Good Friday

I was trying to explain to Amanda today about Good Friday and Easter... while still trying to keep in terms that she could understand. I also didn't want to frighten her or cause too much focus on the death part. I instead focused on the hope that we have for eternal life with Jesus in heaven... and on the new life that is starting to emerge around us. Hope that I did ok.

I flunked big time at the doctor on Tuesday. I knew that I would, it was just a matter of how bad. My total cholesterol was 276... bad enough. But, my triglycerides were 397! Of course, that certainly has everything to do with how poorly I have been eating for the last... hmm... 5 years or so. Just this past Sunday, we went to Steak and Shake, and I calculated (post-doctor's appointment) how much my fat grams were in that meal alone - about 76 grams! Yikes!! My new goal, which I have accomplished each day so far, is under 40 grams of fat. Actually, that is pretty easy... so far. I also have to start an exercise program. I'm trying to figure out which activity will work the best for me... and my other responsibilities.

On a lighter note... here is today's Friday's Feast!

Appetizer:
Given the choice, would you prefer to live in the country or in the city? Without one ounce of hesitation - THE COUNTRY!!! I would be perfectly happy out in the middle of nowhere, in a house with my little family. I love the sights, smells and sounds of the country... and just the peace of knowing that all of the unnecessary hustle and bustle are far, far away.

Soup:
Who is the cutest kid you know? Well, of course this is obvious... and, it's a tie. My two little crazies!! They are cute in every facet of the word. They are so cute and precious to look at... say the cutest things... do the cutest things... What did I do before we had them?!? Of course, my beautiful little niece, Anzie, is a very close second!! I miss her! Did I mention that Mom and Dad are going to spend the whole weekend in Georgia with Anzie, Mendi and Dean...

Salad:
Fill in the blank: I couldn’t believe it when I heard ___________. And, this is "hot off the press news", folks! I just found out on Monday. I could believe it when I heard that one of my sisters-in-law is pregnant with her ninth child! Yep, you read that right!! Baby #9 is due in late July. Whew! Say a prayer for her and the rest of the gang, would you?

Main Course:
If you could star in a commercial for one of your favorite products, which one would you want to advertise? Hmmm... gotta think on this one for a second. Ok. I would want to advertise the Python, a tool that helps us clean out our fish tanks. I have really become appreciative of how cool this product is since I've been doing the majority of the fish tank cleaning lately. I remember when I was a little girl, that my parents would have to use buckets to empty out the tanks and rinse the rocks... Ugh. The Python makes it SO much easier and quicker. I'm sure that the target audience for such a product would be pretty narrow... so, there probably wouldn't be any TV commercials... but, maybe some print ads in fish magazines or something.

Dessert:
What type(s) of vitamins and/or supplements do you take on a regular basis? Well, up until Tuesday, I was just taking a Pre-Natal vitamin... No, I'm not pregnant! I have just continued to take that particular vitamin after pregnancy while I was nursing. It's a good vitamin, and I've just continued taking it. On Tuesday, I started taking some BeneFiber (Heart Healthy version), to boost my fiber intake and hopefully help to lower those pesky cholesterol numbers. It's funny, because before Tuesday, I was making fun of Doug for taking his "poop medicine", as I was calling it. Now, I'm doing it, too.