Well, it’s time to stop being the lone ranger and go see my doctor. I have started back exercising and doing WW points but I am having the worst time controlling my snacking! I’ve tried an all natural appetite suppressant which works but only if I remember to take it, which I don’t b/c you have to take it three times a day. Taking them just gets lost in the cracks. So, I’m calling my doctor today so set up an appointment to discuss the light appetite suppressant he had me on before I went in the hospital and to discuss my BP meds. Plus, this will get me in there once a month for an official weigh in and BP check up. It’s time to get it under control and see some results.

Does anyone here use Leslie Sansone walk at home videos? I just got a couple and I love them!

Okay; this really has nothing to do with weight loss but I wanted to share. =)

First, let me say that I love music; all genres: some more than others-much more than others-but I am open to all kinds of music. But my favorite instrument, my very, very favorite instrument is the guitar: bass, 12 string, acoustic, electric-doesn’t really matter. I love them all. This love of music and guitars can be traced back to my early childhood where I spent my time dancing on my dad’s guitar case while he and mom practiced songs for church. I’m so grateful that they instilled this love of music into our family. Music is like breath to my siblings and me and has encouraged us through some extremely difficult times.

Last night, I had an opportunity to enjoy some great music. Ashley and I went to the John Mayer (JM) concert in Nashville and we had a blast. The opening group, Michael Franti and Spearhead, was very good. But the best was JM. I have heard his music on the radio and from the CD’s that we have so I knew he was good. But I had no idea what an incredibly, incredibly talented musician this man is; it totally blew me away. He was absolutely amazing to watch. Let me tell you, he made those guitars sing. And he was all about the music; he didn’t waste much time talking, which was fine with this music lover. We heard a lot of positive and life affirming lyrics as well. Lyrics about letting the people you love know that you love them. Lyrics about realizing how short life can be so live it to the fullest. Lyrics about being thankful for those around you who have helped you through difficult times. Lyrics about just saying what needs to be said and being honest and tender with those around you.  In fact, JM made a very public apology to his band and crew last night for some words he had said earlier in the day that caused them some pain. I thought that was great. Maybe by JM being transparent and honest, he gave someone in the audience the courage they needed to tell someone, “Hey, I messed up. I’m sorry.”  

So, we had a great time and clapped and gave a very appropriate standing ovation at the end of the concert. But, as I was sitting and listening to these wonderful musicians and laughing with Ashley at the exceedingly funny faces the JM makes when he sings, I was not brought to my feet like a lot of people around me. As much as I enjoyed the music, I was not compelled to stand and dance or come to me feet from sheer excitement of being at the Sommet Center and hearing this awesome music. I wondered about that: what’s that all about? Because I have attended Audio A, Toby Mac, Skillet and other Christian artists concerts and was out of my seat and on my feet in no time. That even happens to me at my own church on Sunday sometimes! Then I realized it was because the other concerts were not about the singers; but about the giver of music; God and His son Jesus Christ.

Now, what you may ask makes me think that music is important in the Christian life or that music is a gift from God? Well, for starters, there’s a whole book in the Bible that’s dedicated to music. Read any Psalms lately? Psalms is nothing but the heartfelt words and music from a believer’s heart as he cried out to God; releasing his anguish, grief sorrow and rejoicing in his victories, joy and blessings. If that’s not prove enough, Isaiah 55:12 says: You shall go out with joy and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.  I mean, come on, singing mountains and clapping trees? Prove positive that the Lord likes music.

Therefore, to me, music is at its best form when it brings glory and honor to the Lord; when it encourages the downhearted, when it brings tears of joy and grief to the eyes of the believer; when it draws us closer to our audience of One: the ONE-our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

So, if you see me at a JM concert and I don’t seem as excited as others, you know why. Trust me, I am enjoying the concert and plan to attend other concerts as well (my birthday is in May and Michael Buble tickets would be a most excellent gift). But if you want to see me truly revel in music; truly be moved to get out of my seat and on my feet, well, then Toby Mac, Mercy Me, Casting Crown or Skillet tickets are the order of the day: any concert that helps me look up to the Giver of life and music. J God bless. Now, go listen to some music!

Tomorrow is national “wear red day” for women’s heart health awareness. Not just for the ladies alone: guys, you can get in on this, too: support your ladies! And don’t just wear red; get moving and take care of the body with which God’s blessed you. p. s. God is good…all the time!

Already have my first healthy choice for today: got up and did my stretch video this morning. Yeah. It’s gonna be a great day.

232.4 this morning. Not bad considering I’ve been a little piggy for the past two weeks: up about 3 lbs. I have made good choices today. Started it out healthy this morning by getting out of bed to exercise. Then I made good snack choices and ate OP today. Yeah. I have my video for in the morning picked out. One day and one decision at a time.

BTW-we’re expecting major snow this weekend. YEAH. Now, wonder how many points snow cream has? =)

If you recognized that line from an old Andy Gibbs song, you’re showing your age! =)

That’s where I’ve been recently; an emotional roller coaster. It feels like I’ve been getting slammed with one thing or another since around October of last year! Instead of turning to the Lord and to friends, on-line, here and anywhere else I can find ‘em, I’ve been turning to food. I’ve also been struggling with feeling like I’m deprived then swinging over to the incredibly selfish side. I’m incredibly grateful for our health insurance which kept us from having to pay nearly 75K in hospital bills but the 4K that we do have to pay. I’m incredibly grateful for our warm home but not crazy about the $850 we had to pay for furnace repairs last week. Then I feel selfish b/c there are so many people who don’t even have the daily essentials. Throw a wedding on top of all this (my daughter is getting married in May) and I’ve been hanging on for dear life!

I am very happy for my daughter’s decision to get married. The young man she’s marrying is a solid, Christian with a good head on his shoulders and very intelligent. But it’s hard b/c 1-I can’t be in Cali to help with the planning and such and 2-we are not able at this point to contribute to the wedding the way we’d like to contribute. I explained this to DD; told her our contribution might just be getting there! She said she’s been living on her own for 1 1/2 years now and she’s fine with paying for it. I told her, “you might be fine but momma is not”. Anyway, we’re working our budget and it looks like we’ll have about 1/2 the medical bills paid off by the end of next month so yeah. I’m praying that we’ll at least be able to pay for DD’s dress and bridesmaid dresses but we’ll see.

I am grateful for my geeky, budget oriented hubby right about now. =) If we hadn’t been on a budget for the past few years, these hospital bills could have done us in. We’re soooo close to being debt free (except the house) that we can practially taste it (hm….taste like chicken!). I’ll be so glad when we finally get there.

So, to help change my frame of mind I have been 1-praying 2-exercising 3-doing what I can and not worrying about what is out of my control anyway. I’m focusing on the positives: that we’re going to Cali for the wedding; that DD is marrying such a great young man; that our budget saved our scrawny little necks; that God is faithful and good-all the time. Grateful for my job, which included a promotion and two raises in the past 6 months as well as a couple of bonuses; grateful for hubby’s job; grateful for daughters who have their heads on straight and who are healthy and smart and cuties. So no more complaining, hand wringing worrying; I am blessed.

So for what are you grateful today? =)

I couldn’t resist this one!

Weigh in Sunday was neutral, literally: no loss but no gain. I can live with it. I have not had a good eating week until today. We’ve been having a rough go of things in general and we just had to spend close to 900 bucks to get our furnace fixed and DH is home AGAIN with a migraine! GAH! BUT grateful we had the money to fix it. I did a lot of emotional eating this weekend/last couple days including double stuff oreo’s for dinner last night! ;-p  Today is a new day and I’m doing well. Plus, I just figure if satan is attacking big, which he is, then the opportunity for God to deliver will be big; leaving no doubt who was delivered or who was the Deliverer.

I did go to zumba Saturday with a friend. Course, I used up all that positive from that by eating poorly this weekend. But, as I said, today is a new day: onward and downward.  I have a wedding for which to get ready. Didn’t I tell you: my DD in Cali is getting married 05/01/10! I can hardly believe it! so gotta get back on track with healthy choices.

Gotta run. Hope everyone is having a great day. I’ll leave you with the words from a song written by Rich Mullins, one of Christian musics most prolific song writers. He was taken to be with the Lord a few years ago but his music still inspires.

“I will never doubt His promise. Though I doubt my heart; I doubt my eyes. My Deliverer is coming; my Deliverer is standing by”.

Yeah! I was down 3 pounds at my weigh in this week! Woo-hoo! I’m excited to be getting back on track to a healthy me.

Eating and exercise is going well this week. My energy level is almost to what it was before my surgeries. I’m getting a lot done at work and at home. I’m so grateful to be feeling like myself again.

Hope everyone is having a great day and you’re lovin’ yourself no matter what today brought your way. *smile*