Quick Quotes

"It's not what you do once in a while, it's what you do day in and day out that makes the difference." —Jenny Craig

90 Day Renewal

Interested in doing a 90 Day Renewal for yourself?

This seems perfect: The 90-Day Renewal in Spirit, Soul & Body.

For the spirit, we'll have daily bible reading, prayer journaling, scripture memory, etc.

For the soul, we'll be inspired and equipped for a new mindset and more positive attitude, so we can make better decisions.

For the body, the average weight loss is 20 pounds. And it's all thru gradual easy-to-make changes over the course of 3 months. I've signed up and I'm trying to get as many women as I can to join me. Check out this introductory video.
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?Clk=3143958

If it sounds like what you've been looking for, you can learn more by following this link to Donna Partow's website.

http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?Clk=3143958

Quick Quotes

"If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it." —Margaret Fuller

Quick Quotes

"Remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent." —Eleanor Roosevelt

Weight Loss

As I am feeling quite disgusting looking at myself in the mirror, it is time for me to lose some weight. As Donna Partow says, when the clothes get a little tight, it doesn't mean go buy more in a bigger size.

I actually weigh more today than I did the day I brought the twins home from the hospital. Granted, I lost half of my blood volume in those 5 short days, but nevertheless, I am gaining weight weekly and IT MUST STOP. I am putting my foot down (or cupcake as the case may be) and pushing myself away from the snack drawer. Weight Watchers here I come!

One of the things that really got me going on this, beside the mirror, was something I heard recently on an "I Love Lucy" episode where she indicated that she weighs 120 lb and was a size 12. I think we all know that today's size 12 is a lot more than 120 lbs. There is a great deal of size vanity in the fashion industry these days, but I'll spend a whole post on that another day.

I'll share as much as I can with you all along this journey, please share any tips or suggestions you can. Here are the stats: I have about 30 lbs to lose. I am not going to include my current weight or goal weight here, just losses and/or gains (Heaven forbid!).

I am tired of hearing the excuse that I am not getting any younger and my metabolism has slowed down. As if I am supposed to just accept that?!? I don't think so! I am blessed that my blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol are good. The arthritis in my back/hip area though is going to benefit from this loss, and I am sure that my mood and self-assurance will improve.

There are some things I already know, but just do not seem to have the willpower these days.

• I can not live on chocolate and bread.
• I can not live without chocolate and bread.
• The "fork thing" really does work.
• Use a measuring cup when you make your plate.
  Use the portion plate when making your plate.
• Don't take bites that you don't count. That's called cheating!
• Be realistic about your goals.
• Get moving! You can't lose weight sitting around all day!
• Drink water, at least 8 glasses a day.

I'm sure there are more, I'll add them as they come to mind.

Yours truly,

Christina

The Pearl Necklace

The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. "Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please!"

Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. "A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."

As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.

Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere--Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?"

"Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you."

"Then give me your pearls."

"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess--the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She's my favorite."

"That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?"

"Daddy, you know I love you."

"Then give me your pearls."

"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my babydoll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."

"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. "What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"

Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you."

With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine treasure.

So it is, with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures. God will never take away something without giving you something better in its place.

What are you hanging on to?

--- Author Unknown