Forgive and Forget

I love football. I play in two fantasy football leagues. And many football players in my opinion are pampered and spoiled beyond what they should be just because of what they do. (this is true of most professional athletes)

When Michael Vick got arrested for dog fighting I was appalled at the dog fighting and I applauded the NFL and the law for punishing him for his crime. Michael Vick has served his time for the crime he committed. He is now supposedly working with the SPCA to teach young adults about the harms of dog fighting. But apparently PETA does not think this is enough and has been quoted as saying Michael Vick should not be a role model to any child. Now I do not agree with dog fighting in any form...and I believe you should be punished for your crime...but I believe once you have served your time you should be clear. Michael Vick has served his time. The NFL has him on probation of sorts to come back and play. His career may never be the same. At this point I do not think he should be treated any differently than any other player. I think we need to teach children that role models are human...they make mistakes...they are punished for their mistakes...and then we forgive them and go on. Just as we should with anyone else. So Michael Vick may have made mistakes...but I think he can still be a role model assuming he has learned from them and is honestly changing.

As Christians we are called to forgive...are professional athletes above that?

Weight Watcher Weigh-In Week 15

So I guess I celebrated too early. I had a gain of 2.8 this week. Although part of the weight may be the brace I have on my knee...I don't think it weighs 3 lbs. But I also didn't move much this week because of my knee. So I'm guessing it is a combination of things. So this week I'm working on it. Portion sizes are an issue for me right now. I'm not paying as close attention to them as I was. So I'm going to watch that this week.

Because of my MRI this past Saturday I didn't stay for the meeting but that is another goal for this week. It really does make a difference. Next week...I'll have a topic for you.

Weigh-In
Weigh-in: + 2.8
Total: - 5

Knees and Dogs Don't Mix

aka what I did this weekend...

Friday night at 11:30 PM I picked J up from the airport. He looked rough because he and the boys had been out until 3 AM the night before...got up at 6 AM to start work and didn't get home until 11:30 PM. I felt a little bad for him but it was his own fault. So I wasn't sure what we'd be doing Saturday.

Saturday morning I had a funeral for a friend's Dad at 11 AM and I wanted to go get weighed before that. So I went about my morning while J stayed home with the puppies. I had two friends having picnic/gatherings that day one at 3 PM an hour away the other at 4PM 20 minutes away. We decided since I'd missed the one at 3 the past two years and J had not met all of those people we'd take the dogs and go. We get there all is going well. We decide to take them off the leash since my friend has a big yard. They love it. I love my dogs and they are extremely fun loving energetic animals. My youngest (5 1/2 month old 40 lb) pit bull was running with Eva our oldest when he ran full speed into the back/side of my knee. My knee bent the wrong direction...popped...I fell...threw my drink on J and poor Ares kinda sat down with a "rah roh" look on his face. I got up with J's help and was propped up in a chair with ice for the rest of the day. Fortunately my friend is a nurse and she had Advil and an Ace bandage in her car. I hurt a lot. We ended up still going to my other friend's thing for a bit then I went home and iced it some more.

Sunday I went about my day...went to church...went to see Harry Potter (more on that in a later post) and went to bed.

Monday I woke up still in a fair amount of pain...and my knee buckled twice while I was walking on flat ground. So I called my doctor. Went to see her Tuesday she sent me to an orthopedic surgeon. He had the bedside manner of a porcupine. And it turns out all Ares did was twist my knee no big deal. Ice it. Keep off it. Advil, etc. but in the process of checking out the current injury we found out about an unhealed old injury. My knee cap instead of being in the center is way off to the right. He discussed physical therapy or surgery. The surgery would involve cutting ligaments to get it to move back or cutting the bone in my lower leg. Neither sounds fun or good. So I go for an MRI Saturday and we'll go from there. YAY!!

Weight Watcher Weigh-In Week 14

I went to the 11:00 AM meeting Saturday to weigh-in on my way to a funeral so I didn't stay for the meeting. But I got good news at the meeting. I was down 2 pounds and they complimented my face saying it looked thinner. I had had some issues with medications the past couple weeks and I think that was causing bloating. Now they have the medications under control and no more bloating. Whoo hoo.

Weigh-In
Weigh-in: -2
Total: -7.8

Up in the Air...aka...life military style

You gotta love the military. It keeps life fun and exciting. And you are always on your toes. Now is no exception...there are a number of things up in the air for us right now.

First...J is up for Chief again. And they post the results normally around the end of July/ beginning of August. It is a bit of a stressful time because it is a big promotion for him and it includes some nice benefits including a pay increase. Last year we had things up in the air for a while because of him being up for it and he didn't get it. He was disappointed but it worked out well because we got to spend time with his family and I got to meet them. This year we are planning on going to his family reunion the end of August/beginning of September but if he makes Chief those plans go out the window. It is sort of bitter sweet...we want him to make Chief but we have some cool plans for the Family Reunion. Ultimately my prayer is for Chief. But that is in the board and God's hands now. So say a prayer, light a candle, cross your fingers, do whatever you do...keep positive thoughts that J makes Chief. And I'll let you know.

Second...in March J will move to a new assignment. He is done with shore duty...which has made life very nice for us. And he has to pick a new assignment...the options aren't plentiful so right now we are looking at an overseas assignment for a year, a European assignment for three years, or an East Coast assignment for three years. His plan right now is that overseas and Europe would be unaccompanied. And a year I can handle...I'm not so sure about three with a visit every six months but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. It may be that none of them pan out. So we sit and wait. Gotta love the military.

The joys of Churchy and Her Sailor :-)

Weight Watcher Weigh-In Week 13

Ok so apparently I celebrated a bit too early on my weight-loss victory last week. Apparently I didn't do so well this week. Although they changed my medication again so I'm going to my doctor Thursday to see if that is part of the problem. And Mom made a good point...I'd have to have eaten 10,000 calories extra this week to make up the 3.2 lbs. I know I didn't so I'm going with water weight thanks to medication, not enough water, and Virginia summer. I know it sounds like an excuse but I did eat well this week.

Weigh-In
Weigh-in: + 3.2
Total: -5.8

Meeting Topic: Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables
I admit I love fruits and veges but I'm bad about eating them. She discussed some ideas for getting more. Homemade salsa, strawberry salsa, mixing them in sauces, salads, Caramel Apple Salad, etc. Most people admitted they got tired of eating the same fruits and vegetables over and over again so she suggested picking up a new fruit or vegetable or using a different recipe for a common one.

After the meeting...I had a few other errands to run one of which took me over by the new Fresh Market. If you have one of these near you you must go. They are wonderful. The produce department could have kept me entertained for hours beautiful vegetables and fruit. Cherries, plums, peaches, apples, bananas, leaf lettuce, celery, artichokes, baby artichokes, asparagus, white asparagus, etc. a wonderful blend. So since I had just learned about getting more fruits and vegetables I went a bit crazy. I bought some fresh raspberries, celery, carrots, cauliflower, organic french vanilla yogurt, whole grain granola, Happy Belly juice, and some spinach/artichoke dip for a dinner I was going to later that night.

And next time I go I'm definitely getting some of the wonderful meat from the butcher. It was so fresh looking. I think for J's birthday we are going to get some of the filets and grill them.

How Relationships Evolve...

This weekend I took J to the airport for a work trip. He and about 3 other guys go for a week to do some training. Last year about this time I dropped him off at the airport and his buddies were already there. Basically he handed me the keys...kissed me real quick...said "love you" kind of quietly and said "see you in a week." Now we've been together almost a year and a half...we got there early, parked the car, went and got him checked in. One of the other guys was there so I asked J if he wanted me to wait with him or go head out. He said "we could get coffee and sit for a bit" so we did. And I commented to him about how times had changed compared to last year in our relationship. I reminded him how last year it was "kisses, love ya, bye" instead of sitting, etc and saying good bye in the airport. At first he tried to deny it...then he admitted we were still new etc last year...and he's grown, etc. and that he liked the current method better.

He is great. I love him. And he fits me perfectly. And I him.