I'm a Belter

Now, I love to sing and will belt out a tune or two at least once a day (can't help it, I am a music teacher!) but the belt I am talking about is this....

It's been ages since I have worn a belt. I love belts and some of my old favorites are fitting again, I can't wait until I can wear them all and maybe a new one or two!

Let's Go Pred$!

   Best of luck to the N@shville Pred@tors in their game today! Hope you make it to the cup playoffs!

G00d Times

One of my latest "fun" jobs was to go through my closet to see what still fits what doesn't, etc. I found a linen sheath dress suit that I used to LOVE to wear.

 

I remembered that I tried it on last fall and I couldn't even get it to go over my hips, boo. So, since I had lost some weight I thought to myself to just see if it was any better than last fall. Low and behold...I was able to put it on and zip it up! Hooray! 

Here is a picture, circa 1998 of me in it. Now, I am not a huge fan of linen because of the wrinkle factor and this isn't a great picture because I had been sitting in church and then driving home. But nonetheless...here it is:

Now, I hope that it fits even better in a few weeks than it does here - like I said the wrinkles are unforgiving. I only wish Mom had caught my cute shoes that I used to wear with this! ha ha. 

I also found a picture of my hair then...I am thinking that I may go blonde again. Any thoughts?

This is me with my brother-in-law & my sweet nephew, circa 1999.

My sister & same sweet nephew.

And lastly, circa 1998. It was a lot of work, but it was fun to be blonde!

F@ce to F@ce

Seeing is believing...




I will reach my goal. I see results of my journey so far, it is worth it.

Keep the faith!

Found: Motiv@tion

So, last week I had some sort of a tummy bug and it was absolutely horrendous. I lost 9.5 lbs in two days and just felt like a limp noodle most of the week of Spring Break. It's not exactly the break that I had in mind but at least I didn't miss work. I did miss my goal of doing one hard workout every day of Spring Break and I did feel that I cheated myself out of seeing what I could accomplish but there was just no way around it. I could barely walk, let alone workout. I figured it would probably happen, and it did. I have gained over half of that 9.5 pounds back. Now, I understand that the way it came off wasn't the healthiest and best but I was really close to "One"derlands! However,  I am choosing to view the gain as a second shot at obliterating these pounds the right way, for the LAST time.

I was starting to feel defeated and the "see, why do I even try?" method of thinking that always seems to sabotage my attempts at weight loss in the past so I stopped, and I prayed. I have prayed off and on in a more conversational way today and my mindset has changed and the Lord has granted me strength for today and hope for tomorrow. He also reminded me of a conversation that I had with one of my buddies that does the Zumb@ class with me.

H and I attended the Monday night class and noticed that there was a woman in attendance that was bald and beautiful AND was going through the fight of her life with some type of cancer. Here's the thing...she never missed a step during the WHOLE HOUR of class. She kept a smile on her face and just radiated JOY. I am tearing up as I type this picturing her.

H & I discussed after class how well she did and how proud we were. We also each remarked that if she is out here doing it and giving it all, what excuse do we have? I can't think of any.
                Thank you Lord for the reminder and the life lesson. May I always look to You for comfort, strength, peace, and to see me as You see me. That my worth is more than numbers on a scale or tape measure, but that my body is your temple and I need to take care it. Please bless this precious woman from class and thank you for her Joy. 


So, with that I am going to get up and continue to burn as many calories as I can and do it with a smile on my face and joy in my heart.

Here's a visual reminder for Me...

Then... October 2009

 And Now April 2010

Whatta-day!

Whatta-day...and yes, already. I was blessed to have the opportunity to take two Zumb@ classes this morning with the gals that teach the other classes I have been going to. It was glorious!

I just love Zumb@, maybe when I make my weight & fitness goal I just might try to certify in it or @ least see what it involves. Who knows???

http://www.zumbaforchrist.blogspot.com/

Smarty, smarty, Sm@rties...

                                                     

                                       Yet, another difference between C@nada & the US of A.

                                         (US of A in front, C@nada's version in the back)

I just want to re-iterate that we have not been eating these...the little ones are for my piano students and the other ones have been in the cupboard since Christm@s. Just remembered to take a picture for the blog. =)

Newest Me...

Well, so much for SprIng Bre@k....I have spent most of it in bed or the "comfort" room. Ugh, but I am feeling fairly well today so I am going to get out and enjoy what's left of the day. While getting ready I tried on yet another shirt that is just so big now, it's ridiculous. Thankfully, it still has store tags on it so I am going to see if they will take it back and give me store credit. Worth a shot, no? We'll see.

Here's a couple of shots of the "newest" me...still have a hard time seeing myself shrinking but I am working on that!

So now I really see how much I need to clean my bathroom mirror (this is the guest one too!)! Eek!

Ok@y, Keelie, how do you make this look so easy??? And you have a bigger camera than me, too. Talented, girl!

De Light Full Tre@ts

So, I joined a low-glycemic group on f@cebook. Every week they send out recipes and when I got this one, I took notice and made them right away. But of course I tweaked them..here's my recipe. Enjoy!


Pea-nutty Carob Chip Cookies

1 Cup Natural Nut Butter (peanut, almond, etc), stirred well (I like the Earth Balance Creamy)
3/4 Cup Cane Sugar
1 Large Egg
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Sea Salt
Handful of carob chips

Stir together first 5 ingredient until blended. Fold in carob chips. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
Bake in a 350F oven for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Let cool on sheet for 5 minutes on wire cooling rack for 15 more minutes. Makes 2 dozen cookies.

Getting some craft on...

I started with this hook rack a couple of years ago. When I bought it, it was an ugly color of mustard yellow. So I painted it black, but I just couldn't find a spot for it anywhere in the house. Enter this...

Rustoleums Heirloom White spray paint. Love this color!!!

 

Voila! I love it and can't decide where to put it now!

It was so nice to get outside and craft...I missed doing that this winter!