My day full of blessings

Yesterday was one of those days where I found myself thanking God over and over for the many, many blessings He has given me. Too often I focus on what I don't have and what I want, instead of what God has placed directly in front of me. Yesterday I couldn't help but notice and praise Him for it all. The wonderful thing about the warm, fuzzy feeling I had was that it was because of nothing in particular...just joy He reminded me of in the little things.

Saturday was a day that Cort, Trey, Mom, and myself all did exactly what we wanted to do. Trey enjoyed a day on the couch watching football for hours. He never treats himself to that and had he been at home, he would have found tons of things to do. We were all glad to see him enjoy himself flipping channels and having the television all to himself. Cort and I shopped all day and made crafts to sell at our annual craft show at school. We went to Hobby Lobby three times and had fun at each stop. We enjoyed time together talking, just the two of us. Mom did just as she wanted- and this is so her- she went around town buying the perfect things for dinner and lunch that she cooked for us last night and today. Doing things for other people is what she does best. God has given her the gift of hospitality and it makes her happy to do for others. She's the best. So, time with my precious family- blessing reminder number 1 of the day.

We have been praying for my Grandmother to sell her house so she can make the big move to be here with us. She's been stressed about it and is so ready to be closer to us. Cort and I walked out for one of our trips to Hobby Lobby just after my mom and aunt talked with us and reminded us to pray that she sell the house. When we walked back in, we were told it was sold. How amazing is that? My grandmother will now be able to live in the same town as us for the first time in her life, and enjoy seeing her children, grand children, and great grandchildren on a much more regular basis. Blessing number 2.

In case you are reading and don't know the nature of my family, we are super, SUPER close. My sister and I have three cousins that are more to us than that- they are like siblings. We have grown up together and spent lots of time together. We share so much and truly, truly realize the blessing we have in one another. My aunt surprised us yesterday with the news that we are all going to the Opryland Hotel in December to stay for the weekend. We have reservations for five rooms, the Rockettes, one other Christmas show, the Ice Show, and more. We are SOOOOO excited to all get to spend that time together, especially at a place like this. Blessing number 3.

I literally had chills at several times during the day yesterday, simply because I was so happy. I truly believe that a little time with your family can cure anything. I needed that yesterday, and am very grateful.

The latest version of what's going on "Around Town"

Here we go, fans! Remember, I am typing this "as-is." I only take out last names and specific place names to protect the identity of the victims. It truly is this funny.

* Charles and Elsie attended church with Bill and Creta Sunday.

* Lou Ella was proud to get to spend time with her grand-daughter.

*Joe brought Rondell his breakfast and lunch Sunday.

*Josie and Debra visited Pat and brought fried okra, tomatoes, and cornbread last Tuesday.

*Elwanda enjoyed the singing Saturday night.

*Carolyn enjoyed a long telephone visit with her brother Ray.

*Billie, Edree, Roy, and Stephanie ate together Thursday night. The ladies at the restaurant sang Happy Birthday to Roy and gave him a cake.

And my favorite...
*Edree was excited to finally get some chickens for the chicken condo her sons had built for her. The arrival of the first egg was exciting but Edree wondered why the rooster wasn't crowing.

A half day out of school, two hours at the Dr.'s office, and a shot later...

Why are there so many things going around so early in the year? Stomach bugs, strep throat, sinus infections, and the dreaded flu. Isn't it supposed to be cold outside when this stuff starts? That's what I thought anyway. I've sprayed so much Lysol in my classroom it's ridiculous. I wash my hands bunches of times a day, and I use anti-bacterial even more. I just knew that I was keeping myself safe from any of the illnesses mentioned above.....WRONG.

I started coughing on Monday. I didn't feel bad at all, just said to myself Monday afternoon, "It seems like I've been coughing a ton today. I wonder what that's from." Tuesday I woke up clogged up completely, to put it lightly and not-so-disgustingly (is that a word??). I took my temperature no less than ten times and never had any. I got up this morning and same thing- tons of drainage and coughing, but I actually felt better. I took some Tylenol cold. WRONG DECISION. I never thought it would affect me like it did. I felt like I had been drugged. I felt like I could barely pick my feet up off the floor I was so sleepy. My kids went to gym and I came back to my classroom, turned the lights off, set my timer, and took a nap. I have NEVER done that before. So when I started feeling worse, I decided to leave school and come home to just rest. I decided to take my temperature, just to make sure. I just knew I didn't have any, but to be on the safe side. It didn't work the first few times for some reason. I started shaking the thing and realized there was water inside it (digital one), so I shook the water out and proceeded to try again. When I did it worked. And, it said my temperature was 101. I was totally shocked. I hadn't chosen to go to the doctor because my co-pay is a stinkin $50! But when I saw that number, I took off. I really didn't think anything was wrong other than a cold or allergies, but I couldn't take that risk with the flu going around.

I get to the doctor at just the time he was going to lunch...of course. I waited and finally was called back. She took my temperature and guess what??? 98.9. WHAT? I would never have come to the doctor and paid $50 if I had not thought it was 101!!!!!!!! Regardless, I was there and they went ahead and did the lovely swipe of the nose, which was not any sort of fun by the way, and checked for the flu. Thankfully, it was negative. I have an upper respiratory infection. One shot and two prescriptions later, I was on my way.

The point of this post? I have absolutely no idea. But I'm home from school laying on the couch and bored, so decided to share. I guess the good thing is that since I do have an infection, I'm glad I went to the doctor early and went ahead and got medicine. He says I'm contageous and to play it by ear as far as school goes tomorrow. He said if I feel okay, go. If not and I have fever, stay home and protect the kids. Here's to hoping I'm better. It's much easier for a teacher to be at work than not. Sub plans are for the birds!

Another Update...

I think after this update I may just post periodically. I don't want to bore you all, and I also felt before that I needed to blog my progress as a way to hold me accountable. However, at this point I feel like I'm on this wagon for a long, long time. I can only speak for this very moment, but right now I feel like this is my last diet. I feel lots different, both physically and mentally. I really believe this has to be God's answer for me. So far, it's working wonderfully. A diet's a diet, but this one has been one I feel I can stick with until I achieve my goal.

I weighed again this morning, and I've lost another 3.8 pounds since last Monday. My total is now 8.8 pounds in two weeks...and counting!

Drum Roll Please....

As promised, I'm posting today to let everyone know how my first week on the diet has gone. Here it is...I LOST FIVE POUNDS! I weighed today, and it was five pounds on the dot. I'm very pleased. It certainly hasn't come without several tears and discouraging moments. Nothing about losing weight is fun, but the feeling I have of knowing that I'm eating healthier than I probably ever have in my life and knowing that because of this I could be adding years to my life, it's most definitely worth it.

In one week, I have had only two pieces of bread (on one sandwich), NO Wheat Thins, NO Cheese-Its, NO potatoes, NO candy, NO anything that I typically eat. Instead, I am now having fruit and veggies. Let me just say that my family went to the Cheesecake Factory yesterday for dessert. Anyone want to guess what I got? That's right- not one thing. I was pretty proud of myself. It was really hard watching them eat red velvet cheesecake and chocolate/peanut butter cheesecake, but I'm so glad I didn't partake. They were really considerate by the way, and I persuaded them to eat what they wanted despite my being on a diet. I have to diet in the real world and I can't pretend that there aren't delicious, tempting foods out there.

This journey is by no means over and I have by no means defeated this ridiculous temptation of ditching what I know is best and going for the Wheat Thins. But I feel different already. I have not felt sick one single time since being on this diet. With my hypoglycemia, it was not out of the ordinary for my blood sugar to bottom out on any given day or for me to feel nauseated off and on on any given day. Not one single time have I done that. I guess that means this diet is doing what it proclaims.

Thanks for the prayers and well wishes. Keep them coming! I'll update again next week.

So far, so good!

I just thought I'd write a brief update on how the diet is going so far. I'm sure this probably bores most of you, but I figure it'll be neat to go back and look at when I'm at my goal weight, right? Let's stay positive here.

So far, it's been pretty good. I would be lying if I said I hadn't been tempted, but I've stuck to the plan pretty well. This is my fourth day and I've had more fruit and veggies than I've probably had in the last month or more. My typical breakfast is Kashi Go Lean cereal. It's different, we'll just say, but it tastes good. This morning I put a few blueberries in it, so it was great. For lunch I've had salads with oranges, strawberries, blueberries, and chicken, or today I had whole grain pasta with veggies inside. Dinner is random, depending on if I'm home or out. Tonight my mom is making hamburger steak (lean beef of course) and broccoli. See, it doesn't sound too bad, right? It's really not.

I guess the hardest part is getting over not being able to have my Wheat Thins or chips with my sandwich at lunch. I have missed eating things that are crunchy! I was desperate enough to get some pork skins today (I know, I know- it's gross). It's definitely not a snack I would choose if I weren't on a diet, but they have basically no carbs. Actually, they might possibly have been the best thing I've tasted on this entire diet. They're not as good as Sun Chips or Cheese-Its, but I can pretend, right? Some sweet mom brought this amazing looking dessert with chocolate chips all over the top to school today and left if for the teachers to eat in the lounge. Ahhhhhhh- I just stood there and looked at it and then walked away. I was pretty proud of myself for not giving in.

I'll post Monday with the first week's results. I will have been on this diet nine days when I weigh. I'll just admit: If I don't lose at least five pounds I'm going to be disappointed. For this drastic of a change in my diet and since the first week is usually the biggest week as far as what you lose...IT BETTER BE GOOD!