The Script - Break Even

There's just something about this song that I really like.

Prayers

My cousin Tom was diagnosed with Leukemia in late September. After his first round of chemotherapy he suffered from septic shock and pneumonia. The drugs also caused circulatory issues and he had to have half of both his feet amputated and all fingers at the top knuckle amputated. They were able to save his thumbs. By the grace of God, he pulled through and got better.

Now, after his 2nd round of chemo, it's started all over again. He's having bladder issues and went into septic shock yet again. They had to intubate him and he will be on a respirator for a while.


I'm asking all to please pray for healing and knowledgeable doctors.

Goodreads

I thought it would be fun to track the books I read this year and heard about Goodreads so I thought I'd give it a try.  So far, I'm liking it.  I did add a few books that I read at the end of 2010 only because they were part of the series for the first book I read in 2011.

I've also been contemplating adding a 'Books' tab to my blog and listing them there also.  I think I'll wait a little bit and see how well Goodreads works for me.

If you decide to sign up for Goodreads, feel free to add me as a friend.  That way we can see what books each other has is reading/has read.


I generally read fiction of the 'drama' variety.  I don't care much for sci-fi/fantasy except for the Harry Potter/Twilight variety.

I do own a Kindle 2 which I love for being able to send samples to it.  It gives me a great 'to read' list.




Do you have any suggestions for books I should check out this year?  Please leave a comment!

Pray for Olga!

Reece's Rainbow - Olga

This is Olga.  She is a 4 year old with Down Syndrome.  She is in an orphanage in Russia and very deperately looking for a family.  When she turns 5 (this month!!) she will be moved from the orphanage to an institution.

I learned about Olga from Courtney over at the Pudge and Zippy blog.  And it just breaks my heart.  Reece's Rainbow has already raised over $12,700 dollars to help with the adoption costs for Olga.

I just want to wrap my arms around this little girl and give her all the love in the world.  I really wish I could.  Since it just isn't something I can do right now, I'm praying.  And please do the same.

Please pray for a family to take Olga home.  Please donate if you can.

Getting In Shape!

I quit smoking October 1, 2010. It's been 3 1/2 months and I've gained about 8 lbs. I never realized how much of an appetite suppressant smoking really is. I'm ALWAYS hungry

I was overweight to begin with, but now it's really, REALLY getting to me.

Harvey and I decided to buy a treadmill. We were going to wait until spring, but we are actually going to get it at the end of this month. I'm really excited to start losing some weight and getting in shape.

I'm a little apprehensive about how to get started though. I know not to push myself too much, especially at first, but that I need to push myself a little for it to work. I just don't know quite how to start.

I also know that I need to change my diet. While what I currently eat isn't that bad, it really isn't that great either. And I know that I need to really cut down on how much I eat. Part of the problem is that I don't really have very many good ideas about what to eat that is healthy and without eating the SAME THING every day. I really want to get a decent variety so I don't feel stuck.

This is what I have so far for foods:

Breakfasts:
Yogurt
Oatmeal
Orange
Apple

Lunches:


Snacks:
Carrot Sticks
Celery Sticks
Roasted Almonds (Unsalted)
Plain Popcorn


Notice that I don't have anything under lunch? I don't know what to put there. I need something that will fill me up until snack time at 3pm but I just don't know what to eat for lunches that is healthy. As it is, I usually bring leftovers from dinner the night before to work. I suppose I could keep doing that, just make sure I make my portions appropriate.

Another issue that goes along with this: It is a lot more expensive to eat healthier. And we are on a good budget to work on getting debt paid off. I'm not sure that I really want to increase my food budget much.


So, I issue a challenge to my readers (All 3 of you!): Got any ideas for how to go about starting out on the treadmill? Any ideas for breakfasts, lunches, and snack? Any ideas on how to keep to my budget?



If you have any ideas, I'm more than willing to consider them. Please leave it in my comments.


P.S. If you leave a comment as 'Anonymous,' please put your name so I know who you are!

And I do have to say, I'm pretty excited about starting all this. I think it's going to be a great way to start my 30's.

Happy 2nd Birthday Gwendolynn Marie!

It's a girl!

Gwendolynn Marie Anderson

January 4, 2009

6:41 A.M.

6 lbs.  12 oz.

18 1/2 inches