Accountability Report ......

Today marks 1 month that I started WW.  I'm so excited I met 2 goals that I didn't think I'd make till next month...

I'm officialy out of the *2*'s !!!!   I've lost 13 lbs ...   I'm so excited to see what month 2 brings.

Monthly goal:
SW 211.2
CW 198.2
GW 190

Total WW goal:

SW 211.2
CW 198.2
GW 160


Can you tell ... I can and it makes me so happy!!!!

It hasn't been easy... but dang it's worth it!!  Bring on Month #2!!!!

Jury Duty...

So I was selected for jury duty on February 1st.   I was not happy about it ... There are people out there that love to do this.. that want to do this and feel it's a privilege to do it but it's not me.  And that's my opinion and this is my blog so I can say that . 

Once you get in the room and get signed in they give you a questionnaire to complete about the case.  You could tell it was a theft case by the questions you were answering.  One of the questions were are you related or close friends with anyone involved in the police field.   Well I am.. Although Dave is retired, his son is now on Moses Lake's force and I have numerous close friends that are still on there  and they also wanted to know if this would influence your thinking.  Well I didn't lie.  Yes it would. 
Well I could tell by my paddle #45 out of 50 that I wasn't their first pick and that was fine for me.  Once we got in there we were sworn in and the judge explained the case. 

He was a Hispanic male that was arrested in Grant County in a small rural town for possession of a stolen vehicle,  possession of fire arms & a list of tools a mile long that Could be used in burglary. Then each attorney took turns asking questions.   Well the question about being related to a police officer came up .. so I raised my paddle.  She said she had read my questionnaire and wanted to know if I would be able to hold her to her standards and let her prove that he was guilty or would my judgement be harmed due to the fact that I am closely related.   I told her the honest truth that she wouldn't be held to her standards because I felt he was guilty... Well..... you can only imagine the questions I received ... But in all honesty that is how I felt.  They already told us he had been caught with the vehicle... she asked that I be excused after she realized I really felt that way.. Well the judge and the defense attorney asked that I stay for a few more questions.  Once the defense attorney  started asking questions and once again I had to raise my paddle. He asked me directly why did I think he was guilty.  So I told them.. He came back at me and really started grilling me.. Haven't I ever borrowed a car, did I look to see the registration was in the drivers name.  Have I ever taken a ride with someone .. did I quiz them about who owned the car.. I was proud of myself.  I stood my ground and I apologized but I said  I'm sorry - I would not put myself in that predicament.  I only take rides from people I know & I would only borrow a car from someone I knew and knew it was their vehicle.  He also asked me if the Judge was to tell me by law that I have to put those feelings aside and give him a fair shot and see if the prosecutor could prove that he was guilty would I be able to do that. I shook my head no once again and said " I'm sorry... I can't promise you I could and honestly it wouldn't be fair to him.'   He thanked me for my honesty and went on with his questions.. The funny part was he went to ask another question about judging him as guilty.. looks at me and says .. I know how #45 feels so I'm asking the rest of you ...... *lol*   Needless to say I was released. I don't feel bad. I'm entitled to my opinion and I'm so tired of no one being held accountable in this world for making the choices they choose.  So you can judge me if you'd like but it won't change my mind..

I do have to call back on the 12th to see if I have to report on the 13th but chances are I won't get selected and I'm ok with that...  However, I will say what an eye opener to be setting in that court.

First Gymnastics Meet - Trinny

Trinny had her first gymnastics meet on Saturday in Tricities. Since we were in Wenatchee with Elijah we weren't able to attend.  Shalayne was so good about keeping us updated and her mom took pics and shared with me ...   Next week we will be able to attend her meet.

So proud of her .. she scored 7.0 on bars - 7.15 on Floor - 5.85 on Beam  & 8.775 on Vault..  For her very first performance I'd say she did pretty darn good.

Elijah - Band Competition

Today - we headed to Wenatchee as Elijah had a band competition and was playing a duet with another student.  The past few times the other student played a trumpet but today it was a guitar. They did a really good job.  I love when the judges have them perform and then take the time to help them learn.  Once they follow the simple instructions it's amazing the difference in the sound.  Elijah came home and told us they received the highest award in their category.. I wish he would do Jazz band but he doesn't want to . I really love listening to the Sax.

Well here's a few pics....

Accountability Post Only.....

 Three weeks in to WW -  wasn't able to work out this week....  went out to eat a couple times .... went over on my dailies and used some weekly points but I still lost ...

CW - 200
SW -  211.2
MGW - 10    ( I already beat it - Next week it will be a month )  


Loving WW  - However with that said it's really hard to eat out for a reasonable amount of points ... It's tough...  but it really makes you think about is it worth it ... Somedays it is and somedays its definitely not!!!!


Here's to next week!!! 

Self Sabatage But So Worth It .....

So after such an amazing 2 weeks of eating healthy - today I had a cheat day & boy did I cheat *lol*.
Tomorrow is another day & all will be well again..  But this is a must try recipe if you like Finger Steaks... I even got a "Mom I absolutely love these" out of Adrian that can't seem to muster anything but "huh" ..."yeah" ..."fine"  the one liners that teenagers can only seem to say these days..

Back to the post... Try these they are amazing & we will definitely have them again.. Thinking about Super Bowl and instead of strips doing Steak Bites...  Enjoy!!!

  

Idaho-Style Finger Steaks

                   

• 1 egg
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons grill seasoning, such as McCormick Montreal Steak Seasoning
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into 2 1/2 x 1/4 inch strips
  Beef Steaks Certified Angus, Petite Top Sirloin                                  
  
                                         
  

                               

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3 cups canola oil for deep frying                   

         Directions            

1. Beat together the egg, buttermilk, grill seasoning, and 1/2 cup of flour in a large bowl until smooth. Add the beef, and toss until well coated. Cover with plastic wrap, and place into the refrigerator to marinate at least 2 hours.
2. Sift 2 1/2 cups flour with the garlic powder, salt, and pepper into a large bowl. Remove steak strips from buttermilk batter and allow excess to drip off. Dredge each piece with seasoned flour and place onto a baking sheet. Place in the freezer and freeze until firm, 1 hour to overnight.
3. Heat oil to 370 degrees F (185 degrees C) in a deep fryer or cast iron skillet.
4. Drop a few frozen steak pieces into the hot oil and fry until golden brown on the outside, about 5 minutes. Do not overcrowd the frying oil, and do not allow the steak strips to thaw before they are fried. Once golden brown, remove to drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Weigh In - Week 2

Today was a good day... I weighed in this morning down another 2.4 lbs.   It's getting easier .... I'm not so crabby.. my life is starting to not revolve around food... I'm able to eat normal meals, just making better food choices, snacking choices, and quantity choices.  I'm doing it all online which I love ..and they have an app that connects you with thousands of
people fighting the same battle.

 On to week 3 of Weight Watchers...

January Goals:
SW: 211.2
CW: 201.8
GW: 200

Total Goal:
SW:211.2
CW: 201.8
GW: 160

This may be a TMI post - Just a fair warning.....

Today was stressful morning but a very relieved afternoon.  Last month I had my yearly check up and my last visit with Dr. Warner. He  was officially retiring - Along with having to say goodbye to the only doctor I've ever trusted  - my blood pressure has been elevated - was hoping job switch would help but it didn't.  We discussed what needed to be done but I refused to go on meds until I had tried to lose weight, exercise and see if that helped.  That's why the Weight Watcher journey has begun.   He also had to give me the news that he could feel something in my right breast.  I've already had issues with my left and I'm on the downhill side of having mamo's and ultrasounds every 3-6 months but the difference is - they found the spot on the left one by mamo / ultrasound and never could feel it.  This one you can feel.   Not what I wanted to hear.... He told me not to try not to stress.. he didn't call it a lump .. he said the tissue just felt different and had me feel it.. Yeah it was there... So of course you are wanting to schedule the mamo & ultra sound as soon as possible and yep I've had to wait almost a month. Then with the beloved weather we are having the clinic didn't open yesterday until 10 and all appointments that were scheduled before that were cancelled.  My heart stopped .. mine was at 10:00  - I just kept praying they'd get me in .. I'd waited a month and stressed about it for a month.  I've had 4 friends in the last 2 yrs been diagnosed with Breast Cancer .  Followed them on facebook and their journeys.  For 2 days I was a mess.. Cried at the drop of a hat .. shut down - I'm famous for shutting the world down .. It was Christmas & I couldn't ruin everyones Christmas over something I had no control over.  Finally I had to pull up the big girl panties .  It is what it is .. I have  a huge support system & whatever the outcome. I'd take the bull and run because I'm not a quitter ..  Well the day had come... I was so nervous.. after the mamo they still couldn't see anything. It looked just like it had on the last mamo. So then the ultra sound.. The ultra sound tech had me a little worry.. she'd ultra sound.. then she'd feel .. then she'd ultra sound and then feel.  Her poker face wasn't that good.  I could tell she was concerned.  When she came back in my heart sunk... She sat on the edge of the bed and said.. We can't find anything ... Yes I can feel it .. yes you can feel it but it doesn't show anything.. I have very dense tissue makes everything harder to see that's why they ultra sound.  They compared every ultra sound and mamo I had and it looks the same .... What a relief!!!  I do however have to go back in in 6 months.. if I notice any change in my breast, pain, discoloration or the size of the area I need to contact them asap.  My heart goes out to the ladies that are fighting breast cancer.  I was so sick just thinking I could be the one and how would I go on but they however have been the chosen one and they do .. they keep fighting .. I don't know how but they do...  My prayers are with you all.

Winter Wonderland......

Snow Day - 2hr delay - Snow day - Below Zero Day - Freezing Rain Day - Are the kids ever going back to school *lol*...

We are living in a Winter Wonderland.... I love snow... It's so pretty, peaceful and this year we have it plenty.  But unfortunately we have had other bizzare weather.... It was at least 10 below one day, we had wind so bad the snow that some drifts were 3 ft tall.  Today we are having freezing rain..... then it is supposed to warm up to 40 and start raining.. We are having bizarre weather these days..

  Drift at my office

  Drift - country roads in Ephrata

  Winter Wonderland

Thank you !!!

Yesterday was my 51st birthday ...  I received a ton of facebook well wishes, texts from friends and family,  a few surprise visitors at work, videos and phone calls from the grandkids, cards from the boys,  flowers from Paul and today the crew brought me in a Birthday Cake and sang..

I'm so blessed to have such an amazing family, amazing friends and co-workers and a man who loves me... Life has not all been peaches and cream but I have so much to be thankful for. So thank you for making another year older seem not so bad...

  They smell wonderful this morning...

I wander how many points in a piece of birthday cake - but hey you only turn 51 once.

I share my birthday with these two on their anniversary .. Yesterday they were married 54 yrs..

Happy Anniversary (Mom & Dad Whitaker ) - aka Bob & Ardis

Love you more than you know...

And The Scales Sang.......

As many of you know I struggle with my weight. It is amazing how much it varies from year to year.. heck month to month sometimes.   This week was a great week... I tracked all my meals - only going over on daily points a few times and didn't use all the weeklies so that was huge.   I planned my meals around dinner - knowing dinner is the biggest meal of the day for us.  That allowed me to stay in my daily point range -  We worked out 4 out of 7 days - only 20 mins but that's 20 mins I normally wouldn't have.  I love the WW phone app. - makes it easy to track weight, meals, activities and there is a great support group called Connect.  And it paid off.....

Today was weigh in day...  and the scales sang.... "Hallalujah"!!!..    I weighed the most I've ever weighed at 211.5 a week ago .. Today I was down to 204.2.   I was so excited . I know this is not a normal loss - I seriously set a goad for 1-2 lbs a week .. hoping for 5 in a month .  So if next week I can keep it up and lose at least 1-2 more .. I will be happy.  But I have worked hard and I'll take week 1 as a win !!!!

Until next week....

Best Baby Purchase Ever.....

Kandice turned me on to this. So of course Grandma Darla needed one...  It's a chair for an infant .  Although they are only a few months old they love it ... It sits them up but has a head rest for them also. It folds nicely to store or to pack for a trip .     A new found freedom for an infant....

  Greyson - 3 1/2 months

  Harper - 2 months

But kind of restraining for a 3 yr old.... *lol*

Amanda had borrowed it as she babysits an infant and she came around the corner to Addie saying I need help mom...  I thought it was hilarious - Amanda was a little freaked thinking she was going to have to cut her out.. She couldn't get her legs out *lol* .. I say PRICELESS!!!

You can purchase them off of Amazon :


Heres the link :      https://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-BFB07-Sit-Me-Up-Floor-Seat/

Weight Watcher Update....

Today I cheated.. I don't weigh in until Thursday but I took a peek.  This past week has been my first
week and I've been trying really, really hard.  I wanted to see if it had paid off and it has .. It's going really good.  I was so excited.  I've struggled with so many issues  - I don't feel full. I'm sure it's because I ate from the time I get up to the time I go to bed. I can feel myself getting grumpy because I think I'm deprived *lol*.  I'm so not a fruit or vegie eater, a total carboholic. I literally think I'm going to die with only 1 piece of bread a day *lol*.  This morning it dawned on me.  Save a few points and have a piece at night, just like before no one said you couldn't you just need to account for it.  I've replaced getting in the candy jar at work with a Sugar Free Jello Pudding, with a chopped up bananas, and 1 TBLS of Rediwhip Coolwhip for 2 pts unlike the mini peanut butter cup that was 2pts and another 2pts and another 2 pts.  I don't go out of the box and try new things.  I need to come up with better lunch ideas.  I've learned to plan dinner that seems to be our bigger meal of the day - then I can work the rest of my meals/points around it . Paul's idea of dieting and mine are 2 totally different ideas.  He still eats.. and drinks beer & uses how much and whatever kind of dressing he wants. However, he works his butt off as I who sits in a chair all day. I see people saying I made my 10,000 steps a day , I think to myself I can't go to the bathroom that many times and it wouldn't matter as my desk is about 25 steps to the bathroom. You do the math *lol* So those are some of the items I'm working thru as I adjust to me trying to get healthy.  But as I got on the scale today and the number was smaller it made it all worth it .  I'm actually excited for Thursday for weigh in. I honestly have never said that before.  I'm so ready to be healthy.. Here's to another day ...

ROLL TIDE !!!

Well last night Alabama played Clemson for the National Championship ... Unfortunately Bama lost in a nail biting game.. Clemson 35 - Bama 31...  I'm sure you could here our house from miles away.  Paul is a Bama fan thru and thru.  Him and Brian have been for years but this year there were a few more fans in our house... I love what football has done to this family... Between Seahawks and Bama .. Chiefs & Ohio State (we let Deandre cheer too)  We are a football family ..Sometimes I'm like NO not another game but I know I will cherish these memories and so will this man... Rolltide Bama.. You will get'em next year....

Playoff weekend - Paul and his boys ( Eric is not a Bama fan)

Last night - Intense

 Brian & Grayson

Due to bad roads - the other 2 bama boys couldn't make it  but they were cheering from afar!!!

this was the last few minutes.. he knew they had lost 

Rolltide!!!

Harper Luvs.....

Grandma Darla got some much needed Harper loves this weekend.  Although we spend lots of time together sometimes I miss out on the babies  because I'm so busy with the older kids meaning the 3-5yr olds.. They keep me pretty busy.. So this weekend I got some loving from this sweet baby girl. And tomorrow she will be 2 moths old...

Love you Harper Rose!!!

                                                                                                   Friday night loves.....

Nothing more precious than a baby yawn....

She is smiling at me.... First time .. I almost cried tears of happiness....

Such a sweet baby....... 

Accountability Day 1 ....

Getting Healthy Accountability - Day 1 ....

1) Tracked all my points - realized a miniature peanut butter cup is not worth 2 pts or 2 is not worth 4 and 3 is not worth 6 & etc....

2) I'm a comfort foodaholic - I love toast ... late at night .... it takes all my stress.. all my woes away..  I didn't have any last night. .I survived .. first time in a really long time without any..

3) Music sets my mood the more upbeat the rhythm the better the workout - I've struggled with my phone lately .. Pandora blinks on and off ... ITunes on a Samsung doesn't work .. so I downloaded Amazon music and waalaa all my workout tunes were there from my ITunes account .. don't ask me how but oh I was thankful!!!

4) Me and the Max Trainer  met up again  after me and the bike made friends .... I made it the 5 mins  on the Max Trainer- I know that's not much but I'm telling you at my size ....fast pace workout ..that's all I got  but my goal is in a week to move it up by at least 2 mins... Baby Steps but steps in the right direction....


Day1 I would say was successful.....

Here's To Getting Healthy in 2017

Paul and I have both reached our happy, comfortable place with each other and now it's reached my butt.. my hips... my thighs and my gut!!!    So NO I'm not dieting .. I hate that word so I've decided to say I'm going to get healthy which will require me to watch my food intake, the quantity and exercise.. 

So today I officially weighed in.... It made me sick but you have to start somewhere.. I signed up for Weight Watchers online.. I've always done the best with their plan and we cancelled our gym membership and are purchasing one of these..... Bowflex Max Trainer.....

One day it will be my best friend.. but today it is my worse enemy.. The commercial shows if you use it just 15 mins. a day you will be amazed at your results.  It shows the gal just running her little heart out on it.  Well we decided the commercial was fake.  There is no way you can go 15 mins a day in the beginning & they ran about 3 and just replayed the commercial *lol*..  I've worked out at the gym on 3 different machines for a total of about 45 mins and I'm not exaggerating when I say 5 mins on this machine and I'm dying!!!  It takes 3 mins to get out of the warm up the other 2 mins you are barely getting started on their work out.. I have high hopes for me and this machine but I really don't like it right now !!!!