I MADE IT!

 An extra, non-quilty post today to celebrate a date I've been looking forward to:

Today I turn 71!

Last year I wrote about the significance of turning 70, read that here: BIRTHDAYS 

Both my parents died, years ago, at age 70. I wanted to see 71 and today I can say I made it.

Ready for a birthday dinner with friends:

My mom and dad have been gone a long time, 30 years for my mom, 28 for dad:

Their wedding day, 1950, Mom's high school photo, late 1930's, Dad in the Navy, mid-1940's 

1994, last photo of them taken on a cruise vacation

Mom and Dad were married almost 45 years. Will and I are headed to 50 years on our next anniversary. They lived long enough to see their grandchildren born, and so have we. 

When I reflect on the major changes I have made for my health in the last few years I am grateful and happy. This photo was taken 13 years ago, at about my worst. I won't delete this photo as it tells part of  my story and shows how far I have come:

Lauren and Andy Wilkins wedding day, 2012

To read more about this journey, see the tab above: HEALTH JOURNEY

As I look forward to a long, happy future, I leap out of bed each morning, determined to exercise hard, each day. And to eat smart, most days. My plan is to BE STRONG, BE PATIENT, and BE HAPPY. 

As I told my family last year, once I make it to 71, each additional day is a gift. That's why they call it the "present". 

I am hopeful the BEST IS YET TO COME for me. That is what motivates me to keep my spirit, mind,  and body as fit as I can. The future awaits and I plan to be ready.

And, now, let's quilt.

Barbara

BIRTHDAYS

We all have one every year. Children think it takes forever for the next one to come. The older we get, the faster that trip around the sun seems to go.

I often say the BEST birthdays end in a 9, the WORST ones end in a 0. Recently I had one of those "0" birthdays, a BIG one. Those who really know me, know 70 has been looming for me for several years. Both my parents died at age 70. At my mother's funeral her doctor said to me "You're next". That motivated me to lose 80 pounds. And I gained them back. Ten years later I again lost 80 pounds, same old, same old, they came back. 

Two years ago I was ready to try again. If not now, when? It took 15 months but I lost 100 pounds. That was August 2023. I have kept them off and taken off another 10 for good measure. This is where I am meant to be and where I intend to stay. 

2023 birthday photo, thanks to Cait Brady

2024 birthday photo, again thanks to Cait Brady

There are 30 less pounds this year than last, and I was pretty happy with last year, as there were 80 fewer pounds than the year before. 

I had a wonderful day. What do you do when you wake up on your birthday and it's raining, and rain is forecast all day? You put on your rain jacket, grab the umbrella, and walk anyway, 2 + hours, 8 miles. I don't go out in thunderstorms but a little rain never hurt anyone:

There were gifts and cards. I was thrilled with the Bernina Q20 cover made for me by my good friend, Jan Davis--I have always wanted one but they are too time consuming for me to make. She made two, one for each of us, and said "that's enough!". It is the most perfect gift for me, one I never would have asked for--thank you a million, Jan!:

And there was THIS--a personalized video greeting card from an amazingly talented friend, TV producer Shelly Heesaker. She got Donny Osmond to sing just for ME. It's an ear worm but boy, does it make me LAUGH to see this! Thank you SO MUCH, Shelly:

Happy Birthday Barbara

More gifts and cards:

Best of all, my family joined me at Char, a great restaurant, to celebrate. Oliver, 9 weeks old, got to take his first long car trip, more than 3.5 hours, and Stella and Sam, gave me lots of love and hugs:

Sam 5, Stella 9

I once read "If I'd known grandchildren were so much fun, I'd have had them first." So true. These 3 kids are such a joy to me. 

So, the big day has come and gone. I am still here, ready to take on this new decade. What will I do today? First, I will walk another long, 2 hour power walk, listening to my favorite playlist, singing out loud, got to walk off some of that awesome big dinner. 

Then I will start a new quilt, Oh, My Stars, a pattern from American Jane. I've been looking for a new long workshop quilt, to offer to Empty Spools Seminar and guilds who are starting to ask for two day workshops. You learn so much more from a teacher when you can take an extended class. I think this will be perfect for that:

The Fabric Pull, my favorite part of any new quilt project

No longer afraid of 70, I look forward to many great times ahead. My motto is "Be Strong, Be Patient, Be Happy". I am and will continue to be.

If you want more info on how I changed my life, find it here: 

How I Lost 100 Pounds

Now, let's quilt!

Barbara