Month: May 2012

Posted in Christy's Concepts

Day 2 60 Day Photo Challenge- My longest closest…

Posted on by Christy Petty

#2 A Picture of you and the person you have been close with the longest– I did several 😉I met Keith the summer of 1979. I lived in rural Lubbock area and he in Midland. He liked me, he really liked me! This was my first ‘prom’ type thing, at HIS school, my school did not believe in such things, we only had banquets.  My teeth were not grimy, just covered with braces.

.     We dated long distance all through his senior year.

I got my braces off. Totaled a couple of cars. Keith gave me his senior ring, said it meant HE would date me exclusively. He lied ;).  I did date him exclusively. Yes I know, I am a much better person.

Keith and I and Mr. Winkler , a chaperone,. Dating a guy in an explorer post has it’s perks.  They went on a cruise at the end of his senior year, I joined so I could too! I was not able to raise the $$ with them, so I used my earnings from my most recent totaled car.  In this picture we are  a whole year older– 17 and 18.  Keith gave me a promise ring on this cruise– I roomed with his ex girlfriend– No big deal, remember, I don’t compete. If she did, it had not effect on me 😉

Me being in Lubbock and still in high school persuaded Keith to go to Texas Tech for college.  We were engaged in October. Mom was not happy, she liked Keith but not me being engaged sooooo young. Little did she know she would have much more to be unhappy about later.

I was a pretty good student, sucked at Algebra, but made up for that elsewhere. I was 2 credits short of graduating when I started my senior year, so I arranged my schedule and I graduated in January of 81 instead of May.  Keith had decided to drop out of college, he was doing ok, IF he wanted to, and he did not want to.  We went to Midland for a visit with his parents and instead ended up getting jobs. My mom was PISSED. Any way, moved out of house at 17, got a great paying job (OIL BOOM), and got an apartment with Keith. I came back to Lubbock to walk the to walk,. Jumped in the car right after work and drove the hour and a half straight to the church where graduation was. Rolled up my jeans and put on my high heels, to make it look like I was dressed up under the gown. Put on my gown and my NHS sash– graduated. It was so odd to be with all my class mates them all excited about starting their new lives in a few months, the kind of life I had been living for the past 5 months.  Mom was happy I was there for the pictures.

The Wedding invitations said July 11 and July 11 it was. 

Me 18 Keith 19  SEE>IThis is us about 4 hours before the wedding. My home was on a lake, we had been working our butts off since January and this was our vacation!! We went skiing. Mom was PISSED. I was sunburned.

3 months after being married we were pregnant.  The way we figured it we had been ‘married’ and living together since January, ‘married’ otherwise for about 2 years, it was time to get someone else in the deal.Then 18 months later someone else

five years later someone else

Someone’s have been added. 29, 27 and 22 years I have had them in my life. They I have had in my life more than my parents, my brothers, my grandparents.   But no one has been with me longer than my Keith. Having met Keith at 16 he has been in my life, for 33 years now. That is pretty much 2/3 of my life.   We have been through thick and thin (literally). We have grown physically, mentally and spiritually together. We have been poor together. Had/ have had plenty together.

We have dressed alike ;), starting to look alike I think. We have experienced life like no other’s have, together.  We did missionary work in Uganda, Zambia, and South Africa, something I never dreamed I would do and am blessed to have shared it with Keith. We raised three boys to men. We brought 2 of our children through much pain and illness, watched one die and be revived. We have fought each other and loved each other, anyway. We mourned the death a a brother and 3 parents together. We have disappointed and accepted. We have caused pain and forgiven. We have lived many places; fifth wheel, mobile home, house from hell, house built by our own hands, all we have made a homes, together. We. Keith is is my forever person.

Posted in Christy's Concepts

60 Day Photo Challenge (blog posting challenge too)

Posted on by Christy Petty

A fellow blogger ,Flamydwife, posted this ’60 Day Picture Challenge’ I am joining in. I have slacked a bit lately. A few minor major events have happened. I am revamping my eatage to lose some weight, going Dukan.  Put on a few events here at the house, 2 down, 1 to go. Working on Evan’s apartment some more. Shower is next. Some bad decisions of others have affected my spirit and my Spirit. My cat was struck by lightning, I think.  So I have slacked on the blogging– This will kick me back in.

Here is the ‘what it is’:

Day 01 – A picture of yourself with fifteen facts.
Day 02 – A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest.
Day 03 – A picture of the cast from your favorite show.
Day 04 – A picture of your night.
Day 05 – A picture of one of your favorite memories.
Day 06 – A picture of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day.
Day 07 – A picture of your most treasured item.
Day 08 – A picture that makes you laugh.
Day 09 – A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.
Day 10 – A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with.
Day 11 – A picture of something you hate.
Day 12 – A picture of something you love.
Day 13 – A picture of your favorite band or artist.
Day 14 – A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.
Day 15 – A picture of something you want to do before you die.
Day 16 – A picture of someone who inspires you.
Day 17 – A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.
Day 18 – A picture of your biggest insecurity.
Day 19 – A picture of you when you were little.
Day 20 – A picture of somewhere you’d love to travel.
Day 21 – A picture of something you wish you could forget.
Day 22 – A picture of something you wish you were better at.
Day 23 – A picture of your favorite book.
Day 24 – A picture of something you wish you could change.
Day 25 – A picture of your day.
Day 26 – A picture of something that means a lot to you.
Day 27 – A picture of yourself and a family member.
Day 28 – A picture of something you’re afraid of.
Day 29 – A picture that can always make you smile.
Day 30 – A picture of someone you miss.
Day 31 – A picture of a tradition you have.
Day 32 – A picture of a crazy night.
Day 33 – A picture of the house you grew up in.
Day 34 – A picture of your currently most played CD.
Day 35 – A picture of your favorite place to eat.
Day 36 – A picture of your ‘other half’.
Day 37 – A picture of the people you spend most of your time with.
Day 38 – A picture of the best part of your day.
Day 39 – A picture of your favorite movie.
Day 40 – A picture of your favorite Disney character.
Day 41 – A picture of your pet.
Day 42 – A picture of your dream house.
Day 43 – A picture of something you can’t function without.
Day 44 – A picture of someone you’re told you look like.
Day 45 – A picture of your room.
Day 46 – A picture of where you wish you were right now.
Day 47 – A picture of your favorite place to shop.
Day 48 – A picture of your favorite actress/actor.
Day 49 – A picture of where you live.
Day 50 – A picture of your most frequented place.
Day 51 – A picture of your dream car.
Day 52 – A picture of your favorite sport.
Day 53 – A picture of someone you think is hot.
Day 54 – A picture of the one thing you would bring if you were stranded on a deserted island.
Day 55 – A picture of the last movie you saw in theaters.
Day 56 – A picture of something that makes you happy.
Day 57 – A picture of your favorite holiday.
Day 58 – A picture of your favorite animal.
Day 59 – A picture of a random item that you own.
Day 60 – A picture of something you’re excited about

 Here is a picture of me- I took it myself with the timer thing on my camera. Lizzy the lightening cat is at my feet

Here are the 15 FACTS OF CHRISTY:

  1. I am adopted, been that way for all but 7 days of my life.
  2.  I was a twirler in Jr. High and High school. I actually liked the twirling, but did not like the comradely, or lack of, of the twirling team.
  3.  I don’t compete. I don’t get it. Do your best, if you win you win. If they win they win. If it becomes a competition I quit. I don’t compete for friendship. I don’t try to better others.  I do my best, I can’t do anymore. If I don’t do my best, it is usually because someone made it a competition. Thus my issues with twirling.
  4. I am 49, this past April.
  5. I have been married for almost 31 years, in July.
  6. I married when I was 18, Keith was 19.
  7. I had my first of 3 sons, 364 days after I was married, I was 19.
  8. I was only girl and baby, had 2 older brothers. Mike 11 years older and Kirk 5 years older.
  9.  I was a lifeguard.
  10. My 3rd son was born with a cranio facial deformity, Pierre Robin sequence something went wrong in a surgery in first few days, he had a stroke. I am a mom of a special needs adult.
  11. My 2nd son was diagnosed with Celiac when he was 10- since then all of the family, me included have found to be gluten sensitive/intolerant.
  12. I am a damn good gluten-free cook
  13. I wrote a cookbook more to come
  14. I paint, murals and such.  I did the flower in my picture, and walls and dresser.
  15. I found my biological family. Mother, sister, 2 brothers. paternal Aunt, Uncle and cousins–
  16. I am blessed . had to add one 🙂
Posted in Christy's Concepts

I AM Losin With Dukan

Posted on by Christy Petty

I am losing, but it is a good thing! I need to drop some L. B’s. I have needed to for YEARS.  I have tried and lost some, gained more, lost some, gained more, become disgusted, become complacent, become drivin, then not, again and again.  I did phen phen years ago, LOST!! But then they said it could kill me. Not losing, but the phen phen. I did herbalife, it worked until the licorice in the ‘vitamin’ made me sick. I did Adkins, it worked, for a while, but all that FAT was a bit weird to me. Why could I eat a stick of butter but not a head of lettuce? Did Weight Watchers, a couple of different ‘ways’ of eating through Christian weight loss chicks- Gwen ?Weigh Down? . All gained me some loss, but I have never reached my goal weight.

I KNOW we are supposed to focus on the ‘look’ the health of it all, not the number. I am not trying to be 110 again, if it happened I would take it, though. I just do not want this FAT belly, thighs, upper arms. I was NOT created to be sagging and bagging and blubbery. I do not like me fat. Yet, I have been for years, 20+ now. Half of my life time. Most of my marriage, sorry Keith. I have been very disappointed in myself.

I have been working on weight loss seriously for a year  This time. Exercise and eating ‘right’, I lost some, about 20 lb.  It was diligent everyday exercise and pulling sugar and most carbs, removed dairy (pretty much) I felt a lot better, looked better. It was slow and steady. Then I went back on my hormones :p. Then the holidays hit. Then the flu season hit.  Then 10 lb’s came back. My goal was to be 40 lb’s lighter by my 49th.  This did NOT happen.

Fairly recently I ‘befriended’ a blogger  Flamidwyfe, she is a midwife in China, from the states, doing the Dukan diet.  Liked her blog, loved watching her progress, inspired by her. She is about my age, losing weight, changing her eating style, gluten free, I can ‘watch’ her and have a comrade. I had no intentions of going Dukan, I was happy with Flat Belly approach, it was working  SLOWLY. Well, Flamidwyfe posts daily, her life as midwife, her life, and her progress with Dukan.  She loses weight almost daily. Posts her meals, her exercise plan. I became curious and started reading on Dukan. At first I did not notice too much different than what I was doing, other than she had results and I did not.  I had just decided to start counting calories in addition to the sugar and carbs, I was down to 1000-1200 calories a day for over 3 weeks, exercising everyday and I was not losing anything, at all! My sounding boards excused it to my extra muscle I was growing with the new work out program. Maybe. But still I did not like that 1#0 that kept showing up on the scales. I decided to Dukan.

I don’t think I am going to get to telling you how much I weigh(ed) at the start of Dukan, yet. I can tell you I have lost about 7 lb in 6 days, depending on the time of day ;).  This is HUGE for me.  I AM going Dukan.

Some of my recipes will now be Dukan.  Some will not. ie Bamaws Brownies are NOT Dukan. All will still be Gluten Free.

Posted in Evan, Exhort Pray Praise...

Made me cry: The Story of Ian & Marissa

Posted on by Christy Petty

Watch this first. Then read on. The Story of Ian & Marissa « Chief of the least.

Fellow blogger posted the above link. Man, did I cry!!!! It is a beautiful example of unconditional love. Faith in God. Hope. Trust. For me though it goes beyond that, it is very personal.

I pray almost constantly for a ‘Marissa’ for my Evan. I started a book with characters based on Evan and the woman of my dreams, my hopes. I falter. I doubt. I concede to thoughts that there are many men, even ‘normal’ men who never find their loves, who remain single, that it may not be in the ‘cards’ for Evan to marry.

Evan wants a wife, he wants a companion, he wants for someone, other than his mommy and daddy, to love him, want for him. Evan wants a family, of his own.

Evan attended ‘school’ at Southwest Center of Higher Independence http://www.mmhome.org/schi, an almost 2 year education of life skills, job skills, and independence training. At graduation each student spoke on their experience and their goals for the future. Many of the students have language disablity or inability in some form. Evan spoke, in his halting fashion, missing words and incomplete sentences. But it was clear and complete when he said ” I would like to have a wife and kids, like my Dad and my brothers , Lee and Brian.” Oh how I want that for him!

Evan has issues. He does not speak clearly. The language deficit also messes with his comprehension of things, sometimes. He does not comprehend ’cause and effect’ of money, life. Supply and demand of money. He has some nerve damage in his face so sometimes he drools a liitle, when he forgets to swallow. He has trouble prioritizing. Heck, I know a lot of ‘normal’ people that have these issues, and more!!!

Evan has a lot ‘right’ about him too. He is a fairly attractive guy; thin, blue eyes, dark hair, and alot of it. He is very kind, he cares for people. He is a good listener, because he does not talk well he tends to listen more. He is out going, and extravert, go figure. Evan is an electronic whiz, games, computers. He is an excellent driver! He has a job. Evan does not let his disability define him, he does not have a ‘bad’ attitude about being different. He is not a whiner, or give excuses for failure. He is much more than a lot of men that are deemed as ‘normal.

I am reading of Abraham sending the servant to find Isaac’s Rebekah. How often the family did arrange for and find a wife for the son. I thought maybe we should, we need to help Evan ‘find’ a companion. But how? How does Evan find his Marissa? His ‘her’ will have to find him attractive now, with all the flaws. His ‘her’ will have to allow him to approach, in spite of his oddities, to see that he has an amazing heart and soul.

Marissa and Ian have given me a new hope. God has shown me through this that He is in control. I have hope that somewhere someone is out there with a heart being formed and fashioned for Evan. God has a plan.