Eating my "purest" meal . . .

As I sit here eating what I call my "purest" meal of lettuce, red cabbage, broccolli, and boiled egg (oh, and for good measure I cut up a string cheese ~ tasty) I contemplate where my life is now. I'm thinner, that's for sure, and I feel better with less aches and pains.

I call my salad my "purest" meal because this is what I will eat in order to get my body back in balance especially after I've eaten something I shouldn't have ~ like bread. I see my nutritionist on Wednesday, but I have a feeling that I already know the conclusion. I think I will forever eat things that are gluten-free and sugar-free. That includes sugar substitutes. That's ok. It's the least of my worries.

I have lost 40 pounds and hope to lose 10 more by the end of June. I'm good with that. :)

But you know what I find interesting in this journey? Sometimes I see myself thinner, but for the most part I see myself as I always was - as I was before. Until I put on clothes from before and they are way too big. I'm leaving so many clothes!! I haven't bought too much because I don't think I'm done losing the weight.

And as I finish my "purest" meal I think "that was delicious!"

Hunting...

We're thinking of buying a new car ~ so cool. Check it off on the bucket list! This will be the car we retire with because after that there will be no money to buy a new one so we need to make it worth the money. We're also planning trips in the near future so a new car would definitely help. We keep borrowing our younger son's car which he so graciously lets us use, but he has plans for the summer and we don't want to inconvenience him anymore. He's become a very independent young man.

Kiwi green is a nice color. What do you think? A midsize SUV would be ideal. Someday I will have grandbabies and I will be able to drive them around in a comfy car. :) Hint! Hint!

Car sales people, however, are a different breed. They pounce on the innocent right away! All we want is a good price and that's it!!

Wish us luck!!! And good blessings.

Almost There ....

It's been a long time since I have written on my blog ~ I had to verify who I was ~ interesting :). Almost done with our school year. It's been a long, long school year. I think it's been one of the longest, hardest I have ever had. I started out the school year with five behavior problems that was reduced by one half way through the year. Children now a days are different from the children I began teaching with. I don't know what it is really. I have to think it's the fact that both parents may be working and no one is home for the children. Perhaps it's the discipline parents give in this day and age which does not exist. Lack of respect is another detriment ~ bad language seems common. So sad. I'm ready to let this group go. Don't get me wrong, I have some really sweet, respectful students and I feel for them when those four get out of hand ~ and those students I will miss.

My health has improved a lot. Finally went to see a nutritionist and she has helped me so much. Feeling so much better, but still have a way to go.

Looking forward to the day I can retire and leave the teaching to the young folks. :)

Memorial Day is around the corner. I should have report cards done by then and looking forward to a peaceful weekend.

Sadness for Japan . . .

Stressful, fear, worried, risk of radiation exposure, limited communication, financial meltdown, uncertainty, evacuate, difficulties, panic, survival efforts, empty store shelves, mudslides, ghost towns, no gas, no available resources, devestation, scary ~ all the words I heard in less than 10 minutes regarding the earthquake in Japan. So sad.

After going to the gym this morning, I decided to go to the 99 cent store and pick up supplies for an earthquake kit I'm putting together for our son and ourselves. Bought bandaids, gauze, alcohol pads, etc. Good prices. I then stopped at the grocery store to do my weekly shopping and bought a lot of water. I don't know, but all these earthquakes have got me a little jittery. Living close to Los Angeles does not quiet my fears. I know that if we get a "big" earthquake, we will definitely feel it and possible receive some major damage.

I look at the lines of people trying to get water and food and I think about the fact that this is Japan and they were suppose to always be ready ~ like us. Earthquakes are unpredictable - worse a tsunami, nevertheless, we need to be ready to the best of our ability.

I need to get a crank-up radio and "stay calm."

GET To WORK!!!!

Interesting ... half the day is gone and I haven't made a dent in correcting my students' papers. The day is beautiful outside ~ came back from the gym and sat down to have coffee with my husband outside in the patio.

My intentions have been good as far as correcting goes, but I had a feeling we would have company this weekend and we did :). My best friend from college came by to visit, we were able to spend time with our children who also stopped by yesterday. Always love seeing them.

We received news that a friend of ours had passed away up north. He had been sick for a while and we knew it was a matter of time. He is resting now.

When I hear news like that, I have to stop and take a breath, stop and look around at all that I have, stop and appreciate all of God's blessings in our life together. We are in a good place. Thank you LORD.

Alright I really do need to get to work ~ correct, correct, correct!!!!!

"Home..."

I'm going "home." I have not been back for about 25 years. This is the area where I grew up ~ the Hagerman Valley. The reason for going is not exactly why we wanted to go. We had plans to go near the 4th of July for my little sister's birthday. We had planned to make it a family event with our children caravaning with us, but we will go sooner. My little sister needs an operation and this is why we are going ~ to support her and my mama.

I have to believe everything will be alright. She will be on the road back to health as soon as she gets this operation. Everything will be alright. It has to be.

I'm going home, hard to believe.

Why?

Sometimes I don't get it.
What do I do? Pray?
I will, but will it be enough?
What happened?
And why?
I was happy~
For a moment...