Happy Thanksgiving!

THANK YOU, LORD
A newly arrived soul in Heaven was met by St. Peter. The saint toured the
soul around Heaven. Both of them walked side by side inside a large workroom
filled with angels.
St. Peter stopped in front of the first section and said, "This is the
Receiving Section. Here, all the petitions to God said in prayer are
received". The soul looked at the section, and it was terribly busy with so
many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets from
all the people of the world.
They walked again until they reached the 2nd section, and St. Peter told the
soul, "This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and
blessings the people asked for are packed and delivered to the persons who
asked for them down on earth."
The soul saw how busy it was. There were so many angels working in that
room, since so many blessing were being packed and delivered to Earth.
Finally at the farthest corner of the room, the soul stopped at the last
section. To the surprise of the soul, only one angel stayed there idly,
doing nothing. "This is the Acknowledging
Section," St. Peter told the soul. "How is it that, there is no work here?"
"That's the sad thing," St. Peter answered. "After the people received the
blessings they asked for, very few send their acknowledgments". "How does
one acknowledge God's blessing?" "Simple," St. Peter answered. "Just say,
"'Thank you, Lord'."
Thank you Lord, for giving me the chance to share this message with others
and also, for giving me so many wonderful people to share this with. If you
have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a
place to sleep .. you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish
someplace .. you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness . . you are more
blessed than the million who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of
imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation you are ahead
of 500 million people in the world.
If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest,
torture, or death ..you are more blessed than three billion people in the
world.
If your parents are still alive and still married .. you are very rare,.
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful ..
you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.
If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder
.. you are blessed because you can offer healing touch.
If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that..
someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over
two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.
Have a good day, count your blessings.

THANK YOU LORD! Happy Thanksgiving and may the good Lord bless and keep you safe.

A beautiful day…

It is so unlike Minnesota to be this nice this late in the fall but you will hear no complaints from me. I am loving it and enjoying it. Mike has been laid off from his current job so today was ours and with no daycare until after school it gave us time to just be out hiking and enjoying.
Here’s our day in pictures…

Trumpeter swans just on the lake next door from the house. I love hearing there guys. The gray swans are this years babies

The beginning of the trail. We started off on the walking trail and then headed up the tailings pile to climb and play.






Geese on Serpent Lake on our way home. This picture is just a handful of them. I bet there are at least 100 of them.
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And because Mike’s suburban needs some major working on he picked up this little Caprice for $300.00. Check this out….

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Tomorrow is the day. The day to give blessings for all that we’ve been given. To break bread with family and friends. To remember just what we have to be thankful for. I am truly blessed in all areas of my life. I have the most wonderful family, the best friends, the greats blogging buddies, truly an awesome life.
Happy Thanksgiving my friends. God Bless you all!!

Pillowcase 1…

Well it’s not perfect by any means but it is kind of cute. I’ll keep trying and maybe the next one will be a bit more square. Here’s what I did….

 

Pick the fabric and cut the fabric. I wanted a contrast and this is kind of cool.

Start sewing it all back together. Opps, suppose to be right sides together not one right and one wrong.

I’m not a quilter so was surprised my points are pretty darn close.

   

The finished pillow case. It’s not perfect but it’s my first. The band on the left needs to be a different color so the pillow would look more centered. Also I need to measure a bit better so the left triangle is the same size as the right one. It’s a start. I’m going to make another one tomorrow however the colors are reversed. I cut them at the same time so could make two (I’ll adjust the triangle to be closer in size).

I was at the gym at 5:30 today and had a really good work out. 2 hours worth and I don’t hurt so things are improving. Then I worked at mama and daddy’s this morning. We cleaned up in the attic a bit and mama is making a blouse and ran into a snag so helped her figure out the problem. Daddy and I went for a 2+ mile walk just to get out and about together. A bit of sewing, a bit of laundry and that was day two of my week off (well part week, I do have after school daycare tomorrow and I work Friday). Tomorrow Mike is off and it’s suppose to be in the 40’s I’m thinking we can go hiking a bit, hunting season is over so the trails will be opened again.

That’s that my friends. I’m pooped so going to head to bed early tonight. Up too late last night, two super busy days in a row and enough stress to keep me on my toes makes for a tired body/mind.

I hope that you are all have a great week. Turkey day is coming, have you got your plan in place? Take care my friends, blessings!!

No daycare so fall cleaning … a bit late …

My one and only full time little one is home this week with her daddy and mommy on vacation. I think it’s terrific any time a family can be together so no ill feelings or anything. It does make for a very, very poor week but it is what it is so I’m going to get some things done that I’ve been putting off for a long time and staying home where I can’t spend anything I don’t have.

Like shampooing my rugs. Which in a tiny house still is a huge chore because where do you put the furniture while you are shampooing one room? Where do you put all the daycare toys? Dog toys, extra blankets and all? Well all over the rest of the house and porch of course. At the same time I’m going to wash all the extra blankets, drapes, windows and dust where I normally don’t dust (which really is almost everywhere because dusting is NOT my forte. I wish I could change my living room around some but that isn’t possible but I do have a shadow box I think I’ll change a bit just to freshen up that area. I’m not much for knick knacks because you have to do what? dust them and I’m not doing that much.

I also cleaned out Mike’s suburban. It is in the need of some major medical help and since Mike works 10 hours a day and then has an hour travel time he won’t be getting to it until this weekend so he’s driving his car instead but his suburban looked like a 10 year old bedroom, gross really so since I’m off and he’s working I cleaned it out. It’s a good thing it’s cold outside because if it wasn’t I don’t think I’d of touched that ham and cheese sandwich I found, or the frozen grapes, or the string cheese and chips. Boys, my oh my.

Now I am off tomorrow too. It’s just so strange not having anyone here but me. Like today I’m going to go and exercise for a couple of hours at 5:30 and then I’ll come home and do the chores. I told mama I’d stop over and see how she’s doing on her Christmas blouse she’s making and then I’ll come home and start planning out the kids pillow cases for Christmas. I am betting I’ll also find other stuff that I haven’t done in awhile like that corner cupboard that has so much stuff in it you risk our life and limb to open it. The filing I haven’t done for last month and the scouts account information and more.

So it’s onward and upwards to one of our most blessed Holidays. Thanksgiving. There is just so much for all of us to be thankful for. Oh yes we all have heartache and troubles and money issues and family troubles, car problems, heating issues but we have so much more to be thankful for. We are alive and that there is one of the biggest blessings and from there life can only get better.

Take care my friends and have a great night sleep and a terrific day tomorrow. Blessings!!!

New week, new rules, new beginning….

So the time has come to skip worrying about the weight loss and tone up this body of mine. I know that with toning some more weight will come off and that will be great but I’m tired of focusing on the scale. After doing some research and all the new sizes for 2011 measurements are about 40/34/43. For my 5’6” frame I should weigh 150-165. Of course there are many websites and guide lines and such out there and really the only ones who can tell you when your fit is you and your doctor. So today I took new measurements, the last time I did this was in June and my body has changed. It was kind of cool doing this and though I’m not about to put my measurements out here on display I can tell you between June and now there is a 9.5” difference. No wonder my belt has moved a notch, the size 12 jeans I got into and I’m feeling better. Now between June and now the scale really hasn’t moved much, 6.0 lbs (except in the middle where I admitted I messed up and did lose and regain because of starving to meet a goal and then eating again).

So from now on (except the weigh in’s for Mir’s CDCC for 3 more weeks) I am going to just post a monthly number, it will be the total of my measurements until I hit the size I want to live at. And really, I’m liking the size 12 but these lumps and bumps got to go. I will work on the bat wings, the muffin in the middle, that chubby below the belly button and that fat between the legs (you know, that part that’s even uglier then the rest in a bathing suit). Now I know very well you can’t just target an area so I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing. I’m going to hit the gym 4 times a week. Every other time will be either cardio and strength training in the gym or water aerobics in the pool. I will have a total of 8 hours a week of exercise at the gym and more at home on days I either can’t get there or just don’t go. Soon I’m bringing back out the Wii for nap times. I really like using it and even though it’s more fun then cardio I do know it’s working muscles and keeping me limber. I also want to keep up with the planks because I can really feel the difference in my core muscles. I will never ever be a skinny minnie and really I don’t want to be. I live in Minnesota and that little extra does help keep me warm I just don’t need the whole downy filled lining I’ve been carrying around for years.

So I’ve been trying to figure out what to use as a number… such as what measurements to add up. Like upper arm, bust, waist, hips and thighs? Or upper and lower arms, bust, below bust, waist, fat stuff, hips, thighs and calves? or just the main three bust, waist and hips? What do you think? I do measure it all including my neck, wrists and ankles. I’ll wait and see what you think.

So there is what my new week and challenge will be. Oh I’ll keep tracking calories of course because I know, from experience, they add up mighty fast and that weight goes on so much faster then it ever comes off. It’s amazing how fast 5 lbs can go on and how many weeks it takes to get it back off.

Doable, manageable, possible? I think so. The next step in getting to be the new me. Loving it…most days of course,

I hope you all have a great week. It’s Thanksgiving and I’m not one bit worried about it. I don’t fix a Thanksgiving meal, I don’t go to relatives and have to sit by the buffet table looking at it all. My in-law take us to the casino for turkey day dinner and it’s a huge buffet but I can pick and choose what I want, what’s good for me and what I know very well will add to the cushion or help take it off.

Take care my friends and do have a blessed Thanksgiving.

P.S. Jillian came up with a good idea if anyone is interested. How about a Christmas card exchange? Most of us can afford a few stamps and homemade cards are beautiful or if your not a card maker like me, one with a personal note in is good too. It’s just a thought, if interested send me your name and address and next weekend I’ll put all the names on one e-mail and send it out to everyone and you can send out as many as you want. It’s just an idea, roll it around in your brains and think about it and if interested…well you know what to do.

Christmas swap…

I offered, 1 couldn’t, 1 wants to (sorry Debby), no one else said anything so I guess this is a no go. I know we’re all busy and have so much happening so that’s fine. Maybe another time.

Have a great successful week my friends. Blessings.

CDCC update…week ? I think 10…

The scale is down a pound, 178.2. I’ll take it especially since I’ve changed my rules just a little bit. I never did hear from the doctor so no news is good news so today I went back to the gym. I didn’t push the walking on the treadmill. I walked 18 minutes at 3mph and started to feel a pull and my shoe was getting tight so I knew it was time to quit. Then I worked out on all the uppers, middles and free weights and balls and did planks, 5 at 30 seconds. We were there for 2 hours and I felt pretty good, really… really good minus a bit of swelling and now tonight it’s sore but manageable.

So with my new plan I need to measure myself and I’m going to do that on Monday when no one is here. We have guest this weekend so will just start that then. I’ll still weigh myself though out the challenge and then will just use my measurement total as a guide.

I didn’t read much this week, I’ve been working late and getting ready for winter that by time I get to bed I’m beyond tired so reading isn’t happening.

I support you all through out the week and am so proud of you for sticking this out, for doing what you can with what the Lord has handed you. I know sometimes it’s a struggle and life is so hard but remember to try to take care of yourself. Take time to eat well, get some exercise in and rest.

Thanksgiving this week. It doesn’t mean you can’t be thankful and even enjoy dinner with family and friends, you just need to think and plan ahead. Turkey is good for you, fresh salads are great, the rest is for everyone else. But your at the table, the fellowship is there and you’re enjoying it all. Water, drink lots of ice-water and you will be fine.

So that’s that, my CDCC. Another week to do the best you can. Eat what’s right, move that body and become as healthy as you possible can. Happy Thanksgiving my dear friends. I am truly blessed to have you all in my life. Thank you!!!

A Friday blog hop…

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a blog hop and I just love Java’s Friday Follow 40 and Over so I’m going to join in this week. It’s always fun to meet and greet new people and since this blog is a little bit about everything from family, friends, daycare, diet and exercise, crafting, sewing, the beauty of Minnesota and so much more it’ll be neat to see who’s out there that thinks I am worth following and learning from and who I can find that peaks my interests. If you’d like to check this out just click here and go meet and greet a new blogger or two.

I hope you all have a blessed and awesome Friday. Take care my friends.

Exercise…and…

I haven’t heard from the doctor so I’m going to go with no news is good news and I’m going to head back to the gym. I’ll finish this week just with swimming and light exercise and next Monday I’ll get back into the swing of things. But I’m going to look at this diet and exercise just a wee bit differently. Since I have sort of hit a wall of just maintaining I’m going to go with that. Yes I’m not exactly at my desired weight but just maybe my body is and my minds just hasn’t adjusted yet. Now it doesn’t mean I’m going to just go back to anything I use to be doing, no it just means I’m not going to focus solely on losing weight. I am going to concentrate on toning up my body and if I lose more weight along the way, GREAT, if not then I’ll just have a little bit heavier body but a much more toned and shapely one. I am going to measure me this weekend and see what I can do about the lumps and bumps. I want to thank you all for helping me see just what I couldn’t.

So what is a great figure to have? I know it’s not exactly what I have here though my waist at one time was way over 40” and it’s now a few inches under that. I know a 44C was a pretty big bra to buy and now a 38B is pretty awesome and size 18/20 jeans were way to tight and now I just ordered my first pair of 12’s. I use to wear a size 8 wide shoe and now a 7.5 regular fits nice and not pinching. So I’m on my way to the most healthiest body for me.

When I do my update for the challenge I’m not going to focus on the scale I’m going to start a new number, it’ll be a total inch total that I’ll update each week and I know for the first couple of weeks there won’t be a change but maybe once I get back into things the inches can start to melt away. I’ll keep posting my weight because of the CDCC but when that is over there will be just one number and I’ll go to once a month. This may sort of not be part of the weight loss forum but I hope you guys will still hang with me and keep teaching me and helping me because if it wasn’t for you I’d still be in my funk and not seeing things that you’ve pointed out.

So that’s that, now a question:

I was wondering, would anyone be interested in a secret Santa exchange? I’ll host one if you guys would like it. I hosted a Garden Swap a couple springs ago and it was a success and everyone had a great time and got some really cool garden items. A Christmas one could be anything you’d like with a set price for the gift. You could tell me if you want to ship just in your area or overseas or what and I’ll match everyone up. What do you think? Tell me by Sunday and we’ll set a date to sign up and a date to end and ship so that your gift would get to where it’s going before Christmas. If you want you can ask your followers if they’d like to do this and send them here. So tell me by Sunday if you’re interested in something like this and we’ll go from there.

So it’s close to bed time. I hope you all sleep well. Don’t forget to end your day with a thank you prayer to our good Lord for all the blessings he’s given us. Even on our worse days there’s still some one worse off then we are and they also deserve a prayer for support and love and guidance. Take care my friend. Blessings!!

And the doctor said…and of course more…

Nothing yet. I had my appointment yesterday and he did his thing and order an ultrasound today. If they find anything the doctor is suppose to call tonight or tomorrow am. He’s not expecting blood clots but because of family history checked that out. He’s not sure what it might be, maybe just left over from my injury but shouldn’t be effecting me like it is. He’s not sure and I think because he’s not sure after this test comes back and if it shows nothing is just going to wait and see if it heals itself. He told me if nothing shows up to go ahead and get back into whatever routine I can handle and just push myself to tolerance.

I so need to get back into a regular exercise routine. I so need to get back into my diet routine. I so need to lose the last of my weight that I’ve been hanging on to for the past 4 months. I looked back and other then quitting eating so I could make Allan’s last challenge and hitting my goal (which in turn backed fired and came back in just a short time) I haven’t done anything real right. Oh I lose a pound or two here and there, I gain a pound here and there. I know what I have to do and I’m going to. I’ve been way to wishy washy. Now I can’t say I haven’t been doing good changing shape because that I have been. It’s just the scale that isn’t changing much. But I want both, the size and the scale. I love washing my clothes and hanging them up and thinking, that’s me now. I love putting on Jim’s jeans and stuffing the cat in the waist band with me. I loved putting on Mike’s jeans and even though they didn’t close I could zip them up. I love seeing people I haven’t in a while and they gasp and say I look great. So even though the scale isn’t moving I am. But now (if God willing and the doctor says) I can go back to the gym and the pool and get that scale to move those last bunch of pounds away.

Today I made the coolest, best tasting, not fattening chicken nuggets today. It’s 120 calories per serving,8 carbs, 5 fats and 13 proteins (using myfitnesspal recipe calculator). With a mixed salad of all kinds of goodness this was the perfect supper and under 300 calories.

Baked Chicken Nuggets

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cut up about 1 pound of boneless, skinless, chicken into 1-inch pieces. I usually use chicken breasts, but you could also use thighs.

Put 2 cups of cornflakes between two layers of plastic wrap and fold up the edges. Then use a rolling pin and crush the cornflakes.

In a bowl, mix together the corn flakes, 1 TB flour, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper.

Beat 1 egg with 1 TB water.

Dip the nuggets in the egg mixture, then roll in the crumbs.

Bake for 12-14 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

Recipe serves 6.

My grandma is back from Florida. I still find it amazing that at 95 years old she took 2 flights to get there from here, spent a week visiting family and friends and then flew those two flights back home. She got home yesterday and tomorrow I’m going to go and visit. I missed her so much.

So that’s that for now my friends. I hope you’re having a great week. Blessings to you all and boy do we have blessing to feel good about.