Notes from Christmas Eve day and beyond…

Merry Christmas to all! I hope Christmas morning finds you healthy, happy, and surrounded by those you love.

I went to Christmas Eve Mass at St. Maximillian Kolbe last night and it was wonderful. The place was packed to the rafters! There was even an overflow Mass occurring in the next door parish center!

Since Mike was at work (see note below), I was alone. I found a seat and shortly after a couple came and asked if the seats next to me were saved. Before I had a chance to think about it, I said “Yes, for you. Today you are my family!” The couple sat next to me and thanked me. Next thing I knew they were quietly chatting and fiddling with their watches. The wife looked over and asked “Is that and Apple Watch? Do you know how to silence it?” So we went into a short lesson on how to use the Apple Watch. (This was about 20 minutes before Mass started). We then talked about our families, how all of mine, except my husband, were far away up North. Their children were driving down from Michigan that night and would be there in time for Christmas morning. Without even know each other’s names, we had both helped each other. They made me feel like part of their family and I helped them with their Apple Watches, which they had just bought for each other for Christmas.

Mass started and some of the children staged a live Nativity. They were adorable. From the golden shining star to the lowly donkey, the kids in costume put on a beautiful Nativity scene. Afterwards, Father Teo had all of the children take a bow. His sermon was about being kind and finding ways to make a difference in the lives of others. How you never know when you will be able to help another person. The couple with the Apple Watches both raised their wrists and nodded at me. WOW! At the end of Mass, I thanked them for allowing me to be a part of their family, even if it was just for an hour. They thanked me for being there and helping them learn about their Apple Watches. (To my fellow library employees, I did tell them to check with their local library to see if they have any technology help.)

After Mass, Mike and I had a nice dinner and went to bed early so Santa would have plenty of time to do his thing and move on. Of course we were both…

So we woke up at 7am and took care of the pets. While the coffee was brewing and the Marion berry sweet rolls (Thanks Mom and Dad, they were delicious. Check them out here https://www.wolfermans.com/w/pastries-baked-goods/sweet-rolls/51635) were heating, the pets received their Christmas goodies. Mike and I exchanged our gifts (thank you Mike….I love you always).

Now we are watching Christmas movies and snuggling with each other and the pets. All-in-all it has been a wonderful Christmas, so far.

I hope all of you are having the most wonderful day ever. I hope your blessings are abundant. Merry Christmas to all….

Note: Please be patient and kind to people who have to work on Christmas (or any other holiday). They are already stressed and you can help make their already crazy day a little less stressful by being kind. Thank you.

How my healthy journey is going on WW

Back in July 2019, I bared my soul to the world (at least those who read my blog) about an upsetting visit with my doctor. I had gained a lot of weight, by blood pressure was up, and was not handling the stress of my job very well. I went with the doctor’s advice and joined WW (formerly known as Weight Watchers). I wanted to give an update on how I’m doing.

On the Monday after Thanksgiving, I stepped on the scale and had lost a pound. Now this may not sound like much but THANKSGIVING IS MY JAM!!!!! I love the food prep, the coziness, and most of all GRAVY! I was pretty excited to go to my follow-up doctors appointment to get the official doctor’s office weight. (Keep in mind that on top of Thanksgiving – we had gone to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival and had Halloween (the candy holiday) in October. So what were the results???

My blood pressure was down and so was my weight. I lost 17.5 pounds since joining WW – and that’s with two food holidays and a trip to a FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL!!! The doctor was so happy with my progress. I asked about my horrible body and joint aches. He said this was normal. I asked about joining a gym and he told me to “save your money. Do yoga and Tai Chi to improve the joints. Just search on YouTube for some easy to follow videos.” Have I told you how much I love my doctor??

So, here I am contemplating baking some Christmas cookies, thinking of searching for some yoga videos, and pulling out the pants I couldn’t wear in June that I can now wear again. Life is good.

Thanks for going on this journey with me and thanks for reading!

Giving Tuesday

I am so thankful. I have a wonderful husband. I have a job. I have a roof over my head.

This year, I am participating in Giving Tuesday. If you can, please join me in raising funds for Unbound. They believe the smartest path out of poverty is a self-directed one. Their team listens to the children, elders and families served and help them develop personalized plans based on their unique challenges, needs and skill sets. 

You can join my fundraiser by clicking HERE.

Thank you!

16 week update

It has been 16 weeks since I bared my soul regarding my depression and lack of motivation. Since then, I have been on a very food centric vacation (Epcot Food and Wine Festival) and regained 5 pounds of the 15 I had lost. Once I came back from that trip, I got back on the WW track and have relost that weight plus two more pounds. I’m feeling pretty good and I’m hoping that I can keep up the positive momentum.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out with support and even have joined me on my WW journey. We can do this!!!

Week 3 WW Update

So, I’ve finally hit the slowdown in losing. I’m officially down 14 pounds. Even with a few rough days this week, I’m still maintaining my weight loss. I started regular exercise (walking) yesterday. I added the 5 week squat challenge that I found on the WW website. Feeling pretty good.

Have any good WW recipes you can share?

Thanks for your support!

August 1 – 10, 2019 – reading for pleasure

Because I do a lot of ARC (advanced reader copy) reading as well as book club reading, I don’t often get a chance to read for pleasure. In July my goal was to read children’s books. For the month of August, I’m going to read for pleasure only. Here is what I’ve read, so far.

Circe by Madeline Miller

I have always loved mythology: Greek, Norse, Native American, to name a few. When Circe came out it was so popular that I was reluctant to read it. I’m one of those people who reads to the beat of my own drum. I don’t normally read what is on the best sellers lists. For some reason, I decided to read it. I just finished it three days ago and I have to say – I LOVED IT! I plan on going back and reading ALL of Madeline Millers books. This telling of the story of Circe, the daughter of the sun god Helios. Part Clash of the Titans, part family saga, the author writes in such a way that you get sucked into the story and don’t want to put it down. Highly recommended.

Educated by Tara Westover

My most recent “back and forth to work” audiobook had me wanting my commute to last longer. Educated tells the story Tara Westover and how she went from her childhood in an “off the grid” survivalist family to a woman with a PhD. Tara’s parents did not believe in public schools, traditional medicine or any governmental agencies. According to their beliefs, public school education corrupts and the government is out to get them. The author’s tale of abuse and neglect is harrowing. While telling what happened to her and how she managed to not only educate herself, but go to Cambridge and Harvard, she manages to still express her love for her family. An awe inspiring book.

Next on my TBR for pleasure list: The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury.

Two week WW update

In two weeks I have lost 12.3 pounds. I’m pretty happy with that. I knew that things would slow down a bit after the initial weight loss. I had two really bad high stress days where I got a little off track. But I tracked it and moved on. I’m back on track. I received my first two rewards today.

Next up…15 pounds!!! I can do it!

A short update

I have been following Weight Watchers since Monday. Today is Friday and I have lost 8 pounds. Thank you to everyone who reached out with support and encouragement. Your words helped me stay on track this week. I am looking forward to more healthy food, more movement, and feeling better every day.

Thanks again. Here is to seeing less of me in the days to come.