tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36221258553297368502024-02-07T19:04:19.728-06:00Consciously LivingFifty is FantasticMelvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-91846679425428634202014-01-03T22:48:00.002-06:002014-01-03T22:48:19.877-06:00Happy 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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With a new year comes new hopes and dreams for a better reality. This year I hope to let go of some of the anxiety I collect during the work week and learn how to chill. Instead of resolutions I will focus on one word. My word is commitment. I chose this word because commitment is what I lack when it comes to taking care of myself or following good habits. I have grand ideas that just fizzle out. I want to stay committed to many things including: </div>
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my healthy eating</div>
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my daily exercise routine</div>
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keeping my relationships positive</div>
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becoming closer as a family and couple</div>
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These are a few of the things I need to work on. Not easy, but nothing worth doing ever is. So 2014…..be good to all of us!! </div>
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Good-bye 2013 and hello 2014!!! </div>
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Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-34744379428413386752013-11-02T20:29:00.001-05:002013-11-02T20:31:15.918-05:00Breaking Bad Habits <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> I've been on a roller coaster of a ride concerning my weight. I have this little voice in my head that tells me what to do and most of the time it's a horrible voice that makes me eat eat eat. I eat when I'm stressed. I eat when I'm mad. I eat when I'm bored. I eat when I'm happy. I eat when I have a lot of work ahead of me and I feel sorry for myself. I also eat when I'm hungry too of course. Mostly it's bad stuff I eat when that voice is talking!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So it's time to stop. Time to create good habits and begin again with Weight Watchers, journaling and increasing my exercise. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Journaling food is a great way to hold oneself accountable. It is right there on paper with in black and white. What I need help with is being hungry all the time for the first two weeks of cutting back. With so much stress in my job ( English teacher) I mentally think I can't take on another "pain"..so I eat to keep the hunger pangs away. I feel setting weekly goals and holding myself accountable is the only way to do this. So this week my goal is to: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">#1 Journal EVERYTHING that goes into my mouth</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">#2 Stay on the program MOST days.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">#3 No chips during the week unless they are baked and in a controlled portion. sigh. (I've given up pizza, hamburgers, french fries- but chips…not)</span><br />
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Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-21269554073010689752013-04-27T21:36:00.001-05:002013-04-27T21:36:19.337-05:00April is Kinda Sucking in the Consistency Dept. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me on the right with my big thighs!<br /></td></tr>
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But who am I to give up. Back at it. I just spent the last two days reading and catching up on blogs and I'm so inspired. I go back to all these ladies and they just keep posting and motivating. Thank goodness for the blog world for people like me to read and re-read and keep going. I bought a bunch of healthy food and tomorrow will cook up some chicken to get me through the week. Dinners are the worst for me. <br />
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<b>Weekly Goals:</b><br />
Write down food and points.<br />
Check in w/ WW<br />
Weight myself ( ouch)<br />
Walk minimum of 2 miles( more?) a day<br />
Ride 60 miles.<br />
Post 3 times.<br />
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Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-89137304894800686952013-04-14T09:10:00.003-05:002013-04-14T09:11:09.164-05:00April Goal: Consistancy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Lack of consistency is my problem. </div>
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"It's not what we do occasionally that makes the difference~it's what we do consistently."</div>
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I got this from somewhere and it spoke to me. If I don't do much else I'd like to learn to apply the habits I've learned consistently and without waiver. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2010</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRako3IfWw9UKUDfp9NUvntNriNNdL0Owv1NcEGCeGKBo1mBl-JqTdwT7dnKSRWGFpeXaB8uqXBnxEXCuiRUA9bZXUDNtnfnfUWw5l0QgKfn3TZa4jUk0T3vW5Qv28PJrqgDDQm30_J2k/s1600/Parker37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRako3IfWw9UKUDfp9NUvntNriNNdL0Owv1NcEGCeGKBo1mBl-JqTdwT7dnKSRWGFpeXaB8uqXBnxEXCuiRUA9bZXUDNtnfnfUWw5l0QgKfn3TZa4jUk0T3vW5Qv28PJrqgDDQm30_J2k/s320/Parker37.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
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The first photo was taken in 2010 when I finally decided to be appalled at myself. This vacation was at the beginning of my journey. The next photo was in 2012- and 50 pounds lighter. I'm still holding in that same area although I'm no where near where I want or need to be. Since 2011 when the weight stopped coming off I've started and stopped a thousand times. The only thing I've stayed consistent with is my exercise and my better eating habits which seems to be all it takes to maintain. So my goal for April is to simply be consistent in my journaling and point control. No excuses for this girl. </div>
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Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-15386177601896730552013-03-23T23:34:00.002-05:002013-03-23T23:34:29.173-05:00Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Nature's Cheese Puffs </div>
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You can pretty much ignore the post before this. I didn't run. Well I did. My knee hurt and I stopped. I'll stick to biking and walking.<br />
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It's been so long since I've felt like being on here. Funny how that happens. School and trying to keep up with it consumes me. Simply zaps what little energy I have. I'm avoiding all the grading I have brought home this weekend because I simply am tired of it. Soon the BIG TEST will be over and maybe the students can enjoy English again.<br />
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<b>Since the last publication: </b><br />
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Parker had his first successful semester at the local junior college.<br />
He is in the midst of being at a university now and LOVES it.<br />
He is still with his girly friend. All. The. Time. He studies often and isn't involved in university life, but then again that's not all bad.<br />
Our winter ski trip included her and another friend of theirs. We had a great time. I skied my best in years.<br />
Hubby bought a CPA business. Right now it's hard for him. He thinks he likes it. Not sure. Ask after April 15th!<br />
I'm still grading papers. I did get a student teacher which is hard. I don't like letting go. But she is doing a great job and very helpful. I'm grading the stuff that is crucial. And there is a lot. These kids write all the time. STAAR test ya know.<br />
I'm riding my bike. Hubby not so much. Over spring break I rode three times which was every other day for a bit. It was awesome. That is so what I need. If I get caught up I'll continue to keep riding like that. No big rides for us until after April 15th.<br />
I started WW. Stopped WW. Started WW. Stopped WW. Sigh.<br />
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So…nothing really fabulous.<br />
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Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-45877476210204766472012-11-23T07:43:00.000-06:002012-11-23T07:43:02.645-06:00Is It Too Late to Start Running? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Do you run?? I wanna run. I wanna go and go and go. That's what I love about biking. When I bike, the more effort I put into it, the more return I get. I feel running is that way. If I put more effort into it I can just keep going. I run a bit here and there, but nothing I can really couldn't as running. I have a fantasy that I could do a 5 k…then maybe a 10 K and eventually walk/ run a half marathon. Awkkkk Two months ago I ran 1/2 mile and did something painful to my knee. I thought that I was done in the running department, but now that the pain is gone, maybe I can try again???? Maybe this time I can start slower. Help. I wanna run. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm gonna try.<br />
Walk/run/walk/run. Slow and steady.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure this is how I'll look running. Yes, that was 40 lbs ago, <br />
but I still have a big behind not to mention BB's. Ha Ha </td></tr>
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Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-86196011724187222002012-11-22T19:59:00.002-06:002012-11-22T20:00:26.772-06:00Happy Thanksgiving! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My momma cooking </td></tr>
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Today we celebrated with a traditional Thanksgiving meal. The only difference was it was just the three of us. We didn't spend it with any siblings. It was nice and quiet. Just what I wanted and needed. It's also the first time I cooked everything without the help of my mom or anyone else. I am thankful she write down her recipes for giblet gravy and dressing. I have never made gravy in my life, much less giblet. It was ok. My dressing was dry. I'll hopefully remember next time to add more broth. This picture is at my old house and also her last Thanksgiving. I am feeling so melancholy today. The smells bring back memories. Even as I napped today I found myself waking up in a different time period..I was home. However I am so Thankful for all I have and all I have the ability to do. In this moment and on this day I'm so grateful and thankful for my life. </div>
Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-6745800628060009602012-11-21T08:32:00.000-06:002012-11-21T08:35:36.651-06:00Last Night <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juniors in high school. Where will they end up?? </td></tr>
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So Parker didn't go off to college after all. He decided at the last minute to stay home. I'm not sure if he really wasn't ready or if having a newly acquired girlfriend had anything to do with it. I suspect both. We have a great university, UTSA, within a couple of miles of our house and he has chosen to start there and end up in Austin at UT~ that's his current plan anyway. I'm happy knowing where he is and what he is doing.<br />
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But having a kid in college whether he is home or away is different. They come and go. He works and goes to school. Days go by and I barely see him- our schedules are so different. It's good though. I don't have the same worries about grades I had in high school nor do I feel the need to monitor his comings and goings. He's figuring it out.<br />
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Last night his best friend from college, who did decide to go away, came by for a visit. Then another friend showed up. We plied them with questions and Parker got to hear what he was missing out on. But then they left to go eat. When they got home and hubby and I were tucked away in bed. I could hear them. I heard laughter and conversations. I head the stampede of feet going up and down stairs. I heard the fridge open and shut. It felt like when they were little. It felt good. Like old times. I hope that never goes away. I hope at least for the next few years they can meet up and laugh and act like the little kids they used to be. Growing up and growing apart is natural, but it's nice to laugh and remember. </div>
Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-46750610958985107902012-08-01T09:06:00.003-05:002012-08-01T09:06:48.963-05:00Writer's Workshop~ PROM? Scary?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>This post is inspired by <span id="goog_1605879362"></span><a href="http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/">Mama Kat's Writing Workshop</a>.<span id="goog_1605879363"></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b> Watching your 17 year son old go on a prom date. Now that is scary!!! </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b> <i> I'd have to say my scariest moments of late have involve this new sport I've picked up: mountain biking. But not as scary as watching your kid grow into a man and grow away from you. </i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b> Mountain biking is scary and that's why I like it. There is a thrill riding down a steep hill into a dry rocky river bed, up a hill and then down, around and around again. And while it's scary, it's also a huge adrenaline rush. So the element of being scared is overrun by the rush you get from it. It's a mental and physical thing blended together wonderfully. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b> My riding partner is my son, Parker, who is now an 18 year old muscly young man and doesn't mind riding with his 50 year old mom. He is very athletic, funny, hardworking and one of the shyest kids I know. He's just like his dad. They don't talk unless they are in their comfort zone and then they don't shut up. Besides the sixth grade, which really doesn't count, Parker has never had a girlfriend.<i>"Girls are stupid"</i>(His words). All those years of playing club and high school basketball didn't leave much time for anything else. His interests totally revolved around sports. When he decided not to play basketball his senior year, he got a job and got into mountain biking and road biking.He stayed as busy as ever.No girls ever were mentioned and I felt lucky we missed the drama of high school romance. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dJH0QAM5mtfYakgVDd-2VUwP8PITu5uL65a8BLmjrad5Wz-4LpGbdhS79nMc_iAvkq8qt02dXyuT9U1NkqALtZ-8DwHY0dmkUqCipyKYw0OlgfUoCPlcVyyPItra7eAZs0ea3IhQ650T/s1600/IMG_4010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dJH0QAM5mtfYakgVDd-2VUwP8PITu5uL65a8BLmjrad5Wz-4LpGbdhS79nMc_iAvkq8qt02dXyuT9U1NkqALtZ-8DwHY0dmkUqCipyKYw0OlgfUoCPlcVyyPItra7eAZs0ea3IhQ650T/s320/IMG_4010.JPG" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b> That is~ we missed it until the end of his senior year,which was just a couple of months ago. Sure enough I start noticing a trend of him going to the mall with "friends" who just <i>happen</i> to be girls. Going to eat. <i>Weird</i>. Extremely unusual~ even though his friend, who always has girl friends, would go too;I thought it weird.<i>"Just a friend Mom" </i> Haha…yeah I'm not dumb, I teach high schoolers. Oh and all the texting. Um hum. Anyway, I come home one day and am greeted with the biggest smile in the world.<i> "Mom. Guess what? I'm going to prom!</i>" HUH? What the? Really? (A month earlier the mention of prom produced huge eye rolls and <i>Are you stupid? looks</i>) </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b> But...Yep. He did. And not only that~ he picked out his own tux, flowers, took care of the limo, everything with HER in tow. And had a blast. In fact….prom turned into ….well….a relationship with a girl???!!!!! What a ride!! </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b> Well... what is scary is how the man he has a potential to be is starting to come out. The boy is diminishing. I see him using manners, being thoughtful and putting her feelings in front of his (Oh the horrors). I see him doing things like going to the mall, grocery store, boring errands, and trying new foods he hates ~<i>with pleasure</i>. I see him making sure to spend time at her house <i>and</i> at our house. He even bought me a Mother's Day gift with HIS own money. By golly the kid IS thoughtful. "She" of course has a lot to do with it. She is the perfect girlfriend a mom would like to see their son with. He picked a girl with strong values and morals and that even says a lot. Oh I know he's just beginning a relationship and not getting married or anything, but I see him maturing and growing in ways that I know at some point <i>will</i> lead him away from me, from us. I know it's good, right and natural, but it's also scary. Some day, even these days…she is the center of his world and not me…not any more. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b> So it's kind like looking down a mountain and knowing that the only way down is to ride carefully using the breaks when necessary knowing it's the only way to get where you need to go.It's got to be done. It's waiting for the adrenaline to kick in and hide the "scary-ness." It's a mental and physical thing blended together wonderfully. </b></span></div>
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</div>Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-43102761347284213092012-07-27T09:48:00.002-05:002012-07-27T17:59:49.143-05:00Writer's Workshop: Ten Things I Get Angry About<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>This is inspired by Mama Kats Writing Workshop~ See Link on Side!!! </b></div>
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<b> Well there are so many things…but these are the ones that just popped into my head this morning!!!! </b></div>
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<b>I GET ANGRY WHEN...</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>1. people are selfish. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>2. people don't spend time with their animals and just keep them in the back yard. Of course the abuse </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>3. people have all these babies than don't parent them. As a teacher this is my number one gripe.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b> I see so many parents that are tired of parenting by time their kids gets to HS and they have </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b> do nothing and I have to handle it on my own. I could go on and on. ( BTW MOST parents </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b> do a GREAT job!! It's the slackers I get upset about) </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>4. people don't take care of this financial or personal business and then ask for money. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>5. people don't take pride or take care of their homes or vehicles and leave them trashed and unkept. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b> They are so unappreciative. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>6. people sit back and let the world happen to them and then wonder why they are the way they are.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>8. no one truly understands what it's like to do my job except other HS English teachers. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>9. I think of the way I've neglected my body for so long. </b></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">10. people are ungrateful!!</span> </b></div>
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</div>Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-64433602652179326302012-07-01T06:48:00.001-05:002012-07-01T06:48:17.992-05:00Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I've completed almost a week of being back on Weight Watchers. It's been great because I'm not having any internal guilt. Only lots of hunger! Hunger for me means I'm loosing weight. I'm back to under 190 which is good. I feel I can continue this way again. Just getting past the first couple of weeks is hard. I'm wanting to bump up my workouts. Riding the bike once a week or so isn't near enough. This week my biggest battle was the weather. When I rode on Thursday, the temps were hovering between 95-100. It just seems to zap my strength, however I did it. Lots of people were out there, so I'm not letting heat stop me anymore. Just need to get past the nausea I tend feel when it's that hot. Lots going on today…will write about it later….</span></div>Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-5328754843807907832012-06-16T23:24:00.000-05:002012-06-16T23:24:22.816-05:00I'm Back ….Again…...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Just a work in progress </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">While I was gone from here being busy, I seemed to have picked up some bad habits. Mostly eating bad habits. The really bad kind. The kind that involve ---late night sneaking into the pantry--- kind of habit-- if you know what I mean. It's all associated with boredom and TV. So no more late night TV. I will read or do this…anything but sit in my comfy chair with a box of BIG CHEEZITS or ice cream or goldfish. ugh. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> And tonight …. I was actually getting online to see if I had any skinny pictures to inspire me only to realize that my skinny pictures are really kind of still me being fat. When I lost my 50 lbs I felt so good and healthy. I even thought I looked good. People told me I did…..I felt good. But now that I've settled into this weight, I realize I'm still limited in my physical activity much the same as I was before, even though I've accomplished so much since the initial weight loss. While I can do a lot more physical activities, I'm no where near where I should be. So I'm hoping to get back into the swing of Weight Watcher points. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Here is what I am doing right: </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Still walking at night although not as consistently. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Riding my mountain bike 27+ miles weekly on pavement. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Riding my real mountain bike 8+ miles on trails weekly. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I haven't gotten into the habit of eating fast food at all. I don't drink cokes. I eat good stuff mostly. I just eat too much of it!! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So onward I go…lots to catch up on! </span></div>Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-35381351379507882632012-04-08T20:12:00.001-05:002012-04-08T20:13:12.142-05:0030 Days of Biking<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So the first week of the <a href="http://30daysofbiking.com/">30 Days of Biking</a> challenge has been a success for me!!! I have to admit Monday and Tuesday was shear torture because I was so sore from Sunday's long ride. But I did it. Here is the breakdown:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Sunday: Rode <a href="http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/sport/skye/skye/#">Trek Skye</a> for 27 miles - Day 1 of 30 Day Challenge was awesome!!! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Monday: Rode <a href="http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/collections/womens/mountain/sport/skye/skye/#">Trek Skye</a> for 5.27 miles ~ neighborhood</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Tuesday: Rode <a href="http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/collections/womens/mountain/sport/skye/skye/#"><span id="goog_1184596277"></span>Trek Skye<span id="goog_1184596278"></span></a> for 5.50 miles ~ neighborhood</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Wednesday: Rode <a href="http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/collections/womens/mountain/singletrack_trail/lush/lush_sl/#">Trek Lush SL</a> for 10.76 miles on the Leon Creek MTB trails with Parker</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Thursday: Rode around the block! (.25) Hey I rode!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Friday: Rode Trek Skye for 6.25 miles….did the hills and got a little workout. I need to do more! It's a start though :)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Saturday- Rode Trek Skye for 27 miles- Leon Creek MTB trails with Bubby- was nice I felt so strong. Biking every day is great for my muscles. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So the first 7 days and I got 82 bike miles!!!!! </span><br />
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Me and my Trek Lush </div>
</div>Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-85910785066065753802012-04-01T19:37:00.002-05:002012-04-01T19:41:19.584-05:00First Ride of April<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Beautiful Wildflowers </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Today was DAY ONE of the <a href="http://30daysofbiking.com/">Thirty Days of Biking</a> Challenge. Easy for me because we always ride on the weekend!!! It was nice and toasty. We left the house at about 10: 30 AM. Both Bubby and I worked up a good sweat. We rode 26.5 miles in just under 2 hours. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Bubby coming down the trail @ Leon Creek</span></div>
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</div>Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-67903714438481068632012-03-31T21:03:00.001-05:002012-03-31T21:03:59.440-05:0030 Days of Biking<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">When you put something out there …..it just seems to happen!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> I've been wanting and needing a jumpstart..I mean just look at the post before this. So what do I find, but a post about a challenge that starts ~ tomorrow! <a href="http://30daysofbiking.com/">Thirty Days of Biking</a> I can do this. I'm going to add my own challenge to this: </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">30 Days of Journaling and A lot of Days of writing in this Blog…..Happy Biking!!! </span></div>
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Townie. She doesn't get used anymore, but she's cute!</div>
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My mountain bike: A Trek LUSH….she is a lush. She provides the most excitement in my life these days!!! </div>
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</div>Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-75937506099617662062012-03-31T15:28:00.003-05:002012-03-31T15:28:46.191-05:00Back to Jounaling<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's empty~ but not for long. </div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I have lost a total of 50 to 54 lbs depending on the weight fluctuation I get. I weigh the same now as I did last year. The only difference now is that I have more muscle. I thought I would be easily at my goal by now. Not so. I still have about 20-30 lbs to loose. I'm bummed and need to do something~ change something up. So I'm starting with journaling again. I will post a picture weekly of what I'm doing..until it becomes a habit. I'm walking 2.5-3 miles nightly which I guess is now doing nothing for me…so frustrating. I bike ride 25 miles once to twice a week. I need to add more exercise and eat less I guess. So hard! </span></div>Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-82979152190651139212012-03-26T20:53:00.002-05:002012-04-01T00:17:05.661-05:00Spring is in the Air<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I admit I'm not much of a cold weather-stay inside- girl. I am meant to be out doors! I think that is why I like riding my bike so much.Being outside simply makes me happy. While I ride I take in the scenery and soon I'm lost in it all. This past Saturday we ride in the LBJ 100 Bike Ride. What I enjoyed most, besides the finish line, was all the beautiful Bluebonnets!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Ahhh spring! I love ya. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-12858102062755263872012-02-11T20:04:00.000-06:002012-02-11T20:04:00.565-06:00Still Learning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Even after loosing 55 lbs. I still find myself using food as a crutch. This week I let go and ate what I wanted. I've been sitting here grading papers and thinking about why....I have two reasons. I think. One is I'm very stressed with school this year and this week and last have been riddled with headaches, so I let myself let the headaches take over. In the past year I refused to "EAT" them away. Not this week. I wanted to eat and eat I did. Sunday I rode my mountain bike some 30 miles. It was exhausting. I fell and busted up my knee. Monday morning the scale was high. I let go of reason( yes, my second reason) and got sad about it( I know better- muscle weighs more at first)...by Thursday the scale was way down. But in the meantime I had let myself eat and eat and eat. But you know, I can't just remember to not let the scale rule my life. All I can do is let tomorrow be better and learn from today. I'm still learning. </span></div>Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-75604500406167063322012-01-19T06:32:00.001-06:002012-01-19T06:32:10.049-06:002012 A New Year<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Been slacking on the ole blog. Once again school - my job seems to zap the life out of me! That's ok- it's all just very necessary as things have a way of falling into place. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So many things are changing~Parker for one is really growing up. He's working and finishing his senior year and doing a lot of mountain biking. He's saving his money for a new bike and is excited about it. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Husband and his work opened a new restaurant- a source of anxiety and problems! Me- I'm the same. I feel like I've never been a better teacher - but I'm really putting a lot of time into getting there. Been doing a lot of bike riding. That has become a small obsession. We did 2 long 65+ mile rides this year..a 25 mile ( which we raced the whole way) and on most weekends I've been doing a 25+ mile ride. We went snow skiing and I skied with ease. So much easier when you don't weigh a ton!!!! But my weight hasn't changed in a long time so last week I recommitted to WW. It's hard as food still continues to comfort me. Now it's just healthy food that does! But it's a journey and what else have I got to do. My goal for 2012 is to continue to think positively, use gratitude as my guide and enjoy all aspects of life!!! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp5wpoTkCCaj4yUYsYUKWiFkAF_Ukbh4d8AnZi0osw3wswIgrODwTDrjm3P59jniMPwCf0jGuWK_V1mF7YUu-Dniqrb87M7TKtnjDjA0ELz29glN2AOpNZpS5g6DM-eowTjAu9z1Tad3V/s1600/IMG_0473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp5wpoTkCCaj4yUYsYUKWiFkAF_Ukbh4d8AnZi0osw3wswIgrODwTDrjm3P59jniMPwCf0jGuWK_V1mF7YUu-Dniqrb87M7TKtnjDjA0ELz29glN2AOpNZpS5g6DM-eowTjAu9z1Tad3V/s320/IMG_0473.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After our 65 mile ride- we are holding metals. Look who is still the fattest. LOL </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-85308390332610248492011-07-26T09:32:00.000-05:002011-07-26T09:32:51.752-05:00Gratitude<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5Er7mdYlpbjQ7ZlIOqLgZL9SQIjFqKkkaytwEysU9HPKwwpdwfK2iWQY3M7JVyJEJQ8V6KcIMnmUctZgSatdqK9h3_NsKXMSOkMYTDZrgroW8YVpcRcZwAL3d3vBdgLD7qrLthryQnPP/s1600/IMG_0942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5Er7mdYlpbjQ7ZlIOqLgZL9SQIjFqKkkaytwEysU9HPKwwpdwfK2iWQY3M7JVyJEJQ8V6KcIMnmUctZgSatdqK9h3_NsKXMSOkMYTDZrgroW8YVpcRcZwAL3d3vBdgLD7qrLthryQnPP/s320/IMG_0942.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Time for gratitude. Time to open up to the Universe and let possibilities flow in! Live to learn~</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I'm so grateful for- </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">My family</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Our closeness</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Our unity </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">My dogs and their unending love</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Heat of Summer</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Summer</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Vacations</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Being active</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Riding my bike </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Riding my bike far</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Walking</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Possibilities</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fish Tacos</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Friends</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Lunch out</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Margaritas</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Strawberries</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Music</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This house</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This time off</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">My job</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">My health</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">An open mind</span><br />
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</div>Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-36649670266602565322011-07-04T20:19:00.000-05:002011-07-04T20:19:21.367-05:00Fifty Pounds Ago<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: left;">Today I asked hubby to go ride bikes. He's been wanting to ride the trail from Valero to where ever it ends. We started at 10 AM. I was worried it would be too hot. It was! Turns out there are 12 miles of trail that are finished. We ended up at Ingram Park Mall! Met a wino there ( he called himself that). Awesome. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But it was more than a ride for me. It was a challenge and I met it. I wanted to prove that I could ride and keep up with my husband who rides much more than I do. I think I did ok. Even he admitted it was hard. That made me feel good. It wasn't that hard, but it was hard. I could have gone much further if I had water and stopped. So I know I can do longer rides. I would have never thought 50 lbs ago I could ride 20 miles much less 24. Life is good when you take care of yourself. And I'm learning! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div>Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-34693674101897974982011-06-28T08:24:00.000-05:002011-06-28T08:24:04.972-05:00Summer Days are Slowly Melting Away<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I like teaching, but I ...I ...I.....I love summer. I don't especially like the first two or three weeks where I'm still trying to figure out how to not work. I can't relax and don't know what to do with all the time. But about this time every summer, I slip into summer mode and things feel right. The one thing that feels right is my precious time with Parker.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Probably the best thing about this summer has been Parker. He turned 17!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_9A1tl-ptX-Mf860SStC92YJIJgLlDofnEyoQEz3bK1Svc0LZ_nfSILbcCue2jeWPVW1qWS5mhxfFPzsORYEOMJK0iTVI1H007Ura79SF5yH4y-7fFP29NNkrw4MwDiLT7ZhyphenhypheniuRZK2q/s1600/DSC01827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_9A1tl-ptX-Mf860SStC92YJIJgLlDofnEyoQEz3bK1Svc0LZ_nfSILbcCue2jeWPVW1qWS5mhxfFPzsORYEOMJK0iTVI1H007Ura79SF5yH4y-7fFP29NNkrw4MwDiLT7ZhyphenhypheniuRZK2q/s320/DSC01827.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And sometimes he even likes hanging out with us!!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">One thing that Parker likes is his friends. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOn6rrOBQdCTdRDBVFAS0HW4pyRiwadpTlcToGBlkqQtLUMmUFkZYYv1qAwYWyUpUv1eti3GoRw1nkcmw8Ydd4CY_TX21Ej084kQ0QFs1Hih85XFEcVrdcJzeKrWBOx3tA5-taNwwmKN5/s1600/DSC01805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOn6rrOBQdCTdRDBVFAS0HW4pyRiwadpTlcToGBlkqQtLUMmUFkZYYv1qAwYWyUpUv1eti3GoRw1nkcmw8Ydd4CY_TX21Ej084kQ0QFs1Hih85XFEcVrdcJzeKrWBOx3tA5-taNwwmKN5/s320/DSC01805.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Which means I get to hang out with his friends. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like his friends. I think after teaching for so long, I'm more comfortable with kids than anyone else. I absorb their enthusiasm. I absorb their laughter. I wish I had their energy and lack of fear! I know the days I have with Parker are slowly ticking away. I will miss these days. My days will be filled with something else, but nothing will replace all the summers I get with my best kid. So while these days are melting away before me I am so conscious of how precious and amazing each and every day is and I'm so grateful for this time and life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div></div>Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-3799505989924708762011-06-17T21:19:00.003-05:002011-06-28T08:29:26.544-05:00Hernia=OUCH<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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What was I thinking? I have 8 puncture wounds in my belly. No wonder I put this off for so long. On the flip side. I read and made some notes for my classroom notebook project! Since I can't move much, at least I can be productive. I got 15 punctures in my leg for the veins...they hurt less. In a couple of weeks I should be good to go!<br />
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</div>Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-86651640334559409302011-06-15T06:43:00.000-05:002011-06-15T06:43:56.325-05:00The Summer of Repair<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">My goal this summer is to get the things on my body fixed that are fixable. I'm working on my varicose veins. UGH...Below is a "before" picture taken several years ago. It's obvious which leg is affected. Now that I've lost the weight, I've been working on getting them removed. The weight loss has make them protrude even more.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwKyHlekOIHc3UbELdmxcBIEpHs5yp9XBh_RIL9Hsa_Rgf-L75UC1yRgmxYg8R1MPXhfdFUoZmbIpppHS-sPSHmqD0A6jjIgwx8gD9EgtIlx51wpWTGRD-6HQ6enl56QN6i9RBiycpB9W/s1600/IMG_0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwKyHlekOIHc3UbELdmxcBIEpHs5yp9XBh_RIL9Hsa_Rgf-L75UC1yRgmxYg8R1MPXhfdFUoZmbIpppHS-sPSHmqD0A6jjIgwx8gD9EgtIlx51wpWTGRD-6HQ6enl56QN6i9RBiycpB9W/s400/IMG_0310.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2V0H2lyIajtDAAvEFq3zM4fJxWAilMJKNRd0CPgt-XkWMkfMtp7EssXm28r0_FtrQtQPL8jN_T1HglfjB_yfvrowLad4vsrsQ3sh9woEjbReVfN3GYisVb1tYc_9tqWmFbNdyfV8pATV6/s1600/IMG_3821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2V0H2lyIajtDAAvEFq3zM4fJxWAilMJKNRd0CPgt-XkWMkfMtp7EssXm28r0_FtrQtQPL8jN_T1HglfjB_yfvrowLad4vsrsQ3sh9woEjbReVfN3GYisVb1tYc_9tqWmFbNdyfV8pATV6/s320/IMG_3821.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The process in expensive and very painful. This picture is the after effects of the larger vein on the top of the back of my thigh. It looks way better now! But took a long time for the bruisig to go away. I recently had the veins removed from my calf and I'm not happy at all with the rusults. I go in today for another treatment and in a couple weeks will post the "after " results. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tomorrow I go in to have my herniated belly button fixed. I've had this for 17 years- since the birth of my big baby- Parker! I'm so dreading it. But it's the summer of repair and time to get it fixed and move on! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div></div>Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622125855329736850.post-35510978360104086682011-06-08T09:03:00.000-05:002011-06-08T09:03:37.617-05:00Patience<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Bring on Summer!!! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgx5MqEWrdpdpdj4b0hPdYnymzSeVtGxoj6HfdQ1jhDJFD3qN57MZjQUlbLqDnDa47-iYza9FSNTNMaPlj40-wUS0IjJnM1qjKcB0S1u4_KvkVsKPQFv2LAr2v3la2th3bQzUghLO53y0/s1600/IMG_3883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgx5MqEWrdpdpdj4b0hPdYnymzSeVtGxoj6HfdQ1jhDJFD3qN57MZjQUlbLqDnDa47-iYza9FSNTNMaPlj40-wUS0IjJnM1qjKcB0S1u4_KvkVsKPQFv2LAr2v3la2th3bQzUghLO53y0/s400/IMG_3883.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Yeah...that's Parker jumping off the trampoline and into the pool. I know...not too safe...but it's summer after all!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Which brings me to the topic of this post. I like walking in the morning. I like starting the day on a productive note and having the walk give me the energy to do something productive. In the past summer was getting up slowly..drinking coffee...getting on the computer...getting back in bed..etc. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I so want to be more alive and active! So far I am. It's amazing being part of a lifestyle change. I think I'm slowly morphing into something new, different, and better. As I walked this morning I tried to think about having patience. Walking Jack is what got me active, but he never used to smell everything like he does now. He's more comfortable with the walk and wants to check things out and I'm ready to go fast fast fast. <b>I've got to have patience. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b></b>Just like with a lifestyle change. It must come slowly. It must be a constant change though. It must not happen occasionally, but constantly. For instance, I've learned that I can't just eat well 5 days a week and expect any weight loss. It's got to be 7 days of being on target. I can't walk a couple days a week. It's got to be constant. It takes patience to see results, but when you do...it's worth it. As they say...patience is a virtue..and virtue won't hurt you! </span></div>Melvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314440627026235579noreply@blogger.com0