Shy - you are doing GREAT! Look how far you have come. I know what you mean about wishing it would go faster. But, even if I exercise twice a day - it still only averages out to 200-300 calories burned. So, it will never be a way to lose a lot of weight - maybe a couple lbs. a month if I am consistent.

I use resistance bands and weights for my upper body workout. I am blessed to have a multi-station weight machine in our bedroom - but I find that boring if I do it too much. I like using Leslie's lower body and upper body and abs workout videos. She also has one that is just firming and uses the pink stretchie band. It is a really good workout without being aerobic. The 10 Minute Solution Pilates workout uses a purple stretchie (it comes with the video) and is another nice upper body workout. I like using the videos because I can't cheat. When I do my own thing, I tend to look at the clock and quit earlier than I do if I am in "class".

Great day today - last day of work before vacation
I re-gifted the homemade bear claws, the box of chocolates and gave away several cookie trays that magically appeared on my desk while I was out. The giver was appropriately thanked and will never know what I did, of course.

I did feel a bit guilty when I tossed out the cookie that the special education students made and delivered to my office. I thanked them profusely and then pitched the cookie after they left. I NEVER would have done that in the past. Just a bit of guilt hanging on ...

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. I don't know how much I will be posting over the next couple weeks. Blessing to all - and prayers continuing

HELLO EVERYONE ~ just a quick check-in; very late.

I have been really busy lately too: had some family things to deal with. Even though it is Christmastime, life goes on and people need help desperately to deal with tragedies that occur in their lives. Have been spending mega-hours on the phone trying to comfort, console, encourage, support, and pray for those who are in need at this time in my family.

For those of you who have a spare minute, I would appreciate prayers for my brother RPS (GOD knows who he is) who urgently needs help, strength, and peace of mind right now; actually, he needs a miracle really, if it's GOD's will. He just accepted the Lord, quit drinking and smoking, but is still facing a horrific personal challenge that I can't talk about right now (very private).

Our family is hurting very badly right now; a lot of sadness and so much crying. Thank you, so much; you don't know how much it means to us. ROSEBUD

GOOD MORNING GALS

It is the 5am hour here and I have been up for an hour....hard to sleep in on your day off sometimes when you are used to getting up at 3:45 all week! Just me and CBS Saturday Morning show...the girls are all asleep...although not for long.

Ended up getting a day of work in yesterday...that will help pay for a couple of months of life insurance the kidnapper son in law sold me the night before. the only reason I buy anything from him is 'cause my daughter gets 1/2 of the commission. To think he gets a "share" of our measley estate when I go....oh well...life's challenges

Angie and I went to California Pizza Kitchen for date night , we shared a 1/2 of a half Greek salad then I had a tomato-basil pizza and she had a Mediterranean pizza. I doggie bagged half mine and she had a little more than 1/2 to bring home for lunch today. Way better than I would have done in the past I stopped at one beer too, but I did have 2 after work before we went. That's if you can call it beer since it was MGD's....right LAURIE

After dinner we went to our produce market for some week-end and Christmas goodies, went to Staples for some supplies Angie needed and to Linens and Things for a picture frame I needed for a gift I am making my daughter. I drew her name in the extended family exchange, I have about 25 pictures of me and her together that I am putting, collage style, in a frame for her.....gives my kidnapper son in law something to look at every single day on his living room wall...HIS FATHER IN LAW!!...I'll get even yet!!

Our family/friend college football bowl games pool is off and running. There are 21 of us in it at $10...so far I have 2 out of 2 wins!

Well I have to "send the dogs" in on Angie...she doesn't like to be in bed after 6am and She won't get up until I send them in for their morning snuggle with her....

I'll be back...soon!

Probably my last post for a while - heading out for California later today. I will check in when I can. I want to wish all of you a blessed and wonderful Christmastide

Rosebud - we will keep your brother and family in our prayers. God can and does provide miracles to his children. We know that all things are possible for those that trust God. You are a person of strong faith - your family is blessed to have you as a source of comfort and counsel.

Dawn, I have Richard's videos too. Great idea to convert them to DVD. They may be hokie, but they are fun and really do make me sweat! They are the only vhs workouts that I have kept through the years.

Gary, LOL - yes MDG counts as beer - all my calorie guides say so. But for me, if I am gonna drink my calories - DH's dark chocolate stout can't be beat. I will think of you often as we visit many of the excellent microbreweries in San Francisco next week.

Prayers continuing for everyone - blessings!

I'M BACK

Angie and I just got home from our 3.5 mile walk to Starbucks. It's the "personal trainers" spa day A walk to Starbucks...they some of Angie's scone and other treats for sitting nice while we enjoy our and tea, they that....then the walk home which they especially when we go through bunny park. Then they go off to the groomer for a bath and haircut which they hate! It's a hard knock life even for pets sometimes

Angie just took the girls on her way to bell choir practice. I have a nice quiet house again....

LAURIE ~ Have a great time on your trip. I love San Francisco...to visit. I like the little beer icon! I have never been much of a dark beer drinker, I do like some but for the most part, not much of a fan....lightweight here You have no reason to feel guilty about that cookie! The givers enjoyed making the gift....they enjoyed giving it....you enjoyed receiving it...they were happy to see you get it...PURPOSE of the gift SERVED! After all we didn't see the gift of Jesus's birth...but we got it...purpose served!

SHY ~ Maybe you should take some of that $$$ and pay someone to clean that room for a change then invite the girls over I'll try to have a good time with the son in law but probably won't happen ...unless his gift to me this year is He's leaving my daughter! I hope the new year gets that other half of your goal accomplished! Enjoy the days ahead with your family, what a wonderful time for us!

ROSEBUD ~ I am so sorry for your pain. I have sent up prayers for your brother, you and family as you go through this tough time. I hope you find some peace in the glorious days ahead

CADAVIS ~

Well ladies I believe I am caught up. May all of you have a wonderful CHRISTMAS with your families...if I don't check in before...I am sure I will...but if not...here is a Christmas for you ALL! May Our GREAT/AWESOME Lord Bless You All In The Next Year!...of course WE know He will! May you all have PEACE ~ Gary

Hello All and MERRY CHRISTMAS I just received this in an email and wanted to share it with you! Have A Great Weekend!

Santa Clause

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: 'There is no Santa Claus,' she jeered. 'Even dummies know that!'

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her 'world-famous' cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. 'No Santa Claus?' She snorted....'Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go.'

'Go? Go whe! re, Gra ndma?' I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun.

'Where' turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars.

That was a bundle in those days. 'Take this money,' she said, 'and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car. 'Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself.
The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, and the people who went to my church.

I was just about thought out, when I sudde! nly tho ught of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class.

Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

'Is this a Christmas present for someone?' the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.
'Yes, ma'am,' I replied shyly. 'It's for Bobby.'

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening! , Grand ma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, 'To Bobby, From Santa Claus' on it. Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk.

Then Grandma gave me a nudge. 'All right, Santa Claus,' she whispered, 'get going.' I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.

Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood! Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes.
That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team. I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.

May you always have LOVE to share, HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that care....

And may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus!

OK--Just want to let you all know that you will need the Kleenex handy for this one!! It really makes you stop and think!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=zCdZwitrNoY

Very grateful to those of you who are praying for my brother and family. And very thankful to JESUS for bringing the good news of GOD's LOVE, and HOPE, and PEACE to us all!!!

Now we must TRUST that our loving Father, in heaven, still has everything under control, and that everything will work out for good, for those who love him!

A restaurant in our town is putting on a free Christmas dinner for those who have no invites or family to spend the day with; I hope this becomes a yearly tradition that never ends ...

Have a wonderful week, everyone; and blessings to all ~ ROSEBUD

HI GALS ~

Well is on his way and the SPIRIT is upon us here isn't it ladies!

I hope the days ahead bring JOY ~ PEACE and COMFORT as HE wishes for us.

Today Angie and I will probably take the mutts on a long walk then go for breakfast. I am having my windshield repaired today so I need to be home while that is done. Gives me a chance to help Angie clean up a bit for our company tonight.

This afternoon we will celebrate our family Christmas gift exchange. My daughter and kidnapper son in law are going to his grandparents for Christmas Day so we need to do ours before the extended family get together tonight. We will have close to 25 family and friends over. This year we are having carnitas, something easy and good that can be re-heated for those coming a little late. After our party tonight we have our late service for church at 10:00 ....moved up from the 11:00 we had for years...I don't mind!

Tomorrow will be a little different than the past. We used to open presents with the kids, then they would go off to their other parents for the day then return back here for mexican food feast. Even though my ex-wife and her parents/sister are here on Christmas Eve they always have their own " personal family Christmas" as we do. This year Amanda and will be gone, nephew will go to his mom's, Lara will be with her dad and Ryan and Nicole will have brunch with my ex-wife. They will probably come by for cheese enchiladas...will see. Angie and I just may take in a movie tomorrow.

Gotta go Angie is ready to walk the dogs........be back.

Just a quick pop-in to say hello. Continuing to keep everyone in prayer as we celebrate the birth of our Lord.

We made it to CA fine. Weather in MI was nasty, but we drove to Grand Rapids the night before and stayed in a hotel so that it would be easier to make a 6:30 a.m. flight. The hotel lost power just after we got up (about 4:15) due to a storm. Thankfully, we were pretty much packed up and just need to brush our teeth and such in the dark.

We are blessed to have our own place while we are here. The kid's neighbors are visiting family out East and needed a cat sitter. So we moved into their apartment and are house and pet sitting for them. We love visiting the kids, but 4 adults in a one bedroom crackerbox apartment gets a little to cozy after a week or so - LOL

Off to do some grocery shopping for the Yosemite trip
Blessings to all!

Well Angie and I just finished a 3.5 mile walk with the girls to Starbucks. A very-very nice morning here! The sun was shining and we wore just our sweatshirts for warmth.

It doesn't look like we will get snow this year. The weather for the next three days is expected to be a high of 70 and a low of 40 with a lot of DANG! that makes, for me, 53 years straight without a white CHRISTmas....

Glad you made it to California safe LAURIE ~ I bet it's a bit cooler up there! WILMA I hope the kids are all coming over to cook Christmas dinner for you LORI I bet those kids are just bouncing off the walls! ROSEBUD I hope peace is upon your family as you go through this tough time. SHY here is hoping your son cleaned his room KAREN I hope the weather is nice for you and not too stormy...do people "house" shop on Christmas AUNT SUE give our niece a for me...packing yet? LORIANN and CADAVIS come on back.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!

Merry Christmas to all! I wish you the best of days
You all remain in our prayers.

I am blessed to be in community with each of you - you enrich and bless me as I learn to eat and move in a way that cares for myself and honor's God, who lives in me

MERRY CHRISTMAS LADIES

It is a little quiet around here...if Reba wasn't barking at shadows on the wall the only noise would be the sound from "A Christmas Story" playing on TBS upstairs in the livingroom.

We had a very fun day yesterday, the kids all were here around 3:00, we opened presents from each other and visited, then around 5:00 the house got very full and lively!

We had carnitas with rice and beans...black and pinto....guacamole, salsa and chips. Veggie trays and a lot of pies and cookies. I satyed out of the pie and cookies...was easy on the beer...had too many chips . All in all a great family evening.

Since my daughter and kidnapper headed out to her grandparents in-laws this morning and we did our family Christmas yesterday, it is quiet around here Christmas morning for the first time I think it about 26 years! Well, in recent years Angie and I have been up around 5-6 as always...or earlier...but the kids...well...let's just say sometimes the didn't happen until close to noon!

Angie and I, my son and daughter in law , nephew and ex-wife all went to Candelight Service last night...all the rest of the folks headed on home.... I wish some of my family would attend more often. My daughter and her husband had a 50 mile drive home and had to get up early this morning for a long trip to the desert, otherwise they would have gone...they always do.

Not sure of plans today, other than eating the cheese enchiladas I made yesterday. I think Ryan and Nicole are coming by for lunch after going to his mom's house. My daughter just called and they are on their way for their day. It is a gorgeous sunny warm but windy morning here.

Well I'll let you all go and enjoy the BIRTHDAY PARTY!

BLESSINGS for you and yours ~ Gary

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!! I hope you all have a WONDERFUL DAY! I'll try to get back later.

Here are a few pictures taken yesterday of our house, the kids and Angie and I.