Annual Conference

Well, this year's Annual Conference went off with very few glitches. Our nominations report was kinda an interesting folly of errors...each quadrennium the conference committees turn over and it's our job to fill them again. As chair, this is a monumental task. Luckily, our Conference Secretary is my right hand woman. This year, because everyone was listed in the data bank, she got the report ready...but interesting things happened. For instance, men were listed as women and vice versa...the document had the wrong number, we missed putting some of the reports that we had within our report...then there were some we just didn't have at all. That's what we get for examining and reexamining it over and over...especially at midnight or later.

Other than that things were pretty boring...no really controversial resolutions, unless you count the ones about plastic bottles and CFLs. Couldn't believe those got some discussion but when they presented the proposal for a 35% increase in insurance. Crickets.

What's going on?!

Chip Off the Ol' Tooth

Well, yesterday was a day of weirdness...our oldest decided to make dessert for dinner...strawberries, shortcake and leftover Sweethearts. He gave Jim and I tastes of the shortcake with the SweetHearts pressed down in. I took a bite and felt a pain in my back molar. But, since I didn't see anything I thought it just felt like it chipped.

Later, my youngest and I were having our favorite evening snack...s'mores. As I bit into one and began to chew it, I felt something sharp in it. I spit it out...it was part of my tooth. I had broken off one of the corners of my tooth.

Well, I called the dentist and left a message. I don't just call the dentist...unless I'm canceling an appointment that is (see other dentist posts). So I knew she'd know it was the real deal. She called me this morning and told me to come in at 10.

After about 2 hours I had been prepared for a crown, and had my temporary crown attached. Tonight it hurts...not an usual thing when I leave the dentist. I'm hoping it continues to decrease in pain...if it gets worse I may need a root canal...don't want that. Did I mention I have TMJ? Yeah that makes working on my back teeth uncomfortable to say the very least. But now thanks to motrin and time my tooth/jaw is feeling better. In about 2 weeks I'll have my new crown.

Very Sad Situation

I was going to post this earlier but when I didn't feel good but thought I'd post this now. I was saddened to hear of the tragedy in Stephen Curtis Chapman. On Thursday I was driving to work and heard that on Wednesday Stephen lost his 5 year old daughter in a tragic accident. She was hit by her teenage brother as he backed down their driveway.

I can't imagine the loss he and his family must feel. I can't imagine how sad and guiltridden their son must be. This is truly a tragedy.

The memorial service was today...how very sad this is.

Please pray for Stephen and his family as they go through this very rough time in their lives.

On Top of Everything Else

Yesterday was a mixed up day. I had a lot to do for work...prepare for a conference call for the conference committee I'm the chair of and preaching for our worship experience we have on Thursday nights. On a good low stress note, my DH was on his way home from being gone to WI for several days...I was looking forward to him being home.

The calls always cause me a little stress trying to be sure I've got everything ready to go, so when I got a huge headache I didn't think much about it.

After the call I went downstairs for Common Grounds...my head still pounding. The service went well...and after I preached my head got a little better. I thought it was just my stress that had caused it.

But on my way home it started again then I started feeling dizzy. I ran through a drive thru thinking I was maybe just hungry, but it got worse when I got home. Now my tummy was feeling funny, my dizziness continued and my head was throbbing. I talked to our sitters for a while then they went home...not too long after DH arrived home. I started feeling worse. The food I had gotten didn't even really sound good. Then I started getting really cold.

Great, I thought, I've got the flu. I went to bed at 8:30 which never happens, had a run with gastrointestinal pyrotechnics once and slept from then on.

Today I don't feel too bad...my head still hurts off and on and my tummy's kinda funny. I have been eating some applesauce...my headache is pretty well gone...it comes just a little off and on. Hoping to just take it easy today so that we can enjoy the holiday weekend.

The Prodigal Returns!!

Stimpy's back!!! Mitchie, our dog, was out for his evening stroll and found her under the car. I backed the car up slowly and rescued her. She's back safe and sound!! Yea!!

Loss

Last night, as I was getting things ready for today, it dawned on my that I hadn't seen our cat, Stimpy for a while. I had cleaned out her litterbox earlier in the day...saw her earlier but hadn't seen her roaming as he usually does. I set out some food then thought I'd check in the morning maybe she's upstairs somewhere hiding...she does that sometimes.

When I woke up I didn't hear her usual meow...I went upstairs, she hadn't used the litter box. We looked around as I took the oldest to school. I kept thinking maybe she was just hiding. After work...still nothing around box...food still there from the night before. Stimpy was gone.

We've alerted our neighbors...maybe she'll return...be found. The last time she did this she was gone for about 6 weeks. But this time in 6 weeks, we'll be gone to the new house.

I can still remember when I first got Stimpy. She was a cute little kitten with an attitude. She is a light gray tabby with green eyes. Even though she wasn't really personable, she was a companion. I was just out on my own...teaching.

I hope she comes back...I kinda miss that whiny meow of hers.

Don't Dis on the Polar Bears

I was listening to talk radio this morning the host was saying that the only reason the environmentalists are putting the polar bear on the endangered species list is because they want to protect the land from drilling. He basically said it was a ruse by the environmentalists to raise gasoline costs. According to Beck, just putting the polar bear on the endangered species list will cost everyone $1.50 more at the pump.

I'm sorry but not everything is a conspiracy. As a polar bear myself (an Ohio Northern Polar Bear, that is) I find it bothersome that someone would think people are making this up. The problem is that the polar ice caps are melting...and why?...because of global warming. This is damage that humanity has done over the last several decades...it is a result of us not taking care of the environment.

The polar bears are finding it harder and harder to find their food. They have to travel farther distances to get the seals and fish they feed upon. People are not making this up...it is fact. I'm sorry sir, but you are wrong. As Klondike our mascot would say, "Don't dis on the polar bears, they've done nothing to you."

Weekend at the Hospital

This weekend we've been spending some time at the hospital. Friday night Jim was having severe pain in his left abdomen so we got the boys to a friend's house and came to the ER. Through a CT scan they found out he had a kidney stone 5.9 mm. They gave us medicine for his pain then sent us home with an appointment with the urologist for Monday. But during the night the pain worsened and we were back. They admitted him so that he could receive stronger pain meds.

He was scheduled for the procedure to remove the stone yesterday but because it was trama day here at the hospital he was bumped til today. He's in surgery now. I know it's an easy procedure but it's still nerve racking to sit and wait and not really be able to do anything.

It's ironic...I was supposed to preach today...I had written a sermon entitled hurry up and wait. Little did I think I would be living that sermon and not preaching it. Our senior pastor is covering for me today while I wait.

It's been almost a half hour since they took him in...the doctor said the procedure takes about 45 minutes to an hour. It won't be long I hope...then he'll be in recovery for about an hour. The good thing is that they have internet here so I can pass the time blogging and surfing which takes my mind off of it a little.

Old Friends...New Possibilities

We will receive a new appointment this year. Even though we are just moving about 7 miles or so it's still a move. We've been packing boxes, purging some of the things that we don't need or want any more. My office is filled with stacks of books (trying to categorize them before packing) and stacks of boxes. It wasn't until today that I think the move really got to me. I went to U-Haul to pick up some more boxes and decided, after talking to a friend of mine that's moving from southern to northern WV, to rent a van. They only have one big one left now. Thanks to Sharon we'll not be without a covered place to move our stuff in case of rain. When I got home and told WabiSabi about it, it just hit me...we're really moving. Wow.

So much emotion...so much sorrow...grief in the fact that we're leaving good friends who have been like family to us. They have walked with us through joy and held us close when we experienced rough times. Memories have been made in this appointment...Jim and I were married early on in our time here...both of our sons were born...I finished seminary...I was commissioned then ordained. So many memories.

As these next 2 months fly quickly by, I am seeking to make more memories. Our time here has been blessed and we will never forget this congregation and their impact upon our lives.

We look forward to the new possibilities that lie ahead and know that God goes with us through this transition.

Not First, but Not Bad

Well, the results were posted today. For a while I'd been running 9th in our Biggest Loser contest. When things were all said and done, I wound up finishing in 8th place. Today I finally broke through my plateau...I lost another pound.

I went back to my deep water aerobics class...aka swimming with the sadist. She really worked us today...laps running in the pool, laps running and pushing barbells up and down, kicking only, arms only back and forth, back and forth, then pull ups on the diving platform. Just thinking about it wears me out. Hopefully this change in exercise will help me to continue to break through this ceiling.

Six weeks til our trip to Florida...I want to lose at least 10 more pounds by then if possible.

The Results Are In...

Week 13

Well, the contest is over but I'm still trying to keep on with the weight loss plan. It appears that this week my body has once again decided to rebell...my weight continues to be the same, 'course now I'm more on track for where SparkPeople says I should be. I'm still losing inches but the weight is the same. I've been excited that I'm fitting into my old clothes...it's like a new wardrobe.

Before and After

Well, since Marko posted his before and after pics, I thought (with much humiliation of the before pic) to post mine. The before is to the left/top and after to the right. Not too bad I guess...only 30 more pounds to go.

What a Difference 12 Weeks Make

As you know, over the past 12 weeks I have participated in the Are You a Bigger Loser Than Marko? Contest. Marko is the president of Youth Specialties and after the first of the year he decided that he wanted to lose some weight but that it'd work better if he was joined by friends. Something like 164 of us joined him. I started watching my diet and working out again. It paid off (until these past 2 weeks when I've hit a plateau). Over the past 12 weeks I've lost 20 pounds. I'm fitting in clothes that I haven't fit in since before I got pregnant with our youngest. I feel better. But I'm not done yet. According to SparkPeople if I continue my work I can be down to my ideal weight by the end of the summer. Wow. How cool is that?

Last Few Days

Well, we are in the twelfth week of Are You a Bigger Loser Than Marko. Friday is our last weigh in and the winners will be announced next Monday. Last week I didn't feel so great so I allowed myself to eat a few more comfort foods...and I didn't mix up my exercise as much as usual. I didn't lose but I didn't gain either. This week I'm going to mix up the workouts and eat better. We'll see where I wind up. I only have about 30 more pounds or so to reach my target weight...almost 1/2 way there. I didn't think it'd ever happen.

Rude Awakening

Early this morning I was awakened by the bed shaking. I thought I was losing my mind, dreaming or being attacked by our cat. The bed shook for a while then it was done. It had awakened me enough that I got up to go to the bathroom and noticed the TV on in our boys' room...I went to turn that off...wound up getting our oldest a glass of ice water...then headed back to bed. I had tried to figure out what had happened...thought maybe it was some kind of muscle spasm that my legs were going through because of exercising...something had to make sense. Then when I was talking to my mom I found out about the earthquake. How weird...didn't ever think I'd be awakened by an earthquake without living in California.

Happy Birthday, Noah!

Please Vote

I just heard tonight on the news that We Are Marshall is up for an award from the Tribeca Film Festival for greatest sports movie of all time. It's up against Rudy. Now, Rudy is an OK movie...but We Are Marshall is much better. 'Sides our family isn't in the movie Rudy, but we can be seen in the student chant shot from We Are Marshall. If you'd like to vote go here .

We Are....Marshall.

Happiness Is...

getting into my old jeans. I haven't been able to fit into these Gap jeans for I don't know how long...at one time I couldn't even think of wearing them....then after I stared working out I could put them on but not button or zip them...now they fit buttoned, zipped and all. YIPPEE! It's paying off. Only 4 more weeks of Biggest Loser...but the weight loss will continue
..through the summer and beyond. The past two weeks I've made top ten...will it be 3? Don't know...

Gems From My Oldest

Today, as I was taking our oldest to his swimming lessons (there may be another post at a later time on that) he looked at me and said, "Wow, Mom...you've lost a lot of weight...you look thinner."

It mean so much coming from him...I was feeling pretty good as over the past few days I've gotten into clothes that I couldn't wear since I got pregnant with our youngest.

I told him thanks and that I'm going to try to lose even more weight...he goes wow then you'll really be skinny.

What a great kid!