A HAWK AND A BALD EAGLE WALK INTO A BAR (because they can't see it!)

Lasik. The word strikes fear in the hearts of some, relief in the hearts of many. Some think the technology is too new, not realizing that the technology is actually almost 20 years old. Or maybe they realize it, but it's still too new for them. And others think "that laser thingy is gonna blow out my eye - I'm not risking that!" Still others enjoy wearing glasses and add them to their wardrobe as fashion pieces. EVERYONE I've spoken with who has had the procedure, has LOVED it and has not regretted it.

If you know me, you know I got Lasik last Wednesday. I was not nervous going in. I thought I would be, but I wasn't. It was something I had been wanting to do for about 3-4 years. I'm glad I waited because my surgeon told me the technology even in the last year has advanced to the point where my astigmatism could be corrected, or at least improved.

Well, we are at the "corrected -not-improved" point. I am seeing better than I was without glasses BEFORE the surgery, but not as good as when I had glasses. Yes, I am frustrated. Yes, I am impatient. Yes, I am developing a hunchback from having to physically get so close to my computer screen at work and my scrapbooking stuff at home. But it's like Greg said when I was whining just hours after my surgery: "Soooooooo you want to see like a hawk and a bald eagle COMBINED. YOU HAD LASER SURGERY ON YOUR EYES! It's going to take awhile." Bless his heart for keeping this diva grounded!

But you know what? I have no regrets. There are a few points of light (sorry - I just watched a Golden Girl episode where President George Bush Sr. came to their house; although, all you saw was his hand so you know it wasn't him!)

• It hasn't even been a week since my surgery. Vision tends to improve with time after the surgery.
• I haven't had any "halo" vision or scratchy eyes or headaches.
• The surgeon can do an enhancement (go in a 2nd time) if necessary.
• Worst case scenario: I'll have to wear my glasses again. And that's ok. Like I said, I have not regrets. If I hadn't tried, I would have never known.

ANOTHER BASEBALL SEASON

I didn't even mention that I tried out for the National Anthem at PGE Park on Saturday! Moelfre and Greg were with me. It was so much fun. I hope I get chosen! There was one gal there who had a MINI Chihuahua in her coat. As the woman hit the high notes, her dog would peak out, strain his neck to the sky, point his ears sideways, and just howl. It was so funny! Here's a pic of me singing at one of last year's games. Fun times!

MIXED EMOTIONS

Man, Extreme Home Makeover ALWAYS gets me! 5 minutes into the show last night, I was crying like a baby. And I didn't stop for 4 hours. Ok, so there must be something else going on besides just a sappy TV show making me cry. As I analyzed why the waterworks weren't stopping (I really must stop analyzing so much), I realized there are a lot of reasons. They all led me to the same place for hope: the Bible. Some think the Bible is not the inspired Word of God. Others think parts of it are. Still others say that it is the inspired Word of God, but pick and choose what concepts to believe in. I don't know where I fall in that mix, but I do know it comforts me when I'm down. Here are some of the passages I found comfort in last night. Some are favorites; some I discovered for the first time last night. That's another beautiful aspect of the Bible: the truths aren't new, but sometimes you discover them for the "first time."

• Zephaniah 3:17-The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
• Psalm 34:18 (an old fave)-The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
• And perhaps the one that encouraged me the most-Zephaniah 3:20-At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home.

This last verse is the most encouraging to me, and yet it will rub some the wrong way. I've heard it said that heaven is here on earth and that when we "hope for heaven", we merely exist on this planet. That can lead to an "Eeyore" mentality. But for me, it lets me know that there is more to this life than what our eyes behold and our bodies take in. There is more to life than trying to have a baby. There is more to life than trying to lose weight. There is more to life than finding job satisfaction. There is more to life than __________ (fill in the blank). And because there is more to life, I will rejoice. Heaven is my home. Heaven is my hope. I will hope in the One with whom I will finally be at peace. And until He gathers me, I will rejoice.

• Habakkuk 3:17-18-Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

SETBACK

I just weighed myself and I'm at 299.4. Ho hum. I'm actually really surprised that I gained 2.5 pounds this week! My doctor told me before I started this weight-loss journey that I wouldn't lose a lot of weight because of my PCOS. I guess he was right! But I do feel good about working out. The thing that needs to happen is that I need to have an eating PLAN. Whether that means making sure I always have healthy and tasty options at home or not eating out or cutting out ice cream or or or.......I just have to make some changes. In fact, when I joined the gym, the sales person told me that dietary changes would make a bigger difference than going to the gym! Guess it's time to throw out the tub of cookie dough that I bought on Tuesday!

GOALS for this week:

• work out 3x
• make low calorie, high protein food choices
• discover a low calorie, low fat ice cream alternative

SCRAPBOOK/PROJECT DAY WAS A HIT!

Saturday was the big day! We had 12 participants at the Scrapbook/Project day. Some of the projects were:

• photo organization
• scrapbooking
• making cards
• file/paperwork/bill organization
• quilt making
• mural making
• wedding crafts

We had so many comments about wanting to do it again so I take that to mean it was enjoyable! The food was great and the field trip to A Joy Forever in Milwaukie was awesome! They gave us some really cute door prizes. Needless to say, Sunday was a vedge out day!

I JUST HAVE TO SAY......

295.9!!! Yay! I'll take it! That means a weight loss this week of 3 pounds and a total weight loss of almost 5 pounds. Doesn't initially sound like much, but given that my PCOS makes it harder to lose weight, I'm satisfied. I still have a looooong way to go, but I'm happy with my progress today. PLUS, the loss this week happened DURING my Seattle trip where it would have been soooo easy to over indulge.

Changes I am starting to notice:

• Chest getting smaller, which in my case is a good thing!
• Enjoying work outs more and more
• Becoming increasingly aware of my caloric intake
• Having to increase the speed of my treadmill to get my heart rate in the target range.

All of this indicates.....

I'M BECOMING HEALTHIER!!!!

AMY'S CD

My good friend, Amy, is cutting a CD in May. This has been a life-long dream of hers and she's finally doing it! She inspires me. She sold her HOUSE to finance the project. No, she's not going to sell it. She's doing it for her own fulfillment and to share with friends and family. I am 1 of 3 back up singers. We had a rehearsal last night, and it was so fun to be part of the creative process. It's frustrating sometimes because you want every idea to be stellar, but that's what creating is all about - trial and error. Or should I say, trial and SUCCESS?? Thanks, Amy, for the chance to be part of your dream!

THE EMERALD CITY....

We had such a great time in Seattle and Port Orchard this weekend! Here are some pictures to enjoy!