December 2004-December 2005 was the year my family would like to forget and here's why. Bill and I were both diagnosed with cancer. Our middle son Nate was wrestling at the State Tournament when I was hospitalized. Nate was injured in a freak football accident and tore the triceps off of his arm bone. He had surgery and ended up in the hospital with staph infection.(Remember that only happens to 1% of people while in the hospital or so we were told.) He had to have a pic line put in for IV antibiotics for a month. And earlier that Fall our oldest son Drew's roommate at college committed suicide.

When it rains, it pours. We didn't know what was going to happen next. Our outlook was a bit "negative" to say the least. We kept waiting for the next shoe to drop. So how did we turn it around?

We were blessed with the compassion our our family, friends, church, coworkers, and community. They brought food on a daily basis and even made food to take to Saturday wrestling tournaments. Money was given to use for housecleaning. My friend Jean and ladies from our church drove me over to my daily treatments. We received cards, plants, and words of inspiration from everyone. Nate's friends visited him in the hospital and one even wore a fanny pack like Nate had to with his IV meds.

WOW - All of these things that were done "for us" soon reversed the "poor me" attitude of the things that were happening "to us". I did alot of inspirational reading and always tried to look at the glass as "half full" because I believe that's where the strength, perseverance, and control lies.

The Go Red Better U program could be looked at as a diet that doesn't let me have my favorite foods like: chocolate, peanut butter, or lots of carbs or I could look at is as a way to finally change to some lifelong good eating habits. As far as the exercise part I could say I'm too tired, my body is sore, and I don't have the time for this but I know in my heart of hearts in order to lose weight I'm going to have to be consistent in what I do.

Go Red Better U says when the benefits outweigh the obstacles it's time for "action". At this point in my life it's time for "action". I know we can reach our goals together if we see the glass as "half full".

Remember - What you see is what you get!!!!!

Blessings,

Laurie