May 21


Hebrew 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.


Jimmy wanted the bicycle so badly he could taste it. His mother and father had told him to save for it, and they would help him buy it. He remembered his father saying, 'If it's important enough to you, you'll be surprised how easy it is to save your money.' He hoped this was true, because he sure wanted the bike. If we want to lose weight badly enough, we will be surprised how easily we can stick to our diets. When the goal is great enough, we find sufficient supplies of faith and determination to overcome any temptation.
Today's thought: I want to be a substantial person without having a substantial body!

Hi I am sorry to be gone so long been busy with a lot hitting me at once. I am still doing my workouts and some days I do well (pain wise) and other days I really struggle. I did get my blood work back and all it said was ok. I am going to call and get the #'s so I can compare them with last years. (I had some of the same tests done at a diffrent dr.) I am working today as support help for a New store they are doing mass hire.

I want to say that I am so proud of this group. Everyone in there own way is doing so well. And everytime I log on here I find a bible verse or a comment that just speaks to me. I know I am blessed by this group.

Sarah-I have to agree with comments made here. Most of us are not out going when we are around strangers so maybe we look unapprochable also. I had a friend who before he would join a church who questions down that he found were a must before he could join. All of them were bible based so he knew how the church stood on this before he visited. EX. was did they belive in woman voting in the church ect................ So maybe that is something you need to do meet with the pastor (or head of the church) and ask the questions that would mean a lot to you. That also lets them know if you are going to visit and they will be looking for you and most churchs will have a welcome group who will show you around and tell things about the church. I hope that helps.

I am sorry I have to run and get ready to work I have really missed all of you. And will try to post more soon.

It's Saturday morning and I'm relaxing here with my . I had posted yesterday but it isn't here so I'll try again. Today DH and I clean out our bedroom and get painting. We picked(or I did ) Home Depot's Gobi Desert for the walls and Parchment Paper for the ceiling. Lots of work to do sorting through stuff and getting this done. At least we have a long weekend right now in which to do it.

I've been doing better in the evenings but haven't quite conquered it yet. I made a large pot of broccoli soup the other day and so we've been getting our veggie's in that way.

I would love to address each one of you but I really have to get this work done. Talk to each of you later. My prayers are with you!

HI GALS

Angie is out for her Saturday morning bagel shopping, she goes after she gets home from her 3 miler and gets a dozen or so for the week from the local bagel shop. We will be heading off to puppy school in a few minutes, it is Rylee's last class-- the instructor told us we should bring Reba today too since they are both in doggy school together. I will tell you that this obiedience stuff works IF Angie and I do our homework! The problem, (what's new!) is finding the time to teach them with all the other things going on. a work in progress to say the least. Must be working though, I have only had to get them to stop digging in the planter beds 3 times this morning and it is ALWAYS our "little" Rylee starting the trouble. The pups sure seem to enjoy each other, they are EACH OTHER'S favorite chew toy Rylee was just covered in blood the other day-- we were so scared Reba had torn her up-- all it was...the blood from Reba losing a tooth..Whew!

My daughter got home from Alabama safe and sound..thanks for the prayers..she had a great time even though they lost in the quarter finals..the team that lost in the finals is one that they beat 2 out of 2 times this year..my daughter had 2 out of 2 wins against them so she seemed pretty happy to have won against girls that were in the finals. She is having a little trouble now with her internship. Not sure if I mentioned that before, it just came up last week...she has been accepted to work on an internship for school with the Navy...something about the G force on neck muscles...the problem is that it is a Mon.-Wed.-Fri. job--and the classes she needs to take next year are on those days-- she is going to see if they can work something out with her. It is not a paying job, it is for class credits..if she can't work it out she will just take more classes..doesn't sound like as much fun though. She was a little upset yesterday after meeting with her tennis coach, keep in mind she has never had any scholarship money from tennis, she had hoped she might get some for next year since she played a key position this entire year-- he told her he wished he could but he needs to save it for someone else that might come along--he knows she will play either way--then she found out--from him--that he payed a $12,000 schlorship to one girl and an $8,000 to another--Both of whom didn't play 1 match this year because they weren't good enough-- my daughter beat them every time she played them in practice matches--I have nothing against those girls..all they did was send in their accomplishments from high school-- but typical of this coach, he didn't do his homework. I could go on forever about the "deceitfull" things this guy does, from stealing $5 of their meal money each day of their trips etc....the kids have reported him many times over the years for un-honest things...my daughter's assistant coach last year told her many stories from the past...any way word is that his dad is some official in the church body---Not sure really, don't care really--God will sort it all out..it's just that it is a shame since it is at a Christian college...but then to be honest some of the things my daughter tells me they teach..well.. enough of that. but I sure could use some schlorship money for her!!!!!

Step-daughter doing better, had her first real counseling session Thursday. She said the gal really drilled her, her dad seems to be going along with it--since ANGIE didn't pick the counselor, either way she can get help now for her eating disorder or whatever it turns out to be. She had an up and down week-- called up to Varsity softball for the play-offs from JV-- can't play though because of an ankel sprain...then gets cut from her club soccer team of the last 5 years--the sad thing..she was the only one. About 5 of her high school friends are on the team which makes it more difficult. She will be able to play for another team in the area if she chooses to continue club soccer, Angie and I wish she didn't, maybe run cross- country in school-- but she says she wants to play soccer--the thing is that this team was the triple AAA team of one of the best teams in the county.

Well Angie calling...SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! be back later

RYLEE GRADUATED!!!

Well Rylee got her diploma, she had a great last day of puppy school. Today they worked out on the agility toys, really fun for her. Reba went but was too chicken to try anything...plus she was so overwhelmed with all the dogs, she just wanted to play..so her and I went off to the side and worked on our sit-stay-and down. Went to the vets for shots and micro-chips...AHHH...$348 bones later...hummmmm...not too sure about this second dog thing Both the knuckleheads are down and out now after their long day.

Well we have a guy coming over to look at putting in a new door and a couple of doggie doors, a friend out of work..at least i think he is coming..another "puppy" expense....ahhhh....

SAMI- So good to hear from you again..been awhile. Glad your blood work went OK. So proud of you for continuing on your work-outs...you have figured it out..keep moving forward..through the pain..no matter how hard!

WILMA -Have fun with the painting. I just love broccoli soup Martha, how do you make yours? Cheesy? yumm.

SUE Hope you had a great time camping. Hey--who is watching those youth at church if you are camping?

DEENIE Great job on that treadmill! Keep that positive attitude girl!

CHARLOTTE- sorry your son is up and down..riding that roller coaster is not fun.. I remember from my dad and brothers. Hopefully he will be mostly up. The only thing you can do with those grandkids is the Right thing--which you are. In time the kids will figure out their mom, as long as the others stay doing the right thing, things will work out in time. If the kids hear negative things about their mom..even if it is true.. they will resent the messanger.. but then you already know that. Have fun "finishing" the house.

MARILYN Thanks for the devotions. I hope all is well with the walking and kids.

SHERRY Sounds like Kelli got a nice summer job. I do remember when she was at the restaurant, didn't know it closed, wasn't it far away anyway? So school is out....bet your little one is happy-happy-happy! How is her softball going? practicing those double plays in the camper Hope you had a great camping week-end.

SUNNY DONNA Hey you-- how's Joe treatin' ya this week-end? Of course I already know the answer to that!! I like your arbor, we got one awhile back, I think I mentioned it. Ours is black wrought iron, I will send a picture. I love your lilac tree! so pretty. Over a thousand posts huh? WOW!! I thank you for the ones you share with us. Glad to see you are over 40 miles for the month. You are right--you may have to up the ante a little on the work-outs to lose a little more--I know we don't like to..but another 10-15 minutes a day..we can find the time if we really want. Thanks for asking about Angie's back...she is in thearapy but doing much better with it...it is kind of a butt, siatic nerve thing..Did you get any of that bad weather going across the upper states?

MICHELE I hope that twister that went through Iowa missed you-- I pray you are having a safe trip. That is such a nice thing to do for your aunt. Am still liking your new attitude--stick with the health thing girl!! You are on your way to such a great new life!!

Well, outta here to re-arrange some things in the garage for those darn puppies..

WORSHIP..GARY...no! don't worship me...GO to worship our risen Lord!!

May 22


Romans 14:22
Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.


Face it: You're going to give in a few times along the way. You know it, I know it, and most importantly, God knows it. As human beings, we have to face the fact that there are times we are very weak. Too many people condemn themselves and find it hard to go on. That's nonsense. When we fall down and indulge in a special treat we should not have, we should repent of the transgression but not of the happiness the treat gave us. Those things that fatten us are good, and we like them a lot. There is nothing wrong with liking them, and there is nothing to be ashamed of in falling back now and again.
Today's thought: If God thinks I'm forgivable, who am I to argue?

Thought I should stop in and say hi.
All is going as well as expected here.
Having some stress re son - but think we might be making progress. We have a social worker that has had over 20 years experience with children with ADD and the effects of mom drinking while pregnant. She has also a lot of experience in testing to see if they are behaviorially challenged - making them development challenged - usually borderline. We submitted an intake form and we were able to connect with her - hubby and I go for a visit with her on Tuesday (without son) so that she can get more of a handle of what we see and what we are concerned about. She will then do some work with son to see if what we are experiencing is a child that is developmentally challenged. Academically he is not at all challenged but really shows up in behaviors. We are concerned that he is going to have difficulty holding down a job because of what we are seeing. So it will be interesting to see what she says - if it comes out that there is no development challenge (which would be great) then we have other problems to consider - like why is he doing what he is doining?

As for my weight - well I have the exercise down pat - am up to just over 755 miles walked and 26 times at the ladies gym since April 10. So am making progress there. But the weight is at a standstill and is probably so because I am still holding on to the junk food (have to have a good look as to why I am doing this) Saw the doc (2nd choice - he is a Christian) to get him to sign the form for my cataract surgery but he wants me to come in and have a complete checkup up with regular doc (a Christian) even though the cancer doc are doing pretty much the same every 3 months. I mentioned to him that I know my doc would not be to pleased with the scale as it really is about the same as it was 18 months ago. So this doc told me that he new the doctor would work with me and so would he - that it could start as of today, May 22, but only if I was to follow their guidance completely. He said that if I was to continue for the next month with my exercise program, would daily work on making healthy choices, setting aside junk food for one month, record all the exercise and food eaten, then when I had my check up on June 8 show him all this that I have recorded which is to be signed by my hubby saying that I have been accountable and true to what I have written - that if I am willing to do this that he would give me some med's that would help to give me a jump start. He went on to say that I could in turn have these med's for 3 months but only if I was to do as mentioned above and to honestly make healthy changes. That way in 3 months a lot of these changes should be habit. I agreed to this as I know I need the help - and I believe Christ has led me to this point - so today was day 1 - so far so good. I have been honest in what I have written down, have chosen only health food today - no fast food junk, no chocolate bars, pop - and portion control has been in line. Difficult? - yes - doable? - yes. So I have put myself on what Dr. Phil calls Project Status for the next 3 months. At that time I will still get the support of the doctor but will not have the meds at that time. I will then have 3 months to work on continuing the life changes without help from any meds - and after then if there is a bit of a plateau than he would consider another short term of meds. He is only doing the med thing with me because of all the weight I have to lose - like over 140 pounds. He feels that if I am able to get 30 to 50 pounds off this year, continue with my exercise program, then the rest will just come off because of the changes in the life style. I am so gratefull that Christ has directed me to these doctors that will help - but will only do this if I show that I am doing my part.

So today is day 1 of many changes - looking forward to end of year when I can see a substainal weight loss, a growth in my faith, and just a happier family life.

Elaine Maxwell:
My will shall shape the future. Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man's doing but my own. I am the force; I can clear any obstacle before me or I can be lost in the maze. My choice; my responsibility; win or lose, only I hold the key to my destiny.

Good Luck Marilyn--you Can,can,can,can,can---do This!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

May 23


2 Corinthians 1:9
But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead.


Alice walked ahead of me in the lunch line. As we moved along, Alice would hesitate, reach out her hand, then pull it back. After she had done this a couple of times, I noticed that she had three letters written on the back of her hand: GIW. I asked her what they meant. She looked at me and said, 'God Is Watching. I figure if I keep reminding myself of that, it will keep me out of trouble.' When we cannot trust ourselves, it is good to know there is Someone to trust who will not let us down: Jesus Christ.
Today's thought: Watch me closely, Lord. I'm hungry, and I'm weak.

Good evening everyone. It's a beautiful Sunday here. It's been a peaceful day. Yesterday was DH's birthday. He turned 55. An official Senior Citizen! It'll be my turn, soon. I felt sorry for him. His first cousing died of a sudden heart attack yesterday, also. They grew up together. He was only in his 40's. So, the next couple of days will be pretty busy for us.
Our daughter from South Alabama is going to be working nearby this week, so she will be staying with us, & our 7 yr old granddaughter. We won't get to spend as much time with her as planned, because of the death. Also, I get my treatment Thursday, & will sleep most of 2 days. We just can't seem to have very many "good" days, anymore. Sorry, I know things could be a lot worse, & we're blessed. Just seem like I had to say it (or print it). The moment is over, & I'm ok now.

Sunny...thank you so much. Yes, I DID feel the love & I send you a hug right back! I really enjoyed the pics. I know the Lilac smell has to be so pleasant. Enjoy your life, & everything the Lord has given you....you truly deserve it!

Gary...thanks for your kind words. We're trying our best to do what's right. The other family certainly don't make it easy for us. There's lots I could tell...but, I'm sure you know that. I've been enjoying reading about the family activities...pets & all!


Everyone take care & pray for me....I'm praying for you....

Good Morning CEers!!

Just wanted to let you know that we got back safely from our camping trip and had a Fantastic time!!!! It was so wonderful!!! The fish weren't biting much so we were forced just to sit around and relax and wait for them. They never really got in the mood but we enjoyed ourselves!!! Did a little midnight fishing and if you have never done that it is totally awesome!!!! I realized since we went to the same camping area we normally go to, same site that I am weaker this year than ever before too. There is a hill I have to climb and it was a lot harder this year. Got real SOB (short of breath) and had to rest more.

I have a few visits to do, a B/P clinic to hold and then have to get ready to go the hospital this afternoon. Kelli got approached over the weekend and is babysitting a teacher's two kiddos today with Kaci going along. Word is spreading about her babysitting and she's had several offers. Her financial future looks good, at least for the summer. What weather is to be HOT all this week from 93-97. Whew!! The heat is on!!!

Sorry I don't have enough time to post to everyone individually. Maybe later today before I go to the hospital. Thanks for all your prayers and support through what I have to go through. I am not looking forward to it but would like to get some answers.

What has happened with the format of our posts?? Mine aren't wrapping around and are making it very difficult to read???

Well, gotta go. Have a GREAT MONDAY!!!!! Keep up the exercise!!!

Hi all!

Just wanted to say hi quick and let you know the trip went well. We were not near the tornado in Iowa, we had some weather but not too bad. Someone in her family had some flooding Sat. night, but that was all. I'll tell you all about it later.

Hope you are all well, it's a new week! Woo hoo!