February Has Arrived!

Today is February 1st and what a day. We had to begin school late because of the snow. We only have 2 or 3 inches, which isn't bad for the Texas Panhandle, however, we have a 20 to 30 mph wind to go with it. Chill factor is -10 to -20 degrees below 0!! Now, that is not good!! It would have been a great day to stay home, sit by the fireplace, and read a good book. As I think about what February has in store for us, I wonder where January went. Time goes by too fast! I think we are all too busy and life is speeding by for us. I just don't know what to take off the calendar!

February is the beginning of our "Home Experience" and "Table Experience" study by Devi Titus. A group of 12 women in our church have been asked to participate. I am looking forward to it, so it stays on the calendar. Two week-ends this month, Da-Da and I are keeping some of the grandkids. That for sure stays on the calendar! I also start my Master Gardening classes this month. I have waited for that to begin for a while now, so that stays on the calendar. Every Wednesday evening is Life group and I definitely won't take that off the calendar. See, I just don't have a thing to take off the calendar. So I am changing the way I look at it.

Thank you God for giving me the opportunity and health to stay busy. May I be a positive influence in all I do and all I participate in. May my priorities be the priorities you have set for me and may the plans for my life be your plans.

Life group at our house tomorrow night--green chili stew, fresh tortillas, and buttermilk pound cake. Stop by for a cup of coffee and visit and pray with us!

Stay warm all and if the weather dictates, stay in, be peaceful, and enjoy the time at home. Blessings to you all!!

New Year's Read

Da-Da has been released from the Doctor and physical therapy, but he has to do exercises at home to get the shoulder back to full use. Thank you Lord for the healing!

I bought myself an iPad for Christmas. I had used one at school and thought I really would use it. For the first month, I wouldn't let myself buy any books to put on it because I had so many setting around the house that needed reading. But, I caved! I love reading on it and when finished there is not a book to stack somewhere. If you haven't read "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Bopus, please read it. It is relatively short and a quick read. It's a true story about a little 4-year old boy that visits heaven during surgery. It is wonderful and just thrills my heart. Give it a try. If anyone out there has other book recommendations, please send me a comment.

Just signed up for the Women of Joy conference in OK city in April. So excited to hear Sarah Palin, Anita Renfroe, and others. I just love worshiping with a bunch of women!!!!

Grandkids are busy playing Basketball. Tomorrow we have games at 10, 11, 12, 1, and 6. What a day. At least the weather is supposed to be warmer. I am so tired of single digit wind chills!!!! But at least we don't have the snow and ice. I feel so sorry for those that are not used to that kind of weather in their area.

Was hoping that the weight loss would allow me to get off the blood pressure medicine, but not going to happen yet. Dr. Cindy wants to monitor it for a little while longer. Cholesterol is up a little so I guess I will start watching that better. I tell you, this getting older is for the birds. I want my old (pre-50) body back. It seemed to work better!!!!!

Looking at recipes and hope to have one to share soon. It's been so cold that all we are eating is soups and stews. But they sure hit the spot! Everyone stay warm and be blessed!

Dieting

Whoever heard of a diet at Thanksgiving and Christmas? Well, I had had it with the tummy roles and muffin tops. I never had to worry about weight until good ole menopause came to visit. Every year the weight seemed to creep up and always settled around the tummy. I hated how I looked and my blood pressure was rising. Shopping was no longer fun because nothing looked right.

One of my past students has become a Chiropractor. He has started a new weight area in his practice. His parents had such good luck I decide it was time to do something about mine. So in mid-October I started with a 10 day cleanse and then started the 40 day HCG diet. Yes it is often hard to make myself follow it but I have lost 17 pounds so I know it works. I take HCG hormone drops 3 times a day and eat 500 calories a day. The food selection is limited but I now have a waist. The real benefit is when it is over the hypothalamus re-sets the metabolism so I should be able to stay around my target weight. Before the diet, I'm not sure I had any metabolism! So there will be next years Thanksgiving to look forward to and Christmas will just have to be low sugar and carb.

In the past I have really been anxious about my self-discipline or lack of. Several months ago God woke me up twice in one night to tell me that I had all the healing and self-discipline I needed; I just had to trust him. So I am trusting and have stepped out on this diet to get the old Kathie back and I can see glimpses of her, just somewhat older!

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Next year maybe I will have some new recipes since this year I am not really thinking about them. Blessings to you all.

It's Been How Long??

Have you ever had great plans and then everything changes on you? Well that has been my last several months. Where does the time go?

Summer - I had some great plans made: golf lessons, playing golf with family, vacations, yard work, etc. What I got was gall bladder trouble and finally had to have it removed; goodbye summer!

School starts and I had another set of plans since I was feeling so much better; hello to a husband that runs into the side of the house chasing our bassett hound. Poor Ivey, he hated her for a while. He had limited use of his left arm and lots of pain, so in October he had to have Rotator Cuff surgery. He is not a house/office type and he is getting cabin fever I think. We now do physical therapy three times a week in the city. He is improving every day, praise God!

God is so good! He told me before Da-Da's accident that healing was given to us when Jesus died on the cross....I just had to trust him. Thank you Lord. Thank you that my plans are not always fruitful and your plans for me are so awesome! Thank you for your presence in good and bad times! You are our provider and shepherd.

We are both doing so much better, but it sure put a halt to working on my blog. I can't believe it has been since last spring. I feel like a new blogger again and I am at a loss for words, or should I say quality words. Even though I was not working on my blog, I keep up with the many I love. So thank you bloggers for helping me get through the dry spell I was in. Hopefully I am back!

I have so much to be thankful for during this fall season- family, HEALTH, church, etc. I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving season. Blessings are all around us, we just have to open our eyes and see them. Sometimes we take so much for granted. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Summer is Here!!

It has been several weeks since I have blogged with you. The end of school is always so busy for me. I know it is coming but I never seem to have everything done by the last day of school. Now that I am officially on summer break, I am spending hours and I mean hours in our yard. I love all my flowers, but they sure require some 'babying' to look good. That's alright, I prefer yard work to housework!! There are weeds that need pulling or flowers that need dead-heading everyday. I always seem to get more exercise in the summer and I know it is the gardening that does it.

One of the most "special" things that has happened since my last post is the baptism of four of our grandchildren. C1, C2, M1, and M2 were al baptized on the last Sunday in May. They each wrote their testimony to be read when they were baptized. Praise the Lord for children that love their God. I know God loves the little children, but when you see 10 children baptized in a small rural spirit-filled church, it is the most special occasion you can imagine. You pray for things in life for your kids and your grandkids, but knowing they are saved and have a relationship with their God has to be one of the best "blessings" in life. Thank you Father God!!

I have also decided I need to be more disciplined in taking care of myself. I have tried to eat better since Da-Da's heart problems several years ago. I take my vitamins and drink my water, but exercise has always been another question. I am forcing myself to walk every morning--well I have for 4 out of the last 5 mornings. I must admit that I do have more energy when I walk and seem to rest better at night. I have tried many different things to get rid of the "muffin top" and I have put off exercise until now. So, I will have to challenge myself every morning for the rest of the summer. I know I can do it. Thanks for Beth Moore on my iPod as I walk!!!

I also called last week and signed up for 3 golf lessons. My two daughters and their husbands and my son all play.....but not DaDa and I. I guess I will see next week if golf is for me!!

I have also realized I need to clean out some closets and drawers. I seem to hold on to things! I might need them! This morning I was looking for something and found several magazines from 2004. Now if I haven't read them or used their information by now, I NEED TO THROW THEM OUT!!! I think this may be harder than making myself exercise! The older I get the less important items become. I am tired of dusting and moving things around. We have lived in this house for only 3 years and I have accumulated too much stuff!! It is time to down-size some of that stuff!! As you can tell, this summer needs to be a time for change for me. Please pray for me!!

I am looking forward to the fresh summer fruits and vegetables. If you have any great recipes, send me a link and I will do the same. Have a peaceful week and may you be blest beyond your expectations!!!