Just Us and a Yard

Yesterday we decided it was such a gorgeous day, we had to do a picnic. The kids were ecstatic as the ones that didn't live at home anymore texted back to say they wanted in. So, we got home from church, scrambled to make sure we had enough food for everyone - defrosting more meat...lol - and then heading out. We went to the park we usually go to, but it was chuck full. Okay...we were going to head to one across town, but my daughter called us from there, they were just as full. We went to a little less known park, but they didn't allow dogs and all three vehicles had one. So...

We went home.

See, we live on an acre, and we have loads of grass, our own bbq and picnic table. What more do you need? It turned out just fine. The kids pulled out the sports kit my children had given me for mother's day a couple of years ago and played volleyball and tossed a frisby around. We ate pasta salad (the heralding in of spring) and bbq chicken and pork ribs, topping it off with a great low fat gelatin cake that I'm highlighting on my food blog. It was great. We had loads of fun together, and I was glad we stayed home. It was a nice drive around town...

The Tulips Are Coming!

Okay...I love tulips. I think they're one of the prettiest flowers. It's hard to decide between roses and tulips...lol.

Anyway, When I heard there was going to be a Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point, I'm thinking my family needs to go. Only, it's a little steep on the price side...so I don't know if it will happen. I'm thinking I might be able to talk my mother-in-law in going and perhaps helping pay, but that depends on when we end up going. There's no way it will be this Saturday...tooo much going on. Eagle project, RS conference, ugh. But - in an effort to win tickets, I am hooking you up with a chance to win free tickets!!



Greta's Deals is giving away a pack of 6 tickets to the festival! One of the things we have to do is link to her blog - so go check it out!!

Now...who else do I know that likes flowers? ;)

Welcome to Spring in Utah!

Okay, I know I should be used to this type of weather by now, but it's still mind blowing when we get this kind of storm that we really didn't get much of this winter...sigh. My poor son is just about ready to scream -- it should be spring weather in his autistic mind, the calendar says so!! lol

Thought you'd enjoy a photo out of my back door. Time to make a snow fort!

It's Working!!

I may have said this before...but I had to say it again -- it's working! I've lost 51 pounds in exactly 5 months!! I never really thought it would happen a year ago...so it's just amazing. My clothes are falling off (well, most of my pants look like clown pants) and my shoes are even loose!
The only down side is my personal trainer had her baby, and now I'm going to this single guy that I wanted to shoot yesterday, but I'm being good. I'm still sore...sigh.
He's making noises like I'm stuck with him for the remainder...NOT. I can't wait till mine comes back.
Anyway...
They want me to come up with a before photo. I have always been a reluctant subject, you know? So, that means I have to go through my photos and see what shows a more than head shot. You know...the body. sigh.
anyway, When I find a good one, I'll post it so you can see where it all started. I'm not going to post the after until at least October, when I'm hoping to have lost another 50. That will be the most dramatic of the two.
Have a good one!!
I'm so excited! (Sing with me now) And I just can't hide it...
lol

A Voice of Warning...

I was given the opportunity to peruse and read Cleon W. Skousen's book written before he died. It wasn't printed until now -- due to his asking his family to wait till it was needed. I think it would have been interesting to live with that man -- what's it like to live with someone who is so knowledgeable? I mean, my dad's smart, but there's a little bit of a difference -- even though I think they would have gotten along famously.

Suffice to say, his book, entitled The Cleansing of America is a voice of warning. It is filled with discussions of what is wrong with our country today, from the economic situation to the government; what will happen to us according to prophesy (both biblical and Book of Mormon) and what the future holds before the coming of the Savior. Much of the prophesies are familiar, but some of them have a little bit of a twist from what I was aware of.

I was surprised to see that it's printed much the same way as his other books are, with the scroll work on the background of the page, it's true to his feel, and his voice.

I am usually a quick reader, and thought perhaps this was something that wouldn't take a lot of time to read. I should have learned from his other book, The 5000 Year Leap -- which I still haven't finished. sigh. He's a little deep for me, and it takes a while to get my brain wrapped around his imagery. Also, it feels too real to be taken in such a light read.

It reminds me a little of the book President Kimball wrote called The Miracle of Forgiveness. It's a little heavy on the depressing stuff in the beginning, and then hits you with the wonderful aspects at the end. It does bring hope, albeit a little warily, and it is very enlightening. I would encourage all who are curious to read and seek understanding.

If you pre-order his book before April 1, you can get it at a substantial discount through Valor Publishing (a great new publishing force in the market). So if you have deep readers or anyone in your family who would appreciate his writings, order now and save! It's a must have for the family library, along with all his other writings.

Check it out...

Hey, my hubby actually posted on his blog! lol I'm teasing him, because the only reason he started a blog was to comment on mine, that's why it's called Supporting the Arts...lol

But I digress -- He is in college, and one of his classes he's trying to finish had him write a paper on a subject he felt passionate about. So, he wrote it, and it's wonderful -- so I told him he needed to publish it on his blog. He finally did, and I'm telling everyone to go read it. He says it's a good cure for insomnia, but I think it's fascinating. Please go take a look...

Support of the Artists

Wow...another 3 pounds!

Well...yesterday I went to my personal trainer and weighed in...another 3 pounds! Wow. All I can say is that it really does work, and it's gradually coming off! My hubby was a little anxious for it to come off faster, but my trainer and everyone there agrees that it STAYs off longer if it comes off slower. I figure that's everything I've read too, so I'm good. I figure 3 pounds a week is fantastic, and I'm happy. If I keep this up, next week will be my 50 pound mark. I can hardly believe it's finally happening!

We went shopping last Friday for some clothes, because, let's face it -- most of mine don't fit anymore. Especially the pants! We went to DI first, because I don't want to spend loads of money on clothes that aren't going to be worn for very long -- I'm planning on having them all be too big on me, ya know? I found some cute shirts, but no pants!! sigh.

We went to wally world, and still didn't find any that I liked. We got a pair of workout pants, which was good -- the ones I have are all too big too. So, I guess we're going to have to venture farther afield to find some good ones. What a hardship, huh??

lol

Wow!

Okay, I'm a little excited! I lost two more pounds and found out that I've lost 6 inches off my hips since October!! YeHa! It's working! The frustration with figuring out food, keeping track of the food, and doing weights that kill my arms and legs is working...lol
I knew my clothes were starting to get loose, in fact my skirts are really getting loose. My hubby says it's all a conspiracy to get new clothes...lol Whatever works, right?

Only 116 pounds more to go...

Okay...disappointment

I was finally able to get my hands on a copy of Julie and Julia this past weekend. I was thrilled to finally have some time to read on Monday night (after FHE)and I pulled out the book, got settled in my comfy chair and started reading. Ugh. I made it through the first chapter and struggled toward the second and then gave up and went to something else.

While the writer has character in her writing, she uses too much sexual references and language for me. I'm very happy I saw the movie first -- I wouldn't have watched it if I had read the book first. sigh. So, now I have my hands on Julie Child's memories of France. I'm hoping it's a little more readable... Oh, such a joy to be able to read again!!! And I have LOADS I have to read...

Getting there one pound at a time...

Well, I didn't have time to post last week, so this week makes up for both. Things are still progressing with the weight loss, though not as quickly as some would like. My hubby still thinks that the initial weight loss of 15 lbs in two weeks should be the standard...but we keep telling him, (my trainer and I) that 2 lbs is the most sustainable and maintainable weight loss. Last week I managed to do 3 though...grin. This week wasn't as exciting...only 1. sigh. My trainer told me not to be discouraged though, I lost 3 lbs last week, so it will be lower this week. She said they'll probably change calories or something in March or April. Oh well.

It's becoming very challenging to get my calories and percentages within the required limits. sigh. I've become very fond of protein drinks...

What is it About Weddings...and Babies?

Okay. Have you ever watched the movie The Mirror has Two Faces with Barbara Streisand? It's really a wonderful watch, and it has many corollaries to real life. There's this scene where she's describing her sister's wedding to her class (she's a literary professor) and I thought of this scene yesterday at my nieces wedding.

I had no part in it -- so unlike Streisand I couldn't say I was part of the stereotypes. But in watching the proceedings, I realized a book could have been written about this point in time. It wouldn't be a happy one, because in some eyes, there wasn't a happy ending. It's one of those, did she make the right choice? moments.

I watched my niece, who didn't look happy through the whole ceremony, and didn't really seem awake as she greeted us afterward, and wondered if she was on drugs. She didn't show any animation or happiness until after we were eating and things mellowed a little. My husband pointed out that perhaps it was nerves and she's pregnant, (yes, there is that) and stuff.

It could also be the knowledge that she'd shut her mother out of the proceedings and only allowed her to participate. Yeah.

I quoted an old phrase in my other blog a week or so ago... You can pick your friends but you can't pick your family. Boy oh boy.

Well...the wedding and it's initial drama is over. I guess we'll see how things go.



Did I mention I'm going to be a grandma before the end of the year?? That's right...the son that got married (which I hadn't mentioned before either...long story) told us last week that his wife is expecting.

Not only that, but my un-married daughter is also expecting. They are due within days of each other.

This should be a real interesting year...