My Newest maiden voyage

. .

I am down to 179. First time in months! It feels great! I can wear any of my size 14 capris. Now, it is time for the next ten lbs. Not as easy to lose but I've been walking 5 days a week and some minor "running" in those walks. Not too shabby!

I finally took the plunge and had my eyebrows waxed. Not bad. It looks nice and I feel ready for the big day tomorrow.




I also had my first french manicure and pedicure.

Somber is as Somber Sees....

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Okay, I am very "somber" today. I received an e-mail forwarded a couple of times but from someone I know through my HS senior. Four girls were driving in a Chevy Blazer Friday night (in Daytona Beach area) and the vehicle flipped over. The driver was NOT wearing her seat belt. The other three were. Here:

"She's in intensive care at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona. She has massive internal injuries and they thought she might not make it Friday night. Saturday she had 6 hours of surgery to stop the bleeding, which (her dad) said the doctors thought was successful. Her pelvis is crushed and they had to put plates in. Today she was supposed to have more surgery, but I don't know how that went. He said she'll need reconstructive surgery to her pelvis and hip."

Quoted from the e-mail. So, you can see why the somber mood. It is hitting close to home. My son is just learning how to drive. I say he isn't nearly ready. (And he certainly isn't the only one not ready, in my opinion.) I would even be willing to wait until next year before he has his license since I see a lot more than I say. It's scary out there and one wrong move can change your direction for the rest of your life. Yes, I know it can happen at any time but with teens' hormones raging and so many pressures on them to succeed and be something while also trying to fit in with their peers...well, you get the picture. At least you do if you have been there. And more so if you have children.

The other story I saw on the news...also close to home...was about the football player from Lake Brantley who was shot and killed by a fellow ex-classmate. A possible drug deal gone bad, from what I read on-line at WFTV. Why was this student allowed to be on the football team if he had "minor" drug charges against him? And he was a top-notch wrestler. I feel badly for his family. Like I said, it hits close to home. Maybe this is a wake up call to the class of 2007.

My new ending will be "Namaste". A word that is from Sanskrit and means "Peace be with you". It is my way of life... so, until another entry...Namaste...

Another 5 miles

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KJ and I walked 5 miles tonight. It was before dark and we returned to our street as the darkness settled in. I ate a Healthy Choice. The last one, I think I bought. It was chicken parm and was actually the best I've have. Though still not worth buying again. I will have Lean Cuisine tomorrow for dinner and probably a sub for lunch. Drinking lots of water.

I have to buy more LC meals at Albertsons or Publix tomorrow. I want the 7 and 8 point meals as I don't think I'm eating enough calories each day. I'm enjoying reading other's blogs about their weight loss. Very encouraging to me.

My goal after the 10 lbs for the wedding will be another 10 lbs by Kent's birthday which is Sept. 7th. That will be three weeks from then (plus a couple of days). That should bring me down to 168 lbs. Then our anniversary is October 5th. Another 10 lbs. So, by fall break I should be down below 160 which I haven't seen since my stepdad died in 2001.

10K in 2 hours

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I did a MFM (see links to right) walk yesterday. It was hot but refreshing to be out. I lost another lb. Down to 180 now. I have 2 lbs to go before Saturday. NP

I hope I can start running (jogging is running for me) soon. I did about a minute on the treadmill the other night but I have to take it really slow since I have the shin splints in the back of my mind.

There are MFM walks every weekend til labor day. I will miss this Saturday but hope to go to the other 5.

Where I live

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I thought I would show you where I live and what it is like to live here. I will start by putting a web link under the "Links" section to the right. It will take you to "About Oviedo, Florida". I will share some pictures as I am able.

60:30 3.37

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Another walk bites the dust! The treadmill is getting its workout this week. I have done 4 walks on it and Kent did one last night and is about to do his second walk with his new shoes. It beats being out in the 95 degree high humidity and heat. If I can keep up the exercising, I could potetially lose as much as I need to. My first goal was 10 lbs. but I will probably excede that by a couple and then it's on to the next goal. I want to have a bi-weekly massage to keep any kinks from holding me back and some warm epsom baths to help excrete the toxins and wastes from my body.

I want to be a lean, mean, fighting machine!!!

Wearing a New Hat

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Karl has recently trained in the food Court of Target and was called in tonight for a few hours. I got a couple of quick pics of him in uniform. He wanted to work in this area because it gave him an increase in pay. (Small but significant to a first jobber!)

"Mom, do you have to?!!!"

He was done smiling after the first picture!!! They just don't get scrapbooking moments!!!

61:45 3.53

.

I walked the treadmill tonight and I have picked up my pace slightly from last week. Yesterday, my husband and I walked 4 miles but he had quite a problem with his shoes. I gave him a $5 coupon for shoes at Shoe Carnival and he got himself a pair of New Balance (extra wide). Hopefully, we can go for a full 5 mile walk. Our main street is 7 miles from one end of the residential area to the other. That is the ultimate goal for me. I used to do it in under 2 hours once or twice a week.

Tonight I had another Lean Cuisine. It is by far my favorite. Every meal of theirs that I have had, I enjoyed. They are all very tasty. The Smart Ones meal (by Weight Watchers) is a close second. The food choices are widely varied and that helps. I won't buy anymore Healthy Choice as they are too bland for me. But between the other two, I can stay on this "diet" easily!

All Smiles

. . .

KJ had his braces removed today. He is ecstatic. He keeps on licking his teeth!

At the orthodontist's office, waiting to be called.

Here he is. All smiles!

B. M. O. C.

.....

Big Men On Campus

. .

Yes, this is the big year that both boys will be at the top of their levels in school. Karl is a senior in high school and KJ is an 8th grader in middle school.

Karl, just outside the front door, leaving for his first day as a senior at Oviedo High School.

Getting into his friend's car at 6:30 am for their first day.

B.M.O.C. Part 2

.....

Good Morning! Ready for the first day?

. .

KJ at the front door ready walk to the bus stop for his first day as an eighth grader at Jackson Heights Middle School.

Outside in the driveway turning for one last smile.

Walking across the street with a wave good-bye for his mom.

30:00 1.54

This was the time I walked on the treadmill and the distance I went. I had to slow down from 17+ minute pace to a 20 minute pace because of shin pains (the reason I stopped running years ago). I need to stretch out my lower legs before walking and maybe a warm epsom salt bath soak will help, too. My weight is down another half pound so I am at 182 today.

I have been watching my eating and feel hungry at bedtime every night. I have eaten more fruits and vegetables than I was and getting a cup of milk a day with my cereal in the morning. I was tired last night and a bit tired to day but the walk has re-energized me. I still have two weeks and only 4 lbs to go. I will keep losing if I surpass my goal before the date. I hope to lose enough to fit in my size 12 clothes from a couple of years ago. We'll see...

Weigh-In

182.5 lbs Not bad but it's the easiest to lose. The next few days are the hardest to stick out. I've been drinking lots of water and some iced tea with lemon. Thank God for Splenda. It has been a life saver!

61:26 3.17

Those were the time and distance of my walk on the treadmill tonight. WOW! I can't believe I finally got started. I have a ways to go. The last post had the song of the day referring to my fat cells and not my husband! The book is one I bought a while back and decided I will need while I am losing weight. It has come in handy so far since I need to stay focused. Meditation works to serve that purpose. The food was where I was supposed to go for lunch but my BFF was not feeling well and I decided to eat my Subway sub. That is my lunch or dinner for each day and since they have a deal right now, I'm taking advantage of it. $2.49 for a 6" sub. Each day is a different one and I may not do the meatball or chicken bourbon sub since they have more calories. I am also having a diet frozen dinner as a meal, too. So far, I have had a Lean Cuisine and a Healthy Choice meal. Both were chicken alfredo with broccoli. You get what you pay for because the Lean Cuisine was $1 more than the Healthy Choice. And cost more than a 6" sub! The flavor of LC was much better than the HC and the chicken tasted more like chicken should taste.

Okay, on tap for tomorrow, more weight loss and walking. I was only going to diet until the wedding that I am going to with my brother (at the Grand Floridian, no less) but I amy keep it up for a while so I can fit back in my size 12 clothes loosely.

Of The Day

Song - "Please Release Me, Let Me Go" - Engelbert Humperdinck/Esther Phillips (sung by Dean Martin)

Book - Meditation For Dummies - Stephan Bodian

Food - Pot Stickers with Zen Sauce (T.G. I. Friday's)

Happy 4th Picture...

Karl and Kimmy in a rare photo moment on July 4th.

Song Of The Day

Friday, June 30, 2006

"Can't Help Falling In Love" - Elvis (written by George Weiss, Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore)

Song Of The Day

Thursday, June 29, 2006

"Day After Day" - Badfinger

Song Of The Day

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

"Stairway To Heaven" - Led Zeppelin

Song Of The Day

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

"March Of The Toreadors" - Bizet

Song Of The Day

Monday, June 26, 2006

"Crystal Blue Persuasion" - Tommy James and the Shondells

Song Of The Day

Sunday, June 25, 2006

"With A Litttle Help From My Friends" - Beatles

Song Of The Day

Saturday, June 24, 2006

"Bring 'Em Home" - Bruce Springsteen (written by Pete Seeger)

Song Of The Day

Thursday, June 22, 2006

"You've Got A Friend" - Carole King (also sung by James Taylor)

Song Of The Day

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

"Leavin On A Jet Plane" - Peter, Paul & Mary (written by John Denver)

A cool site...

I always surf late into the night as I prepare something for the blog. Tonight was no exception! I attached the link for "Erwin", TN and when I clicked on the web site, I found something called "Quilt Trail". I went there and found a great site for searching out barns in eastern TN with quilt patterns adorning them. This is cool and some day, I hope to drive to some of those sites and see them for myself. I did something similar a few years back when I took my boys around Orlando and snapped pics with the LIZART figures standing taller than any of us.

Back in December...Paris....

I went with my BFF to EPCOT after Christmas and we had a great time together (we always do)! Here we are eating in France (I think it is so cool to say that). They had the best quiche I've ever eaten and the cheesecake was scrumptious!

Song Of The Day

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

"Bridge Over Troubled Water" - Simon & Garfunkel

oooo.....one last pic....

Okay, I thought about this picture I took. We had a lot of dust in TX so I took advantage of it on the back window. We have been sporting this ever since! And we haven't had any rain hitting the back window.

The side windows had (1) each day crossed out except for the present one on one side (can't see it anymore) and (2) the states listed that we had gone through (still can see it but haven't taken a pic since IA).

I also had "Thing 1" on Karl's side and "Thing 2" on KJ's side but they can roll their windows up and down and it got wiped away! Oh well, it was nice while it lasted!!!

Homeward Bound

There's a lot of songs to express the upcoming trip back to FL. I used JD's song because it is the CD we put on whenever we leave TN coming from Erwin, where Kent's parents live now. These are the mountains we know and though we drove through VA and even stayed overnight in WV, these lyrics can easily reflect TN and NC as we drive away, southward to the Atlantic Ocean.....these country roads will be taking us home and back here, soon again!

Song Of The Day

Sunday, June 18, 2006

"Take Me Home, Country Roads" - John Denver

Quick Note

I don't know if you know this but if you click on each picture, it will enlarge it for a better view. Also, if you click on anything that is underlined and highlighted, it will take you to a related web site...like the songs take you to the full lyrics.

Song Of The Day

Friday, June 16, 2006

"Simple Man" - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Relaxing in the Mountains

Hello! I've been taking it easy since we got to Kent's parent's house in TN. We are having great weather once again! It was about 70 degrees today in the sun. It feels good to wear pants and long sleeves.

We ate at Maple Grove for dinner tonight. I should have taken a picture. The food is so good there. We are going back for dinner tomorrow (Friday). The special is turkey and dressing plus two sides for $4.99. And you get a roll and butter and the portions are tremendous! Tonight I had the roast and gravy and it's the only place I've ever had it where there wasn't any fat or grizzle to pull off! WOW! MMMMMM....(yes, I'm gaining weight here!)

We'll be home on Sunday. As much as I enjoy being here in the country, I am looking forward to being home in my own "place".

Below are the fun things you can do on vacation. First one to bed is always fair game and mom and dad were always first to sleep as you can see...




Karl actually ate these M n Ms later!!!

"Every party has a pooper that's why we invited you....party pooper....party pooper...." (Hey, that should have been the title for the other picture!!!)

Song Of The Day

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

"Basket Case" - Green Day

Day 20 - Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Today was spent in several places. We went to Canton an hour away from Cleveland. We stopped by to take a few pics in front of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. We also made a quick trip into the gift shop to get postcards and other items.



Then we drove on to Dresden, OH for lunch and pics. We ate at Popeye's. A 50's style restaurant that Dave Longaberger opened before he went into making baskets full time. It was good and the baskets were all over the restaurant!

I ran in to see the quaint stores around Dresden.
This is a mecca for ladies who want to get a way for a long weekend!!! Great gift shops and lots of opportunities for pics. The weather couldn't have been better, also.

We then drove on to Newark. Home of the Longaberger Headquarters. A huge basket shaped building with lots of cool features.

News for tomorrow...

I thought I would give you a glimpse of where we are headed tomorrow. Take a peek...

Football Hall Of Fame in Canton, OH

lunch in Dresden, OH

World's Largest Basket Headquarters in Newark, OH

TTFN

Song Of The Day

Monday, June 12, 2006

"Old Time Rock and Roll" - Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band

Day 19 - Monday, June 12, 2006

Okay, we are finally at The House That Rock Built. We were late getting there so we didn't go into the museum but the gift shop was full of things to look at and even more things to want to purchase!!! The interior is multi-level and there were large items haging from the wondows above. Very cool!


We also drove around Cleveland and saw the homes of the Cavaliers, Browns and Indians...basketball, football and baseball teams...in that order. Tomorrow we will move on to Charleston, WV. Only an overnight stay but a very quaint one, at that.

Day 18 - Sunday, June 11, 2006

Here we are at Cedar Point just outside of Sandusky, OH. 16 rollercoasters and a whole lot of screams!!! We were able to do 12 of them and the space needle plus some food along the way. What a wonderful day!!! Low 60's and mostly sunny all day (hence, my jacket)! We sure are lucky!!!

If you can't see the video below, you are required to have Macromedia Flash Player 8. If you click on the screen, it should tell you how to download it. It's free to download. It is 1 minute and 50 seconds of us on Mean Streak...the big wooden rollercoaster. It was so much fun and using my little Elph camera which can do video, is just unbelievable!

Cedar Point

Song Of The Day

Sunday, June 11, 2006

"Rollercoaster Of Love" - The Ohio Players

Day 17 - Saturday, June 10, 2006

Here we are, the night before the big day for the boys. We are standing at Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio. (If you look to mthe left behind us, you can see the rollercoasters at Cedar Point.) It is around 7 pm and the weather was below 60 degrees. I was freezing! At least the sun is out and the weather is clear and mild. Hopefully, tomorrow will be more of the same. Time for dinner and bed!!!

Song Of The Day

Friday, June 9, 2006

"I Can't Drive 55" - Sammy Hagar

Day 16 - Friday, June 9, 2006

We left St. Louis this am and arrived in Indianapolis around 4pm. We had just enough time to take a bus ride around the track while listening to a recorded talk about the beginnings of the speedway, then return to the museum to look around. I went right to the gift shop and found a few goodies while the boys took pictures in an Indy car. Now it's time to relax. Tomorrow we will be heading out to Sandusky, OH for the rollercoaster rides of our lifetime.

Extra Pics

.......

Karl's first White Castle...an experience!

KJ had his first taco from Jack-In-The-Box way back in Texas and couldn't wait for another visit...

Kent and I each had a slider from White Castle and then our meal at J-I-T-B. Good, greasy food!!! (Day 14 - west of St. Louis)

Day 15, Thursday, June 8, 2006

Today was a fun day. We walked a block from our hotel to the Arch. Took the car to the top, looked around, took pics, came back down, walked around the gift shop and museum and walked to the riverboat for a ride on the Mississippi. A great day for family fun!

Song Of The Day

Thursday, June 8, 2006

"Proud Mary" - John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival)

Day 14 - Wednesday, June 7, 2006

Okay, I didn't put my contacts in and didn't want a family picture looking like I did so, this is the next best thing.....our boys and a "friend"!!!

Song Of The Day

Wednesday, June 7, 2006

Meet Me In St. Louis - Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane

Day 13 - Tuesday, June 6, 2006

We made it to Kansas City in time to see a major league baseball game. With the Royals and Rangers not in much contention for a World series spot, there were plenty of seats. 10,000 fans watched with us as they lost to the Rangers. All in all, it was a good game and we enjoyed the kids hitting the beach balls in the stands as much as the game, itself. Great stadium and wonderful people in KC, MO!


Onto the next destination....Meet Me In St. Louis, Louis...meet me at the fair...

Song Of The Day

Tuesday, June 6, 2006

"Another One Bites The Dust" - Queen

I love my boys...

Okay, we may not have many moments like this (if any) back at home, but this trip has made it a bonding moment everyday!!!

Day 12 - Monday, June 5, 2006

We are approaching the half way point of vacation time! WOW! How time is flying!!! We are having some fun and I thought I'd share with you...

Here it is...we were on the road all day and didn't stop for our daily picture so we decided to ham it up in the hotel room...

Song Of The Day

Monday, June 5, 2006

"God Bless The USA" - Lee Greenwood

Day 11 - Sunday, June 4, 2006

Another day, Another Monument

Today was spent at Mt. Rushmore. We went to the monument after lunch and spent an hour looking around at the grounds and information areas. The drive to the site was nothing short of spectacular. I can't believe all the great views we have seen this trip!

Tonight, we ate at a chuckwagon supper club. They served us through a line then we went to our seats and listened to a country music show. The girl playing the fiddle was awesome! The place we were at was adjacent to the property where Dances With Wolves was filmed. It is called Ft. Hays. I enjoyed everything.

Tomorrow, it is an 8 hour drive to Sioux City, IA to see the memorial of the plane crash of United Flight 232 on July 19, 1989. A miracle.

Song Of The Day

Sunday, June 4, 2006

"This Land Is Your Land" - Woody Guthrie

Day 10 - Saturday, June 3, 2006

We Did It!!! We made it up to Crazy Horse and walked the 10K walk to the top. This was no easy feat, mind you! 6,400 ft. up and a rocky terrain. Plus, we southerners can't handle the lighter, less dense air as well! Even still, we made it and I am a happy camper!

Song Of The Day

Saturday, June 3, 2006

"Walk This Way" - Aerosmith

Day 9 - Friday, June 2, 2006

Here we are in Hill City, SD just north of the Crazy Horse monument. This is the original reason why I wanted to go on vacation. Tomorrow is the big day. A six mile hike up the monument and back down. I hope to have tons of pictures to share. The weather has been great this entire trip and I hope tomorrow will be more of the same.

Too Early For Some...

They are the last ones to get up...sleepy and blurry-eyed...but they are getting along...and...that's what matters...

Tomorrow's Plans...

We drove from Roswell, NM today and landed in Denver, CO about 8 pm. (Kent was bushed!!!) Tomorrow, we will drive another 7 hours and go through Cheyenne, WY on our way to SD. We will be there for 3 days. The Crazy Horse walk (much anticipated) will be the highlight of my vacation and that is scheduled for Sat. am. Sunday, we will visit Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills. Monday we leave for the plains - going through Nebraska, Kansas and ending up in MO. TTFN

Day 8 - Thursday, June 1, 2006

Out of nowhere is this cool looking diner as we were to turn onto a different hwy. Since rest areas are scarce in this neck of the woods, I asked the driver to stop so I could use the facilities. Feeling bad about going into the restaurant and not buying anything, we sat down and had lunch. It was GREAT!!! Amazing what you can find at a podunk kind of place.

Song Of The Day

Friday, June 2, 2006

"Rocky Mountain High" - John Denver

Day 7 Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Drive to Roswell, NM....eat lunch at Farley's....visit UFO Museum....get abducted by an alien ship....

Song Of The Day

Thursday, June 1, 2006

"Not Ready To Make Nice" - Dixie Chicks

Day 6 - Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Visiting Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM

Carlsbad Caverns is breathtaking!!! If you get a chance to go there, do it! You will be moved.

Day 5 addendum

After we all went to sleep (minus Karl-the nightowl), he touched up a photo I took of him as we entered Carlsbad...

Day 5 On to NM

We drove for the day. From San Antonio to Carlsbad. It's a desert out here. Many cacti for gardens here. Tomorrow is the day of the bat...okay, evening time of the bat. Daytime will be underground in the Carlsbad Caverns at 55 degrees. BRRR....

Day 4 - Sunday, May 28, 2006

The stars at night are big and bright

(clap, clap, clap, clap)

Deep in the heart of Texas

We went to the Alamo today. It was a very interesting morning. The weather was great and the crowds didn't get there until after we had walked out. We saw a man preaching on a ledge with no one around. A baby bird that fell out of its nest with the mamma bird chasing off everyone who tried to help the baby (Kent got the Park Ranger to come over and take care of it). What a great time!!!

Song Of The Day

Monday, May 29, 2006

"Taps"-Adapted by Union General Daniel Butterfield

Day 3, Night 3 May 26, 2006

We ate at Jack-In-The-Box because I hadn't eaten at one since I was a kid living in Chicago. I loved their greasy tacos. So, the picture out front is with Jack to the left. (See his shadow?)

The bottom picture was taken at night in San Antonio outside by Riverwalk. It is the restaurant we ate at and it is located under our hotel. Kent said he had to sneeze and KJ playfully put his finger in front of Kent's nose which was promptly sneezed on! A few spectators got a good laugh from watching this take place!!!

Day 2 - Friday, May 26, 2006

We left Tallahassee around 8:30 am and drove through Alabama and Mississippi. The picture of the day is at the welcome center just after we drove into Mississippi.
We arrived at our destination for the day around 5 pm.....Lafayette, LA. We stayed at a Quality Inn there. We drove to a Wendy's for dinner to go and went back to the hotel to eat and relax. (Okay, we also wanted a good parking space!)

Song Of The Day

Sunday, May 28, 2006

"Whip It"-Devo

Song Of The Day

Friday, May 26, 2006

"Freebird"-Lynyrd Skynyrd

Banks Summer Tour 2006 - Day 1

Here's our first night! We made it to Tallahassee! Yeah!!! And no one's dead!!! Yeah again!!!

Song Of The Day

Thursday, May 25, 2006

"Leaving On A Jet Plane"-Peter, Paul and Mary (written by John Denver)

Yes, we are leaving in 18 hours and I am never ready. Part of me doesn't really leave! I always feel like I shouldn't go. Quirky, eh?!

I am packed but I didn't bring anything to "play" with. I like to have my usual magazines, etc but I decided not to this time.

I hope to have a picture posted each day. Tomorrow's will be the leaving part. Til then.....

Three days and counting...

We are embarking on a vacation of a lifetime on Thursday. We leave here and travel to Tallahassee Thursday night. From there, we drive daily going through 17 states in 25 days! 3 males, one female and a load of clothes and music! Wish me luck. (I have my estrogen spray just in case!!!)

Song Of The Day

Monday, May 22, 2006

"Crimson & Clover"-Tommy James and the Shondells

Song Of The Day

Sunday, May 21, 2006

"Mony, Mony"-Tommy James and the Shondells

TGIM...

Yes, for all of you Donna Summers fans...that's "Thank God It's Monday"!!! My take on the old '78 movie. My favorite day of the week is Monday. That's because everyone goes back to work/school and I have time to clean and take care of business. This week is a little different. One is out of school already and the other gets out early all week. Plus, dh is away on a business trip.

We leave for our whirl wind trip on Thursday. It will be interesting to say the least.