39 pounds down!

It really is the little things! I have been going to WW longer than 16 weeks, so I was upgraded to a brand new book. Our leader even gave me all new 5 pound stars so I could keep on adding to my weight loss. We love our 5 pound and bravo stickers. I really like Susan our leader and Sharon at the scale. They are great. I have made some great friends at my Friday morning meeting too. I am so thankful for that support system.

I had a 0.8 pound loss this week, so, as they say, slow and steady wins the race. I am almost to the 40 pound mark....maybe next week or so. Until then, I will keep on tracking and exercising and drinking the crystal light flavored water. I didn't get this way over night and I will not get to goal over night either.

Cupcakes!!!!!

So, this photo is just too funny not to share. Thank goodness my cupcake cravings have subsided, but if you have followed my blog, you know that they are my weakness. I just had to share this.

I have been on plan all week, been exercising at the gym or walking at least 4 times this week. I have even drank some water. Tomorrow is my weigh in day. According to my scale at home I am still the very same, but I know that I am working the program and I will get results. It may not be this week, but it will eventually come off. I am still looking forward to my meeting tomorrow because I have made such great friends there and I go there for support, not just to face the scale.

Hope you are all having a wonderful week.

Got in a little bit of exercise with Dwayne today

We had the day off together today, so after sleeping in a bit, we decided to hit the gym.  Usually when we go together it is after work when it is crazy busy.  I try to go on my days off when it is laid back and not so many people there.

He likes to walk on the treadmill in the air conditioning and watch TV, I can't stand the treadmill, I much prefer to walk outside.  Lucky for us, the gym that we go to is a mile and a half from home, so he drove and I walked up there.  To get there I have to walk through the neighborhood, then through this little wooded area (it is paved and lit, so not like I am out in the country) and then follow the walking track around to the gym.  It is my favorite part of my walk, other than the walking playlist on my ipod.

When I got there and drank water - I KNOW!!!!!!  I was thirsty!  We did the exercise weight machines.  We even went into the zumba room and I showed him some of the exercises we do with the huge exercise balls.

Then we went to the gymnasium part, no one was in there so we played a little basketball.  We both said that was the best part of the workout.  We even did a little Biggest Loser type of exercise where we each had a ball and threw the ball back and forth while going down the court.  It was funny, I could even run from one end of the gym to the other.  It felt good.  

Then we went to the grocery together.  He is the King of the grill, so he was looking for lean options in the meat department, I was getting all sorts of veggies that I could grill and lots of fresh fruit.

This afternoon, I did my meal prep for the rest of the work week and we grilled chicken and zucchini for dinner.  It was Dee-Lish!

I love this time of year when it is not too hot, the food is fresh and tasty, and more than anything, I love spending time with my husband.

He's a keeper.  

Getting Ready to go Sing

It has been a busy week for Servants Heart.  We sang at Sweetpeas in Bartlett on Friday, we sang in Millington at the Nazarene church last night and we are leaving in a few minutes to head to Selmer to sing at the Latta Center.  It has just been crazy busy.  I got up at 7 to start getting ready.....my hair is a chore!!!  Dwayne on the other hand slept till 9 and 20 minutes later, he is showered, shaved, teeth brushed and ready to go.  Ugh!!!!  Men!!!

Before and Now - Ooooo Weeeee!

Recently I posted a Before and Now picture of just my face and with some encouragement, I am posting a full length photo of my Before and Now. It is funny, I can see the difference, but the "old" me feels like I have to defend or justify it by saying that the smaller picture was taken a bit farther back giving the illusion that I am smaller, it was not on purpose, I just couldn't get it to work in the photo collage....blah, blah, blah. I get so sick of my own thinking sometimes. I just want to be proud of the accomplishment so far and people that care about me will be proud that I am on the road to becoming healthier.

Down 38 pounds

I have always heard that as Oprah and others have lost weight in the past, it was so much more than just about eating and exercise. There is such an emotional side to my weight issues. Self image and self esteem are huge for me. I am slowly trying to break down those walls.

For this past week, I decided if someone says that I am looking nice with my weight loss, I will just say "thank you"..........not "Oh, but I still have 75 pounds to go".

I am so thankful for my friends and family that are so supportive.

Ruby - my inspiration

I have watched Ruby for years on TV when she started her journey to wellness weighing over 750 pounds.  She is a sweet southern belle from Savannah Georgia.  She is hilarious, she has the sweetest southern accent, and a great support system of her friends.

What I love about her is that she is real, she shared her struggles with us. She delved into the emotional part of her eating.

She is no longer on TV, but does make speaking engagements.  I hope to one day meet her.  I want her to know what her story means to me.  She is such an inspiration.  It gives me hope that I can do this too.  

A Blog from a Weight Watcher Charlene

I borrowed this from a WW Blog that I follow online....it is so inspirational to me...I love it!!!  This WILL be me one day.

You are an incredible person that deserves your love and attention.You give so graciously to others that sometimes you forget to give to yourself. Well, no more. I am here to tell you that your are worthy of the very love, compassion, forgiveness and tolerance you show others.

You are a complex person who sees things in so many ways, someone who constantly analyzes and looks for a better way. You are hardest on yourself and in the past you would place tremendous expectations on yourself. You held yourself to a higher standard than you did everyone else and when those standards went unfulfilled you would not forgive yourself.

That part of your life did not work for you. In fact, it caused you to spiral downward at an ever increasing speed.

You are a different person now, you are a person who is in control. A person who loves herself enough to make the best choices you can and forgive poor judgement and moments of weakness.

I am here to offer you proof (because I know you oh so well).

The picture is one of the many reminders that yes, you have come far and you really were in desperate need of taking control of your life.

Another snapshot of your success, you no longer avoid mirrors or pictures being taken.

You no longer sit in the Dr office afraid of the "you need to lose weight" speech.

Your lab reports and physical body no longer add risk factors for a slew of medical conditions.

You are comfortable and confident in the clothes you wear and your appearance.

You smile more.

You no longer have a double chin.

Your wedding band fits.

You have zero back fat.

You can walk several flights of stairs without resting at the top.

You do not ache with the start of each new seasonal chore--like raking leaves or garden resets.

Your hair and nails are way healthier.

Your meals are anything but boring or mundane. You don't need to fry things just so they have some taste.

Your muffin top is nearly gone.

You can tie your own shoes without the bow being off to the side.

You are not too embarrassed to run outside.

These and so much more.

My dear Charlene--you are worth it--don't forget that!

I Love All of You!

Forever true,

Charlene

Had a great week!

I am so excited.  I lost 2.4 pounds this week after amping up the exercise.  I had done Senior Zumba at the gym and missed my class because my WW meeting went over...imagine that, we LOVE to TALK!!!  So I decided to go to regular Zumba.....well, I walked into the wrong class room and it was actually Total Body Conditioning.....what was I thinking????  I survived, I was sore, and I went back again.

My goal for this week is to drink a smidge of water.  As I have said before I HATE water....I mean hate it!!! If even a drop slides down my throat while brushing my teeth it is purely accidental. In our meeting today, people were talking about different ways to drink water, different additives, etc. I have always been of the assumption that if I am going to drink water with crystal lite or lemon in it, I may as well drink water with Diet Coke flavoring in it...it is still water based, right!!

Well, I have been much thirstier since exercising more, so I decided I will try for this week to drink 1 tumbler of water a day. It is only 24 ounces, but just for this week, I will try.

I took this to the gym for my classes today and managed to get it all down. It is crystal light orange citrus something, but it was good.......well, better than plain water.

I will try.

P.S. my favorite thing about my cup is the lady laying on the loungechair...the caption says "I'm in a Meeting" - ha! My nurse manager gave it to me and it is SO true.  It seems like we go from one meeting to the next.  She does Orange Theory Fitness and works hard to maintain her petite figure.  I am hoping seeing the cup and thinking of her will inspire me.

Slow week, but down 36 marbles

I was having trouble getting my computer to open the internet so this is my loss from April 8th.  It was a tiny loss for the week, but a loss none the less.  I will take it.  I decided to increase the exercise and see if it would make a difference.  I have not been exercising like I was since having the stomach bug a few weeks back.

A Beautiful Song

This afternoon, Kenneth texted that he would like for me to learn a Perry's song "The Potter Knows the Clay".  I listened to it on the way home from work.  Dwayne and I listened to it on the way to our LFBC Lifegroup tonight.

We were sharing our testimonies.  and one of the guys there was talking about thinking back to a time of trial in your life when you just didn't know how you would ever make it through and you are able to see that God was really in control and He knew the plan.  Much like the Potter and the Clay.

It reminded me of the song that we had just heard for the first time this afternoon.  I love it when the Lord shows Himself like that.  It confirmed that I need to learn the song.

It might be a little twangy, but the message is beautiful, and it is right in my range.

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Our WW weekly booklet this week was about using spices to Spice Things Up.

We have been grilling quite a bit since the weather has been nice. My husband likes nothing better than a good ole burger on the grill. I had a burger (just on a plate without bun or condiments) along with grilled zucchini and grilled corn on the cob. I sorta hated to waste 3 points for that darn corn, but I figure a whole grain for 3 points is better for me than 4 points on a chocolate ice cream bar. I have been using I Can't Believe it's Not Butter on my corn. The nutritional information says 0 calories per spray. I plugged it into the WW app and used 6 sprays and it still says 0 points (scares me a tiny bit as to what sort of chemical it actually is), but it tastes and looks like melted butter and then I sprinkle a dash of blackened seasoning on it and it is a yummy treat. It takes me back to the roasted corn on the cob I use to get at the fair.

I have used lots of blackened seasoning, red pepper flakes, paprika, and low sodium taco seasoning. I use Rotel tomatoes in lots of recipes that call for tomatoes.

These are just a few of the spices that I use. I have been trying to cut back on salt, because I DO LOVE IT!!!

Will Power for Today

Today was my last day of vacation. It is back to work tomorrow. I hate the thought of setting that alarm clock, but will be glad to get back into my routine on eating on a schedule, eating exactly what is planned and brought to work. Not have the pantry and fridge beckoning me to come. I also usually manage to get in 10,000 steps in each day at work as a nurse. It is not really aerobic, but I do get lots of steps in. I did my meal prep for the week and made some of my easy go-to things.

My daughter came home from school and decided to make home made chocolate chip cookies for a friend at school. I had to really use some will power to resist. It smelled SOoooo good. I put it on facebook as a status and got lots of words of encouragement and my WW buddy commented that if I ate one to remember to track it. I put it in the app and 2 cookies was 7 points. Just not worth it for an afternoon snack sitting in my sweat pants watching Law and Order on TV.....so I did what I thought was a smart thing. I went and brushed my teeth. I am one of those people who can't stand to eat after brushing their teeth. Something about that mint.

The 23rd Psalm

Recently I heard a word about the Psalms.  We all can probably quote the 23rd Psalm from memory.  The Lord is my shepherd HE IS ALL I WANT!  He makes me to lie down in green pastures (doesn't that sound cool and refreshing.  I remember laying on the cool grass as a child).  He leads me beside still waters (Is there anything more soothing that a creek bed or the ocean?). He restores my soul (how many times do we call out to God for a renewal of our spirit?). He guides me (I am so thankful he is just a prayer away when I need encouragement and discernment).  Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will have no fear (I claim those promises often that He will never leave me, nor forsake me.  He will give me courage through those tough times).  Goodness and Mercy shall follow me my entire life (Wow!!!)   The 23rd Psalm really sounds like David, the author, was someone that has a real relationship with God doesn't it?

If you go back a chapter to Psalm 22, not really knowing when it was written in relation to Psalm 23.  It could have been days, weeks, months, maybe even years.  But just read those first few verses.

"My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?  Why are you so far away when I groan for help.  Every day I call to you, my God, but you don't answer.  Every night I lift my voice but I find no relief."

Our friends, Steve and Christie Bradford (of the Southern Gospel group the Bradfords) was with their youth group a couple of weeks ago in Nashville at Youth Evangelism Conference.  They were on top of the world, encouraging their youth group and worshiping and learning together.  They were likely very close to the Lord during that time.  They got a phone call that their 30 year old daughter Randi had died unexpectedly.  In an instant, their life changed.  I am sure that during this time they have both cried out, My God, My God, why has thou forsaken me? 

I am so thankful for the verse that says he will NEVER leave us, nor forsake us.  Although He might seem far away, he is only a prayer away and He can strengthen us and bring us through the trials of life. 

My prayer tonight is for Steve and Christie and their son Brandon.  May they find a peace that passes all understanding.

A Scale and Non-Scale Victory

So, this week, I have really struggled since Easter.  That rich sweet food really started my sugar cravings back up in full force.  I had really not had much that was sweet or rich, other than fruit and maybe a WW bar here and there.  Man, oh man, I had a sweet tooth this week.  I was also on vacation and at home and having to work hard to get some steps in.  It was tough to get back on track, but in my frustration, my son reminded me to not focus so much on the scale and look at how much I have changed in my appearance.  As I posted earlier, I was finally able to see a difference in my face.  Last night I wore some slacks that were getting really big on me.  That was a good feeling.

I went to my meeting today and was down 0.6 pounds, but it put me over the 35 pound mark so I got a 5 pound star.  I felt bad because it really was not a great week, but I have to be proud that I have lost those 35.2 pounds, one little 10th of a pound at a time.

So for this week, I will celebrate.  Thank you Weight Watchers for what your program, your meetings, your leaders, your online community and now my friends are helping me to accomplish my goals.

  

My favorite Nail Polish

OPI's Hello Kitty "Let's Be Friends" is my new favorite nail polish color.

Special Thank You to my friend from work - YOU know who you are :O)

I probably only have a handful of people that read my silly ole blog, but one of the readers is a friend from work.  She texted me yesterday after my post comparing my progress.  She has been such an encouragement through this journey and I want her to know how much I appreciate her texts.  They mean so much to me.

She told me that, herself being a petite woman, she still struggles with weight issues.  It was eye opening, I see a skinny person and I think, wow, I would love to have her metabolism or just be born skinny, not realizing that they are working just as hard as a larger person is to keep the weight off.

She said she could really tell a difference in my face.  I guess looking in the mirror every day, all I can really see is how many more wrinkles I have and how much grey you can see in my roots.  I was looking for a picture of my grandsons today and saw this pic taken at Thanksgiving 2015.  I compared it to the one taken this Sunday on Easter with my family.

I guess I CAN tell a difference.  And not just the darker hair :O)  Thank you my friend (she is very shy about social media, so I don't want to list her name, but she will know who it is)!

my new Journaling Bible

At Christmas time, my friend Lisa got a journaling Bible.  It looked like something that I would really enjoy because I love to doodle and draw.  She told me that they were pre-ordering a journaling Bible that had some pre-drawn adult coloring book pages and then blank margins that you could draw also.  It was in New Living Translation, which is the translation that I love the best, so I pre-ordered it.  

A few weeks back in my Weight Watchers meeting, they were talking about snacking after dinner.  One of the ladies said that she has taken up adult coloring.  She said that she just gets lost in the colors and patterns and her hands are busy, so she doesn't think about eating.  

When my bible came in, that is what I started doing in the evening time instead of watching TV and being tempted by the chips or popcorn.  I just find a verse that I want to draw about, look up the chapter, read over the chapter and pray over it.  (I must admit that I get ideas from Pinterest, but they don't look much like they did on Pinterest :O) Ha!!!)

As I read about bible journaling, there are those that think it is not good to "doodle" in the bible, that it is sacred and God's Holy Word.  I believe that it is as well, but I also think that God would rather me spend time with him in prayer and meditation and not worry so much about what has been colored in the margins of my bible.

I also think back on the bible that Momma used all of those years.  Bro. Bobby preached her funeral with her own bible.  What a gift it was to hear what verses meant something to her, what notes she made in the bible.  I pray that this bible will be a gift to my kids one day when I am gone.

Since today is Easter Sunday, what better way to start this blog than with this verse.

this is one of my favorites.  I have to remind myself of this often.  I have a pretty low self esteem and I am sure it stems from being overweight most of my life, but as we have all heard, "God don't make junk!!!".

this is one of my least favorite, mainly because of the artistry, but I do like the verse and the adjectives.

This is one of the pages that is pre-printed.  I am finding that I am drawn to the blues and purples.  "Jesus, there's just something about that name"

This was the first page I colored.  It is Joshua 1:9.  It was the verse that Momma clung to when she found out that she had cancer.  I am finding that I like the pages that I draw myself better, but this bible does highlight some verses that I might not have been drawn to before.  

This reminded me of my sister.  She use to live in Virginia Beach and she loved light houses, she even has a small collection at her home.  She shared a song with me today that reminded me of what a gift Grace and Salvation is....it is not something that we earned, not something that we lose.  

Boy, I LOVE this.  I need to pray more and worry less.  My problems are nothing that God cannot handle, I just have to surrender to Him and trust him to handle it.  

This reminded me of Pastor Chris.  He talks each week about surrendering and living a life of "I am in Christ, Christ is in Me".  I always pictured surrender like someone at war waving a white flag, or sitting in the corner of a dark room with your face buried in your hands, now I know that surrender is freely giving you whole life to God to use as He sees fit.  It is reaching your hands and face towards the heavens and presenting myself as a living sacrifice.

He is with us wherever I go.

This journaling bible is for:

• doodling
• entering into His presence
• opening up
• experience more than rushing to finish
• chatting with God
• worship through art
• honesty
• sloppy handwriting
• hearing His voice
• laughter
• making mistakes
• coloring outside the lines
• skipping around
• brokenness
• meditating on scripture
• praying for others
• messy imperfect efforts

This journaling bible is NOT for:

• checking things off of a To Do list
• perfection
• proving how great of an artist I am
• Impressing God
• gallery art
• fear of failure
• showing off 
• neat, tidy thoughts
• fear of judgement
• impressing others

These pages may:

• crinkle
• wrinkle
• get stained
• RRRRRip!!!
• be ugly
• curl up
• bleed through

It is OK.  It is about spending time in the Word, spending time with God.

Easter 2016

Happy Easter everyone from this little bunny who woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed!

He loves being able to sit up.  I still put pillows around him because our floor is HARD when he falls.  

What a sweetie Pie!

He is such a HAM!

Annabeth loves her some Dallas.

Maybe he will be a dentist one day.  He loves checking out our teeth. 

Easter Sunday at Lakeland First Baptist Church.  We sure missed Sarah who was working and Noah and Hunter who were with their other grandparents.  It just wasn't the same without them. 

taking a picture in front of the infamous LFBC brick wall where EVERYONE takes pictures for instagram after church each week.  

we looked like  a couple of Easter eggs. 

Uncle Austin love this baby.

Dallas......just like Noah and Hunter.......love their Peepaw Sooooo much!!!!

Progress so far

It is not a huge difference, but you can tell a little bit.  I have got to hit the gym more to try to tighten up the skin that I know will be getting even saggier.  And look at that chest!!!!!  I have always teased that my bra size was the same as a men's suit, now I really do have 38 Longs :o)

And this is my official Weight Watchers weigh in uniform.  It is what I have worn for the last 14 weeks to weigh in.  I can tell the T-shirt is getting looser.  

4th of July goal

So they say that you should tell someone about your goal. My first goal was to be able to ride a horse.........I did that after losing 25 pounds.

My next goal is to have lost over 50 pounds  by July 4th. I had hoped to make it to that goal by the time we go to the beach in early June, but that is just not realistic. It is too much too fast, but an extra month seems like it could actually happen. We will see.

I have not exactly figured out what my reward will be, so I will be thinking about that. New outfit?? Massage? Bathing suit? Weekend getaway??

only 30 points per day :o(

Soooo..........the day has finally come that I only get 30 points per day. Pooey! I knew it would get here sooner or later, but it just seems like not enough points.

I guess it is a double edged sword. It means that I have already lost some weight and am smaller, so I don't need those extra points, but it also means that I will have to carefully budget my points so I have enough when supper rolls around.

I have never used very many weekly points, so I know I will be alright, but it is just another adjustment that I will need to make.

Some weeks, I wonder if I should be using some of my weeklys because the day will come that I will need to use them and I don't want to have a gain. Who knows??? I guess the program has worked for me so far, so I will just keep on doing what I have been doing.

still losing my marbles

I am so excited that I decided to do the jars of marbles when I started Weight Watchers. Let's face it, I am a pinterest hoarder. I have pinterest boards and boards of food I will never cook, homes I will never buy and crafts that I will never make. But, this was one idea that I did. I love the visual of the marbles. Each Friday when I go to my WW meeting, I cannot wait to get home and move my marbles and blog about it. It is silly I know.

I also love the WW challenges. They are so fun. It is not competitive at all. We are all winners, but it is fun to see if I can reach the goal set forth for the challenge.

I even started my own challenge "Beach Bound - Lose 20 Pounds". It is such a great way to encourage each other.

I also love the groups that I follow, especially the WW Losers with Faith group and the Motivational Weightloss Quotes group. Never thought I would love the E-tools as much as I do.

Glad to have somewhere to go to if I just need to "talk"

SHQ at Community Bible Church

We had the opportunity to sing at Community Bible Church, formerly Speedway Baptist Church down off of Jackson and I-240.  It is an inner city, multi ethnic church.  Wow is all I can say.  We went to bless them and we received the blessing, indeed.  What a time of testimony they had, a lady who had been laid off from her job of 30 years has been out of work for 2 years and hit rock bottom but continued to surrender to God.  She finally was able to receive disability and is giving back to her church and the ministry there.  A lady that the church had ministered to at Jail East for women accepted Christ as her savior.  The time of invitation was beautiful.  It is something that is missing in so many churches these days.  I know that people say that it is an time of emotion and people only come forward out of the emotion....I don't believe that, I believe that the spirit has a chance to move and people have an opportunity to answer to the spirits calling.  It was a great day to be in the Lord's house.  I sure do hope they invite us back there.

Caleb, Jeff's son, video'd some songs for us.  He did a great job....too bad the podium was right in the way.  Thank you Caleb for trying though.

"Here I Am To Worship"

I think I have a NECK!

Someone took a picture of Servants Heart last night and without doing any sort of contortions to get rid of any double or triple chins, I actually look like I have a neck.  That is thanks to being 32 pounds down.

Stage Door Manor

Austin has accepted a summer internship at the Stage Door Manor in the Catskill Mountains of  New York.  I have visions of the summer of Johnny and Baby in Dirty Dancing.

It is an hour or so train ride from NYC.  He will be there 10 weeks working as a costume designer.  He will get a couple of 3 day weekends to go into the city and also they will go into the Garment District to get fabric.  He is beyond excited.

I am so proud of you son.

The Bottom of the Barrel - 32 pounds down!!!!

So........I had a good week on Weight Watchers, in fact, in a hurry, we ran through Sonic on the way to see Tribute in Dyersburg after work last night.  I got a corn dog kids meal for 15 points, funny thing was I was full after eating only about 3/4 of the meal and the GREASE.....yuk!  It is funny how your tastes change.

A few weeks back I was talking about my jar of marbles.  I could not wait until I could no longer see the bottom of the jar.... TODAY WAS THE DAY!!!!

Servants Heart Quartet

So, you may have heard by now that Servants Heart Quartet, that Dwayne sings in, is looking for a tenor.  I am filling in for them on an interim basis.  

Thank goodness it is getting easier, I am not nearly as nervous and my voice is getting stronger.  

Now I just have to learn all of these songs.  

29 pounds down total!!!

as expected, I did not have a large weight loss this week. I was coming off of a bigger loss following the stomach bug last week, so I knew my body would need to re-hydrate.  I just worked hard to stay on the program and track and use only my daily points.  I was unable to exercise very much because I worked very long hours every night this week...some nights getting home at 10-11 p.m.  I did eat drive through a couple of nights.  I tracked and ate smaller point options, but not nearly as many fruits and vegetables.

I went to the grocery today and did alot of food prep for the week, so hopefully today will be better for me.

Until next week, I still count it as a loss......even if it was just 0.2 pounds.

OH...OH....OH!!!!!  I can cross my legs.  I did not even notice, but one of the ladies in Dr. Reddy's office noticed.  That is a non scale victory!!!

Servants Heart Quartet

Just in case you don't follow my husband on social media, he sings baritone for a southern gospel group called Servants Heart Quartet.  I have filled in occasionally singing the alto/tenor part.  Last week their tenor singer resigned.  The guys asked me to fill in for them until they can find another tenor.  Soooooooo................

I have always loved singing.  Growing up, that was my favorite part of church.  I played the flute and I sang - not at the same time of course :O).  Back then, I sang soprano, but really, as I have gotten older, alto is more my range.  Rhonda played the guitar and we sang growing up.  I also have always sang in the choir at church, and a solo or duet occasionally, but I have never really considered myself a singer.  Actually, I can't stand to hear my own voice, but it blends well with the guys, and heaven knows that I already know the songs from attending most all of their concerts over the past 8 years.

I have filled in quite a few times, so I am not quite so nervous anymore and it is getting easier.  What I do know is that I love my husband and I want to support whatever he is doing.  If that means getting out of my comfort zone to help him, then that is what I will do.  Besides that, the guys are all funny and silly and a joy to be around.  There have been a few people that said SHQ sure does look better with a girl singing.........ha!!!!  And a couple people have compared my sound to Vestal Goodman of the Happy Goodmans.  Really BIG HA!!!!  

So, if you see a post on Facebook about SHQ singing...........DON"T LAUGH!!!!!

It really is the little things

I got a coupon in the mail this week from an anonymous friend for the horse stable that I visited last week.  I had posted pictures of my horseback riding adventure on Facebook and someone sent this to me.  It is so encouraging to know that people care about me and care about this journey.

So to whoever sent it, I really appreciate your kindness and support.  

Encouragement from my sister

My sister left this note for me with a gift the day after I started Weight Watchers.  She is starting a new beginning of her own.  Prayers for each of us that we are successful in our own journeys.

I love you Rhonda.