Most Valuable Player = Motivate Validate Praise That’s ME (and all my TOPS friends!)
What is TOPS?
TOPS is a national organization designed to help folks like me Take Off Pounds Sensibly and keep those pounds off. It is not a diet program, but a supportive organization that focuses on Mind Over Platter. Sensible meal choices, portion control, and self-control are three of the ways TOPS encourages reaching and keeping healthy weight goals.
Why Join?
I joined TOPS in 2012 shortly after Bob & I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. I saw myself in those anniversary photos and said, “Who’s that???” I had gained 20 pounds in about twenty years – a pound a year. It just crept up so slowly that I didn’t notice how out-of-shape I was! See those chubby cheeks? I needed help to get back to my goal weight.
Feb. 11, 2012
Accountability
Today I am back down those 20 pounds and am encouraged each week when I go to my TOPS meeting to keep the pounds off. I have to face the scale and tell my TOPS friends (most of whom are KOPS – Keep Off Pounds Sensibly) whether I gained, lost, or “turtled” this week. (Turtling is staying the same.) That accountability is important to me.
Today’s meeting was our annual Christmas party. My friend, Devonna, came dressed as Santa!
Molly and Jeannie are the leaders of our group. They have been KOPS for over ten years. A real inspiration… real MVPs!!
Our party included fruit, juice, coffee, and healthy low-cal muffins. We have food at our meeting only a couple of times a year.
Each person brought a gift (under $5 value) and we each picked one. Such fun!
I was the happy TOPS “Best Loser” today. Every 1/4 lb. counts. I lost 1/2 lb. (Yay!!) It’s so easy to put the pounds on this time of year. I think of my TOPS friends and that scale every time I put a piece of candy or a Christmas cookie in my mouth. I am not asked to deny myself… Just be smart about how much and when I eat those sweets!
Is Weight Watching Part of Your Routine?
If, like me, you have to watch what you eat, how much you eat, and when you eat – or you are prone to gain unwanted pounds, you might also look into seeing if there is a group like TOPS in your vicinity. The dues are only $5 per month. There are no foods you have to buy. No extra costs. Just a wonderful group of supportive friends. I am so grateful to my TOPS friends.
I encourage you to seek friends who are MVPs for you, too. Motivators Validators Positive friends who Praise and encourage you.
Our beautiful trip Into Bozeman yesterday Yielded great rewards
Reward #1:
Gorgeous views of the Bridger Mountains
Reward #2
Beautiful blue skies… See why they call this “Big Sky Country?”
Reward #3
A peek at Bozeman’s festive spirit
Reward #4
Capturing the Holiday shoppers’ spirit
Reward #5
Enjoying the city’s decorations
Reward #6
Enjoying delicious pizza while waiting for Bob’s glasses to be repaired
Reward #7
A safe drive home after shopping at CostCo… and Bob’s time to relax with TazE while I made a salad to go with our left-over pizza for dinner
Reward #8
Bob’s ability to read again without needing a magnifying glass! His glasses needed the frames soldered because he sat on them and broke them. He promises never to do that again!
Reward #9
And now, after a good night’s sleep, I am rewarded with this gorgeous sunrise view from high up in my sanctuary.
Reward #10
YOU!! (Thanks for visiting JanBeek)
Have you taken a beautiful trip recently? What are some of your rewards?
The season of Christmas is one of my favorites. It’s a time to socialize with friends and to shop. It’s a time to enjoy the great outdoors on the slopes. It’s a time for cards and cookies and eat ’til you pop!
Last night we attended the annual Christmas party that the Madison Valley Medical Center sponsors for its staff and volunteers in the Auxiliary. Bob & I went with our dear neighbors, the Welnas.
Bob & Sue are the greatest neighbors ever!
The Inn was decked out and ready for us. Must have been 100 folks! All part of the Madison Valley Medical Center. We are blessed to have these facilities (hospital and steak house) in/near our little town of Ennis.
This lovely restaurant in McAllister is just 7 miles out of Ennis. They did a super job serving so many people!
This is Ruth, one of our most faithful, long-term auxiliary members. She really gets into the spirit of the season!
Each staff member or auxiliary lady was allowed to bring a guest. My friend, Leah, brought her daughter, Chris. They are such fun!
And now, it’s a lovely day at Big Sky… like I said, “time to enjoy the great outdoors on the slopes.” If you are a ski nut like my husband Bob is, this beautiful photo taken by my friend, Susan Phillips, will start ya salivating!
But I am going to sit by the fire, drink hot chocolate, and write Christmas cards this morning. This is the kind of picture that starts my juices flowing!
What are you up to? What’s your favorite kind of fun this time of the year? Have some “Christmas Time Fun” and tell me all about it!
Does temptation lift Its ugly head around you? Cookies and parties?
Do you look at fun As life’s diversion from Christ? That’s not His intent!
Christianity Is built sure on nothing less Than Christ’s love and joy
He intends for us To experience His FUN In the Spirit’s fruit:
Galatians 5:22-23
“When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us, love, JOY, peace. patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.
Yesterday I went To a FUN cookie exchange Temptation abounds!
In his book, Daily Inspirations for the Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren wrote, “God uses the opposite situation of each fruit to allow us a choice. Integrity is built by defeating the temptation…”
What do you think might be three things you need in life?
Freedom of expression is one of my needs.
You NEED food, air and water. But do you need to impress? Is recognition one of your needs? That’s linked to that need to impress.
I found this quote some time ago and saved it. Sorry I don’t know who said or wrote it:
“To thrive in life you need three bones. A wishbone. A backbone. And a funny bone.”
Hah!
I saved the wish bone from our Thanksgiving turkey! I’m waiting for the right person to share it with.
I’ve got the funny bone – carry it with me always.
Think I’ll borrow that backbone up there! (Actually mine is pretty sturdy!)
How about you?
Do butterflies need a backbone?
It’s been a busy season in these six days of December so far. What have you been up to?
Today I invited a friend come to our house mid-day, and she helped me decorate our Christmas tree.. It looks great, don’t you agree?
Last night we helped my friend, Bernice, celebrate her 87th birthday. Take a look at her. Don’t you agree she could pass for 70?
This morning I baked cookies to donate to our Madison County Library. They gave them to people who came by the Library during this afternoon’s “Christmas Stroll” in Ennis.
After baking cookies, I met with our Madison County Writers’ Group – and we spent a delightful hour and a half together. We started with a “Free Write” on the topic we drew from a hat… My Favorite Season. We had 15 minutes to create an essay, poem, or some kind of reflection on the topic. This is what I wrote:
My Favorite Season
Seasons come and seasons go There are winters, summers, falls and springs; But the season that appeals most to me Is the one that stays because of what it brings.
It brings my favorite music and stunning colors. It brings loving generosity and untold joys. It prompts people throughout the world To open hearts with gifts for needy girls and boys.
The trees all sparkle with snow and lights. The houses hang wreaths and let candles glow. The bells ring out to announce the reason For my favorite season: the birth of Christ, you know?
The season brings out the best in us. It helps us open wide our arms in love To show gratitude for the gift He promises Eternal life with our God above.
Merry Christmas!
After Writers’ Group, I went home to do the Christmas tree decorating before going to meet with the “Ennis Ringers.” We had our picture on the front page of the local paper this week. Can you see me front and center back row?
The Madisonian, our local newspaper published a nice article about us this week. I am first in the picture below. My bells are the smallest ones (notes of F and G ring out when I am in the right spot in the music).
I would post a video so you can hear us, but for some reason, WordPress is not allowing me to include it here. I’ve posted videos in the past, so I don’t understand the glitch.
Oh well, maybe it will let me post the video tomorrow. As the news article indicates, the “Ennis Ringers” will play again this Sunday at our church.
Yesterday I had fun at our annual Madison Valley Woman’s Club Christmas luncheon. My buddy, Lucy Ennis can be seen here in red with one of our new members who is an activities director at our local nursing home.
The ladies from the nursing home really went all out with their Christmas costumes. There’s evidence of that “Funny Bone” we all need!
Below is one of my favorite people, Bev Claussen. Her reindeer antlers light up and blink!
Remember a second bone we all need is a “Back bone.” Our Woman’s Club Executive Board is the “back bone” of this very active group of ladies. They provided a delicious lunch for the more than 50 ladies who showed up for this event. (Remember, we are a community of only 1,000 residents in Ennis – so this is quite a lively organization!).
Besides the back bone and the funny bone, we need a wish bone, right? And we need food, air and shelter. Here you see the food; earlier you saw the butterfly that adorns the air we breathe. And in my home, with the tree decorated, you witnessed my beautiful “shelter.” What about the wish bone?
Before she blew out her candles. my friend, Bernice made a wish.
I don’t know what her wish was, but I know my wishes are for you:
May you always have all the good food, clean air, and lovely shelter you need. May you always have a back bone, a funny bone, and a wish bone. And May the bells of joy ring in your land and bring you peace…
As you are preparing for Thanksgiving, That annual day when THANKS is clear, Don’t forget to put an extra chair At your Gratitude Table this year
I am thinking of Carol Orr and Marcelle Zufferey and our angelic ancestors during this Thanksgiving season. I thank God for their presence in our lives.
Who will you imagine to be at your empty chair this year?
Back in Jodie’s kitchen in Sewickley PA. I’m preparing tonight’s dinner for the family. What are you up to today?
Music increases Intelligence, I am sure; Especially strings!
Science bears it out! Or is it that violins Attract the wise ones?
Does music enhance natural intelligence?Just look at these bright youngsters!
Today at our Madison Valley Woman’s Club, there were about 75 women present to enjoy a variety of homemade soups for lunch while being entertained by Katie Coyle’s violin students.
These seven students were delightful!
Teacher, Katie, said she was not a trained teacher, but no one else in our little town of less than 1,000 residents was teaching violin. So, when Katie (who to played the fiddle when she was a youngster) was asked, she stepped up to the plate. There is no way you would agree with her when she says, “I don’t know how to teach violin.”
The students giggled when told they should play kneeling.They squealed with joy when told to play lying down!
Katie obviously knows how to teach violin in a way that brings the students back each week clambering for more.
Smart to begin with; smarter still with music lessons!Bright eyes, open minds, and ready smiles!
Our MVWC donates money annually to Katie’s Music and Art Academy. Our donation made it possible for 3 families to attend Fiddlers’ Camp last summer. Next summer Katie hopes 6 families can attend.
We have 150 members!
Our “Collect” or “pledge” that we resign together each month at the start of our meeting tells you a little about our mission:
We put into action our better impulses!
Today I was one of about 8 ladies who provided the crock pots of soup for the lunch. Each month a different volunteer committee provides the meal and decorates the tables with seasonal themes.
This wasn’t the one I made, but it was my choice for lunch. It was yummy!There were about 8 choices of soup plus cornbread and yummy desserts. The desserts were gone by the time the serving committee got to that part of the meal. Oh well… I didn’t need the calories!Happy November, my friends.
Do you play an instrument? Is it your conviction that music enhances intelligence? I may be a little prejudiced in that regard!
I hope you can access this gorgeous music. I found it by Googling it on YouTube.
Just listening to beautiful violin music makes me feel smarter! How about you?
My cousin, Cliff, who had surgery yesterday to remove his esophagus (due to cancer) loves sending me jokes about my instrument of choice: the accordion. I ask you to pray today for Cliff’s recovery and return to strength and humor. I think of him as I listen to this beautiful music.
One of the jokes Cliff sent me was a picture of St. Peter welcoming someone to Heaven saying, “Here is your harp.” And Satan welcoming someone to Hell saying, “Here’s your accordion.”
Thanks, Cliff!! In spite of your sarcastic humor, I love you!! (Maybe it’s because of your humor??) Even in your strapped down, hooked up, post surgery posture, I can see that devilish smirk and the twinkle in your eyes!
Please pray for Cliff!
Listen to music. It’ll make you smarter. And bee sure your kids get music lessons!
Bee well! Always Bee Grateful for your health!! See ya tomorrow, my friends.
It is the joy of having breakfast with your granddaughter and her family! Look at these darling great-grandchildren:
Sienna is 5 months old and she in in 8-12 month sizes!! Aren’t those the most kissable cheeks you’ve ever seen?
This is the happy big brother, my great-grandson, Xander. His favorite trick today was pulling his sister’s socks off!
Drew & Hope
The busy parents, Drew & Hope, have their hands full! I was happy to be able to spend time with them.
Hope shared some of her photos from two days ago, our Halloween here in the USA. She dressed the kids up, but the snow and lousy road conditions kept them from Trick-or-Treating. It’ll be something Xander can look forward to next year.
Xander the pirate is at his Grandma Pam’s.
Don’t know which he liked best, Pirate or Frog costume… Which one would you choose?
Sienna makes a cute little cuddly lamb, don’t you think?
I had fun talking with Xander about his little sister.
The Lakota School (St. Joseph’s) sent me small gloves – just right for Xander – and a dream catcher with Hope’s name on it. It made a perfect gift.
Couldn’t play “Patty Cake” with Xander while holding Sienna, but he clapped anyway.
Yes, “Happiness Personified” is time with my Great-Grandkids. We have a date to meet here again in a couple of weeks. Good plan, don’t you agree?
Don’t grow too fast, little ones!
Here’s Sienna with me last July at my 80th b’day party.
See ya later, my friends. What’s your idea of “Happiness Personified?”
Stuart’s story is magnificently told. Do click on the link and go to the magazine to read it! It will rise up like yeast in you and cause you to want to share it, too!
