I'm Under the Weather, but the Flowers are Just Fine

I  wanted to pop in and send a little note to you all. I'm sick with a bad cold so this will have to be short. :)  I did want to let you know that between Rebekah's relentless 'encouragement' (lol) and my own determination, a great menu plan, and some challenging exercise, I've lost a lot of weight.Yippee!

I was just so surprised! The recipes from the Biggest Loser book are really yummy and make the transition to clean eating almost painless.  I have to cook more, but frankly, my health and fitness are worth it. I promised her not to tell you how much weight, until she gets to write her own post.

I am more encouraged about the thought of being able to truly get back to a normal weight than ever before. Hope is what I needed most. :)

On another topic, the flowers are blooming beautifully here. :) I couldn't resist sharing them. The tulips I planted last year (gifts from hubby) finally bloomed, along with our white bushes, whose name I don't know, and our camellias.

 In spite of my bad cold and misery, I could still manage to enjoy the fresh breezes from the deck and smile at the spring green of our tulip tree and palm trees. The tulips are gone, but the fresh green leaves brightened my day. What a glorious color!

Rebekah is busily planting zinnias, marigolds, and some mystery seeds from our good friend, Laurie. Her pansies and my Christmas bulbs are doing very well.

 Since she can't whip me into shape and keep me going on lunges and stretches, she's taking it out on her poor garden.  She's feeling better but I'm not there yet, so I'm glad she's expending her energy outdoors. LOL! She always needs a project to manage. For the moment, I'm off the hook. :)

My cast is off, and my wrist is stiff as anything. I missed the first therapy appointment today, due to the cold, but I've been doing exercises anyway.  It feels like I have arthritis or something. My whole hand aches, but when I work it, it begins to feel more normal.  I'm still very limited in the work I can do around the house, which still slows me down terribly.  I don't have a lot of spare time, but I'm getting more done than at the beginning, so that's good news.  I'm SO glad the cast is off!

With a house sale looming,  and a move, I've decided to at least de-clutter a box or bag a day in the potting shed. There are so many things we've kept because we 'might' need them, and now, I feel the freedom to get rid of them.  It's amazing what you can accomplish in one room, one box at a time! You should try it. :)   (Salvation army is gonna love us! )

We have lots of yard work to do, but I won't get to do much of it, sadly. It's feeling gloriously fresh and springy outside, but my job will be supervisor to the work crew. :) Guess I'll just have to get over it. LOL!  (Gee....where is that cup of tea and lawn chair?)

Our next craft project in co-op is quill pens, but that won't be till next week. Hopefully, I'll get to feeling better soon and can post our corn husk doll project and the quill pen one too.

Thanks so much for visiting while I've been under the weather...I'm looking forward to normal life one day soon! Your cheery encouragement on my weightloss journey is priceless. Thank you!

My Mom is the Biggest Loser!

For those of you who thought this is my actual opinion of my mother, shame on you. I love my mother dearly and she is about as far from being a loser as you possibly could be; until now. You see, my mother is starting our version of "The Biggest Loser" challenge.

The Coach

As her coach, mentor, dietician, and #1 fan, let me introduce myself; my name is Rebekah Rodgers. Since I was big enough to walk, I have led a fairly active/healthy lifestyle; developed a pattern of habits that cultivate healthy eating choices, active hobbies, and determination to stay fit. At 21 years old, I still maintain those habits.

But my Mother has spent the last 20+ years taking care of five kids, a house, and husband. Somewhere along the line, she neglected to take care of her own health and wellbeing. That's where we find ourselves today. She has decided to make a change right now to save her health and live better.

The Biggest Loser Challenge

For the next 6 weeks (or however long it takes) Mom will be following the diet plan and exercise routines outlined in "The Biggest Loser" by Cheryl Forberg (and others). In order to motivate her to stick with the program, I have decided to diet and exercise with her through all 6 weeks.

We have four charts on the fridge: water intake, diet check, exercise check, and weight progress. I also had Mom put up a picture of her goal -- herself nearly 20 years ago -- as well as a list of excuses she's made since then that got her so far away from her optimal weight.

- For water intake, we aim for 128oz of water a day in four 32oz increments.

- Our diet plan follows the 1,200-1,500 calorie balanced meals listed in the book. (Note: 5 small meals a day makes a huge difference in hunger and cravings.)

- Exercises vary each week in type and intensity but in addition to the workouts, we walk 30-45 minutes outdoors. Mom's favorite warm-up is hula hooping while listening to Country music.

We are currently on Day 2. Weight progress = -1lb

Quote of the day:

Mom: "What?? I can't run!"

Me: *rolls eyes* "If one of your children got hit by a car, would you walk to their aid or run?"

Mom: "... I guess I can run."

Lesson learned: You CAN exercise beyond what you think you can. You'll never know your limits until you push them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here's where I need your help. Mom needs all the motivation, support, encouragement, (and prayers) you can give her. Comment below and let her know you're cheering for her!

Valentine's Day Isn't Just for Couples..

Happy Valentine's Day to you..and all of those you love!!

 Our celebration is in full scale production. :)

Rebekah, my dear daughter, started it off with a box of chocolates sneakily deposited on everyone's pillow.  The boys all heartily approved of this nice gesture. LOL!

Then I headed off to the local store for a special arrangement for her.  Until that someone special arrives on the scene..Daddy is still her  favorite Valentine. :)

Hubby wrote the sweetest note to her.  What a guy! 

I'm writing love notes to the kids to leave on their pillows this evening.  

Together, Rebekah and I made a Valentine's brunch for the family with heart shaped scones..sweetened strawberries..and Passion fruit tea.

 Simply delightful!

  (Even Percy, her dog got a scone. Shhh! Don't tell Dad!)

We watched a little bit of Emma..the perfect Valentine's Day movie..for sure!

This evening, Hubby and I will be going out to dinner at the Chili's where our daughter works.

 She wants to be our waitress tonight.  

For us this day is as much of a family event ...as a couple one.

We must not be the only ones who think so.

 

At the country market..I overheard a good ole' country boy loudly proclaiming he wanted something PINK for his mother-in-law.  It sounded so funny coming from him. LOL!

 He picked out the absolutely pinkest flower arrangement he could find. 

Turns out his Mother-in-law is 91 years old!  

She was in a nursing home and he was getting ready to go visit her.

"Nothing makes her day better than something really pink", he declared. 

"I'm giving you a new commandment: Love each other in the same way that I have loved you. John 13:34

Sure hope you find someone out there to show how much you care.... with a little pink today. 

 {{Hugs}}

Do the Next Thing

Hi Dear friends, 


While I had the chance, I thought I'd share one more post.  Guess I spoke too soon when I said I didn't have any organizational gems to share with you. 


This one has gotten me through more trials and difficulties than any other. 


Elisabeth Elliott, whose husband was killed after only two years on the mission field, by Auca indians' first shared this priceless quote with me many years ago at a conference.  Her wisdom is timeless and tested.


She shared this poem in her book The Shaping of a Christian Family..and in many of her talks.


How do I know this principle will work for you?  It's simple. I've lived it out and tested it for myself.


...when I was a young mommy with five sick babies (all at once), when I went through homeschool burnout at age 40, took care of my granny with alzheimer's for a year (along with four children), cared for a 70 year old almost homeless/eccentric man recovering from a heart attack for a year (along with five kids) and nursed hubby through chemo...


Her quote...and this poem..got me through the day...and another day...and another...and many more.


In my book, a broken wrist is a pretty mild sort of trial compared to the challenges of the past...but the principle works just as well. 

(photo by Rebekah)

Do the Next Thing


From an old English parsonage down by the sea
There came in the twilight a message to me;
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,
Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.
And on through the doors the quiet words ring
Like a low inspiration: “do the next thing.

Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing.

Do it immediately, do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,
Leave all results, do the next thing.

Looking for Jesus, ever serener,
Working or suffering, be thy demeanor;
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance be thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.
Then, as He beckons thee, do the next thing.

It's hard for us Type A's to limit ourselves to just one 'thing' a day. Still..that is what I must rejoice in. Lord help me to celebrate that one thing. 


This week, I deep cleaned the kitchen, got the laundry caught up, taught school, took two walks, did only ONE blog post (sniff ) left two comments, and today we are buying groceries. In my book, that's a very short list...only a day's worth LOL! Still need to do the budget and grade school papers.


 As Elisabeth Elliot said, "Just do the next thing." It is enough. 


I'm thankful that I can do so much and that my family is carrying the rest. :)


I do hope that this poem and little nugget of truth can encourage you if you are having a hard time getting your daily work done.  

Bursting and Budding in the Sunshine

Everything's budding and springing up around here!  I had to share a few more photos of all the pretties popping up. :-)

I am just getting back into the swing  of things so I don't have any great organizational gems to share this week, but I am feeling much better today.  The laundry doesn't look quite so daunting.  I tackled the kitchen with cleaning gusto--albeit with one hand. 

School is going well as my youngest son and I tackle the intricacies of negative exponents and the proper use of turn signals and right of way courtesies.  He drove me to our little country market yesterday with no major mishaps.   (Hurrah!)

The best news is that I have yet to take any medication for pain today. My last pill was at 5am.  That's nine hours ago!  I really think my arm has turned a corner in the healing process.  I've felt so optimistic today and more able to focus on work.

This morning, I just had to grab the camera to get a few photos of all the pretty buds pushing there way up through winter's deadfall...

 These bulbs were replants from last year's tulips and daffodils that hubby brought home to me from the grocery store! I'm so happy they survived the summer's drought and long winter rains.  Looks like they need some thinning out.

These little green onions were an impulse buy at our local feed store.  We are basically growing a salad garden. I love green onions!

Rebekah and I are making good use of our small flowerbed. 

We have lettuce, onions, and basil growing ...

and tomato plants in the windowsill waiting for warmer temperatures before making their debut.

It always surprises me when I get down on my knees in the dirt to admire the beauty of Spring's first growth.

Even the weeds boast of tiny beauty...deceptively so I think...We don't want these pretties spreading do we?

I'm so amazed and enthralled at the exquisite beauty of things that go so often unnoticed by most of us in the busy hustle and bustle of daily life..



How the Lord must have enjoyed planning and lovingly creating each flower of the field.

How appropriate that we take a moment today to admire His handiwork.

Song of Solomon 2:12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

Hopefully, I will be able to start visiting you all...If my wrist will hold out.  Why the mouse causes so much pain I don't know, but it does.

How I've missed your posts!  I do hope you are all well and not letting winter's gloom get you down.  Spring will be there before you know it!  Have a lovely week!