Musinger/Clemens Gardens

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Oh, my goodness, these gardens are ABSOLUTELY beautiful! www.ci.stcloud.mn.us/Park/Gardens/Mu
nsinger.aspx

You may remember that I went with my husband a few days after starting SparkPeople last year. I think I had lost about 4-7#'s when we went last July. Well, I did a before and after Keynote to show you:


Some of my favorite shots along the Mississippi:







And heading towards the dam:




And I could post 300 pictures of flowers, but I'll just show you a few favorites:




I need to cut this short--I'll post some more pics of flowers later!

Hugs to you all! Susan

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The Power of "I CAN" by Lysa Terkeurst

Friday, August 19, 2011

"Reaching my weight loss goal is a precarious place for me. That’s because I find it is a blessing entangled with a curse. The “curse” is the assumption that freedom now means I can return to all those things I’ve given up for the past months. The sacrifices … the missed treats … the deprived taste buds high on salad and low on French fries. I’m tempted to celebrate, live it up, and invite all those foods I’ve missed to a little welcome-home party.

Yet, I can’t fling open the door to all of those missed foods without welcoming back the excess calories, fat grams, cholesterol, sugars, and addictive additives. Most of these guests fall under the category of junk foods. The interesting thing about these guests is that they send out little signals to our brain begging us to party with them again and again. A welcome-home party becomes an invitation to be roommates again, which spells disaster for what we hoped might be a lifestyle change.

A chips-and-chocolate girl like me can find it hard to un-invite certain foods to the party that have been regulars for years. It’s even more difficult to reconcile that they aren’t my friends. Some can be casual acquaintances on a very limited level, but others need to be banished for good. Only you can determine which foods are allowed back, and which are not.

One of my favorite Scriptures in this process is 1 Corinthians 6:12: “Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.” I quote it over and over reminding myself that I could have that brownie, or that cheese dip, but they wouldn’t benefit me in any way. That powerful thought has helped to make a healthy choice, rather than wallowing in being deprived of an unhealthy choice.

So, lest we start mourning what will be lost, we must celebrate all that’s being gained through this process. “I can” instead of “I can’t” is a powerful little twist for a girl feeling deprived.

For example:

“I can” helps me walk into a dinner party and find the conversation more appealing than the buffet.

“I can” helps me stay on the perimeter of the grocery store where the fresher, healthier selections abound and smile that I know this tidbit.

“I can” helps me reach for my water bottle and find satisfaction in its refreshment.

“I can” helps me look at the McDonald’s menu and order a fruit tray without even giving a thought to the Happy Meals that used to be snacks.

“I can” reminds me to look up a restaurant’s nutritional information on the Internet before going out, ensuring wiser choices.

“I can” reminds me that no food will ever taste as sweet as lasting victory!"
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I just loved this article and hope it blessed you too!

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My Weight Loss Story--THANKS Evelyn! :-)

Thursday, August 18, 2011

I'm 49 years old until September 4th. My journey actually began in October 2008 when I'd finally had ENOUGH! I was a 5'1" petite-framed woman with 189#'s to carry around day in and day out! I was OBESE!



I graduated from high school weighing 95#'s! And here I was almost 100#'s from that #. Wow, first time I realized that!

3) What made you decide to get healthy?
My knees HURT all the time! It was so hard for me to climb stairs and I had a toddler [my 8th baby @ 44 1/2 years of age] to try and keep up with! IT WASN'T HAPPENING and I was miserable and depressed!
Plus, I had started peri-menopause which only complicated matters.

4) Has anyone ever made rude/mean comments to you about how you look?
Yes! One time at a funeral, my grandfather's sister said that "Susan sure has gained weight, hasn't she" within earshot. Also, my mom's cousin would ALWAYS say things to me like, "You SURE have PUFFED up since the last time I saw you." OR "Well, I thought you'd lost some weight until you SAT DOWN."

5) What do/did you hate the most about your current/starting size?
My clothing size--size extra large/1x tops and 16 & 18's for pants

6) What was your favorite unhealthy food before?
My most favorite was ice cream and chocolate. Those are still my favorite junk foods, but I try to have them in moderation.

7) What's some of your favorite healthy foods now?
I love salads, fruit, veggies, yogurt, our homemade 100% whole wheat breads, oatmeal, dried fruit, LETTUCE [I can just eat it plain or w/a tad of salt].

8) What is the hardest part of this journey?
Probably maintaining my motivation and vigilance; having reached my goal weight, I must now stay very committed in sticking with my good habits.

9) What does your workout regime consist of?
Walking…walking and more walking!

10) What do you want everyone to know about you?
I want to be known as a person of strong faith & finishing strong in every area of my life.

Finishing strong as a supportive and loving wife

Finishing strong as a loving and nurturing mother

Finishing strong as a committed and inspiring homeschooling teacher

Finishing strong as a faithful and creative manager of my home

Finishing strong as a kind, thoughtful and loving daughter and sister

And finally finishing strong as an encouraging and supportive friend [real life and SparkFriends]

Now it's your turn............let's hear your "story."

To create your own story, here are some questions:
www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_jo
urnal_individual.asp?blog_id=4427081

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This and That--8-16-11

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Do you all remember when we went to the rodeo? Well, a friend just sent me some pics and I just LOVED these two!


My girlfriend Terri [mother of the bride] is an avid photographer and gave her opinion on Mary's photos. So Mary has chosen this one instead for the fair:


We had THE most precious, precious day yesterday! Mary had such a deLIGHTful time! The brunch was so, so fun! I sauteed [w/butter Pam--and from our garden] summer squash, green pepper, onion, broccoli] and then not from our garden, mushrooms. Then scrambled eggs into the veggies and added fresh spinach. Topped with a little cheddar cheese! YUM! I made a fruit salad w/strawberries, blueberries and bananas. And fresh cinnamon rolls [make w/freshly ground 100% white whole wheat ]. www.pleasanthillgrain.com/buy_wheat_
whole_grain_red_white_wheat_berries_ma
king_bread_flour.aspx




Then last night Mary and I went to dinner since dad was out of town. I made the boys dinner and then off the girls went to town. We had SUCH a nice evening!



And I'm so proud of Mary's moderate eating! We took more HOME than we both ate!


Well, off for my 5 mile walk! Love you all!

Hugs, Susan

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Happy Birthday Mary

Monday, August 15, 2011

NINE years ago today, I was blessed with my first little baby girl, Mary Elizabeth. She came into this world with loving parents and 6 BIG BROTHERS!!!!! They've surrounded her with love and spoiling and 'teasing' [of course!] It was probably one of the happiest days of my life. I didn't know I was having a girl, and prayed the ENTIRE pregnancy for the LORD to get me to neutral and accept another boy as truly the GIFT that each and every one of my sons were, but I NEVER got to that perfectly neutral state! I was so worried that I the baby would sense my feelings and prayed and prayed RIGHT to the last minute! Well, you can just imagine, as the delivery room ERUPTED into roars of 'IT'S A GIRL', that my heart just about burst with joy and I couldn't stop crying!!! I was the happiest woman on the earth! Mary has given me NOTHING but joy! She is helpful, courteous, kind-hearted, and beautiful! I'm so grateful that God, in His wisdom, decided that I was to mother 7 sons and 1 daughter! I'm so thankful for this little rose among all the other flowers of my garden of love.

Her auntie bought her this riding outfit/hat for her American Girl doll! She was THRILLED beyond words and such a generous gift from my sister!

Then the opening of the gifts last night since Daddy leaves on a business trip today.


I love that Mary does this--she closes her eyes so that it will be a HUGE surprise! She doesn't want a sneak peek!!!
New purse w/matching necklace and bracelet all 70-90% off at Claire's when I was in KC for my dad's birthday party! YES!!! I love great deals!



some rings

I absolutely LOVE this picture! I got her a necklace w/her birthstone ring! She loved it!

No birthday would be complete for Mary without a HORSE shirt! ha! She loves horses! and a headband to match

Sammy shows our gourmet coffee for our special coffee parties! I don't know maybe I'm starting her too young! ha! She LOVES coffee!!!


Dad looks on contentedly at his little baby! and I love this one of daddy and his girl at the wedding!

Here she is modeling her purse and necklaces. I love that she is the perfect balance of "Tom boy" and "ALL GIRL"!



And some pics of her AWESOME brothers!
Nate and Mary
Stephen being a bit goofy! SURPRISE! ha!
Daniel--went tubing all afternoon and looks a little burned:

Nicholas ticking Sammy Andrew needing a hair cut! ha!

Unfortunately, I didn't get one of Jonathan so I'll use one I got recently:

And, lastly, Mary has been taking lots of photos for that ONE animal/person category she entered for the fair. Yesterday she asked if she could do me with Gracie for her entry. These were the two that she was trying to choose from:
She decided on #1 after some votes from her family and friends!

Now we're off to decorate the patio for her Birthday brunch. Company will be here at 10:30 and I already got my 5 mile walk in and it's only 8:30! THANK YOU LORD!

Hugs and much love, Susan

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