Home Again, Home Again, Jiggidy-Jig! :)

It was great to be in UT with family, helping out when this new grandson was born! :) I miss them all and am glad I was able to be there! :) I'm even more glad that the next visit is already planned, and that we are looking forward to their visit here, two months from now!! :)
I'm also happy to be back home with family here, resuming my own responsibilities! I'm surprised to discover that house work actually feels fun! :) I usually find fun in the yard and garden work, so it's nice to be enjoying the house work, too! :)
I didn't know I'd end up feeling a little "home sick", but I did. It's the longest Rud and I have been apart since we've married, so I really missed him, and I missed our son, home, friends, yard, and our bed! :)
Of course, now that I'm back I'm missing family there! :) But I'm still glad to be home! I've found I truely am a home body! :)

Looking Forward! :)

I'm looking forward to the new year, and all I hope to accomplish in it!! :)
This time of the year is always exciting to me as the shortest day of the year has past, which means the days are now getting longer, and tree and plant buds will begin to swell in anticipation of Spring! :)
It's the time of the year when seed catalogs begin to arrive in the mail, and it's time to pour over them, planning the new veggie' garden! :)
It's also time to think about starting those tomato and pepper seeds under the grow lights, on a heat mat! :)
So much to look forward to!! :)
Since my grandson needs my attention, I will close for now and wish you all a Happy New Year!!! :)
Get those resolutions written down, so they're not just a wish, but a Goal!! :) I couldn't wait, and wrote mine already!! :) Welcome 2011!!! :)

Quick Update! :)

Since my last post I'm continuing to chip away at these last 10 pounds, and am now looking at 8 left to go! 8.2 to be exact!! :)
When I get home I'll ask Rud to take a photo of me so you can see! :)
There's alot going on, so I'll just share a summary of my time here, when I get home! :)
If I don't write again, before Christmas, - MERRY CHRISTMAS every one!!!! :)

Single Digit! :)

I've been determined to lose my excess weight, since Christmas of last year, when I stepped on the scale and read 202!! My attempts at losing were pitiful untill I started counting calories last mid-May! :) Since then I've lost 44 pounds and counting!! :)
According to Wii Fit, my ideal weight should be 148.6! Yesterday morning I weighed 158.6 and rejoiced that I had finally reached that 10 lbs. point, which means I am finally on the home stretch of this weight loss adventure! :)
This morning I weighed in at 158.0 and realized that I finally hit a Single Digit, with 9.4 left to lose!! :)
Even though everyone says the last 10 lbs. are the hardest to lose, I'm hoping to reach my weight goal by March! March is not only my birthday, but it also marks another anniversary for Rud and I, and I want to give him back his thin wife as a gift! :)

Weight is only the first focus in my desire to be fit! When I get home I'm anxious to get back on the Nordic Track to start building my endurance, and start toning my muscles! :)
Fitness is now a life-long persuit for me, and calorie counting will be an ongoing part of it even after I've reached my weight goal! :)
I've been enjoying this journey, and celebrating at every turn! :)

I almost can't take in the fact that I'm finally at this point in my weight loss journey, with only Single Digit numbers, now, left to lose!! :) Someone may need to pinch me!! :)

Quick Update! :)

Just a quick update to let you know that I'm still breathing! :) I'm here in UT with my daughter, son-in-law, and two grandsons! :) (I forgot how wonderful newborns are!!!) :) I'll add photos and share more, when I'm home and have more time for the computer, again! :)
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I'm wishing you all a very Merry Christmas! :)

An Eternal Impact! :)

It has been my experience that the veil is thinnest when loved ones are passing through it, either by coming in, or by going out.
Lately I've been feeling a depth of inner emotion as I contemplate the changes that are soon to occur, as one dear one is prepairing to progress on, and another is prepairing to enter in!
One, my "Auntie-Mom", has been my mentor, and has helped shape who I am! She has always been faithful, loyal, loving, and supportive, not only to myself, but to all those around her who she's loved and befriended! She is at the end of her journey here, and I recently made one last visit, and swallowed back tears as I hugged her goodby! I will miss her so very dearly, - but I know when it's my turn to progress on, that she will be there to welcome and greet me! :)
The other, my soon-to-be newest grandchild, is getting restless now, anxious to make his appearance! It's with great joy that I anticipate his arrival, and the opportunity to see him and hold him in my arms, and show him the open, tender love I feel in my heart, - like Auntie-Mom has shown to me!! :)
It appears that he will be making his appearance around the same time she will be passing on. My emotions are a little up and down, right now, as I'm saying goodby to one and hello to the other.
I feel blessed knowing that both will have an eternal impact on my heart! :)

'Shrooms! :) Part 2

Sometimes mushrooms resemble other things! This one looks like a pancake! :)

These light ones remind me of the sand-dollar shells you'd find on the beach, and the dark gray ones remind me of wet sand, itself, as you near the ocean waves! :)

And this type of mushroom reminds me of some kind of thick sweet bread, pudding, or custard! :)

I took many more photos of the amazing variety of mushrooms that are plentiful throughout our yard! They come in many colors, shapes, and sizes! :)

Even though I've never seen a gnome, or fairy, on, around, or hiding beneath, any of them, I'd be lying if I said there isn't something magical about them! :)