Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and now for the update: Weight loss total to date 40.6 lbs. YEA!!! Yesterday we celebrated the holiday at my mother-in-laws and I didn't do so good. There weren't many good choices to eat. Mostly just junk food and candy. Guess which one I picked, you guessed it, both. I ate the wrong stuff and I ate too much of it! Oh well, I'm back on track today. I am in control for the rest of the holiday season. I can handle this. I just hope I haven't gained when I go back next Tuesday night. I am the captain!

Watch next week after the weigh in on Tuesday night, I'll update and confess if necessary or crow if warranted.

Merry Christmas to all!


God Bless and go with God!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Weight Watch

Ok, as of tonight I have lost a total of .......DRUM ROLL PLEASE, ....... 36.2 lbs. I actually lost 1.4 lbs over the Thanksgiving Holiday. My goal was to just post a loss after the holiday. Even if it was just 0.1 lbs. I wanted a loss. I am thrilled. Someone gimme a high five! I went to the Dr. the Thursday before Thanksgiving week and he sent me my results on Tuesday of last week. My blood sugar was much better. My A1-C (Melissa) was 6.7. That's down from 7.9 the time before. Unfortunately, my total cholesterol was 205 and he gave me a scrip for Pravachol. He also recommended adding one baby aspirin daily. I haven't gotten the scrip filled yet but it is only because of the holiday. I will get it filled this week (Melissa).

To those who have wished me well, thanks. I appreciate all the encouragement.

God bless and go with God!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

I Gotta Crow A Little

OK, here's the deal! Tuesday is our Weight Watchers night. We have our meetings and then I usually eat a little more that I eat the rest of the week. The really great part is, this last Tuesday night I passed a milestone and reached one of my intermediate goals. I have officially lost more than 30 lbs. As of this past Tuesday night, my weight loss total is .... (drum roll, please) 30.4 lbs. For those of you who have never struggled with weight problems, those intermediate goals are crucial.

Watch for my face (and new body) on a Weight Watchers commercial.


God Bless and Go with God!

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Mark Twain

Last night we had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. In the company of our good friends, Flora and Tim Hayes, we went to Talladega to the Ritz Theatre for "An Evening with Mark Twain". Those who know me well, know that Mark Twain is one of my favorite American Humorist/Writers.

This was the one man show performed by Hal Holbrook (Yes, the actor). I saw him perform the same show on television many years ago. This was slightly different from the PBS (I think) version but in most ways it was essentially the same. For the television show, the opening was Hal Holbrook coming onto the stage, sitting in front of a make-up mirror and "becoming" Mark Twain. Last night he simply came out in costume and full greasepaint.

I wanted to take pictures to post but they requested that we not and I respect and honor that request.

As I understand it, Hal Holbrook is 84 yrs old and this weekend in Talladega will be his final performance of this show. It's difficult to believe that he is that old. Mr Holbrook gave a mesmerizing and believable performance. I do not agree with his political views but he is an outstanding actor. I hope to be able to find a copy of this show on DVD somewhere. If anyone out there sees it let me know.

Again, and I quote from an earlier post "If you have never been to the Ritz Theater in Talladega you must try it. It is one of the best kept secrets in the great state of Alabama. George Culver and the folks in Talladega do a wonderful job bringing world class entertainment to the little berg of Talladega. The Ritz Theater ranks up there with the Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery and the Alabama Theater in Birmingham. You can call for information and get on their mailing list. The number is 256.761.0000. (No the four zeros is not a misprint.) " *NOTE* George Culver is leaving soon to take over as the executive director for the Alabama Children's Theatre in Birmingham but I am sure there is much that can be built on the foundations he has laid.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Forget the Work-Outs

OK, OK, OK,

I quit the gym. It wasn't as convienent as I thought it would be. However, on September 2, 2008 I joined Weight Watchers. Results have been mixed. As of Tuesday October 28, 2008 I have lost 26.4 lbs. This is the best I have ever done on Weight Watchers. It is not as confusing as it once was. It is a much simpler plan to work with now. In a nutshell, Weight Watchers is all about making wise food choices and accounting for what you eat.

In addition to the weight loss, my blood sugar has dropped from the 180's to the 130's. Although ecstatic about my weight loss, I am far more pleased with the drop in my blood sugar. I will return to the Dr. in November for a check-up. I am actually looking forward to it. I am anxious to find out what my cholesterol and my A1-C has done considering my weight loss. My cholesterol is usually pretty good, the highest it has been in my adult life is 223. The last time it was checked, my overall cholesterol was 184, without any medication. I hope to be down at least 30 lbs. by the time I see the Dr.

By the way, (Melissa) I am still exercising. I am just exercising in the basement and the living room.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Happy Fourth to All!!!!!!!

Tomorrow is the Fourth of July and our great country is celebrating it's birthday. I am very concerned about the presidential upcoming election. I am frankly a little scared. It bothers me when I hear people blame all the problems in our country on George W Bush. Although he is the president, he is only the president. He has no power to enact laws or declare war. As president, he doesn't event have the authority to introduce legislation. Our congress, sets policy, enacts legislation and through a system of checks and balances prevents the president overstepping his authority. So any blame should be directed at our congress. Please, exercise your constitutional right to vote. Now more than ever!!!

Billy, Brandi and the girls are coming over tomorrow for the Fourth. Millie and Tim are also coming as well as Tim and Flora Hayes. We are grilling burgers and going to watch the fireworks in Pell City weather permitting. Linda has to work tomorrow night so we are have lunch. We are going to the fireworks without her. I would much prefer if she could be with us.

Meanwhile, last Saturday, Linda and I had the opportunity to meet Rick Bragg and hear him read excerpts from his new book, THE PRINCE OF FROGTOWN. After the reading, he talked for about 30 minutes. We really enjoyed it. I would highly recommend his books. Although one should really read ALL OVER BUT THE SHOUTIN' prior to reading PRINCE. SHOUTIN' lays a lot of the foundations on which PRINCE is built. These books will especially be enjoyable for those folks who grew up in the Calhoun County area. Although they have a broad appeal to most anyone who are blue collar or one or two generations removed from those people who performed hard manual such as farming, factory work or day labor.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Almost Summer!

Well, here is is the first part of June and it is almost Summer. It felt like July yesterday at my house. I'm not really a summer person. My skin is too fair and I burn easily. That, plus the heat is really hard on a fat man like me. I can't take the heat. I prefer the Fall and/or Winter. I can put on more clothes if I am cold (which is rare) but there is only so much that I can modestly take off if I get hot. My darlin' wife (I call her Flash) has her hot and cold spells. Sometimes at night, I will be sleeping peacefully, she will go into "flash" mode. She begins frantically fanning the bedcovers like a matador waving his cape, she will get up and get a cold washcloth, then twenty minutes later she's cold again. Life is never dull.

Speaking of my wife, I must say again how much I really love and appreciate her. we really had a good time Sunday at the "Coming Home" at Adamsville coC. We got to see a lot of people we don't see often enough. I really love and appreciate my extended family, and you know who you are. Words can not express exactly how I feel about the people who have become a big part of my life over the last thirteen years.

The family and friends I inherited by becoming part of Linda's life really mean a lot to me, especially the good people who are the Adamsville church of Christ.

Yes, it's almost summer. It looks like it may be a hot one. However, it will be nothing compared to the eternal heat that will be Hell. I want to remain a faithful Christan so that I can be with God in eternal comfort. I can't take the heat.

God bless and Go with God!