An Abrupt Ending

Today it all stopped.  It was very sudden, it was very abrupt.  I wasn't expecting it to happen so fast, but the kids are gone, back to school and summer is over!  Kevin packed his car and is gone! I always get emotional when the kids leave the house. I never know when I'll see them again.  Actually, I think I will see them in four days!    

It was an amazing summer!  We're emptynesters again!

Week Seven

I keep plugging away, another pound lost. I really wish it would come off faster, but this is what this program is designed to do. I purchased a DVD/CD program from Jenny Craig called Touchstones. This is a tool to help my mindset to make healthy choices as I progress with my wieght loss. I did watch the DVD and listened to the CD and I think it will be helpful. We did go to In N Out yesterday after Kevin's skydinving adventure and I just so happen to have my "Dining Out" book and it even had In N Out and I could order a hamburger with everything on it except the spread! It was delicious and only 310 calories! No french fries, (I did sneak one!) I was very proud of myself for sticking to choosing "healthier choices". Until next week!

Skydiving

So, a couple of months ago my soon to be 19 year old son said he wanted to go skydiving. Well, I wasn't too surprised because since he was at the age he could hold a ball he wanted to play every sport imagine even though some didn't involve a ball!  He had a big birthday party and thanks to some really special girls, he received a big chunk of money to put towards skydiving.  So the day fianlly arrived.  I really wanted to go and see what it's all about, and just in case if something happened, I would be there.  Not that I thought for a minute that something would happen..but just in case!  It turned out that Tom, Kimberly and myself went to meet up with Kevin and his friends.  Kevin's friend, Matt, also wanted to take the jump.  Well, it was a long day because we had to wait...

and wait...
we would watch other groups fall from the sky...

wait some more...
good thing I found a deck of cards in the car...
wait some more...
went to Starbucks...

finally, after hours, they told Kevin & Matt to suit up...

good thing the girls were there to keep us entertained...

I needed to check out the plane and take some pics, even tho I wasn't suppose to be over there...

the model pose...
Kevin's photo/video guy filming Kevin saying that he loves his mother and thanks her for allowing him to experiece this very dangerous "sport".
Oh, by the way, here are a few instructions...
more instructions...
His tantum partner...
Good by, Kevin,  I love you!!
any last words, Kevin?
second thoughts???
here we go, keep your head up...
finally, the jump!
free fall = 120 mph for 6,000 ft...



Thank God the parachute opened...


They made it...

A thrill of a lifetime!  

They are already talking about doing it again.  I don't know if this mom can take it!

Camping at San Mateo

A couple weeks ago we went on our annual camping trip to San Mateo which is near San Clemente beach.  We've been going camping with this group of families for a few years now and we always have a great time.  What makes it so much fun is the kids.  Now these "kids" are all grown up, some are finishing their college years, some just starting, some are half way across the states, but yet they take time out of their busy schedule to make this trip.  Every day focused on food, going to the beach, campfire and food again!  What else do you do when you go camping!  

Steve brought tons of carne asada to grill...

Another night, we made Hobo Pies, which are like grilled sandwiches or panini, made out of two slices with bread with whatever you want inside like ham & cheese, pepperoni, cheese, pizza sauce, all kinds of choices and put them in a Hobo pie maker and cook in the fire...

It seemed like every night we had a different group of kids.  Friends would come for dinner, leave for work and sometimes come back again...

One morning, somebody went out and got donuts...

There was always a game going on...

Twins!!!  Jack & Kimberly wearing the same shirt!! (I think Kimberly just woke up)

As soon as Tom fired up the generator, all the cell phones needed to be charged...

My "kids"...

The girls took a big blow up matress out in the water catching some waves...

Special visitors from the Ukraine came out to see Kimbery & Hannah.  The girls met them when they went on a mission trip to the Ukraine...

Making omelettes in a bag...

The kids hanging out and some saying their final goodbyes...'til next year...

Week Six

Another pound loss!! I'm a third of the way from my goal! I'm thrilled! Even though I feel I worked so hard for that one pound and I want the weight to come off faster, I'm feeling great and getting into my activity routine! My clothes fit better! This past weekend I spent with Kimberly and I did really well, sticking to the eating plan, even going out to eat. I walked and rode bike, definitely got my exercise in!! Another week ahead; there should be no interruptions and looking forward to loose more of myself!!!

Week Five

It's been a good week. It was a short week but I still managed to loose 2 more pounds! I had no interuptions so I could concentrate on my plan. I walked more, even did a little jogging and swam some laps. I stuck to the food plan to the T! I didn't feel hungry but I do sometimes miss some of the other off limit foods. I'm heading out to visit Kimberly this weekend and I'm planning on bringing my JC food along and allowing two dinners on my own. This will be a challenge but I think I'm confident on making the right choices. We'll see how I do.

Week Three

I just got back from camping at San Clemente.  We went with a few other families and our kids, who are now college age.  This week was probably one of the most challenging weeks being on Jenny Craig.  I stuck to the plan except for three dinners I did on my own, but I still did my portion size.  I lost a pound, which is very discouraging since I feel I really stuck to the plan.  This week will hopefully be easier.  I'm sticking with the plan and going to concentrate on being more active.  I shouldn't have too many interruptions this week.