6_CXaBqTtVbmVWiM4s9wbHzNBvNAsPvtK87tz7VihW7Htr9Aghy-8d-dTc0cX3_-JvP7i4sMSrR0Cm5VnZOUgsdJsTuXXwv-H5us/s1600/Dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnh4strJJqyqHP1Ymu4CJZPJH6ccDNT2mCsgsKwnrX6_CXaBqTtVbmVWiM4s9wbHzNBvNAsPvtK87tz7VihW7Htr9Aghy-8d-dTc0cX3_-JvP7i4sMSrR0Cm5VnZOUgsdJsTuXXwv-H5us/s320/Dad.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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Father's Day was relaxing and special. I was actually not feeling well, so my sweet hubby grilled lunch for our tribe. That is just one of the many examples of why he is such a fantastic dad. This little guy shared an important decision he had previously made at home, at church, and that was exciting. Nothing like a little guy dressed in his Sunday best.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEI45L3gsMZYO90KNjQICzBuLt9VLlLG9Q3p8mhUsJtmUSjUoAUYXd3SFjwLsmzB7ulr1_IL6Q2jPooGeJWtxk0Lk9p3A9W1flWVYYC25FV1doVR-Nbd2iVxb9Q09pg7iDikYIc4qeVY5m/s1600/IMG_2168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEI45L3gsMZYO90KNjQICzBuLt9VLlLG9Q3p8mhUsJtmUSjUoAUYXd3SFjwLsmzB7ulr1_IL6Q2jPooGeJWtxk0Lk9p3A9W1flWVYYC25FV1doVR-Nbd2iVxb9Q09pg7iDikYIc4qeVY5m/s320/IMG_2168.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurOPkR90Ncgx9_jELvLCaiCG9eVb-LhDsCWw3_Tdi6LPWE1CVE6CTmIPI-xpZ8WhtKKAYaei-bTJfm7b94r6oVpBhcbGxrAxkEBMZYoNfjR2l-0i4Rpa6topxMAlrHo-Bhyphenhyphen7NlxogfvFF/s1600/shared_photo+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurOPkR90Ncgx9_jELvLCaiCG9eVb-LhDsCWw3_Tdi6LPWE1CVE6CTmIPI-xpZ8WhtKKAYaei-bTJfm7b94r6oVpBhcbGxrAxkEBMZYoNfjR2l-0i4Rpa6topxMAlrHo-Bhyphenhyphen7NlxogfvFF/s320/shared_photo+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXsP7TUwmzMzc5sHkeCUnSOJjs5qK1HGG9arznnv57RhG7LjJVhcDf8mP05tjGODI8ynNfeFUYPf4Fc9IqHkZmxME1ZUOfLMTWlIqsV_HOSNWMbu2QS6Yb-jEuhEEv02Mi_1pMdNygUqQ/s1600/shared_photo+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXsP7TUwmzMzc5sHkeCUnSOJjs5qK1HGG9arznnv57RhG7LjJVhcDf8mP05tjGODI8ynNfeFUYPf4Fc9IqHkZmxME1ZUOfLMTWlIqsV_HOSNWMbu2QS6Yb-jEuhEEv02Mi_1pMdNygUqQ/s320/shared_photo+%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I warned my youngest that this is the last week of his three week VBS summer tour. Mr. Optimist assured me that there might be another VBS out there somewhere. He may be my most social child yet, and as you saw from Miss Blue Team, it runs in the family.<br />
<br />
This last week we also joined the local library summer reading program, swam in the gym pool a lot, and did not clean the house a lot. This Friday we are hosting a cookout in honor of my oldest daughter's boyfriend attaining his USA citizenship. So, let the cleaning begin; let it begin soon please!<br />
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In the eating healthy arena I continue to play with fire, dance on the edge of the slippery slope, and run fast toward the tornado. (My 11 year old suggested that last one. All the spring storm warnings must have made a lasting impression on him.) I'm still at a total loss of 42 pounds. I ended May at a loss of minus 42 pounds. If a miracle doesn't happen I am going to end June on the same note. I have been trying to tell myself that maybe I just needed a month to maintain. A healthy month of maintaining would be okay. Maybe even a necessary part of the process. But my unhealthy nibbling isn't okay, and it is escalating into full servings of dessert/sugar, and I confess I am veering away from the clean eating path. I have done this before during this last six years, and it usually means I am headed for disaster. <br />
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I like eating healthy. I like feeling healthy and strong. I like smooth skin and smaller sizes. I like looking forward to the morning scale. I like feeling successful when I'm falling asleep at night. I like zipping up my shorts without sucking in my breath and praying the button doesn't pop.<br />
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There's A LOT of things I like about living healthy, and A LOT I don't like about gaining all my weight back and living in defeat. Enough stalling and playing around with sugar. It's not nearly as fun as peace feels. So please say a prayer for me as I AGAIN focus and get back to losing and saying no to sugar. <br />
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<u>WEEK 19 RESULTS</u><br />
<u><br />
</u><br />
<u>Fasting Blood Sugar for 6/14 through 6/20</u><br />
95<br />
89<br />
97<br />
95<br />
98<br />
99<br />
102<br />
These results show that my body does not process refined carbohydrates well at all. My goal this week is to get back to some 80 ranges.<br />
<br />
<u>Morning Blood Pressure for 6/14 through 6/20</u><br />
99/62<br />
97/64<br />
106/67<br />
94/65<br />
95/65<br />
100/65<br />
100/67<br />
These morning numbers are also starting to creep up a little. <br />
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<u>Dreaded Scale Numbers for 6/15 through 6/21</u><br />
-0<br />
-1.0<br />
-0<br />
-0<br />
-0<br />
-0.5<br />
-0.5<br />
So this week I lost 2 pounds bringing my total loss back to minus 42. (I lost 2 of the 3 pounds I had gained last week, so I still need to lose 1 more of them!) I would really like to lose something this week so I can have a loss during the month of June. I cannot believe there are only nine days left in June!<br />
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<u>Exercise for 6/14 through 6/20</u><br />
3 miles/ ?34ish? elliptical at gym forgot to write time down<br />
None. Did personal profile at gym though.<br />
3 miles/ outside 50.45 min. and upper body workout<br />
3/3 miles/outside 51.45 min.<br />
None. <br />
Rest day/ Father's Day!<br />
3.8 miles/ 46 min. elliptical and lower body workout<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-TKmOLMQIpSls-mtpnj36fW0BqdOtDiLRe6wCCvqSmScfAMQwahI2oIICd6ULGLwYYKMMLVHNjuh8sSqHQ3zwbzNCs2rpbUqHyDPPNbTEPpzKmmPNxOr1P6BDWEpxuPtQN9KtorOX93I/s1600/IMG_2169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-TKmOLMQIpSls-mtpnj36fW0BqdOtDiLRe6wCCvqSmScfAMQwahI2oIICd6ULGLwYYKMMLVHNjuh8sSqHQ3zwbzNCs2rpbUqHyDPPNbTEPpzKmmPNxOr1P6BDWEpxuPtQN9KtorOX93I/s320/IMG_2169.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My writing in my journal gets messier and sloppier when I'm not proud of what I have to record. I also didn't even write down my food on Father's Day. I also don't know if every nibble made it to my journal. That's the problem (or one of the many problems) with nibbling....my brain tends to forget it even if my hips don't. So getting busy to see if I can produce a little teeny tiny loss for the month of June! I know it should not all be about the scale, but in this case the scale is a pretty honest indicator of my increasing refined carb intake for these last few weeks.BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-22711772597739925692011-06-18T15:05:00.000-05:002011-06-18T15:05:55.816-05:00Learning to Say No to ANTS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://valueenglish.com/Unit-v01-cat_files/ant_cartoon.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://valueenglish.com/Unit-v01-cat_files/ant_cartoon.gif" /></a></div>Back to one of my favorite books, <u>The Amen Solution: The Brain Healthy Way to Lose Weight and Keep It Off</u> by Dr. Daniel G. Amen.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://store.amenclinics.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/265x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/t/a/tasnewcropped.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://store.amenclinics.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/265x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/t/a/tasnewcropped.png" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Chapter 8: Kill the ANTS is possibly my favorite chapter. ANTS stand for Automatic Negative Thoughts, and Dr. Amen says we need to "develope your internal anteater". He also says ants "leave you feeling powerless," and he says "ants make you fat, unhappy, and stupid." He lists ten ants, and the last two: blame and denial, he says are the most dangerous. He encourages honest thinking to overcome our bad ant habits. He says to write down the ANT, the type of ANT it is (from his list of 10), and how to Kill the ANT. He also quoted four questions Byron Katie asks when confronting a thought. <br />
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Let me back up a second. When I started reading this chapter I was supposed to be outside walking. I just didn't feel the groove for exercising, and had decided to sit down and read instead. As I read about killing negative thoughts I decided to apply those four questions by Byron Katie. They were:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol><li>Is it true?</li>
<li>Can I absolutely know its true?</li>
<li>How do I react when I think that thought?</li>
<li>How would I be without the thought? </li>
</ol>My thought I applied was: I DO NOT WANT TO EXERCISE.<br />
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<ol><li>Is it true? No. I actually do feel great when I exercise.</li>
<li>No, I can't absolutely know it's true because sometimes I love exercising.</li>
<li>I feel lazy, sad, tired, hopeless, and anxious when I think that thought.</li>
<li>I will be more hopeful, happy, energetic, planning, and ready without that thought.</li>
</ol>Immediately after writing down those thoughts I felt completely different about exercising. I actually wanted to get up, strap on my polar monitor, and hit the pavement. I was surprised about how my attitude and mind felt so much lighter and better, like a weight had been lifted. <br />
<br />
Another example: My crew was leaving a wonderful day of Camp Outrageous last week and I heard cousin Seth ( 10 years old) saying he "hated his new school" and he "hated America because it is so big." (He just moved here from his birthplace of South Africa six months ago. Lots of changes for this little person.) I asked him if Aunt Brenda could teach him something. He said sure. I told him about the ANTS (Automatic Negative Thoughts), and how we need to try to stamp them out (before they take over), but that we also need to replace them with something positive and good. His big eyes looked like they were thinking, and I asked him if there was anything he LIKED about his new school. What transpired was amazing. He took a deep breath, his shoulders straightened upward, and his voice raised a little higher as he said," Well, I do like that they do......... at my new school." He said a few more positive things while I gave him my full attention, and his entire demeanor changed for the better by the time he finished. His attitude changed his entire physical position...his posture and his voice. Our brains are such powerful tools. <br />
<br />
So I am trying to manage my ANTS better. My children are hearing a lot about ANTS. I've even asked my daughter the artist to make me a NO ANTS painting to put in the kitchen. If any of you are ANT challenged like me, I highly recommend checking out his book at your local library like I did and reading this chapter.<br />
<br />
One more thing he mentioned was the formula HALT. Don't get too:<br />
<br />
<ol><li>Hungry</li>
<li>Angry</li>
<li>Lonely</li>
<li>Tired</li>
</ol>I actually just blew HALT this morning. I ran out to the gym pool without eating breakfast, and after four hours of the heat and sunshine I got a little too hungry and tired! Every day is a learning experience for sure. Oh, but speaking of the pool, my boys and I arrived one hour before children were allowed to swim (thanks to me not paying attention). I knew something was up when we arrived to find 40 older women doing water aerobics and not a child in sight. It could have been a recipe for ANT disaster, but we actually enjoyed hanging out on the lounge chairs visiting and reading out loud together. The rest of our swim time was delightful because we didn't let any negative thoughts from our long wait invade and ruin our day.<br />
<br />
Now I need to apply the ANTS philosophy to my bad attitude about cleaning my house! Working on killing the automatic negative house cleaning thoughts...they are pretty stubborn though.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w257/kmoore00/ANTS.png?t=1241923791" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w257/kmoore00/ANTS.png?t=1241923791" width="320" /></a></div>BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-4652468825825789822011-06-17T13:27:00.000-05:002011-06-17T13:27:32.310-05:00Staycation VBS Style<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTuJwV93yHdidLTMzpdLTD53hQo1uf_TC8-eQ9ABvnc7LwYQKqrwd72I5R69h_II3b33Tfr12sELs7PqfZkSUyJGcOixKhdbbdf_z07LRfuG5V5irTPq0osdNpWJzSNEuIB_C0jpaP7XM/s1600/Recently+Updated3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTuJwV93yHdidLTMzpdLTD53hQo1uf_TC8-eQ9ABvnc7LwYQKqrwd72I5R69h_II3b33Tfr12sELs7PqfZkSUyJGcOixKhdbbdf_z07LRfuG5V5irTPq0osdNpWJzSNEuIB_C0jpaP7XM/s400/Recently+Updated3.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Who needs expensive vacations when you can visit the Amazon Jungle (week one VBS), the Big Apple (week two VBS), and the Big Beach Bash (week three VBS next week)! My two youngest are having a blast. This is their first year to go to more than one week of VBS, and I'm thinking it might become a tradition. Yesterday was big, bad, and bold hair day as you can see above. They had a blast before they even walked out the door.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My boys spend a lot of time with me (I teach them until middle school usually), and yesterday my Peter asked me what I did while they were gone each day. After I told him he said, "Pretty much what you do while we are here." Pretty much. Actually I am shocked at how time flies and I manage to get nothing done. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">When I was younger and my children were little I had a neighbor who complained about how she never got anything done. In fact, she was really bad about starting projects and never finishing them. For instance she tore half her kitchen wall paper down and took many months to complete the job while staring at half torn down wallpaper. She took her kitchen cabinets off to paint them, and you guessed it, took many months to complete the project. She also needed to lose fifty plus pounds, and talked a lot about wishing she would. We were friends, and I couldn't help but observe these things since she discussed them and I saw them almost daily. Back then, over 14 years ago, I was somewhat driven and couldn't relate to why she didn't do what she wanted to do. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fast forward 14 years to a tired and less driven me. I cannot criticize her because I have projects waiting on me that are not half done because they aren't even started. I wish there was a pill for motivation. Traditionally the week after I teach VBS is a rest week, but after this weekend I need to kick things up a notch or two. For instance my 8 AM alarm clock setting should probably ratchet down an hour or more. During the school year it is 6:30 AM, and it's so tempting to sleep later in the summer. In my forties I have had a harder time getting my get going mojo going. Anyone else? Once in a while I have a day where I bounce out of bed ready to accomplish a boat load of tasks and stay focused for hours. Those days are rare, and remind me of how I used to wake up like that all the time: ready to conquer the world. Not so much world conquering happening around here these days. Again, is this the forties or just me? I guess the only way to work out of this unmotivated slump is to start with getting up earlier. If I start my morning with hot lemon water, The Word, and prayer my day seems to begin much better; like I am in charge of my day, instead of the day running me. Awww it's just so tempting to sleep later in the summer, but I've got to choose better over easier. So my goal for this Monday is to run the day instead of it running me, beginning with my wake up time. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another thing I have to start doing is list making. Diane at Fit to the Finish had a good blog about this, and it reminded me of what a list maker I used to be. I still am in crunch times like holidays, birthdays, and party hostessing. I need to make more lists on regular days. When I was growing up my mom never even made grocery lists. I was amazed that she just shopped without any plan. Well, fast forward to me now and you'll find me at Kroger with no list...unless of course I'm there getting dinner party supplies. I used to always plan out my meals and their accompanying shopping necessities with lists upon lists. I'm a visual person and visual lists are good for me. I need to face the truth/ reality, and seeing it in lists on paper will help me. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So my two goals for the next week are lowering my alarm clock and starting some tangible lists. Of course I'll need to get up when the alarm goes off and actually tackle those lists, but starting a plan gives me hope that my get going mojo will get going. I don't want to get to August, back to school time, and not have anything accomplished over the summer. I think all of this will help in my healthy journey too because my get going mojo affects everything. What gets you going and keeps you focused on accomplishing your goals? <a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div></div>BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-73972214552681459302011-06-15T15:23:00.002-05:002011-06-15T15:53:35.586-05:00Painless Personal Profile Accomplished<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZGmmllehtZCw1JT40QXvV8yYbmbhOcH2nFx7664dwMAfsdBX1cjfxFHSz4I2EptsxmNh09jCKsst_6jbrJROPMfasgiTwZhJCih1qBYczar8Ozn2TE6CfCpOutQl9EjwAJWVwM8aQdHE/s1600/IMG_2158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZGmmllehtZCw1JT40QXvV8yYbmbhOcH2nFx7664dwMAfsdBX1cjfxFHSz4I2EptsxmNh09jCKsst_6jbrJROPMfasgiTwZhJCih1qBYczar8Ozn2TE6CfCpOutQl9EjwAJWVwM8aQdHE/s320/IMG_2158.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xaF4gU1qNteGELqicEJf8vdASOs8TlLIFan6qphmWL9iZxUFmJLlbDHr4izKSsqNLwOudH0s_mXG5RhZyUPJA0MQC8nCgw3axQD8vi0PB0znXr87E_NadPQnmLOottliaL9j0RnCGDzx/s1600/IMG_2157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xaF4gU1qNteGELqicEJf8vdASOs8TlLIFan6qphmWL9iZxUFmJLlbDHr4izKSsqNLwOudH0s_mXG5RhZyUPJA0MQC8nCgw3axQD8vi0PB0znXr87E_NadPQnmLOottliaL9j0RnCGDzx/s320/IMG_2157.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Food == Fun....NOT SO, NO, NO, NO. After I picked up Robin and his brother Peter Pan from a nearby VBS (it was super hero day, and yes this is their second VBS which makes me mother of the year- not, but they are loving it), Robin announced that he wanted to go directly to Sonic to use his free ice cream coupon from VBS. I started thinking what "FUN" that would be; lunch on a hot summer day with my boys at the drive in. Then I reminded myself that food is not fun; at least I need to break that mental attitude in my life. Food for me needs to be nourishment and fuel. I need to find fun in living: snapping pictures of Robin in full dramatic poses,hugging my hubby in the kitchen, pushing my grocery cart with strong healthy legs, feeling the hot sunshine on my face, listening to the afternoon shower out my window, and even getting my not so stellar personal profile results. FUN.<br />
<br />
I am home with my Life Time Fitness Polar Body Age four page personal profile. I only weighed two more pounds on their scale in clothing and shoes (and water), so I think my scale is very accurate. I'll give you the rundown below.<br />
<br />
<br />
Body Mass Index: 28.1 falling into the overwight level of 25-29.9.<br />
Cardiovascular-Max V02: 31.5 this fell in the Moderate level of 28-31.<br />
Bicep Strength: 55 falling in the average level of 37-55.<br />
Sit and Reach: 8.5 falling in the lowest level of POOR 0-22. Really poor actually!<br />
Body Composition (FAT): 35.2% OUCH!! falling into the HIGH category 30.1- 35.0. Really a little into the edge of VERY HIGH.<br />
Overall Fitness: 44 falling into the average range of 41-60....barely falling into that range. Good starts at 61 and excellent starts at 81. <br />
<br />
My body age was 53 compared to my chronological age of 46...OUCH! They say I have an "Obtainable Body Age" of 41. That sounds like a challenge!! They say I need to improve my body composition, flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular V02 scores to improve my Body Age. They say I need to lose 25 pounds to be in the normal BMI range and decrease my Fat Mass to 33 from 58. The program says my BMR is 1503 calories a day (the calories I burn just living). <br />
<br />
The trainer, Neil, said I have upper cross syndrome and some lower cross syndrome. I totally agree. My posture is awful, and I have two herniated neck disks that flare up routinely. He said he will help me develop a strength training regime that will strengthen my upper and lower back. I need endurance in those areas to support my bad spine. I can hardly keep my shoulders back/up without wanting to let them sag within 60 seconds. When I do my upper body exercises at home the part I hate the most is my shoulders and back exercises, and I need them the most!<br />
<br />
My body fat is very high and I didn't need a program to tell me that; I've got very big mirrors in my bathroom that are doing a fine job at a cheaper rate. BUT the flexibility was worse than I wanted to admit. POOR...the lowest category. I am so stiff, and I don't like feeling like I'm 85 already. The trainer suggested four lessons of one on one Pilates, and then two group Pilates classes a week for a few months. <br />
<br />
He, Mr. Neil, also suggested I do the Metabolic Tests that measure my Cardio point and my Calorie point. He said these will tell me my exact basal metabolic rate and my cardiovascular level so I will know how to stay in my proper training zones helping me get the most out of my workout. Getting the most out of my workout will help me BURN MORE FAT....music to my ears. <br />
<br />
Of course none of this is free. I am beginning to wonder what is free for our hefty monthly family fee. I would like to try the pilates for my flexibility issues, and I would love to do the tests just for their data. I love data. <br />
Maybe I can count this as my early birthday present for the next ten birthdays???<br />
<br />
Oh and can you guess what tomorrows VBS theme is? Yesterday was tacky day followed by hero day today.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBa46EF12qQkCMROwh6TkgPEbBUePQX374xNGWdQLdWCNdXy2-5AhZ7vqWg3WOvOdWvVWRHfxuQtQY88FULvOCRgfAzVltUvzE5mNpPGtWjtPtGTUA5J_GxOJJ8l5LtxBbwoGPs4cwQ2_g/s1600/IMG_2159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBa46EF12qQkCMROwh6TkgPEbBUePQX374xNGWdQLdWCNdXy2-5AhZ7vqWg3WOvOdWvVWRHfxuQtQY88FULvOCRgfAzVltUvzE5mNpPGtWjtPtGTUA5J_GxOJJ8l5LtxBbwoGPs4cwQ2_g/s320/IMG_2159.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Big, bold, and bad hair day. Yes, to help us out, the nice kindergarten teacher even sent home green hair paint in Robin's bag, and as we were pulling onto our street I heard this strange hissing sound behind me as Robin said,"I don't see the green in your hair Peter."BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-17968436772081073322011-06-14T23:25:00.000-05:002011-06-14T23:25:48.236-05:00Tuesday Results<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIrnJyfl5wV5ncos9CecAQuWKcqeMB9xkBoKHU2Oy12LMlj4sNIbpgSukt1fqXW0T9pCvuPTGGJJeM2l3E5DzHCGfqqhHi4aDD0FkRwu79E5-3F76F06nj0Isc3ffRkQ8hqhsHimwv5z2/s1600/IMG_1986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIrnJyfl5wV5ncos9CecAQuWKcqeMB9xkBoKHU2Oy12LMlj4sNIbpgSukt1fqXW0T9pCvuPTGGJJeM2l3E5DzHCGfqqhHi4aDD0FkRwu79E5-3F76F06nj0Isc3ffRkQ8hqhsHimwv5z2/s320/IMG_1986.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My daughter's lunch plate above minus the tiny piece of chicken she had on the side. Maybe a little more lunches like her and a lot less twix trifle and I might have better Tuesday results next week. My weigh in was horrendous.....ABSOLUTELY HORRENDOUS. Overall though my week was really fantastic. I enjoyed making memories with my boys and their cousins, loved Camp Outrageous, and ended the week with a wonderful summer night date night with my handsome Camp Outrageous technical supporter (thank you honey for printing all those pictures).<br />
<br />
I could have, and should have eaten like a sane person in a clean manner; when I stepped on that dreaded scale this morning I certainly wished I had. I am such an emotional eater. I think I celebrate with food as much as I use it to medicate sadness. Thus why during the happy month of December I always gain weight. Last week I felt a lot of pressure to make the week happy for my boys and their visiting cousins, organized and delightful for my supportive and wonderful Camp Outrageous workers, and personally special for my 40 Camp Outrageous students. It was a good pressure, but still weighed on me. As the week started to come to a successful end I felt a great feeling of relief and pure exhaustion. As the week came to an end my nibbling and munching accelerated.<br />
<br />
Saturday night Terry and I celebrated with a date night dinner and a movie. We tried a Mediterranean restaurant; it was delicious and somewhat healthy. The owner was just too nice however. He suggested our selections and we complied right down to the "special tea" that was delicious but full of honey. He checked on us so much that I felt like I needed to eat every bite. Not that eating everything was a sacrifice considering how yummy it was. If I had ended there I probably would have been okay, but it was a slippery slope that found my spoon in the twix trifle the rest of the weekend. <br />
<br />
I didn't make the TT....it mysteriously made its way to my fridge while I was out. Sometimes when I am in the zone (oh zone I love you) I am not even phased by desserts/sugar, but last week I forgot the zone existed. It is totally my fault. I am not going to let my poor food choices overshadow the fact that the rest of last week was fantastic. I am thankful for my blessings, and will get my healthy mind and body into gear as I get back on track.<br />
<br />
I thought losing 40 plus pounds meant losing it again would be easy. I am realizing that losing the second half may be harder than the first half. Tomorrow I meet with a trainer at the gym (using free joining "bucks"); maybe she will have some insight and help. <br />
<br />
<u>WEEK 18 RESULTS</u><br />
<u><br />
</u><br />
<u>Fasting Blood Sugar for 6/7 through 6/13</u><br />
85<br />
87<br />
89<br />
86<br />
88<br />
103<br />
99<br />
<br />
<u>Morning Blood Pressure for 6/7 through 6/13</u><br />
92/62<br />
98/64<br />
94/65<br />
97/63<br />
99/57<br />
90/60<br />
102/68<br />
<br />
<u>Dreaded Scale Numbers for 6/8 through 6/14</u><br />
+1<br />
-0<br />
+1<br />
-0.5<br />
too scared to weigh...NOT GOOD!<br />
too scared to weigh....NOT GOOD!<br />
+ 1.5<br />
<br />
This week I GAINED 3 pounds bringing my total weight loss to minus 40 pounds. It is never a good sign when I am afraid to weigh. I hope I can lose those 3 pounds this week and get back on track. It seemed like it was so hard to lose 1 pound a week the last few weeks, and now I gained 3 back in one week. UGH. Obviously I have issues with overeating if I can gain 3 pounds in one week. I am amazed by the journeys of some who start losing weight and never miss a week of losing at least something, and they NEVER gain. Any of you out there who lost a lot of weight and had weeks once in a while when you gained? I don't want to yoyo with weight all my life, but I have a ways to go until I conquer this battle.<br />
<br />
<u>Exercise for 6/7 through 6/13</u><br />
None; played in pool for almost 2 hours.<br />
3.0 miles/47.45 min. outside/ upper body<br />
3.0 miles/47.22 min outside<br />
None; CO clean-up day.<br />
3.0 miles/ 35.20 min elliptical<br />
1.2 slow walk outside<br />
3.9 mi/ 46 min. elliptical, lower body<br />
<br />
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Looking back over my food for this last week I realize it was not good all week. Today was a healthy eating day, and I hope tomorrow will be another one! Maybe that trainer will have some magic to share with me! :)BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513511703732717058.post-72276641140473704732011-06-11T14:55:00.000-05:002011-06-11T14:55:53.751-05:00Still Here. Just in R & R Mode.<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydwjoBxct543E3AwOabhD9EhgSOnpkGPk3phPOJsvKWXOGZdNXodL1RemevCRc8xaPPxjl0k2ZNExqttJSSyxNm54smbvcEF77WmeZNTn2ZjTHItG3Uf0G10IsyhkUEB8VBfB-0H5Malk/s1600/Recently+Updated.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydwjoBxct543E3AwOabhD9EhgSOnpkGPk3phPOJsvKWXOGZdNXodL1RemevCRc8xaPPxjl0k2ZNExqttJSSyxNm54smbvcEF77WmeZNTn2ZjTHItG3Uf0G10IsyhkUEB8VBfB-0H5Malk/s400/Recently+Updated.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm in REST and RECOVERY mode from a fantastic week at our Camp Outrageous combined with playing super Aunt/Mom to four active boys. While I am taking it easy for just a day or two (those dirty bathrooms and summer projects are knocking at my door), I am trying really hard NOT to devour the bakery walnut apple cinnamon bread sitting on our counter. Last night after the Camp Outrageous <a href="http://www.campoutrageous.org/">show</a>, my star struck Aidan went on an autograph extravaganza (pictured above). He wasn't too sure he wanted to get close enough for a picture with Jay Bear. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VE3PJ3-OLFs8IB44Sd9tCcvQU2yWB-xvfEzsY7_nBJRHrP02ywRLYLogu6P_y5GkdhqJo0u9DnAtiRRbzn2_MxaL-HZmlpRfpaPB91kFOWfq_z33kYoJfDsiEDrHDuNlzgIdJzFCEiuR/s1600/Recently+Updated1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VE3PJ3-OLFs8IB44Sd9tCcvQU2yWB-xvfEzsY7_nBJRHrP02ywRLYLogu6P_y5GkdhqJo0u9DnAtiRRbzn2_MxaL-HZmlpRfpaPB91kFOWfq_z33kYoJfDsiEDrHDuNlzgIdJzFCEiuR/s320/Recently+Updated1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was such a wonderful week. Totally worth the lack of exercise and fun size candy bag I succumbed to by the end of the week. Three of my daughters worked with me, and I was so proud of them. They got notes, pictures and lots of hugs from the sweet kids. I couldn't resist posting the sweetest note complete with darling drawings given to my Emma from one thoughtful admirer/friend.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRcJsyyLlIZvo1c8mmsk09MeMaB32VnSovmgxtjiX0-iuM9dS6KdbO94tPDubxpNSbX_6r7OItrPi7HVn6-OvJb5I-MaCyjtay4hNydpK90a_SzLH_Bc0tZBOrntYraw_Yd4VCrBCMHXN/s1600/IMG_2138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRcJsyyLlIZvo1c8mmsk09MeMaB32VnSovmgxtjiX0-iuM9dS6KdbO94tPDubxpNSbX_6r7OItrPi7HVn6-OvJb5I-MaCyjtay4hNydpK90a_SzLH_Bc0tZBOrntYraw_Yd4VCrBCMHXN/s320/IMG_2138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">While Emma was receiving her lovely note, I had one small sweet child express to me her biggest compliment. One that I have NEVER heard before. In the noise and confusion of the last few minutes of the last day winding down, and children walking out the door, one excited little girl waved her arms at me to draw me closer to tell me with a beaming smile and big blue eyes that, "YOU look just like my GRANDMA!!!" I, of course, said, "Did you say GRANDMA???" "YES, YES," she said, "JUST LIKE HER, NO REALLY, YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH YOU LOOK JUST LIKE HER." She was beaming, and I was pulling my chin up from my belly button and searching for my best poker face. All I can say is I hope that Grandma is the best 46 year old looking grandma ever. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I did try not to go too crazy with out of plan food, and even had a family exercise night Wednesday evening. It was fun. Me, my hubby, and my oldest three children (can I call them that when they are 21, 18, and 17?) all did an in the dark walk/jog/run for 47 minutes. I had bragged on how delightful my humidity light dark time workout the evening before had been, and they all decided to join me the second night. Of course the humidity was full force and the temperature was higher, making them all think I had lost my mind, but we had a lot of fun. Something I would not have enjoyed or encouraged us all to do 43 pounds ago. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, after my R and R this weekend I plan to be back full force attacking this weight loss and blogging about a few things like ANTS in my HEAD, and how my husband miscalculated the mileage on my walking route causing a few ANTS in my HEAD that I needed to squash. I also never made time to tell a little of my life/background story while I was sharing it at Camp Outrageous. I will try to do that also this summer. I'm off to hit the elliptical before I have a date night with my hubby. I'm leaving this fellow and his monkey friend home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4JjQ7yaFzWly5eoqnMWHOQAKuoG8O3yaeo3I5DDhkO3KHpuNBIJUGigY8_rn2zti0FP10u-z1tR4pw-v3RaYtxBmZxi8E6SHWwceODSfnJ6aSakfEVwd2zMDGTRYYkLD0K4at29t2haM/s1600/IMG_2139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4JjQ7yaFzWly5eoqnMWHOQAKuoG8O3yaeo3I5DDhkO3KHpuNBIJUGigY8_rn2zti0FP10u-z1tR4pw-v3RaYtxBmZxi8E6SHWwceODSfnJ6aSakfEVwd2zMDGTRYYkLD0K4at29t2haM/s320/IMG_2139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div></div>BrendaKayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204523453980876757noreply@blogger.com3