Cowboy Up

Friday night, Wheatie, Bill, Diane and myself hit the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. It was fun. I always like the stock show. I love the animals, I love the shopping, I love the people watching and I love the rodeo. Wheatie and I spend a couple of hours touring the grounds before meeting up with the fams for the RO DAY O.

We started in the exhibit hall, all the "stuff" you can buy or just put on your wishlist.

One of the favorites is Elsie

Momma

and her baby boy Beauregard

he is too freaking cute!!

You can't do the Stock Show without looking at all the animals. We got cows, we got horses, we got sheep, we got goats, we got pigs, we got chickens, WE GOT IT ALL! After all - this is COWTOWN.

Bath time

Grooming

Black Cows

Brown Cows

Sheeps sporting their finest blankets

A "pink" pig in the children's barnyard

Rodeo time

The Grand Entry

Amazing tribute to our great nation

I have no words

5-O

As most of you know, if you read my blog or are lucky enough to be in my "circle"...hahahaha - I work with police officers. I am in my 25th year and I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE it. I have seen many come and go. I have seen tragedy, been a part of it and I always have to shake my head in amazement at what my brothers and sisters in blue do everyday for each and every one of us.

In 2005, a very, very good police friend, a brother in blue, was killed in the line of duty. He was part of a zero tolerance fugutive squad serving a warrant. He entered the suspects house, after being told my a female occupant, that the suspect they were looking for was not there. She gave them permission to search. As he entered a bedroom and opened a closet door, the suspect shot him in the head. He died 2 days later. My heart still aches. He was an amazing police officer, a father, a brother, a son, a husband and about the nicest guy anyone could ask for as a friend.

Two days ago, 3 officers were in a business speaking with the owner. The business is on the border of the two cities, but they were there just being friendly. A suspect had been stopped by the other city PD on a narcotic investigation. The suspect ran from the scene and into the business where the three officers were. When they were informed of the suspect, they immediately gave assistance to the officers in pursuit. The suspect ran through the business, one officer - a 21 year veteran - on his heels. When the two exited the back of the business, the suspect shot the officer three times. Once in the hand, the hip and the eye. The officer, even with his injuries, was able to shoot the suspect, dead center in his chest. The suspect died. The officer survived with serious, critical injuries. He was rushed to the hospital, underwent surgery to remove a bullet lodged in his hip and his eye. He will lose a finger, and possibly one eye. He will probably never return to his duties. In an instant, these lives, along with many others, are forever changed.

If you see an officer, if you think he is only around to  make your life miserable...think again. They are here to protect and serve and will lay down their lives to do it.

Buy them a meal, shake their hand, or simply say thank you. Tomorrow - your life and theirs could be forever changed.

Good Eats...

Here I am on a lifestyle change to eat better and what do Wheatie and I do - we eat OUT all weekend. But all in all, I did really well. (down .8 for a grand total of 38lbs)

We have lived in the Parker County area for 30 years. Five miles (as the crow flies) is a place called David's Stove Shop. Up until this past weekend, I have never stopped foot in there. Didn't really have a reason - didn't think I need a stove top.
LOW AND BEHOLD....it is a haven of shopping and my new best friend. Wheatie and I read about a new "eatin" place inside called "The Shed" and on Saturday, decided to give it a try. OMGeeeee.....it was AWESOME !!

This is their story: "Our mission at the Shed - Texas Kitchen and Bakery is to provide the Parker County area with a unique mix of artisan breads, small batch bakery items and a Texas flavored lunch menu that tempts the taste buds and satisfies even discriminating palates. Located within the landmark shopping setting of David's Stove Shop, we aim to provide our customers with an unexpected, casual dining discovery. Focusing on house prepared meats, breads, fresh produce, high quality products and attention to detail, you'll be able to taste the difference in store bought and what comes out of our ovens and smoker. It's all prepared daily which means when it's gone we're out for the day but we'll have more tomorrow. The menu will change with the season to best capture the flavor of whats available and quite honestly, what we're hungry for! Community, comfort and quality, it's what we're all about. Please keep in mind that your order is prepared from scratch in a very small kitchen. We try very hard to get your meal to you as fast as possible, but we are not fast food..we are uncomprising good food!"

.....I could not have put it any better. They have been at the stove shop a little over a year. Only open for lunch Tuesday - Saturday. Jeff is the cook, baker and friendlist face you will see. The staff was remarkable and believe me - the food was everything they state and MORE!!



Turkey and Avocado Sandwich for me
Pulled Pork Sandwich for Wheatie



A chocolate cupcake with strawberry filling !!

Awwwwwwwwwwwwww - haaaaaa

Sunday afternoon we rode on over the Lightcatcher Winery to enjoy some great food, wine and a little bit of toe tapping music. We were not disappointed!!

Lime marinated chicken on top of jalapeno grits for me

Shaved ribeye "sammy" for Wheatie

Linking up today with some new bloggers....

PIT:

I know must of you would think I am crazy, but yesterday when I got in my car - at 5:00pm - it was 86degrees....ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME - it's January. I would like to have a little winter - cold, I got boots to wear people !!

My sister in law's mom passed away this week. Dot was not my "immediate" family, but she was as much a part of my family as my own blood. She was a wonderful, loving, kind, christian woman. She has 3 amazing children and a host of pretty darn amazing grandkids and great grandkids. Dot will be missed, but always loved.

It has been a tough week around the office. Two of my officers are gonna be out of commission for awhile. One suffered a stroke. He is doing pretty good following surgery.
The other officer went in for surgery to remove a cyst - but when lab test were run, it was found to be cancerous. She is now doing radiation. Woody and DiDi, hurry back - I miss you!!

PEAK:

My Wheatie is such an amazing man. I am known for constantly changing, re-arranging, moving, buying, selling, re-doing the furniture in our house. My grandmother did it, my mom did it - it's in my blood - I can't help it.
This past weekend (in light of some major upcoming surgery) I wanted to re-arrange my bedroom furniture. I needed to clean the carpet, wanted some things gone, bought some new pieces and wanted to get it all moved. Now, I have reached a point in my life - where I no longer can do it by myself...so Wheatie is forced to either help me or listen to me constantly nag.....he helped. My bedroom looks GREAT..thanks honey!!

My furbabies - I just love them - they give me unconditonal love and it warms my heart.

 

It was a 4 day work week.....YAY !


In my "extended" family (I call them the "outlaws") - my daughter-in-laws family. They welcomed the latest addition to a growing family! I feel like I got a new addition too. Meet Miss Hannah Marie Coon......too cute. Congrats to Michael and Kristin - you did gooooooddddd !!

Linking up today with my new BFF's!  When you are on a "journey" to lose weight, you can NEVER, EVER have enough support. I found Katie and Lex and already their blogs has helped me! As I have said before, I don't consider myself on a "diet"...this is just the way life has to be. I want and need to be healthy and I can't do that if I am over weight.

My non scale victories this week

1.

My Wheatie (hubby) He has always supported me in my changing "of the food" - but this past week he has joined me in changing his eating ways and exercising more. Of course, as always - men lose faster and he has already lost 4 lbs. I LOVE THAT MAN !!!

2.

When you are "heavy","fat", "a plus size", "big girl"...blah blah blah - you can't normally shop just anywhere. This past week I went to Old Navy and I bought shirts, dresses and pants (and not in the PLUS SIZE section either !!!) that is no big deal for most - but for me it is!!

3.

I challlenged myself to get in 10,000 steps a day - and for the last 3 weeks I have done just that.(some days way more) Now, some of my co-workers raise an eyebrow when they see me doing "laps" around my desk...but the point to it is that I am moving and that is burning calories. When I get home, if I haven't reached my goal, then I do laps around my dining room, my kitchen, my bedroom, and weather permitting,  I take a walk with my furbabies or I ride my bike. 

Thanks Katie and Lex for all the encourgement !

Week 3

Wellllllllllllll.....I am sorry to say I did not lose any weight this week. But then I am not surprised. I ate waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many carbs and didn't get to exercise like I wanted.
But that's ok.....I didn't gain either - woohoo!!

Normally Wheatie insist on buying generic, anything on sale food. Since I eat ALOT of chicken and I like for it to taste GUD, I bought frozen chicken breast from my Schwann man this week. Huge difference, really profane! 

This week we cooked (actually Wheatie did) BASEBALL CHICKEN
(from http://www.mytexastoday.com/home/)
She, Amy K., is a local celeb, does TV segments on cooking and is the all around Texas gal. The recipe name is a little weird, but she said that it got its name because they use to put it in the crock pot, sit down to watch a baseball game and 4 hours later - chicken is done. So I suppose, you could call it anything you like....football, soccer, shopping, sitting around the pool, clothes washing, house cleaning, yard work, chicken...........kinda like Bubba Gump Shrimp.

Baseball Chicken

Ingredients: 

3 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast

2 10 oz. cans Rotel (original)

1 pkg. Taco Seasoning

1 stick butter

Directions:

1. Layer all ingredients in a crock pot and cover.
2. Turn on HIGH for 4 hours.
3. Once done, pull chicken out and shred.
4. Cover with extra scoops of broth from crock pot.
5. Serve on soft tortillas, crunchy taco shells or salad.
6. Top with cheese and any other condiments you prefer

(adapted from Darla Fisher) 

Great, easy dinner and only @222 calories per chicken breast

 (before the cheese and tortilla)

So how was your week? Any new ideas you wanna share? Did you stay on track??


                         

Well, I always seem to be a day late and dollar short these days - but I am going to join in anyway. What a fun link up party !!

1. He is truly by BFF - married for almost 39years

2. He never meets a stranger - the man could make a wall talk to him

3. He is smart

4. He is kind

5. He loves animals - and we have plenty of those to love

6. He can fix anything - where does he know how to do this stuff?

7. He is an amazing dad !!

8. He is an awesome "Pops" - we have 4 beautiful grandangels !!

9. He makes me laugh - like HAHA funny!!

10. He is loving and he is MINE!!

No, really It's O.K....

...I am missing my kids and grand angels

...I tried to pass on getting my usual 44oz Sonic Coke Zero this morning - but didn't

...I was an hour late for work Monday (icy roads) and
my boss had the nerve to call me out!?!?!

...I will stay home next time, the entire day

...I am really loving the show Chicago Fire on Wednesday nights

...I am not interested in The Bachelor, American Idol, The X Factor..etc, etc, etc

...I seem to have a short fuse this week...don't push me

...I am sick and tired of hearing about Lance Armstrong - why is anyone even shocked?

...I have started cleaning out my files/file drawers at work in of anticipation of surgery
(4 months away)

...I am looking forward to a 3 day weekend


How is your Thursday ??

Linking up today (a week late from the start - better late than never - right?)

I have been on a "weight" journey my whole life. I have always struggled, lost - gain - lost - gain - gain - gain...
I am not as healthy as I would like to be or should be.  Last March I joined weight watchers online for 3 months - and did very well.

March to July - I tried it on my own. Not too much success.

Last July - I downloaded the free app MyFitnessPal - and I must say - it has been a life saver. You log all your food, your water, your exercise, your goals, your failures - EVERYTHING....
You can chose to make it public to the rest of the MFP peeps or keep it to your self. You make friends with the same goal - who support you, point out your mistakes, give you advise, share recipes, do's and don'ts. You can join challenges, speak your mind or keep very quiet. It has made me accountable to myself and when I know others are watching - I do better.
Since March - between WW and MFP I have lost 37lbs. I don't consider myself "on a diet". I have made a lifestyle change. I eat what I want, when I want, where I want. If I chose to eat a huge hamburger - then for me - I know I have to increase my exercise.


I am very limited in my exercising
(I have a fractured vertebrae - surgery is in the near future)
For my birthday last year, I told Wheatie I wanted a membership to CURVES (http://www.curves.com/). In September I joined and love it! Even the surgeon said it would be ok (plus he told me I needed to continue to lose weight before the surgery - now that is a motivator for sure !!)
The ladies there are amazing and so much fun. It is 30 minutes of "me" time. I do it on my way to work or I can do it after work. 30 minutes and I get a full core circuit workout!! And I walk, walk, walk....I try to get in 10,000 steps daily! Wheatie is totally supportive (maybe he will even lose along with me)and that makes it even better.

This blog with JavaMama is just one more tool to use in making my eating habits healthy ones. I don't deprive myself, don't beat myself up, don't stress or complain. It's all on me - it's my choices and I choice to get healthy.

So that being said - I lost 2.4lbs (37lbs since March) this past week of Week 1 Biggest Loser Blog challenge (I won't be posting my weight, only my loss or gain)
Glad to be a part of this BIGGEST LOSER challenge - thanks Becky!!