Personal Update! No more excuses~

I'm happy to announce a PERSONAL UPDATE on my fitness training!

I hadn't been keeping track of how much I've lost, either poundage or inches, because I didn't have a scale that worked very well. It'd say one weight the first time I stepped on, step on it again and I'd either gained or lost two pounds in 20 seconds.

I bought a new digital scale yesterday, one with BIG numbers so these 44 yr old eyes could see the display. Being 5'8" makes it difficult to see down to my toes! (Thankfully it's just the distance, not because my tummy is in the way!)

Such exciting news!! I'm down to 157....last May I weighed in at 178!!! (and I wasn't even pregnant..quite sad.) Clothes fit so much differently and although I'm wearing a size 10, I feel quite thin and lean. There's still some inches to go....and seven more pounds to my goal. The gym and I have become bestest friends and as I train for the Seattle Rock and Roll Half Marathon, I'm reminded every day to not let the committee win. Even when I don't want to drag my hiney into the gym or walk with the Beagle Boys outside, I need to go! No more excuses and baby steps if needed. If you're struggling with losing weight or need incentive to get going, let me know...I'll be your biggest cheerleader!!!

I just wanted to share the exciting news with you...perhaps I'll see if the Duke will take a picture of me in my new dress that is adorable with polka dots! I went to dinner tonight with a girlfriend and ate just a shrimp & spinach salad. It's so easy to remember calories when you know how long you have to be on the treadmill to lose those calories! :)

Happy rest of your week.... remember, NO MORE EXCUSES! :)

I Survived...

....and came out the better person throughout the whole ordeal!! More later...but thanks for praying for me this weekend!!!! God's grace changes everything.

Gratitude Friday

Good morning, friends! Grab a big mug of hot Starbucks coffee and join me in Gratitude Friday. I will be doing most of the listening in our conversation today because I have a very non existent voice! I taught Kindergarten yesterday and between the full day of talking with kids & the allergy problem there's zero voice. I'll share on here, though, what I'm thankful for this week!

1. cousins coming to town! They actually arrive this weekend so we're scrambling around the house, making it guest ready. Jean and Geoff are from the Vancouver, BC area and we had so much fun the last time they were with us. I have wonderful memories with my cousins growing up! Glad they are visiting again so soon.

2. time off from teaching to walk the Beagle Boys. It's not my favorite thing to do, to have time off from work because it means no paycheck. But since I didn't have many jobs this week, I was able to take the dogs on very long walks, benefitting all of us. You can see pictures of our last walk if you scroll back a day or two! The weather has been so nice that it's been great to be outside.

3. stories in the Bible that remind me that everything is going to be okay! Getting older, I'm getting more in tuned with my body and that includes those dreaded monthly periods. I finally went to the dr about a month ago and I got checked out to see if I have fibroids because things have just been horrible for me each month. I started on a new medicine to help with the cycle and boy, has it messed with my system! I am starting to relate to the lady who bled for 12 years. If I just had faith to touch the hem of His garment! Time to make sure I spend time with the Great Physician, plus call the regular dr to see what we can do to make things go a tad bit smoother. Ever try to teach when you need the restroom about every hour?!

4. this morning, I'm thankful for my cup of coffee! It means I get to spend time with Company Girls, seeing what's new in their lives this week. It's also very frosty and foggy on this Friday so the coffee mug is warming up my hands.

5. the opportunity to go back to Whitworth University yesterday and share about my experiences as a guest (aka substitute) teacher! I think the neatest thing was to be able to remind them that teaching is our mission field, whether we get to share Jesus directly or not. But it's our actions and love that we show the kids which also shows Jesus' love. I reminded the soon to be graduates of the Evening Teaching Certification program that my motto is "If I give the best of me, that becomes my legacy!", no matter which class or school or school district I'm teaching in. I also shared that I pray for my students when I'm putting their chairs down or washing their tables off. It makes a world of difference to take Jesus into the classroom with me!

Time to get ready to teach Kindergarten again today! Remember, I have no voice so it should be quite interesting. Would you just say a prayer that the day goes smoothly? thanks!! be sure to leave your gratitude list so we can rejoice over your blessings, too.

Views from a bench

This afternoon the Beagle Boys and I took a 5 mile walk on the Centennial Trail in Spokane. It follows the Spokane River, which is really high right now because of the spring run off. As we meandered our way along the trail, we found benches every so often and the views were mesmerizing. There's just something relaxing sitting on a bench out in the middle of nowhere and watching the world go by. In this case, it was the river! I thought I'd share a little bit of the Spokane world with you. The last picture is of the Deep Creek Bridge. This area to the right (looking east!) is usually quite shallow and not a lot of water running under the bridge. This spring it's very full!

For more pictures of Spokane and the surrounding area, check out "7 Wonders of Spokane!"

looking east upriver

I was enjoying the scenery with the boys happily sniffing everything on the ground!

looking east upriver to the bridge

looking west at the Spokane River

It's a long hike back up this part of the trail. The creek is on the right, river is on the left!

Humble Pie

When I was on staff at a local church, I was always making blunders and needed to apologize quite often to my co-leader of Children's Ministries. Because pie always tastes better with coffee, I would bring in two mochas & we would drink it as I apologized and we talked through the problem. The system worked well for us!

So today I needed to do an apology to a very good friend because it'd been about 48 hours since we last talked. I hate not having everything right and with my rotten track record of close friends, I don't want to build a wall between us. I didn't take the coffee like I did for my co-leader but I did take a piece of Godiva chocolate for this friend. The chocolate was NOT her humble pie...it was mine along with my words of apologies but she didn't get it!! And it frustrates me to have to explain my thinking to her because I feel stupid. So I just left it and moved onto my shoes I bought. I guess I could have bought another piece for myself and told her I was eating my piece of HUMBLE pie. She could have just enjoyed the ride and eaten her own heavenly piece of Godiva!! I so wanted to have things right with her today. I did say "humble pie is when you want to say you're sorry to another person and this is my way of saying I'm sorry!" Just like we all have different learning styles, this way of apologizing does not work with this particular friend. I'm learning. I hope it's a quick lesson.

Why is it that we "eat humble pie" when we're need to make an apology for a big blunder? What is its recipe? Is there anything else I can do with humble pie, e.g., bake it and feed it to someone? Hmmm, I don't think humble pie taste very different from crow. I must have left something out of today's recipe.

Ezekiel 18:30b-31a says "Repent! Turn from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart, and a new spirit." That's what I want...a clean heart, a new spirit... and my friendship to continue strong with this friend!

What's for Dinner?

Good morning! This afternoon I'm creating Chicken Stir-Fry Wraps for dinner. The recipe comes from Martha Stewart's "Everyday Food", which I love looking through quite often!

Here's the recipe link Chicken Stir-Fry Wraps. I wanted to post the entire recipe but I didn't. It's already typed out on the website! Perhaps you'll find something else on the website that looks good to you.

I'll let you know how the Duke likes his wraps. If the kids were home, they'd be involved in the scoring, too. I love new recipes!!!

New Personal Best For Me!

Today's 5K race was amazing!! I finished the race in 35:30, giving me an 11:26 min pace. I ran/walked the entire thing, feeling good right up til the very end. Because I pushed myself to give it my all, I wanted to throw up after the finish line!! (but I didn't...thank goodness!) I still feel great nine hours later -- nothing hurts!

I raised over $200 to help find a cure for breast cancer, too! Thanks for your encouragement for today.

Race for the Cure -- April 19th!

Tomorrow is the day!!! At 9 AM Pacific Time, I am racing to help find a cure for breast cancer! I'm hoping to make a 12 minute mile in the 5K race...we'll see how that works out. I've been training with walking/running so I should be able to do better than my usual 15 minute mile of walking.

There's still time if you would like to sponsor me in "Race for the Cure". Click on the logo above and it will take you directly to my personal webpage for the race.

Thanks for sending prayers and great thoughts my way tomorrow! I'm so glad the sun will be shining for the race, too.

Gratitude Friday

It's quick coffee time today as I'm teaching 3rd grade and having a dorky hair moment right before I head out the door! Today's coffee is Starbuck's Pike Place Roast....absolutely wonderful. Grab a cup and enjoy. If I have to leave before you're done, just put the cup in the sink, say goodbye to the Beagle Boys and shut the door as you leave! :)

Here's my list for the week. What's on your gratitude list?

1. Zyrtec! I am troubled by tree pollen and for the next three weeks, Zyrtec is my best friend. I haven't been sick since last September and I'm grumpy about having a stuffy nose & sore throat today. However, Zyrtec really helps with the problem and makes life bearable. (maybe more for others around me!)

2. beautiful sunshine! After the snow this week, it is wonderful to have the sun back with its warmth. It was funny to see my daffodils peeking through the snow on Tuesday.

3. Third graders who keep me on my toes! Do I know ANYTHING about surface tension? Nope. I came home last night and did research on surface tension with plain water, salty water and soapy water. I think I might be smarter than a third grader today!

4. The ability to race this Sunday and raise money to help find a cure for breast cancer. I have a 5K race that I'm going to try to get a personal best in! Tonight is the packet pickup and the small expo with it. Always fun to browse because there's so many things pertaining just to us girls and be pampered, too.

5. Bible Study Fellowship. We're studying about Moses. It really makes me think! Plus, if I don't do my homework, I don't get to talk in class. This past Monday I was quiet for the entire lesson!! (This week I'll be sure to get it all comleted!)

And that's all, folks! Have a wonderful weekend. Be blessed!

Attitude Check

Growing up my mom always said I was "Lucy", Miss Crabapple. After yesterday, I think she might have been right! I was horribly bothered by not having any Easter dinner plans, family to hang out with, nowhere to go, etc. And I let the whole day be a WASTE....well, maybe not all the way since I got a really long nap in! However, yesterday should have been a celebration of what Christ has done for me through His resurrection. Crabapples aren't part of that celebration at all!

This morning I am reflecting back and realizing that I didn't honor Christ in my heart or in my actions. From 1 Peter 1:3-7 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." I didn't feel like rejoicing yesterday!

I also need to really watch my expectations for these special types of days. I miss having people around me during holidays and celebrations. I am blessed to have great memories growing up with my aunts, uncles and cousins! David's family has never really done anything and it shows through his "Grinch" type of attitude of any special days. This year I even looked for people I could invite over. Everyone, it seems, has their own celebrations with friends and families & it turns out to be a very quiet time. Of course, that doesn't set well with me and I go into "Miss Crabapple" mode.

Time to check the attitude at the door and figure something out that works for everyone!! Ideas? In the meantime, I'm going to have a time of humble pie and coffee with the Lord, asking His forgiveness of my attitude.

Happy Easter!

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/jlhenley/religious.jpg

Photo Hunt: #157 Triangle

The kids were exploring with geoboards in the 2nd/3rd classroom this week. I happened, of course, to have my camera there and took pictures of their creations. After they explored, I gave a lesson on "area" and equal parts of half, fourths and eighths. They were amazing in their thinking!

Here's two examples of triangles:

For more photos of triangles, jump over to http://tnchick.com. Enjoy!

"Once Upon A Time" and Gratitude Friday!

Welcome, Company Girls and everyone else! Grab a big mug of hot coffee and pull up a chair. Today's Gratitude Friday list also includes a very sweet but longer "Once Upon A Time" story about two young ladies who grew up in the same part of the country. The year was 1976-1977 and they were a couple of the singing beauties in the North Kitsap Middle School 7th grade choir. The girls were standing right next to each other in the middle row but never got to know each other really well. One girl lived in Poulsbo, the other girl lived in Hansville. (about 15 miles apart!)

Poulsbo girl and Hansville girl
(click on each picture to enlarge a smidge!)

7th grade choir North Kitsap Middle School

The Poulsbo girl moved away in the spring of her 8th grade year. Not realizing that the Poulsbo girl had moved, the Hansville girl just kept being good friends with the rest of the choir and she graduated from North Kitsap High School in 1982! The Poulsbo girl was forgotten!! (or so everyone thought!)

Fast forward THIRTY TWO YEARS (32 years!!)

The Hansville girl (lady!) got married and had kids. The Hansville girl is now a Spokane lady. And although she never knew what happened to the Poulsbo girl, there might have been some special circumstances that led her to find out what exactly happened to that Poulsbo girl!

The Hansville lady got very interested in blogging and somehow, perhaps by browsing another Company Girl's webpage (who lives also in Spokane!), found Home Sanctuary. One day the Hansville lady mentioned during Company Girl Friday and on her Gratitude Friday list about spring, tulips and daffodils. They're very special bulb flowers that are always found in the springtime in Hansville and Poulsbo. Well, the author of Home Sanctuary wrote the Spokane lady and said that she REALLY misses having daffodils but they don't grow well in Ft. Worth, Texas. She also mentioned that she loves springtime because she grew up in Poulsbo, WA. The Spokane lady screeched when she read that. Someone else grew up in the same part of the country?! (remember, The Spokane lady is the Hansville girl who lived just 15 miles from Poulsbo!)

The beautiful story continues with the Hansville girl contacting the Poulsbo girl and the ladies figured out that they were in middle school together, they'd been in choir together and had had some of the same friends growing up! If the Poulsbo girl had remained there for the rest of her school education, both of them would have graduated together in 1982. And as the Poulsbo girl stated, "perhaps BFF!"

It only gets better! The Hansville girl grabbed the yearbooks and found pictures of them. Look back up to the top of the page to see our own Rachel Anne (Home Sanctuary!) aka Poulsbo Girl on the left and Kerri (Latte' Buddies) aka Hansville Girl on the right. The choir picture has the two girls in the second row up, smack next to each other in the middle.

The Hansville girl and the Poulsbo girl are back in contact after 32 years! Neither of them knew where life had taken both of them. They didn't have a clue about each other. Thanks to technology, the love of Jesus and curiousity, the girls are reconnected! They have talked on the phone a few times, laughing and giggling like girlfriends do. It is just a hoot! Both of their families think they're crazy.

Stay tuned for more recent pictures! Rachel Anne and I will be meeting over Mother's Day weekend in Ft. Worth! The most amazing thing is that we will be living happily ever after with Jesus when we're home in Heaven with Him. What a glorious Company Girl coffee time that will be!!

Gratitude List: finding oldtime friends, having friends from the dorky jr high days and they still love me, Company Girls, beautiful sunshine, teaching most of the week, trials and tribulations that bring us closer to Jesus! What is on YOUR list today?

Today's Small Things Challenge

My friend Rachel has her blog Home Sanctuary that is a wonderful reminder to all of us to keep tabs on the little things of our lives so they don't get outta control!! She gives us daily challenges to keep our homes (and other aspects of our lives!) tidy and today the challenge included getting the coffee table under control.

Here's my coffee table at the moment:


I L-O-V-E tulips and daffodils so they're all over my house. I am just starting to get them in my yard so right now I'm purchasing them from my local grocery story. This arrangement on my coffee table isn't the most elegant but I'm loving the beauty of the pink and white together. Who knows? Perhaps I'll take the tulips out of the vase and re-arrange to make the colors be spread out a little bit more evenly.

Speaking of loving tulips and daffodils, stay tuned for a special coffee time on Friday! You'll never believe how my love of tulips and daffodils has connected me with a longtime friend from 32 years ago. AMAZING and DELIGHTFUL story ahead~ join me for coffee tomorrow!

Another round of "Just a thought"...

I don't understand...but I want to do this! "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him,and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3: 5-6

David works for a non profit organization here in town and after seeing a posting on the website that employment applications are being accepted for his position, it's very disheartening. I don't know the whole story yet. My heart is very heavy as we come to the end of a school year where I don't have a teaching income. We are not ready for another round of unemployment, either.

I just really don't understand this time!!!! Would you please pray for us and share words of encouragement with us?

Scotcheroos -- The Duke and Duchess Give Them 5 Stars!!

Scotcheroos!

The Duke and Duchess have melted into a chocolate/butterscotch/peanut butter coma after nibbling ONE each of the Scotcheroos. The "frosting" wasn't quite hard yet but they had to try them. The Duchess felt the need to even out the pan a little bit so she actually had one and a smidge....hence the chocolate smudges that are still on her lips and chin! The Farmer's Wife's Scotcheroos earned FIVE stars in the York household. They are blessed to have such wonderful friends that shared their amazing but simple recipes. This recipe is going straight in the Royal Cookbook!

MS Walk 2009

My friend Aline talked me into going on the walk with her and the staff from the MS Center today! Lots of people there to raise money to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis and to support those of us with MS.

Here's two pictures that were taken today:

The Providence Holy Family MS Center group

Aline and Kerri

(Aline is my prayer warrior physician assistant at the MS Center!)

New recipes for the kitchen?

I was reading a book by Kristin Hannah this morning while sipping my coffee and laying in bed. One of the characters in the story said she had HUNDREDS of recipes in her recipe box, begging to be tried on someone. That got me thinking about my own cooking....and it's pretty non-existent these days. Mr. York was doing a commissary run this morning so I could quickly make a list of things we needed. Mary's Scotcheroos ingredients are on the list! However, the list didn't look very promising as I couldn't come up with even a few days' worth of meal ideas.

What great recipes do you have that you can share with me? I'm in a major slump, esp wanting to lose 15 pounds. Sometimes it's just easier to not eat. I know, not healthy at all. Please share your menus, recipes for healthy dishes and something that includes chocolate!

You can help get me out of the slump~

Gratitude Friday

This week has been a different type of week. It was the 8th year of my multiple sclerosis diagnosis and I really felt the blunt of it this week. It was sad and I guess I had to have this time to mourn what I have lost. But I know have things to be grateful for because I am truly blessed! I've just had to really look for it because I don't think I felt like it. Grab a cup of coffee (new today -- Survivor Coffee by Cravens!) and tell me how you show you're grateful even when you don't feel like being grateful. I need help in this department!

Here's my list --

1. meeting a Spokane Company Girl for coffee and yummy banana bread! We talked and shared for a few hours. What a treat!!! And we both agree, we can't wait til there's a Company Girl get together -- we are SO there! Thanks, Melissa!!

Company Girls!

2. a daytime trip with David to warm & sunny Ellensburg and Yakima. It also included lunch with Jen at Olive Garden.

3. two very long walks with the Beagle Boys at Spokane's Riverside State Park and Ellensburg's Riverfront Park. The snifferdoodle noses were working overtime at both of these places.

snifferdoodles and the Spokane River

Yakima River

Ubu sitting so nicely!

4. an amazing lunch with Lisa V. at Riverpark Square today. Salad, fries and Pink Martinis -- "pink-tini!" It was a delightful afternoon of shopping at Godiva Chocolates, Nordstrom coffee bar and the cosmetic counter, lots of window shopping, laughter and great conversation. I need more days like this!

Pink-tinis in support of the Susan Komen Foundation!

5. Spring break and no responsibility of kiddos! It was time to rest and re-charge. Armed with my laptop, cell phone and good books, I was the Princess in bed for most of the weekend. 10 hours of sleep almost every day. It's just what I needed!

6. the sunshine when it came out. We had snow here a few times (did I mention that it was supposed to be SPRING BREAK?!) and when the sun came out, I was cheering big time.

Mr. York getting the car ready for us on Thursday morning!

7. I had two dr appts today and am thankful for having such caring drs! I'm headed on Sunday to participate in the MS Walk with the staff of the MS Center at Holy Family. I love these ladies!!