HAPPY 2014!!!

I must say 2013 was a life changing year for me.  Some changes were good and some were not.

I lost my Mom on September 23rd, and having lost Dad in 2004, I was suddenly a 48 year old orphan.  It is a very interesting place to be mentally when you suddenly have no living parents on God's green earth, no matter how old you are.  I have 6 siblings but no one can take the place of a parent.

Speaking of siblings I will be together will all of them except 1 (I will miss you Kevin!!) the end of next week.  It is time to tackle the monumental task of packing up a lifetime that is currently sitting in a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom rambler up on the hill in Milton.  A lifetime created by my Mom and Dad.  To some it would not be much  but to me it is a fortune.  It is years of experiences they shared together.  Gifts received.  Gifts given.  Possessions that traveled across the country when they moved to Washington State when I was 2 years old.  Mind boggling to say the least.

On a better note 2013 was the year that I was blessed with success in my weight loss and quest to a healthier life.  I began using myfitnesspal.com on July 5th and I am down 60 pounds.  I just need to do that very thing 2 more times and I will be very close to goal.  I am doing this crazy plan called eating real food and calorie tracking, drinking water and exercising.  Such a novel concept....who would have thunk it.

Last year I participated in my first ever 5K.  It was held on Thanksgiving day in Elk Grove, CA.  I am at the walking stage but who knows....someday I just might give running a shot.  For now the majority of my exercise is walking and riding my stationary bike that I purchases in September.  This year I will be looking into some weight lifting to go along with the cardio side of things. 

The ultimate health goal for me will be after I have skin surgery and have the lap band that is sitting inside me removed.  I had it completely emptied in August of 2012.  There goes $15,000 down the drain.  Oh well, can't take it with ya, right?  LOL  If going through that experience was part of what led me to where I am now....it was worth every penny.

I am so looking forward to 2014.  I am planning a birthday weekend to my Sister's in Omaha, NE in May.  In late October I will be in Arizona at another Sister's for the MS Walk.  This is gonna be a great year!!!!!!

Elizabeth Ann