gratitude community - december 27

109. Family... close and extended.

11o. Family who come to visit for Christmas.

111. For trips to Disneyland with family.

112. The Knights on King Arthur's Carousel

113. For boys who want to figure out how it works.

114. For those moments when I'm able to capture his joy.

115. When Grom lets me get a good picture.

116. For trusty white steeds that don't need to be fed and watered and mucked.

117. The beautiful and elaborate decorations for Christmastime. Nobody decorates like Disney.

118. For the million pink, green and especially orange lights that adorn "It's a Small World".

119. For memories from childhood. I've always loved that smiling face.

120. For an acceptable family portrait. Usually Grom goofs them up.

121. The happiest place on earth is happier because I stayed on my food plan. I felt so much better for having lost some weight.

122. dill pickles for sale near the Jungle Cruise.

123. The memory of Mama getting soaked as we flew down Splash Mountain.

124. Almost losing my voice from screaming on really fun rides.

125. Sharing memories from my childhood with my child. It was Grom's favorite ride.

126. A beautiful walk back to the hotel.

127. Being completely spent from an awesome day.

128. Sunday dinners with family.

129. Lace tablecloths and candles.

130. Gigi's special dishes and Mom's sterling silver.

131. Special salad just for me.

132. A funky little nativity set that reminds us that our Savior came as a tiny baby.

133. My mom's silly Santa collection.

134. Santa Bob (my dad) who loves to dress up for the kids.

135. For Grom, who when he's asked tells people he doesn't believe in Santa, but he believes in Jesus.

Want to live the shortest, surest rule to Happiness? Become a Joy Finder? Consider joining the Gratitude Community! Just jump in with your own counting!

How to begin your own 1000 Gift List ::: How Gratitude Can Change your Life

My scale went crazy - Week 7

originally posted at my Medifast blog

I bought a new scale back in October because my old scale couldn't handle how much I weighed.

Every time I jumped on it, it just said, "Err"

Err... why did you eat that bowl of ice cream last night?
Err... what are you going to do about this?
Err... get off already... you weigh too much.

I got rid of that scale at a garage sale last month. I bought a new one. It's Biggest Loser brand and I swear it does that crazy all over the place weighing just like the show.

I go to bed every Wednesday night anticipating waking up and weighing. Because it fluctuates so much, it's easiest and works best if I just look straight ahead. Surferman usually reads the weight for me.

Today he told me 375.5 pounds. If you're following my progress you'd know that would've been 11 some pounds this week. After I caught my breath, I told him we needed to do it again... 377.8 lbs. I weighed again and it said 389.5 (which would've been a gain). Ridiculous.

Surferman being the fixer he is, set out to figure out what was wrong with the scale. He cleaned the feet. He changed the battery. He bounced on the floor to see if he could feel a soft spot. Finally he declared it in proper working order after getting two consistent weights for himself.

I got on. It wasn't 11 pounds.
But it was 4.2 pounds!
35.2 pounds total.
I am very pleased.

I also realized today that I should have kept that other scale. It wouldn't be... err... complaining anymore.

My discovery of the week: It's possible to go to Disneyland and stay on plan. They sell dill pickles near the Jungle Cruise, and you can get a great salad in Tomorrowland. And of course you get to walk a bunch. Drinking water is the biggest problem because it's much better standing in line for a ride than a bathroom.

Baking with Grom

Grom and I did some baking for a Christmas outreach our church did last week.

We made brownies.

We made pumpkin bread.

We made banana bread.

I measured and mixed.
Grom cleaned out the bowls.


I promise that I make him wash his hands and face between batches.

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.
Psalm 5:3 NKJV

Sometimes it's worth getting up early.

Grom's no calorie Christmas Cookies

I found a free app for my iPhone.

It's called Cookies for Santa.


It's simple.
You pick decorations and drag them onto the cookie.
Grom can play it over and over.


Here are some of his cookies...

After you decorate the cookies you can write a note to Santa.
I'm sure his texting will get better.
He wants another Momo.
I'm so glad he hasn't out grown his friend yet.

Grom's Gingerbread Manor

Our annual Gingerbread House seems to have been on steroids this year.

I found a cool kit at Costco again.
However, the candy included for decorating was very boring... all red, white and green.

Grom and I made a trip to Powell's .
I went a little nuts buying candy.
I think it was because I knew I wasn't going to be eating any.

Construction consisted of 3 different building sessions.

Some pesky penguins showed up to play.

It's a sweet and cozy cottage.

Although I don't know which is sweeter... the boy or the house.

Run! Run! As fast as you can!

A baker took some gingerbread dough
And shaped a man from head to toe.
When it was baked, the cookie fled.


Here is what the cookie said:
Run! Run! As fast as you can!
You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man!


Run! Run! As fast as you can!
I'm the little Gingerbread Man!


The cookie man ran past a cow
Who said, "I want to eat you now!"
The cookie man just laughed and fled.


Here is what the cookie said:
Run! Run! As fast as you can!
You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man!


Run! Run! As fast as you can!
I'm the little Gingerbread Man!


A farmer saw the man go by.
He chased him low, he chased him high.
The cookie man just shook his head.


Here is what the cookie said:
Run! Run! As fast as you can!
You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man!
Run! Run! As fast as you can!
I'm the little Gingerbread Man!


He finally reached the river wide,
A fox asked, "Would you like a ride?"

The cookie sat on the fox's head,
Here is what the sly fox said:
"You can't run! That's my plan!
I'm going to eat you, Gingerbread Man!
You can't run! That's my plan!"

And he ate the gingerbread man!

I helped with Grom's Kindergarten Christmas Party. They made gingerbread men. I had to take pictures. They did such a good job and made some cute gingerbread men.

Coming Clean - Week 6

originally posted at my Medifast blog

3.2 lbs gone - 31 lbs total.

I'm a blogger. I've been blogging since November 2005. I blog about my life, my kid, my hobbies, but until recently I didn't blog about my weight. I am careful about privacy. My husband and my son both have nicknames, Suferman and Grom (a young sufer). I try not to provide information about where I live. I did a good job of concealing things I didn't want to share. My weight was one of those things. I didn't bring it up.

Recently I came clean. I posted about my struggles and admitted my denial. I asked for prayer and encouragement. I started sharing my MF blog entries and my MF successes. I'm glad I did. Losing this weight and getting healthy isn't going to happen overnight. I'm glad to have my friends on my side for the long haul.

I found myself getting a little free and easy with the condiments (and fats... yikes) this week. My goal for next week is to measure and account for these "extras" more diligently. The scale keeps going down. I have passed the 30 pound mark. Yippee!

For my birthday, my parents gave me a Pandora bracelet that I'm going to add beads to celebrate my weight loss. I'm thinking a bead for every 10 pounds. I'll be shopping for it and THREE beads this week. My favorite color is orange. Do you think I should get all different orange beads or just all different beads? I'm trying to decide.

We're going to Disneyland with family on Monday. Surferman, Grom and I will be traveling quite a bit next week. Staying on plan through it all will be my challenge. I know I can do it.

My discovery of the week: I shared my water drinking strategy a couple of weeks ago. This week I discovered that if I add a little hot water to my cold water it's nicer to drink on these cold mornings. I just take the chill off.

Pray for me.

gratitude community - december 14

96. supportive friends who I know will be praying for me.

97. Fish of the Day

98. Phoenix and Dragon - hold the sauce = steamed broccoli, mushrooms and snow peas with chicken breast and shrimp. A delicious way to do Chinese food.

99. a supportive friend who helped me out when I couldn't get internet on my phone.

100. an evening out at the Melodrama instead of dinner out for my birthday.

101. The Reindeer Rap - this year they let Rudolph join in the reindeer games

102. rain


103. rain puddles

105. boy who loves to play in the rain.

106. appreciating how the rain washes away the filth reminding me of my Savior's blood that washes away my filth - over and over again

107. having a real reason to wear hats and scarves

108. a new orange rain jacket

Want to live the shortest, surest rule to Happiness? Become a Joy Finder? Consider joining the Gratitude Community! Just jump in with your own counting!

How to begin your own 1000 Gift List ::: How Gratitude Can Change your Life

Daybook December 14, 2009

FOR TODAY... Monday December 14, 2009

Outside my window... it's getting to be dusk. I'm at gymnastics with Grom.

I am thinking... about Simon and his family and their trip to Boston for yet another surgery. Lord protect them, heal him, bless them.

I am hearing... the thud thud of girls jumping on a trampoline.

I am thankful for... this season when we celebrate the birth of my Savior.

I am wearing... black pants, sage green top, black shoes... boring. We were in the middle of a laundry back up this morning. I was running late and I just grabbed whatever.

I am remembering... that I need to stop and get some cough syrup. Both Surferman and Grom have a pretty nasty cough. It gets worse at night.

I am going... to Disneyland next Monday. Surferman's family is in California for Christmas so they decided a trip to see the mouse was in order. We are tagging along. I'm afraid it will be one of the busiest days of the year.

I am reading... I finally finished that last book. I have the next Elm Creek Quilters book from the library. I think I'll try to rip through it quick.

I am hoping... we have a great visit with Surferman's mom and step-dad. They arrive on Thursday.

On my mind... coffee. I haven't been drinking as much coffee as I'd like. I had planned to get a cup at Starbucks before gymnastics, but we didn't have enough time. I may have to stop and buy one for the way home. I miss my coffee.

From the learning rooms... we are reading books about Christmas. It's a marvelous "m" week at school. Hmmm... Mickey Mouse. Now we only have to come up with 5 or so more M words.

Noticing that... Grom is almost ready for a haircut and Surferman is overdue.

Pondering these words... "Are you listening? Are YOU listening? ARE YOU LISTENING?" Grom doesn't listen and I end up screaming. It's not attractive and I'm frustrated with both of us.

From the kitchen... lots of yummy food from the freezer. My sister and her husband are out of town this week. They left the girlies with us. I'm trying to keep dinner simple.

Around the house... presents to be wrapped, piles of stuff everywhere and a miserable Surferman.

A few plans for this week... I'm teaching at Kids Club on Wednesday. On Thursday, Surferman's parents arrive and we have Grom's school concert. The Kinders are singing. Friday night we have the High Schoolers stopping by for appetizers for their progressive dinner. Sunday we leave for SoCal. Disneyland on Monday!

One of my favorite things... Sparkling water with lime. I can drink it all day long. It gives me great belches... excuse me.

A picture to share...
from our last trip to Disney in September '08.

How you can pray for me and mine... that illness would leave our home (and stay away).... that Grom would listen better and that I wouldn't yell... that everything that needs to be done for Christmas would get done... that we would be patient and full of grace with each other.

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

What's for Dinner - December 13, 2009

So here's what my family is eating this week...

Monday
Arroz Con Pollo
Salad

Tuesday
Sesame Ginger Salmon
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans

Wednesday
~Everybody Pitch-In 4 Dinner~

Thursday
~Surferman's parents here~
Crockpot Beef Fajitas
Salad

Friday
~Appetizers for High School Progressive Dinner~
Fish and a Movie Night
Salmon
Baked Potatoes
Salad

Saturday
???

Sunday
~on the road to DISNEYLAND!~

Grom's Bookbag - Christmas

Here are the books were reading this week. Happy reading!

Almost a pound a day! - Week 5

6.8 lbs gone - 27.8 lbs total!

I was really hungry this week. I think it was related to my time of the month. I looked for bulky foods and I'll admit to eating a few more pickles than I'm supposed to. I made it through and am thinking about ways to prepare myself better next month. Good news... my face didn't break out as bad as it usually does.

I'm stoked that I had such a nice loss this week. It is encouraging to see results. I have noticed that my energy level is higher and that bending over and getting things off the ground is easier. I tried on a sweatshirt top that was too small. I can wear it now, even though I think it will look better when I lose a few more pounds.

My discovery of the week: vanilla pudding made with 1/2 cup iced decaf espresso... it's like tiramisu in a cup.

average weekly weight loss: 5.5 lbs

Pray for me.

An easy way to make someone's day

Found on my windshield outside Trader Joe's... a love note from a dear friend.

Grom decided the note was for me and the candy for him.

Dear Fast Food,

originally posted on 10/15/09 at "Less Robin"

1. Not available, 2. 11/365 - Taco Bell is a fickle mistress., 3. Jack in the box 2, 4. Burger King, 5. Carl's Jr., 6. Amye and Mark got KFC

Dear Fast Food,

We're through.

Ours has always been an unhealthy relationship. I turn to you when I'm busy, when I'm alone and when I'm stressed. You don't satisfy me. You don't nourish me. You make me sick.

I love myself and my family too much.

Don't call. I won't answer.

~Robin

Numi Dry Desert Lime

a new favorite thing...

If you like lime and Thai food... I predict you'll enjoy this tea. It's delicious and warms my tummy. It's spendy compared to grocery store teas, but what else can I spend my allowance on?

I'm looking for great decaf teas. Do you have a recommendation?

November 1, 2009

originally posted on 11/1/09 at "Less Robin"

photo by Memotions

No picture update this month. I haven't lost an ounce. I've even gained a little bit.

I just can't get it together.

I'm trying something new. I've ordered Medifast "food" and am actually anxiously waiting for it to arrive. I am very hopeful.

I think I'll be starting on Thursday. I had to do something and late one night last week, I decided that this was it.

I did Medifast back when I was in college and was actually very successful. Back then, there wasn't a lot of variety in the program. It was basically shakes and soup and that was it. I liked the simplicity.

Now it has more choices and you eat a "lean and green" meal once a day. I'll be tracking the number of carbs I consume each day (with online tools). There are a few other things to think about. I'm hoping I can keep it simple.

I'm committed to staying totally on program through the holidays. It won't be easy, but without choices, it will be easier.

Watch for weekly weight updates.

And pray for me.

October 1, 2009

originally posted on 10/3/09 at "Less Robin"

I can't believe I'm posting these photos. I'm trying to come clean... mostly with myself.

It CAN'T get worse than this.

Passing my first milestone - Week 4

originally posted on 12/04/09 at my Medifast blog
I am happy to be able to say that I stayed on plan through Thanksgiving and I lost 4 pounds! I know I've never lost weight over Thanksgiving before. I did more walking over the weekend then usual. It felt good.

I'm settling into the plan and have noticed my tastes changing. It's becoming easier - almost routine. I still have trouble with the oatmeal, but I keep trying.

My discovery of the week: Start the day with a big glass of water. I have those big plastic cups that hold 4 cups of water. First thing, I grab one of those and finish it before making my MF breakfast. It's like a head start with my water goal.

Average weekly weight loss: 5.25 lbs.

Pray for me.