For we need a little positive, right this very minute

This week was tough with my food decisions, not gonna lie. For people who have never struggled with how much they weigh, that sounds so trite and meaningless but if you have struggled with your weight and what you eat, you may understand the frustration of such a bad week.

However- at my meeting tonight I started jotting down some seriously positive things that have happened this week alone:
1. I made my first batch of black beans from scratch. From those tasty beans came 5 pre-packaged lunches for the week!
2. I found some new items that are lower in points on the new WW program. I recommend:
            Sara Lee 45 Calorie Delight bread- 2 slices, 2 points, great value
3. Several people have been inspired to join weight watchers because of my weight loss stories. I don't mean to boast but to point out the value of transparency. There are so many "diets" that just don't work and WW does! Sharing your weight loss journey and being willing to share that you are an overweight person can be vulnerable but when people know they are not alone, they are more apt to share their struggles as well.
4. I am healthier, fitter, thinner, and full of more nutrients now than I have been since high school. This is my smallest size ever!
5. I have made several great friends, including my WW buddy Karen through this journey.
In case you haven't seen, here are the before and after shots:

Before: January 2010

After Dec 2010

Merry Christmas- holiday 2010 photo shoot

In case you didn't my father-in-law is a gifted photographer. He has an eye for poses and capturing people that I have never seen!  He took mine and Mike's christmas photos and here were some of his results. I have edited and touched them up with Picnik! My favorite editing site ever :)

This was NOT posed, I was laughing at how he was asking me to try posing.

These are two photos fused. We went to the Cloud!

another trying to pose but not quite getting there. Mike is so goofy when he takes pics.

Total pose of course...love the gaze though. Hey- we look like we like each other!

Merry Christmas friends!!!  This is just the best time of year :)

I'm a grump

I admit, I am such a scrooge right now. Everyone and everything is so annoying. Such as:

If people are going to drive under the speed limit (significantly) then why are they driving the in fast lane? There is a lane designated for them.
Why do people insist on talking loud enough for everyone in a place to hear? Yes- I understand that the natural register of my voice is rather high
Why do strangers need to bring attention to the dumb mistake they just made by pointing it out to you a second time when you didn't care to notice it the first?
Why do girls where shorts that won't cover a quarter of their thigh with a parka and Uggs?
Oh and going back to driving, you do not have to come to a complete stop to turn right when there is no light or stop sign. Just sayin.

I need to go eat some termite pie or something.