A STORM TO REMEMBER!

First, I want to thank everybody for your prayers and concerns about us, during our terrible weather conditions yesterday. It was a busy day, and believe me it had it's ups and it's downs. It started with tornado watches and warnings, I went and picked up my nephew, and one of my grand daughters from school early, the weather man had stated that it the storm would be heavy in our area around three.

Once we got home, to kind of keep their minds off the weather, I decided that I would make a cake. I used a recipe that I found in my Country Door Catalog.

It was for a Lemon Pound Cake, remember I told you that I'm not a baker, so this really is an experiment. After mixing the ingredients,

Dusting the pan

Here she is! I think it's B E A U T I F U L my first lemon pound cake!, I've only tried making cakes a few times in my life, and I made the glaze to go on top. You can't see it because it was kind of watery but it taste good. I usually stick to my banana pudding which everyone loves but now maybe I'll try more cakes.

After the cake was made and the sirens went off a couple of more times, we thought that everything was ok. Our daughter came and picked up my granddaughter, they live a few blocks away. When she got home she called my husband and told him that a tree had fallen on her house. My husband went to see if he could help with anything he's so good at those things but, it ended up in a trip to the EMERGENCY ROOM!

Here's his arm band, he was trying to break off a limb, when it broke, it snapped back and hit him in the face causing his bottom teeth to cut his cheek, from the inside out. It was very frighting to me, because when he pulled on it you could see straight through. In the emergency room we sat and sat and sat. They see patients in an order of who's illness or injury's are the greatest. His accident happened around 7pm, we got there at 8pm because my husband really didn't want to go but, I really thought he should. He got 4 stitches on the outside of his cheek and 2 inside. When we got home it was 12:45 am this morning so we slept in a little. About mid-morning. I asked him to take me to her house so that I could see the damage.

This is from one side of the house

This is the top of the tree that extends clear to the other side of the house

This is the view from the back of her house

This shows that the tree fell from the very back of the yard onto the house, that's my husband looking at other trees that may need to come down, to keep this from happening again. He didn't want to take a picture because his face is swollen but, " He Still Looks Fine To Me".

This is the little doggy that was not hurt during the making of this film

And this is the weight that I am now, I started last week at 175 pounds and this morning I weighed in at 172.2 Yea! for me ! I had a change of plan I thought it better that I show a picture of myself at the end of my weight loss and just do the scales until I get there, for a more dramatic ending. I want to thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, and encouraging words. I know they were the reason for my success. Deb

THIS IS TRULY ME ALL THE WAY!

This is truly me all the way, take me to an amusement park and I totally lose it! Put me on the tallest, fastest, roller coaster and I'm feeling it. I've got my hands in the air, my adrenalin is flowing, I'm screaming the whole nine. Woooooo! Hoooooo!

What Your Flip Flops Say About You

You live to have fun, and your sense of humor is downright goofy. You are a big kid on the inside, and you have a very open heart. You try to make every day feel like a vacation, even if you have other responsibilities. Each day, you make a little bit of time to play and let loose. Your ideal warm weather place: Disney World

The Flip Flop Test

RE - AWARDED! & I must get back in the yard

First thing, I was asked by Rhonda of Scooterblu's Whimsey to accept the RE- awards of both the awards that I awarded to her. ( Did I get it right, Rhonda?) well my answer is.....YES! YES! OF COURSE ! I will gladly accept them, friend. Rhonda has a beautiful blog, beautiful personality, and a beautiful home. There's a must see, where she attended the High School Reunion of quite a few members of her husband's family, as it was for the graduates from the 1940's thru 1960's, it was full of fun, history and wonderful pictures. Stop by Rhonda's I'm sure you will enjoy.

Thanks, Rhonda you're kind too!

Second thing, ladies some places in my yard is not looking the way that I want, so I'm going to have to take today, and tomorrow, to make the progress that I should have already made. So I don't think I'll be posting those days. (think) :O) I told you all in my meme, that I get consumed by things, and most of the time don't get things done I that should. This is something that needs to be done but something I love doing. When I post on Friday, I will have an update on my weight loss progress, new pictures, same outfit, and a update of how everything went for me on the diet this week. As I walked around the yard this morning, I did notice a few things that were doing well and some that weren't so I will share.

The Lambs Ear was in bloom.

My friends were fine.

The blackberry blossoms were gorgeous.

The little frog was happy!

This plant was beautiful and standing tall.

This one was lying down.

The window boxes were doing ok.

So was everything here.

But the fence outback, I don't know what I can do to make this fence look better, it's horrible. It's structurally sound but it looks dead. I want to paint it the trim color on the house, (shown in the next picture) or I could try some kind of vine to hide it, what do you think?

I thought if I paint it this color only on the inside, not the side that's visible to the street, it would look better and would be faster than waiting for vines to mature enough to cover it. Well there's so much to do, so off I go, but I'll be visiting with you. Until Friday take care. Deb

Yellow

I wasn't going to post today but, I went over to Mrs. B's and she was participating in a Yellow Challenge that Angela of Cottage Magpie was having. Mrs. B's pictures were lovely and fun, so I thought I would get in on the fun too but, realized that my yellow is limited.

Ok, my yellow dust mop, not so fun.

This sign has a yellow background and it makes me think of Aunt Bea, Goober, Barney, Andy, Thelma Lou, Helen, Opie, Floyd, Howard, Gomer, Otis, Clara, Ernest T, Emit, The Darlings....etc.
Since I love them all so, maybe one day I'll do a post of them.

This clock has a yellow background and the wall is yellow, just doesn't show up that well. It's in the room that we use for our grand when they come over.

Lemon juice for my salads. :O(

This is Kandace's big ole yellow bag

My Yellow Ducky place mats

My hubby came home with this one, I've had it for about five years now, it sits on my mantle in my Country Den and it has a tiny pack of lifesavers, but speaks of the ULTIMATE LIFESAVER JESUS CHRIST. "BOY THIS WAS FUN" Deb

OUR FATHER WHICH ART IN HEAVEN

This is one of my favorite scriptures, it reads...

A son honors his father,
and a servant his master.
Then if I am a father,
where is my honor?
And if I am a master,
Where is my respect?
Says the Lord of host to you.
Malachi 1:6

When I first read this scripture as a new Christian (born again). It was then that I realized the true meaning of Father. God is the father, the father of all fathers, the master of all masters. There is none greater than He, and His name commands honor, respect and reverence. He says in his word, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, Proverbs 1:7; and that, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven; Matthew 18:3-4. By His words I was compelled to humble myself seeking the hand and guidance of the Lord and giving glory, honor, and praise unto His name. HALLELUJAH! JESUS IS LORD! BLESS HIS HOLY NAME! FOR HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED! HALLELUJAH!

Awarded and Rewarded

Today I received this Kind Blogger Award from Ruthie @ Just Ruthie. I love visiting Ruthie’s, she is a lover of God, family and friends. She writes inspiring stories about childhood memories, traveling with her DH, and family events. Each time I visit I take away something that I can apply to my life. From the time I saw her smiling face commenting on my blog, and the first story of hers that I read, I felt a connection with her spiritually. Thanks Ruthie, you are a gift from God to all of us, and we love you.

Now that we are on the subject of awards I would like to take this time to comment about the Excellent Blogger Award that I received, one from Kindra @ 3 Guys A Girl And A Prim Place and Wendy of The Cozy Yellow House. I received this award because each of them awarded it to everyone that was on their Bloglist and I happened to be on their Bloglist and that’s an honor in itself. In my passing on the award I too awarded to each one that is on my Bloglist, but not everyone applied the award to their site. I would like to say that I think that everyone on my Bloglist is a Excellent Blogger, it’s something we all enjoy and put our hearts into. It would mean a lot to me if you would except this award from me as it is from my heart because I get so much pleasure from visiting with you all.

As for the Kind Blogger Award, Please accept it from me also as a token of my friendship to you. Deb

3 Guys A Girl And A Prim Place
A Lady's Quest
Apples Of Gold
Back Porch Musings
Bold & Free
British Colonial Love Affair
Country Blossom
Daisy Cottage
Farmhouse Blessings
Feathering My Nest
French Garden House
Just Ruthie
Life On Bonnie Lane
Mrs. B
Pearl's Sentimental Journey
Picket's Place
Pinkicingonthecake
Ruespeanutbutterandjellylife
Scooterblu's Whimsy
Southern Hospitality
Sweet Nothings
Terrie's Lil' Piece Of Serenity
The Barber Bunch
The Cozy Parsonage
The Cozy Yellow House

It's On

Ok, here I am. I am 50 years old, I am 5' 7"tall, I weigh in at 175 pounds. I would like to weigh 135 pounds. So my goal is to lose 40 pounds. Of my many purchases of diet plans, I plan to use SLIM IN 6. I’m choosing this plan because it promises that I’ll get the most results in only six weeks. So for the next six weeks I will be following this exercise plan, but using my own diet plan, which will be a low-fat low-carb diet.

I will eat the same meal from day to day for one week, which will start on Friday and end on Thursday. I have not checked with my doctor or a nutritionist, I will be choosing the foods that I like, because I think that I’ll be happier if I do. I will exercise Monday - Friday at 8:am every morning then start my first meal.

Week 1

My breakfast each day
1pkg instant oatmeal
1 strip of bacon
1 cup of milk
½ cup of grapes

Mid morning snack
1 apple
8 oz or more water

My lunch each day will be
2 slices of Sarah Lee Hearty & Delicious
100% whole wheat bread with honey
2 slices of tomato
2 leaves of lettuce
2 slices of turkey lunch meat
1 tablespoon of regular mayo
1 tablespoon of mustard
Made into a sandwich
1 half grapefruit
8 oz or more of water

Before dinner snack
1 apple
8 oz or more water

My dinner each day will be
3 oz of skinless, boneless, chicken breast
1 cup of green beans
Lettuce and Tomato as much as I want, made into a salad with
2 tablespoons of lemon juice with garlic powder and black pepper
½ cup of low fat cottage cheese
2 peach slices in light syrup
16 oz of green tea with lemon, and 2 packets of equal

Bedtime Snack
½ cup of grapes
8 oz or more water

I'm going to try to stick strictly to this plan, maybe if I get crazy and want something sweet I'll eat some of those baby carrots or chew a piece of sugarless gum. A big thank you to all my friends that will be cheering me on and offering prays and encouragement.

Oh and this has nothing to do with the diet, I know you were probably wondering what that greenery was hanging down. I didn't notice it until after the pictures were taken but, now I don't have anyone here to re-take them so, this is how its suppose to be. I hope you all will have wonderful times today. Deb

I recieved this award from Kindra @ 3 Guys A Girl And A Prim Place and Wendy of The Cozy Yellow House. I 've been visiting with them both since I began blogging and they have truely been a blessing to me. As it was there wish not leave anyone out, I too would like to pass this on to everyone who visits my blog or is on my blog list. Deb

WHAT SHALL I DO?

These are a few of my weight loss projects, some short lived but, most never left the ground. They are probably not listed in the order that I purchased them but, who can remember?

1. Slim in 6, I purchased this years ago. I used it relentlessly for two weeks, began to see progress but couldn't stick with it.

2. The firm, I ordered it years ago too, sat down and watched the first cd and that was all she wrote.

3. Pilates, tried it about 15 minutes.

4. Jane Fonda's Step Aerobics, I use this back in 1995 for about a year got great results I started at 150 pounds, my goal was to 127 pounds, which was my weight before I found out I was pregnant with Kandace. It took about 4 months dieting and exercise. In April of 1996, right after I lost my oldest daughter I lost down to 120 pounds which was not good so I stopped exercising and starting eating to bring my weight back and I never got back into it, but tried a couple of years later I couldn't stick with it. Now the video tape won't play. I found it on the Internet on cd but, haven't purchased it.

5. The AB-DOer , never got off the ground.

The Easy-Shaper, I believe is the name. I could have hired a SUMO wrestler with what that thing put me through or had a V-8.

The AB- Lounger, some say it worked for them but, me maybe I didn't get the results fast enough to make me want to stick with it.

6. Curves Trimming Shorts- sauna -action neoprene helps you shed excess water weight from your lower torso to your thighs. They will make you sweat but, I need it in a body suit.

7. Body shaper, Victoria's Secret. I bought the largest size they had, got it home and tried it out with horrible results, didn't hold anything in. It's now still tagged, and folded neatly in my drawer, I guess until who knows.


So this is the plan.

Tomorrow I plan to pick up one of these purchases that I have made and put it to use.

Tomorrow I will boldly post a before picture of myself, the weight I am now, my goal; and which plan I've chosen.

Hope you don't mind me using you, because I am. But, I'm hoping by using you I will be able to follow this through. I need your prayers and your encouragement. My weight is the only thing that I am unhappy with in my life. I had a plan that when I turned 50 that it would be the beginning of a new me, and that by my 50th birthday which was February of this year I would be my ideal weight and I failed. So here I go, again. I will post a picture of myself and an update of my progress every Friday whether good or bad. Deb