Waiting for the world to change...

I seem to be waiting on the world. 

I want things to be different.

Now.

It's time to let go of wanting things to be different.

It's time to rejoice in the way things are.

It's time to look down and see my foundation.

My faith

My family

The strength learned in every valley I've walked through

~ 

It's time to look beside me and see my support.

My church

My friends

A journey toward better health

~ 

It's time to look up and find my wings.

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Tomorrow I hope to be back with an answer to the SITs challenge about finding the best in yourself.

Perspectives on a Corn Crib (Photo Challenge)

Spring Into Action Photo Challenge
Day One:
Photograph a subject using a variety of compositions and perspectives. (Don’t move it. Move yourself.) Take at least 20 photos, more is fine.

I photographed an old corn crib in the back yard in late afternoon:

 

 

 

I did take at least 20, but didn't add them all.  Soemtimes, you just gotta hit delete! 

Now for Day Two:
Edit your photos. Pick your best 3 photos, each showing a unique composition and/or perspective. If you want to apply any correction or creative editing via software or an online tool, go ahead.
Blog Your Photos. Use your photos in a blog post to enhance a story you’re telling. You can post the photos individually or in a collage.

Here are a few of the edits, I'll pick the top three and post a second time...


All edits done with Photoshop Express

This Blog is...

#1.  This blog is having a mid-life crisis.
I love the original concept of this blog.  It was to read advice and tips from various sources, try them out and share them with you.  Except that I don't seem to have time to even read them anymore, let alone try them.  I do enjoy writing about my weight loss journey.  I do enjoy structure.  I feel the need to take some time to decide what I really want this blog to be.  Which brings me to:

#2.  This blog is taking a (semi) break. 
The only blogging I will be doing in the month of April will be answers to SITs activities.  All of my "weight loss journy" posts lately have been dry and only about weight watchers challenges/activities.  I have found other outlets for that type of sharing that seem to be a better fit.  Until I know what this blog wants to be, I don't feel like posting about weight loss just for the sake of posting.  Plus the current activities at SITs have been great ideas!

#3.  This blog is feeling violated.
Until recently, I felt pretty secure about how personal this blog was.  If you "knew me" knew me, you would recognize my face, my name and probably knew who I was referring to in the stories I told.  If you only knew me as Marcy from Better Jeans, or if our connection was purely cyber in nature, you didn't really have any sensitive information about me.  And then I found out I have at least one anonymous reader.  Let me tell you, the experience was not as gratifying as I might have thought.  In fact, now everytime I think of a topic for a post I feel judged by this person.  I shouldn't feel that way.  A week ago I didn't care what I told you.  I still don't care what I tell 95% of you.  This one (or more) reader has me questioning what to share and suddenly I can't write a single sentence of substance.  That's not what I want from a blog.  I love sharing the real life issues of weight loss, healthy living and all the side-stuff that goes along with it to make up my life. 

In the meantime readers (especially you, ms-anonymous-lurker), her are some other bloggers I think you'll enjoy:

Get some daily reality from Rachel at The Lazy Christian.  I especially liked her post about this topic we all struggle with.
Let Netters from A Full Place ~ A Happy Life inspire you with her menu planning.  Here's one from around this time last year to get you in the right season.
Let Crystal at moneysavingmom help you in your spring cleaning (and follow her for all her deals and great ideas, too!)

And when all other blogs fail to keep me entertained, I like to go to this blog and read the rants and raves of other women who are just as annoyed as I am.

 

P.S.  This is the only time I will bother addressing you, miss-anonymous-lurker.  In the future, please feel free to direct your feedback to me and it will be addressed in a timely manner.

Spring Into Action Challenges

Seems like everyone enjoys a little play on the word Spring.  Especially when creating a challenge.

From Weight Watchers, we have the 4 week SIA Challenge to gear us up for summer.  It is currently week two and I have four new assignments.  The theme for this week is DIG IN. 

Each week the challenge has four parts:  Eat smarter | Move More | Build Helpful Habits | Find Support

Today I'll answer the "Eat Smarter" Challenge, which is to list 10 guilt-free and portable snacks that I can use during the week..  Mine are:

• Almonds
• String Cheese
• Apples
• Yogurt
• WW Mini Bars
• PB2 Sandwich
• Carrot or Celery Sticks
• Bananas
• Dry Cereal
• Grapes

Now I know I chose some items hat have to be refrigerated, but I generally have access to one each day. 

Challenge #2 is the one from SITs  which I'm behind on.

Guess who's going to be taking pictures after work today?  Which is fine since my dumb knee wants to be super swollen.  I'm guessing a leisurely walk with a dog and a camera will be gentler to said knee than 40 minutes at the gym.  Or maybe it will just be gentler on me?  :)