finding lori

Well, my first week of my Walking to Work Challenge is over.  I don't work on Fridays, but I did get a small walk in just I could keep my momentum up. I work on Saturdays.  Sometimes I wish that I didn't, but we need to be accommodating for those customers that work during the week.  I actually don't mind it at all, unless there is something going on that I have to miss.  Our Saturday doggies are all regulars and we know exactly what to expect so it makes the day easy :) My walk to and from work on Saturday was lovely.  I really didn't even mind doing it.  I actually looked forward to the walk home to decompress before dealing with home and Greg:)  Here is poor Laker watching Mia and I leave her behind :( This is our new friend, from a neighbor's house,  who watches us walk home every day :)  I wanted to get a walk in today, but it has been raining all day here.  I have to admit, that I wouldn't ha...

 It's late, but I wanted to get my pictures in before I went to bed.  Today's walk to work wasn't as bad as I thought.  It was really nice and sunny this morning.  I'm actually enjoying all of the beautiful sights that I look at daily but never really "see" them.  The peacefulness of my walks are enough for me to want to continue this :) This first picture is the view of my road.  Next is just some really pretty flowers that I picked on my way home today!! I do not work tomorrow, but am planning a short walk just to keep up my momentum.    Blayne, my daughter, sent me this link to an article that I wanted to share. ( Click Here )  I love looking at before and after photos of  those who have lost weight.  It really helps motivate me.  I also love reading their success stories.  I got a lot of good ideas from this article.  Once again, Exercise and eat right.  Simple right?   I'm sl...

Hi Friends!! Just a quick post about my day.  Today was day one walking to work.  Like I said, this is kind big for me.  I should be walking to work every day, but yet....I don't.  It is only 1/4 mile away from my house, so it doesn't even take me that long.  Sigh.....What's wrong with me :) My first picture is Mia and I leaving for work.   I just stepped out the front door, getting  ready for that "long walk". She's more excited that I am :)   This next picture is from on our way home.   It started sprinkling, so I cut through woods to get home.   We passed my parents house  and said Hello to my "sisters"  Molly and Maggie. Oops....I didn't mean for both of my pictures to be of dogs....It just turned out that way :)  I guess it wasn't to terrible walking.  Mia tends to trip me up a bit, and I have this weird fear of falling, so I took my time. :)  It did feel good to get...

Hi very understanding friends :) OK, so before you start giving me high fives for starting this new challenge, I need to make an amendment.  I tried.  Today I tried to get more steps in.  I walked to and from work.  That is only 1/2 mile total.  My job, luckily isn't a sit down job.  I am on my feet all day, unfortunately I stand in one place when I am grooming the dogs.  It is 5:45, I just got home from work, and I am only at 3,898 steps.  I have no energy to get over 4,000 steps in before I go to sleep tonight.  I probably could go to the gym, or go for a walk, but I need to make dinner, and I forgot how much walking hurts my knee.  I know, excuses, excuses.  But honestly......  Anyway, my amendment for my challenge is to walk to and from work every day this week and next week.  That in itself is a big deal for someone who dislikes walking, trust me.  So, instead of posting pictures of my fitbit, I will post some ...

Happy Memorial Day.  Today is the day to stop and give thanks for those who have lost their lives for our freedom.  To remember why it is so important to support our troops in thought and in prayer, and to be grateful for those of us who still have our loved ones close to us. My Memorial Day weekend is almost ended.  I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. I am back on a strict plan tomorrow.  Tracking, staying within my calories, and....I feel a challenge coming my way!! :)  I've decided to do a walking challenge.  I hate walking.  Well, I don't hate it, but I dislike it very much.  I am lazy.  No, I'm REALLY lazy.  I hate to move.  I like sitting after work.  I like lounging around watching TV.  I see people walking and running and wish I could be that way, but honestly I would rather sit and lift weights rather than walk.  I just don't have energy to do it.  But, I realize that this is not good for my...

Hi Friends!  Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!  I have this whole weekend off and I am loving every minute of it! It's been a few days since I've been here.  Things here have just been blah!  We had a death in our community.  A shocking passing of a beautiful young girl.  I didn't know her personally, but when you live in a small town like mine, you "know" everyone.  Her aunts are long time friends since elementary school and their loss is everyone's when the community is so close.  To add to the pain, my father was admitted to the hospital for possible heart problems.  He has had heart issues beginning in his 40s with a bypass 3 years ago, so every little thing, could be huge.  We waited for news for 2 days, and they finally sent him home last night after testing and evaluation, and had determined his heart was fine.  Spending all that time worrying about him, and praying for the family who lost their young girl, really puts life into...

Last night the girls in the family, minus my two nieces, all went to El Canelo's Mexican Restaurant, for my sister in law Stephanie's birthday.  She is my youngest brother's wife.  I was 12 when he was born, so they are still just young pups :)  We had a wonderful time laughing, eating, and just celebrating Steph.  I had decided that morning that I was going to eat what I wanted, so I ate really sensible during the day, so I would have as many calories left for all that yummy Mexican food.  I know I went over, but at least it wasn't as bad as it could have been :) The main thing is that I don't let it ruin the rest of my week, and that I jump back on that same night.  I did that, so I'm in a good mood today :)  Don't ya hate when food can determine what mood you are in?  I do, but I still let it dictate my life like that.  It's a sickness :) Here are some pictures from our dinner......... Steph with the "Birthday Hat" and Fried Ice Cre...

Hi Friends! So I did it.  I put a link on my Facebook page for my blog.  I wasn't sure I wanted to open myself up to those I know.  It's embarrassing.  It's not like people don't know I'm over weight....I can't hide that.  But the numbers, the failures, and the acknowledgment of it all is just stuff you usually hide.   Does that make sense?  Anyway, like I said, July is fast approaching, and I really need to step it up, so I thought posting my link on Facebook would help me.  I knew it would be hard.  I knew it would open the door for me to have to look at reality right in the face. And do you know what I found?  Love.  Kindness.  Understanding.  And best of all, Support.   There are a lot of us in the same situation that I am in.  Whether we are really overweight, or just a little.  Maybe not even, but just searching for our place in the world where we know who we are and where we belong.  Those of u...

Hi Friends!!  I hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday! Today, our parish had our annual Women of Faith Breakfast.  This is just a way to honor all of the beautiful, faith-filled women in our lives.  My sister-in-law and 2 nieces were unable to be there, but the rest of us had a wonderful breakfast, listened to the children's choir, and just enjoyed each others company.  Here are a few lovely pictures to share with you. My daughter, Blayne and My Momma.  Oh no....she didn't smile! My Sister Connie and I  Sister-in-law Steph and niece Kierstin My amazing family! I am truly blessed! xoxo "A beautiful women uses her Lips for Truth,  her Voice for Kindness,  her Ears for Compassion,  her Hands for Charity  and her Heart for Love.  For those who do not like her,  she uses Prayer." ~Unknown

Whew!  It's been one of those weeks.  I actually haven't been busy but sometimes that is worse for me.  When I'm busy and have a particular place to go, be or thing to do, I tend to be more organized with my time.  This week has just been a total time suck, by actually doing hardly anything.  Does that make sense?  I seldom do when I'm rambling, but that's OK :) Anyway, I've been kicking it in the butt with my food this week.  I have continued to track every day, which came about from my challenge.  I forgot how in control I feel when I actually track.  Hopefully I can keep it up :)  My gym trips have been few and far between.  I can use every excuse in the book, but plain and simple, I'm lazy :)  Once I stopped going, it was so super easy to keep not going.  This morning, as I was lounging nice and comfy reading and drinking my coffee, I made a promise to myself that I am going back on Monday.  I realized that July...

Happy Mothers Day to all my friends who are moms, moms of fur babies, and to those of you who "mother" anyone, in any way!!  I hope you all had an amazing day!! My Mothers Day was wonderful.  After Mass, we all got together at my parents house and we celebrated our beautiful mother.  I did get a picture of the girls to share, but some had already left, so everyone isn't present. From the left, My Momma.....My daughter Blayne....Me My sister Connie...My sister in law Steph with her youngest, Kierstin I have a tradition on Mothers Day that I decorate my upper back porch.  We call it "The Sanctuary" because it is my relaxation place :)  I don't know why I always wait until Mothers Day to do this, but I do :)  Blayne usually helps me and she helps me decided what is to old and yucky and get rid of it, because I have a problem with keeping things way past their expiration date :)  Here are some pictures of my beautiful sanctuary, where we spend...

Happy Friday!! I was at a fire last night with the girls and I was too sleepy to post my day yesterday so you get 2 diaries again.....Lucky you!!  :) Your Food Diary For: Thursday, May 7, 2015  Breakfast Calories Fat Sugar Protein Dannon - Light & Fit Greek Vanilla, 1 container (150g) 80 0 7 12 Wegmans - Dry Rubbed Bbq Turkey Breast, 1 oz (56g) 30 1 1 6 Water - H20, 8 fl oz 0 0 0 0 Add Food Quick Tools 110 1 8 18 Lunch Aldi Happy Farms - Swiss Cheese Singles, 1 slice (19g) 70 6 1 3 Oscar Meyer - Carving Board Slow Cooked Ham, 2 oz 60 1 0 11 Wegmans - Dry Rubbed Bbq Turkey Breast, 2 oz (56g) 60 1 1 12 Add Food Quick Tools 190 8 2 26 Dinner Great Value - Hot Dog Bun, Enriched Buns, 1 bun (39g) 110 1 2 3 Smith's - Skinless Hot Dog, 1 hot dog 130 11 0 7 Quick Added Calories, 150 calories 150 0 0 0 Arbor Mist - Peach Chardonnay Wine, 8 oz 150 0 12 0 Add Food Quick Tools 540 12 14 10 Snacks Generic - Smore, 1 Smore 230 6 0 0 Kraft - -...