Weighing In

My new scale, and toes in need
of a pedicure.

I've had it with feeling fat and frumpy when I should be forty(ish) and fabulous. So I've decided to do something about it.

Here's the plan...

Food Journal:  I have a tendency to snack. A lot. Writing down everything I eat will force me to acknowledge how much I'm eating, and hopefully encourage me to eat less.  That's the theory. I'm also trying to make healthier choices and reduce my portion sizes.

Regular Exercise:  I'm an admitted couch potato. Don't get me wrong, I love to go camping and hiking.  But when I'm home, I'm usually curled up on the couch with a book or my laptop. Last week, I received my Zumba Total-Body Transformation System from Amazon, and discovered just how fun this exercise program can be. I love Latin dance and I'm really hoping that this is something I can stick with.

Measurements:  On Saturday, I bought a new digital scale. I recorded my weight and measurements and will check these weekly.  This is my least favorite part of the plan because my numbers really suck right now.

Accountability:  I'll be posting my progress here every week. No, I'm not going to post my weight or measurements (I'm not that gutsy), but I will report how much I've lost - or gained. I'll also share my observations on eating and exercise.

So far I'm feeling really good about this. I've been faithfully doing Zumba workouts every evening. I skipped over the weekend, but made up for it with running a ton of errands on Saturday and mowing the yard on Sunday. The food journal is an eye opener. It makes me think twice about grabbing yet another handful of M&M's. As for the measurements... well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Let's Hear It For the Boys

Aren't boys amazing? They can spend an entire afternoon pelting each other with paintballs in 100 degree heat, and still remain best friends. Let's hear it for the boys!

This photo was submitted in the I Heart Faces weekly photo challenge - http://iheartfaces.com/.

Things My Father Taught Me

I haven't spoken to my father in over ten years.

My parents divorced when I was seven and we moved to Texas a few years later. For years, I tried to stay in contact with him through letters, phone calls, occasional visits, announcements and greeting cards. I maintained the hope that one day he would realize that he missed me and wanted me to be a part of his life.

I pretended that it didn't hurt when he never responded. I was kidding myself.

Five years ago, I gave up. I finally admitted to myself that he was never going to respond and I was wasting my time.

If I were to talk with my father today, I would thank him for teaching me a few things about parenting.

• You do not divorce your children when you divorce your spouse. Children are family forever.
• Children are a labor of love. They should never be made to feel like a burden.
• It takes very little effort to show your child that she is loved.
• Children (both boys and girls) need a male role model in their lives.
• Promises are not made to be broken. Sometimes, it can't be helped, but it should be a rare occurrence.

These are just a few of the things I have learned from my father. I like to think that they have helped make me a better parent for my son.

Perhaps one day my father will realize what he's missed.

Graduation

We found out on Friday that James would be sitting on the stage during graduation - one of the top ten students in his class. (He is number ten.) On Saturday morning, we found out that he would be speaking.

What?? Why doesn't my son share these small, but important details? And why didn't I order a video of the ceremony?

We arrived at the SHSU Coliseum at 1:30 - an hour and a half early, as instructed. The students found their seats, then proceeded to mill about the coliseum floor - taking pictures and visiting with friends.

My mother and her husband joined us a few moments before the ceremony began and we watched as the students lined up by rows and filed out. As they exited the coliseum, we noticed that each student carried a rose and each row of students was connected by a ribbon tied to their roses. Interesting.

The ceremony itself went by in a blur. We cheered when they introduced the top ten students and listed their accomplishments, and we were happily surprised when the principal acknowledged James' attendance achievement. We listened to the clever speeches and then watched our son and his friends, some that he's known since kindergarden, walk across the stage and receive their diplomas. We cried as they cut the ribbons at the rose ceremony, separating each student from his classmates. We broke into wild applause as James took the stage for the closing speech, and we all cheered as the caps went flying into the air... and James' cap landed at the principal's feet.

We've watched these kids grow up and now they're headed off in different directions and to new adventures. They've come so far... and we can't wait to see what they'll accomplish next.

Congratulations Caney Creek Class of 2011! Good luck and God Bless!


Photo credit: David Mackey