WEEK THIRTEEN

All you fans it was a good week. I lost 1.2 pounds this week with a total of 18.6. Yahooooo! I feel that if I keep up the trend I will have lost 30 pounds before I go to Hawaii. I would like to down that much so I can have a new swim suit and look at new clothes for the trip. Then on to my goal weight. I can honestly say it has not be easy. There is one thing that keeps me going is going to the meetings with Weight Watchers. The women who runs the meeting I go to is fantastic she is back from having a couple of kids and gaining back all of her weight that she had lost before. So, she is going thru all of the things we are going thru. She has her down weeks and she has some weeks where she doesn't lose anything. She has been leading the meetings for several years and is well know in the WW community where people drive across town to attend her meeting. I feel very lucky that she is less than a mile away from my house. I just stumbled into her meeting and have not left. If you are thinking about joining WW you need to find someone just like her. I have gone to other meetings with other leaders and they are realllllly snoooozeville. I also have to say the people reading my blog also keep me honest in my weight loss. I not only have to go stand on the scale each week that reveals sometimes the bitter true about what you have been doing the last week. With me sharing the information on this blog enables me to be honest with myself also. I can't kid myself about what I have been eating or about not exercising. So, thanks for what ever support you have given me in my journey to a slimmer healthier me.

This is Life in Celebration.

JUST STUFF

A LONG ROAD TO KNOW WHERE.

This is the old highway from Mesquite to St. George. Not much out there and you don't get phone service on your cell phones. Suggestion: Don't break down! It could be a wait for some help to come.

This photo is from not knowing what to talk about today. I really want to keep up the daily entries and I have been kind of busy with stuff that has pushed my blog to the back page. So, I decided to just go through some of my photo's and pick one and tell you about it. This photo is of the road that use to be the old highway people would travel on to get to Las Vegas from St. George before they built the Virgin River Gorge Highway. The gorge is somewhat more scenic as you drive thru a river gorge and shorter for your trip to Las Vegas. But, the back road is still very interesting and more relaxing to take. I really like taking the back road as you don't have to fight for your place on the freeway with other cars and big trucks. I will bring out some other photos of the road in some of the other blogs in days to come. I have found out that there are parts of the old road that is part of the original Old Spanish Trial used to move cattle and supplies from California to New Mexico and back.

Some of you understand the pleasure of taking back roads to your destination. The freeways are a convenience for when you need to get from point A to point B. There are things to look at and some of it is with great interest but the back roads brings to you the history of the area. What it was like when there was no air conditioning in your cars, no cell phones, and you carried water in a tightly woven burlap bag you hung in front of the radiator not only did it keep the water kind of cool but the radiator also. For those who were there and can remember and relate to those times and the old roads in you life take time out of your busy day and enjoy a drive down a back road.

A back road drive is Life in Celebration.

SOME OF THIS AND SOME OF THAT

There was so much of this. We ate and ate this weekend. I feel kind of guilty because as you all know I am doing this Weight Watchers thing and I was really off the program this weekend. If you remember I did not lose any weight this last weigh in and there is a good chance I will not lose again this week and may even put some weight on. Which is a drag but it is something I am expecting. So, I won't be too surprise if I do gain a bit and that is the main part just a bit of weight. Monday it is back to walking in the morning and watching what I eat and journal, journal, and more journaling.

I was able to work in a pedicure while the hubby golfed on Saturday. The toes were like talons and really needed a trimming. It is always good to be pampered a bit.

We golfed on Friday with some friends. It was hot hot hot. This picture is of me pre-diet. Looking at this photo it is a good thing that I have started this diet. Little miss shub. I did get an eagle on a par 5 on the Palmer course at the Oasis. I do have to tell you that I was on in two and putted in. To me it was a very short par 5.

There was a lot of time looking out in the scenery surrounding our house. We had a wonderful time and it was great to spend it with the hubby. It gave us some time to catch up and reconnect after some very busy days these past few weeks.

Remember each day is a day with Life in Celebration.

WEEK TWELVE

It was a big fat zero. Didn't lose or gain any weight this week. It is kind of disappointing that I was a big fat zero but it is better than being a plus number. This last week was a little out of control as I had so many things going on it was hard for me to keep with the program. There was really no excuses for my lack of staying to the plan. It was just easier to eat what was available than packing my meals or waiting till I get home to eat. The days were long and when I did get time to eat I was so hungry that I would eat whatever was there rather than plan my meals. I am hoping this next week will be easier than this last one was. I can say so far it hasn't gone quite as I would like for it to go. We are down south and it is our anniversary this Saturday so, we are not really being very good. We have been trying to stay to the plan and it really is not all that bad but I did have pancakes, eggs, and sausages for dinner this evening. Which is not the best thing to be eating. They were wonderful and I will enjoy them again at a later date. When we go out to dinner tomorrow is when I think I will have the hardest time. I will want to have a variety of things for dinner with a possible dessert. I will try to keep this week within the my points for the day in addition with the extra points that I get for the week. Wish me luck.

My Life in Celebration.

TWILIGHT CONCERT

The hubby and I had gone out last weekend to dinner and a movies with a stroll thru the Gateway Center downtown. It was a very pleasant evening. We had such a good time we thought we would try something else. We read about the free Twilight Concert Series downtown at the Gallivan Center. So, we made plans to attend. I picked the hubby after he got off work and when and had a dinner. We went to a pizza/Italianish place not far from the center and had a wonderful dinner. I had the roasted polenta with cheese and a roasted green chili sitting in a red pepper reduction. All I can say about this is it was wonderful. I would go back just for that.

After dinner the hubby had to have the closest parking space available to the center. So, we drove around a bit and found one in front of a coffee shop. The first space we parked in the meter didn't work so we didn't really want to leave until the free parking time started at 6pm. So, we had time to kill so we decided to buy us a blended ice coffee and sit outside on the street waiting for 6. We had about twenty minutes of waiting. While we waited we noticed this old water tower sticking out next the steel and glass building. The hubby really thought it was interesting and I thought I would share it with you too. Soon after I took this photo a space came available where the meter worked so the hubby went and moved the car to the new spot.

It was kind of interesting to sit there on a busy street and watch the rush hour traffic drive by. We don't live near downtown but we both really like the downtown atmosphere. We like the ability to step out and walk around with a variety of restaurants and cultural events.

We walked over to the venue and walked around a little thinking we should have brought our folding chairs. We didn't realize you had to bring your own chair. We were lucky enough to find a bench under a tree to listen to the music. It was not near the stage and we could not see the band at all. But, we had a great view of all the people who came down to watch and listen to the band. We thought the event started at 6ish but what we found out that it does not start until 7:00. The band was good but the real entertainment was the people. It didn't realize the mixture of demographics that live in good old Utah. I have been out of touch. The photo below was the normal group. I would have shown you some others but the battery in the camera had gone dead and I couldn't take any of the more colorful groupies.
We left around 8:30 and wondered some more downtown then went home to prepare for the next day. It was nice to be out and spend time with my hubby rather than just hang out at home. I will try to organize other things for us to do. Date night with the hubby has been really nice and gives us time where we can talk without the TV in the way.

Remember to bring a little Life in Celebration into your life.

WEEK ELEVEN

Drum roll please. I lost 2.4 pounds this last week for a total of 17.4 pounds. Yaaaaahooooooooo!!! Can you believe it. I got the best compliment yesterday. I went and played team golf yesterday at The Barn and when I got there and stepped out of my car to get by bag out and put on my shoes my partner just kept sitting in the cart looking around and at me. When she finally came over to the car to get me she said, 'I didn't recognize you, you have gotten so skinny'. Now that is what I am talking about! I do see some weight loss but it is the people that you don't see often are the ones who notice the difference. I feel really good about what I have done and let me tell you it has been a battle. It is all about choices. I also am wondering if the extra pound had anything to do with me stop drinking caffeine this last week or if I just worked hard outside and watched what I ate. So far still no tea and I have never been a big soda fan so I never did miss that.

Okay Kim you can do it.

Today is a Life in Celebration.

POWERBALL

THE BEAVER DAM STORE

AFFECTIONATELY KNOW AS 'THE DAM STORE'

THE BEAVER DAM BAR

AFFECTIONATELY KNOW AS 'THE DAM BAR'.

Even though Mesquite is located in a state where its main industry is gambling there is no lottery in the state. There is also not a lottery in the State of Utah. If you know anything about Utah then you understand why there isn't a lottery here. I have a personal opinion of this but will not share it. Let's just say that when I go to Mesquite I stop at the Dam Store and buy me lottery tickets. So far, I am still a non-winner. I have as much a chance of winning as anyone so what do I have to lose but $10.00 for ten draws. I sometimes win two or three dollars but never more than $20.00 on a ticket. There is that big chance that I just might win. Now wouldn't that be grand. I don't want to be greedy. A cool 200 mil would be nice and I would be able to help some people that I want to help and give a good size chunk to charity. I would be able to live a comfortable life for sure. It would help getting my husband to retire a little earlier than he planned.

How many of you have spend hours dreaming what you would do if you won the lottery. For me I think my husband and I have spent some very enjoyable hours dreaming what we would do with a windfall by winning the Powerball. Our dream are not just about us there is a good majority of the dream on who we could help. I do have to be honest there are a few things that we would do for ourselves but I would say most of the dreaming is for others. I don't want to give it all away mind you but, I want to make sure our families are taken care of as well as some causes we feel need to continue we.

Well dreaming is dreaming and the Dam Store where I buy my chance at a dream. The store is a bit of history and point of sale for all of us who are denied the opportunity to buy a dream in our home states.

Dreams are what Life in Celebration are about. So, dream. Did I forget to tell you dreams are tax free.

YARD WORK UPDATE JULY 11, 2009

Notice that the grass is gone around the tree.

This is one of the workers who dug and dug and cleared all of the grass out.

There is not dirt filling in the beds and they are all but ready for some mulch and plants. I have spent this Saturday getting some peat moss mixed in with the dirt. I should get if finished after we get done playing golf on Sunday. I will have the next update when the beds are ready to plant.

Also, I am not doing too bad without caffeine this week. I just miss the tea in the afternoon. But, still not too bad. If I can give up tea I can give up almost anything for 7 days.

Remember there is always a reason to live your Life in Celebration.

WEEK TEN

Remember I told you about The Diet Challenge the meeting director runs with her meetings. You will be happy to know I passed the first challenge. It was not really all that hard. The challenge was you could not weigh yourself for the week. So, my little buddy got a rest and I do have to tell the truth that I did step on the scale today. The holiday feasting was the hardest. Finding foods that would be just as good but low-cal was a challenge. When I look at my lifestyle I see that dieting is one of the hardest things that I do. Take yesterday for example. I played in a golf tournament and I am just getting done and I get a text message from my husband asking if it was okay to bring home one of the VP's from corporate home for dinner and would I make the glazed salmon dinner. I of course could not say no after all I am playing golf and he is working making it possible for me to play golf. I was really planning on a low-cal dinner with chicken and a veggie with a Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich. But, no! There was wine, appetizers, cheese, sugar, and one of fattiest fish in the sea. Well, all I have to say is I get to eat grass for the rest of the week.

I am sure you are waiting for the news if I lost weight or not. Well, the news is I lost 1.4 pounds and to date I have lost 15 pounds. YAHOO!!

This week is going to be a real hardship for me. This weeks challenge is, are you ready, NO CAFFEINE or soda. I am okay with the soda but, no tea or coffee. I cannot say what condition I will be at the end of 7 days. So, if you run in to me and snap off your head please understand that I have not had a cup of tea for a few days and everything I say this week or do is not my fault.

This week will be a reminder that there is Life in Celebration.

HOLIDAY WEEKEND

ME, STACY & BETH

THE BOBBETS

DOING WHAT WE DO BEST BOBBING

This is about what went on the whole weekend. Drove down on Thursday afternoon with my friend Beth. The guys decided they needed to get a round of golf in with the office crew so it was decided Beth  and I would go down ahead of time. When I look back on it I am sure it was so that we would get all of the shopping done open up our houses and get everything nice and ready for the men. But, luck would have it the guys got rained out on the golf course and had to leave early. They ended up about 4 hours behind us rather than about 6 hours. They ate on the way down so there was no cooking that night. Yippy!!! Friday, my husband and I got up and went to the Rec. Center and worked out then bobbed around in the pool then played 36 holes of putting on an 18 hole putting green.  That night we had Beth and her husband and Stacy and her husband up for dinner. We did the traditional hamburgers and brats. There was one little switcheroo and that was instead of hamburgers for me I grilled veggies and had a grilled veggie sandwich. It was fantastic and I didn't miss out on the BBQ. Remember, I have to keep within my points this week because of the challenge. So far so good.
On Saturday Beth and her husband and us went and played 18 holes of golf at Falcon Ridge. There was a great offer to play that day and it was 2 rounds of golf with lunch and some golf balls for $70.00. Can't beat that. After golf we all agreed to meet at the pool and that is where the above picture was taken. Then my husband and I went to dinner with some other friends we know in Mesquite which was quite nice. We left before the fireworks started and sat on our patio and watched them with Stacy and her husband. It was a very nice day with all of our friends.
On Sunday we got up and started getting the house cleaned up as we will not be back for about 3 weeks. Went to breakfast with Stacy and her husband. I thought I didn't have a high point breakfast but when I worked out what I had eaten it was 2/3 of all my points for the day. Veggies here I come.
Arrived home safe and sound. It was a busy weekend but a great one.

Remember to live your Life in Celebration.

WEEK NINE

Here it is week nine and the fun is still going on. I lost 1.2 pounds!!!  My friend Kim is also involved in this fun and she lost 2.8 pounds this week. Let's all give Kim a cheer for her hard work. If any of you have had any experience with a diet plan you know how much work it is at times. The problem with being on a diet is you have to think about it all the time. The work is what did I eat and what am I going to eat today and did I over eat and what effect will it have on this weeks weight. I think a lot of any diet or weight loss program is mental. Keeping focused on the day to day and not really looking at the big picture of the total weight loss you want. I know where I want to be at the end of the program but I can't think about that. I try to keep the focus on losing a pound or two for the week and over time I will reach my goal. It took time to get to the weight I am so it will take time to take the weight off.

Went to the Weight Watchers meeting last night and they had just finished an 8 week challenge. The 8 week challenge is where you must keep an accurate journal making sure you use all of your daily points and activity points without going over them for the week. Then there is a weekly challenge that you have to keep to for 7 days. If you keep to the weekly challenge you get to progress to the next week. If you fail to keep to the challenge you are dropped from the group. This last challenge had 7 out of 35 people complete the 8 weeks of challenges. Last night was the beginning of the next eight week challenge and this weeks challenge is to not weigh at home. Some of you say that would be easy but, I have had kind of made it a habit that when I get up in the morning and the first thing I do is step on the scale. I just have to see if I had lost any weight in the last 24 hours. I had to catch myself this morning from doing just that.
I don't want to be dropped from the group just for stepping on a scale and we all know how much I love my scale. The scale will be glad for the rest. I will keep you posted on what each challenge is and I hope by doing that it will help me to stay in the group.

Have a wonderful 4th of July and remember to live your Life in Celebration.

I HAVE A PROBLEM

THIS IS A ROADSIDE BILLBOARD ON THE ROAD TO LAS VEGAS

I really have a problem with this sign. What this sign is telling the traveling public is that if you go to this location in Las Vegas and you can (if you are at least 21) for a fee fire a machine gun. It just seems wrong to be advertising the use of them. Are they selling these or are they just giving you a chance to fire on at a range. It is just the whole idea that anyone can go and fire one of these.
I am not totally against owning guns. I know guns in the wrong hands is dangerous and deadly but, to make these available to the general public. It seems from what I have read about the gun laws in Nevada is that you can own a machine gun if you get a permit for it. I just don't see the need for anyone to own one of these. Tell me if I am wrong. For all of you NRA card carrying members remember I am not against people own gun to hunt with or if you are into target shooting as a sport but to own one thinking it is a form of self defense is just not right.

Well, all I can say is just live your Life in Celebration.