Happy Birthday Sister!!

Today is my sister Kath's birthday. She shares a birthday with Beethovan, which is amazing since they are both classic!! Happy birthday Kath. I love you and I hope your birthday is wonderful.

Three Perfect Days

Tri- meaning three

The first three days in October are like a trifecta in horse racing.

The ultimate win.

On October 1st, 2nd, and 3rd- our family was blessed with the ultimate win.

On October 1st, my sister Karen was born,

who was gone from our lives way too soon.

Karen is the one in the red dress.

Mom is holding on to Karen.

October 2nd, welcomed my nieces Amy and Genine.

Beautiful ladies who are raising beautiful children.

Genine is wearing a visor and is by her dad, Terry.

Genine and her family.

Her husband Jamie, Harrison and Colin.

Happy Birthday Aimers!!

Amy and her family

Her husband Kenny, Grace, Jessica and Jack.

Then on October 3rd, our family was blessed with my niece Karen.

Happy birthday Nana.

Karen is the one wearing the apple dress at my sister Kath's wedding.

Sorry Nana couldn't resist.

Karen and her husband Chucks.

Karen with her boys Eric and Danny.

Thank you ladies for enriching my life.

Your examples of thoughtfulness,

kindness and gentle ways

have taught me what is important in life.

I hope your special day is/was wonderful!!

Happy 11th Birthday

I can't believe how fast the time has gone. I am so proud of my son!!

Happy Birthday Alyssa

I can't believe that Alyssa is 15!! Happy Birthday Baby!! You are an amazing young lady!!

The Biggest Loser

It's official I am part of the Biggest Loser team. Each member of the team received a $50 gift certificate to Target. I was hoping for Dairy Queen!! I personally lost 12.5 pounds and still plan on losing more. Looking forward to losing the back fat! I learned a lot these past two months. I found out that no exercise and cookies = weight gain.

This fish weighed 12 pounds- just what I lost!!

Craftapalooza II

Beautiful, Adorable, Happy Dexter!

I only took pictures of Dexter. My sister, who thinks she is so funny,

took pictures of me every time I picked up a crafting object.

My sister hosted the second Craftapalooza at her house told and I was invited. Just to set the record straight. I have a sister who quilts among other projects. Her daughter who does all kinds of crafty things from sewing to painting to everything in between. A niece who quilts, sews, stamps, and scrapbooks. Did I mention she has a book published for her scrapbooking? My sister-in-law makes beautiful jewelry. Then there is me, know as the square peg in the round hole from here on in. Yes I can come up with creative ideas, but I don't have time in my life right now for a craft. Let's just say I am Crafty Challenged. So I told my sister Kath, I will be there. I spent hours wandering craft stores looking for a project, and the only thing I got was a headache. So my list for crafts were quickly dwindling. The list included playing with my niece Sarah's kids, and taking them to the park. Think of all the glory I would get by playing with the kids and I would get out of crafting?

You can imagine my panic as it rained all the way to Cissna Park. The situation appeared hopeless when we pulled into the driveway and out came John, Sarah's husband, and announced he was taking the kids to the park now. Wait this can't be happening - that is my craft going to the park! It was way too soon for the park. I just spent 90 minutes in the car and I can't go to the park now! RATS!!

OK plan B. While taking deep breaths I ventured into the craft room. I wondered how long I could get away with admiring everyone else's projects. For the record about 3 minutes. Aha project ahead. Karen needed help going through a scrap box. I can do that. All I need to do is look for the right color turquoise scraps of fabric. After spending about 15 minutes going through part of the box without much luck, Karen told me, "No luck yet, keep going." How could I resist such encouragement. Three scraps later, the project was over and kids were back from the park. Thank God for rain.

The next enjoyable hour was spent playing with Dexter and Karen's dog, Sophie. Dexter is the happiest sweetest baby. My niece and her husband make amazing kids. Sophie is an adorable dog who has lots of energy and friendly to everyone. Once again, panic struck again when Dexter feel asleep. Do I dare drink the water Karen gave everyone.? The labeled cautioned the consumer would become creative when consumed and that it worked on Square Pegs.

I could no longer avoid the unavoidable. It was time to craft. The remainder of the crafting was spent making 3 super easy holiday plates, cutting out and mounting pictures of my students. Did I enjoy crafting? YYYY...YYY...ES! That was hard to say. More importantly, I enjoyed the company with some of the most amazing women I know. Maybe I'll do it again.

Oh I guess I am crafty- I was the first one to post about this event!!

Happy Birthday Nadia

Happy birthday Nadia. I hope your day was terrific.

It is hard to believe you are SIX YEARS OLD!!

Yahoo

-10.5 What more can I say!!

Waist Management

-9 lbs

A little disappointed because I only lost .5 lbs this week. As my girlfriend said it is half a pound of butter and I didn't gain. So I'm thinking I need to shake things up a bit different foods, exercise, and praying for weight loss. I am grateful for my teammates who I call when I am craving chocolate. We still are in first place with a commanding lead, but we didn't win week 4. Here's to -10 lbs.

Maintaining First place

-8.5 My teammates and I have a commanding lead with a total of 7.8% loss in the first three weeks of the competition. In desperate need of lightweight clothes for future weigh-ins.

Weight management

-7.5 Weigh-in tomorrow. Will my team maintain the first place position?