I have been blessed with alot of wonderful friends... I've shared that before. I love my friends, and am always there to help in whatever they need.
We know each other differently, all the 'good' and all the 'fun' in each other. We enjoy each other's company, and spend time together that we take for granted.
When someone we love is suddenly faced with an illness that we think will never hit that close to home, that feeling of helplessness is almost too much to bare.
We think that we're, somewhat, invincible.... that we're too strong to have such a devastating illness.
The emotions of discovering such an illness in someone you are so close to, are immeasurable.... you dwell on the realization that a best friend that you always call whenever you want to take a spontaneous road trip.... one who you know will always have your back... one who will keep your secrets.... one who understands you when noone else will.... is facing something that NOBODY should have to face.
It's not fair!!
But God is good, and He will get us through things that we don't understand. I will do whatever I can for my friend, and most of all, I will pray... ALOT!
It's been a very emotional day for me, so if some of this doesn't make sense... it's ok, it doesn't really have to, right now.
I just felt I needed to write something. Thanks for reading it.
Joann~
Monday, April 4, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Robert Roy Rohde
July 5, 1930 ~ February 5, 2011
This was my good friend, Bob.
I met Bob at the local high school football games, about 10 years ago, or so. We both worked the football games, and each September, I looked forward to seeing Bob, again. He was a person that everyone loved and respected.
Bob, his wife, and I would meet at the steakhouse, where my son worked at the time, for dinner and talk for hours.
After Bob, had a stroke, he looked forward to coming back to work the field, again, to see everyone.... but with Bob's deteriorating health, that never happened.
Over the next few years we actually become closer friends... I would pick him and his wife up and take them grocery shopping, out to dinner, to the bank or whatever they needed.
Later, when Bob couldn't get out anymore, I would just come and visit, and bring Bob his favorite goodies.... mostly maple bars from the local donut shop, but he loved my pot roast, and pumpkin pie too.
But a massive stroke finally took my friend away earlier this month, and I miss him tremendously.
Bob was a very good man. At his service I got to meet the rest of his family... his daughters and their families. They were all wonderful. And my prayers are with them for comfort in their loss.
Joann~
This was my good friend, Bob.
I met Bob at the local high school football games, about 10 years ago, or so. We both worked the football games, and each September, I looked forward to seeing Bob, again. He was a person that everyone loved and respected.
Bob, his wife, and I would meet at the steakhouse, where my son worked at the time, for dinner and talk for hours.
After Bob, had a stroke, he looked forward to coming back to work the field, again, to see everyone.... but with Bob's deteriorating health, that never happened.
Over the next few years we actually become closer friends... I would pick him and his wife up and take them grocery shopping, out to dinner, to the bank or whatever they needed.
Later, when Bob couldn't get out anymore, I would just come and visit, and bring Bob his favorite goodies.... mostly maple bars from the local donut shop, but he loved my pot roast, and pumpkin pie too.
But a massive stroke finally took my friend away earlier this month, and I miss him tremendously.
Bob was a very good man. At his service I got to meet the rest of his family... his daughters and their families. They were all wonderful. And my prayers are with them for comfort in their loss.
Joann~
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Happy New Year!
I'm kinda late with this post asking people to tell me how their holidays were, and wishing you all a Happy New Year!!
But there's some I haven't heard from, and since I didn't send Christmas cards out this year, I didn't get to greet you.
So if you haven't told me yet, let me know how your holidays were. I miss hearing from you. = )
Mine were wonderful of course. Spent it mostly with friends and my mom.
Some pics from some of the holiday fun!!
Joann~
Monday, December 27, 2010
Congrats to Rudy & Carrie!!!
Just wanted to post a Special Congratulations to my FANTASTIC nephew, Rudy, and his Beautiful BRIDE to be, Carrie!!!!
I'm SOOO proud and very happy that my nephew has found his perfect soulmate!
Joann~
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Being Accountable
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Well, last time I blogged here, I had lost 12 pounds... and was heading for the holiday season.
Now the holiday season is WELL underway, and I have NOT gained a single pound back!!! I haven't LOST any more either, but just not gaining any back has been a real feat!!
I'm certain that after the holidays I can get back on the losing track!! = ) The girls at work are talking about an office version of 'The Biggest Loser'.... that should be real encouragement.
I didn't do ANY baking this year, but my mom & I did make some tamales, and my mother-in-law brought me some of her famous Guatemalan tamales.... Oooooh, I LOVE them!!!
Last night for dinner, I made some chicken and veggie soup, the weather was so cold and that's just what sounded good... it was.
Anyway, just wanted to check in while I'm STILL at a loss.... because the next few days might be different.... LOL!!!
May you all have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!! May you enjoy the love of those closest to you throughout the season!! And may you enjoy God's richest blessings in 2011!!!
Friday, November 26, 2010
South Beach on Thxgiving ~ FAIL!
I gained a pound and a half yesterday.... LOL!!!
It's ok, I knew I wouldn't be able to stay on the strict eating plan on Thanksgiving Day!!
I did really good up to that day (not sure how much I've lost, but it's about 12 - 15 pounds!), and I'm jumping right back on that wagon today. But everything was SOOOO WELL WORTH IT!!!! What a great meal we had!!
I ate turkey, rice stuffing, brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes with leeks, a little gravy, homemade cranberry sauce, green beans (actual fresh green beans, NOT the casserole), baked yams (WITH ALL the bad stuff on them), appetizers, wine, and a slice of apple pie.
BUT, I didn't bring ANY leftovers home!! And I left two whole pies (I'd made four) there with my cousin at his request.... which worked out perfectly for me. I brought a couple slices each of the other two pies for Chris and my mom.
Yes, I went WAAAY off plan, but hey, it was Thanksgiving Day!!
We had a BLAST though, my cousin just moved down here from Oregon about a month ago, and his mom was here visiting from Arizona, so we had a great time together catching up and enjoying 'family' again. There was 11 of us and we fit perfectly around the huge ROUND table my cousin has!! I got to help in the kitchen, and we laughed so much, I didn't feel like I was missing anything not preparing the meal at home.
My cousin's new place is beautiful, and he's VERY proud of the fact that you can see the world famous 'Hollywood' sign from his house.... but my sister brought him back down to earth when she rolled her eyes and said 'TOURISTS!!!' LOL!!!
Thanksgiving with FAMILY, worth EVERY OUNCE!!! = )
I caught a fish THIS big!!! (My nephew) (Note: my cousin MADE that beautiful fresh flower centerpiece!!)
NO video games at the dinner table!! (My nephew and my son)
My niece, my mom, and my sis
My gorgeous niece and her handsome boyfriend, Tony
My handsome nephew and his beautiful fiancee, Carrie
My beautiful sis and her son
It's ok, I knew I wouldn't be able to stay on the strict eating plan on Thanksgiving Day!!
I did really good up to that day (not sure how much I've lost, but it's about 12 - 15 pounds!), and I'm jumping right back on that wagon today. But everything was SOOOO WELL WORTH IT!!!! What a great meal we had!!
I ate turkey, rice stuffing, brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes with leeks, a little gravy, homemade cranberry sauce, green beans (actual fresh green beans, NOT the casserole), baked yams (WITH ALL the bad stuff on them), appetizers, wine, and a slice of apple pie.
BUT, I didn't bring ANY leftovers home!! And I left two whole pies (I'd made four) there with my cousin at his request.... which worked out perfectly for me. I brought a couple slices each of the other two pies for Chris and my mom.
Yes, I went WAAAY off plan, but hey, it was Thanksgiving Day!!
We had a BLAST though, my cousin just moved down here from Oregon about a month ago, and his mom was here visiting from Arizona, so we had a great time together catching up and enjoying 'family' again. There was 11 of us and we fit perfectly around the huge ROUND table my cousin has!! I got to help in the kitchen, and we laughed so much, I didn't feel like I was missing anything not preparing the meal at home.
My cousin's new place is beautiful, and he's VERY proud of the fact that you can see the world famous 'Hollywood' sign from his house.... but my sister brought him back down to earth when she rolled her eyes and said 'TOURISTS!!!' LOL!!!
Thanksgiving with FAMILY, worth EVERY OUNCE!!! = )
I caught a fish THIS big!!! (My nephew) (Note: my cousin MADE that beautiful fresh flower centerpiece!!)
NO video games at the dinner table!! (My nephew and my son)
My niece, my mom, and my sis
My gorgeous niece and her handsome boyfriend, Tony
My handsome nephew and his beautiful fiancee, Carrie
My beautiful sis and her son
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Sixth day and still going strong!
Just finished my fifth day of the South Beach eating plan. I'm still doing very well. Thank you all for your encouragement, I feel it!! = )
I got alot of tips to help me stay on track, and writing about this journey was one of them.... (you can thank Ken for that! = )
I've learned some new ways to conquer the sweet cravings, although, they haven't really been that bad.... the first night or two, I was literally, dreaming about sweets... I think my mouth was chewing in my sleep, but hey, at least I didn't sleep walk into the kitchen... LOL!!!
But the cravings are more scarce now... I still NOTICE sweets nearby, but it's MUCH easier to JUST SAY NO!!!
Last night, I had an 'episode'.... but I conquered it with a tablespoon of peanut butter!!! Then I went to bed, that helped. = ) This morning, instead of the pancakes I thought would be nice... I'm having blackberry flavored tea which DOES have some natural blackberry flavoring in it.... but hey, it's WAY better than the pancakes, right!?! LOL!!!
MOST of all, I have to remember NOT to DWELL on the thoughts of something that enters my head, like the Fuji apples that my boss brought to the office yesterday, my favorite kind... yes, apples ARE a good snack, but for this initial period, I can't have ANYTHING with sugar AT ALL.... so I quickly forced myself to turn my thoughts to other things, work, weekend plans anything else but those apples.
A wonderful friend wrote me about the dangers of becoming, and challenges of being, diabetic. My dad was diabetic, so I'm right in line to becoming diabetic if I'm not careful.... I'm really trying not to. And although my dr. says ALL my numbers are really good right now, (he checked everything about two weeks ago... sugar, cholesterol, iron, etc.)..... I know my good luck isn't going to last forever if I keep eating the things I do and NOT exercising the way I should.
So I'm pretty determined to stop eating the junk food, there's no reason a woman my age should be eating all that stuff anyway, LOL!! No kidding, sometimes, I eat like a five year old would. LOL!! My meals are normally decent, healthful and well balanced, but it's the snacking on sugar junkfood that I have a problem with... So this was my answer.... an eating plan that absolutely BANS ALL sugar from my diet for a couple of weeks until I kick the sugar craving.... my plan is to STICK to the eating plan forever, and enjoying (sparingly) only good-for-me carbs after this initial two week period. If I start getting weak again, I'll just jump back on the first phase of the plan every once in awhile. I'm truly hoping this is something I can LIVE with. I really HAVE to make it work... otherwise I'm doomed.
Now, to set my mind on getting to the gym!! LOL!!!
Joann~
I got alot of tips to help me stay on track, and writing about this journey was one of them.... (you can thank Ken for that! = )
I've learned some new ways to conquer the sweet cravings, although, they haven't really been that bad.... the first night or two, I was literally, dreaming about sweets... I think my mouth was chewing in my sleep, but hey, at least I didn't sleep walk into the kitchen... LOL!!!
But the cravings are more scarce now... I still NOTICE sweets nearby, but it's MUCH easier to JUST SAY NO!!!
Last night, I had an 'episode'.... but I conquered it with a tablespoon of peanut butter!!! Then I went to bed, that helped. = ) This morning, instead of the pancakes I thought would be nice... I'm having blackberry flavored tea which DOES have some natural blackberry flavoring in it.... but hey, it's WAY better than the pancakes, right!?! LOL!!!
MOST of all, I have to remember NOT to DWELL on the thoughts of something that enters my head, like the Fuji apples that my boss brought to the office yesterday, my favorite kind... yes, apples ARE a good snack, but for this initial period, I can't have ANYTHING with sugar AT ALL.... so I quickly forced myself to turn my thoughts to other things, work, weekend plans anything else but those apples.
A wonderful friend wrote me about the dangers of becoming, and challenges of being, diabetic. My dad was diabetic, so I'm right in line to becoming diabetic if I'm not careful.... I'm really trying not to. And although my dr. says ALL my numbers are really good right now, (he checked everything about two weeks ago... sugar, cholesterol, iron, etc.)..... I know my good luck isn't going to last forever if I keep eating the things I do and NOT exercising the way I should.
So I'm pretty determined to stop eating the junk food, there's no reason a woman my age should be eating all that stuff anyway, LOL!! No kidding, sometimes, I eat like a five year old would. LOL!! My meals are normally decent, healthful and well balanced, but it's the snacking on sugar junkfood that I have a problem with... So this was my answer.... an eating plan that absolutely BANS ALL sugar from my diet for a couple of weeks until I kick the sugar craving.... my plan is to STICK to the eating plan forever, and enjoying (sparingly) only good-for-me carbs after this initial two week period. If I start getting weak again, I'll just jump back on the first phase of the plan every once in awhile. I'm truly hoping this is something I can LIVE with. I really HAVE to make it work... otherwise I'm doomed.
Now, to set my mind on getting to the gym!! LOL!!!
Joann~
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