BRACES

So, a couple of days ago we found out that Kayleigh needed to start Phase 1 of orthodontic treatment.   She’s 7 for crying out loud!!  Her two front teeth came in crooked.  One tooth is so crooked that it is rubbing the enamel off one of the bottom teeth.  So, today we go get braces.  $1600.00 worth of braces.  She looks cute, I have to admit – and things have changed drastically since I had braces.  Now you get to change colors each time you go — you can earn tokens for good habits (like brushing, flossing, etc) and buy things…..the doc even gave her a T-shirt…….(wonder how much of that $1600.00 went for those things????)  He seems like a very nice orthodontist and his office is awesome.  But somehow I felt like my little girl became a tweenie today……She just looks too grown up to be 7.

Life continues to be good — way too good as a matter of fact.  I keep waiting for the big ball to drop – but so far things have been wonderful.  Weight Watchers will all come to a head this Friday when I give me full meeting presentation — and the prospect of being a leader will be realized or diminished. 

I’m excited each day as I wake up to find out what the day will hold.  Last night some friends invited us over for an outdoor firepit somemores…..it was so much fun – and Dave, Kim and the girls came over and Gpa got to hear Izzie sing “You Belong With Me” — she was so darn cute.

Fall has arrived and it’s wonderful!  The air is crisp — windows and doors are open…..I’m hoping David will go buy an outdoor fire pit tonight — last night was so much fun!

WONDERFUL PEOPLE WONDERFUL LIFE

Today I finished the 4th of my 5 leader apprentice meetings with Weight Watchers.  Next Friday will be my BIG session – leading the meeting by myself.  How do I feel?  Excited, scared, happy……standing on the edge of a whole new season of my life — I haven’t gone this way before.  I remember how I felt “coming in” – unsure if I could work outside of the church.  I hadn’t worked outside the church in 23 years!  There was something very safe for me there – however, it proved to be a hard and strange place to work.  I guess that in working outside the church I don’t expect people to be kind. I did expect that in the church but I guess the joke was on me – for there were some who weren’t kind.  Now, don’t get me wrong – there were plenty who were kind.  Wonderful people who would give you the shirt off their backs.  Great people to walk through life and enjoy ministry with.  Yet, I was taken by suprise time and time again by those who proved, in the end, to be unkind.  Enough of that…….I guess I feel more at ease not expecting anything of anyone and being totally suprised when they are wonderful, kind, and jewels to work with.  This I say of my new friend, Kim.  What a joy and blessing to work beside her.  She has been dealt a tough hand – however, she is delightful. I look forward to the our working realtionship.

Doc got to go to an SC game last night — he went along with our son, Dave, and some others, including our pastor.  He had a wonderful time. Today he is golfing with one of his old buddies.  I guess you could say he’s “living the dream” – I tell him that all the time.  He just laughs and says I’m talking about myself.

Kayleigh is doing great.  Lovin 2nd grade.  Lovin playing in the “circle” with all her buddies. 

Fall is just around the corner – I have my Fall decor out on the porch — I love coming home to it.  Can’t wait for the weather to stay cool….can’t wait to get out my warmer clothes…..can’t wait to go to Ann Taylor Loft and find some new winter clothes……..I love life right now!

Oh The Weather Outside is…..

Delightful! Awesome! Great! and any other wonderful word you can think of.  It is September 2 and it feels like Fall has arrived.  I’m sure we will get some more warm weather but right now it feels just great outside.  We have the windows open…..the wind is blowing…..I feel like I should bake a pumpkin pie, apple pie, or something Fallish.  This is our first Fall here and I’m so excited.  Right now I want to go out to the garage and get down the October decorations….but I don’t want to be the first in the neighborhood….I must wait until the first of next month.  

Next week I go to WW leader training.  I’m so excited.  I’m thrilled at the prospects of becoming a leader in WW and can’t wait to begin that part of my life.  I took the program knowledge training on line yesterday and it made me so excited to get the opportunity to share life changing healthy opportunities with other people  Havine worked in “church world” for so long – it is exciting to me to get outside the church doors.  I was afraid to begin with.  This is my first time in over 20 years to work “out in public” — however, I feel like this is exactly where I belong at this time of my life.  I’m hoping to make this a life career.

The week after that the Girlfriends Leadership Team is coming for a visit….about 5 of them will be staying over on thurs. night. I hope we can go downtown Greenville to eat and tour….then they come back on Sat night and will go to church with us on Sun morning.  Doc preaches that Sun so it will be fun to have them here.

Speaking of church, I’m loving it…I’m playing in the worship band and I’m enjoying using my gifts again.  It was good to take the months off that I had — I needed it more than I realized.  But it was time to get back at it. I knew it. And it is so nice to show up (Prepared) play and leave and leave any problems there.  Wow — how many years has it been since I was able to do that? I’m absoluetly lovin it!!!

Life is just great right now – and I’m so looking forward to the months ahead

HOW AM I DOING?

Tonight I sat down for a while and took a little assessment of myself asking the question “How am I doing” — nothing particular in mind just a general question that can cover a lot of areas….here’s what I think:

1.  I’m excited to get involved possibly as a leader in Weight Watchers.  I have always had an interest in health and nutrition….this gives me an outlet for that and also helps to keep me on the healthy program

2.  I’m loving playing in the worship band at Milestones.  It is unbelievably refreshing and peaceful to go – play the keyboard – and leave – leaving all the problems there.  Coming home from practice without frustration and more to do than I can possibly get done between Thursday night and Sunday morning is such a wonderful feeling

3.  I struggled greatly trying to find my “place” in church when we first came here.  After 23 years as “the pastor’s wife” – it was strange not to know who I was.  As a matter of fact we recently went to a marriage retreat and they asked the pastors and wives of the churches to stand — I think it was our first time not standing when those words were said.  It was a surrill feeling. I kinda sat there not knowing how I felt about it all….. I think I’m still struggling a little there.  However, it is so nice to go to church and not have the pressure of being “the pastors wife”

4.  I’m enjoying  being home more these days.  With weight watchers I can pretty much pick my hours. I’m spending more time at home than I have in years.  It’s good.  We’re eating more meals at home these days and I’ve been able to get into more of an exercise program

5.  Oh, I still love my mochas….I still love shopping (more window shopping these days)…..and moving furniture around (which makes Doc upset)

6.  Dealing with nearing the age where my mom died has been a little harder than I thought it would. I’m 54 my mom died at 57  with a major heart attack. I’m trying to take much better care of myself …..however, I’m finding that that rolls around my mind alot

7 .  Speaking of 54 – I don’t feel 54 – I hope I don’t look 54 – I don’t think I do, but who knows…..growing older haunts me… I don’t want to grow old ( or what old is in my mind)

So, how am I doing? I think I’m good, I think I’m real good.  Life is good.  Hope is good.  This might be the “goodest” time of my life in a LONG time

Facts about the Rhodes Family

1.  Kayleigh finishes her first week of 2nd grade today.  She has been very hard to wake up in the mornings even though we get her to bed at a decent time.  She is most definately still on “summer schedule”

2.  Harley “might” be house broken!  We never say “he is” -  because as soon as we say that he goes back to poopy in the house stage.  However – yesterday we had NO accidents.

3.  Doc just returned from Canada.  He led a missions trip from our church.  He had an awesome time.

4.  We all just returned from our New York Vacation.  We had the best time with the Clark Family.  Have to say “Wicked” was the high point.  We have tickets already to see it here in Greenville in February.

5.  I am definately settling in to the “stay at home” lifestyle.  Only working a few hours a week with WeightWatchers but will be going next month to Leader training.  I love being home and having no pressure — Yes, this is me!

6.  We are all excited about Fall coming…..we moved here too late for Fall last year — so this will be our first — can’t wait to put out pumpkins, have pumpkin pie, and all go to the apple festivals.  Hendersonville has a huge apple festival and I can’t wait to go – apple fritters, apple pies, apple bread (no not weight watcher friendly) but good to the last bite!

That’s about all going on right now….isn’t it great!!!

CHOLESTEROL

For what seems like years now I have been plagued with high cholesterol.  It must be genetic for me because on most days my diet is good and I exercise.  Even when I got to my lowest weight, my cholesterol was well over 200.  About 6 months ago I began taking medication — at that time my cholesterol was around 320.  The bad thing is that my bad cholesterol is very high.  My mother died at age 56 from a heart attack. It happened very suddenly and very fast.  She would never go to the doctor…..and in all probability would be alive today if she would have had some tests done and taken better care of herself. 

I just received a call from my doctor yesterday and despite taking med and eating well and exercising my cholesterol is over 200 and my bad cholesterol is still very high.  I got an email from a friend that said his cholesterol had been over 300 and he read the book “Cholesterol Down” — he has been doing the steps for about 8 weeks and at his last test he had dropped to below 200.  I promptly ordered the book.  I find myself constantly drawn to good nutrition (However I’m not always good at following the things I learn) — which reminds me of some Bible verse about ever searching but never knowing……which means it makes you feel good to be learning the things but you never take them to heart. 

My doctor was quite curt in letting me know that I need to take care of myself — and that this is nothing to mess around with.  It’s time to take it seriously.  I’m hoping that following the steps in this book will, like my friend, make a difference in my cholesterol….. I will keep track with this blog…..

VACATION AND HOME

Since my last post we have taken our vacation to New York City.  It was an awesome time.  We met the Clark family there and spent 5 glorious days together touring the city.  We saw: Times Square, Ground Zero, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, New York Stock Exchange,  Little Italy, Chinatown, Central Park and many many chick flic sites that I have wanted to see forever.  The biggest event of all was “Wicked” — it was absolutely awesome!  We all loved it. Kayleigh laughed and watched intently.  After the show we went to the back theatre door where the girls were able to get autographs from many of the actors. I loved the food (huge portions on everything), the Starbucks on every corner and between corners, the taxis, the noise, the lights.  All of it….. However, it is nice to be home.  We are settling in back at home. Laundry is done…..we’re going to “Meet the Teacher” tonight at Kayleigh’s school (2nd grade)…..school starts on Monday so things will really settle down then.  We have all our school supplies and clothes and are ready to go!

We have lots of company coming this weekend so it will be busy but good.  Life is good.  God is good.

I’M EXHAUSTED!!!

I am so ready for my husband to come home….it has been 7 nights now and I’m exhausted.  I know….lots of gals say that I only have one child and that should not makae me tired.  But lots of gals should remember that I’m just a little older than them….

I have a terrible time getting Kayleigh ready for bed at night and getting her up in the mornings.  I’m beginning to hate those two times of the day.  Kayleigh could stay up til FOREVER and then sleep in the morning until FOREVER!!  We are having that mother/daughter thing where I say something…..she doesn’t hear it…I say it again….she doesn’t hear it again….by that time I’m frustrated and yelling and she’s upset that I’m yelling.  Then let’s throw in the worlds most disobedient dog (that, by the way, graduated from obedience school!) He is attacking us…..pooping in the house……then whining to go out every two seconds where he does absolutely nothing….you bring him in and he proceeds to do it on the floor……I feel like my life is a circus right now, I’m on the tight rope just about to not only fall off – I’m gonna jump off!    Ok, so I take a deep breath, get it all together and start over again in the morning.  Right now,Kayleigh is in bed (hopefully asleep). It is 11PM — I’m watching a Lifetime movie that I taped — getting all my computer info up to date — and just enjoying the peace and quiet.  It will be ok…..Doc will come home, he will help with Kayleigh, he will help with Harley, and life will come back to order…..AMEN!

A RAINY STAY AT HOME NIGHT

It’s Tuesday night. Tonight makes 5 nights that Doc has been gone.  Canada is going well for him.  I’m hoping he will post  some pictures soon on Facebook.  It’s storming outside really badly right now.  Kayleigh and I decided to have an “at home” movie night.  It turned out to be a good idea since it is so bad outside.  It’s pouring and we are safe inside.  Kayleigh wanted to go to Dunkin Donuts and get a dozen donuts for movie night.  I hope she doesn’t get on a sugar high because it could be a long long night…….

So, I got some good news today.  I got a call from my territory manager for Weight Watchers asking me about going to leader training.  There is a training in Charlotte on Sept. 10-12.  I am planning on going.  After that I train with a mentor for 4 weeks, and then begin my own meeting.  This is really exciting for me….I love how my leader, Shirley, encouraged me in Weight Watchers. I hope I can pass that along to others. However, this really puts me in the throws of doing the program really well.  I’m really excited about this new opportunity.

By this time next week we will be in NYC — It will be an exciting few days for me as I have wanted to do this for forever.  I have been to Chicago several times and absolutely loved it – I’m  sure NYC will be even more exciting.

My dad is coming to town the end of this week.  It will be good to see him again. He is doing so great. He got a clean bill of health from the doctor last week — and rides his bicycle 7 miles each day — he’s in his 70’s…..we have a history of longevity on his side of the family.  I hope I can do as well as he has done….

I just chatted with an old friend from Florida on Facebook.  I miss my old singing buddies very much…..we had such great times together….we worked hard together…..isn’t it funny how life moves on – you make new friends – and your friendships expand…..Heaven will be nice as we willl all be together all the time!

Monday Morning in Duncan

It’s Monday morning.  Kayleigh and I slept in until 8:30AM – actually she is still in bed!  That girl loves to sleep late in the mornings. Which is great for Saturday – but horrible for school days.  I had to be at worship practice yesterday at 8AM which meant I needed to leave the house around 7:30 – man was it hard to get her moving.  Next week we go to NYC for about 4 days so after that we’ll have to get on a pre-school schedule.

Kayleigh and I cleaned house last night.  I pretty much had everything done and Dave, Kim and the girls came over.  Dave managed to step in some poop that Harley had done by the front door (he is ALMOST housebroken!) — well to say the least it totally freaked Dave out…..he had walked on my newly cleaned wood floors with his poop shoes and he was gagging…….I just stood there and laughed.  Kim had to end up cleaning his shoes and I cleaned up the floor — as we were doing this I looked in the Living room and there he was watching TV as we were cleaning up the mess he had cause — and Harley was laying on the floor beside him — WHAT”S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE!!!!  Dave just doesn’t do throw up or poop AT ALL – pretty much like his dad.

So I’m enjoying this nice quiet morning. I work later this afternoon at a meeting in Greer, then home.   Doc is doing great in Canada.  Tonight is their first VBS for the church there.  We miss him here.  It will be a long week I’m sure – but when it’s over NYC will only be a couple of days away!!