We spent last Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Myrtle Beach, SC at our annual Minister’s Retreat.
I managed to not overpack this time and also put my packing cubes to good use which simplified my life.
A lovely two-room suite, the ocean outside our balcony, delicious food (of which I declined just about all the things I should decline) and time to meet with people we normally don’t get to see over the course of a year made for an enjoyable few days.
Speaking of people we don’t often see, this is Rev. Forest Jones, a fella we have known for almost our whole marriage. Forest and Steve took fifty youth on a mission’s trip to Jamaica back in the mid-80’s and lived to tell the tale–but just barely. It’s always wonderful to see people and be able to pick up right where we left off. I actually knew Forest’s dad before I got married since he was a pastor in North Carolina and a friend of my dad’s so I guess I’ve known Forest since I was about sixteen.
Forty years. I’m feeling a wee bit oldish right now.
Here is some of the delectable food. (I passed on eating the dessert AND ignored the delectable bread basket.)
Lovely decor . . .
and a few swans.
Such a lovely view from our room.
On one of the evenings there, we attended a Pirate’s Voyage Dinner show with our youth pastor and his wife along with a group of other pastors and wives.
As you can probably tell, Clinton and Adrianne (youth/outreach pastor) are a lot of fun to hang out with.
I wanted to thank all of you who were so supportive about my last post. It was encouraging to read your comments and your experiences in the area of healthy eating. It’s been about 17 days of doing this and although I can’t say I feel transformed, I think I do feel better and I am continuing to lose weight, which is an encouragement.
Food prep has been even more interesting since Sarah is home for fall break. She has lost a couple more pounds and is trying very hard to gain weight. Of course, Steve and I are trying very hard to cut back and LOSE weight so menu planning is a bit of a challenge. With all of our food complexities, she made a recipe Saturday night that was a hit for ALL of us. (It does have cheese in it but she cut it way back and I since I have cut out virtually all other dairy, I figured I could eat a small amount of cheese.)
All three of us highly recommend this recipe!
[yumprint-recipe id=’16’]
Tomorrow I head to Greenville to FINALLY meet with my pulmonologist to get some further understanding on my scan results. I’m a little nervous about it but will be relieved to get there and discuss what’s going on.
Even though the appointment isn’t till the afternoon, I am going to leave early so I can get in some back road meandering, one of the things that feeds my soul like few other things do.
So that’s what’s been going on lately: pirates and potatoes, pulmonologists and perigrinating. (I needed a “meandering” word that started with a “P” and perigrinating fit the bill!)
Have a great week!
What about you? What is a favorite thing you did last week or something that you have planned this week? Whether it involves perigrinating or NOT perigrinating, do tell!
And of course, if you have any more simple tips/recipes for healthy eating, I would love to hear them.
PS, I made this recipe for dinner and it occurred to me to eat the leftovers with a sunny side up egg on top. Soooo yummy!
Ellen,
What a fabulous idea! I LOVE eggs in any permutation but especially sunny side up. That would make such a delicious and healthy breakfast. Thanks for the idea.
Good for you, Becky. Reach out to Kyla directly and I’m sure she’d be willing to help. I can reach out first if you want. Just let me know and I will be happy to email her first. As for Steve’s trip in the mid 80’s with a bunch of youth to Jamaica????? I’m willing to bet they wouldn’t survive taking the youth (of the same age) of today on that same trip, SADLY! Hugs, Jodi
Jodi,
Yeah, you’re right. Fifty teenagers now would be a whole lot to handle!
That recipe looks AMAZING. I’m making it for dinner tonight. Thank you!
Ellen,
So glad to hear you are giving it a try; hope it turned out well for you!
I’m glad you finally get to see the pulmonologist today. I hope it’s a good, productive appointment for you.
Those black swans are gorgeous! I have never seen black ones before!
That pirate show looks like lots of fun. It reminds me of a show we saw in Las Vegas once. Good food, good fun. 🙂
I’ll be heading east this weekend to celebrate a grandson’s 5th birthday and to cheer on my daughter who is running her very first half marathon. I am so proud of her! Now, if I can just get this plantar fasciitis to go away, I’d love to train for one and run with her next time!
Congratulations on losing weight and hopefully Sarah can gain a few pounds. Praying for you both today.
LeeAnne,
A grandson and a daughter to celebrate with. Sounds like the perfect kind of weekend.
And I look forward to you leaving a comment one day soon about running with that daughter of yours. That would be such a special event for you both.
Well look at thse black swans! Wow, I’ve never seen those before. Only white on cape cod. Beautiful. I’ve been where you are, trying to eat healthy and lose weight while trying to put pounds on my Sarah. It is an amusing situation and can make for a rather large food bill 🙂 I hope your Sarah turns the corner soon, it must be frustrating for her. Carbs, tons of carbs for that girl.
I hope tomorrow brings some solid answers for you. Looking forward to your meandering photos.
Due to the fact that my Sarah is struggling with side effects from an anti anxiety medication, we are laying low these days while I wean her off. I would love to be out enjoying these beautiful fall days, my favorite season. I was supposed to go up to the Cape Cod to visit my dad for a quick visit (its been over a year) but at the last minute Sarah started up with a round of seizure activity. I just didnt feel comfortable leaving the boys in that scary situation, so that trip is on hold until she is stable.
All is well though, on we go 🙂
Lesley,
It’s funny. Until you and LeeAnne commented on the swans’ color I never even noticed it! Miss Observant, right here. 🙂
It makes me sad that you can’t be outside enjoying your favorite season or going to visit your dad. Your ending line, “All is well though, on we go” summed up life so well. We don’t always get what we want but we want what we get and we deeply love the special ones in our lives and . . . on we go.
Hugs.
So happy to hear your pulmonologist appointment is finally here! I hope you’re able to have a good discussion with your doctor regarding your test results. Your Myrtle Beach view was beautiful; and my mouth salivates at the thought of fresh seafood. I hope you enjoy your visit from Sarah and I look forward to pictures from your perigrinating!!
Sue Ellen,
Yes, fresh seafood is definitely a treat although we didn’t have any on our Myrtle Beach trip. Since it was a convention (of sorts) there was lots of chicken! Happily, we have plenty of fresh sea food here in Manteo which we can have any ol’ time. I feel very blessed!
Hope you finally get answers to your scan tomorrow and have a plan of attack.
Last week I took my mom to a dermatologist appointment in Springfield – 115 miles to pick her up, then 75 miles to Springfield. Left Monday afternoon and came back Wednesday morning late. I mom has been having skin problems since early this year. One thing gets cleared up and another pops up. This time they did a biopsy as the PA didn’t think it looked like psoriasis. So we are waiting on those results – hopefully tomorrow. Thursday I waited for the HVAC people to show up between 9 and 11 – never showed. I called and they didn’t have me down. That afternoon I checked visitor packets at church and helped get ready for our Truck and Treat which is this Thursday. We expect 1000 to 1200 people. I will be doing something that night, not sure what yet. Helping again tomorrow to get things ready for it.
Phyllis,
Mom, doctor psoriasis, HVAC, visitor packs, Truck and Treat, helping at church . . . isn’t it interesting the things our lives hold when we put them in a list?
I know your church appreciates your help; as a pastor’s wife, I can say from experience that volunteers make things SO much better. In fact, I don’t know of any church that could keep its doors open without volunteers. Thank you!
Becky,
I’m jealous of that view from your room in MB. Such a lovely place to sit and contemplate life.
Last week, my sister and I took my 3 year old to a pumpkin patch. They had a tractor train ride, a huge pile of corn to play in (like a sand box), a big slide to go down, pony rides, etc. We had a blast! And it was beautiful that evening, so that made it better!
I am praying that your questions are answered tomorrow and a good plan is put in to place. I don’t think I could ever cut back on certain food. It is a big part of my life…I’m a foodie, for sure. However, I must say that that salad looked pretty yummy. I’m more of a salad, cheese and bread girl, than desserts. But I’m very proud of anyone that can do it! Good for you!
Have a blessed week!
Krista,
A pumpkin patch in the fall with a sister and a son. What a perfect evening! I bet your son had a blast.
Yes, that was a lovely view from our room. The sound of an ocean in the background is one of the best sounds there is.
We had several Dr appts. one of which we discovered after driving 30 miles was actually in Nov! We did get to the local zoo which my husband hadn’t been to since he was a teen. Saturday we went to a Gospel concert and had over 3 hours with 5 Gospel groups. I thought about all the concerts you must have done in your traveling time. My P word to throw in is Pedestrian-courtesy of my Critical Thinking Prof at college. Glad things are going well on your diet. It is not easy I know. I do love searching for new recepies when a special diet is called for.
Patti,
That is SO frustrating to get appointment times/days mixed up. Sounds like you guys made the best of it. Trading a doctor for a zoo is not too bad a deal, right? 🙂
I have been to a few of those concerts where there were several groups. So much fun to hear the different styles and sounds, all in one evening. And you’re right– we have done a LOT of concerts ourselves. Somewhere in the thousands.
Pedestrian is a GREAT word!!
Hello Becky ?
I am glad to see you had fun. I Hope Sarah will have a wonderful fall break. This week I am going to celebrate one year since my last overdose it is on Wednesday and I will eat lunch with a friend of mine. So great I will see my friend in a restaurant and not in a hospital! Saturday we will go to cinema together.
Hoping for the Best for you Tomorrow.
Speaking of years I have been following the smiths for 12 years.
Katrina,
So thankful you are celebrating your one year anniversary. And yes, meeting a friend at a restaurant instead of in a hospital is a wonderful thing, indeed.
Twelve years is such a long time. You are one of our special “old timers,” for sure! 🙂
I attended a retirement luncheon for my former supervisor last Thursday. It was great to see former co-workers as I retired 11+ years ago. Also bought new washer and dryer which will be delivered Wednesday. Waiting to hear from heating repair man as furnace not working. Hope it is as simple as relighting the pilot because gas was turned off earlier this spring for repairs. Congratulations on losing weight. Prayers for Sarah to gain. Take care. Pictures are so good. Prayers for you tomorrow as you talk with the doctor.
Was just told there is no pilot on the furnace. Hopefully we are on the list for repairs today but not sure.
Ann,
I’m sure it is fun to go back to your old place of work and see people you used to work with. And that is happy news about getting a new washer and dryer. I think I saw on FB that your old set was over thirty years old? Those are amazing products to last that long.
Glad to hear your furnace problem was just a pilot issue. With the temps dipping down, a furnace that works is a very good thing!