Dear Lisa,

When I first set out to write this letter I had thought of warning you of things that you could avoid doing to make your life better in the future, but I’ve decided that doing that would rob you of learning valuable lessons along the way. You wouldn’t listen to me, anyway. For God’s sake, you’re only 16 right now…what 16 year old listens to anyone?

You will be faced with some potentially life altering decisions. Don’t spend too much time analyzing, go with your gut. Your gut has rarely been wrong. Oh, yes, you will make some wrong decisions along the way, but you are a good learner and you will learn from your mistakes. Rarely will you make the same one twice. When you do happen to make the same mistake more than once, don’t be too hard on yourself…you can’t change the past, and you are only human.

There will be some really painful events that happen in the next 30 years. You are going to think at times that no human could possibly survive these things, but you are stronger than you think. So is your faith. Don’t believe it when people say that God doesn’t give you anything you can’t handle. He will give you plenty you can’t handle. The thing to remember is that God doesn’t give you anything that HE can’t handle. Always turn it over to Him. He will see you through. I promise. He has promised, and God is not a man that He should lie.

Here’s a kicker I will let you in on…you’re going to have kids; three of them, as a matter of fact, two girls and a boy. You will love them as you never knew a person could love. They will be your life for many years to come and always. Never forget what it was like for you at your age when they are going through their teen years. It’s not easy, is it? So many emotions happening, and the desire to break away is so intense. They will make it through, as you will. Don’t get too frustrated. They will learn their valuable lessons along the way just as you have. They may be different lessons than what you’ve learned, but they will be lessons that they need. Learn to hold on loosely, but don’t let go. By the way, that’s going to be the title of a popular song in a few years.

And hey, since I can tell you anything I want to about the future, Friday, June 2, 2010’s winning lottery numbers are 1, 10, 12, 32, 36 +25. The jackpot is 30 Million dollars. Enjoy! Just remember to buy us something we’ve always wanted, and share with family and friends. Except Kim. She’s a backstabbing bitch.

Love,

Lisa

(This is my Featured Grownups entry for July)

…but, I promised many of you that I would try to update you on what has been going on with me since I started my much too long hiatus from Xanga. It just so happens that I can’t live without food (who of us can, for very long, anyway?), and it is no secret to some of you that I was a big, fat cow for a while. I also promised that I would post pics at some point of the before and after, and I feel very comfortable doing so now. So, without further adieu…

I had to call my daughter, Marisa, (who is out this evening with friends) to ask her if she knew where the mini USB cord was because I wanted to upload the photo I took of the wonderful dinner I prepared this evening. She was the last one to use the cord, so logically I thought she’d be able to tell me where to locate it, no problem. Wrong. In lieu of the actual photo I have put together the above panel of what was on the menu: New York Strip, grilled to rare perfection, a medley of vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, and baby carrots) smothered in butter made from grass fed cows milk, and Athena melon for dessert.

This menu is typically the way I’ve eaten for the last three years. I blogged about being on a low carb eating plan here, and garnered some support and a whole lot of criticism. Many were sure that it would be the death of me, cause my kidneys to fail, clog my arteries and they warned that it would be totally unsustainable in the long haul. Well, all I have to say to that is:

BITE ME!

Ha! Just kidding.

Not too bad for a middle aged old lady, huh?

I didn’t die. My kidneys didn’t fail. My arteries are clear. My cholesterol level is great. My blood pressure is normal. I am healthier than I ever have been, and I eat so well and am so satisfied. I eat thousands of calories a day, a bunch of saturated fat, and I don’t kill myself working out all the time. For all of those starving yourself on low fat, low calorie diets to lose weight…you’re doin’ it wrong!! For those of you who are eating low fat to lower cholesterol, you’re doin’ it wrong, as well.

Oh, and though I’ve given up weighing myself long ago, I estimate I’ve lost approximately 60 pounds. I am maintaining the weight loss quite well, thank you.

So that’s part of what has been going on with me while I’ve been absent from Xanga.

I’m still taking requests for my Protected List. But be warned, a lot of what I have to say in my upcoming Protected Post is not for the faint of heart…

My question for you all: Would you be willing to give up carbohydrates for better health?

EDIT TO ADD: My wonderful, loving, talented, handsome husband has a Xanga now: MisterNoun – you should go over and read his first post, then ask him why he chose his screen name.