I did it!  I passed the riding skills and the written test both, and now have my endorsement!   Tuesday I will take my card to the motor vehicle license place and get a new license (yippee! new picture!) with the motorcycle endorsement on it.  It was just as hard as I anticipated it to be (at least in some ways), but was a really nice relaxed atmosphere, thankfully :)   Now it's time to go shopping for a motorcycle!

Three days!

That's all I have left till the class  Will I be able to remember all I need to know?   Will I be able to balance and ride right?   Will I be able to go through the obstacle course and not crash? Will my boots look cool with my jeans?   hee hee  So glad my hubby is doing this with me

Well, here I go! 

Hope all is well in your world :)

He (my hubby)  told me to.  I didn't do it.  I was sure I was right (not news there, lol)  He told me get a 10, but nooooooooooo, not me, it would be too small.  I had to return the 12's today because they got baggy very quickly, like within 15 minutes.  Now, before you get your hair in a knot, let me say that these are realllllly big 10's..... they say relaxed fit, but the last pair was so relaxed it was in a coma and fit horribly.  So I bought a pair of 10's.  He said I'd better buy some 8's too.  I looked at him realllllly ready to argue the point, instead clamped my jaws shut and picked up the 8's (talk about wishful thinking! ha ha ha)  So that is how I ate crow and it tasted like roast beef... I hate being wrong, but I didn't mind it so much this time :)

Today was the big day for my niece.  She turned 12.  She came upstairs to my bed last night, curled in next to me, crying.   She wants so badly for her male genetic donor (read that "father" who doesn't deserve the title) to call her, to remember her, on her birthday. We snuggled and she cried out her pain, then when she was soothed, she went back to her bed.  It's almost 8 p.m. here, and still nothing, but at least her mom called first thing this morning.  Her dad told her ( heard this one with my own ears) that he wouldn't come down or call because he doesn't like me.  The reason he doesn't is he says he feels "bad" about himself around me.  Wow, what a reason to ignore your child.  He hasn't been this way to all his four children, he lost parental rights to her two older brothers and can't see them until they are 18 now, if they choose to, but has gained partial custody of a younger brother from another mother.  My niece doesn't know about that, or it would rip her heart out.  I'm so thankful she turns often to the Lord for her strength.

That's enough of life for now, I reckon.  Hope all in your world is well!

Be safe :)

Yeeeehawwww!!!!! I came home from Wallyworld today with three pair of size 12 jeans!  I tried them on (yes, a tiny bit snug), but they did fit, so is it official, am I a 12 yet? hee hee hee!  My hubby was with me at the time, and he said, "Why even buy these?  Next week it'll be a 10, just save your money!" rofl... yeah right, nooooobody loses weight THAT fast.  I would not have even come this far without all the kind encouragment I have received from friends and fellow bloggers, thank you all sooooo very much! 

Fourteen days until the motorcycle class.  I need over the ankle footwear, and a friend who rides loaned me her boots, but they seem so clunky (even though they are the ones she rides in).  Do you have any idea how hard it is to find boots at this time of the year? lol

My niece is turning 12 this next Monday, and all she can think of is presents.... it's like being pecked to death by a duck, what did you get me, what did you get me, what did you get me.... sadly for her, it has minimized what I was going to get her.  She still has such a "foster child" mentality on some things, and this is one of them.  Gratitude comes at a cost, all the time, no matter who you are.

This past weekend we were going to take the family camping (for said niece's birthday), and the Lord chose now to refill the lake. It has been raining around here since Friday, I think we've received something like 5" in the past two days.  In our drought ridden country it's good to get the water, but kind of tough on the ground, which is hard and not too absorbent.  I'm hoping it dries out a tad, as the green beans really need picked and I don't want to try it in ankle deep mud, lol

My dear friend Judy made the extra special effort to call me last night and let me know that there was a tropical storm that was attempting to become a hurricane, and that it had my name.  After hearing that, my husband asserted that it would definitely be a category 5, hee hee!

Hoping that all is well in your world... stay safe :)

Me

Am I out of my mind?  The class starts in just 26 days, and I can hardly wait, yet I'm sooo nervous about doing this :)  I have to look past the class, because after the class comes.... SHOPPING for a bike, hehehe... then there is making the payments (another down side) but saving on gas (upside) which will not offset the cost for a while (downside) yet, this will be a new beginning on Part 2, Faye Does Life :)  Always end on a positive note, heehee

But at the moment, I'm busy processing corn so I can freeze it, plus I have a bucket full of green beans to get ready to can, so off of here for now!

YIPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! I've lost 60 pounds so far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, only 60 more to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YEEEEEEHHHAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am registered to take the cycle course at the end of August!!!! yeehaaawwww!

Much to my surprise, my dh is also going to take it too!!  What fun!

We had our 20th anniversary this past week.  We got in the car, ready for a 4 day vacation, with no children!, destination planned..... We got in, he looked at me, I looked at him, and he said, "y'know, we can still go see your mom..."  so, instead of heading west to the mountains as previously planned, we headed south toward the mountains instead.  That was one plan out the window before we even made it out of the driveway ;)  We went to mom's (a 4 hour drive), didn't tell her we were coming and showed up at her door, surprising her, and took her out for a nice dinner.  After visiting with her for a while, we took her home and headed for the hotel room we had already rented and had the absolute joy of my dear friend Heather coming to visit.  While we were there, there was a tremendous thunderstorm and LOTS of rain, which the area needed, and the best part was I'm sure it caused her to visit longer ;)  The next day we headed to LaVeta and took the train up to LaVeta pass and back.  It was kind of a disappointing trip, though.  We got the dome car, which was nice and met the loveliest couple (they were celebrating their 55th anniversary three days after ours, funny thing is her middle name was the same as my first name), but the air conditioning was not working and it was very hot on the way up, not to mention long and not as scenic as I would have hoped.  Supposedly we were to have an hour layover to walk around the meadow and just enjoy, however the other train we were to switch to was already coming in, so like cattle, we got herded over to the other one and went back down the mountain.  Then we went to Bishop Castle http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2047 which is an experience not to be missed if you are in the area.  Tremendous is the only way to describe it.  After that we headed to Canon City to find a motel for the night, and found a nice Super 8 with a heated pool and hot tub, of the which we took great advantage.  The next day we stopped and did something I have always wanted to do but haven't till then..... we took a helicopter ride http://www.royalgorgehelitours.org/ .  I didn't think that I would ever do it over the Royal Gorge http://www.royalgorgebridge.com/ and definitely did not bargain on a pilot who was not afraid to die and take us with him, rofl...  We dipped and dove into the canyon, turning sideways to avoid the canyon walls and then shooting straight up in the air just to level out and drop again.  My toes were firmly dug into the seat in front of me... I'm sure you can still see the indentations of my toes, and I was wearing tennies at the time, hee hee!  It scared the snot out of me at first, but by the time we were done, I was ready to do it again, and will if we get in the area once more.  It was terrific!  Next time I'm taking FRONT seat!  Of course, the camera had to die right after we got on the copter, so, nothing much for pictures from that point on.  Afterwards we headed to Buckskin Joes http://www.buckskinjoe.com/ and took their small train for a look over the gorge.  If you have ever seen any of these movies http://www.buckskinjoe.com/page.asp?id=16&name=Movies you've seen Buckskin Joes, as they have made several westerns there.  Then we went to the gorge itself and rode the tram (like being in a cracker box suspended from a plane connected with thread, but STILL not as exciting as the copter ;) ) , rode the incline and walked until our feet ached.  It was great!  After that we headed to Woodland Park, found a lovely suite that they discounted down to half price so the clerk could go home as it was the last room, rested up, then the next day headed home.  It was marvy...!

The Dome car

Ernest & Olita Faye in the dome car, such sweet people!

Bishop Castle pictures

What is a castle without a dragon?

This is the last pic I got before the camera died, and before we dipped or rather I should say, plummeted, into the canyon....

Ok, I know I came to this planet with them pre-installed.  My guts, I mean.  I'm certain of it.  They have to be here somewhere.....  There is some classes coming up for basic (motorcycle) riding.  They teach you everything you need to know and then give you a paper to take to the DMV, and wahlah, they give you a license. However, no matter how bold I am becoming in doing things differently (like getting my second holes pierced in my ears, may I say now... OUCH!) and independently, I am still a ..... yes, I'll say it,... I'm a girl.  That being said, I know even girls come with pre-installed guts.  But... I'm a girl, and girls do everything in pairs or groups.  This will be done alone.  Eeeek.  The 'eeeeky' parts are the cost which is expensive,  a 100 mile drive one way, scheduling to do this on a Thurs. evening, drive back home that night, work on Friday, back up there on Friday night, spent Friday and Sat. night there and do the classes on Sat. and Sun.   Having written it down makes it a lot easier to manage, because now I can see what the obstacles are :D!    I believe I have a place to stay while up there (my daughter's boyfriend has an apt. there but he's working out of town during that time, so it will be empty), I think I can navigate to the college fairly well, despite it's in a larger city.  Guess the only place I'll have to do a "gut check" is when I get in the class and get astride the bike they will be providing :D! 

(Judy I borrowed your paragraph, mostly because I don't have time to write my own this morning before work, lol)

The “apron queen” from An Apron A Day has invited fellow apron lovers to join in a round of Kick the Bucket.  This is based on the movie “The Bucket List”.  The list is made up of things you would like to do before you kick the bucket.  It sounds like fun to me…not to mention how great it would be to win one of the vintage aprons being given away to random winners just for playing along.  For all the details click on the “An Apron a Day" link above. 

As for my bucket list, very much subject to change due to seasonal mood changes and occassional attacks of hormones, as well as the lightbulb going off and being hit with an "aha!!" ....

I came across this in an email newsletter I receive, and it just struck me as being a really good quote:

"- There are no shortcuts to financial prosperity!
There's a price to be paid. The price is hard work,
determination, perseverance, discipline, and sacrifice. So,
let's ask the question one more time: What are you willing to
give up to win financially?"

I think in the past several months, I have proved I have determination, perseverance, discipline and sacrifice, however they have all been directed at my weight loss.  Now I think I may be able to direct them at the financial aspect, too, since reading this has made me aware that I am indeed capable of meeting these requirements.  However, there is always the variable of my dear hubby, lol.... My desire is to have a motorcycle, especially with all the driving I do and gas being $4 plus now, the question in my mind is, can I really do this?  My honey asked me, with a smirk on his face, no less, if I would settle for a scooter.  He got a resounding "NOT!" for that one! haha!  However what I do want is going to run me between $3,000-$4,000, and I am a bit shaky about taking on debt (always have been, but still have done it).  Now I need to figure out what a payment would run me, realizing that even in winter when I can't use the bike I will still have a payment, not to mention if I get a loan I will have to have full insurance coverage instead of liability on it.  Just one more thing to be taken to the Lord in prayer :)

Isn't she pretty, sigh......

Judy sent this sweet lil gif and gave me SUCH a chuckle over being such a loser ;) lol

If you've read anything of the past few days entries, you will realize that I'm not the only one on this weight loss journey.  My friend Judy is also on this path, and as promised, she has given me pictures (yeah!!). 

Here is her before 

...and the after...      You look fantastic, girlfriend!  Since your diet is different from mine, you'll have to share what it is you do. 

I forgot to add to mine that I exercise (hard to believe with me!) on a mini tramp 3x a week for 20-40 min. at a time.  I find it to be a great stress reliever, too.  I found one of those rolling ab firmers (an Ab Slide) at a garage sale, practically brand new, for 25 cents! 

I just had my FAVORITE salad for supper :)  Lettuce, pecans, craisins, carrots, cheese, eggs, and ranch dressing.... I'm in veggie heaven right now, lol.   A little bit of the beauty the Lord has shared with me to share with you here :)

Hey, Another prairie dweller, you look familiar too.... hehehe  I'm going to guess I know exactly who you are!  You are... another prairie dweller! hahaha

Saford, it's very possible for it to happen for you too.  My weight loss did not begin 10 months ago, it began in February 2008... this has been just a few months worth of weight loss. Most of those who know me know I'm typically pretty determined when I set my mind to something and this is something I wanted pretty badly.  Very short version of what my diet consists of:  No bread, rice, potatoes, sugar or anything that is high carb, I eat meats, salads, and veggies and I actually feel better and like what I eat.  My fibromyalgia is way down, I can walk and bend again as my knees don't hurt (at least, not quite as much), and I now LOVE to shop for clothes where before I dreaded it with a passion!  As my youngest daughter (soon to be 20) says, "Mom, you turned into a girl finally!!"   

   Then....

...and now....  Same place (Estes), 10 months difference.....

My shopping was an ego spree, lol!  I bought 2 pair of size 14 pants (I began this weight loss journey wearing a size 22/24 in Feb. of this year), and one pair of size 12 capris.  I LOVE vanity sizing, rofl!  Another goal under the belt, so to speak :D 

My daughter sent me a picture today.  The picture reflected my current changes in life, and one of the things I want to do....  

...and she's right.  It's never too late!  One of these days I will have my motorcycle (not a chopped one, either, nor ape hangers! lol), but until then... 

Today, with a different set of horse power under me, I rode a beautiful mare who was so incredibly patient with my nerves, inexperience, and lack of knowledge.  I never thought I'd EVER get on another horse again, yet I made it one of my goals to achieve this year.  I've not only achieved riding (thank you, Sue!!) today, but am going to be riding for the next several weeks to get a good hold on it.  I had a tremendous fear (no thanks to poor teachers and not so great horses) of riding, yet today I was 'one' with the horse and the time went by quickly. 

I'm so glad the Lord drug me out of my "bubble"!!  In five months my life has changed so dramatically that it would make anyone's head spin.  Nothing horrible, mind you, just, well, dramatic.  Different clothes, different size (weight loss), different lifestyle (to some degree), different job (not a sahm anymore), and for the first time in too many years, I have goals.  The horse riding was one, a motorcycle is another..... and then there is the skydiving.... but we'll save that one for later ;)

One of the saddest things I realized a few months ago was I had no goal, no future, nothing I could look forward to, except the mundane same ol same ol.  So glad those days are over.  Oh yeah, going shopping alone tomorrow, a repeated goal that brings me big smiles!

Grab a goal.  Go after it.  Don't forget to smile big ;)

Faye