Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The Official Announcement

Well today it's official. The Helena Newsletter came in the mail today announcing to the whole city that I am a contestant in the Slim Down Challenge. We didn't know that we would be getting pictures made that night or else I would have dressed up a little and not looked quite so fat. LOL

I have been on the diet for a week now and I can already tell that I have lost weight. So far, it has been fairly easy to stick to. I have found myself eating to many Quacker Quak Rice Snack (ranch flavor). Those little buggers are good! I have been getting my cardio in at the YMCA and have done resistance training once. We weigh in next Tuesday night and I want to have lost at least 5 pounds.

This weekend will be a challenge for me though. Friday night we are having a pizza party for my brother Joey, Saturday night is a Women's Night Out for our church ladies group and of course Sunday is the big Super Bowl and we are having people over. Any suggestions on low fat super bowl snacks???

Monday, January 28, 2008

Miss PHS Pagent


Andrew was fortunate enough to be chosen as an escort in the Miss PHS pageant Saturday night. He got to wear a tux and hang out with 40 beautiful young women for a few hours...tough life huh. The lovely Emily Busby was chosen as Miss PHS 2008. Congrats Emily!!

Friday, January 25, 2008

Meme Questionarre

Meme Questionarre

This is a tag game. I was tagged to participate by my blogger friend, Leigh. In the context of web logs / 'blogs / blogging and other kinds of personal web sites it's some kind of list of questions that you saw somewhere else and you decided to answer the questions. Then someone else sees them and does them and so on and so on. I generally consider these to be actual questions and not some multiple choice quizzes that determine some result at the end (what color you are most like, what cartoon character are you, what 80s movie are you). I'll answer all of the questions and then tag someone to do the same.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE ? My Mom saw my name in a magazine I think...
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Wednesday...I went to see my brother Joey and was overwhelmed with how well he was doing...I cried :)
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? No, its sloppy
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? roast beef
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 2 of the cutest kids you will ever see:)
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yea I think I would. I try to be a good friend and am a very good listener.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Sometimes.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes, they have never given me any trouble.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No, My hubby did it and I almost had a heart attack watching him.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I really don't have a favorite. I don't eat much cereal cause I have never been a breakfast eater. On my new diet though I have to eat breakfast and have been eating Kashi Crunch cereal. It is good.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No, but then I am frustrated when I go to put them on.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? No
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? chocolate almond
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Usually the hem of their pants. Since I am a seamstress, I always notice when pants are to long or short.
15. RED OR PINK? pink
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF? my weight
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My brother Greg who died 6 years ago
18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? blue workout pants and sneakers
19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Quaker's Quake Ranch rice cake snacks
20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Seinfeld
21. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Green
22. FAVORITE SMELLS? Amazing Grace by Philosophy
23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Adam
24. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Alabama football
25. HAIR COLOR? dirty blond
26. EYE COLOR? hazel
27. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? no
28. FAVORITE FOOD? Adam's steaks, Mama's tomato gravy and biscuits
29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Scary movies
30. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Two weeks with Sally Field
31. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? white tshirt
32. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer
33. HUGS OR KISSES? both
34. FAVORITE DESSERT? anything chocolate
35. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Today I started and finished The Christmas Box by Richard Evans
36. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I dont have one...laptop
37. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Celebrity Apprentice
38. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Keith Urban singing
39. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Neither
40. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Hawaii
41. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Sewing I guess
42. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Sylacauga

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Good News and Bad News

Well first the good... We had our first Slim Down Meeting Tuesday night. We met with the nutritionist and trainer and Dave and his lovely wife. It was a lot of info to take in but I think I will be able to handle it fine. Good News: Our weight will NOT be written in the Helena News letter. YEAH!!! I was dreading that the most.

Bad News...I weigh 213.6 pounds! YIKES!!

I went to workout today for the first time. I took the Body Step class with Beth and it was GREAT. Whipped my butt but it was fun. Beth was amazing and I had to have sweated at least a pound or 2 off.

I also went to the grocery store today to buy all of my healthy food. This will be where I have a lot to learn. Food labels are really confusing to me. It is hard to tell if things are bad for you or not.

Today I also registered at Sparkpeople.com. This is a free online diet and fitness community which allows you to keep an online food/workout diary. It tracks all of your calories, carbs, fats, protein, etc. It is really cool and best of all FREE.

I will be back in the gym in the morning and hopefully my body wont hurt to bad...

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Life can change in the blink of an eye...
I am deeply saddened by the news that Rick Burgess's son Bronner Burgess died yesterday. I don't know Rick or his family but I do spend a few of hours each week listening to Rick and Bubba on the radio. Reading the news, I'm reminded of how precious life is. And my thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this painful time.

No one knows how they will react when face with a tragedy like this. I am truely touched by the Burgess Family's response posted on the Rick and Bubba website. www.rickandbubba.com

We ask that you bathe Rick, Sherri, and the entire Burgess family in prayer as they deal with the loss of their youngest son, Bronner Burgess.
We all are grieving together in this terrible loss.

The Burgess's want to give all Honor and Glory to GOD for the many blessings He has given us, especially the life of Bronner Burgess. And while we do not understand, we know who is in charge and His will be done in life and in death.


My prayers go out to the Burgess family. May God give you the strength to face the coming days and the comfort in knowing that Bronner is waiting for you in Heaven.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Fun while it lasted...

The snow didnt last long. We played in it for a few hours and now it is mostly melted. Here are a few pictures:


Snow!!


It started snowing in Helena at around 8:30 am this morning. We expect to get some accumulation. I had to wake my daughter up so she could see the snow or else she probably would have slept until noon. We are all excited and cant wait to build our snowman no matter how small he might be!



Friday, January 18, 2008

Will it snow...or Not??

Well, the weather men are forecasting snow. We have all been here before. You run out to the grocery store buying bread, milk, sandwich fixings, cereal etc. only for nothing whatsoever to happen. Guaranteed, tonight's newscast will report live from the grocery stores where there is a mad dash to buy up all the milk and bread.




Reluctantly, I went to the store earlier and bought what we were out of and plan on making a pot of chili and chicken soup. I do hope that it snows because we haven't had a significant amount of snow since New Years Day 2002 (see pics). I like watching it snow and watching the kids play in it. When we were kids my Mom would always make snow ice cream. It was delish but I don't know how sanitary it was.


Anyhow, I hope it snows!!!


Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Prayers Needed

My brother Joey is back in the hospital. He has been back in there for a week. He has advanced cirrhosis of the liver and is not doing well at all. It is hard to see someone who was just a few months ago living a somewhat normal life just lying there in bed, some days not even able to speak.

My Dad is also in the hospital for the 3rd time in a month. He has atrial fibrillation and the Dr's so far cant get his heart back in rhythm.

Lastly, please pray for my sister's brother in law Donald Ricks. He was just recently diagnosed with cancer in several parts of his body. He is going through chemo right now and I pray that the chemo will shrink the cancer and alleviate some of his pain.

I pray that God will heal all three of these people. Please join me in praying for them.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

I Got Picked!!!

Oh My Gosh!!! I have been chosen to be in the Helena Slim Down Challenge! I just found out today and I am thrilled. The Helena Slim Down Challenge is based on The Biggest Loser concept. 6 contestants from Helena and 6 from Pelham are chosen to be in a weight loss contest. The winners in the past have won a cruise in addition to about 40 plus pounds! I applied for the contest 2 years ago, the first year of the contest. I was chosen as an alternate but didn't have any success because there was no one on one training and I just cant loss this weight without some major training and education. Anyhow, I reapplied this year and have been chosen as a contestant.
I plan on plotting my progress on my blog and hopefully can be an inspiration to others who are trying to loss weight. We have our first meeting in a week or so and I will keep you all updated...Wish me luck!!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

20 year Anniversary


Adam and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary on December 29th. We went to Ruth's Chris steakhouse for a wonderful meal and then to Ivory's at the Wynfree.

I really can't remember my life without Adam. We have had a wonderful 20 years and I can't wait for the next 20. There have been ups and downs, but mainly ups!!

I love you sweety!!

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

I had the privaledge yesterday to be with my Uncle Buster as he passed from Earth into Heaven. He had an amazing life and was loved by many. He is now in Heaven with his wife Margie, his parents, 2 of his sisters, Clara Faye and Carmanita and with Greg. We will miss him dearly.


James P. "Buster" Robinson
1925 - 2008
James P. "Buster" Robinson April 26, 1925-Monday, December 31, 2007
Age: 82 years Residence: Sylacauga, Alabama Died: Coosa Valley Medical Center
Survived By Son, Mickey (Debbie) Robinson of Sylacauga; Granddaughter, Michelle Robinson of Orlando, FL; Sisters, Lillian Maness of Fayetteville, and Jo Ann (Oliver) White of Childersburg; Brothers, Charles (Jackie) Robinson of Sylacauga, and Wilbur (Gail) Robinson of Dothan
Additional Biographical Information He was preceded in death by his wife, Margie K. Robinson, and was a member of Shelvin Rock Baptist Church.
The family will accept flowers or contributions to Shelvin Rock Baptist Church, 570 Peckerwood Meadows Circle, Sylacauga, AL, 35151.
Pallbearers will be Roy Johnson, Rudy White, Tony White, David Robinson, Jimmy Maness and Ray Robinson. Honorary pallbearers will be Randy Gaither, Buddy Green, Barry Saffold, John Albritton, and Chris Knight.Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneysmith.com
Visitation Wednesday, January 2, from 5:30 until 8:00 p.m.Funeral Service 1:00 p.m., Thursday, January 3, 2008 Radney-Smith ChapelClergy: Rev. Tony McGradyInterment: Talladega Springs Cemetery Talladega Springs, Alabama