Busy, busy, and more busy!

I am sitting here watching the news.... as the last of the 33 miners are coming up from deep under the earth and I am amazed and humbled by their spirit and joy! Not a one has been anything but jubilant and grateful for the experience that they have survived. To a one they come out smiling, cheering, and hugging those they love! It's so uplifting that you just can't stop watching it!

There is absolutely no good excuse for my month-long absence from the blog scene other than that I've been feeling somewhat overwhelmed by all the things going on in my day to day teaching life and focusing my efforts on keeping my head about water there. Papers seem to take longer to grade, and each day comes with an endless list of things to do and stuff to stay on top of. I have 45 minutes per day to get the little things that pop up during the day done... and it's never long enough. There, I am finished whining. It's nothing compared to being REALLY buried like those brave guys in Chile, and I am sure that those of you who read this have better things to do than listen to me fuss.

On the upside.... lots of good things going on with us Staude's. We got to spend the past weekend in Michigan helping to celebrate our grandchild Rhylah's 3rd birthday. What a gorgeous weekend it was! We watched Rhy blow out her candles (photos coming soon) and open presents, and it was all so much fun!

Our harvest is complete and the crushing and pressing went very smoothly! The new Niagara and the Seyval are in the bottles and folks are loving them. We are going to bottle the Concord this weekend. So all that is going smoothly and well!

All in all, I have a LOT to be thankful for in our busy month just past... hope you have much the same in yours!

Things to Be Thankful for...

Today was a better than average day. The sun was out and shining brightly, and we didn't get severe weather last night. So today's post is just a gratitude list:

On this day, I am grateful for:
1. The fact that both Ed and I are healthy enough to give blood like we did today. Doing that always feels so good and is such a small way to make a difference.
2. The "photobooth" application on my Mac... Syd was an absolute hoot tonight as she took photo after photo of she and I... giggles galore.
3. My student teacher... yes, I have one for the next 8 weeks. Amber Schwartz hails from Greeley, CO and I can already see signs of her talent.
4. My fellow English department colleagues... Stevan and Rachel.... they are the best! (and give me hope that one day I'll be able to retire!)
5. My seniors who are hanging in there and battling back senioritis. Hang tough, kiddos! You'll get there!
6. The fact that we have a President who refuses to give up on what needs to be done... I am praying for you Barack, and today I wrote my Republican congressman and begged him to stop being such a nincompoop about health care. Health care is NOT like buying groceries, or clothes... you can't cut corners if you are critically ill or just go without! WHY can't somebody in the Republican Congress help communicate that to their fellow members. If an old fart like me can 'get it' - you'd think those professional politicos could!
7. My hubby who makes me tea in the morning and dinner each night... love you sweetie!

A Knitting Grammy's Reward

Here you have it.. and it doesn't get any better than this. My little buddy got his hat that I made him in the mail on Friday. His mom reports that he slept in it for his naptime. Logical thinking on his part; it is cold in Michigan right now. But here's the pay-off - by my book, this is an offical 1 million dollar grin. Makes me want to go right back and knit up a storm!

Yesterday was a big day for me! I reached a goal that has been four months in coming; I have lost 10% of my body weight! After a long period of frustration with "do-it-myself" diet and exercise, I joined Weight Watchers back in September. It is a sad fact, but if I am paying for something, I am more likely to follow through. A good friend of mine had a lot of success with the WW's programs last year and recommended it highly. I dragged out my decision for almost 6 months, but finally decided that I was tired of being at an unhealthy weight; so I joined.

I generally go on Thursday nights. I have to say the meetings (which I expected to be "cheesy") are actually very helpful. You see a whole lot of different folks from a variety of backgrounds and all of us are in the same boat.... we need help with how we relate to food! There is an inspiring fellow (who could be old enough to be my dad) who lost 148 lbs in one year and has kept it off for over 3 years. People helping each other is what the weekly 30 min. gatherings are all about. I get recipes, encouragement, and the knowledge that I will be "checking in" at the scale.

Last night was special. My group leader announced my success and a room full of 50 or so people burst into applause! It felt amazing! I still have a way to go, I want to get to my goal weight by spring... and I can honestly say I believe I can do it now. So here's to all my new friends in Weight Watchers, and to my family members who have been cheering me onward as well! Thanks so much!