Shake it off!

Yesterday was a lot of fun. We had almost the entire family at our house for Easter dinner. After dinner we headed to my uncle's for dessert since it was his birthday. At my uncle's my bother and I started talking about our childhood as brother and sister. We had my cousin, his friend, and my sister-in-law in hysterics. When we were little my dad constantly told us to "shake it off" when we were hurt. It didn't really matter if were gushing blood or had stones embedded into our skin, we had to 'shake it off''. This could be why we are both very tough when it comes to pain and injury. Maybe this is something that our grandfather had said to him as a child? We are not sure where he got it from. Maybe it was dad's way of not having to deal with us crying since he was ALWAYS so busy. Maybe he knew that it would toughen us up. All I know is that shaking it off did not stop the bleeding. LOL!

One story that came up that always makes me laugh is the time that I came up with this wonderful idea to walk my 3 wheel.....Big Wheel up my parents hill in the back of their house. You must keep in mind that my father was watching me and didn't stop me. Maybe he was trying to teach me a lesson in cause and affect? My parents stone driveway was around the back of their house which means that this was what I was going to end up in once I was at the bottom of this hill. Did I mention that I never had any fear as a child? I get on my Big Wheel and down I go. My feet were in the air since the petals were spinning uncontrollably fast. I get to the bottom very quickly and my front wheel just stops as the entire bike flips upside down and throws me off. Not only am I face first in the stones but I had them embedded in my hands and my knees. Both my knees and hands were bleeding. There's my dad trying not to laugh, telling me to shake it off. I can barely walk, shaking from the pain of these sharp stones stuck in my skin. Of course I was taken in the house for the clean up and peroxide treatment. Shaking it off obviously didn't work...LOL!

I find out years later that not even five minutes after my Big Wheel incident, my brother tries the same thing! Maybe he thought he would have a different outcome? Was he trying to prove that he was better than me? Last night he said that he did it because it looked like fun. Maybe he didn't see how it affected me. I do not remember if he had gotten as hurt as me but I do know that he too was told to 'shake it off'. Many times that phrase was used. You can only imagine the scars my brother and I have from our fearless attitude. Most scars included injuries from our childhood vehicles such as our bikes, go-carts, motorcycles, etc. I remember creating a figure 8 in my parents front yard which took years for the grass to grow back in. Those were the good old days.

I do admit telling my kids to 'shake it off' once in a while. However, their injuries are not severe. Now Makenna will shake her leg in the air even if it is her arm that she hurt...LOL! Makenna is definitely tougher than her brother.

I am very thankful for those crazy moments of stupidity as a child. Mostly I am thankful that it creates bonding moments for my brother and I and makes everyone laugh. Funny that we can look back at those moments which then were seemingly awful and laugh at them now. Everyone should be able to 'shake it off' and go about their day. Maybe this way, life would not be so stressful for people. Maybe that is really what my dad was trying to teach us afterall. Too bad we didn't know about the word Goosfraba back then.

What I am thankful for today:

my Big Wheel as a child

my dad telling us to 'shake it off'

moments reminiscing with my brother

laughter

family

children

siblings

goosfraba

being silly

therapy......this will make my brother laugh...LOL!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter Everyone!

This week I was very short on time to blog. Thankfully I was able to help out Gavin with his Garden Party at school...very last minute. This week I get to go on a field trip with him to a one room school house. Believe it or not, it is actually the school house that my father went to as a child. A long time ago, I went there with my father. It was awesome to see everything, especially because it was still in it's original state. Now, the Historical Society has renovated it and shows it as a historical site. Still it will be awesome to go there with Gavin knowing his Pop-Pop went there. I will stay at the school and eat lunch with Gavin since I have the opportunity. Thankfully mom is watching the store for me.

Last night Buffy, Jenny and I went to Crossroads for dinner and drinks. We engaged in some very deep conversations. Nothing a couple toasted almonds couldn't get us through..LOL! There is a very deep connection that Buffy and I share. We are not sure why or how but we both acknowledge that it is present. When engaged in conversation last night, it amazed me that we are both very much alike and have witnessed some very similar past experiences. Although they were a lot of our bad experiences, we are thankful that we have each other who can relate. Some people just do not understand if they have not been through the same situations. And because of this, some are very quick to judge. Buffy, Jenny and I do not judge people by their past or their experiences. Nor do we quickly judge someone that we just meet. This is one quality that I am thankful that we all share. The other thing we share together is our attitude. All three of us try very hard to stay on the positive path. Of course we are all going through some negative situations, but we try to look at the good that will come out of them. This week was a stressful one, but tomorrow starts a new week. The best part is that we have each other to fall back on in a time of need. None of us are alone in any situation. I believe God brings people into our lives to help show us that we are not the only ones going through tough times. And, we are not the only person in the world who has had certain experiences. I thank God for each person he has brought into my life, even if it was only for a short time. Just remember, that we are in control of our lives. We have the power to change any situation...all you need is a positive thought.

What I am thankful for today:
Easter
spending the holiday with my family
my children
spring
flowers
chocolate
egg hunts
friends
toasted almonds
deep conversations
life experiences
family
positive people
positive thoughts

Measurements, Creativity, & Comfortableness

I went to the appointment last night to get my measurements done. I was very thankful that I could keep all of my clothes on. Last time I was measured, it was for my wedding since my dress was handmade. I had to strip down to my underwear and bra. Back then, it wasn't a big deal. You can imagine my panic when I had to go to this fitting being heavier getting measured by someone I have never met. What a huge relief that I got to stay dressed!

Got to say that I love Jenny's Aunt. She is the one who is making the dresses. She loves watching HGTV and What Not to Wear....LOVE THOSE SHOWS! And, she sometimes is a wedding planner for people at her church. I have always thought about being a wedding planner. While we were at her house, I was able to see pictures of things she has created. She makes flower arrangements, dresses, decorations and this really beautiful box that looks like a cake. She makes this box as a card holder. Very nice!! (Did I mention that her sewing room is one of my favorite color greens! BEAUTIFUL!) We laughed, talked about family, kids, etc. I really felt comfortable with her. Luckily I am able to read people very well. Not once did I feel uncomfortable. I love her ideas that she shared about the wedding. And, she had me even more excited to see the dresses and be in this wedding....not that I wasn't already! One really nice thing is now I have another new customer for my store. YEAH!

What I am thankful for today:
meeting new people
open mindedness
staying dressed
creative people
friends
new customers
repeat customers
being a bridesmaid for the 7th time!!

Size 6 HERE I COME!

Goosfraba weight issues! I am sitting here eating once again a cheeseburger from McDonald's when I get this email about an appointment I have tomorrow night in order to get my measurements taken. Suddenly I feel this urge to stop eating the cheeseburger and go for a run around my store...about 10 times. Ever since I have had my store, I have not been eating the way I should. I have gained weight due to lots of things such as; poor eating, going off medication, stress, and mostly because I stopped taking my tap classes. Now, I could sit here and feel crappy and sulk about the way I feel about the way I look. HOWEVER, The Secret has worked for many when it comes to weight loss, I have seen it with my own eyes. I am here to share with you what I am going to.

I am going to this appointment knowing in my head that by the time this wedding comes....actually sooner....that I WILL be a size 6. I know I will be. How do I know you are asking? Well, I did what The Secret said to do. I put a picture of myself in a bikini from 11 years ago...before childbearing days, next to my bed. Every night I focus on this picture and tell myself that I will look like this again! I thank the universe for keeping me healthy and making me skinny. (I seriously have not been sick since I read the book.)

I started the 10,000 step challenge and so far have reached 10,000 steps all but 4 days in one month. What makes up for those 4 days are the days that I was well over 10,000. I read yesterday that when you do the 10,000 step challenge it takes 6 months to lose all the weight. At first I was disappointed in the long wait. Then I read on to see that because it takes 6 months, the weight stays off. YEAH! LOVIN THAT! My clothes do not fit any better after one month which to most would be discouraging, but not me. I know my size 6 is coming. I am not going to sit here and think, "Well, I don't want this lady seeing me the way I look right now." Nor I am going to think that I will continue to be this weight in 2 years. HELL NO! LOL! Don't think that you can sit there and do nothing and lose weight. It is something you have got to work at. First you have got to work on your thinking! If you think you are going to stay at a weight you are not comfortable with then guess what....YOU WILL! Once you have it in your head that you will be that size you want, go after it. Start making a plan to achieve this goal. Sometimes it does include changing your habits which we all get stuck in....believe me I know!

I met a woman years ago when I worked in retail. She was once 1200 pounds. When I met her she was 550 pounds. She lost and incredible 650 pounds! Because I worked in a store that carried plus sizes she was able to find something to fit her. I was so inspired by this woman who was once stuck in a bed not able to fit out of her bedroom door. Here she was standing in front of me shopping for clothes when before she had to be naked covered with blankets. How did she get that heavy? She went through a depression that took years to get out of. She was always a larger lady from her teenage years and on. One day she made a decision that she was going to be able to lose enough weight to get into a car and go shopping for clothes. It took some time and lots of slow moving but she accomplished what she set her mind to do. The only surgery she had was the one where the doctors had to remove so much loose skin due to her weight loss.

Put yourself in her shoes. She could have given up, she almost died from being so unhealthy. All it took for her was one positive thought, one positive decision to get her where she is today. Do not sit there and tell yourself that you cannot do it. Tell yourself that you can and you will. If this woman can do it, anyone can. I was lucky enough to have had the chance to meet her and see first hand how someone can totally turn their life around.

Size 6 HERE I COME!

What I am thankful for today:
energy
the power to change anything in your life

pedometers

the 10,000 step challenge

the power of positive thinking

inspirational people I have met throughout my life

my children thinking I am beautiful no matter what I look like or feel like
the picture of me in my bikini

water

sneakers

the ability to walk whether rain or shine

Jenny who keeps me motivated to keep walking and keep up my faith in losing weight

sunsets which remind me that everyday is a new day and that I am that much closer to my size 6!!