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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