Well, we are in the throws of the holidays, a festive frenzy as my sister would call it. If I hear that song its the most wonderful time of the year, I will go insane. If I could forgo my family obligations, I would pull the cover over my head and sleep the day away. Oh well, despite frightful weather, ribbons and bows and wrapping paper, let the games begin. Remembering my second Christmas without my Mom. Lord help me get through it!

Still standing...one year later

A year ago this time I was on Fullerton, just getting back from the hospital after being there all day and the doctor pronouncing my Mom gone around 7:10 pm. I remember it just like it was yesterday. I drove out of that hospital parking garage for the last time. I wouldn't have to up to the fifth floor-Hospice ward. I wouldn't have to smell that antiseptic. No more wandering the halls, gulping down gallons of coffee, or giving slight smiles to the kind nurses.

We buried Moma on November 2nd, I slept for about eight hours and got back on the road to St. Louis with the poodles. I slept for another eight hours and then drove to Kansas City on November 4th to find an apartment and begin putting my life together. One year later, I am still standing, slowly putting my life together.

Started working here at the GM plant in Kansas City, finally moved all my junk, put my house on the market and started working on the "Evolution of Kelly", a work in progress. I got serious about my weight, joined 24 hour fitness, took Financial Peace again (what a blessing) and found a weight loss challenge group here locally. Embracing change, still evolving, open to endless possibilities that God has in store for me.

It is hard for me today to wrap my mind around the fact that I haven't heard my Mom's voice in over a year. I worry that my memories may fade and I will forget the little things. I will forever keep "G" as the queen of my heart!

Kansas City Weight Loss Challenge

I am in week 2 of the Fit Bottomed Girl-Energy Zone eight week weight loss challenge. I have followed Fit Bottomed Girl for about a year and I recently found out that the co-founder of the website is based right here in Kansas City. A casting call went out for women who wanted to lose weight and get fit. FBG teamed with Jessica with Energy Zone, a health and wellness company. Jessica is a nutritionist that moved from California here to Kansas City to raise her daughters with more Midwest culture and values. Her mission in life is to enlighten and empower women to enjoy the journey and love the skin that we are in.

Jessica and Jennipher are a breath of fresh air, just what the doctor ordered for me. I needed to get out of the fog and step out of my comfort zone and get down to serious business. So far this year I have lost almost 30 lbs. I have much more to go, but I am learning not to make food the event and love the skin I am in. I am getting more into me now, almost being here in KC for a year and learning to live life without Moma. Some days are better than others and I know in my heart of hearts she wants me to be healthy, whole and happy. I am getting to happy.

Wow, what a difference a day makes. Spent my first Spring and Summer in KC. Mild,wet spring to a full blown hot sweltering summer. Learning to live life out loud with Moma, getting my weight under control, paying off old debts and working, working, working. The best thing I did this season was to re enroll in Financial Peace University. Class began May 23 and today is graduation. My eyes opened up to my relationship with money and how foolish it is to carry debt. I have been cutting up credit cards left and right. I have a much better grip on my finances and now I am focusing more on continuing my slide down the scale. I have lost about 23 lbs so far this year, now it is time to kick it up a notch and get busy living. I can do this. I can do all things thru Christ who gives me strength!

My last blog

The last entry I made to this blog was the day my Mom died. Wow. It seems like it was just a moment ago. Here I am stumbling through life in a new year 2010 without my Mom being a phone call away. Life is what you make of it and I am trying to move forward in life honoring my Mom as she raised me to be a productive member of society.