My First Mingle Card

OK this is a first for me.  I have colored many, many "Magnolia" stamps, but I have never completed one into a card.  This is especially a thrill for me now, as it is also my very first Mingle Card with the Magnolia-licious group.  So I hope that my mingle "partner" is pleased with the finished project.  It was also my very first time using flowers from Wild Orchid and can I tell you how in love I am with their flowers.  The company is very reasonable in pricing, shipping, and the flowers are the best in quality.  I tried to add a lot of emblishing but I did not have all my "tools" of the trade with me when I was completing the card.  My next mingle card will have even more.  I had several of my spellbinders nesties and my cuddlebug embossing folders I wanted to use, but I'm sure I'll be doing more cards as we go along.  This is also another milestone for me on my blog.....it is my very first post with a "craft" item.  I started this blog with the intention of doing cards, etc., but life got in the way and I had to make a lot of changes in it.  You can tell by my journey all that has been happening to me.  I intend to continue to update my journey and I am way behind right now.  I will try to keep the crafts and the journey separate as soon as I can figure out what to do.  LOL  So enjoy my card.  Also next time I will do a better job of keeping track with what Copic markers, etc., that I used.  I also hope to get a photo box to take pictures in, as my picture here really did not do justice to the card.

Slowly Getting There

Good Monday morning everyone. Well today was check-in day at my OptiFast Center and I'm down another 3 lbs. That makes 77 lbs lost during my OptiFast journey, but a total overall from my highest weight of 108 lbs lost. I need to lose 5.3 lbs by my trip to NY to reach my goal I had set for the trip. It may be tough to do that in 2 weeks, but I'm going to do my best.



I want to say how much I enjoy going to my sessions every Monday morning. Dawn, our nutritionist is the absolute BEST!!!! We always learn so much from her. And one of the best parts of going is to be with two of my good friends that I met at the center when I joined. We call ourselves "The Three Muskateers". These are very special people and I am blessed to have them in my lives. They give me so much inspiration. Kevin has lost close to 200 lbs and Marye has lost 80 something (sorry Marye, I didn't know the actual number) and it is always so good to be with them and chat. The three of us are in the "talking" stages of possibly starting a group where we get together and plan/prepare entrees (healthy foods) that we can bag and put in the freezer to pull out for dinners. I did something like this when I was in FL at a business called A Dinner Afare, but those entrees were definitely not "healthy". So I think this is something that could benefit all of us who are trying to maintain our weight and stay healthy. This was something that Kevin brought up.....and he being a Chef.....well, we can't go wrong. I know he has a lot of great ideas and menus that he can share with us, so we will be his little worker "bees". :-) Another idea that Marye shared with us..... we are planning on going to lunch once a month and see what to and how to order off the menu's making the meal a healthy one that will fit into our "calorie/fat/carb/etc" range. We will make lists and then pass them on to those who are interested. I know when I was in FL, I went to several resturants and told them exactly what I wanted and how I wanted it prepared, and guess what, they did it. At Longhorn one night I told the waiter I wanted my veggies steamed with no sauce/butter/seasonings, etc. Then I ordered a serving of sauteed mushrooms, but I told him I wanted them prepared the same way. He said they couldn't do that as the mushrooms were already prepared and were in butter. I told him that the manager cooked them himself last time I was there and that I wanted mine steamed with NOTHING on them. Well guess what, yep, got my veggies and mushrooms exactly like I wanted. Also told them no seasonings on my steak and dry grilled, no butter, etc. Got that like I wanted also. We just have to stick up for ourselves and order like we want or need them to be. They usually work with you, because they want you to come back.



Well 11 more days before my NY trip. I am getting a little anxious about the trip, as I haven't flown in so many years it isn't even funny. Also I have never been to NY, so I don't know what to expect. But I am so looking forward to it. It will be good to meet the other 2 grand prize winners, one from IN and one from IL. We will also meet some of the executives from Nestle who owns OptiFast, so that will be nice also.



That's all for today. It was pouring down rain today, so haven't been able to go out and walk. I'm off to possibly walk on my treadmill, or just throughout the house. Have a wonderful day everyone and God Bless.

What a Journey

It has been a very long time since I posted last and so much has happened in my life, so I'd like to get everyone up to date. August 10th, 2009 was such an important day for me as it was the day I started getting my life back. I have fought weight issues most of my life and had really gotten out of control and was so unhealthy. I had even been put on oxygen 24/7. One of my Doctors had suggested (very strongly) that I attend an information meeting about weight loss surgery. That was so scary to me. I did go to the meeting, but I just couldn't sign off on it at that time. Then my cardiologist told me about a program that was held in the same center as the weight loss surgery but it was a non-surgical medically supervised program. My husband and I went to that information meeting and I signed up that night. I attended a 21 week program of using only the OptiFast products. It was amazing. My center (Nutrition Solutions) is staffed by the best people. They have all become so dear to me. Long story short, I came off my oxygen, my insulin, some other meds. I walk 3 - 5 miles per day, ride my bicycle, go to Curves everday and have become the "dancing queen". Now you have to realize that I am 65 years old, so I'm here to tell you that it is NEVER too late to improve your health. Oh, and I forgot to tell you that during that 21 week period, I lost 70 pounds!!!!! I am a work in progress, as I want to lose another 40 or so lbs. I am already down 74, so 36 more to go!!!! But the greatest thing is that I now know that it can me done. And the "icing" on the cake so to speak, is that I was one of the three Grand Prize winners of the Nationwide OptiFast Weight Loss Contest. I won a trip to NYC for 2, a $500 spa makeover, a $500 shopping spree, photos and interviews. How nice is that???? I am going to try and post my pictures and essay so that you all can read about it. I will keep you all updated on my progress and will definitely share pictures and stories about my trip. I am so BLESSED!!!!! 'Til next time...... OK, couldn't figure out how to post essay and pictures together, so pictures are at the beginning and below is my story. If you are out there and fighting a weight battle and are as unhealthy as I was, I pray that my story will somehow inspire you that you CAN do it. God Bless!!!

Congratulations Pat, National Optifast Contest Winner!

Nutrition Solutions is proud to announce that one of our very own members has won a national contest! OPTIFAST held a weight loss challenge to members across America, asking them to commit to giving their best effort and strive for weight loss success. The OPTIFAST judging panel looked at patients weight loss, percentage of body fat lost, creativity of a written essay, and the members overall attitude. Pat Jaynes completed Nutrition Solutions 21 week weight loss program and wowed the judges with her accomplishments! Pat exceeded the average weight loss of 52 pounds, and completed the 21 week program with a 70 pound weight loss! Pat has accomplished more than watching the numbers on a scale go down; she has made a positive change in her life. Please read Pats story below you will realize why she was one of 3 people to win a national weight loss competition:
When my Dr. ordered oxygen for me 24/7, I knew that I had to do something to save my life. I couldn’t walk across the floor without getting winded and my oxygen saturation level dropping dangerously low. That is when I learned about the OptiFast program. I went to an information meeting for the Optifast and also the weight loss surgery. I chose the OptiFast and am so happy that I did. The day I started the program, I thought how on earth I am going to go that long without “table” food, can I truly do this, and the answer was yes, I can do this. I had faith and I had hope. I took one day at a time and did exactly what my Dr. and Nutritionist told me to do. The weight started coming off and I was so excited which motivated me to keep working the program. But the best thing that happened was I came off the oxygen, I gradually built up my steps every week like I was instructed. As of December 28, I finished my 21 weeks with a weight loss of 70 lbs. I truly believe that this program has saved my life. I am now completely off my insulin (5 - 7 shots per day), off a couple of other meds, the strength reduced on another. I am walking every day (3 – 6 miles), going to Curves, and also riding my bike (first time in 7 years). I danced the night away on New Year's Eve celebrating the new me and the new me to come in 2010 as I continue to lose weight. My husband and are starting "swing dance" lessons the next week. I can't believe how much stamina I now have. Life is so good!!!! I still have about 40-45 lbs to go, but I know that I now can achieve this goal. It feels so good to be healthy again after so many years. Each day I continue to have small victories and surprises. The latest being that I now have collarbones again. I haven't seen those in 40years. August 10, 2009 was the beginning of the new me and my new life, thank you Optifast for your program and products. They have truly saved my life. – Pat Jaynes

On My Way Home

Well we have been in Myrtle Beach, SC for the Region III Rally for Holiday Rambler owners. Let me tell you it was not a pretty picture driving over there. It RAINED all the way and all that night. We kinda got stuck, so decided to stay right how we were parked until today. We had a couple of days with sunshine, but the majority of the time it was wet, drizzling, and cold. It did not rain on my parade though, as we had a great time being with our fellow club members. I was able to stay on my program and even got all my walks in. Last night I had to go out and walk by myself in the dark to get my steps but it was ok. Had to come in one time and rest, as my back was hurting. Sat for about 30 minutes and then told hubby I had to go out. I needed another 2000 steps to make my 8500 mininums. So I just took out and kept on walking, never looking at my pedometer, but determined I would go over my 8500 min steps. I walked and walked, and when I got home, looked at my pedometer and I had 10,115 steps. WOW determination pays off!!!! I had walked 3500+ steps!!!!! We are on our way home today and it was sunny when we left MB, but cold 48 this morning. It is cloudy now and I think it is supposed to be right at freezing in Greenville tonight/and AM. Man winter is coming fast this year. Time to head to FL. LOL

Hope you all had a great week-end and a good week to come. I am going to talk to some friends who have blogs and try to find out how to post my pictures. I know how to add one, but I want it after my description,...not on top of it,. LOL Hugz to all, Pat

Look at My New Header!!!!!

Oh I cannot tell you how excited I am about my new header. And a BIG thank you to my new on-line friend, Tiffany, who helped make it so pretty. Don't you just love the butterflies?? Butterflies have such a special meaning to me. They have to fight to come out of being bound in that ugly cocoon and become such a beautiful being. So many of us are bound in many different ways, fighting to get out of various bindings. That is what I am addressing in my life now. I have always been overweight, and so I am like that butterfly, fighting to get out of my cocoon, and my cocoon is "fat" and I am working on transforming to a new being. So far my journey has been exciting. My health is improving and I will share more as the time goes. My profile photo is a fairly new one after having lost around 35 lbs. I have lost more now and will post about my journey as time goes by. But for now, I just wanted to share my new banner and how excited and proud I am of it. Thank you Tiffany from the bottom of my heart. I love it!!!!!

I Feel Good

Wasn't that the name of a song?? LOL Well I'm dating myself not, 'cause yep, that was a song and it was one of James Brown's biggest hits. I always loved it. It is amazing to me how good I really feel and I am so thankful for the change. Especially after going through so many health issues. I am walking every day and going to Curves. So far this week, I have walked a little over 3 miles and am shooting for that today too. I usually hate to exercise, but I am becoming a "walking machine". LOL Well really NOT, but I am trying and that is what counts.

As I said before, I am new to this blogging and especially new to posting. After two days, I finally figured out how to put my picture in my profile. Now that is sad, isn't it? Now I'm working on how to post my artwork. Keep your fingers crossed that I will accomplished that really soon. :-)

Great News

Well I FINALLY got my certifcation certificate for the Copic class that I took in June. We had a great time and learned a lot. Now it is practice, practice, and practice some more. I still think I need a Copic intervention. I now have ALL the colors and I attend any and all classes/workshops that I can to learn even more. I am even taking an on-line class with MCC and Colleen is our instructor. We are having a ball and if you have never taken a class there, you are in for a treat. I have also signed up for the Coloring Class, so it should be fun too. Now off to find that pesky little sign that says I'm a Certified Copic Teacher. :-)

Now that I have gotten my blog a little more to my liking (still not finished yet) and I hope to post a little more each day or at least each week.