In the Land Of Oz...

I have no idea why I titled this post that way. Just suffice to say that things are well here in the land of Oz! Nothing to report. I'm still plugging away and working hard and trying my hardest to be the fittest and healthiest possible! I had a reunion this weekend with the most awesome bunch of sisters and friends, all from my WMU days. We have been doing this for a few years since one of our sisters died of cancer. It's sad and we all miss her, but we realized that we needed to make more time for each other again and have made getting together a couple times a year a big priority! It's always SO great to see everyone, and this time was NO exception! The only thing that got me worried this year was the food. There's always a TON and it's not always healthy. To avoid beating myself up this year, I brought lots of veggies and a fat free dip (greek yogurt and ranch dressing mix and it was yummy!) and I even brought a bowl of my chili so I wouldn't be too tempted to stuff my face of things it doesn't need! I left feeling full, satisfied, happy and not upset that I over ate or anything! On a completely unrelated note... I just cracked my cheap blender. I'm totally annoyed. It lasted two weeks. Note to self: Never buy a cheap plastic blender at Aldi again. Thank you. So I'll be shopping for one this weekend... in the meantime I need to dig out my old (very old) one that works but is a pain to clean up. Oh well... at least I have a back up! Stay awesome!

Moving Along...

Yup, things are moving right along! I'm still hoping to get a customer for my business soon, but seriously it's about helping people and I do know I'm doing that! I have several people I talk with often about fitness and nutrition and many of them glean good information from me on a regular basis, so I'm on the right track! As far as my own family goes, things are the same. I have made a lot of changes in the kitchen though and I'm not sure they really love it. Lots of fresh veggies and fruit and chicken and NO junk (well, compared to normal around here, I haven't purchased hardly anything!). I'm making oatmeal for breakfast often and just today I picked up some Truvia to sweeten it with since the honey and brown sugar is putting me WAY over on sugar and carbs every day! It's a learning process. I'm still learning! The best thing I have coming up soon is a fantastic reunion of sorts with some college girlfriends! We have gotten together this last weekend of January now for three years in honor of our dear friend who passed away four years ago. After her funeral we realized we weren't making enough time for each other and had started to really drift apart, so we put it on the calendar and MADE time for us! You know what? I've looked forward to it every year! This will be no exception... lots of giggles and stories and picture taking and games... yes, just like college, but only for one day! It always goes so fast, but I'm looking forward to it just like last year. So it will be another wonderfully busy weekend, but be assured that even though I may splurge this weekend, I won't fall completely off the wagon. I will still workout. I will still try to eat well. I will not eat three servings of dessert. I will not have more than two drinks!!! Yes, those are my goals. I WILL do this! AND, I'm going to have FUN! Stay awesome....

Ok, So It's A Slow Start...

Yes, I'm starting a new business. It's a slow start. I know that, and I apologize, but I'm getting there. I've added a few new things to the sidebar if you didn't notice. My plan is to put the workout program I'm doing on the side so you can click and find out as much information as you desire about that program, even purchase if you like! (Absolutely no pressure sales from me, it's not my style.) There's also a link to my website through Team Beachbody. If you click on this link you should be able to find even more information about all the Beachbody products, and that's always good. Information is power after all! I'm going to try and update this blog often, at least weekly if not more. There's nothing I want more out of this than to help as many people as possible! Not interested in Beachbody? That's fine too, I still want you to succeed in your health and fitness endeavors. So if there's a question brewing in your brain, please ask! If I can help in any way possible, I will do just that! In the meantime... stay awesome!

Yup! I'm In!!

It was a pretty relaxing yet productive weekend at our house. I managed to cook a big pot of chili and a pot of soup for my lunches this week. I got the laundry done and the kitchen is as stocked and ready as it can be. We did go to lunch out yesterday but that was it. Far better than the three meals per weekend we used to eat out!!!!

Anyway, keep being awesome. Keep eating well and make that body work harder than you think you can because you deserve it!!!!

Bring it!

Where Does The Time Go???

I have not been very good about updating my blog! I have a little bit of news to share, so I figured I'd start here. You know that over the last couple of years I've decided it's time to get fit and stop being the chubby wife and mom that I'd been for a very long time. I started out running, then REALLY watching my diet. Then I joined a gym. After that I did P90X... twice! Well, this fall, I even ran a marathon!!! Yes, little short-legged, 40-year-old mama actually finished a full 26.2! It was SO hard, and I have no desire to do it again soon, but I'm still running and kicking some booty. Fast forward to present. Just a couple of weeks ago I signed on with Team Beachbody to be a coach. Now, what does that mean? Well, it means that I am here for anyone who wants to get fit. I can give advice, point people in the right direction and offer products that I believe in. I started using Beachbody's Shakeology which I truly LOVE and wish I could get everyone in my life using it. So, first and foremost, I'm here for you. Would I love it if everyone purchased Beachbody products from me? Sure! That would be awesome! But no, that's not my main purpose. My main purpose is to see people get healthy and achieve their goals no matter what they are. What are your goals? There are a lot of ideas running around in my head, some of which I'm not ready to post about yet, so suffice to say that I'm here. I'm busy, I'm kicking butt and ready to take on the world one fat cell at a time!!! Currently I'm shrinking my own fat cells by eating really healthy yummy food, and ACTUALLY learning to cook (never thought I'd say that!) and working out every day. I love how I feel when I wake up in the morning and get my workout done before the rest of the house is even awake. I feel like a superhero lifting weights!!! Are you ready? I can be your coach for free, and you can take my enthusiasm and change your life! Ok, enough sales pitch... I have to go to sleep soon so I can be awesome tomorrow. Live well!

Boat Ride!

Now we have had this boat for 10 years. It's nothing fancy, just a little speed boat. 20 feet of fun in the sun!!!! Two years ago at the end of summer we had used it twice and needed some work done over that winter. We spent lots of money on it and had a lot of things done. Well, last summer it never ran. We tried. It was still not running. We were sad but too busy to use it much anyway. So we had it in again. They said it was good. We tried to start it in June and the thing wouldn't start! After all we'd been through we still didn't have a boat that would run. So sad.

So this summer we had it back at the shop. Getting a little tired of this, but we want it working. Finally got the call that it was done last week and today had the opportunity to put it in the water and test it out! Not only did it start right up, it ran great!!! We just tooled around for a couple hours, no swimming or tubing today, but at least we now know its running. Hope we can get a slip at a marina next year so we can use it more often, but that's still in the works so we will see. We have a marina in mind so if it happens I'll be super happy!!!!

Here's a shot of David on the boat today. He wanted to go but seems less than thrilled here. I think he wanted to go tubing or something. Whatever. At least we can go next time!!!!

My Family

If you know me at all I think you may know that my family is super important to me. You may also know that we are separated by a ton of miles. I have a small family. Only three Aunts/Uncles and three cousins. My grandparents are all with Jesus as well as my Dad and two other Uncles. We rarely get to see my family. Thank goodness for reunions like the one we had today? My Aunt Sheila and her husband Uncle Steve are having there 50th class reunion this weekend so they decided to drive the RV all the way from Oceanside California to little old Barryton Michigan! Since they wert driving up, my Uncle Sam decided to head up from Pensacola Florida (I told you we are spread out!). So I'm still on vacation and sister is off for the summer and what else have we got to do? We drove up to the lake (it was Grandma's house and will always be known as the lake to us) and spent the afternoon just hanging out with them! So glad we had the chance. I need to travel more. Seriously.
Here's a shot of my sister and I with our Dad's sisters and brother.

The Graduate!

So many of you know I recently finished my first round of P90X! It was hard and it was awesome! The program really pushes you beyond what you think you are capable of which I'm proud to say I pushed it hard! I have more muscle tone than I ever thought possible and really can't wait to see what a few more rounds and some other programs will bring to this little mama!

I got a present in the mail today. When you finish your first round there's something online you fill out and about three weeks later you get this awesome shirt in the mail. The front just says P90X and the back, well c see if you can make it out in the pic. I couldn't wait for someone else to take it, so forgive the self taken shot. Yup. I love my new shirt!

Most Awesome Adventure

Well, I was lucky enough to spend the day as a chaperone for the middle school youth group on a trip to Michigan's Adventure! I wasn't sure what to expect, but I knew a lot of the kids likely to go and I wanted to ride the rides and have fun in the sun, do I found someone to take my work shift and I went. What a most excellent day! I hung out mostly with six other girls, two other adults (I'm old enough to be their mother, but they were at least 18) and four crazy 7th and 8th graders. Awesome!!!! Here's a pic of the girls I took while waiting in line for the logger run. I got completely soaked and it was fun!!!!

This is Hannah, Reagan, Elizabeth, Allison, Chelsea, and RaeLynn! Together the 7 of us completely giggled, screamed and chatted our way through most of the park today and basically had the best day I've had in a very long time! I will be doing this again for sure!!!!!

Whoa, where does the time go?

So it's been a while. To say the least! I've been busy trying not only to get fit but get super duper x style fit with P90X and I finished round 1 already! I'm working on round 2 which I've made a hybrid with marathon training. Planning on a marathon on October 21, more on that later. I found a nifty app for my iPhone where I can post right from there so I may actually post more often. We will see.
Tomorrow I get to go to Michigan's Adventure with the youth group, so I'm praying the rain in the forecast stays away for one more day!!!! I'm going to see if I can post a pic of me before I started running to my current state of awesomeness. If it works I'll be shocked!!!! Have a great day!

Patience, My Dear.....

I keep telling myself that every day because in three weeks.... I'M GOING TO VEGAS!!!!! I'm so excited I can't even explain it. I had a best friend growing up and she is turning 40. She now lives in Vegas and invited me and a bunch of other people out there to visit and party with her. I really didn't think I was going to be able to go, and truly the financial part of it's probably more than I need to spend this year, but I'm going. It may take too long to pay off my credit card, but I'm going. I'll spend as little as possible when I'm there, but I'm going!!!!

The best part, even though seeing my friend and celebrating her birthday will be amazing... I have a cousin who lives there. The last time I saw this cousin was at her wedding 11 years ago. I've never met her gorgeous kids. I can't wait to see her and meet those beautiful kids!!! I have another cousin who lives in southern California.... she and her husband and her baby are coming to visit that weekend too!!!!!! I've never met her husband or son. I can't wait to get my hands on that kid!!!!

So basically, I'm more excited about this upcoming trip than I've ever been about a vacation in my life! I'm trying not to let it interrupt my life, but it's definitely at the forefront of my mind. I can't believe it. I'm going to VEGAS!!!!!! In the meantime... patience, my dear... patience....

Yes, I'm That Kind Of Crazy....

I know this blog isn't about knitting anymore, and I'm ok with that, I just need an outlet to unleash some thoughts and maybe even put down some goals to hold myself accountable. Ok? Ok.

So as the new me becomes an athlete, I'm learning something... I need goals. I just don't function without a race to train for!!! I did SOOO great training for my half marathon and it turned out perfect. Then I said for the next two months or so I was still going to run but I was going to focus more on strength, right? Right. Well, let's see how that's going.... it's just a little unfocused. Not that I haven't been working out, I truly have, but I just feel like I'm floundering! This week I didn't get to workout on Tuesday which is a unusual, but it was a work meeting thing, so from Sunday to Thursday I hadn't exercised... and it was killing me! Today was rainy, 45 degrees, and windy and I ended up running 6 miles! I needed that SOOOO bad! I don't want to skip another workout for a while, that was brutal!!! Also, the week after my half, I was at my goal weight... now I'm 2.5 pounds heavier again!! I know it's not all about the scale, but I swear I do feel the difference and I don't want some of my old bad habits to start creeping back in, so I'm sticking with my eating and workout plan until I get back and under my goal!

So I'm making another plan. I don't have the date of the first race I'm planning next spring, but it will be another half marathon in April (again with my awesome college roomie). Then after that I'm planning the 25k (15.5 miles) in Grand Rapids (the Fifth Third Riverbank Run) which is May 12. After THAT.... I'm going to find a marathon to train for! Yup, I said it. Next fall, probably September or October, I will find and train and run a full marathon. 26.2 miles. I won't set a time goal, I will just train to finish as strong as I can. I'm that kind of crazy.

Ok, now that I've actually said it in "writing" I feel like the goal is set. I will achieve this just like I have in the last year! I started by just wanting to run a 5k.... two years later I'll be running a marathon. At age 40. Because I'm an athlete now. And I'm crazy!

Wow, I Really Need A Break....

I can't believe I keep forgetting to blog! Guess it's a good thing I don't get paid for it.... of course if I did I might remember to DO it!!! LOL!

Anyway, since my last post I did something I'm pretty freaking proud of... I ran a half marathon! And I finished in 2 hours 16 minutes, which is WAY faster than I thought I could run. Yup, I'm pretty proud of myself! So since then I've been cutting back on running and working on some cross training just to keep myself as fit as possible. I will pick back up the training for another race around the first of the year. I've got two races I want to do, another half marathon in April and a 25k in May. In case you don't get the conversion, a 25k is 15.5 miles and since the half marathon is 13.1, I know I can do it! Will it be hard? Absolutely, but that's what makes me want to do it. I need a challenge and this will work! I'm going to need to gear up for winter so I can run all season long, but that's just part of the training. I really can't run on a treadmill anymore, so getting in those winter/snowy/rainy/dark runs will just be part of the experience! I'm sure I'll have some stories for you soon!!!!

Last weekend I went down to WMU for Homecoming and it was so much fun! Met a few friends and some new people too and tailgated and played drinking games and enjoyed a Bronco win all while getting sunburned (yes, in October)(yes, I had sunscreen in the car) and totally loving every minute! Part of my new life is just being comfortable in my own skin and seeing people I hadn't seen in nearly 20 years was kind of surreal and made me feel just amazing. Seriously makes me wish my class reunion had been this year instead of last summer!! LOL!

Anyway, I'm 2 pounds away from what I'm calling my "goal" weight. I think I'm stopping here because I feel amazing, I'm technically a "healthy" weight, I'm wearing a size 4 and what else can an almost-40-year-old Mom ask for????? I really hope everyone I know and love can get to this place at somepoint in their life, because it feels terrific!!!! I might even be inspiring my Mom which would be amazing to me!!!! So get out there and start moving... you WON'T regret it!!!!!

Now I need a vacation...

I'm Busy, So Sue Me....

Yup, so there's been a lot going on in my life and I haven't updated this since before I went to the most amazing concert ever!!!! That weekend was AWESOME! I spent some much needed girl time with my awesome friend, saw not one but TWO cool concerts (total of 6 bands) and drank too much beer. I relaxed, I screamed, I ate, I enjoyed. That's what the good things in life are all about, in my opinion. Life is good.

So, the summer wrapped up like usual, running around trying to get everything together at the last possible second and panicking that the weather decided that my plan to not buy jeans for a few more weeks was not acceptable so I sent my son to school in shorts when it was 45 degrees out in the morning. Yup, I'm supermom. NOT!!!! Anyway, we got him a pair tonight so he can wear them to the big football game tomorrow night.

Speaking of football, I love this time of year. I only have one kid playing this year so it's much easier to keep track of, but that doesn't slow us down. We'll still see many of the varsity games because, let's face it, there's not much else to do as a family in a small town, and we all love football!!!! Tomorrow evening is the big East/West game here in our town where the two high schools play each other. We root for West, and both teams are really good. We get to be the home team this time. This is good so we don't have to face the sunset. I love football.

In two weeks I will be running my first half marathon. This both excites me and freaks me out! I know I can finish, I just hope I make a good time. I have a goal, and I think I can do it, but it still freaks me out a little. My college roomie is coming to run with me. She's not a newbie like me. I miss her! We haven't seen each other in just over two years. The before and after pics will be coming!!!! We've both lost weight and shaped up in the past two years!!!

Speaking of weight loss, I'm still losing. I want to lose a little more, but people are telling me I don't need to lose more. I'm having a hard time comprehending how they know what my ideal weight should be just based on looking at me fully clothed. I know it shouldn't bother me, but I'm still not quite satisfied at my current weight and would like to lose another 5-10 but don't want to look like a skeleton either. I still have quite a belly (thanks genetics!) which I know doesn't really show when I'm dressed, but I still see it. I hope this isn't just a body image thing, and I don't seriously think it is, but I just think a few more pounds would be perfect. Of course, if my body rebelled and said this is where I should stay, I would be fine with that. I think. I'm just confused, but I'm hoping I'll know when I should stop once I get there. There's no science to my choosing a goal weight, I just can't find an answer on this anywhere, but I'm finally into my "healthy" BMI range (which isn't exactly rocket science) and I'd like to be well into that range, I guess. See, no science, just a feeling.

My knee hurts from my run today. Crazy how that just popped into my head. I'm so random. If you've kept up with this post, I commend you. I scored two pair of nice jeans for myself at the new Goodwill store in my town this week. Today I put on one pair and found a dollar in the pocket. God is good!!!!

It's Finally Almost Time!!!

A million and a half weeks ago, my best friend emailed and asked if I wanted to accompany her to the Kenny Chesney concert on August 20 and of course I said "HELL YES!!!!". I think that's a direct quote. Anyway, after weeks and months of waiting... the time is almost here!!!! I'm giddy with anticipation. Seriously, I have a major relationship with Kenny... in my mind, of course. We've never met, but I love him. Truly, madly, deeply. If I would have met him before I met my wonderful husband... let's just say I wouldn't be living in little old Michigan!!!! Anyway... the show is Saturday and tomorrow morning (after I get my long run in and out of the way) I'm driving over to spend the weekend with my bestie and we are going to have so much fun together!

Yes, this is the third time I'll have seen him in concert. Yes, all three will be with said friend. Yes, she is my hero for getting us tickets. And yes, I will be screaming at the top of my lungs for several hours on Saturday. I will probably not be able to talk much on Sunday. If you know me, you know how rare this is. Yes, I've been obsessing for two weeks about what I'm going to wear to this event. Yes, I'm aware that it really makes no difference as he won't actually see me. No, it doesn't matter... I'm still fretting as I pack!!!!

I'm a little nuts, but I just may be the lunatic he's looking for!!! Wait, that's another artist... drat! Kenny... I'm coming baby... hold on to your hat!!!!

Lazy Crazy Hazy Days of Summer...

Well, it's been a long hot summer, and that's alright with me!!! There's been nothing earth shattering to write about except a tragically bad decision my younger son made a couple days after I wrote my last post which has basically left me shocked and completely numb to be honest. I won't get into it here, but suffice it to say, he's in trouble. Big trouble. He's already been grounded for a month. He can't wait for school to start. He better have learned his lesson!!!!

Anyway, the rest of my life has been really boring since I work all day and run when I need to train and that's about it. I have managed a few walks along the boardwalk, a girls night out with my neighborhood girls and a couple of dinner dates with my husband. We even saw the last Harry Potter movie at the theater for our anniversary date! We celebrated our 17th anniversary a couple weeks ago which I'm pretty proud of. Other than that, it's been business as usual.

So this will be short and sweet, I just didn't realize it had been this long since I posted!!! This coming weekend is one I've been looking forward to for months. Going to my dear friend's house for the weekend and we have tickets for TWO different concerts!!! Friday night we'll see the J. Geiles band and Saturday is KENNY CHESNEY!!!! If you know me... you know how much I love that man... it's slightly bordering on obsessive, but it's all good. I even found out that Zac Brown Band is opening, which I also love, so it should be an amazing weekend for sure! I'll see if I can take some pics....

Not Much....

Not much new going on in la-la land. Oh, I'm still running.. haven't missed a training run, but really that's about it! I had a week of vacation in which I accomplished squat-nothing... I went back to work and it was the same old stuff-different day... just nothing new in my life! I guess that's ok, but I'm totally bored right now! I'm ready for some adventure... but it will have to wait. Reality can really suck sometimes.

But... on the other hand... in the past year, I've lost 40 pounds. I've become a runner. I've transformed by body from a chubby size 14/16 to a size 6. I've learned how to take care of this temple and gift from God called the human body. I've inspired others to take better care of themselves. I've used every opportunity available to raise my voice in song. I've maintained friendships with some of the best people on this earth. I've cheered for my children, cried for them, and enjoyed them often. I've danced in the rain. I've read a lot of books. I've watched some really bad tv. I've watched the first three Twilight movies about a million times each. Not much, but it's my life.

All in all... it's just fine. Someday I hope to be able to say I live the life of adventure I long for... and today is nowhere near that day. I'm ok with that for the most part. But sometimes, it feels like life is just passing by. Somedays it feels like there's just not much to say. Today is one of those days... Today not much happened.

Maybe tomorrow.....

Another One Bites The Dust....

That's how I felt after I ran the Zeeland Zoom 5k last night! Since I hadn't really been training for speed (that 1/2 marathon is my main focus right now) and I only ran my last 5k three and a half weeks ago, my goal was just to finish around 30 minutes. So I ran a couple of easy miles (training plan called for 5 total for the day) and walked around for a good hour before the race. The weather was perfect. It's was in my town so I was familiar with the streets. It's a super flat course, so I knew I could finish strong. I was feeling good! I'd gotten a free entry from my chiropractor's office so I didn't even have to pay!!! Woohoo!

So I found a couple friends from church at the starting line and we talked about how fast we were hoping to finish. I figured we'd be all pretty close together, so I wasn't worried even though we were pretty close to the front. Closer than I usually am. Then the gun went off. My friend Lori was off like a shot (this didn't surprise me, she's a speedy one!) and I just focused on my music and my breathing. My pace was good, quick, but good. I felt really good on that first mile and knew I was heading to beat my last best time. Just before mile 2 I realized I had to use the bathroom. Not a little bit... I had to PEE!!!! Oh my goodness... what the heck to do????

Yup, I kept going. And going... and by the time I was finished with the race, I still had to pee soooo bad.... it was not pretty!!! I finished a little quicker than my last race, but I seriously think if I'd have been running on an empty bladder I could have run even faster. Who knows, I finished and that's all that really matters! So now off to finish the rest of my training. I'm thinking about another 5k in a few more weeks.. if I do this one it will be on hills, so I'm not exactly sure if I'll do it, but the challenge might be worth it!!!

But next time... bathroom just before the starting gun... no matter what!!!!

Oh, and I got myself a new handy-dandy heart rate monitor. It's a cool little watch/chest strap combo that monitors your heart rate and tells you exactly how your training is going and how many calories you're burning. I've been wanting one for a while, but finally splurged. I'm hoping it gets me training in the right zones so I don't overdo it but continue to increase my fitness levels as time goes on. The last thing I need is to become another statistic of someone who looks like they are fit and has a heart attack on the sidewalk! No kidding, that happens a lot. I'm hoping this will stop that from happening. Although, I must admit, I was pushing really hard last night!!! Felt good... still feel good, so I'm ok.

I have a little date night planned with my sister tomorrow... I'm hoping we have a blast seeing a band that a friend of mine from college has that's playing a bunch of old 80's alternative music! We used to listen to just that type of music back in high school, so this should be insteresting! Plus, I don't get out much... we should have fun!

TTFN....

Heaven Help Us....

My son got his learner's permit yesterday. That means he can drive. With a parent (or designated adult over 21) and closely supervised, but he is on the road. With other cars. In traffic sometimes. On the highways. Yup, I'm nervous. Who wouldn't be??? But you know what? He's pretty good. For a beginner. And he's still just that, a beginner. So say a prayer and watch out for my little white minivan... he's probably behind the wheel!!! Heaven help us!!!!

On another note, heaven got another angel this week. A dear lady I have known for many, many years passed away. She was the nicest lady in our little neighborhood and ALWAYS had a smile for all of us. Her three kids are dear friends and we grew up doing all sorts of crazy things together... I won't get into all that here, but suffice to say I still love these three so much! Two of them stood up in my wedding!!!! Anyway, their Mom is now an angel watching us from heaven instead of the front door.. or the window... or the kitchen counter. I can honestly say she is the kind of Mom I hope to be. She was one of a kind, and we will all truly miss her. The only shining light on losing her now, is that she was really sick. She had dimentia and ALS. The last 2 years were hard for the entire family, and she is now at rest. This is good, but it doesn't mean the loss is less difficult. So we will celebrate her life, grieve with her family and friends, and thank God for the time we had with Sandy. Take care of her, Father... and use this new angel wisely!!!!

I hit a new weight loss goal today, I'm not sharing my actual numbers here just yet, but know that I'm smaller than my wedding weight. Actually, I'm smaller than I've been in so long I can't remember the last time I was this weight! Kind of amazing, but also a little sad. I'm shooting to continue at this point and see where my body settles in. I think I have another 10 pounds to lose, but we'll see. When I'm done, I'll try to post a before and after. I don't have a good before, but there's one that I think might work... I'll need to do some cropping, but it might give you an idea of where I've come from!!!!

I'm on vacation for the next nine days, so if something comes to me that I want to share, I'll have more freedom to write. Hoping to pick up my guitar again this week.. and get a pedicure... and clean my house... and hit the pool or waterpark... yes, I have big goals! God bless you, and Sandy... say hi to my Dad if you see him up there!!!!

Lessons Learned????

This post is about something I'm not good at.... saying no. It's a lesson that I've tried to learn in the past couple of years and while I'm getting better at it, I still haven't mastered it. I think it's a girl thing. Or a mom thing. Maybe just a me thing. I like to be needed! I love to do things for other people. But sometimes I have to say no. I just can't do everything for everyone!!! Especially if I need to take care of myself and my family. They really should come first, after all!!!!

But this spring I got roped into something of which I'm pretty proud. I have a friend from my church who is an awesome single dad. He has two teenagers that he is raising alone. He's doing a great job! His kids are polite, smart, eager to help others, friendly, and involved in church. This fall, my friend (who is a youth group leader himself) was hurt, at youth group! His foot was toast. He's since been off work, had two surgeries and has now lost his job due to having to take so much time off. He's broke. His daughter graduated. There was no way he could do a graduation party. My Bible study group wanted to help. I was volunteered to lead the effort. I didn't say no. She really deserved a party!

So, I planned the party. I shopped for the party (thanks to the financial donations of the ladies of my Bible study group.) I rented the room for the party. I basically put on the party. Did I mention everyone was mysteriously out of town or busy with other engagements??? Yup. I had two ladies come and help decorate. One brought veggies. The rest was me. Well, the Dad did make food and his Mom did too (yum) but the rest was me. I'm not saying this to brag, I'm really not that great of a party planner, but rather to show that I'm a slow learner. I needed to say no. This was stress I didn't need!!! But I really like this family. They don't deserve all the things that are happening to them. It really wasn't hard to do. I didn't spend much of my own money, just some time. What's time and a little effort to help someone in need???? I'm glad I did it. So sometimes it's ok to say yes. Sometimes it's good to feel needed. Sometimes, you just need to do the right thing.

I don't know if I learned my lesson. Mainly because I don't know which lesson I was supposed to learn! Am I taking on too much? Sometimes. Is it good to help people in their time of need? Yes! Even if that means you don't get your laundry or grocery shopping done for the week? Sometimes, that's ok too.... I'll make up for the groceries tomorrow, and as for the laundry... good thing we all have extra clothes!!!!

So I'm looking forward to a weekend with nothing planned. Then I send one kid away for a youth group trip for a week and the other finishes driver's ed and starts a temporary part time job!!!! After that... I'm taking a week off. I need a break!!!!

TTFN...