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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Calabash Golf

We traveled from Virginia and arrived at the condo in Calabash, NC in 6 hours. Carried the luggage up to the second floor and discovered that we had a great view of the 9th hole green outside our back deck. Lovely! Free entertainment!



I learned something new the next morning about the golf world. Early in the morning a greenskeeper came and was mowing and flattening the green around the hole. He then stepped off his mower/flattener and removed the flag and plastic hole cup, walked over to another part of the green he'd already flattened and with a medium-sized post hole digger, took out a plug from the new area, inserted the plastic cup (stepping on it firmly), then inserted the flag.

With the plug of dirt he still had in his post hole digger, he walked over and placed it where the cup used to be, stepped on it and got back on his mower/flattener to finish driving over it and the rest of the green.

I asked Wonderful Husband why they moved the holes and he explained that it was so that one part of the green wouldn't get worn out from the constant traffic. It made sense to me and I couldn't believe that after knowing golfers (my father and Wonderful Husband) for so many years, I never knew they moved the holes!

Too bad they don't move/remove sand traps. I saw a lot of golfers' golf balls land in them with frequency!

This ends your golf hole moving education for today. ( You're welcome ;)

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Shore

Wonderful Husband and I took a late vacation this year. We waited until the "kids" were settled into their fall routines (son moved and teaching in VA and daughter back to university).

The car was packed "to the gills" and off we went to "the shore." New words for me since in my younger (Texan) days I would say "the beach." Not correct vocabulary for a Pennsylvanian.

We began our vacation at one of my favorite places. Wildwood, NJ. Now you might think that since I have a new camera, I would take some pictures of Wildwood. Well, you'd be wrong. We arrived around 11:00 a.m. on Friday and were leaving early Saturday morning.

How can I describe riding toward Wildwood? My personal tradition is to roll the window down when we get close in order to smell the air. It has a fish aroma overlayed with a heavy salt smell. This from a woman who doesn't like to get close to the fish counter in the grocery store at home because the smell makes me want to gag! The aroma of Wildwood makes me happy.

We had lunch with my in laws at Owen's Pub. Ate crabcake sliders and fries. No shells in the crabcakes and just delicious.

Shopped at Hooked on Books (a second hand bookstore). I looked at their website for the first time before leaving home and printed off a 10% discount coupon. (Extra points for me using a coupon!) I also discovered that they're open only five months per year (May-September) and we were just squeaking in before they closed for the season.

Took a walk on the beach. The water temperature (68 degrees) was just cold enough to make me catch my breath at the chill, but then my feet grew accustomed to it.

Had dinner at the Boathouse restaurant. Tried to eat healthy by ordering broiled flounder, instead of some sort of fried fish. Tasteless, yet I think everyone else enjoyed their meal.

Walked on the boardwalk and had to stop at Douglass Fudge for my traditional chocolate fudge with nuts. Wonderful!

And we did all of these things while I didn't have my camera on me.

Heavy sigh.

I did better on Saturday morning when we took the Cape May/Lewes Ferry from Cape May, NJ to Lewes, DE. It took us only 20 minutes to get from Wildwood to the Cape May/Lewes Ferry terminal. This was my first time riding on a ferry.

The Terminal in Cape May. Our view as we were lined up waiting to be loaded onto the ferry.


It was amazing how many cars, trucks, motorcycles were loaded on to the ferry. We had booked our reservation for 9:30, arrived early and were asked if we wanted to take the earlier ferry. Sure!



Goodbye Cape May!

We passed another ferry on the way. Another fascinating sight was seeing Monarch butterflies migrating to Mexico. I watched our ferry pass them and asked Wonderful Husband, "Why don't they just land on the ferry while crossing the Delaware River?" (Note to self: I'd make a very lazy butterfly.)


Hello Lewes, DE! Total ferry travel time was about 1 hour and 25 minutes. It was a delightful ride while sitting outside in the sun. Very breezy yet relaxing and I loved watching our fellow passengers. After docking, it only took 10 minutes for us to drive off the ferry and continue our way through Delaware, Maryland, and on to Virginia to visit our son for the day.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Lifestyle Change Part 3


Today is the third 10 week completion of my lifestyle change (weight loss).

The update for weeks 6-10 is the scale that looked like this:
Week 6 - lost 1 lb.
Week 7 - gained .5 lb.
Week 8 - lost 1 lb.
Week 9 - gained/lost 0
Week 10 - lost 1 lb.

During this 10 week period, my total weight loss is........ 3 lbs.

I began this "adventure" on February 26 with a total loss of 10 lbs. in 10 weeks.  I lost an additional 6.5 lbs. in my second 10 week period. I'm continuing my plan of eat less, move more. I am watching my portion size, and walking on the treadmill at a 2% incline, 3 mph, 25 minutes for 5-6 days per week.

I have lost the total of 19.5 lbs. in 30 weeks. That's 10.89% in 30 weeks. And now can say goodbye to the 160s! My current weight is 159.5 lbs. Booyah!

I have marked off 10 more weeks which will take me to November 26. My update posts will be on Week 5 and Week 10.

Thanks for your encouragement and support as the journey continues! I've linked this post to Kathy at House of Hills. Please stop in and see how the other ladies are doing and cheer them on.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Iced Latte

Happiness in a cup....


I finally found something at Starbucks (besides hot chocolate) that I adore.

It's a Grande, Iced, Skinny, Vanilla, Latte!

And depending on where you read the calorie count on Starbuck's website...it's either 80 or 90 calories.

Something I can live with and drink with no guilt involved.

Yum! (And you're welcome.)

Sunday, September 12, 2010

National Day of Encouragement

One of the blogs I follow is (in)courage. (In)courage has been celebrating their one year anniversary and there have been 30 Days of Giveaways! WOW!

One of the giveaways I participated/won is from Day 11. (They sent the first 400 entries a free pack of ten cards from DaySpring's new Hope and Encouragement line.) All they asked in return is for me to write a post on my blog and link it back to them, sharing my story about how I used one of the cards to encourage someone else. Because you see, today (September 12th) is the National Day of Encouragement.

Here is the card I chose:



Yeah, totally been there.
You're going to make it...
and you'll have love and prayers with you all the way.

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion. Philippians 1:6 NIV

I am sending the card to one of my Bible Study Buddies. She has suffered from a hip problem for years. She's had multiple surgeries, been in almost constant pain and has been told that it will be a year to recover from her latest surgery. During these past years, she has shown such gentleness of spirit and patience.  And amazing (to me) is the care and encouragement she has shown toward others during her difficult time. When I heard about her latest prognosis, I was told that she was discouraged and I thought about God's perfect timing for me to send her encouragement through this card. I'll write my prayer for her continued healing and patience during this time. For wisdom for her doctors and gentle care from her physical therapist and my hope is that she feels God's love and mine when she receives the card.

Once I have linked my post back to (in)courage, I'm entered to win $500.
$250 will go to a charity I choose and $250 for me.

Yet I'm changing their rules a bit because I'd like to give $250 to two charities.

1) I would donate $250 to Compassion International's Unsponsored Children's Fund which "can help children see hope in Compassion's program by providing care until they find a sponsor." (Over the past few days, a group of bloggers have been on a mission trip with Compassion to Guatemala. Because of unemployment I'm not able to commit to sponsor a child at this time, yet love the idea of being able to "Show the love of Christ immediately.") (Words in quotes are from Compassion International's website.)

2) I would also donate $250 to Americans for Native Americans because this is an organization close to my Bible Study Buddy's heart. Their Mission Statement says, "Americans for Native Americans is dedicated to improving the quality of life of Native Americans by providing essential goods and programs which foster self-reliance and mutual understanding." Americans for Native Americans focuses on those living in the Southwest United States. (Words in quotes are from Americans for Native Americans' website.)

I am grateful for the ten free cards from (in)courage and am looking forward to sending out nine more to those who need encouragement.

Can you imagine how the world would be with people encouraging each other?
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1Thessalonians 5:11 NIV


Good luck to the 400 bloggers/commenters for the chance to win $500!

This experience has been a blessing for me. Thank you (in)courage!

Updated on September 13: Congratulations to Amy from Thoughts on the Divine for winning the $500 from (in)courage!

Monday, September 6, 2010

Move In Day

It's been two weeks since our son started his career as a teacher. He's been living in a hotel for those two weeks while waiting to be able to move into his apartment.

Friday he picked up his keys.

On Saturday, Wonderful Husband, our daughter and I left Pennsylvania at 6:30 a.m. with two vans packed and drove to Virginia. We arrived at our son's/her brother's new home and with his help, unloaded everything up to his THIRD FLOOR apartment. His bed, dresser, desk, clothes, boxes of books and DVDs.

We went to lunch. Went shopping. Unloaded his purchases (dishes, pots and pans, cleaning supplies, you know just stuff).

We went to dinner. Went shopping. Unloaded his purchases and although he doesn't own a couch or  a chair yet...he has his priorities straight (for being a guy and all that).

His necessary purchase:



A 46" flat-screen TV and a TV stand!

As far as he's concerned, his first solo home is as good as gold!

Rock on Mr. Teacher!

Do you remember your first home?

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

A Blog with Substance Award

Alana at 107 Down chose my blog as one of ten that she would award as "A Blog with Substance" today! Woo hoo!!!



So in keeping with "the rules" of my acceptance, I will complete the three requirements listed below.

1. Thank the person who gave you the award.
Thank you Alana for giving me the award! I'm so glad that we "met" during the "Losing It Weight Loss Challenge" and are keeping in contact to encourage each other as we continue toward our healthier lifestyle. You are a blessing!

2. Sum up your blogging philosophy, motivation, and experience using 5 words.

Christian - I'm a work in progress.
Encouraging - I love the bloggy world that gives and receives encouragement.
Mature - OK. I could have said, "Old," since I've noticed that most bloggers are younger and many have small children (not old ones like mine). lol
Entertaining - I've actually had Wonderful Husband's sister-in-law tell him that he's lucky that I'm so entertaining. (We laughed over that one!)
Thankful - I'm very thankful for my faith, family, and friends (blog friends included)!

3. Pass it on to 10 other people you feel have blogs with real substance.

1. (in)courage - A group of women whose posts speak to me about faith and life.
2. Amelia at No End to Space - She has 3 young children and is honest with her life.
3. Emily at (de)Caffeinated Blessings - She's from my old home town in Texas and I love her posts.
4. Stephanie Baffone - She's making me a more compassionate person while she shares her wisdom on "loving, losing and living."
5. Wendy Pope at Walking with Women Through the Word - She vlogs about The One Year Chronological Bible. She's one of the Proverbs 31 Ministries women that inspires me through God's Word.
6. Traci Michele at Ordinary Inspirations - I love that she just ran her first 5K and sounds like she'll do it again.
7. Annie Blogs - A writer that makes me laugh and makes me think.
8. Meredith at Learn, Laugh, Live, Love - An elementary school teacher that is so very wise.
9. Kathy at House of Hills - We met during the "Losing It Weight Loss Challenge" and after the conclusion she began hostessing "Losing It A Motivational Weight Loss Community." I am thankful for her.
10. Lyndsay at Lyndsights - She makes me laugh/think with every sentence she writes.

Thank you again Alana for this award! It's been fun and made me happy today!