Downtown Flowers

After a lovely walk and lunch, my daughter took these pictures around downtown Greenville a few weeks ago. Sorry--no names for the flowers, but I still hope you will enjoy looking at the pictures.

Hope everyone will have the week of your choice!

Best
Tracy :)

Catch Up Time

Results from the Swamp Rabbit 5k

It's been three weeks since the GHS Swamp Rabbit 5K and I would like to share my results and pictures with you. There were between 4.000 to 6.000 participants--I have never seen so many people ready to run or walk in one place! I enjoyed my walk and as I have said before-walking is my think time and trust me I had a lot of time to think on this walk. My daughter walked in the race and I told her to go on and don't worry about me. She did great and I am very proud of her.



The time has finally come



Katie



During this walk, I thought of my mom who suffered a stroke one month ago. Every step I took, I did in her honor and I know one day she will walk again.
Thought this was funny--I saw the one mile mark, but never saw the mark for mile 2 or 3. I asked one of the helpers how much longer until I get to mile 2 and 3. He laughed and told me I was near the end of the race! Yes, I did make it to the end and when I saw my husband and daughter waiting on me I cried.



Relaxing before the race




More relaxing





Katie geting information on Girls On The Run

 
It has been one year since my weigh loss surgery and I have come to understand that if you put your mind to something you can achieve it. I never though, I would walk over three miles, but I did it. No I did not win, but I finished the race under the time I set for myself.



My family and first time I have ever had on a tee shirt


Results:
Tracy-1:24:27
Daughter-1:11:04

Best
Tracy :)

One Week To Go

It's hard to believe next Friday my daughter and I will be walking in our first 5K run/walk. I am not walking to win, but to prove to myself I can do it. I will also be walking in honor of my mom who suffered a stroke three weeks ago. She has a long road ahead of her, but she is a very strong woman and will get through this.

I love you mama and every step I take in this walk you will be with me.  

I hope everyone will have the week end of your choice!

Best
Tracy :)

Eleven Years Ago

Today is our sweet daughter's birthday. I never knew how much my life would change and how much happiness a person can give to so many people. I have watched my daughter grow into a lovely young girl--with a caring heart that loves helping people, puts other people first and loves nature(she can catch those fish).

My wish Katie is that you live your life as God has plan and you are able to travel one day and see Egypt. Keep reaching for your dreams--with hard work becoming an archaeologist is within your reach--I know this is your biggest dream.

I thank God so much for letting me be your mom!

Happy Birthday!!

We love you,
Mom and Dad :)

Katie

Chimney Rock, NC

Looking For Pumpkins

Wolf Lodge Last Year

Mr Snowman

Here is the snowman my daughter made during the last snow we received in the Upstate of South Carolina. For some reason she wanted to cover him with an umbrella--???? She worked on this snowman for about one hour.

Hope everyone will have a great week end!

Best
Tracy :)

Mr Snowman

Looking Forward to A Great Year

I do not believe in resolutions, but I have made some promises to myself for this coming year. My family and I have been blessed so much and I feel it is time to give back--so this year my daughter has asked if she could go to a soup kitchen and help out. It is so hard to understand hunger in America and for it to be in your community has been a shock for my daughter. At her young age she understand children are eating one meal a day and going to bed hungry.

My weight loss is going great--40 pounds(the last forty are the hardest to lose--why??) to go and this coming 19 April will be my one year anniversary. I am hoping, I will find out more about plastic surgery at this Dr's appointment!  My life has changed so much and I am still learning how to accept complements and letting go of my oversize clothes. I feel, I need the big clothes for protection--I did throw away an old gown and had tears in my eyes--I felt like, I was throwing myself away.

I am walking more and even on my breaks at work, I will go out and walk around the hospital. I love to walk, because it's my think time and I am a person who does a lot of thinking. One thing I do truly look forward to this year is taking my daughter on a trip--"the mom and daughter trip."  We have been talking about this for almost one year and seeing her on an airplane for the first time will be a joy.

I do hope your New Year will be one that brings you much joy and remember "everyone has a story and feelings."

 I leave you with a thought that has left me thinking: "It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
     J.K. Rowling

Best
Tracy:)

  
                                                                                                                

Hope






       

 

                                                         

A Special Christmas Tree

This years Christmas tree is very special, because my daughter decorated the tree.  After a hard day at work it was so nice to come home and hear my daughter tell me, "look what I did for you mama."  Yes, the tree is fake and small, but to tell you the turth, I would not trade this tree for all the money in the world(I must tell you husband did put the lights and tinsel on)!

I collect Spanish ornaments from Hallmark and pretty much the ornaments on the tree are the Spanish ones but I have others. For some reason Hallmark did not offer a Spanish ornament this year--maybe next year. I also collected ornaments when I lived in Washington, DC--a few of them are on the tree.

It's not a tree that makes Christmas--the true meaning is a little baby that was born over two thousand years ago.  I am a truly blessed person and I am thankful that my daughter thought of me and wanted to surprise me. I have already received my Christmas present!

Best
Tracy :)

A Special Christmas Tree

              

Happy Face

Wanted to share this picture my daughter took on the steps of the court house in Sylva, North Carolina.

Funny-at her age she is so attentive to detail that she could find a smile in a brick(made from what I wonder?).

Best

Tracy :)

Do You See The Happy Face?

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Do you see a face in the cloud?
Picture was taken by my daughter while walking at Furman University.

Good-Bye Summer

This summer was one of the best I can remember. My weight loss is going great and as of today I have lost 130 pounds. I will see my Dr at the end of October for my check-up(six months)and I hope to get some news on having plastic surgery next year. I never knew how much my life would change when I was thinking about having weight loss surgery, but now I take not one thing for granted! It is a good feeling when my daughter tells me, "mama I can get my arms around you and my hands are closed. Life is so good!!

Also, this summer my husband planted a wonderful garden. We had tomatoes, zucchini and cucumbers growing like crazy. Problems with corn and watermelons--only two small watermelons this year but I can truly say those were great melons--very sweet and a deep red color. Husband also planted sunflowers and as you can tell they were beautiful. Sunflowers have a way of making me feel good and happy--they are my favorite flower. What is your favorite flower?

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

Best
Tracy :)

Watermelons

Tomatoes

Corn

Sunflowers

More Sunflowers

And More