What makes me smile...

Yikes...I can't believe I'm posting this picture already. But this makes me smile, love handles and all. Because comparing it to my before pictures makes me feel good, knowing I can go the rest of the way. And because on Sunday, I wore a bathing suit for the first time without shorts or a t-shirt covering it up.

A good story. Book, movie, song lyrics. Romance, science-fiction, fantasy, chick lit. It really doesn't matter. I love to get involved with a really good story, one that makes me think, laugh, cry, get angry.

John Denver. I know, I know. Chelsea, don't roll your eyes. But I truly love his music, and turning it up in the car if I'm having a bad day really does help.

Addison and Abba. They drive me crazy, and they keep me sane. Even on the worst days ever, they can make me laugh so hard I have to stop to catch my breath.

And Yet More...

Wow, did I ever take a lot of photos. And this isn't even all of them.

Here's a few more...

Feeling A Little Nostalgic Tonight

After discovering the Blog of Rebekah, and through that finding a few other old friends from Bethany/Simonhouse, I pulled out my two camp scrapbooks. I thought I would post the pages, see if they turn out. If you know anyone in here, pass along the site to them...they might get a kick out of it.

These are a few from 1993 and 1994. I'll put the rest of these years in the next post.

A few names I gathered, strolling down memory lane...

Jamie, Becky, Keith, Joel, Phil, Jenn, Kerri, Paul...and so many others, it's hard to keep track. And of course, the Goossen family; all of whom meant a lot to me, and camp would not have been the same without them...Ted, Mary, Jon, Jodine, Josh, and Sara.

An Apology To My Mom

It took 17 years to get to this point. I wasn't ready before, to eat right, to lose weight, to care enough about myself to get healthy. Just to clarify, IT WASN'T YOU. I just wasn't ready. I'm sorry it took me so long, and that things have been so bumpy along the way.

I understand how you wanted to take me shopping and buy me nicer clothes, and all I wanted to do was stay home and hide in baggy clothes where I was comfortable. I hated seeing myself in the mirror in those dressing rooms, and that nothing fit right. I hated to admit how fat I was. I felt really bad about myself then.

I feel better now. I can accept myself now. And now, I like to shop and try on clothes. So I hope things will get better.

Everyone's Tired of Hearing It...

To start, I will post one more time about my weight loss efforts. I began on August 1, 2006, shortly after the birth of my second baby. In pain after a c-section (recovery would have been way easier if I had been thin to start), I hobbled around the block with Abba and the stroller. I joined weight watchers online shortly after that. After 7.5 months of calorie counting and exercise, I've lost exactly 50 lbs. I'm at my primary goal of 150. It really is the most awesome feeling in the world!



The first pic is me after losing almost 15 lbs, at the end of Sept. The second (excuse the awful socks!) was taken last week, at 153 lbs.

I apologize to anyone who has gotten bored or annoyed at this being my main topic of conversation. It's just that, aside from my kids, I have never been so excited about something before. I appreciate your patience.

Finally!

I've had this blog space for about a month, and this is the first time my computer has let me post anything. I'm so not computer-savvy.

My posts are going to jump around a little. I'm trying to make myself appear interesting. So, please bear with me. :)

testing testing