Zumba, Zumba!!!

Be careful what you pray for! The Zumba instructor that I thought was wimpy 3 weeks ago, kicked my butt today. It takes so long to get fit, and it takes 3 weeks to lose it:( I can't believe how difficult the workout was today compared to when I felt strong and fit. Yikes! Is this a lesson?
There's a saying from somewhere...."me thinks you think too much". I wonder if that is some of the problem on this weight loss journey. Instead of slow and steady, constant tweaks never really give you a chance to see if it will work? 10 different Dr.'s/nutritionists/weight loss specialists/ will tell you 10 different things. That is strictly just my opinion, but whatever works for us, is what we should continue to do. Instant weight loss is just simply a fantasy. Again, my humble opinion. Whether it is BFC, Fast Track, WW, whatever, you can't say it doesn't work, if you aren't doing it the way it is designed. Slow and steady will win the race. What takes so long to lose, comes back quickly. Reality:( Whatever we do has to be something that we can live with for the REST of our lives. Knowledge is king, but who is giving you the knowledge? Mostly people trying to make a buck with the newest "easiest" weight loss program. It isn't easy!!! But it is worth it.
There, that is my rant for the day. And with that, I bid you good evening. I have watched over 15 episodes of the Tudors over the last few days:) Your majesty!

Happy Memorial Day!

I hope everyone has taken time to say thank you and pay respect to all of our incredible past/present military men/women. We are a truly incredible Country. I had mentioned travismills.org earlier in a post. He lost both arms and legs in Afghanistan recently. You just have to go to his page and look at the incredible progress he has made. There are a couple of new videos that will totally warm your heart and make you smile.
We went to visit my Dad's grave today. I don't really like to go there, I don't feel like he is there, and I had almost convinced myself not to go, when my husband drove there anyway. He always knows what I really need and puts up with my yes/no, yes/no on every decision. We were able to buy a beautiful flower bowl and I got to sit with my Dad for a bit. He was such an amazing fun, funny, successful man:) I like to think that we have the same personality, but then I am patting myself on the back...and that's not good right? ;) He loved to laugh as much as I do.

I see Baby Jesus in His manger, do you see it too?

I have been a carb overloader lately and I also have not done Zumba for almost 2 weeks. I am actually excited to go back on Wednesday and have the instructor that is "wimpy" because I will need wimpy after sitting for 2 weeks:) The beauty of the BFC is that I can jump right back in and I never feel bummed that I have to cut back. I feel happy when I start back up. We had pizza and garlic bread last night, go figure the scale was up this morning:) And I did pile all the toppings on a couple of pieces, but it was a large pizza, and I ate my weight in garlic bread! Dipped in ranch...Yikes!!! That's OK, that's alright, stay in there and FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT! Oh brother...that was dumb:)
Have a great week, believe you can succeed, and may all of your hopes and dreams come true! And like Jeri said, I wish you JOY:)
Blessings and happy scales!

134.5:) Happy!

24 inches!

About 30 inch bust?

My sweet friends, that dress must have looked way bigger than it is! I have a 29 inch waist, to wear the dress I would need a 24 inch waist! I also have a 34DD bust and this dress is made for a much smaller bust line! It truly shows how much bodies in general have changed over the years. My mom would have worn this dress in her early 20's after having 2 kids. There are very few 20 year olds that could probably fit in it now. I think we are getting bigger!
 Minichick's blog made me think, (scary) and my true opinion is that kids are simply too sedentary. Not enough recess, not enough outside play, not enough walking blocks/miles to your friends house. When I was young I would leave with a packed lunch in the morning and come home "before dark". We could never let our children do that now, it would be too dangerous. I also shared how I know of families that "do" buy sugar cereal or treats for their kids to be eaten out of house and home by kids that come over to play just to eat treats! Are they wrong to let the kids eat them? Have you ever told anyone visiting that they can't have something? We can't expect other's to police our children! We have to give them tools and knowledge. When kids are told no, if there is a will, there is a way, unless you have total control over them 24 hours a day. Home schooling I know you would have more control, but there is a big- big world out there. We always want what we can't have. There has to be balance!
On that note, maybe it is good that I have a 55 year old bladder and drink tons of water! I walk 10,000 steps a day to go potty:)
I am open to your thoughts on this, I am actually curious if you think I am way off the mark?

It's home, where it will be used!

On the home front, yesterday brought even more interesting conversations with my mother. She swears she told me several times the dates of the estate sale. Wrong! And even if she did, we should have been allowed to walk through after things were priced and pick things. She called to say that she had heard that I had gotten the Christmas china and would I still be interested in buying her dining room set? I had advised her on how she would get pennies on the dollar for her treasures and before she gave the dining room set away, I would buy it. She kindly refused! Well, she didn't sell it because the estate dealer had it all covered up and you couldn't see how beautiful it was, or that it was Drexel Heritage and did not have a mark or ding from use. Perfect, pristine condition. It also has 2 leaves and a custom made pad to go over the top. Well, since it didn't sell, she took me up on my offer. So it is here! Now my kids can have Christmas on the dining room table that they had used until 2 years ago, and with the Christmas china that they had used until 2 years ago. We NEVER missed Christmas at my mom's house for their entire lives, until 2 years ago.
My husband is the BEST, because as much as I wanted the table, my first reaction was to say no. He supported me in deciding to say yes. He's a great guy:) And he puts up with me and my "yes" "no" that constantly runs in my head. Decisions are difficult for me! Ugh!!! AGE?
So happy day! On the BFC front, I feel powerful! I have this! I will stay here! I eat spinach!!! Who would have thought???
Blessings and happy scales!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

My prize dress:)

My Dad's book

My greatest treasure:)

Thank you to everyone for your kind words yesterday. I was so stunned, and had to share with someone. I am happy to report good news today! I got the dress I had asked my mom for (she chose not to give it to me), it cost me 10.00 because it was considered "vintage". I had worn it in my senior follies in H.S. I can't believe looking at it, that I EVER fit in it. I found one of my Dad's text books with his actual hand written notes inside! That made me cry big time when I got it home. I also put a bid on my mom's extensive collection of Niko's Christmas china for my daughter, and I won!!! So now I have a treasure to give her someday. It is a serving for 12 with every serving piece you could imagine. I am HAPPY!!! I can pass something down! My oldest son also went there today and bought all of my mom's original art that she had painted. I was touched by that, that he would want it. They also bought a mirror that I almost bought yesterday, and some miscellaneous Christmas decorations that he remembered. Realistically we had only been at my mom's for Christmas and Halloween for many years. She couldn't afford to feed all of us was her excuse, even though we always bring things. He also brought me some things that I missed yesterday that had my kids pictures in them. She had left them behind! I'm sure the estate guy was wondering what kind of family we had, with not even knowing about the sale! Did I mention that I had gone to college with him and I think deep down he knew how important the China was to me and my bid won? Maybe that isn't true, but I think he understood my feelings yesterday. So today is a happy, happy day! I also gave my son and daughter in law several of the things that we didn't sell in our garage sale that they decided to take. I think they may sell them at their garage sale, but I gave them to them. I did not charge them money!!!
My Dad had his doctorate in Philosophy and was a student teacher supervisor for a local state university. He was only 49 when he died of colon cancer. He touched a lot of lives in a short amount of time and I miss him every day!
So...have a wonderful weekend! Thank you for letting me share:)
I am off to another wedding shower for my school friends daughter. I am going with one of my favorite friends, so it will be a good day!
Woot!!!

My Mom's estate sale:(

http://www.homesbynichols.com/The_Estate_Co/page_1974417.html
I don't know if you can see this post or not, but it is my mother's estate sale that she doesn't want me to know about. I read it in the paper. No my mother isn't dead, she's quite alive, and she didn't want to "just give" things to her kids, she wants us to pay for them. The estate dealer will take 30% of her earnings, so the 30.00 sale to us, she will get about 20.00. That was more worth it to her than sharing things that were my Dad's too. Please God don't ever let me be like her. Sorry to post this, it is just so unbelievable. I have no problem paying her for her items, don't get me wrong, but could we have been told in advance? Maybe had a private look through before other people? Could we have had the opportunity to retrieve things that were my Dad's who has been gone for 30+ years and I have his football referee jacket and a leather belt? I hope her piddly dollars she will make on this sale keep it warm and happy.
Sorry for the post, maybe I will delete it in awhile, I had to write it somewhere or my head would explode.

Quick note:)

I just wanted to share a couple of things....I love my husband! I can't say that enough, he puts up with me and that is pretty darn amazing! But that isn't what I was going to say...I was looking at my blog from May of last year and I had lost about 14 lbs. It was fun to go through and see my emotional self and what I was thinking. I am so glad that I have been able to stick with the BFC. I am now at 135 lbs pretty consistently. I don't know if I want to work hard enough to get back down to my low of 132.9 (I think) I have stayed this weight since about October of last year. That is 7 months of maintenance and I am proud of that.
Another thing....I have to relearn lessons over and over. I had diet Dr. Pepper 3x last weekend when we were out and about. I had such a BAD upset tummy last night and I know it was the darn soda. I will not be drinking diet soda again anytime soon. Yikes! My system does not appreciate the chemicals.
Thank you for the compliments on my Mother's Day picture! Full disclosure.....my son is 6'4 and about 240 lbs, so it is easy to look small next to him.
Lastly, I made a yummy dinner tonight. We had scrambled eggs with ham, spinach, tomatoes and monteray jack cheese. I love how when I have really bad days, I can jump right back in. Happy:)
We all can do it, if we wrap our heads around it.
Blessings:)

Happy Mother's Day:) Matth

Matthew and me!

It was a great surprise to get an invitation to lunch with my twins. They even brought me flowers! Taryn would not take a picture with us, no matter how much begging and bugging we did. Matthew wanted to show off his arms! He is working at a Snap fitness franchise and is getting quite buff. He makes me look small!!! They both seem happy, which is all we ever want for our kids, right?
We had a garage sale yesterday and I sold my beautiful Red Reeka, pictured at the bottom of my blog. She went to a 21 year old who was beyond excited. It truly was a beautiful bike and I am glad that it now has a home with someone who will actually use it! We did sell some furniture and I sold all of my old "too big" clothes. It is still a LOT of work for not that much money. I am happy and relieved that it is over!
My weight continues to stay the same even though I have been a VERY  bad girl. I am pleased, don't get me wrong, but I worry that I will get over confidant and instantly gain and then have to start over again! Moderation K, moderation! I am staying away from sugar, but those darn carbs, bad carbs, french bread carbs, call to me endlessly!
Our weather is beautiful and I am excited for a quiet day to sit in the sun and catch up on my reading. Many of you are busy every day and it is a part of your lives, I have not been busy for a very long time and having days in a row of activities, really messes up my slugdom! Being a slug does have its benefits!
My daughter in Alabama spent Mother's day at Chuckee Cheese. She said the place was empty so they were going to do it every year. Funny. I love Chuckee Cheese breadsticks!
Have a wonderful day:)

Loving the new furniture:)

Old couch

New look

Love:)

We are still kind of tweaking where everything is going. The "design" gal from Lazy Boy came and took pictures once the furniture was in the room, but that was it as far as giving ideas on how to set it up. A little disappointed, but I guess that's normal? We have had to move things around quite a bit, but we will get there. At least the chairs are easy to move, the couch....not so much! I now have 3 places I can sit on my behind all day so I won't wear a spot out on the couch like I did on the sectional. I need 2 end tables for both ends of the couch and a low bench for in front of the windows. The poor Kitty lost her spot. She slid off the leather, and I don't want her on my chair. She can have a bench in the sunshine.

On the BFC front, I am still at 135. I had a very bad food day on Tuesday. We pretended that we went to Missoula MT to go tax free shopping and spent the day at the mall and ate food similar to what we eat there.  (We couldn't go to Missoula as planned because the check engine light came on) I think I was at like 2600 calories on myfitnesspal! I didn't eat my whole meal at Outback, but I did eat an entire loaf of their bread!!! Yikes!!! I was good yesterday and today, and that my friends, is what it is all about! Starting fresh each day:) Woot!!!

We are headed down to pick up my car from the repair shop. I think we got the title in the mail last Wednesday and the check engine light came on Friday! Isn't that the way the story goes? That's a song in case all of a sudden you have music playing in your head! The initial diagnosis was a part that cost 600.00!!! My husband opted to try a "cleanse" first. The car only has 15,000 miles on it and it has issues:( Probably from lack of use! It is getting a lot of use now that there is no company car to drive. 

Have a great day everyone...and remember....I need each and every one of you:) We all do! 

Blessings and happy scales! 

135 roller coaster!

My weight seems to swing up a lb and down a lb within days. I guess as long as I am staying right around the 135 I am still OK. I think about trying to lose more, but I am pretty set in my ways right  now.

Cy Noah at 4:)

Ladies, I could be wrong, but potatoes are not our enemy. They are filling and I have eaten a LOT of them lately.
 I switched the sugar in the food processor chocolate chip cookies I am making for my hubby, to the Ideal Sugar and he loves them. I swear I have made a batch a week. He is loving the food processor and so am I. The recipe is really easy. I am not a fan of semi sweet chocolate, so I haven't even tasted one! Woot!!! I did make my no bakes a little differently the last time. I did not add cocoa, I added a little PB, oatmeal, and then some pecans that I had brought home from Georgia! Can you say YUMMY? I won't cut the pecans up next time, I will leave them whole. They are great:) I was shooting for a pecan praline type cookie.
I did Zumba this morning. It was not fun, nor energetic:( The gal had been on vacation for a week and was tired and out of shape. I was bummed. I guess it shows how quickly even she can fall out of shape. Ugh!!!
I will try to have a positive attitude.
My dorky daughter in Georgia that NEVER learns, got another dog. The last one they had a couple of days and then found a new home for it. This one has made it 5 days and they are still loving it. It is a Great Dane. Really??? She's got a 2 year old, her husband may be deployed soon, she's pregnant and they got a dog. I guess instead of Ranger school her hubby may be making a visit to Afghanistan. I don't even want to think about it. His friend that just lost both arms and legs is in a medically induced coma for 5 days to try and re-program his brain to not feel the missing extremities. He has come so far and if they can get the pain out of control, he should be on the road to recover. I pray so hard for them.
God Bless our Military!!!
Thanks for all of the updated blogs....I really do miss everyone, but I understand:)

Here's my moon pic...
Blessings and happy scales............

WHERE IS EVERYBODY???

OK, I know everyone is busy, I do, but I miss you! It was such a great help to log into the blog every day and see different posts about what was working, new food ideas, what was important, what you were thinking, what was sad, what was a victory....It was a community...you know how it takes a village to raise a child? Well it takes a community to lose weight, keep it off, keep us accountable.
I don't think I would have made it through the last year without all of the blogs, the relationships, the encouragement. I miss it! A lot! And yes, I have a life outside of this group, but they aren't doing the BFC...or WW...or trying to maintain....or trying to lose....we were a community. Have I made anyone feel guilty? I'm sorry...but I want you back!!!
I am where I want to be weight wise. I mean, who wouldn't want to lose more weight? But I am OK here, but I don't want to gain. If I do gain, I want someone to be out there to encourage me to get back on track....Rosalie is such a huge part of this journey, but so were each of you.
So, with that being said. I weighed 136.1 today. Ugh! I am OK with that number because I know it is a lot of fluid in muscles that I have not used in FOREVER!!! My Zumba gal that I don't really like has been gone all week so we have had subs. Those 2 subs made me work harder than I have ever worked at Zumba. EVER!!! My usual Friday gal is a beast, and she continued to be a beast today. I feel like I have had the week from Zumba Hell, but it feels so good!!!! Personally I wish I had these 3 gals every week, always. I know I would look and feel so much better. They kicked my butt, but I did not mind one little bit:)
It has been another rainy week in WA state and I can't tell you how old it is getting. I really need some sunshine..and soon!!! We are going to my 4 year old grandson's first baseball game of the season tonight. I am hoping for some dry weather. I love baseball, but not rainy baseball.
BFC wise, I am eating pretty much everything I used to eat, but sugar. That's why I believe that I can do this lifestyle forever. Moderation and low sugar! Yay!!!
Blessings and happy scales...and please come back:)