A Good Laugh -

I have to go back and reference my post a few days ago "Face Check" and share a chuckle with you. I am warning you now though, I am bragging. LOL Well, sort of a humilated brag, but anyway....

So, on Christmas Eve my dear hubby and I were out running last minute (ok, all day last minute) errands and I had to run to the bank to cash a check. The same bank I've been going to for a few months now. Well, in I walk and the sweet gal at the counter greets me and I lay out the check and my drivers license on the counter. The gal looks it over, leaves and goes and whispers in another lady's ear and they come back to the desk together - the "other" lady pushes my ID back at me and asks me if I have another form of ID. Ummmm OK? So, I pull out my state ID card (photo ID) and my SSCard and put them down. "NOPE" - do you have another form of photo ID? Nope, I do not. Well, she then informs me that I do NOT have a valid photo ID and they cannot cash my check?!? WHAT THE HECK? So, I tell her that I've been coming in this branch for a while and my ID's ALL THREE OF THEM are up to date and valid and she then politely (or not so politely) tells me that the photo on the cards IS NOT ME!!!! OK so yes, sort of funny but not really bc these ARE my only proof of identity people! So, basically what it boiled down to was that my photo ID's are just old enough that they reflect my weight loss enough that the gal does not think, well, neither of them, think that it is me!
Now, I will take the flattery all the way baby - BUT - this sucked! I was flustered and flattered but mostly I was SO embarrassed! I got all teary eyed and upset and just as I was leaving the bank lobby I passed by a kid I used to work with and THANKFULLY he went back up with me and told the lady that I was INDEED Darla! LOL So, crisis averted but honestly, what a nightmare! After the fact, I was feeling pretty dang good about it and when Ed and I held up my photo ID and looked at it close we noticed that I now have a neck, my hair is styled different, my eyes are much brighter and I have color in my face. So yea, some slight differences! Ed thought it was great and I should not have been upset at all, my sister Carlee said the same thing, but in that moment I was so caught off guard! Also, to be honest, sort of an identity thing occured too - can't go into it really but realizing that even though I am still quite heavy maybe people saw me as just that fat girl. Anyway, guess I'll need to go get a new photo ID????? Geeeeeesh!

Be good!
Darla

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2008 TO YOU!

I wanted to wish you each a very very Merry Christmas and a safe and fun Holiday Season - thanks to those of you who read and respond to my blog throughout the year. You are so sweet and encouraging and helpful to me in my daily struggles with life and kids and mostly weight loss and fitness goals. I know sometimes I just babble and blubber on but I truly wanted you to know that sharing my ups and downs and having your support, be it family or friends, it means a lot to me.
So, today is Christmas and where am I? Working! LOL I have a short 4 hr shift at the hotel today and it is so quiet in here - we have just a dozen or so guests and everyone else is home with family and friends I hope! I am a bit worried about a couple of our guests who were headed to the airport but I am sure if they can't fly they'll be back to see me!
We had an OUTSTANDING morning with the kids today - Dani, Tiff and Micheal were jumpin' around waking everyone up at 5:30 a.m.! We all dragged out of bed and hunkered down in the livingroom to open gifts and see what Santa brought! We were truly blessed this year, as we always are, with gifts and treats and suprizes galore! I think Dani squeeled at LEAST a dozen times! LOL It was so fun! Chris and Dani both got digital camera's so I'll have to borrow their memory cards and download the photos they took while we were in gift-time frenzy! (my camera is dying a slow long lengthy death...)
Anyway, I guess that is all for now - other than we have SNOW coming down by the buckets and it is just beautiful! We got several inches overnight and with the famous Eastern Idaho winds a blowing we woke up to a snowdrift in our front entry way of the house and a beautiful scene of glistening snow! WHITE CHRISTMAS for sure!
(Now I hope I can get home from work this afternoon??!!)
So, Merry Christmas to you all and have a safe and fun day - thank you for reading and I hope to share lots in the new year to come!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! And, remember-
*** FORCED OPTIMISM: Fake it till' you make it!!!!***
Darla

So, I thought I'd Do An Update

I have been a BAD blogger - sorry. Just been super busy with the Holidays coming up and starting at the new, 2nd part time job. Then there are the kids, of course, and you all know how ED can be - right? LOL Just jokin' ya know! So, since our getaway over Thanksgiving life has just been chaotic!
I guess I can start by sharing this, a lot of you have asked WHAT the heck is with the 2nd job? And then there are those of you who are going, WHEN did Darla get a FIRST job? OK, here is the big lo-down on it all... I stopped babysitting little Noah bug back at the end of Sept and started working at the new Hilton Garden Inn here in Idaho Falls, it is on the greenbelt by the falls and is SUPER nice and fun. The folks there are really sweet and have been so gracious and helpful in the learning process (and there is A LOT to learn!). I work the front desk and overall I love it, there just are not many hours available for the new girl so after waiting it out about 2 months I found a second part time job! Actually, I wasn't really looking but one night kind of fell into some job applications at a couple of places and next thing I know I am hired! So, starting the first part of December I began on the job at The Dress Barn, a ladies business dress and casual store out by the mall. It is SO MUCH FUN I just love it! I am in week 2 of that and so far am just having a blast and finding that maybe being back in retail IS my calling after all?? So how am I juggling all of this? Well, they are both giving me super limited hours but they are working together to meet my scheduling needs (so nice of them both) and honestly I am still only working part time hours between the two of them TOGETHER! Hey, variety is good... dont'cha think?
So, other than that the kids are all going 100 mph with activities and friends and school. Tiff and Dani did a duet song in a talent show today at school that was amazing! So proud of them! Chris is work work working - between his AP classes at school and his job with Blake at the Furniture Doctor he never stops (and his girlfriend too ya know...) and little Micheal is just a ball of energy! He is loving 2nd grade and keeping us on our toes! He has made lots of new friends in our new neighborhood and there is a constant flow of little kids in and out and in and out of our house daily!
Ed?? just working and working and giving me hassles day after day - you know how he is...
So, that is about it from me, at least a decent share for today. I am still working hard on my weight loss and so far beating the battle and ALMOST down into what we weightloss guru's call "ONE-derland"... if you don't get it, you don't need to. LOL I have been working out at the hotel gym a few times a week (a perk!!) and am keeping on my foods too - slow but sure, my life story now! I will get there eventually though! Remember to take care of YOU this season and be good to your bodies, you have to keep them for the long run ya know?! :O)
Take care and be good!
Darla

Face Check

LOL So, Ed was telling me he was showing someone before/after pix of me and I was thinkin' I had not done one in a while - I have noticed a HUGE change in my face lately and then someone on one of my chat groups mentioned another gal who had lost a lot of weight and how much it shows in her face soooo I decided to post these photos, they are almost 18 mos apart - the old one is of Micheal and I from back in June 2007 and the new one is just a couple of weeks ago from Thanksgiving.... what do YOU think? Can you see a difference?
Darla

i got nuthin' to share

sorry for no new posts but i got nuthin'
nadda
nix
nothing at all

no fun news
no bad news
no big exciting things to share

been a quiet weekend
thank goodness

:O) Darla

Work it 2 and 3 and 4 and burn it and 2 and 3..4...

I am SO back on the gym routine and LOVING it!
Had another great workout this a.m. and even
got back to the early early morning routine too!
Up at 4:30 and working out by 5:00 a.m.! Whoowhoo!

Micheal is STILL home sick - Day 3 now... I took him
to the Dr yesterday, no strep and not certain if it
is viral or bacterial yet. Gave us a script for it
just in case but wanted us to wait till' this weekend
to fill it IF he is still sick. Icky crud!

Today is home, house, laundry, and playing Mom. That's
about it for me.

Later folks!
Darla

Busy week

Too much going on right now - can't even think straight.... and it isn't even Holiday related?! How's THAT for really being nuts?
Life is just crazy, everyday, everyway. Sometimes I just don't know which way I am going you know? I'd slow down and all but you know how that works - right? LOL

Anyway, on the good side of life, I love the new job, lots of fun, lots of perks and speaking of perks my hotel job saved my everlovin' life! They are allowing me to have use of the fitness center (aka mini gym) and I am so thankful!!! I have been out of the gym for a few months and just doing the jogging and it has been ok but I really needed something for wintertime and this is saving my life! With everything going on right now I need a place to go push hard and workout and let go mind, body and spirit as they say. So, that is good.

On the downside of life, Micheal man is sick - thinking maybe strep? ick! He was home today and I'll keep him home tommorrow too; possibly going to the Dr as well. Wish me luck there! Also, life threw me a curveball tonight and I had lots of thinking to do and came to some conclusions. Pretty deep stuff actually so won't share details but a lot of it has to do with how I treat myself and allow others to treat me and in the grande scheme of things is really fairly trivial but right now it is huge to me. I think with my body changes I have brain changes (NO not brain farts!! brain changes) and I just have a lot of things to work through. It is amazing to me how much mental/emotional stuff comes along with weight loss and all that. I love the Biggest Loser on tv and how they address so much of it - makes a lot of sense! Look good = Feel good (looks/feelings) see the connection? Anyway, that is my deep thought for tonight.
YOU all have a great week and stay out of trouble! Happy upcoming Holidays to you!!!

Darla

I got it!

I got the job I mentioned in the previous post! Now I am a 2 job workin' woman! LOL I will work both jobs as long as I can juggle 2 schedules. For now they are both PT limited hours so it will be ok - when it gets busier we'll have to see what happens. I am excited to do this new one, at The Dress Barn, and think I will get along great there.

Off to get groceries then housework then work at the hotel tonight! Later kids.......

Darla

Wish I Was Here....

I have to admit, part of the downside of going to the cabin in Island Park is the 'depression' that comes over you the day before you have to go home. I don't know how to really describe it, you just sort of get down and bummed and just know in your heart you don't want to leave - EVER! LOL So, then you get full of umpfh! and make the most of that last day and hours before you leave.... so, here we are into a new weekend and I have to admit, I wish I was back up there again. I am so thankful for the time we had last week - it was awesome/amazing and I loved every minute of it but we sure need to go more often! So long ol' cabin, I'll miss you! Hope to see you soon...


On happier notes - I had a job interview today and am pretty sure I got a position! It is at a local dress shop and they have THE cutest stuff. It would be a part time job and I would be working both there and the hotel until one or the other boosts up to more hours or maybe I'll just juggle them both for a while. I am happy though, this is something I really think I'll enjoy a lot and hey, a discount on cute clothes too!? What beats that?

So, tonight is Ed's work Christmas party - dinner and entertainment and of course, PRIZES! Hope we win something good egh?

Have a great night and weekend ahead!
Darla

Finally, I present : "Snow Play" Thanksgiving 2008 Island Park

I know, I've been slow... but, hey, there are
a LOT of photos here to share.
So, without further ado, here are "some"
of the photos of our snow play, atv rides, sledding
and so forth at the cabin from last weekend's
adventures over Thanksgiving in Island Park.
Enjoy!!!!
Darla
PS I had a HUGE weigh in day yesterday (Wed) with a total loss of 4 lbs and 4 oz for the last week! WHO says you don't/can't lose weight over Thanksgiving Holiday???????
Oh yeah baby!!

Photos Top to Bottom:
Ed and Micheal ready to go on a ride
Abbi and Lauren, is this safe
Blake and Sofia rockin' to go
Blake and Sofie, Lauren and Abbi all set on ATV's
Bodhi doggie LOVIN' the snow
Sofia and Abbi headin' out again
Tiff and Berg demolishing the snowman
Berg, Tiff and Micheal, mischievious who me?
Berg and Micheal, my lil' buddies
Ed on the Honda ready to pull sleds again (what a trooper)
THE Chevy vs. THE Ford - hmmmmmmm?
Snowman full on and close up
Brick snowfort wall Darla built with the little boys
Darla, Ed and Dani heading out on a night ride in the snow
Blake and Bodhi doggie goin' for a cruise (I stole this photo from Lisa! Thanks!)
Abbi ready for a ride
Blake in the snow storm we got Sat
Berg on his lil' ATV
Lauren and Sofia ready to go ridin'
Chris and Tiff goin' for a day ride
Darla, Blake and Lisa "after" the snow play(see our wet backsides?)
Sofia pulling Berg on the sled
Lisa standing in the snow storm (it came down for hours- it was beautiful!)
Darla making snowballs for the little boys
Ed on his Honda waiting for the sleds to be hooked up
Blake's trailer loaded with their families ATV's
Micheal, Berg and Bodhi dog playing by the frozen creek

The "PRE-SHOW" for the next set of photos....

THIS is what happens when you put 14
people into a cabin in the woods with 5 ATV's, 3 sleds
and a LOT of fun in the snow.... try as
we did, Blake and I could not keep up with the snow gear
"pile" in the corner! However, all is well, I
think everyone has gotten all their own snow pants,
boots, hats and such back - well, aside from one pair of
missing gloves! Hmmmmm - Anyway, this is the "Pre-show"
to the snow photos coming soon!

Darla

As Promised.... TurkeyDay Weekend Photos!

I am just going to put up a few at a time, there are so many, but I'll start you with some fun ones of us playing cards and games,coloring, reading and "lounging" around INSIDE the cabin first. There was quite the houseful there too - we had our whole family, the Brown's family and their foreign exchange daughter along with a friend of Lisa's and her daughter too! Here is the "list":
The Black's
Ed
Darla
Chris
Dani
Tiffany
Micheal
The Brown's
Blake
Lisa
Abbi
Lauren
Berg
Sofia (their exchange daughter)
and, of course,
Bodhi Doggie
Friends
Heidi
Arielle (Sp??)


Enjoy! They are in no order, just a jumble of fun, like we are! But here is a breakdown from top to bottom.
Ed
Tiffany
Sofia, Dani and Arielle
Ed
Blake
Lauren
Bodhi
Sofia and Berg
Micheal, Berg, Dani and Arielle
Chris and Lisa
Abbi, Chris and Tiffany
Arielle, Sofia, Berg and Micheal
Lauren, Dani and Chirs
Lauren
and everyone!

There ya have it! :O) Darla