Trying for a New Start - Year TWO

I'm awake early this morning, and want to get off to a good start, since I overslept yesterday and that makes for not a very good start of the day! I want to get a good breakfast and be able to relax a bit before going off to the work place.

As you may remember, this past year...since June 10, 2008 I have been making a BIG effort to lose weight. I lost 40 lbs between June 10th and the end of September. Since then it has been very slow going, and I held my weight, going back and forth between 4 lbs of my Sept. 30th weight all winter. Never could get down that 4 pounds to reach what my goal was, thought sure by spring I would. But it was a tough winter. The spring has been even tougher, I started going up from the 4 lbs. that I was able to keep at all winter. So now, I'm really not a happy camper. The disappointment has gotten me off track of the things I was doing to keep my weight consistent through the winter. So, I'm back to trying to do again, what made me lose the weight last summer. But, as anyone who diets, know the second round is much harder, and it's harder to get back to the same routine that worked before, even though you KNOW it worked...so why can't you get going again to make it work again!! I am still seeing my dietitian, and feel guilty everytime I see her, because I know I haven't been following "the rules". I know it sounds like a typical excuse, but this spring I've been too busy at work to be disciplined there during the day, then it makes it easier for me to slide in the evening, when I haven't been good during the day. And, I come home very tired. Don't tell me to excerise...I've been trying to fit that in, that's not easy either. I've been trying to get extra walking in.

I've been practicing for about a month now, going to bed earlier at night so I can get up earlier in the morning, with the hopes of eventually getting back to going to the gymn before work. (or at least walking in the neighborhood in the morning). That's not working real well, some days yes...other days like yesterday, no.

Your Body Doesn't Know What to Expect, Linda

Yesterday I met with one of my w loss mentors from Cold Fusion, who helped me a lot last summer, along with my Dietitican from "The Heart to Heart Program" at SMDC (who I still see also).

She told me...YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO, you just have to DO it Linda! Yeah, she's right. She said my problem these past few months is "Consistency". She told me that my "body does not know what to expect from me". It doesn't know when it's "going to be fed again" so it holds on the fat, "just in case" it doesn't get fed for awhile. She said that is why it's so important to eat at the SAME TIME every day, 3 meals, and 3 healthy snacks with protein, three times a day,mid morn., mid afternoon, and later evening. Now, this is what my dietician always tells me too, and this is how I lost weight last summer. AND, my dietician adds the LOW SODIUM, to this. Both of them tell me to eat lots of protein (which I know I haven't been doing lately) and *(of course) to cut down on carbs...no more than 30 at each meal, and to drink LOTS of WATER.

I did get a new prospective from Brook when she told me the part about "my body not knowing what to expect" because I'm so inconsistent. Now, that really makes sense if you think about it. It worrys about when it's going to get food again. She told me that is why, skipping meals and eating minimally never works.

So, I have had my breakfast this morning, WITH protein, and I have my snacks packed for my snack times at work. I get so involved with the job, that I often forget my snacks....maybe I'll have to put an alarm on my Lotus Notes on the computer (that's been suggested to me).

Wish me consistency today and the rest of the week...as I discipline myself to being consistent (it's not really in my DNA...like some people) My husband has that in his DNA - he is so disciplined and SO routine...I look at him and often wish I could be that way...but I have to work at it! (it comes easy for him)

BUT - I JUST CAN'T go BACKWARD in my weight...I worked too hard this past year to let that happen....it would be so foolish of me to give up and gain that weight back...which I would in a heartbeat if I don't watch it. No...it's NOT going to happen!

P.S. When I see photos of myself (like this one and the one with my Granddaughter, I AM REMINDED, that I have NOT met my goal weight! (however, it IS more about health than about looks...I was able to get off my Blood Pressure medicine and ward off cholestral medicine....now I must keep that nasty D disease (diabetes) away! That is my main concern! And, that is what scared me a year ago. I need to continue to remember the D word and be scared! It was my motivator last June.

Park Point Beach Photos

Dawn, Madelyn and I went to the end of Park Point this morning. Dawn likes to go there, as she remembers spending time at the beach there with her friends when she was a teen, and also would take her oldest, Skylar there when he was little. It was beautiful. I thought the weather was perfect, but of course they thought it was on the cool side. The lake looked lovely, and it was neat to see how the sand dunes are trying to be revived that used to be there, and the city is trying to get them back to "natural"....so there was a lot of grass and green, intermixed with the sand. Here are some photos. Maddy likes to pose, and I told her that she posed like she was a dancer.... "Well, Grandma remember, I AM a dancer!" Oh, yes, that's right - she is!

Father's Day '09

Rob and Scott with their Grandfather

Daddy Farming - 1953

Daddy shoveled a lot of snow!

Daddy with his first born (me)

Daddy and me on one of my visits home

A formal photo taken for church directory

Father's Day today. I miss my Dad most every day, but Father's Day is really hard for all of us who have lost their Dad's. I know I'm not the only one feeling this way today. I had a wonderful, loving Dad and I am so grateful for that. My children have a wonderful, loving Dad also, and I'm grateful for that also. Our daughter and granddaughter were here this weekend, so that was nice for Bob. Rob gave Dad the funniest card, that he really enjoyed, and the two of them golfed together yesterday. Scott was working today, but took time to call Dad and wish him Happy Father's Day. If you have your Dad, treasure him - not just today but everyday!

I LOVE YOU DADDY! THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE AND WISDOM YOU GAVE TO ME!

Fun with Madelyn

Our daughter, Dawn and Granddaughter Madelyn are visiting this weekend from Hudson, WI. Dawn came up to visit with a group of her high school friends from out of town, that come to town on Grandma's weekend in June. "Grandma's", meaning Grandma's Marathon which happens every June in Duluth, MN! They are at Grandma's tents in Canal Park tonight having fun. Us "oldsters" don't go down there, as we leave the fun to the young ones!

Madelyn and I went to see a movie tonight. There were three that were appropriate for her to see, and she already saw two of them. Grandma hadn't seen any. I let her choose, and I thought she'd choose the one she hadn't seen...but no, so chose one she already saw, said she wanted to see it again because it was so good. Boy, was she right. I'm glad she chose it. It was very good and charming and darn cute! It was animated, but not the cartoon way, that my generation grew up with. The movie was "UP" Ed Asner was the voice of the lead character. We really enjoyed it.

After the movie we stopped at Dairy Queen and had a treat, that was after she ate almost the whole container of the LARGE popcorn! I couldn't believe it, it cost me more to buy her candy, pop and the popcorn and a water for myself than it cost for us to get into the movie! Isn't that awful!

We've been looking at pictures since we came home. As you know, I've been "working on and going through" old photos these days, so have them in the dining room where she saw them. We had fun looking, and she is still looking because I can't get her to go to bed. She says she's "not tired". I thought I would post this blog and let her enjoy the photos a bit more and then try to get her to bed.

Can't believe the beautiful day we've had here. When we came out of the movie at 9:30 it was still 72 degrees. I think this is the first warm evening we've had! I think the girls will stay at the tents quite awhile tonight, since the cold won't be driving them home, as it often does! I'm hoping our daughter has a good time, she deserves it!

Now, to get Madelyn to bed! It's been fun hanging out with my Granddaughter, Maddy!!

Tanned legs, high energy, lake breeze: It must be Grandma’s | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

Click on this to read Sam Cook's article about Grandma's in this morning's News Tribune newspaper. You can also click on my link to the News Tribune to read all about our Grandma's Marathon that takes place every June here along Lake Superior.


Tanned legs, high energy, lake breeze: It must be Grandma’s Duluth News Tribune Duluth, Minnesota

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Grandma's Marathon

This morning was "Grandma's Marathon" in Duluth. What a beautiful day for it! It was probably foggy and cool when the race started, but before it was over, the temperature reached 70 or more, probably warmer than the runners like.

Our daughter and granddaughter came up this afternoon from Hudson. Dawn is getting together this evening with a group of her old friends from high school, most that live out of town, but come back home for Grandma's festivities at the tents in Canal Park that go on tonight.

Maddy and I are going to the movies.... we haven't decided which one, as there are three at Lakes 10 that look like they would be good for her age.

New Woman

Do you women readers feel like a new woman after a visit to your local hair salon? Boy, I was past due my 4 weeks and really needed my appointment tonight. I can't believe the difference it makes in my feeling so much better after seeing my hairdresser. If I don't get my hair cut every 4 weeks I'm in trouble. I have naturally curly hair that only does what it wants, and after four weeks it is just "WILD"!

A year ago in March, I made a bold change. I changed hair stylists after going to the same one for 28 years! I hated to do it, and it happened kind of by accident...I went to a new salon to support a Relay For Life team that was doing a cut a thon. I really liked the way she did my hair, so found myself back there 4 weeks later. After over a year, I am still feeling guilty, because I have never faced or talked to my former stylist. I know I should have at least called her after 28 years, but I just couldn't. After 28 years though, she pretty much cut and did my hair the same, even when I pushed her to try something else...especially with the color. I think after 28 years, she was afraid to do anything different. This stylist is not afraid, and she is encouraging me to do some changes now and then.

Well, that's my hair story!

Lovely Day

I have been trying to wake up earlier in the mornings these days, because so often the sun is out and beautiful early, then later in the day it gets cloudy. I think today will be that way, but in the meantime I am enjoying the sunrise. We have had some really lovely days lately though. We deserve them, because most of us feel that May was robbed from us, as the weather was not that good. Now, it's the middle of June already, but we are finally getting some nice weather. I think I will take a walk before going to work this morning. But, to do that I guess I need to get off my computer... even when I'm up early the time flies! Where are our days going! Fall will be here way too soon, the way the time is flying!

Don't Understand

I am up early this morning for a change. I read the newspaper early. I just must comment...I see that our Governor has balanced the state budget by cutting funds to our school districts, and now our school district has to lay off 65 good teachers! The democrats had a better idea for balancing the budget, but of course, he didn't go with that. I wish he'd think more about educating our children in this state!

I also read that our City Council wants to take a 4 week vacation this summer. Gee, wouldn't it be nice if all us could take a 4 week vacation? And, with the state that our city is in these days... the packed agenda at each council meeting...I can't understand.

Well, I guess there's a lot I don't understand.

Off to the world today, facing other things I don't understand.

I hope you all have a pleasant and understandable day!

Don't Forget! 65 Years

Today is the 65th Anniversary of "D Day", the Normandy Invasion of the Normandy shores in France. The beginning of the end of World War II.

I just watched the live ceremony that was on CNN this morning. President Obama spoke and gave a good speech honoring those that lost their lives, and those honored veterans who are still living. I was brought to tears. I also thought that the day will come, like with the Civil war, that there are no World War II veterans alive. We must continue to remember and honor them for the sacrifices they made. AND we must remind our children not to forget. We should pass that book that Tom Brokaw wrote about "The Greatest Generation" along to all our children and insist that they read it.

When I was a kid I heard of "D-Day" but really did not understand it much. When I was older I wanted to know more, and studied more about World War II and the Normandy invasion. Let's hope that today's generation will do the same. Of course, movies that were out after the war and then were re run on cable stations these last few 30-40 years, have helped. The movie that came out when I was a teenager "The Longest Day", was a good one for me to understand it more. And, this generation that probably doesn't watch those old movies will have more current movies like "Pearl Harbor" and "Saving Private Ryan" to at least give them some history and maybe wet their interest to do more reading and research. And, not only World War II, but all of our wars that we have lost soliders going back to the Revoluntary War.

I have several uncles that were in World War II. The only reason I know, is that in my materanal Grandmother's bedroom, when I was growing up, were 5 X 7 photos of my uncles in uniform on her dresser. I knew my Dad's youngest brother was in the service (but not during the war), because I was old enough to know. But, I didn't know one of my Dad's brother in law and my uncle was in the Air Force and saw action during the war, until he died and was buried in a military cemetery. Then I found out that some of his other brother in laws were also in the service during the war. When I was growing up, they just never talked about their war experiences. Just as my husband does not talk about his time in Thailand, during the Vietnam War ara (there was also action there), and I'll bet those coming back from Afhganstan and Iraq don't talk much either. But, just because they don't talk, doesn't mean we shouldn't remember and also honor them.

Let us remember and honor all veterans, not just today, but always.