No Problem

I've noticed lately that when I say, "Thank you," to a service type person (at the grocery store, mall, restaurant, etc.) they reply, "No problem."

Whatever happened to "You're welcome"?

It almost makes me long for the days of:
"Thank you."
"No, thank You!"

Weight Loss Wednesday (Week 4)

On Karen's blog today, she wrote about the unofficial beginning of summer. She had a lot of great questions and included a yummy looking side-dish recipe that I hope you'll check out.

I started thinking that a year ago we took an early "summer vacation" leaving in the middle of the night on Memorial Day, traveling by van to Southport, North Carolina. It was our first family vacation to North Carolina and we rented a condo that I had found online. The accomodations were wonderful, clean, spacious, and less expensive than where we usually rent in Wildwood Crest, NJ.

The biggest difference for this vacation was the travel time. It was a looooooooong drive. North Carolina vs. New Jersey, don't you know. And I fondly remember the Mexican food in North Carolina as being the best that I've had in years!

This week I lost 1 lb. Not too bad for having lunch out twice during the week. So my total loss in 4 weeks is 3.5 lbs.

I'm hoping that someone will give me some new ideas for a side-dish that I can take the family Pig Roast in July. Any suggestions?

Today I'm also linking this post with my buddy Kathy at House of Hills. The First 10 weeks of my journey to better health was with this group of wonderful encouragers.

A Good Question

The other night our son asked, "What happens to your blogger name if you move out of PA?"

ACKKKKKKK!

Maybe I should have thought about that.

The Stomach god (Week 3)

For Weight Loss Wednesdays today, Karen blogs about the following verse, “For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,” Philippians 3:18-20.

That's what I've felt like in the past. My god was my stomach.

I've had success with Slim-Fast and South Beach in the past, yet when I went "off" the programs....back came the weight. So now I'm sticking with my healthier lifestyle plan. Eat less, move more.

This week I lost 1.5 lbs. eating normally. Snacking more healthy (red grapes and strawberries this week). I walked on the treadmill 5 instead of 6 days and am still working my arms with 4 lb. weights.

And I focus on God's Word. Today's thought is based on Isaiah 43:1, which I've written as a statement for me to remember: God created and formed me. I won't be afraid because He has redeemed me, summoned me by name, and I am His.

God didn't create and form me to be overweight and unhealthy. He knows me and wants me to be responsible for my body.

And to end on a lighter note...I'm hopeful that "my photo" for citizenship into heaven will show my soul as skinnier or taller! :)

Happy Wednesday!

I Believe

In "The Upper Room" devotional reading (2 Timothy 3:10-17), vs. 12 jumped out at me.

"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." How very true!

In the U.S., politicians refer to us as "The Far Right." Some citizens want The 10 Commandments removed from government buildings, to remove "In God We Trust" from our paper currency, and to not have Nativity scenes on public property. In public schools, I've seen Christmas concerts renamed Holiday concerts, renamed Winter concerts.

Some Christians in other countries have to worship in secret. Some Christians are imprisoned and/or die for their faith.

Please don't misunderstand me. I am not saying that all Christians are perfect. I'm focusing on the truth of the Scripture that was written many years ago that says that we will be persecuted.

The end of my reading today in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is where I feel comfort. It says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

I believe.

New Direction

I have been reading Daily Lectionary readings (off and on) for a while. I also read "The Upper Room" daily devotional.

I've decided to follow along with Wendy Pope's group who are reading "The One Year Chronological Bible" (NLT). Although I don't have that specific Bible, I printed off the year's readings and have decided to join today (May 16) and follow along.

Wendy does a daily vlog (Monday-Friday) and then the other participants leave comments. Wendy takes the weekends off but leaves what she calls, "Open Blog Weekend," and the ladies can leave comments on their weekend readings.

So my new direction is changing from Daily Lectionary readings to one year chronological reading. I will continue reading "The Upper Room" daily devotionals too.

A couple of side notes...
Wendy Pope is part of Proverbs 31 Ministries. A cool group of Christian women (speakers, writers) who bring their individual talents together and have made my world a better place.

One of the best parts, where my Wonderful Husband works, is that it's a family-owned company and the retired patriarch buys "The Upper Room" devotionals and leaves them in the breakroom for any employee to pick up, free of charge. He is a good Christian man.

Celebration (& WLW Week 2)

This past Monday was my 49th birthday and because of my scheduled meeting on Monday night it turned into a three day celebration. It began with an early dinner at Outback on Saturday. (Since Sunday was Mother's Day we wanted to avoid huge crowds.) My birthday dinner was delicioussssss!

Sunday was Mother's Day and I received my red geraniums that I put in planters on both sides of my front door. It's the official date that annuals can be planted in our area without worry (supposedly) of a freeze in the future. We did have a cold front come through I think from our "friendly neighbors to the north" (Canada) and were warned of the possibility of a frost. Mother Nature...you used to be our friend! The geraniums survived. Or else they froze and still look good. No, I think they survived.

Monday was quiet. Once everyone arrived home, dinner was put on the table and I received my birthday gifts. The book, "The Blind Side." (Loved the movie and am looking forward to reading the book.) And Wonderful Husband gave me a digital camera. I opened it and said, "Yes! Now I can put pictures on my blog!" He looked at me and said, "That's why you wanted a camera?" and then he started laughing!

Hey it could happen!

Then I ran out the door to my meeting.

So get ready world. I'm thinking about snapping pictures occasionally and will be posting them on this blog.

And my Weight Loss Wednesdays Week 2 update is something that I've learned from celebrating myself for three days in a row. I gave myself license to celebrate ALL the days of the week and gained .5 lbs. Time for me to re-focus on healthy food choices and more water.

Starting. Right. Now.