Ornaments???

Just wondering if there are any of you out there who have certain ornaments that they DO NOT put on the tree, but hang on to them year after year??? I have found myself getting tired of some of my ornaments. This is my oldest daughter Jennifer decorating the tree several years ago. I keep telling myself that I need to "down size" the ornaments. So as I was undressing the tree this year, I made a pile of ornaments that I have that I am not crazy about. There are no special ones in this pile. I figure if I can't remember where the ornament came from, it must not be very special. I think I will donate them to Goodwill. There will surely be some thrifter out ther that would love to have them!!!

A Little of My Christmas Decorating

Pardon my lack of holiday posting. Here are a few shots of some of my Christmas decor. I just didnt' get around to taking many photos this year.
A little grouping on top of my bookcase. The little bear on the far right I made out of a coat of my grandmothers. The rest I purchased.

A view of one corner of my mantle. A couple of firkins that I picked up at an antique mall, then repainted them. Two of my favorite santas.

Part of my collection of paper mache santas. We used to make these for our wholesale line at the shop I work at. Molded with paper mache and using chocolate molds.

Just a few pictures I thought I would share. I would really like to try to do better next year with my posting. But I try not to make any resolutions!

My New Wheels!

Got me a new set of wheels! No gears on this baby. Wide, white-wall tires and a big comfy seat! I'll be riding in style. Well, as soon as the snow disappears!

How Did I Get Here?

I have been doing a lot of soul searching this past year. A lot. Part of my weight loss journey has made me face lots of things about myself. Things that I am not proud of. But, what's past is past, and I shouldn't dwell on it. Here are a few thoughts.

How did I get here? When I go to the Weight Watchers meetings, I hear lots of stories. Most of them are from women who have been heavy their entire life. As a child and then growing into a woman. Not me. I was skinny as a teenager. Tiny. Of course, I didn't see it that way as a teenager. I weighed 115 pounds when I got married.

So when did I get fat? You don't just wake up one day and you are fat. I can't put my finger on exactly when it happened. Clothes get tighter and you just go buy more. Slowly, you don't want to look in the mirror. You don't want your picture taken. You just don't look.

I have cheated myself out of so much the past 28 years. I can say that now. I wish I would have had someone to tell me that then. I look at my scrapbooks. There are pictures of everyone else but me. I mean someone had to take the pictures, right? Fact is, I didn't want to see myself. It might have made me do something about it. But, I have been unfair to my family. Someday, when I am gone, my girls are going to ask why there are no pictures of mom.

So, I don't know when I decided to open my eyes and look. Look at myself and decide it was time to do something. My journey is far from over. I have worked hard for over a year to reach my goal weight. Only to find that it is scary. Really, scarier than losing weight. Everyday is a struggle. I hope I continue to have the strength to keep it off!

My Baby Girl, All Grown Up

So after about six weeks of depressing events, it's time for some celebrating!

My baby girl, Megan, graduated with her degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant on Saturday. Can't believe it. Both my girls grown up and graduated from college.

It seems like yesterday, when we sold our house in Greenfield, Indiana packed up our life and moved to Newburgh, Indiana. Megan was 10 days old when we moved. To say that I love my girls more than life itself would be an understatement. Them, and my pups, are what gets me out of bed everyday!

Congrats to my Doodlebug!

Cross that one off of my list!

Today, I crossed another thing off of my 2010/2011 Bucket List. I made it to my goal weight. I have now lost 71.6 pounds. I have 6 weeks of maintenance and then I will become a Weight Watchers lifetime member. Wish me luck during the holidays!

My Newest Favorite

My newest favorite Christmas decoration that is! My dad used to say this all the time. "When you stop believing in Santa, you get underwear! Christmas was his favorite time of year. Now my dad wasn't the typical dad. No, not at all. He did all the decorating. Inside and out. He did all the shopping, with the exception of what my mom bought to give him as his gifts. He did all the wrapping. Pretty exceptional man, don't you think? Yes, yes he was. So this one is for you Dad!