Recent Pictures

Looking through my blog the other day, I realized that I haven't posted any recent pictures of the boys.

 

I don't pay to have their pictures taken professionally. I have several friends that are talented photographers...so nothing against them. It's just that my boys do not cooperate very well when it comes to taking pictures. Even worse when it's with someone they aren't familiar with.

So I invested in a new camera this past fall and have been trying to teach myself a little bit about digital photography. Not only am I not a great teacher to others...but I'm not that great to myself either. Learning Photoshop and photography terminology is proving to be way over my simple minded brain. It takes more time and patience than I care to give so after about 30 minutes of dealing with it...I have to put it away for awhile. I do feel a little better about myself when a photographer friend of mine confirmed that Photoshop is very hard to learn.

I get excited when I get 10-20 good ones out of about 100 shots compared to the 5-10 I usually get. But still some photo attempts have proven to be just that...mere attempts. The boys hate having their pictures taken. I know this is probably typical of most boys..but I think mine have to hate it exceptionally more. I have to bribe and even at that...we all 3 usually end the session in tears. Session meaning the few attempts of on location photo shoots in an attempt to get decent pictures that are worth framing. Because, again..I can't afford professional photos when the boys do nothing but hide their faces behind their hands.

 

The pics above are just a few I've recently taken. They aren't necessarily the ones I will be framing but wanted to post a few for the family and friends who keep up with us through this blog.

If you are friends of mine of Facebook, then you've probably seen these. And since this blog feeds into my Facebook notes...you will see them there also.

 

Hope you enjoy looking at these more than my boys enjoyed taking them!

Another Delta Experience

Last night while JB and I were watching Idol, the electricity flickered and then went out for about 15 minutes. It came back on for several minutes and then flickered off again. We took this as a sign to go on to bed as it was late.

JB got to work this morning only to find that half his branch had electricity while the other half didn't. Yes, really...only part of the building had electricity. The power outage at his branch this morning was related to the power outage we had at our home last night.

Several miles south of G'ville, a farmer got his tractor tangled up in some live electrical wires. So Entergy had to "black out" the electricity in order to get his tractor untangled. How our street in the city was effected by this incident several miles south in a field, I just don't get. Anyway....

First, let me acknowledge that the farmer is ok. So glad of that. Above my inconvenience of no electricity, I'm more glad that the farmer was not harmed.

However, I've never experienced a power outage for this reason. Just another affirmation that I'm a city mouse still trying to learn my way of being a field mouse.

Confession Session

As part of our nightly routine to putting the boys to bed, we read a Bible story out of their children's Bible.

Well, this particular night several weeks ago was on the 10 Commandments, AKA, the 10 Commamments to the boys.

JB was reading each commandment when CB stopped him and asked, "What does stealing mean?"

So JB begins to explain, "Well, if Reid (a friend at school) has some colored pencils that you like and you wanted them. While Reid wasn't looking or when he left the room, you took his colored pencils, used them, and then put them in your backpack to bring home without Reid knowing...that would be stealing. When you take something that's not yours without asking or when it hasn't been given to you."

My sweet CB urgently announced with such an anxiety, "I was only borrowing them, Daddy. I didn't have any colored pencils. Reid said I could use them!"

JB and I had to keep our composure and try not to laugh as CB voluntarily and so openly "confessed of his sins" based on a mere example.

Bless his heart...CB turned the 10 Commandments into a night of Confession Session.

Repeat That, Please

As some of you already know, BB started speech therapy this past Wednesday. I had requested that he be evaluated based on some of his (or lack thereof) annunciations of some letters. His teacher and school director were so instrumental is coordinating this and helping get this done. I am so grateful for their cooperation and encouragement.

After his evaluation, it was determined that he did, indeed, need some speech therapy to help him better develop his language and speaking skills. While family and close friends can understand what he is saying...I was fearful that others could not and if something was not done to help him, it would only get worse and he would become the target of jokes.

He has trouble pronouncing several sounds but most prominent are his "L's". He pronounces them as "R's".

Lost = Rost

Love = Rove

Letter = Retter

Yellow = Rerrow

And so on. I had tried to work with him best I could but quickly learned that: 1) I am not a speech therapist 2) I exhibited to much "mommy" instead of teacher and 3) he would get really discouraged when he couldn't please me with the right annunciation. After JB and I discussed it, we thought it best to have him evaluated by a professional.

This past Wednesday, when I picked him up from school I asked him if had he "talked" to Ms Mary today. To which he replied, "Yes, mam...listen Momma....La, la, la, la, la!" "See, I can say it now!".

I was so overwhelmed with happiness for him and so proud of him, I cried the rest of the way home. Just the excitement he had for himself at the progress he had made melted my heart in a way that only a mother can understand. He could actually pronounce "La" instead of "Ra". Now, it wasn't perfect but it was enough for me and enough for him to know he was getting better. However, when I asked him to say "Lost Dog", he still continued to say "Rost Dog". And as usual, he got discouraged. So I had to encourage him and tell him that it will take time and that he was already getting better.

I am also excited that his speech therapist goes to the church we have been visiting and already knows BB from keeping his Sunday School class. I had been worried that he wouldn't cooperate with a complete stranger...but God took care of that as He always does. As this is just another reminder that it's not for me to worry about but for me to, instead, have faith that He takes care of such matters.

So, if you think about it...please pray for my BB on Wednesday mornings. While, this may not be the biggest issue we face in rearing him and while his speech issues are not major...it's a big deal to this little 4 year old boy. The little progress he made in the first 30 minute session was one of the biggest accomplishments he had made in his little world and boosted his self confidence to another level.

My No Diet weightloss!

First let me apologize for the lack of blogging lately. I have been really busy with my business. I've been swamped in a "Bunny Patch" lately with all the Easter orders I've had and I'm still not completely through with few last minute orders.

If you recall a post I published a few weeks ago regarding, "Eat This, Not That"...well, I have lost dropped down 1 pants size since following some of their suggestions.

While I would probably loose more and quicker if I would add a routine of exercise such as walking, I am just excited to have lost what I have. I hope to start walking now that the weather will be warming up and days will be longer.

I have enjoyed this "diet", if you will, so much more than any other that I've followed. And while living in G'ville, I am learning so much about myself including my eating habits. I've learned that I am an emotional eater. I've learned that when I am tired, I have the urge to eat more. Not sure why this is...don't know if there is some kind of physical, emotional or medical reason for this....but it has become an eye opener for me. So, for that very reason, I have made sure I get a good night's sleep. And because of my healthier eating habits, I don't feel tired and sluggish throughout the day.

I am learning that what I thought was healthy and "diet worthy" was actually hindering my efforts while the foods that I thought were NOT "diet worthy" are actually contributing to my efforts.

I've also learned that I can't do diets that say "Do NOT Eat _______" (you fill in the blank). I love food, so to tell me I can't have something, is a waste of time and only produces discouraging results for me.

I have literally been eating only 3 meals a day. I don't even have the urge to snack or "nibble" though out the day. Unless, I am tired...like I mentioned before...the few days I felt the urge to snack all day...I realized that I was tired because I didn't get much sleep the night before.

I have to eat breakfast and I don't mean cereal, a fruit grain bar or a biscuit. My breakfast has to consist of a meal. For awhile I was drinking a Carnation shake or Slim Fast. While it would fill me up, a few hours later I would be starving. I realized that while they were a good source of Protein, the sugar content cancelled any good the protein was doing for me. I would be "snacking" before lunch and sometimes binging due to my blood sugar being so low and feeling so sluggish. So, no more Carnation shakes or Slimfasts for me...not even with a piece of toast or other breakfast foods. Just too much sugar for my body.

Instead, I have been eating 1 fried egg (cooked in Pam or the like), 1 or 2 pieces of 100% Whole Wheat bread (with whipped butter, not margarine) and a piece of fresh fruit (pears and strawberries have been my choice lately). Now that I've discovered Kroger's Carbmaster yogurts, I will probably add this when fruit is not available. I will also eat Shredded Wheat with a little Splenda, an egg and fruit. Breakfast is must for me. I have learned that I can not compromise. My body just will not let me.

For lunch I have been eating a roast beef sandwich on 100% Whole Wheat bread with tomatoes and mayo made with Olive Oil, a piece of Mozzarella string cheese, and fruit. I will alternate with a salad made of Spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes, shredded cheese, and piece of baked chicken that took about 20 minutes to cook.

If occasionally I do feel like a snack...I've eaten Fiber One Bars, Emerald Roasted Almonds Dark Chocolate, or another piece of string cheese. I will also start adding Kroger's Carbmaster yogurt as an alternative. I cut out the 100 calorie pack of snacks. They are the most useless 100 calories. They didn't satisfy my hunger instead filled me up with sugar only to be hungry again within an hour. They have no nutritional value to them. While low in calorie...high in sugar, no protein and no fiber.

For supper, I've been eating alot of baked or grilled meat...pork chops, chicken breasts, turkey sausage and vegetables. I'm not as "strict" about supper as I am about breakfast or lunch. I think because due to my healthier eating habits for breakfast and lunch...I'm just not starving by supper like before.

I've even opted to stay home when JB has suggested to eat out. He and the boys will go while I stay home and eat something healthier. Now this is hard but I have learned, that if I go out to eat, I don't typically use portion control nor will I order the healthier alternatives when I've already had the best. So, it's easier for me to just stay home during this stage of my weight loss efforts. I hope to eventually go without loosing control but until then...avoiding is my best option. I haven't completely stopped eating out...I allow myself that privilege and freedom 1 time per week. So when JB asks if I want to go, I am really just choosing if that particular restaurant is where I want use my 1 time. Although, I am starting to see myself choose healthier options and use better portion control...just not to the extent I feel comfortable to eat out often.

A few disadvantages to this "diet" plan. It can be expensive. The cost of healthy food is ridiculously high. It's so frustrating to hear experts talk about the nation being so obese and overweight but they NEVER mention the cost of health food. I am a firm believer that one of the reasons people aren't loosing weight, why diets are working and why people continue to become obese is the cost of food. While this is not the only reason..it's got be one of them. We have increased our grocery budget to accommodate for the increase costs of food. It's very frustrating to say the least. For example..the hot dogs that are recommended are, in fact, healthier but they are $4 for a pack of 8, while the cheaper and cheapest ones can be $1 to $2 but have about 14 to 17g of fat per hotdog. RIDICULOUS!!!!! This circumstance stands the same with most of the healthier alternative foods that are recommended. While I try to buy store brands for a less expensive alternative sometimes it's just not offered.

So as it goes...I am still on a track to loosing more weight with a plan that I don't feel like I'm dieting my life away. This plan says "yes, you can have this just a healthier alternative". Don't be fooled though...just because it may be a healthier alternative...doesn't mean you can eat as much of it as often as you desire. You must still practice portion control and healthy eating habits. For example...this book recommends the Egg McMuffin from McDonald's as a healthier breakfast alternative when eating breakfast at McDonalds. But that doesn't mean you can eat as many as you like every day. It just means...if you are gonna eat breakfast at McDonald's, this the healthiest alternative.

Until next time...Eat This: Post Shredded Wheat original; Not That: Multi Bran Chex.


PS: Post Shredded Wheat Original (1 cup): 170 calories, 1g fat, 0 sugars, 6g fiber

Multi Bran Chex (1 cup): 210 calories, 2g fat, 13g sugar, 8g fiber. While this cereal may have more fiber...it's got as much sugar as 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream. The sugar cancels out any good the fiber has.

This is just one of several blooming Daffodils in my backyard. I hope this is a sign that Spring is only a few shorts weeks away.

Eat This, Not That

A few months ago, I saw on TV someone talking about these books: Eat This, Not That!

I can't recall what show or who it was but soon after their discussion, I researched it on-line and what I read about these books seemed interesting enough to eventually buy. I actually forgot about them over the holidays due to all the chaos that entailed during that time for us.

Last week, I was browsing Amazon.com for some books and saw in my "Wish List" these series of books. I was reminded about buying them. And, so I did. They came in yesterday and I have been reading them since. Even stayed up past my bedtime too intrigued to put them down.

Now, the books claim to be "The No Diet Weight Loss Solution!" While the books are full of information on foods and their nutritional value or sometimes lack-thereof...I wouldn't go so far as to say it's a weight loss solution.

But I will say that the information they provide and reveal can be eye opening. I am learning that some of the foods that I have been eating or feeding my children aren't as healthy as I thought. Or that there might be a better alternative or brand that is even healthier. These books seem to be a great resource of information that you just can't gather yourself unless you park in a grocery isle and read all the nutritional and ingredients labels on every food product. Who has time to do that when you've got children running up and down the isle like they've just been let out of a cage. Or they are constantly fighting with each other so you have to stop what you are doing and referee the WWF match going on in front of spectators. Or they announce like a bull horn they have to go doo-doo even though you just left the restroom because the other child had just done such activity. Anyway, I obviously digress. Back to the books.

While I will attempt to use their recommendations, there is a cost factor when it comes to buying some of the brands they recommend. With groceries costing so much as it is...it's not going to be feasible for us to buy every brand or food they recommend. I will have to choose and prioritize which foods are worth the extra costs and which aren't.

For example...they recommend organic ketchup and rightly so. You will notice that organic ketchup has less calories, sodium and sugar. But it's way more expensive. This is not a product I will splurge on because we just don't use that much ketchup. However, the rice they recommend is healthier than just the plain ol' white rice. I will splurge on this because we like rice and it's one of the few foods I can get my boys to eat.

So if you choose to buy these books and yield to their recommendations, you will most likely have to discern which items best fit your budget and taste. That is, unless, you live on an unlimited amount of grocery money, unlike my family.

I bought 5 of the books, not necessarily because I wanted all 5. Some of them came in a set and it was cheaper to buy the set than to buy certain ones individually. There may be more to the series but these are the ones that interested me. All 5 of these cost me about $70. Shipping was free on Amazon since my total was over $50. At this time, I've mainly skimmed over the books not reading a whole lot of detail. But what I have read has been full of information and most revealing.

Eat This, Not That! 2010 version
Eat This, Not That! The Best and Worst Foods in America
Eat This, Not That! Restaurant Survival Guide
Eat This, Not That! Kitchen Survival Guide
Eat This, Not That! Supermarket Survival Guide

I welcome any comments from those that have any experience with these books and how they have helped.