My exciting journey started on September 4th .... I know ... you're wanting to know why I didn't start on a MONDAY. Well, September 3rd was Labor Day, and I just couldn't pass up all of the food from the cookout. I am following my old, trusty Weight Watchers plan, which comes easy for me. I still have to fight off my urges to eat incorrectly. BUT, I also know that I'm not striving for perfection; I'm striving to live a healthier lifestyle. I'm much more focused and determined during the weekdays because I'm at work, I continue my usual routine, and I eat meals at the same time everyday. However, the weekend was definitely more difficult. The weekends are filled with all types of activites like hanging out with friends, going to the beach, shopping, bowling, and EATING!!!

One of my observations is how much more energetic I feel. I've stopped drinking regular sodas and sweet tea. Those of you who know me well ... know that my drug of choice is MOUNTAIN DEW. The calories and sugar associated with that soda are out of this world; not to mention, all of the caffeine in it. I'm drinking 6 glasses of water each day, which makes me feel more hydrated and refreshed. I've also started walking 1 1/2 to 2 miles a day with my faithful four-legged companions, Noah and Jonah.

The verdict: I've lost 5 1/2 pounds this week. I'm ecstatic because any little bit helps.

Well, as some of you know, Fall is one of my favorite seasons. With Fall comes leaves, and I am turning over a new one. I've named it DIET! When Jay and I first started dating, I was 30 lbs. heavier than I was last week when I began my new adventure. Wow!

In the past three years, I've probably started Weight Watchers at least five times, but never carried through with it to meet my goal weight. I can say one positive thing for those experiences, and that is I've never gained back the weight that I lost. However, I'm not too proud of my lack of focus and motivation. I've always struggled with my weight, even as a child. Soooooo, in order to keep myself accountable, I am going to post each week how much weight I HAVE or HAVEN'T lost. I would welcome any comments or anyone who would like to join me on my quest for HEALTHY living.

As a child, I don't think I ever fully understood the importance of visiting with extended family, taking the time to get to know my cousins, learning from my Grandparents, or appreciating my heritage. Now as I am older, I value time spent with my family.

Mom and I arrived at my Grandmother's house on Friday around 11:30 AM with the canines, Noah and Jonah. She graciously welcomed all of us into her house -- even the dogs. We ate lunch with my Great-Uncle James, my Uncle Mitchell, and my Cousin Austin. My Grandmother is completely bound to a wheelchair, but she still manages to cook huge spreads of food. We ate salmon patties, collards, mac-n-cheese, black-eyed peas, sliced tomatos, deviled eggs, and peach cobbler. I've been trying to watch what I eat, but that went completely out the window once I walked through her front door. We went to eat dinner at one of the few restaurants in Chesterfield, THE CAROLINA RESTAURANT! My Aunt Cynthia's family owns the restaurant, and they have the best steaks ever along with homemade sour cream. Needless to say, I stuffed myself once again.

We woke up Saturday morning to find Noah and Jonah bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. The leftover peach cobbler was calling my name for breakfast so I just had to indulge. We ventured off to Catos and Wal-mart in Cheraw to just look, but somehow, we always come home with at least two bags full of stuff. After packing up and saying our goodbyes, Mom and I headed home to try and fight the beach traffic. Thank God, most of the traffic had already made it's way through. Well, until next time ....

Wow! It is hard to believe that the Summer of 2007 is almost over. We started out the summer with Talon coming to stay with us. He began camp at Karate World and absolutely loved it. They had field trips, water day, bike day, karate class, and most importantly, the ever-famous SUPER SUMMER SLEEPOVER. During the first water day, he overcame his fear of water slides. We've also started a chore chart to help him learn responsibility and also what it feels like to earn money. He got an allowance at the end of the week if his chores were done without being asked and without complaining. I have to say that he impressed me with this because he actually takes pride in completing his chores.

We also ventured on a weekend getaway to Charleston, SC to attend Gary and Mickie Lockward's wedding. Unexpectedly, Josh was home for this occasion, but the hotel was full. He and Ivey joined Jay and I in our quaint room at the Francis Marion. This was our first time meeting Ivey, and needless to say, we were forced to be one BIG HAPPY FAMILY. I can't believe she survived a whole weekend with our clan. We had little privacy in our room, but we made the best of it. We went out on the town in Charleston that Friday night to the rooftop bar at the Market Pavilion, attended the wedding that Saturday, and got tipsy at the reception that Saturday night. ;-) BUT, all good things must come to an end. On Sunday, we headed straight to the IHOP in Mt. Pleasant and then home.

While Josh was home, Ma-Ma was able to come and stay with Mom and Dad for two weeks. We spent a lot of quality time with her. We ate lunch together everyday, went shopping, and enjoyed each other's company. It is always wonderful to see Josh ... he unexpectedly opens the door just about every night to visit ... cooks dinner for us ... monopolizes the computer ... challenges us in Tiger Woods 2007 ... he's just PHENOMENAL!!! We shared Wednesday nights with friends eating sushi as well as Sunday nights at the bowling alley. BUT, once again, all good things must come to an end. Josh is currently in New York before coming home to fly to Japan for two months.

Mom and I are headed this weekend to visit with my Grandmother ... it ought to be interesting because we are taking the dogs with us. She acts like she loves them, but I know she only does it so as to not hurt my feelings. I'll post soon with new pictures! MUAH