Making room for change

So I am back on the weight loss roller coaster. To tell you the truth I am not sure why I stopped eating right and went back into old habits. I think I just became relaxed and felt good and well moderation became routine again.

I am not doing the plan to lose weight so much as I am wanting to feel better. Approaching 40 I have noticed some differences in how I feel physically so it is past due that I do something about taking care of myself and quit being lazy. We all got new bicycles too and have enjoyed riding at least a couple times a week. Even Savannah is feeling the burn!

Being on Weight Watchers helps me focus on something too, so a lot of times I don't find I get as bored because I am either thinking about what I am going to eat for the day and pre-planning so I don't choose the wrong choices or thinking of new recipes or ideas for healthy meals and snacks. My mind is one that likes to be constantly busy. I just wish I could keep these good habits for life and not get distracted.

My stepdad has just been diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (a type of blood cancer) and life is going to change yet again. I am so far away from my family that I can't offer much help so I find that since there is nothing I can do about it but pray and enjoy what little time we have left with him, it is helpful that I have Weight Watchers to keep me focused on something off and on throughout the day.

He is not doing well in that he has staph infections and now pneumonia all on top of the cancer. We moved our vacation date from Thanksgiving up to August in hopes we can visit and give him our love. I just pray things will work out.

Life is always changing.

A day at the Zoo

We had a great day at the zoo, it was also Girl Scout day so there were booths set up around the exhibits for the girls with different things like learning how to tie a knot, making a bird house, and other games. I enjoyed the zoo a lot this year, it has been 2 years since we've been to a zoo and of course going to a new zoo is always exciting cause you don't know what to expect.

There was so much vegetation and open areas of the zoo, and it couldn't have been a more perfect day with the weather. We found out there is a spot across the street where there was plenty of picnic tables and a pond for trout fishing - we will definitely remember that for next year and bring lunch and our poles!

Here are just a few photos...

"Hurry up mom, take the picture already, the sun is in our eyes!"

Savannah feeding the silly goat, er billy goat. They were so playful and full of personality. They reminded me of dogs mooching off people for food and wagging their tails. The zoo had two fields for them and a stair case that connected the two was above the path overhead so that they could climb up and over to get from one field to the other. It was cute watching them, although you would not catch me standing under the bridge when they did for fear of what may "fall" from above.

Savannah petting the 15 foot Giraffe

Majestic Bald Eagle. This picture was just before the zookeeper came into feed her. She was pretty defiant as soon as the lady came into the cage letting her know who was boss around that fish she wanted. The eagle took the fish in its talons and had the impulse to fly away - but of course she couldn't. It was neat to see that even though she had this daily routine in captivity, she still was instinctively wild and territorial with her space.

Say "Aaah" - Albino Alligator basking in the heat lamps

I got some great shots of  the peacock, but it took a while.

I came home with a total of 300 pictures and well now I am down to 112 that I am keeping. I love taking photos of wildlife!

Mother's Day

Mother's day was nice. Jake had an Edible Arrangement sent to me and mowed the lawn (he wasn't here for Mother's Day though so that part was sad). Michael sent me note on Facebook to wish me a good day. Savannah and Charlie made me breakfast in bed and then I went to church and just about cried my eyes out because Savannah and the other kids made the cutest video and sang a song to us mom's. She also bought me a pot of tulips with a balloon and a card. We went to the park and had a picnic and went for a nature walk. We saw a mommy duck with the cutest litte ducklings swimming close behind her in the river. There was also a muskrat he was cute too.

After that we were busy getting Charlie ready to go to Boston so I didn't get as depressed as I would have if we wouldn't have had so much to do. I admit I really felt a little homesick to visit you for Mother's Day, that and I didn't get to be with my boys. But what else can I do - so I enjoyed the day anwyays!