Lighten Up Iowa

So today I start lighten up Iowa. I am doing this along with Weight Watchers. I am the team captain for a team at work. I am hoping this will give me more accountability. I have set some goals for myself AND wrote them down so hopefully I 'll be more successful at my lifestyle change this time.
Last night Andrew and I order Happy Joe's pizza for one last hurrah before LIU. I have been doing really good at WW and have lost 4 pounds over the past couple of weeks.
I am trying to get into the routine of working out again. I was out of commission for about 3-4 weeks with a bad cold and working alot of shifts in a row at work. I ran Monday and wanted to die, but I did it.
For all my family and friends, I ask that you pray for me for strength to get through this and to continue to be a healthy person. I also ask that you support me and not criticize when I choose to eat differently than you. Also, feel free to point out if I am not being a healthy person or making bad choices.
Thanks for all your help!!

Swimsuits

I know I have a lot of blogging to catch up on, but I had to talk about this. I was a Target this morning picking up a few things when I passed the clothing section and saw swimsuits!!!! Already? It's only January. If that doesn't pressure you into keeping up the resolutions, I don't know what will! I just wanted to cry when I saw them sitting there. Summer is still 4 months or so away! Who is thinking of swimsuits this time of year! Now I'll really have to stick to weightwatchers!

Ice Storm

This winter we have been hit hard by ice. I can't remember having this much ice and snow so early in the season. I don't think it is officially winter yet and I am sick of winter. Oh well, just a few more months then I'll be complaining about being so hot!

Harris Christmas/Patten's Indoor Happening

Last Sunday was a little busy. First there was no chuch due to the weather, which made the day a little less busy. We went to Indianola for the annual Harris Christmas. This is my mom's side of the family. There wern't too many there due to the bad weather. It was nice to see family we only see this time of year. Some are getting older and others are bringing new little ones into the family.
Then later in the afternoon, Cindy and I went to Dr Patten's Christmas party. He is one of the ob's that delivers at Lutheran. It was fun to sit and talk to people out of the work setting. His house is so beautiful and his tree was gigantic!!!
After that, I went home and spent so time with Andrew and got some sleep!

Christmas Tree

We finally put up our tree last night. We were going to do it tonight, but Andrew felt festive, so Wednesday night it was. We played some old Nat King Cole records on the record player and starting decorating the house. Now it is starting to feel like Christmas at the Dutler's! Finally I can move all the presents from the formal living room to under the tree!

Great News

In 2003, I was in a car accident on I-235. I won't go into all the details, but one of the persons in the accident was suing my insurance for $80,000. Naturally, and if you know me, I freaked out. Litrally, everytime I got something in the mail from the insurance company, I just wanted to throw up.

Back in February we had a deposition. I just did my part and left. I didn't want to stay and hear what anyone else had to say.

Nothing was getting settled, so I had to request to take a week off in January for a potential trial date for this accident. Again, wanting to throw up. I don't do well under major pressure.

So last week I got a phone call from my lawyer saying that the case had SETTLED!!! I was so excited. I cried. I was so happy to have that off my chest.

I prayed almost everyday that God would let this case settle. I know others were praying too. So thanks to all who kept me in your prayers during this difficult time for Andrew and I.

Good Books

I just finished reading 2 good books.
"Agent Zigzag" by Ben Macintyre was great. It is about a man with a criminal past who becomes a spy for the Germans during WWII. He is sent to England to gather war information, but is caught right away by the British. The story goes into detail about how he, Edward Chapman, becomes a double spy and why he does it. The book was slow to start for me, building how he became a spy. Once the storyline gets to the actual spying, it was hard to put down.
"The Painted Veil" by W. Somerset Maugham was a quick read for me, just a couple of days. It takes place during the 1920's when a woman named Kitty, 25, finally gets married to Walter. She only marries him to be married before her sister, who is younger than herself. During her marriage she lives in Hong Kong because of Walter's occupation. During that time, she meets a man, Charile, and begins having an affair with him. When confronted by Walter, she has no choice but to go with him to a remote area of China where cholera is running rampant. It is there she finds who she really is and comes to terms with her past behaviors. I totally recommend this book.