How We Met

Head on over to Kelly’s Korner and enter your Love Story on her McLinky.  I posted mine and D’s, which you can read by clicking on Love Story above in the toolbar.  It’s so much fun to read how other couples met and see how God moved in their lives. 

The Houston Chronicles: Minute Maid Stadium and other stuff

I’m just now getting around to blogging about my wonderful weekend – it’s been a busy week.  It was sooooo beautiful in Houston!  Nice and warm and breezy – perfect baseball weather.  What?  Did this girly girl say baseball?  I sure did.  Now, granted, I don’t know the first thing about baseball, but when a friend has tickets – you go.  You go especially if you live in Houston and the game is at Minute Maid Stadium.  What an experience.  I’ve never lived anywhere where the baseball stadium was so nice.  I have to give some big props to whoever built Minute Maid.  It was awesome, so comfortable and clean.

D and I ended up going because our friends Erin and Matt at Chocolate, Tater Tots, and Cheerios invited us.  A vendor at Matt’s work gave him the tickets, which is great because whoo is it expensive to go to a baseball game nowadays.  Of course we had great seats.  We sat right behind the Houston Astros dugout and had incredible views.  Here’s a few pics.

Isn’t this the coolest. Oh and I forgot to mention the roof was open!  Yes, our stadium has a retractable roof.  I mean, I know I sound like country come to town, but I just think that is the coolest (how many times do you think I can say “cool”, “awesome” and “incredible” in this one post?)  And did you notice the yellow foul ball marker?  Yes, that is a Chick Fil A cow and it says “Eat More Fowl.”  Great marketing.  I love the train running on top of the wall, it really moves.  And we were right on top of the field.  It was so great.  Well, not so great for the little girl sitting behind us – she got clobbered by a foul ball in the 3^rd inning.  Poor baby, everyone was so concerned, but she was ok, more scared than anything.  But wow those balls come at you fast – I guess it’s the price you pay for getting great seats.

Here’s another view.  I made D take a pic of the Minute Maid Park sign.  Yeah, I’m a dork.

Here’s Erin and I.  Isn’t she gorg?  She always has on the cutest outfits and looks so beautiful.  I’m not looking too glamorous – I came straight from work and I didn’t do much with the hair that morning.  Plus, that close up isn’t very good for the double chin.  And don’t you just love the yellow pallor on our skin from the stadium lights (yikes)?  But Erin’s gorgeousness shines through all the pallor.

Me and the Hubs.  Yeah, he’s a dork.  But he’s a cutie and he’s mine.  Love him!

The Dubroc’s – Erin and Matt.  Love them-sweet new friends in Houston.  They were the first people to invite us to dinner.

All in all, it was a super time.  But we always have a good time when the Dubroc’s are involved.  Oh, I almost forgot, the Bush’s were at the game.  As in Former President George Bush (Sr., as well call him in the South) and Barbara.  We actually did not know they were there until they left because everyone stood up around us and applauded.  But it was nifty none the less.  I love how Americans honor all presidents (I mean I’d stand and applaud for Bill and Hillary – no matter what my opinion – they still served our country for 8 years).  Thanks George and Barbara, we love you too!

So that was Friday evening.  Then Saturday began with my certification exam prep course. I plan to take my exam this summer so I started a 6 week prep course this Saturday.  It wasn’t bad at all, only 4 hours.  It was very good actually, I’ll certainly be prepared when test taking time comes around.  After that, I zoomed home so D and I could attend little Claudia’s First Birthday Partay! Please go to The McClendon McBlog to see the pics – they are hilarious!  We had a great time.  D got to spend some much needed quality time with his fraternity bros and I got to visit with the ladies.  I just love baby birthday parties.  It’s so much fun to see them destroy their smash cakes and open gifts.  I think my favorite is when they end up playing with the tissue paper and wrapping paper instead of the gifts.  It’s the simple things in life that satisfy.  At the party, my husband ate a piece of cake, 2 cup cakes, drank an Arnold Palmer (like an 80 ounce can of tea and lemonade), and several small sodas. So when we got home at 5:30 he went straight to the bedroom and passed out.  He slept for 4 hours.  I guess you can still get the sugar rush and subsequent crash even when you’re 30.  It reminded me of the episode of The Office where Michael gets the gourmet pretzel with every topping, starts bouncing off the walls from his sugar rush, then crashes and falls asleep at his desk for hours.  Oh, my man, I love the kid in him.

Well, that’s enough for one weekend.  It was a blast, but I think we’ll take it easy this weekend.  How was your weekend?  Any cool, incredible, awesome (hehe!) plans for this coming weekend?  Share, that’s what we do in Blogland.

See ya lata!

Answered Prayer

Well, ask and you shall receive.  My last post was about my weight loss woes and how we (women) should support each other in this struggle.  The very next day my email devotional was all about weight loss and supporting each other.  Wow, it’s almost as if God listens to his children and answers through his other children.  The devotion was written by Karen Ehman and here is the link to her post:  My Triple Braided Cord.    It really lifted my spirits.  She also listed some awesome links, including one to her blog where every Wednesday is devoted to weight loss:  Karen Ehman. 

 

Now this one cracked me up!  If your weight loss perspective ever gets too serious or out of control, please read this - Dear Bathroom Scale (awesome and hilarious view on the weight issue).

 

And, guess what, I’ve lost some inches.  Well maybe not inches but at least one inch.  Last night I put on my “large” jeans to go to a friend’s house and noticed they were very loose.  Normally, I have to pull them up, but it’s because they are made with that stretchy material in them.  So they, ya know, stretch and sag – hence, they were perfect as “large” jeans..  Well, last night they were larger and saggier than normal.  So this morning for Jean Day at work I braved it and put on my old size 6’s.  As I slid those jeans up my legs my heart was beating so fast.  “Could I take another body disappointment?  Especially at 6am.  Could I really take seeing my middle turn into a muffin top?”  It was almost as if time stood still, everything moved in slow motion.  Then, lo and behold, they made it past my thighs, my butt, and then the ultimate test – will they zip and button?  Oh, they did baby!  They did more than that – I could even sit down with them on and I was comfortable! I believe I heard angels singing.  Now, granted they are still a little snug, but now I don’t have to undo the top button when I sit down.  VICTORY!  It’s one small step, but it feels so good. 

 

Please, revel in your small success because when you add them all up they become one huge success!  Good luck this weekend, be kind to yourself, and enjoy your life (just eat healthier). 

 

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast the sum of them!” (Psalm 139: 13-17, NIV)

The Great Bulge

I have mentioned briefly here that I am struggling to lose about 25 pounds (brought on by honeymooning and hormonal issues-‘nuff said).  Well, guys, when I say struggle, I mean STRUGGLE.  6 weeks ago I completely changed my routine.  I started working out with the P90X CD’s.  I’m sure you’ve seen the numerous infomercials.  I love it!  I know I’ve worked out when I’m done because they are intense and hard.  I work out hard every morning at 5 AM for an hour with my man.  I’ve also started to watch what I eat.  I don’t eat out for lunch anymore, only go eat out for dinner once every 2 weeks or so, cut down on my portions, eating more natural foods-less processed.  I’m doing everything you’re supposed to do and I have not lost.  One.  Single.  Pound.  But Hubby’s lost 10 pounds.  AWWWWWWWWWWW! 

 

Don’t get me wrong, I am so happy and proud of my husband.  That is a big accomplishment, it’s my half way mark.  So anyway, I’m bummed, but I am not giving up.  I took my before pics when I started along with my measurements.  And no, I will not be posting my before pics right now.  Maybe after I’ve lost the weight with my after pic right next to it.  We’ll see, I’m not sure if I’m ready to share that with the world.  My friend Erin , the dietician/trainer extraordinaire, has been such an encouragement.  She said that it may take up to 8 weeks to see any results.  So, in two weeks I’ll be weighing and taking my measurements.  Hopefully by then I’ll have lost at least one pound a an inch or two. 

 

So, I did not write this so people would feel sorry for me.  No.  I’m chronicling his experience because I know I am not the only person going through this.  It’s hard, but the effort is so worth it.  I feel incredible and I know I will be healthy for my kids/family in the future, enabling me to serve God whenever he calls.  I’d hate to say I couldn’t do something he asked of me because I was physically unable.   So, if you’re reading this and struggling just like me, don’t give up.  Keep going.  Keep pushing.  It is all working to the good of your body.  Don’t get caught up in what the world says your body should look like.  Don’t make this about vanity, make it about your health.  Make it about how you feel physically.  Do you have more energy?  Are you able to do one push up when before you couldn’t do it?  Do you feel stronger?  That’s what it’s about. 

 

Ok, I’m done.  But I’d love to hear of your past or current weight loss successes, processes, tips, etc. 

 

 

Happy Easter!

This was such an awesome Easter!  I don't have any photos unfortunately, but I can tell you I had a wonderful time.  No, I don't have any kids, so I can't blog about them egg hunting and opening their Easter baskets.  But, I did have my mom and little sister in this weekend.  I had not seen them since Christmas and that was way too long.  Have you ever been separated from your family for that long?  I haven't.  Not even when I lived in Little Rock, Ark.  I still was able to come back in at least once a month.  Well, not anymore – being a grown up sucks sometimes.

 

Anyway, they came in and we had a blast.  We didn't do anything particularly special, we just spent a lot of time together. 

 

The weekend started Thursday night.  D and I went to the Holy Thursday service at church – awesome!  Then after we went with some of our friends to the Chocolate Bar.  Oh. My. Goodness.  More chocolate than I have ever seen.  D was in heaven.  Wish I had a pic of the look on his face as he ate his chocolate ice cream, chocolate brownie, and chocolate peanut butter cupcake.  Gluttinous.  We probably could have stayed there all night but Mom and sis called to tell us they just pulled into town. So we high tailed it back home and the fun began. 

 

We visited for quite a while Thursday night (the chocolate high helped with that one) then hit the hay.  It was so nice to sleep in on Friday.  Then we got up and took our time getting ready to eat lunch and shop.  We ate lunch at an awesome restaurant, Cedar Creek Café. Yummy! We discovered this place a few weeks ago with our Sunday School class and have been hooked ever since. It's great because you can sit outside.  Actually, the place reminds me of the Whistle Stop Café in Fried Green Tomatoes.  It's very rustic and all the tables are old and wood.  So fun!   The wonderful weather helped quite a bit as well.  I had a Boca Burger with an egg and avocado.  No it's not on the diet, but it's the first "bad" food I've eaten in 6 weeks. 

 

After the café we moseyed on down to the Highland Shopping Center.  It's awesome.  We meandered through Crate and Barrel (which does not exist in Shreveport, LA) as well as Anthropologie (again, not in Shreveport).  After some fun window shopping, we went to the Chocolate Bar (yes, again, come on – it's Easter).  We all snarfed down some rocking chocolate ice cream and then decided it was time to go home.  We spent the rest of the evening watching the movie Up (Love it!), crying our eyes out, and visiting till the early morning. 

 

Saturday was a lot like Friday – more sleeping in, more eating, and more movie watching (Wall-e and The Blind Side).  Which led to more crying and more visiting.  What more could you ask for. 

 

I do have to make a special mention:  D.  D rocked the house this weekend.  He carted his women all over Houston, shopped with them, and cooked for them.  He made the most incredible fajita spread Friday night and it lasted us all weekend.  How many husbands do you know who would do all that?  Not many-he is awesome!

 

Finally on Sunday we all got up and headed to church.  I sang in the choir and I have to say the music was inspiring.  Houston's First Baptist's music leadership rocks.  Now don't get me wrong, I certainly do not believe that church and worship are purely about the spectacular of the music and emotion-but when the music, prayer, and message combine to result in a sanctuary filled with the Spirit; well there's nothing better. 

 

I hope your Easter was filled with faith, family and love (oh and a little chocolate too).

 

Holy Week

As I have progressed through this week of remembrance and celebration I have become so aware of my complacency. I have been given so much throughout my life. Sure, I’ve experienced hard times: my parent’s losing their jobs and then our home, parent’s divorce, poverty (not really, but in my mind it was), my own job loss and now my husbands’. But you know, I’ve never suffered. Through all those hard times God provided and protected, I never wanted. He provided, just as he provided Jesus for my sins-for the world’s sins.

This week God’s provision was made so real to me as I traveled to rural New Mexico and Colorado for work. I visited two towns with a poverty I have never seen or experienced. You hear about it and you see it on the news, but until you walk in it, you do not know. I still don’t know how the people in this town feel or what their lives are like, but just to see it is life changing. I’ve been consumed lately with my plans. My plans that D should have a job now because it’s house-hunting season and we have to have a house by a certain time because the time to start a family (by my plans) is coming soon. Then I realized this week, I should glory in this moment God has given me. D and I have been supernaturally blessed with wonderful new friends here in Houston. Friendships I know are real and genuine and that came so quickly. Blessed to be a part of a church living the Word-genuinely and actively. I am blessed with a job I like and a boss I love, a job that provides for all our needs and more. God provides and I need to be satisfied and content in what he provides in this moment, not worrying about when my plans will come to fruition. Why would I want my plans when his are so much more awesome? It makes me laugh at myself.

The devotion listed below spoke volumes to me, made me appreciate my Savior and my God. Take a look and let me know your thoughts in the comments. I hope it brings you blessings.

http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/

Happy Easter!

Hello Old Friend

Um, yeah, ok, it's been quite a while since I've posted one dang thing. I've been a little busy with, ya know, LIFE. I miss you bloggy world. Where else can I be the total dork that I am?

So, sorry for all 2 of you who read my blog. I cannot promise I will write everyday, but I have made it my goal to post at least once a week. We'll start there and see where we end up.

Where have you been, GrumpyPants, you ask? Well, bussssay! Where to start? I'll make a list, that always helps my Type A, Melancholy brain.

1. Started a new job in October. If you read this blog, you know that at least. I love my new job, but it's a Big Girl job. No more breezing through the day. No more going to work and not being challenged. No more wondering how the people I report to ever got their job and have kept it for 30 years. And, hallelujah, no more Baby Boomers making me feel like a worthless idiot simply because I'm a woman and under 40 years old. I love that my boss is exactly my age and bases her opinion of me on the quality of my work. It rocks! But this job entails a lot of hours. I'm at work by 8am and leave between 5:30 and 6pm. No lunch people, there is no time. Oddly enough, I enjoy this because the days zoom by. It's great, no more watching the paint peel and begging God to make the day go faster. There's also a bit of traveling involved with this job. I've never had a job where traveling was required. It's taking a lot to get used to - mainly getting used to being away from the Hubs. But it's totally manageable. So work is good-for the first time in my career.

2. The new job brought Hubby and I to Houston, TX. It's very different from Shreveport, but we are learning to love it as well. God has been so wonderful to us in Houston. We have a month to month lease and I live less than 30 mins from work - I never have to take a Loop, or a Freeway, or a Toll Road, or an Interstate. If you are from Houston, you know what a miracle that is. The only drawback is Hubby is still trying to find permanent employment. I love him so much. He gave up a steady, easy, cushy job in Shreveport to follow me to the great unknown. He's been so incredible. He's handled it with his usual faith, patience, and trusting attitude. I want to be like him when I grow up.

3. We joined an awesome church, Houston's First Baptist. The moment we set foot in the sanctuary, we knew it was the place for us. Since we've been here we've joined the most amazing Sunday School class, the church, and choir (me). Love it and it keeps us busy. We absolutely adore our Sunday School class and small group. The very first day we visited Sunday School we had friends. We've been making friends ever since. This is such a blessing. I was so concerned it would take us years to form the same close relationships we left in Shreveport, but God let it happen in 2 months. He rocks and so do all the sweet people in the Veritas Sunday School class.

4. Then there is P90X. Have you heard of P90X? If you haven't, then apparently you're not cool. Because all the cool people are doing it. No, not really, but everyone we know seems to know about it. It's the most extreme workout program, or at least that's what they say in the infomercial. Anyway, I have gained about 20 lbs since the whole Thyroid thing started happening and it's now time to get it off. So Hubby and I borrowed the DVDs from our friends. Again, this is why my husband is the most awesome man ever. He gets up with me every morning at 5 am and works his butt off. He rocks! We began the routine 3 weeks ago. It's been tough and I know exactly how out of shape I am. But just watch out - I'll give updates periodically. Apparently in 90 days I'm supposed to have a completely new, Victoria's Secretesque body. Watch out Heidi Klum, here I come.

So, as you can see, I've had a lot taking up my time and there's been no time for blogging. Between moving, starting the new job, traveling every two to three weeks, going to church, going to choir, working out, and oh yeah, making time for my man -there hasn't been much down time. If there is, I'm sleeping.

But, I will be back. Look for a recipe post soon. It might even be more interesting than this post. So, there you have it, that's what's been going on in my so called life.