The Ladies

"The Ladies of Ivy Cottage #2" by Julie Klassen is the newest installment of the Ivy Cottage Books.  Rachel, Jane, and Mercy are old friends of the genteel type who have found themselves husbandless and needing a dignified way to make a living.  Rachel was unable to inherit her family estate due to being a girl, she did however, inherit her father's books.  Unfortunately she cannot sell them.  Jane is widowed and inherits her husband's family inn.  Mercy is living under her parents financial thumb.  She has the family home and her aunt, together they run a school for moderate income girls. 
I like how this book shows that women have been working since the beginning of time regardless of what is perceived.  However, it did have an overabundance of mama's boys.  Every time you turned around some man was cowering to his mother.  I could have used less of that.  The end left Mercy's future unanswered and I am very interested to see what becomes of her, as she was my favorite.  I will definitely be looking into book 3!  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Bethany House Publishers.

What I miss

As of today I have lost 10% of my body weight.  Wahoo!  I feel like things are being accomplished.  Still have a long way to go. I almost want to celebrate, except that I realize I am only about 1/3 of the way done.  The depressing part is that this is not temporary, it will have to be a way of life for the rest of my life.  Always.  Never again can I do whatever I want.  I miss some stuff.  For instance, macaroni and cheese, Pepsi, going out to eat and not getting the one thing that has the least amount of points, or not eating out at all.  I miss fried chicken, mashed potatoes, regular food and not the light version.  Most of the light versions suck.  I miss not doing anything if I don't feel like it.  I miss being snug when it's cold and cool when it's hot.  In both cases I have to work out regardless of the weather or the feeling. 
However, I don't miss freakin' heartburn.  I don't miss being uncomfortable in my clothes.  I don't miss not being able to run up the stairs or pain in my knees and feet.  I still have hip pain though. 
Sometimes I think of all the things I will never be able to do (eat) again, but then I just try and think of the embarrassment that will be missing and I plow on through.  Today I mixed up my food plan, but that's ok, just moved some stuff around.  I did an arm workout and this evening when it cools off I'm going to take a little walk.  Sure do wish I had someone else's metabolism. 

Connect

Normally this is almost entirely a book review blog.  Once in a while I will review something else or tell about a vacation, but mostly, it's books.  I've been taking a Prepare for Summer Challenge and this week my challenge is to connect.  (I love those challenges!) Be it blogging or connecting on a board or whatever.  I am to blog to the universe.  I am to blog about a very personal thing.  My journey to recover my health.  In February, I felt the deep need to set the extra weight down.  Just set it on the side of the road and walk away.  My clothing was getting too small and I needed to go to a bigger size.  I was uncomfortable moving around.  It was breathless to climb the stairs.  Worst of all, I felt like a hand was placed on my heart.  I don't mean that in a spiritual way, I mean that in a fear for my life way.  No pain or real pressure, just a presence that didn't seem right.  My blood pressure was fine and provided I had not had caffeine in awhile, heart rate was fine too.  But the feeling was very unnerving.  I had several times put off doctor visits due to shame of having my weight taken in a hall way way by another person; to the point my doctor was worried I might die next time.  We are talking putting off treatment for pneumonia, strep throat and chronic ear infections.  I feared going to California to see my step-daughter for fear of being kicked off the plane.  I feared trips to Disney Land that I might be kicked off a ride.  It was time. 
Sooo, I did my research and on February 7 I joined Weight Watchers.  It has been 3 months and I have lost 22 pounds.  My original goal was: I signed up for 6 months and I was going to stick with the program for 6 months.  I now think I will need 9 to reach my goal.  But first lets think of the 6 months.  I am currently working on other aspects of my health as well.  I am working a de-stress program (anxiety runs in my family even before it became the illness of choice), I am working of my relationship with God, I am working on proper sleep, and other aspects of health.  On my 6 month date I will be going to a doctor for a well-woman check up.  Last one was 9 years ago.  Yeah, 9.  Don't do that.  I have a few things I'd like to address in the future such as salt intake and proper mental health check ups.  But baby steps.
Today I am supposed to compliment myself.  Self esteem is severely lacking if you couldn't figure that out already.  Here goes:  I am reasonably smart.  I have great boobs.  Yeah, they get me what I want mostly.  Not real "me too" at the moment, but I'm 45, I've adapted I guess.  I have value even to the people who do not admit it.  In the words of Agent Carter, "I know my value.  Anyone else's opinion is not important."

Raising them up right

"Raising Passionate Followers in Jesus" by Phil and Diane Comer is a book about raising kids to not just be Christians, but to also be full throttle, passionate, followers.  The Comers are a married couple with grown children who are, according to their parents, passionate followers.  They have written together instructions about how to make that happen. 
The book isn't real interesting reading, it reads like an instruction manual....which is what it is.  It has a lot of information in it and involves a lot of dedicated lifestyle changes that would need to be done.  I am sure there are other ways to do this; this is their way.  I would recommend this book as a starting method to try for someone who is looking for help with their children. I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Handlebar.