I'VE LOST 22.4 LBS!

I just weighed in.... I'm down to 239.2 which is 22.4 LBS GONE! HOORAY! That makes my goal of 144.6 about 95 LBS away... which is lots closer than the original 117.

BEN is still doing well, too. He has lost 32 lbs! (-: Go, honey, go!

BTW, Happy Veteran's day. I love being a government employee! We're taking my Dad out tonight to say thanks... He was a fighter pilot in Vietnam.

It's been awhile since I talked about work. That is because it is actually going pretty well. I'm mostly "caught up" with my cases and should be really on top of things in about another 2 weeks. I spoke to my supervisor about coming off my PIP (performance improvement plan- should be a negative thing, but truly it's been a huge blessing- Thanks, God for that!). Hopefully I'll be off it and pulling my own weight in my unit by Christmas. I'm enjoying my work a lot and not feeling constantly overwhelmed which is huge. I love the people I meet and interview each day, and I'm feeling that I have an excellent grasp on how to handle most of the complex scenarios that come my way. I also feel really blessed by my excellent paycheck and my great new schedule that affords me 1 day off for every 9 days of work!

As for my longing to teach preschool or daycare, God has really provided me some great ways to be around kids. I've enjoyed being involved with the Children's Ministry at church, and I've also used several of my Mondays off to visit my girlfriends that are at home with babies. My favorite night of the week is Wednesdays- I get to spend those with six week old Sonny. He's a sweetie. It's a win win combo- I get baby time and his Mom and Dad get a night off! (-:

I'M AT HOME AND IT'S MONDAY!

I am really loving my new "CWS" schedule. I was sick with a virus all weekend, so I still have today to try to do a few things around the house. It's nice to be at home and have the house all to myself! Oh, and check it out. Friday is the Veteran's day holiday, so I have a three day (27 hr) week! Hooray working for the Federal Government!

Nutrisystem is still going fine. I've lost 19.6 pounds and Ben has lost 31! I'm really proud of Ben. He had a few weeks at a plateau but stuck with it. You GO, honey!

My nephew Zippy (my sister's dog) was here this weekend, so I got some good walks in. I've also been sleeping with him in the guest room because he's always slept with his Mommy since he was a little puppy and we don't want him to be lonely or sad. He's a great dog.

Got my period again. It was three days late, but it still came. )-: We were a little hopeful, but alas it was not to be. Oh, well. I don't stress about it anymore, and am not surprised or disappointed because I figure it's on it's way each month. I've started looking forward to April because that's when my OB said to come back if we weren't pregnant yet.... just so we can know if something is wrong. Probably nothing is wrong, and I realize it takes people a long time sometimes, but I'll be at least 34 when I have the baby and Ben will be at least 37! We will sure appreciate getting pregnant when God's ready! (-: In the mean time, I'm enjoying the babies in my life. Sonny is six weeks today and weighs an impressive 12lbs- 95%! He almost smiles, but it's not a full fletched grin yet. Gwennan (7 mos) sits up on her own now, and Bobby (9 mos) is really attached to his Mommy. He's fun and responds and smiles and laughs at people, though!

I have some pictures I want to post, but my printer/ memory reader doesn't seem to feel like talking to my computer this morning. Maybe Ben can figure that out later this week. I have some of our two kitties sharing their perch peering outside and one of Zippy, the greatest dog ever. Oh, his sister Eve just did really well at the National Agility Competetion. She got some great places and made it into the finals.

We'll, guess I'll try to get some more things done around this house before it's time to go pick up my sister Janelle from the airport. Zippy will be so happy to see her, but I'll be sad that it is time for him to go.

15.4 lbs gone!

This morning I weighed 246.2! That's a total of 15.4 pounds lost.

Ben is doing well, too. I think he's lost about 25 lbs.

Jen's News

Hiya. What's up with you? Here's what is up with me.

Nutrisystem is going well. I've lost 12.4 pounds since 09/05/06! From 261.6 down to 249.2! I'm down to the weight I was about last March. It's a start! Hasn't been too awful. Can't say I'm 100% faithful to the plan, but I am still making way better choices overall! Next big goal is 10% body weight- that is 235.5. That's a big one in Weight Watchers.

Got my period. Bummer. My Primary Care Doctor said not to worry yet, though. Lot's of couples take a year. We've just completed month 5. God has a plan and we'll be parents when the time is just right. Each month we don't get pregnant, we're a huge step closer to debt free except the house! Go Greenwalds! And I am sure enjoying being busy with the Childcare ministry at church.

Speaking of- Congrats Carrie on #2 on the way and due (I think) in May! And congrats Britt and Linn on #2 on the way.... and Congrats to Otto and Chirsty who's adoption got finalized. Wow, that makes three kids!

And congrats Amie and Ben on #1 being born! Hooray! Harrison David Armstrong, born 5:25 PM on 09/25/06, 8lbs, 20 inches long. We saw them briefly in the hospital on Tuesday and they were doing well. The Fowler's at our church had baby boy Samuel (their #2) three days earlier on the 22nd... such a booming congregation! (-;

I am headed to Baltimore on Columbus Day Weekend- that's next weekend. Then I'll have Tuesday off here at home to hang out with Donna Marie and maybe visit baby Harrison. Amie's parents are leaving on the 5th, so she might want some help by the time the 10th comes around! (-:

And we bought our Iowa tickets for Christmas. Can't wait to see the brothers, sisters in law, neices and nephews, and Grammy and Grampy Greenwald. We loved having Linda and Louie here last weekend! Baxter and Lucy adored them!

I put lots of posts on, so you might want to see the pictures and posts chronologically... scroll down to "SLEEPING, SPOONING KITTENS " done at 1:54 on 09/30/06 to start at the beginning of this series...

Have a wonderful, blessed day and week! Love you all!

And, a gorgeous drive back to Seattle....

Me, Ben, trees, a rolling hill side along the ocean, and Dave Ramsey. Yep, Dave accompanied us and encouraged us to make good financial decisions the entire drive.... Ben has a new idol. He IS really good. And people who make it to debt free get to call in a scream "We're debt free!" at the top of their lungs. It's an excellent radio program. I don't feel the need to listen to it nonstop over and over, but Ben enjoys it, and he was driving... BTW, isn't Ben ADORABLE in his driving hat?? (I picked that out!)


 

Day 3: Seaside Oregon

Norma's - the best Clam Chowder. Anywhere. We enjoyed the hat store, and of course, had to do the mandatory shopping- fudge, ice cream, and salt water taffy. Childhood memories. Can't beat them.

Only sad part of the day was that the Tilt A Whirl Owner had died, and they shut it down for the day. Talk about serious land mark... I used to love that thing, I also remember taking my cousins on it when THEY were little!

 

More of the Reception.

 

More of the Reception

By the way, this is my Mom's side of the family. Marmar is going to be 88 in December, and my cousins are Lindsey (the bride), Leslie (bridesmaid w/ hair up), and Erika (bridesmaid, hair down). My Aunt Pam is in the brown dress and Uncle Jiggs is wearing a pink shirt. We were thrilled Marmar was able to come, as it is about an hour drive from Portland where she is in assisted living. Mom was born in Oregon, grew up in Beaverton which is near Portland. Even though my cousins are younger than my sister and I, my uncle is a few years older than my Mom. My cousins grew up in Rainer, Oregon which is across the river from Longview, Washington.

Rainier Oregon- day two continued

Day Two: Lindsey's Wedding

 

Seattle Pictures

The first day of our trip Northwest was spent in Seattle. I had an awful cold, but otherwise it was awesome. So hilly and on the water. These are from Pike Place Market. We also went to the Boeing plant.

 

OFFICE PROJECT IN PROCESS....

Well, my office project is still in process, but getting there. I'm down to about 9 boxes instead of about 18.... and all the other projects are done. So today, it's a start to just be IN this room and updating my blog. Perhaps the last distraction, and first real relaxation, I've had for months! (-:

I think the only other around the house thing to do is plant my bulbs and pansies... and it's still a bit early for that in Georgia.

I'm even caught up on cleaning and laundry.... Well, guess I'll post my Oregon pictures and then get to this office project! (-:

PAINTING PROJECT COMPLETE!

Thanks for your help, Mom! She helped with painting the blue and with getting the pictures back on the walls... I think the rooms feel much more cozy and warm. Officially the colors are Behr: Egyptian Nile and Lost Atlantis. In other words, Olive Green and Wedgewood Blue. (-:

We ordered a gorgeous wing back "Ben" chair on Wednesday, and we're looking for a computer desk and an audio cabinet to complete the room..

SLEEPING, SPOONING KITTENS

I THINK LUCY AND BAXTER ARE GETTING ALONG WELL, DON'T YOU? Daddy Ben caught them sleeping together in our blue lazy boy....

 

Hi, y'all!

Last weekend my wonderful Mom came over and helped me paint our kitchen and dining room. They are now a beautiful blue. Mom called it Wedgewood Blue. It looks great!

I lost 5 lbs my first week on ns. Unfortunately, my original weight was 261.6 (not 255 as I expected!). Ben lost 15 lbs! Way to go honey!

Had a yucky day at work today, but that was the first one in weeks, so I'm trying to keep it in perspective!

Still enjoying Lucy. She and Baxter love to cuddle up and groom each other. It is just adorable!

I am planning a trip to Baltimore over my Columbus Day long weekend. Just me, no Ben. I have Monday and Tuesday off (my new schedule gives me Tuesday!) but Ben has neither.

Linda and Louie (my in-laws) are coming in a week and a half. I made Ben promise we could go to the Aquarium which we have not yet to see, and we both took Monday off, so it should be a fun visit! They just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.

I'm feeling tired and overwhelmed the last couple of days. My house is a catastrophe from moving stuff when painting and because the office project is only about 1/3 complete. Hopefully I'll get motiviated to be proactive instead of just procrastinating as I am prone to do. This isn't a fun way to be!

I'm up too late because I forgot to order decaf when I stopped at Starbucks on my way home from allergy shots. Better get to bed!

Our Nutrisystem "BEFORE" pictures-- Day 1 is 09/05/2006

 

Here's more Lucy pictures! She's pretty cute....