Who's That Girl?

Okay, just need to give you fair warning that this post includes pictures that I wouldn't normally "post" online. However, once you read along, you'll understand just why I am.

As most of you know, last fall I made a decision to get my life back on track, to take better care of myself, to eat healthier and stay dedicated to a regular workout routine. It hasn't been easy and there have certainly been setbacks along the way. Sometime early on I took these pictures of myself, so I could see my progress along the way.




I'm sure some of you are thinking that these aren't horrible pictures, but for me, I was at one of my heaviest weights ever, if not my heaviest, and I was REALLY unhappy! Along this journey, it's funny to see just how quickly you forget the progress you've made, especially when you reach a plateau. My mom and I have both been struggling with that same problem lately. We stopped focusing on the fact that we were both down significant clothing sizes or that the scale reflected a weight loss of great numbers...we still kept focusing on what wasn't currently happening.

But last week, my mom wrote a great article on weight loss plateaus for a local newspaper, and in reading it, I was reminded that I needed to go back and focus on all the PROGRESS that I have made up until this point! This was apparently clear in seeing new pictures of myself in my new bathing suits. This is one of the first years that I have actually been excited about wearing a bathing suit and have been proud of myself for knowing just how far I've come. Don't get me wrong, I'm not at my goal yet, but it's little reminders like these that make sure we take a step back and take in the moment to see all that we've accomplished and just how far we've come. I think my sister put it best when her reaction to these photos was..."UM, You're HOT!" Thanks sis, sometimes I forget that cute girl looking back in the mirror is actually ME!

Make Time For PLAY!

That is a difficult lesson for me. Often times I have too many set plans, too many obligations to fulfill to just be living in the moment and playing. I have been working really hard to fix that lately and trying to find the time, even if it's just 15 minutes in everyday to joke around, laugh and do something for myself.

Over the weekend it included spending time with a dear friend at her baby shower, going to another friend's house for a bbq and a late night campfire, going for a run and watching a movie on the couch.

Did you find time to play today?

Mom's Birthday Weekend!

I finally got the pictures from Mom's birthday weekend when I was home over this past weekend. Some pictures from our hike around Lake Gunnison...including a little "friend" that I almost stepped on as he slithered across the path. Good thing Mom wasn't in the lead at that point!







Then onto our dinner at Luca's in Keene! Our special family restaurant, for a special celebration. Mom was really good and declined dessert, but they still did a nice birthday message for her anyway. I couldn't pass up the pistashio gelato...it is one of my favorites and it was DELISH! I think you can tell that by the size of my smile...hehehe.



P.S. Stay tuned for a fun video that captures some exciting news I got to share with my mom last weekend...if I can finally get it downloaded! Grrrr...technology boggles me sometimes.

Things That Boggle Me - #2

Okay, another installment of things that boggle me. This one came about from a conversation that got going on my listserve the other day. Where the heck have all the manners gone? I mean SERIOUSLY!!! I cannot tell you how many days I see people treating each other with such rude behavior and disrespect and I just don't get it. Is it really that hard to say please or thank you? To hold a door open for the person following you inside? To compliment someone on their cute outfit? To wave thank you to someone who lets you switch lanes in traffic? Are we really TOO BUSY to be kind?

Well, I continue to spread the JOY! No matter how silly it may be to some or how trivial it may seem to others, I enjoy "thinking" that I might be the difference in someone's day. I am happy to provide the extra smile, encourage an extra moment of laughter at work and often go out of my way to make sure everyone is A-OK! It's not a job or a requirement, it's just ME and I am really happy I was raised this way. Thanks Mom and Dad!

So...show someone YOUR manners this week! Hold that door open, even if you have to wait an extra minute. Smile and wave at that person who stops at the crosswalk for you. Genuinely thank someone when they do something nice for you...it could make all the difference!