Progress

Progress is certainly being made. The master bedroom, master bathroom, and hallway at Grandma's house are painted. Today, the kitchen is being finished and round 1 will officially be over. I'm excited about all of the color as mentioned previously. I definitely feel something when I walk into those newly painted rooms. I want others to feel something - too. My Dad, for example, will feel this: "what the heck is Kris thinking!" when he sees that the country wallpapered kitchen has turned into red and yellow insanity! Oh, I can't wait to see the kitchen after work today. It's pretty daring, even for me.

So, now it's time to focus on the house we actually live in. Our neighbors put their house for sale last Tuesday...and yesterday I came home to a SOLD sign. Yep, our neighbors sold their house in exactly 1 week. That really pumped me up! We are going to (finally) finish our laundry room and just clean up some stuff and then we're putting it out there. People wonder why we didn't get our house ready first, but we wanted to keep paying our mortgage down as long as we could so we'd be in a better position when selling time came. There is always a method to our madness.

I am excited that the sun is shining and that progress is being made. It feels good to feel good naturally ... rather than pulling from within like we do all winter long. Spring is a lovely season ... it's the hope that you've been hoping for coming alive right before your eyes!

Color My World

I am super excited because I have officially picked out paint colors for Grandma's house! We are starting with the master bedroom and bathroom, an upstairs hallway and the kitchen. Before I even thought about colors my Dad said he hoped I wouldn't be doing any of those 'wild colors.' And, honestly...I wasn't going to. But, when I started really looking at color - all I could think about was dramatic red, sunshine yellow and irish green. I love color! I love how it can take over and make you feel something when you walk in a room. The painting is going to begin this weekend. I love forward movement. It feels so good. And, I am really looking forward to mixing my colorful modern "stuff" with my grandparents antiques.

The other night when I pulled into our driveway I noticed that our neighbors have their house up for sale. I had no idea they were even thinking about moving. And, the best part is the company they are selling their house through does a lot of advertising and the actual realtors (it's a married couple that works together) are well known. I wanted to jump up and down because I feel like it's divine intervention...we are about to put our house up for sale by owner and we now have our neighbors selling their home...free advertising for us!

I am waiting patiently, yet expectantly, on the Lord. We will see how it all pans out! I am doing all the things I can do and trusting that he has got the rest worked out. He who sees all things from beginning to end.

Day 7 Out of 10

Today I worked a mini bridal show at a local resort. The resort had their menu tasting event for the bride/groom (and their families)and then asked their preferred vendors to set up a booth to promote their business. The vendors did get to sample the food, as well...but, I couldn't because Rob and I are going strong on day 7 out of 10 with the diet!!! It was hard to be the only person at an event, not eating! It was hard to be anywhere and not eating...I love eating. But, it feels so good to be in control of the food rather than the other way around.

It was a cool experience, I did book some weddings, and had a lot of time to people watch...more like relationship watch. I was trying hard not to think about the fact that half of them will find themselves divorced at some point. I said a silent prayer for all of the hopefuls. So young, so happy ... I prayed that they would hold on to each other, to not give up too easily.

In case you are wondering about the diet, I am down 4lbs. And, overall I just feel healthier. The crucial part of this is to plan ahead...you really need to know what you're eating all day prior to the day actually beginning. We are also journaling what we are eating. It sounds like work, but it really takes no time. Awareness and Preparedness are key. Like with anything in life, I suppose.

It's now time to finish mopping the salon! Gosh, I still miss having internet at home. I don't know if I'll ever truly be "over it." But, at least if the technology of the world ever crashes-I'll already be used to it while everyone else is panicing : )

Give Us This Day

Is it wrong that all I can hardly think about this week is pancakes smothered in butter and syrup?! Rob and I have begun day 4 out of 10. We have followed the plan perfectly and are expecting to look like part of the Baywatch cast this summer!

This morning I got Emily ready for school and scarfed down some eggs. I am not a fan of eating in the morning, I have to make myself. I'd prefer to just drink coffee until about 10 or 11 each day. Those days are gone. It is true that people who eat breakfast have better weight control...once I started forcing myself to eat breakfast (about 6 months ago) I've been successfully able to keep 10lbs. off.

I'm working hard on the next 10lbs, hence the fish eating, working out program.

It feels good to focus on something I actually have control over. I look around at my wonderful family and see these unfair cards that have been dealt. I know we weren't promised fair. I know life is a gift and it's a miracle that any of us are here. But, I just have to say that life can hurt really, really bad. Life can feel as if someone stuck a sword in it. I am praying, always, for my CJ and his legs and his life. I am praying for Cathy and the cancer that continues to show up very uninvited. I am praying to the God of miracles. Will you pray with me?

The Lord's prayer says, "Give us this day our daily bread." I have a wooden plate from my Grandma that has that verse...and, it's a reminder to take it one day at a time. It's hard not to look ahead. It's hard not to peek into what we think is our future. But, God wants us to stay present. That is the place where we feel most alive and well.

And, on a 'not so serious' note...I really wish I had some bread : )

Swordfish & Figs

Rob and I are doing this diet through my sissy, Monica. It's a 10 day 'er' and consists of mostly fruit/veges/fish/eggs...low carb. I've always done well with the low carb stuff as far as losing weight. I am super stoked about this because we are eating 6 meals per day, so I'm not hungry (and it's a good thing because I am very crabby when I am hungry). The best part is that I can still drink my coffee! I already feel healthier. We've been working out and eating good (80% of the time) for 8 weeks now and I've hit this place where I keep losing and gaining the same few pounds over and over. This is like a jump start and I can already tell I am going to hit my first goal. The best thing is it's building the confidence that I can achieve that goal.

Last night Rob and I ate swordfish and figs for the first time. They sound completely gross together - but, we didn't eat them together, so it was all good. I didn't even know what a fig was before yesterday! Rob doesn't love eating fish, but he's willing to try new things. And me...I am very glad I grew up in a fish lovin' family, it's coming in quite handy.

I will update on our progress...I know that will help me keep on track!

Here Comes The Sun...

...little darlin', here comes the sun - it's alright.
This is what I am singing in my head on yet another dreary winter day!
I do find the snow to be beautiful, but it loses it's magic when I let Roxy out to do her duty in it!

I got in some much needed time at Grandma's house. So much work to be done, but the line that always gets me through is this ... slow and steady wins the race! I have learned over the years to let things happen in their own time. Everything that I have rushed, pushed, ran through has all fell apart due to lack of thoughtfulness. I know that if I continue to do the things that I can do (tear down wallpaper, sort through items and make decisions about them, etc.) that divine intervention will intercede and meet me at the halfway mark. I'm not even going to spend energy worrying whether or not our house will sell. That is not mine to worry about...we do the work to get it to that point and the rest will be played out magically. This is how life works, I'm convinced. You can't leave it all up to God. You have to do what you can do and have the Faith that the rest will work out (in its perfect time). This applies to every aspect of my life today and always.

Precious Moments

Last night we had a family dinner at my parents, it's been awhile. Mexican night =yum! Definitely going to have to do extra cardio tonight when I work out.

When we arrived my brother, Nathan, was pulling CJ and Alyssa around with the 4wheeler...they were on a sled. Rob ran home and grabbed Emily's snow clothes, I am so glad we had them. I would have hated for her to miss out. Nate proceeded to pull the 3 kids all over the land and their puppy, Tucker, ran alongside them the entire time. What a little trooper! It's in those precious moments that I just stop and take it all in. Life is good. I would love to hit the pause button on those times because they are just so perfect.

Emily spends the night at our house on Wednesday nights now. This is super cool for me because Rob leaves for work sooooo early, so it's just her and I getting ready on Thursday mornings...and then the best part...I get to drive her to school! It's insane how much satisfaction I attain from getting her off to school safely (and lovingly). It's funny because Rob always calls to make sure I actually got up to get her going...as if :)!!!