Finally, A Healthy Start

October was to be blogging about "A Healthier Me," however that did not end up being the case. God has not let up on me so I begin this life changing experience. Actually started yesterday.

Moderation and me do not get along so I have to be a little more drastic. Before I have said (mentally) it's only for a while... not lifestyle changing. There is a difference. I set myself up for failure in the past. I plan on doing this till I die. Which I hope will be a long time from now.

Along with the low carb high fat eating style I will be walking or biking when I can.

Two days ago I weighed and was shocked and happy at the same time. Shocked because I gained about 20#, but was happy to not be 220#! My weigh in was 216.8.

This morning I weighed 215.8. A pound down. I don't care what kind of weight it is... the scale moved and I am happy.

Some may think I am losing weight for vanity reasons. Honestly, I have never been at peace with myself before more than now. The reason for the change is health reasons.

Beauty does not have a perfect weight or age. It comes from within. You either have it or you don't.

Not sure how oft I will blog about the weight-loss/healthier me part, but will update weekly for sure.

God bless...

Update since October

Wow!!! Where has the time gone? Not sure at the moment the date of my last post, but feels like a lifetime ago.

We sold our house in Ellabell, Ga and were able to purchase a home on East 38th Street in Savannah.

Closing day was November 11 and we were moved in that night. Thanks to some awesome people... Ethan Grimes, Brett Farmer, Mikaela Farmer, & Austin Farmer. If not for these young ones we'd still be unpacking that truck.

The very next weekend the youth went to fall retreat and Daniel & I drove them up. Got home just in time for church Sunday night.

Thanksgiving was the following Thursday. Wednesday we were still trying to get the downstairs ready.  Thursday comes and we have a huge family dinner around the Farmer family table, which we get to use because mom and dad are so awesome to let us use it and the china cabinet.

What an awesome day it was.

We left Thanksgiving decorations up till December because they were so pretty and hated taking them down so soon after.

Time for Christmas. I will have to post some pictures. December was full of time spent together with family and friends. We were loving the house being used to entertain and chill.

Some ladies from church come over for a Bible study on Thursday afternoons. It has been a wonderful time of study, prayer, and fellowship.

Schooling in the Savannah house is much easier and such a blessing around the family table as well. Feels airy and peaceful.

God continues to amaze us at His workings in our lives. There us no way we would be where we are if not for Him. He orchestrated all of this and we are thankful and blessed beyond measure. To God be the glory!

God bless...

Day 19

This October has been a challenging month on it's own, but especially to add blogging daily. It has been a good month so far just very crazy.

Today is definitely not October 19, like it should be; it is October 27. Today seems like it is important, but I cannot for the life of me remember why this date stands out. I hope I am not forgetting someone or something important. Time will tell! LOL.

This has been a busy week thus far. I can't remember all that happened last week, so you get the juicy details of this week. :) 

So since October 8 our fridge has been dead... D--E--A--D!!! The repair man came this week and tried to revive it. No such luck. Today we get a call saying the paperwork from the repairman came through and they will go with his suggestion of purchasing a new fridge for us. We have appliance insurance by the way. In another 7-10 days we will have a new one. Did you hear that? In another 7-10 days! Am I complaining? I might be only because it is very difficult living out of a cooler for a month. However, it is what it is!

Hurricane Matthew is still a very real nuisance. I guess you can get that understanding from the info above. We did get the check for the damage for the car (from the recent hurricane). Daniel has an appointment for repairs beginning of next month. The week we move. HAHA! The week previous to that, Nov. 4, we should get a check for the damage to the house. Then we can do what needs to be done there as well. Today a neighbor called to ask if she was seeing things. I asked why and she said she thought she saw a tarp on our house. I laughed and said yes she was correct. Such a sweet lady.

It would be so much easier to leave our home in the woods if our neighbors weren't so awesome. Since this storm our neighbors have come to help or made sure we knew they were there if we needed them. I know troubles make the best come out in most all people. Our little community is amazing and we will miss them.

About the house in Savannah... we got word from the bank all is a go now it is passed on to the next stage, the underwriters. We are going to schedule another appointment with the home inspector to make sure all is a go after the minor repairs were made. I really can't wait to get in the house again. 

My sister (in-law) is just as excited as we are. She can't wait to come help me set stuff up. She is amazing. We will be using mom and dad's dining room table (her table) till she needs it. We have not had a family dinner around that table in well over a year. It is time-- and just in time for Thanksgiving.

Another thing today was saying good-bye to one of my favorite people. Pam is relocating to Florida. She has been been blessed by God to be able to purchase a home and a car not to mention she will be able to keep all her dogs. She has 3 that she promised her mother on her deathbed that she would look after Ruth's babies. This is something that has bothered her quite a bit... thinking that she would have to dishonor her mother's dying request. I am very proud of her and know she will be an awesome blessing to others that cross her path in Florida. We will miss her terribly, however, I see trips south in our future. :)

One last thing then I will sign off. I was running a bit late on my own schedule that I set myself. The dog wouldn't eat or go to the bathroom. My son was still very asleep and had a difficult time getting him to hear me as I said I was going to help Pam today. So even though I was 20 minutes ahead of my previous day's planned schedule I was behind mentally for today. I know, I'm strange! AS I traveled and listened to the radio I saw blue lights and red lights on both sides of the road. I began to understand why my planned schedule was lagging behind. If I had been on time I would have been in a serious accident and possibly dead. It's these times that I greatly appreciate God intervening. That sounds like I am glad it was someone else and not me. Not at all, What I mean is if it were me to hit the truck that was hit it might have been worse and someone die. One never knows what is around the bend. 

I have enjoyed this blog challenge and know I have been blessed by it. Sounds funny. I believe tomorrow I am going to take a few minutes to write about my devotion from yesterday. We will see.

Until next time. I'd say tomorrow, but I can't promise that. :)

Day 18

What a day this has been. This past month has been full of these kinds of days.

This week was to be more "normal" and get back to the schedules we had before the hurricane and all this house stuff. Funny thing is, I can't remember life before all this. I know we had class and had a full day of stuff daily, but of what.

We started out the day right, with God. That is a must daily. If no God you shouldn't even try because you are already defeated. After that we ate and started class. Civics has been interesting since this 2016 election stuff began. What is awesome is Austin has been reading about the process and seeing how the current political parties have not been exactly going by the book, especially the current administration. However, I will not go there.

We close out the day today with MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). Austin loves it and does an awesome job at it. Master Doug says he needs to get meaner because he knows what what he is doing with the moves.

Another thing I forgot to day was the endless conversations with my current insurance company and the future insurance company. Trying to get the car quote right and the house quote discounted. Hard thing having a house too old for other companies to look at, but in the end I think it's worth it to have a house you love and can't wait to get there.

Another amazing day down in the books. God is awesome and so faithful.

Until tomorrow...

Day 17

Happy Monday Y'all!

Today was good and relaxing in a way, but mentally challenging. We are still in the middle of buying a house in midtown Savannah. That means that we are having to look into home insurances that will insure a home built in 1926. UMMM... we found one company! And that company is NOT our current home insurance company.

Our church ladies group had our monthly meeting and it was good. Our pastor's wife was hosting; her theme was the harvest. Of course she was not speaking of the fall harvest, but the soul harvest.

It was a good time spent with my sister as well. Getting to know her better since her return home has been such a blessing. She is a beautiful young lady full of God and much talent. We continue to talk of the goodness we all are sharing with the family back home. Austin is getting to know his grandparents as well as his aunt, which is more like a twin, and his uncle.

Well, I guess I better get for now so...

Until tomorrow...

Day 16

What an awesome day in the Lord! He shows up and fills to overflowing.

After an outpouring of the Holy Spirit during worship Pastor preached on Joy (Jesus, others, you). Where do you find joy? Hopefully, in our Savior Jesus Christ. However, we can find joy in simple daily things as well. He shared of being in the hospital and all he could think of was a banana popsicle. In those moments that brought him joy.

I love nutty bars, my all time favorite little debbie snack. I remember in jr high for lunch, every day, I would get a burrito with chili & cheese, nutty bar, and red slushy. Oh that was a treat.

My husband, 3 children, and 4 grandchildren are a joy. To see them smile and hear their laughter. My parents and in-laws are a joy. We are friends and they can teach and have taught me much.

God is faithful. Tonight we did not get a sermon at church. God moved and changed it all up. We sang, had testimony, sang some more, then anointed people... it was "lit!" Inside joke between the youth at church and me. So silly! In the end we also had a reception for one of our dear sisters as she ismoving to south Florida. Sigh, she will be missed and dearly remembered.  We lovd you, Pamela!!!

What will this next week hold for us? Not sure, but I know who holds my everyday... God! And I trust Him more everyday.

Until tomorrow...

Day 15

Today we celebrate! Our sister turned 20 on the 6th of October. Our original plans were to have a party last Saturday, but Hurricane Matthew had other plans.

Daniel is grilling hamburgers and hotdogs, Mikaela is making chili, and we have chips, drinks, and desserts. Pumpkin pie and cheesecake are the special treats for the occasion.

UPDATE...
We found a house that we loved in Savannah and put an offer on it hoping to get it. We were informed October 12th that we had a binding contract and closing was on November 11th. YAY!!