What a fun Christmas!

Had another fun family get together with the whole crew at my house. The more I hear about other families and how they don't talk to each other the more I appreciate the fact that in my family we all like each other and get along. I think most of the time it's because we choose love over taking offense. Things happen at times where one of us could get our panties in a wad but it's more important to remember that we love each other and to let it go. I think part of it too is that none of us believe in playing the victim which is another choice to be made. My Christmas sermon is "people do things you don't agree with or like but let it go and just love them."

Getting presents is not important in my family either but we do really enjoy it when we can give gifts that are really wanted. I think everyone received some things they will enjoy for a long time. I know I did. My family got me a flash for my camera and a photography lesson. I can hardly wait to learn to use my Rebel better.

Monday Mom and I had our little gift giving and lounged around and watched some travel shows. Of course, every place we see we want to visit. Managed to move from the pajama mode to going out to visit Rebecca and her family. She has quite a gathering this year with her Mom in from Germany and her brother in from Autstralia. It was a really nice evening hanging out with all of them and enjoying all the laughter. The Bible says "a merry heart doeth good like a medicine" and I find that to be so true.

Well, guess I better get back to work. Ugh!

Christmas is almost here

Well, the Christmas cards are finally finished and in the mail. Maybe this weekend I'll manage to post some pictures of them. I really needed to make more than 46 but I fizzled and just couldn't squeeze out any more. Next year I really have to start much earlier. This December has been way too hectic and it's not going to calm down until after the new year. It's all fun but I'm so ready for a nap.

My friend Rebecca and I met at Archiver's on Saturday for the full day scrap to finish said Christmas cards. It was really nice that Misti was able to break away from her new baby and join us for a while. We also got to meet two new friends Sandy and Stephanie (sisters). They were hoot. Rebecca and I act like sisters so it was quite funny. And I finally met someone else who is in computers and scraps.

I'm really looking forward to some family time on Christmas Eve and to some pajama time Christmas day.

I hope everyone has a blessed and beautiful Christmas!

Getting Up to Date

I've been a little distracted lately because I'm considering gastric bypass surgery. Each week I've been to different doctors for testing to see if everything is okay and if I'm a candidate. I'm in pretty good condition except for a little elevated blood pressure (probably from all the coffee), low iron and found out I'm diabetic.

With the surgery I'm torn between doing something that drastic to my body and needing something that drastic to not spend the rest of my life morbidly obese. I need to lose about half of what I am today. I'm a firm believer in avoiding surgery except as a last resort and to try everything else first. I could keep trying different programs for weight loss but in my heart I know the results will continue to be the same. I will lose 30-40 pounds and then lose the momentum.

Through the process I've asked God to help me with the decision and each time I start to think of aborting the process someone who's been through it all comes along to offer encouragement. I'm starting to feel that for me this is what is necessary to attain a healthy lifestyle. I so admire those who have found the light switch in their heads and have been able to get the weight off and to keep it off but I also find no shame in needing surgery to get on that path.

So that, in a nutshell, is what has been going on for a month now. In the next few weeks I will find out if my insurance will pay for it and then I have to make my final decision.