Cheerleaders

It is true that the motivation for my weight loss had to start with me.  What is also true is that the kind words of others served to motivate me beyond what I could do for myself. 

Over the last year, I have learned something amazing.  When you have rough days, days when you think you might not be able to make it, you reach out, and there is always someone with a kind word to pull you through.


For me, there were a lot of someones:


First are those who are physically closest to me: my husband, mother, pop, and son.  They were always there with a "great job" and "good for you" right when I needed one.   When I was exhausted, hungry, and really wanted to throw in the towel, they always seemed to know what to say to keep me pressing on.  I am truly blessed by the family God has given me.  


Next, my wonderful BFF Rachel.  Through thick and thin, high and low, we have traversed many journeys together.  She has sent text messages and coined hashtags that have kept me pressing on.  She has a beautiful heart, and I more grateful to her than I have words to express.   Tu es ma soeur dans mon coeur, toujours. 


There's Tom, whose food posts have allowed me to live vicariously through his creations and has helped to forge a different relationship with food.  Just as importantly, his guidance led me to a church family unlike any other.    There is beauty in his food, greater beauty in his spirit.


And his husband, Michael, who, in the midst of his own unexpected life and career changes, still manages to offer kind words of encouragement.  His insight is incomparable.  More than once, I have pondered what he has said, only to end up in a different place altogether (in the best possible way).  


Not to be alone in this journey, I have read as Emmie fights her own weight loss battle, only to be a great encouragement to me (and others).   I have never subscribed to the idea that it is easy for any one who has done it.  Through her ups or downs (whichever applies at the time), Emmie has shown me the payoff for sticking it out.


Holli goes out of her way to give pep talks.  I also appreciate her take on motherhood, in that she doesn't shy away from the less glamorous aspects.  She meets them head-on with signature wit and grace.  


I am continually in awe of Greg's strength.  I have read as he stands strong with Jason, in the face of those who would have him be someone less than he is.  Again, beauty in that strength and such an example.


Cheers from Kristina are amazing!  She has her own whirlwind life, but she still takes the time to cheer me through mine.   She fights the good fight and stays strong for her family, particularly her daughter.  In that aspect, she reminds me of my mother fighting for me as a young girl. A blessing for sure. 


Bonny is brave, outspoken, and amazing.  We have walked in the same shoes, on the same path and came out stronger on the other side.  I adore her outspoken voice and unwavering faith.   


Over the last year, I have had cheers from Christina, Heather, Ann, Brad, Jacqui,  Beth, Michael , Thom, Tracie, Michelle, Nancy, Tia, Larry, Stacey, Rachel P, Brenna, Dean, Crisi, Julia, Dixie, Ashlee, Belinda, Betsy, Denise, Flo, Lisa, Deah, Dianne, Jeanine, Lydia,  and Scott.


In no way do I think I caught everyone, and I apologize profusely for anyone I missed.  Please know that each of you has lifted me on days when I was at my lowest, even if you didn't realize it at the time.  


I hope, in due time, I can provide that same encouragement when you are in need.   I will be forever grateful for such an amazing host of cheerleaders, peptalkers, bullies (you know you were sometimes),  and friends.


In the end, simplest is best: 


Thank you.

Don't Speak

I am currently at war.

Every so often, the opposition gets the upper hand.

At the last moment, the champion rallies and is able to push back the onslaught.

So far, there have been no casualties.  No blood has been shed, no collateral damage.

Because this war is contained.  It has not spread, it has not become a plague upon the Earth.

It's a war of words.

And it's a war against myself.

I have always been the nice one.  I generally go along to get along and choose to pick my battles.  Since I don't normally get irritated, those battles are few and far between.

The reality of it is that I spend 80% of my time filtering what I say.  The other 20%, I am speaking to my mother or sharing text messages with bluebelleinbg. Even then, I consider how what I say/text will be taken and sometimes even filter that (because I refuse to hurt those I love).  I would love to say that I don't filter what I write here, but that would be untrue.  I find often myself typing, reading, erasing, and retyping what I am thinking.

This ongoing battle recently came to light when I saw posts from "friends" on Facebook.  I read through Christians spouting hate for what they either don't understand or simply feel they are "above."  I see comments asking for funds to support "causes" that I find completely ridiculous.  My hands itch to type...to respond...to spout my opinion in unlimited characters.

Every time, I either stop or type and then erase.

As I think on it, I realize I have always been this way.  I'm not sure if it is just my nature to work to keep the peace or if I have adapted myself to be that way.  As a leader at The Company, I absolutely CANNOT say what I am always thinking.   To do so would not only be career suicide but could very well end my employment at the same time.  For obvious reasons, I don't post The Company related comments on ANY social media outlet.

I would love to say that this has led to some grand epiphany, which will now lead to the floodgates of my thoughts/feelings/opinions being opened.

Yeah...not so much.

At the end of the day, I am still me.  I am still going to consider the feelings of others before I spout off.

And I am still going to laugh at those whom I love who throw caution to the wind and type/say exactly what they think.

And hope that each of you is aware of how thankful I am that you give my thoughts freedom, even when I don't.

Just Enough

A month ago, I received a very daunting bag of goo and some instructions.  A coworker of my husband's had sent home the Amish Friendship Bread starter.  I haven't had any in such a long time that I readily agreed to take the starter.

Basic info:  you add stuff to the goo on day six.  On day ten, you add more stuff, split the goo, add more goodies, bake, keep one of the new starters, and give the other three away with the instructions.  The smell of cinnamon fills the house as it bakes. 

I am now on my third round of baking.  Once you have given one away, that person now has his/her own Friendship Bread starter (and three more of his/her own to give away).   So, you have to find new people who want them.   Each time, I have wondered how I am going to find three new people to give the starter.

And each time, all three end up with new homes.

On the last round, I gave a starter to a dear friend at work.  Yesterday, we were discussing that it was almost time to bake and he said he wasn't sure if he had everything he needed.  I told him not to buy a lot of extras, I thought I had plenty. I knew I this was true of the baking soda, baking powder, and pudding needed for the bread.   I thought I also had enough flour to share, since he was only one cup short.

In order to have enough flour to make the new starters and the bread, you need three and a half cups of flour.  When I measured the amount of flour I had left last night, I had four and a half cups.

One cup extra.  Just enough.

To add to that, when I went to use the sugar from the canister, I had three cups of sugar left.   And what do you know?  You need three cups to make the new starters and bread.

Just enough.