KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE VIOLET

I love that line from the newest Willy Wonka (both versions are a favorite). I know enough about myself that if I don't structure my day to some degree it's easy to wonder off the path. I made my lunch today and brought some snacks, very good plan, very good indeed. I even took a walk on my lunch hour. I'm so lucky to have a beautiful park out my office back door, it sits on the river and has great walking/biking paths.

I went blonde over the weekend, it's a nice pick-me-up. Since I cut my hair short I haven't minded my natural color so much, but being blonde again cheered me up. This last weekend was so nice, there was nothing on our schedule we had to run to. We're gearing up for this weekend's baseball tournament, at least it's here in town. I'm going to go fill up my water bottle now. Cheers.

END OF THE WEEK

I've tried to pay extra special attention to my eating habits this week. No regular sodas, lots of water and a diet Pepsi yesterday. After cutting out the soda even the diet one tasted sweet to me. With not eating breakfast at all I'm finding myself famished at around 10 am and even if I have a snack I'll be famished again by lunch. So truely, eat breakfast it sets you up for the whole day. I found my first grey hair this week, sticking out near my bangs. I didn't yank it, I actually felt pretty lucky that I'm 38 and this is the first one I've seen. I'll being going blonde this weekend if I can find the time so my little grey friend will have to just blend in with the others then. Hee hee. Cheers.

AAHHH I LOVE MY BOYS

I took this picture last Saturday as we were starting our baseball day. It's not very often I have both of them in uniform at the same time. It's a goofy one, but then again they are goofy guys. They love to be silly and wrestle around, I'm so thankful to Ralph for his playful nature with them. So many times growing up while I was cooking, cleaning, laundry etc., Ralph never hesitated being on the floor with them letting them crawl over him or use him a a jungle gym. I have exactly what I was meant to have, a house full of rough and tumble but sweet boys. I'm going to a Pampered Chef party tonight to get my "girl" time. Even though I love my house of boys I need to escape to the land of girls every now and again. Cheers.

AS I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY....

Many of you can probably finish the sentence whether you are religious or not. But frankly that is where I feel I am this summer, in the valley trudging to get to the other side. I know there is light at the other side and we have to walk it ourselves.

For us is has to do with finances and the debt that we are determined to pay off this summer. Most of the years that we have been together we did not make sound financial decisions, just lived like we wanted to, and all of those years I've had a knot in the pit of my stomach. A couple of years ago we took a course from Dave Ramsey that frankly saved our lives. We've been trucking along pretty well and just before school ended I summoned a family meeting. It was time to get serious about this. I wanted to launch what I called our "Super Summer Payoff", this included great sacrifice for our whole family. Eating out was cut off except for my paydays, grocery bills cut, almost no entertaiment. With these old bills gone we would be able to move forward in purchasing a home for the first time, not have to worry about who might be calling and set us free from the prison we created for ourselves.

I pray to the Lord daily to give us strength to finish our goal. He has provided that and then some. In the past I wouldn't have spoken to anyone about how bad it was because I was ashamed. Now, if I can help anyone from going through the same I will. There is no shame, just my experience. We are approaching our next pay off debt day next week with each time it feels like a dozen rocks are dumped from the sack I carry on my back. And on that day we celebrate another step closer to freedom. CHEERS.

Better Preparation

In the last couple of days I have figured that my lack of preparation has been key in the quest to lose weight and be healthy. I find when hunger strikes whether I'm at work or running to a ball game if I don't have a healthy choice available to me my instinct is to fall back to whatever might be convenient and most likely it's not healthy. So, I'll be trying to make sure I have snacks that can go in my purse as well as keeping "good" stuff in my desk. Seems simple enough but a hard habit to break none the less. The headache has not come yet from no soda but I do find myself craving it. I've been drinking water at work and iced tea (splenda) at home. My husband has lost 10 pounds since June 1st by cutting out soda....dirty dog. He's not officially in our LOSER club but I'll post his weight loss as well. Cheers.

A FIRST OF MANY

Well this is my first blog post ever. Not sure how to do completely, but I'm going to try and muddle my way through. This is also the first day of WE ARE LOSERS...COME JOIN US. I've unfortunately let myself go over the years and am at a point where I need to correct it. Today is a new beginning. Everyone was still sleeping so I have 2 photos one taken Saturday at a game and then one of my weight this morning. I had way to much pop this weekend, I'm sure my headache will come later. Wish me luck.