Birthday/Labor Day Weekend

So my birthday started off with a BANG for sure. On my way to work, all of a sudden my car had no power. All the gauges went blank, radio turned off, and the ac. So I called my dad since he had just bought me a new battery the day before b/c the same thing had happened. So dad told me to just drive it as far as I could but of course I was freaking out b/c I didn't know how fast I was going. I kept driving and then the car started to jerk--SCARY!!! I pulled over on the side of the road and called my daddy to come get me. He told me to contact AAA b/c I would need to be towed--thank you hubby for paying for AAA so that my car was safely taken to my parents home :O)! So my dad came to pick me up and decided to give me his SUPER DUTY to drive until he got off work. I looked AWESOME!!!!!! Anyhow, I also spilled coffee in my dads floor--icing on the cake as if the car dying was not enough. My mom and dad told me not to be upset b/c it was my b-day but it was super hard. The day did get better. Mom took me to lunch for my birthday and then dad told me he would be able to fix my car--it was the alternator. Mom gave me her truck for the weekend so that daddy could fix my car. So with all that said, My birthday was a little crazy but I did get my car fixed and was reminded at how AMAZINGLY blessed I am to have such wonderful parents!!!

So on my way home Rob told me I had a surprise at home from him. He had already given me my gifts but he had something else for me. He said that since I had a rough day this would make me feel better. And boy did it ever!!! He had contacted our friend Bambi to have some cupcakes made for me. They were made with Splenda too since I am trying to eat better and be healthy. The cupcakes were delicious--there were three kinds: red velvet, carrot cake, and German chocolate. HEAVEN!!!! So when I got home, Rob also took me out for supper. We had Tokyo which I love. It was delicious!

Saturday, Roddy boy had his vet appointment. He didn't want to be there this time and he was shaking in his skin. He did well though. He got his rabies shot and another shot a well. We thought he was going to be tired after his shots but he was in full force play mode. He also got a bed that swallows him but he loves it and its just like uncle chewies! We just layed around the house to make sure that he was ok from his shots.

Sunday, we of course attended church. I also used our rotisserie for teh first time and cooked two Cornish game hens. DELICIOUS!!! Rob asked me why I had waited so long to use it....too funny! We enjoyed our meal and again just hung out at the house. Tomorrow though will be the fun day!!!

Monday, since we were off of work we decided to head to Columbia to spend some moolah. I of course wanted to go to Lane Bryant to use my gift card and Rob wanted to go to Garnet and Black. We both got what we wanted. I got a new outfit--pants, shirt, watch, and shoes-- for less that $100 bucks!!! Rob got a new Gamecock Jersey and he was super excited about that. We ate lunch at Fuddruckers--we love this place but don't go often since its a little drive to get there. We went to the mall to have my ring inspected, cleaned, and just walked around. We didn't buy much there but we did pick up a few Christmas gifts :O)! After shopping for a bit it was supper time and we went to Texas Roadhouse. We love this place too. I always get the grilled pork chops and Rob usually gets steak but he got my pork chops this time too. They are so thick and juicy that you think you are eating a steak. After eating we headed on home to get some much needed rest for the week ahead.

I love lazy weekends with my hubby!!! Makes me smile so much!!

I am a happy wifey!!
J-Tru

Lose For Good

Today was the Kick Off for the LOSE FOR GOOD campaign with Weight Watchers. Basically the amount of weight I lose from today until October 15th. I decided that my goal for this campaign is to lose 15 pounds which in turn means donating 15 pounds of food to a local food bank!! How awesome is that?!?!? :O)

This week I weighed in and I was down .6 pound. Its not a huge number but its a start! Total lost is 61.4!!!

So each week I will post a pic of the food that is being donated. So this week here is my .6 pound donation...

The pic will be full of stuff soon I hope but at least I have one can to donate so far!! :O)

Losing for Good!
J-Tru

Roddy meets Chewie

This weekend was a special weekend for our Roddy boy. He met his grandparents and his uncle Chewie. For those of you who don't know, Chewie is Robs moms dachshund. I arrived in Lancaster before Rob and forewarned Chewie that Roddy was on his way and that he was excited to meet him--we had been telling Roddy all week he was going to get to play with Chewie. Roddy and Rob arrive at the house and Roddy is not sure where he is but he starts smelling everything outside. He also met Brad and Stacey Kirkley--a sweet couple who go to church with Robs mom. Chewie and Grandma Barbara met Roddy. Chewie wasn't too sure about Roddy at first b/c he kept jumping on him but he did get used to him and they both used the grass together to potty. Roddy thought that Chewie should play with him constantly but Chewie is nine years old and didn't want much to do with him. Roddy did take over Chewies big bed, played with his stuffed animals, and drank from his water bowl. Roddy loved playing with Grandma Barbara too. She would bark at him and just pick him up and give him lots of hugs and kisses. He really liked getting all the attention from her!!! Roddy did well with pottying and he messed only two times in the house....thank goodness it was linoleum!!! He also go to meet Miss Debbie Elliott who is a long time friend of Grandma Barbara's. She enjoyed Roddy even though he was not a very good host! After enjoying time in Lancaster on Friday and Saturday, we headed home on Sunday. Roddy got to meet his Grandparents in Lugoff too. He enjoyed playing in the living room and of course had to leave his mark there too. He pottied on the floor but that was his way of making them remember him! My dad had to go to church early for evening service but he thought Roddy was super cute....dad loves the dachshund breed!! Mom played with him a little more and threw the ball with him in the living room. After a while of playing it was time to head home to Orangeburg. We enjoyed our visits this weekend and Roddy enjoyed meeting his family!!! More trips to come!!!

Love that boy of ours!
J-Tru

out of my element

This past week I was at my parents house because I was on-call for work. I had no control over what was being prepared for supper and I was pretty much just trying to eat well and not go over my points. Some days were better than others for sure but I did have a great week at home. I even ran/walked a few times this week!!!! I did get on the scale here at home on Sunday and it was pretty much the same as last week so I am hoping I either maintained again or lost a few ounces....a pound would be great!!!

So I stepped on the scale and the result is DOWN 2.0 pounds!!! That was super exciting for me today. So that is right folks, my total is 60.8!!!

This week I am going to try to change up my exercise routine, my even tackle the elliptical machine...DUN DUN DUN!!

One thing that Joanie said today was this--what is the difference between fAt and fIt---I!! I have to make the right choices and that it what I am doing!!!


Enjoy Life, Eat Healthy!
J-Tru

Maintained

Today at WW we talked about having meatless meals. At first I was against it but I think it is something I would like to try at some point. There are steps to a great meatless meal:

1-Start with a veggie/fruit
2-add a protein (cheese/lentils/tofu)
3-add whole grains
4- add healthy fat (oil)
5- add spices....FLAVOR enhancement

Some other suggestions were to try veggie burgers. That is a thought!

My weigh in today was good. My weight was maintained so we are at 58.8 pounds lost!!! YAY!! I will hit the 60 pound mark next week, that is my small goal to meet!! :O)

Keep On Walking
J-Tru

Beautiful People...

Love this quote that I read on my friend Stephanie McLawhorns Facebook page and had to share....

The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen. -- Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Be Beautiful!
J-Tru

The "Perfect" Life

Lately I have been thinking about my life and how it really is "perfect". I have a wonderful family who is supportive of everything I do. I have a fantastic husband who encourages me on a daily basis to be me and to not let anyone bring me down. I have amazing in-laws who accept me as I am, even though I am a Clemson fan :O). I have terrific friends who are always there for me even if we haven't talked in ages. I have a Christ-centered Church family that lift me up through words, thoughtful gestures, and simple cards. So to me that is "perfect".

I am not saying that I don't have issues that arise but to me the most important thing is that I look at the positive side and not dwell on the negatives. Yes, we have bills to pay but is that going to keep me from enjoying fun things? NO! Yes we have stress but does that make me Mrs. ILL-PANTS all the time? NO! There are always worries about the future but do I let that keep me from enjoying the present? NO! I don't want to be so caught up in all the worries of life or stresses of life that I forget to enjoy my life. I don't want to be the one who is always negative or posting "woe is me" status messages on Facebook (and no I am not saying that I have never had one of those moments!). I mean who really wants to read (or stalk) peoples Facebook pages if they are ALWAYS being negative Nellie's!!!--Not this kid!! I want to be uplifted by people and at times when I ready those negative updates, it really makes me wonder if they are doing this to get attention or if there is truly some deep down issue that they are not dealing with appropriately. ***If you have an issue get professional help, that is why they are there!!!!***

Ok enough of my preaching....was I on my soap box?? YES! So overall, I think my life is perfect. I wouldn't want to trade lives with anyone for one minute. I enjoy the struggles I have b/c I grow and learn from them but I also enjoy the absolute days of JOY b/c I know that the SON is shining on me and that is all that matters.

So, don't dwell on the negative or you will never be happy with your "perfect" life!!!

J-Tru