Smooth Music

Tonight, I turned off the TV and just listened to some smooth tunes.  Here are a few of my favorite I thought I would share. 


There is nothing better than Jewel LIVE...her voice just gets inside you.  Love her!


Such a sexy and touching song!


Seriously, who doesn't LOVE The Notebook!


I first heard this song in the movie "Griffin and Phoenix".  Such a sad movie, but I really like it alot.


My nephew, Luke, introduced this song (John Mayer's version anyway) to me just recently. Can't stop listening to it.

Admitting your problem is the first step, RIGHT!!

I am writing this post with my hands shaking, my brow sweating, and my stomach turning (that might be because I am just hungry).  What is the big deal, you may ask?  I am making something public (as if it wasn't obvious) which is much, much easier for me to pretend is non-existent.

I AM OVERWEIGHT! 

Yes, I am using all caps.  This usually means I am shouting, however, I am not shouting to be heard by all of you.  Rather, I am shouting to hear myself.  My weight has been a issue for quite a while and I really need to overcome the difficulty of losing it when it is way more yummy to gain.  Several years ago I lost close to 50 pounds and felt good (although I had another 40 I could have lost).  Well, that was all gained back and then some. 

I have been feeling depressed regarding my weight, and more importantly, my health.  I have been having internal struggles with what I needed to do.  (The solution seems obvious, though) Note the verb used, needed.  My weight is not an issue of looking good anymore, it is about needing to feel good, needing to be healthy, needing to make MY HEALTH a priority.

I have been thinking about going back to Weight Watchers (the support I had when I initially lost 50 pounds), but I just didn't want to pay up to $40 a month.  Honestly, I am too embarrassed to return to my local WW branch and admit I gained all the weight back.  You name it, I had an excuse.

UNTIL...

My sister called and asked if I wanted to start Weight Watchers on-line with her.  We could be each others support system.  I felt this was the final sign and I needed to just go for it.  Brandi and I both find more success when we are held accountable.  WW on-line doesn't always give this because you are having to monitor yourself more than standing in front of someone to weigh you and admit your gain or loss.

So, Brandi and I decided to also use this blog as a way to hold us accountable. We will post a picture of ourselves each month to monitor progress.  This blog is open to all our family and friends and we look forward to their support through this journey.  So, here are the first pictures.  God give us strength (We both cry and laugh when we see these pictures).  This honesty business is a killer.

January 2011- Emily (an intentional frumpy picture, so when I lose weight people can say "WOW!!!  YOU LOOK AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!).  I am looking forward to losing the face weight more than anything else.

 January 2011 - Brandi

Pay It Forward

The rules:

"I promise to send something handmade

to the first 3 people who leave a comment here.

To be eligible, you must also post this in your blog,

or make the same offer to 3 other people.

The rules are that it must be handmade by you and it must be sent to your 3 people

*sometime* in 2011."

Name Photography

About 6 months ago, I saw a blog where someone collected photos throughout the year which included letters of their family name.  They were each framed and hung on the wall.  I really liked the idea and thought I would work on it over Summer/Fall vacation.  Here are the letters I photographed and their locations.

 D from Alamosa, Colorado brewery where we had dinner on our family road trip to Breckenridge, Colorado

 E from Meteor Crater in Winslow, Colorado

 V from Bentonville, Arkansas...Home of Wal-Mart.  Brad's parents live near Bentonville now.  We took a trip to their place for Thanksgiving break.

 O also from Alamosa, Colorado

 R from Breckenridge, Colorado

And the final project framed, hung, and complete........

PS I will be re-developing the O.  I don't like how it was cropped too much.  Also, I may change the r someday.  All the letters are uppercase except the "r".  Just the itty bitty details.

I was having a difficult time capturing the location of the frames to those not familiar with our home.  But, I love how you see the letters as you are walking up the stairs.  They are also a focal point when you walk into the front door. 

ON ANOTHER NOTE

Work returns tomorrow, January 3rd.  I look forward to starting another great calendar year with a great teaching staff and amazing students.  :-)

My life of blogging, however,  may be less frequent but I will see what happens.