Off the Subject, but IMPORTANT!

I am a long time Corpus Christi resident. I am also a Pediatric Nurse with 17 years of employment at Driscoll Children’s hospital. Nearly three years ago I was inspired to travel to Ghana, West Africa to help out in a children’s home for orphans.

On the trip I met a child named Philip. After much prayer, and even more paperwork, Philip became my son through International Adoption one year later. Through my own adoption and multiple trips to Ghana, I was able to assist three other families in adoption from Ghana!

In addition, my church (Real Life Fellowship) has adopted my son’s birth village for an upcoming mission trip that will include a week-long medical clinic, in-home water filter systems for up to 100 families and the digging of a water well.

Our goal is to take much needed medicine and supplies to the population, as well as to spend time educating local residents about what they can do to improve living conditions for themselves. We're committed to providing immediate assistance, as well as to providing the people with skills and information that can improve their lives over the long run.

I truly need generous support of people like you to make this mission trip a reality. Participants are required to fund their own travel expenses, and are asked to contribute toward the supplies that we’ll need to provide aid to the people of Northern Ghana.

I need to raise a total of $5500.00 by May 31, 2010 in order to participate in this international fundraising relief trip. It is my dream to take my son back to Ghana with me on this trip so he can see first hand the benefit of charity.

Any amount you are able to contribute will be used to assist in the cost of this mission trip. A $5, $10, $15, or $25 donation will go a long way toward our travel expenses.

There is a secure donation link at the bottom of my blog. I hope you will consider a small donation on behalf of the people of Ghana, West Africa.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and for your commitment to helping make life better for those who are suffering in other parts of the world.

Gratefully,

Tanya Lively

We aren't really vampires.

I posted earlier that I didn't have too many photos of myself cause I avoided the camera at all costs. I managed to drum up a few pics from the past 5 years or so. I am at varying weights between 220 and 255.

This is me when I landed back at home from Africa the second time.



This is around the same time. P had only been home a week or so and we were exploring the jetties.




Me with a baby at the orphanage in Ghana.




My man and I at the Livestock show in January 2009.



This was New Years Eve maybe 2006



So there. My fatty Mc FatFat photos for your entertainment.

Zumba starts tomorrow. I want one of those fancy clinky skirts like Workman.

Peace!

The Vampire Fam

I was spending a much needed day with the fam this weekend. We had lunch and pretended to be tourists. We saw Clash of the Titans in 3d. We watched sail boats in the marina. It was a great day, just the four of us.

I guess I should give a little history here and say that my DH works 7 days a week, averaging 16 hours a day. No exaggeration, no fluff, no shit. In fact, we divorced over it once, but thats another post.

He is a land surveyor doing strictly oil field work. We have had so much rain here in South Texas that he has been able to get himself a bit caught up. Not 100%, but enough to announce that he can take a WHOLE day off and spend it with us!

While we were out pretending to be tourists, we had our waiter take a picture of us. Of course this is completely against the will of my man and boy children. They were horrified, as if I asked them to remove their pants in public or something. What is it with boys and posing for photos? Just shut up and smile already.

So here it is friends...a record of our day together. A memory of Dad's first day off since last July.

Ready?






Funny, eh? Guess we will have to rely on memories for this day.

Grace!

a BYOC marathon

1. If you ever won the lottery what's the very first thing you would do?
Change my pants before someone noticed the smell.


2. What is your favorite curse word?
Hmmm. I used to cuss like a sailor. My dad WAS a sailor, so I came by it naturally. I have tried to tame my mouth in recent years but still love to say the f-bomb occasionally. Sometimes it's the only appropriate word.




3. What is your favorite holiday and why?
I really like Christmas because my kids love it so much. The food, the sights, sounds, smells and traditions that go along with it are so comforting. Truth be told, I like any holiday that allows me to stay home from work.


4. What turns you on?
My husband backing our boat into the yard. Seriously, it takes a man's man to back a trailor the way he does and it gets me hot and bothered EVERY time!



5. If you could have lunch with any famous person, who would it be and what would you order?
Hands down, Jesus Christ. I wouldn't be able to eat, so I'd just get water or unsweet tea.

2. Where is the furthest place you have traveled to?
Probably the Far East. Japan and Korea. I've been to lots of places as my dad was career Navy.

3. If you could describe yourself in 4 words, what would they be.
Generous, impatient, satisfied, and witty

4. What is on thing about you that we don't know?
I was Miss 2nd runner-up in the Miss Flour Bluff pageant in 1987. I entered on a dare from 2 friends who had been in the pageant for a few years. Ugh. I hate myself right now.


5. If you could be a Superhero (like Gilly) - what would you be called or what would your powers be?
My power would be to make dirty water clean with a touch of my hands. Every human being on the planet deserves access to clean water and I would travel to every corner of the planet until it happened. I could be "Agua Momma". :)



6. Name one physical thing you love about you and one mental thing you love about you.
Well I think I have nice feet. My arches are high and my toes naturally point when I'm barefooted and sitting cross legged. I think they look long and lean.
Mentally, I'm pretty witty. Some people don't get me, but I do...and I'm friggin HILARIOUS!

7. If you stood in front of God what question would you ask him?
Did I do enough?

8. Besides yourself - who was/is your biggest enabler in your weight loss journey?
If I have to name someone, it would just be my family. Here, eating is comfort and love. I have to be a 3rd or 4th generation fatty. We have just always shown love with food. Maybe it started with the Pilgrims and the Indians.



9. What do you do for a living (another reader request question)?
I am a pediatric nurse who works in the Peri-Anesthesia realm. I have circulated in the Operating room, worked in the recovery room and currently do off-site anesthesia cases and sedation. I work with some super amazing and insanely smart people that keep me sharp.

10. This week's blog that resonated or spoke to me was BOOBS!


WE are going to Chicage girls! We are gonna have a blast! I can hardly wait to meet all of you and celebrate our success, TOGETHER! I'm super impressed with the group of ladies who jumped in and took this project and ran with it! I know you guys are gonna plan the weekend of a lifetime for us and I am super grateful!

Way to go BOOBS leaders!

I GOT WORKMAN

Oh yeah, I got Amy following me. I'm on my way to stardom! 4 more people are following me now. I'm super excited.

This is just the boost I needed to push through my plateau. I tell you girls, if I can get Workman, any of you can. Keep your chins up. :)

Peace Out!
Tanya