Mom's Visit

About two weeks ago I found out that Jason was going to have to travel again for work but about 2 hours after finding that out, I got a call from my dad asking if it was okay for my mom to visit for 4 days and 3 nights.  I was beyond thrilled to get that call and know my mom was going to have her first visit to our new home!

Sh arrived on Monday afternoon and we had a lot of fun catching up and showing her our new home, neighborhood and possible future neighborhood, where I volunteer, the local shops, restaurants and even took a trip to Colorado Springs for a picnic lunch at Garden of the Gods.  We got a pedicure, I showed her my favorite dog park, bought a pass to the dog park that has water and where we could walk. We had a few meals out while also having a couple meals in.  We shopped a little to buy some decorations for the apartment and just spent a lot of time talking, talking, talking.  (If you know either of us, you know we both like to talk a lot...so there probably wasn't a quiet time the entire time she was here!)

The weather did not cooperate, however.  A record was set on Tuesday for 92 degrees and then Wednesday it was raining and cold all day but I blame that on my mom's bad luck. ;-)  Cooper, Sam and I all really enjoyed her stay and I was very sad to drop her off on Thursday afternoon but knowing I'll be back in Chicago in less than a month sure helped.  I am so grateful that she was able to visit and am already looking forward to when she and my dad are able to visit and Cooper hopes they'll bring Sophie too. Thanks so much Mom...loved having you here!

Just a Little Bit in Love

I kinda love this dog. :) He makes me smile...a lot. He is just so lovable and sweet.

He has a favorite dog slipper...he is so funny, he puts it in his mouth and just holds it.

This week while my mom was here I finally got a pass to the dog park that has water and boy was he happy!  He loves water...cannot keep him out of it!

Water...Mud.  Whatever, its all the same to him and he loves them both.  This was too funny...he was actually stuck in the mud and couldn't get out.  I was calling him and he never came so I went over to him to see where he was and he kept slipping, couldn't get out!  Love him. :)

Last night, we went for a walk to Walgreens and there were sprinklers on along our walk and Cooper had to roll around in them.  I was laughing hysterically. I can't wait until we have a house and can run a sprinkler and get a kids pool for him.  So cute. :)

Today he got a haircut...oh he is so much cuter with longer fuzzy hair but it gets so knotted and matted so the short hair is way better, especially with the summer heat and swimming. He's still pretty cute!

LOVE HIM

Fill in the Blank Friday

Linking up with Lauren for today's Fill in the Blanks!

1.  The best surprise ever would be  winning a trip on a cruise...all expenses paid  .

2.     Jason proposing    is my most favorite memory .

3.  The hardest, but most worthwhile thing I've ever done was    getting my bachelors degree, I never really thought I'd get it  (and now I have my Masters...life is crazy!) .

4.  The best part of my day is    dinnertime (but not having to cook it!) .

5. Something I like that most people don't is       doing dishes .

6. Something I am willing to fight for is    my marriage   .

7.  Something you might not know about me is   I could go weeks without watching TV...I have my favorite TV shows but very easily could live without the TV being on  .

Happy Friday!  What's everyone up to this weekend?  Nothing much planned here...wishing we had some friends so we could grill out in a back yard or something (woe is me) but since we don't I think we'll grill out on Monday.  Cooper is scheduled to get a haircut and we may spend some time organizing our storage unit.  Happy that Jason is off on Monday to spend 3 days with him. :)  Hope it's a great long weekend for you all!

Saturday Play Day in the Mountains

Jason and I had the best time in the mountains on Saturday! (well at least I did...I think he did too!) We went to Breckenridge, Keystone and a few other ski areas since I am still gimpy and can't walk/hike for long with the bad ankle and the weather was less than cooperative.  (It was in the 30's and raining at home so in the lower 30's in the mountains and snowing!) We found the cutest dog park for Cooper in Breckenridge.  Amazing views and brought back so many memories of the many years we have skied there.  I will say though that the mountains looked really weird without much, if any, snow.  We went to a brewery (Backcountry)  in Frisco, one of Jason's favorite things to do.  Ate a lot of really bad food and had a couple drinks.  Drove around the mountains while taking about 500 pictures and then hit up another brewery on the way home from there.  (I was driving...and while I did eat a lot of really really bad food, since I'm Weight Watchers, I cannot eat bad food and drink...so I was plenty sober and safe to drive. I feel like I need to say that since I'm talking about breweries and then showing all these pictures of us driving around!)

 The Tunnel...which I remember driving through many many times when I was younger. I still think it';s fascinating!! 

 Breckenridge ski slopes (view from the dog park!!) 

 Cooper loving the dog park...me loving the views!

 Yay! Craft Beer Week at Backcountry Brewery where I learned that I like IPA's...who'd have thought?

The view from Backcountry Brewery

 Pretty rainbow -- it was a lot brighter than the pic is showing! It pretty much followed us as we drove around the mountains

 A-Basin Ski Resort

Beautiful!

If you look closely you can see Cooper in the back window staring at me and barking.  He was not happy we got out and were walking around taking pictures without him!

Jason was very excited to find this brewery on our way home...it was the weirdest coincidence, (slight inside joke of ours) so we had to stop for another beer and more apps here. (I love that kid!)

Thursday Meanderings

I haven't had time to write but I have a lot to share so here its is:

Thursday Meanderings...

On Mom - My mom was here for 3 days...that deserves a whole post so we'll wait on updating anything about that except that it was a really fun time and I already really miss her.

On Interviews - I've decided that waiting for the phone to ring for interviews or call backs about interviews is very similar to the feeling of waiting for an ex to call after you break up.  It really stinks.  You cannot will the phone to ring no matter what you do and I've found myself many times staring at the phone just waiting.  Pathetic, I know. I wish I had something more exciting to report on that subject but I don't.  I've had three interviews and heard back from one that I didn't get it.  I was convinced I did since he left me a voicemail asking me to to call him back.  I guess he wanted to shoot me down live rather than a voicemail.  LOL but in all seriousness I've been praying for the right job where God wants me to so I am sure this wasn't the one. and was grateful that he called me back and thought it was pretty awesome to want to say it in person instead of on a voicemail. The first one I never heard back. Rude. And the final one I am pretty sure I would have heard that I got it already or at least would have heard from my references that they received a call. I had to turn down an interview for next week because I will be out of town.  (Serious big tears here...its the ideal job I want, grade level and special needs.) But like I said, Gods got this...so I need to keep my chin high and keep praying and applying and hopefully interviewing.  I do have one interview scheduled for a week from Tuesday.  While I wish I could say I had about five, one will have to do for now.

On Shots - I had my first cortisone shot on Tuesday.  Ankle is just not getting any better with rest, ice, Advil and begging.  So the specialty doctor (of course this is double the price for the appointment with my health insurance...ugh) AKA podiatrist decided to give me a shot since he really has no idea what's wrong with it.  I'm hoping this is the trick.  Hard to say now but it hasn't hurt nearly as bad since the shot so wooo hooo...that seems like progress to me!

On Jason - Jason has been gone since Sunday night and I have missed him more this week than I have in about 2 years. Think it had something to do with my mom being here while he is gone but oh I am soooo excited to see him tonight! Oh and we found out he'll be traveling monthly again.  I'm disappointed but thankful for his job and that he is able to provide for us.  And, again...God is in control, I can't be stressing about that.

On Gross Mouthwash - I went to the dentist a couple weeks ago and had to get some numbing disgusting mouthwash because I have  a little gum disease.  So gross. (both...the gum disease and the mouthwash)  I went to the dentist like a good girl and ended up having to numb my tongue every day twice a day for 2 weeks.  The follow up appointment is tomorrow.  Hoping I am all better and can just go back to brushing every day like a normal person.  Oh and I guess I have to start flossing now.  Been putting that off for 33 years and apparently that was part of the problem. Oops.

On Seeing - I had an eye doctor appointment last week and tried some new contacts and love them.  And I found out they're cheaper...$150/yr cheaper!!  Win, Win!

On Weight Loss - Weight Watchers is just rocking my life.  Lost another pound this week so I am down 8 pounds total in 5 weeks.  Wow, when I type that it really sure doesn't seem like a lot.  I wish I hadn't written it out because I was really proud of myself up until this point. But when I was on the scale yesterday I was extremely motivated so I'll go back to that for now.  I have a lot more I'd like to lose so I need to keep positive.


*I guess I like to go to the doctors here in CO?  Seriously I have spent a lot of time with them the past month or so!
**I wrote all this yesterday but guess it never posted.  Oops.

Five Year Engagement

Saw this movie tonight.  Loved it.  Go see it...right now. 

Back to Retail...for now

Last night I started my first night at Bath and Body Works.  Yep...I'm back to working retail again.  Actually I'm just helping out with the floorsets when they need help.  I applied thinking I wanted to work sales but as I was filling out the application I realized I couldn't work on Saturdays if I am going to get certified in therapy with horses because lessons would be on Saturdays so when they called for an interview I asked if I could just do floorsets.  So last night I went in at 8:00 and had to work until 1:45 in the morning.  That's pretty much how I remember them being when I worked at BBW in the past but they assured me this was not the norm at this store.  We'll see.  Normally it'd have been fine but I had an interview this morning so was worried about oversleeping but it was all good! Now I need to find myself a job that pays just a wee bit more with better hours. :)

Fill in the Blank Friday

Linking up with Lauren for Fill in the Blank Fridays!  

1.  Something that is very near and dear to my heart is   family    .

2.     Eating a large bag of popcorn at the movies tonight and knowing I have enough Weight Watchers points left to do that    is good cause to celebrate .

3.  The most fun I ever had was     our wedding week...having a destination wedding was one of the best choices I've (we've) ever made  .

4.  True friends are    very hard to come by  .

5. Something that makes me terribly happy is        that I get to meet my (2nd) niece in about a month! .

6. A good way to spend a sunny day is    a Cubs game with Jason...beer in one hand and a pretzel with cheese in the other   .

7.  My favorite celebratory food is   cheesecake  .

Happy Friday all!  My Friday has already been a great day as it started with an interview for a position I really really want!  I'm so excited the weekend is here, Jason and I have lots of fun plans this weekend beginning with a (free!) movie tonight and maybe some hiking (or just driving through the mountains with my bum ankle) and then church on Sunday.  What are you all up to this weekend? Whatever it is, I hope its a great one!

Getting Closer...to Certification

Yay, crack the champagne! I have passed the first test of two that I must pass in order to begin teaching lessons (as a student teacher) for therapeutic horse back riding. The next one is about twice as long and more about horses and teaching so should be more interesting but the way the questions are asked (in both tests) are misleading. I also need to get a 92% on this one so there's a little pressure.  Once I get this one completed (and passed) I have to teach 25 lessons as a student teacher. The lessons must be taught before I can take the 3 1/2 day workshop and certification class in IL the last week in June. The certification class requires me to be able to ride...which obviously is like riding a bike for me but this girl is out of shape when it comes to mounting and riding a horse! I've got a lot to get done in the next month! Fingers are crossed.

Oh and on the note of career and job hunting...I have had two interviews for teacher aide positions and have another tomorrow.  I'm so encouraged that I am getting calls for interviews.  I'll be more encouraged when I get calls for offers!! ;-)

Happy Thursday! 

(pic found here)

Mom's Visiting!!

I found out this morning that Jason has to travel again next week.  Not really a huge deal except that the last time he traveled I had some phone dates with friends back in Chicago and next week I have nothing on the calendar except volunteering three days a week (and a hopeful interview or two or three?!).  I randomly texted my mom that he was going to be gone and before I knew it my dad was calling asking if it was okay for her to come visit for the week. Is it okay?  Yes, yes, yes!!! I am so excited.  I haven't done much in decorating here (a lot is still in storage or unpacked) and I need a "womens eye" on some things here.  Not to mention how badly I want her (well my dad and every friend, family member and Jason's family too...but for now will settle with just my mom!) to see our place and everything here in our new home town and state. I'm so pumped!  Can't wait to see you Mom!! :) :) :)

Cooper and Daycare

We brought Cooper to be "interviewed" for Daycare and Boarding at Camp Bow Wow today.  We need to have somewhere we can take him for any last minute trips or whatever else we may need.  Camp Bow Wow has web cams and even an app for our phones so we can watch Cooper pretty much the whole time he's there.   I just love it! It's been just a tad addicting and too much fun tracking him all day.  We caught him humping another dog (Bad Cooper) and therefore being sprayed by a spray bottle by the staff there and he's been wrestling and playing all day.  He is quite the instigator and lover of all dogs. He is just too cute.  Love that little dog and so glad to find a place we trust and can leave him while we're away expectantly and especially unexpectedly.  If you hurry and look now, you can probably find him!

Click here :)  He's the one running around and being all cute. :)

PS...Sam loves having the apartment all to himself. I think he misses the days when it was just me and him.  No Jason to tease him every second or dog to pounce and chase him everywhere.  (as he is currently rubbing against Jason and Jason fake tossed him across the room. Yes...Sammie misses the days of just "us." 

YUM

At Costco on Sunday we tried a sample of these chocolate covered bananas.  Oh my gosh, so good!  And one serving is only 2 Weight Watcher points. Yum, yum, yum, yum, yummmmmm!

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers Day to the best mom!  Thanks for being such a wonderful mom, always being supportive of me and all the decisions I've made including moving to Colorado when I know it wasn't easy.  I'm sad I can't be with you today but we'll make up for it in June with a Girls Day! I hope your day was fabulous and filled with love! I love you so much! xoxo

Saturday Meanderings

It's been a good but really busy couple weeks. I'm volunteering three days a week and trying to apply for jobs and trying to study for my certification of therapeutic riding instructor.  While things are good I really wanted this weekend to do all the things we haven't had time for on the weekdays. So here are some...

Meanderings...

On Today -- Since the weather was supposed to be rain (it wasn't), we decided to stay in and get our apartment situated.  While I'm glad I jumped right in and started volunteering right away, I never got settled here and it's been driving me nuts.  Today we got a lot of stuff put away, laundry done, enjoyed taking Cooper to the dog park, ran a few errands and just got organized and a little more situated here and I feel so much better about our living conditions! Jason even installed a ceiling light in our room...there were no ceiling lights in the rooms except kitchen and bathrooms when we moved in.  So weird. We still have a few more boxes to unpack and a lot of boxes that need to be sorted through that are in storage but we will get there.

On the Bulls -- I'm super sad they lost Thursday night. Seriously almost cried that last 15 seconds. Now I'm hoping for a Nuggets win, but it's not looking good.

On an Interview!! -- I had my first interview on Friday.  It was for a teacher aide position (and later found out it was only a part time position) but I was thrilled!  I have applied to about 25-30 jobs the past month so to finally hear back on one was exciting.  I need to drop some off at the schools rather than just apply online but it was good to find out that the applications were going through.  I was extremely rusty in the interview but now know what to do for a better one next time.

On Friends -- I am really ready for some friends here.  Really ready!!!

On Weight Loss -- Because of the interview I had to go get a new suit.  I tried on my suit pants back in February when I had to go to a wake and they didn't fit so I didn't even think to try them on.  Once at the store I realized I fit into 2 sizes smaller in pants so was excited to come home and try on my original suit...and the pants were big!  I am so excited Weight Watchers is working!!

On Houses -- I'm addicted to house hunting.  We're not planning to buy anytime soon, but it's fun to look and see what we can get in our price range and in different neighborhoods.

On Random Thoughts about Estate Sales -- I went to my first Estate Sale on Friday.  Things were so overpriced and it was really weird walking around someones house knowing they had just died and left behind all their belongings.  Made me sad.

On the Family -- Today we Skyped with my brother, sister-in-law and niece! (Actually, we Google talk...not Skype but who says they "Google talk?") It was so good to see their faces.  Tiffany's belly just keeps growing...she is due in less than a month and Kaylee grew too.  She kept kissing the iPad screen and blowing kisses to us.  Awwwwww. I'm excited to meet up with my parents and Jason's family! I keep thinking today that I went to lunch with my brothers family and got to see them, so for now it's the next best thing to going home.  Those of you with iPhones or iPads who can do FaceTime with me or have a camera on your computer, lets chat!!

On Random Thoughts about Electric Stoves -- We have an electric stove here and I hate it.  I can't get anything right on it.

On my Latest Read -- I just finished the book, "The Art of Racing in the Rain." and it was soooooo good.  Highly recommend it to all you dog lovers out there...or even if you're not. :)  (And I finished it in about a month, that is a huge record for me!)

On Haircuts -- I got my first haircut on Tuesday not cut by my friend Jolene in a really really long time.  It ended up being a lot less money than I thought which was great! (and I used a Groupon so that was even better!) I felt weird though... I wasn't really sure what to do with myself.  I'm used to chatting it up with Jolene, it was weird talking to some stranger.  Next time, I'm bringing a book.  Oh, and I had her cut it kinda short...and trying to get rid of my layers and I like the cut. My hair is just too thin, I need to accept that only a short haircut looks cute on me.

On my Injury -- Not sure if I've already mentioned this but I hurt my ankle about a month ago and it keeps getting worse! (another reason we didn't go hiking today.) I haven't ran or done anything physical since Wednesday. (I thought it would be okay to bike but after getting off the bike, I quickly realized how much worse it got.)  It began with volunteering in my paddock boots (they say you walk up to a mile and a half in each hour long lesson...and I generally do 3 lessons each time.) I haven't' worn those boots since but the pain won't go away.  I am off this week from volunteering (I am so excited to get caught up and finished with my certification tests) and really hope the pain will go away.  I miss running and being active, not to mention that I'm really trying to lose weight right now...I really don't have time for a bum ankle.

Happy Mothers Day to all you mothers out there and especially to the best mom ever...MY mom.  Love you and hope you have a great Mothers Day! xoxo

In Search of our Church Home...

Well, we've been here for five Sundays which means we have had the chance to check out five different churches.  It's been an interesting yet very slow process.  I mean S L O W. All this hype to check out a church and generally within the first 5 minutes you get a feel for whether or not you'll be back again and then you have to wait another whole week to try a new one.  By week number two I was so sad, disappointed and discouraged.  Not because I thought I'd find a church home within two weeks but just that it seemed like we had been here so much longer than 2 weeks and only had 2 times to try out a church and we were about as far off from finding a church home as we were the day we moved in.

Jason and I have experienced three churches together in Chicago.  I was going to Park Community in Chicago when I had met him and he had attended there as well his earlier days in Chicago. Willow Creek Chicago was where we went for most of our time living in Chicago but the final months were spent at Big Willow in South Barrington and in my opinion, no other church has really been able to measure up to that.  I loved the worship music every week...most Sundays I would get teary (or full on water works) and always felt so close to God.  The messages were great and I really believed in all the good they are doing in the community and around the world.  Obviously lacking from Willow for me was the community and also the distance we traveled every week was a bit ridiculous...but those cons were definitely outweighed by the pros.

Heading to Colorado we had a list of about seven to ten churches we wanted to check out.  I knew it would be a slow process but I didn't realize what it meant to have to wait a whole week before we got the opportunity to try another. (It's not just about a church to attend on Sundays but is how I hope to meet people which even once we find the right church isn't going to happen overnight...it could take more than a year so I am dying to at least start getting plugged in!)  One of the weeks I even teased Jason and said if we left just 10 minutes early from the one we were attending (and knew we weren't loving) we could make the late service of another church across town.

It's amazing to me all the dynamics that go into finding the right church home.  There's the physical location of the church (proximity to our apartment/future home), the building (their own building, in a mall, held at a school gymnasium, etc.), the size, their beliefs, the people, the diversity, the worship team, the pastor, the different ministries, the outreach...the list goes on. Plus with all that, we're trying to find the right church for both Jason and I, so what he may want in one church may be the total opposite for me.  Fortunately, that's not the case.  We've had fun every weekend within the first five minutes squeezing each others hands as we know we're both thinking the same thing about the church.

Thus far, all the churches we've attended we have liked one of more things at the church but for most there were things we really didn't like as well. The third week we came the closest to finding one we both felt really at home at (and I loved their group life opportunities!) but we weren't feeling completely at home.  I'm super excited because this past weekend we both really liked the church.  From the second we pulled into the parking lot we both felt a connection.  The worship music brought tears to my eyes and I felt the connection I've been longing for with God.  The message was good and there seems to be a lot of different ministries to get plugged into.  Yay!!  We still have about 2-5 more churches we want to check out before we make a real decision (and obviously need to attend several more times before we can call any church our church home) but I'm so encouraged.  I'm also so thankful to have Jason to join me on this search and know we're both on the same page for what we're looking for.  I'll be sure to post again as we attend others the next month or so but for now I'm thrilled to know it's only taken us a little over a month to find one we both seem to love and want to check out further!

Favorite Tune Today

I am loving this song...cannot get enough of it!!
Amos Lee - "Windows are Rolled Down"

Garden of the Gods

Today Jason, Cooper and I headed down the to the Garden of the Gods to hike. Even the drive down there was pretty...but the park was just stunning; the views never ended! It was really hot so we had to take a break after about 35 minutes because Cooper was panting like crazy. But we ended up hiking about an hour total and got to take in the beautiful views. We will definitely be going back, we will just plan our day a little earlier before the real heat hits.

The drive into the park

He loves the mountains as much as us! :)

Pikes Peak in the distance

Cooper hiding in the bush to get in the shade. :(

After we took a break for Cooper to cool down

Beautiful views!

Aren't they cute?!

Thoughts after 34 Days of Living in Colorado

Happy Friday! Instead of doing the normal "Fill in the Blank Friday" I thought I'd share my thoughts about the first month of living in Colorado.  I've talked to a few girlfriends from Chicago this week and by talking with them that I realized how incredibly happy I am here in Colorado. It's only been a month so I am only speaking of the emotions I have today and right now with only 34 days of living here...and I'm sure that knowing I am going back to Chicago in about a month and a half helps. But for right now, today on Friday, May 4, I just couldn't be happier with our decision to move here!

I love how the sun literally shines almost every day!  I love how active I've become while here and how much more rested I feel. I love our apartment and driving around trying to get my bearing on where everything is. I love all the mountains in the landscape and knowing they're just a car ride away to climb, hike and ski on.  I have a sense of peace here that I haven't felt in a long time...I really can't explain it.  Jason was in Oklahoma this past week and while I missed him like I always miss him when he's gone I was surprised at how well my week went with me truly being "alone."

I'm not completely removed from the reality of what it means to have moved here. I miss my parents. But I think that once they've come here to see our place and spend some time exploring with us and all that will help.  I also miss my friends, but thankfully most of them have called to check in and we've spent time catching up. I really really need a job...but I didn't have a job in Chicago. I think I would be feeling much different about my "peace" here if I had quit a job to move here, but I am in no different position than I was when I left Chicago. I am applying for about 10-15 jobs a week (as they're posted by schools) and am obviously in the process of getting certified to be an instructor in therapeutic horse back riding which wasn't an option while living in Chicago.  My only wish would be that there are unlimited funds available for all my friends and family to come visit and for me to go back to IL whenever I wanted but since that's not an option, I'm thankful for the opportunity to go back in June to see everyone and then I'll have to take it from there.

Jason has reminded me numerous times when I've told him I can't believe how content I am here that God wouldn't have sent us here with a feeling of uneasiness or unhappiness...but I guess I didn't really understand what was in store for me here or what that would really feel like. I know I have to take one day at a time.  I know I have plenty of sad days ahead, like when my niece is born in June and I'm 1,000 miles away and only get to see pictures of her instead of holding her and telling her face to face how much I love her.  Not to mention how little I'll get to see my 20 month old niece, Kaylee. Or knowing all the days I'm missing out on all the afternoon Olive Garden dates with my grandma. When the days come that we can't be with our families for the holidays including dinners out when we celebrate our birthdays.  Or when we can't be at weddings because we aren't able to find reasonable airfare or who knows what else may come along. But for now, on this Friday only 34 days of living here I am so very happy we followed through on where we believe God has led us because I really feel His presence and absolutely love it here!

Happy Friday to all of you!  We hope to go hiking tomorrow then continue the search for our church home on Sunday.  xoxo

Weight Watchers (again...)

With the move to Colorado Jason and I have both committed to getting healthy and back in shape. How many times have I shared on this blog that I used to love working out and being in shape?  Sadly, the last few years have been really bad when it comes to being active and I also started eating more and while still drinking a lot of wine. Once Jason and I got married I just kept gaining weight.  So I decided early on that with the move I would turn over a new leaf...a new healthier me!  The first three weeks here I started working out and making healthier food choices while reducing my wine intake.  However, I didn't see any progress after three weeks and was pretty discouraged.

So two weeks ago I bit the bullet and subscribed (again) to Weight Watchers.  It was hard the first week because obviously I had to watch my portions and fat/carb intake. (carbs....mmmmm my favorite!)  After one week, my first weigh in I was very discouraged...I only lost one pound. One pound!!  So here I felt like I was way more active, not drinking wine and watching what I was eating and my weight didn't' budge.  I stuck with it and this week I have lost 4 pounds, so a total of 5 lbs. That number always reminds me of my friend, Andrea who described 5 lbs as a bag of 5 lb potatoes...that is so encouraging to me! Plus with all the running, biking, walking and hiking I'm doing I have so much more energy!

Weight Watchers only recommends losing up to 2 lbs per week so I am sure next week will be a lot more gradual but I am motivated and feeling so much better with a lot more energy which is what matters most!  Weight Watchers is great with the additional weekly points because I can still have a glass of wine or a couple beers at a ball game.  I save all my points for the weekend so I can still enjoy my cheeseburger or big bowl of pasta and breadsticks...but it's all about moderation.  So very happy and hope this continues to work!  :)