from the mind of Lisa Allen

Lapband and Life update...

2009-11-18T06:33:00.000-08:00

This will be really brief...

things are going well. I am losing weight! I went in and had fluid removed from my band, it was just too tight. Immediately I felt better, I can eat good quality foods and not fear being sick. So I am uping the protiens and lowering the carbs!
I am so thankful to see the scale moving again!! It was making me so depressed to not be able to eat and still not seeing any results...

I am down about 42-45 lbs...it varies everyday, but my clothes sizes are the biggest change. I am down more than two full sizes. Yay!

Have a blessed day!
In Him
Lisa

Lapband update...

2009-10-07T17:26:00.000-07:00

Alright here is a little update...I called the Dr. and made an appointment for Tuesday to speak with the nutritionist and get another adjustment. I am hoping that they can help me get over this hump. I did notice that the scale started finally moving down in the last few days and honestly Ithink I still have some unrealistic expectations...like losing lbs everyday. That that is just not possible.

I am excited about the next few months to come, I am already down 2 jean sizes and I can't wait to be....well Skinnier. !!

I will let you know what the Dr. and nutritionist say on Tuesday.

Lapband and Life Update week 11

2009-09-27T14:30:00.000-07:00

Things have slowed down on the weight loss front, I am going to call the Dr. this coming week. It is so confusing. I am eating around 1200 calories or less and I am working out. Well, I am walking about 2 miles in the evening. I am moving. But I think that my body is freaking out and trying to hang onto whatever I eat just for survival....I am eating a little bit more protien now, I can eat juicy chicken, less than 2 oz. and some refried beans with onions. That seems to be pretty easy for me to get down. I HAVE to start eating more veggies!! I do eat spinach with my eggs in the morning, but it is not much. I need fruits too, but I just haven't ventured there much. I did eat some apple fries the other day and that went ok. I should try that more....
I have not gotten sick any more but I also stopped drinking water when I eat. That made all the difference.
Heres the deal. There is no way I could get in enough calories to function if I did not wash a little bit through the band. I eat two bites and I feel obstructed. I wash that through and try to eat two more little bites. Anybody else have an idea on how to get the calories without eating very much?Protien shakes just go right through the band and offer no sustaining "fullness". By the afternoon I have NO energy!! Like I said before I am calling the doctors this week...

Much love yall
Lisa

Lapband Update week 8!!

2009-09-06T18:29:00.000-07:00

Well , since my last adjustment, where I was ratcheted down to teeny tiny. I can not eat much. I can eat refried beans with onions, I can eat guacamole and chips, a very small amount. I can eat vienna sausages because they are mushy. I can eat fat free chicken salad on a cracker.
I have to drink when I eat anything of substance just to get it down.

I went out after church with my besties to a local hangout and we ordered cheese fries. I tried to eat two tiny little bites and wash it down with water. I felt like I was drowning and had to excuse myself . It was the worst yet. I did not like that. So I will be sticking with the refried beans. I have found that Taco Cabana makes their beans in store, and it comes in a 8 oz cup and they will add onions and cheese.
I have got to start eating more calories because I feel my energy level going way down, especially in the afternoon.

Don't get me wrong I still think this is the best decision I have ever made in regards to my health and weight loss. I think it is still an adjustment. I do not miss food as much as I thought that I would. If I see something that I want, I look at it and I just know " I will NEVER be able to eat that...if I even try it will be painful!"..so I just walk away. It is the restriction that I need!! I could never before look at something and "think" first...it was, See it , Buy it, eat it, then feel guilty about it later...Now I do not have that option. Thank God for my Lapband!

I am down about 33 lbs and several sizes. Yesssss!
In Him
Lisa

Lapband and Life update...

2009-08-26T07:25:00.000-07:00

Things are going pretty well, I will update the Lapband info first...

I went into the Dr. to have my second adjustment. I went to my surgeons office this time instead of the aftercare place that I went to last time...I was still a little freaked by having to sign that paper.
I told my doctor that I wanted a "good" fill, that I just did not feel that the last time I had gotten enough fluid. I had not lost one pound! I am still down around 30 lbs but most of that was from the pre-op diet! So he filled it up! He added another 2 1/2 ccs of saline to my existing 2.6-3 ccs. I had to sit in the lobby and sip water. I tried to swallow and could not! So he had to go back in and take out 1/2 cc.

That was eye opening. I am really hoping to start losing more weight now that I KNOW I am restricted!! So protein shakes and liquids for today and soft foods for 3 days.

Life is going very well, business is great. My weekend was incredible, I love traveling with my BFF. She is fun and rarely bitchy at all. LOL! Seriously, we mesh well. Soul mates...
I updated everything on Facebook so I feel it is redundant to update everything here.
Coco is still Coco, she is just about completely deaf. She just hangs out in the AC all day. What a life! She is loved!!

Thanks for reading.
Lisa

LapBand Adventures update..

2009-08-14T08:30:00.001-07:00

Well It has been a few days longer than a month since I have been banded, and almost 2 weeks since I had my first adjustment...it has been an adjustment that is for sure...

I am down almost 30 lbs and I am really starting to notice it myself. My friends/clients and coworkers all have noticed right away, but it takes longer for someone to notice it in themselves.

I have learned to eat slower as to not get sick or have pain. That was a hard lesson to learn but I am a quick learner! I bought an order of the three little sausage biscuit dippers from Sonic. I had 2 little bites and I felt that pain, that stuck feeling. I was in PAIN! I eventually got sick and refused to eat for the rest of the day. I will not eat bread again. Ewww.

I have been eating lots of protein. Very little sugar and almost no carbs. Some fruit, fish, spinach, different veggies.

I have had several people message me about my daily diet plan. So here is an example of a meal plan for a day: ( this is just an example that works for me )

Wake up and drink a bottle or two of water. Take my liquid vitamins..I take Centrum Liquid.

Breakfast: Two soft scrambled eggs, one Dannon Light & Fit Diabetic Friendly ( I am not a diabetic but it keeps the sugars low) Vanilla Yogurt, 3g carb, NO ADDED SUGAR, 45 calories!!! Yummy.

Before Lunch I drink half a container( save half for the next day) of Odwalla Pure Pressed Carrot Juice. ( gotta get those veggies in some where!) and more water.

Lunch: I have a piece of barbeque baked chicken, I like the thigh pieces they seem to be not so dry, I eat slow and wait in between bites. If I am still a little hungry I eat a peach and a Weight Watchers slice of cheese.

water.water.water. In the afternoon all I do is drink water.

Dinner: I have a small piece of fish on spinach, with onions and avacado and tomato with a little vinegrette dressing. Everything is in small quantities but it makes a nice size salad. I have to chew everything really well and eat slowly. I always leave the dressing on the side so I can save the salad for the next day if I start to feel full.

Dessert in the evening...I have another yogurt with some Cool Whip on top or a fudge pop from the freezer.

I do not ever feel hungry and so far I don't feel deprived of anything...Praise His Name!!

More updates to come...Congratulations to all you new Banders out there. It is an amazing tool to help you get to where you want to be! If you have any questions (not that I have the answer, but I can tell you anything you want to know about me) feel free to message me on Facebook or leave a comment on here...much love.

Lisa

Lapband update almost 1 month...

2009-08-05T05:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went in for my first adjustment (fill). This is where they access the port and inject a tiny bit of saline into the band to tighten it around your stomach to make it feel fuller longer...
So I went in because I was eating just about anything that I wanted but trying to opt for the more healthy foods, I just felt I was eating too much of it.

I get there and this dude takes me back, he is totally enamored by my tats. I am chatting with him about my tattooist and just making small talk. He hands me a stapled piece of paper to sign, an ackowledgment of facts paper. It states among other things that I could POTENTIALLY be infected with a contaminated needle!
I was like whoa...hold up dude. What!
He said it happens or could happen if the person injecting me sticks themselves and THEN sticks me! I was like is that really an issue?? He said it could happen. I was shocked but I guess the same is true anywhere needles are involved. If I accidently stuck myself my first instinct, I think, would be to pull back, not push forward. I dunno. It freaked me out, so I watched my nurse or PA like a hawk. Come to think of it....I am not sure that I know what her qualifications are, she wore a white coat so my assumption was she has some medical background. However!!! I wore a white lab coat to take my test for my Cosmetology liscense...Oh God, I could have been injected by a hairdresser!
Oh well it is done now...
I am on liquids for two days and then graduate back to soft foods for two days, this time they gave me a list to choose from. Which is really nice.

I worked out today. Like my first real workout since being banded. I walked/ ran, did lunges and a side step thing that my old personal trainer had taught me to strengthen the thigh muscles. I did arm stuff and some jumping jacks.All for about 45 minutes. Then just about passed out....whew. I will do it again tomorrow morning from 6-7...at the school track down from my house. It will be cooler earlier anyway....
I love my Ipod but I would love to know how to keep the headphones in my ear while running. I love to listen to music while I run, they always fall out. Anybody know?? Special running headphones?

Everything seems to be going fine with my adjustment so far. I will update soon. No more weightloss to report. I was attacked by chocolate this past week. Cycle time...after this is over I will weigh again. I just got to keep moving!!
Thanks for praying and supporting me...you are loved!!

Lisa

Lapband Week 3

2009-07-24T06:50:00.000-07:00

I woke up yesterday and it was the amazing, I had NO pain. No pinching, no fireballs, no nothing. I was a little worried because I thought that not having any pain meant that the band had slipped or broken off. I found out later that it is for sure still there.
The pain in my chest from the hernia operation has completely gone away, Except for the slight scar on my abdomen, you would never even know I had surgery.

So I drank my water fast like I used to. I love water! No problems. I then cooked me a piece of fish and sat down to eat, I was really looking forward to eating with no pain. I started to eat without really thinking about it and I took my first bite, it was a big one. It was yummy so I took my second bite and then a third, oh yes I could EAT!! So happy! Then it hit me, PAIN, nausea, I pushed my plate away in disgust and ran to the sink. Oh NO it was stuck, I could FEEL it. I had eaten too fast, too much, something. I never threw up but I felt like it was seconds away. Finally when it passed the band I felt better but I ate no more the rest of the day.

Now, I know. I will never do that again.

I still have no pain, except when I eat too much/fast. I am thankful for the band and its reminder to slow down and chew and eat with purpose.

L.

P.s. In my last post I said that my doctor said that most people have hernias. He said that as we get older, the opening in the diaphram that allows the esophagus and stomach to go through, it gets bigger. It can happen when we sneeze, lifting heavy objects, the bigger we get ect... only in extreme cases do they cause issues, most cause indigestion, heartburn and general discomfort.
FYI...L.

Lapband Post op visit.

2009-07-21T09:20:00.000-07:00

ok yall, I went to see Dr. Marsden (I love him) today for my post op visit. I had some questions and he answered them all.

First off, I am a little ahead of the average weight loss for less that two full weeks out of surgery. I have lost 7 lbs since I was banded and the average is 6 lbs.

I asked him about my pinching pain, the reason I can't sneeze or yawn without pain. It is a pinching in the middle of my chest. It is very painful. He said that is from my hernia repair. He said that my hernia was not a monster, nor was it life threatening. He explained that almost everybody has one but why not close it up while you are in there. He also said that the pain will go away in about a month or so. It has to heal up first and then I won't have that pain anymore.

I was very relieved to hear that. I mean, that right there alone will make everything better. Including my fireball bubbles. I think those hurt so badly because I can't catch my breath.

Now, about the fireball bubbles, he said those will also go away to some extent, but that will always be there in some form because that is the restriction factor of the band. I need that little reminder to keep me from eating the wrong things or too much in any one bite. When I get filled (water added to inflate the band and squeeze it tighter around my stomach, in order to make me feel fuller) the fireball bubble sensation will come back for a little while. I honestly think I can deal with those as long as I can breathe, stretch, yawn or sneeze without pain. I am excited for that day to get here.

7lbs since banding. Yay. 25.4 overall, bigger YAY!

Thank you all for your support and prayers, this is going to be a long road, but I am on it.
Lisa xoxoxo

Lapband Adventures Day # 10

2009-07-20T08:29:00.000-07:00

Things are going well, I am eating Taco Bueno's pintos and cheese! Yay, just a few bites and I am full.
I wake up and start drinking water. I like to get my water intake in because I can't drink while I eat and for sometime after I eat. But today I am going to try to eat some scrabbled eggs for breakfast. I have lost 25.4 lbs so far. I see the doctor tomorrow, which is good because I have a few questions.
#1. Why does it hurt when I yawn/stretch, is that the hernia repair?
#2. Will I always have discomfort when I eat? Digest?(fireball)
and a couple others...

So far it has been really good, I will keep you updated.
Lisa

Kaos the Zedonk

2009-07-17T14:47:00.000-07:00

Hey all Kaos is 1 year old now. I just thought I would give you all an update.

Lapband adventures Day #7

2009-07-17T07:55:00.000-07:00

So, today I am supposed to able to begin introducing thicker foods to my diet. For the first week all I could have is stuff that would go through a straw. Because the stomach is still a little swollen from the procedure, thick or solid foods will or can get stuck. That could cause the new little stomach to stretch and have some really bad side effects, one being throwing up/band slippage (not good) and another could be not losing as much weight because the new pouch holds too much.
I called the doctors office about this pain that I was having about 5-20 minutes after I drank something. It feels like an air bubble that is potentially on fire that rises from my gut but never completely surfaces...it just comes up part of the way and then dissipates, until the next time.

I spoke with my surgeons nurse and she said that is the liquid passing through the band. Which made sense. Apparently that is the feeling I will have when my band is inflated and the opening about the size of a dime. Especially if I don't chew well or try to eat something that is too fiberous and it has a hard time going through. Good to know information.

I am going to have a yogurt today in addition to my V8 juice and my muscle milk. All have lots of vitamins and low fat and low calorie. I may try some pureed chicken tomorrow. The best part is that I am not really hungry. Sure my tummy rumbles and I can feel that it is empty, but the sharp hunger pangs, I don't have those.

I have virtually no pain at all now, except when I stand for a long time or bend over to pick something up. So extreme movements either way are the hardest, but not terrible.

Day 5 , went to work for a few hours and that was tough but Day 6 I worked a little longer and it seemed fine. I also wore some stretchy pants on day 6...it made a big difference.

My big triumph of the day: I took 2 bras and 2 shirts that I never wore back to Lane Bryant and they credited my account $151.00, she was basically begging me to buy something and I just looked at her and said " Honey, I have no idea what size I am going to be next week" ( Huge grin)

I am down 24 lbs and up $151.00

Love Yall L.

Lapband Day #6

2009-07-16T06:04:00.000-07:00

Most of the pain is gone or seems to be until I am standing. Then I can still feel the pulling on my left side. I am still on a liquid diet, which is high in protein and low in sugar. I am not really hungry, but my stomach rumbles and seems quite angry with me. So I drink my protein drink and it stays quiet for a while.

Last night was great because I am a stomach sleeper and I was able to roll to my right side partailly. Yay! It was a good night.

So far I have lost 23.2 lbs. since the beginning of this journey. Pre-op diet took care of most of that.

I will keep giving updates as this is the single most exciting thing happening to me, right now.

Thanks for keeping me in your prayers. Muahh...L.

Lapband, hernias, and more....

2009-07-13T10:28:00.000-07:00

Ok, so on Friday July 10th Andrea picked me up way before the sun came up. We trekked across town to a surgical center in Richardson. I made up my mind to have the Lapband procedure done. Thats right, I spent the majority of life being a "big girl", and except for the "meth years" that is all I have ever really known. Time for a new normal. Time to be healthy.

Well, I had had enough. I went in and Andrea was with me. The day was a blur, all I remember is being extremely tired and Andrea playing with my Iphone, and complaining because apparently I did not have enough music for her to listen to. I went to stay at her house for the first 24 hours. So thankful that I did. I must say, she is the best nurse ever! She woke me up so sweetly each hour and a half to take my meds, to walk around and to blow on my breathing gauge machine. She was ON IT! (secretly, I loved being so taken care of, but, every now and then I could have beat her over the head with that stupid breathing machine, She was so bossy! She would say..."Time to use the blow machine!" "How many is that?" "Stay in here so I can watch you..."..dang woman!)To her credit and insistance, I did not get pneumonia. It never had a chance... I am just saying.

Today is day # 3 it is not that bad, I am now off all pain meds but still on a little ibuprophen and my antibiotics. I think my surgeon is a genius, I don't think I will have scars at all. He also went in and closed a hernia that I had. His name is Dr. John M. Marsden. I pretty much think he is awesome. He is very meticulous and that is what I wanted. He also cares, which was also of utmost importance to me.

Long story short. This next year is going to be a big one. My plan is to blog about my progress, my ups and downs, post before and after pictures and much more. This was not an easy descision to make for me but I feel it was the best one. It may be something that you would never even consider, or it could be all that you think about. I hope that blogging my journey will be helpful and informative as well as entertaining. Speaking of entertaining, I had Andrea take some "before" pictures that I refuse to post until I have some kind of "after" picture. They are way too humiliating.

My current diet consists of Chicken broth, Myralax, Naked friut juice, V8 low sodium juice, and no hormone yogurt smoothie, 1/2 cup at a time. mmmm. But that is fine since I am not really hungry at all.

One thing is sure, things are going to be changing.

Love you all
Lisa

So no bloggie...STAY TUNED

2009-07-06T17:48:00.000-07:00

I have some amazing things about to happen. God willing. So please stay tuned it is going to be a very interesting year! VERY INERESTING!!

Zeus

2009-06-07T13:25:00.001-07:00

Zeus died today at 2:00 pm. It is the hardest thing that I have ever had to do...he was the sweetest dog. I swear he smiled at me all the time...He came into my life in the middle of a thunderstorm with lightening flashes that lit up the night sky, and it was raining sheets of icy water , he left me in the polar opposite...hot, sunny and on the most peaceful of days... Our last few minutes together I knew that he knew he was loved. He went very softly and quickly, it was like he just went to sleep. I miss that dog so much already and with that loss I feel so much more alone in this world. Thank you all for loving and praying for him right along with me. If you never got a chance to meet him, I can only say, if you had, he would have stolen your heart too. He is with Stetson and Jesus...and now I must grieve....L.

a whole lotta nadda

2009-05-26T14:59:00.000-07:00

I have been doing nothing spectacular. For memorial day David Rice, Ericka O, annd myself went to Lonestar park to watch the horse races. We had fun and it was great to get out and do something different. It has been raining and storming for the past few weeks so I have been held somewhat hostage in the house with Zeus. Speaking of Zeus, he is doing very well but his joint is still swollen with cancer. I keep him on his cancer meds and he eats very well. He is happy.

Coco is going downhill faster though. She can't jump up on the bed anymore so I have to help her up. It seems that her little skeleton is gonna give out first. I am in geriatric doggie hell. lol. I love them though.

I have homegroup tomorrow night and a busy schedule the rest of the week. I miss my bloggie, but I must confess...Facebook is easier and faster for me. This is great to post videos and capture memories, especially if you have children...I am not giving up on the bloggie!! Lisa

I have been attacked!

2009-05-12T07:28:00.000-07:00

Ok my blog has been attacked by a virus...they have left 20 something comments (all in Chinese). The name on it is from ED. I can't find all of the comments to delete them, they go way way back. I am trying to find all of them. DO NOT CLICK ON IT!!
I did not click on it because I already know it is bad news. Just be warned, they are out there, and they are trying to give you a virus! Now I am off to delete more of the comments before they do damage to some unsuspecting reader.

I just can't figure out the fun of hurting other people and costing them tons of money to try to fix the mess they caused...evilness.

L.

Bad weather+busy week = anxiety!!

2009-05-05T14:07:00.000-07:00

I am booked up this week at the salon and the weather guys on every channel have been squawking about thunderstorms all week...that makes me so anxious, because my poor Zeusie is so scared of storms. Usually I would just move my sweet clients around as best as I could but this week I have no where to put anybody. Girrrr.

I am still in love with my new appliance. It is so nice.

It is my birthday week and I am excited to get to hear from people and possibly hang out and/or go to dinner with friends this week.

I am going to the prayer service on Wed. night if I get out of work on time. It was supposed to be my first time to my new home group but I guess we are going to meet at the church for the service. I can;t wait to be reconnected.

I just heard that school is going to resume in some places on Thursday. I need to reschedule some of my teachers that I have booked for the middle of the day...have a blessed day! L.

Suprise!!

2009-05-03T16:17:00.000-07:00

Ha Ha, I suprised Andrea today by just showing up at her house! I came with groceries and a diet sprite! Yay! I stayed for hours and I cooked the recipe below. That way she can have some amazing left-overs to just heat up on the run!! I just love hanging out with her and we always have so much fun. I had to leave suddenly but usually we drag the goodbyes out for hours. I have to get out there more as Hannah Beans has grown so much and Luke is flat out talking!! He said "what are you doing" and "Good nitey" in the sweetest little voice!! I love that boy!

I got to hold little Miss Hannah Beans. She took two naps on me and I loved every second of it. She smiles so big and she has the sweetest little nature! I want to eat her...scrumptous.

I am hoping to go on this retreat in August, in Oregon but it is going to be awesome!! I have to get my ducks lined up to plan this one...I really want to go!! Oh to hang out with other ladies that love Jesus and are photographers in an amazing mountain setting...ahh bliss. I am going to be working towards this goal. I am going on a budget for this!! Ok I am updated now..I will be back in a day or so, I am trying to blog more. TRYING!

L.

Recipe...

2009-04-26T06:39:00.000-07:00

I have been frustrated with blogging because I don't feel anything is blogworthy.

I did make up with my neighbor that I wrote about a few posts back...I went over and apologized and said that I felt like we got off on the wrong foot. She was also sorry for her behavior. I want to have a nice relationship with my neighbors..."Love thy neighbor" and all that.

My refridgerator keeps running and running, I pray that it is not going out. I amgoing to flip the breaker on it and see of that helps...hummm?? Yep...that did not work...I will be going to price some today.

ok this is the heart healthy recipe that I told Penny about...I will be making it this weekend. My coworker made it and just raved about it... enjoy.

1 lb ground turkey
1 tsp oregano, ground
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp salt
10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
15 oz fat-free ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
8 oz fat-free mozzarella cheese*
12 uncooked lasagna noodles
26 oz jar chunky garden vegetable spaghetti sauce
1/2 cup water
shredded parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

1. Brown turkey in skillet. Drain fat. Add oregano, red pepper flakes and salt Set aside.
2. Mix ricotta and mozzarella together. Add spinach to cheeses.
3. In a 5 1/2-quart slow cooker, layer 1/2 noodles, 1/2 turkey, 1/2 spaghetti sauce, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 cheese mix. Repeat.
4. Cook 4 1/2 hours on low. Sprinkle shredded parmesan cheese over top, if desired. I usually allow it to melt on top.
Makes 8 very large servings.

Number of Servings: 10

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user KATHEROS.
Number of Servings: 10

NOTE** I used Healthy Harvest Wheat Blend noodles. I used an Italian cheese blend instead of mozzarella. I did not mix the spinach in with the cheese, I just layered it. And I saved about 1/2 cup of the Italian cheese to sprinkle on top. I hope it is good. It had all good reviews. I added a little onion, garlic, an sweet basil to the meat too.

To blog or not to blog...

2009-04-13T20:38:00.001-07:00

It seems lately that I only blog when prompted to do so by Penny...

I know that I need to but it seems to take so much effort. I am trying so hard to use the time that I have to learn more about photography. It is ever changing and quite expansive in the amount of things that I need to know to improve.

I did a shoot today of Alexis. It was a bridal shoot and it went very nicely. I did her hair and make-up first and then Andrea and I went out and shot her bridals. I will post more on this later.

I am kind of slow this week at the shop, so I hope to have them edited and up for you to see!!

My Zeus is doing alright but my Coco girl is really going downhill. She has some weird allergy skin funk and constant ear infections. She is not long for this world. All she does is sleep all the time. But when she is awake she acts like she is fine...IDK I will gage her over the next few weeks...For crying out loud she is 15 years old. I just don't want Zeus to be lonely if he is the last one left. Anyway, I have much to do and I will try to blog more...

I just don't think people are as into the blog deal as they once were...

Prove me wrong and if you read this leave me a comment, even if it is anonymous or even if you just say hi! Please leave a comment!! Love yall. L.

I need to blog...

2009-03-26T10:23:00.000-07:00

I need to blog, if for no other reason that to move my last post down. I miss my baby terribly but I am doing alright. Last night was kinda hard because I was looking at his "seat" by the window. I can still see his butt impression...I just thought that he will never again fill my window with his big ol head. I am ok...just ok.

I have nothing to blog about really. Everything is just kinda going. Work is a little slow right now. But that is to be expected, I have been very busy for weeks, it is just time to slow down...

I am looking for a workshop to attend for photography, so that I can share knowledge at our gathering coming up.

I got a new camera body and I am just having fun with that. It is alot larger than my XTI but I think I am getting used to it. I like it a lot.

Luker is walking and Hannah is precious. Go check out Andreas page if you haven't already...Lukes video will make you cry... Mascara alert.

Ttyl...L.

Stetson 11/4/97- 3/14/09

2009-03-14T13:34:00.000-07:00

Rest in peace mamas baby boy. I will post pictures later. I found some really cute ones from when he was a puppy and some when he was a teenager pup. He was so cute and loveable. I really want to post those...I need to scan them.

I made the decision today to put him down. He couldn't walk very far and last night was he was having trouble breathing. The vet confirmed my decision and it all went fairly smoothly.

He loved going for a ride in the car, so we drove around for a while before the appt. He had cheese burgers and he got to feel the breeze in his face, one last time. People in passing cars oohed and ahhed, pointed, smiled and waved at him as they always had, he loved the attention. I was glad in wasn't raining so he could have a little glory one more time.

The vets office was so sweet and compassionate. I pulled up and they had black wreaths on the doors, indicating that they would be in mourning too.

When it came time to put him down, I was able to communicate with him and like out of some movie somewhere he licked my face, one last time. As if to say " I know mama it is alright"... I told him to go sit by Jesus and save me a spot...and just like that he was gone.

I am thankful to have had such a faithful friend all these years and even more thankful to have been there to make sure his last moments were peaceful.

He died at 3:00 pm and he had his mama and his baby ( his favorite stuffed animal) at his side. I will forever love that dog, and he will forever be missed!

L.

Love thy neighbor...

2009-03-01T16:16:00.000-08:00

Recently, I have been hearing alot about "love"...of all kinds really but specifically biblical LOVE. "Love your Lord God with all your heart..."
"Love is the greatest of these...", "Love thy neighbor", which brings me to my issue.

I believe that God knows my heart. He also sees that I live in the hood. He sees that my neighbors are all basically horrible people. I love them but can not stand them. I mean, I want to TRY to love them but they make that impossible.

Example #1.

My neighbor today, blasts their radio and revs the engine on several of the seven, broke down, pieces of crap parked everywhere on the lawn.This goes on ALL DAY LONG!!! When I looked outside to see what the racket was ( and give them the hint that someone was home and disturbed), I get a visit from the neighbor girl. She tapped on my door. I opened it and there she stood with her baby,firmly attached to her 5'6"
all of 90 lbs, meth addicted frame. She said "uhmmm, We were just wondering...did we do something?? Cause you were all starin at us?"

I said " well, since you didn't take the hint from the looks I was giving you, and you have decided to be tacky and come over here...why yes, the revving of the engines and the loud radios are very annoying."

She said " well next time you could just come over and say something, instead of mean muggin us"

I said " I shouldn't have to say anything, you should be more considerate neighbors and keep it down"

She turned around and faced her house and threw her hand in the air, middle finger proudly displayed....

I screamed " oh yeah now that is class!!(and maybe something about not pissing where you sleep, that part is a little hazy)" ....AHHH LOVE!!!

Example #2

My neighbors in front of me are drug dealers...pot to be exact. AHHH LOVE

Example #3

My other neighbor seems to think it is ok to build anything at any time of day or night, as long as it is made from mismatched plywood, as he has built several buildings and other structures at 2 or 3 in the morning. He uses a miners helmet with a flashlight attachment to navigate in the darkness....ahhh LOVE.

So my prayer is that I will start to love my neighbors, not just love to see the eviction notices on their doors, but actually have a heart for them. I have tried. I have gone over and made nicey nice, and asked if they needed anything. I have taken my neighbors food, not sued them when their dog attacked my dog, not sued them when their dog attacked me.

My heart wants decent neighbors. I think THAT is problem. I wish I could love them for who they are, where they are. That is my prayer. That is the way God loves me...for who I am, where I am. God help my heart!
Thanks for listening...L.

Update on the babies...

2009-02-23T17:09:00.000-08:00

I haven't heard anything from Amanda and Jeff so I am taking it as "No news is good news"!! I will post as soon as I hear anything...Just keep praying for no long term complications and speedy cooking!! Love Yall L.

Brady and Charlie Stephens

2009-02-15T17:23:00.000-08:00

This is Brady and Charlie... born on Valentines Day to Amanda and Jeff Stephens, they were bit premature...they were only 27 weeks and not "done cooking"...mom had some complications and so did they, they are monoamniotic twins. Meaning they are identical and no membrane between them. Their little cords got all tangled up and caused them to have alot of stress. I did not help out in this birth but I did get to take these shots for momma and daddy!Pray for these little guys they are only 1 and 2 lbs and so so fragile. Pray for no long term complications!! Thank you.. Lisa

Hannah Bean Bean and my thumbs

2009-02-12T20:37:00.001-08:00

This blue-eyed angel has my heart...all of it!! Especially when she does this...

Falling Whistles

2009-02-08T14:33:00.000-08:00

This was a benefit for Falling Whistles an awareness organization for rape and violence victims in the Congo! I am a whistle blower for sure!! These are some of my way cooler than me friends...most are artists and musicians. Incredibly talented and they all love Jesus!!The pretty girl in the pictures are my sweet friend Sandie.L. (also these are all on my point and shoot just FYI to all my photoggy peeps)

Career day

2009-02-03T09:56:00.000-08:00

Last Friday I was invited to do a presentation for Career Day at my friend Shannon Raikes' school in Aubrey. It is a very nice school and the kids were so sweet! I loved it. I was a little nervous, because we all know how terrifying 4th and 5th graders can be! But they were sweet and really fun.

I had four classes of about 10 to 12 kids in each class. Each class was 20 minutes long. I did a little background and then some education, and question and answer session. We went over the color wheel and the different skills that are used in my profession. The girls loved the actual hands on hairstyling the most though. I had a few little men in my class and I had them participate as much as possible. Shannon emailed me to say that the kids were still talking about how much they loved my class on Monday! Yay....here are a few shots from the Career day presentation!

Career Day...

2009-01-29T20:03:00.001-08:00

I will be doing a career day presentation tomorrow and I will post some new pics from that!! See yall soon...L.

Hydrofera Blue 1 year later!!!

2009-01-27T16:09:00.000-08:00

Ok everyone the first one is a video clip from my leg injury...it is way gross but it sure does tell the story of how far it has come to come to get to the last picture...warning it is WAY gross!! Thank you all for your prayers and support through the last year! The doctor said I could have lost my leg!! God said "nah, not this time!" love you all L.

One year...

2009-01-22T17:10:00.000-08:00

It was exactly one year ago today that I was attacked by that dog! It took almost a full year to heal from that! I will post pics tomorrow. Maybe a side by side comparison.

I will be going to World Mandate this weekend just not sure as to exactly when...I am still waffling. I want to go but I don't want to leave my babies. I know how Andrea feels now. Well kinda. Sorry this is so boring but this is my actual boring life.

They just said "Son of a Bitch" on prime time T.V.! What the " H" ??
I swear this world is going to hell in a handbasket... Ughh I sound like I am 85 years old. I know now how they feel. Well kinda.

bye. L.

sisters2

2009-01-18T19:57:00.000-08:00

These are from one of my last photoshoots...these are sisters...L.

Quick update...

2009-01-15T19:05:00.000-08:00

Diet is going well with very little exception. Penny made me dinner tonight, she made sauteed cabbage and onions with glass noodles and salmon. It was really really good, it was only 11 points, and it was very filling. I gotta tell you it was so nice to have a good "diet friendly" meal at the end of a long hard day!!

This cold weather is not having a positive effect on my dog. Well, Zeus, my doggie with bone cancer, seems to be doing fine. My other doggie, Stetson, well he is having bad issues with his hips. It is pitiful, some days he can barely walk. He wobbles around and struggles to stay upright. It is so sad to see my baby like that. I try to keep him warm and comfortable as possible but I know it has to be painful.I am not sure of how much long I have with him...he is my sweet boy that I have had since he was born. He is 10 yrs old and very old for his size. He weighs around 190lbs. I love him so much and just want him to be alright. But I love him too much to watch him suffer. I may have to make that decision soon. Just pray for me in that area. That is it for now....L.

And the answer is...

2009-01-13T19:21:00.001-08:00

I lost 2.6 lbs , it would have been more but I forgot to pee before I got weighed. Andrea lost more than me, so I had to buy dinner. We went to Chilis because I had some gift cards from Christmas. Whoo Hoo.

I bought some good food to eat for my lunch for the week. I got some of that flavored tuna in the pouches...it looks great. I will add that to a salad instead of chicken this week. I also bought a few avocados and mango's to top the salads with...this way I won't get bored.

I also received a phone call from my church, the guy from the Dollar store called to tell " the missionary lady" (that would be me) about another homeless person that has shown up over at the dollar store. Sweet Rebecca called me to tell me about it.

I went to the dollar store to look for her. I found her home in the alleyway behind the store. She has about 9 shopping carts filled with recyclable materials. She has a very beat up old couch that she has drug under the trees for cover. She uses an old box for a little more shelter. She was not there so I asked around,and I found out who she is. I used to see her all the time when I worked at a salon over there.
I would see her and ask her if I could wash her hair for her, I even told her that would not charge her. She never let me. She would come around to dig in the trash cans for coke cans and other "stuff". She is around 60 or 70 years old. It breaks my heart, but I know from my previous interactions with her, that she is where she wants to be. So I bought her a few blankets and left them on her couch. I will bring her some food from time to time and just go on from there. She has been there for many years, I can only try to make the next few a little more comfortable. Well thats it for now...I am happy about my little loss...it is better than a little gain! L.

Dum dum duuuummmm....

2009-01-13T09:18:00.000-08:00

Well today is weigh-in day. I am as anxious as I always am on these days. Even though I watched what I ate and even tracked it, for the most part, I still feel like "will what I have done be enough to see a difference"?

Good or bad I will post it. This is my accountability. I am just nervous. I had Discovery! this past weekend and even though I had sensible salads, chicken breast and veggies for dinner, I still had the little brownie for dessert. It is not much but it might be enough to keep me from losing weight...grrr.

I think that sugar and white flour are my addictive foods. I am trying to eliminate those completely. Each day, scratch that, each meal is a new challenge for me to dodge that stuff. I am doing better and that is a huge step in the right direction. I can tell a difference in my thinking, now, if I can go beyond just thinking about it and impliment it...every time.

I will be back later with my results....L.

It is going...

2009-01-09T19:16:00.000-08:00

Well, I am on day three of my new diet plan...I am so trying to stick with it, and so far I am doing great. I did break down and have some sugar today...grrr! I really didn't need it, I just wanted it, badly. Anyway, I will be super busy doing volunteer work this weekend but I will pick up blogging on Monday! I will be able to stick to the plan this weekend because I already know what I am going to eat. I will make wise choices and decline the crap. God give me the strength to decline the crap! Have a great weekend! Love yall L.

Here we go...

2009-01-07T06:49:00.000-08:00

Alright, the holidays are over and it is time to re-new my goals and refresh the old outlooks. Andrea and I are starting Weight Watchers again, this time I have no plans to go to China and she is NOT planning on getting pregnant.(Both were big deal breakers for me.)

So we joined up last night and we went in to be weighed. I was not as much shocked at my weight just disappointed. I am the heaviest I have ever been. I hate it so much that it gives me even more motivation to stick with it.

I am one of these people who needs competition, however friendly it may be. I also need people in it to win it with me. Thank God for Andrea and Penny Lulu for doing this as well. I also have Linda at the salon, she is doing it as well.

So I renewed my weight loss ticker and will be tracking it. I will also be annoying you all ( my inner circle of peeps) with weekly texts with my progress. I will also be adding in walking.

I am a little disappointed in the fact that they (WW) doesn't have our beloved CORE program anymore but what they have is called Momentum, it is a modified version of Core, basically it is CORE with portion control. Bummer.

All of the women and a smattering of men were saying, " I am a lifetime member and got off the program for the holidays and I just saw the weight creeping back up, so I had to come in..." and just thinking about Oprah Winfrey and her continuous battle...It just speaks so loudly that "IT IS NEVER OVER"!! I will have to change everything (which scares the crap outta me) and pray that I can overlook the obstacles and just chug through. So here we go.

Today I am having a WW shake for breakfast and I will be making White Chicken Chili for lunch, and I will probably have a little salad for dinner, go for my walk, then go to bed early. I have a busy day tomorrow.

Tomorrow I will be taking a big bowl of white chicken chili to eat on all day at work. I will get a bag of carrots and some sugar snap peas to snack on. I know this is boring but it helps me to plan... So here I go...weeeeeeeeee....

Trevor...

2009-01-06T20:16:00.000-08:00

This is my friends son Trevor. Today we went to lunch and then had an impromptu photo shoot.

Yulonda and Trevor ( mother and son)

2009-01-06T20:15:00.000-08:00

The look of unconditional love...

2009-01-03T20:42:00.000-08:00

it is obvious that the feeling is mutal!

Road trip and new friends....

2009-01-03T19:45:00.000-08:00

Alright Andrea I know that none of this is in line, but I couldn't figure all of that out...so just either go into my control panel and fix it or well I will be there tomorrow...

These are some shots of Tisha, sweet friend in Brady Texas(I only had one of her husband and it was not in focus so I didn't post it), also some shots of this amazing man his name is Jaime (a self-proclaimed "mountain man" who lives in Brady) Jaime had an great piece of property where he lives with his buddy and only companion Charlie the hound dog. Jaime and Charlie live inside this old cotton gin, it was amazing! I fell in love with everyone down there in Brady, even the old lady with the broken down van that needed a push in front of Sonic, (Andrea will probably post a video of that...grrr.) They were so sweet to us and Tisha even cooked a beautiful stew with cornbread muffins and brownies!! Thank you for extending such hospitality! A true gift from God.

The day was beautiful and so was our trip. On the way down to Brady, Andrea and I just laughed and had a great time I swear the time and miles just flew by.(Andrea is the best direction giver EVER!!) On the way home we listened to worship music and cried about how beautiful our King is and how His Grace has changed our lives.

I think we counted at least 100 dead deer on the side of the road, it was sad and frightening at the same time. ( I took no pictures of that, I thought that might be just a tweak over the top) lol.

Ok new post is coming this afternoon...

2009-01-03T05:41:00.000-08:00

I have to give a little teaser about the upcoming post...

road trip
great new friends
mountain man
hound doggie
photoshoot
alot of road kill
praise and worship
good times....

I will upload pictures later but I have a busy day at the salon and didn't want to blow my resolution too badly...

Burger King and the homeless guy...

2009-01-01T16:15:00.000-08:00

Alright so I am being "blog yelled at" by people for not blogging...I just don't feel that alot of things are blog worthy. I also don't feel like my life is in any way exciting. But that is my commitment in oh nine to blog more. So here goes

My New Year!! Oh Nine! Here is what I am going to do...I am giving up fast food. I will be cooking more at home and saving the money. I was going to give up sugar, but I blame that idea on temporary resolution insanity. What the "H" was I thinkin'??

I am also going to walk every day at least 20 minutes. (weather permitting)...see, how boring is that? Snoozer. I have to add that I am perfectly content here with my boring little life, and am in no way inviting drama into it.

Today, New Years Day...this is what I did. I went to work for a little while and did a few people's hair who did not mind coming in on New Years Day.
Then I went to investigate the history of my homeless guy that I found Christmas time. I will give those of you who don't know some back story. I went to Dollar Store here in town before Christmas, to get some blankets to give to the needy/homeless peeps in Dallas.
The guy behind the counter was a little shocked because I brought 15 blankets up to the counter, he then said " are you having alot of company coming for Christmas?" I said " nope these are for the homeless" he then proceeded to tell me that he had been worried about " our own homeless guy"...I was like " what? We have one? Where is he?"
He pointed into the parking lot and said that he was living in his car and had been there for a few years. I was like "reeeeally,... interesting...." so I began to noodle about this guy.

Now I am not writing this to get ANY kudos for anything I am writing it because this is my life...

So... I drove by his broke down car and just took a quick inventory of his " house"..
He has a black garbage bag for a drivers side window and the grass that grew out of the cracks in the parking lot cement under the car, was tall, crunchy, and it had long been dead, indicating it had been in that position for a long long time...obviously the car had been not running for some time...
He was not there.
He had a sleeping bag and a bag of bread in the back seat. My heart hurt for him. It had been cold the past few days and it was Christmas time...
Christmas morning I took him a breakfast sandwich from Burger King and a hot fresh coffee. It was still dark outside but the light from the sun was just beginning to crown on the horizon. My breath made columns of steam as it came out of my lungs, it was really cold.
I tapped on the backseat window and held up the BK bag and steaming coffee cup as a "look, I come in peace" way. Not knowing what to expect, my eyebrows were up and I think I bared every tooth in my head, in efforts that he would know I meant him no harm.

(wow this turned into a novel...sorry about that)

The dark blue sleeping bag rustled a little bit, then out popped a scruffy little dude with dark brown hair. He wiped the sleep out of his eyes and blinked a few times. His eyes were the same color as his hair and his skin was as pale as paper.

He looked at me and I looked at him for what seemed like a full minute but I am sure it was just a second or two...I said " Merry Christmas my friend, I brought you breakfast!" He sat up, rolled down the window and said " What? I am getting breakfast in bed?? Wow this is great! God bless you! " I handed him the food and coffee and I turned and said "have a great day!!"

I then went downtown to help there. Later that day I brought him a blanket, a jacket and thermal shirt, and 10 dollars. He was not there but I put it in his car and just left.

I have been going by every few days and taking him some food. My heart is really pulled toward him and his circumstances. I want to pick him up and take him to get food at Golden Corral so he can get what he wants, but more importantly, I want to talk with him.

I want to know how I can help him. I mean it is obvious that help is needed, but will he take it? I would like to get his window fixed.
I have to be smart about this and I didn't know anything more than he lives in that car, and has for a few years. I need know first if he is violent or whatever...

So today I went investigating...I first went to his shopping center neighbors...First, the Dollar Store, but the guy who told me about him was not there today, so I asked the little lady working the register.
She was a sweet looking little lady but when she opened her mouth her voice was harsh and crackly. Obviously she was a long time smoker as her white gray hair wreaked of smoke and her fingers were stained with nicotine.
Her little eyebrows were non-existent and she drew them on with a way too dark pencil...but she used those eyebrows for alot of emphasis in her retelling of her one and only story of "my car guy"...so I watched the eyebrows do their dance since I was digging for whatever anyone would reveal.
She said that "he has been there for a long long time" and that was all she knew...OK anytime someone says " that is all I know" they usually know alot more and just don't think it is relevant...
so I dug and asked her, "Do you know if he can work, is he impaired?" She said she thought he might be on some medication that he does not take regularly. "What makes you think this?" I asked. She said " Well not too long ago he came in with his hands on a make believe machine gun and pretended to shoot everyone in store..we were all real freaked out by that..." I was like " yep, that is a good indication of a mental issue..."
She had worked those eyebrows into a tizzy during that story and now they lay quiet, so I knew that was about all she had for me... I thanked her for the info and turned to leave she said " But he has never hurt anybody...he is real sweet"..I waved , thanked her again and went over to the auto parts store.
I waited in line and asked the clerk about " my car guy" and he had lots to say. I found out that the man has been there for a few years, I already knew that, but I didn't know that he had just gotten out of jail , where he had been for 9 months for a disorderly conduct rap he picked up over at the Albertsons.
I also learned that he has a bicycle and he uses that to get around. So here is what I know...there is this guy, he lives in his car, in a parking lot. He probably can't get a job because he is potentially mentally unstable. He needs so much but I am honestly AFRAID to get too close to him. I want to help, but I do not know what to do. Even the people closest to him apparently do not know what to do. The Dollar Store and Auto Parts place are his neighbors. He is probably banned from the property at the nearest grocery store. My heart is hurting for him. If I could get his car window fixed somehow. Get him some gift cards for the grocery store...SOMETHING...

So that is where I am at...Happy New Year!! If you know of anyway to help my car guy, please lemme know. Love you all Lisa

ok so I made the news...semi-blog worthy

2008-12-26T14:40:00.000-08:00

So I went on Christmas morning to downtown Dallas to help serve the homeless /needy people. I love to help, I just wish they would do it more than just two or three times a year..people need to eat everyday. So we ( My friend Yulonda, who signed us up, and her son Trevor and myself) got there and immediately started in with filling bags with fruit and candy and we did that assembly line style. Once 1000 of those were done I went looking for something else to do. I have to be honest here and say alot people just come out there to be seen. Not judging them really, I just think it is crap to show up in your gucci jeans and high heeled boots with matching coach bag and stand around with your hands in your pockets until the food is prepared and ready to serve. Who is the show for??Just wondering??
While those people stood around because it was cold, I went to the head honcho guy with the bull horn and said "Look dude,I am an able body, ready and willing to work, what cha got that needs doin'?"
He said with a scrunched up face " you got any kitchen experience?"
I said " well, I can cook"
He said " good enough, you are in charge of the steam table area"...
He then pointed me toward a table with some roasters on it and said those steamers need to be up and running at 200 degrees and all need liners and have water in them and ready to serve shortly..I tuned to look at what he was pointing at and turned back around and he was gone...now, take in mind we had 9 or 10 grown men fighting ( well communicating loudly) about which cord to plug into which generator..... oh yeah this was gonna be good times!!
Eventually I assembled a team and we manned the food line beautifully... AND all my steamers were running at optimal temperature!!
I love this ministry because the volunteers actually SERVE the needy/homeless, instead of making them go through a soup line...they get to sit and be served like at home...love that!! Everything was outside, under tents and on tables, it is a bare bones ministry! Once we got the generator situation resolved it really did go very smoothly...The news showed up and I got to be famous for exactly 1 1/2 seconds!! Whoo hoo!! This is the news clip from channel 8 ten oclock news. Ok, you can hear my voice say "ok yall ready 1 2 3 go"( I sound so country!!) and see my hand removing one of the lids and the you have to look really closely but at exacly 59 seconds to 1 minute and over the shoulders of the guys hugging, in the background and under the tent there I am, smiling! Look quickly or pause it at 1 minute exactly, I am manning my area and ready to serve!! Like my pastor always says " You are just a bit part player in the grand scheme of Life.." This video clip is prime example of my bitness...it was a great day. We served over 1000 meals and there were over 400 voluteers!! Praise His Name !!http://www.wfaa.com/video/index.html?nvid=316460&shu=1

Photoshoot of Hannah Bean

2008-12-02T17:18:00.001-08:00

Photography by Lisa Allen

Side note: Post pregnancy hair and makeup done by Lisa Allen!

Ok...so seriously. This really happened. I saw Lisa's Jesus tat hovering over Hannah and I said "give me the camera real quick". Hannah was enthralled with Lisa's tattoo and of course..we were like...WOW..she loves JESUS! She just came from JESUS! She recognizes her Abba. We got excited and I'm serious when I say her disposition totally changed and she started smiling and literally beaming up over her shoulder to see Lisa's tattoo. It really freaked us out. Of course, our hearts were beaming with joy to see it.

I love sitemeter...

2008-11-29T18:35:00.000-08:00

I am really freaked out right now, because I just checked my site meter and someone in Africa, Cote d'Ivoire to be exact, has been Googling my imahairpro name!!!...I followed their last click link and it is amazing what you can find out about me just from my sign in name. It is really scary. Just know this, I have 500 lbs of dog and a big ass gun waiting for you if you are planning anything...punk!

Andrea and Hannah

2008-11-28T08:19:00.000-08:00

I took these yesterday on Thanksgiving...Isn't she sweet!!?! Nothing compares to a newborn baby, my personaol fave is the bottom one, she is already telling the world "I am #1!!"

Hannah is Home

2008-11-25T19:06:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful that Hannah got to come home yesterday. I know that is a weight off of this family. She is home resting with her momma and in her crib. I love that!
This is a very brief update as DWTS finale is on...my doggie is doing great still no sign of sickness. My leg, well I hate to say that it is completely healed because everythime I do it opens back up and oozes alot, yup it is as gross as it sounds. So I will say this it is kinda closed for now...it really closed on Hannahs birthday. We will celebrate as soon as Andreas uterus gets less puffy. LOL I still can;t believe she posted that. Like I said quick update...L.

More of Mark...

2008-11-23T18:46:00.000-08:00

This is Mark, he is a good friend who wanted some professional pics for his website...I think he got what he had wanted...We had a great time!

Mark....

2008-11-23T18:00:00.000-08:00

This is my favorite grouping of Mr. Handsome Mark...

Mark...

2008-11-23T17:21:00.000-08:00

I am not a fan of the "headshot" look but with a face like that...come on!!

more of my favorite of Rana

2008-11-10T17:44:00.000-08:00

some of my favs of Rana

2008-11-10T17:35:00.000-08:00

Sweet Hannah

2008-11-10T15:34:00.000-08:00

Hannah

2008-11-10T15:27:00.000-08:00

Update...

2008-11-05T17:13:00.000-08:00

Zeusie is doing well and has had no issues at all. He was diagnosed with his bone cancer on September 15th and so far he is trucking along.

My leggie. Well I had one day where I took all bandages off and it was like I had been freed from a terrible prison that I had been in for 10 months...it was too soon I think to celebrate. I took a shower and water got underneath the thin layer of skin, and it got kind of bubbly and weird looking and I had pain in it for the first time in a long while. Now don't panic, it is teeny tiny still but it is still an open wound. Not quite ready to go Commando in that area, just yet anyway...

I have been a little slow at work but things are fixing to pick up for the holidays..it always does. We are doing some renovations at the salon, well in fact everything is going to be new. Right now we are painting the salon a beautiful camel color and adding accents like black and leopard. We are all so excited. I will take some pictures so you can see it as we go along...so fun. L!

Halloweenie.....

2008-11-02T08:06:00.000-08:00

Ok, so we all know how I feel about Halloween...but this is different. I had a friend from Germany, her name is Hannah, who had never experienced it at all, so I decided to play along. I am glad I did it was alot of fun...L.

Ahhh I am better...

2008-10-29T10:07:00.000-07:00

I am all better now after five days on antibiotics and some other meds...I am pumped about some photography stuff I am going to be doing...really excited. I will be working today and this evening. Really brief update...Zeus is doing good and so is my leg. i almost did a post on my tiny tiny widdle woundage but I didn't, I may tomorrow though....thats it, L.

Yucky update..

2008-10-25T16:59:00.000-07:00

Ok so I have sick all freaking week. I am still sick but getting better. I won't be going to church tonight though, too sick and too many peeps. I am now on antibiotics and various other meds, just to cope. I had to work all week and I was sooo careful not to hug or get too close to my clients. If I sneezed I washed my hands. If I had to blow my nose, I washed my hands and use a germicidal wipe. Ughh, I am so over this thing. So prepare yourself girlies...my leg is soooo close to being healed...Get ready to Parrrr tay! Oh yeah I can't wait for this to be over with. Just wanted to update you...sneeze hack...ughhh.

Great weekend...

2008-10-20T19:29:00.001-07:00

It was a Discovery weekend and it was great!! So many changes in so few days!! It always blows my mind. I have been so busy doing so many things, I really needed to take this time to pour into others. I am glad I have the opportunity to do that.

Updates..my owie is doing fine Charlie, it hasn't really changed much it is as big as your pinky fingernail, so it is little bitty. I will post a picture as soon as it closes up the whole way ok?? We will also have a big "closure" party!!

Zeus is doing fabulous, he has no sign that he is sick at all. He is still on his medicine and after this batch is done I will have to take him back to the Angel Vet for his bone scan or xray to see where we are at with progression or digression. I of course am praying for the latter.

I will try to update a little more often now that things have slowed down a little bit. I am glad that the state fair is finally over that means business will pick up for the holidays, I love my job but sometimes the unpredictability is so predictable...l.

Things...

2008-10-12T19:44:00.000-07:00

I have been just trucking along. I am in the flow of life, just hanging in there till the next ebb...I have had the Austin trip, Lukes third birthday Party, photoshoots, websites, church, oh yeah work...I just have been way too busy to update on here. So here goes my mini-update.

Zeus is doing fine,he seems to be doing amazingly well..thank you all for praying for him, he has had no pain at ALL. Actually you would never know anything was wrong with him...
This is for Charlie...my owie is doing great! Almost healed up and I will be sure to do a post as soon as it is closed all the way and we will have a party for sure...you know I could have had a baby in the amount of time this has taken to heal. It has been 9 months. Wow that is so crazy to me...

I just haven't had alot of blog worthy stuff going on. But you can bet, as soon as I do, I will post it for sure...(notice I didn't say things were boring, because everytime things are boring, something majorly tragic happens, so things are not boring, just flowing) ttyl...Lisa

Photoshoots and websites

2008-10-03T19:13:00.000-07:00

I am officially overwhelmed and freaked out...I now am the proud owner of a photography website, that I have no idea how to use. It takes time to navigate and upload, time that I just don't have right now. I will have more time after the weekend. I have to get my latest senior pictures uploaded and ready for proofing. I am excited and nervous at the same time. Here is a link to see a picture from Andreas pregnancy shoot from the other night...I will hopefully be adding this to my website. L.

Things...

2008-10-01T06:57:00.001-07:00

Today I am cleaning the house and getting ready for a non-stop month.
I mean it is seriously packed...just so no one gets their feeling hurt if I am not
in touch as much as I usually am, here is a brief rundown of my month to come

Hair show in Austin 3 days
Spiritual retreat 3 days (tenative)
Discovery! 3 days
Lukes Birthday Party
senior pictures editing
somewhere in between I will try to fit in actual work in the salon.lol.
Pray for my doggies they are so used to momma being home.

Just bear with me I don't do packed schedules very well, I am more of a less packed schedule person...L.

God is...

2008-09-22T15:22:00.000-07:00

A little while back in my old home group, led by the fabulous Kristen Rabalias (Helpert at the time)she posed a question and asked us to write down a few words of who God is to us(me)...this is always a deeply personal question, and it is something I don't think I had ever put on paper until then. She gave us a few minutes, and then had us read it to the group. After I read mine, she said she would like a copy and I said I would give her one but had lost what I had written...today I found it folded inside another piece of paper. I feel like I was meant to find this today. Here is what I wrote:
God is...

Faithful, amazing, father, kind, just, righteous, my shelter, my savior,
my rock, my salvation, He is knowledge, He is my light, my depth, my all,
He is my spring, my summer, winter and fall. He is my air and my water. He
is my sun that warms my face and my tree that shades my skin. He is my
motivation to go on and my accountability that stops me in my tracks. He is
my music and my stillness. My Grace and my healer. He is my Lord and King,
He is my everything. L.

mmmm...Red velvet cake

2008-09-19T16:44:00.000-07:00

Here is my new favorite recipe...
Blue Ribbon Winning Red Velvet Cake.
I have made this twice and it gets rave reviews each time!! It really is an amazing recipe!! Enjoy...
Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups of plain sifted flour
1 cup of buttermilk
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 cups Crisco oil
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vinegar
1 tsp cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
2 oz of red food coloring
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cream the sugar, oil, and eggs
Sift together the flour, salt and baking soda and set it aside
mix together in a glass bowl food coloring ,vinegar and cocoa
add this mixture and vanilla to the creamed sugar, oil and egg mixture
once this is mixed well begin to add sifted flour to this mixture,
alternating with the buttermilk until all is incorporated.

Pour batter into 2 nonstick 9" round pans evenly
Bake for 30-35 minutes
Allow layers to fully cool before icing...enjoy!!!
*(the picture has three layers you could do that if you have another pan
just make sure batter is dispersed evenly and add icing betwwen all layers!)

Icing

1 stick of butter (softened)
1 box of confectioners sugar
1 8 oz pack of cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla
Mix all ingredients together until creamy and smooth.

ok been having a little fun today...

2008-09-15T17:09:00.000-07:00

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this one is my fav....lol

these are fun too!

2008-09-15T15:38:00.001-07:00

Create your own FACEinHOLE

FACEinHOLE

2008-09-15T15:35:00.001-07:00

Create your own FACEinHOLE

Hee hee

2008-09-14T05:47:00.001-07:00

This is what I would have looked like in 1964! That is so funny to me!!

We are still here!!!

2008-09-14T05:47:00.000-07:00

So the hurricane came and went with very little gusto for us here in the metroplex. I am glad we missed out on the brunt of the storm. I am so thankful for that. I am also thankful that most of my friends showed some desire to be prepared! Click on Penny to see what her survival kit looks like! Penny even bought the necessary items it would take to survive if the worst were to happen. Notice the pumpkin flashlight, many hours of life saving light would be given from this seasonal novelty. Also please notice the make-up remover cotton pads. How many lives could be saved with these necessary essentials! Although, she has no water in her kit,no beef jerky, no non-perishable canned food, I have to give her some credit, she did buy fruit, and we all know that would keep you alive for days!!! Just giving you a hard time Penny. I think your emergency kit is super funny. Love you L.

GO AWAY IKE...

2008-09-11T18:26:00.001-07:00

I am not looking forward to IKE. This means higher gas prices and a more sluggish economy. I am already struggling, I can't take much more. I feel like everybody is hanging tough but dang, I need a break. I am praying that the oil rigs out in the gulf are going to be ok. We will just have to wait and see. This is just a quick update... Zeusie is doing fine or he seems to be anyway. He seems so frisky and playful. I am loving it. L.

update...

2008-09-10T08:09:00.001-07:00

We are hanging in there...Zeus is doing fine or seems to be. He is taking his meds and doing fine.

I just got a recipe for a red velvet cake and I am going to make it today. I am still on my diet plan but I need RED VELVET CAKE! I am eating a high protien diet. I figure if Andrea can lose 3 lbs in a week, eating like that, I will give it a try. But after my cake is gone I am back on it...I might, just might share...I haven't decided yet.

I am freaking out about the hurricane though. I am going today to stock up on some stuff. Especially dog treats. They are calling for high winds and possible flooding and isolated tornadoes...this is for those of you who NEVER watch the weather!!! It will be here this weekend!! You have been informed. Oh and fill up the car with gas, Andrea. Just prepare. L.

Update on my sweet doggie...

2008-09-06T19:03:00.000-07:00

So far he is doing great. Believe it or not he is acting like a frisky pup. He bounces around and picks on Coco, nudging her to play. He rolled around in the grass on his back and wagged his tail at me, as if to say "Hey, could come over here and scratch my belly, look at it, you know you want to, right?" I ruff housed with him a little bit, just watching to see of he favored his leg, and nuthin'...I know he is on pain meds so he may be feeling better than he had been. He really acted sick and couldn't eat because the antibiotics were so strong and hurt his tummy tum tum. Yes this is how I speak to my babies. They understand me and my wierd communication. Dr. Unger has been calling to see how he is doing and he only has a 15 day supply of pain meds. Not to say that I can't get more but I think she was looking at his life expectancy in 15 day intervals. If he keeps it up like this well, we will see. I must say, I am enjoying everyday more with him, it is like icing on the cake each time extra that my hand can scratch his sweet head and he looks at me with those soft brown eyes or I get to pet the soft part of his widdle fat belly. To hear him sing to me or even watch him get excited for a treat. I am so thankful for a little more time. I am also thankful for this time to be "healty" time. I can't pass him by in the house without going out of my way to kiss the soft part of his muzzle and tell him "I wuv you"...thank you Lord for the gift that he is to me and for just a little more time. Lisa

Update on Zeus....

2008-09-04T05:50:00.000-07:00

Zeus is doing ok today, he is hanging in there. He does not seem to be in any pain at all. I feel so guilty for working but I have the weekend off as I was supposed to go to my retreat. I just will not leave my baby. I can't do it. It is hard enough just to go to work. I must be honest the busier I am the better off I am, but as soon as I get a break my mind is on my love at home.

Ok did anyone see the Sara Palin speech last night...I liked her, a lot! I loved the part of her speech about special needs moms, that was so amazing. The fact that she called her baby perfect and beautiful, and yet did not down play the fact that he was "special". I loved the fact that she owned her family and its up and downs. It was an extrodinary speech and it left me wishing for her to be the one running for President. I still need to do lots of research on everyone before election time. But things just got a little clearer for the republican side. L.

my Zeusie...Has bone cancer... :(

2008-09-02T08:39:00.000-07:00

The vet confirmed today that Zeus has bone cancer and more than likely it has spread to other places. She did a bone scan and showed it to me next to his healthy bone and it was pretty clear. She said "we are looking at weeks maybe months not months to years." I am sad, not devastated, but really sad that I only have a few more weeks with my sweet friend. I am not devastated because I am thankful to have some time to say goodbye.I know that this is not a good picture but I am still looking for some good ones. Andrea said she would come and take some pictures this weekend. Thanks for praying and supporting my Zeusie and me!! L.

Barrack Hussien Obama mocks the bible!

2008-09-01T15:45:00.000-07:00

Never fails...

2008-08-31T08:09:00.000-07:00

It never fails as soon as I make a post about being bored something always happens, or maybe that is just the ebb and flo of life. My Zeusie is very sick and right now I am waiting to see if I need to take him to the emergency pet hospital. A little while ago he couldn't or wouldn't get up so I was freaking out but eventually he did get up and go potty, he was stiff and weak but he made it. I don't know what is wrong but I knew "something wasn't right" yesterday. So if I have to go to the ER it will be the one in Denton because the one in Carrolton employs one the most inept DVMs I have ever seen. We were just there last night. In the course of my visit there I saw many and I mean MANY major mistakes being made. One animal they allowed to be checked out and sent home only to call the owners back and say "Ummm, we never gave Speckles his shots can you bring him back?" these are life saving shots people!! it is an ER, people don't just pop in for shots, THEY NEED THEM!!...To top that off, I got ready to check Zeus out after almost 4 hours, he had a fever and an infected cyst but I really was not sure of what what wrong, he was just "not acting right"...I get my paper work and it said right there on his chart he weighs 101 lbs! Not big deal generally right? Most ladies would love that kind of mistake. Well my guy weighs in at a portly 205!! AND THEY WERE GIVING HIM MEDICINE! Everyone knows that medicine is given proportionately by the weight! Morons I swear. Then I noticed his cyst had not even been treated, they said they looked at it...OMG it was bleeding everywhere and if that is the source of the infection, shouldn't you remove the material!?! The DVM came out..this is the same guy who called Stetson a "fat bastard" and brought the remains of Stetsons ear out to me in a bowl, like a freakin' porkchop! He stuck his hand out to introduce himself and shut him down right there...I said "I remember you, you called my dog a fat bastard the last time I was in" and I gave him the rundown on the ear removal incident ..."oh" he said " I vaguely remember that dog but whatever"....I asked him about Zeusies tail and he said he would have to sedate him! I looked him right in the black part of his eye and told him, "you know as well as I do that sedation is not necessary and it is not good for a 200lb dog that is 10 years old to be sedated" he said "noooo I don't know that" and I said " my regular vet seems to know that, why don't you? " and on that I left! I had to come home and do surgery on that cyst. It was so hot and infected, the material had to come out. I got a very sharp kitchen knife and a syringe and some towels and I went to town. Sedation my ass, that dog didn't even flinch! It was a bloody gross mess but the relief from the pressure was instant. I will be watching him like a hawk for the next few hours so if we need to, we are going to a different hospital. I pray it is staffed with some semblance of competence. People please ( I am going to sound like Andrea in exactly 5 4 3 2 1) hear my heart here...I try so hard to love everybody, to extend Grace, but I really hate this dude. He is incompetent, arrogant, and has a lack of compassion that I would think is necessary to be in the field he is in. Why can't I see past his stupid ugly smug face to see what God sees. God help my heart, because I want to choke the living crap outta that moron!
I think it is best that I do take my sweet baby somewhere else, I wouldn't wanna end up on the evening news. I can hear it now " There was a beat-down at the Pet emergency room today, the dogs weren't the only ones treated for their injuries, the doctor had to be euthanized because his injuries were just too bad." I am SORRY, it just made me feel better to vent. I hate that dude. God help me and the rage in my heart towards idiots! L.

Busy week...

2008-08-27T05:16:00.000-07:00

It has been a pretty busy week so far. The salon business has been busy and on top of that I have had two phootshoots this week! I will post some of my faves from those shoots soon, maybe even today. I am getting a little worried about this hurricane Gustav effecting my trip (retreat). I will be gone for a few days and I don't want to leave my baby Zeusie, if it is storming. I will make a plan "B". I think I will be going to Aners this weekend to cook again. Other than that things are kinda boring and I like it that way. Be back soon with some pics from Rana and April. L.

Still have heavy stuff..He carries it now...

2008-08-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

I have just given my "stuff" to Jesus, He will know what to do with everything. I am the kind of person who likes to have a "plan"...well sometimes that doesn't quite work out for me so, in this case, I am just giving it to Him to handle...I wish I could say I give Him everything but I don't..I think " I've got this" or " it is too petty" or "He has got enough to do with keeping the earth spinning and all..." but the truth is want to be that kind of person, the one who relys on The Lord for everything. I know that He provides the way to get things done but I feel like I have to be in control. Well I am going to try to work on that, but for today I have given Him this "mess" in hopes that He will untangle all the kinks and it will all just "work out"...Don't worry, my friends, I always land on my feet. His Grace shines brightly on me and for that I am eternally grateful.

Today I went to Andreas and man did we get ALOT done!! Ok first I cut Lukes hair, that kid can wail!! He hates to get his hair cut, he acts like I am killing him...it is short but it is really cute...you can't go wrong with a face like that!
Then Andea and I went to Target to get her some Diabetic food for her new plan. She had all of the meat just no recipies and nothing to fix with it...really she didn't have a clue what to do with it. So we got the stuff, andjonbabyluke.blogspot.com go check out what all I cooked for her it was a day in the kitchen, but sooo worth it so she can eat well.

Then we did a photoshoot and I love my new pics...seriously this was a very productive day. I love my friend and I love the give and take in our relationship. Here is what makes it special...we both LOVE the giving aspect! I would rather do for her and I know she would rather do for me. It just works..she is my bestie and an obvious display of God's Grace on me. Thank you Lord for my friend. L.

some heavy stuff...

2008-08-21T20:03:00.000-07:00

Some heavy stuff was dropped in my lap today and I really just want to pray. Have you ever been so confused as which way is up that you didn't even know WHAT to pray for? That is where I am. I can't even begin to ask for prayer because I have no idea where to begin. I really can't go into it yet but I am hoping to be able to at least be able to put it into words. That is pretty much it. L.

Girlz nite out!!

2008-08-17T11:15:00.000-07:00

First Andrea Hughes in all of her radiant pregnant glory

and me the one and only Lisa Allen

and the Fabulous Ericka Omalley, drove to Papas Bros. Steakhouse

A beautiful trio...I KNOW!!

soon we were joined by the beautiful and charming April Williams

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After a little "fashionable late" while in saunters( thats right saunters) the always Divaish Brandi Howard arm in arm with her BFF the always delightful and gorgeous Kelly Moore

The pack was complete and as you can see it was a gorgeous cocktail of women, each so different and yet all have at least two things in common...each one of them HOT as all get-out and each ones heart on FIRE for Jesus...it was a great nite (more pics to come)...Love you girlies...L.

Up at 2:23 am

2008-08-15T00:23:00.000-07:00

A storm is here and I have a dog with high anxiety. He woke me up and I knew by the radar that it was going to be a long night. It is sooo annoying. I am as understanding as I can be, but it is frustrating because so far there is not alot of thunder, his usual trigger into a full on pant/walk around the house in a freaked out kinda way. For you pomerainian owners out there this would probably not be a big deal, but I am talking about a dog as big as a full grown man!! He is 230 lbs. I am also having anxiety about his anxiety this weekend. I am going to be out of pocket and unable to be with him, this causes me great stress. The weather report is calling for alot of stormy weather. Oh well, I guess I will just eat a bowl of cereal and watch a repeat of the olympic games and stress about weather when the time comes...Zeus thinks that time is NOW!...L.

Ok the brisket...

2008-08-10T17:10:00.000-07:00

I finished the brisket, I cooked it for 6 1/2 hours,overnight in the oven. I woke up and my whole house smelled like a smokehouse. Gross. I don't like my house smelling like that. I would rather it smell of lovable dogs. Ok so I cooked it exactly like the Pioneer woman recipe said and I gotta say it was way too salty for me. Now to put it in perspective I don't salt anything. In fact I don't know where my salt shaker is...I know it is weird but I hate salt. The recipe called for the marinade to be made from 2 cans of beef consume and 2 cups of soy sauce...yep there is the culprit, SOY SAUCE. I thought it sounded like ALOT of soy sauce but I stuck to the recipe..next time I will change two things...Change #1..I will adjust the marinade recipe to 3 cans of beef consume and 1 cup of soy sauce, then the other ingredients..(Check out www.pioneerwoman.com for the complete recipe) change #2 I will be cooking that baby in a crock pot outside on the porch. It was the best barbecue sauce free brisket I have had, and it made outstanding tostadas the next day. I used a little peach and mango salsa to counter the saltiness. I made those for Andrea and Penny and they loved it! L.

I am finally cooking that brisket!!

2008-08-07T18:37:00.000-07:00

A while back I saw a recipe on Lindas blog, she added pictures and it looked so amazing. I just finished the marinade and that baby is wrapped and in my fridge marinating away..for 48 hours. I will popping this in the oven Saturday afternoon.
It will cook for 8 hours and I will be taking it to Andreas to munch on all day while we clean her closet! I am so excited about this, well both really. I will let you know how it turns out. L.

Good day..boring but good

2008-08-05T20:30:00.000-07:00

I had a good day. I went to Denton this morning to do some hair for a friend and her mom, who could not make it into the salon. That went off without a hitch and then I proceeded to go to Andreas for the rest of the day.

We went to Bahama Bobs or something like that and had a pretty dang good snowcone/smoothie thingy. I am excited to go to the one here in Lewisville and try one another day...then we went shopping for the dinner I was going to cook later. It was just a fun time hanging out and doing mundane everyday tasks together. I swear we could totally be roomies. I would cook and she would do everything else. Sounds good to me!

Then I cooked buffalo burgers with Green onions and blue cheese crumbles(low fat), baked sweet potatoes with cinnamon , red cabbage with red onions sauted in olive oil then sprinkled with feta cheese(low fat) and corn on the cob ( I cut Aners off the cob for her) It was an all core meal and it was pretty good. Now the buffalo meat is kind of dry because it is very low fat, so I made a little gravy to go over it...not bad. Just another day but it was a little more exciting that it has been lately. Alright alright still waaayyy boring but whatevs. Check Andreas page she took some video of the finished meal...so funny L.

Yay I got my sitemeter back!!

2008-08-04T07:39:00.000-07:00

I did it all by myself!! Nanner nanner...everything is going well here, just kind of boring since it has been so freaking hot...I have just been staying home...boring but my doggies are loving me being home all the time.L

I fixed it I think...

2008-08-02T07:41:00.000-07:00

If your blog shuts down and you recieve a "operation aborted" message...it may be due to a sitemeter issue...I had to delete my sitemeter..I think this resolved the issue for me anyway. I hope to have it back up soon..L.

What is going on??

2008-08-01T18:48:00.000-07:00

I am having a hard time logging onto my page and even Andreas page...it says operation aborted and I get the gray box with that horrible "it didn't work" sound so...I tried to call Ericka because Andrea is out of pocket,but she didn't answer... what is going on?? Maybe this will work, I dunno...We will see. L.

Now here is whats weird...I can get to my photography page to get to my dashboard to do this, but if I try to view this it says "operation aborted" and I get locked down...whats the deal...email me if you can see this imahairpro@yahoo.com or call me 214-435-1179.

Justification, sanctification and glorification ...sweet.

2008-07-27T17:03:00.000-07:00

Ok so today was another amazing day. This is going to be a long one...go ahead and get some coffee.. I will give you a little background first... When I saw the movie Passion of The Christ some years ago, God began a work in me. From then on I knew I belonged to Him...I never questioned it, not once. I feel extremely blessed to have found a church home where I am challenged and educated on The Word. I for some time have felt the Call to make Jesus famous and spread the gospel, either here or abroad...I don't really care where. I am always asking people if they know Jesus, and lately I have been challenged more than ever. I had a long amazing conversation about the difference between being religious and being a follower of Christ with a homosexual acrobat, at a bar in Las Vegas, it was intense! I loved it and he loved me for talking to him about Jesus and not judging him but loving on him...he was the best hugger ever. I have made friends with some strippers and they are currently asking questions. I had a four hour conversation with a lady on the airplane..she couldn't go anywhere and neither could I...She is one of 3 people lately who believes that if we don't get it right the first time we come back until we get it just right..I was like "what is your scriptural basis for that theory?" She had none. By the time it was over I think I was able to at least put a few holes in her boat and plant a seed.

To say the least God is really putting some challenging people in my path. I love it but I feel completely inadequate and quite uneducated to answer most of the questions they pose. So I call my friend Hwa Ho ... it seems that he has since quit taking my calls, as I call just about everyday. I trust him and as much as it pains me to say this...he is usually right. He doesn't dilly dally around and sure doesn't sugar coat things..I like that.

So I am a hairstylist and a little while back God brought me this broken spirited, shy and completely sweet angel for a client. In fact we will call her Angel...Angel has been coming to me for several years and she has been watching me. Then one day out of the blue, she asked me a question about God. I feebly answered her question and I began saying prayers for her.God said to me "Love on Angel, I love her". Each following appointment we got more and more in depth. She starting revealing more and more about her past. She said she trusted me and she was not sure why, she didn't trust anybody. I felt honored. We began hanging out as friends and I invited her to study the book of Matthew with me and to go to the Village. She loved it! She felt like finally something had filled that hole in her heart that she had always had.

After a while she started having some doubts about the sovereignty of God. She had a hard time with the He chose us deal. I was completely frustrated because I am ill equipped for a conversation of this magnitude. I am not that smart. I never went to seminary school, for crying out loud I didn't even go to Sunday school. I was a meth addict, party girl. Not a whole lotta sovereignty sermons under my belt, hence my feelings of complete inadequacy. So in between our conversation at lunch today, which to be honest was again way out of my league. She had said "Why would God create some people to go to heaven and others to go to hell? If that is your God I will just be an atheist". I just said lets go to the Christian bookstore. On the way there I was calling everyone in my phone that I thought would be able to help me, as Hwa didn't answer...Dana Nolette answered and I was like "Dude she is gonna be an atheist, what do I say??" He sweetly said "Don't say anything". I was like you suck at this where is Hwa, but I did what he said...We got to the bookstore and we found a little stack of books and one of them was titled. Know what you believe. So we thumbed to back and then sat down at a table in the back...She began to read about how God already knows who will reject Him and who won't, therefore knowing who to CHOOSE to reveal Himself to. It was like a light bulb went off in her face. She exclaimed "I GOT IT, I JUST GOT IT". It was a beautiful thing. We also learned about the meanings of Justification, sanctification and glorification..who knew? She bought the book and we went back to her house and we re listened to "The Two Wills Of God" by Matt Chandler...so to wrap this up...I am so thankful to have her in my life, she challenges me to ask some questions and to find the answers that I just never thought were really important. I just knew that God loved me... If God is challenging me, I had better step up my game. Who knows where or better yet who is going to have a question next. I think I will always feel this inept, but maybe God will make Hwa answer his phone. Thank you, Lord, for telling Dana to tell me to be quiet. Thank you for revealing yourself today. YOU are so good!! Love yall ..Lisa

So far...

2008-07-25T06:06:00.000-07:00

Well I have been walking almost everyday...it is so hot!! I get headaches and it doesn't make me feel good at all. Actually I hate it, I hate even the thought of it. I so envy those people with the genetics that require the amount of activity it takes to take a nap to stay slim. That would not be me. I am trying. I have also started what I am calling my "Intake Journal". It is just a pocket notebook where I will right down everything I eat. Statistics say people who keep a food record lose 60% more weight... I just got it yesterday, so today is the first entry...

Smoothie...handful of fresh spinach,two spoonfuls of fat free plain (nasty) yogurt, 5 or 6 slices of frozen peaches, 1 banana and 1/2 cup of pomegranate juice. Blended in my Magic Bullet.(Side note...I love my Magic Bullet...bestest blender EVER!)

I also went to weigh in at Weight Watchers and it was so weird...the scale said I had gained 1 lb and I am still down 9 lbs since I first started...so bizarre, I was sure I had put on a third grader but whatever. I am still just as motivated to reach my ideal self!! Keep asking me people..it gives me the accountability I need!! Love Ya L.

This video will touch your heart!!

2008-07-22T14:57:00.000-07:00

An amazing Sunday...

2008-07-20T16:09:00.000-07:00

Today was an awesome day...I was given the opportunity in Discovery to reconnect myself to ME. To really envision my future, the way I want it to be. I was even given the tools to take the steps to make that happen.

I am going to post some of my goals and the steps I am going to take to achieve these goals, in efforts to gain some more accountability...
Goal #1 ...is a personal goal... To live a healthier lifestyle...
step #1..I am going start back on the Weight Watcher Core Plan...I loved that plan and it works, I just got side tracked. So I am going to get back on it!
step #2.. I am going to walk 30 minutes a day, in the morning.
step #3..no more excuses!
My next goal is a spiritual goal...
Goal #2...is to grow in my walk with Christ .....
step #1..is to look into small group leadership at my church.
step #2..is to look into bible studies (Alpha)
step #3..have more quiet time...be still and listen.

Thats all for now, it has been a long weekend and I am exausted!! If you see me, sweetly, ask me how I am doing on my goals, please. I really want this. When I was asked to draw a mental picture of my ideal self. The first image that comes to my mind... looks nothing like me. Well, to be honest, as I am now, it looks like I ate that person. It is obvious that it weighs on my mind and keeps me from being truly happy. I want and deserve to be truly happy..and now I am embarking on a road to a healthier lifestyle...I know, many of you will say...here she goes again, lets see how long this will last...You know what, how many times have you failed at something??If never, then praise God, cause you are perfect!!If not then please, just extend Grace, and support me in this, one more time, if you love me...if not..first of all, quit reading my blog and secondly, you can just sit on the sidelines and mock me if you want. I am loved and worthy and soon to be much much smaller so... nanner nanner!!...Love yall Lisa

Things are going well...

2008-07-15T10:31:00.000-07:00

Ok so yesterday I got to play the role of husband and I went with Andrea to the OBs office to find out the sex of the baby....drum roll please....It is a girl!!! Andrea cried when the Doctor told her the news, she was just so excited...I am so excited too! I said it was a girl from day one! Everything looks perfect, she is moving around and kicking like crazy. I am sorry I haven't blogged much lately...I just feel like I have nothing to say. I am just working and studying, and chasing His Face. Love yall...Lisa (aunt to Luke Roma and Hanna Hope Hughes)

Side by side comparison of wound...GROSS WARNING

2008-07-06T10:57:00.000-07:00

Ok this is a side by side comparison of my wound, taken 5 months apart! See how far I have come!! Praise The Lord!!

I love hands...which one do you like more??

2008-07-04T15:49:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas and my friend Lena!

2008-07-04T15:42:00.000-07:00

ok ok one more

2008-07-04T09:16:00.000-07:00

I was just editing this one a different way. I love this shot so much!!

One more....I just love these

2008-07-04T09:08:00.000-07:00