Low Calorie Recipes

I got a Low Calorie Recipe CD at Wal-Mart last week. I was so excited about it, that is until I put it in the computer. It has some really good recipes (5,500 in total) but it doesn't give the nutritional info for them. Common sense tells you that if some one is purchasing a low calorie recipe CD that they are probably counting calories also. It seemed obvious to me that it would have had at least calories and fat. If you want to know the calorie count, you basically have to take each ingredient and figure it up for yourself. I was planning on posting some recipes each week, but now I'm not sure I want to mess with it. There are some great low calorie recipe sites out there that tell you the nutritional info, so maybe I will just start posting some from there as I try them. I also planning to buy this book this weekend.

Here are a few links:
http://www.fitnessandfreebies.com/local/
http://www.recipezaar.com/r/278
http://www.edietshop.com/recipes/

I did it.....

I made it through one morning without weighing. I went straight to the scale when I got up...I guess it has become somewhat of a habit obsession! I resisted though...I did stand there and contemplate doing it just one more day and then stop my everyday weigh in as of tomorrow. But I stood my ground and said no. I wondered for a just a few minutes as to what it probably was, but then I soon forgot about it. It sucks not knowing where I'm at but I know I have to be extra good today, just in case it went up or something. I will make it until Wednesday...I swear. I may not keep my "new rule" after that, but this one time...I think I can do it!!

I think you are doing great. 1500 calories is not much considering what we normally would be consuming.

By the way, I weighed this morning and I'm back down to the 214, so it had to have just been water retention that I gained over the holidays. I am sure it has to be the same with you...I don't think you can gain 5 actual lbs of fat in just a few days. Anyway, I know we have discussed whether to weigh everyday or not... I think I have decided to try to go a week or so and only weigh on "weigh in day". I realized today when I was eating lunch that I had the thought "I'm back down today, so if I splurge a bit that's ok now" WRONG! It's not ok, and I caught myself in subconsicous thought and realized that weighing everyday is probably not a good idea for me at least not right now in the beginning. I do like knowing that I'm "OK" every morning, but I think I will be more strcit if I'm clueless to how I am doing. I will be extra careful knowing that I may or may not be losing. It will be very hard.... I'm even thinking of having Bobby hide it from me. That's crazy, but I don't think I can stop myself, if it's right there when I get in the shower each morning. When I wake up it's my first thought, well after the thought that my bladder is going to burst from all the dang water! What do you think???

It's Friday! Have A Happy New Year!

Well how is everyone!!! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Mine was very nice and I got to visit with all of my family and give lots of gifts and I also got lots of great gifts! Most importantly we got to celebrate Jesus' birthday!

All and all the holidays were good. Work has been a little crazy. Not that we have been busy but the fact that out of 50 people at our office only about 15 are actually here today. Not to mention out of our whole little department I have been the only one that has been here everyday all day for the past two weeks! Others have come and gone or not been here at all. I on many occasions have been the only one in our group that was at the office. I should take advantage of that but it is hard knowing I have a hundred things I need to be at home doing too!

Let's see - what else - OH - there was an incident at a Christmas party I was at. When the party was said and done everything was fine but a week later someone had to start it all back up. Needless to say the past 3 weeks have been hell! I should not have even had to worry about that sort of thing!! I am too old for this drama. ANYWAY - so as of last night it is finally all over with. {I Hope.} It seems like this thing never dies. Every time it is "over" someone brings it back up!!This is why all of us that gossip need to learn that you can't do that because you can really make someones life miserable! ANYWHO!! There are just times in your life when you have to decide what is really important and what friendships or aquantances are worth holding on too. It will all come out in the wash but I refuse to discuss it anymore!

Well guess I better get back to work - just curious though - has anyone set any New Years resolutions?

My only one would be to try to live my life a little better. I have learned that no matter how good you try to be some people still won't appreciate it; however, I am not very good at letting go and letting God. This morning I heard that new Carrie Underwood song "Jesus Take The Wheel". It brought me to tears and the chorus reminded me of what I sometimes forget. Let go and have faith b/c I can't always handle things on my own!"

God Bless! Have a Safe and Happy New Years!

Jesus take the wheel

Take it from my hands

Cause I can't do this all on my own

I'm letting go So give me one more chance

To save me from this road I'm on

Jesus take the wheel

The Low Down on Detox

Here are a few links I found on detox diets.

Is Detox safe? Good info...uh....I think. There is so much conflicting info our there, who knows whats right!!

Detox for quick weight loss! Well heck yeah, if you only eat fruit for a month you'll probably loose some major weight...but will you still be sane??

Quiz: Do you need to detox?
My Results :
You answered 12 items out of 16 matching the detox profile.
Your score is 75%. You're body is showing signs it needs a detox diet.

According to the Today show... experts say detox diets are hype: "First of all, your colon doesn’t need cleansing, it’s an efficient machine that rids the body of impurities on its own. The body expels harmful things naturally. Plus, without enough calories (which would be the case on either diet), your body turns to muscle for fuel, which in turn lowers your metabolism"

In conclusion I think a "detox diet" is a good way to lose some weight quickly and can benefit in other ways, but as far as the claims that out bodies need it to cleanse toxins.... not so sure I'm on board. I do think I may try a "solid diet fast" for 2 days and only drink or eat fruit and water. I would like to see for myself what the weight loss effects are. If I lose 2 or 3 lbs in those 2 days, I may try and do it twice a week for a month or so. What do you think?? Also most sites that support detox...want you to spend $$ with them in order to do so!

Weigh-In Wednesday: Traci

Girl, you're not alone!!! I gained 4.2 lbs in 3 days! That's horrible. The way I look at it is if I had not of lost the 7.8 lbs that I did since the beginning, than that would be 4.2 lbs on top of what I already weighed! Which would be 225 lbs...8 lbs more than I did this morning. That may be a warped way of looking at it...but it makes it easier to accept. Notice I didn't post my "stats" yesterday. It's because they weren't real good. I did ok until I got home. There was one lonely piece of cheesecake sitting in the fridge.....and well the rest I think you know. I then had two chocolate race cars and a mini bag of M&M's. That was all before dinner! Today is going better though. I'm on track, but need to get in some water. I haven't had any today. Just 2 big glasses of tea!!!

Weigh-In Wednesday: Tiffany

This post is so sad! I don't even feel like posting a picture! Oh the misery!! I weighed this morning and I was at *gulp* 259! AHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Of course eating Christmas food and finger food about 10+ times over the past couple of weeks will do that to you!! I am still 3 lbs less than I oringially started way back in August but I am NOW 1lb heavier than when we officially started this! Yikes!

I am glad to have it all out in the open and that I am being honest - like I keep saying and telling myself - that is what this is about! If I am not honest here then I won't be honest with myself and I won't ever lose weight!

I do feel good that I am back on CC. I have done really good today. I brought my breakfast and my lunch and know what I am going to have for dinner so that is good!

B - Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal 160; Capri Sun - 90
L - Michelina's Cheese Lasagna - 280; Capri Sun - 90
D - Hot Dog w/Bun - 310 (If I have 1 w/Bun and 1 w/o Bun it would be 543; If I have two it would be 620)

So depend on what I eat tonight my Calorie intake will be between 930 - 1240. I haven't taken my pill today but I am gonig to take it after lunch because it is the afternoon and when I first get home that I need more energy! Plus I eat worse in the afternoon and at home so that might help save me! I also plan to get AT LEAST half my water in before I leave work today! Next weigh-in from me you will be seeing fireworks!!!

Oh My!

So does my picture give you any clues as to how I did and how my weigh-in will go tomorrow? Ha! I - as you did - ate way too much and TONS of stuff I shouldn't have! I am sure my weigh-in will be horrific but that is what this thing is about - being honest! I was really tired so even though I am back on CC (calorie counting) I did not do so well for lunch. I had mexican which as you know is horrible! However, that is all I have eaten today and I won't eat tonight considering I figured what I ate to be over 1500 C!!! Sheesh! I also have ALOT to do when I get home tonight around the house so that will add in some exercise. I haven't drank any water today so I REALLY need to do that! So maybe if I get my water in and do enough work tonight then my day won't look too bad!

Starting tomorrow I am going to have to bring my lunch OR only plan to eat out once or twice a week. It will save money and calories! We have a couple of big trips possibly in the works for next year and I want to definitley be close to goal or at goal when that time comes!! Even if not that - I would like to feel better about myself anyway! We are also going to the rodeo at the beginnning of February and even if I don't lose alot of weight by then I do hope to be able to buy a cute, comfortable pair of jeans!!

I have a juiceman juicer and I have heard people talking about "detoxing". I thought about doing that. Have you ever heard anything - good or bad - about that. It just might be a good way to get all of this holiday "junk" out of my system and give this life change a good jump start!

I failed! I failed miserably. As soon as I was in that fun food & family atmosphere ....I crumbled. Once I had given in I figured what the heck go for it. I had rotel and meatballs, cheesecake and pie, ham and deviled eggs, and a bunch of other crap that I really should have not even put near my mouth. But I will be honest and say it was SOOOO good. After not eating much for the last 3 weeks, it was some of the best food I had ever eaten. Of course after doing that for 2 days straight I feel horrible. I feel bloated and nauseous. I'm kicking myself now. I could've, should've, would've but....I didn't. All I can do is accept it and move on. So I'm back on the program today. Weigh-In tomorrow will be very interesting. How did you do????

Who needs a measuring tape or scales when you have jeans?? Jeans are one of the best indicators of loss or gain. At least for me anyway. If I gain a few, I immediately know when I put on my favorite jeans. For instance this morning, I decided to try some jeans that have been really snug. They will button, but I can hardly breathe with them on. Well, this morning they went on perfectly! They could probably stand to be a bit looser, but I didn't have to lay down to button them. I didn't even have to suck it in. I love that feeling!!

Weigh-In Wednesday - Tiffany

Well not so good this morning! I went back up to 255. I figured I had though. I just laughed when I read your last post about Christmas food. I have already celebrated Christmas with work, bunco, Garretts, Iveys and the Barnettes. I still have to celebrate with the Smiths, Brian's dad's family, Brian's mom's family and my mom. THEN at some point I have to get together with three of my friends to celebrate. We have also had some kind of food EVERY day at work!! This afternoon we are having hor' derves and libations! So needless to say I have been eating, eating, eating!! I will say I haven't eaten as much as I usually would have! I do hate there was that three pound gain BUT if this site is going to work we have to be honest about the good AND the bad!! That includes eating and weigh-ins! SO my goal for next weigh-in is NOT to gain anymore weight. Even if I don't lose any or lose much I DO NOT want to gain anymore!!

Beginning Weight: 262
Last Weigh In: 252
This Weigh In: 255

Traci

Only down 1 lb since last weigh in - I knew it would slow down, but I was hoping for at least a 2 lb loss. Oh well 1 is better than none.

Down 7.8 lbs since my begin date 12/06/05

Oh the joys of Christmas......food

One of the things I have always loved about Christmas is the food! This time around it's a little different. I wish we could just leave the food part out. This is a perfect time however to test my self control. We are having a huge food day Christmas celebration at work today. Saturday we are having all of Bobby's family over and doing finger foods (our weakness!) and then mom has decided to skip Christmas "dinner" and we are just having a huge array of ......yes again FINGER FOOD! The thing with this type of food is that you really don't realize how much you are eating. You get 1 or 2 little things here and there, not realizing that by now you have consumed a whole cup of Rotel, the equivalent to a small pig in little smokies, a couple of sandwiches (those tiny triangles seem so harmless by themselves), and about 2000 calories worth of sinful desserts. I have pledged to allow myself to eat, but only one trip. It is going to be so hard....but I'm not going to throw away the progress that I have already made. I will probably get close to 2000 calories on those 2 days, but that's still better than the 4-5000 that I probably was consuming in the past.
As for today's shindig, I have eaten a bagel and one sugar cookie. They are bringing in pizza for lunch and I will have one piece of cheese pizza (around 200) and I have to have a small slice of my cheescake. I HAVE to know if it is any good, I have to see if it's worthy cooking again...right?
For dinner tonight, I will be having my weight in water and maybe an apple. Happy Eating!

WHEW! What A Blur!!

SO! I am actually here typing a post! It is a miracle! We have been SO busy and plan on being that way right through the end of this year! Alot has been going on and I am worn out but I am still trying to stay in the Christmas spirit. Hmm...first here are some pictures from a Christmas party one of my bestfriends Carla and I had. The first one is me and my hubby (what a cutie he is!). The second one is me and my "girls!" - Carla, Brooke, Me and Jessica. We had a good time but all and all glad it is over! It was a lot of work but worth it!

This past week we have been pretty busy. Trying to get some OT in at work AND I had a final in the night class I took this semester. I am taking another one next semester but for now I am glad no more school! I don't think I could handle it through the holidays!!

My daughter was sick Friday so I missed work - I hate she was sick b/c she missed her Christmas party at school and I missed some hours I really needed. I went up to the office to pick up some things to work on for the weekend. I got pretty good hours but wish I could have gotten some more! A glass busted in our dishwasher so that has been a mess and now our dishwasher sounds funny! Our dryer went out and we had to buy one of those and that stupid thing cost us too much money for this time of year! Ugh! Oh well. I plan on getting the washer to match after the first of the year so I won't be "mismatched". Well because of all of this I had to miss a Christmas party that I was supposed to go to Saturday night and then New Years I had plans that had to be canceled though I am sure people understand that when you don't have them money you just don't have the money. PLUS, I am already tired and if you add all the Christmas celebrating that I am getting ready to do I know I will be tired then and I probably would not have been able to stay awake at that party NOR do I plan on being awake when we ring in the new year! To tell you the extent of how tired I am going to be let me just say my daughter has around EIGHTEEN (18) grandparents!!! How you ask? Well that is another post in itself!

Have a good one!

Just relax!

I really haven't felt like eating today. Nothing sounds good. I ate cereal for lunch. I couldn't even eat all of it and it was one tiny serving. I did realize that I used to eat about 4 -5 servings when I would eat cereal. Crazy!! I'm feeling pretty tired today. That may be because I went to bed at 2 and got up at 7 (thanks to Mom's dog -we are dogsitting while they are in MS) Anyway, I am very ansy today. I'm tired, yet I can't sit still. I'm sure that has a little to do with the Adipex. I feel like I need to be doing something and there is plenty to be done, but I'm having trouble getting started on anything, so I came in here and finished yesterday's post and caught up on some emails. I'm done now and trying to decide what to do next...clean out dishwasher, fold clothes, or crash on the couch while Brayden is watching the grinch. That's what my body wants to do, but my mind won't let me. It's says I need to be getting things done. Like these things can't wait until tomorrow or even the next day??? Why can't I allow myself to be lazy. I've become that way over the last few years. I used to have no problem with laying around all day, but now I feel incredibly guilty. Bobby doesn't make me feel that way, he is always telling me just to sit down and relax. I wonder where the guilt comes from. I know that I deserve to be lazy every now then, but I just can't do it without feeling bad. I think part of it is the weight. Overweight people are stereotyped as being lazy people and maybe I just don't want anyone thinking I am. It's not like anyone is watching me though... hmm it will be interesting to see if I find it easier to allow myself to relax once I lose the weight. Well I'm gonna go and see what I can find to do. I'll update you later tonight...

Just Another Night On The Job

This is the best I have seen all year! It is supposed to resemble an episode of cops! It had me cracking up because it is just like cops! Enjoy!

Santa Claus & The Cops

Cutting Calories

I agree that it's not enough calories, but I also don't want to eat for the sake of eating. I know I wasn't going to talk about the Adipex , but if I'm gonna speak honestly about this journey, I can't leave that part out. I think once I am done with the Adipex, it will not be as easy to keep the calories that low. I have been doing a lot of internet reading on cutting calories and I think we are going in the right direction, but I think we need to watch our fat intake also. Most sites tell you to cut calories, not food intake. We are cutting food intake. I think that is due to the pill though. Most of the information suggests that cutting food intake will make you hungry and make it harder to control cravings. We just aren't seeing that now because we have our little friend. I was reading also, that you shouldn't take it for more than a few weeks. I'm on week 4 and going back to get refills next week!?!

If you type "cutting calories Here is one article I found that I likto lose weight" into a google search you will find all kinds of stuff. Most articles suggest that we should be getting between 1000-1200 calories a day. I'm going to shoot for atleast 1100 a day. I need to make sure those aren't empty calories though.

Here is one fo the articles I found and liked:

"When people cut food intake right down they often experience an increased appetite and a general craving for food. Some believe this is because they are eating less however, it may actually be driven by a deficiency or lack in the correct amount of certain nutrients. In other words, the appetite is trying to force the individual to eat more food in the hope that eventually these nutrients will be consumed. Most convenient foods are low in nutrients so if only fast, processed products form the basis of the diet then the appetite may crave the consumption of more food in order to gain essential nutrition.
If the dieter is exercising to lose weight the body requires more essential nutrients to aid recovery and growth of muscles. A diet devoid of nutrient dense foods may only cause further cravings and a larger boost in appetite. Cutting calories by reducing the amount of high-energy, fast foods is an effective way to lose weight permanently but only if other processed foods are replaced with healthy, nutritionally dense foods that are low in calories.
Cutting calories will be more effective if we learn to eat healthy meals regularly. This requires the introduction of healthier choices into the diet by gradually replacing each meal with low calorie, highly nutritious food or varieties. The dieter must veer away from the idea that they are "on a diet" by changing eating habits for the long term. Calories will automatically reduce when nutritiously dense foods replace high-energy package foods for most meals. An occasional treat should be left for when one has earned it by achieving a small goal or weight loss target"

Tiffany's Random Weight-Loss Thoughts

<-----This is the girl I am using if I just have "random" life change thoughts! So if you see her then you know it is just "random"! So I had been thinking I can't wait for two things: #1 To go down a size - well this morning I was actually thinking it is going to be nice to be comfortable in the clothes that I have. So that will be the first thing I look forward to! The clothes I have now fit, they aren't too snug or anything but they are not "comfortable". (If I try to go up a size they hang on me and the size lower is too small but yet the ones I am wearing really don't fit that great - it is almost like I need a 1/2 size or something - strange!) #2 I CAN NOT wait to be under 250. I have been right around this weight for so long that I can't even remember the last time I wasn't around 250. THEN I can't wait to weight less than my husband. He is usually around 210 or so (and he is not a "fat" guy - he is just broad shouldered & muscular - of course with a little bit of a "marriage" gut!) So from when I actually started losing weight back in August (?) until the point I get to his weight it will be a loss of 52 pounds! From yesterday's weigh-in I have 42 pounds left to way the same as my hubby. That would put me at 210 and then of course my next goal will be ONEDERLAND!!! I am not going to get my hopes up because I know that you can hit plateaus and that everyone loses weight differently. Based on the weight loss of several people over the course of 3 months on BL and based on my first weeks weight loss I am going to make a little weight loss goal list based on an average loss of 3lbs a week. I don't think that is over shooting too bad. I know some weeks I may not lose and some weeks I may lose more but lets just put this into focus - makes me feel better anyway to see these numbers!

As of today: 252

Brian's Weight is 210 - to reach that I need to lose 42 lbs - based on 3lbs a week I should reach his weight by March 22nd.

Based on this same scale I should be in ONEDERLAND by April 5th!! 199!! I know that is 4 months but I have NOT seen a"1" in front of my weight in OVER 6 years! SO I figure 4 months is nothing!

WELL if we continue on that same scale I will be 180 by the end of May! Just in time for summer! THAT is only a little over FIVE MONTHS away! That is ALSO on 40 lbs from my goal weight and a total of 82 lbs lost!

SO if I continue on that same scale then I will be at my GOAL weight BY Thanksgiving of next year!! That is less than a year away!

I know that this may be unreasonable thinking and I can't count on 3lbs every week and I can't count on NO plateaus nor can I know when my body is ready say "enough weight loss" BUT considering I haven't been at my goal weight in 10 years I think 11 months is worth the weight! That in itself makes me want to stick to it!

P.S. I was looking at how low your calories were yesterday...mine have been that low for the past two days and I have been eating but not tons and tons of food. I am scared I am not going to get enough calories and stall my weight loss - what do you think?

So Much More...

This thing is so much more to me. It is about losing the weight, changing my life, losing the bad attitude, becoming a better person in all of my relationships in my life! Life is too short to sit around and wait for tomorrow - who knows if we have tomorrow!

I had decided that by the end of this year I would like to lose 10lbs. I am up to 6 and you never know how things go week to week so hopefully that goal will be reached. I feel it will be. My reward? Won't be food! I am going to treat myself to a new pair of earrings! Everytime I reach a goal that I set here in writing by a certain date I am going to treat myself. Of course, it won't always be something expensive! I might only spend $2.00 on those earrings but I am going to get them! Better than the $2.00 I would usually spend on a coke and candy bar!

Thoughts To Live By

For those that know me - you know how I like to talk and what I have written here is kind of long but it is really important to me so I thought I would share it with all of the people in my life who are also important to me! So hopefully you will have time at some point to read it!

This morning when I got to work I talked to a friend of mine here. We talked about complaining, thankfulness and life. Throughout the past week I have had those types of conversations with several people. It has been an eye-opener and made me realize how much we forget the small things - the things that are most important. Some that have really stood out to me are:

Treat others as you would like to be treated. How many times do we - as humans - do or things out of spite, revenge, envy, jealousy or for no reason at all to other people. If the tables were turned is that how we would want to be treated? This holiday season and throughout the year I will do just that - treat others as I would like to be treated!

Let go and Let God. This is my favorite. We often think we can "fix" things and think we know what is best but GOD is the only one that knows! Boy do I know I need to let go of some things! God can not give us answers if we truly never let go! When anger or hurt pops into your head or heart say "God take this from me, give me peace and remove the planks from their eyes and if I have one, remove it from mine"

Do things out of love not recognition - that is what will truly be noticed. My mom taught me this one and the very next week at church they talked about the same thing! Give gifts anonymously! Volunteer without patting yourself on the back. Truly good deeds will go noticed by others and by God whether you think they will or not!

Be grateful for what you have. Now how true is this! We complain about so much but how often are we really grateful for the good. I don't know if they realize I noticed this but my mom and grandmother used to always say things such as, "Thank you God for a beautiful day!" How often do we grumble at the rain but never give the sunshine a second thought? At a marketing meeting yesterday we were told TWICE as many people relay a bad experience than relay a good one. Lets turn those figures around!

It is truly better to give than to receive! This is especially important this time of the year. This is our Savior's BIRTHDAY and we should be thankful and happy all day no matter what. How happy it makes me to be a child of the King! What a wonderful thing to give when you can and what you can! This reminds me of the story in the bible where the "rich" man gave a lot of money and a poor woman gave only a small amount but this was greater in God's eyes for this small amount was all she had - the rich man could have given so much more! I do think that this should apply to all things in life not just monetary things but LOVE and RESPECT.

No matter what ... in any circumstance ...

Psalm 113:3 "From the rising of the sun to the going down of same, the Lord's name is to be praised."

Now that I have rambled on and on I am going to leave you with one more great story one of our co-workers wrote and sent around today! May we all remember to count our blessings and be grateful this CHRISTmas! Love, Tiffany

What I am thankful for this CHRISTmas season -
I am working on a photograph album of the snapshots of our grandchildren from 2005 to give to my son and daughter in-law for Christmas. I've sat at the computer for hours deciding which ones were "worthy" of a place in the album, I've had them printed, sorted them in date order, bought just the right genuine leather album to put them in - because after all, this album should make a statement, right?-it's my gift to my son and daughter-in-law and I want them to be properly impressed with it.

Last night as I sat in my recliner which I haven't had a chance to sit in much for the past two months, I started placing these photographs into the album and something hit me for the first time-90% of these photographs were taken at places that no longer exist due to Hurricane Katrina.

Oh, there's one of my grandson's baseball pictures - wonder where they're going to play next year. Here's the other grandson's karate pictures - well, someday they will rebuild that karate school and he'll be able to start enjoying again those grueling three-times-a-week sessions that he's become so good at.

And here's my precious granddaughter, sitting on the steps of USM, our FAVORITE place to take pictures - well, there'll be another favorite place. I think that big, beautiful tree might have survived the storm, but that's all. That tree just might have to become our favorite spot now.
And here's Easter lunch at the buffet at the Grand. We've been there every year after Easter services for three years now. We need to start cooking at their house on Easter anyway - the Grand was always TOO expensive for that many people. (Guess who always paid the bill!)

Oh, my, (as the tears start to flow) here's the Easter Sunday pictures at St. Patricks. For some reason it's always buggy on the Coast on Easter Sunday, and every year the children are always swatting gnats in their "new Easter clothes" pictures. This last year was no exception. Their beautiful, little church right across the street from the beach, where the azaleas are always blooming on Easter, is now only a slab. They're now holding church services in the gym at Coast Episcopal and the spirit is still there, but -oh, that beautiful little church where they were married and all their children were baptized is no more.

Let me get up and get myself a Diet Coke and get myself together so I can finish this album tonight. Okay, that's better. Now, where was I - okay, here's the beach pictures . . . the ones that were taken August 21, my son's birthday, just one week before Katrina. As far as beaches go, this is not necessarily the prettiest beach, but it was OUR beach, the one where the children played, and I snapped photographs till my heart was content. I guess it will be a long time before we get beach pictures again, but one day . . .

Then I realized that all of these places were just places. Our children and grandchildren were safe at our home when the storm hit. Their home suffered minimal damage compared to those that lost everything. My husband and I are so blessed that we have our family that means everything to us and that they are safe and have a home. They still don't have a "real" school, but that should happen after New Year's, and then, in their minds, they'll be all set and back to normal.

There's not many photographs of my daughter and her husband yet - not nearly enough to fill an album, but guess what, come February 11 (or thereabouts) we're going to be blessed with another precious life in this family of ours, and I guarantee you that next Christmas they'll have an album, too. The only difference will be that instead of taking pictures because it's what I do and something that I've become good at--deleting the ones that aren't technically just right or the ones where someone has a strange look on their face--I'll be taking pictures for the sheer joy of documenting my family and our times together, of watching my grandchildren grow and you can bet that with every click of the shutter, they'll be a silent prayer of thanks for the blessings I have been given.

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. I don't usually document to paper many of my thoughts, but I really needed to stop and reflect on the past year this CHRISTmas. God is so good and we have been blessed.