Inspirational thought for the day ---

I found this on another blog and thought I'd post it here. It's just what I needed.

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." ~Maya Angelou

So very, very true.

It's Autumn Time! It's Autumn Time!

The leaves are falling down. It's Autumn Time! It's Autumn! It's all around the town. I wish this were true. No leaves turning or falling yet, but I know it's around the corner somewhere. I'm trying to make it feel like fall a little earlier than it usually does around here. I've changed my blog background, my MyYahoo! background, and I've been looking for some fall crafts to do. I really want to make a fall wreath for my door since I can't hang up my little garden flag. Ace finished off my flag holder for me a while back. I guess I could get a new flag holder (and probably will) , but I'm really itching to make something. So if anyone has any cute or tried and true ideas, please pass them along.

New Giveaway

Another great giveaway over on Anne Bradshaw's blog. Hurry and enter! The winner will be chosen tomorrow. Good luck!

Well, crap!

That's it. I'm done. No more puppies for me. Terra, the one we rescued a couple of weeks ago, just died. We don't know what happened. She was fine this morning. I noticed her in her dog house this afternoon as I was leaving, but that's not unusual because she likes to nap in there. So, anyway, I guess that's it for me. I don't get it. I figured Jack would've been a goner by now, but that crazy thing has survived a snake bite, a massive tick invasion, and being shot in the leg. The kids don't even know about Terra yet. They were already in bed when Ian found her. She was alive enough to say a little good-bye, if dogs can do that, but that was it. Poor gal.

I have come to a decision

I have decided it's time to get serious about my health and weight. This is hard for me to admit because I've been in denial for quite some time. We all know what happens when we ignore something hoping it will go away; the problem keeps getting bigger until we are forced to deal with it.

My goals are:
To make better food choices and lose weight in a healthy way to increase my energy, feel better about myself, and to hopefully avoid the health issues that seem to plague my family---heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension.

My current weight is 242 (OUCH! That hurt.).

I will post a food and exercise journal here to help keep myself motivated. If anyone would like to join me you're more than welcome to. I will also post a before picture as soon as I can.

I know this isn't going to be easy and won't happen overnight, but I'm determined to do what is necessary to make the changes I need to make.

A new friend for Jack

We were on our way to the grocery store and came across this little gal.

She was trying to get something to eat from a trash bag someone tossed out on the side of the road. Ian accused me of being too much like my mom and sister, but he's the one that asked if I wanted to go back and get her.

The boys came up with the name, Terra. I asked how they wanted to spell it and Todd gave me this spelling, named for Sub-Terra(whoever that is---he said something about science in there too). I've learned not to ask. So here is Miss Terra. She and Jack get along just fine. What am I getting myself into . . . AGAIN?????

First day of school and other miscellaneous things

After a very brief conversation that started out going one way and ended up going in the exact opposite direction from where I was headed (boy, that was a LONG intro), the boys decided they wanted to go back to public school. So, we talked about the pros and cons of both and let them choose.

Here they are on the first day of school---Todd-5th grade and Zack-1st grade. The guidance counselor was having some computer issues on the Friday before school started and didn't have the boys assigned to a teacher. We thought we had it worked out by Friday afternoon, but when they got to school on Monday morning, they still didn't have a teacher. In the end they both ended up with the teachers we were hoping they'd get. Woohoo!

Other random news------

My mom gave me a small batch of butter beans a week or so ago. Lauren had to help me shell them. I cooked them that night for supper and they were so good! Lauren loved them too. I hope she'll keep her good eating habits. I haven't been so lucky with the two oldest.

This is what happens when you give this child a dark chocolate fudge pop. The boys didn't like them, but she didn't care as long as it was chocolate.


Back-to-school primary activity------

Todd helped the primary presidency plan a back-to-school activity for one of his Faith in God achievements. They played several water games and had a yummy treat afterward.

Lauren didn't care anything about the games. She just wanted to get her head wet. She kept going around to the water buckets and sticking her head in.

This is duck-duck-goose using a wet sponge. When you yell GOOSE! you squeeze water out all over that person's head. I think the kids liked this one the most. They played a water relay game and water tag also, but I forgot to take pictures.

Here's the best part----the yummy treat!!!! They had brownies with vanilla ice cream on top.


They all had a good time, but it was SOOO hot that day. The water games were a good idea. At least the kids were cooled off. I can't say the same for the adults.