"Our most treasured family heirlooms are our sweet family memories"

Sophia moved into her own room last week.  Her room is a sweet pink Eden with touches of old and new.  We love to pass things on in this family.  Some say hoarder, I say sentimental salvages.  My favorite piece in her room is the dresser.  My Nanny Dyer's dresser, bought in the 40's (I think).  Sophia's great, great, great Nanny.  Those who knew her would put that many superlatives before her name, long before she earned them.  She was a great woman.  She would love that Sophia's middle name is Grace (virtue coming from God).  That describes my grandmother perfectly.  I miss her so much and I strive to be like her in all things.

 

flushed

Lauren's friends left today for a spring break trip to Texas.  Last night they brought over their fish for Lauren to "babysit" while they are away.  It was a big deal.  They have these drops and food and this cute bowl.  They had him (King Henry) in a little travel cup, filled with his bowl water, for easy transport and to avoid the shock of new tank water.  They left last night after getting him all set up on her dresser, safe and sound.
After 24 hours in Laurens' care, King Henry is dead.
That's about right.
That fish never stood a chance with the orginal "maniackid".
Thank God she is a better mother than a pet sitter. 

It's that time of year again!

Time for the Womens Easter Egg project to begin.  We start production in nine days.  Pray for my waistline to make it through this sugar overload.  I seriously can't resist the buttercream bonbons.  I need to get the recipe so I can figure out how many calories are in each one.  Maybe I don't want to know.

can't pass up a good deal

Sophia is almost five months old...and I bought her birthday and Christmas presents today.  Fisher Price had the best coupons out and combining them with Targets store coupons for the same toys had me celebrating Christmas in March!  I bought $204.80 before coupons (six big ticket items) and paid $51.00 after coupons.  The hard part is going to be waiting seven months to see her enjoy them.  

 

Oh, if it be to choose and call thee mine, love, thou art every day my Valentine!

Happy Valentines Day!

eighty pounds down

twenty to go!
Picture one (May):size 24, Picture two (September): size 18,
Picture three (December): size 14, Picture four (February): size 12

 

Snow fun?

We finally got snow.  Not enough for a snowman, but certainly enough for a photo shoot.  Sophia was none too pleased so we made it short and sweet.  Here are a couple shots we snapped before the neighbors called the cops on us for child abuse (the kid was sca-reeming).

Baby it's cold outside

There is talk of snow tomorrow. I love snow, absolutely love it. Not just a dusting, either. I prefer enough to snow you in for a couple days. No cars on the roads, no school, snowman in every yard quantities. I even ran out to buy Sophia a snow suit after hearing the forecast this morning. Cause every 3 month old needs a snow suit...right? Baby's first snow? You know I am not missing that photo op.

Don't wear black at night...unless you're a ninja

My 5 year old niece, Maya, spent the night with mom Saturday night.  In the morning, before church, Maya asked mom to take her home to change her clothes before church.

Maya: Nanny, I need to go home to change.

Nanny: you can wear the outfit you have on; you only wore it for a few minutes last night.

Maya:  No nanny!  I have on black pants and a black shirt.  If I go out like this I will be hit by a car!

I assume they have covered bike safety in kindergarten recently (ex. Don't wear dark clothing when being or walking at night).  Glad to know Maya pays attention in school.  Too bad she doesn't realize You don't have to worry about being seen in the daylight.

conversation

Wife: Good morning honey
Husband: You look sick
Wife: Well, I feel great.
Husband: oh.  I guess you just need to put on your face then...sorry
Wife: *silent, deadly stare*
Husband: leaves for work with tail between his legs

*for reference: my grandmother always said, "I need to put on my face", when she was about to put her makeup on.

over heard

Nick: In first block I have AP Government.
          In second block I have English.
          For third block I work in the guidance office.
          Last I go to CTE.
Ben: So what do you do during third block?
Nick: Walk around school and look for a place to poop.

good grief.

Miss you sweet friend

We lost our Shortman right before Christmas.  He was a constant companion for me and the family for the past twelve years.  I still look for him when coming home and have even imagined his jingling dog tags a few times. 

It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life....

and I'm feeling good.

Love that song by Nina Simone.  Kind of feel like it's my theme song. 
I made the decision to lose weight in 2012.
People ask, what motivated you to do this? 
I don't really know.  Can't pin down a "moment of clarity" or anything like that.
I was tired of being fat.  Period.
Sick of feeling like crap, looking like crap and (in my own head) being crap.
If you have never been obese, you don't understand the self hatred that goes on inside your mind.
You've heard smiling on the outside, crying on the inside.  It's true, it happens, it sucks.
Here's to a New Year and a new me (who is still a work in progress)!

Before 235 pounds                                                                                                                                                                           

 

After 161 (still 24 pounds to go)