7 Ways to Improve Your Cover Letter and Get Your Application Noticed

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/s3/ar5l5ty611q7cq8wsvs3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/s3/ar5l5ty611q7cq8wsvs3.gif" /></a></div>Don't underestimate the power of a cover letter. When well-written, attractively designed and customized for the recipient, a cover letter is a powerful tool that can practically scream, "Interview this candidate immediately!" <br /><br />But when they are thrown together using little to no consideration, personalization or creativity -- as cover letters often are -- letters are as ineffective in the job hunt as blank sheets of paper.<br /><br />"This is a major misstep when job searching," say Wendy Enelow and Louise Kursmark, co-authors of "Cover Letter Magic." "You should take advantage of every opportunity there is to stand out from other candidates." <br /><br />Enelow and Kursmark also say that writing a cover letter can be more fun than job seekers realize. "With the right perspective and a positive attitude, you'll find that it affords you great flexibility. There is no one set format in which they must be written. There is no one style in which they must be presented. In fact, there are very few rules at all, and because they are so flexible, cover letters allow you to positively present just those skills, qualifications, achievements and credentials you want to bring to the recipient's immediate attention."<br /><br />There are a variety of ways job seekers can get creative with their cover letters and bring them to life in ways they never considered. In their book, Enelow and Kursmark suggest a few of these techniques:<br /><br />1. Find out what your target employer's slogan, catch phrase or mission statement is and brainstorm ways to include it in your cover letter's introduction. This technique will quickly capture the reader's attention, demonstrate that you are familiar with the employer and stand out from other candidates' one-size-fits-all cover letters. <br /><br />2. Add a table or two-column section that closely connects the employer's requirements to your qualifications and professional achievements. This strategy will quickly provide the employer with concrete evidence that you're a good fit for the job and worth learning more about.<br /><br />3. Begin with a thought-provoking quote relevant to the position, the employer's goals or your target industry. Many people love to read, share and ponder quotes. Including one in your cover letter can be a quick and effective way to engage the reader. <br /><br />4. Feature a strong headline near the beginning of the cover letter. To keep it brief, yet powerful, address one of the employer's key concerns or spotlight your expertise or an attribute that will be particularly appealing to the employer. <br /><br />5. Develop your own slogan or mission statement and include it near the top of your cover letter. This technique will enhance your career brand and stand out much like a headline would. To draw even more attention to the phrase, place it inside a graphic element that is attractive and appropriate.<br /><br />6. Add a "P.S." to the end of your cover letter. Often, it's the first thing a person will read.<br /><br />7. Include testimonials about you in the body of your cover letter or in an attractive sidebar. Testimonials will emphasize your skills and achievements and support claims you make about your expertise and why you're the best candidate for the job.<br /><br />By Selena Dehne is career writer for JIST Publishing who shares the latest occupational, career and job search information available with job seekers and career changers. She is also the author of JIST's Job Search and Career Blog (http://jistjobsearchandcareer.blogspot.com/).

7 Ways to Improve Your Cover Letter and Get Your Application Noticed

Don't underestimate the power of a cover letter. When well-written, attractively designed and customized for the recipient, a cover lett...

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How Long Should Your Résumé Be?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/9v/ar5m7lz73x4p7rt9ht9v.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/9v/ar5m7lz73x4p7rt9ht9v.gif" /></a></div>Is one page too short? Are two pages too long? <br /><br />Résumés are a subject of great debate in the career world. What to include, what not to include; serif or sans serif font; what color paper; which jobs to highlight? And, more commonly in today's job market, how long should the résumé be? Does it matter?<br /><br />We asked résumé experts for their take on whether job seekers should use a one- or two-page résumé and why it matters. Here's what they had to say:<br /><br />The argument: One page<br /><br />"Many people feel that a longer résumé makes them look more accomplished or important -- not so. Recent college grads and those who have only had one to two jobs don't need more than one page. Avoid excessive spacing to fill up the page as well and instead flesh out your skill sets, even if you think you have none due to little experience." -- Kristen Fischer, author of "Ramen Noodles, Rent and Résumés: An After-College Guide to Life"<br /><br />"Someone newer to the work force may have a one-page résumé, with a more seasoned employee having two or more. Most experienced employees cannot fit their work history onto one page, and that's fine. What is critical is that the important information stands out: a very brief summary of who you are, what you're looking for, your key accomplishments and strengths, which tells the employer why they should hire you. This should be captured at the beginning of your résumé in the top quarter of the page -- then the employer could quickly scan where you worked and when, along with more details listed under each position." -- Michelle D. Roccia, senior vice president of corporate organizational development from Winter, Wyman<br /><br />"I personally believe that a one-page résumé, for the most part, is the way to go -- unless you are a very senior executive with a number of accomplishments through your long career. Otherwise, short and focused is better." -- Jim Joseph, author of "The Experience Effect" and president of Lippe Taylor<br /><br />"Remember the length Golden Rule: You want your résumé to highlight your best attributes, and hiring authorities shouldn't have to search for them on your résumé. For this reason, stick to the one-page rule and carry over to a second page only if your experience warrants it. This will force you to choose only the most important information for your résumé." -- Alexis Lane, résumé writing specialist at Snelling Staffing - The Wyckoff Group<br /><br />"While I understand that most candidates want a two-page résumé (or longer), I happen to know that employers put the most focus on a candidate's first page. Their attention starts to wane before they even flip the page. Therefore, appropriate and strategic editing is a smart move. Most job seekers find it difficult to be so objective about their lengthy and accomplishment-based history, so here's a good tip to keep in mind: Job seekers have to think of themselves as a product and their résumé their marketing campaign. Any good marketing director knows to focus on their target consumer while creating a marketing campaign, right? Same thing applies here. You aren't writing your résumé for yourself, but rather, for your potential employers." -- Lauren Milligan, résumé expert and job coach at ResuMayday<br /><br />"A one-page résumé is needed to get you in the door. At the outset of the process, most companies are using software to scan for keywords and subsequently weeding out those who haven't included them. A two-page résumé is necessary once you've gotten in the door and are sitting in front of a human being. That said, it should not be dense. Bullet points are preferable to paragraphs." -- Frances Cole Jones, author of "The Wow Factor: The 33 Things You Must (and Must Not) Do to Guarantee Your Edge in Today's Business World"<br /><br />"Less is always more when it comes to résumés today, with one page preferable, as overworked HR departments need to process information faster and are mostly using electronic solutions to identify candidates to start with anyway. On top of this, the more experience you put on there, the more dollar signs begin to flash in hiring managers' heads, and they worry about what it's going to cost to acquire such an experienced candidate." -- Scott Steinberg, CEO, lead analyst, TechSavvy Global<br /><br />"It does matter, but primarily in relation to the quality of the content. Do not try to create a two-page résumé if you really only have related experiences that fill up one page. Using bigger font and wider space margins do not help your cause. Similarly, if you have a long, impressive career of related professional achievements, there is no need to try to shrink it all down onto one page. Having said all of that, do not go longer than three pages. You should be able to be able to present the best of the best in less than three pages, and if you must, you can add a note 'Additional work history provided upon request.'" -- Sara Sutton Fell, CEO of FlexJobs<br /><br />The argument: Two pages<br /><br />"A two-page résumé is important. Given the nature of today's job search, applicants are searching via the Internet and using job boards or a company's website as the first touch. HR professionals and recruiters are either sifting through the résumés or résumés are searched automatically via a computer program. The more information you provide, the better your chances for a call back." -- Allison Rapaport, founder of www.hospitaldreamjobs.com <br /><br />"It is important to remember that whoever will be looking at your résumé will probably be looking at 50-100 others, so first impressions are critical. Like Goldilocks tasting the porridge, a two-page résumé is 'just about right.' A one-page résumé gives the impression that you do not have a lot of experience. Anything more than two pages gives the impression that you are 'all over the place' and simply don't have the ability to focus. Managers want to be reassured that you can zero in on what you need to do and get it done." -- Mario Almonte, managing partner, Herman and Almonte PR<br /><br />The argument: It doesn't matter<br /><br />"I am less concerned about a one-page résumé than assuring that a candidate for employment provides the necessary information in a concise, direct manner. It's the qualifications that need to get noticed. Tell the employer what you can do for them. Be concise but keep it to two pages. Grab their attention first and foremost. Design your résumé to bring out what the employer is seeking and align these requirements to your own personal strengths. Don't sell yourself –short -- quite literally." -- Wendy Powell, author of "Management Experience Acquired" <br /><br />"It really comes down to relevant content. If you have the experience needed to back up the position you're seeking, then you need to share it. If it's more than two pages, then let it flow. If it's just fluff to fill blank paper, limit that fluff to the pertinent information. Experienced hiring managers are very good at identifying fabricated content"-- Joel Rudy, chief operating officer of Photographic Solutions Inc. <br /><br />"Job seekers focus on the wrong thing when they obsess about whether hiring managers prefer a one- or two-page résumé. Job seekers with great experience, skills, industry connections and attitudes can stop worrying about the one- versus two-page résumé dilemma and be assured that hiring managers are not going to rule out a terrific candidate for sending a two-page résumé instead of a one-page résumé." -- Janet Civitelli, Ph.D., workplace psychologist and founder of career advice website VocationVillage.com<br /><br />"Your résumé is your introduction to a new company. It says volumes about you before you ever get a chance to and may decide if you get to say anything yourself. One or two pages don't really matter, but two pages in most cases are all you need. Résumés should incorporate both responsibilities and accomplishments, conveyed in specific and measurable form -- how did you make or save your company money?" -- Ira Bershard, Kaye Bassman<br /><br />"I've seen stacks and stacks of résumés and have strong opinions on how they should be organized and written. As far as number of pages required for a résumé, the idea that everything should fit on one page is dated. Don't leave key experience out just because you're trying to keep it to one page. But do make sure all of the key important experience is on the first page and highlighted appropriately. A good way to accomplish this is by creating a 'career highlights' section at the beginning of your résumé." -- Jenna (Gruhala) Oltersdorf, principal, Snackbox <br /><br />"A two-page résumé full of fluff and padding kills interest. Yet a one-page résumé that<br />leaves out compelling selling points shortchanges both the applicant and the hiring company. The length of your résumé should be determined by how long you can keep the story you're telling compelling. You need to pique enough interest to generate an interview, not hide your strengths in a pile of unimpressive blather and puffery." -- Barry Maher is the author of "Filling the Glass"<br /><br />"Although I do prefer to see a one-page résumé, it's a mild preference and I definitely think this issue gets overemphasized. I have hired applicants that submitted a two-page résumé and would do so again in the future. My best advice is to keep in mind that hiring managers often scan résumés for only 20-30 seconds each. Because of this, the wording of your bullet points is crucial; they must be succinct and attention-grabbing. Also, consider placing a bulleted list of work accomplishments (from all jobs) at the top of your résumé. This technique is gaining more and more popularity as it can really help to grab the attention of the manager that is scanning the résumés." -- Kris Alban, director of strategic partnerships, iGrad<br /><br />The verdict: The length of your résumé will vary based on your experience. If you're a new graduate or you have less experience, keep your résumé to one page. If you're a seasoned employee in the work force, it's OK to have your résumé a little longer.<br /><br />No matter how many pages you choose to include, make sure to include all of your pertinent career information on the first page -- and in the top portion -- of the document.<br /><br />By Rachel Farrell, CareerBuilder.com writer

How Long Should Your Résumé Be?

Is one page too short? Are two pages too long? Résumés are a subject of great debate in the career world. What to include, what not to inclu...

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Solving the Keyword Conundrum - Résumés for Career Changers

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/3m/ar5l2376kb63fnq7fd3m.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/3m/ar5l2376kb63fnq7fd3m.gif" /></a></div>Ready to launch a new career, but no one seems interested in interviewing you? Your résumé -- and its lack of keywords -- may be to blame. <br /><br />Keywords are terms or phrases that are specific to a particular industry or profession, and they're an essential element in the résumé-scanning process. Today, employers and recruiters are increasingly searching résumés electronically for keywords to help them weed out candidates whose résumés do not reflect the skills, qualifications or credentials they're seeking.<br /><br />This stage of the job search can be problematic if you're trying to break into a new industry or profession. <br /><br />"For career changers, keywords are particularly relevant and require a great deal of thought because you don't necessarily want to include keywords that are descriptive of your past experiences. Instead, you want to include keywords that reflect your current career goals so that those words are the ones that will get your résumé noticed and not passed over," explain Wendy Enelow and Louise Kursmark in their book "Expert Résumés for Career Changers."<br /><br />According to Enelow and Kursmark, the following keyword strategies are especially helpful for career changers: <br /><br />In sections throughout your résumé, integrate keywords from your experiences that directly relate to your current career goals. Even though certain tasks or accomplishments may have been a minor part of your experience, they should be highlighted on your résumé if they relate to your current career goals. <br /><br />Include an "objective" section on your résumé that states the type of position you are seeking and the associated responsibilities. For example, "Seeking a position in purchasing management where I can utilize my strong skills in research, analysis, negotiations and product management." This is the recommended strategy if you do not have the appropriate experience (keywords) in your background to include in the career summary and experience sections of your résumé. <br /><br />Not sure which keywords you should be using? Enelow and Kursmark offer some guidance:<br /><br />"Just by describing your work experience, achievements, educational credentials, qualifications, objective and the like, you might naturally include most of the terms that are important in your new career field. To cross-check what you've written, review online or newspaper job postings for positions that interest you. Look at the precise terms used in the ads and be sure you have included them in your résumé."<br /><br />By Selena Dehne career writer for JIST Publishing who shares the latest occupational, career and job search information available with job seekers and career changers. She is also the author of JIST's Job Search and Career Blog (http://jistjobsearchandcareer.blogspot.com/). Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/SelenaDehne.

Solving the Keyword Conundrum - Résumés for Career Changers

Ready to launch a new career, but no one seems interested in interviewing you? Your résumé -- and its lack of keywords -- may be to blame. K...

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Should You Ever Leave Your Education Off Your Résumé?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/1m/ar5l1mq6b31d6pl4721m.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/1m/ar5l1mq6b31d6pl4721m.gif" /></a></div>After years of job-hunting without success, Adrienne Rodney decided that perhaps her master's in journalism was to blame: Maybe employers were considering her overqualified or at risk of jumping ship the moment the market improved. <br />So, she removed it from her résumé.<br /><br />"It felt dishonest, so I asked the hiring manager how he felt about people who do that. He says that it was the conversation that got his attention, not whether I have a degree or not," she says.<br /><br />Brooke Allen, who hired Rodney as an assistant to work both in his trading group at Maple Securities, USA, Inc., as well as to help with his website http://www.noshortageofwork.com/, says he thinks she did the right thing by leaving it off. <br /><br />"Soon after sending her résumé, she confessed she left off her master's. By this point I wanted to meet her, even though, frankly, I had not yet even glanced at her résumé," he says. "Honesty is very important if any relationship is going to work and it is critical in the workplace. While I do not consider leaving off qualifications to be dishonest, some [employers] might feel otherwise."<br />The discussion about whether or not job seekers should leave education off their résumés at the risk of seeming overqualified -- or not qualified enough -- is common. And as with most debates, there are two arguments to be made. <br /><br />"I believe omitting the standard field of education on a résumé is a fatal mistake. I am looking for reasons to drop someone off the pile," says Amy Stoehr, founder, Changing Lanes Consulting. "I want honesty and creative ability. If your education isn't impressive, then showcase what is impressive about you -- and tell me the truth. Lead with your strengths. Use your cover letter to give me a specific, compelling example of why you're a good fit for the position I'm hiring."<br />While almost every employer feels that honesty is the best policy when applying for a job, some employers agree that excluding your education from your résumé is necessary at times -- like if it gives the impression that your career interests lie in another direction. <br /><br />"Recruiters will make assumptions about what type of job will be a good long-term fit for you," says Lori Gale, CEO of FastLanesHire.com. "If you have a degree that is very specific, yet completely unrelated to the position to which you are applying, a recruiter will likely dismiss you as a serious candidate. Once again, you should never lie, but perhaps you are best off explaining your career change in person rather than via your résumé." <br /><br />If your education is less than stellar, there are still ways you can play up the most impressive parts of your résumé to catch an employer's attention. <br /><br />1. Play up your work experience <br /><br />"If you have a lot of experience that's directly related, some companies may overlook the lack of a formal education," says Linda Duffy, president of The Leadership Habitude. "Point to your significant accomplishments and hopefully they'll focus on those and not your lack of education."<br />2. Apply for and obtain professional certifications in your field<br /><br />"There are accredited professional organizations in almost every field that offer recognized certification programs. These certificates demonstrate that you not only are capable of passing exams in your field, but that you are peer recognized," says Tom Taormina, forensic business pathologist®, The Taormina Group, Inc. <br />3. Emphasize your other abilities <br /><br />If you're lacking a good education, then you need to highlight your work experience. Play up your other abilities by using strong adjectives throughout your résumé that jump out of the page, suggests Erica Moore-Burton, a private career coach. "If a hiring manager is looking for a qualified person, your experience is right on the money and they can see this from the content of your résumé, then your education will be secondary and chances are that you will at least land an interview; where you can impress them even more when you talk about your experience. Very seldom do hiring managers talk about your education in detail, it's the experience that they want to know about."<br /><br />In general, including education is, of course, preferable. And you should NEVER lie about your education. Use your discretion when deciding whether to include your education your résumé, but know that not including it doesn't mean you won't get the job. <br /><br />"The key to how to communicate one's education in a résumé is all about the industry and context of the job and employment being considered. If you're applying to be a professor or a doctor it goes without saying that you need to have certain degrees and levels of education to qualify for consideration. If you're applying to be a business leader it's helpful to have a college degree, but don't we all know of the 'richest man in the world' who never completed college yet went on to develop a most successful computer company?" reminds Joan Tabb, author of "Great In 8: The Fastrack to Career Success." "Define your résumé to your particular strengths; whether they are your education, employment achievements, industry recognition or a combination."<br /><br />By Rachel Farrell, CareerBuilder.com writer

Should You Ever Leave Your Education Off Your Résumé?

After years of job-hunting without success, Adrienne Rodney decided that perhaps her master's in journalism was to blame: Maybe employer...

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5 Ways to Rehab Your Résumé

<div class="separator" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/4b/ar5f7pw6wvr2drc9rq4b.gif" /></div><br />Just in case you haven't heard it enough: It's tough to get a job these days. So tough, in fact, that it's not unlikely for a job seeker to spend six months or longer looking for a job before actually getting one. Although it's common for today's job search to take a while, there are ways to increase your chances of getting noticed quickly. So, if you're starting to get frustrated with just how long it's taking to find a job, you may want revamp your job search, starting with that all-important document: your résumé. <br /><br />Although most job seekers feel that they've done all they can with their résumé -- included great "action" words, checked spelling and grammar, ensured consistent formatting -- there is almost always room for improvement. Chances are, your résumé can benefit from one of the following points: <br /><br />1. Make sure your objective has an outward focus<br /><br />If you choose to include an objective on your résumé, make sure it addresses the employer's needs. "Don't emphasize what you're looking for in a job, but rather what skills and talents you offer an employer," says Rick Saia, a certified professional résumé writer for Pongo Résumé. <br /><br />For example, an objective statement like: "To find a position in public relations that will allow me to further my communications career and develop my skill set," is all about what you want out of your job search. In order to increase your chances of engaging a hiring manager, change your objective to instead reflect what you have to offer, i.e., "To benefit a company through my extensive network of press contacts, 10 years of copywriting experience, and demonstrated ability to successfully pitch stories to the media." <br /><br />2. List accomplishments, not duties<br /><br />"Does the résumé emphasize what you accomplished in your current or previous job? That's what should stand out; not merely what duties you performed, but what differences you made in your role for your employer," says Saia. "For example, 'served as project manager for replacement of 1,000 desktop computers' is a duty. Saying 'managed replacement of 1,000 desktop computers in half the allotted time' tells the employer you can take on a big job and meet a critical deadline. That's an accomplishment, and it made a difference." <br /><br />Most duties can be turned into accomplishments through quantifying them or stating how you met or surpassed the goal of the assignment. <br /><br />3. Don't list out-of-date or irrelevant skills<br /><br />At your entry-level job, you may have spent a lot of time on administrative work, like filing documents into a comprehensive system of folders and filing cabinets. But that was 10 years ago. Today, companies rarely even keep physical records, so most likely the "administrative skills" you listed on your résumé won't be applicable at your next job. If you haven't done something in 10 years, chances are things have changed, and it's best to leave the skill off your résumé. <br /><br />Although entry-level job seekers sometimes include a section of "interests" on their résumé, the space-filler has no place on the résumé of older workers. Even if you spend every second you're not working thinking about baseball and you've scored the most homeruns in your recreational league, a hiring manager has no real use for -- or interest in -- this information. Anything you list on your résumé should have a professional tie-in. <br /><br />4. Make sure your résumé is search engine optimized<br /><br />Since much of the initial job application process is done online, recruiters often use software programs to scan submitted résumés for important words and job functions. If your résumé doesn't include these keywords, there's little chance that your application will ever reach the desk of a hiring manager. <br /><br />"Right this minute, recruiters and employers are typing keywords in their search engines to find job candidates to fill openings that match your job objective," says Susan Ireland, author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to The Perfect Résumé." "So do some research to find 10 or so keywords from job postings and job descriptions that best match your job objective. Then weave those keywords into your résumé statements and/or make lists of keywords in special sections on your résumé, under headings such as Skills, Relevant Skills, Computer Skills, Technical Skills, or some other heading that makes sense for your occupation."<br /><br />For example, if your goal is to get a job as an advertising coordinator, you will probably come across the same keywords (i.e. accounts, AdWords, media planning, sales, marketing, tracking, supporting) over and over again in job postings for that kind of position. Figure out how to incorporate these keywords into your résumé for the best chance of being found by a recruiter. <br /><br />5. Bold your best features<br /><br />According to a recent study from the U.S. Department of Labor, there are 5.4 applicants for every job opening. With stats like that, you can bet potential employers are up to their eyeballs in applications. Make it easy for hiring managers to skim your résumé for important qualifications by bolding any skills, honors and experiences that support your candidacy. <br /><br />The strong text should be saved only for your most important qualifications, though, so limit bold items to no more than five. Also, make sure to keep a "plain-text" résumé on hand, in case a job listing calls for an unformatted résumé. <br /><br />By Kaitlin Madden writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow @CBForJobSeekers on Twitter.

5 Ways to Rehab Your Résumé

Just in case you haven't heard it enough: It's tough to get a job these days. So tough, in fact, that it's not unlikely for a jo...

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Ditch the Résumé Objective

<div class="separator" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/9q/ar5f5f56n6htnpn68n9q.gif" /></div><br />Your résumé is spit shined, polished, lightly buffed and glistening in all its glory. You've run it through key word tests, tailored it to specific employers, focused on results you've achieved, and even printed it on coffee-scented paper stock (one can never be too prepared, right?).<br /><br />But when it comes to that darn objective, you're never sure what to write. Will you sound too generic? If you get too creative, will it turn the employer off? Yet the truth is that objectives -- at least in the traditional sense -- are dead.<br /><br />Ready to take its well-worn place is something far more important -- a stark assessment of who you are through the eyes of your potential employer. Maybe your past experience is solid, and the results speak for themselves -- but can employers truly relate to your experience in their world? Are you helping them see your potential through a lens they understand? <br /><br />Potential is in the eyes of the beholder<br /><br />Many job seekers get so focused on presenting themselves to a potential employer using the traditional "here's what I want to accomplish" objective, that they overlook another, more critical component -- the valuable skill set they already possess.<br /><br />But why so important? Heck, it's results that count, right? Sure -- but only to a point. When faced with the choice of picking someone who blew past their sales targets but left a trail littered with upset co-workers and frustrated clients in their wake, and someone who can show equivalent results, demonstrating they delivered using a forward-thinking and (here's the important part) team-oriented approach -- you can likely guess which one a hiring manager will go for. <br /><br />Yes, employers want to see results. But they also want to see how you achieved those results. An objective will give them an idea of how you'd go about it for their company ... so show them! Why waste your time, and theirs, with an objective that speaks nothing to this?<br /><br />Understand your potential <br /><br />Before you can hope to sell a future employer on your potential, you need to understand it yourself. Anyone can say they've got "tons of potential" or use phrases like "out of the box" or "dedicated" but how can you quantify and describe this to an employer in a way they can relate to? It's simple. You need to understand yourself.<br /><br />Not in the vaguely new age kind of way, but in the brass tacks, nuts and bolts of knowing your own work styles and competencies kind of way.<br /><br />And there's the problem. Most of the objective methods used in the past to help us understand ourselves and our natural competency potential are not an ideal way for illustrating this to an employer. Your hiring manager might get a kick out of it (they've probably had similar experiences), but it's not likely to help you win out against other candidates.<br /><br />Instead, assess yourself using one of the many tools that employers use to identify competency potential. These assessments provide very accurate, objective, and useful measures of your natural styles and competencies in the workplace. They can help you put your past accomplishments into context -- and better yet, will help you explain how you achieved your results in language that employers can directly relate to.<br /><br />(You'll also learn a thing or two about yourself along the way too, but don't let that stop you ... )<br /><br />The end result will make a big difference in how you present yourself -- and how an employer will see you. For example:<br /><br />Skilled sale professional with a 15-year track record of meeting/exceeding sales targets: two-year winner of top performer award, exceeded annual revenue targets by 50 percent or more in 2008 and 2009.<br /><br />Turns into:<br /><br />Skilled sales leader with a 15-year track record of exceeding sales goals using a highly adaptable and persuasive selling style. Exceeded annual revenue targets by 50 percent or more in 2008 and 2009 by building on strong organizational and goal-oriented skills.<br /><br />An overly-simplified example perhaps, but this new version answers a number of questions an employer is bound to ask about how you accomplished all those things on your résumé. <br /><br />Still stumped on where to begin? Visit sites such as http://www.onet.net/ or http://www.shldirect.com/ (free to use!) to assess yourself. Or use recruiters or outplacement firms like Teneo Talent (http://www.teneotalent.com/) that offer proven competency and motivation assessments. Added bonus? These firms can also connect you with a career coach to help you further identify and understand your potential. <br /><br />Crafting a résumé certainly isn't a one-size-fits-all approach, but this much is clear: the old rules no longer apply. So throw out that objective, and replace it with something that matters -- a statement about your true potential. <br /><br />By Nels Wroe an assessment and talent management expert for SHL (http://www.shl.com/), a global leader in workforce-related talent assessment solutions. Nels.Wroe@shlgroup.com

Ditch the Résumé Objective

Your résumé is spit shined, polished, lightly buffed and glistening in all its glory. You've run it through key word tests, tailored it ...

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It's Not About the Weight, but It's Not Not About the Weight.

I'm reading Geneen Roth's book, Women Food and God. After giving it a bad review without even reading it (just from what I saw on the Oprah interview), I picked up a copy before my trip to Fairbanks. I decided I wasn't being fair since I hadn't read the book and only caught 30 minutes of the Oprah-Geneen interview.<br /><br />I'm on chapter five of the book and so far, I'm impressed. In fact, I'm so impressed I signed up for the Geneen Roth two-day workshop on October 8-9 in Seattle. <a href="http://notes-by-grace.blogspot.com/">Grace</a> will be attending too, and I'm super excited to meet her (forget Geneen, I get to meet Grace!).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Women Food And God</div><div style="text-align: center;">An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything</div><div style="text-align: center;">with Geneen Roth</div><div style="text-align: center;">Holiday Inn Seattle SeaTac Airport </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is just down the street from my office so I don't even have to drive into the city, an added bonus. <br /><br />If you want to sign up for the workshop, here's the  link:<br /><br /> <a href="http://geneenroth.com/events_and_appearances.html">http://geneenroth.com/events_and_appearances.html</a>. <br /><br />Also, if you go to this link, there's a popup where you can sign up to get a free chapter from the book, Women Food And God, emailed to you. I signed up for it myself and was sent the free chapter, and it's chapter four, the best chapter I've read so far. I'm on chapter five, but chapter four was the one that really hit home with me.</div><br />The one paragraph that that's really struck me is in chapter four, page 52:<br /><br /><em>The bottom line, whether you weigh 340 pounds or 150 pounds, is that when you eat when you are not hungry, you are using food as a drug, grappling with boredom or illness or loss or grief or emptiness or loneliness or rejection. Food is only the middleman, the means to the end. Of altering your emotions. Of making yourself numb. Of creating a secondary problem when the original problem becomes too uncomfortable. Of dying slowly rather than coming to terms with your messy, magnificent and very, very short--even at a hundred years old--life. The means to these ends happens to be food, but it could be alcohol, it could be work, it could be sex, it could be cocaine.</em><br /><br />I could practically quote the entire first five chapters of the book. I've highlighted and underlined many sentences and paragraphs because it seems like she's speaking about me. It seems the key is finding out the issue and facing it, not necessarily fixing it. This is a new concept to me. I know my issues but I thought I had to fix them, which seemed insurmountable. Geneen says we're not broken, and we don't need to be fixed, we just need to face the issues and feel the pain. It won't kill us. A very difficult thing to do. It's so much easier to run away from it, compulsive overeat and let weight become the primary issue.<br /><br />Strangely, this book is giving me a sense of peace about my weight. I don't feel as freaked out about coming back from vacation and having gained six pounds in nine days. <br /><br />When I stepped on the scales this morning, my first morning back home, I looked into the mirror first and told myself regardless of what the scale said it didn't make me a bad person. It didn't make me lazy or stupid or ugly. It didn't define me. I weighed, and I'm 173 pounds. <br /><br />Yes, I'm up a few pounds, but considering I ate cookies, candy, and a lot of meals at restaurants, and I barely exercised (three gym visits and a few walks in nine days), the gain was expected. I'm surprisingly not upset, not shaming myself, not doing the negative talk that "I'm a fat, lazy, stupid pig and why did I do this to myself?" <br /><br />Perhaps if I'd read more of the book while I was on vacation, the results might have been different, but I accept me as I am now.<br /><br />One more quote from the book that had a profound impact on me, chapter four, page 53. I wish I'd read this before my vacation. :)<br /><br /><em>Sometimes people will say, "But I just like the taste of food. In fact, I love the taste! Why can't it be that simple? I overeat because I like food."</em><br /><br /><em>But.</em><br /><br /><em>When you like something, you pay attention to it. When you like something--love something--you take time with it. You want to be present for every second of the rapture.</em><br /><br /><em>Overeating does not lead to rapture. It leads to burping and farting and being so sick that you can think of anything but how full you are. That's not love; that's suffering.</em><br /><br /><em>Weight (too much or too little) is a by-product. Weight is what happens when you use food to flatten your life. Even with aching joints, it's not about food. Even with arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure. It's about your desire to flatten you life. It's about the fact that you've given up without saying so. It's about your belief that it's not possible to live any other way--and you're using food to act that out without ever having to admit it.</em><br /><br />I highly recommend this book, Food God and Women, and will be periodically writing about it as I continue reading.<br /><em>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</em><br />The vacation<br /><br />I had a great time in Fairbanks. Nine days with my family was bliss. I'm very fortunate that I have such a wonderful family. They're people I'd hang out with even if I wasn't related to them. <br /><br />They're not perfect by any means (neither am I), and we have dysfunctional things just like anyone else, even some Jerry Springer shows could be made on some of it, but for the most part, they're awesome. <br /><br />A few pictures from my trip (out of order, but I'm too lazy/tired to rearrange them).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Mt. McKinley or Denali (as they call it now). From the plane window flying to Fairbanks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCfUW9WlzxtxBtTx7H96ocvJ84ThHKTGxSi68Ebev9ADSdPIvHgKJweDtCIVDs-bSf1x37lZB15JyjQdEEPiMZ1P9PFiINtQOE4IfxtOBuwW2m4XA_kuHG2QJFhb249vmWWy-SvFxKthd/s1600/Mt.+McKinley2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCfUW9WlzxtxBtTx7H96ocvJ84ThHKTGxSi68Ebev9ADSdPIvHgKJweDtCIVDs-bSf1x37lZB15JyjQdEEPiMZ1P9PFiINtQOE4IfxtOBuwW2m4XA_kuHG2QJFhb249vmWWy-SvFxKthd/s400/Mt.+McKinley2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> Fairbanks, from the plane window. I actually stayed at my sister's place, 30 miles from town. But this is the town where I went to high school and college. I grew up closer to Shaw Creek, 80 miles south of Fairbanks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5yg5T-_2qs7Q-IhJyoQjuO4tmFfiryy7fIgFQMD2egZoJpG8TgOmRKn6dSWjPn_gAyvvgcu758s8qmq7lx9hdLkefGhoPw7i3I8c6oOmJNnUNyPYFZh4HNq85rgvEGYLXamLYRtko22j/s1600/Fairbanks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5yg5T-_2qs7Q-IhJyoQjuO4tmFfiryy7fIgFQMD2egZoJpG8TgOmRKn6dSWjPn_gAyvvgcu758s8qmq7lx9hdLkefGhoPw7i3I8c6oOmJNnUNyPYFZh4HNq85rgvEGYLXamLYRtko22j/s400/Fairbanks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My sister and I by the gravel pit where we go swimming. It was only warm enough one day to swim, 72 degrees. It was a very cold July this year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIVRHoT6hYanr7WYHmBWHGhhnd5wqAqYa40q0UTbtsspTkFTafN3NzSRD5glfrMAkXLJJo8DBkWlmAHmeYMPo9MaZ6O4QXuuyC7NLCdOxRzwL_RvJog_Yjsj1SeHVxI_GeDvvIy4gNwSi/s1600/Sister+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIVRHoT6hYanr7WYHmBWHGhhnd5wqAqYa40q0UTbtsspTkFTafN3NzSRD5glfrMAkXLJJo8DBkWlmAHmeYMPo9MaZ6O4QXuuyC7NLCdOxRzwL_RvJog_Yjsj1SeHVxI_GeDvvIy4gNwSi/s400/Sister+and+me.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My brother, Jerry, on our 4-wheeler trip to Shaw Creek flats, down the Alyeska Pipeline Road.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5u7CSnFrIv3vxvg8xC1jtYT8oi5xwrR3U45i92mSgBEmKVJ5F5-zIXGBpJJVfZYO_NDp5CHJWT3Oyyanve1nUQjQP4dlkMhssGhSCtEy6DPtLF3YemqC7Q6MiIgvQB9igLKY2Jek-hdU/s1600/Gerald1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5u7CSnFrIv3vxvg8xC1jtYT8oi5xwrR3U45i92mSgBEmKVJ5F5-zIXGBpJJVfZYO_NDp5CHJWT3Oyyanve1nUQjQP4dlkMhssGhSCtEy6DPtLF3YemqC7Q6MiIgvQB9igLKY2Jek-hdU/s400/Gerald1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My brother, his wife and Goldie, the Alaskan Pomeranian. Sweetest dog ever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrpOXJiHTe1dQkT_BxuVZUWTasyWaTYrVhotqN85s3I6S3HGY0tYa-hAN7L7NpczNLvBn2LSVqlCfbQC6rAKCrgcBT-mR3L-aAo4N5Sb2f6t0ZcWTZXw2JbUGYBu26nr9aT9mCDFSasd5/s1600/My+brother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrpOXJiHTe1dQkT_BxuVZUWTasyWaTYrVhotqN85s3I6S3HGY0tYa-hAN7L7NpczNLvBn2LSVqlCfbQC6rAKCrgcBT-mR3L-aAo4N5Sb2f6t0ZcWTZXw2JbUGYBu26nr9aT9mCDFSasd5/s400/My+brother.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Moose in the field next door to my sister's 400 acres, Eielson Farm Road.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQtk1tCxQpSc1BxfCpDXLP1UIMrtoPrvSCwVTrdTM4c1mnNX13cHotPdt4ocHehu0YRJEye2vbRSo5HeL5jpTOqKQGJaMY7XXTyeF7ULH4alBVKU7iq0ZziKYx4RbstZydDUDogMpL7Qp/s1600/Moose+in+field.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQtk1tCxQpSc1BxfCpDXLP1UIMrtoPrvSCwVTrdTM4c1mnNX13cHotPdt4ocHehu0YRJEye2vbRSo5HeL5jpTOqKQGJaMY7XXTyeF7ULH4alBVKU7iq0ZziKYx4RbstZydDUDogMpL7Qp/s400/Moose+in+field.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My great niece, Joanna, and her daughter, my grand niece, Layla. Sweetest and smartest two-year old I've ever met. And she lovesme. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-bnNdz-Yri5aM-Ch-3b-XBBMp1H6aerv4ImwJF6eY4nkvuVtD_5Sn2nbOhNw0iz8ObHWI0_5jPZdOUMb23NbnwjuNraJiKd-Njw_qHIMrnsIkXsUpFzAdJ-4hMNklgZ0zthivaHxefXj/s1600/Joanna+and+Layla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-bnNdz-Yri5aM-Ch-3b-XBBMp1H6aerv4ImwJF6eY4nkvuVtD_5Sn2nbOhNw0iz8ObHWI0_5jPZdOUMb23NbnwjuNraJiKd-Njw_qHIMrnsIkXsUpFzAdJ-4hMNklgZ0zthivaHxefXj/s400/Joanna+and+Layla.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On our 4-wheeling trip, next to the pipeline.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEnziu1XgL5YL3UFT9abeK4Z8t9NCjwlapNcADDQps4geYy9ePK3tTfKuyIuOeLT29yrz9u55W74Yw2Yu13_xo7_yuhG7-qsAvrAKGgOMkbrx7scxHydKsMslwbJsg0WKbXMSCgF-Rxir/s1600/me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEnziu1XgL5YL3UFT9abeK4Z8t9NCjwlapNcADDQps4geYy9ePK3tTfKuyIuOeLT29yrz9u55W74Yw2Yu13_xo7_yuhG7-qsAvrAKGgOMkbrx7scxHydKsMslwbJsg0WKbXMSCgF-Rxir/s400/me.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me in the rain. Official army rain poncho ($50), best investment I ever made. Kept me dry and warm.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhPcmolsFHq4ssyUp1HT_u5iAYGcdTFgMLFAJSYnV0sKdMZt27JHtzqWcbBDyx3y1guWafbs_VrjhMuI8SIssVqFQHVLGL_g2DxFBrcp0nqUwvi1kEf7JaSB3ZgN2OUxXr2s_yQa82w_j/s1600/rain+on+the+4wheeler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhPcmolsFHq4ssyUp1HT_u5iAYGcdTFgMLFAJSYnV0sKdMZt27JHtzqWcbBDyx3y1guWafbs_VrjhMuI8SIssVqFQHVLGL_g2DxFBrcp0nqUwvi1kEf7JaSB3ZgN2OUxXr2s_yQa82w_j/s400/rain+on+the+4wheeler.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More pipeline.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8641KRE7Fe_Yjr9YP9d1UWHXGZMnE6R3dJQI3KpV1HTt9EdHLSfrngVzQfZ8aXMyp4l-CMBxetwiS-RR8hdYYsvbdDTsUxYDURMeALS2JeQU-SmlUpfqIgnPKc5k5hstH69SOTih2QzV4/s1600/rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8641KRE7Fe_Yjr9YP9d1UWHXGZMnE6R3dJQI3KpV1HTt9EdHLSfrngVzQfZ8aXMyp4l-CMBxetwiS-RR8hdYYsvbdDTsUxYDURMeALS2JeQU-SmlUpfqIgnPKc5k5hstH69SOTih2QzV4/s400/rain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Trumpeter Swans, living on a little island in the middle of a lake. There were actually four adults and babies, but I couldn't get close enough to get good pictures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjacnfnnBnkEieGZzQ1ma_-6dl9wWPz8EeYNnRGJaoO2Dm0LBNP1t32pHezHQGNaFCnVQMwLY-YhindAocyC0dBDOt5lm0QzoDTq7hYxktaF-qm_pIHO5ec8KIKE6NopItBdvYiwv3u0Gc/s1600/Swans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjacnfnnBnkEieGZzQ1ma_-6dl9wWPz8EeYNnRGJaoO2Dm0LBNP1t32pHezHQGNaFCnVQMwLY-YhindAocyC0dBDOt5lm0QzoDTq7hYxktaF-qm_pIHO5ec8KIKE6NopItBdvYiwv3u0Gc/s400/Swans.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A bull moose that ran out from a lake and then took off under the pipeline on the other side of the road. He had sense enough to duck down when going under the pipeline. Proof that the wildlife are doing just fine with the pipeline. We saw nine moose that day, cows, baby moose, and bulls. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XhzDKA4qNO8xSKqlDSRmnwYldZaMn_bNbsYmWATzzEpayA7tXfkyyDqkWS3vrevXgvRA7oG68Il2bgbnCy-sjSWDx53yw0ZIP8ClkQwx17p4KOFeDbMUb8Xso_Cbzxy1reqaT1a2NArd/s1600/Bull+moose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XhzDKA4qNO8xSKqlDSRmnwYldZaMn_bNbsYmWATzzEpayA7tXfkyyDqkWS3vrevXgvRA7oG68Il2bgbnCy-sjSWDx53yw0ZIP8ClkQwx17p4KOFeDbMUb8Xso_Cbzxy1reqaT1a2NArd/s400/Bull+moose.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me and my niece Linda.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMF5fzsL_PRZwSTGTeFYvvXmZvbVauVfSeIO5ksgabtxJZHfFlncbiCUgQ5zCxyTRjt8zCcOQk_GOclsP9dSTlx-ZyohZWM9kFeytWRmMI3IiO7x-jSUNS-oQlpBbIJpRjtJDWTkdYv6Sx/s1600/Linda+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMF5fzsL_PRZwSTGTeFYvvXmZvbVauVfSeIO5ksgabtxJZHfFlncbiCUgQ5zCxyTRjt8zCcOQk_GOclsP9dSTlx-ZyohZWM9kFeytWRmMI3IiO7x-jSUNS-oQlpBbIJpRjtJDWTkdYv6Sx/s400/Linda+and+me.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Osprey nest. I have pictures of the Osprey, but he or she wouldn't pose for me so not very good pictures. It did scream at us while we were taking pictures. Huge bird, with probably about a 10 to 12 foot wingspan. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskMQmVA5SgQ0BF6kyJB5HtcrcwfViVEcsvyVcTWUufUaJwVhxfOdueNtDXXDBv2mYsCdxroy18piwnFwy3l3x8KJwNDpoiaqIGaZ7znmQrdM68W59-BDCywhQPcTBTtFZ9vemyDQR8iji/s1600/Osprey+nest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskMQmVA5SgQ0BF6kyJB5HtcrcwfViVEcsvyVcTWUufUaJwVhxfOdueNtDXXDBv2mYsCdxroy18piwnFwy3l3x8KJwNDpoiaqIGaZ7znmQrdM68W59-BDCywhQPcTBTtFZ9vemyDQR8iji/s400/Osprey+nest.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Going up a very steep hill on the 4-wheelers. My 72-year old sister was driving. She's owned 4-wheelers for years she's never driven one. It was her first time. Even though my brother told us to be sure to be in 4-wheel drive he forgot to put his rig in 4W drive so he got stuck. We had to back all the way down this hill. I was sure the thing was going to flip over backwards and we were all going to die. Scary but fun times. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJC-pSpeu8irUbLXE64EOHmfpMsSuOkbaRrOwl4qqly0pfUGNLnzJKSeSskAoyHlT9ir7l2e615o8ECTVbGuVTtejqn9yPvyukn2b0WUF6Mb53hQeRdQ970Wasyk3E2tJQpxSjvW3yZd1K/s1600/no+4-wheel+drive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJC-pSpeu8irUbLXE64EOHmfpMsSuOkbaRrOwl4qqly0pfUGNLnzJKSeSskAoyHlT9ir7l2e615o8ECTVbGuVTtejqn9yPvyukn2b0WUF6Mb53hQeRdQ970Wasyk3E2tJQpxSjvW3yZd1K/s400/no+4-wheel+drive.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>

It's Not About the Weight, but It's Not Not About the Weight.

I'm reading Geneen Roth's book, Women Food and God. After giving it a bad review without even reading it (just from what I saw on th...

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Busy Weekend

<p>Hello friends! Time sure does fly by. I can’t believe I haven’t blogged since <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/catching-up.html">Thursday</a>!</p> <p>Saturday Kyle and I slept in (8am!) and it was glorious! I made a trip to my office. Busy, busy right now! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGs-0evzVI8pTxTPq8rZOp1M1t353VFFySMq0GN1rDyDKYyAKZ-agx9R50ZsEk_DWCv78OgCn3AHWjc_GjTo7kYeEW0iFYTBnTXEvP4IWANeAICTwImHy7X8n-gxVKIv8r4N9MDoDNMALW/s1600-h/image%5B4%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="77" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcjU5uk4JzVyFvzy53dWuok21GZ8s5mXfH4UaBMu2jKtb-ZesF0lWg4-iSdD1U1xrufI5wuNpI897PoPt7OIWuLPsxzsOIsWmW8a6sFVewwLLB_J4sGdhQVpBVCaoOvmDlR_JGx8DDJUB/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="image" width="404" /></a></p> <p>We met up with my sister, Stef, and her husband, Geoff, from Omaha for lunch at a local favorite…<a href="http://www.tacotico.com/">Taco Tico</a>!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuwwlrB8Bduf5Sag0L_QkhpmAc7EegQQMhTF_UaPNkuVbEPEqg3sAINjzZ013KtTwedZWPvVGlwEucmQLh5TTRu23UASHIknlbWji3cujfA7MO-xdGSqPRw42L8T8VW18iS6WWVgIEryj/s1600-h/DSC08087%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08087" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05IFBHIArGR_tC443H1uWZ78bjiuFIE-BxZ54IxuCFcvJkU2q19raIfb5MD1nMDvpMXOXgfV1tU6dIzM1e3xBs13CZmc9ZusOgJ95oWAbcBt0lEz_tDLz7Z4_zuKId6Z6CJjNAUtpoPCb/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08087" width="404" /></a></p> <p>After lunch we headed across town with them to see them and another one of my sisters, Mindi, and husband, Preston, off for <a href="http://ragbrai.com/">RAGBRAI</a>! <img alt="DSC08088" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjukyG7Ci-bgOwqcs7B45YmbDWmY2EI54CQjA1XQQVivU_y2mtIDRxTFU_Hhf2m_TMa85c8TC4zHlqq3IHpkOH2JTLFfB4s7c0aco2vKBz5nzPTumiDZDLuTkHg3eiQ5o52XYMWHElZQ6/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08088" width="404" /></p> <p>Not sure what RAGBRAI is?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBHUkgUYkHT2KhTZSSQaPJXTHyREd6PWdbe0gdI62PGPIwcm_iWiMxM2UM4CO_NdlQ6f_jL8RNBMxu4pds8hbIM__z89k2bpQLVKP9pqGsL0D114t6t1xVbA-dXLVfcpioCxmWCGbnxPl/s1600-h/DSC08090%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08090" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8O9nd2freWOuiF9sNxlV7U_Z_NSoRcLlJZ5tyhAIn8J3gKS86IbvhhvHrzNeiHx6MtEV638DvmlJrNFk_de42IUlHxvxHshbYyRJJv3jaWhl5tur4inGOCk9kS1TfaB4Hpt02UqGLR9-P/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08090" width="404" /></a></p> <p>RAGBRAI®, The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is an annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state. Heading into its 38th year, RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest and longest bicycle touring event in the world.   <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2NaJrXqMPjFVIJlc-bpL4vFciUonnHVxW-pR8yon61WM8rp8QpBp39EbQu_-Dt1xvFMTXaD0LteqwpZuFNnF6RuOjDCo9lUXsVHv5T_8eIsLLimgaZeFhg_bBTjNW5HMSSzE_Rp32ve8/s1600-h/DSC08097%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08097" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-L6NcCH1AKOl5HB69fJHgSfSQTlOqiOTui5rajTU7PNIp2vKfUzmnsVOetD8s5FCp0pJ87Cv25Kwsaboqvs9DB4ID6ah3kmdSZ2RqPNJOUHuGzh04gpHXzYU_TyuXfIESwAT9iUzDR-ay/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08097" width="404" /></a></p> <p>This is their rig! A huge RV and a nice enclosed trailer to keep their bikes and belongings safe each night! Can’t wait to hear about their experiences!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOFI94CPSO9zzmxwA0UTsN05Lo3tN769_Mtg0-Vu8t3iC0s0amDvkSSn-Pzlrkwu9REAFT3jpc0WxhD0IL-mCf7b3x8x16Vba3JQPCPEhAP6OtPbIV0ELRldIGrXdfIi2eFXqlYA8zJ8i/s1600-h/DSC08100%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08100" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqO_y_HxK7B_AfTQjBQFxI-bWDjHq3seRb_rWtRAnpggU1hd-KeYW9EhyphenhyphenDhKPIxBCZe09BOzGFuZG1lNsMrWS7uWS9Uoe_MVifyt9XpJWcqFf7RVPzFoWHW1JvNSP353SJMvHt_3YR0XyN/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08100" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My Mom and Step Dad showed up later in the afternoon on their motorcycles! Yep, my Mom is a Harley Momma!! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcruSQvk_fa5UIVNlsXjbj-P-XHqS-tCCtuT6xYsstc8DyOQu6npSWWv5NtVYIrDSilKu42xZ3iv0C0mzefnALBwjdTTklzEt7JzE12LmVG_wKCs4ZDRtdU97aqJnbLkdchlYfBh-tTw-l/s1600-h/DSC08102%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08102" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglftnAVLYYZOw6YRwNuJbEmCFWD-_ZKSfRijtjeHlYavIjSzkA-M9buNdk-2uwUATNJNlcJ5fYNQksfTMIFkfP-ui5Zu3MMhyFZC9JcgG5uYpX169MPLC1hmuG4aZAFqZfEvebZxIPJhDU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08102" width="404" /></a></p> <p>We did a last minute supper at a local Chinese buffet…not my first pick! :s My first plate was sensible!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaVkhtIse2mnAH7OL2JWJl_7bx82KjV-WqF24VdTlnlaApvJoqpedKvRn9gfBJUWjglQVtHyZAoG24Lnu1wO2t-Y5H87lKRzwKcdx-wDLuiJmEf8KQ96uBWFm-cj7DbvbcAkySy9ZpzbG/s1600-h/DSC08103%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08103" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLXJKtK1SVk428wNjauIXZiPCsTMOaCSjBLYkClojD6VtDjMPXcyuWcTIRBxpXVkBN1Gt9UCX45-Hx1me2FIaeGCckWoc02GMy6FlEcy6IHTrid-ZjZyCokxpSMY9qU3IAil71PAmqe-0/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08103" width="404" /></a></p> <p>But I had to have a few of my favorites with my 2nd plate!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nELFFa93ErzWww4acq3OGM22EuL4xTG7C6KE0sqTtZI6RYJZyZVDPIFifRzvxtCUyJqTWqx_BmsAOYZscbVeyNAVJthh4rODcI7K9aIv7dxxTPaViJf7CqmXnMzs46X1LBSn1ilRjl0O/s1600-h/DSC08105%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08105" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzqPxs9P8Seu6_Sj6ziC1zsm6fjHNVxA0UhmIcy3xd5tUmaYpp7_0WO31txr0QGi1g7YPtud6bnpfSYkGoOQusKfDQ3QMwgrYatqEQmVeMu0necEDEhMlJ_cnFgBx68jhoqkl-yktF4Ye/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08105" width="404" /></a></p> <p>And I finished it off with  my fortune!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1G_jYqZQPxDb4v74LP7NAG1P8hdKJZ3mhrHMgixHykY6SeMduId6Nv3u2szdDPwu79LmOIt2-M6qSH9UaiYvMg1gssivfG5ebUZem8yvroQwSZoNwtz4d1gCX7xJwJ1slGxipjjGa1I3/s1600-h/DSC08107%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08107" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3VvHB5vflpwwf4HbbA0AzXgM70oHnSF0SZrFSGiRAvFm_YlwnecC4UGcgpQIo4LwfYWNrZaUygcWYGn8oO3aICzLVvb0t3wOg6PIbIkCU_BA9CpR_jiPxWCiwLeENYiQYSbHOVmxAMgr/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08107" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Sunday Kyle and I went to church, then made a quick trip to Menards. We are putting ceiling fans in our house!</p> <p>Look what we un-covered when we took down the existing light…a <strong><u>HUGE</u></strong> hole! Kyle had to go up in our attic to rig something up to hang the fan securely! I think it might have been 120 degrees up there!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeNQlUWWPuotqmm3yrulqAxhcU9dJL6c8dHwTQH4zqEX7LPBWuKQL7qAJjmaaMDDXf2dH_z5usYD9bM0qltby6qMOD0TG1KT5MjG-Tit9vjd6Ab4vScAmKvn7BAnJmrDTp5YWUAIpO1DB/s1600-h/DSC08108%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08108" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkarsyfAIBzrSLyjxiUdKaKOLybuDpFNRpH87liBuvRCmj_R3arhyg49OiAt_T2UNngvpzr_SaNxXQ6rOpdr037Jt8Z2m2eih9Rb6FSxwU2O_0RongmMPdhfHcYWIKGSiOVueVRTzJ6vDK/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08108" width="404" /></a></p> <p>He’s so handy!! This project took up the majority of our afternoon!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvXtgrXWsbgZSUJCqnE4sTihsjlOser3u-Wogp13GkHhBjDbDBNmRh056aE3E1Rc6XvmMw6ExIJoorrY_t0KwpnEDxGirFDRwQvtcXGF1BG6tSJJ7OlvcsoySwFWIOFOxpgjRfITqjEUt/s1600-h/DSC08109%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08109" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNGY62ycGxU116oAJlDYAHMJIneGT2fVwd491aZwEhjZCX5vDkEGki3tdRWvrZVuHJRjgteMoM0Fn2PsGl7OVEpwQQQeM3K6CtprVkpzOW51CYXQljisdx9g-sLn1FvqotQgCS1iuDFg_/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08109" width="304" /></a></p> <p>The final product!! We added the circle molding to the ceiling to hide that big hole. Love it!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LunmZPfZi7y3wC8_Z_b7UW4S73GgXJzPSn59p8CvZ7DwAwSPt3ng_8LvzaKYPILtj_MD9k8oKBoooMHypDj7yV2RM_EwBjCfp727I_W129s0Uf-euBX_IPPnzgUTLIVDOsYcZDF3RtCz/s1600-h/DSC08110%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08110" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CHW2ZPMVrnbQpmeeZx2QNwZMBAjxwDqjP2DIzd3hxldM7jNYHy-2kxxKdo7t83OAKz4k_X4kIXILroVF0F-BT_q-iBy3aP9aIfjFDLiJwhZ2hh_XA-6j__O9s8aTmlp0G6HiTxIOWBTd/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08110" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Supper was a treat! We had some <a href="http://www.giordanos.com/">Giordanos</a> Chicago style pizza! You can buy them frozen and then just thaw and bake! NOT point friendly…but oh so good!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMobE389X63nNkzPNjT3w7erAY3Y0JMfXMEBLzLSkmre553Bd1lyfAGBwD0t-liTWPvYSh-JaM7iRJWagsLS3RARCW6uYVSO6hGKEgzlJG03q_V-s70B4ZcIvMQCqi78YKhEQQpBI5SCO/s1600-h/DSC08111%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08111" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupn4jfF9Lpaples0NRSntjkgwq8dvdAul9hQrr7ZvsEqSVWSu0OE9vMWeyClEbIExsz8-_rObcyq5k_dnO0V1bC4Bv_Jij_HClE3iPvMULhUbAdPY1Ne2wYetNcplaPqwIdR7Wfj0HDRK/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08111" width="404" /></a></p> <p>We finished our weekend with ice cream! I had cookies and cream ff frozen yogurt! Only 100 calories for 1 cup!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0sCWlf50NfUhx2GB7PwVgOMMWZwf9NGn1HzkhKna-FIW46UZHWz6f2WlTC-PTWW58Qg5MATeSzPlTASflZZklhXSeqZDZuCi4CWzCfxGUjb5hXvxWXdIXlj9OAX2P7gj_2SypXWUicYb/s1600-h/DSC08115%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08115" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEG1cYMHltWi563z1EvYJcYwbLoeQpzUjbWIBD2FQ9YbImJ7ePsI7Cw-1xi7QkFT8QyXmrdwcGVYDtAvzKTVAlzCXYTdD7jw76kvQ290MBHQt0UVbCV-p_sZRUUPc19dN8SpP58MPAqHBu/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08115" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Hope everyone had a great weekend! I need to buckle down this week and get back into my routine. I’ve been quite lax lately. </p> <p>Here’s to a great week! Cheers! :D</p>

Busy Weekend

Hello friends! Time sure does fly by. I can’t believe I haven’t blogged since Thursday ! Saturday Kyle and I slept in (8am!) and it was gl...

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Planning de la semaine du 26 au 30 juillet 2010

<BR><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Permanences<br /></span></strong></h2><ul><br /><li>Le <strong>Conseil Général du Loiret</strong> sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans<br />- le lundi 26 juillet de 9h à 12h30,<br />- le mardi 27 juillet de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 28 juillet de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le jeudi 29 juillet de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le vendredi 30 juillet de 13h30 à 17h.<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/boutique-de-gestion.html">Boutique de Gestion</a></strong> - vendredi 30 juillet de 09h à 12h30 (sur rendez-vous)</ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Ateliers</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - vendredi 30 juillet de 10h à 11h30<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2009/07/atelier-situtilises-tu-trouves.html">Sit'Utilises tu trouves</a></strong> - vendredi 30 juillet de 14h à 16h</ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Information collective</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong>Boutique de Gestion</strong> - lundi 26 juillet à 14h<br /></ul>

Planning de la semaine du 26 au 30 juillet 2010

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 26 ju...

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Catching Up!

<p>Hey friends!! Obviously I’ve been MIA lately! It’s been a FULL week. </p> <p>Monday was Kyle’s first day of at his <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/big-news.html">new job</a>! He’s learning a lot and really likes it!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQY1ERVA-0LK7VVBZiJF7ia1qURAEzfdBJU3-xTSH5_XezCQZiTENH4w4peR3F6retg2C3COCEBBxhZCR5kOUDaYEg5N604joDlk99RCv91zEXWn-FaOXaXWKoYGCZjctBuTb3XQtlBQol/s1600-h/DSC08049%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08049" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4uI0sRVaRoGVTbE0VtMBVB9C10tDxuiiaPP7EUDF2_v80j3lFDcItzyG4I5xOgat3MCM7FrkwAfi7GaPeCHquFH2LKR5ccCDHP83efzRrqh_09XpeGuE2pZ1iWj-D3g8liToJ1bCW4iu/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08049" width="304" /></a></p> <p>Tuesday was work [<em>obviously</em>] and then I spent the evening with my cousin, Elizabeth, who was visiting. We’ve been <strong><em>besties</em></strong> since I was born! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2VrrWoTfGEGaUxJ8HRkhOcsJ44bm9xGnUW2V0x8zZNrkwfVRxcpso1thyphenhyphenRO2Adi6yEsR_2v0WC6rM15J6VJTfBU4cu3vXIwumzwBctsxqn6-v5cMlhdyPm7kSAfxjkCpjlnpPdghy5QA/s1600-h/DSC07338%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07338" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYlPJ5Ekz7MWhy-uHyOge6nqLoaV0UVo-g099TNUq7ESsMGYO0Rf-KUWi9rbE-7pu2OlMeJD8-mOuV8dEzRo8EQ6RqT_-Dkke8iBLdcAClbHjqOKjE5LzJEheuo_-jzbQ3AV2YEaSw8TT/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07338" width="404" /></a></p> <p>After work Wednesday I had a <strong>million & one</strong> things on my <strong>“to-do” list</strong>. One of those things included making a quick errand to my Dad’s house, but not without first stopping at my favorite home town place to get ice cream! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQVVQsF8KY1kfH9lBHHJw_GaGzth8v1-5x0f8dRRfiP81MB74Rfmsw62LkHfyukP9HSojgTSe85YYiN2_9PtrR98s59fWqy5K_zmSu6IYg2ucYa-ATaqemJf4RSeMTI-JYa4etG5UI2fq/s1600-h/DSC08064%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08064" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8c9gNaako6KwYY-7gArn89BUbcd0OwiPq8Q-9ScKz7qOHHicj0ec0PzwWC2u9oypYe2Y3i40coKo5_DnOLhaidC59ZTKmX7cjGExCyiwymEGNTaOLA_bwOC3hNAktfhKmQ_kZgkJHv8U/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08064" width="304" /></a></p> <p>All three of those day, <em>I’m proud to say</em>, I was right on track with my points! I didn’t get workouts in on Monday or Tuesday, but I did manage a <strong>4 mile run</strong> on Wednesday!</p> <p>So now that you’re caught up, here is a recap of Thursday!</p> <p>I started out my day with my <u>favorite breakfast combo</u>, <strong>oatmeal</strong>,<strong> 1 T peanut butter</strong>, and a <strong>small sliced banana</strong> for <strong>4 points</strong>. <a><img alt="DSC08067" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhL7UnWR1q0u77kzcJNr8JQzUT3WP_wq-yuzUPDVd6i8bedL3w9vDtSM4hkfvcBSTMGyKODlfIHg0UzbcrX2EUUjmcfqt-li_Q0ud_lHN6MfXJ6mOqfxXSy3SIWlQi1qB2jC7lgKXuFEF/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08067" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I only put in a half day at work, but it was  <strong><u>BUSY</u></strong> one! I’m pretty sure it isn’t going to slow down until after September. In case you are a new follower, I work in financial aid at a community college!</p> <p>Subway was on the menu for lunch today! I needed something quick and point friendly! I had a<strong> turkey & ham</strong> on <strong>wheat</strong> for <strong>6 points</strong>. <a><img alt="DSC08068" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LJ4qjZVEc6SCqVMJO8gOdnSoYiefVVLQXF5iSTHR3enT9n6FHQdcCu-qa-Ut2oPpRf36jTdV6kmOmbrrxXfq67kAM7u3-eiuJLdsFQ47ermCB8Cih5pV0-_ZkK6WG73XEbrshO9GXrPE/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08068" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Check out  my cute lunch date, my lil sis, Wendi! I love that we’re co-workers!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhhgcrtqQt6BuLVI3KT3Xv7SL-Y_oNdbozjOyk-B7DPCYZ91PPRLDZNRz8PD70EKTB-w-BYJLS-YnZVRMZTbxL79MOpzbby-r3yiN6wnHljSdJ5vk-Nhw3ZACwMilQ-0hHGVf-Mehyphenhyphen2oj/s1600-h/DSC08069%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08069" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07WQdwsKZmTb48-JpgCQAwVOaWIwR4hKCI-RtPwcNin8UGx0nUquaVl5FjTYVBtrvKNRRsuJguWx7QbcUcoM8SH0JJBcAw6be1yPNdOGb4Q_O2xE9e4YURLXPZU__vieAbfWPtfG7CW5p/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08069" width="304" /></a></p> <p>I spent my afternoon getting ready for my<strong><u> purse party</u></strong>! I had just enough time to get everything done. I had a pretty good spread, if I do say so myself! Raspberry lemonade, bottled water, snack mix, sausage dip….<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEXeINYeQhsy2LubWJ3j_89Dw2KB8Qym6IcJBLRdQ8qi5GTiKSa32YKGhqrLEMR0a0wSvulyY0wntJaOtV-uRngBvtT8bycV8cdt93KyiOmwDAdwO2m1_q4W2spr4GRMjCtI6Y4yx2Aa8/s1600-h/DSC08070%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08070" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbhsXlKFr8lQBWFqOdl1j4H5tQAo7iuV_EROXQCiN-apUk9RHygPyayoaeqQPaEeB43nWq5Q4nAxvj7B-j89JixqhZh4fTFTuFP9TaZZR_soMAkB-PDzCsKpJK59FN9liv_clb6esJW4k/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08070" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Mini fruit cabobs!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjIwQ5YgKvsZ8RSmF4dBUIvfhFevuPVkfQKhGwueSQF5hhqhI0mmfR7R8rfIbzcS13In-4W7PxLVSt8GxNG7TzRDjN64PL3_etpm9bNgt-I02xqMKwy6d1CbM7NGOYq-ZA0B9RJomNE-E/s1600-h/DSC08071%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08071" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8xG_WzHXBaUBXNC-vtlL7gzBxYsoP86lFOjcSuOXDC_t-AXiv1hx1_HUZV4s7_VanzWx2ojcEEsXxLuftoDrJL_OlErZtojjyITw7HnyEy49nkzPfrwEbfSDNYxuXFVfil7vztIycYgJ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08071" width="404" /></a></p> <p>And mini cheesecakes!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEBo8vYIxlgiHguOvN5Eq-Y9NVDAuKHl121-gbHICsgIVlXehiUc5pYN7RFfGhxKmtbqiurfd92cp2IHFSPWEk3HkvAF9prj8HNTKMvLoKtcA688yDV1zTmqZJXl2110UBnwx4lghp5YB/s1600-h/DSC08072%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08072" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqcZoWkcetSmyGSvNiRUeXbGbUF9Y4IJz0Jy88RJgGxWjeXZTnohtQaSvXfUSFZvPqqOphctP9oGhHr5MG-lVrigpIMTHrjatsBOQpuvWNsiIR9M83tiA6XD3Ft0wtftmpNui1rF9NC2g/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08072" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I had some <strong>fruit cabobs</strong>, <strong>1 mini cheesecake</strong>, and only a <strong>few bites</strong> of <strong>chips</strong> for an estimate of <strong>6 points</strong>. </p> <p>I had a great turnout! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRNC9Knnj8Wcz9IYI0RABO6EEVAcuVLtc0Ldcocqx7l8RRnvkkNbggLaSneQOJwfPMv44MgUHphTDo2F3q4SlH8Je5zB8fia-8JIviBVv-MsnlgG-DvcUy27fvh18KYDWS3dpyPg0vKo7/s1600-h/DSC08074%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08074" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSru3EhUgqEbqwE2VyVu1CBIaZBEHT13kxPmG4aq3q4HmntHZUFtvKwBG0calhPfXtj52fdAnQ0Ic1v6rDxgiJkJHbgj_QOGLsN9uPAR52iFLfzDpHoIDY9i3ettidRPuYN8ewWSETD-r/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08074" width="404" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XhyKVtXnbUH2H-YqmKQNRjGREJPiYUxPe680Dbb43_x5HuY4ujHwseF6QUMYqLtX784MdUJDcg8QSNRVJLnCLsnAaf5KFLAG_CYra9vs-BD6uxAzIkGI8cvhhz4oDB5aIqbKxlHvQP4R/s1600-h/DSC08075%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08075" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDThUDGXmeIgXU4BFB_hWauNHacrUtzei4Crklwjb6A9hv6oZJxutP76UC4un4GSnb_YdIMxggyNGhoQtU20CMaVpPhFmpqm7fedaZ6lDsY1NzE9hzrcHi6BZusNgOr3CVc0KZggw-4x4/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08075" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My camera fogged over when I took it out into the<strong><u> thick</u></strong>, <strong><u>HOT</u></strong> air! This is Shelly, she is the <strong><u>sweet</u></strong> lady who sells the purses I had a party for. <strong><em>Thanks for everything Shelly</em></strong>, I had a great time!! :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQXvXbwm7MhSmn4mCtN3uW7rQPS-RHiDkfac0Olp4gAy_YWcHib0VZ5JKzY3M0UOYjNByfIP8jxvsqRT65EdVsXlHfMNgDq3FS95ciqwdpjU2ftMEQ-YCEe_NQ1vJkYvazH14nDTDtzV7/s1600-h/DSC08077%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08077" border="0" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoObzdAFAKQMlILbBKQwwNbai769fHlr1u7yReHn7TJ7B-Cgk4PqXemKof4HL9wNJtNmWMCR4ghhiV9jm-1RCoPKiKd2G_X-1WkhC52XqAST7Q_3RssBvZuX2XgMwlNa6a_FX3epoRaGU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08077" width="358" /></a></p> <p>After my party I helped Shelly pack up, cleaned up the food, and headed out for a run. Not sure if it was the best idea….<strong><u>whhhoo-eeee</u></strong> it was HOT! But I managed to get in <strong>2 miles</strong> right at<strong> 20 minutes</strong>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnxOKhc0Vpk2nB3A_r6zBNc1hWpQ2nXypzT9m8n85X_qik5YJsfVe0siYJUGF6OyIb9HPPH2gUsyXcm1WYYIN3d2QDrRJKimV2_LeNy_cwT5gtYRTOMKVmXb866wRgDekI_Yy4yGdlzEO/s1600-h/DSC08082%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08082" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0sMxkZTedxpudyoQgmCasCANPI_WnSld7b68e3I-7XHdbT9j3tHUjtHyPcldk5wWn6zb_YXml0hC5bAzIc6FB1gpVuPfnThLm_BK7cRSUXO4_yzluqoKMslhjPn_fnkaktm9aVobeKNM/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08082" width="304" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><strong>THURSDAY’S STATS</strong></p> <p>POINTS = 16/23 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 0 used/35 remaining <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 3 today/9 week <br />H2O =88 oz <br />EXERCISE = 20 min run</p> <p>Since I’ve been MIA I missed my Tuesday WI. I weighed in this morning at <strong>171.5</strong>, which means I lost another <strong>2.5 lbs</strong>!! Getting closer & closer to that <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/8-weeks.html">birthday challenge</a>!!! :D</p>

Catching Up!

Hey friends!! Obviously I’ve been MIA lately! It’s been a FULL week. Monday was Kyle’s first day of at his new job ! He’s learning a lot a...

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Man On Fire And The Future Of Faith

If you have not seen Man On Fire, the superb action movie starring Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Christopher Walken, and Radha Mitchell, and if you want to be surprised at the plot twists, read no further. Rent and watch the movie first.<br /><br />As I was re-watching Man On Fire last week, I was struck by the power of our meta-narrative, the Christian story, to shape the narratives that move us even in action movies. As this film begins, two retired assassins (Washington and Walken) meet in Mexico. Out of nowhere, the protagonist assassin, John Creasy (Washington) asks, “Do you think God will forgive us for what we’ve done?” Walken’s character answers “No.” Creasy nods “I didn’t think so.” It is a short but absolutely serious conversation. Not a hint of irony. We have met characters who take damnation seriously, because they are living it.<br /><br />Creasy takes a job as body guard to a little girl (Fanning) and is captivated by her innocence and her seemingly inexplicable love for him. She loves him because he is sad. It is a compassion that he does his best to resist, but is nonetheless touched. He becomes her swimming coach and teaches her the way to freedom from fear. Her swims are baptismal plunges into liberty. Each night as the alcoholic body guard drinks his whiskey to forget, he faithfully reads his Bible to remember.<br /><br />When the girl is kidnapped and apparently killed, the plot moves into the all too familiar “myth of redemptive violence” (Walter Wink, Joseph Campbell) as Creasy tracks down the killers and executes them one by one. But after each killing, he swims in the child’s pool, a baptismal act in which blood washes from him – the stain of sin or the blood of life?<br /><br />When she turns out to be alive, the myth of redemptive violence ends. Crucifixion religion leads to perpetual violence. (Rene Girard). But resurrection religion shifts his focus to a life for others. That is the point at which he stops killing to restore his sense of moral order and chooses instead to die to save someone he loves.<br /><br />It is a beautiful story of a soul saved at great cost. What strikes me is that this story, which simply must be told and which we need so much to hear, could not be told and could not be heard without the context of the Christian story. The question “Will God forgive us?” would not arise. The Bible, the baptisms, the death and resurrection would not signify without the context of the Creeds. So many stories would not be possible without the meta-narrative of the Christian faith -- not just action movies like Man on Fire and cult classics like Easy Rider, but real classics like A Christmas Carol and Les Miserables.<br /><br />Sometimes I am sanguine about entering the post-Christian era, thinking Christianity is at its best when it is counter-cultural anyway. But then I remember that culture is a channel of grace and that channel will be diminished without our signs, our symbols, and most of all, our story. I understand that W. H. Auden was still a young atheist when he went to Spain to fight in the Civil War. At one point, when the left (Auden’s own side) was triumphant; they silenced all the church bells. On Sunday, when Auden heard the silence, he knew he did not want to live in a world without church bells, and that meant he did not want to live in a world without faith. Even if he did not believe, he needed someone to believe. He needed the culture to believe.<br /><br />As one who lives neck deep in the institutional church, I am as ambivalent about it as any “spiritual but not religious” person. But I do not look forward to a world without church bells, a world without faith – or worse yet, a world in which faith is abandoned to the hands of the fearful, the bigoted, and the mean-spirited. So I continue to pray and hope against the dry sociological data so ready, so eager to write our obituary, that we may yet live, that bells may continue to ring on Sunday mornings, and that people who believe and people who do not believe will at least know our story.<br /><br />Is there any reason to sustain my hope? If not, I plan to hope without a reason. (Miguel de Unamuno). But here’s a little thing I imagine. My 2 year old grandson loves to march around the room carrying a cross (or a fly swatter if no cross can be found, but he calls the fly swatter “cross”) singing “knick knack paddy whack” or the ABC song. I imagine him as an old man after the culture has forgotten us still practicing “the old religion” like Obi Wan Kenobi and respectable adults warning their young people to “have nothing to do with that crazy old wizard.” (Star Wars IV). If our story is true, it will be hard to kill.

Man On Fire And The Future Of Faith

If you have not seen Man On Fire, the superb action movie starring Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Christopher Walken, and Radha Mitchell...

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Fun, productive day!

<p>Howdy partners! ;) I ended up sleeping in Sunday morning due to all the <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/busy-saturday.html">storm interruptions Saturday night</a>. I’m sure I would have slept longer, but a phone call woke me up around 10am! I could hardly believe it!</p> <p>We ended up meeting up with Kyle’s family for brunch. His <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/family-friday.html">sister and her hubby from Chicago</a> were going to head home today. </p> <p>We went to a buffet. I’m <strong>NOT</strong> a fan! I was able to at least start off with a few good choices! I had some <strong>pineapple</strong>, <strong>strawberries</strong>, and an <strong>egg white omelet</strong> with salsa for <strong>3 points</strong>. <a><img alt="DSC08008" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2-4a_sISMGgm9lBa5ybZNXOBgzTyVY_9NdMEPIUA4i9trs-t-vA1oJu0pOWgkdJFgK-NP1w4H52tz4jmUtZ6ahcribO5bnjK2ngzj_K8Vy5fGozhjSGc2s3qZyl4eLmLjxDv3urXgk1E/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08008" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My next plate I completely forgot to photograph. I had <strong>2 slices</strong> of <strong>french toast</strong>  with <strong>sf syrup</strong> and some <strong>breakfast potatoes</strong> for <strong>7 points</strong>. </p> <p>And this is where it goes downhill….I finished brunch off with <strong>ice cream</strong> and <strong>apple pie</strong>. I looked up the calories when I got home and figured <strong>8 points</strong> for my desert. <a><img alt="DSC08009" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9r2i2KJz3awMRPOg6cIOphGPLoKJETGtdYl4qmC5YDM3I_CffprMkPNY-bGpDyvsmhx_djGB9VD7T4C_9ueJldAnx_aoRDojfNEU8HaMgVXjBJTIVPg9hYvAoZKzg8zmoTtOjYcfIM4Qz/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08009" width="404" /></a></p> <p>They headed home after brunch. We’re excited though, because they will be back in just 2 weeks!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8xfRV9kNkVms_A41cALFSg7SxydvdAnMIyps2X21yflPRPJda6bWAJn3Pl6grppvGxY6ZbOfirbYXtHOGxRTCLwdiznCG23DD5ay4_4RoBVAaDF6VrfS5sCVifqn4YOWUsmNU7cHngyJ/s1600-h/DSC08010%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08010" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4ild-TWQdau_JGm1-TeE0-aJLs4kr57VjByQmvy7KZsvtg8MZqfOlaagOHWXTrv2PcTvrtKYRNN1B7kyotQltHHd_slXQgDIYH_9Nn0vdvJ2Ua6jiK8bL2djukrhFSa5JkZQUv9MEjfG/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08010" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Kyle and I got groceries after brunch and then headed home. We detailed our SUV for the majority of the afternoon. We are selling it and upgrading to a Nissan Armada or a Tahoe! I love a fresh, clean, shiny car!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLztk_ThT0wpig21iqVn8BuzjwWtPja5Edy6G6s_9TkGlOwrq30Sj7Al2GCaGcebiRRbp-sEkgxIVPBxM3eHf_9e5K871f_19o06SHXk-iNsqEGI8Y2-Bq85I6gNOld8muvdLelEHB_r1a/s1600-h/DSC08016%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08016" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJL2Bpt4kh__OK3JCAN4wiOaAkzuGuOjp0-2fE6fZ-OLqf514EAkzrOIegBNID3E_BGswAt-XB0iUbwwxl8oz7SedY1q1WEVqkZrXyGO66LllKeFMKf0xxVgZ5Ifzd42fVoOVv18C55Aa/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08016" width="404" /></a></p> <p>When we finished detailing the car I snacked on some <strong>chips and salsa</strong> while cooling off for <strong>6 points</strong>. </p> <p>We headed to a <strong>2 year old birthday party</strong>! <strong>Mateo</strong> is our neighbor’s little guy, we just love him! Too bad the giant balloon is covering his face!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Fgp-SohJgFDM1P56_jpyjLJ0TjDQ-Qk7h33dGpvB5Wdd738W_lfaF3qw5vpXJJnlb3ynHLS055pyXC2t0IrcQFYBIjQ62lMNRGL2v9MC7M5PaiCLBWvXMb9L4MDAJyjgD0luy2cajvIp/s1600-h/DSC08025%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08025" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Y-nsWtScyGr8OqaySYdRE8iiOI5rk7ShcBxZYpCn9BTnAjtYNTYxaMEqN0tPbA9xk5YimQNFbCE0SZlAaK38tKkxgPntmYXn8SyVdR_invofqphXslhiClTqicT8IryEmF4uWhM3lOfN/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08025" width="404" /></a></p> <p>It was a <strong>pool party</strong>!<img alt="DSC08046" border="0" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuM7o2xX4mpdWMEl8f1KFaEKtnvkJdkBZSBPBJcMJOnosqq3qUPTFJspJi9PRHd2s5VKSv6wR1MCLzxIrGz1Jaok-U1aDrefCODNfLdSNdFEQbQ6DbBBjl7Hz2ZYiQX54ek0lnZqZ5YEWq/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08046" width="279" /></p> <p>And <strong>slip & slide</strong>!!<img alt="DSC08042" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58AjYN3DAA-Tl4YCj4TVFxwqautmxJr9ngJ5JTx2B3vpKItAOgX6oE2xvqe1nEWRIbad3t-hYXC1y_bCgaf_BCxLHL_5NBmSa4XsXdE2K0-KYR5vmSSKeI6hnW9DCgWe0mO_mtrmjmuVh/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08042" width="404" /> </p> <p>Even Mateo’s Mom got in on the fun!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiufNUCS3kV6VWbgz_6uckqoJTnWo-rqXmmTNSmahwHb0cw8iOmdlPN0qWieRdQwOpyrINGshnpeE21ZIPhdh0ShZH3vnIZWbLn8wCYVfDH9RkHEcKcXdZCelYY1vXXMucIJ0yAqoMBLz/s1600-h/DSC08033%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08033" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTesBTpx1HJ1faWQZZkTTQ1GTvex50rLlJ3jMIxB99IuaxKLcNibmmyhtetV8SCYoCSvJU6jvaqCXNzfcoiZc_W0wWP4UxbRORNRIOYD02F_Y14SbTtijB147LrpXkbd1MlJjXVUm0i9rS/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08033" width="404" /></a>    <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbwXtFumLcgRTi5D9ZEOjXFH5Qony-nZOGhDVDSmqPG2ww-q7VSNgXKyoXihI6FHqA08t8rVCqsMHGtiNmH1pyqtMAk2iITMZk98TOQoUTDxq-kB9lhKaQdzYKdbt5t_234OkQ3Y2MO_Y/s1600-h/DSC08037%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08037" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6B59hyphenhyphenQoWCyKL_4SO4PvaXdpHycteIJCpzNdh_vrQ8yhTJOfOUiYhKd1fzVUpqzlxxg9SMUZlrNWgzto10erowxY74hYif6x8ras3tyZbhyphenhyphen06EucprHTpLRUx2nUxlFYrXVmaSc_DQth/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08037" width="404" /></a>  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7M9StKDB-q245a6iCFxjGe1VJy0EKtVWcqMRz7-6ogrZzEHQPErC88Oxp8QwNoXTdcwE67WceE6R4iSDA4jK1Ad96AVeRH3oEIwwYIuUq7ptCSrkPYOuuV-fx31lDyQIm6aYOph8Svd17/s1600-h/DSC08041%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08041" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Fi9YUjBr-8gDyAQOJ-wLWfagbzJhXR3k6JS-s_pNP1cbK79unmMfkls3Jll-7qvVW27dMvxJXLFg70onj213lN7r3CHdf_tRFXC7mozSF7H0k1e3o2abXhRWjZPdOjqvE0M09k2iemNz/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08041" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Kyle got the fun job!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAUhnTJOM2ZM0V-RgMaxWlevktunWgNrdLTMziHmFK3umoJvohVybX4EMRpADuT-UwXMFJ0Yihi767mtaQVJXN4H_FCAQc_yFC4h-MjqqrjRknMoyng3gi7ldgnanVGyOXNjF1_DbaQQR/s1600-h/DSC08044%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08044" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmobg_EB2ZeFLxn4UZbvtH8g_FHBCSyU4Gg97MUJB4RbH_QU55sMzghaYhc7UTRG_RP1q7CEn_YaD6RTxKCQkIbn6zeteH4GbOQEJ7qsqB8gbCQwNkCsbfsSDHHhd1vwUTYjaA1sK6me1/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08044" width="304" /></a></p> <p>I did have <strong>one slice of birthday cake</strong>. I looked up the nutrition facts and estimated <strong>5 points</strong>. </p> <p>After the party I got right to work!  </p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="400" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"> <p align="center"><strong><em>Our fridge was crying out for help!</em></strong><img alt="DSC08047" border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbeTCjvZcpUiQlG9nnHr5B9V5fvLRFdbSHCNEIxR4nxu7o_Ccz5RygmlqH-fhcAG5KnQQULWm5vxL7_3ytvwC8zBJsYxxa3YkBqi4HwsZQj9JcO2UvhMBxuqKWFGzDjIyk6YQaNJDPXWp/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08047" width="204" /></p> </td> <td valign="top" width="200"> <p align="center"><strong><em>I answered the call! I love an organized fridge!</em></strong><img alt="DSC08048" border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNOPsoPbkCmlTqd8ZL3jMSdkYXOPVOKGm_ONVJ5s0Wj-AD3r6AcaIL6_b5UFSpsHJQgBGe3QUCKNE0y_bnqYjpeOTMr0qnyoFTdn2beJGxv7JceMG6hwVxvTQV2RaSijCVtKK2HrZP1S3/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08048" width="204" /></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>After tackling the fridge I did some <strong>laundry</strong> and realized it was already <strong>9pm</strong> and wasn’t going to let a 3rd day in a row go by with working out. So Kyle and I headed up and <strong>ran 2.6 miles</strong> in <strong>27 minutes</strong>. Felt great!</p> <p><strong>SUNDAY’S STATS</strong></p> <p>POINTS = 29/23 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 12 used/23 remaining <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 4 today/17 week <br />H2O =96 oz <br />EXERCISE = 27 min run</p> <p>Tomorrow is <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/big-news.html">Kyle’s first day at his new job</a>! We will officially be co-workers too! <strong>Anyone else work at the place as their spouse or significant other?</strong> To be honest, we won’t see each other much throughout the day, but it will be nice to carpool and have lunches together. </p>

Fun, productive day!

Howdy partners! ;) I ended up sleeping in Sunday morning due to all the storm interruptions Saturday night . I’m sure I would have slept lon...

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