Where to start?  Since I was 10 you were my step-father, but you were way more than that, and frankly, I can't imagine what my life would have been like if you had not been a part of it. 

Sure, in the beginning it was  hard, what are the chances of the preacher/headmaster marrying the organist/music teacher... in 1976, it sure was scandalous!!!  But all scandal aside, after the first couple of rocky years and after leaving Savannah it was all good.  You introduced me and my sister to horses, and my love of them has never waivered, and carried on to the girls as well.  You took care of us as if we were your own.  We didn't see our real father very often, and even when we did, he wasn't much of a role model.  He was fun, you were the role model, the person we looked up to. 

Anyhow fast forward many years, and I'll never forget the summer we moved to Woodbury, GA from Hilton Head Island.  I was devastated... I thought you had ruined my life, when if fact, you saved it.  In HHI, a lot of us were starting to go down some wrong paths...but in Woodbury the armpit of GA, there wasnt a wrong path.  In fact, there wasnt a path at all - just good clean fun, a house to roll here in and there (including our own once), and cows... lots and lots of cows (cowtipping is a real thing too).  So, here 35 years later, Thank you for moving us to BFG, literally. 

Thank you for giving me my first real job with Blackbaud, even though it was an accident at first, I had no idea I liked computers so much.  That ability is still present today, and my knowledge started there, in a little office in Atlanta, GA, and although I was in administrative support, we all knew my real title was Director of Happy Hour(s) :)

Thank you for loving my girls the way you do and did.  Their eyes would light up every time you were around.  I'll never forget when you met us in Florence and took a baby by yourself back to Charleston for the weekend.  Madi loved you like no other, and you were wrapped tighter than a tick around her every finger.  Please tell her I miss her when you get there.  Not a day goes by that I dont.  Squeeze her as tight as you can and tell her I love her soooo much.  Hannah loves you too, but you and Madi had something really very special. 

Thank you for taking care of mom when she was so sick.  I'm not really certain how all all of that escalated so quickly that last night, but I know you did all that you possibly could for her.  Please tell her I miss her too.  I often think if she were still here, Madi would have been too.  Although Madi also had Toots wrapped around her finger, she was terrified of her as well.  We all were actually.  Again, please tell her I love her and hope y'all all have a group hug.  I cant believe it was 12 years ago yesterday that she left us.

I know I've left out a million things, but I wanted you to know how much I appreciate all you did for me all the years.  I love you.

Love, Felicia

So, at the end of last year I was asked to do some very special ties, for some very special neighbors, and of course we attended their daughters wedding. Well, it was getting ready for this wedding and when I got this photo, as well as a couple of others back and I looked at them and said, "you have go to do something with yourself.  You are totally out of shape, and you have a fat tire and love handles that are just not going to be attractive this year for the fishing photos, just as they were not last year, or the year before.  You have to do something, and now, you're 52 years old, and you're not getting any younger, so the time is now."  But where to start???  I've never actually DIETED before, ever.  And let me back up, I'm small, and small-framed.  People who know me will be asking, but you're thin, you dont need to lose weight.  Well, I hid that tire very well.  Above it's controlled by SPANX, control top panty hose, and a A-Line dress.  It's there, and it was VERY apparent in the other 3 dresses I tried on before I decided on this one, as well.  The princess waistline one, I literally looked 6 months or more pregnant.  It was time to take this bull by it's horns. 

So, back to the question of how???  I had seen some signs for a new gym on the island, but it said "Spinning", nope not for me I decided immediately, I was not going to just "ride a bike".  Well then, I saw this same gym had those TRX straps, now THAT could be cool, and yoga.  Well, the yoga got me (I also don't EVER relax so yoga for one hour a week or so could change that, right?).  So message this place called Tidal Strength & Cycle and they message right back, and I signed up for a yoga class.  Well, at this time, I didnt realize that they also had total body strength classes, and some HITS classes, and a very wide array of classes.  Yes, sign up, you're committed to going now, not just a "I'm gonna go to the gym and workout tomorrow, but I'm going to the gym tomorrow at 8:30am to work out."  To me, this is what has made the difference.  And a huge difference it's made too!  Ive lost a few pounds, but also I've lost 5.6% body fat too!!  And I absolutely LOVE this place.  So much in fact that I now go every week day AND guess what?  I even like the spinning classes too.  They add a great cardio workout and the music is great and loud!!  There are classes throughout the day and evening classes too!  Check out the weekly schedule at www.tidalstrengthcycle.com. 

Ok, so there is one more component to this get healthy, get strong lose weight thing.  I visited Dr. David Seignious at Maybank Weight Loss Clinic as well.  In addition to a healthy workout ethic, I needed a healthy eating ethic.  Dr. Seignious & staff laid out a very detailed plan for my new low carb, no sugar, high protein, low fat lifestyle.  I plan on using this same journal to share some really great recipes and tricks I've found on my journey to lose this fat tire (im about halfway there after about 4 or so weeks.  Whats even better is that my joints don't ache anymore either.  I had no idea that cleaner eating would mean my whole body would react the way that it has!  I used to wake up every morning and it literally took me 3-5 minutes to "wake my hands up too".  I haven't taken an Advil or NSAID in weeks, and this may be TMI, but my IBSD is GONE!!!  #guthealth is the best health if you ask me!!!  Start looking back often for updates and yummy recipes that will keep you healthy too!  Want to know more, go to www.MaybankWeightLoss.com or give the office a call today at 843-557-1111.  You'll thank yourself if a few short weeks, just as I am doing.  Remember.... Summer is coming! 

Please feel free to comment here, or email me if you have any questions, or if you have any recipes to share! 

#summeriscoming
#healthyforlife
#fitisthenewskinny
#tidalstrong