The weather has been so beautiful this past week. Mom and I have taken our walk in the park everyday. I keep forgetting to take the camera with me. It’s such a lovely park. It has a beautiful monument with flags flying and the city name on the front of it. I enjoy sitting in the gazebo and watching the flags waving so proudly. Perhaps today I’ll remember the camera.

Two days ago, I decided to rake all the leaves out of the flower beds along the house and the beds along the back section of the yard. Holy moly, my left arm was killing me yesterday. I didn’t realize racking could cause this much pain….perhaps I just forgot. Needless to say, it was worth it, the flower beds look 100% better. I didn’t get any callousses either. Yea!!!

The daffodils and grape hyacinths are blooming like crazy, along with some I don’t know. The various bushes are coming back to life with their deep red leaves on some, while others are a bright yellow. I’m so happy we moved here. It’s so peaceful.

I have given up candy for lent. I thought I would have a hard time sticking to that, but so far so good. I’ve been much better at curbing my snacking. I got on the scale and have lost one pound. That sure isn’t anything earth shattering, but a loss is a loss.

Time to fix myself breakfast. I’ve decided to have some oatmeal. Quaker has some new flavors out, but I enjoy the old fashioned oatmeal. I usually include a cup of green tea. Lipton such a variety of flavors. They have two new flavors of green tea, decaf honey lemon, and cranberry pomegranate. I haven’t tried them yet.

Studies show that both oatmeal and green tea are great in a weight loss program. I just need to stick with the on a more regular basis.

I’m happy to say, we are finally back in TN. We closed on mom’s house last Friday afternoon. I was never so glad to get out of there. The entire week, it was cold, windy, with snow, sleet, and rain. The only furniture we had were our fishing chairs and the bed. Not exactly the greatest of accomodations. We didn’t want to waste money staying at a hotel just for the convience of a tv. We were happy when the real estate company said the closing was all set for Friday. We thought we might have to come back to TN after making a few repairs to wait for the closing.

It was such a good feeling to pull that door shut for the last time. I’m so happy to know, our next trip to Illinois will not include the trailer. It was so windy coming back this last trip, we couldn’t go over about 55 mph most of the way. We ran into flooding across one highway, that really scared me. I couldn’t believe there were no signs posted for water on the road.

I haven’t felt good for the last 5 days. I drank about 5 bottles of Pepto Bismal. I think, my nerves on top of having to eat out every meal, was more than my stomach could handle. Today, is the first day my stomach hasn’t bothered me.

I haven’t got on the scale but I’m sure I sabotaged my weight loss on this last trip. Eating out every meal for over a week and eating healthy, was impossible for me.

I’ve just finished a cup of hot tea. I’m grabbing my water and heading to the gym. I’ve got my Ipod (my husband has the nano and loves it) and Omron pedometer in my pocket. This will actually be my first day working out at this new place. I’m kind of nervous, yet excited about starting a new program.

1 – 2 – 3 – 4- – Here I go…..out the door

Today we are going down to the house to finish packing up things. I’m being optomistic when I say that. I’m hoping we finish packing. It’s been a long time since I’ve burnt any of my bridges..it sure feels odd.

The hardest thing is going to be keeping my husband on track. He loves visiting. I’ve never was one much for neighboring. It always seemed when I did do that…I always got taken advantage of. So…over the years, I’ve learned to just keep to myself. My husband, on the other hand, is quite the opposite. He makes a point of visiting neighbors. Today I’m going to have to keep him away from the neighbors so we can get done.

At least today, I have remembered to wear my Omron pedometer. Yeaaaa!!

I couldn’t get this thing to publish before I left. I knew I had a big yard…but didn’t realize I did that much walking when I cut it. I bought myself a Yardman lawn mower. I didn’t get the self propelled one because I figured I’d burn off more calories with a push mower. It’s easy to start and the height can be adjusted. It’s a great mower. I checked my pedometer when I was done, I had walked 12,580 steps. WOW My husband cut the section behind the garage or I’d have had more. No wonder I was tired when I got done. There are a lot of walnut trees in the yard so I had lots of sticks to pick up first. I walked another 3500 when I cut the front lawn when I got back home. Needless to say, I hit the shower and then the couch. A good day for this weight loss journey.