Yes, I'm still here, but not writing or doing much. I promise more after the New Year. A Happy New Year to all of you who still drop by.
And if any of you happen to be Miami fans...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! We kicked your ass on national TV. Number 9 in the country? Puh-lease. GEAUX TIGERS!
When trying to make conversation with Indian co-worker, it is best to not start off with, "So, do you big plans for Christmas?"
I just came back from what my ex-wife's Uncle TJ would call "a singin'". Basically, a singin' is where you get quite a few folks together, then sit around to play music and sing. This singin' included 4 guitars, one mandolin, one violin (or fiddle in this case), and quite a few singers. It was a lot of fun.
To me, the most fun was watching my friend's 13 yr. old daughter play my guitar. She told me last Sunday that she has to play in front of the Youth Group this week and was lamenting that her guitar didn't sound to good. I offered to loan her mine, which, although it isn't a high-dollar guitar, does sound quite good. She was so excited about it that it really made me feel good. I brought it to her this evening so she could play it at the singin'.
There is nothing quite like the delight I get from seeing others enjoying themselves. She just couldn't get over how good it sounded and practically carried it around her neck the whole evening. If I didn't know that she was getting a very nice guitar for Christmas, I would have let her keep this one as long as she wanted. I did tell her she could keep it until I got back from Colorado since I wouldn't be using it. I can't tell you how good it made me feel to watch her play it and to see her smile. And, truth be told, she plays much better than I.
I am toying with the idea of picking it up again and really trying to learn to play, but we shall see. Maybe I can get her to teach me. :-)
Guess what, Dear Reader? Another 5 pounds of me has melted away. I am now 203 lbs and dropping. I am both shocked and amazed because 1) I never thought I'd get this far and b) I don't REMEMBER the last time I weighed this much.
I just reached into the closet, grabbed three pairs of slacks I bought some time in the past and THEY FIT! I now have 3 brand new pairs of slacks to wear and can have my other three altered in the waist. WAHOO!
What an awesome feeling. And this is exactly the motivation I need to continue. I will keep you aware of my progress...and maybe even post a picture. And before you ask, no, I don't do nudes...well, not for free, anyway.
As of today at lunch, I'm down another 1 1/2 pounds. According to the scale at the gym, I'm 208, which is what I weighed in 1999. Wahoo!
This evening, I'm going to begin a high protein, low carb diet which was suggested to me by a coworker's husband. It consists of a lot of tuna, sweet potatoes (1/2 at a time), green vegetables, egg whites for breakfast, and protein shakes twice a day. I've been eating a lot less anyway so eating like this shouldn't be that bad. The only thing I'm worried about from this much protein is...uh...um...too much flatulence. Come to think of it, the people I hang around with probably won't notice anyway.
My sister-in-law emailed this to me the other day. I thought it was awesome and wanted to share it. They were driving home from day care when this conversation took place.
Mom: "Look, Brian, you can see a deer's antlers in the back of that pickup truck."
Brian: "Oh. Is it dead?"
Mom: "Umm, yes."
Brian: "Did the driver kill it?"
Mom (suddenly wishing she hadn't pointed it out): "Umm, yes. He was hunting and killed the deer."
... Pause...
Brian: "Where did he hunt? There are no forests around here!"
Mom: "Maybe he went hunting in Kansas and is driving home now."
Brian: "Oh."
... Pause...
Brian: "Why did he kill the deer?"
Mom (now REALLY wishing she hadn't pointed it out): "Well, honey, some
people hunt deer so they can have the meat. Do you remember the deer
sausage Uncle Howard sent us that was so yummy?"
Brian: "Yes. Did Uncle Howard kill the deer?"
Mom: "Yes. He did."
... Pause...
Mom (glancing into the back seat expecting to see tears, but seeing a puzzled face on Brian): "What are you thinking?"
Brian: "Mom, how old do I have to be until I can go hunting with Uncle Howard?"