Last week I had to go through all my photos trying to find one that I took of Rob and his co-workers.
I stumbled upon this one and I don't really remember taking it. The photo was taken in France and all I remember was people looking at me funny while I took pictures of their local veggies.
As I was scrolling through the photos I stopped on this one and saved it to a different folder. As crazy as it may sound, it inspired me.
As a creative person I'm always on the hunt for anything that will keep me inspired and renew my soul with the beauty and blooming life all around us.
Lately, as I've been on either the treadmill or the elliptical I watch videos on YouTube. I've learned to dabble in mixed media art and am finally allowing myself to have some fun in my scrapping and art journaling. I go through my magazines and cut out pictures or text that I later put into my smash book. My smash book has become a place for dreams and ideas, stuff that will spark me on a much needed day.
I have created a motivational wall in my bedroom that I try and read every morning, especially the days when things are dark.
We are all creative, God made us that way. We all need to inspire each other and lift each other up. I don't feel that I have been strong in working with others to inspire each other. I tend to work alone quite a bit. I do love to lift people up because we are all capable of amazing feats and any negativity could set us all back.
That afternoon as I continued scrolling through the photos I came upon one after another that triggered happy thoughts, positive thoughts. I moved them all to that different folder. I may print them out, and who knows, they could adorn my walls or just my scrapbooks but the photos will be out of the bowels of my computer and will be more appreciated.
Almost every morning I take a look around all our flowers to see what is coming into bloom. I love the riot of colors. One of my dreams is to have a center where people can come, take classes, have retreats and just relax with little alcoves with comfy benches and arbors and trellis' of flowers.
What inspires you?

*Carrie*

Being Courageous

*Deep breath*
Please ignore the need for a pedicure, I was too excited to really care.
Now for most people this would be a horrible number to see, but today, for me, its a huge victory. You see today (technically yesterday)  I hit a three month weight loss goal.
I've lost 20 lbs.
This is a number I haven't seen in 8 years.
People who are close to me, except my mom haven't really seen a difference in my size, but oh I have.
Most of the weight loss has been in my legs and stomach. My long legs are getting lean and mean. I'm loving the feeling of sweat running into my butt crack, I know gross, right, but it means fat is crying.
Back in January a friend from church asked if I wanted to join a weight loss challenge with 9 other women. I immediately said yes, then I told her we'll see if I'm ready to finally lose the weight or was I going to sabotage myself.
I'm was/am tired of being the biggest girl in the room.
I'm tired of the way I feel about myself.
Was I finally ready to do something about it?
I started going to the gym 4x a week, most of the time twice a day, anywhere from 2-3 hours. My favorite thing is to walk on the treadmill and watch YouTube videos or Netflix.
A couple of weeks ago I hit a plateau. I realized quickly that I wasn't eating enough protein and that I needed to get off the treadmill and try something else.
I was at 19 lbs.
I prayed and I continued to work out. A week later I was still at 19lbs.
This weekend I started seeing a difference.
I felt like the little engine that could, I kept chugging along, making sure I was eating enough, working out, Tuesday morning the scale said 276.8.
Could it be? Was it a glitch? Did I hit my 20lb weight loss goal?
Today is our final weigh in. This picture was my weight before hopping in the shower, before going #2. I know TMI but dang it every little bit counts and I just didn't have the urge to poo.
Wouldn't you know after I posted my weekly weight and had taken the kids to go to school I HAD to go. Probably lost another 4 ounces. I know gross, ha ha.

How do I feel now that I've hit my first milestone?
Tired? Relief? Proud? Scared? Verge of tears? Want to shout from the rooftops!
All of these emotions are swirling around today. I don't think I really have to explain them.
The challenge is over, is my drive going to be there to continue? I walked this morning for 60 minutes and I kept talking to myself about if I was going to go back to the gym with Rob tonight. I waffle. The challenge is over, I don't need to push myself so hard, but while I'm working out it doesn't feel so hard. I'm loving the results.
I'm not sure if I'm ready for another challenge but for the next few weeks I'm going to work at losing another 5 lbs. Just me to hold myself accountable.
I want to be as close to 200lbs as I can and at 6ft tall I look good at 200lbs. That was my weight when I got married.
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. That was probably a really bad analogy but it's all I could come up with because its time to head back to the Y.
*Carrie*