Wanted: Crystal Ball

Well, life is funny with it's curve balls and side swipes. I wish I had a crystal ball so that I could avoid all the pitfalls....but do I really? I was listening to an old Garth Brooks song on the radio (The Dance) and was reminded that we don't know how things wind up for a reason. We have to learn from our own mistakes. The only way to grow is to fail. If you help a butterfly out if its cacoon, it will fall to the ground and likely die. The struggle to break free is what makes it strong enough to survive in the world. I guess that being like the butterfly isn't so bad. I am strong. I am independent. I now know that, while I want a partner, I don't need someone if they aren't willing to be a true and complete partner. I am a stronger person now than ever before in my life. I am still growing in so many ways at the same time. I am finding another level to teach and reach my students, a closer walk with God, and a deeper self awareness. I am better without the crystal ball. After all, like my daddy says, I would have done my own thing anyway. :)

Frenchie Video

Okay...most of ya'll know I'm a frenchie lover because of my maladjusted dog Coco. However, you may not know that my mom raised French Bulldogs for a large part of my childhood and that is where my frenchie mania began. I just saw this video today and it was typical frenchie hilarity that I felt I needed to share! Enjoy!

102.8 pounds...enough said!

102.8 pounds. That was my total weight loss at WW yesterday! I barely believe that I'm finally at my goal after 65 weeks of work! It seems like I've been working toward it for so long, it will be a new challenge to change my mindset to maintenance instead of weight loss. I supposedly get 4 more points, but I couldn't bear to give myself that many to start. I have 6 weeks to fine tune what I'm eating. This picture was taken this weekend, so those of you who have seen my journey from the beginning know how different I look. Heck, this blog is a pretty good chronology of my changing appearance. I'm training for my sprint triathalon later this month...gotta keep up with the twin...can't let her make me look bad! :o) I realized that my lungs are woefully prepared for swimming. Turns out I don't breathe as well under water! Who'd a thunk it?! LOL! I'll try to keep ya'll updated...here's to reaching goals and keeping them!

I'm practically a FARMER!

Look at my tomato! I've never grown anything that I could eat before! This tomato was quite yummy. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had refrigerated it for a while, but it was good none-the-less! Anyway, I was very proud of myself for keeping my plant alive long enough for it to feed me! Maybe I don't have a black thumb after all!

Warning! Bikes Bite Back!

Okay....try not to laugh at me. I took my new bike out for a spin. I'm really not used to the racing handle bars yet!! I caught my wheel in a crack between the grass and sidewalk and...well, the results speak for themselves. My knee is a little worse for wear, but other than that it seems the bike and I escaped largely unscathed. Thanks for the birthday helmet, Shelley! My noggin didn't hit the pavement, but I felt better falling knowing that my head hitting wasn't my biggest concern. I had to remind Steve that the very first run I went on left a similar mark on my left knee. Actually, I think it was worse because you can still see the mark from it. Anyway...I'll have to get back in the saddle asap. I can't let a silly bike...well...make me look silly! :)

It's almost my birthday (just two more hours until I'm OFFICIALLY 29!), but my big present arrived via UPS yesterday afternoon! My parents and my in-laws contributed cash so that I could buy this beautiful bike! I haven't aired up the tires yet (I don't have a pump yet) and it needs a little tweaking (It came broken down in a box and I had to put it together) and I still need to go get a helmet (just in case!), but I couldn't be MORE EXCITED!! Sorry I look a little ratty! I'm still a little sweaty from my evening run! Anyway, I'll keep ya'll updated about how the bike adventures progress....hopefully I still remember how to ride one! HaHa!

Cantaloupe with a candle

Who wouldn't LOVE this birthday cake! I told my Mother-In-Law that I wanted a "Cantaloupe with a candle". I really didn't want to have to regret having my birthday cake, so I was just not going to have one. She really one-upped my idea (drilling a hole in the top of a cantaloupe and shoving in a candle!) with this. The best part was eating my whole cake without any guilt!! Who gets THAT for a birthday present?!