Happy Sunday Ladies ~

Just got back from dropping off and setting up a table, of magazines to give away, at church. Will will go to 2nd service as Angie has bells. Then off to my ex's house for the family gathering...yummmm....fried chicken! Been a long time since I have had it.

Now off to the produce market with Angie...for "healthy foods"

have a great day ~ Gary

I will check in later

RONNI ~ I hope the yard sell is going/went well!

Bev on the paper being done

Judi - it sounds WONDERFUL! Our kids looked at Oregon as a place to land after DS1 finished seminary. Looks like they may stay in CA since the are feeling called to continue their work in the bay area.

Gary - hope church went well. Our bell choir played both services today I just love listening to them

Good morning here - church was great, and grocery shopping afterward is done. Time go get some gardening done - I still have several beds that need to be cleaned.

Hope everyone has a blessed Sunday!

Laurie

Thanks for the congrats on the paper! Now, I have another due this friday and 2 exams...and my laptop is DEAD...so i am trying to beg and plead with susie to leave hers with me while she is at work until my new one comes. hopefully that will be this week!

Nspired - I am working on my Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy. I am an ordained minister and I see so much hurt, that I thought this would be a good complement to what I do. PLUS I have always had a passion for succesful families. I never have had one...YET! my BA is in Journalism and broadcast production with a minor in film. artsy! the funny thing is: for as long as i can remember the two degrees i wanted were psychology and journalism...God is giving me both now!
I think you should go back. Just take a few classes at first and decide what you want to do. School is wonderful!!! It does a lot for your self-esteem.

I ate at the lazy susan place today. the slept all afternoon. Bev meet GYM tomorrow!

We are having tornados and fun tonight. It's exciting. I love storms

Hi Gals ~

well my sister and ex-wife made awesome fried chicken! And my brother in law made great bbq chicken for Angie and the rest of us them that didn't eat fried. A great family gathering, about 25 of us. My daughter and son in law didn't make it as he was working a tennis tournament and she had to assist him.

Church was great as usual. Angie and her bell choir got an ovation for their song today. It takes a lot to applaud "grown ups" when they play...as much as we want to...traditional church...but when it is over the top like today nothing keeps us down! Of course we always applaud for the kiddos.

Updates for prayers are in Prayer Warriors ~ I will catch up later...I hope all is well with all ~ Gary

Bev - I love storms too. DH can't sleep during them, me - rain puts right to sleep. And, being hearing impaired - I don't here the thunder. Weird - but storms always remind me that God is in control - the lightning is a visible sign that even though humans THINK they are in control ...

Gary - glad you had a great family get-together! I laughed at your post, because the same thing happens in our church. There was a "pause" after our bell choir played. Finally someone started applauding and then everyone followed. We had a pastor about 10 years ago that felt it was wrong to applaud in church. He felt that it then became a performance, rather than a worship experience. I personally disagree with him. Applause can be a worshipful response.

Hope everyone has a blessed start to the week! Stay POP everyone!

Ags - hope you are having fun today, and that you are feeling better!

Rosebud, same for you!

And hello to everyone else!
Blessings all,

Laurie

HA...Laurie...Let me assure everyone here that we do applaud our music "teams" often but as a general rule we don't clap after the choir sings or the bell choir plays a song during service or the praise band we have every now and then...but today's song....THEY'LL know WE ARE CHRISTIANS...was very difficult and had a lot of bells going...we knew from the piece the effort they put into it....we appreciated that by applause.

Well, hello everyone and a big too!

Gary-your family get-together sounded wonderful! Glad you had so much fun and that Angie's still doing ok, too. Would love to hear the bells sometime-you could post it on youtube, ya know and we could all enjoy it! As far as the yard sale, it was kind of a slow day, but still got rid of quite a bit and made some bucks. Mom said we can do it again later in the summer and just leave the stuff stored in her shed, so we'll just see what happens then-at least it's already all priced, so all we'll have to do is set it up. Thanks for asking!

Aggie-was so sorry to read about your fall. I've always had a problem with balance and falling and it's much worse now with the MS. I really hope you heal up quickly and can keep on your feet in the future. Take care, sweetie!

Bev-prayers that you get your next paper done and can take some time to rest and recoup. Don't know if I could go back to school like you have. I just feel like I don't think well anymore. My sis is working on her master's on-line right now, which makes me wish I could do more with my life, if you know what I mean. Thinking back on your weight loss and exercise question, I remember you mentioned that you weren't eating much. That's a killer for me. When I let my calories drop below my range of 1350-1550, I stall and the pounds just won't go. I even get heart palpitations. And, I'm not exercising nearly as much as you are, so make sure you keep those calories up and have healthy foods.

Wilma-so glad to hear you passed your test! Knew you would. Prayers that you can stay more on plan now with some of the stress off! Keep up the good work!

Nspired2lose- Glad you found our Christian Encouragers spot! Looking forward to getting to know you.

Willow-how did the hiking or swimming go? Our weather has been nicer, but not to the swimming kind of nice yet. Pools won't even open till Memorial Day and sometimes it's still too cold then to actually get in the water Hope you had a great time whatever you all decided to do.

Laurie-I've been working on the flower garden beds too. And, finally got radishes planted in the veggie garden. It's been so cold yet at night, I'm scared to plant anything else-had to replant too many times in the past because of freezes in mid-May! Still can't believe the weather here and I've lived in southern MN or northern IA for 20 years now! "Back home again in Indiana is where I long to be......"

Rosebud-hope all is well with you and that your snow is finally melted! We decided to put up a finch feeder and we've had house finches and the yellow ones, along with lots of sparrows! Also, saw a beautiful bright yellow and black that could have been an oriole or nuthatch, but need to see it again to be sure. It's even more fun than I thought to be able to watch all the little birdies come and go all day. The house finches seem to be trying to build a nest in our awning, but seem to have some difficulty. She brings stuff in and arranges it, then HE comes and tosses it all out. Don't know if they're just practicing or just don't seem able to get together on the "plan"

Well, if I missed anyone, I'm sorry, but know that your needs are in my prayers. Hope you all have a great day. Now, I'm going to see if I can get some sleep. Overdid it a little with all the running around for the yard sale, then mowed our lawn afterwards, so today (or yesterday, Sunday) when I got up, my face, back, and leg were numb again. I'm learning how too much activity and too little sleep affect the MS symptoms, I guess. And, even though I was dead tired, when we went to bed, I just tossed around, so got up and came here. But, I guess it's time to try again! Take care you all!

Laurie- Non exciting weekends can be nice. Sometimes its nice to just relax. At first i thought it said non-exercising. Then right after you said you got your shape boxing in. I was a little lost. Hope your weekind was relaxing. Hope you got tp put a dent in all that gardening that needs to be done.

Gary- $25 coupon is a good reason to go anywhere. I would be right there with you in getting distracted form the puzzle. My brain just doesnt work that way. BTW how is miss angie? congrats to her and the bell choir for doing such an amazing job.

Bev- Will send out prayers and encouragment to your friend josh. You deserved that long afternoon nap after all that hard work on your paper.

Judi- Hope that your rash has gone down. That is never a good feeling and not such a hot way to start out your day. Look forward to getting to know you as well.


My weekend just flew by. Friday i worked until 6 then made dinner and went on a bike ride with the boy. Saturday after work myself, DB and some friends went to the driving range for the first time. I did horrible! But it was still fun. My boyfriend hit a few to the 300 yard mark. He obviously did much better than I. Sunday i had to work as well and afterwards i picked up my niece and nephew and took them to my boyfriends nephews 2nd birthday. My sister and her fiance went on vacation in jamaica so my mom and i are taking turns witht the twins for 2 weeks. It fun but so much work. Im used to having them for 3 days but after that they usually go home. And now that both of them can walk its even harder. But i love to spend time with them. I havent been doing so well with the diet and exercise so i started back up today. I WILL work out 5 times a week and no more fast food 5 nights a week just because the boy wants it or i dont want to cook. Im starting over. Happy Monday!

Hi all! Hope you had a great Monday!

Ronni I hope you got some sleep! You continue to be in my prayers!

Candy - I haven't been out golfing yet this year. DH love is, me - not so much.

It looks like another crazy busy week at work. The end of the school year is like that! The weather is gorgeous here, so I gotta get out there and enjoy it

Blessings to all - and prayers continuing!

Laurie

HI EVERYONE ~ well, we finally had a nice warm day today and that helped melt a lot of snow. I would say that 95% of it is gone around here. We have one tiny patch in the front yard but our backyard is all clear, so I think by tomorrow our yards will be totally free.

WILMA ~ WE actually had some of that snow that came out from the west the other day: and DH was not a happy camper about that, but thankfully, it all melted very quickly!!!

THANKS RONNI ~ my legs and feet have been bothering me a bit lately; a bit more pain than usual. I had to take some pain meds to go shopping last Thursday. My doctor had suggested more respite each day, which I am now taking. I am trying to put them up minimum two (2) times a day, but three (3) whenever possible. Spreading the housechores out over the week and DH has been helping me out a bit more too.

Yes, we just love watching the finches and sparrows as they play in the tree; we put up a NYGER SEED SOCK and some seed bells in the big fur tree, plus we have the CHURCH FEEDER with the Nyger seed mixed with a corn mix and they are lovin' all that. We have a sneaky neigbourhood CAT that we have to watch though; as he gets bored and wants to chase them for fun, but for now we have managed to convince him that playing in the empty lot across the road chasing leaves is much more fun!

HI LAURIE ~ been keeping busy lately; I just love going outside and basking in the sun on our front porch with NIKO and do some reading and praying and such. This is a good spot for doing my devotionals too; on rainy days, I do them in my rocker in front of the window. We keep getting this mild cold or something that comes and goes, so I stayed home today while DH took some friends to the city. I'm trying hard to rest my legs and feet more, but I kept on plan well today.

HI COURTNEY ~ so nice to see you visit again; sounds like you've been having fun hiking and bike riding too! Good for you; hang in there ... this isn't a sprint, it's a marathon for life!!!

HELLO TO EVERYONE ELSE OUT THERE, including our MIA's ~ gotta go put my legs up before they turn numb on me. Take good care and know that ^^PRAYERS^^ are ascending for you and yours ... ROSEBUD

Hi all, hope you are having a great day! Busy day at work again - the end of the school year always is.

The weather is glorious today, I got a lot of gardening done, and took the dog for a walk in the woods. And, I did get in 30 minutes of shape boxing

Prayers continuing!

Laurie

HI GALS ~

Angie is doing a crossword puzzle behind me and talking to her mom. She finished the jigsaw puzzle last night while I watched the ballgame....team work

I confessed on my "baloney" thread that I made a killer mac and cheese yesterday and we have had it two nights in a row for dinner and my lunch today. I gave blood today so I can "qualify" mac and cheese for lunch...but...Angie advised me to not make a whole recipe...I did it anyway...now I have many more miles to do

SCOOTER ~ Enjoy the weather and busy end of the year Angie will probably be getting ahold of you....she has been thinking of making her own yogurt and since a little birdie over in the 50's mentioned you do that....well, she may contact you.

ROSEBUD ~I am happy the weather is nice for you too. Sorry the legs are giving you trouble but glad dh is there to help. Wish I knew what kind these little birds, pooping all over my fence, are

COURTNEY ~Way to take control of that boy......er fast food! Enjoy your time with those little ones...and yes they can be a handful at that age

RONNI ~ Continued prayers for the MS How is the search going for aid for the college bound kid? Sorry the yard sale was a little slow, it happens here too.

BEV ~ BARGOO ~ WILMA ~ AUNT SUE and all the MIA's

Gary - I hope Angie does - we ADORE homemade yogurt. Really - not only is it much, much cheaper, it is much, much BETTER!

DH would never eat yogurt - now, he eats more of it than I do. In fact, he eats so much of it, he has taken over making it much of the time

Glorious night here - after working in the yard, we had a fire in the firepit. A nice two hours "connecting" with each other and enjoying the fountain, the birds, the beautiful evening - what a reminder of how blessed we are to have a Creator that gives us so many, many beautiful things!

Blessings all!

Laurie

Not much happening around here. Just work and getting the house ready for Sunday. We're having a few of my relatives in to honor our mother for Mother's Day. We're going to BBQ!! It's finally nice enough out to do that. I'm looking forward to it.

I've done much better with my eating this week. I chose frozen yogurt over ice cream. That's a start! I've also been looking at different ways to exercise and found a few routines in some magazines that I'm going to try.
Some walking, some circuit training and some weights. Hopefully I'll see some results. That's when I get motivated.

Talk again soon!

Hi everyone! I have been mostly a lurker here on 3fc. I have been successful in the past getting the weight off, but somehow I have always ended up gaining it back. Here I am again with about 50 lbs to loose. No more trying to do it on my own! I have realized that I need God's power to work through me from the inside out! And I need some support, so here I am! God is helping me work through my issues with food and I am beginning to find a healthy balance.

I am really excited about getting to know you all! I am starting a group at my church called First Place 4 Health and I am very pumped about all the things I am learning.

I am so glad I have found some people to journey with - hope you don't mind me jumping in!