The Happy Life Wife

The weight loss bug has captured my place of employment and I felt like I should join the bandwagon and join the mini Biggest Loser competition they are having. We all pay $1 and weigh in tomorrow, and then have until Feb 28th to see who loses the most weight, and who loses the biggest % of body fat. I figured I'd join in and if I win, get a nice lump of money in ADDITION to losing some of those extra lbs! So, here's to losing weight, and getting up and braving the winter storm to weigh in at work on my day off!

So, for some time I've been saying I was going to lose weight/get in shape....saying is the operative word there. Little has actually been done to shed any of those pesky lbs.  So, I have vowed to lose at least 30 pounds by our annual trip to the beach in July. I have 22 weeks, which in turn means I just have to lose a little over a pound a week...seriously I should be able to do that right?! I have issues with my thyroid which does make it difficult...but not impossible and I think I've been using it as a mental crutch/excuse to not TRY to lose weight and really set my mind to it, because I was just getting SO frustrated with dieting and working out and not seeing results. Therefore, I'd just give up.

This time around I'm not dieting, I'm just going to eat better and really focus on portion control. The hubs and I are only eating out one night a week, on our date night. I really have been feeling the desire to do this since reading Candace Cameron Bure's book Reshaping It All,  you should really check it out. It's got me super motivated, and has some great suggestions on how to rely on your faith, get/stay fit, and some great recipes that she uses in her own home.

So here's to getting started on what will be a long journey. I'm not planning on stopping at the beach goal weight, it's just a starting point!

Love this blog and love this give away!

Check out monster cakes give away where you get the chance to take home a sweet treat to dress up those ears of yours! 

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 My goal next week is to post EVERY day, here's to achieving that!

So, today was spent at hospice with Pop. We got home to our wonderful pups and the comfy bed with the hubs and pups is calling my name. Here are a few shots of us playing in the snow the other day!

Sorry, to the few readers that I have, for the delay this week in blogging. It's been a week full of work, job searching, and family time. The week started off with Kurt's grandfather, Pop, in the CICU at St. Luke's this week, and then moving to St. Luke's Hospice on Wednesday. We're headed there soon for more family time with Pop and others.  It's been a bit of an emotional week, as an RN I have more insight into what is going on with Pop, I see the benchmarks that he is hitting in the hospice process, and it's all bringing me back to when my grandfathers were on hospice in 2009, both a bittersweet experience.  I seem to almost have flashbacks to moments with my Grandpa Jerry from when I was taking care of him during his final days, and I've made a couple tearful calls to my mom back in Ohio sharing memories with her, and her heart and prayers go out to the whole family here in PA during this time.

The hospice care is wonderful, the staff is great, many memories, stories, and laughs are shared, along with tears and hugs. While many of us were there yesterday the St. Luke's Hospice chaplain came into the room and visited us and was so pleased to see us smiling, and telling stories and he said well "you all seem to be doing great. What a great environment for Hal to spend his final days, with all of this love surrounding him." I think in that moment we all stopped the idle chatter and story telling and looked up at the chaplain as he said, "You only get this kind of love, unless you've given that love out your whole life." I think that chaplain successfully brought a tear to every person in Pop's room right then.

It's so true that in the final days of someones life, you can really see how that person must have lived their life and the legacy that they built. It really is ALL about love. Giving love and support to one another. Families rally together to be with the loved one and with each other. I remember the camp out we had of inflatable mattresses and my grandparents home in Ohio while Grandpa was on hospice. We cooked together and shared stories, and it's the exact same experience we're having here now with Kurt's grandfather, Pop. 

It seems that there is no better way to leave this Earth into the Lord's arms than to be receiving the love from your family, friends, and loved ones that you gave our your entire life. 

You really do get what you give.

Three amazing new teas, and one was already a part of our kitchen. Tao De Fruit, Tahitian Limeade, Youthberry Orange Blossom, and a blend of White Avuredic and Samurai Chai Mate...all are seriously yummy teas! So, instead of cracking open that ice cold can of Diet Coke, I've turned to a nice hot cup of tea. With the cold weather, it hits the spot! I look forward to trying some of these, like the Tahitian Limeade, iced to perfection!

So, I find it hard to believe that it is already 2011, anyone else with me?!

 This year I've decided to kick the habit of drinking pop (soda for those of you east coasters). I am a complete addict when it comes to Diet Coke. I honestly drink way too much of the stuff and it's just not good for me. I found myself first grabbing for one of those tasty and bubbly beverages when I was thirsty instead of a nice glass of water. Today I was successful and honestly it was not hard at all, and I thought it would be, woohoo!

This year I am looking forward to getting back into shape and just treating my body right. I want to get back into running, and lose some of this poundage (if we look back to the people thinking I'm pregnant at the family reunion....it's necessary!). We want to become more active in church and really make it our priority to get there. We like going, it's not something we feel we HAVE to do, but we also need to not put it on the back burner. 

 I'm not considering these as resolutions for the year 2011, but as resolutions from here on out. So, wish me luck and I'll keep you all updated!