As Promised ... Weight Loss Pictures!

Sorry it's taken me so long to update my blog but life just happens sometimes, doesn't it! So, the weight loss is still coming off ... although a little slower. I'm down 101 pounds, weighing in at 156. I don't think I've weighed this less since I was a senior in high school. Seriously!

Just for fun I bought a size 12 jean thinking that they would be an incentive for me to lose more weight so I could wear them. Got them home, tried them on, and they zipped right up, without even pulling and tugging. Amazing! Crazy amazing! Haven't worn blouses tucked in my pants or belts since I was a toddler. Now it's fun to tuck and actually look at belts to buy. I've always been told to have a goal, end in sight, mental image in my mind while losing weight. This is my mental image. I see myself in a pair of boot cut jeans with a tucked in tailored white shirt and a black, rhinestone studded belt, and either a pair of cowboy boots or black high-heeled dress boots. My daughter Laurel said that she bought me a rhinestone studded belt. I can't wait to see it and try it on! Yippee Ki Yay!!

What else? Oh, I started my new job last week. I like it and I really enjoy the owners. Basically it's my job to run the office. But before I can run it, there's a lot of organization that needs to take place. And I've got to figure out how to do payroll and tax stuff. For the World Joy side I will be organizing the annual fund raiser dinner in the fall which will be held at the Joseph Smith Memorial building. It's a beautiful facility and we are planning for 200. On the Hospice side I was just asked to be the volunteer coordinator. We are in desperate need of more volunteers to visit our clients. You don't have to sing, dance, or play the accordian, just a visit would be wonderful. But if you do sing, dance, or play the accordian, we can definitely use your talents. Please contact me if you are locally and would like to donate an hour of your time a couple times a month. I'm sure I can find you a client close to your home so there wouldn't be much travel involved. The benefits are the best and can't be beat!

So, am I missing my mom? Yes. Sometimes the feeling overwhelms me but then I have to stop feeling sorry for myself and remember where she is and how happy she is. And soon the 'missing her' passes. I really miss my Dad. He's enjoying being with my sis in Montana but he misses his home and the Dieter dog!

Want some laughs? The day before Mom's funeral the girls and I were horsing around trying to be sexy. I'm definitely not sexy ... that's all there is to it. No matter how hard I try, I just look like a doofus. Check out these pics and have a good laugh!

I need some great project ideas, preferably 3-d and home decor. So, here's the deal. If you send me pics of your ideas, I'll enter you into a contest for a free pass to UStamp with Dawn and Friends 2010. I'll be giving away two free passes. So hurry fast and send me your projects via e-mail to sumatragal@gmail.com. (the catch is ... I get to CASE your projects!)

Have a wonderful Monday and know that I think of all of you every day and am so thankful and grateful that you are a part of my life.

So Many Things To Tell

It's been an amazing two weeks! Absolutely amazing. So many emotions, happy, sad, lonely, grateful, spiritual, thankful, nervous, anxious, excited, and love for family and friends.

Nat, Neal and girls arrived from Oregon. Normally it takes them one long day of driving for many hours to get to Salt Lake. But because of horrible weather and roads it took them two days to arrive. We were so grateful and happy to see them. Natalie hasn't seen me for a few months so was shocked by my weight loss. It was exciting to watch her face when she saw the 'new me.'

I had the opportunity, with some of my girls and daughter-in-law in preparing my mother's body for the funeral. It was such a special time and so very spiritual. We curled her hair and styled it and then put on her makeup like she used to have me do it for her when her eye site was failing. She looked absolutely beautiful. Although it was a spiritual occasion, we still had some good laughs and a wonderful time together. I know that her spirit was with us. I felt her and knew that she was laughing right along with us.

Later that evening we had a beautiful viewing where a lot of our good friends and family came and supported us.
I hope that I don't come across boastful or bragging, but without a doubt Mom's funeral was the best one I've ever attended. All of my siblings spoke as well as my sister Margaret, her daughter, and Lindsey and I sang together. All of the grandchildren sang together and then we had a beautiful piano solo by our cousin. The Bishop gave a beautiful tribute to mom too. I'm certain that mom's spirit was sitting right beside Dad. I could feel her presence. She received tons of flowers. She always equated the amount of flowers to how well a person was loved. She was loved tremendously!

The Comforter really helped me through the services. I held up remarkably well. I never thought that I could sing at my mother's funeral, and we sang marvelous. I was able to give my talk without tears too. I knew that was what my mother wanted.

However, this is a scene that I'll never forget, watching my family bring my mother's little body to the grave site. It's hard not to cry when you watch your Dad cry. He held up remarkably well, but he's so lost without her.


Me, Lynn, Ryan, Natalie in the red, Laurel, Little Pregnant Lindsey, Reese in the back, Angie in the blue sweater, and Ginger on the end. My pride and joy. My greatest love ... my family! It's a wonderful assurance knowing that I can have them for eternity if we live righteously.

Where's Waldo? I mean Ryan? It was a cold, wintry day and everyone was anxious to get back to the church for a wonderful meal that our Relief Society had provided. We planned for 125 people for the luncheon. They provided the most wonderful roast beef with cheesy potatoes, jello salads, all kinds of green salads, rolls, and desserts. It was wonderful!

Here's a happier picture of me with my Dad and siblings. Beverlee on the end, next to her is Carol, then my baby sis, Sylvia, my Dad, Me, Margaret, and my brother Gil behind us. Isn't he about the most handsomest man around?



These are two cousins that I grew up with in Montana, Connie and Marsha. Marsha is 3 days older than me and our mothers were in the hospital together. In those days, after having a baby, they stayed in the hospital for 10 days without getting out of their beds. When they did finally get up, their legs were so weak it took quite some time before they had strength to walk! Things have certainly changed these days, haven't they?

This is my Dad's sister, Mona. She's amazing! She's 95 years old and still wears little high heels and dresses so darling. When she turned 90, she hiked to the top of "Y" mountain in Provo. She made the news! She wanted to do it again for her 95th birthday but the Dr. didn't think she ought to try it.

Just when I thought there could be no more tears to cry, I had to tell my father goodbye. It's been a wonderful privilege and joy taking care of him these past months. But it's time for me to go back to work and it's too lonely for him to be home during the day. So, my wonderful sister Margaret took him home to Montana to stay for the winter. I think it was harder to see him go than to see my mother 'graduate'. It was hard watching him drive away. Both Lynn and I shed buckets of tears. It was a sad day going back into their home and finding both of them gone. My daughter Angie and her son came out to help me put Dad's Christmas tree and decorations away. We also cleaned the house, washed bedding, and organized some of Mom's things. It was comforting putting things back in place, knowing that was the way Mom wanted things done. I'm sure she's at peace knowing that her home is in order and Dad has gone back to his favorite place to be with one of his favorite daughters.

So, what now? Emotions all over again. I'm nervous, scared, and excited for my new job on Monday. New job? What's that all about? In order to qualify for un-employment I had to apply for two jobs a week. I never thought that this company would call me for an interview, but they did. And they hired me on the spot! In fact, they wanted me to go to work a few weeks ago but I told them I couldn't until my mother had passed away. They were understanding and hired temp help until I could start. I'll actually be working for three companies owned by a father and two sons. I will spend most of my time with World Joy, which is a non-profit organization that raises funds to put in water systems and build schools in Ghana, Africa. The other company is, hold on to your hat, a Hospice company called Aspire Home Health and Hospice. The owners just purchased another company this week. Not sure what the name is but it has something to do with entrepaneurs. I will be the office manager as well as helping raise funds by speaking to schools and organizations.So, it's on to another new chapter in my life. I'm excited and can't wait to tell you more, as I know more.

How's the weight loss coming? I have some new pictures to post soon. I'm only one pound away from losing 100! Feeling great and looking better!

Thankyou for you prayers and love. I've felt them!