ODE TO SARAH PALIN

Sorry, everyone! Couldn't resist...with the election hours away, I just had to post this for your last-minute enjoyment before it's all over!

Our Day In The Haunted Gardens

Once again we return to Meijer Gardens, now in all it's Fall glory, and filled with Ghouls and REALLY BIG PUMPKINS! Unbelievable how gorgeous the weather has been the past few days. Brings out the nature lover in all of us. Jayden and Granny got lots of exercise this day. Somehow the little guy must have known about my marathon aspirations because he kept saying "Run, Gramma!" and so we did...Enjoy our photo journal of the day! We just love this place! Next time you see us there, it will be time for the Christmas Trees!

TRUNK OR TREAT

Boo, YA! Granny accompanied her favorite little goblin to Trunk or Treat at Res Life in Grand Haven. Cute idea~many of the church members parked in the lot of the church, decorated their trunks, filled them with candy, and handed the candy out to all the children who came around in the loop. It was a warm, dry, clear night. Just perfect! One of the nicest Halloween nights I can remember. The church also hosted a face painting area. Jayden and Paige had a wonderful time. I loved it, too! This cuts way back on all the walking and is so much safer than going out on the streets and sidewalks where you have to worry about watching out for cars. What'll they think of next!

A Pound of Cure: I AM the biggest loser!

Here's one of those issues that has fallen into the know-do gap in the past but no more! One of my pre-fifty, life-changing projects is to tackle the excess pounds I've been dragging around. More and more data indicates that obesity plays a crucial role in the development of heart disease, diabetes, certain types of cancer, hypertension, and even Alzheimer's. One of my girlfriends pointed out that you know you're getting old when you're more motivated to lose weight because of Alzheimer's than just to look good!Sooo, I'm back at weight loss church(Weight Watchers) because that has always been the safest, most sensible program I have ever been involved with. A few years back I lost about 30 pounds on the program. The kinds of changes you make are just healthy lifestyle habits that everyone should be following regardless if they are overweight or not. Changes such as eating more reasonably sized portions and eating at least 5 servings of fruit and veggies each day. Who wouldn't benefit from drinking 6 or more glasses of water per day? Exercise is beneficial for all of us. There isn't anything on this program that most people wouldn't benefit from so why not go for it! I have had several gals in my circle who have recently lost big numbers of pounds on WW so I am inspired by their success. If they can do it, so can I. With my 50th birthday just 7 months away, I've got my work cut out for me. I'm going to have all of you help me be accountable by posting my weight-loss journey on this blog. Feel free to post comments and the occasional word of encouragement would also be appreciated~or maybe you'd like to join me?! I'm not going to post my actual weight but I will tell you that my goal is to lose 78 pounds. I joined last week, 10/20. My first week on the program I lost 6.6 lbs-not too shabby! So now, I have 71.4 pounds to goal. I'm a 5 lb sack of potatoes and 1 lb brick of butter lighter than I was at this time last week! Once a month I'll tell you where I'm at with inches lost. Of course, there will be photos...Time to live it, not diet, cuz' diets don't work but Weight Watchers does! I CAN do this!

The Path I walk:Service

I have been experiencing a spiritual renaissance of sorts. VPM, as a community of believers, has been involved in an all-church study called Outflow. We've been taking a look at how our personal relationship with God impacts the quality of our own lives, the lives of our family and friends, the community, and the world. In particular, we have been looking at the acts of service that we can do that convey the love of God to others. That was the key reason for hosting the Community Party last weekend. In mid-November, we're having a Sunday "service" outside the church-not actually meeting for church-but going out into the community that day instead of having church and doing acts of service for people in our local area. I have to say, with all the uncertainty going on in the world presently, it is the natural tendency to become more self-focused because of fear and worry. This study has really challenged me to put that lack of faith behind me and become more outward-focused in my lifestyle. I think all of us in Christian circles shrink back when the E word gets spoken: Evangelism. That conjures up images of Bible thumpers handing out tracts or standing on a street corner somewhere spouting off the hell fire and brimstone REPENT message. Really, what this Outflow series has drawn our attention to is the everyday opportunities we have to do small random acts of kindness to anyone and everyone that we come across, starting with our friends and family-which is sometimes harder because of our history with them! Pastor Steve reminded us that, when it comes to our interactions with family and friends, we cannot undo the past, control the future, or make anyone a follower of Jesus. Some of the things we discussed during church that all of us can do for others: Pray for people~Listen to people~Serve others in any way that we can when the circumstance presents itself~Share the message of God's love in a non-offensive way with gentleness and respect whenever we are given the chance. Actions speak louder than words!
Charity does begin at home...and flows outward!

Decision 08' : THE MUSICAL

You all know how I love a good political satire. Take the time to click on the link below for a real deluxe treat!We all need a good laugh! Enjoy!

http://www.peteyandpetunia.com/VoteHere/VoteHere.htm

Crane's Orchard 2008: The apples of my eyes and my pies!

A relatively new family tradition is to go to Crane's Orchard to pick apples, get pumpkins, go on the hay and cow rides, walk the grounds, and stop at the Pie Pantry for cider, doughnuts, and pie. We made it to early church to get a jump on the crowds at Crane's. Lucky that we did. The place was it's usual crowded beehive of activity. Once the word gets out that a place is great everyone wants to experience it. Crane's has been making this time of year special for families in our area for many years. The weather was crisp but sunny and there wasn't a care in the world!Unfortunately, the pumpkins sold out yesterday. We'll have to find some pumpkins for Halloween next weekend. Still, we got enough apples to make quite a number of pies, applesauce, baked apples, and apple crisp. Worth the effort for sure.