an email received today with a great message

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The man slowly looked up.
This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life. His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before."Leave me alone," he growled..... To his amazement, the woman continued standing. She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you hungry?" she asked. "No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away." The woman's smile became even broader.
Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm.
"What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone.
Just then a policeman came up.. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked.. "No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?" The officer scratched his head."That's old Jack.. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?" "See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile." "Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up."Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything.""This is a good deal for you, Jack," the officer answered. "Don't blow it."
Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived?The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table."What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this, is this man in trouble?""This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered. "Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business." Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place."
The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?" "Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms." "And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?" "What business is that of yours?" I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company." "Oh." The woman smiled again.. "I thought that might make a difference." She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle."Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?" "No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty." "Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?" "Yes, ma'am. That would be very nice." The cafeteria manager turned on his heel, "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer." The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said. "That was not my intent Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."

She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest.. She stared at him intently. "Jack, do you remember me?"Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes."I think so -- I mean you do look familiar.""I'm a little older perhaps," she said.. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry." "Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry. "I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat." Jack lit up with a smile."Now I remember," he said. "I was behind the serving counter You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy." "I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble?Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right." "So you started your own business?" Old Jack said. "I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons?He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. If you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you." There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he said. "Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus... He led me to you." Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways?"Thank you for all your help, officer," she said. "On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And..And thank you for the coffee."If you have missed knowing me, you have missed nothing.
If you have missed some of my emails, you might have missed a laugh..
But, if you have missed knowing my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, you have missed everything in the world.
Have a Wonderful Day. May God Bless You Always and don't forget that when you "cast your bread upon the waters," you never know how it will be returned to you.

God is so big He can cover the whole world with his Love and so small He can curl up inside your heart..

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go.
Only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly!

Fitness Friday

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Are you a wii user for fitness...Come join the wiimommies group and find lots of fun and support!(just click on the pic above).

First thing this week was that I had to post this pic. This is the first time since owning my Wii fit that I have got a perfect center of balance!

So this was my first full week using the new EAsports Active. I love it! I am very thankful that I have had the wii fit to get me back into exercising first, because I think the difference is wii fit is more of a low intensity workout where the active is a high intensity work out! The first 4 days my thighs KILLED, but I worked out anyways and by the fifth day(which I rested on) my legs quit hurting. I still definitly feel the burn during the workout, but not all day. I havent yet started the 30 day challenge, but have used the active for at least 30 minutes 5 days this week. I have been starting out by weighing in on the wii fit and a few times have done the hula hoop and some boxing before doing the active workout. I actually love how I feel after doing the active. There has only been one day that I just wanted to be done...the other days I have felt energized and felt like exercising some more or just get out and do something. It is a good feeling!

As for eating and my weight. I did really really well this week with my food. I have fought off temptation to have bad snacks and late night snacks. I have been eating lots of fresh fruits and lots of veggies with my meals and have kept my portion sizes down. I think with that and doing some great calorie burning exercises this week I have a great weigh in. I actually went yesterday through my blog archive and made a spread sheet of my weight loss. Jan -9lb, feb -8lb, mar -8 apr -4 and I was at only -3 for this month....but thanks to having an extra week this month and my hard work this week I am down -6lb this month! I lost 3lbs this week! I am at a total loss of 35lbs in 5 months. If I stay at this rate I will definitly make my goal by July 4th. I have 9 lbs to go to meet my short term goal and 5 weeks to get there...I will be so excited if I surpass it! I guess I have to start thinking of another short term goal and my ultimate long term goal. This week has really rejuvenated me and made me feel more encouraged to keep exercising, eating healthy and shaping up!

A Thousand Words Thursday

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Ok so it is cold and rainy today(and all of yesterday). I was just saying I was thinking it should be a pj's day. Havent had one ina while and do not have to go anywhere and nobody coming here...so what better day(well until I exercise and then will need to shower...guess I will just have to put on another pair of pjs after lol). Anyways...Kennedy obviously thinks its a pj day too...or just a sleep in day...It is 9:30am and she is sound asleep. Her tube feeding alarm went off, which normally wakes her, but she didnt even blink an eye(not even when I flashed the camera)!

Special Exposure Wednesday

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Loveable, huggable Bunny!

(normally her pillow...guess she's feeling loveable today)

Mamalicious Monday

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Well I am sitting here just relaxing. I enjoyed a nice bbq yesterday at our neighbors with quite a few friends...the kids really enjoyed it having several other kids to play with. I was going to go out on the boat with Bob, but it got later so I decided I was going to stay at the BBQ and decided to have some drinks with the girls. With me trying to eat/drink healthier(I am not saying dieting) I have not had any alcoholic drinks since New years eve. So today I decided to do a longer work out on my new Wii Active game, and burned about 400 calories...so hopefully that made up for those drinks. We had plans to go out on the boat today, but it was kind of windy, so we decided it was a good day to get caught up on the yard work. I finally used the weedeater. I did quite a bit, but still have probably half the yard to do yet(we have a big yard). I was doing it for about an hour already. I had Bob look at it cause I kept having to shut it off every time the line broke. Then when I was trying to start it back up I managed to step and kick the trigger and break it! Of course! I thought for sure I was going to get chewed out...but he was cool about it. Then not too long later Bob was mowing, hit a rock and had to take the lawn mower apart to fix the blades. I said maybe today wasnt a good day to do the lawn! Luckily he fixed the mower and we found out that we can just order a new trigger cheap(bob already took the weedeater apart and said it would be easy to replace it). So now that I have taken two showers and burned many calories...I am going to get the kids ready for bed and relax! Hope everyone enjoyed their Memorial Day weekend while remembering all those that have made it possible for us to enjoy our BBQs(and freedom)! Oh and just thought on such a day I would mention a fairly local news story from today. A nearby town had to cancel their memorial day parade because of a van and train collision. A lady got stuck on the train tracks. Her husband was in the vehicle behind her and ran to the van to help her and their children out...while also a police office ran to their rescue. They managed to pull her and 2 children out and got hit while trying to rescue the baby. The baby somehow was unharmed as the train collided with them. The father and police officer were injured(unsure at this time how they are). So I am sending my prayers to the brave police officer and father who managed to rescue everyone else. So I know on these days we tend to think of our lossed family members and soldiers, but everyday their are heros out there we need to be thankful of!

PhotoHunt: plastic

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Oh the messes "plastic" shovels can make at grandmas!

Fitness Friday: oooh owww ouch

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"ohh owww ouchy" yep that is me after 2 days of using EAsports Active game! I"m loving it...my thighs are killing me though! I remember my first day of doing the wii fit and feeling it...but what a difference! I know I am getting a work out on the wii fit...but you can go at your own pace. With the Active game you can feel you are getting a work out. To me the difference...wii fit: you can do more game playing vs. Active: true workout. I can not even imagine trying the Active game first without having spent 5 months using the wii fit. There is probably no way I would have stuck with an exercise routine. I really like that using the wii fit doesnt really hurt you much. Yes if you do an hour of strenghtening and aerobics you will feel it and I definitly tell you are burning calories during the aerobics. With the Active...it is what it says...personal trainer. I have only used it twice so far...but it reminds me more of a work out dvd...yet you can see yourself exercising on the tv. I love the feedback it gives you so you know you are moving correctly(and you cant cheat like when you put a dvd in). I also love that you can customize the routine....which for me today and my aching thighs, I will be doing. There will be minimal squats and lunges today for me!

So anyways...that is my first Fitness Friday post using Active. Progress this week...I had a slow weekend. I had some sinus/cold issues and wasnt feeling up to exercising much with a pounding headache...So I actually ended up skipping 3 days(Monday I was better, but was reallybusy). I think I lost that pound I was up. Wednesday I was pretty motivated. I did 30 min aerobics and 15 minutes strengthing on the wii fit...then as I was blogging the Active game arrived! It pays to be an EAsports Active fan on facebook...thank you guys! I got my game by winning one of the copies they were giving away for mothers day! So anyways Wed. I had to of course set it up and get going on it. Using it for about 30 minutes. I am hoping eventually after getting used to using the Active game...I will be able to do that in the mornings and then add in the wii fit in the evenings. I really felt good using both(even though I was aching...which will go away with practice.)

Diet: I did so crappy last week...so this week I went grocery shopping and made sure to get lots of fresh fruits, low calorie snacks, veggies, healthier meal choices and NO SODA(for me). I am going to cut out all soda, even the diet at home. I really think that the diet soda is just as bad as the regular. I am only going to treat myself to a soda if I am out. This way I know I am getting in my water/plain iced tea.

So anyways I feel like I am rambling today. I think I am off to do a Wii bit of exercising.

A thousand words thursday

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Some pics of our fastly growing puppy! He is getting spoiled...gave him a pillow after I caught him snuggling on the couch with a pillow. He did have a pad, but had to get rid of that cause he was chewing it up. He thinks any seat in the house apparently belongs to him. I had to sit Kennedy on him when he decided to take over her red chair. He squirmed his way out from under her while she was giggling away(would have loved to have got pics but kind of hard while I was holding her)...then he tried sitting on her lap. Yesterday he was trying to slowing squirm his way up onto the couch with me and I kept pushing him down. I thought he finally gave up as he walked away...come to find out he was just getting a running start!

yeah!

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As I am sitting here typing in my last blog post the UPS guy showed up ....with my new EAsports Active game!!! Yeah...now I have to go clean up all the toys Zach has had out today(he is in taking a nap) so that I can start playing. I am going to try it out some and then start the 30 day challenge on June 1st. http://www.easportsactive.com/home.action

special exposure wednesday

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Here's Kennedy enjoying a nice day outside swinging in her hammock swing.

Silly Monkey Stories: Learning to climb the tree

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Last summer Zach was happy enough just hanging from the tree branch(like in my badge picture). Nope...not this year...He wants to climb. He makes me so nervous...I just have this feeling we will be in the ER this year for a broken arm or leg. He also has started jumping off the trampoline with out any help...this he figured out he could do after falling off once.

Wow has he grown...just seeing these pics and comparing from last years tree pic...I just cant get over how grown up he looks.

Go check out others participating in silly monkey stories by heading over to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires.

Photo Hunt: Painted

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Theme: Painted

Here is Kennedy a few years ago...I just loved this pic. This is her school made clown costume. It was so cute picking her up all "painted" up that day!

Fitness Friday

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Well I guess everyone has one now and then...a bad week. I have been sticking with my goal of using my wii fit everyday this month, but havent put the effort in I should be. I have made some bad food choices this past week and I am up a pound. I am going to go to the store in a little while and will buy some smarter choices for snacks...and I will do better cutting my dinner portions.

On a good note...I won a copy of EASports Active and will be joining in the national 30 day challenge! I am excited and really think the change will give me a boost.


~ For personal health needs, health insurance will help you receive the treatment you need without breaking the bank.

Happy Mothers Day

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Before I was a Mom,

I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,

I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,

I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.

Or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,

I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

PhotoHunt: In Memory

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In Loving Memory

The spring seems to have a way of taking many good people.

I was going to share these pictures a while back...It has been 2 years that my Great Uncle Jim passed away. Man...the tears start when I start typing. He was like a second father to me! He taught me a lot. He was one of those that always made you feel safe! Strong & Gentle are two words to describe him.

My Uncle Billy passed a year ago. One thing I was told...was the day he passed away he told someone he ran into "Today is going to be a good day". Unfortunatly for us it wasnt a good day...but you can put much meaning into that comment. He was having heart problems for a while. During his struggles, he was always sending a lot of support for Kennedy and always thinking of us. I love him even more for this! He always had a way to cheer anyone up and was one of the friendliest people around! My nickname always stuck with him...I was more likely called "moose" yet was always "mouse".

Both are dearly missed!

Fitness Friday: Thank you Wii Mommies

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So last week I talk about accountability and my progress....I am very pleased to say that I have lost another 2 lbs this week. I am on my way to losing 15 lbs by July 4th...and another goal I have set is that I am going to use my wii fit every single day for the month of May..and so far have done so. I even went and did every single yoga exercise yesterday. For those that read my posts you know I rarely ever do the yoga. There were two that I really couldnt do right....but then I was quite surprised at some of the others that I could do. It felt good and was a great stretch. (wooo whooo... -32lbs!!)

This week I would love to pretty much just say Thank You to the Wii Mommies. With out them, I would not be as far as I am. I was going to do this as a vlog today, but woke up with a really dry scratchy throat.

Cynthia....I love all your tips that you give us using our Wii. You are a great inspiration, sharing all your ups and downs! Thank you!

Jenn...Congratulations on your pregnancy and taking us along on your journey....Starting the maternity mommies was great and even though I am not pregnant I enjoy reading them. Thank you for all your support!

Sarah....You rock! I love how you are doing what you love and sharing it with us. You are a great role model for us ladies! Thanks!

Julie....I dont know if it is the weight loss goals, or knowing that we grew up in an area that we can both connect to...it is really fun talking to you about Syracuse. You are such an inspiration to me and I hope I am cheering you on as much as you have cheered me on! Keep up the great work with your EASports challenge! I love your vlogs!

To all my fellow Wii Mommies....keep up the great work and I love reading everyones posts! Thank you for all your motivating comments on my posts!

A thousand words Thursday

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The kids that must make silly faces!

Most influential person

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I have talked about the newly released book "The Noticer" and the movement coming from the book (The Noticer Project). I thought the best time to bring up the Noticer Project is the upcoming holiday...Mothers Day! I would say the #1 most influential person in my life, the one that deserves some "noticing" is my Mom! She has always been there for me, despite anything going on in life. When we were young, it was always ask Mom, or get Mom's help. As a teenager it was Mom's opinion that meant the most, even if we didnt always want to hear it. As a young adult she was always there through the mistakes and heartache. As a mother myself, she has been right there through the good times and again those hard times. As I have moved away and there has been physical distance in our life...this distance has just brought us closer. We have realized what family means and how far we will go to be there for family!

Happy Mothers Day Mom!

(I know it isnt Mothers day yet, but I know you read these posts at work...and wanted you to see it...and let the world know how important you are to me! Love you!)

PhotoHunt: Walking

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My sister, Shawn with her son Connor with Zach and Corie(Kennedy and I are taking the pics). This was us walking at a nature center just a couple weeks ago while we were visitting. The kids had a lot of fun.

Although I think Zach was sick of walking at many points! It was a 3 mile walk...and here is one point he laid down and looked like he was praying it was over! LOL

Fitness Friday : Accountability

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So it seems this week should be all about accountability! Many people are talking about how they are struggling to stay motivated and have even asked what I have done to lose weight. I am trying to stay motivated myself...I have slowed down a bit...but spring has sprung and I have no excuses to not exercise...I have my wii fit which I love and want to set a goal to do EVERYDAY! Then on those nice days I have been taking Zach outside...and plan on jumping on the trampoline with him and pushing him around the yard or doing yard work.

So for accountability...I will finally reveal my weight! I have been so embarrassed before..and still am really....but I feel the need to do this so that those asking if the wii fit works knows it does. It isnt just for those needing to lose a little weight or those needing to lose the post pregnancy weight. I have always been overweight. I was overweight as a kid, teen and so forth. I was really active in highschool yet still overweight. It is something that works for those that have always struggled with weight. For those that have had a difficult time with gyms and being able to stay up to the fitness instructors. Those that need to go at their own pace! Those like me that start out weighing 229 lbs. Those like me that have worked hard and are now down 30 pounds after 4 months!!!! What I really like about the wii or the wii fit that you can be activel with out putting tons of pressure on your body.

Come join me and others in the fitness friday or in the forum for support with fitness/weight. Come support Julie and the other EA sports active 30 day challengers.

What precautions are you taking?

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Well today I have the swine flu topic running through my head. My husband and I had discussed about the possibilities of it in our area and that we would pull the kids from school. We have to be extra cautious with Kennedy having mitochondrial disease and that if she gets sick it can effect her much stronger. So there have been 5-7 probable cases in surrounding cities(one less than 30miles and a few 60 miles away) but none in our city. Zach does not have school today so that is good, but Kennedy is supposed to. I am going to call her in. Bob wants me to pull the kids right now because "we are taking too many chances with her life" if we let them go to school. I am torn because I know the kids enjoy school. With both kids legally we can pull them (Zach is only in preschool, and Kennedys medical condition only takes a letter from the doc). Do we wait until there is a case in our school district? Do we just go ahead, pull them from school now so we are not taking the chances? Also the questions arise....What about therapists that come to the house? They are around many kids who could possibly be sick. Do we keep them coming? How about other kids that are in school, like Bob's twins? What if they want to come stay and could possibly be exposed? Right now with no cases in the city I am just thinking if you are sick at all...stay home. Otherwise I am putting a note on my door that says to use hand sanitizer as soon as you walk in my door. Then I am questioning taking Kennedy to the hospital for clinic appointments...what precautions should I take. This is in the city that is already closing schools for probable cases. We have 2 appointments in just a couple weeks.

Anyone else having these discussions(especially those with chronic illnesses)? What are your thoughts? How far are you willing to go to prevent exposure?